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Order of Service

We’re pleased at Blue Hills UU to once again welcome Richard Terrill and Larry McDonough to provide Sunday’s Service through music and contemplation.   October 25^th brings the jazz duo to us via Zoom, blessing our time together with their original compositions and a description of their creation process.  

Terrill explains the methodology, noting “Much as UU’s credit a wide range of sources for their spirituality, creative artists “borrow” from those who have come before.  We will describe and demonstrate the process used in our own creative work, linked as it is to our spiritual concerns.” 

The Zoom link will be sent to members by Saturday, although all interested are invited to sign in – visitors may contact Ken Hood > ken@bluehillsuu.org for the link needed to join the service.

Those lacking cyberlink connection or equipment to enable participation and want to attend service are invited to meet IN the church, masked and distanced ~!~ to watch the presentation on large screen ZOOM.

We are often reminded while traveling this bizarre passage of 2020, to TAKE HEART!  Our Service on Sunday, October 18^th at Blue Hills UU will underscore that mantra, when member Judith Barisonzi shares with us “A little science and a little of the personal” as she seeks to uncover the mysteries of the human heart.   Be with as we consider “What makes us human?” and help us delve into these most important questions.  

We begin at 10:00 a.m. The Zoom link will be sent to members by Saturday, although all interested are invited to sign in. Visitors may contact Ken Hood > ken@bluehillsuu.org for the link needed to join the service.

Those lacking cyberlink connection or equipment to enable participation and want to join in, are invited to meet IN the church, masked and distanced ~!~ to watch the presentation on large screen ZOOM.

Order of Service

Sunday, October 11^th brings WOJB community radio host Eric Schubring to the Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalist fellowship, along with guest authors Phil and Kathy Dahl-Bredine of Oaxaca, Mexico.   Schubring’s recent review of their text, “The Insurrection of the Common Good”, inspired him to share with listeners the qualities of life indigenous cultures celebrate, and the ways in which they are changed by capitalism, bringing insight and awareness to these pressures.  

Through real life experience, and as residents of the area, the Dahl-Bredines writing focuses on the impact 21^st century practices, especially those of our nation, have on neighboring countries.  They share their experience and concerns in a call for better understanding, through the writing of this book.  The book may be found at Northwind Books in Spooner, or on Amazon;  there will be time for Q&A and a short discussion period during Eric’s Service.  

Our service begins at 10 a.m. each Sunday as we continue to meet through ZOOM technology;   the Zoom link will be sent to members by Saturday, although all interested are invited to sign in – visitors may contact Ken Hood > ken@bluehillsuu.org for the link needed to join the service.

Those lacking cyberlink connection or equipment to enable participation and want to attend service are invited to meet IN the church, masked and distanced ~!~ to watch the presentation on large screen ZOOM.

A welcome feature of our Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalist tradition is the arrival of the “In-Gathering” service at the end of summer.   In-Gathering marks a time of return to our fellowships and churches, normally after a busy season of travel and vacations when time with family and friends interrupt our normal weekly habits.  

BHUU’s  In-Gathering service was moved to October, not only to accommodate guest speaker Services, but to allow time needed for consideration of proposed changes to our committee structure.    September’s “Mission & Goals” service spawned suggestions for changes we will consider in depth during In-Gathering this coming Sunday, October 4^th at 10 a.m.  Be with us as we propose to strengthen and deepen our fellowship in purpose and inclusivity.

The Zoom link will be sent to members by Saturday, although all interested are invited to sign in – visitors may contact Ken Hood > ken@bluehillsuu.org for the link needed to join the service.

Those lacking cyberlink connection or equipment to enable participation and want to attend service are invited to meet IN the church, masked and distanced ~!~ to watch the presentation on large screen ZOOM.

BHUU’s LITTLE FREE LIBRARY -VALUE ADDED!

A “Little Free Library” with an added feature has appeared at 230 W Messenger St in Rice Lake.   The Blue Hills Fellowship of Universalist-Unitarians have installed their own version, which includes a shelf for use as a “Little Free Pantry”.   In an effort to reach out to the community in this time of limited access, members have committed to keeping a small pantry available for those who might need access to food staples.

Besides stocking a variety of children and adult books, the UU’s will attempt to keep the pantry shelf supplied with rice, beans, lentils, pasta, dried fruit or vegetables, and perishable items and produce as weather permits.  Those in need are invited to access the Little Free unit. 

Noting that hours when other sources of food offered to the community are as limited as they are, the BHUU’s saw a need for people to be able to access food at all times of the day.   Donations to supply the pantry may also be received by dropping a note to the fellowship at 230 W Messenger, or noting on their website:  bluehillsuu.org.

Order of Service
Blue Hills UU’s look forward to the return of Rev Suzanne Wasilczuk on Sunday, September 30^th, to conduct the service at 10 a.m. via Zoom.   Rev Wasilczuk addresses “A Leap of Faith” and what faith means in a Unitarian-Universalist context:  “We gather together.  We gather to discover, to discern, to remember, to shape that which is of worth to us.  We may speak of faith – or some may discard the concept of faith altogether.”   

Rev. Suzanne Wasilczuk is a 2007 graduate of Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago, now of Duluth, Minnesota, preaching at the Mesabi UU Church in Virginia MN and serves as part-time consultant to the Lakehead Unitarian Fellowship in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

The Zoom link will be sent to members by Saturday, although all interested are invited to sign in – visitors may contact Ken Hood > ken@bluehillsuu.org for the link needed to join the service.

Those lacking cyberlink connection or equipment to enable participation and want to attend service are invited to meet IN the church, masked and distanced ~!~ to watch the presentation on large screen ZOOM.

A group discussions regarding Racial Justice will take place on September 30^th at 6:30 p.m.  Based on the book “White Fragility”, April Neilsen serves as facilitator, encouraging those interested to take part whether the book has been read or not.  A link will be sent to members the day before, noting the time of meeting. 

Order of Service

On Sunday, September 20th, as part of our Blue Hills UU service, fellowship member Jude Genereaux will share with us the ways she finds “Sanctuary in the Natural World.”   As we continue our journey in this strange time zone , we seek ways to cope with changes in our lives and gatherings.   Fortunate as we are to live in the northwoods, the many ways to seek understanding and peace for the soul are abundant.   Sometimes one just needs to hold still to recognize them.

What do you find in the out-of-doors that brings you solace?   Be ready to share an experience or solution to the claustrophobia that comes when life feels limited.

We begin at 10:00 a.m. The Zoom link will be sent to members by Saturday, although all interested are invited to sign in. Visitors may contact Ken Hood > ken@bluehillsuu.org for the link needed to join the service.

Those lacking cyberlink connection or equipment to enable participation and want to join in, are invited to meet IN the church, masked and distanced ~!~ to watch the presentation on large screen ZOOM.

Several group discussions regarding Racial Justice will take place on September 21st and 30^th at 6:30 p.m.  Based on the book “White Fragility”, April Neilsen serves as facilitator, encouraging those interested to take part whether the book has been read or not.  A link will be sent to members the day before, noting the time of meeting. 

Order of Service

There is “Power in Small Congregations” and our guest, Rev Phil Lund will share this perspective with the Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalists at our 10 a.m. service,  Sunday, September 13^th.  

In recent discussions, our fellowship has affirmed the esteem and satisfaction we find in our small fellowship, which Rev Lund describes as “Intimate, Nimble, Authentic, and Effective.”   Lund expands his observance: “We’ve learned ways the COVID-19 pandemic has forced congregations of all sizes to find new ways of doing church. While larger congregations may seem to have more resources to make the changes needed to adapt, smaller congregations have their own strengths. We’ll explore the traits that make small congregations particularly well-suited to thrive in these trying times.”

The BHUU Board members will meet after the service concludes;  all are invited.

We begin at 10:00 a.m. The Zoom link will be sent to members by Saturday, although all interested are invited to sign in. Visitors may contact Ken Hood > ken@bluehillsuu.org for the link needed to join the service.

Those lacking cyberlink connection or equipment to enable participation and want to join in, are invited to meet IN the church, masked and distanced ~!~ to watch the presentation on large screen ZOOM.

Several group discussions regarding Racial Justice will take place September 9 at 10 a.m., and on the 14, 21, and 30^th, at 6:30 p.m.  Based on the book “White Fragility”, April Neilsen will serve as facilitator, encouraging all who are interested to take part whether the book has been read or not.  A link will be sent to members the day before, noting the time of meeting.  

Sunday, September 6^th, Blue Hills UU’s will continue the discussion begun last week, considering how we, a small congregation, should think about our place in the community.  Dividing into smaller groups through the magic of Zoom, the following questions were focus:

• What three or four basic values should be reflected in all our activities?
• What difference do we want to make in the world?
• What specific ends do we want to reach?
• What projects would move us toward these ends?

We will continue this important inquiry on September 6^th by hearing from each group as we seek to provide the foundation for building a consensus on how to live out our mission as UU’s.   Three additional questions will be asked of individual members to aide in our continued planning:   What is my passion?  What am I willing to give up (or have given up) to make this happen?   What am I looking for in BHUU?  What am I getting out of it?  What more do I need?  Am I willing to give more?

We begin at 10:00 a.m. The Zoom link will be sent to members by Saturday, although all interested are invited to sign in. Visitors may contact Ken Hood > ken@bluehillsuu.org for the link needed to join the service.

Those who want to participate, but lack cyberlink connection or equipment to enable, are invited to meet IN the church, masked and distanced ~!~ to watch the presentation on large screen ZOOM.

Several group discussions regarding Racial Justice will take place September 2, 9, 14, 21, and 30^th, at either 10:00 a.m. or 6:30 p.m.  Based on the book “White Fragility”,  April Neilsen will serve as facilitator, but encourages all who are interested whether the book has been read or no.  A link will be sent to members the day before, noting the time of meeting. 

Your Blue Hills UU Board members began their new term by meeting together (in person!) July 18th at our newly elected Chairman, Dr. Mark Van Etten’s home.   First order of business for Mark, was to launch a discussion on a rethinking of our “Missions and Goals.”  Earlier this year, some of our members participated in a series of webinars given by the UUA to help small congregations like ours build on their unique strengths. Now it’s time for us to discuss these ideas among ourselves and set priorities for our fellowship.

This approaching Sunday, August 30, after we light the chalice, we’ll divide into small groups (yes, we can do this on Zoom!) and seek your input to these questions:  

• What three or four basic values should be reflected in all our activities?
• What difference do we want to make in the world?
• What specific ends do we want to reach?
• What projects would move us toward these ends?

We’ll reassemble in our larger group to conclude the service.   On September 6th we’ll hear the conclusions of each of the smaller group, and plan to continue working together toward establishing the direction and activities for BHUU for the coming year.  This effort will provide the basis for what committees/action groups we need.    

Remember,every voice is important!