Connection
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Chalice Circles: Small Group Ministry
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Volunteer Opportunities
Ways to support the church by volunteering, especially on Sunday mornings, or getting involved with committees that organize annual church events.
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Greeters
Volunteer as a Greeter to welcome people as they enter our building on Sunday mornings.
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Flame Keepers
Flame Keepers play a vital role in our Sunday morning worship services - volunteer to maintain the Joys and Sorrows candles and assist the ministers as needed.
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Java Crew
Be a part of a team that makes coffee and tea possible on Sunday mornings.
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Groundskeepers
Groundskeepers are those intrepid volunteers that keep our church grounds looking clean and neat and healthy - planting, mulching, weeding, watering, collecting litter, etc. We provide tools and all are welcome!
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Art Fair & Bazaar
Our annual Art Fair & Bazaar takes place in early December. If you're interested in helping to make it happen, this is the committee for you!
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Goods & Services Auction
Join the planning committee for the annual Goods & Services Auction, a spring fundraiser for our church.
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Parking Volunteers
This group is currently focused on organizing volunteers who stand by the church driveway on Sundays and direct attendees to available parking both in our lot and in designated streets and IU lots where we have permission to park.
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Greeters
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Join a Group
We have many active groups led by church members and friends that provide opportunities to gather, connect, build relationships, discuss, explore new things, and learn from each other.
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Fellowship Dinners
At Fellowship Dinners, you share a potluck meal with a small group of friendly UUs in someone’s home. Once a year you host a group. Single or paired, you are welcome at Fellowship Dinners.
❖ When: October and November 2023, January through April 2024.
❖ What: You share a potluck meal with a small group of friendly UUs in someone’s home. Once a year you host a group. The perfect way to meet newcomers and old timers in small, convivial groups!
❖ How: The Fellowship Dinners coordinator sends a list of guests to the host, who contacts the guests, establishes a mutually agreed date for the meal, and prepares the main dish. The guests bring the rest of the dishes for the meal: appetizer, salad, vegetable, dessert, beverage, etc.
Be creative and carefree! The Fellowship Dinner can be a dinner, or it can be a breakfast, brunch, lunch, or picnic!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be a gourmet cook?
You can join in Fellowship Dinners even if you bring a dish from the deli.
What if I am not part of a couple?
Single or paired, you are welcome at Fellowship Dinners.
What if my house and table are small?
Fellowship Dinners can be for as few as 4 guests. On your Registration Form note the number of guests you can accommodate. Some folks with small or distant homes might make arrangements to host in someone else’s (larger, closer) home – the coordinator can help match up with those of us who feel comfortable providing their home as a venue for those without a space to host the dinner. Anyone acting as a venue provider will then function as a guest. Finally, hosting is an enjoyable experience; however, you don’t have to host if you have limitations that cannot be overcome. Let the coordinator know that. When you are the host and are scheduling dinners, please remind couples that they should think of themselves as two units, not as a single unit when mapping out who will contribute what to the dinners.
Must I host?
Hosting UUs is an enjoyable experience; however, you don’t have to host if you have limitations that cannot be overcome. Let the coordinator know that.
Will I eat with the same people every month?
One of the great attractions of Fellowship Dinners is the chance to meet a different group of UUs every month.
What if I cannot participate every month?
When you register, mark the months you cannot participate.
How do I register?
Click here to sign up online! You can also pick up a paper form at the church and leave it in the office (Room 204).
May I still enroll later in the year?
Yes. Just send in the form as soon as you can.
Coordinator: Kathy Gilbert, fwpdinners@uubloomington.org
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Gardeners
Join the Gardeners' Gathering on the fourth Sunday of the month following the Sunday service, in the Courtyard (or in Room 112). Every type and level of gardener is welcome. We'll share experiences, stories, advice, and maybe plants from time to time.
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Hikers
This group hikes about once a month on moderate hikes of 2-6 miles near Bloomington.
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Humanists and Freethinkers
The Humanist Forum and the Freethinkers meet on alternate Sundays at 11:40 am in person at the church in Room 208, with an option to join via Zoom.
Humanist Forum
The forum explores human growth and the transcendent without supernaturalism. Forum Presenters are selected by group vote and present for 10-15 minutes to kick off our discussions. They do not (usually) lead the discussion. Topics include issues relating to morality and ethics, human development, evolution, the nature of the universe, love, the capacities of the brain, free will, the latest scientific research and discoveries. Humanists, agnostics, atheists, freethinkers, religious naturalists, interested theists, and anyone who wishes to attend are welcome.
See our current discussion topics / Join the group email list
UU Freethinkers
This group seeks conversations that foster an understanding of diverse views. We usually accommodate 2 or 3 topics per meeting. It is the idea, not the messenger, which is explored in discussion. The UU Freethinkers hope to learn how others form their opinions and to test these opinions with individual experiences and learning.
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Jewish UU Connections
Jewish UU Connections is a group of people within our congregation who feel connected to Judaism, either culturally or religiously or both.
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Men's Group
The UU Men's Group meets in our Library on the third Tuesday of every month at 7:00 p.m., with an option to join online via Zoom.
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Parents of Young Children
This is a group for families with young children to connect for gatherings, play dates, mutual aid and support. Also advocates and organizes for family-friendly, kid-friendly spaces and practices within the church.
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Poetry on First Mondays
For people who love poetry of all kinds. This group meets via Zoom on the first Monday of the month at 10 am to read and discuss poems together.
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Shambhala Meditation
This group meets Mondays from 12-1 p.m. in the Library, with an option to join online on Zoom.
Led by Leigh Grunhoefer and Susan Middlestadt.
Click here to Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 850 7990 8921
Passcode: 824751 -
Tai Chi (Taiji) and Qigong
Brian Flaherty leads Tai Chi and Qigong practice here at our church Saturdays 9 to 10:30 a.m. and Mondays 2:15 to 3 p.m.
The practices are free of charge. Usually in Fellowship Hall, occasionally moved to the Library. Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes. All are welcome.
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Wednesday Walkers
An informal group that gets together semi-regularly on Wednesday mornings, usually around 9 or 10 am, to go for walks together at different locations around town.
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Women's Alliance
The Women’s Alliance was founded in 1959 to manage the annual church Bazaar, build fellowship, and give service and financial support to the church and selected church and community projects, as voted upon by the membership.
The group is open to everyone, and meets the first Thursday of the month at 11:30 am in Fellowship Hall or via Zoom. In-person meetings begin with a brown bag lunch, and beverages and desserts are provided unless otherwise noted. The program starts at noon – with a presentation about a community organization or other interesting topic. This is followed by a brief discussion of Women’s Alliance business. Meetings end at 1 pm.
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Young Adults
A group for those roughly between the ages of 18-35 seeking to connect more deeply with each other; currently gathers for a monthly lunch and discussion.
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Fellowship Dinners
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Find or Offer Support
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Pastoral Associates Care Team
The Pastoral Associates Care Team, working with the Lead Minister, extends the pastoral care of the church in a ministry of one-to-one presence and support to those who are experiencing illness, loss, isolation, or life changes.
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Caring Committee
Upon referral from the lead minister or a PACT member, the Caring Committee provides practical assistance with meals for congregants following surgery, a death in the family, or the birth or adoption of a child; occasional rides to medical appointments; or refreshments for a reception in conjunction with a memorial service.
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4th Trimester Team
Our 4th Trimester Team offers support to families with new babies. No experience needed, just presence and compassion. If you can make a text or a phone call, you can be helpful.
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Pastoral Associates Care Team
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Become a Member
Membership is open to those 14 years and older who support our vision statement:
SEEKING THE SPIRIT, BUILDING COMMUNITY, CHANGING THE WORLD
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Community Hour
Community Hour is the time after the Sunday Service, roughly 11:15 - 12:00, when we provide coffee, tea, and other beverages and snacks to encourage people to mingle, chat, get to know each other, and meet new people.
Children are welcome in Community Hour. We try to provide juice, water and/or hot chocolate along with coffee, tea, and snacks in order to accommodate everyone! On most days, there is an Intergenerational Activity Table set up with puzzles, games, or other activities that we hope will prompt conversation and collaboration among people of all ages.
Beverages are typically served in the hallway between the Meeting Room and Fellowship Hall. Food offerings may include bagels, fruit, or other finger foods, bake sale items, or a sit-down lunch.
Often, groups table in Fellowship Hall to raise awareness about events, opportunities, and important causes. The Book Table sells books of interest to many congregation members.
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Lifespan Engagement Team
The Lifespan Engagement Team's mission is to promote and create opportunities for participation in all aspects of congregational life for people of all ages and stages of life.
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Stewardship
Stewardship includes all the ways we care for our congregation. Financial gifts as well as gifts of your time, energy, passion, talent, and effort are our love and commitment made visible. All aspects of stewardship can be as much about continually nurturing a spirit of generosity as they are about obligation and responsibility. We celebrate our responsibility in using these gifts well to support Unitarian Universalism here in our congregation and in our community.
Visit our Donate page for details on ways to give financially.