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March 15, 2023

Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana

Congregation founded 1949 | LGBTQ Welcoming Congregation since 1995 | Green Sanctuary since 2007

Seeking the Spirit | Building Community | Changing the World

Events this Week

Board of Director's Meeting Tonight

Wednesday, March 15, 7:00 p.m.

UUCB's March board meeting is tonight from 7 to 9 p.m. in the church library. Board meetings are open to the public and everyone is invited to attend as a spectator, either in person or via Zoom. If you would like to join by Zoom, please email Abby Gitlitz (agitlitz@hotmail.com) for the link. Board meetings are monthly, on the 3rd Wednesday of the month.

Heartland String Band Practice

Thursday, March 16, 6 p.m. in Fellowship Hall

The Heartland String Band, a part of our music program, meets on the third Thursday of the month and plays old-time and Celtic music as well as folk songs. Dulcimers, fiddles, cellos, pennywhistles, guitars, banjos, mandolins, even accordions -- all lovers of this music are welcome!

Resilience Productions presents Writing the Wrongs

March 17 and 18 at 6 p.m. | March 19 at 3 p.m.

Monroe County History Center, 202 E. 6th St.

On March 17, 18, and 19, Resilience Productions is presenting an original play entitled, Writing the Wrongs, written by Gladys DeVane, as part of the Monroe County History Center’s Remarkable Women series. Writing the Wrongs pays tribute to three African American women who made phenomenal contributions to our country’s history. This play is sponsored by the UU Racial Justice Task Force and Ruth Aydt. More info and tickets available at the Buskirk Chumley Box Office.

Join us on Sunday mornings

One service at 10:15 a.m.

In person in our Meeting Room

2120 N Fee Ln, Bloomington, IN 47408

Or watch the livestream

All are welcome!

Upcoming Services

Sunday, March 19, 2023

10:15 a.m.

Spring Equinox Celebration

Reverend Emily Manvel Leite

Stephanie Kimball

Reverend Connie Grant

People of all ages are encouraged to join us in person and online to mark the turning of the seasons and the change that is happening all around. We will share a story and reflect upon balance and new beginnings. If you are joining us from home, please gather: a dry leaf, a seed (from outside or from a fruit or vegetable), a candle or candles, paper, and a pen to join in with this embodied worship experience.

Informal, hands-on drumming workshop with Colleen Haas

for ages 12 and up, after the service

This Sunday, following the service, come learn some drum rhythms for the elements of Earth and Water. Bring a drum if you have one; some will be provided. For those who are interested, small hand held instruments will also be available.

Sunday, March 26

10:15 a.m.

"To Whom it May Concern"

Reverend Connie Grant

Reverend Emily Manvel Leite

It’s an old joke that Unitarian Universalists pray “To whom it may concern.” Sounds like a good idea to me!

Sunday, April 2

10:15 a.m.

Paying Attention as a Spiritual Practice

Reverend Connie Grant

Reverend Emily Manvel Leite

Stephanie Kimball, Director of Lifespan Religious Education

Worship Associates Team

How can we pay attention to the things we really care about in a world where there are so many competing distractions? A multigenerational service.

From our Ministers and Board

Connie’s Column

Thoughts about multigenerational services

On Sunday, April 2, as the Worship Associates team launches creatively with a service exploring “Paying Attention as a Spiritual Practice,” we’ll be experimenting with a form of multigenerational service that may be unfamiliar to some.

Some thoughts about multigenerational services (worship for all ages) that I have developed over the years:

Is a multigenerational service for children, with adults present? For adults, with children present? Neither, I hope. A service that seems like an “adult” service that children are sitting in on is often not inviting to children, and the converse is also often true. I approach Worship for all Ages with the hope and intention that each service will have elements that have the potential to speak to everyone who is present. This does not mean that each element will necessarily speak to each person in the same way,

or even that each element will necessarily speak to each person. One of my colleagues describes Worship for All Ages as a “layering of meaningful worship components.”

One of the things that helps to make “worship for all ages” effective is when people of all ages show up! I’d encourage families with children to sit near the front of the room, so that children can see what is going on; I think this gives them a much better chance of being engaged in the service than if they sit in the back. The occasional fidget or daydream is acceptable; this goes for children, too.

Some of the things that I think make Worship for All Ages work:

Short elements (often including a short homily or reflection)
Accessible stories (not only “children’s” stories, although “children’s” stories often speak to adults, too)
Accessible music (including accessible hymns, rounds, chants, etc.)
Interactive elements for all ages (including movement, singing, responsive reading, etc.)
Readings, music, skits, or prepared reflections offered by people of all ages (children, youth, and adults as appropriate)

Worship for All Ages provides an opportunity to lift up those things that are worthy of our attention (which is a definition of the word “worship”) as a community.

We hope you’ll participate in Worship for all Ages on April 2, person or online, and find this service meaningful. Be there or be square!

In faith and hope,

Connie

Rev. Connie Grant

Interim Lead Minister

grant@uubloomington.org

847-840-8542

Emily's Post

Dear Friends,

Have you experienced a moment of pure awareness lately? As a part of our Inner Work of Age class, a group of us recently read about and shared times of connecting with something beyond ourselves -- connecting so deeply to what is (right here right now) that it becomes a jewel of a moment we can recall and revisit and feel the wonder all over again.

As I've shared before, I've found that haiku helps me notice and capture those moments--surprisingly (to me!), sometimes even the mundane ones, like this from last week:

our old cat peers down

--spring light shining

through her ears.

What helps you catch the moment? Connect, even momentarily, to the wonder that is always there?

Wishing you wonder in the coming spring,

Emily

Reverend Emily Manvel Leite

Minister of Story and Ritual

leite@uubloomington.org

812-333-9822

Tea with Ministers and Friends

Wednesday, March 22 at 3 p.m. in the Library

We invite you to come over to the church on 4th Wednesdays from 3 to 4 p.m. to share a cup of tea. Enter at the Portico or Office entrance and join us in the library for an hour of fellowship and conversation. Reverend Emily and Reverend Connie will be there, and other staff may also drop by.

From Our Board of Directors

As a community, we are doing and will be doing a lot of thinking about the future of this church. Today, I want to ask you to stop thinking for just a bit and feel. How do you feel about UUCB? How do you feel when you attend services? How do you feel when you help out? How do you feel when you contribute to the Sunday plate or make payments to fulfill your pledge?

Like many of you, I've asked myself in the last few years why I attend UUCB, especially after our time apart. When church was all on livestream, my wife and I picked up the habit of running at Pate Hollow on Sunday mornings. No offense to our services, but for me there is very little that tops that. So I really did find myself asking, “Am I going to go to church?” and if I was, “Why?"

Now, of course, I do know why I come here, in that I can give you a list of reasons: being a part of a social justice force in our community, services that help reground me in my own spirituality and the needs of the world, a community of people I love and admire. But that list of reasons doesn’t fully capture it. I’ve realized recently that I can feel why I come here whenever I leave. Without fail, as I turn left out of the parking lot and onto Fee lane, I just feel glad that I came here and spent time with you all in this place. And ultimately, that's the reason.

We are moving into stewardship season and I’m fortunate enough to be a part of an amazing stewardship pledge campaign team. As we move toward making our formal promises of support for the church for next year, I encourage each you to pay attention to how you feel as you consider your pledge. Where do you feel clarity? Where do you feel discomfort? What conversations or information would help? What feels good?

Thank you for your support for this congregation and for thinking and feeling your way towards your pledge for the coming year.

If there is anything you would benefit from talking or learning about, please feel free to reach out to me, other members of the Board, or members of your stewardship team.

Drew Schrader, At-large board member

DrewSchrader@gmail.com

Save the Date! Saturday, April 1

Rekindling Our Flame

Your Stewardship Team is excited to invite you to a day of gratitude, connection, and celebration for the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington!! On Saturday, April 1st -no fooling!- we will have multiple events and activities to bring us all closer together as a community as we celebrate our generosity and vision into the future. Starting at 11 a.m., there will be food, fellowship, hands-on social justice activities, and lively conversation around the shape of our future together. To culminate, there will be a very special musical production from 3-4:30 p.m. that you will not want to miss! Drop by for a while or stay for the duration, but plan to come and celebrate with us! Sign up to volunteer here.

2023 Stewardship Team:

Linda Pickle

Charlie Pickle

Olaya Fernández Gayol

Margie Schrader

Drew Schrader

Invitation from our Refugee/Immigrant Support and Education (RISE) Task Force

What is it like to be a refugee? Our RISE Task Force invites you to explore this question to better understand the refugee experience. At the April 1st "Rekindling the Flame" Celebration, RISE will present several books for adults and young adults that can be borrowed in order to step into the shoes of refugees. We're hoping to involve many church members in this endeavor. Below, Janeth Welch shares her reflections after reading The Ungrateful Refugee by Dina Nayeri, who left Iran with her mother and brother when she was eight years old.

Book Review of The Ungrateful Refugee by Dina Nayeri (2019)

While most of us will never experience what it is like to be a refugee, we are exposed to the varied reactions of more privileged nations to the large number of people fleeing from any number of dangerous situations. The author, who experienced being a refugee at an early stage of her life, undertook a journey as a young mother to gather stories from refugees to create this book. It touches on the confusion, humiliation, resourcefulness, and intimidating experiences of those fleeing poverty, disasters, war, oppression, and dangers of many different kinds. It exposes the frequent lack of understanding and compassion of Western governments in dealing with asylum seekers.

Her own experience is woven into the narrative in bits and pieces as she demonstrates how each refugee has a unique story. She was taken as a child by one parent from what she perceived as a wonderful, upper middle-class existence through a series of terrifying and difficult situations. While she now understand why her mother had to leave Iran after the revolution, she points to this as an example of why a refugee is not always emigrating to find a better life.

This book should be read by anyone concerned about the current crisis in refugees and asylum seekers. It calls for policies that give them human dignity and more humanitarian treatment from officials that set or implement those policies.

-- Janeth Welch

Announcements

UU Children’s Choir resuming soon - new singers welcome!

We have several rounds of rehearsals and singing in services on tap from now through mid-June. New and returning singers grades K-6 are welcome, and we are also thrilled to have older youth join us for special performances! Rehearsals will take place Sunday mornings after the services, 11:30-12:00. There will be a couple of rehearsals prior to each time we sing in a church service. If your singer is new, please email Jill Courtney at jillmcourtney@gmail.com for more info about the upcoming schedule and to get on the Children’s Choir email list. We look forward to bringing children’s voices together in song again!

25% of Sunday Plate Fund Recipient

Nomination Campaign for 2023-24

Now accepting Nominees!

Application deadline is April 15

Guidelines and Application

Our congregation gives 25% of undesignated/non-pledge Sunday Plate donations to a local non-profit project or service agency. In the spring the Social Justice Funds Committee accepts nominees for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins July 1, and narrows it down to 3 finalists. The congregation will have chances to learn about the nominees through announcements in newsletters, displays in the building, and presentations during services. At our spring congregational meeting on June 4, church members vote on the recipient of this fund. Which local non-profit agency would you like to see be our next recipient? See the Guidelines for full details about how to submit your nomination!

Contact Denise Ogren, SJFC Chair, at ucbsjfunds@uubloomington.org with any questions.

The Social Justice Funds Committee is: Denise Ogren, Steve Mascari, Sarah Kopper, Sandy Davoren | Advisor: Jackie Hall

Goods & Services Online Auction April 28 - May 7

WE ARE NOW READY FOR DONATIONS!

It's that time again - our annual Good & Services Online Auction will run from April 28 - May 7, 2023 and WE ARE READY FOR DONATIONS!

Please complete the form below for EACH item you wish to donate:

tinyurl.com/UUAuction2023

This year all venues are welcome - in person, online, indoors or outdoors. Ideas from past years include: voice lessons, cooking/baking workshops, dinner parties, cocktail parties, outdoor picnics, boating adventures, online concerts, musical gatherings, garden walks, gardening help, poet and author readings, computer skills tutoring, foreign language lessons, volleyball lessons, yard work, and of course, furniture, toys, beautiful clothing, and other treasures. Thinking of a new idea? Want help with ideas? Just have questions? Feel free to contact Ann Kamman, aok719@yahoo.com, or Charlotte Appel, appel.charlotte@comcast.net.

How to Request Childcare for Events

We endeavor to make childcare freely available for UUCB events. If you need childcare in order to attend an event, please make a request by filling out this form as early as possible. Greater lead time increases the chances of childcare staff availability.

Connecting and Volunteering

Save the Date!

Join UUCB Young Adults for a Lunch Meet-and-Greet

Sunday, April 16, 12:30 p.m. at Feta

The March Young Adult Lunch was a success with engaged conversation, great food, and seven UU's in attendance! If you are between the ages of 18 and 35 and would like to meet others in the congregation who are as well, come and join in! Mark your calendars for lunch after community hour on April 16. We will meet at Feta Kitchen and Cafe on the corner of Hillside and Henderson St around 12:30 p.m. UUCB will cover the cost of food. This will be an unstructured time to gather in community and get to know one another.

Questions? Email Anabel at connect@uubloomington.org and Hans at hkelson@uubloomington.org.

Do you enjoy helping out in the kitchen and want to contribute to our Sunday morning activities?

If so, please join the Java Crew mailing list! Reminders regularly go out requesting help with coffee during Community Hour. You do not need to commit to any weeks in order to be on this list. Questions on Java Crew tasks can be directed to Anabel at connect@uubloomington.org.

Looking for additional ways to get involved?

If so, please fill out our online connections form so we can learn about your talents and interests. You can also sign up here for upcoming activities and events: uucb.churchcenter.com/registrations. Our Connections Coordinator, Anabel Watson, would love to connect with you! Just reach out to connect@uubloomington.org.

Seeking the Spirit

Spiritual Development and Lifespan Religious Education

Upcoming Religious Education Offerings

Additional offerings are listed on our Registration page.

A Journey through UU History

Saturday, March 25, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. in Room 210

Sign up now to join this journey through Unitarian Universalist history with Stuart Yoak. Lunch will be provided. (Note: This class was originally planned for February and was rescheduled.)

Yoga Adventures: Mindful motion and stories (ages 4-7)

Saturdays, March 25 - April 29, 10 a.m. in the Library

This class geared for young UU's ages 4-7 weaves yoga poses and breathwork into children's stories, using a different book each week. Bring a yoga mat or towel and get ready to move to the language of meaningful, magical children's books. It's a beautiful way to start your Saturday. Parents are welcome to join in the fun! Led by Kelly Rockhill.

Registration required.

Unmasked: The Anti-Lynching Exhibits of 1935 and Community Remembrances

Sunday, March 26, 12 - 1 p.m. (Presentation, UUCB)

Sunday, April 2, 2 p.m. (Exhibit tour, IU Campus)

The "Unmasked" exhibit brings together protest art and political ephemera from the 1930s with current efforts to memorialize the victims of racist atrocities, especially in Indiana.

In preparation for touring the exhibit, IU professor Alex Lichtenstein will offer a presentation at UUCB on March 26 at 12:00. Please RSVP to Stephanie (kimball@uubloomington.org) if you plan to attend.

The facilitated tour at 2 p.m. on April 2 will be followed immediately by an opportunity to discuss the role an honest reckoning with America’s racist past can play in promoting social justice, racial healing, and reparation. Registration is required for the April 2 tour; space is limited. Further details about the exhibit can be found here: unmasked.myportfolio.com

Middle and High School Youth Bowling Trip

Sunday, March 26, 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Those in grades 7-12 are invited to join us for a trip to Classic Lanes! Please register. For more information, contact Stephanie.

Hunting for Canned Goods!

Please drop off donations by Sunday, April 2

On Easter Sunday, April 9, children will be invited to participate in a “canned goods hunt” at 11:30 a.m. (after Religious Education classes). Children will hunt for the hidden cans and then trade them in for a small bag of toys and treats.

Please bring in your donations of canned goods by Sunday, April 2, and place them in one of the labeled bins at the main entrance to the Meeting Room, or under the coat rack by the Portico entrance.

Our middle and high school youth will organize the event and assist children in the cooperative “hunt,” and the canned goods will be donated to a local charity. Contact Stephanie Kimball with any questions.

Building Community

Upcoming Events and Ongoing Groups / Classes

UU Humanists Meet Sunday, March 19

11:30 a.m. in Room 208 (and on Zoom)

The UU Humanist Forum will meet on March 19 at 11:30 a.m. in person in Room 208 at the church, with an option to join online. Jason Michálek will lead a discussion on “Thought Terminating Clichés.” To join via Zoom, contact Ann Watzel or Harold Ogren.

UU Freethinkers Meet Sunday, March 26

11:30 a.m. in Room 208 (and on Zoom)

This bi-weekly meeting creates the opportunity for participants to raise questions and engage in open and non-structured discussion of issues of social, political, and theological/religious concern. Every other Sunday in person in Room 208 at 11:30 am. To join via Zoom, contact Ann Watzel or Harold Ogren.

UU Book Club reads Horse by Geraldine Brooks

Discussion Monday, April 3 at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom

Historical fiction, based in part on fact, covering US racial issues of the mid-19th century and today as well as part of the story of horse racing and breeding. Join the group for the Zoom link - newcomers always welcome!

Women's Alliance Meeting

Thursday, April 6, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Fellowship Hall (and on Zoom)

In honor of National Library Week, bring your favorite book to share. All are welcome! Snacks and beverage will be provided. If you wish to be added to the email list or want the Zoom link to join online, contact Doris Wittenburg.

Changing the World

News from our Social Justice Task Forces

UU Fourth Trimester Team Volunteer Training

Sunday, April 2, 12 - 3 p.m. in Fellowship Hall

Would you like to be a part of our Fourth Trimester Team? We offer support to families with new babies. Our support can come in the form of a listening ear, running errands, or someone to hold the baby while mom sleeps, to name a few of the ways; in other words, aunt/uncle/grandparent types of support. We will have a training session for anyone interested in becoming a member of the Team on April 2 following the Sunday morning service, at noon in Fellowship Hall. We will provide a bite to eat while we go over goals of the group and insight into new babies and their families. Contact 4thtrimester@uubloomington.org with any questions.

A project of our Reproductive Justice Task Force

Hope for Prisoners Task Force Book Collection

Keep 'em coming!...The Hope for Prisoners Task Force is collecting books for the women incarcerated at the Rockville prison – one of Indiana’s maximum security facilities. We are currently hoping for contributions (new or used, hardback preferred) from two animal-related mystery series: THE CHET AND BERNIE MYSTERY SERIES BY SPENCER QUINN and THE BOOKMOBILE CAT SERIES BY LAURIE CASS. Other titles always welcome; new or used, hardcover or paperback, fiction or non-fiction, romance, mystery, self-help, spiritual, humor, law, science, lgbtq, westerns, etc. poetry... Look for our collection box throughout the year under the Social Justice table in the Commons.

Drop off your pasta & sauce donations in the plastic bins near the Portico entrance on the north side of the church.

Some Details

Prologue submissions:

The Prologue is published on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month. Deadline for submissions is 10 a.m. the day before date of publication, to office@uubloomington.org

Calendar: For our full calendar of events, visit uucb.churchcenter.com/calendar.

Office hours: M-F, 9 a.m - 3 p.m.

The Church Office can be reached via text or voicemail during office hours at 812-287-9615. Email: admin@uubloomington.org or office@uubloomington.org.

Church Mailing Address: UU Church,

PO Box 8132, Bloomington IN 47407.

Membership:

550 certified members as of 2/2/2023;

552 current members.

Attendance (in person):

March 5: 139

March 12: 124

Non-Pledge Offering:

March 5: $809.86

March 12: $337.58

Total to be donated (25%) to Bloomington Refugee Support Network: $286.86

Online giving:

To contribute to our non-pledge offering (Sunday Plate), or to make a payment towards your pledge, visit our Giving page: uucb.churchcenter.com/giving

Our Ministers & Staff

Reverend Connie Grant, Interim Lead Minister

grant@uubloomington.org, 847-840-8542

Reverend Emily Manvel Leite, Minister of Story and Ritual

leite@uubloomington.org, 812-333-9822

Amanda Waye, Director of Administration: admin@uubloomington.org

Anabel Watson, Connections Coordinator: connect@uubloomington.org

Monica Overman, Administrative Assistant: office@uubloomington.org

Mandy Skinner, Communications Coordinator: office@uubloomington.org

Stephanie Kimball, Director of Religious Education: kimball@uubloomington.org

Susan Swaney, Music Director: music@uubloomington.org

Hans Kelson, Technology Coordinator: hkelson@uubloomington.org

Andy Beargie and Brady Egan, Multimedia Managers: mediateam@uubloomington.org

Masthead photo by Mandy Skinner.

Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana

Mailing address: PO Box 8132 Bloomington, IN 47407

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