Author: Jude Genereaux

In service to our members since 1981, our Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship has recently extended our aid in helping our neighbors in St Croix as they established their own UU Fellowship.  We’ve made time to connect through shared services and speakers on a number of Sundays.   

The past two years have been difficult for both congregations.  On January 30th, we will once again bring our two fellowships together through the magic of Zoom, to talk about our mutual experiences and how we’ve continued to provide services on Sunday mornings through the pandemic. 

We’ve kept our membership connected, so perhaps it’s a good time to focus on what the future may hold for both of our fellowships.  Our goal will be to share stories, swap ideas and come away knowing the UU flame is alive and well in both communities;  the need for a liberal faith community in our rural communities has never been greater.

The Service begins at 10 a.m. via Zoom;  those wishing to attend in person are encouraged to join us in the fellowship hall, 210 W. Messenger Street in Rice Lake.  Those attending in person must be fully vaccinated and at the present time, masking and proper distancing will be observed.  The Zoom link will be sent to members, and all interested are invited to contact patriciashifferd@gmail.com for the link needed

Our Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalist fellowship welcomes Kendra Carillon and Brittany Olson, representatives of “Embrace” to give an overview of the efforts of  this four county organization as part of Sunday’s Service, 10:00 a.m. 

Since 1980, Embrace has been providing safe shelter and services to survivors of domestic abuse and sexual assault, with a mission to “end violence, inspire hope and provide unwavering support to all people affected.”  Their focus on preventing future violence extends to working with youth and parents in schools as well as actively engaging our communities to join us in our education and social change efforts.

The Service begins at 10 a.m. via Zoom;  those wishing to attend in person are encouraged to join us in the fellowship hall, 210 W. Messenger Street in Rice Lake.  Those attending in person must be fully vaccinated and at the present time, masking and proper distancing will be observed.  The Zoom link will be sent to members, and all interested are invited to contact patriciashifferd@gmail.com for the link needed.  See bluehillsuu.org for more information.

The Blue Hills UU’s will hear from and about “The Great Dissenter” this coming Sunday, January 16^th.   Our many talented member Brian Rude will share the interesting profile he’s researched on John Marshall Harlan -the only dissenter in the famous Plessy versus Ferguson Supreme Court decision of 1896.  As well as becoming well known for his dissension in many other Supreme Court decisions, mostly on the side of civil rights, Justice Harlan’s life story is interesting in many aspects, some more surprising than others.

The Service begins at 10 a.m. via Zoom, although those wishing to attend in person are encouraged to join us in the fellowship hall, 210 W. Messenger Street in Rice Lake.  All those attending in person must be fully vaccinated and at the present time, masking and proper distancing will be observed.  The Zoom link will be sent to members, but all interested are invited to contact patriciashifferd@gmail.com for the link needed.  See bluehillsuu.org for more information.

Our visiting Chaplain Dennis Peters ask the Blue Hills UU’s “What kind of traveler are you?”   Do you have visions of mountains, oceans, faraway cities that your heart burns to see and experience? Do you explore within, dreaming in your imagination rather than physically there? Do you read of strange new worlds, new civilizations, or going where no one has gone before? 

And how do you get there – in books, movies, your imagination? Dennis invites our fellowship to “travel together!” during our next service, Sunday January 7^th.

Services begin at 10 a.m. via Zoom, although those wishing to attend in person are encouraged to join us in the fellowship hall to enjoy together.   Those attending in person are expected to be vaccinated, and it is strongly suggested that wearing a mask and proper distancing be observed.   The Zoom link will be sent to members, but all interested are invited to contact patriciashifferd@gmail.com for the link needed.  See bluehillsuu.org for more information.

Member Judith Barisonzi will lead the fellowship on Sunday, the second day of the New Year, to reflect on “Starting Over”.   “It’s a new year, and a chance to begin again–or is it? What exactly is a new year anyway?”  Judy entreats us to share some time together reflecting on and discussing these questions as part of our Service this beginning Sunday of 2022.

The service will take place at 10 a.m., broadcast via Zoom; due to the extreme cold and anticipated upgrades for in-person gatherings, members will not meet in the fellowship hall this week.   The Zoom link will be sent to members;  all interested are invited to contact patriciashifferd@gmail.com for the link needed.  See bluehillsuu.org for more information.

BHUU member Jim Bradley of Mikana, also happens to be a resident of Auburn AL, and a member of both our BHUU fellowship and Auburn’s.  Jim has introduced us to friends and members of the Auburn fellowship, not only through ideas for programs of mutual interest to both congregations – but also by combining services through the magic of Zoom. We experimented with sharing services with the Auburn UU during the holidays last year, and enjoyed doing so much, that we’ll be with them again this coming Sunday, the day-after Christmas.

This service begins at 10 a.m. via Zoom, although those wishing to attend in person are encouraged to join us in the fellowship hall to enjoy together.   Those attending in person are asked to be vaccinated, and it is suggested that wearing a mask is prudent.   The Zoom link will be sent to members, but all    interested are invited to contact patriciashifferd@gmail.com for the link needed.  See bluehillsuu.org for more information.

Guest minister Suzanne Wasilczuk of First Unitarian Church in Duluth brings Sunday’s Service to Blue Hills UU December 19th.  “God rest ye merry, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay” the classic Christmas carol entreats us – but are we able to let go the dismay?  Are we truly able to “rest merry” in this holiday season?  Rev Wasilczuk will challenge the fellowship to consider what we may do so, to commemorate the Christmas season, and how we might find a blessed, non-anxious space during tumultuous times.     

Blue Hills UU is located at 230 W Messenger in Rice Lake;  the service will be conducted at 10 a.m. via Zoom, although those wishing to, may attend in the fellowship hall to enjoy together.   Those attending in person are asked to be vaccinated, and it is suggested that wearing a mask is prudent.   The Zoom link will be sent to members, but all    interested are invited to contact patriciashifferd@gmail.com for the link needed.  See bluehillsuu.org for more information.

Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalist visiting Chaplain Dennis Peters will talk about UU Women this coming Sunday, December 12th.   In a recent Service on “Stardust,” Peters gave examples of individuals who metaphorically “sprinkled” stardust on humanity, helping to propel us forward in important fields.  Afterward, someone gently chided him that all of the examples were men!  Then shared with him a long list of women who also belong in that category.  Starting with women from our own UU tradition, Ch Peters will address a few examples of contributors to “Stardust.” Plus one  surprise addition! 

Be with us on Sunday as Ch Peters joins us in the fellowship hall, 230 West Messenger and also on Zoom at 10 a.m.  Those attending in person are asked to be vaccinated, and it is suggested that wearing a mask is prudent.   The Zoom link will be sent to members, but all those interested are invited to contact  patriciashifferd@gmail.com for the link needed.  See bluehillsuu.org for more information.

Well known around the Twin Cities, jazz musicians Richard Terrill and Larry McDonough will bring their creative talents to Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship this Sunday, December 5^th., heightening the sense of contemplation during this spiritual season.  Drawing from a variety of influences, classic song and works of art to the musings of children, the two bring their poetry and jazz compositions to focus;  they will share the inspirations that bring their music into being this Sunday morning.

Blue Hills UU is located at 230 W Messenger in Rice Lake;  the service will be conducted at 10 a.m. via Zoom, although those wishing to, may attend in the fellowship hall to enjoy together.   Those attending in person are asked to be vaccinated, and it is suggested that wearing a mask is prudent.   The Zoom link will be sent to members, but all those   interested are invited to contact patriciashifferd@gmail.com for the link needed.  See bluehillsuu.org for more information.

Thanksgiving arrives surrounded in tradition, family values and mythology – some of it accurate.  The Blue Hills Unitarian Universalists share in the season’s prodigal conventions during Sunday service November 28th in celebration of our many blessings.  Led by Chairwoman Pat Shifferd, the fellowship will consider the deeper meaning of the holiday in contrast with orthodox perceptions.

The service will be conducted on Zoom, although members are invited to attend the 10:00 a.m. service in the fellowship hall at 230 W Messenger St in Rice Lake;  those attending in person are asked to be vaccinated, and it is suggested that wearing a mask is prudent.   The Zoom link will be sent to members, but all those   interested are invited to contact patriciashifferd@gmail.com for the link needed.  See bluehillsuu.org for more information.