Author: Blue Hills UU

Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalists mark a full return to gathering en masse this coming Sunday, June 6^th, meeting in the fellowship hall at 230 W. Messenger in Rice Lake.  Our music leader and member Brian Rude will lead the 10:00 Service with one of his always provocative explorations into the habits of our lives, with an inquiry into “Talks –and More Talks”.   A lively discussion is expected to follow.

Returning to in-person gatherings will require all those attending be vaccinated; if there are those who choose not to or cannot, please then wear a mask.   Should there be singing during the service, all will be asked to wear their masks during that.

The Blue Hills UU Fellowship will end the budding Spring of 2021 on a positive uptake, by meeting all together, outdoors and face to face, for the first time in over a year with a potluck picnic on May 30^th.

We’ll gather from 11:00-2:00 at “Veterans Park” in Rice Lake, which is a few blocks north of the Post Office, by the lake; we’ll meet near the large music stage. Bring a dish to share, your utensils and a beverage; no program is planned for the morning, but to mark a “return” to fellowship, for in June we will also begin a return to use of our building as well.

The decision is to alternate services for a three month period:  each month will offer at least two BHUU services in our fellowship hall, but retain the  two other Sundays via Zoom for the benefits we’ve found they offer.  Details will be posted each week on both our website and Facebook.

The caveat to returning to in-person gatherings in the building is that all those attending be vaccinated.  If there are those that choose not to, or cannot,  we ask they wear a mask.   Should there be singing during the  service, all will be asked to wear their masks for that.

Let’s celebrate on Sunday!

Order of Service

Rice Lake’s Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship is excited to bring to Sunday Services May 23^rd. Cheyenne Otto-Defoe of Superior, WI to share her insight and experiences.   As an enrolled member of the Red Cliff Reservation, Gidagaakoonsikwe grew up in Ashland and graduated from Northland College.  Through the skill acquired working with “Take Action, Minnesota”, she became a lead organizer in “Progress North” based in Superior, WI.

With a goal of connecting grass roots organizations in the area to “build long term progressive infrastructures” Cheyenne calls on her Anishinaabe roots to guide her in efforts to focus on marginalized communities.  With a belief that “Solidarity connects our humanity to one another and allows trust to flourish” her goal is to bring changes to build the kind of Wisconsin where all can thrive.  

All are invited to attend on Sundays, as BHUU continues to hold services on Zoom at 10 a.m., although some changes will take place in June with  intermittent return to the Fellowship Hall.  The internet link will be sent to members – visitors may contact Ken Hood > ken@bluehillsuu.org < for the link needed.    Those lacking cyberlink connection or equipment to enable participation, are invited to meet in the fellowship hall located at 230 W Messenger, masked and distanced, to watch the presentation on large screen ZOOM.

Blue Hills UU member Ken Hood will host the Sunday Service May 16,  bringing us the TED Talk Presentation by Brené Brown, “The Power of Vulnerability.”  Brown is a research professor at the University of Houston where she holds the Huffington Foundation “Brené Brown Endowed Chair” at the Graduate College of Social Work;  she is the author of five #1 New York Times bestsellers, the culmination of a seven-year study on courage and leadership.

Prof Brown has spent the past two decades studying courage, vulnerability, shame and empathy, and this 2010 TED Talk is said to be one of the most viewed episodes in the world.  Ken will lead the discussion with our fellowship, which is sure to follow the video presentation.  

All are invited to attend as BHUU continues to hold services on Zoom at 10 a.m. Sundays.   The internet link will be sent to members, although

visitors may contact Ken Hood > ken@bluehillsuu.org < for the link needed.    Those lacking cyberlink connection or equipment to enable participation, are invited to meet in the fellowship hall located at 230 W Messenger, masked and distanced, to watch the presentation on large screen ZOOM.

In observance of Mother’s Day, May 9^th , Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalists will explore some of the many ways the concept of mother has provided abundance, guidance and intercession to people across time and space.  During the Sunday Service, Prof  Emeritus Pat Shifferd of Trego, will lead those attending to consider their experiences with motherhood.  “From Papatuanuku to Isis to the Virgin Mary,” Shifferd notes “our stories have provided comfort and spiritual understanding.  Is the idea of mother still as powerful a concept in our secular times?”    

All are invited to attend on Sundays, as BHUU continues to hold services on Zoom at 10 a.m.  The internet link will be sent to members, although all interested are invited to take part.  Visitors may contact Ken Hood > ken@bluehillsuu.org < for the link needed.    Those lacking cyberlink connection or equipment to enable participation, are invited to meet in the fellowship hall located at 230 W Messenger, masked and distanced, to watch the presentation on large screen ZOOM.

Our BHUU Annual Meeting takes place this first Sunday in May, beginning at 10 a.m.    The Service hour will open in the traditional manner with the Lighting of the Chalice, Opening Words and Song, and sharing Announcements, Joys & Concerns.  

Board Chairman Mark Van Etten will then conduct the business of the day,  sharing his remarks, followed by reports from our various committees.   This will  include suggested options for returning to use of our building on Sundays.  

An overview of the proposed Budget for coming year fiscal year, July 2021-2022,  was sent to members on April 16 as required in our By-laws for review, and the Nominations Committee will offer a suggested slate for the election of officers.  All of which will conclude with an adoption of the Budget and Election of Officers this Sunday morning. 

We hope you will be with us to consider these important steps in our fellowship life.   The internet link will be sent to members, although all interested are invited to take part.  Visitors may contact Ken Hood > ken@bluehillsuu.org < for the link needed.    Those lacking cyberlink connection or equipment to enable participation, are invited to meet in the fellowship hall located at 230 W Messenger, masked and distanced, to watch the presentation on large screen ZOOM.

We’re for the birds at Blue Hills UU – always eager to learn about them!   Rick Persile of northern Wisconsin will seek to guide us in the “how to’s” of attracting birds to our little corners of the world at our Sunday service, April 25^th. 

Born in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Mr. Persile took an interest in birds at a young age;  as that grew stronger, he learned how to create habitats that would attract them.  In tandem with his interest in photography, he’s become the “go to” guy for information and questions regarding anything relating to birds.  Rick’s current “yard list” documents over 140 different species he’s spotted, including both resident and migrant species. 

As an advocate and firm believer in keeping our waters as pristine as possible, Persile also serves as Chairperson for the “County Line Lake Association” in Sawyer County.  “Keeping a natural buffer along the shoreline protects not only the water, but provides nesting habitat for several different species of birds.”      

Be with us Sunday as BHUU continues to hold services on Zoom at 10 a.m.  The internet link will be sent to members, although all interested are invited to take part.  Visitors may contact Ken Hood > ken@bluehillsuu.org < for the link needed.    Those lacking cyberlink connection or equipment to enable participation, are invited to meet in the fellowship hall located at 230 W Messenger, masked and distanced, to watch the presentation on large screen ZOOM.

The members of Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship in Rice Lake will observe Earth Day on Sunday, April 18^th by honoring our “Sacred Ground”.   Through a variety of readings, poems and pertinent quotations stressing ways we may yet save our Mother Earth, the morning will focus on the treasured planet we are part of.  Accompanied by photographs members have shared and beloved music, all attending will be considered part of the program and invited to contribute.

Be with us this coming Sunday as BHUU continues to hold Sunday services on Zoom at 10 a.m.  The internet link will be sent to members, although all interested are invited to take part.  Visitors may contact Ken Hood > ken@bluehillsuu.org < for the link needed.    Those lacking cyberlink connection or equipment to enable participation, are invited to meet in the fellowship hall located at 230 W Messenger, masked and distanced, to watch the presentation on large screen ZOOM.

Dr. Kent Shifferd, Prof Emeritus, Northland College, Ashland, will host the Sunday Service, April 11^th , sharing with Blue Hills UU his study of, and thoughts on the 23^rd Psalm.  

Most Christians know this particular psalm by heart, and will appreciate hearing Shifferd’s broader illumination of its content.  Revealing different English translations and commentary from a rabbi, generates reflection on the greater meaning exposed by a focused reading of the psalm. Discussion will follow Kent’s enlightening service.

Dr. Kent Shifferd

Be with us this coming Sunday as we continue to hold services on Zoom at 10 a.m.  The internet link will be sent to members, although all interested are invited to take part.  Visitors may contact Ken Hood > ken@bluehillsuu.org < for the link needed.    Those lacking cyberlink connection or equipment to enable participation, are invited to meet in the fellowship hall located at 230 W Messenger, masked and distanced, to watch the presentation on large screen ZOOM.

Easter Sunday will be honored at Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship with a service presented by former Rice Lake resident, Arthur Thexton.  Asking “Are There Any U’s In Easter?”, Thexton will explore with the fellowship how UU’s observe and celebrate the very Christian holy day of Easter. 

Now retired as an attorney at Dept of Safety and Professional Services in Madison, Arthur has resumed his initial calling to the UU ministry.  After attending Meadville/Lombard Theological School, he received his M.A. in Religious Studies from the University of Chicago Divinity School in 1974, following graduation cum laude from Beloit College in 1972.  He went on to earn his J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1977, serving as Family Support counselor at Barron County in the 1980’s.  BHUU is always glad to welcome Mr. Thexton back to Rice Lake.   

Be with us this coming Sunday, as we continue to hold Sunday services on Zoom at 10 a.m.  The internet link will be sent to members, although all interested are invited to take part.  Visitors may contact Ken Hood > ken@bluehillsuu.org < for the link needed.    Those lacking cyberlink connection or equipment to enable participation, are invited to meet in the fellowship hall located at 230 W Messenger, masked and distanced, to watch the presentation on large screen ZOOM.