December 31, 2020
This Sunday's Service
Sunday, January 3, 2021
10:15 am Livestream
Through the Looking Glass
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
Adrienne Summerlot, Director of Religious Education
Alice in Wonderland
Join Mary Ann, Adrienne and Alice as we welcome in the New Year of 2021 with a few tales from Through the Looking Glass. We also will reflect upon mirrors as well as mirrors within mirrors which may become curiouser and curiouser. Special music will be offered by Ray Fellman and Kit Boulding. Adrienne Summerlot will provide our Time for All Ages and we will have a Social Justice Moment from our Task Force on Homelessness.
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. 
 --Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION UPDATES
We will be stepping into a new congregational theme as we usher in a new year! We invite you to embrace your inner child, delve into new books as we explore Worlds of Imagination as a congregation in January!  Step into one or more of these literary classics with us: Carroll's Wonderland, A.A. Milne's Hundred Acre Wood, Ezra Jack Keats's "The Snowy Day," Tolkien's Middle Earth, and L. Frank Baum's Oz.   
Visit our webpage for January Religious Education for activities and ideas for all ages! 
Join us on Zoom on Sunday, January 3rd during coffee hour for an Unbirthday Party!

Starting the Month Together, Friday, January 1st, 7:00-7:30pm
Our Director of Religious Education, Adrienne Summerlot invites you to come and connect with your imagination. Click here to join the meeting. Find this event on Facebook!
UU Freethinkers meet January 3, 12:45 p.m.
The UU Freethinkers will meet this Sunday at 12:45 p.m. 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.
Are you new here?
If you are new to our congregation, a very warm welcome to you! This Sunday, January 3, at 2:00 pm you are invited to join in a brief online introduction to Unitarian Universalism and this congregation. Just click on this link at 2 PM on Sunday. If you are new to using Zoom, please read these instructions before the meeting. Additionally, here is our online connection form if you are ready to get involved. If you have questions, you are always welcome to email me at connect(at)uubloomington.org or call me at (812) 720-3688. Welcome!   -- Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator
Our Folks . . .
We are deeply saddened by the death of congregation member Mallory Kuhl at age 31 on December 12th from a ruptured pancreas. Mallory (formerly Matthew) was involved in our young adult group, virtual coffee hour, and she was a steadfast attendee of our worship services for many years. A Zoom memorial will occur in January.

Our comforting thoughts are with Sean and Denise Breeden-Ost and family. Sean's father Jack Ost died at IU Health Hospice House on December 27th.

We are also grieved to learn of the death of Ed Robbins. Ed was the treasurer of our congregation last year. Ed died December 28th of Covid-related complications, including a stroke, at Monroe Hospital after an initial positive Covid test in early December. He entered the hospital on December 11th. Our heartfelt condolences to his wife Dian and family. Cards are welcome. A memorial service will take place when we can all gather again after the pandemic.

We also deeply mourn the loss of Marjorie Crosby who died December 29th while in hospice care from Covid19. Her husband John continues to deal with Covid and we ask that cards be sent to John as we hold him in our hearts during this time of loss and illness. John's address is 600 N. Bell Trace Ct., Bloomington, IN 47408.

Our prayers are with Mike and Celeste McGregor. Mike’s mother, Sarah Huber, died this past week and we hold them in love.

And our hearts and love go out to Vice President of the Congregation Abby Gitlitz and family. Abby’s father, David Gitlitz, died in Mexico on December 30th from Covid complications. His daughters Abby and Deborah were able to be in Mexico and outside the hospital during the last days of their dad’s illness. Abby says that her father lived a wonderful life in Oaxaca Mexico and was deeply involved in his community. People are welcome to send Abby email and, if anyone feels like donating in his honor, they can donate to Libros para Pue.
Visit with the Connections Coordinator January 8 at 3:30 PM
Join the Connections Coordinator, Ann LeDuc, on Zoom Jan 8, 3:30-4:30 pm. 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 January 8, at 3:30 PM.
Writing as a Spiritual Practice
with Rev. Barbara Child
A Drop-in Group on Zoom
Tuesdays 1-2 p.m., January 5 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. You will need to register by clicking here to get the Zoom link. 
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.

Openings in Chalice Circles

There are several openings in Chalice Circles meeting 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), or would like more information, contact Anne Haynes at anne.haynes(at)gmail.com or call 812-360-2619. We meet on Zoom.

You can read about Chalice Circles here. --Chalice Circles Executive Team

Church Offices Closed Until January 4
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 John Woodcock.
Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana
Mailing address during covid:
UU Church, PO Box 1158,
Nashville, Indiana 47448-1158