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

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."

AV Committee Improvements in the Meeting Room Underway

     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 memcoord@uubloomington.org, 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. 

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, shelteringhills@gmail.com 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 (kimball.stephanie@gmail.com).

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. 

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!   

Community Connections

Our Faith at Work in the Community

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/