Perspectives for March 2024

Sunday, March 10
10:15 a.m.

"The Wisdom of Trees"

Reverend Connie Grant, Dr. Stephanie Kimball, and Avram Primack, Worship Associate

We’ll explore some lessons we can all learn from trees.  A multigenerational service.

Sunday, March 17
10:15 a.m.

“How Things Work”

Reverend Connie Grant and Sarah Johnson, Worship Associate

“Everything affects everything” is my summary of how things work. Science and theology provide some more detailed explanations.

Wednesday, March 20
6:15 p.m.
Spring Equinox Vespers Service

As we enter a new season of increasing light and warmth, we celebrate new growth, dreams, and possibilities. Spring can be a good time to ponder questions like these: Where in your life are you experiencing rebirth and renewal? What is blossoming in you? Where do you feel the greatest need for new blossoms? Please join us as we mark the turning of the season and reflect on our own life journeys as individuals and as a community. A potluck dinner will follow in Fellowship Hall.
Questions? Contact Stephanie Kimball.

Sunday, March 24
10:15 a.m.

"UUCB History: The Tree of Life Quilt"

Reverend Connie Grant, UUCB Congregants, and Mary Craig, Worship Associate

An essay in the collection “Stories from the Tree of Life” notes that “The making of the Tree of Life quilt is a good example of the creative spirits, individual and collective, that are the very fabric of our congregation.”  We’ll recount the story of the making of the quilt and some of the stories it represents.

Sunday, March 31
10:15 a.m.
“Resurrection for Unitarian Universalists”

Reverend Connie Grant and Avram Primack, Worship Associate

On this Easter Sunday, can we as Unitarian Universalists find meaning in the tale of resurrection?

As we slide into March, my mind is increasingly focused on June and September. Not as an escape from the gray skies and cold temperatures, but because now is the time to plan programming that will take place next summer and fall! I’m sharing this with you now because one of the first considerations when planning future classes is who is available to teach them. There are opportunities available for volunteer teachers and facilitators at all levels – children, youth, and adults. Maintaining or growing our programs depends upon people like you stepping forward to share your time, talents, and ideas – and maybe stretching out of your comfort zone and trying something new.

We need more people in all areas, but our greatest need is for adults to work with our 6th-8th graders. For the past 4 years, we have been unable to offer any programs for our middle school aged youth. This year we have several kids who have been actively participating in our elementary class but will age out next fall. This is a crucial time for these youth to stay connected to our UUCB community! For children and youth programming up through 8th grade, lesson plans and materials are provided, to minimize the prep work for volunteers – but teachers are free to tailor those lessons if they choose. Teaching commitments can be as little as one Sunday per month. Training and support are provided, and volunteers work together as teams. There are always at least two adults in every classroom. Both Our Whole Lives (OWL) and Spirit Play require specific training programs, so if you are interested in either of these volunteer opportunities, please contact me to discuss the possibilities. For a full description of each of our volunteer opportunities, please visit our website.

If you’re not sure what would be the best fit for you, let’s talk! Now is also the time to be thinking about adult religious education classes you might like to offer next year – OR that you wish someone else would offer. Please use this form to submit your idea(s), or contact me if you would like to discuss it first.

Thank you for helping to keep our community a vibrant place of learning for people of all ages.

Stephanie Kimball, Director of Lifespan Religious Education kimball@uubloomington.org

Recently, there has been a rise in the number of email and text-based scams targeting members of this church. Actually, this doesn’t only apply here – church members across faith traditions are becoming increasingly common targets for this sort of attack. I really appreciate everyone who has reported these scam messages to church staff. This lets us warn the community to be extra vigilant, and I’m tracking when these incidents happen.
In this article, I will give you some tips and advice for spotting these malicious messages and avoiding their tricks – plus, some good news about the importance of our shared community.

1. The easiest way to spot a malicious email or text message is by checking the sender’s address/number. For email messages, this is easy. All emails from church staff (except for Rev. Grant) will come from an address ending in “@uubloomington.org”.
   
   Rev. Grant’s email address is constance.l.grant@gmail.com. If you’re ever in doubt as to whether an email actually came from her, you can always edit the “to” address when replying, so your return email goes to grant@uubloomington.org. This address forwards to Connie, so you can be sure any of her further replies are definitely legitimate.
   
   For text messages, this is a little bit harder. If the person texting you is a fellow member of the church, though, you can sign in to our directory (uucb.churchcenter.com/directory) and look them up. If the phone number you got a message from matches the one we have on file, you’re probably OK to continue the conversation. This also works for emails exchanged with non-staff members of the community. If you’re not sure, check another source to make sure the contact information lines up.
   
   This is a great reason for everyone to make sure that their directory profiles are up to date, and that their information is shared with the congregation. Not only is it convenient, but it could save someone from falling victim to a scam.
2. It’s also good to check that the emails you’re receiving actually make sense. If something is misspelled, using nonsensical grammar, or just asking for something outlandish, that can be a sign that it’s not legitimate. No staff will EVER ask for gift cards or bank account information. NO request for passwords or “access to the database” is legitimate.
3. Always make sure that any links you click on are honest about where they are taking you. This is a helpful tip anywhere on the internet, but especially in emails. When you hover over (place your cursor on top of without clicking) a link, your web browser will show you the actual destination somewhere across the bottom of your screen. This varies depending on which web browser you’re using, but it’s usually on the lower left or lower right.
   
   If you’re using a phone or a tablet, you can usually long press (tap and hold) a link, which will give you a whole list of actions to choose from. The destination of the link will be listed there, just as it is across the bottom of the web browser on a computer.
   
   Let’s do a brief exercise. First, hover over the link to our directory in item 1. You’ll see in your browser’s status bar that it’s actually going to Church Center. This link is all clear. Next, consider the following link, claiming to take you to Google: google.com
   
   Now, hover over that link (or long press it, if you’re using a phone). You’ll see that instead of taking you to google, that link will actually take you to our website. That’s innocent enough (and you can try it, if you like), but hopefully you can see how bad actors could use this same tactic to direct you to a malicious website.
4. Always remember that if you’re being asked for something, you are in control. If you get an email from someone claiming to be part of the church and it just feels wrong (whether it exhibits any of these scam warning signs or not), you can always end or pause the conversation. The same goes for text message conversations, and even phone calls. A large part of how these scam operations succeed is by creating a sense of urgency. This makes us more likely to respond emotionally – before our rational brains can take over. There is very little in the business of the church which truly requires immediate action, and none of us will be put out by anyone choosing to be more careful in communications.
   
   If anything seems off, switch to another known mode of communication to reach the person who claims to be attempting to reach you. This could be:
   
   1. An email to someone else you trust, who might know the person better
   2. A phone call to the actual person’s number
   3. Stopping to talk to us on Sunday morning (please wait till AFTER the service if it’s staff you need to talk with!)
   4. Drop by the church during office hours and ask someone (even if it’s not the person who claims to have reached out to you)
   5. Or anything else!

If none of these things are possible, don’t be afraid to simply delay the conversation. Put the email or text aside for at least a few hours, or tell the person on the phone that you have to take care of some urgent business and that you’ll reach out later. Think about the interaction and what raised red flags for you, and whether you want to continue it.

1. Lastly, a note on community. Along with creating a sense of urgency, and taking advantage of our willingness to help others, these scams have been shown to target those people who are statistically likely to be lonely, and/or lack the technical skill to spot the signs of malicious communication. Both of these tactics can be completely thwarted by remaining in community. I recommend a “Digital Buddy” system. Find someone (or multiple people) in the community who would be willing to offer a second opinion on any suspicious communications. Do the same for them. You don’t have to be a computer expert, either. Most scam messages seem fairly obvious when approached rationally. Often, all that’s required is a second set of eyes, or a couple minutes on the phone to talk things through with a friend.

In review:

1. Check that the message you’ve received actually came from the sender’s address.
2. Make sure that requests are logical before responding to them.
3. Watch out for misleading links, even if a message seems otherwise legitimate.
4. If anything seems off, reach out by another method, or just delay the conversation.
5. Stay in community. Keep in touch with each other. Reach out in times of confusion, and be available for others to do the same. We’re all in this together.

I hope these tips help you all remain more vigilant and confident as we navigate this new digital world together. Modern scam tactics can be extremely confusing, even to those of us who grew up on the internet. There’s no shame in not knowing what’s going on. Let’s all keep talking to each other, and stay in relationship. There is truly no better way forward.

I’m always available for questions over email to hkelson@uubloomington.org

Hans Kelson, Technology Coordinator

A couple of Sundays ago, I sat down in Fellowship Hall with a (delicious) plate of food from the Green Sanctuary Task Force’s Community Hour potluck. What ensued was a fulfilling and productive hour of conversation, laughter, scheduling, and sharing of this lively social space. One Board Member, upon filling the seat that had been vacated next to me moments before, joked that I had set up an office. It feels so good to be both a part of this vibrant and dynamic community of people and to help strengthen and create connections within it. “Connections Coordinator” is truly a descriptor that I love embodying in all aspects of my life.

On the topic of coordinating connections, the next Young Adult (ages 18-35) event is scheduled for March 31, 11:45 a.m. after the service. If you identify as a young adult, please come to meet fellow YA UU’s and join us for pizza followed by a hike at Lake Griffy. To volunteer to hang up posters around Bloomington (volunteers of all ages greatly appreciated!), please reach out to me at connect@uubloomington.org. We need your help!

As mentioned in my previous columns, we are regularly in need of volunteers for a variety of activities. Teams that I oversee which are currently in particular need are the Membership Anniversary Call Team and various Sunday morning activities: Greeters, Flame Keepers, and Java Crew. These all provide the opportunity to get to know others in the UUCB community, whether through phone conversations congratulating folks on joining membership in a former year or through engaging in a joint service activity on a Sunday. UUCB member Libby DeVoe will be presenting a training for folks new to Greeting on Sunday, April 7, 11:45 a.m. -12:45 p.m. in the Meeting Room (questions can be submitted here). Please reach out to me if you have interest in any of these other activities or have questions regarding the mechanics of any one. I am happy to help you find a role that feels most meaningful to you!

On Membership

In addition to cultivating connections within the congregation, I also focus on church membership. In April, I will be joining membership professionals from all over the country at the annual “Pro Days” of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Membership Professionals (UUAMP) held this year in Naperville, Illinois. I am looking forward to connecting with others in similar roles across the country and bringing back my learnings to you all.

I so value all members of UUCB and want to ensure that your membership within this community is meaningful and rewarding. I view membership as an aspect of one’s identity. There are many different reasons why congregants may choose to join: to formalize a sense of belonging, to participate in votes that impact our building and leadership, to represent our church at General Assembly, and many other valid and important reasons. Anyone who wishes to be a member is very welcome to join. Of course, those who wish not to formally become members are valued and just as much a part of our congregation and community. I am so grateful to know each and every individual in this community with whom I have interacted.

As you may be aware, the church is currently completing its annual membership roll review. This process serves to ensure an accurate record of who wishes to remain as a member and who no longer identify as being a member. We want to ensure that our membership rolls accurately reflect folks’ desires and intentions surrounding membership status. In addition, an inflated membership count raises the number needed to achieve quorum, jeopardizing our ability to make crucial decisions at congregational meetings, including the April vote to call a settled minister. If you have any questions about roll review, we want to answer them! Please reach out to Reverend Connie at grant@uubloomington.org or to me at connect@uubloomington.org

If you wish to become a member, please click here to sign up for Exploring UUCB, our 4-hour course (split over two Sundays) focusing on membership, Unitarian Universalism, and UUCB in particular. The upcoming course, occurring on March 17 and 24, 2-4pm, is coming up soon and is the last opportunity to join membership prior to our April vote to call a new settled minister as well as our June congregational meeting. The official Book Signing and Covenanting Ceremony for graduates of this course who elect to become members will take place on Sunday, March 31. You must be a member to vote during candidating week and during the June congregational meeting. If you do not wish to join membership but are eager to learn more about the UU tradition, meet others looking to engage, and become more familiar with our church and its history, you are also strongly encouraged to sign up! As always, I am available to answer any questions.

I hope that UUCB is a place that inspires you to think deeply, find meaning, connect in community with diverse people, actively inspire positive change, and engage in whatever ways are most meaningful to you. Thank you for being an important part of this community!

Anabel Watson, Connections Coordinator connect@uubloomington.org

Each Sunday after service in Fellowship Hall, Jo will be walking around to capture your smiles for the Directory! Keep a lookout for them and the sign on their shirt stating, "Directory Photos." Once a month, starting March 10, they will be tabling during Fellowship Hall to help members join the Directory.
Including your photo in the Directory is a simple, yet effective way to build community. It helps newcomers, including our incoming minister, put faces with names. Keeping your information up-to-date helps us contact you with timely information and invitations, and makes it easier for congregation members to be in touch with you as well.

Jo Bowman, Communications Coordinator office@uubloomington.org

Our new Youth Group invites you to contribute to their canned food drive throughout the month of March! Donated goods will be featured in the Easter Canned Goods Hunt on March 31, in which children will have a chance to find the canned goods hidden in the Courtyard and receive an Easter goodie bag when all the cans have been retrieved. Please place canned goods in the collection bins near the sanctuary entrances by Sunday, March 24.

As you’ve probably heard, Bloomington is on the path of totality of the upcoming Solar Eclipse. This means that in this area, we’ll be able to view the full eclipse, when the moon completely blocks the light of the sun for a short period of time. This also means that there will be many thousands of people visiting the Bloomington area in order to witness this celestial event – some estimate we can expect upwards of a hundred thousand people! The Indiana Department of Transportation has issued a bulletin with suggestions for preparation for this event. Here’s a summary of things to consider:

1. Purchase certified solar eclipse glasses from the Green Sanctuary Task Force and Habitat Task force for $2 each, on Sunday mornings in Community Hour, while supplies last.
2. IU will hold a variety of eclipse-related events at the stadium and other locations; see their schedule here.
3. We anticipate that there will be a huge demand for parking on April 8. In order to protect our grounds, we will be selling parking spaces starting early on the morning of April 8 and continuing until our lot is full. Volunteers are needed! People who live within walking distance of the church are especially encouraged to sign up.
4. Be sure to have ample supplies of groceries, medications, and other necessities prior to April 8, as traffic may make it impossible to get around town.
5. Please check in on neighbors, especially the elderly and others who may need help.
6. As an example of things to consider: the public Library will be closed on April 8 because first responders have warned that they are not likely to be able to get to the library in the event of an emergency.
7. If you plan on being on the road at all on April 8, INDOT recommends having a safety kit with you in case you get stranded.

The partial eclipse will begin about 1:30 p.m., reaching totality just after 3 p.m.
Here at UUCB, we will celebrate the eclipse on Sunday, April 7 with a special multigenerational service on wonder and awe. We hope to see you then!

Runs Online April 5 - 14

Please complete this form for each of your items/services to donate.

The Auction is early this year to clear the way for our Candidating Week (April 21-28). That said, we hope to have a bigger than ever Auction with all the enthusiasm and creativity that this amazing congregation has to offer! We have a goal this year of $10,000 and we are looking for MORE – more dinners and parties, more beautiful artwork and ceramics, more lessons, more yard work, more baking, more furniture, more toys and kid stuff, more plants and produce, more everything! New to the congregation, or maybe feeling a little detached? This is a FUN way to get to know people and to let them know you. Your talents and treasures are needed to contribute to the budget and to help us SEEK THE SPIRIT, BUILD COMMUNITY, and CHANGE THE WORLD!
You will receive an email for your record for each form completed. If you have any questions, please complete this form.

Celebrating Our History and Funding Our Future

Welcome to the 2024-2025 Pledge Campaign! The opportunities that lie before us abound! Celebrating our 75th anniversary, searching for a new minister, and--as usual--balancing all that is required to make the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington the special place for connection, love, and action that it is.Our financial contributions make possible who we are and what we do. UUCB has an extraordinary staff that creates vision, inspires us, and provides space for learning, questioning, and creative disagreement. We have a beautiful, fully paid-for building, where we create space to meet, plan, work, and welcome new people to join us.

Our goal this year is $700,000.

This is an audacious goal, which will enable us to compensate our new lead minister and staff competitively with salary and benefits, address some past-due maintenance on our building, recover from having withdrawn $100,000 from our operational reserves, and continue to ensure the integrity of our programs and ministry, as this congregation and the extended community deserve.
We are a generous bunch who always rally when there is a need, and there is currently a need for our pledges of financial support. Each of us is asked to pledge an amount that represents the value of this congregation to us, while keeping in mind our ability to contribute.
As you thoughtfully consider your pledge to UUCB, whether it is your first pledge or your fiftieth, let us be generous and forward-thinking.
Thank you!

"We experience joy in forming the intention to be generous;
we experience joy in the actual act of giving something;
and we experience joy in remembering the fact we have given."
Lama Surya Das – Quoting the Buddha

The Pledge Drive Committee
Corrin Clarkson, David Frew, JaneAnn Gifford, Pat Slabach, Judy Witt
Giving brings happiness at every state of its expression.

Stewardship Testimonials

At the February 25th service, Reverend Bill Breeden reminded us of the value of engaging deeply in the life of UUCB. There are many different ways of becoming involved: help with coffee, be a greeter, join a Task Force, be a Religious Education teacher, and many more.

In this month’s Board column, I’d like to highlight three ways of becoming involved that are top-of-mind for me.

First, consider attending the Unitarian Universalist Association annual meeting called General Assembly, or GA, June 20-23, 2024. GA will be held entirely online this year which makes it easier than ever to participate. While anyone who registers can attend all GA events, only Delegates are allowed to vote. Our church can select up to 11 delegates to represent our church and vote on matters on our behalf. If you are interested in being a delegate this year, please fill out this simple application. UUCB will pay registration costs for Delegates who are selected and who register by the early registration deadline (March 15th). That means that, if you are interested in serving as a delegate, we will need to hear from you soon!
Second, consider helping with UU summer camp. This summer, our church will host what used to be called MUUSA (Midwest Unitarian Universalist Summer Assembly), before that was called LGSA (Lake Geneva Summer Assembly), and will now be called (at least for this year) BLUUSA (you can figure it out), or “camp” for short. BLUUSA will run July 3-7, 2024, with campers coming from all over the Midwest. It will feature a wide range of workshops and activities for children, middle schoolers, high schoolers, young adults, and not-quite-as-young adults, running from early morning to late evening (for those of you familiar with UU parlance, it is kind of like a CON for the whole family). We will need oodles of helpers to make BLUUSA happen: greet campers; help campers find their way around the building and grounds; prepare, serve, and clean up after meals; among many other tasks. Helping out will be a great way to connect with fellow UUCBers and to meet UUs from other churches. If you are interested in helping out, please contact Jane McLeod at jmcleod@indiana.edu.
Third, and finally, we will be looking for two new members of the Pledge Drive committee to begin on July 1. The Pledge Drive Committee works under the authority of the Board to plan and implement each year’s Pledge Drive campaign. Members are recruited each spring and are approved by the Board in consultation with the current committee members. If you are interested in joining next year’s committee, please let me know! Fill out this form to contact Jane McLeod.

Jane McLeod, Vice President

A quick message from your Ministerial Search Committee

We’re happy to share that we're in the midst of welcoming pre-candidates to Bloomington for their interviews and time for deep discernment with us. We are grateful to all of you who are honoring our request for privacy at the church on Saturdays to allow this process to happen in a manner that respects the confidentiality of the process.
And a reminder to please mark your calendars for Candidating Week, April 21-28, when there will be many opportunities to meet and get to know the candidate. Please be at the church on April 28th for a special congregational meeting after service when we will vote to call the candidate.

With gratitude, your Ministerial Search Committee: Ann, Christine, Denise, Mary Beth, Michael, Olaya, and Von

Printing on Fabric
with Natural Dye Plants

Thursdays from March 21 - April 18
1-4 p.m. in Fellowship Hall & Kitchen
Register Here

In this 5 week course, participants will learn how to create intricate colors and patterns on fabrics using natural dye materials. Known as botanical printing or eco-printing, this process offers an environmentally friendly and sustainable approach to crafting beautiful and distinctive textiles.We will explore the art of arranging and steam-setting dried flower petals from dye plants and leaves from native trees onto cotton and silk fabrics. This hands-on experience not only results in unique prints, but also fosters a deeper personal connection to nature. The class aims to build a community that shares a passion for creativity and environmental consciousness.This unique opportunity is partly funded by the Creative Aging Program of the Indiana Arts Commission and is limited to 6 participants aged 65 and over. A $40 material fee applies, and students are requested to commit to attending all five classes.

Poetry as a Spiritual Practice

March 25 &
every other Monday from April 1 - May 13
7-8:30 p.m. in the Library & Zoom
Linda Pickle, Facilitator
Register Here

Are you interested in exploring new ways to engage in spiritual practice? Do you want to delve into what spiritual practice is or could be for you? Do you simply love poetry and want to have an opportunity to share your love with others and in doing so deepen that appreciation? Do you write poetry and want to share your work and your reasons for writing poetry with others? These, and perhaps others, are good reasons to join this course. A series of five meetings will focus on sharing poems that the participants bring to the group. The first meeting will give participants a chance to talk about what "spiritual practice" means to them and about why they joined the course. Literary analysis is NOT the purpose of the course; rather, practice in experiencing poetry as a vehicle for spiritual practice is the goal.
Registrations are currently open, this class has a 7 person limit. Click here to contact Linda with your questions.

On Repentance and Repair
Discussion Course on the UUA Common Read

Register Here

If you were intrigued by the February sermon on the transformative powers of reparation and amends, join our 4-week Wednesday evening class, May 1-22! We'll hold an in-depth study of Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg's On Repentance and Repair, this year's Unitarian Universalist Association's (UUA) Common Read. There will be in-person and online options. Dr. Stephanie Kimball, your Director of Lifespan Religious Education, and the Rev. Sarah Gettie McNeill, a community minister serving at the UUA, will be co-facilitating this class which has the power to transform how you engage with the act of relationship repair on all levels - personal, institutional, and global. Pick up the book, start reading, and register now!

Death Cafe

March 31
3-5 p.m.
Register Here

Everybody dies. Yet we do not talk about it. Death Cafe is here to normalize the undoubtedly normal fact of our own mortality.
It’s important to note that Death Cafe is NOT counseling, nor is it a grief support group. It is simply a place to talk, and listen, about our thoughts and feelings around death. Sponsored by the 2023 cohort of Inner Work of Age.

Sound Baths for Relaxation

March 9
April 13
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Register here

Lie back and receive the healing vibrations of the sounds of instruments such as crystal singing bowls, Himalayan singing bowls, gong, buffalo drum, voice and more. Offered by Jill Courtney.

Reproductive Justice

By Nan McKinley

We adopted from SisterSong (Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective) the definition of Reproductive Justice as, “The human right to maintain personal bodily autonomy, have children, not have children, and parent the children we have in safe and sustainable communities.” This goes beyond the earlier movement for reproductive rights which centered on legalizing birth control and abortion. Reproductive Justice includes access: the availability and affordability of providers, as well as transportation, especially now that out-of-state travel is necessary for abortions. Justice in raising children casts a wide net encompassing far more than we take on. We address the need for comprehensive sex education and childbearing support. Maintaining personal bodily autonomy also encompasses gender identity, gender affirming health care, and addressing Period Poverty.

Our task force raises money through parking for IU football games, and our annual bake sale. We donate to several initiatives: the diaper bank at All-Options Pregnancy Resource Center, the Hoosier Abortion Fund (which is managed by All-Options for the entire state), the UU OWL (Our Whole Lives sexuality education) program, and Middle Way House to aid the purchase of period products. In addition, our 4th Trimester Team supports families with new babies by providing community resource information, shopping, transportation, in-home childcare, meals, and light housekeeping. We seek to provide educational opportunities for the congregation. In addition, we monitor legislation at the state level for relevant issues to share with members of the task force. The most recent issue is the threat to in vitro fertilization (IVF) if our state follows Alabama in this regard.

We will be hosting a presentation by Kristen Jozkowski, PhD, Complexity in Abortion Attitudes: Stats and Stories, on Sunday March 24th from 12 to 1:30 in the Meeting Room. Dr Jozkowski is the William L Yarber Endowed Professor of Sexual Health, School of Public Health at IU and is a Principal Investigator on the Abortion Attitudes Project. Q & A will follow the presentation. To livestream this event, click the following link: https://vimeo.com/event/4146517

By Denise Ogren, SJFC Chair

The deadline for nominating our next local non-profit agency to receive 25% of Sunday non-pledge plate collections is approaching. Click here to view the Guidelines for Nomination of a Non-Profit Agency to Receive 25% of Sunday Plate Non-Pledge Funds from July 2024 - June 2025. The application deadline will be April 15th, after which the Social Justice Funds Committee will choose three nominee finalists for the congregation to vote on at the spring congregational meeting in June.

Our contributions to the current recipient, All-Options Pregnancy Resource Center, total $3,103.26 so far this year. The total donated to last year’s recipient, Bloomington Refugee Network, was $8059.12! Which local non-profit agency would you like to see be our next recipient?

Those who submit applications must be able to meet the following obligations: (1) contact the agency you support to gather the information necessary to complete the application. If you are among the three finalists chosen you will need to (2) provide a 200 word written statement on the agency to be published in the May Perspectives or Friday Update; (3) arrange for written materials to be available at the church throughout May, and (4) give a brief 3-minute presentation during the service on the Sunday of the June congregational meeting, including an overview of the organization and an explanation of how the funds will be spent. The agency is also asked to table after services in late May and June.

Watch for further announcements from the Social Justice Funds Committee. Contact Denise Ogren, SJFC Chair, at uucbsjfunds@uubloomington.org with any questions.

The Social Justice Funds Committee: Denise Ogren, Steve Mascari, Sarah Kopper, Sandy Davoren, Scott Sanders Advisor: Jackie Hall

Be “Energy Smart”

By Molly O'Donnell

The Green Sanctuary Task Force’s March Task of the Month features ways to save energy used by appliances, electronics, and lighting.

The flier includes help setting priorities for electrifying homes – with some improvements earning federal tax credits. Page two of the flier includes instructions on how to use a watt meter, available to check out from the Kirkwood MCPL branch’s Library of Things, to measure the energy used over time by everything from refrigerators to gaming systems.

EDUCATE, ADVOCATE, ACT

By Connie Loftman

Many of you have followed the footsteps to our table in Fellowship Hall and several have signed up to join our movement or receive more information.

For those who haven’t: what are we about? We are Bloomington UUs who came together in a book discussion group organized by the Bloomington Multi-Faith Alliance, Faith for Racial Equity. For several weeks we read and discussed chapters of Poverty, By America by Matthew Desmond. In the first few chapters, Desmond lays out the grim details of poverty in America and why it seems so hopeless. Then, in each chapter he dissects one of the institutions of poverty and shows how it can be dismantled. As we read, met, and discussed, we realized that we could not sit back and watch while many millions of Americans, including more than a million Hoosiers, live in poverty with no hope for the future. Thus, we formed Poverty Abolitionists.

We are also looking for ways to coordinate our efforts with other local groups with similar aims. Many of us also belong to one or more of the UUCB Task Forces. Because poverty impacts each of these areas, our efforts are endorsed by several Task Forces, and we help promote some of their events and activities. People living in poverty are keenly affected by unfair or unjust policies due to the intersectionality of poverty.

What are we going to do about it? We are trying to learn about the extent of poverty in Monroe County and the State of Indiana. How can resources be shifted to make a positive difference in the lives of those living in poverty? We also believe in action. By the time this Perspectives is published, several of us will have rallied at the Indiana Statehouse on March 2 with the Indiana Poor People’s Campaign, an affiliate of Reverend William Barber’s national campaign. There we will deliver a packet to every Indiana legislator, outlining our demands for:

• Abolishing poverty as the 4th leading cause of death in the US
• A living wage ($15+)
• Full voting rights
• No more voter suppression
• Worker's rights and labor rights
• Healthcare for all
• Affordable, adequate housing
• An end to gun violence, profit and proliferation
• Clean air & water
• Environmental justice
• Fully-funded public education
• Just immigration laws
• An end to systemic racism, white supremacy and the extremist political agenda

To find out what our next action is, follow the footsteps to our monthly table in Fellowship Hall. Meanwhile, please read Poverty, By America, available at the UU Book Table in Fellowship Hall, at a 20% discount.

We hope you will join us in this campaign. Contact Connie Loftman using this form to be added to our UUCB POVERTY ABOLITIONIST email list.

Current Member Number: 544
Attendance:
02/04/2024: 216
02/11/2024: 199
02/18/2024: 183
02/25/2024: 176
Offertory Total for January 2024: $1,915.26
25% Donated to All-Options Pregnancy Resource Center: $478.81