Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

09/07/2026

Native Rice Lake’er Jim Bradley will share high points of his recent trek to the Galapagos Islands with fellow members of Blue Hills UU this coming Sunday, September 13th.

The public is invited to experience the Galapagos vicariously through the eyes and experiences of naturalist Charles Darwin and biologist, Dr. James Bradley, retired faculty member of Auburn University, Alabama. Jim will share what geologists say about how and when the islands were formed, Darwin's impressions while visiting them in 1835, as well as his own impressions 190 years later.

How do modern day Ecuadorians work to preserve this natural wonderland? Consider this while contemplating the role the archipelago played in urging modern humanity to respect the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

All are invited to attend this special service at the Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship; we are an inclusive congregation where everyone is welcome to be with us each Sunday morning at 10 a.m., 230 W. Messenger St. in Rice Lake - and also on Zoom – the link may be requested from [email protected].

08/31/2026

We’ll savor these waning last weeks of summer this Labor Day weekend at Blue Hills UU, starting off with viewing a recently recorded service given to the UU congregation in St. Petersburg, FL, by guest minister Bob Murphy of the Tampa UU, whose services we have enjoyed in the past. Keeping in mind that the recently adopted “Values” of the Unitarian Universalist Association tell us that "We are accountable to one another for doing the work of living our shared values," Rev. Murphy asks us to consider what “being accountable” truly means.

Be with us for this engaging service at the Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship; we are an inclusive congregation where everyone is welcome to be with us each Sunday morning at 10 a.m., 230 W. Messenger St. in Rice Lake - and also on Zoom – the link may be requested from [email protected].

08/24/2026

What does it feel like to belong? Rev Jo Green will join members and friends at Blue Hills Unitarian Fellowship Sunday, August 30th to consider the importance of feeling that one “belongs.” Rev Jo points out how “The feeling of belonging is central to human interaction, and the development of self-confidence & self-esteem – for when one doesn’t feel part of their surroundings, that “distance” can overwhelm some in a variety of ways, often culminating in depression and a feeling of unworthiness.”

As a fellowship, BHUU will explore the worthiness of belonging, and how we may help ourselves and others to feel the comfort of knowing we can make a difference in this world, when we know our efforts are valued and worthy.

Be with us for an uplifting morning at Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship; we are an inclusive congregation where everyone is welcome to services each Sunday morning at 10 a.m., 230 W. Messenger St. in Rice Lake and also on Zoom – the link may be requested from [email protected].

08/17/2026

Blue Hills UU will welcome speakers Edwin Bruntvedt and Zachary Arneston Sunday August 23rd to share how “Native Plants Bring Joy and Change.” As local gardeners, the duo notes they are passionate about spreading the joy of native plants; founding members of “Native Plant Enthusiasts” in the Rice Lake area, Eddie & Zach will introduce the joy that native plants can bring, and speak to how we may use them to change the world for the better.

Eddie holds a BS in Environmental Science and has worked professionally in habitat restoration and invasive plant removal, while Zach is a master gardener focusing on edible natives “so he and the caterpillars can enjoy a snack together in his yard.”

Be with us for this timely and uplifting service at the Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship next Sunday, an inclusive congregation where everyone is welcome to services each Sunday morning at 10 a.m., 230 W. Messenger St. in Rice Lake and also on Zoom – the link may be requested from [email protected].

08/10/2026

08/03/2026

August 9th brings a favorite Sunday morning service to the Blue Hills UU Fellowship, with an opportunity to voice your passions and concerns during “Soapbox Sunday.” We Unitarians are especially known for our wide range of concerns and interest in topics, and offer our research & opinions fluently.

Member Linda Thompson will lead the morning service, and all attending will be invited to take a turn at the pulpit to share what’s on their mind, and what they might have learned in their study of an issue. Sharing is learning!

Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist is an inclusive fellowship where everyone is welcome to services each Sunday morning at 10 a.m., 230 W. Messenger St. in Rice Lake and also on Zoom – the link may be requested from [email protected]

07/27/2026

Next Sunday, at the first of August’s services, our Blue Hills UU Fellowship will conclude a more focused coverage of our national organization’s annual summer conclave, by sharing with members the ending service conducted at the UUA General Assembly this past June. The filmed service will be edited to some extent to enable us to include our weekly features and announcements.

We look forward to sharing this time via the leadership of UUA, and perhaps gain more insight into the inner soul of our namesake: the national Unitarian Universalist Association, which has been based in Boston, Massachusetts since the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) was founded in May 1961. It came into existence through the official consolidation of two separate religious groups: the American Unitarian Association (founded in 1825) and the Universalist Church of America (founded in 1793)

The Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship is an inclusive religion where everyone is welcome to services each Sunday morning at 10 a.m., 230 W. Messenger St. in Rice Lake and also on Zoom – the link may be requested from [email protected].

07/20/2026

Our national association of Unitarian Universalists, known as the UUA, holds an annual meeting each June to address a variety of topics, concerns and to attend to business issues. Known as the “General Assembly”, each congregation is assigned a number of voting delegates: we have two, appointed by our fellowship, to represent us the “GA.” All UUs are able to attend the many events (though there are fees for some) but only those appointed can vote on issues.

For the past several years our BHUU Fellowship has appointed Pat Shifferd and Judy Barisonzi to represent us at the “Business Session”, authorizing them to cast votes for us if needed. Both Judy and Pat have devoted hours sitting through these meetings on zoom, and bring back valuable information and insight as UUA has negotiated the difficult waters of “change” instituted.
And resisted.

Be with us this Sunday, July 26th as our dedicated representatives report their findings, results and take-aways, acknowledging that “Yes, even for UUs – Democracy is Difficult.”

Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist is an inclusive fellowship where everyone is welcome to services each Sunday morning at 10 a.m., 230 W. Messenger St. in Rice Lake and also on Zoom – the link may be requested from [email protected].

07/13/2026

Chaplain Dennis Peters of Hillsdale, WI returns to the pulpit at Blue Hills UU Sunday, July 19th, to share “An Open Letter to Wisconsin Politicians” with the congregation.

Peters explains that his intended letter “is general enough to be addressed to all in public office: Republicans, Democrats, Independents” and that much of it will be a series of questions. “As a constituent I would like to know what you believe and espouse. I want to gain an understanding of your ethics. As a citizen of the United States, the State of Wisconsin, and of a county, a township or village or city, I want to understand your plans and your approach to us, the citizens.”

Most of us share the need for straight talk and undisguised goals; be with us on Sunday to begin creating your own letter to the candidates.
Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist is an inclusive fellowship where everyone is welcome to services each Sunday morning at 10 a.m., 230 W. Messenger St. in Rice Lake and also on Zoom – the link may be requested from [email protected].

07/06/2026

Folk singers Susan Urban and Phil Cooper, known as “February Sky” will return to the Blue Hills Unitarian fellowship for a journey into the work of Pete Seeger, Sunday July 12th. Sharing that “Pete Seeger was not only a singer, songwriter and activist, he was also a lifelong Unitarian Universalist. Through his music he became an advocate for the disadvantaged, the poor, oppressed and those who were exploited. He was also a civil rights and environmentalist activist.”

All are invited to enjoy the music and songs of Seeger with us at BHUU, as we celebrate him, and explore with Urban and Cooper the far-reaching influence of this remarkable man and his work.

Blue Hill UU is an inclusive fellowship where everyone is welcome to services each Sunday morning at 10 a.m., 230 W. Messenger St. in Rice Lake and also on Zoom – the link may be requested from [email protected].