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Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana
Congregation founded 1949 | LGBTQ Welcoming Congregation since 1995 | Green Sanctuary since 2007
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Seeking the Spirit | Building Community | Changing the World |
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Join us for online services
Livestreamed on Sundays at 9:15 am and 11:15 am
We are also meeting in person in our Meeting Room.
All are welcome.
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Hearing assistive devices are now available at the AV Tech booth in the rear of the sanctuary for use during Sunday worship services.
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Newest Pandemic Guidelines from NEST, as of April 19
Sunday Worship Guidelines for In-person Attendees:
- The seating capacity of the Meeting Room has now been increased
- Vaccination is expected of all who are able.
- N95, KN95, or double masking will still be required.
- We will no longer discourage hugging in general, although we encourage all attendees to be mindful that different people have different levels of comfort with physical contact.
- Pre-registration for worship services will not be required.
- Quiet singing in worship services will be allowed (encouraged, even!).
Current Guidelines for Meetings in the Church
Meetings may be held in the church building following the guidelines below:
· Vaccination is expected of all who are able.
· Masks are required: N95, KN95, or double mask.
· When scheduling rooms, leaders should be mindful of the room size, number of attendees, and the need for social distancing.
· All meetings in the church will have online attendance available upon request.
Note: When meeting in groups of 10 or fewer, participants may unmask if all attendees indicate that they feel safe doing so.
Current Guidelines for Religious Education Activities
In-person religious education classes are available during 11:15 AM worship services only, for ages 3-13. Masks are required of participants and leaders; vaccination is required for those who are able to be vaccinated. Everyone who participates will practice social distancing, along with habits that keep the area sanitary and clean. For more information or questions, reach out to our religious education coordinator Stephanie Kimball at kimball (at) uubloomington.org
The NEST (Next Steps in Transition) Working Group: Jane McLeod, Abby Gitlitz, Michele Grove, Judy Klein, Ann LeDuc, Dan Lodge-Rigal, Sarah Sanchez, Melinda Swenson, and Reverend Bill Breeden.
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Sunday, April 24, 2022
9:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.
In person and Livestream
"Awakenings:
Unitarian Universalism, My Twenty-two and a Half Year Journey with Reverend Mary Ann Macklin:
How Can I Keep from Singing? "
The Reverend Chris Long
The Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
The Reverend Emily Manvel Leite
A good day to YOU!! If asked the question, assuming you are a Unitarian Universalist or one who is seeking religious community with us, who or what loves you into being? How might you respond? More to the point, with this month’s congregational theme of “Awakening”, what or who within Unitarian Universalism, the justice making of this congregation and the community it provides, within and outside the congregation, loves you into being?
As I will be joining you this Sunday in co-creating Worship together for the third time, and with Reverend Mary Ann Macklin retiring from Parish Ministry at the end of this Church Year, I am humbled to share of my twenty-two and a half year journey with Reverend Macklin, who most certainly has and continues to love me into being through our deep and faithful commitment to Unitarian Universalism and our unwavering love and friendship. We hope to see you there! 😊
Greeters Needed this Sunday!
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.
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Sunday, May 1, 2022
9:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.
In person and Livestream
"May Day and Honorable Closure"
The Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
Guest Pianist: Sally Todd
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 were spent with Sally Todd at the piano. Sally has graciously accepted the offer, from Music Director Reverend Dr. Susan Swaney, to return to Bloomington for one more round of shared worship services with Reverend Macklin on May 1st.
Click on Sally's photo above to learn more about her work.
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Our Folks...
A memorial service for Dr. Jean Creek will be held here in our Meeting Room on Saturday, May 14 at 11:00 a.m. Reverend Mary Ann Macklin will officiate. The service will be available in-person and via livestream.
A memorial service for Jane Otten will be held here in our Meeting Room on Sunday, May 15 at 2:00 p.m. Reverend Bill Breeden will officiate. The service will be available in-person and via livestream.
Congratulations to Marcia Veldman, who is one of the nine Environmental Resilience Institute's "Hoosier Resilience Heroes" for 2022. More info here.
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Covid Memorial: Visit or Write on Sundays
This Sunday, for one hour after second service, and on
May 1st and May 8th between services, our sanctuary is open to those who would like to visit our Covid Memorial Installation. We will also be writing numbers for the installation during this time, if you would like to write in community.
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MAM’s Musings
I recently returned from a week in Monterey, California, where I was the officiant for the wedding of my nephew Frederick and his, now spouse, Marisa. Marisa and Frederick Macklin. It has a nice ring to it. I had not seen some of my family in over four years, and it was good to be together and share a time of celebration. Plus, it’s cool to be the minister for a family wedding.
I am delighted that my dear friend, Reverend Chris Long, will be the guest in our pulpit this Sunday for our two worship services with the full choir participating. It gives me chills just to write all of those details, particularly after two years of Covid and often a near empty sanctuary; it will be good to see so many of you again. I just have to remember to get up a little earlier.
Here is Reverend Chris Long’s Bio:
Rev. Long is a Unitarian Universalist minister whose call is to cultivate Beloved Community -- within UU congregations and in society at large. Rev. Long is currently Minister of Pastoral Care and Programming at Community Church of NYC (UU). His past positions include co-creating and serving as West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church's first Justice Minister (Cleveland, OH); Visiting Professor for the Practice of Ministry at Starr King School for the Ministry (Berkeley, CA); and as part of an anti-racism team at the Leadership Institute at the University of Wisconsin at Madison (Madison, WI). Rev. Chris is a leader in anti-racism efforts throughout the UUA, and has consulted with several UU congregations on leadership, transformation, and on the 8th Principle.
These are not easy times in our world. Let us share our joys and sorrows in ongoing community.
It is good to be home.
Peace and Gratitude,
Mary Ann
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
Senior Minister
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Emily’s Post
Dear Ones,
It is our month for exploring Awakening through the aural image of the dawn chorus of birds. On Sunday, the choir premiered a remarkable piece called Listen to the Birds written by Mary Goetze in honor of Maryann Cusack. It is stunning. If you missed it or would like to hear it again, you can hear it here.
Along with the music, I recommend this excerpt from a morning meditation written by Beth Kurland. It has been a helpful companion to me through this month exploring Awakening:
Awake
awakening
a new day arrives
my reliable companion, my breath
quiet, rhythmic
steady.
...just watching
waiting
as the thoughts fall away
and come again
revealing beneath--
the sadness tucked into the deepest corner,
the longing that has gone unnoticed,
the stillness that holds it all.
I am grateful for this
cacophony of sounds
that awaken me,
that call me to attend
to the deepest part of myself.
May your springtime be full of moments of helpful awakening to yourself and to the music offered by our beautiful world.
Emily
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite
Minister of Story and Ritual
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Hold the Dates: Celebrating Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
We are planning some festivities to celebrate Reverend Mary Ann's ministry before she leaves at the end of June. Here are the dates you need to know about for your calendar. More details will be forthcoming!
Saturday, May 21, 9:30am to around 1:00pm. Reverend Mary Ann Macklin Invitational Golf Scramble and Picnic (11:30am-1pm) at Taylor's Par 3 Both golfers and non-golfers are welcome. All golfers will have the opportunity to play a hole with Reverend MAM. Carpools or shuttles will be arranged.
Memorial Day Weekend Sunday or Monday (timing to be determined): Splash of the Sacred water party in the courtyard.
June 12, both services, 9:15 & 11:15 a.m. Mary Ann's last Sunday preaching.
12:15-1:45pm: Potluck Picnic in the courtyard
1:45-2:15pm: Celebration of Mary Ann in the sanctuary and live-streamed
2:15pm: Cookie time!
2:30pm: Annual Congregational Meeting including a time of appreciation for Mary Ann's ministry.
June 19: Mary Ann's last Sunday participating in the services, 9:15 & 11:15 a.m.
(Summer Solstice)
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Upcoming Adult Religious Education Classes
An Invitation to UU History
April 29 - 30
Tour Guide: Stuart Yoak
Email: sdyoak (at) iu.edu
Cell: 314-566-9059.
In person at UU Bloomington in our Library for 4 sessions.
Come for one or all sessions and learn in community. All our adult religious education opportunities are free.
UU Historical Beginning in Europe (These two sessions are identical)
o Friday afternoon 2hr session: (1pm – 3pm) or
o Friday evening (6pm – 8pm)
UU Historical Beginning in America
o Saturday morning 2hr session: (10am – Noon)
· Lunch
UU Today or How our history shapes us today.
o Saturday afternoon 2hr session (2pm – 4pm)
Ever wonder how the Unitarian Universalist church evolved? Where this way of doing church came from and who were the leaders and founders of the Unitarian and Universalist movements in Europe and North America? Join Stuart Yoak in this dynamic exploration of our history.
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Writing as a Spiritual Practice (Season 7)
May 3 - June 28
A Drop-in Group with Rev. Barbara Child
You are invited to join me on a journey of personal exploration through autobiographical writing in community on Zoom. We will meet every Tuesday afternoon 1:00-2:00 p.m. May 3 through June 28.
Even if you took part in one or more sessions during Season 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6, you need to register for Season 7 by clicking here. Y ou need to register only once and can then attend as many Season 7 sessions after that as you choose. You may register up to a few minutes before a session begins.
Here is a description of “Writing as a Spiritual Practice” and what happens in our Zoom room on Tuesday afternoons at 1:00.
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Religious Education Update
Ages 3-13
Join us for a special screening of the film Youth v. Gov
Monday, April 25, 6pm
In person in the UUCB Library AND via Zoom
YOUTH v GOV is the story of America’s youth taking on the world’s most powerful government. Armed with a wealth of evidence, twenty-one courageous leaders file a ground-breaking lawsuit against the U.S. government, asserting it has willfully acted over six decades to create the climate crisis, thus endangering their constitutional rights to life, liberty, and property. If these young people are successful, they will not only make history, they will change the future. As people of faith, we care about climate justice for future generations.
Registration required:
REMINDER: Religious education for children ages 3-13 is offered during the second service only, until further notice.
Are you missing out?
While some religious education news is included in our Prologue and Friday Updates, much more can be found in our monthly RE newsletter, Education Matters. Subscribe, or find it on our website.
--Stephanie Kimball, Religious Education Coordinator
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The Annual Goods and Services Online Auction Needs YOU!
Be Creative!
Auction Runs May 1-May 8
Donation Deadline is April 24
We have a goal this year of $12,000 and we are looking for MORE – more dinners and parties, more
beautiful artwork and ceramics, more lessons, more yardwork, more baking, more everything!
We have one of the most creative congregations in town and we are finally getting to a level of
immunity that things are safe for smaller get togethers. New to the congregation, or maybe
feeling a little detached? This is a FUN way to get to know people and to let them know you. Your
talents and treasures are needed to contribute to the budget and to help us
SEEK THE SPIRIT, BUILD COMMUNITY and CHANGE THE WORLD!
Feel free to contact Ann Kamman (aok719 (at) yahoo.com),
Nicki Stewart Ingersol (tnsi007 (at) gmail.com) or
Charlotte Appel (812-272-7140) if you want to talk over your ideas.
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Let's Talk about Gardening this Sunday!
All types, levels, and ages of gardeners are invited to come to the Gardeners' Gathering this Sunday, April 24, between worship services, 10:30-11:15 AM. We will share experiences, stories, advice, and maybe plants from time to time. Meet us at the picnic table outside the "office entrance" near the northwest corner of the church property. If there is inclement weather, we will meet in Room 112, at the east end of the first floor hallway, past childcare. The Gardeners' Gatherings are held every fourth Sunday between services. Join us!
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Help Out to Keep the Coffee Flowing!
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 at howardm(at) indiana.edu
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Poetry Group Meets Monthly on First Monday
The Poetry Group originally organized by Bob Taylor meets the first Monday of each month at 10 a.m. via Zoom and welcomes all. Bring a published poem to read for the group to discuss. Contact Linda Pickle (linda.pickle [at] wku.edu) to receive the Zoom link.
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Women's Alliance May 5 with Professor Deborah Cohn
The Women's Alliance meeting will be held via Zoom on Thursday, May 5, 2022 at 11:30 am. Our speaker is Professor Deborah Cohn, who will talk about the revival of modern language study in the U.S. in the 1950s and 1960s and its relevance today. Please join us! For details, see our Women's Alliance webpage.
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Bloomington Chamber Singers Spring Concert
7:30 p.m., Saturday, April 23, 2022
Music Director Gerald Sousa and the Bloomington Chamber Singers will present Mozart's “Great” Mass in C minor, and Brahms’ sublime elegy, “Nänie,” at Christ Community Church (formerly Evangelical Christian Church), 503 S. High St. in Bloomington, on April 23 at 7:30 p.m.
Details and tickets at:
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UU Freethinkers Meet Sunday, April 24, 12:45 pm
The UU Freethinkers bi-weekly meeting creates the opportunity for participants to raise questions and engage in open and non-structured discussion of issues of social, political, and theological/religious concern. Every other Sunday in person (in the Library at church on 4/24) and via Zoom at 12:45 pm. To join the discussion on Zoom, contact Ann Watzel.
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Celebrating Beltane with Earth Kin April 30
Join us for Earth Kin’s next ritual—Beltane on Saturday, April 30, 7–9:30pm in the UU Church courtyard. This will be a Druidic ritual working with the Queen of Flowers and the Green King, the archetypal divine union from which life blooms. Wear something white or bright and even a flower crown if you like. Bring a dish to pass and your sense of wonder about the earth’s fecundity. (Please have a mask handy for if/when we go inside.)
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UU Humanist Forum Meets In Person and on Zoom
Sunday, May 1, 12:45 pm
Every other Sunday at 12:45 pm, our UU Humanists meet together in person (on May 1, in Fellowship Hall) and online on Zoom for discussion. The discussion will be of topics for the Spring and Summer. Email Ann Watzel if you would like to join the discussion on Zoom.
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Shambhala Meditation on Zoom on Mondays
Every Monday at 12 noon online, you can join Sarah Flint in this 2500-year-old practice of cultivating peace and inner wisdom. Contact Sarah Flint to join the group in real time on Zoom.
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Open Mind Zen at Friends Meeting House
Open Mind Zen with UU member Sensei Frank Seisho Diaz meets weekly at the Bloomington Friends Meeting House. If you'd like to participate, visit openmindzenbloomington.org and click on the "Welcome" tab for more information.
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Showing Up... NAACP 42nd Freedom Fund Banquet
This group of UUs attended the Monroe County Branch of the NAACP's 42nd annual Freedom Fund Banquet on April 2, 2022. Our Racial Justice Task Force, with funding from a UUCB Social Justice Grant, was a banquet sponsor. The keynote speaker, Dr. Gloria L. Howell, spoke of her dreams for the future, with one being for “radical coalition building.” This is a start….showing up. We can do more. Become a member of the local NAACP. Click here for info:
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Donate to the Hoosier Abortion Fund During April
and Support Reproductive Justice
Support access to abortion in Indiana by donating to the Hoosier Abortion Fund fundraising event through the month of April. Our political climate makes it even more important today to make funds available to those in need. Donations can be made on the HAF team page representing our Reproductive Justice Task Force: https://fund.nnaf.org/team/419464
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MidAmerica UU Region Virtual Annual Assembly
April 30
Register Now! Unitarian Universalists in 12 Midwestern and Upper Midwest states join together to form the MidAmerica Region of the UUA, and our annual Regional Assembly will be online this year on April 30. The keynote speaker is social justice educator, storyteller and speaker CB Beal. Included will be worship, the annual business meeting, a keynote address, and community breakout rooms. Sliding scale registration fee between $25 and $50; scholarships are available. If you would like to be a member delegate from our congregation, registration fee support is available. Contact Iris Kiesling if you are interested in being a delegate, irisfkiesling (at) gmail.com. Click here for details about the meeting.
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Click here or on the image above for Cupcake Descriptions.
An order form will be available soon!
All proceeds from this sale May 7-8 will go toward fighting hunger in our Bloomington community. Thank you from the UU Hunger Task Force.
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Donations for Beacon:
Look for bins at the Portico entrance, list below.
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Office Hours in the Building Changing April 25
Beginning the week of April 25, Church Administrator Carol Marks will be in the building on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10-4. She will continue to work from home on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 10-4.
Church mobile number is 812-287-9615, talk or text.
Office Assistants Monica Overman or Mandy Skinner are in the church office Room 204 on Sundays, 10-1. They can also be reached at other times, below.
Office Assistant Monica Overman, T, Th, 10-1, Friday 12:30-3:30, 812-322-5546, office (at) uubloomington.org. Working from home.
Office Assistant Mandy Skinner, M, W, F, 10:30-1:30, 812-340-9981, office (at) uubloomington.org. Working from home.
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COVID-19 Vaccination News
Vaccines for Ages 5 and Older!
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Email SCAM Alert
Our ministers, staff, and board members or other members will never send you email asking you for any money besides your pledge payment!
How to Recognize an Email Phishing Scam:
Is the email impersonating Rev. Macklin or another of our staff or ministers? Are they asking you to purchase gift cards? Wait! Don't do it! We will never send you emails like that. To double check, look at the email address of the sender. Is it from an address at uubloomington.org? If not, that's the second good reason to delete it!
Office Hours, Calendar, Deadlines
Office hours: M-F, 10 am-4 pm.
The Church Office can be reached via text or voicemail during office hours at 812-287-9615. Email: admin (at) uubloomington.org or office (at) uubloomington.org. The Church Administrator plans to be in the office on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but please call before you come over, to be sure there is someone here, 812-332-3695.
The Prologue is published on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month. Next issue is
May 3. Deadline is 10 am on date of publication, to admin (at) uubloomington.org
Church Mailing Address: UU Church,
2120 N. Fee Lane, Bloomington, IN 47408.
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Details on Membership & Offering
Membership: 561 certified members as of 2/1/2022;
563 current members.
Attendance:
March 20:
March 27:
April 3: 199
Attendance info for Mar 20 and Mar 27 is coming!
Non-Pledge Offering:
April 3 $586
April 10 $347
To make a contribution for the Non-Pledge Offering (Sunday Plate), or to make a payment towards your pledge, click on this link to get to our new Giving page: uucb.churchcenter.com/giving
Total to be donated (25%) to The Nest childcare center at New Hope Family Shelter: $233.18
Grocery Card Sales: (Bloomingfoods or Fresh Thyme) $500; Total income to UUCB: $25
Free Money from Kroger!
Fresh Thyme and Bloomingfoods
Grocery Cards Available by Mail
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Did you know that Kroger sends our congregation over $1,600 each year? This is made possible by those of you who participate in Kroger's Community Rewards program. Register your Kroger Plus card online at this link.
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We are also still selling grocery cards for Bloomingfoods and Fresh Thyme by mail. Click here to see what kind of cards and how many are available. Send your check to the church (UU Church, 2120 N. Fee Lane, Bloomington, IN 47408) with a note to let us know the type and value of card(s) you want, and we will mail them to you. You do not need to send an envelope.
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Masthead photo from the internet. |
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Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, IN
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