Connection
Connection
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Chalice Circles: Small Group Ministry
Read More2023-24 Registration has closed.
There are still a few open spaces in this year's Chalice Circles. If you are interested in joining a circle, please contact office@uubloomington.org and we will be in touch to let you know what spaces are available!
The Chalice Circle program of the UU Church of Bloomington serves as a lay extension of the ministry of the church.
The program consists of groups of about 7-10 that usually meet once or twice a month on Zoom or in person, where members take turns speaking about some piece of their own personal story that relates to the given theme for the session, and the other members listen deeply. Each group uses an approved session plan to guide the personal sharing. Groups meet from September to May.
The program is run by an executive team that meets monthly and more frequently as needed to coordinate annual sign ups, assignment to groups, facilitator training, session plan approval and program evaluation. Group facilitators meet monthly to check in about their groups, discuss issues or problems that have arisen, and receive updates on program changes.
A minister serves as consultant to the executive team, participating in meetings of both the executive team and facilitator meetings.
Additional information about the UUCB Chalice Circle program can be found here.
August 2023, Chalice Circle Executive Team
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Volunteer Opportunities
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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
Read MoreVolunteer as a Greeter to welcome people as they enter our building on Sunday mornings.
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Flame Keepers
Read MoreFlame 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
Read MoreJoin the team that makes coffee and tea available on Sunday mornings.
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Groundskeepers
Read MoreGroundskeepers 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
Read MoreOur 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
Read MoreJoin the planning committee for the annual Goods & Services Auction, a spring fundraiser for our church.
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Join a Group
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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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Earth Kin
Read MoreEarth Kin is an eclectic group of folks who gather to practice pagan and Earth-centered spirituality.
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Fellowship Dinners
Read MoreAt 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
Read MoreJoin 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
Read MoreThis group hikes about once a month on moderate hikes of 2-6 miles near Bloomington.
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Humanists and Freethinkers
Read MoreThe 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
Read MoreJewish 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
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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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Online Book Club
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Parents of Young Children
Read MoreThis 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
Read MoreFor 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
Read MoreThis 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
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Tai Chi (Taiji) and Qigong
Read MoreBrian 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
Read MoreAn 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
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Young Adults
Read MoreA 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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Find or Offer Support
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Pastoral Care
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The Pastoral Care Associates 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.
The Pastoral Care Associates Team can be reached via email: pastoralassociates@uubloomington.org
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Caring Committee
Read MoreOur Caring Committee provides occasional rides to medical appointments, meals during severe illness or recovery, and visitors to those who have difficulty attending services.
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4th Trimester Team
Read MoreOur 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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Become a Member
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Membership is open to those 14 years and older who support our vision statement:
SEEKING THE SPIRIT, BUILDING COMMUNITY, CHANGING THE WORLD
We ask for participation in our Exploring UUCB class prior to signing the membership book.
We ask members to:
– make a pledge of financial support, as you are able
– attend congregational meetings twice annually
– participate in activities that are meaningful to you
– be of service to the church
For more information about membership, contact our Connections Coordinator, Anabel Watson, at connect@uubloomington.org.
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Stewardship
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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.
Make a Pledge to Support Our Congregation!
Church members are asked to pledge a donation of money to the operational budget of the church every year. This pledge should be of an amount that you can afford and which feels right to you. You do not need to be a member of the congregation to make a financial pledge. Everyone is welcome to participate and support the work of our congregation.
Our operating budget is the way that the congregation is able to cover all our operating costs, including minister and staff salaries, building and grounds upkeep and maintenance, programming, and social justice work beyond our walls.
Pledging at Any Time of Year
We generally have an annual pledge drive for the upcoming fiscal year each spring; our fiscal year goes from July 1 through June 30. If you would like to make a pledge commitment at any other time of year, please contact the church office at office@uubloomington.org. We are happy to help!
How to Fulfill your Pledge Commitment
After you’ve made your pledge, you can fulfill it at any time during the year, in whatever way works best for you. You can make one payment, or installments, i.e. quarterly, monthly, weekly. You can set up an autopay from your checking account or a credit card. See our DONATE page for details.
If you prefer to donate via paper checks, to make record keeping easy on our end, please note on the memo line of your paper check that it is a pledge payment, along with the fiscal year it’s going towards (i.e. “Pledge 22-23” or “current year pledge”). If you mail your pledge donation check, please send it to our P. O. Box: UU Church, PO Box 8132, Bloomington IN 47407. Thank you!
Planned Giving
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington is flourishing today because visionary early members nurtured it, both in their lifetimes and through bequests in their estate plans. What will be your legacy to our community?
Learn more about Planned Giving.
Our Special Purposes Fund
The Special Purposes Fund (SPF) supports the Church’s religious, charitable, educational and civic purposes beyond activities under the normal operating budget, via management of both endowment and general funds. It accepts both direct donations and donations from estates through Planned Giving.
Current members of the Special Purposes Fund Committee are Andrew Appel, Ruth Aydt, and Ed Long. The church’s Treasurer and one other Board member also serve on the committee.
Contributions to SPF may be made through
- Direct Donations
- Planned Giving
Contact the Special Purposes Fund Committee at spf@uubloomington.org.
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Community Hour
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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.
Community Hour Event Request
Read MoreCommunity 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. This can also an ideal opportunity for groups to talk to large numbers of people about their initiatives, invite them to events, raise money for their causes, and help people register for programs. To ensure that we are working together supportively rather than accidentally competing for space and attention, we ask that everyone follow these steps when scheduling things in Community Hour.
