The Prologue
Monday, October 19, 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

 

Coming of Age Reunion

10/30

 

El Dia de los Muertos 11/1

Blood Drive 11/1

 

Age of Reason 11/8 


 

Quick Links
Ministerial Search
From Our Interim
Our Folks...
Coming of Age Reunion
First Steps Class
Bazaar Volunteers
Cookies!
Gourmet Galaxy
Fiber Arts
Book Sale
Children's Choir
Women's Alliance
Church Directory
Blood Drive
Divestment from Fossil Fuels
Clothing Swap
Habitat Work Day
Building Maintenance

Sunday, October 25, 2015    9:15 and 11:15 a.m.
"The Messiness of Letting Go"
The Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
       In this worship service Reverend Macklin will share insights, delights and termites from a training which addressed contemplative practices and letting go.  Rachel Naomi Remen, a teacher at the training, states, "Healing may not be so much about getting better, as about letting go of everything that isn't you---all of the expectations and all of the beliefs---and becoming who you are."   Sounds easy enough, but be forewarned, things could get messy!
       Our Choir will sing "The Paper Reeds by the Brook" by Randall Thompson, text from Isaiah. 


Sunday, November 1, 2015    9:15 and 11:15 a.m.
"Ancestors: Who Has Loved You to This Place?" 
El Dia de los Muertos
The Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
The Reverend Douglas Wadkins
The Reverend Emily Manvel Leite
     In this annual "El Dia de los Muertos: Day of the Dead" worship service, we will remember our personal and congregational ancestors.  As Unitarian Universalists we honor All Souls on this special day with ritual, remembrance and music.
    You are invited to bring a picture or small memento of an ancestor, loved one or beloved pet that has died;  a special altar will be created during the worship service, when the children are still in the sanctuary with us, to celebrate those who have given us love and life.
     Our Choir will sing "Hold On (to the Rock of Ages)" a traditional spiritual, with Sophie Krahnke, soloist.

Ministerial Search Committee - Gratitude and Appreciation
Thank you to everyone who attended one of the 15 Cottage Meetings held in the last 2 months and to the hundreds of you that completed our survey.  Our next task is to compile all this information and discern what it reveals about our congregation.  Thank you all for your time, your thoughts, and your support.

The Ministerial Search Committee, 
Michelle Cook, Mary Boutain, Stuart Yoak, Abby Gitlitz, Amy Taylor, Craig Coley, and Barbara Backler                         uucbmsc@gmail.com

MAM's Musings
     On Saturday, October 24, 2015 at the Bloomington-Monroe County Convention Center, the Monroe County Religious Leaders and Monroe County United Ministries, both of which we are deeply connected to, will hold a Building Bridges Symposium.   This free community event is being held to to gain insight as to how society has drifted toward an attitude of incivility and how we, as good citizens, can use and advocate for civil discourse to find common ground in a challenging world.
        Former member of the United States House of Representatives, the Honorable Lee Hamilton, will deliver a keynote address on political incivility and will be followed by an address on religious incivility from the Reverend Mark Fenstermacher of our local First United Methodist Church. The event will also host two panel discussions including Matt Pierce, Vi Simpson, and the keynote speakers, moderated by Herald Times Editor in Chief, Bob Zaltsberg. There  will will also be a civil discourse demonstration by Indiana University's Ethics Bowl Team with an overview by Stuart Yoak from our Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington!
 
            When:  Saturday, October 24, 2015   8:45am-2:15pm
            What: The Civility Solution:  Finding Common Ground in a Challenging World
            Where:  Monroe County Convention Center, 305 S College Avenue
            Cost:  Free Attendance---There will be Food Trucks nearby for lunch purchase.

Please let me know if you plan to attend--macklin@uubloomington.org

        As we move deeper into the 21st century, we as a congregation, a community, and a country within a global community, face multiple issues:  from climate change to racial justice, from a failing health care system to reproductive justice, from economic disparity to the refugee crisis, and so many more real life issues affecting real people.  Finding common ground through civil discourse is a key to creating change in a challenging world.   Again, I hope you will attend.

Peace, 
   MAM
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin 

Our Folks...
     We mourn the passing of member Jim Miller, who died on October 4; our thoughts are with Jeanette and family. A memorial service was held for Jim on October 17, with Reverend Macklin presiding. Our thanks again to Jim for the outdoor sanctuary he created several years ago near our east parking lot.
     Our healing thoughts are with Edrice Baker, recovering from recent surgery at Bell Trace.
     Congratulations to Shari Woodbury, longtime member and Connections Coordinator of our congregation, who saw the Ministerial Fellowship Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Association in Boston earlier this month. She was warmly welcomed into Preliminary Fellowship as a UU minister.  
 
Calling past participants in Coming of Age:
We are having a reunion on October 30!  
Anyone who has participated in Coming of Age in our congregation is welcome--bring your mentor or mentee if you can, and join us for:
Potluck and Pumpkin Carving (BYOP)
Friday, October 30, 6-8PM
Did you participate in Coming of Age last year?  The year before?  Many years ago?  We hope you will get back in touch with your mentor/mentee and come to Fellowship Hall for food and spooky, silly or surprising pumpkin art--the more the merrier! Please let Reverend Emily Manvel Leite know you're coming (mre@uubloomington.org) so we will have enough carving tools.  She can also help track down contact information if you need it. 

Age of Reason Ceremony Sunday November 8th
Parents of registered first graders, this is an opportunity to share in a special ritual with your child during our Time For All Ages. If you have not received an informational letter by Friday, October 23, please contact Adrienne Summerlot, dre@uubloomington.org If you need to register your child, please fill in the google form found here.

Family Friendly New Year's Eve, December 31st
We are looking forward to a fun, family friendly New Year's Eve celebration again this year. If you would like to help plan this year's festivities, please contact Adrienne Summerlot dre@uubloomington.org 







Our Whole Lives (OWL) classes offered for Elementary Grades in January
Elementary Age OWL sexuality education classes will be offered on Thursday evenings in January and February of 2016. There will be a class for 1st and 2nd graders and a class for 4th and 5th graders. Parents: please mark your calendars and plan to attend a mandatory informational meeting on Sunday, December 6th from 12:30-1:30pm OR Thursday, December 17th from 6:30-7:30pm. Childcare is available upon request. For more information click here. 



Seeking The Spirit
First Steps Class - Sunday, Nov. 1
First Steps is a 40-minute drop-in class for newcomers, one Sunday a month at 10:35am and 12:35pm in Room 207b.  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.  
 

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 to 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 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 8:00 a.m. 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. Please wear loose-fitting clothing.

Our Congregational Themes

 

January:     Integrity                May:      Tradition         September:  Invitation

February:   Faith                     June:     Grace             October:  Letting Go

March:       Resilience             July:     Here & Now    November:  Ancestry

April:          Revelation            August:  Wonder         December:  Expectation

  


 

Building Community
Bazaar Volunteers Needed!
We will need more than 150 volunteer shifts filled for the Holiday Bazaar, December 4 and 5. It takes a lot of people, but each shift is only a couple of hours. There is a job to suit anyone's interests and it is so much fun! Sign up in Fellowship Hall between services any Sunday beginning October 25 or contact Melinda Pettijohn, Melinda.Pettijohn@gmail.com .
Holiday Bazaar!
ATTN:  Cookie Bakers!
      October has arrived!  For Unitarian Universalists of Bloomington that announces  autumnal winds and amazing colors AND the all important UU Holiday Art Fair and Bazaar, one of our largest fundraisers.  If you are new to our congregation
that may not conjure up the vision of cookies, lasagna, used books, white elephants and local artisans.  BUT - to a lot of UUs-this elicits the urge to bake! Plan some baking sessions, and talk with friends and family about how you can do your part for this year's bazaar. Questions? Contact Mary Jo Conley 988-6130 or brwnbeyond@msn.com or Julie Lawson at juliakarin.j8@gmail.com
Get your recipes ready! Gourmet Galaxy!
Each year, members of the community look forward to the wonderful holiday treats that are generously donated and sold at our Bazaar's Gourmet Galaxy.  This year you are encouraged to make an international treat, if you feel inspired.  Do you have a special traditional treat in your family?  Start looking at recipes and be ready to sign up to donate, starting October 25th between services in the Fellowship Hall.  Ann LeDuc and Molly Gleeson, Co-chairs
Calling All Fiber Artists! Yes! It's time to knit, crochet, felt, weave or quilt your magical projects for the Hunger Task Force Fiber Arts Booth at the Holiday Bazaar. Proceeds from the sale of these items will help fight hunger in 
our community. Place your finished items in the drop box in the Commons. Questions? Contact Anne Graham, aegraham@indiana.edu
Read and Recycle
Support the Holiday Bazaar Book Sale!  Cull through your library and find those books you are ready to pass along to another reader.  DVD's and CD's also welcome but please no VHS tapes, magazines or sheet music. For ease of shelving, please sort books by fiction/nonfiction.  Drop your items off at the church beginning Sunday, November 29 after 1 p.m. until Thursday, December 3 before noon.  Please, no book donations after Thursday, December 3 at 12:00!  Questions? Contact Abby at abdowney46@gmail.com or 812-824-7755.   
UU Children's Choir Upcoming Schedule, Fall 2015
Sun. Nov 1: Rehearse, 10:30-11:00 Rm 110
Sun. Nov 8: Rehearse, 10:30-11:00 Rm 110
THURS. Nov. 12: Extra Rehearsal, 7:00-7:30pm Meet in Fellowship Hall, end in Meeting Room (Sanctuary) to rehearse with Adult Choir
Sun. Nov. 15: SING at Intergenerational Thanksgiving Services: sing at end of 1st service and beginning of 2nd service. Meet to warm up/rehearse at 9:45; Rm 110 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sun. Dec. 13: Rehearse, 10:30-11:00 Rm 110
Sun. Dec 20: Rehearse 10:30-11:00 Rm 110
Sun. Dec. 20: SING at evening Winter Solstice Service: Rehearse at 5:55 pm in the Meeting Room (Sanctuary).  Service at 6:15, lasts 45-60 min.   
Woman's Alliance Meets November 5
     We enjoyed a great October Women's Alliance meeting. The topic was: UU Church of Bloomington delegates at 2015 UUA General Assembly in Portland, Oregon, with Marlin Howard, Doug Cauble and Julie Cauble.
     November 5, 2015 meeting will be Mothers Hubbard's Cupboard with Amanda Nickey. Not a member? No problem; all are welcome to attend. Hosts will be Anna Wiley and Ann Kamman.
Women's Alliance meets the first Thursday of the month at 11:30 AM in Fellowship Hall at the UU Church of Bloomington.  Meetings begin with a brown bag lunch; drinks and dessert are provided.  The program begins, at noon, followed by the business meeting.
Caregiver Support Network Meeting November 1
The Caregiver Support Network will meet Sunday, November 1 from 3:00-4:30 p.m. in the Library.  If you are you caring for an elder or person with a disability either here or from a distance, we would like to hear from you about the challenges of caregiving as well as the gifts it brings; support you have or need; and resources available. Info contact Sharon Yarber at 336-4427 or yarbersharon766@gmail.com
UU History for You
SOPHIA LYON FAHS AND THE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION OF UU CHILDREN
     Sophia (nee Lyon) Fahs (1876-1978) was born in China, the child of missionary parents.  They returned to Ohio where she was raised in a conservative Christian environment.  From an early age she felt committed to being a missionary like her parents.  She attended Wooster College in Massachusetts and then went to the University of Chicago against the advice of some of her religious advisors who felt it was a hotbed of liberalism.  They were right. She was attracted to the ideas of John Dewey and his ideas of progressive education.  She thought teaching Sunday school using the Bible as a text was not effective because children were being indoctrinated rather than discovering their religious beliefs.  She felt they should be exposed to moral narratives and examples and learn what different people believed before they began assimilating Bible stories and their significance. 
     Fahs also liked the new scholarship on the way the books of the Bible were written and assembled into a canon.  She wrote articles and books to express her ideas and continued her education at Columbia University's Teachers College which was Dewey's next center of influence. Despite her Methodist identification she was hired by Beacon Press and became their editor for books on religious education.  She also was ordained as a Unitarian minister in 1945. In her long life (101 years) she wrote numerous books for children and religious education for children.  Most of her ideas became part of religious education thinking for UU training programs.
 
--Elof Carlson, Congregational Historian

Church Directories Now Available

Members and friends are invited to pick up a new paper directory in Room 204. They will not be mailed -- too big and heavy! Available Sunday mornings and weekdays 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. This information is constantly updated online and is available there for members 24/7. If you need help logging on, contact Monica or Deeva at office@uubloomington.org or 812-332-3695, ext. 204. 

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

Attendance and Membership
Current Membership: 483   Certified Membership as of 2/1/2015: 468 
Attendance
Sunday, October 11                          9:15   95 ;     11:15 168 ;    RE: 73            Total:  336
Sunday, October 18                          9:15  82 ;      11:15  154;    RE: NA           Total:  236
Non-Pledge Offering
10/11 - $538
10/18 - $388
Total to be donated to Monroe County CASA - $231.07
Grocery Card Sales
October 11     $700, income to UUCB $35.00
October 18     $975, income to UUCB $48.75
Changing the World
Red Cross Blood Drive November 1
Remember to make an appointment to give blood on November 1. The Red Cross bus will be here in our parking lot on Sunday, November 1 from 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon. Use this link to schedule an appointment. Click on the arrow next to UU Bloomington and choose an appointment time. Contact Steve Mascari at giveblood@uubloomington.org if you have questions.
Results of Town Hall Meeting on Divestment
     On September 26th the Special Purposes Fund (SPF) Committee held a Town Hall meeting for dialog on the potential for fossil-fuel divestment of SPF assets. A variety of exceptionally thoughtful, impassioned, and articulate arguments were heard regarding both the potential benefits and the drawbacks of divestment. The Committee greatly values these added perspectives and expresses its gratitude to those in attendance.
     It will take some additional time for the Committee to complete information gathering and weigh the resulting options in light of the Church's mission. Whatever the Committee's initial action, its options will remain open in this matter. If at any time you would like to contribute information or perspectives related to divestment, please do so by emailing spf@uubloomington.org or directly contacting the chair, Chris Haynes, or any other SPF Committee member.      
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 next on Sunday, October 25 at 12:45 p.m. in Room 208 after children's classes end, when the topic is  "Teaching Values to Our Children" presented by Denise Ogren. If you would like to see a list of upcoming topics through December, click here.
Green Sanctuary Task Force 
Fall Clothing Swap October 31
     The Green Sanctuary Task Force encourages us to examine our habits of consumption.  What do we buy? Where does it come from? What happens to it when we're finished with it? What impact does our consumption have on the earth and its inhabitants?
     Twice yearly, we hold a Clothing Swap as an alternative to buying new clothes.  This fall's Swap is Saturday, October 31 from10:00 am until 12:00 noon, with drop-off starting at 9:30 am. If it would be helpful to you to have childcare provided for this event, please contact Stephanie Kimball (Kimball.stephanie@gmail.com) by October 14.
     Also, remember that the dynamic people on our Green Sanctuary Task Force have posted information on our website about ALL the work they are doing here and in our community. 
Habitat Work Day with Area 10 on October 24
On October 24th the UU Habitat for Humanity Task Force will partner with Area 10 Agency on Aging to provide home repairs to area residents in need. If you have skills in any of the areas listed below, we need you!  Breakfast will be provided at 8 AM at Bell Trace and everyone will be done well before noon.  If interested, there are also volunteer opportunities in Spencer too.
Please contact Ann LeDuc at a_leduc@msn.com to volunteer.
* Installing and replacing hand rails on porches and interior walls
* Patching cracked concrete 
* Installing grab bars in a shower
* Replacing decking
* Repairing tile floors
* Widening door frames and hanging doors

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, November 1, at 12:45 p.m. Info, contact John Crosby.   

Community Connections
Our Faith in Action in the Community
UU Freethinkers Group Enjoys Free Ranging Discussion 

Jewish Theatre of Bloomington Presents "Collected Stories" Oct 24, 25, 29, 31
at the Waldron Rose Firebay on October 24, 29, 31 at 7:30 pm and on October 25 at 3 pm. There will be "talk backs" aftter the Octer 25 and 29 performance. TIckets available $20 at the Buskirk-Chumley Box Office. more info at http://www.jewishtheatrebloomington.org/

The Accidental Mayor by Tomilea Allison and James Allison (2015), reviewed by Reverend Barbara Carlson    This engaging account of a mayor who transformed a small university city with a dying downtown into a flourishing city with a vibrant community life is a splendid textbook for anyone aspiring to public office.  It is testimony to the power of inspired leadership, determination, and hard work, along with humanity, wit, creativity, and love, to affect the quality of city government, and the lives of its citizens.  Mayor Allison served as consultant by request to several U.S. cities and received Special Recognition from the U.S. Conference of Mayors (1993).

Meals on Wheels volunteers needed in Bloomington area, two hours once a month. See this link for info on volunteering https://meals-on-wheels.com/volunteer-meals-wheels 


Contact a Minister
    
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin, our Senior Minister 
can be reached at 812-332-3695, ext. 201 on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons



 

 
 
Doug-2015
Our Interim Minister,     
Reverend Douglas Wadkins 
can be reached at 812-332-3695, ext. 207 on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons 
email: wadkins@uubloomington.org
    In case of a pastoral emergency after office hours, 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 Monday and Friday mornings. 
 
   

  

Who Ya Gonna Call about Building Problems and 
Facilities Maintenance?
If you notice a problem with the building, please contact Carol Marks, Church Administrator, admin@uubloomington.org, 812-332-3695, ext. 200, and she will contact the experts to get it taken care of.

Facilities Maintenance Update
Here are some details on recent facilities maintenance activities.
Repair of Office Entrance  Wood over doorway which had rotted from before we had a porch roof has been replaced. Thank you, Steve Pollitt!
Carpeting on Extra Platform and Room 207B has been installed. Thanks, Bob Robertson!
New parking delineator posts installed. Thank you Jim Tarnowski!
Lots of mulch Moved to Flower Beds on October 18. Thank you Grounds Committee and helpers!

Weekday office hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday hours: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
--Carol Marks, Church Administrator
Office Closed November 11
Church offices will be closed Wednesday, November 11 for the federal holiday.  
Livestreaming of Sunday Services
Livestreaming the Sunday Services Link:   uubloomington.yourstreamlive.com
We have been having problems with our livestreaming equipment--sorry for the inconvenience. We are working on it!
As archived videos of service become available they will also be at the link listed above.
If there is a problem with livestreaming, please contact Andy Beargie, Multi-media Specialist, media@uubloomington.org

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 or Click Right Here. Information is also available on our public Facebook page: www.facebook.com/uubloomington  You do not need a Facebook account to read our page.

Prologue Publication Schedule

Next issue, Monday, November 2. 

Deadline for articles about congregational events and projects is 10 a.m. on date of publication, to admin@uubloomington.org. The Prologue is published on the first and third Mondays of each month, with exceptions for Monday holidays. Upcoming publication dates:  11/2, 11/16, 12/7, 12/21, 1/4, 1/19, 2/1, 2/16 (a Tuesday).
Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, 2120 N. Fee Lane, Bloomington IN 47408, 812-332-3695  

Masthead Photo by Judy Bennett