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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.

PR 2022-05-08

Our Blue Hills UU Fellowship supports the work of the UUSC in a variety of ways, but –what exactly IS the UUSC?  “The “Unitarian Universalist Service Committee is a non-profit, nonsectarian associate member organization of the Unitarian Universalist Association that works to provide disaster relief and promote human rights and social justice around the world.”   Founded in May of 1940 by Lotta Hitschmano, today’s UUSC is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

An appropriate choice for our service this Mother’s Day, Sunday,May 8^th , BHUU’s will learn more about the  nurturing work and accomplishments of the UUSC;  our service begins at the standard time, 10 a.m.

All who seek insight are invited to be with us on Sunday mornings;  those who are fully vaccinated are welcome at BHUU.  As of Thursday April 28, the CDC’s Covid-19 Community Level for Barron County increased to “High”. covid-by-county.html  It is the recommendation of the CDC that all persons gathering in public indoor spaces wear a mask at this level.  Therefore, due to the age and health conditions of some of our members and friends, we are asking/requiring that all in-person attendees at Sunday’s BHUU service wear a mask while in the building.  This shall continue until the risk level is reduced.

Services are also broadcast on Zoom; the link is sent to all members, although 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.

Fellow Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalist, Dr. Mark Van Etten hosts the Service Sunday, May 1^st and plans to provoke those attending with the question: “Utopia, Really?” Using Rutger Bregman’s book “Utopia for Realists” as a starting point, Mark will launch those attending into a discussion as to whether this concept of utopia is useful – are his utopian ideals realistic?  What would  Utopia(s) would look like to YOU?        

Now retired from Spooner Health medical staff, Dr. Van Etten remains deeply involved in community and family life and has been an annual Birkie skier for many years.  He’s been heard to claim that living in the town of Greater Madge is abit of a Utopia all of it’s own.  

All who seek insight are invited to be with us on Sunday mornings;  those who are fully vaccinated are welcome at BHUU.  Use of masks is optional, consistent with CDC recommendations.  Services are also broadcast on Zoom; the link is sent to all members, although 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.

Sunday, April 24^th, Rice Lake Blue Hills Unitarian Universalists will commemorate Earth Day in a service presented by Dr. Kent Shifferd of Trego, “Standing On The Side Of Love”, beginning at 10 a.m.  As UU’s, we believe love is not simply an emotion, but a behavior enhanced by action.

Dr Shifferd will present an account of BHUU’s Social & Environmental Justice Committee efforts in behalf of preserving the sanctity of Wisconsin’s water, countering Enbridge’s proposed Line 5 as a threat to the Bad River Watershed and Lake Superior.  In support of Native American treaty rights and the integrity of pure water, Line 5 is seen as a threat to both.

All who seek insight are invited to be with us on Sunday mornings;  those who are fully vaccinated are welcome at BHUU.  Use of masks is optional, consistent with CDC recommendations.  Services are also broadcast on Zoom; the link is sent to all members, although 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.

Jane Goodall Lists her Reasons for Hope:

• the amazing human intellect
• the resilience of nature
• the power of youth
• and the indomitable human spirit.

Sunday April 17^th brings the Rev. Marlin Lavanhar, senior minister of All Souls Unitarian church in Tulsa Oklahoma to Blue Hills Unitarian Universalists. Rev Lavanhar’s serman will explore “Why Do Humanists Go to Church?”, delving into the importance of openness to all sources of morality when doubt and reason co-exist.  This sermon becomes an interesting exploration into the UU Third Principle:  “A free and responsible search for trust and meaning.”  This service comes to us in Rice Lake via Zoom, shared large screen at the church and with participants at home, 10 a.m.

All who seek insight are invited to be with us on Sunday mornings;  those who are fully vaccinated are welcome at BHUU.  Use of masks is optional, consistent with CDC recommendations.  Services are also broadcast on Zoom; the link is sent to all members, although 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.

Members of the Blue Hills Unitarian Universalists are guided by “Seven Principles”, derived from a number of spiritual and theological sources.   At the 10 a.m. Service, Sunday April 10th, visiting Chaplain Dennis Peters will use explore our Second Principle, “Justice, equity and compassion in human relations” as inspiration for the sermon.  

The Principles are not dogma or doctrine, but rather a guide for those of us who choose to join and participate in Unitarian Universalist religious communities;  all who seek insight are invited to be with us on Sunday mornings.

Those who are fully vaccinated are welcome at BHUU.  Use of masks is optional, consistent with CDC recommendations.  Services are also broadcast on Zoom; the link is sent to all members, although 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 fellowship has a long honored tradition of holding SOAP BOX SUNDAY in the depths of winter, which we will again use to kick off February!  Poke about your gray matter for a topic you’ve been wanting to give more exposure to — something that provokes your ire?  Or perhaps an event you’d like more attention be given to.  

Whatever vent-worthy issue it might be, we’ll ask for topics from our membership of deep thinkers, knowing the opportunity to prompt discussion won’t be lost on this fellowship.   We’ll try to keep each topic to a concise time period so to accommodate all the titillating topics we expect will come forth.

The Service begins at 10 a.m. via Zoom;  those wishing to attend in person are encouraged to join us in the fellowship hall.  Those attending in person must be fully vaccinated and at the present time, masking and proper distancing will be observed.  The Zoom link will be sent to members, and all interested are invited to contact patriciashifferd@gmail.com for the link needed.  See bluehillsuu.org for more information.

In service to our members since 1981, our Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship has recently extended our aid in helping our neighbors in St Croix as they established their own UU Fellowship.  We’ve made time to connect through shared services and speakers on a number of Sundays.   

The past two years have been difficult for both congregations.  On January 30th, we will once again bring our two fellowships together through the magic of Zoom, to talk about our mutual experiences and how we’ve continued to provide services on Sunday mornings through the pandemic. 

We’ve kept our membership connected, so perhaps it’s a good time to focus on what the future may hold for both of our fellowships.  Our goal will be to share stories, swap ideas and come away knowing the UU flame is alive and well in both communities;  the need for a liberal faith community in our rural communities has never been greater.

The Service begins at 10 a.m. via Zoom;  those wishing to attend in person are encouraged to join us in the fellowship hall, 210 W. Messenger Street in Rice Lake.  Those attending in person must be fully vaccinated and at the present time, masking and proper distancing will be observed.  The Zoom link will be sent to members, and all interested are invited to contact patriciashifferd@gmail.com for the link needed