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After a good start gathering on ZOOM last week, the Blue Hills Unitarians will be together again for Easter Sunday, this April 12th – via ZOOM. Members will find the link needed on their “April Calendar”, but all are welcome, so serious parties interested in participating may contact Ken Hood > ken@bluehillsuu.org for the link needed to take part in the service.

Pat Shifferd will lead the service through BHUU’s usual rituals of lighting the chalice, joys & concerns and our closing circle; her message will focus on the two most significant religious observances in Western culture: Jewish Passover and Christian Easter. What do these mean to you personally? And to us as Unitarians? Each person attending will be offered time to share their reflections.

We’ll begin @ 10:00. Hopefully we’re getting the hang of linking in and can begin with a full house. Our cyber-space Guru Ken Hood will be available to help those who need it at the above link. “See you” on Sunday!

Chalice Lighting #447

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.

Albert Schweitzer

Opening Hymn “Come Together”

Announcements & Speaking for Social Action

Presentation: “Telling Stories” by Judy Barisonzi

Joys & Concerns & Comments

Offertory

Closing Hymn “Be Still With Us”

Extinguishing the Chalice #456: We extinguish this flame but not the light of truth, the warmth of community, or the fire of commitment. These we carry in our hearts until we are together again.

Friendship Circle: Go well into life now, and when you need us, remember that here you will find the hands of friends.

Additional Reading/Resources:

Rocunited.org

angrytiasandabuelas.com

Your intrepid Board has conjured and contrived ways to hang-together through this challenging STAY HOME & BITE IT time zone. We will begin on APRIL 5 to gather in cyberspace via ZOOM. Members all received detailed instructions yesterday on the April Calendar. (edit, for security reasons the ZOOM meeting link is not posted public — If you do not have the link please email kchood@gmail.com and Ken will provide you access)

It might be wise to download the app/program ahead of time for my fellow neanderthals who can hardly negotiate our own cell phones, as we attempt to broach the River Zoom.

Judy Barisonzi has an April morning planned for us that’s sure to lift your spirit and affirm the “why” of our bond, so we’ll “see you” on April 5th! With hope, peace and love in our hearts.

~Jude Genereaux, Board Chair

To:   Our fellow Blue Hills UU’s –

RE:   We’re BLUE … BOO hoo hoo …

Your Blue Hills UU Board will be following not only the directives of WI Public Health agencies and Gov Evers, but our own good conscience, and deferring services until such time as we see the light at the end of the tunnel.   There will be one.   

We’re also looking to find ways to stay in contact with YOU and each other – email is excellent, we have a website and a Facebook page … and both our Regional and national UUA are setting up various manners of staying in touch via cyberspace.  We will advise you of all.  This link will take you to the Regional:  uua.org/midamerica

So stay in contact, keep us posted as to your status / stay well and Keep the Faith ~ we’ll be back! 
Your fearless leaders –

Jude Gx, Mark VanEtten, Pat Shifferd, Judy Barisonzi, Valerie Rude, David Hart & Linda Thompson

UPDATED on 3/24/2019

To our BHUU Fellowship:   

Your BHUU Board has discussed steps taken and advisories sent from our national leadership, the UUA, both within our recent Board meeting and via e-mail. At this time all meetings at our Fellowship building on West Messenger Street are suspended.

       We, the Board want to assure you that:

• We are monitoring the situation and will take steps in line with what our local public health agency advises as they develop;
  
• We are working on a phone tree and other ways to stay in touch with our members spread across Northwest Wisconsin;

 Everyone:  Keep heart and Stay Well.  Spring is in the air.

As part of the Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalist 10 a.m. church service, Sunday March 15^th will feature a discussion of the the UUA’s common read, “An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the U.S.”   Most of us know bits and pieces of our country’s past experience with first inhabitants, but this enlightening text shares the depth of U.S. history rarely covered.     Former Lay Leader April Nielsen will lead the fellowship in exploring the dynamics of this text.

Religious education is offered to our youth at 10:30, and the “Third Sunday” potluck will take place after the Service.   All are always welcome at BHUU, located at 230 W Messenger in Rice Lake.  

The 10 a.m. Service at Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist fellowship, March 8^th reminds us of our responsibilities to the sacred home we are blessed with, Mother Earth.  How has civilization driven trouble for the earth?  And how might we develop an ecologically sustainable future?   Our service leader Dr. Kent Shifferd, offers two brief homilies: “The Seven Major Mistakes of Homo Sapiens” and “How We Saved Civilization” for consideration, inviting the congregation’s thoughts during the talk-back session that follows.

All attending are invited to stay for coffee & light nourishment after conclusion of the  Service; the fellowship Board meeting follows at 12:00 noon and is open to everyone.  The Blue Hills UU is located at 230 W Messenger in Rice Lake. 

In honor of Aldo Leopold Week March 1-8^th , the Blue Hills Unitarian Universalists will consider the work of this noted Wisconsin environmentalist at Service March 1^st.  Leopold’s legacy continues in league with other influential naturalists from Wisconsin – John Muir, Gaylord Nelson, August Derleth and a shared legacy with Minnesota’s Sigurd Olson.  

Jude Genereaux will lead the 10:00 service at BHUU, inviting participants to bring remembrances and meaningful passages of these great Wisconsinites to share during the talk back session following.

All are welcome at BHUU, and to stay for fellowship and light snacks after the service.  We are located at 230 W Messenger in Rice Lake and invite you to attend.      

www.aldoleopold.org/event/aldo-leopold-week/

As a member of the Seattle Men’s Chorus, David Hart found music, the enjoyment and making of, brought some of life’s finest hours to his own life as well as others.  A former Baptist minister, Dave will share his thoughts and musical talent in conducting the service at Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist fellowship Sunday February 23^rd;   his sermon will address “Coming Out Through Music”, offering insight and understanding.

Following time for fellowship and light snacks after the 10:00 service, the BHUU’s will gather for a monthly drum circle at 12:00 noon.  All are invited to visit the fellowship, located at 230 W Messenger St in Rice Lake.

Sunday February 16^th brings fellow member Judith Barisonzi to lead the 10:00 Service at Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist fellowship.  Reporting on a recent Webinar series offered through our national UUA affiliation, “Small Congregations, Infinite Possibilities”, her message will seek to define the nature of small congregations.  During the talk-back session, those interested will be invited to help lay the groundwork for ways a  small group may build sustainable strength.      

This particular Sunday also offers time for religious education offered to younger members, and is followed by the third Sunday Potluck every one is invited to attend.  BHUU is located at 230 W Messenger in Rice Lake.