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Coming Soon
Habitat Fundraiser Breakfast
March 27
Stewardship Celebration
April 3
Mega Bounty Full
Food Drive
April 3
Shari Woodbury Ordination
April 3
UU Passover Seder
April 23
Clothing Swap and Grounds Cleanup
April 30
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We are... moving toward our Stewardship goal!
As our Congregational President Kathleen Sideli laid out in her letter to the congregation and Reverend Wadkins mentioned in services this week, our Annual Pledge Campaign Goal this year is $565,000. This is a 7.5% increase over last year to get us on our path towards fair and sustainable compensation for our church staff as well as supporting our broader congregational goals. At this point, 96 households have together pledged a total $225,937 for the 2016-17 fiscal year, which begins on July 1st. There are over 800 households currently participating in our congregation.
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All You Need is Love 2-21-2016
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We have a very strong foundation of friends and members who annually make financial pledging to this community a dedicated part of their personal budget, and we are grateful for the thought and reflection that goes into making those pledges each year. We are also hopeful that this might be the year when all our members choose to make a formal pledge.
This choice is part of an impetus and opportunity to reflect on finances as one part of our broader lives, and to work to be in right relation with our money. We sincerely believe a fair and sustainable church budget is well within our means if we all engage in this reflection. We are looking forward to Celebration Sunday on April 3rd, serving as a culmination of the formal portion of our campaign, and looking forward to a most exciting year.
Remember that our pledge goal this year is $565,000 and we hope that many of you will be able to raise your pledge by 7.5%.
In gratitude, The Stewardship Committee
chalice painting by Patricia C. Coleman
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Easter: A Resurrection of Universalism
The Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
The Reverend Douglas Wadkins
Join us for our Easter Sunday worship services in which we will explore our theological roots in Universalism, the historical Jesus of Nazareth, and a liberation theology for this day. As part of the Easter celebration we will have our beloved Baby Dedication at both services, and the Habitat for Humanity Task Force will hold their much anticipated breakfast fundraiser between services! Music from our Choir will include "We Are As One," text by Moses Jumper Jr. with music by Mary Goetze, and Don Freund's "Welcome Prayer."
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We Are: Stewardship Celebration Sunday
The Reverend Douglas Wadkins
We are Unitarian Universalists. Our liberal religious voice is vital in order to create a better world today, tomorrow and into the future. Join us as we conclude our Open Pledge Stewardship Campaign with a celebration including food, fun, thought provoking reflections, special music, and important stories of who We Are! The Choir will sing Haydn's "Achieved is the glorious work," and there may even be a few surprises along the way.
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MAM's Musings
Every time I look at this photo of myself, I notice the little bit of hair sticking out near the right side of my collar. I kind of like it. For me it symbolizes the not-so-perfect person I am. Interesting. But within that imperfection, I strive to be kind, committed to love, and free in my authenticity!
This congregation does not ask you to be perfect, but as a community we support and challenge one another to strive to be kind, committed to love, and free in our authenticity.
That's worth supporting. Seriously, people. I'm not the only one with hair sticking out of my collar, but I will pledge my support to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, funky hair and all. Take a look at yourself in the mirror--
if you sense any imperfection there, accept yourself unconditionally and please pledge to a community that loves unabashedly, as we seek the spirit, build community, change the world.
Peace and Love, MAM
P.S. If we make the Board's stated pledge goal of $565,000 -- I promise we will have a "Talk Like a Pirate Sunday" next September, which will include a social critique of our world economy and the dismal conditions which create modern day pirates as well as an exploration of the mythical pirate culture and its intrigue for many of us.
The Reverend Mary Ann Macklin, Senior Minister
Owning Your Religious Past
May 6th, 6:30pm-8:30pm
May 7th, 9am-4pm (Juice and Bagels at 8:30am)
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin, Jan Armstrong, Clarke Miller
This mini-retreat provides some simple tools through which people may reexamine and retrieve positive aspects of past religious connections as well as discern their needs from negative experiences. Owning Your Religious Past addresses the affective elements of these connections, rather than dogma. The workshop is designed to provide both group sharing and private exploration. (Minimum:10 Maximum:25) If you have questions, please contact one of the facilitators. There is still room in this retreat. Contact [email protected] to register.
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Our Folks...
Our caring thoughts are with the families of Maureen Biggers and Tony Reilly. Maureen's son,
James T Biggers III, died in a local car accident on March 15, 2016. A memorial service was held in our sanctuary on Monday, March 21st at 2:00 pm, Reverend Mary Ann Macklin and Reverend Nancy Leport of Rochester, New York, officiating.
We continue to hold Sandy Taylor in our hearts, along with her family and friends. Sandy is in the IU Health Hospital Intensive Care Unit as a result of a fall last Saturday. To be added to an email list for updates on Sandy's condition, please contact our office at [email protected].
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You are Invited to Help Ordain a New Minister on April 3!
You are invited to be part of a special and joyous event on Sunday afternoon, April 3: the ordination of one of our members, Shari Woodbury, as a Unitarian Universalist minister.
Shari has been a UU in Bloomington since 1996. She has served our congregation in recent years as a member of the Board of Directors, Campus Ministry Coordinator and currently is Connections Coordinator. She attended Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago. Ordination by our congregation will launch her into the larger UU community as she seeks a congregation elsewhere to serve as minister. Shari will be ordained by our own Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Bloomington on April 3 at 4:00 p.m. in the sanctuary.
A reception will follow with food and punch and children's activities. Child care will be provided.
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 UU Board of Directors Update
It's an exciting time to be part of UUCB - in addition to the intensity of current national politics, there is much going on here in our congregation. The Ministerial Search Committee is reaching the culmination of its efforts in finding an Associate Minister candidate - please look for news and support this committee in this important phase of their work. Our stewardship campaign also launched a few weeks ago, asking us to explore the diversity of who "We are..." in how we belong to and support our congregation. Lastly, if you have any questions or comments for the Board, remember we'll be at "Coffee with the Board" on the last Sunday of the month between services, or our regular meeting, which has been rescheduled to 7:00 p.m. on
March 23rd due to Spring Break.
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Ministerial Search Committee Update
Your Search Committee is busy reading candidate profiles, reviewing sermon videos, conducting interviews, pre-candidating at neutral pulpit visits, and so forth. All of this leads up to a possible candidating week (tentatively in the last half of April) when the Congregation gets to meet the candidate that the Search Committee and Reverend Macklin have invited to visit. You will get to hear the candidate in the pulpit for 2 Sundays and have other opportunities to meet the candidate in the week between. There is a Special Congregational Meeting (needing a quorum of at least 170 members in attendance) at the end of Candidating Week when a vote is taken to call the Candidate to be our new Associate Minister. Of course, we hope that the candidate we select also selects us, but sometimes that doesn't happen.
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Passover Seder Organizational Meeting March 27
The UU Seder will be held Saturday, April 23 at 6:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. This beloved non-Kosher celebration of Passover will include a Seder celebration and full dinner with a UU influence. Those interested in helping organize and prepare the Seder are encouraged to attend a very short organizational meeting after church on Sunday March 27 at 12:30 in Room 110. For questions or more details, please contact Ruellen Fessenbecker 812-837-9550 or [email protected]
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 Shambhala Meditation 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 cushions available, but you may bring your own cushion if you have one. |
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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.
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Our Congregational Ministry Themes April: Creation
January 2016: Resistance May: Blessing
February: Desire June: Simplicity
March: Liberation
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Adult Religious Education Opportunities
The Divine Feminine Within and Without
Starts March 24th, 6 sessions, Third Thursday of each month through August.
7-8:30 p.m. Room 210
We will explore ideas and images of the Divine Feminine in Her contexts and cultural perspectives. A variety of approaches will be used: discussion and sharing of our own experiences, music, contemplations on expressions of the divine feminine, and reflecting from writings of others. You will be given resources to use. Maximum class size: 20 participants. To register, send an email to [email protected], or call 812-332-3695, ext. 204. If you will need childcare to attend the June or July meeting, request this from Adrienne at [email protected] by May 15
Owning Your Religious Past
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin, Jan Armstrong, Clarke Miller
May 6th, 6:30pm-8:30pm
May 7th, 9am-4pm (Juice and Bagels at 8:30am)
This mini-retreat provides some simple tools through which people may reexamine and retrieve positive aspects of past religious connections as well as discern their needs from negative experiences. Owning Your Religious Past addresses the affective elements of these connections, rather than dogma. The workshop is designed to provide both group sharing and private exploration. (Minimum:10 Maximum:25) If you have questions please contact one of the facilitators. To register, send an email to Deeva at [email protected] or call 812-332-3695, ext. 204. If you will need childcare to attend the class, contact Adrienne at [email protected] by April 15.
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Leave Money to the Church Without Changing your Will!
My wife Carol and I have designated a portion of our small estate (IRA) to the Church. This process is really easy! Here is what we did: We conferred with our financial planner to get the Change of Beneficiary forms needed (you can also consult your investment provider or investment company to get the paperwork). The forms are surprisingly simple, requiring only the name, address, and tax ID of the Church. We designated a percentage of our estate, not an actual amount (you can do that if you prefer). Sign the forms and return it to the fund or the fund administrator (don't just put the forms in a drawer - they must be returned to the fund). Done! This process does not change your Will, nor does it require an attorney.
We are happy to leave a legacy to the UU Church of Bloomington. We did not designate a particular use for the money, knowing that needs change at the church, and flexibility is a virtue. We know this is not a binding or irrevocable agreement; we can change our plans should our circumstances or priorities change. We urge you to join us! --Melinda Swenson
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First Steps Class - Sunday, April 3
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 x209
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, April 24, 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 [email protected], no later than Wednesday, April 20.
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Women's Alliance Meets April 7
Our March 3rd meeting was, Clearing the way; Home Reorganization (best way of getting rid of stuff / organizing; downsizing) with Min Gates. Our April 7th meeting is My Sisters Closet with Sandy Keller. She helps ladies dress (with second hand clothing) for job interviews. Hosts: Lois Holl and Sharon Wiseman
Not a member? No problem; all are welcome to attend. Come and join us for the meeting, conversation and dessert. 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.
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Exploring Unitarian Universalism
Class Meets April 10 & 17
Are you interested in learning more about Unitarian Universalism and this congregation? Whether you are considering membership or are just curious, this class is for you. The Exploring UU Class will be held on Sunday, April 10 and Sunday, April 17 from 2-4 p.m. in the Ralph and Annetta Fuchs Library. Sign up by Sunday, April 3 at the welcome table in the foyer, or by emailing [email protected]. Childcare is available if requested in advance by contacting [email protected]. Class facilitated by Jack King and Melinda Swenson, with participation by a minister and our Connections Coordinator.
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Green Sanctuary Task Force Spring Clothing Swap April 30
The Green Sanctuary Task Force encourages all of 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? Each spring and fall, we hold a Clothing Swap to offer an alternative to buying new clothes. This spring's Swap will be held on Saturday, April 30 from 10:00 am until 12:00 noon with drop off starting at 9:30 am. If you need childcare in order to attend, contact Stephanie Kimball ([email protected]) by March 25.
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Grounds Day April 30--Save the Date
Engage in our Seventh Principle of Caring for the Earth! We plan to hold a spring grounds work day on Saturday April 30th (rain date, May 1st). Help us implement a few changes from our Green Sanctuary Task Force-led visioning. Help our grounds reflect who we are --and wish to become-- in the community and greater world. --Rhonda Baird and Molly O'Donnell, co-chairs
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UU SUMMER CAMP JULY 3-9, 2016 -- MUUSA!
Consider joining fellow UUs this summer in the Missouri Ozarks at the annual Midwest Unitarian Universalist Summer Assembly (MUUSA). The weeklong camp offers many workshops and activities for families, couples and singles of all ages. This year Reverend Krista Taves will lead the daily Morning Celebration service on this year's theme: "The UU House of Soul."
Come gather in the beautiful forests and rolling hills of the Missouri Ozarks at YMCA Trout Lodge, where you can connect with old friends, make new ones and participate in a wide variety of activities. Registration is now open. Get all the details at www.muusa.org.
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Kroger Community Rewards - Please Re-Up to Support the Church
Kroger Community Rewards, which sends 5% of each purchase made using your Kroger Plus card, requires us to re-register each calendar year in order to participate. If you would like a percentage of your purchase amounts this year to be donated to our congregation, please follow these instructions:
Select "Sign In" or "Create an Account"
Scroll down to Community Rewards and follow instructions.
Our church's organization number is 10159.
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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.
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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
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Attendance and Membership
Certified Membership as of 2/1/2016: 464 Current Membership: 468
Sunday, March 13 9:15: 80; 11:15: 132 ; RE: 65 Total: 277
Sunday, March 20 9:15: 90; 11:15: 152; RE: 53 Total: 295
Non-Pledge Offering
Total to be donated to Monroe County CASA - $272.25
Grocery Card Sales
(Bloomingfoods, Marsh, or Lucky's)
March 13 $1,300, income to UUCB $29.50
March 20 $1,675, income to UUCB $84.25
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Meeting March 27: ATTENTION UU MEMBERS interested in attending GA June 22-26 in Columbus Ohio
Please meet in the Library this SUNDAY MARCH 27th at 10:15am to talk about registration, funding, transportation, etc. We have many members interested in attending this nearby General Assembly. We have ten openings for delegates and some alternates, but anyone wishing to attend this conference is encouraged to do so. Please come check in. We will have an application/questionnaire for you to fill out. Also,we look forward to a discussion as to how we can fund additional attendees. For information please call Iris Kiesling, 812-332-5224 or email [email protected].
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March 27 Easter Fundraising Breakfast for Habitat
The Habitat Task Force is hosting an Easter fundraising breakfast between services on March 27. We will be serving breakfast casseroles, scrambled eggs, fruit, and baked goods. Funds from the breakfast are planned to be used to participate in an upcoming interfaith build in Bloomington. We could use volunteers to help prepare, serve and clean up from any time from 8 a.m. to about 12:30 p.m. If anyone would like to help that morning or contribute food for the breakfast, please contact Ann LeDuc, at [email protected].
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Mega Bounty Full Sunday Food Drive!
Twice a year our congregation collects non-perishable food and toiletries for Monroe County United Ministries' Emergency Food Pantry. Don't forget to bring an item or two with you to Sunday service on April 3. Current needs: cereal (hot and cold), canned fruit, canned meat (but not stew), rice, broth, oil, dry beans, flour, sugar, socks, toilet paper, shampoo, conditioner, dish soap. PLEASE check expiration dates. Expired food cannot be distributed and must be thrown away. If you are interested in transporting donated food to MCUM on Monday, April 4, please contact Anne Graham ([email protected])
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Diaper Drive For Reproductive Justice Task Force
The Reproductive Justice Task Force is working with the All-Options Pregnancy Resource Center to collect disposable and reusable diapers for families in need. Please buy diapers and bring to the Commons, where we will have our Diaper Depot. This effort will continue through April 30.
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Calling Women Builders 
UU women and their female friends are needed to join the UU Habitat Women Build team, which is scheduled to participate in the Women Build on Friday, May 13. Teams of 35 women from all over the community are raising a total of $170,000 and building two homes in the Trail View neighborhood from April 29 to May 14. The UU team needs at least 20 more members, based on those who have registered or have committed to doing so. Each volunteer builder needs to raise or donate a minimum of $250 by April 22, in order to be on the team. But funds donated by generous individuals and the Women's Alliance are available to help supplement fund-raising efforts. The UU team needs to raise $8,750.
Women interested should register at http://womenbuild.kintera.org as soon as possible. Women can use online fund-raising pages created when they register to make asking for donations easier. For more information, contact Barb Berggoetz, Habitat Task Force co-chair and team leader.
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Community Connections
Our Faith in Action in the Community
"Trading Away Democracy" Talk Thursday, March 24, 4:00 p.m.
Monroe Co. Public Library
Women's International League for Peace and Freedom Bloomington branch announces a March 24 talk by IU Labor Studies Professor Joseph Varga on the dangers of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Entitled "Trading Away Democracy," Varga's talk will expose the realities of this agreement, which was negotiated behind closed doors with corporate but not labor or environmental participation. Free and open to the public, Thursday, March 24 at 4 p.m. in Room 2A of the Monroe County Public Library.
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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, March 27, in Room 208 after religious education classes end at 12:45. The topic will be "Fables, Ethics and Morals" presented by Sandy Dolby.
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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 Room 208. UU Freethinkers meet next on Sunday, April 3, at 12:45 p.m. Info, contact John Crosby.
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Humanism and Its Association with the UUA
Two major movements have used the term "humanism." It was applied to the Renaissance in Europe with the stress on learning, printing, translating classics, scholarship, and an enjoyment of human activities in the arts, humanities, and sciences. The term also has been applied to a philosophic movement that emerged during the Enlightenment, exemplified by Thomas Paine's book "The Age of Reason" in which Paine rejected supernatural religious beliefs as "incoherent Levantine folktales." It was absorbed in the Colonies by many of the leaders of the American Revolution. In this outlook, governments were founded by and for humans and not by and for Gods. Many humanists were agnostics, some were atheists, and some were Deists. In the 20th century Unitarian minister Charles Francis Potter founded the first Humanist Society in the U.S. in New York with board members Julian Huxley, John Dewey, Albert Einstein, and Thomas Mann. In 1933, Potter and 15 Unitarians joined other scholars in preparing the first Humanist Manifesto. In 1941 the American Humanist Association was formed to promote and bring together humanist groups in North America. Humanists have championed reason over revelation, science over the supernatural and ethical behavior based on reason and tested experience rather than divine rewards and punishments. --Elof Carlson, Congregational Historian
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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
Our Interim Minister,
Reverend Douglas Wadkins
can be reached at 812-332-3695, ext. 207 on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons
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 Wednesday and Friday mornings.
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 Who Ya Gonna Call about Building Problems and
Facilities Maintenance?
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.
Weekday office hours are generally Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Exceptions are posted on the office entrance. Sunday office hours: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
--Carol Marks, Church Administrator
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Livestreaming of Sunday Services
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, [email protected]
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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 and then click on today's date. 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, April 4.
Deadline for articles about congregational events and projects is 10:00 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. Upcoming publication dates: 4/4, 4/18, 5/2, 5/16.
Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, 2120 N. Fee Lane, Bloomington IN 47408, 812-332-3695
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| Masthead photo by John Woodcock |
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