Author: Jude Genereaux

October 31^st – All Saints Day, Halloween, Day of the Dead – however you acknowledge this weekend is sure to be filled with history, tradition and myth.  The Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship will spend the morning with member Judith Barisonzi considering the many haunting ways that death – and grammar! impact our activities during this distinctive day’s service.  All attending, whether it be on Zoom or in the building, are encouraged to wear a mask – a Halloween mask!

BHUU has resumed gathering at the fellowship hall at 10 a.m. Sundays, and is continuing all services on Zoom for the benefit of the whole fellowship.  The internet link will be sent to members, although all are invited to take part;  visitors may contact patriciashifferd@gmail.com for the link needed.  See bluehillsuu.org for more information.

The Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalists are delighted to announce the return of former neighbor, friend Arthur Thexton to share Sunday’s message with the Fellowship.   Arthur will probe our religious connection to nature, especially in this time of global climate change.  Emphasizing our UU sources of faith, he explores what they offer concerning our relationship to nature, as “both our Seventh Principle and the Sixth Source speak directly to this question.”

“What in particular is our religious connection to nature in this age of global climate change? What do our UU principles and the sources of our faith have to offer concerning our relationship  nature? Both our 7^th Principle and our 6^th Source speak quite directly to this question.”

Having received his M.A. in Religious Studies from the University of Chicago Divinity School in 1974, Mr Thexton went on to earn a J.D. from the UW Law School in 1977;  for a number of years served as Family Support counselor at Barron County in the 1980’s.

Mr. Thexton comes to us from Milwaukee, via ZOOM this Sunday October 24^th. at 10 a.m.  BHUU has resumed gathering at the fellowship hall, but continues all services on Zoom for the benefit of the whole fellowship.  The internet link will be sent to members, although all are invited to take part;  visitors may contact patriciashifferd@gmail.com for the link needed.  See bluehillsuu.org for more information.

Rev Erin Walter comes to us from Austin, TX to present the Sunday, October 17th Service at Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship of Rice Lake, “People-They Are A’Changing”.  Based on our UU third principle: “Acceptance of one another and the encouragement of spiritual growth in our congregations”, Rev Walter notes that “We are not the same as we were before the pandemic, for even in seemingly uneventful times, people grow and change;  as we have grappled with the challenges of the past eighteen months, we have acted through our faith.”

We will meet via Zoom at 10 a.m. for this service;  although Blue Hills UU’s have resumed gathering “in-person” at the fellowship hall, we continue to hold some services on Zoom, as well as transmitting all for the benefit of the whole fellowship.  The internet link will be sent to members, although all are invited to take part;  visitors may contact patriciashifferd@gmail.com for the link needed. 

Chaplain Dennis Peters travels to Rice Lake this coming Sunday to talk with the Blue Hills UU’s about the Chalice:   Our Secret Symbol.    How did we come to use the Chalice as our symbol? And what does it mean to us? Is it just a  pretty lapel pin? Merely a candle we light at every service? Why do we do this?  Or is there a deeper meaning it carries for us—both as a Unitarian Universalist fellowship, and individually?   Ch Peters invites us to explore this with him on Sunday October 10^th, 10 a.m.

While we’ve resumed meeting “in-person” at the BHUU fellowship hall, we’ll be  transmitting this Service via Zoom as well;  the internet link will be sent to members, although all are invited to take part and may contact patriciashifferd@gmail.com for the link.

This first Sunday of October, the 3^rd, our Blue Hills Fellowship with welcome Duama Bremer to update us on news of a new homeless shelter being created in Barron.  We will be gathering in the building this week, with time for fellowship and gnoshing after the 10:00 Service with our guest.

The tech-wizards in our Fellowship have created a hybrid model for programming of Services, combining those who want to gather in the building, with others linked in remotely through ZOOM. Sometimes the presenter will be at the church and those on ZOOM will be able to see and participate.  Conversely, if the presenter is at a remote location, those who wish to gather at the church can see the presentation on screen, participate, and enjoy each other’s company as well. Links will be sent out on Saturdays. If you have not been vaccinated, we request that you wear a mask while in the church building.

Rev Phil Lund visits the Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship of Rice Lake Sunday Sept 26 via Zoom.   His Service will consider the continued decline of church membership, and if this is inevitable in future decades: “What does this mean for those of us who appreciate the important social benefits that come from belonging to a religious community?”

How do we manage the tension between hope and realism when it comes to the future of our faith?  And what can we as UU’s do for religion today – as well as tomorrow?  As UU’s, we expect Rev Lund’s thought provoking Service will lead to a lively discussion.

Services have resumed “in-person” at the BHUU fellowship hall, alternating with transmitting some via Zoom;  the internet link will be sent to members, although all are invited to take part and may contact patriciashifferd@gmail.com for the link.

Visiting Chaplain Dennis Peters will tackle the issue of “White Privilege” on  September 19th with members of the Blue Hills Universalist-Unitarian Fellowship ub Rice Lake, 230 W. Messenger St.  

“What is White Privilege? Is it real? Are non-whites, Black, Indigenous, other people of color, including Asians and Pacific Islanders actually lazy and unwilling to work for the rewards that hardworking whites have gained? Or is our country stacked against anyone who doesn’t have light enough skin?”  Ch Peters was inspired by a recent conversation with someone who felt there was no such thing as White Privilege, generating the Service he will share with the BHUU’s this coming Sunday. 

Blue Hills UU welcomes all to attend our 10 a.m. Services, with fellowship and gnoshing afterwards.  Having resumed gathering “in-person” at the fellowship hall, those attending are expected to be vaccinated or wear a mask.   Services are also transmitted on Zoom, some for access later. Please see our website at bluehillsuu.org for specifics.

Order of Service (Word Doc)

Former Lay Leader April Nielsen will lead BHUU’s via Zoom for our traditional “Ingathering” Sunday September 12^th.   This service marks the beginning of a new church year; after a summer season when many members have been away from regular attendance, our fellowship traditionally brings a rock or other symbolic objects to share with their thoughts on where we’ve been and what we bring to re-create our Fellowship for the coming year.

Many of us hoped to be ready to gather in person for Sunday Services this Fall, but we have also noticed others who join us on Zoom, but will not be at the church building in person on Sunday mornings.  So, please be responsible and accountable for your own comfort level and create a sacred space for yourself, wherever you are on Sunday, September 12.

Vaccinated persons are welcome to meet at the BHUU building in Rice Lake for this service, which will be Zoomed to the large screen.   Bring a rock to add to the rock altar or add to the collection in the rain garden in the back yard.  Everyone is welcome to attend via Zoom at 9:45ish, Service begins at 10:00 am.  We will have music and time for everyone to speak a few words about who and where you are as we gather virtually to greet a new year together.   The internet link will be sent to members;  visitors may contact Ken Hood > ken@bluehillsuu.org < for the link needed

If we’ve learned anything at all this past 18 months, it’s that our world is changing rapidly.  Every aspect of social gathering, from merely shopping to school attendance and our individual work situations, social distancing and restrictions on group size has dramatically changed how we do all things in our lives.  Perhaps one of the most dramatic impacts has been to how we gather to accomplish our “work”.  

This coming Sunday, September 5, our BHUU fellowship will consider “The Future of Work”.  This will be a TED Talk with discussion facilitated by member Ken Hood.  Although we’ve resumed gathering “in-person” at the fellowship hall, Blue Hills UU alternates services on Zoom, recording some for access later for those interested.  The internet link will be sent to members, although all are invited to take part.  Visitors may contact Ken Hood > ken@bluehillsuu.org < for the link needed

Is a house a home?   Is our fellowship hall expected to be one?  To provide shelter from the storm –understanding, compassion?   What do we expect to find here?  What do we want four walls to provide for us?  And how long do we expect it to BE?  

This coming Sunday, August 29^th, the BHUU’s will ZOOM the morning to seek input from the membership on how we view ourselves, and the place of our building in that vision.  Repairs needed … expenses incorporated  —  all opinions are welcome and encouraged as we attempt to foresee what the future holds for us.  Come join the discussion.

We will meet via Zoom at 10 a.m. for this service;  although we’ve resumed gathering “in-person” at the fellowship hall, Blue Hills UU alternates services on Zoom, recording some for access later for those interested.  The internet link will be sent to members, although all are invited to take part.  Visitors may contact Ken Hood > ken@bluehillsuu.org < for the link needed