​Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Michigan
Minister’s Column
 
It is well-known that the 2016 election of Donald Trump caused a spike in attendance at UU congregations—often referred to among ministers as the “Trump Bump.” At the time, my seminary studies took me away from regular Sunday worship, so I did not experience this first-hand. Nonetheless, I knew that a Trump electoral victory in 2024 would similarly result in more new people attending UUFCM services. This has proven to be true the past two Sundays. More brand-new people, more people who attend occasionally, more people who have been away for years. I believe they come because they are trying to process the new moment in America and what it means; they come because they are seeking community with liberal and progressive people; they come because they are scared, angry or sad and need to be comforted. Some new people may be reading this column for the first time, having just signed up.
 
This is an expansive time for UUFCM, when more people are drawn to our doors and our message of love; this is a tender time for UUFCM, when people are hurting and vulnerable; this is a transitional time for UUFCM, as we figure out how to meet this moment. I am reminded that every time new people join a congregation, they change it. And this is how it should be: we don’t want new people to assimilate and become just like the ones who are already here. Just as the 2024 election changes all of us, new people change our congregation. And this moment calls us to our highest purpose as a congregation: to be a place of refuge and comfort, to be a community of love and caring. All of us need love and caring, and all of us are able to offer love and caring—but not to the same degree or at the same time. Some need more than they are able to give; some are able to give more…and this shifts over time.
 
This is a time when Unitarian Universalists need to return to our roots and our values: love for all people; defending the rights and dignity of those who hold marginalized identities; the belief that diversity brings richness to our community and that no one is above anyone else. And we need to recognize that many of us are especially tender right now: this allows for deeper connections, and also makes us vulnerable to misunderstandings. As we progress into this new moment let us grow stronger in love.
 
PRAYER:
May all who are hurting find gentle and compassionate welcome.
May those who are scared find safety.
May this congregation offer healing and community.
May small differences be set aside in service of greater good.
For the ones who are here and the ones who are yet to come: may love bless all.
Amen.
 
Rev. Drew Frantz
November 19, 2024

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Michigan
Minister’s Column
 
As I reflect on last week’s election, I am thinking about gender. I was truly expecting Kamala Harris to win on the strength of female voters. Instead, it feels like America is unwilling to elect a female president. We have re-elected a rampant misogynist in Donald Trump, and we have put a political party in power that keeps enacting absurdly strict anti-abortion laws. Taking these things together, I feel that the rights and dignity of women have been badly harmed by this election. As a man, I call on other men to speak out for the sake of protecting and honoring women.
 
The men’s group that I participate in teaches men to be in touch with our feelings; we learn that masculinity is love, gentleness, strength and connection. And we become better fathers, husbands, sons and brothers through this work. Our motto is “heal men, heal the planet.” My best friend from ManKind Project is Dave, who works in the local food movement in northeast Ohio. He is as burly as a bear and as gentle as a kitten. He has volunteered in the state prison with men who are serving time for abuse—healing these men and making communities safer.
 
A year ago I went to Dave’s wedding. Today I got a text message from him with a photo: Dave holding his newborn baby. This beautiful man with his precious tiny baby fills me with hope and love. On behalf of this baby I re-dedicate myself to the work of love and justice; I re-dedicate myself to the ideals of healthy masculinity and to healing men. Men can be part of the problem of misogyny; we can also be part of the solution of empowering women and all people.
 
PRAYER:
May the men of America be loving, kind, and respectful to all women.
May we denounce violence, rape, and assault in our families; in our neighborhoods; and in the White House.
May we reclaim masculinity as a positive force for growth, healing, creativity and nurturing.
 
Blessed be.
 
Rev. Drew Frantz
November 12, 2024

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Michigan
Minister’s Column
 
This week I went to see a movie called “Conclave” which is in theaters now. In this fictional film focused on the election of a new pope, I found interesting parallels to Unitarian Universalist politics; to the national presidential election; and to the private vs. public life of clergy.
 
I won’t spoil the plot here, but the movie follows the drama of the college of cardinals who assemble at the Vatican immediately after the death of the pope, to elect the new pope from among their own assembly. Necessarily this involves factions with diverse views about the direction of the church. While the Unitarian Universalist faith is a tiny fraction of the Catholic faith in terms of number and influence, we have been through our own version of this in recent years with the internal debates about the 8th Principle and the Article II revision. These debates were about how we center anti-racism in our faith and how we articulate love to be a core UU value—among other things. And while the votes about UU faith are made by congregations and by thousands of delegates at General Assembly (as opposed to dozens of Catholic cardinals sequestered at the Vatican), there are inevitably conversations and proposals and compromises among powerful individuals in UU leadership that also make a difference. I just don’t expect a feature film to be made about behind-the-scenes debates over the values and principles of Unitarian Universalism. What’s true about both Catholicism and Unitarian Universalism is that there are crossroads moments in the direction of the denomination that are decided by important votes.
 
To a lesser degree, the film had moments that reminded me of the presidential election that is taking so much time, attention, and energy in our nation today. In both cases, the role and the rights of women is an issue that divides voters.
 
Finally, I found “Conclave” enjoyable just as a story. The characters were rich and nuanced and interesting. Throughout the film we see the cardinals in their public role and in their private moments. As a minister myself, I appreciated the truth woven through the story: that clergy are mortal humans with frailties, doubts, and even crises of faith. Whether or not you are religious, I think the movie is worth watching on these grounds alone: as a story of human relationships including love, loyalty, betrayal, compassion and more.
 
PRAYER:
On this Election Day 2024, may all Americans be safe.
May the polls be safe and may the people show up peacefully to express their wishes.
May the work of democracy--which is the work of poll workers and poll watchers and ballot counters—be carried out with calm deliberation.
May we all be courageous and compassionate on voting day and on the days that follow.
 
Rev. Drew Frantz
November 5, 2024