The Prologue
Tuesday, July 5, 2016
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

One Service Each Sunday

through July 31

 

Quick Links
From the Interim
Rev. Woodbury's Sermon
Our Folks...
UU Board Update
One Summer Sunday Svc
Women's Alliance
Exploring UU
First Steps Class
UU History
Contact a Minister
Sunday, July 10, 2016
Reverend Forrest Gilmore 

Sunday, July 17, 2016
Called to Love, Justice, Vitality
Reverend Susan Frederick-Gray
      This is a defining moment. The challenges we face for humanity and the planet are great. Yet, this is also a moment of opportunity. How is our faith calling us to respond to this moment? What skills do we need to be prepared to respond to that call? How can we be a vital voice for love and justice for our time?
      Susan Frederick-Gray is the Lead Minister of the UU Congregation of Phoenix.  She is a life-long Unitarian Universalist who grew up at Eliot Chapel, outside of St. Louis, MO.  She has provided leadership to congregations in all five regions of the UUA, including leading significant growth in the two congregations she served as settled minister.
Reverend Macklin Away 
from Office July 1 - July 30
     Reverend Macklin will be away from ministerial duties for vacation and study leave July 1st through 30th.  She will participate in the July 17th worship service when we host the Reverend Susan Frederick-Gray, one of the three candidates for the UUA Presidency, and she will return for Reverend Douglas Wadkins's final worship service with us on July 31st, 2016.
      If you have a Pastoral Emergency during the month of July, please contact Reverend Wadkins at 812-369-4179.

Doug-2015
Goodbyes & Hellos Part 1
     I am very grateful and delighted to have time during the month of July to be with you. The time just flies by! While it is not yet the moment to truly say our goodbyes, there is much to reflect on in preparation for the process of a meaningful goodbye and a promising hello.
     I love the idea and have experienced the truth that attending well to our goodbyes opens the door to fully engaged and profoundly creative hellos.  If we do a good job with our times of parting then we connect more meaningfully with power of the time that we have just completed.  We are more likely to truly learn from that time. We are more likely to mark its significance. We are more likely to do the healing work of expressing gratitude, speaking our truths and attending to hurts and disappointments.  This is worth the energy and the time in its own right:  it enriches our lives. It also frees up energy to give ourselves fully to the present as we move forward. 
     People often comment that it must be very hard as an interim minister to come in for a very limited time, and then say goodbye over and over again.  It truly is, yes,  AND it is so worth it to have shared the gifts of our time together.  What a busy and deeply meaningful two years it has been!  Truly, I have learned so much from you over the many months, we have explored so much together and I feel deep gratitude for my time in Bloomington.  I am so pleased to have these coming weeks together.  I take very seriously the joyous challenge of using the time well. I hope that you will, as many have, take the opportunity to say goodbye  It will be a very mixed experience to share my last service with you all on July 31.   Together, we have written an important chapter in our lives over these past two years, and it will be time for new adventures. There is meaningful ministry for me to share in Ann Arbor, and I am excited about your future with Rev. Scott McNeill!  May this season of Goodbyes help us remember what is possible for the future, but most of all may it call us to an experience of being in the moment -- this is the time of our parting, may we honor what our time together has meant!
     Goodbye is only part of the equation, later this month tune in for part two: my good wishes for you as you prepare for a hope-filled hello to Rev. Scott!
 
Until then, I hope to see you soon.
Warmly,
Doug 
Rev. Woodbury's Sermon from June 26 is Available
Several people asked if they could have a copy of Rev. Shari Woodbury's sermon from June 26. If you would like to receive an electronic copy, please email Monica or Deeva at office@uubloomington.org and they will be happy to email you that file. Paper copies of her sermon are also available in Room 204.
Our Folks...
Congratulations to longtime SCORE member Harv Hegarty who was recently presented with emeritus member recognition by the national, small business support organization.
In his years with the Bloomington chapter, Hegarty became known for his leadership and sound advice to numerous entrepreneurs and nonprofit 
  
UU Board of Directors Update   
     Greetings from your 2016-17 Board of Directors!
It is an honor to be working for this congregation. Just a reminder, to follow our activities, our meetings are normally the 3rd Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. and are open. The minutes from those meetings are posted in the foyer and available online at http://www.uubloomington.org about-us/board-of-directors/. And look for us on the last Sunday of the month when we host "Coffee with the Board" at the yellow booth in fellowship hall between services. We look forward to a great year working with the congregation, ministers, and staff. Sincerely, your board: Von Welch (President), Connie Nelson Laird (Vice President), Arzetta Hultz Losensky (Treasurer), Deb Hutton (Secretary), Pat Branlinger, Doug Cauble, and Helmut Hentschel.    

One Summer Sunday Service at 10:15 a.m. 
June 19 through July 31
     Once again this Summer, as we did last year, we will hold one service and one Religious Education program each Sunday, June 19 through July 31. The Sunday service will begin at 10:15 a.m. during this period, with Religious Education classes beginning about 15 minutes later after the Story for All Ages. Regular schedule will resume on August 7.
Seeking The Spirit
Religious Education News
     This summer will be one full of childhood (and adult) favorite Dr. Seuss fun!  We will be celebrating the stories, making art and playing games.
     Here is a list of our upcoming seUUsical summer schedule; perhaps your favorite is on our list!   July 10th - Horton Hears a Who; July 17th - The Butter Battle Book; July 24th - The Lorax; July 31st - Happy Birthday to You!
The Divine Feminine Within and Without
Third Thursday of each month through August: July 21, August 18.
7-8:30 p.m.  Room 210
Sara Steffey McQueen, presenter  quanyinsara_mcf@yahoo.com
Drop-ins welcome; you may join the class at any time. 
     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. To register, send an email to office@uubloomington.org, or call 812-332-3695, ext. 204.
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. Beginners welcome in this 2500-year tradition. No meeting on July 4.

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 Ministry Themes        
July - Curiosity           August - Creativity             September - Covenant
October - Healing         November - Story               December - Presence
January 2017 - Prophecy
Building Community
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, abackler@aol.com. This will be an ongoing project.
Please Remember Your Pledge
Please remember to pay your current pledge for 2015-16, as the fiscal year ended on June 30. If you need an update on the balance on your pledge for 2015-16, please email or call the office, office@uubloomington.org or 812-332-3695 ext 204 and we'll be happy to look that up for you.
We Want to Thank You!
If you have recently included the church in your estate plans, please let the Planned Giving Committee know.  We want to thank you-and invite you to the Legacy Circle's annual homemade soup and sandwich luncheon in October. 
It is easy to make a planned gift to the church without changing your will. 
1.Request a new Beneficiary Form from your IRA, retirement fund or life insurance administrator.
2.Name the church as a beneficiary of a percentage of your estate or a specific sum.
3.Return the form to the administrator.
Then tell Joan Caulton, Libby DeVoe, Anne Haynes or Melinda Swenson-the Planned Giving Committee.  We want to thank you!
Women's Alliance Meeting Thursday, July 7
The July 7th program takes a look at "First Books," presented by our own Patty Callison, a long-time supporter of their program.  
Hosts this month are Kathy Dilcher and Beverly McGahey, they will be supplying drinks and desserts.
All are welcome to join us for a brown bag lunch at 11:30am, followed by the program, a short business meeting, and adjournment at 1:00.
This is the first meeting of the Women's Alliance 2016-2017 year. Bring your checkbooks to help get us off to a good start!
Exploring Unitarian Universalism 
Class Meets July 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, July 10 and Sunday, July 17 from 2-4 p.m. in the Ralph and Annetta Fuchs Library.  Sign up by Sunday, July 3 at the welcome table in the foyer, or by emailing connect@uubloomington.org. Childcare is available if requested in advance by contacting dre@uubloomington.org. Class facilitated by Steven and Kathy Gilbert, with participation by a minister and our new Connections Coordinator, Ann LeDuc.
First Steps Class - Sunday, August 7
Are you new to the UU faith?  Join us for the First Steps class! First Steps is a 40-minute class that provides a brief introduction to Unitarian Universalism and our congregation. This class is offered the first Sunday each month at 10:35am and 12:35pm in Room 110.  Free childcare is available in Room 108 (substantial snack provided for children at 12:35 p.m.).  No registration is required.  If you have questions, please contact Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator at connect@uubloomington.org.
THEOPHILUS LINDSEY ESTABLISHES THE FIRST ENGLISH UNITARIAN CHURCH
Theophilus Lindsey (1723-1808) was born in Cheshire, England.  He showed an early interest in reading and he studied at Cambridge University. His scholarship got him a job as tutor to the Duke of Northumberland's children.  As he read widely and travelled he began doubting the validity of the Trinity.  He consulted with other ministers and biblical scholars and found no evidence in the New Testament for the Trinity.  He met Joseph Priestley who also shared his doubts about the Trinity and the two became friends.  Lindsey helped organize a petition signed by 250 dissenting ministers who asked Parliament to remove the acceptance of the Trinity from the 1689 Act of Religious Toleration that allowed some non-conformist Christian churches to flourish.  They voted against it 217-71.  He resigned as vicar of his church and moved to London.  There he established a Unitarian church, giving it that name rather than using Socinian, the term in use for the rejection of the Trinity.  He began preaching there in 1774.  He also wrote a book on the history of Unitarianism from the Reformation to 1763 which helped spread Unitarian ideas in Great Britain.  Lindsey's success helped spread Unitarianism in both Great Britain and the American Colonies, although most British Unitarian churches came from non-conforming Anglican churches and most American Unitarian churches came from Congregational churches. 
Elof Carlson
Designated Historian 

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
Sunday, June 26         180        
Sunday, July3             175                                          
Non-Pledge Offering
6/26 -  $579.50 
Total to be donated to Monroe County CASA - $144.88
7/3 - $445.25
Total to be donated to New Leaf-New Life - $111.31
Grocery Card Sales
(Bloomingfoods, Marsh, or Lucky's)
June 26         $1,225, income to UUCB $75.75
July 3            $700, income to UUCB $35.00
Changing the World
UU Humanist Forum Meets on Alternating Sundays
This group offers an opportunity for regular, open, wide-ranging discussions of issues relating to morality and ethics, human development, and the nature of the universe. The forum will meet on Sunday, July 17, at 11:45 a.m. in Room 208. The topic is "Alternative Economics," with Judy Berkshirei. (Sunday services June 19-July 31 are at 10:15 a.m. only.) 

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, July10, at 11:45 p.m. Info, contact John Crosby.   Freethinkers meetings June 26-July 31 will be at 11:45 a.m., since the service ends at 11:15 a.m.

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
email: macklin@uubloomington.org  Rev. Macklin will be away from the office June 3-30.



 
  
 
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 Wednesday 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.  
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. (staffed by the Office Assistants)
--Carol Marks, Church Administrator
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, our 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 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, Monday, July 18.

Deadline for articles about congregational events and projects is 10:00 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:   7/18, 8/1, 8/15, 9/6 (a Tuesday), 9/19.
Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, 2120 N. Fee Lane, Bloomington IN 47408, 812-332-3695  
Masthead is a stock photo.