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Coming Soon
Goods & Services Auction
May 15, 1:00 p.m.
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9:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.
"A Mother's Comfort: The Many Incarnations"
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
with the UU Choir, directed by Ray Fellman
We will explore the historical roots of Mother's Day during this worship service and also take a non-traditional look at a mother's comfort. Our Gift of Music will be: "Ihr habt nun Traurigkeit" from A German Requiem by Johannes Brahms. Maria Izzo Walker, soprano soloist, will be joined by our Choir, led by Ray Fellman. Choir Director Susan Swaney writes, "Brahms began work on his German Requiem after the death of his mother. It was originally premiered as a six-movement work for baritone solo, chorus, and orchestra (as our choir performed the 6-movement version with 2 pianos for our 25th anniversary). Brahms then completed the piece with this movement at its heart: a soprano solo about a mother's comfort."
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9:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.
"The Art of Blessing the Day"
Reverend Douglas Wadkins
May's theme is "Blessings"! This service will offer the chance for us to explore what one might mean by blessing. What are the various ways that we may think about and discover blessings in our life. How are we a blessing to to the world? Finally we will explore how a community that works to embrace its blessings is transformed by that experience.
Goods and Services Auction May 15 at 1:00 p.m.
Our annual goods and services auction will take place at 1:00 p.m. on May 15, preceded by a modestly priced ($5-$7) lunch in Fellowship Hall. Come join the fun! Childcare provided during the auction, Room 108.
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We are...
Current pledge total: $491,999
Many thanks to everyone who has made a pledge so far! We are moving toward our pledge goal of $565,000 and we hope everyone who participates in our congregation will make a pledge.
Help us break $500,000 this week!
In gratitude, The Stewardship Committee
chalice painting by Patricia C. Coleman
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Our Folks...
Our hearts are with Elof and Nedra Carlson. Their son, John, died unexpectedly Sunday night, May 1, due to complications from pneumonia.
Our thoughts of care and sympathy are with Melanie Turner, whose step-daughter Jennifer Turner died of cancer recently.
Our thoughts and prayers are also with Bob Taylor and his family and friends upon the passing on
April 28 of Sandy Taylor. A service of memory for Sandy is planned for Saturday, May 21, at 2:00 p.m.
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Date Change for May UU Board Meeting
The UU Board of Directors will meet on Wednesday May 11 at 7:00 p.m. instead of May 18.
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 UU Board of Directors Update
The board was very heartened that more than half of the congregation's membership attended the special congregational meeting on April 24 to call Reverend Scott McNeill. Signing in 100 more than the necessary quorum was unanticipated and demonstrated how engaged our congregation is in the life of this unique community. Thank you for taking the time to ensure that our new associate minister received such a robust vote of confidence. And your presence also honored the diligent efforts of the members of the Ministerial Search Committee.
The board will meet a week earlier this month, on May 11, at which time we will be finalizing the 2016-17 budget so we thank all those who made an effort to make their pledges for next year. We hope to reach our goal of $565,000 so we can honor our commitment to ensure fair and sustainable compensation for everyone who works on behalf of our church.
We are also planning for next month's congregational meeting, on Sunday, June 12, 4:00 p.m. This is our annual spring meeting where the congregation will vote on next year's budget as well as the slates for the board and committees. Please plan to join us! --Board of Directors
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 MAM's Musings
We have an Associate Minister!
Reverend Scott McNeill. Gratitude and congratulations to our incredible Search Committee and this vibrant congregation for the strong vote of affirmation extended to Scott on Sunday, April 24th. We look forward to Scott's ministry which will officially begin in August.
We have a Winner for our Stewardship Campaign Earth Flag Drawing!
Congrats to Jane Goodman who was randomly selected from all the folks who pledged to support our congregation and its vision by midnight April 25th. Jane received her Earth Flag with enthusiasm and joy. Also congratulations to David Dilcher who won an Earth Flag for getting to the 9:15am worship service on April 24th!
Please Pledge: Cool thing to do!  If you have not pledged yet, puh-leeze do so. It will help us move forward with our budget process in untold ways. Plus it's just a cool thing to do---support this congregation. So if you were pondering, "What cool thing could I do today?" Click here!
Peace and Love, MAM Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
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 Congratulations to Reverend Woodbury
Congratulations to Reverend Shari Woodbury who was officially called to serve the Westside Unitarian Universalist Church in Ft. Worth, Texas, on Sunday, May 1st. Shari received a unanimous call to serve the good people of Westside as their new minister. Our congregation officially ordained Reverend Woodbury into the Unitarian Universalist ministry on Sunday, April 3, 2016. Current plans are for Reverend Woodbury to offer a final sermon here in our pulpit on June 26th before she and her family, husband William and daughter Avonelle, depart for the Lone Star State. We consider the Westside UU Church to be a congregation of wise and lucky folks! Shari will continue as our Connections Coordinator until the end of June.
And so...We are in search for a Connections Coordinator!
Since our Connections Coordinator Shari Woodbury will be leaving at the end of June, *sigh* (See above about Shari's call to ministry in Texas!) we will be hiring a new Connections Coordinator. If you know of someone who is people-oriented, organized, flexible, unflappable in the face of change and has a good sense of humor--please encourage that person to apply for this position.
Knowledge of and familiarity with Unitarian Universalism is required.
Skills Needed: Computer and Social Network experience, leadership and organizational skills, ability to lead membership and orientation classes, organize volunteer events, rapport with college students and young adult population, ability to work independently under supervision, problem-solve, be a team player, make cold calls, welcome newcomers, and have a sense of humor.
Must be available on Sundays.
To apply, please send a Letter of Interest and Resume with two professional references to
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 Coming Up, And What Now!
Let me begin by extending my deepest joy and excitement for your excellent work to call the Rev. Scott McNeill as your new Associate Minister. Remember that the heart of the interim minister's ministry is to prepare the congregation to meet its future with hope, clarity and enthusiasm. I am gratified that you have made such an excellent choice! Onward to your next exciting chapter! There is important work to be done.
On the evening of May 13, we begin Beloved Conversations again!
I hope that you are present in the circle. Many of you heard about the experience as part of our Martin Luther King Jr service this year. Beloved Conversations is an experiential curriculum that creates space and focuses meaningful time to re-form/fuse the brokenness of racism into new patterns of thought and behavior that we might do the essential work of social and spiritual healing. New ways of being are learned through the actions of conversation and probing dialogue. Once again the amazing Julica Hermann de la Fuente will be our facilitator for the retreat, and then Amy Makice, Betty Wagoner and I will be the primary facilitators for the coming sessions.
The opening retreat starts the evening of Friday, May 13 from 6 until 9:30, and then Saturday, May 14 from 9 until 4:45. The regular sessions begin on Sunday, May 22 from 2-4 pm, and will continue Sunday afternoons through the month of June, ending in early July. The powerful division around race and privilege is one of the most important and urgent issues that we face, and I have heard again and again from participants how essential the investment of time and energy is to engage this issue.
I hope you will make that investment by calling or emailing the office, [email protected], to sign up. Rev. Macklin, Rev. Woodbury, Deb Fish, Amy Makice, Betty Wagoner or I can give you more information!
Finally, there is more work for us to do as well. In upcoming sermons and in working with the leadership of the congregation, we will look at the future with intention and seek some clarity in key navigation points to continue your relationship with Rev. McNeill well. We will also seek to honor our time together as we prepare to say goodbye this summer. Until then, let the good work continue!
Peace and love,
Doug
Reverend Douglas Wadkins, Interim Minister
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WANTED: Religious Education Assistant
This part-time hourly position, 5-10 hours per week, requires availability on Sunday mornings and Thursday evenings. Necessary skills include the ability to work in a fast-paced environment, strong organizational skills, being database savvy, a team player, and having experience with children and working in childcare or leading a classroom. Pay starts at $9.50/hr. For a complete job description, contact: Adrienne Summerlot, Director of Religious Education. [email protected]
Job Openings on our Childcare Team
We are looking for caring, attentive, energetic, and experienced people to join our Childcare Team. This position is part time, flexible, approximately 10-15 hours per month. Shifts are Sunday mornings, some
Weekends, some afternoons and Thursday evenings. his position is part time, flexible, approximately 10-15 hours per month. Shifts are on Sunday mornings, some weekends, afternoons and evenings. Pay starts at $9.50 per hour. For more information contact Adrienne Summerlot. [email protected], (812) 332-3695 ext 202
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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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Volunteer Openings at the Booktable
Do you love to read? Love books and music? Love to chat with folks about them? Then we have the volunteer job for YOU! Apply to[email protected] (BookTable facilitator). She will happily train you and welcome you to the Crew-- whom you see between services every Sunday.
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Women's Alliance Meeting May 5
The May 5th meeting will be "FEMA Today" with Mary Ann Williams as our guest speaker. Come to the meeting and learn all about it. Hosts are Denise Ogren and Claire Robertson. 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. --Julie Cauble, VP Women's Alliance
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Spring Grounds Clean Up Rescheduled to Saturday, May 7
Engage in our Seventh Principle of Caring for the Earth! Due to the wet weather this weekend, we have rescheduled our spring grounds work day for Saturday, May 7, 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon. Please note that this is IU undergraduate graduation day, so best access the church from the Bypass rather than coming through campus. 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 Men Meet May 10
The UU Men's Group will meet on May 10 at the home of Harv Hegarty. You are welcome to contact him at [email protected] . The Men's Group has been meeting for over ten years. It meets every third Tuesday through out the year. There is a Covenant. Followed by a check-in, there is a discussion topic that has been established beforehand.
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Auction Time! Sunday, May 15
The UU Goods and Services Auction is less than two weeks away! Thanks to so many for turning in the forms and then bringing in your items on May 1st. If you have not done so yet, be sure to bring your donation on May 8th. The main need we now have is for donations of food for the lunch before the auction. (Lunch will cost $5-$7 per person.) If you would be willing to donate a pot of soup, salad or dessert, please email Debbie Fish, [email protected] or call 317-431-8071. Remember that childcare will be provided during the auction, which starts at 1:00 p.m.
Here is a representative list of items that will be up for auction on May 15:
--Dinners: Tunisian, French Bistro, Ice Cream Social, Norwegian Brunch, Swiss Fondue Evening, Casual Summer Garden Dinner Fit for Royalty
--Vacation housing options in Berkeley CA or Ocean Harbor, FL
--Caramels, biscotti, berry pies and more! Oh my!!
--Singing telegram, poetry readings and a variety of lesson from the experts.
--Museum grade etching "The Rag Gatherers" by Whistler (on display in our north hallway); art print by Kyoko Fischer, "Nude in a Box" and many others....
--Hand forged pot hanger, hooks, and bottle opener
--Antique dolls and handmade antique doll furniture
You get the idea! There are over 100 items in the catalog, available May 8.
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Good News and a Big Thanks from the Grocery Card Fundraiser!
Your grocery purchases at are adding up! Between January and the end of March, purchases at Kroger's by those of you who linked your Kroger card to "Community Rewards" have brought in $1045.30 to the church! In addition, during that period, our take of the purchase of Marsh, Bloomingfoods and Lucky's grocery cards (sold every Sunday between the services) has totaled $801.75. We hope you will participate in this no-brainer fundraising effort--you surely buy food, so why not let some of the cost come to the church?
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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
Sunday, April 24 9:15 125; 11:15 205; RE: 85 Total: 415
Sunday, May 1 9:15 151; 11:15 174; RE: n/a Total: 325
Sunday, May 1 Interfaith Holocaust Remembrance Total: 95
Non-Pledge Offering
4/24 - $768
5/1 - $631
Total to be donated to Monroe County CASA - $352.46
Grocery Card Sales
(Bloomingfoods, Marsh, or Lucky's)
April 24 $1,500, income to UUCB $75
May 1 $1,250, income to UUCB $67
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Racial Justice Forum, Sunday, May 8th at 7:00 p.m.
Please join the Racial Justice Task Force to explore issues and actions for racial justice, in Bloomington and beyond. We will have five discussion topics for five small groups, and then come together to share summaries, and to discuss how a Bloomington coalition of people wanting to work for racial justice might be formed. Discussion topics will include:
-Exploring Our Own Biases
-Blacks' and Whites' Strong Mutual Interest in Racial Justice
-Understanding White Privilege
-Activism: Breaking White Silence
-Activism: Overcoming Barriers to Racial Justice
People from other congregations and organizations will join the conversation, and we hope to begin organizing to plan community-wide events and actions. For the full description of the workshop, see the UUBloomington.org website, or email [email protected] or [email protected] to register. Registration by May 4 is appreciated!
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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, May 8, in Room 208 after religious education classes end at 12:45. The topic will be "People-to-people economic future, ala Uber and AirBnB" presented by Harold Ogren.
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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, May 15, at 12:45 p.m. Info, contact John Crosby.
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Committee Chairs, Task Force Chairs, and Leaders of Affiliated Groups
Annual Reports Due May 16
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Red Cross Blood Drive Sunday, June 5
Mark your calendars and get ready to donate blood here at our church on the Red Cross bus on Sunday, June 5, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Register at 1-800-733-2767 or www.redcrossblood.org, and at the "Find a Blood Drive" box, enter sponsor code "UUC." Or contact Steve Mascari at [email protected] if you would like him to register you for an appointment.
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The Homelessness Task Force Invites Us to Donate Household Goods for the Newly Housed
All are invited to help the Rapid Re-Housing program at Shalom Community Center, providing short term assistance to people who are moving from homelessness to permanent housing. Many participants will be moving into their apartments with nothing. We are creating "welcome baskets" to help these community members get started. These can include toiletries (toothbrush, towel, shampoo...), cleaning supplies, a few dishes, sheets, blankets, a shower curtain, items that could ease their transition from a shelter to an apartment. To donate items please place them in the macaroni basket in the Commons. Questions, contact Alan Backler, [email protected]. This will be an ongoing project.
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UU History for You
John Calvin Reshapes Christian Doctrine
with Gloomy Consequences
John Calvin (1509-1564) was born in Noyon, France. His father was a notary and hoped his son would have an equally prosperous career. Calvin studied law and shifted to theology. He joined a group of dissident students and faculty in the University of Paris and was forced to flee to Switzerland. In Geneva, he and one of his professors established a reform church. Calvin was 21 when he began writing his influential Institutes of Christian Religion. He rejected the authority of the Vatican and agreed with Luther on the importance of reading the Bible as the authority for theology. He argued that redemption was no guarantee of salvation because all of life is known to God, both past and future. Predestination was God's design of who would join him. Calvin's view that everyone is tainted with original sin, indicated a probable sign of future redemption is admitting one is a sinner and embracing Jesus as a savior. Calvin was accused by his critics of closing the convents and monasteries by making the entire Christian world a giant convent and monastery where pleasures were denied and piety was demanded. Calvin had a short but happy marriage but both his wife and son died early in his marriage and he never remarried. Calvinism has permeated Baptist and many Protestant denominations in America. While he was a heretic to the Vatican for his theology, he had little tolerance for those who challenged his views. --Elof Carlson, Congregational Historian
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Community Connections
Our Faith in Action in the Community
Caring for a Loved One with Dementia - Presentation May 20 at the Hospital
Free community presentation on dementia care, Friday, May 20, 6:00-7:00 p.m. at Bloomington Hospital, Wegmiller Auditorium. The speaker is Teepa Snow, and the presentation is titled "Changing Resistance to Care to Participation in Care." It's full of great information for anyone who is caring for a loved one with dementia. To watch a video of Teepa Snow click here.
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BULLETIN BOARD
Housing greatly needed by June 1st: short/long term-1+rooms-shared housing, home sitting, low cost rental-good with pets, house/yard keeping, companionship-contact Pat at [email protected] or (812) 219-9718
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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. However, he will be away April 17-24.
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 will be away from the office May 4-13. In her absence please contact Monica Overman, [email protected] with building concerns. --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, our 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, May 16.
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: 5/16, 6/6, 6/20, 7/5 (a Tuesday), 7/18, 8/1, 8/15.
Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, 2120 N. Fee Lane, Bloomington IN 47408, 812-332-3695
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| Masthead photo by John Woodcock. Roses for the Coming of Age Class of 2016, May 1, 2016. |
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