April 29, 2022
Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana
This Sunday's Service
Sunday, May 1, 2022
9:15 a.m. & 11:15 a.m.
May Day and Honorable Closure
The Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
Guest Pianist: Sally Todd

Livestream and In person
 As we slowly turn the good ship UUCB toward the horizon of Reverend Macklin’s departure in two months, she will explore what it means to have honorable closure in our lives. Ten years of Reverend Macklin’s ministry was shared with Sally Todd at the piano. Sally has graciously accepted the offer, from Music Director Reverend Doctor Susan Swaney, to return for one more round of shared worship services with Reverend Macklin on May 1st.
     Pianist Sally Todd will be offering musical selections ten minutes prior to the start of each worship service. We ask that you honor that time with silence and quiet listening.
      In addition, we will have an All Ages Hymn Sing during our worship service. Please prepare your children or yourself to select a hymn and, if chosen, we will sing the first one or two verses. 
Newest Pandemic Guidelines from NEST, as of April 25

The NEST (Next Steps in Transition) working group met on Monday, April 25, 2022. Based on the most recent CDC recommendations, the low COVID case rate in Monroe County, the high rate of vaccination among church members, and the high-quality air filtration system we have in the church, we now believe that it is safe for us to relax the requirement that attendees wear masks at all times. With this change, we encourage everyone to make their own decisions about whether or not to wear a mask based on their personal levels of risk. Our revised guidelines are as follows:

Sunday Worship Guidelines for In-person Attendees:
  • The Meeting Room has been restored to full seating capacity.
  • We expect all who are able to be vaccinated. 
  • Masks are no longer required. However, because of the higher transmission risks associated with singing, we ask that those who choose to sing wear a mask while doing so.
  • We encourage all attendees to be mindful that different people have different levels of comfort with physical contact.
  • Pre-registration for worship services is not required.
  • We will hold coffee hour in Fellowship Hall between the services. Whenever the weather allows, we will open the Fellowship Hall doors and encourage people to gather outside.

Choir members will continue to wear their special singers’ masks when they participate in worship services. These masks are the same as those used by the Jacobs School of Music; their long beaks increase their effectiveness at reducing COVID transmission.
We will continue to live stream services for those who prefer to participate in services virtually.

As always, each individual must decide what is right for them and whether or not to attend activities in person. We reserve the right to revise these guidelines in response to changes in COVID risk levels.
 

Warmest regards,
The NEST Working Group: Jane McLeod, Abby Gitlitz, Michele Grove, Judy Klein, Ann LeDuc, Dan Lodge-Rigal, Sarah Sanchez, Melinda Swenson and Rev Bill Breeden.
UUCB Board members available after services
Our Board members will be available in Fellowship Hall after Sunday services, to answer any questions folks may have.
Want to keep the coffee flowing? Sign up here.
If you appreciate having coffee and/or tea available on Sunday mornings, please consider helping out on at least one Sunday. In order to continue to offer coffee on Sunday mornings, we must have volunteers who replenish supplies before coffee hour starts (about 10:15 AM), during coffee hour (10:30-11:15 AM), and clean up afterwards (11:15 AM-11:35AM). Questions? Contact Marlin Howard.
Sign up to Greet on Sundays
Whether you have been a Greeter in the past, or are looking for a new volunteer opportunity, you are invited to sign up to greet on Sunday mornings. Click here for a list of Greeter duties
Questions? email connect(at)uubloomington.org.
Emily's Post
Dear friends,
This week, Dr. Anthony Fauci stated that we are entering a "transition phase" of the Covid 19 pandemic. We are beginning a transition phase for our Covid 19 Memorial Installation, too. 
Through May, as we explore our congregational theme of Beauty and Memory, we will bear witness to the changes we are experiencing in relationship to Covid through a transformation of our Covid Memorial Installation. This will be a community-wide process, with several opportunities for engagement throughout the month. We will look for a final time at the huge numbers of people lost to the pandemic, engage in a ritual process of transformation, and reflect together upon how we hope to move ahead.
The first step is to memorialize as many people as we possibly can through the Covid memorial scrolls.  The final Sunday for the installation in its current form will be May 8th so we hope many people will join us this week for writing. If you can write numbers between services, scrolls and numbers will be available in the back of the sanctuary. If you are willing to write a scroll or two at home, please pick them up this Sunday outside the sanctuary or register here to have them left out for you to pick up. Scrolls are due May 6th (for Sunday) or at the services on the 8th. There will be final visitation times on the 8th and 10th.
Please watch the Prologue and Sunday announcements for more information on the events and experiences that will be a part of this transition phase together. And, as always, get in touch if you have questions or concerns.
With love and appreciation for your witness through these many months,
--Emily
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite, Minister of Story and Ritual
Religious Education Updates
We're Hiring Childcare Providers
Are you interested in joining our childcare team? Applicants should be prepared to work on 2-3 Sundays per month, from 8:15 am to 12:45 pm. Additional hours during the week will vary. Rate of pay is $13/hour. Please contact Michele (grove(at)uubloomington.org) if you are interested or have any questions.

YOUTH GROUP Gathering on May 21: Save the date!
On May 21 (late afternoon/early evening) we will gather to share ideas for youth group. Details to follow -- but this much we can tell you: there will be FOOD, FUN, MYSTERY GUESTS, and SURPRISES! Watch for a sign-up link in next week's Prologue. 

An Opportunity for Climate Action
This powerful story about youth suing the federal government for failing to provide a livable climate is now on Netflix! Please watch it this weekend, and spread the word; the more views there are in its opening weekend, the more it will show up as recommended. And getting the word out about this issue could help the youth in their upcoming hearing, where it will be decided whether their case will go to trial.
Adult Religious Education:
Back Peddling Through the Unitarian Universalist Principles 
May 9 and 16, 7:00 pm
The Unitarian Universalist principles are the foundation of this community. We use them as a guide in daily living and in how we are a community. This class will look at the seven official Unitarian Universalist Principles along with the 8th principle which guides us in our anti-racist, anti-oppression work. This is a great class for anyone new to Unitarian Universalism as well as for anyone who has been involved for a long, long time. There will be time for discussion, idea sharing, and exploring some of the changes on the horizon through the UUA’s Article II Commission.
Two Sessions: 
Monday, May 9, 7:00-8:30 PM
Monday, May 16, 7:00-8:30 PM
 This is a virtual class. Facilitator: Michele Townsend Grove.

If you have any questions or would like to suggest future adult religious education offerings, contact interim religious education consultant Michele Grove at grove(at)uubloomington.org.
The Annual Goods and Services
Online Auction
OPENS THIS SUNDAY!
Auction Runs May 1-May 8
 
 
Can YOU lead a birdwatching hike? Offer an experience in glassblowing? Picnic in the park? And of course, everything tastes better when you didn’t have to make it - WHO DOESN’T LOVE a dinner party! Our annual Goods & Services Online Auction opens for bidding Sunday, May 1st, at 12:00 noon and will run through May 8th until 6:00pm. Use the above link to check out the Auction before it starts (subject to final changes). WE ARE STILL ACCEPTING LAST MINUTEDONATIONS!  Click on the Donation link below for a form.
Young Adult Decompression Drinking --
A Water Communion
Saturday, April 30, 11:00 a.m.
Are you a young adult (ages 18-35) who needs to decompress? Come drink with us! (Water, that is). Tomorrow, Saturday, April 30, we'll be gathering at Feta Kitchen on Hillside at Henderson to release stress with other young adults. No specific theme this month: we'll just take a breath, and a drink, and another breath. If you're interested in deep connection, this is an opportunity to be present amidst fellow Young Adults. Just bring yourself (and perhaps fellow young adults) to the Feta Kitchen tomorrow at 11 AM, I'll buy you something to eat or drink, and we'll all commune together. I also welcome you to RSVP and share the Facebook eventQuestions? Email Jason Michalek at beacon(at)uubloomington.org.
Are you new to UU Bloomington? Join us this Sunday for a short introduction.
If you are new to our congregation, a very warm welcome to you! This Sunday, May 1 from around 10:30 to 11:15 am (after the first service) you are invited to join in a brief introduction to Unitarian Universalism and this congregation. Join us in person in Room 210 or via Zoom - just click on this link at 10:30 AM on Sunday to join online. Madison Colquette, a member of our congregation, will facilitate this short introduction. If you have questions, you are always welcome to email me at connect(at)uubloomington.org.    
-- Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator
UU Humanists Meet May 1, 12:45 pm
The UU Humanists will meet this Sunday at 12:45 pm in Fellowship Hall and via Zoom. Please contact Ann Watzel for the link to the Zoom meetings and to be added to the email discussion list.
UU Online Book Club Discussion
Monday, May 2, 6:30 pm
Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters will be discussed on Monday, May 2 at 6:30 pm. If you would like to join, sign up here. The UU Online Book Club meets the first Monday of each month via Zoom. Questions? Email connect(at)uubloomington.org.
“Writing as a Spiritual Practice”
with Rev. Barbara Child
A Drop-in Group on Zoom
Tuesdays 1-2 p.m., May 3 through June 28
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. The same link will work every session during the series.
Annual Report Coming Soon!
Reports are Due Soon
We are assembling an annual report to the congregation about our congregation's activities over the past year. Committee chairs are invited to submit brief reports (up to 250 words) to office(at)uubloomington.org by May 20. Please send these reports in a Word file or within the text of an email. Social Justice task force leaders are invited to send their reports to Jackie Hall by May 15, and she will format all the social justice reports and send them to the office. Our Annual Report to the Congregation will be made available at our Annual Congregational Meeting on Sunday, June 12.
Your Church Office Staff is Available Monday-Friday
You can reach a member of the church administrative staff each weekday:
Church Administrator Carol Marks, M-F, 10-4, 812-287-9615, admin(at)uubloomington.org
Office Assistant Monica Overman, T, Th, 10-1, Friday 12:30-3:30, 812-322-5546, office(at)uubloomington.org
Office Assistant Mandy Skinner, M, W, F, 10:30-1:30, 812-340-9981, office(at)uubloomington.org
We are in the church office at the church occasionally. The land line at the church, 812-332-3695, is checked for messages twice weekly.
From the UU Hunger & Homelessness Task Forces
  • Donation Suggestions for Beacon (Ongoing collection):
Covid-19 Booster Vaccines are now available
The CDC has updated the COVID-19 booster eligibility guidance. For information on vaccine availability in Indiana, visit: coronavirus.in.gov/vaccine

Households may receive four free Covid tests from the federal government. Order free Covid tests here:
Masthead photo: Julie Lawson's tulips, by Joan Caulton
Deadline for submissions to the Order of service and Friday UU Update
Thursday, 9:00 am, to office(at)uubloomington.org
Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana
2120 N. Fee Lane, Bloomington, Indiana 47408
Church mobile phone: 812-287-9615