a liberal, welcoming congregation
On Sunday July 14th, Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalists will consider “An Architect’s Subversive Re-Imagining of the US-Mexico Border Wall.” This “TED Talk” forum will take the place of the morning service, with a discussion to follow led by Geri Nedland. There will be a time for fellowship and snacks afterwards. All are welcome to attend and take part.
We look forward to the service of guest Rachel Carter this Sunday July 7th. Ms. Carter serves as ministerial intern at the Eau Claire UU congregation, and is a third year seminary student at Iliff School of Theology. An active advocate regarding Post-Traumatic Stress, Military Sexual Trauma and invisible disabilities, Carter has served as a broadcast journalist assigned to Armed Forces Network-Korea as well as the Wisconsin National Guard. She describes herself as mother, wife, military veteran, a person with multiple disabilities, advocate and spiritual seeker. Spiritually, Carter notes that she has been “exploring a Quaker identity” in her ordination process with the Unitarian Universalist Association.
Having just attended the national UU General Assembly in Spokane WA, Carter shared the experience of her life altering identity change and how Unitarian Universalism influenced her journey towards healing and ministry, and also ways we can enhance our efforts as UU congregations to be inclusive and accessible.
Members of the Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalist fellowship of Rice Lake will be traveling to Menomonie WI this coming Sunday, June 30th., to attend a service and luncheon hosted by the neighboring Menomonie congregation. The joint gathering will bring four fellowships: River Falls, St. Croix and Rice Lake together in Menomonie.
The Service begins at 10:00 in the legendary Mabel Tainter Theatre, the original home of the Menomonie Unitarian fellowship. Built by the Tainter family in memory of their daughter Mabel, the Tainters also established the first Unitarian fellowship in Menomonie.
A luncheon will follow the service, and guests are welcome to attend; those in need of a ride may call BHUU to sign up and ride along with one of the Rice Lake members, 715-234-6337.
Sunday June 23 will find the Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalists reflecting on the meaning of work, and take a corresponding look at the US job market. The service begins at 10:30, conducted by member Judith Barisonzi who will lead the congregation to consider “What is work and why it is important?” Or why it may not be.
A time for discussion and nourishment always follows in the fellowship hall. BHUU is located at 230 W Messenger in Rice Lake, where all are welcome.
Our thanks to Jill Harding of Ellison Bay, WI for her Good Thoughts.
Sunday’s June 16th Service at Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship carries the message of courage and action found in the stories of Quaker Action-American Friends Service Committee.
BHUU member Linda Thompson will share the inspiration she’s found in these stories, both in the examples and characteristics of outstanding leadership. There will be time to share experiences witnessed in leaders we admire, both within our own UUA organization and our community.
The Service begins at 10:30 and is always followed by a time for nourishment and camaraderie in the Fellowship hall.
Rev Jane Smith, senior pastor of the Channing Memorial Church, Ellicot City, Maryland visits Rice Lake on June 9th. to conduct the service at the Blue Hills UU at 10:30 a.m. Her message “Through the Lens of Hope” considers the challenges of life, asking the question “As we find ourselves in a place of need, how can despair be transformed into determination, and anger into action?”
Nourishment for body and soul always follows the service with fellowship and light refreshments; all are invited. The Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship is located at 230 W Messenger in Rice Lake and is a Welcoming congregation.
At 9:15, May 26th. Kent Shifferd of Northland College, Ashland, continues with Part II of the Forum topic begun last week at the Blue Hill Unitarian-Universalist fellowship in Rice Lake, concerning “Justice on Earth”. As poor, “front line communities” are forced to live with the degrading impacts of industrial civilization, the middle and upper classes reap the benefits – but not the costs. What can UUs do to even the imbalance? Come join in the discussion.
During the Service beginning at 10:30, Professor Emeritus Robert Hasman of the UWBC draws us to consider “Metaphorce”, as he describes it: the power of metaphor to frame thought and discourse. What power does metaphor play in our thinking and public speech? And as a Force to be reckoned with.
Nourishment for body and soul always follows the service with fellowship and light refreshments; all are invited. The Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship is located at 230 W Messenger in Rice Lake, and is a Welcoming congregation.
Sunday May 19th brings Kent Shifferd, former faculty member of Northland College, to Blue Hills UU, to host the 9:15 Forum and discussion His topic concerns “Justice on Earth”: while the poor, known as “front line communities”, are forced to live with the degrading impacts of industrial civilization, the middle and upper classes reap the benefits. But not the costs. What can UUs do to even the imbalance?
The 10:30 Service, led by UWBC Prof Linda Tollefsrud, calls members to consider “What’s in a Name?” Is it more true that “the pen is mightier than the sword” or that “a rose by any other name would smell as sweet”? How shall we name the sacred? Is it too powerful to be named? Or, is our naming–or not–irrelevant?
Nourishment for body and soul always follows the service with fellowship and light refreshments; all are invited. The Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship is located at 230 W Messenger in Rice Lake, and is a Welcoming congregation.
“The Judiths” tag team the morning at Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalist fellowship on May 12th. Judith Barisonzi delves into “The Middle Class and Its Discontents” at the 9:15 Forum, inviting a lively debate and discussion that will follow her presentation.
The 10:30 Service will be led by Judith Genereaux, offering hopes of “Living Large” in this Twenty-first Century. Having read that reaching one’s 70s is the “best time in life”, Genereaux will attempt to lead the fellowship to consider the truth, and the folly, of this point of view.
Nourishment for body and soul always follows the service with fellowship and light refreshments; all are invited.
A joyful morning is being planned at Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalist fellowship this coming Sunday, May 5th. as members look forward to “burning the mortgage” and taking final ownership of the building that houses the congregation. Purchased in 1994, the former “Odd Fellows Hall” on Messenger Street, was re-created for use as a place of spiritual renewal and discovery by members of the Blue Hills UU and has become a welcoming destination.
The celebratory morning will begin at 10:30 a.m. with an abbreviated service, followed by the Annual Meeting. Reports of Board Members and various committee updates will conclude with a celebration commemorating the journey to ownership of the building.
A communal Pot Luck provided by members, with celebratory cake and champagne, will be shared in observance of the end of indebtedness. All are invited to join in the fellowship of the morning.
