August 2, 2026: The Call of Kindness
Scott Russell Sanders
To be kind toward others is to treat them as if they were kinfolk, as if they were family, deserving respect, compassion, and care. Kindness is an antidote to cruelty. While greed and strife make headlines, kindness makes community, easing suffering, mending divisions, fostering peace. A moral life is one that acknowledges our kinship with all people, indeed with all beings, all animals and plants, rivers and mountains, Earth and Sun. We gather this morning to experience how story and song can help us enlarge the realm of kindness.
Scott Russell Sanders is the author of two dozen books, the most recent of which are Small Marvels and The Way of Imagination. His first reader is his wife, Ruth, a level-headed scientist, with whom he will celebrate a 59th wedding anniversary later this month. Scott is a Distinguished Professor Emeritus of English at IU, and a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
View the video archive of this service here:
Information about other happenings at UUCB each week is available here.
Ringing of the World Bell
Greeting
Erica Whichello, Worship Associate
Congregational Prelude
#361 Enter, Rejoice, and Come In
Welcome & Announcements
Worship Associate
Land Acknowledgement
Lighting the Chalice Flame
Worship Associate
Aya O’Donnell
Time for All Ages
Dr. Stephanie Kimball, Director of Lifespan Religious Education
Musical Interlude
Kim Carballo, piano
Story One
“Father”
Scott Russell Sanders
Hymn
#108 My Life Flows on in Endless Song
Dedication of Offering
This fiscal year, 25% of our non-pledge Sunday offerings will be donated to Farm to Family to support their SNAP matching program at the Bloomington Farm Stop Collective, which will expand access to local food by doubling SNAP benefits for eligible food items.
You can contribute to the basket online at this link, or pay your pledge online.
Offertory
Kim Carballo, piano
Story Two
“Holy”
Gift of Music
“Eine kleine Nachtmusik” by Mozart
Francesca Samarotto, Cello; Aralyn Olivo, Viola; Rosie Osorio-Aparicio, 2nd Violin; Nola Cusack,1st Violin
Story Three
"Wind"
Closing Hymn
#346 Come, Sing a Song with Me
Benediction
Choral Benediction
#131 Love Will Guide Us
Upcoming Events and Classes!
To view our full calendar of upcoming events go to: uucb.churchcenter.com/calendar
Announcements
Annual Water Communion Service & Congregational Picnic NEXT SUNDAY!
End of Summer Sunday Celebration: August 9th
Our last 10:30am Sunday service will be on August 9. Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray returns to the pulpit to lead us in our annual water-communion service. Feel free to bring water (or representative water) from a meaningful source for you to share with the congregation. After service, we'll have a congregational picnic with grilled beef hot dogs, veggie dogs, and chicken sausages, plus regular/gluten free buns. If you are able to contribute a side, please sign up at the QR Code or link: uubloomington.org/uucbpicnicpotluck.
3 WEEKS LEFT TO DONATE!
Be Creative! Auction Runs Online Aug 21 – Aug 30
Have you ever wanted to play a musical instrument? Has your child expressed an interest? Services so far at this year’s auction include various lessons on different instruments for you to try, all while helping our beloved UUCB! Also included so far this year are musical entertainment for your events, food delivered when you want it (including wine & cheese), yard work, a sound bath session, a yoga class, a tie dye workshop, a parents night out and more! We have an amazing congregation - do you have a service to offer?
Donation Form: http://uubloomington.org/auction
Today
The Homelessness Task Force meets at 9:30 a.m. in the Library.
The Green Sanctuary Task Force meets at 11:45 a.m. in Room 112.
New to UU is held at 12 p.m. in the UU Library. If you are new to our congregation, a very warm welcome to you! You are invited to join in a brief introduction to Unitarian Universalism and this congregation.
The UU Humanist Forum meets at 12 p.m. in Room 208 with an option to join online. The topic is “Why I Became a UU” by Richard.
This Week
Tuusday Thing (a Young Adult Gathering) meets weekly on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. in Room 210.
Pastoral Conversations meets on Wednesdays at 12:15 p.m. in the Library.
The Women’s Alliance meets on Thursday, August 6, at 11:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. The featured speakers will be folks who attended the Unitarian Universalist General Assembly. It will be pot luck, so bring your best dish! Drinks and desserts provided. All are welcome.
UUCB Choir returns from summer break on Thursday, August 6, at 7 p.m. in the Meeting Room! All are welcome.
Join the grounds crew Friday, August 7, 6pm for an hour of spiffing our grounds in preparation for the all church picnic the next day!
Next Sunday
Our annual All Ages Water Communion service is next Sunday! Feel free to bring water (or representative water) from a meaningful source for you to share with the congregation.
Join us for a church-wide picnic potluck on Sunday, August 9 after the service!
The UU Freethinkers meet at 12 p.m. in Room 208.
Volunteer Opportunity
A few spots are open on the 30-member UU & friends Women+ Build team! Our team is doing siding on Sat., Sept. 19, on two houses in Habitat's Osage Place. Twelve teams will raise $260,000 for construction costs and build one day each. Register at: https://give.monroecountyhabitat.org/team/823192.
