Visit the Renovated Jim Crow Museum With Us on Friday, October 16! Ferris State University has renovated/built a new Jim Crow Museum – Witness, Understand, Heal. Years ago, a group of UUFCM people visited the “old” museum, and we would like to organize a group to visit again this year on Friday, October 16 (museum open 2-5 pm). Please contact any member of the Social Justice Coordinating Team (Lou Ann Ashley, Norma Bailey, Mary Fitzgerald, Joyce Henricks, Kirsten King, Kelly Lawson, Gisela Moffit, Jim Moreno, or Katie Zapoluch) to let us know you’d like to join us so we can arrange car-pooling. See website HERE. Plan is to leave from the church for Big Rapids at 1:00 pm.

Children’s Boot Drive

In anticipation of cold weather to come, your Social Justice Coordinating Team (SJCT) is inviting you to participate in a Children’s Boot Drive.  From October 15-November 15, we will be collecting new and gently children’s/Teens’ boots to donate to Clothing, INC. If you would like a member of the SJCT to purchase boots for you, we will be glad to spend your money for this good cause!  A large box with our flyer attached will be in the Fellowship Hall starting October 15.

The 2024 documentary Bad River, which chronicles the Wisconsin-based Bad River (Chippewa) Band's struggle for sovereignty and its fight to protect Lake Superior from the threat of an aging pipeline, will be shown on Tuesday, October 13 at 6:30 p.m. on the CMU campus in Anspach Hall rooms 161 and 162. Parking is free after 5 p.m. This event, free and open to the public, is sponsored by the CMU Social Sciences Department with support from The Welcome Table, a community-based, multi-faith group that brings people together to learn about and give hope and help to each other.

Adult RE Session Sunday, September 27, at 12:00

Please plan to stay after the worship service on Sunday, September 27, for a special Adult RE offering regarding the midterm election.  Norma Bailey will provide a session on how Michigan elections are secure, the differences between absentee ballot voting and early voting, and explanations of Prop 1 (Constitutional Convention) and Prop 2 (Corporate Money Out of Politics).  Please join us for this timely offering!

Letter-Writing Parties to Young Voters

Your Social Justice Coordinating Team has organized letter-writing parties using Vote Forward materials.  This is a great way for members and friends of UUFCM to make a difference in the midterm elections by writing letters to young voters encouraging them to vote. All materials, instructions and snacks will be provided, and we will meet to write in the Fellowship Hall.  It’s a great way to feel like you’re making a difference!  Please join us!

Please look at the dates below and put one or more on your calendar to participate.  

Tuesdays at 6:30 pm – September 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29 and October 6, 13 and 20

Wednesdays at 3:00 pm – September 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 and October 7, 14 and 21

Thursdays at 1:00 pm – September 3, 10, 17 and 24 and October 1, 8, 15 and 22

Saturdays at 4:00 pm – September 5, 12, 19, and 26 and October 3, 10, 17 and 23

On May 13, four members of our fellowship traveled to Lansing to participate in LGBTQ+ Capitol Day. Rev. Drew, Norma Bailey, Al Heise, and Kim Joki joined advocates from across Michigan to meet with state representatives and senators, sharing personal stories and speaking up for issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community. You can read more about the experience in Rev. Drew’s reflection in the Minister’s Column below.