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The Service at Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist fellowship Sunday January 26^th will include a Celebration of Books and Reading.  Without this critical human tool we have to wonder -where would we be?   Those attending are encouraged to “Come prepared to share reading suggestions for the cold winter months, along with a brief comment on the book(s) chosen.”  A list will be compiled and circulated to everyone soon after;  those aware of poems or a brief reading on the value of books are invited to share those as well.

After the 10 a.m. Service, all are invited to stay for coffee and light nourishment, as well as the Drum Circle which meets at 12 noon.    BHUU is located at 230 W Messenger in Rice Lake and is a Welcoming congregation.

Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalist fellowship in Rice Lake will explore the book”A Year of Living Kindly: Choices That Will Change Your Life and the World Around You” by Donna Cameron as part of their Service on Sunday January 19th.   

Cameron posits that “Just being nice will not be enough to save the civility of today’s world.  It will take the patience and focus of true and loving kindness.”  The 10 a.m. Service will include a summary of Cameron’s recently published book, followed by conversation about individual choices we can all make.

All are welcome at the BHUU, located at 230 W Messenger in Rice Lake.  The Service is followed by a time for fellowship and gathering for light nourishment; our monthly Pot Luck will take place at 12 noon, which is always open to everyone.  

The 10 a.m. Service January 12 at Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalist fellowship will address “Engaging The Climate/Extinction Crisis: BHUUF In Action.” Dr. Kent Shifferd, Prof Emeritus of Northland College, Ashland, will present for discussion the recommendations of BHUU’s Social and Environmental Action Committee for positive engagement with the community concerning these challenges.

Joining with UU’s Earth Ministry and Wisconsin Interfaith Power and Light are part of the first steps considered;
the hope is also to engage other faith communities in the effort. Various plans to bring focus to Arbor Day during Earth Week in April will be shared, and plans made with the fellowship.

Following a short “talk-back” session at 11:00, the congregation will adjourn for fellowship and light refreshments. The BHUU Board will meet at 12 noon. All are welcome to attend all the activities at BHUU, located at 230 W Messenger in Rice Lake.

Onward and UPWARD 2020 ~

The Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalist fellowship in Rice Lake will begin the new year by welcoming Josh Morey to speak at the January 5^th Service, 10:00 a.m. Josh is the liaison for homeless students in Rice Lake’s school district, tasked with working with needs and challenges they face.  

As he addresses the problems of poverty and homelessness for these children in our community, we may hope to learn ways to help them surmount some of those challenges.  According to a recent report in the Chronotype 4.6% of students in the Rice Lake school district are identified as homeless. 

A gathering for fellowship and light snacks follows after a short discussion period.  The BHUU is located at 230 W Messenger in Rice Lake, where all interested are welcome to attend.  

The Solstice has arrived!  And educator Ken Hood will lead the Blue Hills UU’s in a “Reflective Journaling” exercise Sunday December 29^th as we return to the sun and anticipate the approaching new year.  Attendees will be encouraged to explore the paradoxes of change:  how can we stay true to our authentic selves while also striving for improvement? Is there a conflict between fulfillment and ambition? 

Selected readings, prompts and images will guide the fellowship as we navigate these questions.    Participants are encouraged to bring their personal journals, however public sharing will be left to personal choice.  

The Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalist fellowship is located at 230 W. Messenger in Rice Lake;  service begins at 10:00 a.m., with time for fellowship and light snacks afterwards.   We welcome all who wish to take part.

The Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalists recognize and honor the traditions of the season, finding grace and integrity in all religious thought.   As we prepare to celebrate each in our own way, the service Sunday December 22nd. will be led by member Judith Barisonzi and Pat Shifferd, as we discuss the film “What Do You Believe Now?”. 

This provocative film, shown earlier this month, focuses on the deeply personal faith journeys and evolving ideas of a Catholic, Jew, Lakota, Muslim, Buddhist and Pagan over a seventeen year period.  The service promises to be thought provoking and open to sharing yours. 

After the service, the BHUU’s will celebrate the solstice, Christmas and seasonal holidays together, sharing Pot Luck in the fellowship hall.   We are located at 230 W. Messenger in Rice Lake and welcome all to attend.

A recent graduate of the United Theological Seminary, Chaplain Dennis Peters will conduct the service at the Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalist fellowship December 15^th.   Focus on service to others has brought an awareness to Peter’s life which he’ll share in his message “There But for the Grace of God, Go I.” 

The Service begins at 10:00 a.m., is followed by a short talk-back session, and then time for fellowship at 11:30.  To acknowledge the special times in December, we defer this, our normal “third Sunday potluck”, and will gather instead after services on the 22^nd, to celebrate the solstice and other holidays with food and friends.

Due to the severe snow storm of December 1st weekend, the program listed below for Sunday Dec 1, has been moved to December 8th. A follow-up discussion will be scheduled later in the month.

“What happens to your spiritual and religious beliefs over time? ” Seventeen years after the 2002 documentary “WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE?” in which six diverse American teenagers shared their spiritual struggles and aspirations, the Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalist fellowship will revisit them via DVD provided by the larger fellowship to reveal how their beliefs have changed.

In this new before-and-after film “WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE NOW?” a Catholic, Pagan, Jew, Muslim, Lakota and Buddhist offer their deeply personal faith journeys, life challenges, and evolving ideas about higher powers, life purpose, the nature of suffering, religious intolerance and death. They do so against the backdrop of a society in flux and amidst growing religious polarization and disengagement. Designed to be a stand alone film, WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE NOW? is said to be “an invaluable addition to discussion on religious diversity and millennial spirituality in America.”

This program begins at 10:00 a.m. on December 1st at the BHUU fellowship in Rice Lake, 230 W. Messenger St., and will be continued December 8th with a follow-up discussion led by members Judith Barisonzi and Pat Shifferd.   All are welcome to attend and remain for fellowship and light nourishment after the service. 

PLEASE NOTE: due to severe snow storm this weekend of December 1st., we have moved this program to December 8th. A follow up discussion will be planned later in the month, to be announced. There will be no service at the BHUU this Sunday, Dec. 1.