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The seven Principles and six Sources of Unitarian Universalism included in Article II of the Bylaws of the Unitarian Universalist Association, are viewed by many of us as the essential founding documents of our faith.

Article II is currently being revised by a special Commission, whose most recent draft proposes eliminating them altogether, and replace with a set of values that focus on dismantling structural racism, building a beloved community, and ensuring accountability from member congregations.

In our Sunday service January 29^th our Board Chairman will lead us in examining the origin of the Principles & Sources in hopes of better understanding the controversy this proposal has engendered.   

As time permits, we will look at the most recent draft from the “Article II Commission” to consider what position Blue Hills UU wants to take,and what action, if any, we wish to engage in.  

Members of the Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship in Rice Lake will take a deeper look into the history of the European conquest of the Americas, guided by the research of Dr. Kent Shifferd on Sunday January 22^nd. Kent will consider “Bullies Justice:  Terra Nullius and The Doctrine of Discovery” during the 10 a.m. Service

The Doctrine lays out a rationalization for the theft of indigenous lands;  even as we are aware that we live in the traditional lands of the Anishinaabe people, many of us find it shocking to hear the bold words of Pope Nicholas V., 1455, granting “Free and ample faculty … to invade, search out, capture, vanquish and subdue all Saracens and pagans whatsoever, and other enemies of Christ.”

All who seek insight are welcome at BHUU, 230 W. Messenger in Rice Lake.  The 10 a.m. Service can be accessed via Zoom;  the link is sent to members, but others interested may request it from patriciashifferd@gmail.com.  Wearing masks is optional for those attending in person, although recommendations of the CDC are followed;  we do expect all to be fully vaccinated.  Gathering for fellowship & coffee after the service is encouraged.   https://bluehillsuu.org

Our traveling Chaplain Dennis Peters returns to Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalist fellowship to conduct the Service on Sunday, January 15^th.   Promising “A Lighter Touch” for the new year, Dennis says “Humor is a requirement to maintain our sanity.”  So even if “we’ve already gone ‘round the bend – humor becomes our last cognitive function.  You can decide which is the case.” 

Apologizing in advance, Ch Peters notes he may be in jeopardy of demolishing favorite beliefs or chosen “alternative facts”, for he also states “It is the minister’s job to comfort the afflicted and to afflict the comfortable.” Sounds like an enlightening morning at Blue Hills UU.

All who seek insight are welcome at BHUU, 230 W. Messenger in Rice Lake.  The 10 a.m. Service can be accessed via Zoom;  the link is sent to members, but others interested may request it from patriciashifferd@gmail.com.  Wearing masks is optional for those attending in person, although recommendations of the CDC are followed;  we do expect all to be fully vaccinated.  Gathering for fellowship & coffee after the service is encouraged.   https://bluehillsuu.org

Our own Pat Barry will conduct the service at Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalist fellowship, Sunday January 8^th, entwining as part of it Part III of a program she has prepared for us.  In “Our Stories”, Pat’s mission is to guide us all to a broader understanding of the importance of recalling, understanding and recording our personal and family histories. 

Barry queries “How have these histories affected us?” and notes that her plan is to encourage the fellowship to spend a some of our time together telling remembered favorite tales;  she will share a few prompts to inspire those attending.

All who seek insight are welcome at Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist fellowship, 230 W. Messenger in Rice Lake.  The 10 a.m. Service can be accessed via Zoom;  the link is sent to members, but others interested may request it from patriciashifferd@gmail.com.  Wearing masks is optional for those attending in person, although recommendations of the CDC are followed;  we do expect all to be fully vaccinated.  Gathering for fellowship & coffee after the service is encouraged.   https://bluehillsuu.org

On the very first day of 2023, we at Blue Hills UU will be reminded to “Look Both Ways”, as we reflect on the New Year with member Judy Barisonzi at 10 a.m.  The passage from one year to the next is traditionally a time for spiritual reflection, and Judy invites us to “Spend this time looking back and forward together.” And – to bring writing and drawing supplies for an interactive hour.

All who seek insight are welcome at Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist fellowship, 230 W. Messenger in Rice Lake.  Both a free-range discussion period at 9 a.m. and the 10 a.m. Service can be accessed via Zoom; the link is sent to members, but anyone interested may request it from patriciashifferd@gmail.com.  Wearing masks is optional for those attending in person, although recommendations of the CDC are followed;  we do expect all to be fully vaccinated.  Gathering for fellowship & coffee after the service is encouraged.   https://bluehillsuu.org

Falling on the very day itself this year gives Blue Hills UU’s the opportunity to spend part of Christmas day together, in person or on Zoom.   There will be memories to recall, music and poetry to share and the promise of bakery for those who trek into Rice Lake to gather in our newly dressed up fellowship hall.  

All who seek insight are welcome at Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist fellowship, 230 W. Messenger in Rice Lake.  Both a free-range discussion period at 9 a.m. and the 10 a.m. Service can be accessed via Zoom, although Christmas cookies will only be found in the sanctuary itself.  The link is sent to members, but others interested may request it from patriciashifferd@gmail.com.  Wearing masks is optional for those attending in person, although recommendations of the CDC are followed;  we do expect all to be fully vaccinated.  Gathering for fellowship & coffee after the service is encouraged.   https://bluehillsuu.org

Traveling UU Chaplain Dennis Peters will speak at Rice Lake Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship Sunday, December 19th on the topic of Education.   Peters states that he’s often “harangued on education in the past:  the need for it, the topics required and applicable age groups.”  However this session his comments won’t be made in passing, but connected to the main topic of “Education” itself.  Peters invites us to look together at one of the most foundational, crucial topics of our era.

As one of the most hopeful activities of our species, Herbert George Wells is quoted as saying “Civilization is in a race between education and catastrophe. Let us learn the truth and spread it as far and wide as our circumstances allow – for the truth is the greatest weapon we have.”   As Unitarian-Universalists, we will of course first question “What is truth.”

All seeking insight are welcome at the Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist fellowship, 230 W. Messenger in Rice Lake.  Both a free-range discussion period at 9 a.m. and the 10 a.m. Service can be accessed via Zoom.  The link

is sent to members, but others interested may request it from patriciashifferd@gmail.com.  Wearing masks is optional for those attending in person, although recommendations of the CDC are followed;  we do expect all to be fully vaccinated.  Gathering for fellowship & coffee after the service is encouraged.   https://bluehillsuu.org

As we approach the winter solstice, Prof Emeritus Pat Shifferd will guide Blue Hills UU’s to consider the impact of the time when dark begins to turn toward light.  During the eminent darkening days leading to solstice.  At our December 11^th Sunday Service, Shifferd will encourage us to reflect on how we view light and dark.  Feeling it important for us to note, Shifferd observes “While darkness is often characterized negatively, it provides real benefits which can be a comfort as we move toward the turning of the year.”

All seeking insight are welcome at the Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist fellowship, 230 W. Messenger in Rice Lake.  Both a free-range discussion period at 9 a.m. and the 10 a.m. Service can be accessed via Zoom.  The link is sent to members, but all interested may contact patriciashifferd@gmail.com for the link.  Wearing masks is optional for those attending in person, although recommendations of the CDC are followed;  we do expect all to be fully vaccinated.  Gathering for fellowship & coffee after the service is encouraged.   https://bluehillsuu.org

Sunday’s Service at Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship brings our friend Arthur Thexton back to the Rice Lake pulpit, as he challenges us to consider “How to Believe in God.” Asking us to consider “Is there a self-aware entity who is omnipotent, omnipresent, and beneficent?”, Thexton postulates that our society is overwhelmingly populated by people who say that they believe in “God” with a capital “G”.  What do they mean?  And, can those of us who are humanist find common ground or vocabulary with them?   Be with us at 10 a.m., December 4^th as we explore these most provocative questions as a congregation.]

Our Service begins at 10:00;  all seeking insight are welcome at BHUU, 230 W. Messenger in Rice Lake.   A free-range discussion period at 9 a.m. will focus on the question “Should Teachers be Armed?”;  both may be accessed via Zoom.  The link is sent to members, but those interested may contact patriciashifferd@gmail.com for this.  Wearing masks is optional for those attending in person, although recommendations of the CDC are followed;  we do expect all to be fully vaccinated.  Gathering for fellowship & coffee after the service is encouraged.   https://bluehillsuu.org

We’re GOIN’ FOR IT! Leftovers and POT LUCK!   This coming Sunday in our newly dressed up BHUU sanctuary, we will gather to share Thanksgiving leftovers once again.   After a short 10 a.m. service addressing the “Guest at our Table” kickoff, we’ll see what we can find at our own!

There will be no “Discussion Hour” prior to the service this week, and neither will the service be Zoomed until next.

All seeking insight are welcome at BHUU – wearing masks is optional for those attending in person, although recommendations of the CDC are followed;  we do expect all to be fully vaccinated.  Gathering for fellowship & coffee after the service is encouraged.   https://bluehillsuu.org