December 24, 2020 (Special Thursday edition)
Thursday, December 24, 2020
7 pm Livestream Christmas Eve
6:50 pm Gathering Music Begins
In the Stillness of Light
Candlelight Vespers Service
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
Reverend Dave Clements
Reverend Susan Swaney
Join us, via livestream, for a creative rendering of our traditional Christmas Eve service. We give this night to ourselves and others as a gift, embracing the stillness of our souls within the magic of music, bells, spoken word, silence and candlelight. In this worship service may the stillness of the holy night bless you and all beings of this planet.

Musicians include The Loftman-Cusacks, Scott Hogsed, Sylvia McNair, Carrie Newcomer, The Gift formerly known as Ray Fellman, the UU Children’s Choir, and the UU Car Choir.

Click here for the order of service.
Away in a Manger Update
Our beloved Away in a Manger Christmas Eve service looks different this year - however, the story and the interactive nature of it remain the same. Instead of offering it as a livestreamed event, we've recorded it, and we'll have the video online and available to watch soon. Stay tuned to our December Religious Education webpage and Facebook for the link!
This Sunday's Service
Sunday, December 27, 2020
10:15 am Livestream
Be Still and Wonder
Reverend Bill Breeden
I am ready for some stillness, so it is fortunate that this month’s theme is just that—Stillness. I suspect that many of us hope for quieter times in our nation as we look forward to the coming year. In this first service after the solstice, we will reflect on how being still is sometimes the best we can do. We need not rush to meet the future; it is only a breath away. Join us for the final Sunday Service of 2020.
If you miss the livestream, you can view archived videos on our website.
Early Bird Coffee Hour at 9:15 am
Bring your coffee and join us at 9:15 AM to relax with friends and enjoy your coffee before the service. Click on this link to register for the early bird coffee hour and receive the Zoom link.. 
-- Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator
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. 
 
Breakout Conversations:

  • Gardeners Gathering
  • Winter Play Families (All ages welcome!)
  • General Discussion
 --Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION UPDATES
Be sure to tune in to the Time for All Ages on Sunday, December 27th to hear what is coming up in the New Year in Religious Education! Then join Adrienne, during Coffee Hour to connect with other families and share about your holidays!
UU Humanist Forum meets December 27, 12:45 pm
The UU Humanist Forum will meet this Sunday at 12:45 p.m. via Zoom. David Keppel will lead a discussion on "Socialism." Contact Harold Ogren, ogrenh (at) gmail.com to get the link to the Zoom meeting.
Our Folks . . .
Art Anderson died in late November in his favorite cabin in Michigan. He was one of the first Civil Rights activists to engage in “sit-ins” in the 1940s. He and his wife Maureen were early UUs here. We send caring thoughts to Maureen and daughter Gayle, and other family.  
How Much Do I Owe on My Pledge?
When Will I Receive a Giving Statement for 2020?
Wonder of wonders! You can find this information by logging in to the church database. Here's how!
(We will also send out paper statements of 2020 donations by January 31, 2021, but you can print out your own statement sooner by using these instructions.) If you need help, please contact Monica or Mandy at office@uubloomington.org.
UU Singles Events Coming Up
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! Our events take place over Zoom. Contact Marie Deer for the Zoom link and to join our email list. For updates on UU Singles upcoming events, consult the December 15 Prologue here.
Special "Friday" Updates Arriving on Thursdays: Dec. 24 and Dec. 31
We will be publishing Friday Updates on Thursdays for the next two weeks. These will be edited early and cued up to send automatically on those two dates, since we will be out of the office. Regular Friday Updates will resume on Friday, January 8.
Church Offices Closed December 24 - January 3
The church offices will be closed December 24-January 3, except for Sundays when Office Assistants will be available 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at office@uubloomington.org.
Donations for Shalom Community Center
Until the end of March, Shalom Community Center guests would really appreciate the donation of tents, sleeping bags, coats, hats, blankets, socks, and gloves, as well as macaroni, coffee, and hygiene supplies. Donations may be left in the bins, under the portico at the church. Donations are collected every day. Thank you.
-Alan Backler, Homelessness Task Force
Deadline for submissions to the Order of service and Friday UU Update
Thursday, 9 am, to office (at) uubloomington.org
Masthead photo by Linda Mjolsnes.
Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana
Mailing address during covid:
UU Church, PO Box 1158,
Nashville, Indiana 47448-1158