Author: Jude Genereaux

Chaplain Dennis Peters returns to Blue Hills UU fellowship the first Sunday of April to explore some of the foundations of Unitarian Universalism.  Peters observes two definitive strains of thought present in the beliefs of members, noting there are many who may be classified as humanists, focused on social action, justice and actions based in the visible reality around us.   

But there are also as many who seek guidance and understanding of the spiritual realm, searching for an understanding of the traditional sources of religion that go beyond simply the physical world to incorporate the unmeasurable “something more.”  Ch Peters engages all to “Come and explore with me;  perhaps we’ll come to find new meaning within these concepts.”

Blue Hills UU invites everyone to services, beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday mornings in the fellowship hall, 230 W. Messenger St., Rice Lake, and also on Zoom. The zoom link is sent to members, however all interested may request it by contacting patriciashifferd@gmail.com.

Rev Terry Cummings joins members and friends of the Blue Hills Unitarian Universalists at Sunday Service, March 30^th, to consider the role of women in the history of the church and religion throughout the ages.  Rev Cummings reminds us that “From Mary Magdelene to Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, women have been spiritual leaders and important members of the clergy.”

On this last Sunday of Women’s History Month, our service will be dedicated to those who have answered the call to become pastors and spiritual leaders.  Rev. Terry Cummings homily will reflect on significance of the Gospel of Mary, and honor some of the women who were pioneers in becoming religious figureheads.

Blue Hills UU invites everyone to services, beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday mornings in the fellowship hall, 230 W. Messenger St., Rice Lake, and also on Zoom. The zoom link is sent to members, however all interested may request it by contacting patriciashifferd@gmail.com.

Blue Hills Unitarian Universalists of Rice Lake welcome the return of an old friend and fellow UU, Arthur Thexton of the Milwaukee area.  On Sunday March 23^rd, Thexton will lead us to consider the second source of UU:  “Words and deeds of prophetic people which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion and the transforming power of love.”  In that context, Arthur will focus on the life of James Reeb, a 20th century UU martyr.  Reeb, a UU minister and activist during the civil rights movement, was murdered while participating in the Selma to Montgomery, Alabama march in 1965.  His murder remains officially unsolved.

Thexton describes himself as an “upraised UU and part-time, itinerant, circuit-riding, lay preacher in the UU tradition.”  Having served in various law-related posts in Neillsville and Barron counties, Arthur then spent the majority of his career as an attorney in Madison, WI where he was one of the founders of the James Reed UU Fellowship on E. Johnson Street.

We’ll also gather for a short time after the service to share coffee and continue the discussion of an earlier service this month on immigration issues;  we hope to have Nancy Pike of “Immigration Advocates” return to provide more information and answer questions about some of the efforts in need of assistance.

Blue Hills UU invites everyone to services, beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday mornings in the fellowship hall, 230 W. Messenger St., Rice Lake, and also on Zoom. The zoom link is sent to members, however all interested may request it by contacting patriciashifferd@gmail.com.

Traveling minister Dennis Peters will address the Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship on March 16^th. in an attempt to consider how societal problems and issues that vex us might successfully be corrected.   As caring and kind human beings, we may not be able to save the world – but we know how to solve those in our daily lives and even in our communities. We understand right from wrong.

Be with as we grapple with Part Two of a discussion of “What is Wrong?” with the world;   Peters challenges us to  put our thinking caps on and come up with some answers.

Third Sunday is also our monthly gathering for Pot Luck at BHUU, so members and friends are encouraged to bring a dish to pass and plan to enjoy camaraderie & nourishment with members and friends.

Blue Hills UU invites everyone to services, beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday mornings in the fellowship hall, 230 W. Messenger St., Rice Lake, and also on Zoom. The zoom link is sent to members, however all interested may request it by contacting patriciashifferd@gmail.com.

Nancy Pike, representing “Immigration Advocates” has visited Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in the past on behalf of our Somalian neighbors in Barron.  She will return this coming Sunday, March 9^th with an informative report regarding issues and responses available as deportation efforts have shifted into high gear by the recently installed administration in Washington D.C.

Blue Hills UU invites everyone to services, beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday mornings in the fellowship hall, 230 W. Messenger St., Rice Lake, and also on Zoom. The zoom link is sent to members, however all interested may request it by contacting patriciashifferd@gmail.com.

On March 2^nd, Blue Hills Unitarians will celebrate sound: music and the spoken word, which have the power to inspire, inform, ask questions, provide answers, and bring us together. Our gracious pianist, Kathy Schultz will be available to play hymns as requested. Those attending are invited to bring a favorite poem, quotation, or reading.  

Blue Hills UU invites everyone to services, beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday mornings in the fellowship hall, 230 W. Messenger St., Rice Lake, and also on Zoom. The zoom link is sent to members, however all interested may request it by contacting patriciashifferd@gmail.com.

We are gifted this coming Sunday, February 23^rd, to be able to enjoy a recorded service from the Vancouver North Shore Unitarians of Canada, with whom we have shared (virtually) some exceptional Sunday mornings in the past. “Where the Light Begins: A UU Perspective of Grace” as hosted by Rebecca Lindley is certain to fill our morning with hope, spiritual connection and a deeper understanding of what we Unitarians look for as we seek a depth of meaning in our conflicted world.

Blue Hills UU invites everyone to services, beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday mornings in the fellowship hall, 230 W. Messenger St., Rice Lake, and also on Zoom. The zoom link is sent to members, however all interested may request it by contacting patriciashifferd@gmail.com.

This coming Sunday, February 16^th ,  Chaplain Dennis Peters asks the provocative question: “What is Wrong?”  In order to discover solutions, we first need to know what the problem is  — Ch Peters offers as a starting point, to explore with Blue Hills UU’s  some of the (many) problems in the world today, with an attempt to roll in some warmth and humor where we’re able.

The next step, for another time, we’ll attempt to discover solutions. Ch. Peters invites us to “Come walk with me through our world today, so we may think about the world of tomorrow.”

Blue Hills  UU Fellowship will host our monthly potluck this same Sunday morning, so members and friends are encouraged to bring a dish to pass and plan to enjoy camaraderie & nourishment with members and friends.

Blue Hills UU invites everyone to our services, which begin at 10 a.m. Sunday mornings in the fellowship hall at 230 W. Messenger St., Rice Lake and also on Zoom. The zoom link is sent to members, and anyone interested may request it by contacting patriciashifferd@gmail.com. https://bluehillsuu.org

Sunday February 9^th, Rev. Terry Cummings will reflect on the positive aspects of our “shadow” with Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalists, and how it may lead to spiritual growth as we move through the stages of our lives. Psychiatrist Carl Jung wrote of a person’s subconscious dimension of personality, and the dark side he called the ‘shadow’ –but Rev Cummings goal is to lift that vision:  rather than ‘our shadow’ being a negative, dark side of personality, it is just one part of a whole.

“By embracing that concept, we may be encouraged to try new things, to forgive ourselves for what we feel is negative and to consider ways we may become more fully engaged with ‘Who’ we are, especially as the responsibilities of parenting and careers begin to recede.”

Blue Hills UU invites everyone to services, beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday mornings in the fellowship hall, 230 W. Messenger St., Rice Lake, and also on Zoom. The zoom link is sent to members, however all interested may request it by contacting patriciashifferd@gmail.com.

Active BHUU member Judith Barisonzi takes to the pulpit Sunday February 2^nd, to lead us in considering one of the prime “principles” at the heart of our beliefs as a UU:  “The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large.” Judy suggests that “As we make our way this year through a re-examination of the principles and sources of Unitarian-Universalism, it seems a proper time to devote some thought and discussion to our 5th Principle:  What actually is the “right of conscience?  Do we truly believe in it?  And why is it necessary to the functioning of a democracy?”

We will also be taking up a special collection as our fellowship seeks to raise funds for “World Relief,” an organization whose mission is to aid immigrants already in this country, as they seek relocation.  The Chippewa Valley branch of World Relief, as part of the larger organization, was recently notified of severe cuts in funding by the federal government -impacting close to 4,000 newly arrived refugees already in the U.S., 175 of whom are already here in Wisconsin.

Blue Hills UU invites everyone to our services, which begin at 10 a.m. Sunday mornings in the fellowship hall at 230 W. Messenger St., Rice Lake, and are also on Zoom. The zoom link is sent to members, however all interested may request it by contacting patriciashifferd@gmail.com.