About
Our lively congregation of more than 500 members is a vibrant and accepting liberal religious community, celebrating diverse beliefs and supporting individual searches for truth and meaning.
We are an LGBTQ Welcoming Congregation that is passionate about social justice, promotes lifespan religious education, and supports an active campus ministry.
We are a caring community that values all individuals. Join us and experience the warmth of community.
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Contact
Read MoreEmail Addresses
For general questions: info@uubloomington.org
The Reverend Constance L. Grant, Interim Lead Minister: grant@uubloomington.org
Abby Gitlitz, Congregational Board President: pres@uubloomington.org
Amanda Waye, Director of Administration: admin@uubloomington.org
Stephanie Kimball, Director of Lifespan Religious Education: kimball@uubloomington.org
Susan Swaney, Music Director: music@uubloomington.org
Anabel Watson, Connections Coordinator: connect@uubloomington.org
Hans Kelson, Technology Coordinator: hkelson@uubloomington.org
Jo Bowman, Communications Coordinator: office@uubloomington.org
Location
Visit us at: 2120 North Fee Lane, Bloomington, IN 47408 | Map and Directions
Mailing address: PO Box 8132, Bloomington, IN 47407
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Our Ministers and Staff
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Our Beliefs
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In Unitarian Universalism, you can bring your whole self: your full identity, your questioning mind, your expansive heart.
Together, we create a force more powerful than one person or one belief system. As Unitarian Universalists, we do not have to check our personal background and beliefs at the door: we join together on a journey that honors everywhere we’ve been before.
Our beliefs are diverse and inclusive. We have no shared creed. Our shared covenant (our seven Principles) supports “the free and responsible search for truth and meaning.” Though Unitarianism and Universalism were both liberal Christian traditions, this responsible search has led us to an inclusive spirituality drawn from six sources: from scriptural wisdom to personal experience to modern day heroes.
Unitarian Universalists believe more than one thing. We think for ourselves, and reflect together, about important questions:
- The existence of a Higher Power
- Life and Death
- Sacred Texts
- Inspiration and Guidance
- Prayer and Spiritual Practices
We are united in our broad and inclusive outlook, and in our values, as expressed in our seven Principles. We are united in shared experience: our open and stirring worship services, religious education, and rites of passage; our work for social justice; our quest to include the marginalized; our expressions of love.
Learn more about Unitarian Universalists from a variety of beliefs and backgrounds: Atheist/Agnostic, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Humanist, Jewish, Muslim, Pagan, and more.
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Our Mission and Vision
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Our Vision Statement
Seeking the Spirit, Building Community, Changing the World
Our Mission Statement
In this liberal religious community of inspiration, love and action:
- we celebrate life
- we nurture one another
- we welcome all
- we care for the earth and
- we work for the common good.
— Approved at Congregational Meeting, June 7, 2009
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Our Stories
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Church Timeline
1949: Unitarians first organize in Bloomington when a small group of Indiana University faculty and students create a Fellowship under the auspices of the American Unitarian Association. Meetings are lay-led and held in members’ homes and at the Indiana Memorial Union building.
1950-2015: By 2015, our congregation grows to over 450 members. Our current property, purchased in 1964, undergoes several additions.
1999: With a capital campaign totaling nearly $1,000,000, we nearly double our square footage with the construction of our Meeting Room and additional office and classroom space.
2011-2014: Green Spaces Capital Campaign supports improved landscaping and parking, energy efficient windows and doors, better playground and drainage.
Today: We have a membership of over 500, and our staff includes ordained ministers as well as professionals in charge of religious education, church administration, membership, and music.
- Stories from the Tree of Life - The First 50 Years (1999)
- Festschrift for Reverend Bill Breeden (2014)
- UU Church of Bloomington: Our History and Our Traditions by Elof Carlson (2014)
- UU Church of Bloomington: Our History and Our Traditions, Appendices (2014)
Elof Carlson, our designated congregational historian, has written about 100 Prologue UU History for You pieces for our semimonthly newsletter since 2012. These have been compiled chronologically with five accompanying short essays as an e-book for you to download or read. The surprising effect of reading the Prologue Histories in chronological order is that they create a history of the Unitarian and Universalist movements: PROLOGUE HISTORIES by Elof Axel Carlson (June 2016)
Plus, a site of broader historical interest:
Unitarian Universalist History and Heritage Society
Our Ministers, Since 1958
Rev. Paul Killinger, 1958-1963
Rev. David A. Johnson, 1963-1970
Rev. John Young, 1970-1977
Rev. William R. Murry, 1977-1981
Rev. Dr. Laurel Hallman, 1981-1987
Rev. Dr. Clarke Dewey Wells, 1987-1988 (interim)
Rev. Bruce Johnson, 1988-1992
Rev. Peter Weller, 1992-1993 (interim)
Rev. Barbara Carlson, 1993-2005
Rev. Mary Ann Macklin, 2002-2022
Rev. William T Breeden, 2002-2014
Rev. Emily Manvel Leite, 2005-2023
Rev. Dr. Douglas Wadkins, 2014-2016 (interim)
Rev. Scott McNeill, 2016-2020
Rev. David Clements, 2020-2021 (interim)
Rev. Connie Grant, 2022-2024 (interim)
Board Presidents 1948-present
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Our Governance
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Our Board of Directors
2023 – 24 Board Members
Our fiscal year runs from July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024 and board members are voted in at our annual June congregational meeting.
- Abby Gitlitz, President
- Jane McLeod, Vice President
- Bill Lonnberg, Treasurer
- Regina DiLavore, Secretary
- Mary Craig, at large
- Linda Pickle, at large
- Drew Schrader, at large
Our board meets monthly, on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7:00 pm in the church library. Board meetings are open to the public and everyone is invited to attend as a spectator, either in person or via Zoom. If you would like to join by Zoom, please email Abby Gitlitz for the link.
Board Meeting minutes back to June 2006 are available here on our website by clicking "show more."
Show More Show Less- 2024-02-21 Board Minutes
- 2024-01-17 Board Minutes
- 2023-12-20 Board Minutes
- 2023-11-15 Board Minutes
- 2023-10-18 Board Minutes
- 2023-09-20 Board Minutes
- 2023-08-16 Board Minutes
- 2023-07-19 Board Minutes
- 2023-06-21 Board Minutes
- 2023-05-17 Board Minutes
- 2023-04-19 Board Minutes
- 2023-03-15 Board Minutes
- 2023-02-15 Board Minutes
- 2023-01-17 Board Minutes
- 2022-12-21 Board Minutes
- 2022-11-16 Board Minutes
- 2022-10-19 Board Minutes
- 2022-09-21 Board Minutes
- 2022-08-17 Board Minutes
- 2022-07-20 Board Minutes
- 2022-06-15-Board Minutes
- 2022-04-20 Board Minutes
- 2022-03-22 Covenant of Right Relations revised
- 2022-03-16 Board Minutes
- 2022-02-16 Board Minutes
- 2022-01-19 Board Minutes
- 2021-12-15 Board Minutes
- 2021-11-17 Board Minutes
- 2021-10-20 Board Minutes
- 2021-09-15 Board Minutes
- 2021-08-19 Board Minutes
- 2021-07-21 Board Minutes
- 2021-06-16 Board Minutes
- 2021-05-19 Board Minutes
- 2021-04-21 Board Minutes
- 2021-03-17 Board Minutes
- 2021-02-17 Board Minutes
- 2021-01-20 Board Minutes
- 2020-12-16 Board Minutes
- 2020-11-18 Board Minutes
- 2020-10-22 Board Minutes
- 2020-09-16 Board Minutes
- 2020-08-19 Board Minutes
- 2020-08-02 Special Board Meeting Minutes
- 2020-07-15 Board Minutes
- 2020-06-18 Board Minutes
- 2020-05-20 Board Minutes
- 2020-04-15 Board Minutes
- 2020-02-19 Board Minutes
- 2020-01-15 Board Minutes
- 2019-12-18 Board Minutes
- 2019-11-20 Board Minutes
- 2019-10-16 Board Minutes
- 2019-09-18 Board Minutes
- 2019-08-21 Board Minutes
- 2019-07-17 Board Minutes
- 2019-06-19 Board Minutes
- 2019-05-15 Board Minutes
- 2019-04-17 Board Minutes
- 2019-03-20 Board Minutes
- 2019-02-20 Board Minutes
- 2019-01-16 Board Minutes
- 2018-12-19 Board Minutes
- 2018-11-20 Board Minutes
- 2018-10-17 Board Minutes
- 2018-09-19 Board Minutes
- 2018-08-15 Board Minutes
- 2018-07-18 Board Minutes
- 2018-06-20 Board Minutes
- 2018-05-16 Board Minutes
- 2018-03-21 Board Minutes
- 2018-02-21 Board Minutes
- 2018-01-17 Board Minutes
- 2017-12-20 Board Minutes
- 2017-11-18 Board Minutes
- 2017-10-18 Board Minutes
- 2017-09-20 Board Minutes
- 2017-08-30 Board Minutes
- 2017-07-19 Board Minutes
- 2017-06-28 Board Minutes
- 2017-05-24 Board Minutes
- 2017-04-19 Board Minutes
- 2017-03-15 Board Minutes
- 2017-02-15 Board Minutes
- 2017-01-18 Board Minutes
- 2016-12-21 Board Minutes
- 2016-11-16 Board Minutes
- 2016-11-05 Board Minutes
- 2016-10-12 Board Minutes
- 2016-09-21 Board Minutes
- 2016-08-10 Board Minutes
- 2016-07-20 Board Minutes
- 2016-06-15 Board Minutes
- 2016-04-20 Board Minutes
- 2016-03-23 Board Minutes
- 2016-02-17 Board Minutes
- 2016-01-20 Board Minutes
- 2015-6-17 Board Minutes
- 2015-12-16 Board Minutes
- 2015-11-11 Board Minutes
- 2015-10-21 Board Minutes
- 2015-09-23 Board Minutes
- 2015-08-19 Board Minutes
- 2015-07-15 Board Minutes
- 2015-05-20 Board Minutes
- 2015-04-15 Board Minutes
- 2015-03-11 Board Minutes
- 2015-02-19 Board Minutes
- 2015-01-21 Board Minutes
- 2014-12-17 Board Minutes
- 2014-11-12 Board Minutes
- 2014-10-22 Board Minutes
- 2014-09-24 Board Minutes
- 2014-08-21 Board Minutes
- 2014-07-16 Board Minutes
- 2014-06-18 Board Minutes
- 2014-05-21 Board Minutes
- 2014-04-16 Board Minutes
- 2014-03-26 Board Minutes
- 2014-02-19 Board Minutes
- 2014-01-08 Board Minutes
- 2013-12-18 Board Minutes
- 2013-11-11 Board Minutes
- 2013-10-17 Board Minutes
- 2013-09-18 Board Minutes
- 2013-08-21 Board Minutes
- 2013-07-10 Board Minutes
- 2013-06-12 Board Minutes
- 2013-05-15 Board Minutes
- 2013-04-17 Board Minutes
- 2013-03-27 Board Minutes
- 2013-02-20 Board Minutes
- 2013-01-16 Board Minutes
- 2012-12-19 Board Minutes
- 2012-11-28 Board Minutes
- 2012-10-17 Board Minutes
- 2012-09-19 Board Minutes
- 2012-08-15 Board Minutes
- 2012-07-18 Board Minutes
- 2012-06-13 Board Minutes
- 2012-05-16 Board Minutes
- 2012-04-18 Board Minutes
- 2012-03-21 Board Minutes
- 2012-02-15 Board Minutes
- 2012-01-18 Board Minutes
- 2011-12-21 Board Minutes
- 2011-11-16 Board Minutes
- 2011-10-19 Board Minutes
- 2011-09-21 Board Minutes
- 2011-07-20 Board Minutes
- 2011-06-15 Board Minutes
- 2011-05-18 Board Minutes
- 2011-04-27 Board Minutes
- 2011-03-23 Board Minutes
- 2011-02-16 Board Minutes
- 2011-01-19 Board Minutes
- 2010-11-17 Board Minutes
- 2010-11-11 Board Minutes
- 2010-10-20 Board Minutes
- 2010-09-15 Board Minutes
- 2010-08-18 Board Minutes
- 2010-07-21 Board Minutes
- 2010-06-16 Board Minutes
- 2010-05-19 Board Minutes
- 2010-04-21 Board Minutes
- 2010-03-24 Board Minutes
- 2010-02-17 Board Minutes
- 2010-01-20 Board Minutes
- 2010-01-19 Board Minutes
- 2009-12-16 Board Minutes
- 2009-12-13 Board Minutes
- 2009-11-18 Board Minutes
- 2009-10-07 Board Minutes
- 2009-09-16 Board Minutes
- 2009-08-19 Board Minutes
- 2009-07-15 Board Minutes
- 2009-05-20 Board Minutes
- 2009-04-15 Board Minutes
- 2009-03-18 Board Minutes
- 2009-02-18 Board Minutes
- 2009-01-21 Board Minutes
- 2008-12-17 Board Minutes
- 2008-11-19 Board Minutes
- 2008-10-15 Board Minutes
- 2008-09-17 Board Minutes
- 2008-08-20 Board Minutes
- 2008-07-17 Board Minutes
- 2008-05-21 Board Minutes
- 2008-04-16 Board Minutes
- 2008-03-19 Board Minutes
- 2008-02-20 Board Minutes
- 2008-01-16 Board Minutes
- 2007-12-19 Board Minutes
- 2007-11-12 Board Minutes
- 2007-10-17 Board Minutes
- 2007-09-19 Board Minutes
- 2007-08-15 Board Minutes
- 2007-07-18 Board Minutes
- 2006-06-18 Board Minutes
Congregational Meetings
Read MoreOur congregational meetings take place twice a year, in June and December. Congregational meetings are open to all, though only church members are able to vote. On this page you can find information about upcoming meetings, livestreaming and remote participation/voting, and past meeting notes.
Upcoming
Fall 2023 Congregational Meeting
Sunday, December 10 at 1:00 p.m.
Our congregation will hold its fall congregational meeting on Sunday, December 10, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. in our Meeting Room at 2120 N. Fee Lane, Bloomington. All members are encouraged to attend. Childcare will be provided in Room 108.
Between the service and the Congregational Meeting the Board of Directors will be providing a hearty lunch of homemade soups and cookies.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Remote Participation and Online Voting
If you are not able to attend a meeting in person, it is possible to participate remotely. Those who join via the livestream can submit questions or comments via chat (which will be monitored and read aloud by a board member). And, for the first time, UUCB members participating remotely are also able to vote online, thanks to a new site made by our Technology Coordinator, Hans Kelson.
Create your account and sign in here (members only):
UUCB Multiplatform Voting - vote.uubloomington.org
Quorum for Meeting
With the revised Bylaws adopted October 22, 2023, quorum for a congregational meeting is now 15% of membership, attending either in person or via the livestream, to be able to make any motions and conduct any votes.
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Past Congregational Meeting Notes
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Annual Reports
Ends Statements
Read MorePreamble
In policy governance, the board sets forth Ends Statements which establish our general principles as well as what our congregation aspires to do. These statements expand upon our congregation's vision statement of "Seeking the Spirit, Building Community, and Changing the World" and our congregation’s mission statement (below) to provide spiritual and governance guidance to the ministers, staff, and lay leaders.
UUCB’s mission statement, adopted by the congregation, along with the Vision Statement, at the June 7, 2009 Congregational Meeting:
“In this liberal religious community of inspiration, love and action:
- we celebrate life
- we nurture one another
- we welcome all
- we care for the earth and
- we work for the common good.”
The term "Ends" refers to the fact these statements are not policy that dictate "means" or how things are done but are, rather, our expected outcomes. The Ends statements were adopted by the board in September of 2010 during the transition to policy governance and are a living document maintained by the board with input from the congregation. These Ends statements were revised in 2021 following the congregation’s decision to adopt the 8th principle.
By adopting the 8th principle, we have committed ourselves to working to build a multicultural Beloved Community in which people of diverse racial, ethnic, educational, class, gender, sexual orientation backgrounds and identities come together in mutually-respectful, loving, and caring relationships to seek justice within our congregation, the local community, and in the broader world.
Policy I. Ends Statements
Seeking the Spirit
UUCB exists to:
- Provide members from a variety of faith traditions with a liberal, universally accepting spiritual home.
- Provide compassionate spiritual care to congregants without the burden of restrictive creeds, tenets, covenants or preordained beliefs.
- Provide a space where people from diverse backgrounds with different perspectives can freely gather to explore their beliefs.
- Provide people of all ages with opportunities to grow together spiritually through liberal religious education and practice, leadership, and community action.
- Encourage adherence to the Seven Principles adopted by the UUA and to the 8th Principle adopted by the UUCB.
Building Community
UUCB exists to:
- Build a liberal community dedicated to accountably dismantling racism and other oppressions both within itself and in the larger community.
- Build an accepting community inclusive of diverse gender orientations.
- Build a welcoming community where those from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds feel that their experiences and perspectives are valued.
- Build an active community where members share their time, talents and resources for the common good.
- Build a thoughtful community where people can explore ideas and perspectives without trepidation or fear of rejection.
- Provide members, ministers and staff with an environment where they know that they will be welcomed and valued.
Changing the World
UUCB exists to:
- Encourage leadership and participation in efforts to eliminate prejudice, injustice, and oppression within the community and in the world at large.
- Provide members with the means to undertake projects fostering social justice and community welfare according to their interests.
- Provide members with ways to contribute financially and otherwise to good causes within the community and in the world at large.
- Partner with other congregations and organizations in efforts to foster positive social change.
- Engage with and encourage the UUA to build a diverse and multicultural beloved faith community.
- Encourage leadership and participation in projects that foster ecologically sound, sustainable, and livable communities, both locally and throughout the world.
Bylaws and Policies
Bylaws
The official Bylaws of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington were written and adopted by the Congregation, and are amended by formal vote of the membership. Last revised 10-22-2023.
UUCB Bylaws - October 22, 2023
Board Policies
Our Board Policies, adopted by vote of the Board of Directors, augment and clarify day-to-day church operations. Last revised 10-19-2022.
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An LGBTQ Welcoming Congregation
Read MoreWe are a Welcoming Congregation, recognized by the Unitarian Universalist Association. This means we affirm and include people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer at every level of congregational life—in worship, in program, and in social occasions—welcoming them as whole people.
As a Welcoming Congregation we have pledged to:
- honor the lives of all people and equally affirm displays of caring and affection without regard for sexual orientation.
- celebrate diversity by using inclusive language and content in worship.
- incorporate an understanding of the experience of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer persons throughout all of our programs, including religious education.
- affirm and celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer issues and history.
- affirm marriage equality and conduct same-sex weddings.
- advocate for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people, promoting justice, freedom, and equality in the larger society. We speak out when the rights and dignity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people are at stake.
We recognize that there’s always something more to learn, and remain open to deepening our understanding about the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people.
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A Green Sanctuary
Read MoreOur Green Sanctuary Task Force and our Green Grounds/Green Building group have taken the lead
Green Sanctuary Task Force
Read MoreThe Green Sanctuary Task Force on Global Climate Change helps promote mindful, Earth-centered living, working to educate and motivate individuals and institutions to take positive steps toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
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Ministerial Transition Process
Read MoreWe are currently in the process of selecting a new settled minister for our congregation. Our Interim Lead Minister during this time is Reverend Connie Grant.
The Ministerial Search Committee (MSC) is excited to share updates with you and get your input! Please explore these pages to learn more about us, the process, and how to participate in it.
You can contact us at search@uubloomington.org.
About Our Search Committee
From L to R, bottom row: Ann, Denise; middle row: Von, Mary Beth, Christine; top row: Olaya, Mike
Denise Breeden-Ost (Chair) makes her own hats, writes a lot, and is immeasurably grateful to live among trees. She is a spouse, parent, and Zen student, and works with Women Writing for (a) Change. Denise arrived at UUCB as a teen in the 1980s. Her past involvement includes serving on staff; religious education for children, youth, and adults; Sunday Services Committee; Green Sanctuary Task Force; and Choir.
Christine Banister is a lifelong UU and served on the Minister's Advisory Council and Search Committee for a new DRE at her previous church in Massachusetts. Involvement during her two years at UUCB includes the Habitat Task Force, RE Development Team, and UUCB Parents Group. Outside of church, she is an Architectural Designer with a career in public interest design and service learning. Christine is mom to Cora (age 6) and Nolan (19 months).
Olaya Fernández Gayol is a highly energetic and loud human who is passionate about science, technology, and improving systems. She is from Spain, and works remotely disrupting traditional scientific publishing. She started attending UUCB in the summer of 2022, and is active in the Spanish conversation and piano groups. Most recently she was a member of the Stewardship Team. In her free time, she enjoys cooking/baking, hiking, reading, playing music, and being crafty in general.
Ann Kamman joined UUCB in the early 80s. She’s a second generation UU from Urbana, IL. She has served on our Board of Directors and currently works with the Women’s Alliance, Bazaar, the Auction, Green Grounds, and walks regularly with the Wednesday Walkers. Outside of her UU life, she volunteers with MC-IRIS (Monroe County – Identify and Reduce Invasive Species) and chairs their annual native plant sale. She is a recycling fanatic, has 2 daughters (20 and 22) and 4 cats.
Mike McGregor joined the church in May 2014. Since then he has sung in the choir and participated in various activities including working for the annual Bazaar, delivering auction items during the pandemic, and taking church members to appointments as part of the Caring Committee. He served on the Leadership Cultivation Committee this past year. During his 31-year tenure at Indiana University he served on many search committees, vetting applicants for faculty and administrative positions.
Mary Beth O'Brien loves writing, being outside, and lots of time with friends and family. She is the Creative Director at Women Writing for (a) Change Bloomington. She joined UUCB in 2002, and has been involved with children’s RE, the Green Sanctuary Task Force, mentoring youth, Caring Committee, and volunteering whenever possible. Mary Beth (“MB”) is mom to Auggie (17) and Marina (13) and married to Matt Zink.
Von Welch grew up in UUCB, went away to college and returned in 2011. He served on the UUCB board from 2012 to 2018. He is married to Ruth Aydt since 2004, retired from Indiana University in 2022 as associate vice president for information security, is an amateur woodworker, and serves on the boards of Beacon Inc. and Constellation Stage and Screen.
Congregational Survey
Read MoreThank you! Over 200 of you completed the Congregational Survey and over 120 of you attended one of the twelve Cottage Meetings we hosted. Your time and input has been incredibly valuable in helping us paint a picture that captures the joys and longings of our congregation.
You may now find our summaries of the survey and the meetings at the links below:
Since we do not need to think alike to love alike, you can imagine the wonderful and diverse thinking we heard. Our strength as a congregation is akin to a quilt with many different perspectives forming a colorful picture. If there is a central image, it would be Sunday services and the community around those events, which are clearly very important to a majority of us. What we each seek from that image varies: challenging sermons, moving music, community hour, inspiration from religions around the world, intergenerational connections, addressing current events, exploration, and so forth. And we surround our focus on Sunday service with various passions: choir, social justice, activism, religious education, Chalice Circles, Humanist/Freethinker discussions, the Bazaar and other fundraising, committee work, Fellowship dinners and other gatherings for community, and more.
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How Do I...?
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Welcome to "How Do I...?", the new home for general-purpose procedures on how to get things done at the church.
These procedures, by design, will never be finished. This is a set of living documents, designed to help us all be more efficient and helpful in our communications. If you find something to be missing or incorrect, please email the office at office@uubloomington.org
