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Chaplain Dennis Peters will travel to Rice Lake August 21^st to present the Sunday Service at Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist church.  In a series of sermons focused on the Sources and Principles of UU, Peter’s message will explore the sixth:  “The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all.”  

A lofty goal shared by our nation and this fellowship, can world peace ever be achieved?  Have we met any milestones we can point to with hope or pride?  A lively discussion is expected to follow;  all who seek insight are welcome at Blue Hills UU, 230 W Messenger in Rice Lake. Those interested in attending a “free-range discussion” time before the service, are invited to tune in to Zoom at 9 a.m. or be at the church to take part.

Wearing of masks will be again be required for those attending at the church, in accordance with current CDC recommendations for our area;  we expect all to be fully vaccinated.  Services are also broadcast on Zoom, the link sent to members although all who are interested are invited to contact patriciashifferd@gmail.com for the same. There will be time for fellowship and coffee after the service at the church.

Blue Hills Unitarian Universalists welcome guest lay leader Arthur Thexton Sunday August 14th, to explore how one goes about “Finding Respect in an Age of Contempt.” Thexton notes “We live in difficult times: an ex-president who displays disrespect at every turn, and so invites it in return. An electorate so angry and disgusted that it turned to the most extreme alternative we have seen in our lifetimes. A Congress with ratings so low that it is a wonder that any member is re-elected, or even has the chutzpah to run again. Yet, here we are. How do we find a way to respect those whom we hold in contempt?”

The 10 a.m. Service will be led by Mr Thexton, a former Rice Lake resident and attorney for Barron County, followed by a lively discussion time expected to follow. All who seek insight are welcomed at Blue Hills UU, 230 W Messenger in Rice Lake.

Those interested in attending a “free-range discussion” time before the service, are invited to tune in to Zoom at 9 a.m. or be at the church to take part. Wearing of masks will be again be required for those attending at the church, in accordance with current CDC recommendations for our area; we expect all to be fully vaccinated. Services are also broadcast on Zoom, the link sent to members although all who are interested are invited to contact patriciashifferd@gmail.com for the same.

What could be more apropos than a classic BHUU SOAPBOX SUNDAY to kick off the red, white & blue month of July in a most patriotic flurry?   Our newly elected Board Chair, Jim Bradley will facilitate the flow of discussion on Sunday, July 3^rd as we bring to the fore our most passionate pleas, rancorous rants and querulous questions.  Where IS our nation going?  Why do we do that?  And what is going to be our salvation?  Plan to bring to us your rising rage, and also –please- your most hopeful hallejuia’s as to how we get through this time.

All who seek insight are invited to be with us at 10 a.m. Sunday mornings;  those fully vaccinated are welcome at BHUU.  In accordance with CDC recommendations, use of masks is optional.  Services are also broadcast on Zoom; the link is sent to members, and all who may be interested are invited to contact patriciashifferd@gmail.com for the link.  There will be time for fellowship and coffee after the service at the church.

Be sure to be with us next Sunday, June 26, as fellow member Pat Barry leads the fellowship on a quest in “Telling Our Stories”.   As part of the Service, Pat will present her theory as to how each of us creates our life story, positing that they may not be the same as how others in our various relationships might see them.   

The fellowship will be prompted to share (short) episodes of their lives during the discussion period, inspired by a number of probing questions Ms. Barry will share with the congregation.

All who seek insight are invited to be with us at 10 a.m. Sunday mornings;  those fully vaccinated are welcome at BHUU.  In accordance with CDC recommendations, use of masks is optional.  Services are also broadcast on Zoom; the link is sent to members, and all who may be interested are invited to contact patriciashifferd@gmail.com for the link.  There will be time for fellowship and coffee after the service at the church.

June 18^th brings Ch Dennis Peters to lead the service at Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist fellowship, 230 W Messenger in Rice Lake.   Choosing the Fourth Principle of UU, “A Free and Responsible Search for Truth and Meaning”, Ch Peters will review historical roots of Unitarianism, founded in the United States in 1825, to then merge with  Universalists in 1961.   As is our tradition, a discussion always follows.  

All who seek insight are invited to be with us at 10 a.m. Sunday mornings;  those fully vaccinated are welcome at BHUU.  In accordance with CDC recommendations, use of masks is optional.  Services are also broadcast on Zoom; the link is sent to members, and all who may be interested are invited to contact patriciashifferd@gmail.com for the link.  There will be time for fellowship and coffee after the service at the church.

Part II of our group viewing of the film THE INVISIBLE HAND which took place last weekend, continues this coming Sunday, June 12  as BHUU members and visitors gather at the church and on Zoom to discuss impressions and reactions to the award winning documentary created by Mark Ruffalo, Joshua Pribanic and Melissa Troutman

Focused on a global movement, Grant Township PA became the first community in the U.S. to attempt to defend an ecosystem in court  using the genre “Rights of Nature.”   A new legal paradigm to western culture, the court is challenged to decide “Does nature hold inalienable rights?  Shall it be granted personhood in a court of law?”  In the current global battle between capitalism and democracy, this becomes relevant as we explore the fight for survival, and why it is at stake.

All who seek insight are invited to be with us at 10 a.m. Sunday mornings;  those fully vaccinated are welcome at BHUU.  In accordance with CDC recommendations, use of masks is optional.  Services are also broadcast on Zoom; the link is sent to  members, and all who may be interested are invited to contact patriciashifferd@gmail.com for the link needed.   There will be time for fellowship and coffee after the service at the church, located at 230 W. Messenger St. in Rice Lake.

Our Service June 5^th will feature the film The Invisible Hand.  Described as a documentary in a new genre defined as “The Rights of Nature” this creation from Mark Ruffalo, Joshua Pribanic and Melissa Troutman has already won four “Best” awards in its category.   The “plot-twisting, eye-opening” story stems from a court battle in Grant County, PA to stop fracking waste from being injected in their watershed, and becomes relevant to the current global battle between capitalism and democracy as it explores the fight for our survival, and why it is at stake. 

The film can be accessed online any time by googling it, and can be watched at home OR at the church on Sunday morning, June 5th.  A link to the film’s website, password and detailed instructions will be sent to members ahead of time; we will then host a discussion on the film June 12^th. 

BHUU’s just wanna have FUN!   (too!) So after putting a long winter to rest, our annual meeting and KP Sunday behind us, and anticipating a brand new year ahead – we’ve planned our Second Annual Picnic in the Park, Memorial Day weekend.

In a response to the many restrictions indoor meetings placed upon us, in 2021 we came upon this great way to gather the clan.   So successful was it, we’re anxious to make it a tradition, so we’ve reserved the shelter at Veteran’s Memorial Park, downtown Rice Lake on Lakeshore Dr. between Stout and Douglas Street.  Bring your own utensils, a plate, beverage, a dish to pass & C’mon down!

We’ll gather at 11:00 –dress accordingly and be prepared to just hang out and be with friends.   This Sunday’s gathering won’t be on Zoom, so can’t be shared in that manner – but ALL ARE WELCOME, as always … so y’all come!  See you at the lake.  

Blue Hills UU’s mark the approach of a new year of programs, services, new officers and budgeting at our ANNUAL MEETING -this Sunday, May 22.   A slate of officers will be presented for the full body to elect, as well as the proposed budget for the year that begins July 1^st.  All members are urged to take part in this important meeting, which can be accessed in person at 10 a.m. in the fellowship hall, or on Zoom.  After the business of the morning is completed, there will be time for all to contribute to our spring tradition “KP Morning”, to clean up the grounds and interior.

All who seek insight are invited to be with us at 10 a.m. Sunday mornings;  those  fully vaccinated are welcome at BHUU.  In accordance with CDC recommendations, the use of masks is optional.  Our services are also broadcast on Zoom; the link is sent to  members, and all who may be interested are invited to contact patriciashifferd@gmail.com for the link needed.   There will be time for fellowship and coffee after the service at the church, located at 230 W. Messenger St. in Rice Lake.

The Third Principle of Unitarian belief:   “Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations” will be the topic of our visiting chaplain, Dennis Peters, Sunday, May 15.   As UU’s we are not tied to historical dogmas or doctrine, but spend our time together in search of universal truths that for us, bring meaning to our time on earth and define what actual spirituality requires. 

All who seek insight are invited to be with us at 10 a.m. Sunday mornings;  those who are fully vaccinated are welcome at BHUU.  According to CDC recommendations, the use of masks is optional.  Our services are also broadcast on Zoom; the link is sent to  members, and all who may be interested are invited to contact patriciashifferd@gmail.com for the link needed.   There will be time for fellowship and coffee after the service at the church, located at 230 W. Messenger St. in Rice Lake.