​Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Michigan
Minister’s Column
 
I attended the school board meeting last night, which featured a deep discussion of transgender rights and policies in the age of MAGA. Here’s the background: Mount Pleasant Public School District has in place, since 2023, a robust policy affirming gender identity. Here is an excerpt:

Because Donald Trump has issued an executive order declaring that only two genders will be recognized by the federal government, and has called for the end to any diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, there is fear that Mount Pleasant’s transgender student policy would cause the Department of Education to rescind federal funds that support our school district. The specific fear came from a news article saying that someone has reported Mount Pleasant to the Department of Education on their “End DEI Portal,” a website ironically launched last month as “a public portal for parents, students, teachers, and the broader community to submit reports of discrimination based on race or sex in publicly-funded K-12 schools.”
 
Last night, the Board discussed their transgender policy and the potential consequences of leaving it in place versus removing it. it felt to me like they might be leaning toward removing it, in the fear of losing federal funds which would hurt the whole district.  When the public comment part of the meeting arrived, about six members of the audience spoke—and all were in favor of keeping the transgender policy and supporting our youth. Finally, the Board came to the voting portion of the meeting and declined to take any action – leaving the policy in place for now. Practical reasons were given for this decision (there is no evidence that the Department of Education is coming for us, just a news report that a complaint has been filed on a website)…and there were personal reasons. Members of the school board, members of the administration, and members of the audience are trans, queer, and/or have a trans child. Research has shown that trans youth are at much higher risk of suicide than their cisgender peers, and that policies supporting trans youth reduce that risk. Some of the comments during the discussion were personal and heartfelt.
 
I was proud to show up and support our school board in its difficult decision-making. I was proud to see eleven members of our congregation there in the audience—and one on the school board. I felt like this is where the abstract things happening in Washington, DC have real-life implications for our lives here—and there is a real threat of harm. And I see this community and its leaders confronting the challenge head-on and being courageous. There will be many more times when our courage and solidarity are called for. May we support one another and may every person do what they can for a world of greater equity and fairness.
 
PRAYER:
May God bless the Mount Pleasant School Board—the ones I always agree with and the ones I sometimes disagree with.
May a blessing of deep love and comprehensive safety come to all of our queer and transgender students.
May all citizens be empowered and engaged, making our voices heard and speaking from our values.
With hope for our children and our world, Amen.
 
Rev. Drew Frantz
March 18, 2025

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Michigan
Minister’s Column
 
On Sunday we welcomed six new members to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Michigan. It is a moment worth celebrating and worth reflecting on. Along with membership coordinator Laura McBride, I invite new people to the Fellowship to learn more about Unitarian Universalism and about our particular congregation. We have new member sessions like this usually once per month. Having attended those sessions, some people choose to become official members.
 
For everyone who is already a member (or a long-established friend) of the congregation, the welcoming of new members is an affirmation and an invitation to growth. The affirmation is that we have something here worth sharing. We have a community of compassionate, courageous, open-hearted people seeking truth and meaning and connection in life. When someone new sees who we are and wants to join us, it is an affirmation that we are doing something right. And the invitation to growth is this: every new member represents a challenge to the existing members to be flexible. We never expect new people to be just like us—we ask new people to show up with all of their gifts and all of their diversity. The addition of new members necessarily changes the whole. The challenge for the old members is to be willing to adjust and learn from the new members.
 
This a moment of historical upheaval and threat due to the MAGA movement dismantling government systems and protections. In such a moment, joining UUFCM means solidifying ties with those who are resisting. With greater numbers we have greater strength, and each of us is finding our place in this new and challenging world. May we all find the courage to do what we can; may we all support one another on this journey.
 
PRAYER:
May divine light bless the new members of this Fellowship: Jessica Axe, Annie Peters, Marco Munoz-Fortino, Kelly Green, Michael Sebren and David Sebren.
May each of them find what they are seeking; may they help other seekers on their journey.
May each of them give love and support when they can; may they receive love and support when they need it.
May this Fellowship, new and changed because of the addition of these members, thrive and grow as a light and a blessing to all.
Amen.
 
Rev. Drew Frantz
March 11, 2025

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Michigan
Minister’s Column
 
Today I participated in an interfaith panel discussion at Central Michigan University. The event was hosted by the College of Science and Engineering, and the audience was mostly CMU faculty and staff. Facilitating the discussion was Pastor Dana Hendershot of Immanuel Lutheran Church; the four panelists were myself, a Presbyterian minister, a Muslim lay leader, and a Jewish lay leader.
 
Every week that I lead worship, I get to articulate Unitarian Universalism to an assembly in our sanctuary. However, it is not very often that I get to articulate our values, theology and history to an outside group—and to do so juxtaposed with Christian, Muslim and Jewish values, theology and history was a real treat. The topics we discussed included the role of social justice in religion and the relationship of science to religion. We were also asked to describe our favorite ritual from our tradition—I chose the flower communion.
 
I learned a lot from my fellow panelists today, especially about Judaism and Islam because I am less familiar with these faiths. And I was thrilled to explain our unique religion to the group. Unitarian Universalism is such a small religion that many people may not be familiar with it. I am struck by the fact that most religions are engaged in traditions that are centuries old; and by contrast much of Unitarian Universalism has been developed in recent decades. I love and respect other faiths, but I am so happy to be part of a multi-faith religion grounded in love, community, and social justice. Getting the chance to spread the word about our faith is a great part of my job.
 
PRAYER:
May the faith and practices of Christians, Muslims, Jews and more be blessed. May every religious person find comfort and challenge, truth and meaning in their chosen faith.
 
May diverse religions continue to find what is common in their beliefs and practices and goals. May we cooperate with one another to build a world of love and beauty, truth and compassion.
 
May it be so.
 
Rev. Drew Frantz
March 4, 2025