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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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Women's Alliance Meeting
Thursday, July 6, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Topic: General Assembly Report
Please join us on Thursday, July 6 at 11:30 am in Fellowship Hall or virtually by Zoom. Our delegates will let us know what happened at the UUA General Assembly held June 21 – 25, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. All are welcome! Bring a sandwich or lunch if you wish. Beverages and snacks will be provided. Contact Doris Wittenburg at dwittenb@indiana.edu to be added to the Women's Alliance email list.
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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 9, 2023
10:15 a.m.
Reverend Forrest Gilmore
Jason Michálek, Worship Associate
The Poor You Will Always Have With You?
Jesus said people in poverty will always be with us. What could he have meant? Was he saying we would never have a fair economy? Was he saying we shouldn’t try too hard to help? Or was he saying something more meaningful? Something that might stir us to compassion and care?
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Reverend Forrest Gilmore is our Affiliated Community Minister and Executive Director of Beacon, Inc.
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Sunday, July 16, 2023
10:15 a.m.
Madison Colquette
“Love is patient; love is kind…,” but can love also be transformative?: Expanding the 1 Corinthians love passage
1 Corinthians 13:4--8, often referred to as the 'love passage,' is part of the apostle Paul’s first letter to the church in Corinth. Does Paul, writing to the church in Corinth in the 1st century CE, have something useful to say here that we might find meaning in as we live into our faith as Unitarian Universalists now?
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Madison Colquette is a member of UUCB and seminarian at Meadville Lombard Theological School.
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From our Minister, Staff, and Board | | |
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Connie's Column
So many things are in the works at UUCB in July and August! In recent newsletters and in this one, there are hints of some of the exciting things that are going on.
Watch for more information about additional opportunities for involvement and engagement in your congregation!
I’ll be away the first, second, and fourth weeks of July and the fourth week of August, connecting with my family and planning for the coming year with you. In the event of a pastoral emergency please contact me anytime in the usual ways.
I hope you are also able to enjoy some time for connection and renewal in these summer months!
In faith and hope,
Connie
Rev. Connie Grant
Interim Lead Minister
grant@uubloomington.org
847-840-8542
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Notes from our Director of Administration
Hello all!
Office staff changes
As many of you know, Monica Overman retired at the end of June after 11 years of service to UUCB. She will be greatly missed! Read on for a few parting words from Monica. I am also happy to introduce and welcome our new Office Assistant, Jo Bowman (pronouns: they/them/theirs). Their general duties include assisting the Director of Administration and minister(s), providing office support for members of the congregation, and clerical tasks in support of the programs and business of the church. See below for more info about Jo, including office hours.
Reminders about building use
As the church is waking up from COVID and events are occurring more regularly within, I'd like to remind everyone of a few things that may have slipped our minds these past few years:
- Please remember that if you've unlocked a door, you're responsible for ensuring it gets re-locked.
- If you're the last person to leave the church (even if you did not personally unlock any doors) please make sure to do an exterior door check - walk around the building to ensure all doors are locked and secure. This takes roughly 4 minutes to complete and can save our wonderful church from vandalism, theft, or any other unnamed issues that can arise from doors being left unlocked.
- Please do not leave any food out on the counter tops or out in the open.
Please remove everything from large shed
Attention Task Force and Committee Leaders, If you have anything inside the large shed belonging to your TF/Committee, please remove it by Aug 1st. The shed is in disrepair and the items within it are being tattered and gnawed daily by relentless critters.
Building repairs
If you notice anything inside or outside of our building in need of repair, please contact the Director of Administration, Amanda Waye, via email: admin@uubloomington.org or phone: 812-332-3695.
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Welcome to our new Office Assistant, Jo Bowman!
Jo joined our staff in June 2023. In their free time, they love to cook, read, photograph, play board/video games, and hike. While their past working experience is varied, they have experience in customer service and managing organizational tasks. They are most excited to get to know each of you and assist you however they can!
Contact Jo:
Office Phone: 812-332-3695
Email: office@uubloomington.org
Office Hours: Wed. 9am-1pm, Thurs. & Fri. 12-4pm, Sun. 10am-1pm
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A farewell note from Monica Overman
When I started working in the office at the UU Church 11 years ago, I never imagined that it would be the best job experience of my life. Without exception, the people I have worked with have been supportive, collaborative, and pleasant. I learned a lot, enjoyed the challenges, and will miss being part of that team. I especially value the opportunity I have had to meet so many people who are a part of this church family.
Now that I’ve stepped away from the job, I plan to catch up on gardening, reading, spending time with friends and family, and tackling some projects that have been on the back burner. I also expect to be involved with activities at the church. I’ll see you soon!
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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 begin sharing one newsletter a month. This monthly newsletter will read more like a magazine, and will not include event listings. This will be the space for longer articles from our minister, staff, board, task forces, committees, and groups; individual church members are welcome to submit writing and photos for this monthly newsletter as well. We will continue to send out the Friday Update emails every week to share timely information about Sunday services and upcoming events. For most of you that submit newsletter content, this means that, starting in August, you only have to think about submitting event listings for the weekly Friday Updates! If you'd like to submit longer articles or bigger-picture news that is less time sensitive, those things can go in the monthly newsletter -- stay tuned for more details. Contact Communications Coordinator Mandy Skinner at office@uubloomington.org with any questions or suggestions related to church newsletters.
In sum, starting in August you can expect:
-- Friday Updates: a weekly email with Sunday service details, upcoming events, and brief announcements (same as always)
-- a monthly magazine-style email newsletter (this replaces the Prologue)
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UUCB July Board meeting
Wednesday, July 19, 7:00 p.m.
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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Greetings from your Ministerial Search Committee!
Christine Banister, Denise Breeden-Ost, Olaya Fernández Gayol, Ann Kamman, Michael McGregor, Mary Beth O'Brien, and Von Welch are honored to begin the work of finding a settled Lead Minister for our congregation.
After being elected by the congregation on June 4, we had our first meeting July 1, were commissioned by the congregation during the July 2 Sunday Service, and are looking forward to an orientation retreat with the UUA Transitions Office soon. In the coming months, we'll be creating many opportunities to connect with and listen to you, the members and friends of UUCB--stay tuned! Meanwhile, you can email questions and thoughts directly to the full Search Committee at search@uubloomington.org. We'll take turns replying to these emails--Mike McGregor is on for July. And always, feel free to talk to any of us at coffee hour or wherever you find us--we're listening, and we're taking notes!
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Thanks to everyone who participated in the 4th of July Parade!
You can check out more photos here: 2023 Parade Pictures
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Volunteer Opportunities | Upcoming Events
Ongoing Groups & Classes
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Gardeners' Gathering
Sunday, July 9, 11:15 a.m. in the Courtyard or Room 112
Join the Gardeners' Gathering for a Landscaping Q&A by local landscaper, Ramsay Harik (Deep Roots Landscaping). We'll meet in the Courtyard. If you have particular landscaping questions you'd like addressed, let Ann Kamman know and she will pass them on: aok719@yahoo.com.
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UU Humanists Meet Sunday, July 9
11:30 a.m. in Room 208 (and on Zoom)
The UU Humanist Forum will meet next on July 9 at 11:30 a.m. in person in Room 208 at the church, with an option to join online. Marcia Hart will facilitate a discussion on "Mass Incarceration." To join via Zoom, contact Ann Watzel or Harold Ogren.
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Choir on break for July - Rehearsals begin again in August
Our choir is currently on break for July. The choir will resume singing before the service on Sunday, August 6 at 9:30, and will begin rehearsing in earnest on Thursday, August 10 at 7:00. We look forward to welcoming new singers and hope you consider joining!
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Tai Chi (Taiji) and Qigong, Saturdays and Mondays
Schedule Update: No practice Sat. July 15 or Mon. July 17
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 Grunhoefer 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 16
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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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):
June 18: 168
June 25: 93
July 2: 105
Non-Pledge Offering:
June 18: $61.00
June 25: $1685.00
July 2: $632.00
Total to be donated (25%) to Bloomington Refugee Support Network: $436.50
Total to be donated (25%) to All Options Pregnancy Resource Center: $158.00
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 Marcia Hart. | | |
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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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