MAM's Musings

            We hired Judy Bennett as our Membership Coordinator in February of 2009.  Since that time she has carried out her duties with panache and transformed the position with new initiatives, resulting in a position name change, Connections Coordinator.    Judy has announced her retirement from her position as Connections Coordinator, effective on June 30th.    While we will miss her presence as a staff member, we look forward to her ongoing connections with the congregation.

Judy Bennett,    Connections Coordinator

            Judy has worn many hats as our Connections Coordinator, both literally and figuratively.  Her initial emphasis in the position was to conduct interviews with new members, discover their interests and enhance their participation in congregational life.  She created new Welcome Folders to give to our guests on Sunday and created a solid method for contacting guests after a Sunday visit.  Our congregation has benefitted from many Potlucks arranged by Judy Bennett and the Membership Committee.

            Judy is most often available before and after services on Sunday to greet newcomers, and answer questions.   She keeps stats on attendance, guests, births, deaths, wedding ceremonies and other rites of passage.   She recently initiated a fellowship-hosts strategy in coffee hour to make connections with folks who seem isolated.

             Judy graciously works with the Caring Committee and ministers to assist with pastoral issues as appropriate; I cannot express how much her presence has enhanced our overall pastoral care.   Her annual contact with members to commemorate the date of their book signing has created an ongoing connection that has been both celebratory and pastoral. Judy guides our Exploring Unitarian Universalism classes/facilitators and has introduced several other ways for folks to make connections: Silver and Gold Lunch Groups, First Steps for Guests, Fast Friends, and Coffee Houses. In addition she has enhanced our Getting Involved Fair and assisted the ministers in countless Membership Recognition Sundays.

              Lastly, Judy's efforts have also had an impact throughout Unitarian Universalism. She helped found the national Unitarian Universalist Association for Membership Professionals and has served both as an officer and events coordinator.   She also has mentored incoming Membership and Connections Coordinators. Our gratitude for Judy Bennett is immense.  We will miss her presence on our staff team. 

              Since we are in a time of transition, I have asked our former Campus Ministry Coordinator, Shari Woodbury, to fill this position for one year as our Acting Connections Coordinator.    As a ministerial candidate, Shari's congregational skills and knowledge will provide continuation with Judy's legacy while allowing us time to strategically tweak this position as part of the future ministry of this congregation.

In ongoing gratitude, 

MAM

The Reverend Mary Ann Macklin, Senior Minister 

Our Living Faith:  Fostering a Mission-Driven Faith

Saturday, May 30,  9:30 to Noon.

Next fall begins an exhilarating time of discernment. As important as discerning the  best fit for ministerial leadership is, there is something far more significant at the heart of the process: it is rarely more important that a community be cognizant and connected to a lived experience of mission than when it is in times of transition.  In one of my first sermons with you, I talked about the growing realization in organizational work that there are meaningful opportunities presented in times of leadership change.  

While change is ever-present in our world, there are moments that truly mark a significant shift within the life of a community.  The end of an era of ministry and the pathway of preparation for a new chapter is quite often such a sea-change. In this time there are unique portals into possibility that can bring about greater health and renewed energy for a congregation. Congregations are better able to move into this potential if they are steeped and infused with a sense of who they are and what they are to do.  

As we prepare for an important year in the life of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, I invite you to a time of exploration and conversation about this sense of identity.  We will gather to consider stories that shape meaning, see what they say about the lived mission of this beloved community and what such meaningful narratives are calling for in your future.  This is not about exploring mission statements. It is a conversation about the concise and powerful ideas that shape this community.  The morning will continue the conversation about the lived understanding that brings clarity and fosters hope as we engage what the world is calling us to address.   

Cultivating that engaged and embodied sense of shared mission and faith, in this time of change, creates the perfect climate for possibility.  It will help your gifted Ministerial Search Committee do their work well.  It will help the entire community focus on future shared ministry and talk with each other and your leadership in a meaningful way. It will serve you all generously to move forward together in seeking the spirit, building community and changing the world. I hope you will join me in the conversation on May 30! 

The Reverend Douglas Wadkins

Interim Minister

Our Folks...

     Barb Lund was featured on WFIU's Creative Aging program recently. Here's the link to her interview.

     Carol Marks was heard reading her poetry on WFHB on Sunday, May 3. Here's the link to the archived program, The Brown County Hour for May 2015.  

Two Childcare Team Members Graduate from IU

Congratulations to two members of our childcare team who are graduating from Indiana University, Marya Case-Ruchala and Claire Drews.  We wish them the best of luck in their bright futures!

Working at the Unitarian Church of Bloomington the past four years has been an absolute joy. Having grown up in the Unitarian Church of Lincoln, Nebraska, and working in the childcare center there during high school, my work here felt like a necessary continuation, a home away from home. I was always impressed by the quality of the childcare program at the Bloomington church, including both the generous giving of members to make it such a rich and creative learning environment and the attentiveness of the staff to the needs and interests of the kids. I was also constantly impressed by the kids themselves; I never cease to feel as though I have much to learn from the insights, creativity, and open mindedness of children, and these UU kids were no exception. As a graduating senior of the Business Economics & Public Policy program at the Kelley School of Business, I will miss working at the church for the comic relief and often inspiring perspective I gained from working with the kids. Especially since I watched some of these kids grow up - from diapers to potty training to telling ghost stories - it is difficult to say goodbye. While I unfortunately was unable to be more connected to the rest of the congregation here, I still felt as though I had a community at the church, and I hope to search for the same in the next stage of my life working in Minneapolis at a CDFI that provides funding for co-op's around the country. I wish everyone (and their children) all the best! 

~ Marya Case-Ruchala

Women's Alliance Spring Salad Lunch May 7

     Please join us at 11:30 Thursday, May 7, for our annual salad luncheon with a presentation by Alysia Fornal at 12:00 on Stepping Stones, a transitional housing program for homeless youths ages 16 to 20. Youth are assisted through education and employment to build the independent living skills necessary for success after leaving Stepping Stones.

     Please bring a salad to serve four; desserts and beverages will be provided by the Women's Alliance executive board.  All are welcome.

 Community Drumming on Wednesday, May 13

6:30 to 8:00 in the Meeting Room
Freestyle drumming from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Hope to see you there. We meet on the second Wednesday of each month.  -Ellen Tamura 

Attention Committee and Task Force Chairs:

Annual Reports Due May 15

Each year in June, we provide an annual report to the congregation of the work we have accomplished in the previous year in fulfilling our vision of Seeking the Spirit, Building Community, and Changing the World. All committee and task force chairs are invited to submit a report of up to 150 words summarizing the past year's work. Please send these electronically to Carol Marks, Church Administrator, at [email protected] by May 15. Paper copies of the compiled report will be available at the June 7 Congregational Meeting, and it will also be available to read online.

Goods and Services Auction May 17 

Join us May 17th after second service for a light lunch ($7 per person) followed at 2pm by an afternoon of fun with live and silent auction led by our own Darrell Breeden, auctioneer.

Auction catalog is now available online here, and on paper at church in the Commons.

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

Welcome to our Newest Members

Linda Mjolsnes grew up in Minneapolis, in the Universalist Church, where she and Eric were married in 1968. At UUCB she has especially enjoyed singing in the choir and participating in a Life Stories writing group. She and Eric both retired after 40 wonderful years of teaching at Bloomington Montessori School. They have 2 married daughters and 3 grandsons. In her retirement she is enjoying photography, writing, traveling, gardening, birding, camping, canoeing, and hiking.

Anna Hazinski is from Bloomington and attended BHSS and IU, where she majored in Religious Studies. After time spent in NYC and Chicago she returned to Bloomington with her husband Brad. Anna has two kids (Sonya and Fred), works for an education technology company, and loves spending her free time gardening and sewing, with frequent bouts of house organization thrown in the mix.  She also loves to cook, especially with friends and family.

Bradford Demarest grew up in Louisiana, but has lived in Houston, New York City, and Chicago before coming to Bloomington.  He is currently a doctoral student in Information Science at Indiana University, and is married to Anna Hazinski with two children (Sonya and Fred).  Brad loves playing music (especially on instruments with strings or keys), languages, programming, cooking, and being part of the loving, thoughtful community he has found at UUCB.

Debbie Fish is a recently retired public school teacher, principal and staff developer.   She attended IU and stayed in Bloomington for 25 years, occasionally attending UU in the late 1980's.  Debbie has spent the last 14 years in Indianapolis where she attended Indy UU.  She is so glad to be back in Bloomington where her three  grown children and two grandchildren live.  Her interests and activities include serving on the Board of Big Brothers/Big Sisters, participating in Black Lives Matter activities, providing occasional professional learning to schools, and exploring numerous offerings this city and surrounding area has to offer.  She describes herself as an "infovore"--one who gets a dopamine rush when learning something new.

Kevin Weaver

I am from Northwest Indiana.  I came here for college and never left.  I don't hope to leave either.  I met my wife and fell in love here and also run a creative agency (Blueline) in town.  I am so happy to join this congregation and grow and learn along the way.  In my spare time I play soccer, kayak, eat hummus and listen to NPR.

Renee Weaver

I grew up in Lanesville, Indiana, a small town across the river from Louisville, Kentucky.  I came to Bloomington for grad school, met my husband, and stayed.  I work as a School Psychologist for MCCSC.  I enjoy spending time in the great outdoors, whether it be hiking, kayaking, camping, rock climbing, biking...  I started attending UU sporadically in 2010 and my husband and I got married here in 2013.  I am excited to become an official member of UU and become more involved here! 

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, June 7, 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, June 3.   

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. 

All Options Pregnancy Resource Center Now Open

Opened in Bloomington, 1014 Walnut St, on Saturday, May 2nd

This is an open-hearted open-minded support center for every pregnancy and parenting turning point. All-Options is a secular client-centered organization where everyone is welcome, and all services are confidential and available free of charge. Our Reproductive Justice Task Force supports this resource center.

Walnut Grove Food Pantry Needs Volunteers

     The Help Feed Our Hungry Neighbors Task Force hosts a food pantry at Walnut Grove Apartments (3100 S. Walnut St. Pike) on the 3rd Friday of each month 3-5pm. We need volunteers! Duties include helping food pantry recipients sign in and select food. Some volunteers need to be able to help unload the delivery truck, but not all volunteers need to do this.  It's very rewarding to help the neediest in our area and it feels good to help in person. We want have enough volunteers so we can open pantry twice a month. The need is great. Info, contact Mary Blizzard [email protected]

Homelessness Task Force and Interfaith Meals for the Homeless

The Homelessness Task Force has been approached by Michael Gastineau, a member of the Church of the Redeemer. He asked us to join with his church, and other religious communities in Bloomington, to provide and possibly serve a meal once a month to people experiencing poverty and homelessness. The meals are served on Saturdays at 4 PM at Peoples Park. If you are interested in getting involved in this Interfaith project, or have any questions, please contact Alan Backler of the Homelessness task Force at [email protected] or at 812-340-1323.

Community Connections

Our Faith at Work in the Community

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. 

Sacred Harp Singing/Shape Note Music at Fairview May 12
2nd and 4th Tuesdays, 7-9PM, starting May 12th, In the basement of Fairview United Methodist Church
600 W 6th St, Bloomington, IN 47404  (Corner of W 6th and Jackson; enter on Jackson.)
Right next door to Barb Lund's house    Lots of free parking and wheel chair accessible!
All are welcome! Loaner Books available.   Barb Lund  812 339 8476  [email protected]  or John Hoerr  [email protected]

Girls Inc. Seeks Volunteers Through May 22

Girls Inc. of Monroe County is looking for weekly volunteers for the after school program for girls in grades K-12 from now until May 22nd. Hours available for after school program volunteers are 3-6p and 4-6p, M-F.  Anyone over 18 years of age is encouraged to volunteer!  Contact Katie Hakes at [email protected] or 812-336-7313