Our Folks...

     Our best wishes for quick healing are with Nancy Lair, who is recovering at Bloomington Hospital from recent surgery. Cards and notes sent to her home address are welcome.      

     Our sympathy is with Laura Campbell and her family upon the passing of her husband Robert Campbell on May 18. A celebration of life will be held here for Bob on Saturday, July 3 at 2:00 p.m.

     The memorial service for Arda Landergren, who died on March 20, will be held here on Saturday, June 13 at 3:00 p.m.

Some Interim Insights - The Neutral Zone

It has been helpful of late to review the work of William Bridges and his book, "Managing Transitions: Making the Most of Change. "  Given the sort of ministry in which I am engaged, it has been a frequent guidebook in my work.  If you haven't read it, I recommend it for thinking about this time in the life of a congregation, and times of change in your own life as well.  

What happens in the Neutral Zone

I am particularly engaged by his description what happens in the "neutral zone".  The time after a significant change has occurred, but the next chapter has yet to make itself clear.  It is a time when old clarities break down and much is in flux. Bridges reminds us that such periods can manifest in individual lives, in groups of all sizes and even for entire civilizations.  He is helpful and clear in his reminder that there are identifiable outward symptoms that present themselves when a community is within the neutral zone. He points out that in many organizations anxieties rise and motivation falls during this time.  It can be a period where disorientation and self-doubt become more apparent.  It is usually NOT a time of strongest productivity-- many organizations even see higher absenteeism during this period.  Bridges states that it is a time when old wounds,  many assumed to be addressed and healed, tend to flare up. Weaker aspects in a system tend to become more apparent, and there is greater potential for polarization. Some people want to, perhaps understandably, rush through this difficult time, and still others want to return to older ways when they felt more secure.

Such a State Helps the Congregation Flourish

 I  was reminded in my reading that while the neutral zone has impact for everyone in the system, it is especially intensive for lay-leaders and staff in an organization.  It brought back vivid memories of how heavy the neutral zone felt for me as a senior minister.  It felt like I was a migrating bird in the lead of a V-formation taking the most wind resistance.  Birds instinctively switch out who is in the lead so that no one has to work that hard for too long.  That is wise, but not so easy to do when one is the lead minister.  The Rev. Mary Ann Macklin has been working extra hard in this time of great change and grief. She is a minister of great skill, resilience and profound integrity, and the last months have asked a lot of her.  Add to that, that this is also a time when a senior minister needs to explore how to make one's ministry sustainable, fulfilling and engaging for the next chapter in the life of the congregation.  From such a ministry of strength and fulfillment one can staff to balance out the health of the organization.  Such a state helps the congregation flourish.

A Time of Significant Potential

I can imagine you might wonder, why anyone would NOT want to escape the Neutral Zone as quickly as possible?  Bridges reminds us that this time has another possibility beyond just the difficulties. He emphasizes that it is a time of significant potential for rejuvenating creativity. When things are going smoothly, and the system is operating well, candid self-analysis and healthy transformation are most difficult. An organizational system, whether it is aware of it or not, is too invested in protecting what seems to be working and bringing about successful results.  If a community explores and learns well during this time, the renewal can be astounding. 

The Neutral Zone Calls for Patience and Compassion

The Neutral Zone is a time that calls for patience and compassion for all involved. It is a time when our laity and clergy alike need a little extra TLC and a chance to recharge their batteries.  I commend Rev. Macklin and our dedicated and talented staff for navigating this meaningful year so gracefully!   We are working to make certain that Rev. Macklin is able to use the full time allotted to her this summer to be away from her ministerial duties. 

Doug 

Interim Minister

Middle School and High School Youth are not meeting regularly this summer.  Mark your calendars, youth! We  need your help on Sunday, June 21st and Sunday, July 12th to make sandwiches with the Homelessness Task Force from 10:30-11:30am.   This is a great time to catch up with your friends and do something good.  --Adrienne Summerlot, Director of Religious Education, dre@uubloomington.org

UU Children's Choir

Interested singers, K-6, are welcome to join us! Upcoming Kindergarteners are invited this round, too! Questions? Contact Jill: jillmcourtney@gmail.com

June 7 Rehearse 10:30-11:00 (Rm 212)

June 14 Rehearse 10:30-11

June 21 Summer Solstice Service, 10:15am (Meet at 9:45am, Sing near beginning of service)

Official Notice of Congregational Meeting

Congregational Meeting Sunday at 4pm!

Our Spring congregational meeting will be this coming Sunday June 7th from 4-5:30pm. Please attend his meeting to hear updates from the ministers, the Board and a number of key church committees. Votes will be held on the 25% Sunday offering recipient, the leadership cultivation committee's slate, and the endorsement of the Board's slate for the Ministerial Search Committee. More information on the Ministerial Search Committee slate can be can be found at search.uubloomington.org. We look forward to seeing you there.

One Service only at 10:15 a.m. June 21 through July 26 

During this time of interim transition, it is a good moment to try a different summer worship experience. With the approval of our Board of Directors and our core staff, we are excited to share that we will be holding one service only each Sunday at 10:15 a.m. from June 21 through July 28 this summer, as an experiment. We have been exploring this idea for several years. Coffee and fellowship hour will take place after the service, at 11:15 a.m.  Our core staff will be working with all of you in the next few weeks  to adjust Sunday meeting and volunteer schedules to accommodate this experiment! Two services at 9:15 and 11:15 will resume on August 2.

Reverend Mary Ann Macklin, Senior Minister

Reverend Douglas Wadkins, Interim Minister  

What Will Your Legacy Be?

Our congregation is flourishing today because visionary early members nurtured it in their lifetimes and through their estate plans.   Now it is our turn to provide the gifts that will sustain this liberal religious community beyond our individual lives.  Your bequest-- a fixed sum or a percentage of your estate--will extend the values you cherish and foster a vibrant future for liberal religion in Southern Indiana.

The members of the Planned Giving Committee (Libby DeVoe, Joan Caulton, Anne Haynes, Clarke Miller) look forward to talking with you about creating a planned gift.  Join us in Seeking the Spirit, Building Community, Changing the World...Forever! 

Exploring Unitarian Universalism 

Class Meets July 12 and July 19

Are you interested in learning more about Unitarian Universalism and this congregation?  Whether you are considering membership or are just curious, this class is for you.  The Exploring UU Class will be held 

on Sunday, July 12 and Sunday, July 19 from 2-4 p.m. in the Ralph and Annetta Fuchs Library.  Sign up by Sunday, July 5 at the welcome table in the foyer, or by emailing office@uubloomington.org. Childcare is available by prior request.  

East 17th Street closed for construction project

Motorists traveling along the east edge of the Bloomington campus should be aware that East 17th Street is closed through August 7. 17th Street will be closed from St. Paul Catholic Center to Lingelbach Lane. Fee Lane through campus or the Bypass will be the best routes to church from the east side all summer.

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 memcoord@uubloomington.org, 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. 

Ramadan Iftaar June 26

On Friday, June 26, members of the Islamic Center of Bloomington will join us in celebration of the 2015 holy month of Ramadan, by breaking their daily fast with us in our Fellowship Hall.  For 15 years, the Muslim community of Bloomington has joined Unitarian Universalists for a shared Ramadan/Iftaar meal.  Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, the most blessed month of the year in which Muslims around the world rededicate themselves to God.They abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs during daylight hours, purifying their souls and refocusing attention om God.   

Doors open at 8 p.m. and the call to prayer will occur just before sunset at approximately 9:15.  Breaking of fast begins with the sharing of dates and is followed by a delicious meal prepared by the members of the mosque.   THE FOOD IS DELICIOUS!  Members of our congregation are encouraged to provide desserts for the meal.  Questions, talk with Abby Downey. Click here for details.

Helping the Emergency Services Pantry at 

Monroe County United Ministries

June 28 and July 26

Our Helping Our Hungry Neighbors Task Force will sponsor a collection for items for MCUM's emergency pantry. On June 28 and July 26 we are asking friends and members of the church to bring the following items to church: razors, new women's and men's socks, and men's and women's deodorant.  These may be left in the Hunger Task Force basket under the table in the foyer. 

March in the July 4th Parade!

Our congregation is registered for the July 4th parade.  All members and friends are encouraged to participate.  Each task force, committee, or group is encouraged to develop a mini float on a wagon, bike trailer, or stroller to be pulled (or pushed) in a procession or train along the parade route.  The float should in some fashion represent your group.  This will be an opportunity to present our many and varied social justice efforts and the committees that support their efforts by providing the structure and community within our church.  You can contact me with questions as I will be coordinating.

Phil Cooper, 812.339.1722, pvcooper@comcast.net

Community Connections