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Seeking the Spirit, Building Community, Changing the World
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TODAY, September 1, 2020
7:00-7:30 p.m. on Zoom
Starting the Month Together
Renewal
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite
Reverend Dave Clements
Phil Cooper
and others
On the first of each month, we'll gather for a brief (30 minutes), lively dip into our monthly theme together. This month, we'll begin exploring the theme of Renewal as Reverend Emily Manvel Leite, Reverend Dave Clements, Phil Cooper, and others offer opportunities for Renewal through words, sharing, paper folding, and movement. Bring scissors, markers, and a plain piece of paper! Join us on Zoom.
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Saturday, September 5, 2020
Gathering of Waters
Saturday, September 5, 10 a.m. - 12 noon
We will be gathering our water together in shared vessels outside of the building this Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
Bring your water,
Wear your mask,
Stay in your car until your turn.
Staff members, including Sue Swaney, Ann LeDuc, Reverend Emily Manvel Leite, Reverend Mary Ann Macklin, and possibly others and Minister Emeritus Reverend Bill Breeden will direct you, as you drive up and take turns one household at a time to add our water to shared vessels for use in our water communion on Sunday. We will have symbolic water for your use if you do not bring your own. A photographer will be there to record your adding of water, and photos will be shared on Sunday, with your permission.
If you are unable to come to the church on Saturday and would like to participate, please call/email Emily to make alternative arrangements: 812-333-9822 or mre (at) uubloomington.org
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Sunday, September 6, 2020
10:15 am LIVE STREAM ONLY
Intergenerational Water Communion:
Celebrating our UUCB Community
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
Reverend Dave Clements
Adrienne Summerlot
This active intergenerational service will include story, song, and sharing, reflection and ritual. Come to explore and celebrate your part in our renewing community. Special music will be provided by the Loftman-Cusack family.
We warmly welcome Reverend Dave Clements, our new Interim Minister Consultant, who will be participating for the first time in our Sunday worship. For more about Reverend Clements, click here.
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Please Join Us Via Livestream
Please join us for our service each Sunday via our Facebook page or our website livestream page. Archived videos are available about 3 hours after the airing of each livestream on our website, in case you miss the livestream while it's live.
Our Building is Closed, but Our Hearts are Still Open.
To help disrupt the spread of the coronavirus and COVID-19 in our community, our Board of Directors has voted to close the building for the time being. Everyone please stay safe, stay well, and stay home as much as possible.
Our Board will review the situation concerning our building closure and the progress of the pandemic at their Board meeting each month, and will keep us updated on their decisions.
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Do you enjoy our Sunday services?
Please share them on Facebook!
If you enjoy our Sunday services and use Facebook, please consider sharing our Sunday Service events and videos with your Facebook friends!
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Join us for Virtual Coffee Hour!
Read the Friday Update for the complete list of Coffee Hour breakout room topics.
Email connect(at) uubloomington.org before Saturday, if you would like to request a conversation topic and be a small group conversation host. - -Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator
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Emily's Post
Dear Ones,
It is time to begin our new month together as we explore Renewal. I don't know about you, but for me, this exploration is just in time. I am in need of a renewal of the spirit, a renewal of community, a renewal of my calling to Love. I am excited to begin our exploration together tonight at Starting the Month Together (see event described above). I hope you'll be able to join us!
On Sunday, I spoke a little bit about where we are, which might illustrate why renewal might be such a deep need in these days. I'm including some of my words from the beginning of the service here, since they still speak of what is closest to my heart.
"It has been a hard week. A week of political desecration and environmental disaster, of lives lost despite the efforts of humans to save them and lives lost due to the efforts of humans to harm them.
This week, we have witnessed much. Our anger may be growing and our hearts are tender. These are the times that call us to action--to protest in the streets, to call on our leaders, and to do something to care for the world where we can touch it, because that is the only place we can effect change.
It is a moment to draw deeply on our Universalist heritage which insisted that God is Love and that we are called upon to manifest that love in the world. This is a time to love those around us, both those we know and those we do not yet know, with a ferocity that draws on all that is sacred within us. We have been listening too long and too diligently to the calls to hatred. So today, sustained by the beauty of our world and touched by the tragedies befalling it, let us explore together a practice of care.
Let us make Love manifest in our world once again: towards all the lives we touch, through all that we may do. For love is the spirit of this church."
In this new month, as we explore Renewal together as a congregation, may we find that our renewal is deeply rooted in that spirit of love.
Holding on to love,
Emily
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite Minister of Congregional Life and Religious Education
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Welcome to September Religious Education, Families!
Our Fall Programming has begun. Practicing our Principles and Anti-Racist Families are closed but there will be another opportunity to join in October. UU Home and Youth Group are still welcoming new additions. Find out more about our Fall Programming here!We understand that in these times when things are changing daily you may need more drop-in opportunities for story time, offline activities, and time to virtually connect with the congregation or friends from church. Find out what is coming up by visiting our Religious Education web page and calendar!
You can view our monthly Religious Education email and subscribe to it easily here!
Questions? Contact Adrienne Summerlot, Director of Religious Education,
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Our Folks...
Congratulations to Denise Breeden-Ost, whose novel, Making It All Right, will be published this fall. Visit clockflowerpress.com to find out more.
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Space: Mine, Yours & Ours
Virtual Vespers
with visiting minister Reverend Christin Green
Tuesdays: September 1 at 7:30 pm and September 8 at 7:00 pm
What is a virtual "vespers" experience? Vespers is traditionally an evening prayer service with song and meditation. Tuesday, September 1 at 7:30 p.m. and September 8 at 7:00 p.m., Reverend Christin will share a 20-minute engaging, meditative, musical experience followed by an opportunity for facilitated group fellowship until 8 pm.
9/1 Creating Space: Meditations on how we can operate from a place of abundance 9/8 Holding Space: Meditations on how we support one another
You are invited to come as you are, with openness to wonder. Drop in for one session or for many. To receive the Zoom link for this series, click here .
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Writing as a Spiritual Practice (Season 2)
A Drop-in Group with Rev. Barbara Child
Begins September 1
This is an invitation to join me on an autumn journey of personal exploration through autobiographical writing in community on Zoom.
This will be a drop-in group just like the group this past spring, which I now think of as Season 1.
We will meet every Tuesday afternoon 1:00-2:00
September 1 through October 27.
To begin with, even if you took part in Season 1, you need to register for Season 2 by clicking here.
You need to register only once, and can then attend as many Season 2 sessions after that as you choose. You may register up to a few minutes before a session begins.
Here is a description of "Writing as a Spiritual Practice" and what happens in our Zoom room each Tuesday afternoon at 1:00.
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Chalice Circles Small Groups Begin Soon
The UUCB Chalice Circle program will begin the first week in October and we hope you will join us. All Circles will meet online via Zoom. Watch the Friday Updates for more information about online signup, which will take place September 13-27. Members of the Chalice Circle Executive Team will also hold coffee hour gatherings after the church services on September 13 and 20 to answer questions.
The meeting times for Chalice Circles will be posted with the online signup, which will be available soon. Meetings vary from once a month to twice a month or once every three weeks from October through May; each Circle meets for one and a half to two hours. For more information on what Chalice Circles are and their small group ministry of deep listening, check out these pages at the UUCB website:
Or contact a member of the CC Executive team:
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Exploring Unitarian Universalism
Online in October!
The Exploring Unitarian Universalism (UU) class will be offered online on Sunday, October 11 and Sunday, October 18, 3-5 pm. Use this link to register for the class: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEqf-GgrjwtGNFiQOyaQ9va7DESGFCuf6f0 . This class is a great opportunity to learn about the UU Principles, our ministers, the history of this chur ch, all the ways to get involved here, and what it means to be a member of the church. Plan to attend both dates, since different material will be covered in each session. We request completion of this class before you become a member of the church. Everyone ages 14 to 100+ is welcome!
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Shambhala Meditation Online on Mondays
Every Monday at noon online, or anytime since there are saved sessions. Join a 2500-year-old practice of cultivating peace and inner wisdom. We've maintained our practice during the Pandemic, since finding peace is even trickier now, on Facebook at UU Bloomington Meditation. Put in your request to join the group ahead of time to sit in real time with folks from our community. Info, contact Sarah Flint, sflint.ktv (at) gmail.com
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Open Mind Zen Online
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Open Mind Zen Indiana is currently holding all meetings online. For information on how to participate, please contact them at through their contact page. For more info, visit openmindzenbloomington.org.
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UU Humanist Forum and Freethinkers Meet
On Zoom Each Sunday
Each Sunday at 12:45 p.m., our UU Humanists and Freethinkers meet together online on Zoom for open and non-structured discussion of issues of social, political, and theological/religious concern. Click here to see topics discussed in the past.
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Our Folks in the News
Since March, Carol Ver Wiebe has continued to collect newspaper clippings about, and written by, our UUs. Before the pandemic, she collected the newspaper articles and displayed them on the kiosk in the Fellowship Hall. Since March she has been attaching them to blankets that we will be able to display once we are able to meet in person again. Here are a few pictures of her work. We are so thankful for Carol's commitment and hard work. Our UUs are constantly in the news or writing articles. We keep her busy!
-- Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator
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Outdoor, Socially Distanced,
Volunteer Opportunities!
The UU grounds needs a few volunteers to help with watering and mulching. You can sign up to help once, or as often as you would like. Just click on the links below to sign up and see all the instructions. If you have questions, please contact Anna Knust at greengrounds (at) uubloomington.org
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Change in Leadership for Green Grounds
As I end my eighth summer as chair of the church grounds team, I want to thank the many volunteers who have helped create and maintain a more Earth-friendly and welcoming environment, from tree and shrub planting and watering to creating the terrace near our main entrance. Pictures highlighting many of those improvements can be found at the PERMACULTURE PROJECT link under the ABOUT tab on our website.
If you would like to volunteer and help plan or maintain our church grounds, please contact Anna Knust at greengrounds(at)uubloomington.org, or the Connections Coordinator Ann LeDuc at connect(at)uubloomington.org.
To report concerns about something that seems amiss on our property, contact Church Administrator Carol Marks, admin (at) uubloomington.org.
In community,
Molly O'Donnell
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Have a Little Extra Room
in Your Deep Freezer
for Some Hoosier Persimmons?
The Online UU Holiday Bazaar Persimmon Pulp Committee is in need of more freezer space. If you live in Bloomington, have available deep freezer space, and would be willing to store persimmons and/or persimmon pulp in your freezer in the lead-up to the bazaar, please contact the Persimmon Chair, Jason Michálek at michalja(at)mail.gvsu.edu or 989-287-0915.And fear not: we'll ensure the persimmons and pulp drop off and pick up will be socially distanced. Thank you!--The Persimmon Pulp Committee
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Women's Alliance Meets on Zoom
First Thursday of Each Month
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UU Men Meet Third Tuesday of Each Month
Our UU Men's group meets on Zoom on the third Tuesday of each month, 7:00-9:00 p.m. For added security, this meeting requires registration.
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Upcoming UU Singles Events
We are a group of single adults within the UU Bloomington community who meet occasionally for various kinds of connective events as a group. We'd love to have you join us! The following events will take place over Zoom:
- Thursday evening, September 3:
* 6 p.m. Happy Hour
* 7 p.m. Dance Night
- Thursday evening, September 10:
* 6 p.m. Happy Hour
* 7 p.m. Game Night
If you are not already on the UU singles e-mail list, please contact mariedeer1961(at)gmail.com or 812-391-0900.
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Etiquette and Tips
for Zoom Users
Here are some useful tips to help ensure our Zoom meetings go smoothly for all involved:
- If you haven't used Zoom before, click this link to download Zoom prior to the day of the meeting, and use this link to familiarize yourself with any features you may need to use--mute/unmute microphone, stop/start video, etc.
- Find a quiet space without background noise.
- Try to avoid backlight from bright windows.
- Join the meeting a couple of minutes before the start time.
- Have your video on unless you are experiencing connection issues.
- If your name is not correctly displayed next to your picture, right click on your name and choose rename. Consider this your nametag, and include your pronouns after your name.
- Adjust your camera so it is at your eye level if possible.
- Mute your microphone when not speaking.
- If you want to speak, raise your hand so that the other participants know to give you an opportunity to talk.
- Be respectful of others in the meeting by avoiding other tasks while in the meeting such as eating, checking emails, and looking at your phone.
- At the end of the meeting, say goodbye before you sign off. If you need to leave a meeting early, let the meeting organizer or another participant via the chat or verbally. This is not always necessary in large meetings.
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Ask your questions via Zoom on Mondays!
Do you have questions about how to get involved at the church, become a member, or other questions related to the church? Ask the Connections Coordinator your questions every Monday, 1:00-2:00 p.m., via Zoom. Newcomers and current congregation members are all welcome to drop-in. Additional ways to contact Ann are via email at connect(at) uubloomington.org or phone at (812) 720-3688. Use this link to drop-in and talk to Ann on Fridays, 1:00-2:00 p.m.
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Administrative Q&A via Zoom on Wednesdays!
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A New P.O. Box
for Quicker Delivery
of Mailed Pledge Payments
Please use our new P.O. box address to mail in your pledge contributions or other gifts using paper checks:
UU Church, P.O. Box 1158, Nashville, Indiana, 47448-1158.
Using this new P.O. box will eliminate the need for church mail to be forwarded from Fee Lane (even though we will continue the forwarding order as long as we can), and should be quicker. You may have noticed that the U.S. Postal Service is struggling with timely delivery of mail. (Citizens may wish to call their elected representatives about this problem.)
Please note the new P.O. box is in NASHVILLE, INDIANA, because that is near the home of the UU staff member who is in charge of making our bank deposits.
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The Green Sanctuary Task Force Invites You to
Help Get Out the Vote
Planning Meeting September 8
The Green Sanctuary Task Force on Global Climate Change (GSTF) next meets on Tuesday, September 8 at 6:00 p.m. in the Woodlawn Shelter at Bryan Park. Our main agenda item will be planning for our get out the vote effort, in conjunction with the Environmental Voter Project. When calling people identified as potential environmental voters, we'll only be focusing on getting them the information and encouragement they need to vote. Even if the environment is not your number one priority, we invite you to work with us on increasing voter turnout overall. To find out more, attend the meeting on September 8 or email marciaveldman (at) gmail.com.
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"Depolarizing Within" Online Workshop -
Wednesday, September 9, 6:30-9:00pm on Zoom
You may be deeply concerned about how Americans will react to the outcome of the November 3rd elections, no matter who wins! Much of today's polarization is driven by how we talk with like-minded people about those on the other side. Too often, we stereotype, dismiss, or ridicule our fellow citizens who support the other political party, its leaders, and its policies.
Last January, Miles Eddy moderated at UU the Braver Angels (formally Better Angels) workshop called "Depolarizing Within" and will again be offering this workshop online on Wednesday, September 9 from 6:30 - 9pm. This time, though, it will be part of the larger Braver Angels initiative called "With Malice Toward None" (a reference to Abraham Lincoln's second inaugural address) which directly addresses the emotional and political challenges that are anticipated in the wake of the elections. More about that soon.
This free two and a half hour online workshop is co-hosted by the Braver Angels and the UU Just Peace Task Force and is open to the public. Unitarian Universalist and Quaker churches across Indiana are being invited, so we can become more aware of own "inner polarizer" and learn how to be critical without demonizing, dismissing, or stereotyping large swaths of the population.
To register, visit
https://depolarizing-within-indiana-registration.eventbrite.com
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Social Justice Funds Committee Fall Grants
Application Deadline October 16
Each fall, the Social Justice Funds Committee (SJFC) solicits proposals for grants in support of local social justice projects. The funds for these grants are provided through the Lundin Social Justice Fund in the Special Purposes Funds. Awards are based, in part, on available funds, number of grant applications received and the guidelines outlined below. Projects must be based in Southern Indiana and be consistent with the mission of our church. Priority will be given to applications from (1) Social Justice Task Forces, (2) projects that involve a significant number of members of the congregation, and (3) applications to seed new projects that will have an enduring benefit. The monies cannot be used to pay for professional services or salaries. Click here for details and the application form.
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UUA General Assembly 2021 Theme Contest
The UUA's General Assembly & Conference Services team is having a Theme Contest for General Assembly 2021, planned for Milwaukee, Wisconsin in June 2021. See the following links for info. Winning theme submitter will receive free registration to General Assembly 2021.
--LaTonya Richardson | Director | General Assembly & Conference Services
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Community Connections
Our Faith in Action
Middle Way House's recent newsletter includes lots of ways you can be supportive in their work to assist survivors of domestic abuse. Click here for details.
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Reverend Mary Ann Macklin, our Senior Minister
macklin (at) uubloomington.org or 812-322-0205, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite, our Minister of Congregational Life & Religious Education
is reachable at mre (at) uubloomington.org or 812-333-9822, Tuesdays through Fridays.
Reverend Dave Clements, our Interim Minister Consultant
can be reached at clements (at) uubloomington.org. We'll have posted office hours/days for Rev. Clements soon.
Reverend Barbara Carlson, our Minister Emerita, can be reached at barbaracarlson5 (at) gmail.com or 812-822-0243.
Reverend Bill Breeden, our Minister Emeritus, can be reached at breeden1949 (at) gmail.com or 812-360-1779.
Carol Marks, Church Administrator, admin (at) uubloomington.org or mobile 812-287-9615
Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator, connect (at) uubloomington.org, 812-720-3688
Monica Overman and Mandy Skinner, Office Assistants, office (at) uubloomington.org
Ned Joyner and Andy Beargie, Multimedia Managers, media (at) uubloomington.org
Adrienne Summerlot, Director of Religious Education, dre (at) uubloomington.org
Stephanie Kimball, Religious Ed Assistant, rea (at) uubloomington.org
Susan Swaney, Music Director, music (at) uubloomington.org
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Our Covenant of Right Relations
In June 2017, our members affirmed a Covenant of Right Relations.
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-------------- Deadlines for Publications -------------
Order of service and Friday UU Update:
Thursday, 9 am, to office(at)uubloomington.org
Prologue: Date of publication, 10 am, to admin(at)uubloomington.org
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Office Hours, Calendar, Deadline, Prologue Dates
Office hours: M-F, 10 am-4 pm (office closed at church, but staff working from home during these hrs)
Church Administrator Carol Marks can be reached via text or voicemail during office hours at 812-287-9615. Email: admin (at) uubloomington.org
Facebook: Many church events are also posted on our Facebook page.
Prologue Publication Schedule:
The deadline for articles is 10 am on the date of publication, which is
the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month.
Upcoming issues: Sept 15, Oct 6, Oct 20, Nov 3, Nov 17, Dec 1, Dec 15
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Livestreaming Our Sunday Service, 10:15 am
Have a problem viewing or hearing the service?
Links to Archived Services to View Online
- Or, scroll down on our main Livestream Page
for full archives of both services and other events (memorials, concerts, etc).
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Free Money from Kroger
Fresh Thyme and Bloomingfoods Cards Also Available by Mail
Did you know that Kroger sends us over $1,600 each year? This is made possible by those of you who participate in Kroger's Community Rewards program. Register your Kroger Plus card online at this link and select the UU Church as the recipient -- our ID number for the program is EW763. We received over $450 from Kroger for this program on August 2!
We are also still selling grocery cards for Bloomingfoods and Fresh Thyme. Click here to see what kind of cards and how many are currently available. Send your check to the church (2120 N. Fee Lane, Bloomington, IN 47408; payable to UU Church) with a note to let us know the type and value of card(s) you want, and we will mail them to you.
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Membership: 527 certified members; 561 current members.
Attendance:
Sunday, August 23 10:15 347 Livestream & Facebook Live
Sunday, August 30 10:15 537 Livestream & Facebook Live
Non-Pledge Offering:
August 23: $316.00
August 30: $254.00
To make a contribution for the Non-Pledge Offering (Sunday Plate), or to make a payment towards your pledge or the Minister's Discretionary Fund, click on this link to get to our PayPal page: http://bit.ly/UUCBdonate
Total to be donated (25%) to Monroe County United Ministries (MCUM) Compass Early Learning Center and Self-Sufficiency Center: $142
Grocery Card Sales: (Bloomingfoods or Fresh Thyme) -- $200
Total income to UUCB: $10.00
We have grocery cards available by mail. Please see related article in this issue, above.
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Masthead photo from the interwebs, with permission.
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| Unitarian Universalist Church
2120 N. Fee Lane Bloomington, IN 47408
Mailing address during covid emergency:
UU Church, P.O. Box 1158, Nashville, Indiana 47448-1158
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