Author: Jude Genereaux

Our Fellowship hosts the itinerate lay preacher Arthur Thexton, Sunday morning, June 9^th reminding us that even in summer time, when “the living is easy –” it may not really be a good idea to give ourselves a vacation from our religious lives just because it’s summer.  In fact, states Arthur “I’m sure it’s a bad idea;  just as if we practiced our beliefs only on Sundays and not the rest of the week.”

But the reality is that attendance at Sunday services falls off in summer.  And being a realist, Thexton adds that even though services continue, ministers & lay leaders plan them to engage their congregations “Knowing many won’t be there – so what we have to say must last until we see you again, in September!”  We congregants may not wise to miss these important messages!

Everyone is welcome and invited to attend BHUU Sunday services at 10 a.m., 230 W. Messenger, Rice Lake, or on Zoom;  the zoom link is sent to members, although all interested may request it by contacting patriciashifferd@gmail.com. https://bluehillsuu.org

PR 2024-06-02

Rev Terry Cummings will grace the Blue Hills UU’s morning this first Sunday in June, by conducting the traditional “Flower Service.”  Many Unitarian Universalist congregations celebrate this service in honor of Norbert Capek, who founded the Unitarian Church in Czechoslovakia, introducing this special ceremony on June 4, 1923.  All are invited to join with us in celebrating the communion of flowers.

For those who are attending in person, Rev Cummings asks to please bring a flower to the service to be placed in a communal vase.  At the end of the service, all will be invited to take a different flower home with them. For those attending by Zoom, we suggest that you have at least one flower nearby during the service.   We will hold a brief ritual to bless the flowers as we close. 

For those interested in history of Norbert Capek and the Prague Unitaria Flower Communion, see: https://davidrweiss.com/2023/06/10/norbert-capek-and-the-flower-communion

Everyone is welcome to attend BHUU Sunday services at 10 a.m., 230 W. Messenger, Rice Lake, or on Zoom;  the zoom link is sent to members, but all interested may request it by contacting patriciashifferd@gmail.com. https://bluehillsuu.org

Members of the Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship will commemorate Memorial Day on Sunday May 26^th. by gathering for their annual picnic/pot luck at the Veterans Memorial Park.   The pavilion on the north side of the park provides the shelter, and our members the good food and camaraderie at this, a traditional time together.    

All are invited to bring a dish to share and come meet your neighbors and friends of the fellowship, 12:00 noon, 20 East Stout Street in Rice Lake.

Blue Hills Unitarian Universalists welcome Dennis Peters  next Sunday, May 19^th., to address the issue of Abundance.   When does the blessing of abundance become a problem?   How many of us will confess to the tendency to hold on to too much stuff?  

Peters invites us to consider this, observing that “Our country is awash in possessions that have overflowed our homes.  One quarter of the population rent storage areas to keep the stuff they can no longer find space for;   parents don’t pass along precious heirlooms to their children, because the kids don’t want it – don’t have room for it!”  Peters will expose a more serious point to the dilemma of affluence.

After concluding the morning’s service, the BHUU Fellowship  will re-convene into the “Annual Meeting” to conclude business held over from May 5^th.   Everyone is welcome to attend BHUU Sunday services at 10 a.m., 230 W. Messenger, Rice Lake, or on Zoom;  the zoom link is sent to members, but all interested may request it by contacting patriciashifferd@gmail.com. https://bluehillsuu.org

To commemorate “Mothers Day” at Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship Sunday, May 12^th , guest speaker Arthur Thexton, member and co-founder of James Reeb UU Congregation in Madison, WI., will conduct the morning  Service via Zoom.

Observing that “Not all of us had competent, or even willing, mothers,” Mr. Thexton reflects “If we think about the Biblical commandment to “honor” thy mother and thy father, we find the verb is carefully chosen. We are not required to love, or to cherish, or care for, or obey, or even to forgive our parents – but to “honor” them.” In another word: to respect them. Promising an uplifting sermon for this day of honoring Mom’s, Blue Hills UU invites all to take part.

Everyone is welcome to attend BHUU Sunday services at 10 a.m., 230 W. Messenger, Rice Lake, or on Zoom;  the zoom link is sent to members, but all interested may request it by contacting patriciashifferd@gmail.com. https://bluehillsuu.org

The first Sunday in May promises to be an important morning for we Blue Hills UU’s.  We will gather early for a 9:30 Brunch, before our ANNUAL MEETING, that follows a short Service at 10:00 a.m. May 5^th. .  We’ve come a long way and accomplished ALOT this past couple years, so let’s take a moment to celebrate that, too.

Our Annual Meeting always has important issues to be considered, effecting our fellowship as we elect new officers and adopt the coming fiscal year’s budget.  This year will also bring two additional concerns to be decided upon:  a change to our By-Laws and a Resolution that would greatly impact how we are able to use our building.  

Please mark the morning on your calendar and be with us as we plan the coming year.   Everyone is welcome to attend BHUU Sunday services at 10 a.m., 230 W. Messenger, Rice Lake, or on Zoom;  the zoom link is sent to members, but all interested may request it by contacting patriciashifferd@gmail.com. https://bluehillsuu.org

As we at Blue Hills UU welcome the return of SPRING to our lives, our favorite story teller will be with us Sunday, April 28^5h to share the tale of the “Skeleton Woman.”  Pat Barry relishes the finding and re-telling of folklore, as well as contemporaneous morality parables; those attending the service will be drawn into sharing what meaning this particular saga brings to them.  You are invited to draw your own conclusions – and be with us in the Sanctuary or on Zoom for an enlightening, lively morning!

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

Minister Dennis Peters will conduct the service at Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist fellowship on Sunday, April 21^st.  Noting that many feel “politics” seems to have gone off the rails in this current time zone, perhaps more than in the past, Peters will address the current distress being felt.   Is this a result of personality traits of the politicians themselves?  Or do the underlying causes stem from other changes in our society?   Without being specific to individuals, Peters will examine traits and traditions we believed were inherent in our heritage, and how they, or the lack of them, effect nearly all facets of our lives and standards.

During the service, Peters will team up with our pianist for a “trumpet & piano” selection to grace the morning with music.  Being the Third Sunday of the month also brings members to the table for Pot Luck, downstairs;  all are invited to bring a dish to share and enjoy this time together.

Sunday services are held at 10:00 a.m. in the sanctuary at 230 W. Messenger, Rice Lake, where everyone is welcome.  Services are also shared on Zoom;  the link is sent to members and to all interested by contacting patriciashifferd@gmail.com. https://bluehillsuu.org

We’re challenged to ponder “How Much Free Speech Do We Want?” this week at Blue Hills UU.  Member Judith Barisonzi asks “Do you believe in free speech? Of course you do! But think again: how much free speech do you really want?” Recent political trends and events have cast into question whether there should be limitations on what we all are permitted to say in the public arena.

Do any limitations amount to censorship and repression? Following a brief presentation, we will spend our time together this coming Sunday, April 14^th.,  discussing this important, multi-faceted issue.

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

We welcome Rev Terry Cummings return to Blue Hills UU again this week, to bring insight on “The Hero’s Journey” according to Joseph Campbell.  Well known to Unitarians, Campbell’s best known text “The Hero with a Thousand Faces” carries the premise that “The returning hero, to complete his adventure, must survive the impact of the world.” The goal of the return is to retain the wisdom gained on the quest and to integrate it into society. Who are YOUR heros???

Rev Cummings reminds us that Campbell is remembered by many as the scholar who advised everyone to “follow your bliss,” and for conversations with PBS’ Bill Moyers in the late 1980s on The Power of Myth.  Cummings will reflect on the ways in which Campbell’s connection between the world’s religions and the ancient mythological heroes’ journey is relevant to our own spiritual journeys in a denomination undergoing change, in an ever-changing world.

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