Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana Seeking the Spirit | Building Community | Changing the World
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May 18, 2025: "Building Arks"

Scott Russell Sanders and Mary Craig

In a dangerous time, so the story goes, Noah built an ark to carry pairs of “every living thing” through a worldwide flood, so that once the waters receded, the full diversity of life on Earth might be restored. In our own dangerous time, what arks do we need to protect things vital to human wellbeing and to the health of our planet? What can we learn from nature and history about refuges, sanctuaries, and resilience?

Bio note: Scott Russell Sanders spent his teaching career at Indiana University. He is the author of two dozen books, including, most recently, The Way of Imagination and Small Marvels. He and his wife, Ruth, who sings in the choir, reared two children in Bloomington.

View the video archive of this service here:

Order of Service
Our order of service is available both here on our website and in print.
Other Sunday Information
Information about other happenings at UUCB each week is available here.

Ringing of the World Bell

Greeting

Scott Russell Sanders

Congregational Prelude

#1010 We Give Thanks

Welcome & Announcements

Land Acknowledgement

Lighting the Chalice Flame

“Vessels of Life-Saving Welcome” by Michael J. Tino

Jason Michálek, Worship Associate (9:30am)

MJ Wallaker, Worship Associate (11:30am)

Time for All Ages

Teacher Appreciation

Stephanie Kimball, Director of Lifespan Religious Education

Musical Interlude

Ray Fellman, piano

Meditation

“For the Children” by Gary Snyder

Hymn

#391 Voice Still and Small

Dedication of Offering

Offertory

Ray Fellman, piano

Reading

“Solstice in Truro” by Joshua Weiner

“Mediterranean Blue” by Naomi Shihab Nye

Mary Craig

Gift of Music

“Come and See” by Karen Marrolli

UUCB Choir

Susan Swaney, Director of Music

Sermon

Building Arks

Scott Russell Sanders

Closing Hymn

#1064 Blue Boat Home

Benediction

Choral Benediction

#398 To See the World

Welcome Guests!

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Hearing assistive devices are available at the AV Tech booth in the rear of the Meeting Room for use during Sunday worship services.

  • Childcare is available today from 8:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. in Room 108.
  • This week’s Spirit Play story is about Charles Darwin, a Unitarian whose theory of evolution had a huge impact on science of his time.
  • In Kids' Club today we’ll read Where Thu’o’ng Keeps Love by Thu Buu, exploring the idea that we show love by what we do.
  • Join us for Community Hour after each service in Fellowship Hall.
  • The UU Humanist Forum meets today at 1 p.m. Room 208.

View our full calendar of upcoming events: uucb.churchcenter.com/calendar

To make a donation online, visit: uucb.churchcenter.com/giving

UU Church Staff:

Reverend Susan Frederick-Gray, Lead Minister

Dr. Stephanie Kimball, Director of Lifespan Religious Education

Dr. Susan Swaney, Music Director

Amanda Waye, Director of Administration

Anabel Watson, Connections Coordinator

Hans Kelson, Technology Coordinator

Jo Bowman, Communications Coordinator

Dylan Marks, Sexton