July 9, 2021
Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana
This Sunday's Service
Sunday, July 11, 2021
10:15 am Livestream
An Abiding Love
Reverend Forrest Gilmore
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite
Reverend Gilmore writes, "All of us have touchstone experiences that helped shape how we understand and live in the world. Years ago, I met a man named Thomas in the emergency room of San Francisco Hospital. Today, we'll share about what that visit can teach us." 

Our UU Car Choir, directed by the Reverend Dr. Susan Swaney, will share the gift of music.
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 Humanists Meet July 11, 12:45 pm
The UU Humanist Forum will meet this Sunday at 12:45 pm via Zoom. Rich Janda will lead a discussion on "Vinegar should, but won’t; honey would, and will: Changing Minds." 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.
Explore Unitarian Universalism This Sunday!
Explore Unitarian Universalism with us on July 11 and 18, from 2 to 4 pm, now in the church library! 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! To register for this class email connect(at)uubloomington.org or call (812)720-3688.
Religious Education Updates

Board Update from Listening Sessions about Changes
in Religious Education
In late June, the Board offered five listening sessions, via Zoom and in person, to listen to the concerns of UUCB members and friends about recent changes to our RE program. Twenty-one UUCB members and friends took advantage of the opportunity to provide three Board members at each meeting with feedback and discussion. The results have been condensed and summarized for your review here:


Over the coming months, the Board, working in collaboration with our ministers and staff will begin making changes in policies and procedures to improve communications and restore stability in our beloved community. We will keep all stakeholders and the congregation informed of these changes. This is an exciting time for our church and we look forward to serving each of you.
A Summer Program for all Ages:
The Important Book with Martha Nord
This Sunday, July 11, 1-2 pm, in the Courtyard
Email Stephanie at rea(at)uubloomington.org to reserve a spot!
Good picture books have wisdom for all ages. We are never too young or too old for them. They also invite discussion. Margaret Wise Brown's The Important Book is one such book. She tells us what she thinks is most important about a number of things in the world: a spoon, a daisy, and rain, for example. During our hour together, Martha will read this short book and invite us to agree or disagree with the author's ideas of what is most important. Then she will invite us into a guided writing time in which you can choose an object or activity or idea to describe and tell what you think is its most important quality. This should be fun for very young participants and very old participants and for all participants in-between! You can choose to write collaboratively or individually. We'll have time to share our writing if we choose.

For questions about Religious Education, please contact our Religious Education Assistant, Stephanie Kimball, rea(at)uubloomington.org.
Our Folks..

As Reverend Macklin wrote in the June 1 Prologue, former member Chris Clothier is battling an aggressive form of cancer. If you would like to send cards or emails of encouragement and love to Chris, they can be sent to Chris Clothier, in care of Mikael Clothier, 5603 NE Cesar Chavez Blvd., Portland , OR 97211. Her email is clothiercs(at)gmail.com. Chris would love cards and emails, although she may not be able to respond to them.

Our thoughts are with Nedra Carlson and her family. Nedra was recently admitted to IU Health Bloomington Hospital and is undergoing testing. Cards to her home address are welcome.
UU Online Book Club reads Beaten Down, Worked Up by Steven Greenhouse
The UU Online Book Club meets the first Monday of each month at 6:30 pm via Zoom. Their next book is Beaten Down, Worked Up by Steven Greenhouse and will be discussed on August 2 at 6:30 pm. This book, written by a longtime New York Times labor correspondent, gives an in-depth look at working men and women in America, the challenges they face, and how they can be re-empowered. If you would like to join the book club, use this link to register for the Zoom meeting: UU Book Club Registration. Special thanks to Tom Albright for leading the August discussion.  
Hike with us! Wednesday, July 14, 8:15 am
Join us to hike the Hayes Trail in the Deam Wilderness on the morning of Wednesday, July 14. We'll meet at the Pate Hollow parking lot at 8:15 am to carpool to the trailhead. Click here to see the maps and sign up. All ages welcome! This is a 5 mile hike. Thank you to Mary Reardon for leading this hike.
Free Dance Party for All Ages
Friday, July 16, 7 pm at Bryan Park 
Get out of the house and move your body! Cardinal Stage is throwing an outdoor dance party that will be fun for all ages. Want to show off your moves? You can learn a choreographed group dance at home and join the performance that will kick off the party! Plus, see a special performance from the Bloomington Academy of Film and Theatre’s Cardinal Broadway Bootcamp.
RSVP and learn more: cardinalstage.org/dance-party
If you or your family would be willing to represent the church and meet up with other UUs at the dance party, email Ann and let her know: connect(at)uubloomington.org.
Black Authors Speak! 
Saturday, July 17, 5-7 pm
A book fair with readings and performances at the Monroe County History Center, 202 E 6th Street. Authors include Gladys DeVane, Charlie Nelms, Jakobi Williams, Jacinda Townsend-Gides, Amrita Myers, Breanya Hogue, Taylor & Briah O’Neal. Music by Peyton Womack.
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.
Masks Are Required in the Building
In respect for those who are vulnerable or unvaccinated, our Next Steps in Transition Working Group asks that we wear a mask while in our building. We have disposable masks if you forget to bring yours with you. Thank you for helping to keep everyone safe.
Reverend Leite's Email Address Has Changed
Because Reverend Emily Manvel Leite has a new position here at the church, her email address has changed. To contact Emily from now on, please email her at leite (at) uubloomington.org.

Please Make Your Pledge Today!
We are still encouraging everyone who has not already done so to make a financial pledge for this fiscal year, July 1, 2021-June 30, 2022.
Grocery Cards Will be Available Again Starting July 26
Because of your enthusiastic participation in our grocery card fundraiser (thank you so much!), we are running a little low on grocery cards for Bloomingfoods and Fresh Thyme at the moment, but we will have more available starting July 26. Please click here to see what kinds and denominations are available. 
New Online Giving Link
We are inviting everyone to use our new Giving page for online contributions: https://uucb.churchcenter.com/giving   
You can use a major credit card there to make a non-pledge gift or a contribution towards your annual pledge, or both. This new Giving page is integrated with our new database, and is secure. If you have used our Paypal account in the past to arrange a recurring gift, that will continue to work just fine, but you can also use the new Giving page to arrange a recurring gift if you would like.
Questions?
Carol Marks, admin (at) uubloomington.org, 812-287-9615, 812-332-3695.
July Food Drives
Below are lists of needed items for our July drives. Please drop off your donations in the labeled bins near the Portico entrance on the north side of the church. Thank you!
Shoe Drive this Saturday by Delta Sigma Theta
The Bloomington Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority is hosting a shoe drive to raise funds to support micro-enterprise vendors. These are small businesses in developing nations. Drop off your gently worn, used and new shoes at St. Thomas Lutheran Church, 3800 E. Third St., Bloomington, on July 10, from 2:00 to 5:00 pm.
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 Mandy Skinner.
Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana
Mailing address during covid:
UU Church, PO Box 1158,
Nashville, Indiana 47448-1158