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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 Sunday mornings at 10:15 am
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Sunday, July 25, 2021
10:15 am Livestream
Change is Our Friend
Charles Eduardos
Reverend Dave Clements
Change is happening all around us, and the question we need to ask ourselves is, “Are you the same today as you were 10 years ago?” Will you be the same in the next 10 years? The adoption of the 8th Principle by this congregation has brought another area of change and focus. Change can be our friend. This Sunday's sermon will explore this concept.
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Sunday, August 1, 2021
10:15 am Livestream
Taking Flight: Relationships and Gratitude
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
Ned Joyner
The monarch butterfly, in its ongoing journey of transformation, teaches us much about the nature of relationships and the changes that come with time. Our theme for the month of August is Relationships. Franklin Roosevelt said, “If civilization is to survive, we must cultivate the science of human relationships--the ability of all peoples, of all kinds, to live together, in the same world at peace.” UUCB is a place where we cultivate relationships by Seeking the Spirit. Building Community. Changing the World.
In this worship service we will hear from tech guru Ned Joyner as he prepares to leave UUCB and Bloomington to continue his seminary studies at Union Theological Seminary in New York City. Reverend Macklin will join Ned for this final appearance in our pulpit. Special music provided by Ned and Andy Beargie’s band, Birrrd.
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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
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Our Building is Mostly Still Closed, but
We Plan for In-Person Services Beginning Sunday, September 5
The Board, Staff, and the Next Steps in Transition (NEST) working group continue to consult as we do our part to disrupt the spread of coronavirus and COVID-19 in our community. Church staff are working at the church building on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 10-3, and the rest of the time at home.
We anticipate in-person worship services to resume
on Sunday, September 5, at 9:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.
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Office Hours Tue, Wed, Thu at the Church
How to Schedule Small Meetings
Our staff is keeping office hours at the church on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 10-3. They are also working from home on other days. The building is available by reservation for small church-related meetings at times when staff members are present. Masks are required to be worn inside our building. Please see guidelines below from our NEST working group.
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Next Steps in Transition (NEST) Working Group Guidelines for Meetings
The NEST working group has provided guidelines for how we will progress towards meeting in person at the church building. This includes guidelines for how church groups may schedule meetings
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From Rev. Dave
Maintaining focus in times of constant change
The world as we know it is in a time of change. Climate change is causing all sorts of disruption in many areas on this planet. Political change and conflict is happening here in the United States and elsewhere. Institutions that have stood the test of time are caught up in this time of change. At times it can seem as if it all is too much to bear and will we ever find a sense of peace and comfort.
The question becomes one of how do we cope with the changes that are happening all around us? I was reading my grandparents' journal the other day, and they were describing 1918 and all of the challenges that the world and America was facing because of the pandemic that was taking lives. My grandmother commented that as a young person of 19 years of age she didn’t know if she or her family members would survive the pandemic but she did know that all she could worry about was the present moment and how she would cope with what she had to deal with that day.
My grandparents did survive the pandemic and went on to have a family of which my mom was one. They lived their lives each day centered on the events of that day. This didn’t mean that they didn’t plan and talk about the future, because they did. But their main focus each day was centered on that day and how they could be fully present for all that they came in contact with. One of the tools that my grandparents taught me was the importance of doing something nice for someone each day. I still remember seeing how they practiced this simple act each day.
I have often thought about their examples. In this time of constant change, what can I do to bring some joy into the life of another? Sometimes it is just a simple text. A phone call or an email. These simple acts of reaching out to another has helped me to deal with the issues and concerns that I have in my life with a different focus and direction. May each of you in these times of constant change be open to doing some act of kindness to another each day.
Reverend Dave Clements
Interim Minister
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Our Folks...
Nedra Carlson is back from 3 days at IU Hospital for pulmonary embolisms. They have used medication to prevent further clot formation. She is glad to be back home and she and Elof have help from their family.
Elof Carlson's latest book (his 15th) came out this year: What is Science: A guide for those who love it, hate it, or fear it. It is published by World Scientific and available at Amazon.com as a hard cover, paperback, or Kindle. Elof says, "It is my response to the Trump or Republican denial and abuse of science over the past 6 years."
Our best wishes for quick healing to Reverend Emily Manvel Leite, who had a bike accident on Thursday, July 15. She is recuperating with the loving help of her family. Care cards may be sent to her at home.
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Puppet Play Workshop July 24, 1:30-3 p.m.
All Ages Are Invited!
Join Ginny Richey and Patty Callison to play with puppets! Participants will explore puppet conversation, and watch a puppet show of the Nigerian folktale "Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky." Puppets will be on hand for children to re-enact the story, and puppet-making kits will be available to take home. Register here, or email Stephanie Kimball at rea(at)uubloomington.org. Limit 15 people; masks required.
Want to learn more about this summer's Intergenerational Play Group? Click here for an overview. To stay informed of future playful events offered this summer, visit this site to view the calendar and join us. -- Stephanie Kimball, Religious Education Assistant
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Interim Religious Education Consultant
to Begin August 15
Our Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Michele Townsend Grove has accepted our offer and has been hired to be our part-time Interim Religious Education Consultant, starting August 15. Michele has more than 30 years of experience in lifespan religious education and program development and has served at many different UU churches in her career. Most recently she served as Interim Director of Religious Education at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Urbana-Champaign, Illinois. She has also served as trainer for interim Religious Educators for the Unitarian Universalist Association.
Here at UUCB, Michele is charged with providing guidance and leadership to the Board of Directors and the congregation in understanding the ongoing and future religious education needs of our congregation. For details, please see the July 2, 2021 Friday UU Update.
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Please Make Your Pledge Today!
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Paying Your Pledge Online: Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Does the church pay a processing fee for online payments?
A. Yes, and we have done so for years, ever since we began accepting donations with credit cards, but please do not worry about that. We have budgeted for it, and when folks pay online, it saves a lot of staff time.
Q. Can I keep paying my previously arranged recurring pledge on the church's Paypal page?
A. Yes, that's fine. However, you might consider using our new Giving page in the future, which has lower processing fees and automatically records your contributions in your pledge record: uucb.churchcenter.com/giving
Q. I am not comfortable with paying online; is it okay if I keep sending checks?
A. Of course! We want to make this as easy and comfortable as possible for everyone. Please mail checks to our PO Box: UU Church, PO Box 1158, Nashville, IN 47448-1158.
Q. I want to finish paying my 20-21 pledge using the new giving page. Is that okay?
A. Yes, we have now added a new fund in the drop-down menu, called Pledge 20-21. Please select that fund if you are making a gift towards your 20-21 pledge.
Q. I still have questions. Who do I call?
A. Please call Carol Marks or Monica Overman at 812-287-9615.
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Gardeners Unite!
This Sunday during Virtual Coffee Hour, all types and levels of gardeners are invited to gather in a special discussion group for Gardeners. This is a great opportunity to learn from other gardeners and share your gardening experiences. Join the fun following the service on Sunday. Use this link to enter Virtual Coffee Hour after the service and ask for the "Gardeners' Gathering."
-- Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator
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Meet up with the UUs this Sunday at Bryan Park
Meet us this Sunday at Bryan Park for two great free concerts by Matixando and Skaaholics, starting at 5:30 pm. Look for Barb Backler with the "UUs Meet Here" sign.
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UU Online Book Club reads Beaten Down, Worked Up by Steven Greenhouse -- Discussion on Monday, August 2
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.
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Join us for two Grounds work parties in August!
You are invited to join us on two Friday evenings, August 6 and August 13, 5-8 pm, to enjoy conversation, community, and a little sprucing up of the church grounds. We will pull a few weeds, and spread some mulch and wood chips. If you can, let us know you are coming by emailing connect(at)uubloomington.org.
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Refugee/Immigrant Support and Education Task Force
Sponsoring Asylum Seekers
Our task force's current project is to work with St. Paul’s Catholic Church and member, Pete Lenzen who is on the board of the Refugee Support Network (formerly Bloomington Refugee Support Network) to sponsor asylum seekers who are in our country legally. We want to free an individual or family from one of the detention facilities at the Mexican border and bring them to Bloomington and help them get on their feet. We are seeking people from our church and the wider Bloomington community who want to be part of a support community that can provide the asylum seekers with resources, skills, and friendship, so they can begin the process of applying for citizenship within a year. Below is a chart that spells out what help we need. We encourage you to sign up to be part of this important effort. Please choose the tasks you can help with, and then send that information to Barb Backler at bbackler(at)gmail.com.
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UU Humanist Forum Meets Sunday, July 25, 12:45 pm
Every other Sunday at 12:45 pm, our UU Humanists meet together online on Zoom for discussion. On July 25, Harold Ogren will lead a discussion on "Why are we going to Mars?" Email Ann Watzel or Harold Ogren if you would like to join the discussion.
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UU Freethinkers Meet Sunday, Aug 1, 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 via Zoom at 12:45 pm. To join, contact Harold Ogren or Ann Watzel.
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Shambhala Meditation Online on Mondays
Every Monday at noon online, or anytime it's easy, since there are saved sessions, 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 Facebook at UU Bloomington Meditation.
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Open Mind Zen Online
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Open Mind Zen with Frank Seisho Diaz is currently holding all meetings online. If you'd like to participate, visit openmindzenbloomington.org and reach out via their contact page for more information.
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Community Connections
Our Faith in Action in the Community
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Join the Bellies and Babes Campaign to Support Tandem Birth Center
To raise money for a birth center and postpartum house for Bloomington (due date: 2022), Tandem is participating in "A Community Thrives." This is a competitive online fundraiser that will make Tandem eligible for matching funds and other grants up to $100,000. Learn more at tandembloomington.org.
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COVID-19 Vaccination News -
Vaccines for Age 12 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 . We are at the church on Tue, Wed, and Thu. Working from home the rest of the time.
The Church Office can be reached via text or voicemail during office hours at 812-287-9615 or 812-332-3695. Email: admin (at) uubloomington.org or office (at) uubloomington.org
The Prologue is published on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month. Next issue is
August 3. Deadline is 10 am on date of publication, admin (at) uubloomington.org
Mailing Address
During the pandemic:
UU Church, PO Box 1158, Nashville, Indiana 47448-1158.
(Items mailed to 2120 N. Fee take 3-4 weeks on average to be forwarded by the Postal Service! So please use the PO Box instead of the street address!)
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Membership and Attendance
Membership: 574 certified members as of 2/1/2021;
567 current members.
Non-Pledge Offering:
July 4: $25
July 11: $135
June 18: $325
To make a contribution for the Non-Pledge Offering (Sunday Plate), or to make a payment towards your pledge or the Minister's Discretionary Fund, 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: $121.25
Grocery Card Sales: (Bloomingfoods or Fresh Thyme) -- $0; Total income to UUCB: $0
Free Money from Kroger!
Fresh Thyme and Bloomingfoods
Grocery Cards Available by Mail
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Did you know that Kroger sends us 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. We recently received $391.29 for April through June purchases from Kroger from this program.
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We are also still selling grocery cards for Bloomingfoods and Fresh Thyme. Click here to see what kind of cards and how many are available. Send your check to the church (UU Church, P. O. Box 1158, Nashville, Indiana 47448-1158) 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. Orders are received in Nashville, but fulfilled in Bloomington. (smiley face) New supply of grocery cards will be available July 25.
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Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, IN
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