Perspectives for December 2024
From Rev. Susan
"On Rituals and Celebrations"
This is a season of holidays and holy days. Around our homes and at our congregation, we begin a season of celebrations - from Thanksgiving to Solstice, from Christmas to Hanukkah, from Kwanzaa to New Year - these and more are holidays that invite us into greater intention about the passage of time and the lessons of spiritual traditions, history, and from the earth.
Sharing the rituals that were or are important to us can be a great way to share with others our families and histories. It’s even valuable to consider “why we do what we do.” Perhaps you have heard the story of the woman who always cuts off the ends of the ham and throws them away before putting it in the oven. When asked why, she said because her mother and grandmother always did it that way. It was how she was taught. Later, she discovers her grandmother did it because her baking pan and oven were not big enough to hold the whole ham. Traditions get passed down and sometimes we do them because we’ve always done them that way, but it is valuable to ask whether the meaning behind the ritual or tradition is still present and valuable. Another great question is to ask: What meanings, what values do we want to celebrate during the holidays and how do we create rituals and celebrations that bring those meanings forward?
One gift of this season is that holidays and holy days invite us to “mark the time.” To bring special intention and awareness to the passage of time, to the values we hold dear, to remember the people we love. And this has tremendous beauty, but it can also bring pain. “Marking the time” also means remembering - which can bring up loss and grief and painful relationships and experiences with family. May we all be especially gentle with ourselves as we move through this holiday season. Things are hard right now in our world. The longer nights and colder weather can impact our mood and well-being. May we take this time to gather around us the people, the community, the practices that nurture our spirits and tend to our souls - for all the holidays bring.
Education Matters
Rituals help us notice things – moments, seasons, transitions, milestones, achievements – that might otherwise be overlooked in the hubbub of everyday life. Rituals invite us to slow down, and take note; they might remind us of our intentions and priorities, awaken us out of autopilot, and call us into the present moment.
In our UUCB Religious Education program, we mark certain milestones with rituals and celebrations. Our Baby Dedication Ceremony celebrates the arrival of new babies and toddlers into our world and our congregation, as we affirm our commitment to them saying “we recognize that every child is part of our vision for the future, and all youngsters have a just claim upon their families and upon our religious community, to be nurtured in the ways of sharing, of love, of hope, laughter, tears, and just living an awesome life.” A few years later in the lives of those children, we celebrate learning to read as a path to independent learning and thinking, in our Age of Reason Ceremony. This year, our first graders and their families have been invited to participate in this celebration on December 8 (please contact me if you are a parent of a first grader and did not receive a letter). Currently, several of our high school youth are participating in Coming of Age, a program that pulls together all of their religious education to date and culminates with youth writing their individual credos, which they will share with the congregation during the worship service on April 13.
The public declarations of commitment and intent made in weddings, installations, inauguration ceremonies and other rituals remind participants and onlookers alike that they are entering into a new way of being together. What if we brought that level of intentionality to other life transitions, such as the transition to parenthood or empty-nesting? How could rituals help us define new pathways for ourselves after losses due to divorce or death? Participants in our Inner Work of Age program have begun to explore the possibility of a ritual marking the journey toward elderhood as another important rite of passage. What might such rituals look like, and how could they deepen our awareness and connection?
On December 20, we will gather in the Sanctuary to celebrate the Winter Solstice, that moment when the tilt of the earth is at its most extreme, creating the shortest day and the longest night of the year. Celebrating this day reminds us that the light will return, but also invites us to slow down and take in the gifts of the cold, dark time of year rather than wishing these precious days and weeks away. I hope you’ll join us.
From the Connections Coordinator
The Experience of Ritual
During my childhood days of proselytizing atheism on the playground and school bus, the idea of ritual seemed laughable. However, thanks to a wonderful, eye-opening world religions class in high school, I gained an appreciation for ritual. Prompted to visit (and later write on) local places of worship, I learned to “suspend my disbelief” and experience the deeply meditative and moving rituals of the many communities eager to share their traditions with those visiting. And, many of these left room within rituals and ceremonies for a broad spectrum of beliefs. I regularly attended a non-denominational Neo Pagan community holding rituals where circles were cast and collective chants filled the air. The Thai Buddhist temple held services with regular patterns of chanting and bowing followed by a pre-shared lunch ritual of donating to the monks as they passed by carrying silver bowls and bowing in their orange robes. The Episcopal cathedral on the hillside held ethereal almost mind-altering compline services, with a men's choir chanting in old English while attendees rested on the floor and rose in ritual unison at a point mid-service. I am grateful to have visited dozens more places of worship, but these three were foundational to my appreciation of ritual and my understanding of its value even amidst secular viewpoints.
I so appreciate what Unitarian Universalism has to offer to those of widely varying beliefs. Our congregation–which has created meeting spaces for atheists and agnostics, Christian, Jews, Buddhists, and those of other faiths–is composed of such a diversity of individuals who all come together for worship and programming containing elements of ritual. The first ritual acts that come to mind for many of us may be the lighting of candles of joys and concerns and the weekly lighting and extinguishing of our chalice, both acts imbued with meaning as we celebrate milestones of our congregants and create space to honor important happenings in our lives. These ritual moments are special to me.
As the membership professional on staff, I find great meaning, too, in the rituals that acknowledge the joining of new members. Each time a cohort of folks complete the Exploring UUCB membership class (information on an upcoming offering below!) I host a Membership Book Signing ceremony, where we gather with the minister and a board member around a chalice and offer a space for new members to share their intentions and celebrate one another. The use of chalices during events and classes in itself feels to me like a ritual practice. I value the opportunity to open each monthly New to UU class (more on this below!) by lighting a chalice and offering newcomers and myself the time to center in stillness and intention before diving into class content.
Though we are indeed stepping into a time of year when ritual and celebration are proclaimed loudly in the mainstream narrative, I appreciate these year-long opportunities, during our UU Sunday services and in our regular programming, to engage in these familiar moments of recognition and centering.
I offer below information on upcoming offerings of Exploring UUCB (membership class) and New to UU (orientation class). I hope you will read on to learn about some Sunday morning volunteer opportunities as well. In a different sense, I have heard and feel that the “ritualistic” routines of brewing coffee for fellow congregants or showing up to open the Meeting Room doors for those arriving provide a sense of purpose and belonging. I hope you will consider joining with those creating the new “ritual” of directing parking prior to our Sunday services. Please read on for more information, and don’t hesitate to contact me about joining the Java Crew, Greeters, or Parking crew at connect@uubloomington.org. As always, I am also available for a Connections Chat (in-person, via phone call, or via Zoom) or via email to answer your other questions about general engagement, community connections, and membership.
With gratitude,
Anabel Watson
Connections Coordinator
Exploring UUCB on January 26 and February 2: Membership Opportunity (sign up here!)
For those looking to dive a bit deeper, the Exploring UUCB course, also known as the Membership Class, is upcoming on January 26th and February 2nd. This two-day course is a prerequisite to joining official membership at UUCB and is also an excellent learning opportunity for those newer congregants to lean into the details of information presented in the New to UU class. We cover UUCB and UU history, the topics of ministry, governance, and membership, current activities and involvement opportunities, and so much more. After culmination, participants have the opportunity to sign the Membership Book and participate in a Covenanting Ceremony during an upcoming Sunday. It is an engaging class with long-time members as facilitators and guest speakers and an opportunity for meaningful connection amongst participants. Whether you are hoping to become a member, looking to learn more about this community, or both, I welcome you to sign up. This two-day class occurs 3-4 times a year. So, if you are unable to make this fall offering, keep an eye out for upcoming dates. Please register HERE or reach out to me for more information at connect@uubloomington.org.
New to UU: December 8 at Noon
New to UU, a class typically scheduled each first Sunday of the month at noon, is occurring on December 8th to accommodate those out of town during the last weekend in November. If you are newly attending UUCB, I hope you will join me to learn more about Unitarian Universalist values, our ongoing and current activities, engage in an (optional) building tour, and have the chance to get to know others visiting. I will answer folks’ questions, along with a volunteer who will share about our numerous opportunities to engage with social justice in the community. This class is approximately 45-minutes and occurs at noon after our weekly post-service Community Hour social gathering time. All are invited with no registration necessary. Please feel free to email with any questions to connect@uubloomington.org.
Parking Crew!
The Parking Crew (a name that might change) is a new effort to help ensure that all wishing to attend our services can find a place to park. Have you had trouble finding a spot in recent months? If you feel inspired to make this challenge less challenging for our vibrant community, consider putting on a neon vest and joining the effort on Sunday mornings. We have had a few considerate congregants offer to stand by the driveway and inform attendees of nearby parking options and updated availability in our own lot. Do you think you can arrive a little early and help out? If so, send me an email to connect@uubloomington.org. I would love to be in touch!
From the Board of Directors
I am grateful to those congregants who attended “Cookies and Conversation: An Open House with the Board” on Sunday, November 17. This gathering provided an opportunity to discuss the church’s present and future. Board President Jane McLeod gave overviews of three topics. The first topic was the church’s recent transition to the partnership governance model, which is based on the writings of Dan Hotchkiss and which emphasizes Board–Lead Minister collaboration. The second topic was an update on the possible sale of the neighboring Belcher property. The third topic was the Start-up Weekend which is scheduled for January 10-11, 2025, during which UUA staff will facilitate sessions related to the start of Reverend Susan Frederick-Gray’s ministry, inviting the congregation to discuss hopes and priorities for our shared ministry.
The Cookies and Conversation event was very participatory, as attendees asked questions and provided insights throughout. The conversation naturally evolved to include other important matters, ranging from the challenges related to growing attendance (parking, contemplation of a second worship service) to church safety procedures. Board members were excited by the turnout and participation and look forward to considering what they heard from congregants and hosting similar events in the future.
- Bill Lonnberg, Board Treasurer
Social Justice Moment
A Unique Way to Support Task Forces
Does your health care insurance (including Medicare Advantage) have an ‘Over The Counter’ (OTC) free allowance that you can use to order or be reimbursed from for the purchase of a wide array of health care products? It could be a monthly, quarterly or yearly allowance which does not carry over, and it may have a value of up to $400/year! Some plans allow for automatic repeat purchases. Use it or lose it- OR pick out items for our task forces to use!
If you would like to utilize this benefit, order or purchase now with the following instructions. You may have the items shipped to the beneficiary or see the options below. Here are the task forces who are participating, the items that would be useful, and details for each one. Let’s do this!
Reproductive Justice Task Force:
Period products for Middle Way House - pads, tampons, menstrual cups
All Options Pregnancy Resource Center- diapers for children, wipes, diaper cream, breastfeeding supplies such as nipple cream, pumps, and bottles to fit the pump
Contact Nan McKinley to arrange for a hand off at church using [this contact form].
Items for All Options can be shipped there or dropped off at their center: 1014 S Walnut, Blgtn 47401 ***but they ask that you email them first for drop-offs. info@alloptionsprc.org
Homelessness Task Force:
Items for Shalom Center - Because of storage issues, they are limited in their ability to accept items not on this list.
Deodorant, razors, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, body wash, laundry soap, and over-the-counter medications (pain relief, cold & flu, allergy, heartburn). Ideally travel-size, but family-size is also welcome.
They are available to receive donations at 620 S. Walnut Street during their open hours (8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday – Friday). Items can also be put into the bin at church under the Social Justice table in the Commons or the bin outside, near the upper Portico Entrance. The outside bin is not for use in freezing weather. Contact Alan Backler using [this contact form].
RISE- Refugee and Immigrant Support and Education Task Force:
Items for this task force include: personal hygiene items, laundry soap, lip balm, antibiotic ointment, cough drops, small tissue packets, hair brushes, children's cough syrup, digital thermometers, first aid kits, and multivitamins.
Contact Jenny Vessels using [this contact form]. Items may be placed in the bin under the Social Justice table in the Commons.
Upcoming Services
December 08, 2024 - 10:15 a.m.
“The Meaning Behind Our Rituals”
Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray
Erica Whichello, Worship Associate
It is helpful to take time to remember why we do the rituals we do, such as come to service, light our chalice, take time for silence, light candles of joys and sorrow. In this service we’ll explore some of our regular UU rituals and the meaning and histories behind them.
December 15, 2024 - 10:15 a.m.
“Mark the Time”
Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray
Sarah Barnett, Worship Associate
Rituals, traditions and celebrations invite us to be especially attentive to our lives, our loved ones, our history and marking the passage of time. They help us make meaning and memories from our joys, and give us wisdom, solace and strength for the challenges and sorrows. Let us mark this season of holidays and holy days together.
December 22, 2024 - 10:15 a.m.
“Beauty in Darkness”
Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray
Sarah Montgomery, Worship Associate
The midwinter solstice reminds us of the gifts that times of quiet, darkness and winter can bring. In this service, we invite time for quiet reflection, tend to heartbreak, and also remember the promise of the returning light.
December 29, 2024 - 10:15 a.m.
“Hanukkah: The Festival of Lights”
With leadership from members of our UU Jewish Connections group, we will explore and honor the stories and rituals of Hanukkah.
Christmas Eve Services
Spend your Christmas Eve with music, community, and candlelight at UUCB. Both services will be filled with singing and the lighting of candles. The early service includes a no-rehearsal Nativity play that invites people of all ages to play a part. The later service features the choir and both traditional and contemporary readings and reflections on Christmas.
December 24, 2024 - 4 p.m.
A Multigenerational Participatory Retelling of the Nativity
Service Leaders: Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray, Stephanie Kimball, Sarah Montgomery, and more.
December 24, 2024 - 7 p.m.
Lessons and Carols Service
Service Leaders: Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray, Stephanie Kimball, and more
Child Dedications
Child Dedications will be offered on Sunday, December 22 and both Christmas Eve services. Please contact Rev. Susan if you would like to have your child or children dedicated.
At this time of year, filled with holidays and holy days, we are reminded of the importance of honoring the ceremonies of passage. In Unitarian Universalist congregations, child dedications are an opportunity for parents to bring their young children to be blessed and welcomed into community. It is also a way for the community to offer their blessings and support to the parents and children. The child dedication is not a ritual to remove sin, nor to provide special privilege, but a recognition of the importance of honoring the young lives in our community and their families. It is also a time when parents and the congregation as a whole are asked to dedicate themselves to the fullest unfolding and development of the child and to nurturing a community of peace in which all children may grow.
We use water and a rose for the dedication. Water is a symbol of nature’s bounty and our own connection to nature as part of the human family. The rose is a symbol of the unique gift that each child is and our hope that each child will, throughout their lives, unfold and blossom just as the rose.
If you are interested in having your child or children dedicated at one of the services, or have any questions, please email Rev. Susan at revsfg@uubloomington.org or call the office at 812-332-3695.
Attendance, Offering, and Membership Information
Current Member Number: 456
Attendance:
11/03/2024: 352
11/06/2024: 174
11/10/2024: 316
11/17/2024: 298
11/24/2024: 250
Offering Total for November 2024: $3,341.65
25% Donated to Monroe County Habitat for Humanity: $835.41
