June 18, 2021
Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana
Juneteenth Donation Drive
The Racial Justice Task Force is joining with Black Lives Matter-Btown to raise $3000 to buy local produce, products & goods to donate to the Crestmont community and local Black families in honor of Juneteenth. This date, June 19th, celebrates the date in 1865 that the last enslaved people in the US were emancipated.
There are three ways that congregation members can contribute:
(1) donate directly to BLM via their Venmo address, BLM-BTOWN, noting that the funds are to be used for the Juneteenth Drive;
(2) Drop off any of the supplies listed below at the church (north Portico entrance) between now and June 19; or
(3) Bring items from the list below to the People’s Market at Harmony School between 9 am and 1 pm on June 19. 
We may also need people to help with delivery and distribution. Please direct questions or suggestions to the Racial Justice Task Force chairs, Martha Oakley or Ruth Aydt.
  • Medical/First Aid Supplies
  • Deodorant 
  • Dental Care (toothpaste, mouthwash, flossers)
  • Sunscreen/Bug Repellent
  • Razors/Shave Cream
  • Shampoo/Conditioner
This Sunday's Service
Sunday, June 20, 2021
10:15 am Livestream
Multigenerational Summer Solstice: Emergence
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
Reverend Dave Clements
Join us as we attune ourselves to the rhythm of the seasons and gather together with ritual, song, story, and reflection. Our service will be enhanced with percussion by Colleen Haas, Amira Sabbagh, and Reverend Macklin, and Robin Pyle will help dramatize the ancient Japanese tale of Amaterasu. We will enjoy the springtime recording of “Here Comes the Sun” by our UU Children’s Choir, directed by Jill Courtney, once again.

To enhance your experience of worship, you might gather:
  • a stone
  • a mirror
  • something to write or draw with
  • a candle

Hope you can join us!
If you miss the livestream, you can view archived videos on our website.
Early Bird Coffee Hour
Bring your coffee or tea and join us at 9:15 am to relax with friends and enjoy your coffee before the service. Everyone is welcome!  Click here to register for 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. 
-- Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator

UU Freethinkers Meet June 20, 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 Ann Watzel for the link to the Zoom meetings and to be added to our email discussion list.
UU Board: Five Listening Sessions in the Coming Weeks
The Board recognizes that our June 13 congregational meeting did not offer sufficient time for participants to share questions and concerns about recent changes in our Religious Education program and the process through which those changes were made. Please click here to read the letter they sent to the congregation this morning, June 18.

So that we can hear from you, the Board will offer five open listening sessions. Please register by sending an email to office (at) uubloomington.org by the registration deadline noted next to the session you wish to attend.
 
Monday, June 21, 8-9 pm by Zoom (register by June 21 at 4:00 p.m.)
Tuesday, June 22, 6-7 pm by Zoom (register by June 22 at 4:00 p.m.)
Saturday, June 26, 1-2 pm in person on the church grounds (register by June 25 at 4:00 p.m.)
Sunday, June 27, 4-5 pm in person on the church grounds (register by June 25 at 4:00 p.m.)
Wednesday, June 30, 6-7 pm by Zoom (register by June 30 at 4:00 p.m.)
 
We will limit the size of each session to 15 participants so that all who attend have an opportunity to share their perspectives. If we are not able to accommodate all who are interested at the scheduled sessions, we will add others. We do ask folks to register for these sessions to keep them to a size where all voices can be heard. To register, send an email to office (at) uubloomington.org and let us know which listening session you would like to attend.
Help NEST Plan for In-person Worship Services
UUCB is planning to restart in-person worship services in September, if the pandemic conditions remain stable or continue to improve. We want your input to help us plan for in-person services in a way that promotes safety for all.
Thank you for your help! -- The NEST Working Group
Please Make Your Pledge Today!
We are still encouraging everyone who has not already done so to make a financial pledge for the coming fiscal year, July 1, 2021-June 30, 2022.
Our Folks . . .
Harriet Pfister is in IU Bloomington hospital recovering from a short illness. Cards are welcome at her home address.
Sign up to hike with us next Friday, June 25
The UU Hikers will hike the trail at the Laura Hare Nature Preserve on Friday, June 25. This is a 5 mile loop hike with many hills. For all the details and to sign up use this link.

UUA General Assembly
June 23-27
Please join other UUs at this year’s General Assembly, which will be provided online. If you are a member of our congregation and would like to serve as a delegate, we will pay for your registration. Click here for information on the responsibilities of delegates. Stacey Abrams and Desmond Meade will both be speaking during the conference, as well as many other inspiring presenters. If you would like to become a delegate for our congregation, contact Iris Kiesling at irisfkiesling (at) gmail.com. For more information, visit uua.org/ga. Public events (no registration required) will be livestreamed here: uua.org/ga/off-site/2021
21 Day Racial Justice Challenge
We are now more than half way through our 21 days. I hope that those who are participating are finding the articles, videos, and activities helpful. For those who haven’t signed up yet, please contact me and I can send you the materials: clements(@)uubloomington.org
This challenge is set up so that you can begin it anytime. So, if you haven’t signed up, you still can! We will be meeting at 4 pm on June 27, on Zoom, to spend some time sharing and talking about the materials that are in the challenge. I invite you to join us at that time, regardless if you have completed the 21 days or not.
Our Summer Read: An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
Today in the United States, there are more than five hundred federally recognized Indigenous nations comprising nearly three million people, descendants of the fifteen million Native people who once inhabited this land. The centuries-long genocidal program of the US settler-colonial regimen has largely been omitted from history. Now, for the first time, acclaimed historian and activist Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz offers a history of the United States told from the perspective of Indigenous peoples. We invite you to pick up this book. We will have two group discussions, one in August and one in September, and we will be posting questions in the Friday Update and Prologue for you to consider as you read the book.
Meet Up with UU Friends this Summer
This summer we are making plans to meet up at some wonderful outdoor community events - join us for concerts in Bryan Park and Switchyard Park and other fun Parks & Rec opportunities. Mark your calendar for these events and meet us there! 
Writing as a Spiritual Practice
with Rev. Barbara Child
A Drop-in Group on Zoom
Tuesdays 1-2 pm, May 11 through June 29
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.  
Exploring Unitarian Universalism Online!
Coming up July 11 and 18
Explore Unitarian Universalism with us online, July 11 and 18, 2-4 pm. Use this link to register. These small group gatherings are a great opportunity to learn about the UU Principles, our ministers, the history of this church, 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 discussed in each session. We request completion of these sessions before becoming a member of the church. Everyone ages 14 to 100+ is welcome! Questions? Email connect(at)uubloomington.org or call (812)720-3688.
Choir on Break until August
The choir is on break until August 12. If you want to be added to the choir contact list, email Sue Swaney at music(at)uubloomington.org.
Vaccinations available for age 12 and older
People age 12 and older in Indiana are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Visit this website or call 211. Extra vaccines may be available in adjoining counties. vaccine.coronavirus.in.gov
Deadline for submissions to the Order of service and Friday UU Update
Thursday, 9 am, to office(at)uubloomington.org
Masthead photo by Emily Manvel Leite.
Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana
Mailing address during covid:
UU Church, PO Box 1158,
Nashville, Indiana 47448-1158