August 20, 2021
Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana
This Sunday's Service
Sunday, August 22, 2021
10:15 am Livestream
Pseudo-Community and the Real Thing
Reverend Barbara Child
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
Reverend Child went to England a few years ago to teach a short course for British Unitarian ministers on some practices in common use here but unknown there. What happened, however, was that she learned as much as she taught, and what she learned was as much about our American Unitarian Universalist congregations as about British congregations. This morning all will be revealed.
Important Message from Reverend Macklin
It is never easy when I, as Senior Minister, need to share the news of another unwelcomed change within our congregation, which is accompanied by loss and sadness.

Due to medical issues, Reverend David Clements informed President Stuart Yoak and me on Sunday afternoon that he needs to resign his position as our Interim Consulting Minister and return to Cleveland. I have been aware that Reverend Clements might need to resign, and I know that we will all experience the impact of his departure. The Board, Ministers and Staff are here for you if you need someone with whom to talk. 

From Reverend Dave:
While I was away in early August, I went to my scheduled appointment with my Kidney Doctor and had the blood work done as I do every 4- 6 months. I learned that my only kidney was not working at its full capacity. This is a serious health issue and I am doing what I need to do to take care of myself which includes stepping away from the stresses of parish ministry. I need to be home, close to my Doctor and my partner, to take care of my medical health and body. 
I thank the board, the staff, and the members of this congregation for the experience I have had serving here. It has been a wonderful experience and I will cherish the memories that I have made. All the best to all of you.

Meanwhile, I want to say that Reverend Dave’s ministry provided me a respite when I very much needed one, and I am grateful for the ministerial presence he offered our congregation, along with his gift of helping us move forward in adopting the 8th Principle. All the best to you Reverend Dave. We will miss you. 

To the congregation, we ask that you respect Reverend Dave’s privacy at this time. The Board will begin planning a time of farewell, collecting appreciations as well as setting a time in early fall to be with Rev Dave via Zoom and offer gratitude and well wishes. Please see the message from the Board below.

And a special pastoral note to the congregation from me, Reverend MAM:
                  
In this time of ongoing congregational change in an era of Covid, social upheaval, and political weirdness, I am noticing that change generates change generates change, like the ripples in a pond, and sometimes I don’t like it. I know that Buddhist nun Pema Chodron says that in our quest for safety and security we humans are like people in a boat that is falling apart, trying to hold onto the water.

Sometimes I feel like the world’s worst Buddhist as I grasp at the waves. On the other hand, I love water, so while the boat of some particular expectations may be falling apart, I am very aware that our congregational ship continues to sail, playing judo with the wind as we find the flow, and I am honored to be at the helm.   

Thanks for sailing with us Reverend Dave -- with prayers of healing and love.

Peace, 
Mary Ann 
From Your Board of Directors

The Board would like to express our sincere appreciation for the many contributions Reverend Dave has made to our congregation during his time with us. We were saddened to learn of his recent health diagnosis, and we support his decision to step away at this time to focus on his health. While we have a great deal of work ahead of us, Reverend Dave has helped move us into position to take on that work. He provided a bridge across our ministry as our Interim Consulting Minister. We look forward to sharing our collective thanks and gratitude with him once he settles back in Cleveland – we will provide more information soon about opportunities to share your own appreciation with him. Again, for now, we ask that you allow Reverend Dave his privacy as he deals with this transition.

We are thankful that Reverend Dave connected us with our now Interim Director of Religious Education, Michele Grove, who began her work with us this past week. The Board is fortunate to have Michele with us to facilitate conversation and visioning around the present and future of our Religious Education program. 

During our most recent board meeting, Reverend Macklin made a point about the importance of spaciousness in the coming year. We invite the congregation to lean into that idea of spaciousness in the months ahead as we all attempt to balance the departure of Reverend Dave with the exciting process of visioning around Religious Education, while we also take the time to enjoy and celebrate the ministry of Reverend Macklin in her final year with us. We are particularly grateful for everyone’s spacious goodwill as we do this important work together against the ever-shifting public health landscape with COVID. 

Thank you all,
Your Board

Stuart Yoak
Abby Gitlitz
Rich Slabach
Steve Gilbert
Jane McLeod
Julie Lawson
Drew Schrader
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Updates
Michele Grove Would Like to Meet You!
Michele Grove, our interim Religious Education consultant, will be in town next week and would like to meet you! You're invited to attend one or more of the following sessions, or email Michele to schedule an appointment: grove(at)uubloomington.org.
You're invited to two music events with Colleen Haas...
  • Instrument Making Workshop: Sunday, August 29, 1-3 pm 
Learn to make the Ganza [gahn-ZAH] - the cylinder shaker and mini Shekeres (shay-keh-RAY) the gourd shaker from Brazilian Maracatu Parade Traditions. Instructions for both simple and more complex versions will be available to accommodate all ages and skill levels. In person, in the Courtyard. Please register so we can ensure enough supplies, and so we can notify you of any changes to the plan! Click here to sign up, or email Stephanie, rea(at)uubloomington.org.
  • Rhythm Workshop: Saturday, September 4, 1-2:30 pm
Come make music with us! Bring drums, or the instruments you make on the 29th, or use what we have on hand. All ages and skill levels welcome. In-person, outdoors -- stay tuned for exact location. Please register so we can notify you of any changes to the plan! Click here to sign up, or email Stephanie, rea(at)uubloomington.org.
Our Folks...

Our thoughts and sympathy are with Emily Hewitt and her young children upon the unexpected death of her partner and their father, Keegan Cassell, on August 2. Cards are welcome.
Welcome to Elliott Daniel Spiller, who joined Claire Sunkel and Sean Spiller on August 2nd at 10 am, weighing 7 pounds 1 ounce. Both mom and baby are doing great. Claire and Sean couldn't be more excited to have little Elliott in their lives!
IMPORTANT Update from NEST Working Group

Updated Pandemic Guidelines
The NEST (Next Steps in Transition) Working Group continues to work to ensure the safety of our congregation, staff, and ministers during the pandemic. Here is an update from NEST.

Important highlights: The metrics subcommittee has developed a five-level classification of risk that maps onto the classifications published by Covid Act Now.

Our current building status is RESTRICTED ACCESS, which is defined below.

  • Our building is now closed.
  • Small groups of 5 or fewer may meet in the church building, with advance notice, if their work cannot be accomplished elsewhere.
  • Ministers, staff, and a few Board members have some access to the building.

As the Covid situation changes, the NEST Working Group continuously works to stay abreast of the changes and reevaluate applicable safety protocols.

If you have questions about the work of NEST, please email Jane McLeod, jmcleod (at) indiana.edu.
CANCELLED: This Sunday's Greeter Orientation
The Greeters Orientation for this Sunday has been cancelled because our building status is currently Restricted Access. See the NEST article in this edition, or the front page of the church website for more information.
UU Children's Choir is Starting Up!
UU Children's Choir will start our year virtually, for safety. New and returning singers in grades K- 6 are always welcome, and we love to include our older youth a couple times a year as well! We contribute songs for several services per year, and the schedule is fluid depending on the needs and timing of the services. Currently, teaching videos and instructions for recording are provided for participating singers a few weeks prior to a song being "premiered" at a service. Our next singing opportunity is for Water Communion, which is soon! Please contact Jill Courtney at jillmcourtney(at)gmail.com for questions, or to be added to the UU Children's Choir email list to get regular updates about singing opportunities. 
UU Humanists Meet August 22, 12:45 pm
The UU Humanist Forum will meet this Sunday at 12:45 p.m. via Zoom. David Keppel will lead a discussion on Nuclear Weapons. 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.
Habitat for Humanity Women Build
Team Members Wanted - Sign up by August 26!
Our UU & Friends team for the Habitat Women Build needs just a few more female builders to complete our 35-member team for the 21st annual event. We will be helping build two homes for local families on Wed., Sept. 29. No experience is necessary, and any female 16 years and older can participate. Participants also help finance the homes by donating and/or fundraising a minimum of $300 each. Funds are available to help builders reach their goals. Click here by August 26 to join our team.
 -- Barb Berggoetz and Lauren Bryant
Music by Janiece Jaffe and Krista Detor
Friday August 27, 6 pm
Meet us in Switchyard Park on August 27 for two great free concerts by Janiece Jaffe and Krista Detor, starting at 6 pm. Look for the "UUs Meet Here" sign. Mark your calendar for this and other UU meet up opportunities! 
Join the Fun at Bloomington Pridefest
Saturday, August 28
Represent UUCB in our Pridefest booth on August 28. This is a great way to experience Pridefest. It's really easy too! Plus, it's outdoors, and that makes it safer! Sign up here, and see all the details. Questions? contact Ann LeDuc at connect(at)uubloomington.org
UUCB’S Extraordinary SPLASH PARTY
SAVE THE DATE!
Saturday, September 4, 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Everyone is invited to come and celebrate the end of summer and the opportunity to be together here at church in the courtyard. This will be a fun event with activities for all age groups. Here are just a few of the planned activities:
-- Water Balloon Toss -- Sponge Dodge Ball Pull -- Water Color Painting
Social Distancing will be practiced. If you would like to DJ during the party of volunteer to help in other ways, please contact Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator at connect(at)uubloomington.org. For other questions, please contact office(at)uubloomington.org.
UU Online Book Club reads Leonard: My Fifty-Year Friendship With A Remarkable Man
The UU Online Book Club meets the first Monday of each month at 6:30 PM via Zoom. Their next book is Leonard: My Fifty-Year Friendship With A Remarkable Man by William Shatner with David Fisher, and will be discussed on September 6. Shatner tells the story of a man who was his friend for five decades, recounting anecdotes and untold stories of their lives on and off set, as well as gathering stories from others who knew Nimoy well. To join the book club, use this link to register for the Zoom meeting: UU Book Club Registration. Special thanks to CJ (in Australia) for leading the September 6 discussion. 
Welcome to Our Newest Members!
On Sunday, August 8, we welcomed five new members into our congregation. They are: Anne Clark, Mary Craig, Madison Colquette, Maria Latham, and Rebecca Scott. When you have a chance, please give them a warm welcome! Below is the second installment of bios to help you get to know our new members. --Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator
Anne Clark was born and raised in Bloomington and, except for a 20 year tour of the world with her military husband, has lived here all of her life. Anne retired from IU Health Bloomington after 20 years as a Registered Nurse and Board Certified Lactation Consultant. After becoming disengaged from her childhood religion she spent years trying out the myriad of social justice offerings at UU. She contributed money, had her picture taken for the directory, sat at the book table every month and did everything but join. It wasn’t until she found a social justice calling of her own (The 4th Trimester Project) that she did. At the end of the pandemic you may find her at the book table, at a UU Jungian bi-monthly meeting, crocheting in a pew, or taking her six grandchildren to the Indy Children’s Museum. 
New Online Giving Link
We are inviting everyone to use our new Giving page for online contributions: 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, Church Administrator, admin (at) uubloomington.org, 812-287-9615, 812-332-3695.
Helping The Little Free Pantry and Beacon Shalom Center
The Little Free Pantry by Needmore Coffee needs donations of: peanut butter, canned meat, canned protein meals, canned fruit, Spam, pasta, pasta sauce, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, shampoo. You can place these items directly inside the Little Free Pantry on Pete Ellis Drive next to Needmore Coffee.
Beacon Shalom Center needs donations of: cereal, canned food, condiments, bottled water, protein drinks, instant coffee, pasta, hygiene products, socks, tea. These items can be dropped off in the bins on the north side of the church near the Portico entrance.
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: vaccine.coronavirus.in.gov
Masthead photo from the internet.
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
Mailing address during covid:
UU Church, PO Box 1158,
Nashville, Indiana 47448-1158 Church mobile phone: 812-287-9615