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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

Chaplain Dennis Peters reminds Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalist that “One of our Principles tells us we have a role in the world, as part of the “interdependent web of all existence.”   It also tells us to have respect for that web. How can you have respect for something if you don’t understand it? 

One the most important tools we have for that understanding is science, but how shall we incorporate all within a spiritual realm?  Many of us see this as a strength of UU – let’s explore together how to accomplish this, as Ch Peters relates “The Interdependent Web Interpreted by Science”, Sunday February 18^th. .

We shall celebrate VALENTINES  DAY  this Third Sunday of the month, as we gather downstairs for POT LUCK!  Bring something frilly & sweet to share, and enjoy time with our members as we commemorate LOVE in all its nuances..

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

Member, and sage UUA Delegate, Judy Barisonzi, will share insight with the Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship on our status as a “Welcoming Congregation,” at our Sunday Service, February 11^th.  “What does this really mean?”, ponders Barisonzi – “… perhaps the term “welcoming” is actually a goal that needs re-examination.”  We will discuss our successes and brainstorm ways to improve in our desire to be welcoming place for all.

The UUA developed a “Welcoming Congregation Handbook” in 1987, but  discontinued it in 2014, noting that the Handbook was once treated in & of itself as a Welcoming Congregation Program, but this no longer the case, as so many more resources are now available from the UUA and elsewhere. The UUA website notes that the “program” is meant to be custom designed by members of a particular congregation to take their unique needs and situation into account.

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

Rev Terry Cummings will be with us again at Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship of Rice Lake on February 4^th to share with members the rights of “Imbolc.”  Based on Celtic tradition, “Imbolc”, is celebrated February 1 through sundown February 2 in Gaelic traditional festivals, marking the beginning of spring.  For Christians, it has become the feast day of St Brigid, Ireland’s patroness saint.

Rev Cummings remarks “Now that the sun is rising earlier and setting later, our bleak midwinter is giving way to rebirth and new life.  Since the ancient Celtics, the Irish have celebrated the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox with the festival of Imbolc, to mark the beginning of Spring.   Rev. Cummings also reflects on the ways in which our dreary midwinter can also be a time for midwinter gladness.

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

Arthur Thexton, our “part-time, itinerant, circuit-riding, lay preacher in the UU tradition” will offer a sermon on “20^th Century UU History” at the Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Rice Lake, Sunday, January 28th., 10 a.m.

In his two previous sermons, Mr Thexton shared the historic roots of our denomination.  “It is clear our roots are firmly in Christianity and Protestantism, just as Christianity was initially firmly rooted in Judaism.  And just as Christianity eventually transcended its exclusively Jewish roots, so has UUism transcended its roots to become the 6-source religion it is today.”

Thexton attended Meadville/Lombard Theological School, received his M.A. in Religious Studies from the University of Chicago Divinity School in 1974, after graduating cum laude from Beloit College in 1972.  He went on to earn a J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1977. 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

Chaplain Dennis Peters returns to Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalist fellowship to offer the Sunday Service, addressing the “Practice of Giving Thanks.”  Noting that  “As we look at our worlds, we find many of us live in comfort, at least relative to the lives of many others.”  We have warm homes, plenty of good food, transportation, all things  we take for granted. So do we feel… thankful? Grateful? To whom?  Or do we tell ourselves: I’ve worked hard and deserve this bounty.  “Let’s talk about that inner feeling and how we express that gratitude.”

Ch. Peters completed a Master of Arts in Religious Leadership, concentrating on Interfaith Chaplaincy, focused on spiritual care.   His M.A. program included spiritual support for individuals and an ongoing study of different faiths as part of the journey, followed by completing his first chaplaincy at a daytime center for those without homes, or with addictions or mental health issues.

Third Sunday is also a time we gather downstairs after the Service for Pot Luck. bring a dish to share and enjoy time with our members.

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

The “Safe Sanctuary” committee of Blue Hills UU has engaged Annelise Hughes of the St. Croix Valley Sexual Assault Response Team to be guest speaker this coming Sunday, January 14^th.   The service is the second in an effort to gain enlightenment as to issues caused by sexual predation, and will focus on the effects to the victims of assault. 

After Ms. Hughes’ presentation, there will be time for questions and discussion, with an expected extension of our morning to approximately 11:15.  Ms. Hughes will also remain after the service for individual interactions with our members.

Answers to the questionnaire provided on the topic at least week’s service will be shared for members to personally, privately compare with their answers. 

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

After serious study over the past summer/fall, our Blue Hills UU “Safe Sanctuary” committee will bring to members an important two-part program on “Sexual Assault and Abuse.”  This coming Sunday, January 7th, the first service will bring to us a film with focus on “Perpetrators” with the aim to enlighten all.

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 trying something new as we gather the morning of New Year’s Eve this year – we’re goin’ to the movies!!!   Our program committee has chosen a pertinent film to enjoy together, beginning at our traditional 10 a.m. service time.   

The film “Come Sunday” documents the excommunication of Bishop Carlton Pearson, recently deceased, for questioning traditional theology.  This is a full-length feature, so our time at church and on zoom will be approximately two hours, so- bring your own popcorn!

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