Author: Jude Genereaux

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

We’re all in for a lovely Easter morning at Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship this waning March forenoon, as member Dave Hart graces this special Sunday with his dulcet tones in song and selected poetry to grace the day.  A former member of the Seattle Men’s Choir, Dave brings his love of music and an accomplished background in song to share with us March 31^st.

Those attending are encouraged to actively join in the celebration and bring along your favorite Easter, spring and renewal poems, or stories you may have to share. 

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 interested may request it by contacting patriciashifferd@gmail.com. https://bluehillsuu.org

Our March 24^th Service at Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship marks the return of Arthur Thexton of the Wauwatosa congregation, to our pulpit.   This Sunday is both “Purim” for those of the Jewish faith and Palm Sunday for Christians.  Thexton notes while all of us recognize Palm Sunday as a religious holiday, “Purim” is likely to be more of an unknown to many.  He queries “What might we all gain from this observance?” Adding to those attending “… bring a noisemaker along with you to join in for this unusual celebration.”

A one time resident of Rice Lake, Mr Thexton speaks regularly at UU congregations, referring to himself as “a part-time, itinerant, circuit-riding lay preacher in the UU tradition.”  After completing studies at the Meadville Lombard Theological School, Thexton attended the University of Chicago before obtaining his law degree from UW Madison.  He served as Assistant District Attorney in Barron County during the mid-1980’s

All are invited to attend services in the sanctuary at 10 a.m. Sundays, 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

Our traveling Chaplain, Dennis Peters joins us at Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship this St Patrick’s Day  Sunday to present his “World View: A Discussion of Science and Faith.”  Unitarian Universalism represents many views,  some of which  conflict with each other.  Promising that  “I’m going to stick my neck out here and present some views that I espouse –and  look forward to the discussion!”  

Blue Hills UU’s enjoy Pot Luck every third Sunday, where we’ll gather downstairs to share time with each other ~ all are encouraged to bring a dish to share that might help celebrate the wearin’ of the green – corn beef & cabbage, anyone?   Erin go bragh!  

All are invited to attend services in the sanctuary at 10 a.m. Sundays, 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

We’ll be celebrating “International Women’s Day” at Blue Hills Sunday service March 10^th !    Each March this nation makes special note of the social, economic and political achievements of women around the world, bringing international awareness to gender parity.   On this special morning, Pat Shifferd will lead the service, with five of our Blue Hills members each featuring one woman who has earned special mention, sharing with us the reasons why.  

According to the World Economic Forum, global gender equality is estimated to be achieved by 2133.  Let us plan to not wait that long.

All are invited to attend services in the sanctuary at 10 a.m. Sundays, 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

What does the term “Spiritual Growth” mean for you?  As a Blue Hills UU, what is it you seek in this realm that brings you to Sunday Service each week?  We seem to know it when we experience it — though most of us struggle to define what drives our search. What is it we want from our connection to “religion” ?

This past Sunday many of us attending the filmed service shared by the North Shore Unitarians of Vancouver, concluded that their service was a fine example of “spiritual growth”, and expressed the wish to bring the topic to service this coming March 3^rd. for continued discussion.  For those of you who would like to experience the Vancouver service, take an hour of your time to watch (link below), and be with us next week to help define this complex abstraction that many of us seek through our religious affiliation.

All are invited to attend services in the sanctuary at 10 a.m. Sundays, 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

We’ve shifted gears for the coming Sunday Service, February 25^th at Blue Hills UU, and will offer a film to our membership considering the “Bittersweet in the world.”

This Lay-led service comes to us from the Vancouver North Shore Unitarians – inspired in that “many of the world’s greatest thought leaders, Rumi, Darwin, Maya Angelou, Leonard Cohen, all, have extolled the bittersweet nature of life.”  How do we incorporate joy with sadness?  We’ll toss that about next Sunday and expect a lively discussion to follow.

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