January 26, 2025

Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship enthusiastically welcomes Rick StGermaine, Prof. Emeritus UW Eau Claire, as guest speaker Sunday, January 26th.  Currently the Director of Education and historian for our neighboring LCO tribe, Dr StGermaine’s experience and list of accomplishments include over 11 years of service as Tribal Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe Tribe; he resides with his family on the reservation near Hayward.

Sharing “The Anishinaabe World View: LCO Experience” StGermaine will share with us research on the evolution of Midewiwin spiritual way of life among the Lac Courte Oreilles tribal people, summarizing a three day examination of “several thousand pieces of spiritual artifacts” that he and a team of LCO elders examined at the Milwaukee Public Museum this past autumn.  “This collection is from a time that a host of anthropologists conducted years of research at LCO examining and studying their spiritual ceremonies during 1898-1911, 1932, and 1939-43.”  

Rick StGermaine

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

January 19, 2025

Returning to the Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist pulpit, Chaplain Dennis Peters asks the fellowship “Where has the time gone?”  What time, really, is it?  The Chicago Transit Authority questioned “Does Anybody Really Know What Time it Is?”

Ch Dennis invites us to take a look at how we got here, from wherever it was we were – and should we consider time travel too?  Is that what we’re doing right now?  Bring your thoughts to share as we delve into life’s most curious conundrums.

Ch Dennis Peters

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

January 12, 2025

Rev Phil Lund of St Paul, Minnesota, will conduct the Sunday Service at Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship on January 12th.  As our Congregational Life Consultant of UUA’s MidAmerica staff, Rev Lund offers to lead us in “… exploring some of the keys to human connection that congregations can use in building lives and communities that are healthier and happier.”

In welcoming Rev Lund to Rice Lake, our fellowship will host the monthly potluck a week earlier, so members and friends can share more time with Phil.  Please bring a dish to pass and plan to enjoy camaraderie & nourishment with members and friends.

Rev Phil Lund

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

January 5, 2025

As we welcome a new year and the bountiful possibilities it brings to us, Blue Hills UU member Maureen Skuban will take us on an exploration of the “intentions” we set for ourselves – and what they  may say about our values.  What is the purpose of what informs those intentions?  Do our actions reflect that same purpose?

We acknowledge the “human condition” when we don’t measure up, or when circumstances stand in our way, but may we also look for ways to set our intentions to realistically line up with our hopes for the new year?  May we reflect on the impact they might have on our community?  Be with us this first day of 2025 as we delve into the possibilities before us.

Maureen with Mercy Mae! and Colby

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

December 29, 2024

Blue Hills UU will gather at 10 a.m. Sunday, December 29th to honor our long time member and friend, Kent Shifferd;  peace activist, environmental educator and author, Kent passed away this past October 26th.   All are invited to gather with his wife Pat, their family and friends on this special morning to share remembrances and celebrate Kent’s bountiful life.

Chaplain Dennis Peters and Pastor Doug Olson will guide the morning with music, poetry and sharing.  All are also invited to gather for a luncheon following the service.  

Kent and Pat Shifferd

Blue Hills UU invites everyone to our Sunday services, which begin at 10 a.m. Sunday mornings, 230 W. Messenger St., in Rice Lake.

December 22, 2024

The morning of December 22nd will mark the return of our friend and fellow Unitarian-Universalist Arthur Thexton, to conduct our Sunday service at Blue Hills UU.  As the end of this year approaches, Arthur will reflect on one of our most relished obsessions:  the New Year’s Resolution. 

“Making promises to oneself at this transitional time in our secular year has become part of our culture. Are we making the right ones? Do our UU values help us in this process?”  How often do you take part in this ritual? And what success have you had in your promises to yourself?   Thexton always leads us to critique what we know of our beliefs, and ourselves, in brief discussion following his sermon.

Arthur and friend

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

December 15, 2024

Traveling chaplain Dennis Peters will host the Sunday Service at Blue Hills UU December 15th,  sharing the importance of reading and his love of books.  He will  challenge the congregation to consider “How do we educate ourselves in religion?”

What methods have members taken to learn of the many paths offered by various religions?   The opinions of others?  Bible Study?  Independent study?  Have you checked out books from a church library?  Or perhaps accumulated your own private  collection. Growing up, did you attend a traditional Sunday School that informed your beliefs?  As an adult, what book clubs and adult education classes might have made an impression?  The endless ways we come to our religious beliefs should be a rich topic to explore.

Ch. Dennis Peters

Our “Third Sunday” Pot Luck will follow the service;  this month we expect a Christmas buffet will be evident, so be prepared to enjoy some favorite traditional  offerings;  bring a dish to pass and enjoy the camaraderie of members and neighbors.

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

December 8, 2024

Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship affirms and promotes the goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all. Our service on December 8 will celebrate the life and work of peace activist, former Beatle John Lennon, who was ironically killed on December 8th, 1980.

As we enter a month celebrating “peace on earth”, Rev. Terry Cummings will lead our worship service in reflection of the depth of Lennon’s passing;  so deeply felt by many, we will consider how, and if, the world maintains the stand he took for peace

Ice Caves ~ Jeff Rennicke

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

December 1, 2014

Rev Shawn Gauthier of the Vancouver, British Columbia First Unitarian Church will present the service at Blue Hills UU via the magic of cyberspace.  This first Sunday in December, Rev Gauthier will explore  “The Things We Do for Love”, in which he attempts to engage our interest by describing his sermon as an “intelligent exploration of the concepts of love and community.”  Knowing Blue Hills UU members, there is little doubt he will be able to lead a spirited and enlightening discussion. 

Beginning his undergraduate studies at the Conservatory of Music at Oberlin College, Rev Gauthier eventually completed his bachelor degree in religious studies at Harvard, then earned a Master of Divinity from Harvard Divinity School.  He previously served for sixteen years as minister at Toronto’s First Unitarian Church.

Rev. Shawn Gauthier

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

November 24, 2024

Sunday’s Service November 24th at Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship  will be led by member Zarrin Reynolds, addressing the First Source of our spiritual life:  “Direct experience of the transcending mystery and wonder affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life.” 

In considering the “Symphony of the IS”, Ms Reynolds explains that “We are often taught to stop and smell the roses, to take time out to notice the wonder around us – but how often do we actually pause to listen to nature’s voice?”  In the hustle and hustle of daily life it is far too easy to tune out, and let the voice of the digital age drown the voice of the “IS.”   Be with us as we explore the transcendent beauty that is our world through words, music, and imagery.

Ms Zarrin Reynolds

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