In July, we will do a three part series for our Sunday worship services that looks at three themes of Here and Now importance. Each service will use film clips as sermon illustrations. This first service will give an introduction to a way of approaching film as a spiritual practice, and will explore how films can raise our awareness of the power of daily events and larger life cycles in shaping meaning.

Note: With all of the film series, while none of the clips are chosen to be shocking or overly intense, sometimes people experience film moments with powerful emotion. If this is a particularly sensitive or difficult time, please feel free to make decisions about whether this would be a good set of services for you to attend. If you have questions, check in with Rev. Wadkins. Generally speaking, Rev. Wadkins hopes to see you there!

July 19, 2015 10:15 service

"Love and Other Redemption:

Spirituality and Film Part 2"

The Rev. Doug Wadkins

and special musical guests the Bloomington Chamber Singers

One of the most complicated and meaningful human experiences is our capacity to give and receive love. We know, of course, that film has explored this topic in an infinite number of ways. This service will share some of the ways that film may help us encounter the soulful side of love.

In the Interim

The Reverend Douglas Wadkins

Interim Minister

I hope that your July is filled with all of the wonderful gifts that summer can offer. It has been such a joy to come around full circle and complete my first year here. It has both flown by and, because it has been so richly full, has seemed like so much more than a year. We have much good to do in the coming months and meaningful time yet to share. For that I am deeply grateful!

My early July column is really a bit of a potpourri. I begin with a requested reminder that Rev. Macklin will be taking her allotted time off this summer. It began July 1 and she will return at the end of August. After the extended season of significant change that she has had, this is an especially crucial time for her to recharge and be ready to carefully consider this next chapter of ministry. August will also offer us an opportunity to do some important visioning work around lifelong learning. I have always really valued working with the gifted Nancy Heege, who will be our consultant. We are very lucky to have her experienced and wise presence for a few days in August to explore religious education together. The board column will fill you in on the details and there will be even more details to come later this month.

The 4th of July weekend was such a grand experience. I really loved getting to promenade with the church through downtown on Saturday in the parade! It was a joy to have all ages from the congregation take part in sharing our passion for peace and justice. Then Sunday was truly a rich celebration thanks to the sharing of so many generous peace and justice leaders within the congregation. Two of them, representing two task forces of the congregation very graciously let the service continue when we were running a bit long. Their work and their stories are so important, I didn't want you to miss the opportunity. Barb Backler, representing the Elder Focus Task Force, tells about how she has been inspired by their work in exploring possibilities for affordable housing for elders. She recalls how this work in turn has inspired others, like a man named Robert who was motivated not only to do some research while in Boston with Dr. Allan Teel, who is investigating how technology could help people live in their own homes longer. Robert is now a member of the task force and continuing to explore with hope for the future.

Alan Backler, who represents the Homelessness Task Force, shared the story of a man named Kent, who after moving to Bloomington to help out his daughter, experienced a series of circumstances that left him homeless. One day while at the Shalom Community Center, Kent shared one of his original songs he composed about homelessness. It was a powerful experience that moved a talented team of people to collaborate in crafting a CD of his songs, with Kent donating the proceeds of the sales back to Shalom. So members of this congregation, Tom Yeiser, Matt Zink and Dan Lodge-Rigal worked together to make it happen. The first time that Kent heard the results of their collaboration, it brought him to tears. Through the loving work of members of UUCB, one man's dream not only came true, but will encourage others to find hope and possibility in their lives.

This weekend moved me deeply. I thank you all for taking the time to walk together to witness to our community and to share your stories of inspiration with us all.

From the Ministers

Congratulations to Kathie Lazerwitz who recently received the prestigious Keystone Award from the Indiana University Foundation. The Keystone Award recognizes individuals who have shown exemplary volunteer leadership through multiple Indiana University fundraising campaigns. We, Reverend Macklin and Reverend Wadkins, attended the awards ceremony and enthusiastically invite you to click here to view this video chronicling many of Kathie's amazing life endeavors.

The members and friends of this congregation continue to amaze us in so many ways.

-- Peace, MAM and Doug

The 2015 Indiana University Partners in Philanthropy honorees are, from left,

Mark Leonard, Katherine Lazerwitz, Sybil Mervis and Lou Mervis.

Board of Directors, UU Church of Bloomington

Board of Directors: Religious Education Consultant to Visit UUCB

As part of the reflection opportunities inherent to this ministerial transition period, the board of directors and the ministers have jointly decided to invite a UU consultant from the MidAmerica Region to look at our religious education program, including its vision for the future. The consultant is Nancy Heege (see short biography below) who will visit UUCB in mid-August. The board requests that the staff, teachers, leaders, parents and other interested members make an effort to be available during her time with us. More information will be made available about how she plans to conduct her assessment and will be communicated through multiple channels. Given her own experience with RE in a large congregation, we are looking forward to her examination of all aspects of our RE program which has grown considerably in recent years.

NANCY HEEGE: Nancy has served our denomination for most of her career, first as the religious educator for a large, growing UU church, and then as district staff. In recent years, she served the Association as a member of the Congregations Come First task force that helped begin a conversation about regionalization, and more recently as one of the group responsible for finding resources on immigration for congregations, as a lead up to Justice General Assembly 2012. Her passion is finding the right questions to ask to help congregations toward their dreams and visions. She will be overseeing the administrative structure for the new MidAmerica region. She lives in Minnesota with her husband and their young dog. Areas of specialization: Organizational development; governance; conflict transformation; regional administration; social justice.

-- Kathleen Sideli and the Board of Directors

Summer Children & Youth Religious Education

Childcare will continue during the services

Preschool: meets as usual in Room 103 for the entire summer.

Kindergarten- 8th grade: meets in Room 210 and will Travel in Time to explore Unitarian Universalists.

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, [email protected]

Travel in Time, Summer Religious Education for K-8th grade

We have had a blast the first two weeks of summer RE. We created our own classroom and personal timelines and interviewed family members about our parents. We learned about time in general and important events that have shaped our faith and culture. We went on our own Dangerous Journey to better understand how Unitarian and Universalist religions came to America and who played an important role in making that happen. We closed last week by learning the hymn, "Come, come, whoever you are." Where will we go next week? Join us in Room 210 after the Time For All Ages in the 10:15am service to find out!

Come and Learn Gumboot Dancing with us This Summer! July 10 and 24

Come and learn gumboot dancing with with Ellyn Barham this summer! We'll meet on Friday, July 10, and Friday, July 24, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall for an excellent aerobic time. Gumboots is an African step dance that found life in the mines of South Africa. Miners traveled from different parts of Africa to find work in the mines. Despite language barriers and harsh work conditions, Gumboots was used as a way for miners communicate and uplift each other. A variety of African cultural dances have been fused into this high energy dance. (all ages are welcome, and you can come to one or both of the classes) More info and cool videos at our facebook event page HERE

Registration for Religious Education for Children & Youth is NOW OPEN

Click HERE, to register easily.

Those registered by July 26th will get priority choice of August Intersession! Registration will also be available on Sundays during coffee hour or via paper form.

Youth Community Sandwich Kitchen

for the Benefit of People's Park Homeless

Youth entering 6th-8th grade are invited to join us in the kitchen from 10:30-11:30am to help make sandwiches for the homeless to be delivered to People's Park. This is a great chance to catch up with friends during the summer while doing some good work for the community. Adult hands are needed as well! Contact Adrienne Summerlot if you have any questions!

Remodeling Project for Upper Religious Education Wing Completed Soon

To enable us to better accommodate larger group meetings and classes, we are currently remodeling the upper level of the Religious Education Wing to make two rooms (Room 208 and 210) from the former three rooms (Rooms 208, 210, and 212). We are also going to be shifting pianos, couches, and supplies to make Room 110 and Room 112 downstairs more congenial meeting places for a variety of different meetings and groups. We plan to finish the repainting and furniture moving by the end of July. Thank you for your patience and sense of humor during this time of dynamic change. If you have questions, please contact Reverend Emily Manvel Leite, [email protected]

Seeking The Spirit

Adult Religious Education Fall 2015

Course Proposals Due July 30

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 for the fall semester (September through December 2015). Deadline is July 30, and the committee will make final choice of courses to be offered by September 1. Class sessions may begin as early as mid-September. Contact Carolyn Emmert, [email protected] or the office, [email protected] for a course proposal form.

Free to Good Home - Floor Loom

The loom we used for an intergenerational weaving project, the warp, and the warping frame are all available, free for the hauling. View these items in Room 208. If you would like to have them, contact Adrienne Summerlot, 812-332-3695, [email protected]

Java Crew Facilitates Sunday Happiness

We love our fellowship time together with coffee and tea on Sunday mornings, (coffee hour at 11:15 from June 21 through July 26) and we encourage all of you helpful people to take a turn in assisting with coffee hour on Sundays. Clean up is straightforward, the coffeemakers are easy to use, and the dishwasher has a 3-minute cycle. So you'll be out of here and on your way to Sunday lunch in a jiffy. Please contact Amy Holmes, our Java Crew coordinator, and make a bunch of people so happy! Amy can be reached at [email protected].

Shambhala Meditation is Every Monday at Noon

Join us at 12 noon every Monday in the Fellowship Hall for an hour of Shambhala Meditation, walking meditation, and Shamatha yoga with Sarah Flint. We have new cushions available, but you may bring your own cushion if you have one.

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.

Open Chanting Continues Thursdays at 7:00

Janiece Jaffe will lead open chanting in our Meeting Room from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursdays in June. All are welcome; no experience necessary!

UUs Represent during the 4th of July Parade

UU and Muslim communities gather to to celebrate breaking of the fast during the month of Ramadan

Our Congregational Themes

January: Integrity May: Tradition

February: Faith June: Grace

March: Resilience July: Here & Now

April: Revelation August: Wonder

What does it mean to live in a state of Grace?

Building Community

Attention Artists!

The UU Holiday Art Fair and Bazaar is coming this December 4th and 5th! Click here for information on how to apply to this highly respected and wonderful juried show, where you can sell the beautiful things you have made. Follow this LINK to apply

Could you help keep our church beautiful and welcoming this summer?

You could pick one small area you'd like to tend or select a week in which you can do whatever tasks are ne eded, like weeding or watering. (Be sure to bring your own gloves and favorite tools!)

If so, you can see a longer description and sign up for a week or for a specific area in which you would like to work using our form on Sign Up Genius: HERE

Questions? Contact Molly O'Donnell at [email protected] or 812-219-5388.

Is the Church in Your Estate Plans?

Have you recently included the church in your will, or made it a beneficiary of your retirement plan or insurance policy? If so, please let the Planned Giving committee know. We want to include you in the Legacy Circle and invite you to an informal thank-you luncheon this fall.

Contact Libby DeVoe [email protected] or 812 336-868. No sum need be mentioned, and we will honor any request to remain anonymous.

Legal Expertise

With the retirement of Guy Loftman as the church's long-time volunteer attorney, we are seeking attorneys who would be willing to provide occasional consulting and legal services to the church board and ministers. In order to be included on our list of legal resources, please contact Kathleen Sideli, Board President, or Rev. Mary Ann Macklin.

Elder Tech Workshop this Sunday, July 12th- 12:00-1:30pm

High School Youth will be on hand in the library to help you with technology support.

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

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.

RE Teachers Needed

Teachers are still needed for our short 4 weeks August Intersession and for our fall semester which begins September 13th! If you have a passion for storytelling, art, history, science, outdoors, photography or just enjoy being around kids, this might be the right opportunity for you. If you are interested in spending time with our amazing kids, contact Adrienne Summerlot,[email protected]

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

Our Folks

Congratulations to Lindsay, Tom, and Mac Pappas on the birth of August Campbell Pappas on June 29th

Congratulations to Cleve Wilhoit, who will be inducted into the Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame at its 50th anniversary celebration in October. Click on this link for details

UU History for You

Peter Cooper and Free Higher Education

Peter Cooper (1791-1883) was born in New York City and raised as a Methodist. His father taught hard work (which Peter followed) and a fear of damnation by a furious God (which he did not accept). He only had about two years of formal schooling. His father was a tinkerer and Cooper learned early to improvise and invent to solve problems. He rivals Edison in the many different things he invented--gelatin (from animal skins), a clothes washer, a shearing machine for cutting cloth, the first steam locomotive, structural beams for use in building multi-storied buildings, the first blast furnace, the Atlantic oceanic communications cable (with Cyrus Field). He established iron foundries and amassed a huge fortune. He married and had six children, only two of whom survived childhood. In 1831, he heard a Unitarian sermon and quickly converted and joined the Unitarian Church (now All Soul's) in New York. He found Unitarianism compatible with his belief in acquiring knowledge through science. He believed education should "be as free as water and air." To accomplish this he donated the money to construct a building for The Cooper Union which was dedicated in 1859 to the education of ambitious and intelligent men and women free of fees and tuition. He inspired other wealthy individuals to provide funds for education, including Carnegie and Rockefeller. Many others, however, thought he was corrupting youth by providing free education. His funeral attracted thousands, who lined the streets near his Unitarian church to say goodbye to a person they loved. Read more about Peter Cooper and Cooper Union here.

--Elof Carlson, Congregational Historian

Interested in more UU history and history of our congregation? Read Elof's "Our History and Our Traditions" on our website. -Ed.

Changing the World

Habitat Builders Needed August 1

The UU Habitat Task Force is sponsoring a day of a build in Habitat's beautiful new B-Line Trail neighborhood on Aug. 1. We are donating $8,750 to financially sponsor that day and we also need to provide 25 builders. Please consider joining our team!

* Anyone can help -- men & women, ages 16 & up -- UUs and friends.

* Build day is 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or half-day am or pm options are available.

* Lunch, snacks and drinks are provided.

* No building skills needed, instruction provided. Tasks will include framing, and porch, window & door installation. Use your skills or learn new ones!

* No individual fundraising needed (only Women Build requires that).

Contact Barb Berggoetz, [email protected] or 812/320-8422, by July 5 if you can join our team.

Thank You, Thank You

Help Feed Our Hungry Neighbors Task Force thanks all who contributed three bags of deodorant, socks and razors for men and women to the Monroe County United Ministries. We'll continue to collect these items up through the 26th of July in the clearly marked basket under the Social Justice table in the foyer.

Helping the Emergency Services Pantry at

Monroe County United Ministries July 26

Our Help Feed Our Hungry Neighbors Task Force will sponsor a collection for items for MCUM's emergency pantry. On 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.

Summer Volunteer Opportunity at Local Food Pantry

Looking for a hands-on volunteer opportunity this summer (and possibly beyond)? The Help Feed Our Hungry Neighbors Task Force runs a food pantry at Walnut Grove Apartments (3100 S Walnut St Pike) the 3rd Friday of each month. We need volunteers to unload food from a truck, set up the pantry and help patrons sign in and select food. It is fun and rewarding work and we need volunteers. Questions? Contact Mary Blizzard (m[email protected]). You can use the link below to sign up:

www.SignUpGenius.com/go/20F0A45ABAF2DA2F94-walnut/6792660

UU Humanist Forum Meets on Alternating Sundays

From June 21 through July 26, our Humanist Forum meets on alternating Sundays at 11:45 p.m. upstairs in Room 210, after children's religious education classes have ended. 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 forum will meet on Sunday, July 19 at 11:45 a.m. The topic is , "What has Comparative Genomic taught us?," presented by Elof Carlson.

UU Freethinkers Group Enjoys Free Ranging Discussion

The purpose of the UU Freethinkers bi-weekly meeting 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. From June 28 through July 26, UU Freethinkers will meet on alternating Sundays at 11:45 a.m. after children's religious education classes end, in Room 210. UU Freethinkers meet next on Sunday, July 12, at 11:45 a.m. Info, contact John Crosby.

It's Not Too Late to

Play Your Part!

We wish to thank all friends and members of the congregation who have made a stewardship pledge for the upcoming fiscal year so far. Your support will allow us to create a budget that truly reflects our values as a congregation. It is NOT too late to make a pledge and we hope that you will do so. Click here to make a pledge on-line, or call the church office, 812-332-3695.

Our sincerest thanks,

Members of the Stewardship Committee

Drew Schrader, Mary Boutain, John Summerlot, Carol Ver Wiebe, Charlie Pickle, Kathie Lazerwitz, Kathleen Sideli, Reverend Mary Ann Macklin, Reverend Douglas Wadkins, Reverend Emily Manvel Leite, with assistance from Carol Marks

Contact a Minister

Reverend Mary Ann Macklin, our Senior Minister

is out of the office until September 1.

our Interim Minister, Reverend Douglas Wadkins

can be reached at 812-332-3695, ext. 207

on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

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

email: [email protected]

For pastoral emergencies, please call her at home, 812-333-9822.

Who do I 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: 479 Certified Membership as of 2/1/2015: 468

Attendance

Sunday, June 21 10:15: 194; RE: 9 Total: 203

Sunday, June 14 10:15: 188; RE: 29 Total: 217

Sunday, July 5 10:15: 171; RE: 29 Total: 200

Non-Pledge Offering

6/21 - $511; 6/28 - $507; 7/5 - $359

Total to be donated to Susie's Place - $254.60

Total to be donated to Monroe County CASA - $89.84

Grocery Card Sales

June 21 $700, income to UUCB $35.00

June 28 $900, income to UUCB $45.00

July 5 $850, income to UUCB $42.50

How do I view my pledge record online?

If you have made a pledge and would like to check on your balance, here's how:

Log on to churchdb at this link: https://www.churchdb.com/churchDB/Login.asp?iOrgzKey=49

If you don't have a password yet, the system will send you one, to the email address we have on file.

After you log on, here's the click sequence to get to your pledge records:

Stewardship (left hand column)
Treasure (from choices near top of screen)
View Pledges (lower right column)

Then, you can see the amount you have paid so far for your current pledge.

If you want to see individual payments, here's the click sequence:

Stewardship
Treasure
Details (next to a calendar year)
Details (again)

This will show you your payments during that calendar year.

If you need help logging on, or you would just like us to check your balance for you (which is perfectly ok), please contact [email protected].

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]

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, July 20.

Deadline for articles about congregational events and projects is 10 a.m. on date of publication, to [email protected]. The Prologue is published on the first and third Mondays of each month, with exceptions. Next few publication dates: 7/20, 8/3, 8/17, 9/8 (a Tuesday), 9/21.

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

Masthead Photo by reddit user: 5Pax