Join us for a festive celebration of our congregation as we affirm our vision of Seeking the Spirit, Building Community and Changing the World. Many parts are played in a congregation to keep it vital, healthy and meaningful. On this Sunday we will honor the many parts played as we each participate in our Annual Giving Campaign by making our financial pledge for 2015-2016. Join us and be nourished in mind, body and spirit.

We ask everyone to bring non-perishable food items for our Mega Food Drive and, for those who are able, to please bring a container of daffodils to brighten our time together.

Special music will feature our congregation's choir with Janiece Jaffe, vocalist, Colleen Haas, percussion, and a band of musical Unitarian Universalist youth in uplifting music that seeks the spirit, builds community, and changes the world.

Sunday, April 19, 2015

9:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.

Credo: Coming of Age Recognition Service

Coming of Age Participants

The Reverend Emily Manvel Leite
The Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
The Reverend Douglas Wadkins

We welcome into our congregation and into our pulpit the 9th graders who have completed our Coming of Age program. Each of them will share with the congregation something about what he believes right now. We will also reflect upon the important role that mentors play in our lives. Don't miss this moving opportunity to hear from our youth and to acknowledge them as newly adult members of our community!

Play Your Part!

Dear members and friends,

It's been another busy and fulfilling year at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington:

Many new members and friends continue to join us and find their spiritual home
Reverend Douglas Wadkins is providing strong leadership as interim minister and helping us envision our future as a congregation
Social justice task forces continue to make important impact in our community, throughout the state of Indiana and the world
Reverend Macklin and Reverend Leite continue to bring insightful leadership in worship and religious education that help us to grow and come together as a community

On Sunday, April 12th, we will celebrate Commitment Sunday with special music from our worship artists in residence, Janiece Jaffe and Colleen Haas along with our full choir, and we invite you to make a financial pledge for the coming year at the service that day. Read more here!

MAM's Musings

Kudos to everyone who participated in the Intercultural Competency Training the last weekend of March. In this training much was revealed about the "differences that make a difference" in every setting--whether that be race, class, culture, gender, sexual orientation, or any other difference that might be key in our own sensitivity and competency in such interactions. Special thanks to Allison Chopra who did a stellar job with our meals and snacks for the weekend and to Social Justice Chair Jackie Hall, for helping us make it happen. As you can see in the photo, we even took time to stand on the side of love.

1) the act of revealing or disclosing. 2) Something that is revealed of disclosed, especially a striking disclosure, as of something not before realized. 3) Synonyms include: disclosure, announcement, discovery, epiphany, leak, news, lightning bolt--- These are definitions for our April theme of the month, Revelation. For Unitarian Universalists, our search for the truth is ongoing, or as Unitarian Universalist theologian James Luther Adams wrote, We cannot properly place our confidence in our own creations; we must depend upon a transforming reality that breaks through encrusted forms of life and thought to create new forms. We put our faith in a creative reality that is re-creative. Revelation is continuous.

Each of us is a co-creator in our universe. We each play our part by the choices we make, words we speak and actions we take or do not take. In congregational life we participate in re-creative activities throughout the year. This coming Sunday, We invite everyone, members and friends, to join us as we gather together to celebrate our commitment to this congregation through our Annual Giving Campaign in which we commit our financial pledge to our liberal religious community.

We are in the midst of transition and change this year. During such times your commitment to play your part in congregational life is vitally important. We thank everyone---lay leaders, staff, teachers, musicians, choir members, social justice participants, meditators, worship attendees, free thinkers, live-streamers, hopers and dreamers. We thank our children, youth, young adults, adults and elders for enhancing our journey: Seeking the Spirit, Building Community, Changing the World.

Peace,

MAM

The Reverend Mary Ann Macklin, Senior Minister

Seeking The Spirit

Children's Religious Education Support Team Meets April 9

We have a creative and strong Children's RE Program (K-6th grade). Want to help with the planning of Children's RE? We value your voice! Come to a Children's Religious Education Support Team (CREST) meeting! Next meeting is Thursday, April 9th, 6:30 pm, rm 212, or contact Ann LeDuc at [email protected] .

Spring Grounds Workday! April 11

Saturday, April 11th, 9am-12pm

Come and get your hands dirty and help make the church beautiful! There is something for all ages and abilities to do; including creating a veggie garden for RE. Childcare available.

Stewards of Children: Preventing Childhood Sexual Abuse April 12

Sunday, April 12th 12:30-3:00pm

This training, designed by Darkness to Light, is a two prong effort to end child sexual abuse by first making people aware of situations that can get caregivers into troublesome situations and second, by making caregivers aware of the signs of child sexual abuse. Childcare available!

Contact [email protected] to register for the empowering workshop!

Spirit Play for Grown Ups April 13

Monday, April 13th, 6:30-8:30pm, Library

Curious about Spirit Play? Come experience it for yourself as we share and wonder about a story of revelation and then enjoy a quiet time for individual exploration of the story's themes through art and/or spiritual practices. Contact Reverend Emily Manvel Leite for more information mre@uubloomington.org

--Adrienne Summerlot, Director of Religious Education, [email protected]

NEW! Exploring UU History April 26, an optional third class in this series for those wanting more details on UU History. Sunday April 26th, 2:00-3:00 pm. Led by Stuart Yoak. Exploring UU History is open to anyone in the congregation. Free child care is provided. For more information contact Judy Bennett, [email protected]

End of Life Panel Discussion

Preferences and Preparation

Sunday, May 3, 2:00-4:00 p.m.

You are invited to a panel discussion with an opportunity for questions, and the chance to break into small facilitated groups to fill out forms if you wish.

Presenters will be Reverend Mary Ann Macklin, Senior Minister UU church of Bloomington, who will address the topics of planning your memorial or funeral.

Jim Whitlach, attorney will guide us through the legal issues. Info here.

Sponsored by UU Caring Committee & Elder Focus Task Force Contact Sharon Yarber, 812-336-4427

Monday Shambhala Meditation is Every Monday at Noon

Join us at 12 noon every Monday in the Fellowship Hall (easier to heat in the wintertime) for an hour of Shambhala Meditation, walking meditation, and Shamatha yoga with Sarah Flint. Please bring your own cushion if you have one; sitting in one of the Meeting Room chairs is also fine.

Open Chanting on Thursdays in April -- Continues April 9

Janiece Jaffe will lead chanting as a meditative practice on Thursdays during April, (April 9, 16, 23, 30) from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Library. All are welcome.

Conscious Contact Meditation, Wednesdays at 5:30

Kris Roehling leads weekly Conscious Contact Meditation from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in Room 207B. This event provides insight meditation supporting recovery in all forms.

Our Congregational Themes for 2014-15

January: Integrity May: Tradition

February: Faith June: Grace

March: Resilience

April: Revelation

What type of Revelation would help you Seek the Spirit, Build Community, and Change the World?

Building Community

Play Your Part --

by John Woodcock

Why do I support this church? A story I heard a long time ago has resonated with me over the years, and I think it explains some of my attraction to UU. Two English gents, acquaintances, were sitting next to one another in the pew of a country church one Sunday. One was a regular, the other not. The regular: "I say, old chap, awfully good to see you . . . but I didn't know you were a church-goer. Do you believe in God?" Replied the other, "When the music's good."

Beautiful music is certainly one of the reasons I support UU. But there's more. In my early years at the church, I had the good fortune to become closely acquainted with the congregation's work in its many social justice projects. Clearly, my belief in God (aka my faith in the positive bending of the arc of the moral universe) was greatly strengthened because of the extraordinary social justice work I came to know. And, of

course, there are Sunday services, which week after week speak to me so powerfully. And my experience in the intimate environment of Chalice Circles. Most generally, my wife Peggy and I love being part of a community of warm-hearted seekers whose faces radiate both their love of freedom and their vision of the worth of others. That alone would be reason to support our church. But, as I said, there's more, much more.

Stewardship Breakfast is So Much FUN!

Come and Help Us!

April 12th is the Stewardship Sunday for our church at which we ask members and friends to think about what this church means to them and decide how they would like to support it financially. But before those pledges come in, we are cooking for everyone! Abby Gitlitz and Martha Sattinger will be preparing a glorious free breakfast feast for the event.

We would love to have your help! We need folks to chop, peel, skewer and mix, Saturday, April 11, 10:00-1:00 and Sunday, April 12 8:30-12:00 or any part thereof. Please contact Abby Gitlitz if you would like to help. [email protected], (812) 345-2470.

(Okay, there might not be baked beans and grilled tomatoes, but it will be fantastic anyhow! I just really like this photo. --Ed.)

AV Committee Improvements in the Meeting Room Underway

Replacement of Livestreaming Service

New temporary side stage

Acoustic treatment for the Meeting Room

The Audio-Visual (AV) Committee has been working on important projects in the Meeting Room. Andy Beargie, multi-media specialist, has completed replacement of the defunct streaming service with a new one. The transition was rocky, but now ChruchStreaming.TV puts our services up on the web right away as Archives. Check it out and share your favorite services with friends at http://uubloomington.yourstreamlive.com/ or by clicking the blue button on our home page.

Another project has been to rebuild the temporary side stage next to the front platform with a sturdy, but still movable, structure. Steve Krahnke is now finishing new steps for safer access for the many musicians that use this stage.

Finally, new acoustic treatment is being installed on the lower walls to improve speech and music sound in the Meeting Room. Click here to read more!

Community Drumming on Wednesday, April 8

6:00 to 8:00 in Room 210.
From 6:00 to 6:30, we will share and practice rhythms, followed by freestyle drumming from 6:30. Hope to see you there. -Ellen Tamura

Goods and Services Auction May 17

Join us May 17th after second service for a light lunch (modest price) followedat 2pm by an afternoon of fun with live and silent auction led by our own Darrell Breeden, auctioneer.

DONATIONS of Goods and services are needed! Here are some suggestions for services you might like to offer for the auction. Forms are available by clicking on button on front of web page www.uubloomington.org or in Room 204 or the Commons or here. Donation forms must be received by April 19th so we can compile the catalog!

--Martha Foster, Earon Davis, Michelle Cook, Judy Bennett

Ready 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 membership ceremony is Sunday April26th, between the services, at 10:30am in room 207B. (Please note: We ask for participation in our "Exploring UU" class prior to signing the membership book.) To make arrangements to sign the membership book, please contact Judy Bennett, Connections Coordinator, at 332-3695 or [email protected], no later than Wednesday April 22nd.

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.

UUs Who Can Provide a Variety of Professional Services -

List and Waiver Form Now Available

The Elder Focus Task Force has compiled a list of Unitarian Universalists who are available for hire for a variety of tasks 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

MidAmerica UU - Our Region's Heritage

Did you know

One of our Wisconsin congregations was founded by German-speaking immigrant freethinkers in 1852?

And that another of our congregations is housed in a castle-like, stone building overlooking the Mississippi River in Alton, Illinois?

To read these, and other intriguing stories, visit the History and Heritage page on our region's web site. https://www.midamericauua.org/about-us/history-and-heritage

UU History for You

The Jefferson Bible

Thomas Jefferson enjoyed the friendship of Benjamin Rush, a physician from Philadelphia, and Joseph Priestley, a scientist and recent immigrant to the United States. Rush was a Universalist and Priestley a Unitarian. Jefferson mentioned to Rush that he admired Priestley's book on The Corruptions of Christianity and that he wished the New Testament could be purged of its corruptions by editing. Rush urged him to do so. Jefferson thought Priestley might help him with the project but Priestley died before he could answer Jefferson's letter. Instead, in 1804, over a 2 or 3 day session alone, he took a scissors and pasted excerpts of the New Testament using the moral teachings of Jesus as his guide. This led to a 46-page book that is today called The Jefferson Bible. Jefferson decided not to publish it while he was in public office or active in politics. It was not until 1820, after John Adams came across a letter by Priestley, that he was urged once again to publish the book. He did. Jefferson said he omitted any reference to the supernatural (virgin birth or resurrection from the dead) or to miracles. Instead he felt Jesus was a moral philosopher and this edited version presented how one should live one's life, not who should be venerated as a deity. The Jefferson Bible was a rare book until Beacon Press reprinted it in 2001 with historical essays by E. Forrest Church and Jaroslav Pelikan. [A copy of The Jefferson Bible is in our UUCB Ralph and Annetta Fuchs Library.]

-- Elof Axel Carlson, UUCB Historian

Changing the World

Spring Building and Grounds Workday

Saturday, April 11, 9-12 noon

We'll be working on caring for existing plantings and beds, expanding plantings around the base of trees, creating a veggie garden for R.E. programs, and having lots of fun! If you have extra bulbs, corms or tubers to share, we'd love to include them in the planting spaces: gladiolas, iris, dahlias, daylilies, hostas, bleeding hearts, or other perennials are all welcome. Please contact Rhonda Baird, [email protected] to let us know you are coming or if you have questions.

Green Sanctuary Task Force Spring Clothing (& Household Goods) Swap

On Saturday, April 18, the GSTF will host its semi-annual Clothing Swap in Fellowship Hall, from 10am to noon. This time around we will be accepting gently used household goods as well as clothing! Here are the details:

- Drop off goods between 9:30 and 11am on the day of the swap.

- Please bring clothing in clean, wearable condition.

- Please bring household items that are clean and in good working order, and weigh no more than 5 lbs (i.e. no furniture). If in doubt, please ask!

- From 10am till noon, "shop" for items that you can use. No money will be exchanged, and there is no requirement to balance what you bring and what you take.

- If you are bringing a large quantity of items, please consider volunteering to help pack and transport leftovers at the end of the swap!

- (Child care provided - or not)

For more information, please contact Stephanie ([email protected]).

Here's a link for details.

Mega BountyFull Sunday Food Drive April 12

This Sunday, April 12th is our semi-annual Mega BountyFull Sunday Food Drive for Monroe County United Ministries' Emergency Services. Please bring NON EXPIRED canned or non perishable foods, cleaning supplies or toiletries to the service and drop off in the baskets in the meeting room. Donations will be part of MCUM's Spring Hunger Games Food Drive and the goal is 8000 lbs. This congregation has donated over 1000 pounds in one day, so let's do it again, and help feed our hungry neighbors. We need volunteers after the 2nd service to help load cars to deliver food to MCUM on Monday. Please stay and help if you are able.

MOST NEEDED item: Canned or dried fruit. Families getting a 2-3 day supply of food need 11 cans of fruit, so MCUM runs out of fruit quickly.

Here's a cool poster! Spread the word!

Update from Susie's Place

Susie's Place is a child advocacy center that works to prevent child abuse in Indiana. This organization is receiveing 25% of our non-pledge Sunday offerings through June 30, 2015.

The following is an update from Allison Creekmore, Associate Director:

We have reached a total of 125 individuals in the Stewards of Children program thus far, through trainings at The Boys and Girls Club, two different YMCA locations, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Monroe Co DCS Foster Parents, MCCSC high schools, MCCSC middle schools, and UU!

On the horizon are trainings with the entire Monroe Co CASA organization - all volunteers and staff will be trained over the course of three days in April. Additionally, some equine therapeutic riding programs whose programs benefit youth with developmental needs in the Bloomington and surrounding areas, will host a day for therapists to be trained in Stewards of Children later this month. Read more here.

International Outreach Task Force Meets April 12

The International Outreach Task Force (IOTF) will be hold a meeting on Sunday, April 12 from 12:45 to 1:45 in the Library. Those interested in working to support international service projects currently supported by our congregation, or who would like to bring proposals for future projects to be supported, are encouraged to attend. --Jason Blankenship

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!

News from Denominational Affairs

UUA General Assembly is in Portland, Oregon, June 24-28. Delegates are needed. Please see the current issue of the UU World magazine for interesting articles. Keynote speaker will be Dr. Cornel West. UUA provides some financial assistance for delegates. Go to uua.org/ga to learn more about scholarship and volunteer opportunities (work in exchange for registration.) GA scholarship applications are time sensitive.

Our congregation provides some financial asistance to those delegates attending these meetings. Please see Iris Kiesling.

Community Connections

Our Faith at Work in the Community

Interwoven Faith Event April 12 - Ask Me Anything

All are invited to an interfaith community night of sharing. This is for anyone in the community and provides a place to share and talk about our faith and beliefs. First Christian Church, Sunday, April 12, 7:00-8:30 p.m. Details here.

Alzheimer's Association Workshop Friday, April 24

The Alzheimer's Association will present a workshop at Ivy Tech on Friday, April 24 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon in Lamkins Hall. Registration is required; call 800-272-3900 to register and see more info on our bulletin board or https://www.facebook.com/events/339817109556057/

Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive May 9 Last year, donations were down 9000 pounds from the year before, yet the need is increasing. A large group of volunteers is needed. Small groups and individuals are welcome. Call 812-334-8374 or email [email protected] for more information.

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, April 12; the topic is "Why Do We Believe What We Believe?" and will be led by John Crosby.

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, March 22. Info, contact John Crosby.

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 [email protected]. 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 [email protected]. For pastoral emergencies, please call his home study number, 812-369-4179.

Reverend Emily Manvel Leite, our Minister of Religious Education, can be reached at 812-332-3695, ext. 203 on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, or email [email protected]. For pastoral emergencies, please call her at home, 812-333-9822.

All ministers have voicemail on their numbers so that you can leave a private message.

Who to Call about Building Problems

If you notice a problem with the building, please contact Carol Marks, Church Administrator, [email protected], 812-332-3695, ext. 200, and she will contact the experts to get it taken care of.

Attendance and Membership

Current Membership: 474 Certified Membership as of 2/1/2015: 468

Attendance

Sunday, March 22 9:15: 89 11:15: 172 RE: 66 Total: 327

Sunday, March 29 9:15: 106 11:15: 165 RE: 95 Total: 366

Sunday, April 5 9:15: 142 11:15: 222 RE: 89 Total: 453

Non-Pledge Offering

3/22 - $596.00; 3/29 - $643.00; 4/5 - $1,075.00 Total to be donated to Susie's Place - $578.67

Grocery Card Sales

March 22 $750, income to UUCB $37.50

March 29 $1,825, income to UUCB $91.25

April 5 $1,500, income to UUCB $75.00

Livestreaming of Sunday Services

Livestreaming the Sunday Services Link: uubloomington.yourstreamlive.com

As archived videos of service become available they will also be at the link listed above.

--Andy Beargie, Multi-media Specialist, [email protected]

Limiting Doors Unlocked for Evening Meetings and Events

Unless your event or meeting is being held in the Meeting Room, for evening meetings please unlock and use courtyard or portico entrances only. This helps us with building security. Questions, contact Carol Marks, Church Administrator, [email protected], 812-332-3695, ext. 200

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 It's open to all and you don't need a Facebook account to read it.

Next issue, Monday, April 20.

Deadline for articles about congregational events and projects is 10 a.m. on 4/20/2015, to [email protected]. The Prologue is published on the first and third Mondays of each month, with exceptions. Next few publication dates: 4/20, 5/4, 5/18, 6/1, 6/16.

Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, 2120 N. Fee Lane, Bloomington IN 47408, 812-332-3695

Masthead photo credit: John Woodcock