The Prologue
Monday, December 7, 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

 

Procession of Giving 12/13

 

Fall Congregational Mtg 12/13, 4:00 p.m.

 

Solstice Service 12/20

 

Christmas Eve Services

4 p.m., 7 p.m.

 

Quick Links
Board Update
Search Committee Update
Ministerial Reflections
Our Folks
Become a Member
New Books
Women's Alliance
Forum on Incarceration
Energy Star UU!
Sunday, December 13, 2015    9:15 and 11:15 a.m.
"The Trees of the Dancing Goats"
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite, Reverend Mary Ann Macklin, and 
Reverend Douglas Wadkins
In this story-based service for all ages, we will share Patricia Polacco's tale of expectation, disappointment, and the possibility of hope through community. The celebration will include drama (featuring our ministers and youth), time for quiet reflection and singing, kindling the Hanukkah lights, and a joyful congregational parade as we offer our gifts for people in need.
**For this special service, please bring a gift if this is possible for you.  We are collecting:
* Mittens, hats, and socks for adults or children 
* Toiletries, tissues, hairbrushes
* Snack food (cereal, crackers) suitable for a classroom
* Guest at Your Table boxes (please write a check payable to "UUSC" for the amount you've collected)
* The gifts you selected from our Giving Tree
Everyone will be invited to contribute a "golden gift" of money, in amounts large or small, to benefit the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee.**    
Sunday, December 20, 2015    9:15 and 11:15 a.m.
"The Tao of Winter" 
Reverend Douglas Wadkins
Maybe Reverend Macklin
       This service partners with the evening Solstice service to explore the dynamic forces that are part of this season, with a special nod to wisdom of Eastern thought and perhaps a gentle nod to Star Wars spirituality.
       Of note, Reverend Macklin, an admitted Star Trek Snob, may or may not participate in this service, depending on whether she can get over herself.  Please do join us for this worship service and, for those of you who can, our evening Solstice Service as we embrace the wisdom of earth-based spirituality.  
Sunday, December 20, 2015    6:15 p.m.
"Winter Solstice Celebration for All Ages"
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite, 
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin,
Reverend Douglas Wadkins, 
with special music by Ray Fellman and our 
UU Children's Choir
Come share in a quiet, reflective service celebrating the returning sun. We will fully inhabit this place on our planet as we join together in a candlelit spiral procession and reconnect with the earth and its natural cycles. Childcare for very young children available in Room 108. 
Thursday, December 24, 2015   
Away in a Manager Service 4:00 p.m.
This Christmas Eve service in Fellowship Hall is an interactive Christmas Pageant designed for families with young children and for those young at heart.
 
Candlelight Christmas Eve Service 7:00 p.m.
Join us for this uniquely Unitarian Universalist celebration of Christmas Eve. Our choir, with guest conductor Ray Fellman, will share gifts of music. The service will end with congregational singing of Silent Night. 
Pat Brantlinger, Von Welch, Deb Hutton, Ann LeDuc, Kathleen Sideli, Doug Cauble, Arzetta Hults-Losensky
The Congregational Meeting is next Sunday, December 13 at 4 pm!
    We hope that everyone in the congregation will join us for the Congregational Meeting at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 13th. These meetings represent an important way for the congregation to stay abreast of and guide the critical business of running UUCB. We will hear updates from the Ministerial Search Committee, responses to the consultant's report, and reports from some social justice task forces, the Special Purpose Funds committee, and a committee that has been examining options to reduce glare from the round window in the Meeting Room. Motions to the congregation members for a vote will include an update of the purpose for the Leonard Lundin funds and long-term goals for the congregation with regards to our carbon neutrality. All members and friends are welcome to attend. We look forward to seeing you.

OFFICIAL NOTICE OF CONGREGATIONAL MEETING (2nd notice)
Fall Congregational Meeting
Sunday, December 13, 2015 at 4:00 p.m.
in the Meeting Room, 2120 N. Fee Lane, Bloomington
Childcare provided.
Ministerial Search Committee 
       The Ministerial Search Committee will report on progress in the search for our new Associate Minister at the Congregational Meeting on December 13 at 4:00 p.m. Don't miss it!
-- Barbara Backler, Mary Boutain, Craig Coley, Michelle Cook, Abby Gitlitz, Amy Taylor, Stuart Yoak.   
Doug-2015
What Do You Expect of Life?
     December brings a new theme for us to explore together - "Expectation."  We bring a myriad of expectations to our lived moments.  It is human and natural, but are we aware of these expectations?  Do we know the power they hold, and do we make choices that seek to synchronize our deeper values with our expectation?  In my own life, the honest answer is, sometimes, at best. This month, we will offer you various opportunities to explore what you expect of your life. But the essence of the exploration asks us to do some inner work as well.   I would like to share some recommended resources to assist in our journey into expectation.  Each of them asks you to look at what you expect from this moment, this time, this life, and to assess how that exploration is deepening your connection to the essence of life.  These were compiled by other congregations also exploring this ideas. These recommendations include links, so if you are not online and reading this, you might want to go to our website to view the online edition of the Prologue. That way you can follow these links more easily.
      The first resource is a ten-minute clip from the 2005 Commencement speech by David Foster Wallace, in which he explores the choices we make in ordinary moments that shape how we see our lives; it is called "This is Water."  https://dotsub.com/view/6b8cc93f-3b53-486b-a1ce-025ffe6c9c52 
      I invite you to return to the link a couple of times and see what thoughts result.
     The second resource builds on the comments in my homily from December 6. This time of year can be a season of complicated and difficult expectations.  What if you shaped your own expectations of this time with greater intention and accord with your own deeper values?  Here are links that offer some ways to explore this season through ritual.
       Take a look and give one of them a try.   I invite you to share with me and each other what you discover. 
     Finally, I invite you to visit this site to read an example of a "Perhaps" poem. The poem explores a variety of assumptions about life and turns them on their ear. (Some I agree with more than others, but is certainly thought-provoking)  If you were going to playfully add to these thoughts here, what might that look like?  http://www.beyond-the-pale.uk/perhaps.htm
     I hope that one or more of these resources sparks some exploration during this month as we consider, as a community,  the theme of expectation.
With warmth in the heart of winter,     
      Doug
The Reverend Douglas Wadkins, Interim Minister
Our Folks...
Our thoughts of sympathy and healing are with the friends and family of Paul Lane, who died on November 21. We recently received this note from Tori McKillip, Paul's daughter:  "I want to thank all of you who gave of themselves to befriend my Daddy and Dee during the time they spent in your company, whether it be at the church, at her nursing home or at his home. He valued your friendships and was always appreciative of the time you spent with him. He felt your love. He was fortunate to have so many friends and I took comfort in knowing he was being well taken care of. His independence was fiercely important to him and thankfully he was able fulfill that wish. I miss him terribly, but know he's with his beloved Dee, his mother, his brother, his son, and a host of other loved ones who went before him. There will be a memorial in time, but for now, please accept our gratitude.  Love, Tori and Aaron McKillip" 
Seeking The Spirit
Ready to become a member of UU Bloomington?
Do you feel at home here and consider this your community?  Then join us!  If you would like to make the commitment and become a member of UU Bloomington, the next opportunity is Sunday, Dec. 20, 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, or for questions, please contact Shari Woodbury, Connections Coordinator, at 332-3695 or connect@uubloomington.org, by Wednesday, Dec. 16.  

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.

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.
Recent Additions to Our Booktable
The Booktable is open for book sales between services each Sunday in Fellowship Hall, 10:30-11:00 a.m. Glee Noble is chair, gleenoble@yahoo.com
1.  Blue Mind, by Wallace J Nichols 
2. One True Thing, by Anna Quindlen 
3. Let's Be Less Stupid, by Patricia Marx 
4. Torn, by Justin Lee 
5. The Selfish Gene, by Richard Dawkins 
6. Creating Moments Of Joy For the Person with Alzheimer's or Dementia, by Jolene Brackey
7. Relax, It's Just God: How and Why to Talk to Your Kids About Religion When You're Not Religious, by Wendy T Russell 
8. THE ACCIDENTAL MAYOR, by Tomilea Allison.
9. Between the World and Me, 
by Ta-Nehisi Coates. See the conversation about this book in the latest UU World magazine (Winter 2015), pages 50-53. It was a NYTimes Bestseller this past summer. 

Our Congregational Themes

December:   Expectation       April:  Creation

January 2016:     Integrity        May:   Blessing  

February:   Desire                   June:   Simplicity

March:       Liberation 

Building Community
COOKIE BAKERS UNITED!
To all who baked, sold and bought COOKIES:  Awesome job everyone! 
We had a great selection and we completely sold out!
Our cookie customers were very impressed and sugar saturated and happy. 
The Cookie Walk Committee thanks you, the Bazaar organizers thank you and
our church thanks you.  You were a hit! Your cookie committee, Mary Jo Conley and Meg Sears 
Thank you from Gourmet Galaxy
We are full of gratitude for the generous donations of wonderful treats, time, and work that made this year's Gourmet Galaxy a huge success! It would not have been possible without your generosity. Thank you! Ann LeDuc and Molly Gleeson, Co-chairs
UU History for You
Ida Maud Cannon and the origins of hospital social work
Ida Maud Cannon (1877-1960) was born in Wisconsin to a Calvinist father who was a railroad executive and to her mother who was a teacher.  Ida was four years old when her mother died of tuberculosis.  Her father believed his children should read widely and use their reasoning to arrive at their beliefs.  Their home was filled with books.  He also took them on numerous trips using his free railroad pass.  Her father quit business and became a physician.  This led Ida to take up nursing.  While her family moved to Minnesota she served as a nurse for severely retarded children and adults and this made her aware of the poor conditions in which they were housed as well as the equally disturbing home lives they had experienced. She was inspired by Jane Addams' Hull House and began a program of listening to her patients and finding housing, jobs, and support groups to help the impoverished, the tubercular, those with sexually transmitted diseases, and those with work related injuries.  She wrote textbooks on social services for the physically and mentally ill and was recruited by Massachusetts General Hospital to organize and train medical social workers, a field in which she pioneered.  Her brother Walter B. Cannon became a world renowned physiologist teaching at Harvard.  It was he, a Unitarian, who convinced Ida to go Unitarian services with him; she too abandoned her childhood Calvinism. 
  --Elof Carlson, Congregational Historian
UU Children's Choir Upcoming Schedule, Fall 2015
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.   
Women's Alliance Meets January 7 
     We had a wonderful December meeting with Ray Fellman and four of his Music Students.  Ray played the piano and the students sang beautiful seasonal favorites. Thanks to our hosts Judy Bennett and Mary Bent for the lovely desserts and festive decorations.
     The next meeting will be January 7, 2016. This month will be "Fellowship with The Women's Alliance." Please join us for brown bag lunch, conversation and dessert.  Hosts will be Julie Lawson and Harriet Pfister.
     Not a member? No problem; all are welcome to attend.
     The Women's Alliance meets the first Thursday of each month at 11:30 am at the church, unless otherwise indicated. Meetings begin with a brown bag lunch; drinks and dessert are provided. The program begins at noon, followed by the business meeting.

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: 482   Certified Membership as of 2/1/2015: 468 
Attendance
Sunday, November 22          9:15   108      11:15 163     RE: 80            Total:  351
Sunday, November 29          9:15  NA        11:15  NA     RE: 92            Total:    92
Sunday, December 6            9:15  156       11:15 245     RE: 86            Total:  487
Non-Pledge Offering
11/22  - $610       11/29   - $723       12/6 - $817
Total to be donated to Monroe County CASA - $537.47
Grocery Card Sales
November 22            $1,275, income to UUCB $65.75
November 29            $1.400, income to UUCB $70.00
December 6              $1,175, income to UUCB $61.25 
Changing the World
Forum on Incarceration Dec. 10
     The Hope for Prisoners task force and the South  Central Indiana Jobs with Justice are co-sponsoring a forum on "Incarceration in America," Dec. 10, 7:00 p.m., in the  City Council Chambers.  This has become a bipartisan issue as both progressives and conservatives are increasingly aware and concerned about the injustices  occurring in the U.S.'s criminal justice system.  Many believe we are wasting lives, talents and treasure with our current practices.
     Panelists for the forum include Rev. Bill Breeden, Judge Mary Ellen Diekhoff, Mark Hamm, and Alex Lichenstein. Patrick Brantlinger will moderate. 
Our Building's Energy Star Certified!
     Our church has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's ENERGY STAR certification, which signifies that the building performs in the top 1% of similar facilities nationwide for energy efficiency, and meets strict energy efficiency performance levels set by the EPA. We've done this by investing in conservation, efficiency and renewable energy.
     We will continue to invest our savings in building and equipment improvements, but to take the lead in reducing climate change we also need to think about how we use our spaces.  Click here to see how you can help!
Volunteer to Help at the Interfaith Winter Shelter on December 12
Again this year, our congregation will be responsible for the second Saturday night/ Sunday morning of the month at First United Church, through March 13. Darrell and Vivian Breeden serve as our leaders.  If you are interested in volunteering at the winter shelter, or learning more, please contact Alan Backler, of the Homelessness Task Force, at abackler@aol.com or at 812-340-1323.
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, December 20 at 12:45 p.m. in Room 208 after children's classes end, when the topic is  "Are you carrying? Guns in the United States" presented by Harold Ogren.

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, December 13, at 12:45 p.m. Info, contact John Crosby.   

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
Winter HVAC Inspection has been completed and thermostats adjusted for heating season
Please don't park on the grass! Please park only on paved areas, both on our property and on IU property to the west of Fee Lane. We have been specifically requested not to park on the grass. 
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
Bulletin Board
HOUSESITTER WANTED:  to stay in our house and take care of plants:  Dec. 21 - January 9 and from January 19 to March 31.  References appreciated.  Contact:  Denise Ogren dogren@comcast.net or Harold Ogren ogren@indiana.edu 
WhaleCoast Alaska 2016: Have you ever dreamed of visiting Alaska? If so, WhaleCoast Alaska 2016 is for you!  Four Alaska UU fellowships invite you to experience our eco-cultural and spiritual program next summer!  Programs led by Alaska travel expert. www.WhaleCoastAK.org
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.
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, December 21. 

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:  12/21, 1/4, 1/19 (a Tuesday), 2/1, 2/16 (a Tuesday), 3/7, 3/21.
Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, 2120 N. Fee Lane, Bloomington IN 47408, 812-332-3695  
Masthead:  Autumn leaves by John Woodcock