The Prologue
Monday, July 18, 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
Our Folks...
One Summer Sunday Svc
Peaceful Contemplation
Shambhala Meditation
Taiji Classes
Ministry Themes
Bazaar App
Women's Alliance
Thank You
First Steps Class
UU History
Habitat News
Goods for the Newly Housed
Contact a Minister
Sunday, July 24, 2016
10:15 a.m.
"Singing the Journey"     The Rev. Douglas Wadkins
Come celebrate singing in our life.  We will have special musical guests, The Bloomington Chamber Singers, under the direction of Gerry Sousa, and all will be invited to explore the power of congregational singing.  We will sing songs from the Unitarian Universalist hymnal "Singing the Journey," often referred to as the "teal hymnal."  The service will include singing some of our new favorites as well as trying some new pieces within the context of honoring the various ways that music may deepen our journey. 
Sunday, July 31, 2016
10:15 a.m. 
(Last Sunday for Summer one-service schedule)
"There and Back Again: 
Tolkien, Journeys and Goodbyes."   
The Rev. Douglas Wadkins and 
the Rev. Mary Ann Macklin
 
As we prepare to honor our shared journey for two years with the Rev. Douglas Wadkins, he will return to a time-tested source of wisdom:  Tolkien and the Lord of the Rings.   In images, reflection, and music, we will explore the power of journeys and gift of goodbyes. 
Doug-2015
Goodbyes & Hellos Part 2
      Soon you will have the opportunity to offer a meaningful hello to the Reverend Scott McNeill as your newly called minister. Of course, most of you have said an initial hello--now you start the real depth of your journey. There is much evidence that how one begins a relationship is important as it sets significant patterns in motion. If you begin the first weeks well, you are much more likely to foster healthier patterns of interaction, and develop deeper trust and goodwill.   There is meaningful common ground between starting any healthy relationship and healthy congregations, in that certain consistent attitudes and behaviors encourage one not only to say hello well, but also to maintain long term health.  The essence involves emphasizing and amplifying some behaviors and attitudes, and working to decrease the frequency of others. 
     In that spirit, I wish for you more of the following between you, Rev. Scott,  the staff and the rest of the congregation:
  • More Good-Natured Humor
  • More Affection & Gratitude--don't assume that people know they are appreciated.
  • More emphasis on your areas of Shared Interest and work together to strengthen these shared areas.
  • More moments of shared Joy!
      I also wish for you all, when tempted to focus too much and too often on the following, to do some internal work to find healthy outlets and alternative ways to to think about the situation. Spend less energy and time on:  
  • Complaining 
  • Sadness
  • Contempt or Disgust
  • Fear & Tension
  • Expressions of Anger
     These are all perfectly human feelings and will be present at times in all communities, but healthier communities are aware of how often such feelings predominate and the damage that they can bring when not addressed.
     In general, continue and expand your great gifts of fostering "we-ness" and offer the gift of companionship to all in your community -- congregants, staff and ministers alike.
     Thank you again for the time we have shared.  You have lived out examples of just that sort of relationship-affirming behavior.
 
With great love and admiration,
      Doug
Reverend Douglas Wadkins, Interim Minister
                 
PS    Many of you have asked about the "rules" for contact when I leave. The crucial outcome is that you place your energy in engaging Rev. Scott as your newly settled minister.  To assist in that worthy endeavor I will practice what might be called a "ministry of loving absence."  I will refrain from contact and will not seek out interactions with members of the congregation after I say goodbye on July 31.   It is especially important as an interim to support this healthy boundary.  I encourage you to actively build a close ministerial connection with Scott.  If staff or leaders have questions that only I can provide, I will gladly answer. I won't unfriend you on Facebook, but I will keep my own presence low key. I will be supportive of Rev. Scott's ministry in whatever way he finds helpful.  I will continue to cheer you on from afar and will look forward to the wonderful things you will do together.    
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 lead the memorial service for Jean Anderson on Saturday, July 30, at 11:00 a.m. and will participate in the service on Sunday, July 31 at 10:15 a.m.
      If you have a Pastoral Emergency during the month of July, please contact Reverend Wadkins at his home study number: 812-369-4179. He can also be reached at wadkins@uubloomington.org .

Our Folks...
Our sympathy and prayers are with Glenda Breeden and all her family. Glenda's father, George Baker, died July 8. He was 90 years old.
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 continues to be 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 24th - The Lorax; July 31st - Our very own Suess story!
     Our Director of Religious Education, Adrienne Summerlot, is at Star Island UU Camp this week, taking a Religious Educators' continuing education module.
She will return after July 23.
     If you have a question this week about summer religious education porgramming, please contact Reverend Emily Manvel Leite at mre@uubloomington.org.
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.
Spaces for Peaceful Contemplation
Our Meeting Room and Library are available to members and friends for quiet sitting on weekdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. when they are not scheduled for another purpose.  We also have a new meditation space that can be used when the building is open and meetings are not scheduled there--Room 112 at the end of the lower hallway. We are relocating one of our memory quilts to that room and will make a special point of keeping the room clutter free. On weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., please enter the building at the west Office Entrance and let staff know you are here. Check the calendar at http://www.uubloomington.org/home/calendar/ for availability.
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 250 year old tradition. 

Taiji Continues on Tuesdays and Saturdays 

Brian Flaherty leads Taiji in Fellowship Hall on Tuesdays at 6:15 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.  
No class July 19 or 23. Class resumes on July 26 at 5:30pm . 
Ministry Themes for 2016-17
We will be exploring the following themes for the first part of the 2016-17 church year.    July: Curiosity, August: Creativity,   September: Covenant,   October: Healing, November: Story,    December: Presence
Building Community
Holiday Art Fair and Bazaar Artisan Applications 
Now Available
To all the artisans and crafters in the tri county area and beyond: Now is the time to apply to be considered for a booth at our Holiday Art Fair and Bazaar which will be on December 2 and 3. Information and application forms can be found here: 
Deadline for applying is September 1. Questions? Contact bazaarart@uubloomington.org.
The Women's Alliance Welcomes 
Kellie Kierce of Planned Parenthood on August 7
     The Women's Alliance program for August 7 has been changed from Share Your Summer, to Planned Parenthood of Indiana.  Kellie Kierce, donor engagement officer, from the Indiana/Kentucky Administration Office of Planned Parenthood in Indianapolis. She will speak about changes with our local Planned Parenthood and what is coming up in the future, and touch on the political climate.
      Hosts this month are Jean Knowlton and Katherine Hopkins,  who will be supplying drinks and desserts. All are welcome to join us for a brown bag lunch at 11:30 AM, followed by the program, a short business meeting, and adjournment at 1:00.
       Bring your checkbooks to pay your dues and help get us off to a new year!  -- Julie Cauble 
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.
Please Remember Your Pledge
Please remember to complete payment on your pledge for 2015-16, as the fiscal year ended on June 30. If you have questions about your pledge, please email or call the office, office@uubloomington.org or 812-332-3695 ext 204 and we'll be happy to help. If you pay by check, please be sure to indicate "15-16" on the memo line if the payment is for the year that just ended. If there is nothing on the memo line, we'll assume the check is to go toward your new pledge for 16-17.
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 fund administrator.
Then tell Joan Caulton, Libby DeVoe, Anne Haynes or Melinda Swenson--the Planned Giving Committee.  We want to thank you!
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.

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, August 14 at 10:30am in the Library.  (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 Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator, at 332-3695 or connect@uubloomington.org, by Tuesday, August 9. 

Fellowship Hour Host Opportunity
Do you enjoy meeting new people at church?  Do you want to make visitors to our church feel welcome?  If so, we have the perfect opportunity for you:  Fellowship Hour Host!  Fellowship Hour Hosts wear a Fellowship Hour Host name tag and talk to visitors during coffee/fellowship hour.  If you are interested, please contact Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator at connect@uubloomington.org or call (812) 332-3695. 
UU HISTORY FOR YOU: Martin Luther
     Martin Luther (1483-1546) was born in Saxony.  His father owned copper mines and hoped his son would become a lawyer.  Luther rejected this career and became an Augustinian monk, earning his room and board as a street sweeper who sang to escape the drudgery of that work.  He got his doctorate in theology and became a professor at Wittenberg University.  He travelled to Rome and was appalled at its lack of piety.  He felt the Church was corrupt, especially by selling redemption (indulgences) to sinners.
      In 1517, he wrote 95 needed reforms of the Church and posted these on the Cathedral door in Wittenberg. His support for the rulers over church authority protected him from arrest on grounds of heresy.  He crushed a peasant's revolt and he was virulently anti-Semitic.  On the positive side, he introduced hymns (many composed by him) in the church service, translated the Bible into German, and broke with the power of the Vatican.  Most of Catholic doctrine he kept, but he chose an austere church, the authority of the Bible and the need for universal literacy to read it, and a belief that faith, not good works, was necessary for salvation.  He argued for the marriage of priests and rejected celibacy.  His revolt unleashed many reformers throughout Europe to usher in the Protestant Reformation.
-- Elof Carlson, Congregational 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, July 10     10:15 : N/A              Sunday, July 17     10:15 : 231                                                      Non-Pledge Offering
July 10 -  $503.00                                  July 17 -  $477.00
Total to be donated to New Leaf-New Life - $246.27
Grocery Card Sales
(Bloomingfoods, Marsh, or Lucky's)
July 10           $725.00, income to UUCB $39.50       July 17           $675, income to UUCB $34.25
Changing the World
Habitat Interfaith Build Bake Sale August 7 
The Habitat Task Force is sponsoring a bake sale with fruit smoothies after each service on Sunday, August 7.  Funds will support the interfaith Habitat build planned for next spring. Cookies, brownies, breakfast breads, muffins, granola, quiche, and whole cakes will be for sale.
 
Volunteers Wanted for Habitat Build August 27
     The Habitat Task Force is looking for volunteers to participate in a Habitat build on Saturday, Aug. 27. Male and female workers are needed to work full-day or half-day (morning or afternoon) in the beautiful west side Trail View neighborhood along the B-Line. No financial commitment is necessary; lunch and drinks are provided. Volunteers do not need experience, as training will be provided for all tasks. Contact Barb Berggoetz, at barbberg@bluemarble.net, or 812-320-8422, as soon as possible if you can participate.
     Also, the task force is planning an interfaith Habitat build early next spring with at least five other faith communities. Our task force has committed to contribute at least $10,000, hopefully more, to the $70,000 needed for the build. Please support our bake sale on Aug. 7 between services to raise funds for this build. If you can contribute any baked goods, contact Barb as soon as possible.
     We also are planning joint fund-raisers with the other churches and more of our own fund-raisers for this good cause that will bring us closer together with other faith communities in Bloomington. More information will come soon on those efforts.
towels and blankets
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.
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 31, at 11:45 a.m. in Room 208. The topic is  "Illusion and disillusion" with Jon Chaffin. (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, July 24, at 11:45 a.m. Info, contact John Crosby.   Freethinkers meetings June 26-July 24 will be at 11:45 a.m., since the service ends at 11:15 a.m.

UU Bulletin Board
YARD WORK HELP WANTED. UU choir member would like someone to help out with yard and garden maintenance. The work would be suitable for high school students or older.  If interested, please contact Mary Carol Reardon at maryrrdn@gmail.com
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 July 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.
email:  mre@uubloomington.org   Rev. Leite will be away from the office August 1-10.
 
   

  

Who Ya Gonna Call about Building Problems?
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.  
The leaky skylight situation is being reviewed by the roofers who installed our metal roof, and progress is being made there. For details, talk with Dick Stumpner.
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, Deeva Khatiwada and Monica Overman)
--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 or Andrew Walden, our Multi-media Specialists, 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, August 1.

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:   8/1, 8/15, 9/6 (a Tuesday), 9/19, 10/3, 10/17.
Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, 2120 N. Fee Lane, Bloomington IN 47408, 812-332-3695  
Masthead photo by Linda Mjolsnes