Author: Jude Genereaux

Blue Hills Unitarian Universalists welcome a new representative of their faith to the Rice Lake Fellowship:  Rev Jack M. Copas of the UU Church of Tampa, Florida on Sunday October 8^th.    Rev Copas will challenge the fellowship with the question “Are we Putting our Faith to the Test.”

In considering how divergently conservative and liberal religions respond to the three basic religious concepts of revelation, salvation and ecumenism, Rev Copas suggests that the decisions we as a people make about the nature of these revelations becomes a fundamental point, or a departure for those of faith.

All are invited to attend services in the sanctuary at 10 a.m. Sundays, 230 W. Messenger, Rice Lake, or on Zoom.  For those attending service on Zoom, the Order of Service is attached, below.  Zoom link is sent to members, but all interested may request it by contacting patriciashifferd@gmail.com. https://bluehillsuu.org

What actually is “Wokeism”?  Our Vice Chairman, David Hart will explore the topic with fellow Unitarian-Universalists at Blue Hills Fellowship’s Sunday Service, October 1^st.   Dave asks “Have we gone too far with “Identity Politics”?  In part a review of Dr. Norman Finkelstein’s book “I’ll Burn That Bridge When I Get To It”, Dave will consider the effect “wokeism” has had on working class politics, and the backlash to it.  What too, may be the effect on academic freedom in America today?

After experiencing many years living in South Korea, Dave will surely bring a distinct perspective to the topic, impacted by his experience living in a unique and contrasting culture. 

All are invited to attend services in the sanctuary at 10 a.m. Sundays, 230 W. Messenger, Rice Lake, or on Zoom.  For those attending service on Zoom, the Order of Service is attached, below.  Zoom link is sent to members, but all interested may request it by contacting patriciashifferd@gmail.com. https://bluehillsuu.org

Chaplain Dennis Peters will travel to Rice Lake September 24th to present the Sunday Service at Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.   As proponents of interfaith relations, UU’s regard pluralism as an important characteristic of their faith.  Ch Peters will lead an inquiry into an evaluation of what that requires – and how related beliefs determine what being a UU asks of members.    

After a successful career in IT, Ch Peters shifted his focus to Spiritual Care, completing a Masters of Arts in Religious Leadership, concentrating on Interfaith Chaplaincy.   The Master’s program included spiritual support for individuals and an ongoing study of different faiths as part of this journey, and   completed his first chaplaincy unit at a daytime center for those without homes, or living with addiction or mental health issues.

All are invited to attend services in the sanctuary at 10 a.m. Sundays, 230 W. Messenger, Rice Lake, or on Zoom; the link is sent to members, but all interested may request it by contacting patriciashifferd@gmail.com. https://bluehillsuu.org

As the Congregational Life Consultant for the Midwestern Region of UUA, Rev Phil Lund MN will address the Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship on Sunday September 17^th.   His message will focus on the importance of UU’s historical  mission of being a welcoming religion.   Lund notes that “As the number of people seeking religious community continues to decline, the importance of UU’s ability to be our most responsive selves, is an asset that becomes more important than ever.” 

Rev Lund of has served the Midwestern UU congregations in the area of faith formation and spiritual growth as a religious educator for over twenty years;  he holds a Master of Divinity degree from Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago and resides in St Paul, MN.

All are invited to attend services in the sanctuary at 10 a.m. Sundays, 230 W. Messenger, Rice Lake, or on Zoom.  For those attending service on Zoom, the Order of Service is attached, below.  Zoom link is sent to members, but anyone interested may request it by contacting patriciashifferd@gmail.com. https://bluehillsuu.org

Assembling.  Homecoming.  Returning.   We Blue Hills UU’s will carry on our tradition of celebrating the quieting of summer activities and travels, as we return to school, to work, to home – and our fellowship.  Our “Ingathering” service this year will transition from bringing a rock commemorating our travels, to a special celebration of the importance of water in our lives, as well as in that of all beings on our planet.

Please join us Sunday September 10^th – and bring a small contribution of water  collected from a source important to you.  We will combine all such treasures as we reflect on the sacredness of water – and also spend time sharing our summer revelations before gathering for a POTLUCK after the service.

All are invited to attend services in the sanctuary at 10 a.m. Sundays, 230 W. Messenger, Rice Lake, or on Zoom.  For those attending service on Zoom, the Order of Service is attached, below.  Zoom link is sent to members, but anyone interested may request it by contacting patriciashifferd@gmail.com. https://bluehillsuu.org

Once again, we at Rice Lake’s Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship will gather to share the microphone and express what’s on our mind, as we gather for “Soapbox Sunday” this first of September Services on the 2^nd.   Long a tradition of UU’s everywhere is to find time to convey concerns and passions, information, attitudes and discoveries.  Time will be allotted at the podium to all who are interested in relating what’s captured their attention, whether it be politics, a new awareness, or the latest VIP book they’ve found.

All are invited to attend services in the sanctuary at 10 a.m. Sundays, 230 W. Messenger, Rice Lake, or on Zoom.  For those attending service on Zoom, the Order of Service is attached, below.  Zoom link is sent to members, but anyone interested may request it by contacting patriciashifferd@gmail.com. https://bluehillsuu.org

Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship welcomes Dr. Kent Shifferd Sunday, August 28th. to share insight as he introduces his most recent book project, “Betraying Jesus: the Tragedy Of Christian Violence.”

Why was Jesus, who taught love and compassion, so badly betrayed by many of his followers who practiced violence in his name?  This contradiction of intent and action has mystified many through the centuries … what is there to do about it?

Dr Shifferd is Prof Emeritus who taught environmental history and ethics for twenty five years at Northland College and former Executive Director of the Wisconsin Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies.

All are invited to attend services in the sanctuary, 10 a.m. Sundays, 230 W. Messenger, Rice Lake, or on Zoom.  For those attending service on Zoom, the Order of Service is attached, below.  Zoom link is sent to members, but anyone interested may request it by contacting patriciashifferd@gmail.com. https://bluehillsuu.org

God is Love. 1 John 4:16   Yes, but “Who”, what is God?   How do we answer this question?  Does this sound like an impossible task?  Or do each of us have a firm concept guiding our understanding?  

Coming from many different religious backgrounds and practices as we do, Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist chaplain Dennis Peters will lead the Rice Lake Fellowship in going back in time to explore this, Sunday August 20th.   As an extremely important goal to most of us, Chaplain Peters calls to “Let us begin”

All are reminded that this will also be our THIRD SUNDAY POT LUCK and are invited to attend at the sanctuary 10 a.m. Sundays, 230 W. Messenger, Rice Lake, or on Zoom.  For those attending service on Zoom, the Order of Service is attached, below.  Zoom link is sent to members, but anyone interested may request it by contacting patriciashifferd@gmail.com. https://bluehillsuu.org

Our Service this coming Sunday, August 13, will be a wrap-up of discussion and consideration of the changes suggested at the recent UUA General Assembly, focusing on the changes suggested to our UU Principles and Sources.   Our delegates to the GA, Pat Shifferd and Judy Barisonzi have reported their findings and now will be time for the fellowship to consider the UUA’s intentions.

Those attending on Sunday will break into small discussion groups, to then share their conclusions and direction with the full body.  The national effort won’t be finalized until summer 2024, but in the meantime, we as Blue Hills UU’s will determine our view of these changes and convey them to the UUA.  We hope all members of our fellowship will engage in this concern.

All are invited to attend at the sanctuary 10 a.m. Sundays, 230 W. Messenger, Rice Lake, or on Zoom.  For those attending service on Zoom, the Order of Service is attached, below.  Zoom link is sent to members, but anyone interested may request it by contacting patriciashifferd@gmail.com. https://bluehillsuu.org

Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship welcomes a new face to our fellowship this coming Sunday, August 6^th. as we welcome Rev Terry Cummings to conduct the service.  Many of us claiming summer as our favorite time of year, are startled as August seems to come “so soon”;  Rev Cummings service, “Seasons of the Heart” will suggest to us how to keep summer alive in our hearts regardless of our age, or the page we turn over on the calendar.

Rev. Terry Cummings earned her Master of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York in May of 2016, and was ordained jointly by both the Central Unitarian Church of Paramus, and the UU Congregation of Montclair, New Jersey.  Formerly a partner in a New York city law firm, she has practiced law in NY state since 1982.

All are invited to attend at the sanctuary 10 a.m. Sundays, 230 W. Messenger, Rice Lake, or on Zoom.  For those attending service on Zoom, the Order of Service is attached, below.  Zoom link is sent to members, but anyone interested may request it by contacting patriciashifferd@gmail.com. https://bluehillsuu.org