Perspectives for October 2025

Fall is here! The leaves are changing colors, the hours of daylight are growing shorter, the mornings (if not every afternoon) are cooler. In many cultures and traditions, the fall is a time when we remember loved ones who have died and ancestors who have shaped us. The traditions of All Souls Day, All Saints Day, Día de los Muertos all happen near the end of October and early November. It is fitting as the world around us (at least in the Northern Hemisphere) reminds us of transformation from the lushness and abundance of summer to the starkness of winter.

October is also a month where the holidays invite us to consider more intentionally the role of history and memory in our culture. This month, we will honor the importance of National Coming Out Day and Indigenous People’s Day. The change that has been growing around the county to honor Indigenous People’s Day rather than Columbus Day matters. It speaks to the importance of remembering the fullness of history and the ways that history and memory can be lost depending on what stories get told.

In this present time, when there are direct threats against teaching the fullness of history and censorship against more difficult or shameful parts of our country’s history, as well as censorship of people’s experience and stories based on identity, it matters that we explore how to be a community that invites the fullness of history and honors memory as essential to knowing who we are and how we keep growing into the people we hope to be.

Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray, Lead Minister

revsfg@uubloomington.org

Knowing history is key to understanding how things are today; where we come from is a fundamental part of who we are. Christian Nationalists are actively attempting to rewrite our history as part of their campaign to more firmly entrench white supremacist, autocratic rule in our country. An important component of their strategy involves weaponizing gender and sexuality, using a widespread lack of understanding of transgender people in particular to splinter opponents and gain political power. You can learn more about these threats to our democracy and our community, and explore how to resist them, in the coming weeks:

In our worship service commemorating Indigenous Peoples Day on October 12, come hear what our Indigenous Studies Working Group has been learning about the peoples who occupied this land before European settlers forced their removal. This important but often overlooked aspect of our history helps us understand the present, and gives us a foundation for building honest present-day relationships in our quest to work toward justice.

Our children and youth will also be focusing on Memory and History in their Sunday morning religious education classes. One of the stories some of our children will explore during the month of October begins this way:

“We have many heroes and heroines in our Unitarian Universalist faith—those people who had the courage to believe something different from others and to keep believing it even when their lives were threatened. … They were pioneers in new ways of thinking about God and Jesus and heaven and hell. Pioneers are people who do new things. They take risks. They sometimes live dangerous lives. That’s the way it was with our Unitarian Universalist ancestors. They were pioneers in religion.”

It is important to study these stories, because they help us understand how our faith has evolved, and why things like freedom of religion, free speech, justice, and equity are so important to our faith tradition now. And they may inspire us in these dark times to stand up for each other, and for our values, resisting those who peddle chaos and fear as a pathway to power and oppression. Adults have a chance to learn too, with Stuart Yoak’s 2-session class, A Journey Through UU History. (Note: If you are interested but the current dates listed do not work for you, please sign up anyway, checking the appropriate box on the registration, so that we can try to find dates that work for everyone.)

May we all remain committed to our ongoing searches for truth and meaning in our lives.

In solidarity,
Stephanie

kimball@uubloomington.org

In October, we’re reflecting on the theme of memory and history. We at UUCB carry a past that came before us and a history we are making together. Our organization began in 1949, when Unitarians in Bloomington first gathered. The group filed Articles of Incorporation in 1953 and found a minister in 1958. In our congregation today, some people have been involved for decades, some are brand new, some are growing up here, and many are in between.

Important initiatives are underway that reflect our history and ask us to envision our future: taking a close look at our Mission (led by the Mission Discernment Working Group) and considering a name change for our organization (led by the Name Change Discernment Working Group). As these initiatives progress, it’s vital for all of us to think deeply and participate in the various discussions and meetings that will arise. These acts of community discernment are part of our historical covenant with one another.

Learning from our collective history, the Board is hoping to revive the practice of youth representatives serving on the Board of Directors. Past youth Board representatives have gone on to serve our congregation and beyond: Abby Gitlitz served as UUCB Board President, and Hans Kelson now serves on the Mid-America Board of Trustees. At the December mid-year congregational meeting, with prior review by the congregation, we expect to propose a Bylaws amendment addressing youth representatives. We are excited about the prospect of welcoming members of our current youth cohort on the Board.

-Mary Craig, Board Member At Large

There’s an old joke that the reason Unitarians can’t sing is because we have to read ahead to see if we agree with the words. I’m not sure if that was the reason, but at UUCB when I visited in the 1960’s and joined in the 70’s it was just plain true.

As winter approached in 1979 our minister, Rev. Bill Murray, asked Connie Loftman if she would organize a choir to sing on Christmas Eve, and maybe beyond. There was an occasional, casual group at the time, but nothing regular. Connie said yes and gathered some kindred spirits to work up a couple pieces, as requested. We continued to meet, with six to twelve participating (current choir members Connie Loftman, Melinda Swenson and Guy Loftman were in the original group).

In 1981 Connie managed to get a budget for an accompanist, the lack of which had limited our effectiveness. Eric Howe, an IU School of Music grad student, was recruited. He became the choir director within a few weeks, and we soon had dozens of singers. He was gifted and charismatic (akin even unto Susan Swaney).

But I get ahead of myself. I don’t remember which hymn it was the first week Eric accompanied the congregational singing, but it was a standby we usually made it through with neither enthusiasm nor embarrassment. After the first verse Eric modulated, like from the key of C to C Sharp. Everybody looked confused, but went along with it. On the third verse he modulated up again, and everyone looked around, with faces saying, “This is sort of fun.” On the fourth verse, he did it again, and ever since, we’ve been a church that loves to sing.

-Guy Loftman

The 2025 UUCB Online Auction opens for bidding this Friday, Sept 26th, at noon. Bidding closes on Sunday, October 5th, at 4pm.

Go to the Auction: https://fundraiser.bid/UUCB2025GoodsAndServices

WE HAVE AMAZING OFFERINGS THIS YEAR!!! Our Dinners & Gatherings can take you around the world as well as back in time. New to UUCB? Learn some history of this congregation from the Owens’ tree farm Fall Foliage Picnic or interact with one of our emeritus ministers – have a poem written for you by Barbara Child or let Bill Breeden take you to lunch at his “Office at Nick’s.” Services & Lessons can provide you with food, yardwork, lessons, entertainment, and relaxation. Ever had a Sound Bath? Maybe a sauna is more of your liking (it comes with snacks!). The Holidays are coming up and between our Toys & Collectibles and Art & Jewelry categories, we have you covered in the gifts department! This year we have 30 items of beautiful art priced at under $50 starting bids and another 10 at under $100, including works by Sandy Taylor and Reza Pishgahi, artists beloved by our congregation. Finally, our General Store has everything else, from furniture and lamps to throws and shawls, an electric mixer, a sewing machine, a gas grill and a Roomba vacuum – just to mention a few!

Come bid with us and have a wonderful time!
Charlotte Appel, Ann Kamman & Drew Schrader
Your Auction Committee

Hello, I’m Sidra, new to coordinating persimmon picking this season. We’ll be harvesting twice a week and preparing the fruit for a Persimmon Pulp Party, the pulp will then be sold at the church bazaar to support the work of our church.
Volunteers of all ages are welcome, no experience needed! Please bring gallon-size zip-top bags if you can.
To join the picking team, contact me using this form.
Tip: Persimmons should be soft and squishy before freezing. Remove the “hats” and tails, and if they smell like wine, toss them out!

It’s time to consider applying for a fall social justice grant! Think of ways our congregation can make an impact on Monroe County. Applications are available now (PDF here or Google Doc here) and will be accepted through October 31st.

When evaluating grants, the Social Justice Funds Committee considers:

• Does the grant involve a Social Justice task force?
• How many UU members are involved?
• Is it consistent with the mission of the congregation?
• Does it empower the organization to empower others?
• Is this seed money rather than for maintenance?
• Will our contribution make a real difference in their budget?
• Do they have finite goals?
• Have they received UU social justice grants in the past?

Please note: the monies cannot be used to pay for professional services or salaries.

Fall Grants announcements are made in November and the recipients have one year to use their funds. Unused funds return to our Special Purposes Fund.

Please reach out with any questions!

UU Social Justice Funds Committee: Sarah Kopper, Steve Mascari, Scott Sanders, MJ Wallaker, and Paul Banister - uucbsjfunds@uubloomington.org

The Reproductive Justice Task Force asks your support for the local Diaper Bank during the month of October.

All Options is still in existence although their brick and mortar presence has ended. The Hoosier Diaper Program was transferred to Tandem in April and they have been busy - dispensing over 20,000 diapers a month!! Our task force offers an opportunity to support these efforts every fall with information about the need and a link for your donations to go directly to the diaper bank. Tandem buys diapers in large bulk purchases at a much smaller cost than we find in the stores. Here’s the link for donations and information about the need:

Hoosier Diaper Program