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The Prologue
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Tuesday, November 18, 2014
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 Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, IndianaCongregation founded 1949
GLBTQ Welcoming Congregation since 1995
Green Sanctuary since 2007
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Seeking the Spirit, Building Community, Changing the World
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November 27
Thanksgiving Pitch-in
Dinner
5:00 p.m.
December 5 & 6
Holiday Bazaar
December 14
Fall Congregational Meeting
4:00 p.m.
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Sunday, November 23, 2014 9:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.
"Possibilities Within Silence"
The Reverend Mary Ann Macklin and Friends
In an exercise of blatant irony, Reverend Macklin will talk on and on about silence. However, she will also be joined by friends in this worship service who will offer various modalities to enter into silence through drumming, movement, sound, and flute. Please join us for this enriching service in which we will deepen our understanding and experience of silence and its gifts.
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Sunday, November 30, 2014 9:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.
"The Holidays and the Art of the Possible"
The Reverend Doug Wadkins
Thanksgiving sets the holiday season in full swing. We each bring many expectations and experiences to this season. It is a challenge to navigate the coming weeks well, and yet there is much to be gained by bringing a spirit of possibility to this time. You are invited to explore approaching the season with new perspectives and deeper possibility.
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Board of Directors, Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington
Update from the Board: Ministerial Transition
The board took another important step in ministerial transition planning by meeting with Reverend Keith Kron, UUA Director of Transitions, on Friday, November 14. Reverend Kron is our Ministerial Settlement Representative, which means he will guide our church through the search process for calling a second full-time minister. He and the board had a lively discussion about the different ways UU congregations have conducted searches, an evolving process across UU congregations which we learned is best tailored based on the history and practices of the congregation.
The board has created a web page (http://search.uubloomington.org/) to communicate with you about the search process and we will be presenting important information, including a detailed timeline, at the congregational meeting on December 14th from 4-6pm. Please join us at that time so you can stay informed about this critical step in our church's history and future.
As we ponder the concept of "possibility" this month, there is nothing more pressing for a congregation than the possibilities inherent in bringing another minister into our congregation.
Kathleen Sideli, President
MAM's Musings
Thanks so much for helping me celebrate my 55th birthday on Sunday. It was fun to share the thanksgiving worship service with our children. Reverend Leite's well crafted story and reflection provided much to ponder about possibility and gratitude. Multi-generational services remind us of the many gifts of this community.
Speaking of birthdays and multi-generational community, a member of our congregation, Virginia Clendenning, will be turning 100 on December 19th. We will be making plans to celebrate this grand milestone through live-streaming at one of our December worship services. Virginia often live-streams our services with the assistance of one of our members and a church iPad!
With gratitude for all!
Rev. MAM
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
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 Livestreaming the Sunday service
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Guest at Your Table Supports the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee
We hope you will consider joining the Guest at Your Table program this season and support the work of the UU Service Committee with projects around the world. Envelopes are available in the office and we will be collecting them on December 7. More information on Guest at Your Table can be found here: http://www.uusc.org/welcome-to-guest-at-your-table
Help Us Help Others with the Giving Tree
Our Giving Tree is up! We are supporting the work of Stepping Stones, Positive Link, Blooming Families, and the Circles Initiative this year. Come and select a tag with a gift request on Sunday, November 23 or November 30 and make the holidays a little happier for a local person in need. Questions? Contact Reverend Emily Manvel Leite at mre@uubloomington.org
Re ligious Education News Blast
Want to know what is going on in Religious Education for Children and Youth? Follow this link to an easy access guide to upcoming events!
RE News Blast
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Sunday, November 23rd, 4-6pm
Spirit Dolls
with Wendy Bethel & Rev. Emily Manvel Leite
Room 210
Dolls have been a vital part of religious ritual and human spiritual expression since the beginning of recorded history, yet today we think of them as "just" toys and specifically feminine ones at that. What's the fastest way to take something important and powerful and make it less threatening? Sadly, in our culture, feminizing and infantilizing is usually a good start. Come and learn how to reclaim the sacred power of the doll for yourself and the future by creating your own example. May it be the first of many! Contact the office to register, office@uubloomington.org, 812-332-3695, ext. 204. Childcare provided.
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Call for Course Proposals: Due December 1
Adult Religious Education Winter/Spring 2015
Consider our Congregational Themes!
(Integrity, Faith, Resilience, Revelation)
Are you a spiritual seeker, an avid reader, a poet, a parent, an activist?
Do you have an interest you would like to share and explore with other Unitarian Universalists? We encourage you to submit a course proposal to our Adult Religious Education (ARE) Program.
Adult Religious Education would especially love to offer courses reflecting our congregational themes for the coming semester (Integrity, Faith, Resilience, Revelation) We are now accepting proposals for Winter/Spring 2015 classes (January - May 2015). Either a single session or multiple sessions are welcome. Classes with fewer than five sessions preferred. Please go to http://www.uubloomington.org/re/adult/index.php to download a proposal form, or pick up a paper form in the church office, Room 204.
Mail proposals to ARE Chair Carolyn Emmert at 3712 E. St. Remy Drive, Bloomington IN 47401, or emailed to her at kedge206@gmail.com by December 1st. If you wish to continue a class that is currently or was recently in session, please also confirm this with Carolyn Emmert.
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Monday Shambhala Meditation is Every Monday at Noon
 Join us at 12 noon every Monday in the Meeting Room for an hour of Shambhala Meditation with Sarah Flint. Please bring your own cushion; sitting in one of the Meeting Room chairs is also fine. |
Our Congregational Themes for 2014-15
November: Possibility December: Hope
January: Integrity February: Faith
March: Resilience April: Revelation
How does the idea of Possibility help you Seek the Spirit, Build Community, and Change the World?
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Our Folks...
Congratulations to Jill and Brian Courtney and big brother Henry as they welcome new baby Clara Marie Courtney, born at 1:30 pm on Nov 7th. Everyone is doing great!
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Thanksgiving Pitch-In Dinner, November 27
Everyone is warmly invited to attend our Thanksgiving pitch-in dinner in Fellowship Hall on Thursday, November 27, at 5:00 p.m. Students and others whose families live far away are especially invited. Please call 812-332-3695 or email office@uubloomington.org by Sunday, November 23, to let us know if you are coming and what food you will bring to share. Turkey and dressing will be provided. Contact Amy Crozier for details.
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Hospitality for Those with Allergies
As a courtesy to our friends and members who have allergies to fragrances, we are designating the west section of the Meeting Room (next to the sliding glass doors and tall narrow windows) as Fragrance Free. Please do not sit there if you have used any fragrances. Anyone else is welcome to sit in this area. Thank you for your consideration.
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Holiday Harmonies at Women's Alliance December 4
Join Women's Alliance in Fellowship Hall on Thursday, December 4 for our annual music program. This year we're thrilled to have Hoosier Darlings, a four part vocal group led by our own Sarah Flint, to fill us with the holiday spirit. As usual, we'll meet at11:30 for a brown bag lunch with desserts and beverages provided by hosts Nancy Lair and Barb Backler. Hoosier Darlings will entertain us beginning at noon.
The Women's Alliance has voted to collect new hats/scarves/gloves for women or children at Middle Way House. We will have a collection box in the Commons so the entire congregation can join us. After the December Alliance meeting (Thursday, Dec 4) we will deliver our offerings. We will also be collecting gently used hats/scarves/gloves for Shalom Center. Your support is greatly appreciated. Collection baskets are in the Commons at church.
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Fundraiser Coffeehouse Success!
A big thank you to all our performers and cookie bakers who helped with the fundraiser coffeehouse on Friday, November 14. Thanks also to Bob Port on sound, Marlin Howard in the kitchen, and Dave Sharp who was MC. Also to those who attended and gave so generously in support of the Interfaith Winter Shelter. We made $531. Judy Bennett, Membership Coordinator
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Official Notice of Congregational Meeting
Sunday, December 14, 4:00 p.m.
Meeting Room
2120 N. Fee Lane, Bloomington, Indiana
Childcare will be provided. All members are encouraged to attend.
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Bylaw changes for vote at Congregational Meeting December 14
Our Board of Directors, working with others, has compiled a set of proposed changes to the bylaws to promote clarity, better reflect current practices, and streamline church operations. The changes will be brought to the congregation for a vote at the December 14th congregational meeting. The proposed changes can be found online at http://goo.gl/IldGzt and a printed copy is posted at the Church workroom, Room 204 as well as on the bulletin board in the courtyard entrance. Please take the time to review the changes before the meeting on December 14 at 4:00 p.m. in our Meeting Room.
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Re ady to become a member of
UU Bloomington?
If this is your community, if you feel at home here, join us! If you would like to make the commitment and become a member of UU Bloomington, the next opportunity is Sunday, December 21st, at 10:30am in Room 207B. (We ask for participation in our "Exploring UU" class prior to signing the membership book.)
Contact Judy Bennett, Membership Coordinator,
332-3695, memcoord@uubloomington.org by Wednesday, December 17th.
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Join UU Fellowship Dinners!
These small potluck dinner gatherings are held in private homes and are the perfect way to meet others in our church community. Everyone - church members and friends - is welcome, and you can sign up any time. You contribute food and conversation. Register at http://www.uubloomington.org/invl/social/index.php Click the link to the form under "Fellowship Dinners." Complete the form and attach it to an email to fwpdinners@uubloomington.org Forms are also available at church in the literature racks.
-- Linda Pickle
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UUs for Hire - List and Waiver Form Now Available
The Elder Focus Task Force has compiled a list of gifted and talented Unitarian Universalists who are available for hire for a variety of useful purposes including Pet Sitting, Home Healthcare, Organizational Skills, Carpentry, Counseling, Sewing Machine repair, Building Construction. The list and the liability waiver form are posted here: UUs for Hire and Liability Waiver
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UU Holiday Art Fair and Bazaar December 5 & 6 !
Volunteer! Make new Friends! Have Some Pie!
Dec. 5, 10-7 and Dec. 6, 9-5
In Fellowship Hall, Meeting Room, and Room 104, 106, 108
For details, see the November 3 Prologue or click here: Bazaar FAQ
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You've heard it takes a village to raise a child. It also takes a village to make a church community. Be part of our village by working at this year's greatest fundraiser - the BAZAAR! You can sell food or chop it (and later stop by and eat it); price items in advance; sell books, white elephant things, baked goods - all the while looking for the special items you'd like to shop for! You'll meet the most wonderful people. We'll need help moving chairs, counting and weighing, packing up, and providing relief to the artisans so they can shop too! Don't wait till the last minute or your most convenient time to help may be taken! Sign ups are in Fellowship Hall between services - you can also email Jess Davis: jessldav@yahoo.com or Ann Kamman: aok719@yahoo.com.
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Clickety Clack, Clickety Clack! 
That's the sound of knitting needles, crochet hooks, and weavers' shuttles producing scarves, hats, mittens, and slippers to sell at this year's UU Holiday Bazaar. Last year
we were able to raise $1500 for Monroe County United Ministries. Please place your handmade knitted donations in the box in the Commons. Info: Mary Blizzard 333-8957 or mary_blizzard@hotmail.com. Help Feed Our Hungry Neighbors Task Force
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 White Elephant Items (and Volunteers) for the Holiday Bazaar The White Elephant knows that all UUs have valuable items they no longer need or want but that will be desired by others shopping at the Bazaar. If you have items such as fine art, fine china, pottery, holiday decorations, children's toys, exotic collectibles, or truly (but not actual) White Elephants, please donate them to the White Elephant's Trunk for this year's Bazaar. We would really appreciate it if you could pre-price items for which you know the value, particularly valuable ones. We can receive donations starting Nov. 30. We need help in the following areas: table set up; unpackers; sorters; pricing; display; sales; cashiers; well-informed collectors who know antiques, fine art, collectibles, fine china, fiber arts, pottery, toys. We will be working starting Tuesday, 12/3, and daily thereafter, to set up for the White Elephant, 10am to 4pm--and longer on Thursday night. If you can help, please contact Doris Wittenburg, (336-4993 or dwittenb@indiana.edu).
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 Read and Recycle Support the Holiday Bazaar Book Sale! Cull through your library and find those books you are ready to pass along to another reader. DVD's and CD's also welcome but please no VHS tapes, magazines or sheet music. For ease of shelving, please sort books by fiction/nonfiction. Drop your items off at the church beginning Sunday, November 30 at 1:00 p.m. You may continue to bring books until Thursday, December 4. No book donations after December 4, please! Questions? Contact Abby at abdowney45@gmail.com or 812-824-7755. |
 "C" Is For Cookies! We hope you enjoyed the Preview Cookie Tasting and thanks to all who signed up! We will keep the sign up sheets in Fellowship Hall until the week of the event (Dec. 5th and 6th) Looking through old family recipes or thinking of new ideas is all part of the fun of Bazaar Baking. Our cookie buyers like all shapes and sizes: classics, drop cookies, rolled cut-outs, bars, chips and lots of icing and decorations. Questions, Mary Jo Conley at 988-6130 or email brwnbeyond@msn.com. Thank you! The Cookie Walk Committee |
 Get ready for the Gourmet Galaxy! If you can bake it, can it, cook it, or create it, we would love to have it to sell at this year's Holiday Bazaar. We're looking for breads - both sweet and savory - candy, fudge, biscotti, chocolate covered goodies, canned pickles, and most anything you can think of for the Gourmet Galaxy. We would also love sugar free, gluten free, or vegan goodies. Sign up between services in Fellowship Hall! You can also sign up there to help staff the booth during the Bazaar! -- Ann LeDuc, Molly Gleeson, Co-chairs of the Gourmet Galaxy |
UU Humanist Discussion Group Meets on Alternating Sundays
Our Humanist Discussion group meets on alternating Sundays at 12:45 p.m. upstairs in
Room 210. This group offers an opportunity for regular, open, wide-ranging discussions of issues relating to morality and ethics, human development, and the nature of the universe. The next meeting is on Sunday, November 23, the topic is ""Can We Have Effective Health Care?" led by Lloyd Orr.
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UU Freethinkers Group Enjoys Free Ranging Discussion
The purpose of the UU Freethinkers bi-weekly meeting, Sundays at 12:45 p.m. in Room 210, alternating with the UU Humanist Forum, is to create the opportunity for participants to raise questions and engage in open and non-structured discussion of issues of social concern, political concern, and theological/religious concern. The UU Freethinkers next meeting is on Sunday, November 30. Info, contact John Crosby.
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Community Connections
Our Faith in Action in the Community
 Third Annual "Sylvia and Friends Sing for Shalom" December 7 Save the Date! Launch the holiday season Sunday, December 7 at 2:00 PM with Sylvia McNair in concert at First United Methodist Church. Featuring two-time Grammy Award Winner McNair along with soloists from the Jacobs School of Music/FUMC choir. Tickets ($30.00 for adults; $20.00 for students/children) may be purchased at the Buskirk-Chumley box office, online at www.bctboxoffice.com, or at the door. ALL proceeds will go to the Shalom Community Center. Sylvia will also be present for CD sales (with autographs) following the performance.
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Macaroni for Shalom!
Our congregation has been supplying Shalom Center with elbow macaroni and spaghetti for the past couple of years and this need continues. Please pick up a box or two of each the next time you grocery shop and place them in the drop box in the Commons. Thank you for helping to feed our hungry neighbors!
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There is Still Time to Double Bag It!
HOLIDAY MIRACLE FOOD BASKETS due November 30
C'mon! Admit it! You know you feel warm and fuzzy as you wander up and down the grocery store aisles trying to decide - hummmmm . . . blueberry pancake mix or butter�milk, tuna in water or oil, cranberry sauce smooth or lumpy. Yep! That's because you're buying food to fill a Monroe County United Ministries (MCUM) Food Basket. And once again you have the opportunity to join in the UU annual holiday food drive that shares our many blessings with families who are less fortunate than we are.
Food shortage is an ongoing struggle for MCUM - the demand is up and the supply is down. In fact, to ensure they don't turn any hungry families away, MCUM has been forced to REDUCE the amount of food given to each family from a 5-day supply of food per week to a 3-day supply of food per week.
Please sign up on the Holiday Food Baskets contributors' sheet found in the Commons by the Social Justice table. Grocery lists with careful instructions are placed with the sign up sheet. Be sure to take all the information you will need. Thank you! Read more...
https://www.facebook.com/notes/unitarian-universalist-church-of-bloomington/holiday-baskets-for-monroe-county-united-ministries/794137417312820
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Un itarian Universalism in the Wider World--
Naperville and Portland in 2015
Join UU's from around the country at either the regional UU Assembly, the national UUA General Assembly, or both! If you are a member of our congregation, you can be a delegate to the Mid-America Regional Conference in Naperville, April 17-19 (http://www.midamericauua.org/) or the national UUA General Assembly June 24-28 in Portland Oregon (http://www.uua.org/ga/). Please contact Iris Kiesling at ifkiesling@aol.com if you are interested.
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UU History for You
Giordano Bruno and the Infinity of Worlds
Giordano Bruno (1549-1600) was born near Naples. His father was a soldier but Bruno chose to be a priest. He entered the Dominican order at 17 and was ordained at 24. He taught mathematics and philosophy throughout Europe. He wrote many books but his views frequently cost him his jobs. He denied the divinity of Jesus and rejected the Trinity, adopting an Arian view of God. He denied Mary had a virgin birth and claimed transubstantiation does not occur. He claimed the sun was a star and there were an infinite number of stars in the heavens each with its own solar system. The Catholic Church finally arrested him in 1592. He spent the next 7 years in jail defending himself against eight major charges (only one was on his scientific views). He did not recant, and was found guilty and burned at the stake in Rome on February 17, 1600; his ashes were tossed in the Tiber River. His books were also destroyed. Scientists still debate the merits of Bruno as a scientist, as his views were largely insights and not based on astronomical observations or mathematical calculations. --Elof Carlson, Congregational Historian
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Contact a Minister  Reverend Mary Ann Macklin, our Senior Minister, can be reached at 812-332-3695, ext. 201 on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, or macklin@uubloomington.org. For pastoral emergencies, please call her mobile, 812-322-0205. Reverend Doug Wadkins, our Interim Minister, can be reached at 812-332-3695, ext. 207 on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, or email wadkins@uubloomington.org. For pastoral emergencies, please call his home study number, 812-369-4179. Both ministers have voicemail on their numbers so that you can leave a private message. |
Green Spaces Pledge Statements Recently MailedWe are wrapping up our Green Spaces Capital Campaign (2011-2014), which has enabled us to make all kinds of beautiful and green changes to our facility, including new energy efficient windows for the Fellowship Hall and Library, improved parking and entryways, better drainage, an excellent new courtyard with an epic playground and patio, and ongoing long-term savings for green maintenance of our facility. We invite everyone to complete payment on their Green Spaces Capital Campaign pledges as soon as possible!
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Why is This Issue Late?We had technical problems on Monday, November 17, due to connection difficulties with Constant Contact, our email service provider. None of this was due to a problem on our end, so we waited until today when service was restored, and appreciated the gift of an unscheduled day of free ranging church work yesterday! --Carol Marks, Church Administrator and Prologue Editor
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Church Office Closed November 27-28 for Thanksgiving
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Attendance and Membership
Current Membership: 514 Certified Membership as of 2/1/2014: 492
Attendance
Sunday, November 9 9:15: 155; 11:15: 186; RE:162 Total: 501
Sunday, November 16 9:15: 98; 11:15: 151; RE: 56 Total: 305
Non-Pledge Offering
11/9 - $583; 11/16- $565 Total to be donated to Susie's Place - $295.86
Grocery Card Sales
November 9 $1,775, income to UUCB $88.75
November 16 $2,525, income to UUCB $124.25
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Calendar of all our congregational events can be found at www.uubloomington.org Click on "Full Calendar" and then on the date you are interested in. You can also search for a specific event! Our facebook page also has scads of useful information: www.facebook.com/uubloomington
Next issue, Monday, December 1. Deadline for articles about congregational events and projects is 10 a.m. on 12/1/14, to Carol Marks at admin@uubloomington.org. Next few publication dates (1st and 3rd Mondays): 12/1, 12/15, 1/5, 1/19.
Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, 2120 N. Fee Lane, Bloomington IN 47408, 812-332-3695
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