Author: Jude Genereaux

The results are in, the votes counted, the news was not surprising, but not what we wanted to hear.   At our next Sunday service, our two delegates to the 2024 UUA General Assembly will report their observations and experience in attending the recent conference held via live stream.   What implications will the change in philosophy, practices and the abandonment of our former Principles & Sources have for us? 

How might all of this affect our own Blue Hills UU Fellowship?   And what, please tell us:  would constitute being “Out of Covenant”?  We are all anxious to know.   Be with us at 10:00 a.m. Sunday July 7^th as we hear the full report from our delegates Judy Barisonzi and Pat Shifferd.  And thank them for their fastidious and focused attention through what had to be a draining experience.

Judy — and Pat.

As always – everyone is welcome at BHUU;  Sunday services begin at 10 a.m., 230 W. Messenger, Rice Lake, and on Zoom.  The zoom link is sent to members, although anyone interested may request it by contacting patriciashifferd@gmail.com. https://bluehillsuu.org

The World Relief organization, Wisconsin’s Chippewa Valley chapter, will share their expertise with Blue Hill Unitarian Universalists on Sunday, June 30^th.   Community Engagement Specialist, Jodi Jewell will journey to Rice Lake to share news of their work in helping refugees from around the world.   

“World Relief” is a global Christian humanitarian organization that has been working for over 80 years to contend with the world’s greatest crises, in partnership with the church. Their work primarily centers around refugee resettlement, so those who’ve been forced to leave their home country due to war, violence, or persecution because of race, religion, nationality or political issues may find a safe place to belong.

After the service, several members will host Ms. Jewell to Sunday Brunch, to which all are invited, extending the opportunity for discussion with Ms. Jewell.

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

As probably all UU members know – our national convention:  the Unitarian-Universalist Association’s General Assembly begins this coming week, Thursday the 20th.  In sync with them, we have the opportunity to attend their Sunday Worship Service, being live-streamed for all of us thru the wizardry of ZOOM;  we will be able to “attend” at our regular service time, 10 a.m. June 23^rd in our own sanctuary at Blue Hills UU.

Our two delegates, Pat Shifferd and Judy Barisonzi, will attend many of the planned meetings and groups sessions, throughout the nearly four days of GA. Our collective decisions regarding changes proposed at the 2023 UUA-GA will be contributed during the week by our delegates, with the final decisions soon to be shared with all.  Those wanting to know more of the plans for the coming week, go to https://www.uua.org/ga/program/schedule, and:  Stay TUNED!   

Everyone is welcome at BHUU Sunday services, 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

Joining us in the sanctuary at Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship this coming Sunday, June 16^th., will be our local chaplain Dennis Peters.  In a former life as an I.T. specialist, Peters has joked that his career change from IT to the lay ministry and pastoral care seems to be a natural transition. 

If one suspects abit of humor in his observation, there is also a serious set of similarities found to be helpful on both ends of the spectrum.   Ch Peters will share his “Eureka!” moment with our Rice Lake Fellowship at 10 a.m. followed by the Third Sunday Potluck held each month.  All are invited to bring a dish to share and enjoy time with the membership.

All are welcome at BHUU Sunday services, 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

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