Perspectives for November 2025

As October turns to November and the colors of the trees begin to hit their peak, and slowly move past it, this season continues to call us to a spiritual place of reflection. In October, we explored what it means to be a people of History and Memory. In November, we ask what it means to be a Community of Gratitude and Service. In my mind, these two are connected. When we remember our history, when we remember our ancestors – whether familial, chosen or spiritual ancestors – we can’t help but find gratitude for what came before. In remembering, we give thanks for their lives, their service, the gifts and lessons they shared with us, the ways they inspire us in our own living.

This month, we will show gratitude in a concrete way. On November 1st, we will have an annual party to celebrate members of our Legacy Circle – those who have made provisions in their estate planning to leave a legacy gift to support UUCB. These gifts will sustain our ministry for the future. Previous legacy gifts have helped support our Special Purposes Fund and our relatively new congregational endowment. These gifts have helped this church keep up with improvements to our spiritual home and helped our church have an impact beyond our walls. In fact, because of the generosity of those who came before, UUCB’s Special Purposes Fund made a $25,000 gift to the Beacon Light the Way campaign last June and inspired our ability to match that with a goal of $25,000 in additional fundraising for the Beacon Center. I am moved when I think of those who are and have been Legacy Circle members and their commitment not just to our ministry today but to the future strength and impact of this congregation in the Bloomington Community. Thank you to everyone who is a part of our Legacy Circle.

Gratitude is a foundation for a spiritual life. It may seem like a simple concept but actually making gratitude an embodied part of one’s life, a daily part of one’s practice, creates a foundation for more mindfulness, joy, attention, love, and abundance. Again, it seems simple. We all know what gratitude is – saying thanks, giving thanks – but living it in an intentional way takes practice. It is in fact challenging, particularly as our American culture drives us to always want more, do more, be more. Gratitude reminds us of all that we already have, all we are, all that is. That is a recipe for being rooted not in consumerism, not in greed, not in disappointment, but in appreciation, generosity, service, and joy.

In these days, when there is much to break our hearts and much loss we experience, gratitude can help us experience a peace and a strength that can foster our resilience. May we welcome intentional practices of gratitude throughout this month, and may it help strengthen our spirits for how we show up for each other in care and community.

Thanksgiving has long been my favorite holiday: it’s the only day of the year that we celebrate gratitude for the abundance we’ve been given. Sadly, our national myth about the origins of the holiday is inaccurate and painful; and, sadly, these days Thanksgiving has become a stressful time that so many dread due to the potential for family conflict. Still, I hold out hope that gratitude can become more central to our lives, and I believe Thanksgiving can be a placeholder in the calendar that helps us shift to an orientation of thankfulness. This year, our congregational theme encourages us to focus for a whole month on being a community of Gratitude and Service, giving us a chance to develop gratitude as a regular practice in our lives.

There are different ways to practice gratitude. Some keep a journal, or say aloud three things they’re grateful for before going to sleep at night. Others begin with gratitude for each meal, blessing their food for its power to nourish. At the Lotus World Music Festival this year, Shelley Morningsong talked about her practice of going outside every single morning to say a prayer of gratitude to the universe and all beings in it. That’s a habit I’ve been cultivating lately, too: going outside each morning and greeting the day with gratitude for another chance to breathe the air, feel the sun or rain on my face, hear the wind and the birds, and witness the glorious unfolding of the mystery of life all around me.

It amazes me how that simple act of orientation instantly changes my outlook and reframes my day. Whatever I was worried about, whatever challenge I was facing, this moment of remembering that life is a gift brings me back to my body and my connection to the earth and everything in it. It reminds me that I am not my to-do list, and the world is not a pile of tasks. Even these days, when I’ve likely seen a headline or two that churn my stomach by the time I step outside, this habit of greeting the world with gratitude grounds me in joy and peace and resolve. I am not alone, I’m connected in more ways than I am even aware of.

If you have a gratitude practice, or if you experiment with starting one this month, I would love to hear about your experiences. I am grateful for this congregation and all the vision, energy, and love it holds. May every day bring you joy, connection, beauty and wonder, and may you greet it all with gratitude.

-Stephanie Kimball

Director of Lifespan Religious Education

Family Choir Announcement!

We'll have another Family Choir at the All-Ages Thanksgiving/Bread Communion service on November 23.
Mark your calendars!

-Susan Swaney, Director of Music

music@uubloomington.org

Dear UUCB, your Board is busy with a variety of new considerations and plans for the rest of the 2025-2026 church year. We are preparing the agenda for the half-year congregational meeting next month, which is likely to include more revisions to our Bylaws. One of these will be the addition of Youth Representatives to the Board, a step that the Board enthusiastically supports and hopes that you will as well. We hope to also have ready for your vote a revision of our Indiana Articles of Incorporation to make clearer that ours is a spiritual congregation. Members, please put the meeting date and time for the half-year meeting, December 14 at 1:15pm, in your calendar! Your presence is needed. If you have questions about the upcoming agenda or about anything else of interest to you, add Cookies & Conversation with the Board to your calendar. This gathering is at 10:45am in the Library on November 16. We’d love to talk with you there.

The end of this congregational year isn’t until June, but we hope at that meeting, new committees will have proposals on possibly changing the name of our church and on new Vision and Mission statements for your consideration. You will be asked to express your view on these matters in the coming months; please share your opinions. This is an exciting year for our congregation and its future! No matter what you think or how long you have been a member of UUCB, your voice is important.

The theme for November is Community of Gratitude and Service, which certainly refers to this month’s holidays of Veterans Day and Thanksgiving. But it is more than that. Let’s take steps to fulfill the November theme together!

Linda Pickle
UUCB Board Vice President

We are so pleased with the reception that everyone has had for food during Community Hour after services. Many of you have asked about a recipe for egg-bites. With the holidays coming up, and the need for some easy recipes for entertaining, we thought it was time to share the secrets. You can create egg-bites with any of your basic strata or breakfast casserole recipes. Instead of double layering in a 13”x9” casserole dish, make a single layer in a 13”x18” half-sheet pan and bake for a slightly shorter time. The results can be cut into 6-12 pieces for an entrée, 12-24 pieces for a brunch dish, or 96 pieces for bites.

Tomato-Cheddar Strata with Broccoli

¾ loaf of sliced crusty bread (French, sourdough or farm bread)

8 oz whole milk ricotta cheese

1 cup fresh broccoli florets

1 cup grape tomatoes, halved

6-8 oz shredded cheddar cheese

8 large eggs

3 cups whole milk

1 ¼ tsp salt

¾ tsp pepper

Herbs de Provence

1. Cover bottom of greased half-sheet pan with a single layer of bread slices. Spread ricotta over the bread. Top with broccoli, tomatoes and grated cheese.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, salt and pepper. Pour egg mixture over bread. Generously sprinkle Herbs de Provence over top. Cover and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.
3. Remove strata from fridge and allow to come to room temperature, about 1 hour. Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake uncovered strata until puffed and golden brown, about 40 minutes.
   -Charlotte Appel

The UU Bazaar will happen this year on Dec 5 and 6. It will encompass the entire 1st floor of the building. It is one of our largest fund raisers of the year and involves many people in the congregation. If you want to see what gratitude looks like, the bazaar is an amazing example of people working together to support and show their gratitude for this dynamic community. I think you will want to be a part of it because it is a fun, inclusive, and enthusiastic way to be involved in the life of the church.

There are three goals of the bazaar:

1. To raise money
2. To give a chance for the church community to know each other and work together in different ways. Great friendships have started at the Bazaar.
3. To give the Bloomington community a chance to see us in a more laidback setting. We get to put our values on display in a playful, un-Sunday way.
   
   

While the Bazaar is not spiritual in a meditative way, it is an opportunity to connect with other people of like spiritual and humanistic values. What is more meaningful than successfully serving hungry people or sharing your experiences over a piece of pie? — or seeing a gleaming kitchen after two days of constant use? — or witnessing the UU miracle of putting the church back together after the bazaar closes? Participating in these activities over the years has given me a respect for the dedication and sense of belonging that people have toward the church community, not to mention awe at each person's contribution. It does indeed take the whole church to pull this off. I look forward to working with each of you.

The many areas of the bazaar give everyone a chance to offer their talents. Whether you are an introvert, extrovert, baker, cook, book lover, decluttering aspirant, art lover or other kind of UU, the Bazaar has a place and role for you.

The areas of the bazaar are below. Be sure to visit each one. The ways that you can get involved are also included.

Artisans: (Main meeting room) This is a juried show of local artisans selling their art: jewelry, painting, glass work, wood work, pottery and other high end art. This year there will be a wine and snack event at 4 p.m. on Friday to inspire you to see all the unique and beautiful art.

White Elephant: Think garage sale. Used items. You can bring your items to church between Sunday, November 30 and Wednesday, December 3. People are also needed to sort items and to staff the room during the Bazaar.

Golden Elephant: Think Antique Mall. Used items of higher quality. You can contact Charlotte Appel to donate these items. You can also volunteer to staff the booth during the Bazaar.

Used Books: Bring books to the church Sunday, November 30 and Wednesday, December 3. People are also needed to sort items and to staff the room during the Bazaar.

Cookie Walk: We need over 1000 pounds of cookies. Bring your cookies to the church on Thursday, December 4 or Friday, December 5. People are also needed to staff the room during the Bazaar.

Gourmet Galaxy: We sell gourmet, homemade items such as breads, pastries, jams, candies, savory treats, or your holiday favorites. Bring them to church on Thursday, December 4 or Friday, December 5. People are also needed to staff the room during the Bazaar.

Cafe: You can make soup to be served during the bazaar and you can help make and serve sandwiches during the Bazaar. Desserts are also plated and served.

Lasagna dinner: A Lasagna dinner including salad and garlic bread will be served on Friday, December 5 from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Tickets will be sold on line and at the door.

Task forces: 5 of our task forces will have sales in the Commons Hallway of the church. They raise funds for their charitable work. Items for sale range from jewelry and other items from Kenya to support the International Outreach Task Force, and handmade crafts, hats, scarves and other items for the Hunger, Homelessness, Green Sanctuary, and Habitat Task Forces.

A Sign-up genius for Bazaar tasks will be available in the Friday Update starting October 31.

Co-chair Steve Krahnke joins me in inviting you to participate in and enjoy the Bazaar.

-Ruellen Fessenbecker

Our Little Free Pantry has survived nearby sidewalk and street renovations and is still going strong! Located on the south side of Needmore Coffee Roasters near the corner of Pete Ellis Drive and Longview Avenue, and across the street from a city bus stop, the pantry is well situated to help food-insecure people who live nearby or use the area’s public transportation. Since the pantry’s opening in the spring of 2021, the UU Hunger Task Force has stocked it several times each week with food and essential toiletries, averaging about 500 pounds of goods per month. Judging from the many thanks we receive from the pantry’s visitors, it has become a much appreciated mini-institution in the neighborhood.

The siting of our pantry was facilitated by the non-profit Center for Sustainable Living in Bloomington, which introduced the Hunger Task Force to Katie Mysliwiec, owner and manager of Needmore Coffee Roasters, and the landowner, Matt Murphy, who welcomed the installation. Katie also graciously provided charming surroundings for the pantry in the form of landscape rocks and wildflowers. The pantry itself was sturdily built by Dirk Herr-Hoyman and sturdily emplaced by Dick Stumpner, past and present UUCB congregants to whom we are ever grateful.

We also are ever grateful to the generous UUs who support the Little Free Pantry by donating food at the church and by supporting the Hunger Task Force fundraisers, as well as to UUs and citizens at large who periodically stop by and add items to the pantry shelves. It’s an easy and heartwarming way to make a positive difference in less fortunate people’s day-to-day lives. We will be providing balanced breakfast snacks during Community Hour after each service on Sunday, November 2 as a thank you to the congregation's support of Hunger Task Force throughout the year.

Thank you for welcoming Mary Katherine Morn and I to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington's pulpit on Sunday, September 28. It was an honor to share the work of UUSC with you and introduce you to some of our grassroots partners working for justice around the world with your support. UUSC is an independent, non-sectarian organization that receives no financial support from the UUA. Our work is made possible by the contributions of UUSC members.

Here are some links to use to stay in touch and get involved:

• Learn more about our human rights initiatives and grassroots partners at UUSC.
• Sign up for our newsletters here to get the latest updates on our work and how you can get involved.
• Join UUSC's Resistance Network for action alerts and organizing tools.
• Make a gift! Every gift, no matter the size, helps us further human rights around the world. Gifts of $150 or more are eligible to be matched dollar for dollar thanks to our great supporters at the UU Congregation at Shelter Rock!

If you have any questions or would like more information about UUSC, please reach out to us at congregations@uusc.org.

To Reverend Susan Gray, Ruth Aydt, the UU Racial Justice Task Force, and the UU Membership,

Thank you for the many ways you contribute to the success of our performances. We deeply appreciate your dedication and generosity.

We are especially grateful to the 5-50 Club contributors, whose financial support is invaluable; to the volunteers who provide snacks for our receptions and post-show talkbacks; and to those who set up and serve refreshments. Your warm smiles and kind words create a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere that enriches the experience for all who attend.

A heartfelt thank-you goes to Ruth Aydt for her tireless behind-the-scenes efforts. Her meticulous scheduling, attention to detail in record-keeping, and thoughtful communication ensure that everything runs smoothly and efficiently. Ruth’s quiet leadership is a cornerstone of our success.

Because of your commitment and care, we can do our work more effectively and with greater joy.

Please know how much we value your support—it truly makes all the difference.

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington is a generous and loving community, and I am honored to be part of it.

With sincere gratitude,

Gladys DeVane

Hi all. Please note that the statehouse rally on Monday has been cancelled after state leaders announced that the legislature will NOT convene Monday for the special session. Please stay tuned to the MADvoters Facebook event for the latest: [Cancelled] Nov 3 Statehouse Rally to Stop Redistricting, including the following actions you can take to keep up the pressure (it's working!):

[from MADvoters]

1. Complete MADVoters’ online action form to tell your lawmakers NO CHEATERS IN DEMOCRACY at MADVoters.org/no-cheaters.

2. Call your lawmakers’ office and ask them to schedule a listening session so your community has the chance to give their input on early redistricting. Find their contact info at madvoters.org/contact-your-legislator

3. Sign up for MADVoters newsletter and text alerts for urgent updates at MADVoters.org

4. Register for “The People’s House” workshop on 11/18 at https://www.madvoters.org/event-details.../the-peoples-house. We’re opening the doors to the Statehouse for an event that makes civics easy. We're talking real talk, meeting legislators, guest speakers, a VIP tour of the statehouse, and lunch is included

Did you know that UUCB has been producing electricity from solar panels since May 2013?

In 2012 we received a $25,000 grant from the Indiana Office of Energy Development that covered almost half the cost. That spring we had 24 Kilowatts (kW) of solar panels installed on the Meeting Room and Fellowship Hall south-facing roofs. The only cost to the church was to add an electric panel to accommodate the system. As part of the grant, we pledged to take steps to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels by 25%. Electricity we don’t use on site is sent to the grid for credit toward future usage from the utility. In 2017, the congregation raised funds for another 16.2 kW of panels to fill our final south-facing roof. That bump in production is evident in the graph below.

Electricity produced by the solar panels almost equaled what was purchased from Duke:

Energy-saving building improvements:

Due to additions over time rooms are in one of nine separate heating, cooling, and ventilation (HVAC) “zones”.

• We installed programmable thermostats, which are set to use less energy when a zone is not occupied.
• We invested in energy-saving HVAC equipment, replacing gas furnaces with efficient heat pumps that serve three zones, to reduce the use of natural gas as well as electricity.
• We replaced old windows in Fellowship Hall, the Fuchs Library, and two classrooms to reduce heat loss in winter, heat gain in summer.

In addition to donations, several of these improvements were partially or fully covered by grants.

Ways you can help lower our energy use:

• You could ask if a room is available in an HVAC zone that will be conditioned that day.
• Turn out lights when leaving rooms and don’t override the thermostat’s programming!

Signs near light switches and thermostats serve as reminders.

Each year, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington gives 25% of undesignated Sunday Plate donations to a local project or service agency. This 2025-2026 fiscal year, Tandem is our chosen recipient!

From their website, “Tandem seeks to be a perinatal resource hub and to challenge the status quo in medicine by truly focusing on the overall health and wellbeing of our clients from many angles. We want to be the first place you visit when you find out you are expecting: to start building your community, learn about and access resources. We are a place to go when you need a free place to get out of your house with your little one(s), where you can connect with other adults and feel supported. Our Postpartum House will be the first of its kind in the nation when its vision is fully realized. Our Birth Center will operate on a unique model of care and be the first Community Birth Center in our region. Tandem already offers many different services in 7 counties in Indiana. We hope you will check them out!”

The amount given from UUCB to Tandem in Quarter One is: $2,598.81

November 30, 2025 - 10:30 a.m.

To Be Determined

This service is still being planned. More information will be coming soon. Please note that we will only have ONE service on Sunday, November 30, at 10:30 a.m.