The Prologue
Monday, July 20, 2015
Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana

Congregation founded 1949

GLBTQ Welcoming Congregation since 1995

Green Sanctuary since 2007

Seeking the Spirit, Building Community, Changing the World

 

Upcoming

July 24

Gumboot Dancing 

 

July 30 

Adult Religious Education Fall Course Proposals Due 

 

August 2

Resuming Two Services

 

August 12

Open Conversation

with Nancy Heege

 

Quick Links
Sunday, July 26, 2015     10:15 a.m.

"The 3 F's: 

Fear, Faith and Film: Spirituality and Film Part 3"

The Reverend Douglas Wadkins 

with musical guests the Bloomington Chamber Singers

 

This third and final installment of the series exploring film and spirituality takes a whirlwind tour of the ways that film can engage dynamic human experiences that teach us core lessons about life. Some of the most layered components of life, like fear and faith, are the most essential in shaping the depth of who we are as human beings. Come see how film can give us new insight into these life-changing experiences.

 

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, [email protected].  Generally speaking however, Rev. Wadkins would love to see you Sunday!  

RETURN TO TWO SERVICES!

Sunday, August 2, 2015       9:15 and 11:15 a.m.

"Can We Prove God Exists?"

The Reverend Dennis McCarty

 

Rev. Dennis McCarty will ponder, "Can We Prove God Exists?" For thousands of years, people have fought over various beliefs about God(s) and how to properly honor him/her/them. Rev. Dennis will apply the lens of reason to the topic by examining the classic philosophical "proofs" of God's existence. When you mix God and logic, what kind of salad do you wind up with?  Rev. Dennis recently retired from his ministry with the UU Congregation of Columbus, Indiana. He is a guest in our pulpit and will also share music of his own composition during the services (TWO SERVICES!)  

 

From Your Interim Minister

 

August will bring an exciting opportunity for some important work in our time of transition. As the board reported to you in the last Prologue, in the second week of August, we will be lucky enough to have the very experienced, knowledgeable and wise presence of Unitarian Universalist Congregational Life Consultant Nancy Heege to do some essential work with us.

 

As part of the work of the interim year, Nancy Heege has been invited by the ministers and the board to consult with the staff and with all of you about church size, congregations in transition, managing change, and more specifically about some of the recent conflicts regarding the religious education program.  Nancy is particularly savvy about congregational systems and healthy practices for thriving Religious Education programs.  Nancy will do her focused on-site work with us on August 12 and 13.  She will confer with various groups and individuals, but you all can play your part by joining the open conversation on August 12. 

 

August 12, 6:30 PM.  "Open Conversation with Nancy Heege" after a presentation on church size, transitions in churches, and change management, Nancy will invite questions and comments.

 

Nancy will meet with both individuals and groups during her time here and invite them to share their experiences, thoughts, hopes and concerns for the religious education of our children and our youth.  She will take some time after her on-site experience to synthesize what she has heard.  She will prepare a written to report to share her insights and make some suggestions for sustaining and strengthening our vibrant religious education program.  

 

We are finalizing a few other meeting times for those two days that might offer more focused opportunities for conversation.  We will keep you posted on these opportunities in the Friday Updates and the next Prologue.  This an good moment to gather our thoughts and hopes for a strong and dynamic program that will benefit our children, and children and youth for many generations to come.  We can learn much from both the ways that we minister well together and from practices that might not serve as well in the future.  May a spirit of open and honest inquiry be a benefit to us all!  I hope you will join us on August 12, and be open to what our explorations might teach us.

 

See you soon,

 

Doug 

 

The Reverend Douglas Wadkins

Interim Minister

 

Our Folks...

     Our hearts and thoughts go out to Doris  Wittenburg and family.  Doris's brother, James "Bubba" Wittenburg, died of a heart attack from the stress of serious injuries sustained in a bicycle accident late June.

     Many blessings and congratulations to Chris Hanna and Erica Whichello, who recently became engaged to be married.

 


Report from Our Delegates to UUA General Assembly in Portland

 

Julie and Doug Cauble and I were privileged to represent The UU Church of Bloomington as delegates to the 54th annual Unitarian Untversalist Association General Assembly in Portland, Oregon. About 4,500 UU-ers from around the country met to discuss and conduct business on the many areas of interest and concern.

 

Throughout the General Sessions concepts of tolerance and inclusivity were emphasized. Tolerance of each other within the group as well as tolerance of those outside the group. A highlight was the large, loud and spontaneous reaction of joy to the Supreme Court ruling on marriage equality.

 

An outstanding component was the exhibit hall. There were all kinds of exhibitors from UU-Buddhists, UU-Christians, and UU-Jewish members to the UU Animal Ministry group. All were offering insights into their respective relationship to the UU movement. Beacon Press was there in full force, offering many opportunities to learn more about our church.

 

Hearing Congressman John Lewis and Cornel West was a particular high point. Both were very effective speakers in delivering the message that we are responsible for caring for all and respecting all.

 

Thank you again for the opportunity. Next year the GA will be in Columbus, Ohio, just a pleasant drive away, so plan on attending.  --Marlin Howard

 


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.  For information on our youth programming, please contact Reverend Emily Manvel Leite, our Minister of Religious Education, at [email protected]
--Adrienne Summerlot, Director of Religious Education, [email protected]

Travel in Time, Summer Religious Education for K-8th grade
We have had a blast so far in 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. 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 Dancing with us on July 24

       Come and learn gumboot dancing with with Ellyn Barham this summer! We'll meet on 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.  

Remodeling Project for Upper Religious Education Wing Now Complete

We are still shifting furniture and pianos, but the remodeling of the Upper R.E. Wing is essentially complete, resulting in two nice big rooms for meetings and classes, Rooms 208 and 210. Rooms 110 ans 112 downstairs are being repainted and refurnished to accommodate smaller gatherings. Thanks to all for your patience and flexibility during the past few weeks.

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. 

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 6:00

Kris Roehling leads weekly Conscious Contact Meditation from 6:00 o 7:00 p.m. in the Library (or sometimes in Room 210). This event provides insight meditation supporting recovery in all forms.  

Taiji Continues on Tuesdays and Saturdays

Brian Flaherty leads Taiji in Fellowship Hall on Tuesdays at 6:15 p.m. and Saturdays at 10:15 a.m. (No class July 25.) This form practices the "Wu (Hao)" style of taijiquan, including practice of standing exercises, forms, and "pushing hands." Anyone is welcome, even those with no experience. Wear loose-fitting clothing.

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

 

First Steps Class for Newcomers - Sunday, August 2

First Steps is a 40-minute drop-in class for newcomers, offered one Sunday a month at 10:35am and 12:35pm in Room 207-B.  It offers a brief introduction to Unitarian Universalism and our congregation.  Free childcare available in Room 108 (substantial snack provided for children at 12:35 p.m.).  Questions? Contact Shari Woodbury, Connections Coordinator, connect@uubloomington.org,812-332-3695

 

 

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 opportunity is Sunday August 9th, at 10:30am in room 207B.  (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 Shari Woodbury, Connections Coordinator, at 332-3695 or [email protected], by Wednesday, August 5th.

 

Attention Artists! Holiday Bazaar Applications are Due September 1

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

 

Family to Family Class on Mental Illness Offered Starting September 2

NAMI (National Association for Mental Illness) Family to Family Class is a free 12-week course offered to families of individuals with serious and persistent mental illness.  It will provide knowledge and skills family members need when faced with problems of mental illness.  The class is being offered through our Adult Religious Education program, and will begin on September 2 and conclude on November 18.  Registration is required.  For information and registration, call Cyndi Nelson 812-323-2453 or Cathy Korinek 812-339-6168. 

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.


Religious Education 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 children, contact Adrienne Summerlot, [email protected] 

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.

 

Seeking Legal Advisor for Our Congregation

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, [email protected] or Rev. Mary Ann Macklin. 

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

 

UU History for You

 

Robert Millikan and the Shaping of the American Model of Academic Science

Robert Millikan (1868-1953) was born in Morrison, Illinois.  His father was a Congregational minister and his mother a school administrator.  Millikan attended Oberlin College and enjoyed physical science and learned advanced physics on his own.  He attended Columbia University and the University of Chicago, getting a PhD in 1895. He then went to Europe and got excited by the new studies of the atom. He was appointed to the University of Chicago Physics Department.  He taught introductory physics, writing a bestselling text (over one million copies sold). In 1907, he devised experiments to measure the charge of an electron and showed it had a unit charge or multiples of that charge which helped to characterize the planetary model of electrons circling the nuclear atom. His work was published in 1913.   Some ten years later he received the Nobel Prize for this work.  He also tested properties of light, expecting evidence for waves and instead he confirmed Einstein's interpretation that light consisted of photons.  He came to Caltech in 1921, and made its physics department world-class. He organized a petition drive for scientists to support Darwinian evolution during the anti-evolution trial of Tennessee in 1925. He was conservative, Republican in his politics, and he shifted science to serve government especially its military needs. He believed in "self-sufficiency" in achieving one's goals and fell out of favor during the Roosevelt years and the Great Depression. He was active as a Unitarian with his wife and family and served as president of the Neighborhood Church in Pasadena.  Except for his Nobel work, his reputation has faded.

 

--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

Community Connections

Our Faith in Action in the Community 

 

Shalom Community Center Crowdfunding Campaign

The Shalom Community Center has launched a crowdfunding campaign to help raise the funds for a public  art project  to be located in front of Shalom on S. Walnut Street. Crowd funding is carried out on the internet and the campaign can be found here. Our Homelessness Task Force, chaired by Alan Backler, encourages you to support this project. Further details here.

 

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

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, August 2 at 12:45 p.m. in (the new) Room 208, after the second service Religious Education program ends. The topic is,

"Freedom-Security-Tyranny," presented by Betty Wagoner.

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. UU Freethinkers meet on alternating Sundays after children's religious education classes end, in (the new) Room 208. 

UU Freethinkers meet next on Sunday, July 26, at 12:00 noon. 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 
For pastoral emergencies, please call his home study number, 812-369-4179 

 

 

 


   


Reverend Emily Manvel Leiteour Minister of Religious Education 
can be reached at 812-332-3695, ext. 203 
on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 
For pastoral emergencies, please call her at home, 812-333-9822. Reverend Leite is away until July 27.

   

 

  

 

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, July 12                   10:15   159;   RE: 55            Total:  214

Sunday, July 19                   10:15   176;   RE: 28            Total:  204

Non-Pledge Offering

7/12 - $262        7/19 - $365

Total to be donated to Monroe County CASA - 156.65

Grocery Card Sales

July 12       $400, income to UUCB $20.00            July 19       $500, income to UUCB $25.00

We hope to participate in Lucky's Grocery store's grocery card program soon!

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 

In the left hand column, click on "Calendar" and then on the top link on the page. Information is also available on our public Facebook page: www.facebook.com/uubloomington  

Prologue Publication Schedule

Next issue, Monday, August 3. 

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 for Monday holidays. Next few publication dates:  8/3, 8/17, 9/8 (a Tuesday), 9/21, 10/5, 10/19.
Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, 2120 N. Fee Lane, Bloomington IN 47408, 812-332-3695  

Masthead Photo by John Woodcock