Author: Blue Hills UU

Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalist’s Sunday January 24th 10 a.m. Service will engage members in a consideration of how the processes of science intersect with our view on “What is Right?,” in the context of being part of the natural world surrounding us.  The discussion stems from a dialogue that took place between six persons over several months, when BHUU member Jim Bradley posed questions about the relationship between humans and nature.     

The dialogue focuses on the questions “Do humans have a moral obligation to care for the Earth, given they, and therefore their actions, are a part of Nature, not separate from it?  What basis is there for calling some human actions that affect the rest of Nature moral and others immoral?”

Four of those who took part in the original discussion will participate in the Service:  Kent  Shifferd, Mark Van Etten, Jim Bradley, members of BHUU, and Bill Deutsch of Auburn University.  Robert Hasman and Waldo Asp as participants in the original dialogue will have their positions represented.

Blue Hills UU fellowship continues to meet via Zoom – the link will be sent to members, although all interested in these Services are invited to attend.    Visitors may contact Ken Hood > ken@bluehillsuu.org < for the link needed to join the service.  Those lacking cyberlink connection or equipment to enable participation and want to attend service are invited to meet IN the fellowship building located at 230 W Messenger, masked and distanced, to watch the presentation on large screen ZOOM.

Order of Service (PDF)

Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalists kick off their annual fund-raising for the work of the federated U-U Service Committee at service this Sunday, January 10 at 10:00 am.  The Rice Lake fellowship generously supports  UUSC’s work for social and environmental justice, and welcomes the theme of this year’s project:  The Meaning of Home.

Our relationships with “home” intensified during 2020 as the pandemic brought many of us new appreciation, as well as concern for the places we live and their centrality to our lives.  As the past Lay Leader of BHUU, April Nielsen of Chetek will explain the importance of UUSC’s work, and how it partners around the world in efforts to make homes for others.

Blue Hills UU fellowship continues to meet via Zoom – the link will be sent to members, although all interested in these Services are invited to attend.    Visitors may contact Ken Hood > ken@bluehillsuu.org < for the link needed to join the service.  Those lacking cyberlink connection or equipment to enable participation and want to attend service are invited to meet IN the fellowship building located at 230 W Messenger, masked and distanced, to watch the presentation on large screen ZOOM.

Order of Service (PDF)

How can we heal the divide in our nation? How can we build a society and a politic in which people come together for their common interest, rather than being divided by bitter partisanship?  On Sunday, January 3rd, Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship of Rice Lake hosts Ken Hood, who will share his experiences practicing “Deep Canvassing” over the past year.  

Using this method to connect with others across the political spectrum on issues of healthcare, immigration brought Mr Hood a new awareness in how successful this can be, as well as what is at stake for our country.   Some brief exercises in listening with compassion and curiosity will be part of the morning, which begins at 10:00 a.m.

Blue Hills UU fellowship continues to meet via Zoom – the link will be sent to members, although all interested in these Services are invited to attend.    Visitors may contact Ken Hood > ken@bluehillsuu.org < for the link needed to join the service.  Those lacking cyberlink connection or equipment to enable participation and want to attend service are invited to meet IN the fellowship building located at 230 W Messenger, masked and distanced, to watch the presentation on large screen ZOOM.

Order of Service

On Christmas Eve, our Blue Hills UU’s will join the service of our sister congregation in Auburn, Alabama via Zoom at 6:00 p.m.  Auburn’s Rev Chris Rothbauer will lead the joint fellowships as we explore hope for tomorrow. “Those seeking Jesus in Bethlehem on the first Christmas ever were looking for a sign of the fulfillment of God’s promise.” Be with us as Rev Rothbauer helps us search for our own personal Bethlehem as we seek hope in times of trouble.  

Sunday’s Dec 27^th’s 10 a.m. Service will feature stories, music and the spirit of love and community as our Blue Hills fellowship gathers again to celebrate Christmas for our kids and all of us. Members of the fellowship with tell a story or two, some may sing a song or perhaps share a treasured memory, and all are encouraged to request a favorite Christmas hymn. There may even be some “post” haste gift giving!  

Blue Hills UU fellowship continues to meet via Zoom – the link will be sent to members, although all interested in these Services are invited to attend.    Visitors may contact Ken Hood > ken@bluehillsuu.org < for the link needed to join the service.  Those lacking cyberlink connection or equipment to enable participation and want to attend service are invited to meet IN the fellowship building located at 230 W Messenger, masked and distanced, to watch the presentation on large screen ZOOM.

Order of Service

The Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalists gather by way of Zoom Sunday, December 20^th to celebrate this “Season of Light.”  In a time of darkness we turn toward the light – Hanukkah, Solstice, Christmas, candlelight and starlight, seeking to recognize the light inside each of us.  All are invited to  meet Reverend Suzanne Wasilczuk of Minnesota as our BHUU fellowship welcomes her return to Rice Lake to explore a bit of the darkness – and a lot of the light. 

A graduate of Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago, Rev Wasilczuk’s previous career was as a registered nurse; she now resides in Duluth, Minnesota with her husband, and preaches at the Mesabi UU Church in Virginia, Minnesota. She also serves as a part-time consultant to the Lakehead Unitarian Fellowship in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

Blue Hills UU’s continue to meet at 10:00 a.m. on Sundays via Zoom – the link will be sent to members on Saturday, although all interested are invited to sign in.  Visitors may contact Ken Hood > ken@bluehillsuu.org for the link needed to join the service.    Those lacking cyberlink connection or equipment to enable participation and want to attend service are invited to meet IN the fellowship building  located at 230 W Messenger, masked and distanced, to watch the presentation on large screen ZOOM.

Order of Service (PDF)

“Baby, We Need a Barn-Raising!” Rev. Erin J. Walter declares as we seek to protect our physical health during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Knowing “social isolation can take a dangerous toll on our spirits and our mental health” UU Rev. Walter seeks to break down the stigma surrounding mental illness by drawing on the historic practice of barn raising. The Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalists welcome her on Zoom from Austin, Texas this Sunday December 13^th  to share spiritual resources for mental health through original song and the innate wisdom of Mr. Rogers.

UU minister and musician, Rev Walter is the winner of the UU Women’s Federation Sermon Award and leads the indie group Parker Woodland, whose music will be included in the service. A former YMCA director, she serves as a board member for the Texas UU Justice Ministry and as the Affiliated Community Minister of Wildflower (Unitarian Universalist) Church in Austin. More can be found about Rev. Erin’s music and ministry at ErinWalter.com.

The Blue Hills UU fellowship continues to meet at 10:00 a.m. on Sundays via Zoom – the link will be sent to members on Saturday, although all interested are invited to sign in.  Visitors may contact Ken Hood > ken@bluehillsuu.org for the link needed to join the service.    Those lacking cyberlink connection or equipment to enable participation and want to attend service are invited to meet IN the fellowship building  located at 230 W Messenger, masked and distanced, to watch the presentation on large screen ZOOM.

We welcome Chaplain Dennis Peters to BHUU Fellowship Sunday December 6^th, to share with us an  introduction to the “Garden of the Righteous”.  Noted as an important performance by a Jewish ensemble of Minneapolis, Peters describes it as “celebrating the Righteous among the Nations.  People who have risked everything – their lives and the lives of their families to  rescue Jews and others from the Nazis, hiding them and helping them to escape”

This gripping program also serves also as a fund fundraiser for Doctors Without Borders, and is interspersed with klezmer music from Noyes Strunes –  Yiddish for “New Strings.” Many of us won’t be surprised to discover a Unitarian connection to this effort.

The Blue Hills UU fellowship continues to meet at 10:00 a.m. on Sundays via Zoom – the link will be sent to members on Saturday, although all interested are invited to sign in.  Visitors may contact Ken Hood > ken@bluehillsuu.org for the link needed to join the service. Those lacking cyberlink connection or equipment to enable participation and want to attend service are invited to meet IN the church at 230 W Messenger, masked and distanced, to watch the presentation on large screen ZOOM.

Order of Service
How do we view those in our society who may be faced with physical challenges?   An expert in the field is our Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalist member Valerie Rude, who urges us to become more aware of our attitudes towards the disabled. 

Speaking to us on Sunday November 29, Ms Rude encourages us to “Dismantle Ableism”, and make it our goal to view all in our community as whole persons.   Like other “isms” in our society, there is a tendency to consider the disabled as incomplete or damaged – Rude urges us to abandon this impression.  She will review Federal laws that advance the care and acceptance of others, both in places of work and access to business establishments, helping all of us to move to a greater understanding.

The Blue Hills UU fellowship continues to meet at 10:00 a.m. on Sundays via Zoom – the link will be sent to members on Saturday, although all interested are invited to sign in.  Visitors may contact Ken Hood > ken@bluehillsuu.org for the link needed to join the service.

Those lacking cyberlink connection or equipment to enable participation and want to attend service are invited to meet IN the church at 230 W Messenger, masked and distanced, to watch the presentation on large screen ZOOM

Our forest dweller Bob Hasman takes to the ZOOM screen this coming Sunday, November 22 to share stories of growing up on the west side of Chicago and how he eventually came to live his life in the woods of northern Wisconsin.   Bob’s rich knowledge of mythology and lore blend with an unalterable belief that justice and equality extend not just to the human inhabitants of Mother earth, but should include all other life — and he is here to tell us about it.    

Our Blue Hills UU fellowship continues to meet at 10:00 a.m. on Sundays via Zoom – the link will be sent to members on Saturday, although all interested are invited to sign in.  Visitors may contact Ken Hood > ken@bluehillsuu.org for the link needed to join the service.

Those lacking cyberlink connection or equipment to enable participation and want to attend service are invited to meet IN the church at 230 W Messenger, masked and distanced ~!~ to watch the presentation on large screen ZOOM.

Order of Service (Word Doc)

On Sunday, November 15^th WOJB community radio personality Eric Schubring hosts our Service at Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalist fellowship, continuing a discussion of the book “The Insurrection of the Common Good.”  Eric will be joined by authors Phil and Kathy Dahl-Bredine of Oaxaca, Mexico;  their text focuses on the way of life practiced by indigenous cultures in Mexico and ways it has changed through pressures brought by American investment and development.  

Through their experience as residents of the area, the Dahl-Bredines call for a better understanding the impact the 21^st century has had to this region of Mexico. The book may be found at Northwind Books in Spooner, Barnes & Noble, or Amazon

Having begun this discussion in October, and run out of time, we’ve been encouraged to continue the review and discussion;  the fellowship is invited to have ready any questions, comments or observations they may have had and to take part in the service.

Our service begins at 10 a.m. each Sunday as we continue to meet through ZOOM technology;   the Zoom link will be sent to members by Saturday, although all interested are invited to sign in – visitors may contact Ken Hood > ken@bluehillsuu.org for the link needed to join the service.

Those lacking cyberlink connection or equipment to enable participation and want to attend service are invited to meet IN the church at 230 W Messenger, Rice Lake, masked and distanced ~!~ to watch the presentation on large screen ZOOM.