January 15, 2021
Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, IN
Standing Vigil Continues Tonight to Protest the Death Penalty, 6 - 7 pm
Ten stood vigil Tuesday night and five stood vigil Thursday night as witness and protest to the executions of Lisa Montgomery and Corey Johnson. Dustin Higgs is scheduled to be killed at 6 pm tonight, Friday, January 15. Debbie Fish (Hope for Prisoners facilitator) plans to be there at the church. I’ve decided to attend the Terre Haute vigil at the federal prison with Bill this evening. It may be an historical marker as the very last federal execution of this era. Please gather on the church corner, hold lights, ring the bell if you feel moved to do so (from 6 to 7 pm), or light a candle at home for all those involved.
-- Peace, Glenda Breeden
This Sunday's Service
Sunday, January 17, 2021
10:15 am Livestream
Witness to Murder
Reverend Bill Breeden
Sister Barbara Battista
Yusuf Nur
Reverend Dave Clements
Reverend Bill Breeden will be joined by Sister Barbara Battista, from Sisters of Providence, and Yusuf Nur, a friend of our community and member of the Islamic Center of Bloomington, in a service of healing for our nation, and for ourselves. 

From Rev. Breeden: "Barring the intervention of the courts, Yusuf and I will have witnessed the killing of Dustin Higgs and Corey Johnson this week, up close and personal. Sister Barbara witnessed the execution of William LeCroy this past fall. My hope is that the service will not only provide a clear picture of how our government commits homicide in our name, but also will provide a balm to all our battered souls. 

Heaven knows we need healing. In a time when death seems to reign supreme, with a pandemic yet to be arrested, and a killing spree in Terre Haute, it seems we are trapped in a Kafka novel with no way out. Thankfully, we have one another, we have community, we have love, and we have imagination. Join us for a service of special music, prayer, and reflection."
If you miss the livestream, you can view archived videos on our website.


Parental Advisory: This Sunday's service is appropriate for youth and adults. If you attend with younger children, you might want to make plans for them to engage in another activity after the Time for All Ages, as we will be speaking of the details of the practice of governmental homicide in our nation.
Early Bird Coffee Hour at 9:15 am
Bring your coffee (or tea) and join us to relax with friends before the service. Click on this link to register for the early bird coffee hour and receive the Zoom link.
Connect with our UU Community during Virtual Coffee Hour
Everyone is welcome to join us after the worship service, until 12:30 pm, for engaging conversation in Virtual Coffee Hour. 

This Sunday's breakout rooms will include:
  • Choir
  • Snowy Day - Share your favorite things to do on a Snowy Day!
  • General Discussion
 --Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION UPDATES
This week we have been exploring the Imaginary World of Oz! For craft ideas, links to activities, music and more, check out our January 2021 calendar!
On Sunday at 11:30 am, all ages are welcome to join us via Zoom during coffee hour in the family breakout room. This week we will share about our favorite snowy day activities. If you have made a borax crystal snowflake or winter-inspired art, please feel free to bring it to show! 
Celebrate an Important Balloon!
Mark the Dates for this Fundraiser --
January 29 and February 5, 6:30 pm
An important balloon? We are paying off the mortgage on our building! MARK YOUR CALENDARS: Friday, January 29 at 6:30 pm and Friday, February 5 at 6:30 pm for two inspiring livestreamed performances, followed by discussion on Zoom.

If you wish, you may make a contribution now instead of later to support this fundraiser. Click here and choose “Balloon Mortgage Payment” in the dropdown list. You may also mail a check for this purpose if you prefer. Enclose a note with it to let us know it is for “Balloon Mortgage Payment” and mail to UU Church, PO Box 1158, Nashville, IN 47448-1158.
Visit with the Connections Coordinator every Friday at 3:30 pm
Join the Connections Coordinator, Ann LeDuc, on Zoom every Friday. Ask your questions, or just visit. 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 Friday afternoons, 3:30-4:30 pm.
UU Freethinkers meet January 17, 12:45 pm
The UU Freethinkers will meet this Sunday at 12:45 pm via Zoom for an open discussion of social, political, and theological/religious issues. If you'd like to join us, please contact Harold Ogren, ogrenh (at) gmail.com, to get the link to the Zoom meetings and to be added to our email discussion list.
Writing as a Spiritual Practice, with Rev. Barbara Child
A Drop-in Group on Zoom
Tuesdays 1-2 pm, through February 23 
I invite you to come along on this journey of personal exploration through writing in community. You are welcome to attend any or all sessions. Click here for a full description of how the group works. Register by clicking here to get the Zoom link. 
Racial Justice Task Force Meeting
Wednesday, January 20, 7:00 - 8:30 pm 
This will be the first meeting of the Racial Justice Task Force since our congregation’s adoption of the 8th principle: “We, the members the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana, covenant to affirm and promote: journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.”

The main focus of the meeting will be a brainstorming session on ways the task force can “walk the talk” of the 8th principle. Martha Oakley and Ruth Aydt, who became co-chairs in late November, will share brief introductions at the start of the meeting and invite others to do the same.  All are welcome as we deepen our understanding, build relationships, and take action. Email Ruth at aydt(at)icloud.com to be added to the RJTF mailing list and to get the Zoom invite for this meeting.
Openings in Chalice Circles
There are currently several openings in Chalice Circles, meeting on Zoom at the following times:
  • First and Third Mondays of each month, 7-9 pm
  • Second Monday of each month, 2-4 pm
  • Third Thursday of each month, 7-9 pm
  • First Friday of each month, 7-9 pm
If you are interested in joining one of these groups for the rest of the year (now through May 2021), email Anne Haynes or call 812-360-2619. Learn more here.
-- Chalice Circles Executive Team
New! UU Online Book Club -- Join us on February 1 at 6:30 pm via Zoom for the discussion
This month's book, The Long Loneliness: The Autobiography of the Legendary Catholic Social Activist, is the autobiography of Dorothy Day. If you are interested in joining, please sign up here for the Zoom link: 
This new book club will read books chosen by its members that dive into our congregation's monthly themes. The Long Loneliness will help us dive into February's congregational theme of Beloved Community. Each month a book club member will pick the next month's book and facilitate the discussion. A few places where the book can be purchased online: amazon.com, alibris.com, and thriftbooks.com. Order your copy today! -- Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator
COVID-19 Vaccination is now available to those 70 and older
On Wednesday the state of Indiana opened COVID vaccination to those age 70 and older. Visit this website for all the facts. To register, go to this website and choose your vaccination location:
Volunteers Needed at Friend's Place Shelter
In an effort to find accommodations for the unsheltered campers at Seminary Park, Friend's Place overnight shelter has opened up more beds at its COVID location at 300 W. Hillside. In order to take in additional guests, we need volunteer support at the shelter. We need  Friend's Place volunteers every night from 5 to 9 pm. (One volunteer for one night per week.)  Volunteers will be stationed at the door to help staff with health checks and to check people in.  If you can help, please contact Sue Murphy, sue@beaconinc.org. 
City of Bloomington's
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration
The Truth Hurts: Black History and Healing the Racial Divide
January 18, 2021, 7:00 pm via Zoom
The celebration will feature Dr. Khalid el-Hakim as the Keynote Speaker, music from the IU African American Choral Ensemble, and the IU Ballet Department. RSVP at this link.

Save the Date: Noah’s Ark Hosts Dialogue on January 31, 3-5 pm
Join Noah’s Ark Bloomington at the end of the month for facilitated small group discussions (on Zoom), in response to the MLK Jr. Day keynote speech by Dr. Khalid el-Hakim on the 18th.
Help Feed Our Hungry Neighbors Task Force
Collecting Kitchen Items for New Hope for Families
For JANUARY & FEBRUARY our food drive will focus on New Hope for Families. We often think of food for those in need, but we overlook kitchen items that enable people to COOK the food. For a list of needed items, click here.
-- Mary Blizzard,
Help Feed Our Hungry Neighbors Task Force
It's cold outside! Seeking donations of warm clothes and food for Shalom Community Center
In these winter months Shalom Community Center guests would really appreciate donations of tents, sleeping bags, blankets, and warm clothes - especially hats, gloves, socks, and coats. Requested food donations: pasta, cereal (big boxes), canned food (institutional sizes), coffee (not instant) and tea, condiments. Hygiene supplies also always welcome. Donations may be left in the bins under the Portico entrance on the northside of the church. Donations are collected every day. THANK YOU from the Homelessness Task Force.
Kroger Community Rewards Update
Thank you to all who participate in Kroger's Community Rewards program and designate UUCB as your rewards recipient! Thanks to you, we received $451.75 from Kroger for the last quarter (October through December 2020) through this program, from 140 households. Join in and register your Kroger Plus card online at this link.
Office closed Monday, January 18
Church offices will be closed and administrative staff will not be available on Monday, January 18, in honor of the Martin Luther King Jr Birthday federal holiday. Office hours will resume on Tuesday, January 19 at 10 a.m.
Deadline for submissions to the Order of service and Friday UU Update
Thursday, 9 am, to office (at) uubloomington.org
Masthead photo by Marcia Hart, Winter Berries.
Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana
Mailing address during covid:
UU Church, PO Box 1158,
Nashville, Indiana 47448-1158