Category: Uncategorized

God is Love. 1 John 4:16   Yes, but “Who”, what is God?   How do we answer this question?  Does this sound like an impossible task?  Or do each of us have a firm concept guiding our understanding?  

Coming from many different religious backgrounds and practices as we do, Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist chaplain Dennis Peters will lead the Rice Lake Fellowship in going back in time to explore this, Sunday August 20th.   As an extremely important goal to most of us, Chaplain Peters calls to “Let us begin”

All are reminded that this will also be our THIRD SUNDAY POT LUCK and are invited to attend at the sanctuary 10 a.m. Sundays, 230 W. Messenger, Rice Lake, or on Zoom.  For those attending service on Zoom, the Order of Service is attached, below.  Zoom link is sent to members, but anyone interested may request it by contacting patriciashifferd@gmail.com. https://bluehillsuu.org

Our Service this coming Sunday, August 13, will be a wrap-up of discussion and consideration of the changes suggested at the recent UUA General Assembly, focusing on the changes suggested to our UU Principles and Sources.   Our delegates to the GA, Pat Shifferd and Judy Barisonzi have reported their findings and now will be time for the fellowship to consider the UUA’s intentions.

Those attending on Sunday will break into small discussion groups, to then share their conclusions and direction with the full body.  The national effort won’t be finalized until summer 2024, but in the meantime, we as Blue Hills UU’s will determine our view of these changes and convey them to the UUA.  We hope all members of our fellowship will engage in this concern.

All are invited to attend at the sanctuary 10 a.m. Sundays, 230 W. Messenger, Rice Lake, or on Zoom.  For those attending service on Zoom, the Order of Service is attached, below.  Zoom link is sent to members, but anyone interested may request it by contacting patriciashifferd@gmail.com. https://bluehillsuu.org

Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship welcomes a new face to our fellowship this coming Sunday, August 6^th. as we welcome Rev Terry Cummings to conduct the service.  Many of us claiming summer as our favorite time of year, are startled as August seems to come “so soon”;  Rev Cummings service, “Seasons of the Heart” will suggest to us how to keep summer alive in our hearts regardless of our age, or the page we turn over on the calendar.

Rev. Terry Cummings earned her Master of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York in May of 2016, and was ordained jointly by both the Central Unitarian Church of Paramus, and the UU Congregation of Montclair, New Jersey.  Formerly a partner in a New York city law firm, she has practiced law in NY state since 1982.

All are invited to attend at the sanctuary 10 a.m. Sundays, 230 W. Messenger, Rice Lake, or on Zoom.  For those attending service on Zoom, the Order of Service is attached, below.  Zoom link is sent to members, but anyone interested may request it by contacting patriciashifferd@gmail.com. https://bluehillsuu.org

To many of us, it’s important to weave a sense of spirituality throughout our daily lives. Arthur Thexton returns to the Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Sunday July 30th. to help us find ways to do this. Noting “Our day-to-day lives are filled with interactions that are often frustrating, irritating,” Arthur challenges us to find ways to confront such times consistent with our spiritual and religious beliefs – “in ways that may even help us grow.”

A one time resident of Rice Lake, Mr Thexton speaks regularly at UU congregations, referring to himself as “a part-time, itinerant, circuit-riding lay preacher in the UU tradition.” After completing studies at the Meadville Lombard Theological School, Thexton attended the University of Chicago before obtaining his law degree from UW Madison. He served as Assistant District Attorney in Barron County during the mid-1980’s, now residing in Wauwatosa, WI with his family.

All are invited to attend at the sanctuary 10 a.m. Sundays, 230 W. Messenger, Rice Lake, or on Zoom. For those attending service on Zoom, the Order of Service is attached, below. Zoom link is sent to members, but anyone interested may request it by contacting patriciashifferd@gmail.com. https://bluehillsuu.org

Sunday, July 23^rd will bring our delegates to the recent UUA General Assembly back to front & center, to share with us the “rest of the story” – their findings, impressions and conclusions brought home from their attendance.  Pat Shifferd and Judy Barisonzi spent many hours focused on the happenings in Pittsburgh, as our leaders and fellow UU’s reported, debated on, and struggled to justify changes, not only to our leadership, but to some of the core values we have long believed in as members.

Please join the conversation that will follow, as Pat & Judy conclude their report – for change in our organization seems imminent.   How will we proceed as Unitarian Universalists in the midst of “change” not always fully understood – some of it unwelcome to many of us.   We know one thing for sure:  We ARE Unitarian Universalists.  And we shall remain. 

All are invited to attend at the sanctuary, 230 W. Messenger, Rice Lake, or on Zoom. The Zoom link is sent to members, but anyone interested may request it by contacting patriciashifferd@gmail.com. https://bluehillsuu.org

Each of us has our own personal mountain to scale. Have they been a positive experience? What has it entailed for you?  When you reach the summit, and look down, what do you see? We often seek spiritual guidance in meeting these personal challenges;  where do each of us seek to find it?   Chaplain Dennis Peters will journey to Rice Lake this coming Sunday, July 16, to broach this topic with the Blue Hills Unitarian Universalists in Sunday Service, 10 a.m. 

Our third Sunday Pot Luck will take place immediately after service, so bring a dish to pass and join us downstairs for fellowship and nourishment to both heart and soul. All are invited to attend at the sanctuary, 230 W. Messenger, Rice Lake, or on Zoom. The Zoom link is sent to members, but anyone interested may request it by contacting patriciashifferd@gmail.com. https://bluehillsuu.org

Report from the UUA General Assembly: our fearless delegates, Pat Shifferd and Judy Barisonzi attended via the magic of cyberspace the recent gathering of our national UU Association at annual meeting, this past week in Pittsburgh.  Most of you are aware there has been a effort to discard our long time “Principles and Sources” of Unitarian-Universalism, and replace them with simpler wording; this has been the issue that has most captured our interest. 

Both at our own services and amongst ourselves, we BHUU’rs have reviewed, considered, pondered and rejected the changes being suggested, both in committee and at our own annual meeting held this past May 21st.  Anyone wishing copy of those minutes, please contact your treasurer.   

Judy & Pat will report what is most likely the “final decisions” made at the GA this past week.  Are you on the edge of your seat in anticipation?  I am! 

All are invited to attend in the sanctuary, 230 W. Messenger, Rice Lake, or on Zoom.  The Zoom link is sent to members, but all who may be interested may request it by contacting patriciashifferd@gmail.com. https://bluehillsuu.org

One of our favorite days approaches, as we anticipate a pet service, “Soapbox Sunday” at our Blue Hills UU fellowship this coming Sunday July 2^nd.  All present are invited to suggest a topic or issue that has hooked their interest, share some background information, their opinion and hopefully initiate an energetic discussion and info-sharing session.

An effort will be made to divide time evenly between those who wish to pick our brains, titillate our interest and prompt us to action.   So prep yourself for a lively morning, guaranteed to bring focus to our most driving passions.    

All are invited to attend at the sanctuary, 230 W. Messenger, Rice Lake, or on Zoom.  The Zoom link is sent to members, but all who may be interested may request it by contacting patriciashifferd@gmail.com. https://bluehillsuu.org

“Let Freedom Ring” is the theme Blue Hills Unitarian Universalists bring to the fellowship in anticipation of our nation’s July celebrations, with the traveling DeMasi Brothers in LIVE session, to set the tone with contemporary folk music.  

Award-winning twin brothers Joseph & John DeMasi, songwriters and recording artists’ songs are imbued with their Unitarian Universalist belief in  love, inclusion, tolerance, understanding, with worth and dignity for all.   “Many of the freedoms we have taken for granted are coming under attack” notes the DeMasi’s “including women’s rights to choose, freedom of speech, freedom to vote, freedom from book censorship and many others.” The DeMasi’s protest these challenges with music and song at the 10 a.m. Service, Sunday June 25^th.

All are invited to attend at the sanctuary, 230 W. Messenger, Rice Lake, or on Zoom.  The Zoom link is sent to members, but all who may be interested may request it by contacting patriciashifferd@gmail.com. https://bluehillsuu.org

In Sunday Service, 10 a.m. June 18^th, our traveling Chaplain Dennis Peters will challenge the fellowship of Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalists to consider what constitutes “Golden” as a standard in human relationship. 

How do we treat family members? Pets?  Do we aim for the best for them and treat them well? What about neighbors? Not just the ones considered to be friends, but how about the one who keeps threatening to sue those around him over property line or other disputes – or those who generate conspiracy theories about… everything?   How does the “Golden Rule” impact and inspire your life?

We expect a lively discussion to be part of our morning with Ch Peters, and invite all to attend at the sanctuary, 230 W. Messenger, Rice Lake, or on Zoom.  The Zoom link is sent to members, but all who may be interested may request it by contacting patriciashifferd@gmail.com. https://bluehillsuu.org