May 20, 2022
Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana
This Sunday's Service
Sunday, May 22, 2022
9:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.
Multigenerational Flower Communion
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
Reverend Bill Breeden
Carrie Newcomer
Livestream and In person
Bring a flower (or several flowers!) if you are coming in person, or send a photo of yourself with a flower to leite(at)uubloomington(dot)org if you are attending online, and join us for our annual Flower Communion--the first with some of us in person since 2019. In this playful service of story, song and active ritual we will affirm our supportive community and celebrate the beauty in each of us. Carrie Newcomer will offer special music.
WE DID IT!!! Amendment Matching Grant for 2022-23
After donors created a generous one-time $25,000 Matching Grant, the congregation has responded. As of today, May 20, 2022, we have matched this grant! Thank you to all the wonderful folks who had the means to respond and did so quickly. You just gotta love the spirit of generosity and abundance of this congregation. And gratitude to all members and friends and the many ways you support our ongoing vision of: Seeking the Spirit, Building Community, and Changing the World.

Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
Senior Minister
Updated Guidelines from NEST, as of May 9
The NEST (Next Steps In Transition) working group met on Monday, May 9. In response to multiple indications that the COVID-19 infection rate is increasing in Monroe County, including new wastewater data, the working group has decided that masking will be required in the church building until the situation becomes clear. Use this link to view the new wastewater data. When viewing the data, click on the three dots on the right hand side of the date column and choose "sort descending." The column to look at is "gene copies per 10ml."

Current Sunday Worship Guidelines for In-person Attendees:
  • We expect all who are able to be vaccinated.
  • Masks are currently required.
  • Coffee Hour will be held in the Courtyard this Sunday.

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, Stephanie Kimball, Judy Klein, 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.
We need you to keep the coffee flowing!
We need additional volunteers to help with coffee and tea on Sunday mornings. Volunteers 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 at howardm(at)indiana.edu.
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 and greet on Sunday mornings. Click here for a list of Greeter duties. Questions? Email connect(at)uubloomington.org.
Help keep our candles glowing!
Flame Keeper volunteers are very important to ensuring our worship services run smoothly on Sunday mornings. They maintain the Joys and Sorrows candles and assist the ministers as needed. Read this list of responsibilities for more details.  
All are welcome to join the Flame Keepers. Children under the age of 16 will be asked to serve with a parent or guardian. If you haven't been a Flame Keeper in the past, we will provide a short tutorial for you before you serve.
Annual Report Coming Soon!
Reports are Due Friday, May 20
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, 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.
Religious Education Updates
NO SUNDAY MORNING RELIGIOUS EDUCATION on upcoming Sundays:
May 22 - Intergenerational Flower Communion
May 29 - Memorial Day - Religious Educators' holiday

Sunday morning religious education for children will resume on JUNE 6 during the second worship service.

Join us on JUNE 6 for TEACHER APPRECIATION DAY!  
A special time in each service, plus a reception for teachers between services. Details to follow.

Religious Education and Minister Transition Panel Discussion
This Sunday, May 22, following the second worship service
In the Meeting Room
The interim religious education transition team is hosting a Religious Education and Minister Transition Panel Discussion. Learn about the future of lifespan religious education and its staffing and program. Receive updates about senior minister transitions. Learn about the excitement in the UU Bloomington Future!
Moderator: Beth Lodge-Rigal
Panelists: Stephanie Kimball, Drew Schrader, Reverend Mary Ann Macklin, and
Dr. Michele Townsend Grove

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.
Gardeners' Gathering this Sunday at 10:30 AM
Join us every fourth Sunday between worship services for the Gardeners' Gathering. Every type, age, and level of gardener is welcome. We'll share experiences, stories, advice, and maybe plants from time to time. Sign up here. We will meet this Sunday at ~10:30 AM in Room 110.
UU Freethinkers Meet May 22, 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 or Harold Ogren for 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, 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.
UU Online Book Club reads Klara and the Sun
Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro will be discussed on Monday, June 6 at 6:30 pm. If you would like to join the book discussions, sign up here. The UU Online Book Club meets the first Monday of each month at 6:30 pm via Zoom. If you have questions email connect(at)uubloomington.org.
Hoosier Abortion Fund Extended through May to
Support Reproductive Justice
The Reproductive Justice Task Force's fundraiser for the Hoosier Abortion Fund has been extended through the end of May. The SCOTUS decision will put us in jeopardy of having any access to abortion at all. The Hoosier Abortion Fund, administered by All Options, fulfills requests from women for their abortion fees and transportation, both of which may be out of state. Donations can be mailed to All Options (noted for HAF use) 1014 S Walnut, 47401 or online here.
There's a baby on the way!
In early July of this year, the family from Afghanistan that our church has been supporting is expecting a new addition, a bouncing baby boy named Simon. It's time to get out your smallest knitting needles and crochet hooks and your softest yarns to welcome him into our world. Your tiny creations may be dropped off in the Hunger Task Force bin on the north side of the church. Many, many thanks. -- UU RISE, Refugee/Immigrant Support and Education Task Force
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:
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.
Masthead photo by Marcia Hart.
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