“There is a calmness to a life lived in gratitude,
a quiet joy.”
~ Ralph H. Blum
This Sunday we will welcome five new members to our faith community. With joy, we'll celebrate that Linda Damer, Capalene Howse, Janis Shinn, Bill Tinsley and Hank Zenievicz have chosen UUFCM as their spiritual home. As a congregation, we will recommit ourselves to sharing our gifts and supporting each other on our spiritual quests.
Passion Sunday This Week!
Mary Alsager and Vicki Chessin will be sharing their passions with our children and youth. Mary will be practicing yoga, so comfortable clothing is recommended, and Vicki will be sharing information about medicine and healthy living.
Youthful Noise will be performing in the November 24 service. Parents of choir members, please be sure your child(ren)/youth attend practice this week.
Sunday Worship
The sermon for November 10th is Prophetic Generations. This year, 2013, marks the 50 year anniversary of the Unitarian Universalist Association's first statement in support of reproductive choice – the first such declaration by a religious body. This year, we mark this anniversary and reinvigorate our prophetic voice by allying with coalitions of women of color, joining a movement that makes justice its goal. Beyond the simple legal right to abortion, we step out of our issue silos and fight together for the conditions needed for every person to realize their full humanity on issues of reproduction, family, and sexuality.
Fellowship Life Meeting
On Sunday after the service, there will be our monthly fellowship life meeting in the social hall. Information on the homeless shelter, a new project for Christmas and the upcoming OWL (Our Whole Life) program for our younger children will be shared. It is also a good time for asking questions. So come, get answers and stay in the loop!
Cash Donations
If you make cash donations at Sunday's offerings and want to get tax credit, please use the envelopes that are provided for you in the back pockets of the chairs in the sanctuary or pick them up at the table on the left of the sanctuary entrance door. This way our treasurer can keep track of your donation and give you statements for tax purposes.
Isabella County Restoration House
With winter fast approaching, the need to assist those without a warm place to go to has never been greater. The newly created Isabella County Restoration House (ICRH) Board of Directors is hosting a meeting tomorrow, November 14, at 6:30 at the Commission on Aging to share plans for providing shelter and safe nights for fellow members of our community in need.
Please attend and learn more about how you can contribute and get involved in this community endeavor. If you have questions, please contact Joyce Henricks (joyce.henricks@cmich.edu).
Lights, Cameras, Action!
In an effort to update our website with current photos of our services, RE program, and special events, please send photos to Kirsten (she will not tag individuals). Please bring your cameras and cell phones to our Harvest Feast and capture the spirit of our celebration digitally!
Harvest Feast 2013 Will Soon Be Here!
UUFCM’s Harvest Feast 2013 will be here before you know it! We will be sharing our annual meal of thanksgiving on Sunday, November 24, 2013 immediately following the service, in the Library Annex next door. Please sign up for a dish to share and/or help with setting up or cleaning up. We look forward to sharing this beloved tradition. Sign ups include:
- Mashed potatoes for 10-12 servings
- Dressing for 10-12 servings
- Desserts for 6-8 servings
- Appetizers/salads/relishes for 6-8 servings
- Hot dishes/vegetables/casseroles for 6-8 servings
- Breads, rolls, butter, and spreads for 6-8 servings
- Setting up the annex Saturday Nov. 23rd 3-6 pm
- Cleaning up annex immediately following the feast
Keep It Hot!
Kris Los has generously offered the use of chafing pans and hot boxes from her catering equipment so we may keep our food hot for the Harvest Feast. She will bring pans of various sizes and hot boxes for you to take home for your hot dish to keep hot before and during the feast in chafing pans! You may also put your food contribution in a foil pan covered with plastic wrap and foil for us to place in a chafing pan at the meal. Pans may be picked up Sunday, the 17th and returned to Kris.
Buttons Anyone?
Several years ago members of our congregation designed and made the beautiful banner, which is hanging in our sanctuary. It symbolizes that we welcome everybody and value his/her unique gifts. At the time, we asked our congregants to bring a button that had meaning for them and sewed them on around the frame. If you did not have a chance to add your special button (light weight) to the banner, please bring it to church and Ricky Courlander will sew it on.
How to Reach Rev. Joe
The best way to reach Rev. Joe is by email at RevJoeUUFCM@gmail.com or by calling our Fellowship's office number: 989-400-4933. If your concern is more urgent, you can call or text Rev. Joe directly at 989-941-6013.
••• Community Announcements •••
Concert at CMU
You are invited to a special concert of the Festival Chorus on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 8 p.m. in Plachta Auditorium. There are over 200 singers, several of whom are from our congregation. They will be performing Vivaldi's "Gloria" and two other pieces by contemporary composers. Tickets are $ 8.00 ($ 5.00 for seniors) and can be purchased at CMU's ticket office in the Events Center.
Native American Heritage Month
An annual cultural event sponsored by CMU's Native American Program office. For complete information, see this flyer.
Indigenous Film Screenings
The Ziibiwing Center and the CMU Native American Programs invite the public to free screenings of Black Ash Basketry: A Story of Cultural Resilience (Thursday, Nov. 21, 2:00 & 5:00 p.m.). A Q&A follows each screening. For complete information, see this flyer.
Soup & Substance Series
This series offers an opportunity for informed discussion on specific topics, complete with with free soup and rolls for attendees. For a complete schedule, click here.
“Two sounds of autumn are unmistakable...
the hurrying rustle of crisp leaves blown along the street...by a gusty wind,
and the gabble of a flock of migrating geese.”
~ Hal Borland
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