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Our service at Blue Hills UU Sunday, August 10th will be hosted by member Irene Asp, who will lead a discussion regarding the balance between free speech and hate speech. A short film describing how this issue is dealt with in Germany will provide the foundation for the discussion.

Blue Hills UU invites everyone to services, beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday mornings in the fellowship hall, 230 W. Messenger St., Rice Lake, and also on Zoom. The zoom link is sent to members, however all interested may request this week’s link by contacting patriciashifferd@gmail.com.

Sunday, August 3^rd brings the return of Rev Terry Cummings to the Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist pulpit, for an in depth consideration of one of UU’s long standing principles: “To affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person, as well as justice, equity and compassion in human relations.”

It isn’t always easy to reconcile these ideals in times of disagreement or change, especially when reasonable minds can differ on the issues at hand.  On Sunday, Rev. Terry Cummings will reflect on ways in which we might apply our UU values in such times, with specific reference to an issue that seemingly has been in the news more than ever before, that of transgender rights and freedoms.

Blue Hills UU invites everyone to services, beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday mornings in the fellowship hall, 230 W. Messenger St., Rice Lake, and also on Zoom. The zoom link is sent to members, however all interested may request this week’s link by contacting patriciashifferd@gmail.com.

Many of us at Blue Hills UU have followed the changes in our national UU organization based in Boston and the summer gatherings of Unitarian Universalists at our annual General Assembly the past several years. Our own Judy Barisonzi and Pat Shifferd have attended as our appointed delegates to many of the sessions during this time.  This past June, Judy attended the business sessions on line via Zoom etal.

Also attending, in person at these summer sessions, has been our friend and oft-zoomed speaker at our Sunday services, Arthur Thexton.  As a life long Unitarian,  Thexton attended Meadville/Lombard Theological School, receiving  an M.A. in Religious Studies from the University of Chicago Divinity School in 1974, before continuing an education in the practice of law.

Both Arthur and Judy will be with us this coming Sunday, July 27^th to share their impressions and take-aways from the current UU-GA of this summer; we might expect some of the issues we’ve been concerned about regarding changes to our Unitarian practices and traditions will be addressed.  Be with us for what should be an informative and valuable Sunday morning for those caring about the future of our religious faith.

Blue Hills UU invites everyone to services, beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday mornings in the fellowship hall, 230 W. Messenger St., Rice Lake, and also on Zoom. The zoom link is sent to members, however all interested may request this weeks link by contacting patriciashifferd@gmail.com.

For Unitarian-Universalists, the words “spirituality” and “sacred” can be difficult to hang meaning upon. They may refer to traditional theologies, which UU’s by definition may question, or the use of these words may evoke vague,  diverse images where no common concept is possible.

On Sunday, July 20^th, Blue Hills UU will present a recorded sermon by Rev. Kate Rohde, in which we are invited to contemplate how the idea of “the sacred” may be captured as a coherent concept. There will be plenty of time for discussion and sharing at the end of the presentation.

Each third Sunday of the month, Blue Hills UUs gather for Pot Luck after the service; members and friends are encouraged to bring a dish to pass and stay awhile to enjoy time for camaraderie & nourishment. 

Blue Hills UU invites everyone to services, beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday mornings in the fellowship hall, 230 W. Messenger St., Rice Lake, and also on Zoom. The zoom link is sent to members, however all interested may request this weeks link by contacting mvanetten32@gmail.com.

Roots.  We all have ‘em.  What are those of Unitarian Universalism? Evolved directly from Christian origins at the outset of the Reformation in the mid-1500’s, to embracing, and discarding, theological beliefs over the centuries, UU has evolved as a rational religion.  As science raises questions about religious beliefs and traditions, Unitarianism has sought to incorporate belief with discovery and reason.   

Sunday, July 13^th., Rev. Terry Cummings will reflect on the intersection of science and faith. Those in attendance and online will have opportunity to share their beliefs, questions and a vision of the future of our Unitarian Universalist religious faith as it continues to grow.

Blue Hills UU invites everyone to our services beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday mornings in the fellowship hall, 230 W. Messenger St., Rice Lake, and also on Zoom. The zoom link is sent to members, however all interested may request it by contacting patriciashifferd@gmail.com.

“What Does Democracy Look Like?”  Congregants of the Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship will be challenged to envision and share their thoughts as to what makes for a true democracy, and how it functions.   As we begin the month of July with celebrations of our nation’s freedom and traditions, the Sunday, July 6th service will feature a discussion of what we think democracy actually is, as well as a celebration of the democratic values we as a fellowship support. 

Attendees are invited to bring a short reading or poem that relates to the concept and responsibilities of a free citizenry, as well as a red, white or blue refreshment to share during a morning “Fourth of July” coffee break. 

Blue Hills UU invites everyone to our services beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday mornings in the fellowship hall, 230 W. Messenger St., Rice Lake, and also on Zoom. The zoom link is sent to members, however all interested may request it by contacting patriciashifferd@gmail.com.

Blue Hills Unitarian Universalists return again to Oklahoma this last Sunday in June, to savor another outstanding recorded service from the “All Souls Unitarian” church in Tulsa.  

In this special service leaders from a wide variety of religious denominations in Tulsa were invited to join in a program of solidarity with their local immigrants.  While the morning is oriented to their community, this will surely inspire our own efforts in supporting the immigrant population here in the upper midwest, Barron, Rice Lake and Eau Claire.

Blue Hills UU invites everyone to our services beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday mornings in the fellowship hall, 230 W. Messenger St., Rice Lake, and also on Zoom. The zoom link is sent to members, however all interested may request it by contacting patriciashifferd@gmail.com.

Pat Shifferd, Ph.D Anthropolgy/Sociology, will lead fellow members of Blue Hills Unitarian Universalists Sunday June 22^nd, in celebration of the summer solstice.  “The Solstice provides an appropriate time to reflect on UUs Sixth source of inspiration:  Spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.”  

Through music, poetry and examples of observances of the solstice, Dr. Shifferd invites all to share in the service to celebrate, and hopefully strengthen our connections to the sacred realm of our natural world.

Blue Hills UU invites everyone to services, beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday mornings in the fellowship hall, 230 W. Messenger St., Rice Lake, and also on Zoom.  The zoom link is sent to members, however all interested may request it by contacting patriciashifferd@gmail.com.

We Blue Hills UUs take one full Sunday Service each summer to share with each other our concerns, worries, rants and as well – that which we want to celebrate.  We call it our “Soap Box Sunday.”   If you’ve something on your mind you’ve wanted to vent, or to seek feedback – plan to venture into Rice Lake this coming Sunday, June 15^th to share with members and friends, as our southern sage, Rice Lake native Jim Bradley leads the lively discussion.

Each third Sunday of the month, BHUU gathers for Pot Luck ~ members and friends are encouraged to bring a dish to pass and stay awhile after the service to enjoy time for camaraderie & nourishment.

Blue Hills UU invites everyone to services, beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday mornings in the fellowship hall, 230 W. Messenger St., Rice Lake, and also on Zoom. The zoom link is sent to members, however all interested may request it by contacting patriciashifferd@gmail.com.

Sunday June 5^th. Dennis Peters, Blue Hills UU’s traveling chaplain, will bring member’s attention to consider the practice of meditation, its tenants and benefits.  Remembering family vacations, Dennis recalls “When I was a kid, I would fish for hours, watching the red & white bobber bounce in response to the attention of little blue gills. When trying to fall asleep that night, I could still see the bobber in my mind, against a deep blue background.  Sometimes I see that blue now, when I’m relaxed, eyes closed, breathing slowly.”  Inviting us “I’m not a meditation expert by any means, but shall we consider the practice?”

Blue Hills UU invites everyone to services, beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday mornings in the fellowship hall, 230 W. Messenger St., Rice Lake, and also on Zoom.  The zoom link is sent to members, however all interested may request it by contacting patriciashifferd@gmail.com.