Author: Jude Genereaux

Falling on the very day itself this year gives Blue Hills UU’s the opportunity to spend part of Christmas day together, in person or on Zoom.   There will be memories to recall, music and poetry to share and the promise of bakery for those who trek into Rice Lake to gather in our newly dressed up fellowship hall.  

All who seek insight are welcome at Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist fellowship, 230 W. Messenger in Rice Lake.  Both a free-range discussion period at 9 a.m. and the 10 a.m. Service can be accessed via Zoom, although Christmas cookies will only be found in the sanctuary itself.  The link is sent to members, but others interested may request it from patriciashifferd@gmail.com.  Wearing masks is optional for those attending in person, although recommendations of the CDC are followed;  we do expect all to be fully vaccinated.  Gathering for fellowship & coffee after the service is encouraged.   https://bluehillsuu.org

Traveling UU Chaplain Dennis Peters will speak at Rice Lake Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship Sunday, December 19th on the topic of Education.   Peters states that he’s often “harangued on education in the past:  the need for it, the topics required and applicable age groups.”  However this session his comments won’t be made in passing, but connected to the main topic of “Education” itself.  Peters invites us to look together at one of the most foundational, crucial topics of our era.

As one of the most hopeful activities of our species, Herbert George Wells is quoted as saying “Civilization is in a race between education and catastrophe. Let us learn the truth and spread it as far and wide as our circumstances allow – for the truth is the greatest weapon we have.”   As Unitarian-Universalists, we will of course first question “What is truth.”

All seeking insight are welcome at the Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist fellowship, 230 W. Messenger in Rice Lake.  Both a free-range discussion period at 9 a.m. and the 10 a.m. Service can be accessed via Zoom.  The link

is sent to members, but others interested may request it from patriciashifferd@gmail.com.  Wearing masks is optional for those attending in person, although recommendations of the CDC are followed;  we do expect all to be fully vaccinated.  Gathering for fellowship & coffee after the service is encouraged.   https://bluehillsuu.org

As we approach the winter solstice, Prof Emeritus Pat Shifferd will guide Blue Hills UU’s to consider the impact of the time when dark begins to turn toward light.  During the eminent darkening days leading to solstice.  At our December 11^th Sunday Service, Shifferd will encourage us to reflect on how we view light and dark.  Feeling it important for us to note, Shifferd observes “While darkness is often characterized negatively, it provides real benefits which can be a comfort as we move toward the turning of the year.”

All seeking insight are welcome at the Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist fellowship, 230 W. Messenger in Rice Lake.  Both a free-range discussion period at 9 a.m. and the 10 a.m. Service can be accessed via Zoom.  The link is sent to members, but all interested may contact patriciashifferd@gmail.com for the link.  Wearing masks is optional for those attending in person, although recommendations of the CDC are followed;  we do expect all to be fully vaccinated.  Gathering for fellowship & coffee after the service is encouraged.   https://bluehillsuu.org

Sunday’s Service at Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship brings our friend Arthur Thexton back to the Rice Lake pulpit, as he challenges us to consider “How to Believe in God.” Asking us to consider “Is there a self-aware entity who is omnipotent, omnipresent, and beneficent?”, Thexton postulates that our society is overwhelmingly populated by people who say that they believe in “God” with a capital “G”.  What do they mean?  And, can those of us who are humanist find common ground or vocabulary with them?   Be with us at 10 a.m., December 4^th as we explore these most provocative questions as a congregation.]

Our Service begins at 10:00;  all seeking insight are welcome at BHUU, 230 W. Messenger in Rice Lake.   A free-range discussion period at 9 a.m. will focus on the question “Should Teachers be Armed?”;  both may be accessed via Zoom.  The link is sent to members, but those interested may contact patriciashifferd@gmail.com for this.  Wearing masks is optional for those attending in person, although recommendations of the CDC are followed;  we do expect all to be fully vaccinated.  Gathering for fellowship & coffee after the service is encouraged.   https://bluehillsuu.org

We’re GOIN’ FOR IT! Leftovers and POT LUCK!   This coming Sunday in our newly dressed up BHUU sanctuary, we will gather to share Thanksgiving leftovers once again.   After a short 10 a.m. service addressing the “Guest at our Table” kickoff, we’ll see what we can find at our own!

There will be no “Discussion Hour” prior to the service this week, and neither will the service be Zoomed until next.

All seeking insight are welcome at BHUU – wearing masks is optional for those attending in person, although recommendations of the CDC are followed;  we do expect all to be fully vaccinated.  Gathering for fellowship & coffee after the service is encouraged.   https://bluehillsuu.org

Chaplain Dennis Peters will conduct the Sunday Service at Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalist fellowship on November 20^th , with a focus on the Old Testament.  A presentation of “Tanakh”, a summary of the origins, writing and re-writing of the ancient text will be presented.

Peters observes “Most of us as Christians, as well as former Christians, are familiar with the Bible, but may not have read all of it while attending Sunday school – or we have heard services on Job and Jonah, or the Resurrection and Moses.  Journey with me back through time for a history lesson (and some conjecture) about where the Old Testament came from, and how it matters today.”

Sunday’s Service begins at 10:00;  all seeking insight are welcome at BHUU, 230 W. Messenger in Rice Lake.   Both the service and a free-range discussion period at 9 a.m. may be accessed via Zoom.  The link is sent to members, but those interested may contact patriciashifferd@gmail.com for this.  Wearing masks is optional for those attending in person, although recommendations of the CDC are followed;  we do expect all to be fully vaccinated.  Gathering for fellowship & coffee after the service is encouraged.   https://bluehillsuu.org

BHUU member and resident story teller Pat Barry takes front & center this coming Sunday, November 13^th., to continue with Part II of her mission to encourage all to gather their stories together.  In June, Pat conducted our UU Service in sync with “How we Story our Lives” and relates that this week “We will continue to look at, and discuss the stories we’ve developed about ourselves and how these histories have affected us.”

Barry notes that she plans to encourage the fellowship to spend a little time telling our remembered, favorite tales, and will share a few prompts to inspire those attending.

Sunday’s Service begins at 10:00;  all seeking insight are welcome at BHUU.  Both the service and a free-range discussion period at 9 a.m. may be accessed via Zoom.  The link is sent to members, but those interested may contact patriciashifferd@gmail.com for this.  Wearing masks is optional for those attending in person, although recommendations of the CDC are followed;  we do expect all to be fully vaccinated.  Gathering for fellowship & coffee after the service is encouraged.   https://bluehillsuu.org

Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalists welcome Arthur Thexton to the Rice Lake congregation Sunday, November 6^th to conduct the Service.  As election information and concerns fill the airwaves, many of us are challenged with the need to be “Coping with an Ugly Political Climate.”   Mr Thexton will seek to find ways to lead us to that goal.

Noting that our country was born in violent revolution, our right to vote is written in the blood of the patriots who fought for our independence.  Fundamental freedom was again defended with blood in the Civil War and again in the war against Hitler.  Thus, Thexton notes “It seems fitting and proper to reflect upon the meaning of the political campaigns that now routinely lead up to our voting, 246 years after the Revolution, 160 years after the Civil War, and 80 years after World War II.  If I’m not mistaken, no one is happy with the tenor of politics in 2022. How shall we cope?”

The Sunday Service begins at 10 a.m. and all seeking insight are welcome at BHUU.  Both the service and a free-range discussion period at 9 a.m. may be accessed via Zoom.  The link is sent to members, but all interested may contact patriciashifferd@gmail.com for the link.   Wearing masks is optional for those attending in person, although recommendations of the CDC are followed;  all are expected to be fully vaccinated.   Gathering for fellowship & coffee after the service is encouraged.   https://bluehillsuu.org

Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship member, Dr. Kent Shifferd, will share an “Encounter With Buddhism”, his experiences and thoughts on Buddhism, at the Sunday, October 30th Service, 10 a.m.  Shifferd presents an overview of this way of thinking and living, noting its rapid popularity in the U.S. 

Considered a philosophy and a moral discipline, Buddhism originated in India, founded by Siddhartha Gautama in the 6th and 5th centuries BC, who according to legend, had been a Hindu prince.  Shifferd will lead us to consider what makes Buddhist Dharma an important path to finding peace of mind, as well as peace in today’s world.  

All seeking insight are welcome at BHUU.  Both the 10 a.m. Service and a free-range discussion period at 9 a.m. may be accessed via Zoom.  The link is sent to members, but all interested may contact patriciashifferd@gmail.com for the link.   Wearing masks is optional for those attending in person, although recommendations of the CDC are followed;  all are expected to be fully vaccinated.   Gathering for fellowship & coffee after the service is encouraged.

Member, Prof Emeritus Pat Shifferd will conduct the Sunday Service at Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Rice Lake October 23 at 10 a.m.,which will relate to the ramifications of changes in Wisconsin health care following the Supreme Court decision to abandon Roe v/ Wade protections.  How will this affect the availability of various procedures related to women’s reproductive care and surrounding issues?

After a brief look at the struggles of women in the 20th Century, the right to vote and   decent working conditions, Shifferd’s topic will turn to the legal and social controversies surrounding the issue of abortion.  With states now having control over access, huge differences exist from state to state.  As in Wisconsin, these divisions are more evident than ever, with anti-abortion groups pushing restrictions further and  women’s rights groups developing legal and social strategies to assist women in control over their lives. 

All seeking insight are welcome at BHUU.  Both the 10 a.m. Service and a free-range discussion period at 9 a.m. may be accessed via Zoom.  The link is sent to members, but all interested may contact patriciashifferd@gmail.com for the link.   Wearing masks is optional for those attending in person, although recommendations of the CDC are followed;  all are expected to be fully vaccinated.   Gathering for fellowship & coffee after the service is encouraged.