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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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UUCB July Board meeting
Wednesday, July 19, 7 p.m. in the Library
UUCB board meetings are on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 in the library and are open to the public - for those who would like to join online, here is the Zoom link (Meeting ID: 865 9847 5665, passcode: board).
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Heartland String Band Practice
Thursday, July 20, 6 p.m. in Fellowship Hall
The Heartland String Band, a part of our music program, meets on the third Thursday of the month and plays old-time and Celtic music as well as folk songs. Dulcimers, fiddles, cellos, pennywhistles, guitars, banjos, mandolins, even accordions -- all lovers of this music are welcome to join in!
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Join us on Sunday mornings
One service at 10:15 a.m.
In person in our Meeting Room
2120 N Fee Ln, Bloomington, IN 47408
Or watch the livestream
All are welcome!
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Sunday, July 23, 2023
10:15 a.m.
Reverend Connie Grant
Freedom, Reason, and Tolerance Revisited
Historically, freedom, reason, and tolerance have characterized the Unitarian movement as “necessary conditions for the fullest development of religious thought and life.” Yet, these are imperfect virtues. How do we reframe freedom, reason, and tolerance for twenty-first century Unitarian Universalism?
Sunday, July 30, 2023
10:15 a.m.
Reverend Connie Grant
Everyday Spiritual Practice
How does spiritual practice fit into our everyday lives?
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From our Minister, Staff, and Board | | |
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Connie's Column
I’m in Bloomington through the weekend, catching up with folks here after a lovely week in Wisconsin with my offspring. Then I’ll be away again next Monday through Friday, helping a friend of fifty-plus years who is having a difficult time.
In the event of a pastoral emergency please contact me anytime in the usual ways.
In faith and hope,
Connie
Rev. Connie Grant
Interim Lead Minister
grant@uubloomington.org
847-840-8542
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Coming soon... a new newsletter format
Starting in August, we will be switching up our newsletter format. Instead of the twice a month Prologue, we will share one monthly newsletter at the beginning of the month. This will be the space for longer articles, reflections, and bigger picture news from our minister, staff, board, task forces, committees, and groups.
We will continue to send out the Friday Update emails every week to share timely information about Sunday services and upcoming events!
If you have any questions or suggestions related to church newsletters, be in touch! I'd love to hear from you.
Mandy Skinner, Communications Coordinator
office@uubloomington.org
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From Our Board of Directors
Reading the news lately has been extraordinarily disturbing in so many ways. Today, I read an article about the growing popularity of anti-Environmental Social Governance (ESG) policies. As an environmental compliance professional, I am deeply involved in the environmental aspect of ESG. I often witness the dark side of our economy, from manufacturing plants in remote areas of the Midwest to highly industrialized regions like Northern Indiana. While the conditions I observe and report on often sadden me, I also come across companies that are genuinely committed to sustainability and decarbonization. These companies engage in practices such as mining landfills for paper and plastics to create building products or diverting organic waste to produce local energy. These start-ups are just a few examples, as many established companies are also developing robust ESG policies.
Notably, these organizations face pressure from investors to implement ESG programs, and their ability to recruit top talent is also dependent on their ESG efforts. Although the complete transformation of our economy will take time, I am optimistic as I witness the gradual shift towards a more sustainable future, despite attempts to impede it.
Let us remember that change begins with individual actions and collective efforts. Together, as Unitarian Universalists, we can be powerful advocates for a sustainable future, influencing not only our communities but also the businesses and organizations we interact with. Stay tuned for more on this topic.
Regina DiLavore
Secretary
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Volunteer Opportunities | Upcoming Events
Ongoing Groups & Classes
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Save the Dates - All Hands on Deck to Move Mulch!
Saturday mornings, August 5 and 12
The church parking lot needs some repair due to poor drainage. We need to move the mulch piles on the southeast corner of the parking lot. Please help us by bringing your shovels and wheelbarrows (we have 3 of each) for an all church hands-on effort. Saturday mornings, August 5 and 12, 9 am - 12 noon.
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Chalice Circles re-form in September
This year's Chalice Circles will be reorganizing in September. We will be sharing details about how to sign up for a circle in late August or early September. Chalice Circles are waiting to involve you in the practice of deep listening. Learn more.
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UU Humanists meet Sunday, July 23
11:30 a.m. in Room 208 (and on Zoom)
At the next meeting of the UU Humanist Forum, Kevin Craig will facilitate a discussion on "Exploring the Bloody Bible." To join via Zoom, contact Ann Watzel or Harold Ogren.
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Gardeners' Gathering on Sunday, July 23
11:15 a.m. in the Courtyard or Room 112
Anyone interested in gardening is invited to gather on the fourth Sunday of every month in the Courtyard (or inside in Room 112 if need be) to talk shop about all things related to gardening!
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Anna Wiley visiting Bloomington soon
Join us Saturday, July 29, 2 p.m. in the Library
Anna Wiley is coming to town for a visit July 28 - 30th! She moved to Minneapolis, and she misses Bloomington terribly. We're going to have a UU party in the library on July 29th at 2:00. She would like us to watch the video of Cookie Lynch interviewing her and David, Anna's husband. David died several years ago, and Anna celebrates him daily, and she wants to share him with her UU friends. I hope many of her UU friends will come and join us in the library. Please RSVP to Barb Backler (bbackler@gmail.com).
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Join the Choir!
Singing improves mood and contributes to a feeling of well-being, oxygenates and stimulates the brain, and is a cherished form of service to the church. The choir will resume singing before the service on Sunday, August 6 at 9:30, and will begin rehearsing again in earnest on Thursdays at 7 pm starting August 10. All are welcome!
Choir Rehearsal
by Ruellen Fessenbecker
In the choir room I struggle with notes and tempos.
Then suddenly, the pieces fit
And notes become phrases. Phrases become melody.
Harmony is born.
Then comes the sound of the oboe and violins.
I feel the bass drum in my chest.
I hear the fullness of singing all around.
And for a long moment
My world is only as big as the distance from me to the director's baton.
Yet my world is also as big as the universe
And as far back as centuries ago
To the life of the composer.
Time stops except for the meter of the music.
I know this is where I am supposed to be
At this moment.
And every cell of my body,
Every synapse of brain
Is here in this moment, here now in beauty
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Tai Chi (Taiji) and Qigong, Saturdays and Mondays
Brian Flaherty leads Tai Chi and Qigong practice here at our church Saturdays 9 to 10:30 a.m. and Mondays 2:15 to 3 p.m. The practices are free of charge. Usually in Fellowship Hall, occasionally moved to the Library. Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes. All are welcome.
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Shambhala Meditation
Mondays, 12-1 p.m., in the Library or join on Zoom
Led by Leigh Grundhoefer and Susan Middlestadt. Check the calendar listing for the Zoom link if you'd like to join from home.
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Freethinkers Meet Sunday, July 30
11:30 a.m. in Room 208 (and on Zoom)
This 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 Room 208 at 11:30 am. To join via Zoom, contact Ann Watzel or Harold Ogren.
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Just Peace Task Force:
Hiroshima & Nagasaki Memorial Vigil
Sunday, August 6, 7 - 8 p.m.
Courthouse Square, Bloomington
The Just Peace Task Force requests your presence at our vigil and rally at 7 p.m. on Sunday, August 6 at Courthouse Square. We will honor the 78th anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and rally to demand that our government adopt the Back From the Brink agenda to reduce the risk of nuclear war and move toward a world free from nuclear weapons. Rev. Bill Breeden will be among our speakers. We will also have poetry and music. Please stand with us.
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WOMEN+ BUILD NEEDS A FEW GOOD UU WOMEN
Join our Habitat Team on Wednesday, September 20!
On Wed., Sept. 20, our Habitat UU & friends Women+ Build team will be painting and hanging siding at two houses in Habitat’s Osage Place neighborhood. It’s a very worthwhile community-wide project with 12 teams laboring one day each from Sept. 6-23, alongside future homeowners. We’ve participated in this annual build for over 20 years.
Right now we have 21 women registered, and we are hoping to fill a team of 35! Will you join us? As part of the team, you are expected to raise and/or donate a minimum of $300 by Aug. 15th. Many need to raise more to reach Habitat’s goal of $210,000 to buy all supplies and materials for two homes. UU women, 18 and older, are invited to participate. To register, visit our Team Page. No experience is necessary; trained crew leaders help direct builders. Thanks to generous UU members, we receive donations to help builders reach their goals – and we could use more before Aug. 15. Please donate on our team page or to an individual builder, or give/send a check to Barb Berggoetz, team co-leader, made out to Habitat, with “Sept. 20 team” in memo line.
We are hosting group fundraisers, including a table at the city’s Junk in the Trunk rummage sale on Aug. 19 (details below). For more information, contact Barb, barbberg@bluemarble.net, or Christine Banister, christine.e.banister@gmail.com.
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Save the Date! Saturday, August 19
Habitat Women+ Build Fundraiser - Junk in the Trunk at Switchyard Park Pavilion
Bring donations to the church on Sunday, August 6
Want to unload some your nice-but-not-needed items cluttering up your house or garage and help a good cause at the same time? The Habitat Task Force can help! We’ve reserved two tables at The Junk in the Trunk community rummage sale on Aug. 19 from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. inside Switchyard Park Pavilion. Proceeds will help women on our UU & friends Women+ Build team meet their $300 minimum financial commitment. Habitat will use funds from builders to buy all building supplies to construct two houses in Osage Place neighborhood from Sept. 6-23.
We’re looking for donations of toys, games, household goods and decor, clothing, books, tools, dishes, pots and pans, and any items you think people would like to buy. Sale tables are 10’ X 10’, so we can’t take really large items, but feel free to call first to check. Please bring items you can contribute to UU on Aug. 6 and put them in Room 110 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Labeling them with a recommended price would be helpful, but not essential. If you have questions or can’t bring them on that date, contact Christine Banister at christine.e.banister@gmail.com or text her at 812-343-8842.
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How to Request Childcare for Events
We endeavor to make childcare freely available for UUCB events. If you need childcare in order to attend an event, please make a request by filling out this form as early as possible: tinyurl.com/UUCBchildcare - greater lead time increases the chances of childcare staff availability.
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UU Women's Connection Upcoming Retreats
2023 Summer Retreat: August 11-13 in Watervliet, Michigan
All who identify as women are invited and welcome to participate in these quarterly midwest retreats coordinated by UU Women's Connection. Click here for flyers, and learn more at uuwc.org.
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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 a member of our staff or a minister? 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!
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Prologue submissions:
The Prologue is published on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month. Deadline for submissions is 10 a.m. the day before date of publication, to office@uubloomington.org.
Calendar: For our full calendar of events, visit uucb.churchcenter.com/calendar.
Church Mailing Address: UU Church,
PO Box 8132, Bloomington IN 47407.
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Office hours: M-F, 9 a.m - 3 p.m.
The Church Office can be reached via text or voicemail during office hours at 812-287-9615. Email: admin@uubloomington.org or office@uubloomington.org.
Membership:
550 certified members as of 2/2/2023;
554 current members.
Attendance (in person and online):
July 9: 152
July 16: 123
Non-Pledge Offering:
July 9: $386.00
July 16: $324.45
Total to be donated (25%) to All Options Pregnancy Resource Center: $177.61
Online giving:
To contribute to our non-pledge offering (Sunday Plate), or to make a payment towards your pledge, visit our Giving page: uucb.churchcenter.com/giving
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Our Minister & Staff
Reverend Connie Grant, Interim Lead Minister
grant@uubloomington.org, 847-840-8542
Amanda Waye, Director of Administration: admin@uubloomington.org
Anabel Watson, Connections Coordinator: connect@uubloomington.org
Hans Kelson, Technology Coordinator: hkelson@uubloomington.org
Jo Bowman, Office Assistant: office@uubloomington.org
Mandy Skinner, Communications Coordinator: office@uubloomington.org
Stephanie Kimball, Director of Religious Education: kimball@uubloomington.org
Susan Swaney, Music Director: music@uubloomington.org
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Masthead photo by Mandy Skinner. | | |
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Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana
Mailing address: PO Box 8132 Bloomington, IN 47407
uubloomington.org | facebook
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