eNews for Thursday, April 24

4/24/2025

eNews for Thursday, April 24

Concert a Great Success!

On Saturday, April 19, “A Simple Thing,” a local indie folk-Americana group made up of Daniel Davis, Claire Lester, Cynthia Damer and Chris Olson, played a mix of original songs and favorite covers to a mixed crowd of family members, friends and UUFCM folks. The concert was well-received, and $363 of donations were made to the church general fund! Thank you, band!

Worship Matters

We will gather online via Zoom and in person this Sunday, April 27, to worship with Rev. Drew Frantz, who will present "Earth-Centered Religion." The Zoom call starts at 10:00am for social time, and the service starts at 10:30am.

"A core piece of Unitarian Universalism is connection with our natural environment. Yet in many ways, we are a religion of thinking and ideas, and of human relationships. Other religious traditions are more earth-centered and less intellectual. What are you looking for in religion–connection to God and heaven? Being grounded in the cycles of nature? This Sunday we explore how our tradition fits in the context of earth-centered religions."

Zoom Invitation for Sunday Service:
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 402489218

One tap mobile
+16468769923,,402489218#
Phone - audio only
+1 646 876 9923

Upcoming Services

April 27 - Earth-Centered Religion
May 4 - “The Poor You Will Always Have with You” Why?

In Case You Missed It...

Many past sermons are available on our website under Sermon Videos and Archives. Here are links to more recent sermons.

"Practice of Joy" - April 6, by Rev. Drew Frantz
"Generosity" - March 16, by Rev. Drew Frantz
"Lessons From Grief" - March 9, by Rev. Drew Frantz

In order to access any services 2024 on, go to the website and click on Worship, then Sunday Services.

Minister’s Column

I heard the news yesterday that the Pope had died, and on the day after Easter. The timing seems ironic at first—death juxtaposed with the celebration of life and re-birth. Yet today I read a piece of writing from the Pope himself a couple of months ago: it talked about the inevitability of death (human wisdom for any spiritually mature person, especially for an elder) and about the joyful certainty of life everlasting in heaven (a belief specific to his religion, and shared by some others). Viewed in that light, the timing of this pope’s death was fitting.

Read the column here.

Upcoming Events

Most meetings and events are hybrid (in-person/Zoom). Please contact the event or meeting leader if you are not sure. Event and meeting details and links can be found on the UUFCM Calendar.

A Joyful Noise Choir Rehearsal - Wednesdays at 7pm
Central Michigan Sangha - Tuesdays at 6:45pm
Crafty U - 3rd Tuesdays at 11am
First Friday Potluck - First Fridays at 6:30pm
Game Night - 3rd Mondays at 7pm
Movie Night - 4th Saturdays at 7pm
Readers Theater - 2nd Tuesdays at 7pm
Soul Matters Discussion Group - 4th Thursdays at 6:30pm
UU Discussion Group - Wednesdays at 10am
UUFCM Men’s Group - 1st Mondays at 7pm on Zoom
UUFCM Women's Circle - On hiatus until further notice
Welcome to UU Orientation - 4th Sundays at 12:00pm

All members and friends are welcome to attend our UUFCM Board meeting as well as the various team meetings that occur monthly. If you are interested in attending any specific team meeting, please contact the team leader for information.

Team Meetings
Adult RE Team - Monday, April 28

Town Hall and Spring Clean-up Information - THIS Saturday, April 26

Town Hall (10:00am-12:00pm in the Sanctuary)
Recently, Drew was approached by someone interested in joining our Fellowship who disclosed that they are on the sex offender registry. Drew immediately reached out to our President, Aaron Jones, and President Elect, Norma Bailey, to discuss the situation. After careful consideration, it was decided that this person should not attend the Fellowship until we have a formal policy in place.

At the next Board meeting, the issue was addressed, and a path forward was established. Recognizing that children’s safety is a priority for us all, Drew reached out to parents to keep them informed. The Board formed a special Safe Congregation Team to develop a policy framework on this matter. To ensure we are handling this responsibly, both Drew and the Board have sought guidance from Lisa Presley of the UUA Mid-America Region.

As part of this process, it was recommended that we hold a special town hall event to present the proposed policy and invite input from the congregation. This event will take place on Saturday, April 26th, at 10:00 AM in the Sanctuary. We encourage everyone to attend, share their thoughts, and be part of this important conversation.

Please contact Rev. Drew with any questions about this matter. He will share what he can within the bounds of confidentiality.

Lunch (12:00-1:00pm in the Fellowship Hall)

Spring Clean-Up (1:00pm-3:00pm Outdoors)
Every year in the spring we have a spring clean-up where we spruce up the outside of our building! We’ll pick up sticks, rake, weed, edge sidewalks, trim bushes, get the hoses out, and wash windows, so please bring rakes, gloves, weeding tools, and clippers; we’ll provide the other materials.

Movie Night - THIS Saturday, April 26

Technology is banned—by religious command.
Superstition is nurtured—by those in power.
Questioning authority? Forbidden.
Sound familiar?

It may echo today’s headlines, but this is Battle for Terra—a gripping sci-fi story set in the aftermath of humanity’s self-destruction. After Earth, Mars, and Venus are lost to war and greed, the last survivors drift through space aboard the aging ship "Ark", desperate for a new home.

They find Terra—a lush planet already inhabited by a peaceful, agricultural society whose values are built on the very principles the Ark once abandoned. The solution? Extermination.

Join us Saturday, April 26, to see the outcome.

Stewardship Campaign 2025 Ends Sunday, April 27

Our stewardship campaign which began with our stewardship luncheon on Sunday, April 6, now has 45 pledges turned in!

Our drive officially ends on this Sunday, April 27, so please be sure to turn in your pledge form and volunteer form by then. You can bring the forms to church on Sunday and put them in the offertory basket, mail them to our treasurer, or go online to our website to fill them out. If you have misplaced the materials we sent in the mail, or if you have questions, contact anyone on the Stewardship Committee - Norma Bailey, Cynthia Damer, Drew Frantz, Jim Moreno, and Daria Kingman.

Welcome to UU Orientation - THIS Sunday, April 27

Contact: Laura McBride
We meet both in person in the fellowship hall and via Zoom.

This orientation is geared to newcomers, visitors, and those seeking to learn more about Unitarian Universalism and this UU fellowship. It is offered every month both in person in the fellowship hall and via Zoom, typically on the last Sunday at 12:00 pm. Sessions run approximately an hour and a half.

If you are interested in watching an introductory video regarding our faith, please view this YouTube video by Peter Bowden called Unitarian Universalism: You're Uni-What?.

For more info or to register for Welcome to UU, contact: Laura McBride at 989.772.5512; [email protected]. Please let Laura know whether you will be attending via Zoom or in-person by the Friday prior to the orientation.

First Friday Potluck – Friday, May 2

Please join us in the UUFCM Fellowship Hall at 6:30pm (doors open at 6:15) for food, conversation, and games! Coffee, hot tea, and water will be provided. If you are able, please bring a dish to pass.

Save for This Year’s Garage Sale

Every two years in the spring, we hold an all-Fellowship garage sale with profits dedicated to a variety of projects. As you are doing any spring housecleaning and come across items you could donate, please hold on to them for the mid-June sale. If you have questions, please contact Norma Bailey (989.560.3952; [email protected]).

Statewide LGBTQ+ Advocacy Day

Kelly Lawson and Sierra Burke are planning on attending the Statewide LGBTQ+ Advocacy Day in Lansing on Wednesday, May 14. Please contact Kelly ([email protected]) or Sierra ([email protected]) to arrange for carpooling. See information in Community News.

Happy Birthday

In May, we celebrate the birthdays of Nancy Roeder, Felix Jones, Cynthia Damer, Kate Swier, Jodi Fisher, Rob Peters, Larry Hall, Hal Downs, Helenan Cavalieri, Phoenix Thompson, and Mary Alsager. For the year to come, we wish them much joy, good health for body and mind, and new (ad)ventures. May it be so.

“We Believe…” Yard Signs for Sale

We still have a few yard signs for people to purchase with “We believe..” on them. The signs (with metal stands) sell for $12 each. If you wish to purchase one, please give Norma Bailey $12 in cash or a check written out to UUFCM, with yard sign in the memo line.

Scam Alert

Several congregants have received emails and texts purportedly from UUFCM leadership. If you receive a message that seems suspicious, please remember that we would never solicit money or ask for help in this way, and do not respond to the message.
Read more here.

Do Something MORE!

In the February 23 sermon “Protest and Persist: Giving Up Hope Is Not an Option,” Norma Bailey mentioned several actions that each of us could take to help make a difference.

Continue to participate in the April 21-27 General Mills boycott.
Sign up for our Social Justice Interest Survey if you haven’t already – to receive alerts about petitions to sign, members of Congress to call or email, both federal and state.
Put these people into your phone contacts and make at least one phone call or text every day. They keep track of how many calls/messages they receive.
- Senator Gary Peters (202-224-6221)
- Senator Elissa Slotkin (202-224-4822)
- US House Representative John Moolenaar (202-225-3561)
- Michigan Senator Roger Hauck (517-373-1760)
- Michigan State House Representative Jerry Neyer (517-373-2646)
Particularly speak up against the SAVE Act (federal) and HJR B (state) which are being debated and ultimately voted on in the US Congress and in our state legislature. These would require documentary proof in person to register (or reregister if you move) to vote! The SAVE Act is being voted on in the Senate soon. Call Senators Peters and Slotkin!

• • • Community News • • •

The Resistance Network

Recently, the UUSC (Unitarian Universalist Service Committee) launched the Resistance Network—a mobilization hub designed to take immediate action when civil liberties, democracy, and human rights are at risk. The threats we face are vast, but history shows us that resistance works when we act together. The Resistance Network is an opportunity to live our values as Unitarian Universalists and take collective action.

Research Webinar: A Difficult Story-Understanding Indian Boarding Schools in Michigan - Tuesday, April 29

Join us for a powerful webinar focused on the history and lasting impact of Indian boarding schools in the state of Michigan. This virtual event will feature a special guest speaker, Dr. Eric Hemenway, Director of Repatriation, Archives, and Records for the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians of Waganakising, who will share insights, stories, and reflections that illuminate this critical chapter in our shared history.

This is a unique opportunity to reflect, learn, and engage with this important part of history. Whether you're a student, educator, community member, or simply curious, we invite you to be part of the conversation.

Date: Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Time: 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Location: Zoom

Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_EaOIqS5VTl-VKKUTYQb4uA#/registration

Statewide LGBTQ+ Advocacy Day

Date: May 14, 2025
Location: Lansing
Join Equality Michigan and the Michigan LGBTQ+ Commission on Wednesday, May 14, for Capitol Day in Lansing. This is your opportunity to speak face to face with lawmakers about the issues that matter most to our community - from healthcare access to safety and equality for all.

This is our most important Capitol Day yet. Our elected officials need to hear from you. They need to know that protecting trans people from dangerous political attacks is imperative, and we will not back down.

Every voice must be heard, and LGBTQ+ people from every district across Michigan must be represented. Click here to sign up now.

Special Election for City Commission in August

Want to run for City Commission? Know someone who should run? The City of Mt. Pleasant will have a special election to choose a new commissioner on August 5. Nominating packets are available at the City Clerk's office (320 W. Broadway Street). The filing deadline is 4pm on Tuesday, April 22.

Donate Now!

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Michigan is funded solely by its members and friends.

For your convenience, you can make a donation electronically with the button below, or via the GivePlus Church App. Please consider the option of offsetting the cost to the Fellowship for providing the convenience of making an online donation.

If you prefer not to donate electronically, you may also write a check payable to UUFCM and send it to: UUFCM, P.O. Box 41, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48804-0041

Got News?
The deadline for submissions to
the Order of Service Insert and the UUFCM weekly eNews
is Tuesday at 5:00 p.m.
Please send all submissions to [email protected].

Drew’s Contact Information

Please contact Drew via email, phone, or text.
[email protected]
Phone/text: 440-935-0129
Office Hours (in person and/or Zoom):
Tuesdays 10am-noon
Wednesdays 1-3pm and 8-9pm
Office Hours Zoom Link

UUFCM Board of Trustees for 2024-2025
President: Aaron Jones (989.501.0672; [email protected])
President-Elect: Norma Bailey (989.560.3952; [email protected])
Treasurer: Terrie Robbie (989.400.2495; [email protected])
Secretary: Laurie Meadows (989.317.8299; [email protected])
Trustee: Annette Pratt (989.400.0173; [email protected])
Trustee: Monica Jean (616.443.8782; [email protected])
Trustee: David Allan (989.941.7349; [email protected])

Team and Committee Leaders

Adult Religious Education Team - Jodi Fisher
Building, Grounds & Safety Team - Norma Bailey
Caring Team - Laura McBride
Communications Coordinating Team - Jessica Jernigan and M onica Jean
Fellowship Life Coordinating Team - Gisela Moffit
Membership - Laura McBride
Welcome & Hospitality - Gisela Moffit
Social Fun - Jen Prout
Social Justice Coordinating Team - Norma Bailey
Worship Team - Drew Frantz
Youth Religious Education (RE) Team - Norma Bailey

We are a religious community guided by love, transforming our lives and our world.

Copyright © 2024 Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Michigan. All rights reserved.

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

eNews for Thursday, April 10

4/10/2025

View this email in your browser

eNews for Thursday, April 10

UUFCM Banner a Great Success!

Our paint and pizza party to paint our UUFCM banner to hang in downtown Mt. Pleasant was a great success! We painted, ate pizza, painted some more, and finished our masterpiece in record time! Great thanks to Darlene Ritchie for designing our banner and organizing our work and to everyone who painted!

Worship Matters

We will gather online via Zoom and in person this Sunday, April 13, to worship with Rev. Drew Frantz, who will present "Joy in Times of Crisis". The Zoom call starts at 10:00am for social time, and the service starts at 10:30am.

"The nation and the world are in a moment of economic, political and social crisis. The attacks on institutions and people are overwhelming in their speed and brazen-ness. Acting on our values of love, justice and equity, we are called to resist authoritarianism and to protect ourselves and others. And a necessary, if surprising, component of that resistance is Joy. Joy connects us and reminds us of what we’re fighting for. Let’s support one another and share both our outrage and our Joy."

Zoom Invitation for Sunday Service:
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 402489218

One tap mobile
+16468769923,,402489218#
Phone - audio only
+1 646 876 9923

Upcoming Services

April 13 - Joy in Times of Crisis
April 20 - Springtime Joy

In Case You Missed It...

Many past sermons are available on our website under Sermon Videos and Archives. Here are links to more recent sermons.

"Generosity" - March 16, by Rev. Drew Frantz
"Lessons From Grief" - March 9, by Rev. Drew Frantz

In order to access any services 2024 on, go to the website and click on Worship, then Sunday Services.

Minister’s Column

On Sunday we had our stewardship luncheon, one purpose of which was to ask people in the congregation how much money they are willing to pledge in support of the Fellowship for next year. Unfortunately, this event followed some of the worst economic news we have seen in a while. Some of us are seeing the tanking stock market and worrying about our retirement savings; others are uncertain about keeping their jobs in the government.

Read the column here.

Upcoming Events

Most meetings and events are hybrid (in-person/Zoom). Please contact the event or meeting leader if you are not sure. Event and meeting details and links can be found on the UUFCM Calendar.

A Joyful Noise Choir Rehearsal - Wednesdays at 7pm
Central Michigan Sangha - Tuesdays at 6:45pm
Crafty U - 3rd Tuesdays at 10:30am
First Friday Potluck - First Fridays at 6:30pm
Game Night - 3rd Mondays at 7pm
Movie Night - 4th Saturdays at 7pm
Readers Theater - 2nd Tuesdays at 7pm
Soul Matters Discussion Group - 4th Thursdays at 6:30pm
UU Discussion Group - Wednesdays at 10am
UUFCM Men’s Group - 1st Mondays at 7pm on Zoom
UUFCM Women's Circle - On hiatus until further notice
Welcome to UU Orientation - 4th Sundays at 12:00pm

Team Meetings
Communications Team - Thursday, April 10, at 6:30pm
Worship Team - Thursday, April 10, at 7:00pm
Board of Trustees - Sunday, April 13, at 1:00pm
Youth RE Team - Sunday, April 13, at 4:30pm
Social Justice Team - Monday, April 14, at 7:00pm

Stewardship Campaign 2025

Our stewardship campaign began with our stewardship luncheon on Sunday, April 6! Thirty-one pledges have already been turned in, so we have gotten off to a great start!

We mailed the other stewardship packets on Monday, April 7, so you should have received yours by now with explanations and directions about how to make your pledge as well as explain our interesting incentives - incentives to turn in your pledge form early, increase your pledge amount, and/or pledge for the first time! There is also a new volunteer form to let us know ways in which you would like to share your time and talents.

Please be sure to read the materials right away and take action. If you have questions, contact anyone on the Stewardship Committee - Norma Bailey, Cynthia Damer, Drew Frantz, Jim Moreno, and Daria Kingman.

Building Your Own Theology Class - THIS Sunday, April 13

This class, led by Jim Dealing and Rev. Drew, continues with classes April 13, and again in May. Participants should receive a detailed email with the assignments. Please contact Jim or Drew with any questions..

Authentic Selves Discussion Group - Tuesday, April 15

We are doing a book discussion group for the UUA common read book Authentic Selves: Celebrating Trans and Nonbinary People and Their Families. If you missed the previous sessions, you can get the material from Rev. Drew or from the UUA website. Please join us for the next session, Tuesday, April 15, at 7:00pm in the Fellowship Hall.

“We Believe…” Yard Signs for Sale

At the all-congregations retreat in January, it was suggested that we be able to offer yard signs for people to purchase with “We believe..” on them. The Social Justice Coordinating Team has ordered 20 signs (with metal stands) to sell for $12 each. They are available until all are sold. If you wish to purchase one, please give Norma Bailey $12 in cash or a check written out to UUFCM, with yard sign in the memo line.

2025-2026 UUFCM Board of Trustees Candidates & Proposed Bylaws Changes

Our fellowship’s Bylaws outline the process for selecting the slate of candidates for next year’s Board. If you’re unfamiliar with the nominating procedures, please refer to Articles 9.2, 9.2.1, and 9.2.2 in the current UUFCM Bylaws.

This year’s Nominating Committee consists of Annette Pratt (chair), Aaron Jones, and Jim Moreno. The committee is pleased to present the following slate of candidates for the open Board positions:

• President-Elect: Guy Newland

• Secretary: Jennifer Davis

• Trustee At Large (Two-Year Term): Jennifer Prout

• Trustee At Large (One-Year Term): Marco Muñoz-Fortino

We sincerely thank these individuals for their willingness to serve and encourage all members to consider future opportunities to join the Board.

Alternative Nominating Procedure
If you or another member would like to add a nominee for any of these positions, you may do so through the Alternative Nominating Procedure (see Bylaws section 9.2.1). To submit a nomination, send a petition signed (electronically or handwritten) by three members supporting the nominee to Annette Pratt ([email protected]) and CC President Aaron Jones ([email protected]) no later than Sunday, April 13. Please ensure the nominee has given their consent before submission.

Please note: All elected candidates will begin their terms on July 1 and serve through June 30 of the appropriate term length, as outlined in the Bylaws. Additionally, nominations from the floor will not be accepted at the annual meeting. If you wish to nominate someone not listed above, please follow the Alternative Nominating Procedure.

Bylaws Amendments
In addition to Board elections, we will discuss proposed Bylaws changes at the annual meeting. Please review the proposed amendments here before the meeting.

This year’s annual meeting will be held after service on Sunday, May 18. Elections for Board officers and Bylaws amendments will take place electronically in the days following the annual meeting.

Thank you for your engagement in this very important process!

Aaron Jones
UUFCM Board President
[email protected]

Town Hall and Spring Clean-up Information - Saturday, April 26

Town Hall (10:00am-12:00pm in the Sanctuary)
Recently, Drew was approached by someone interested in joining our Fellowship who disclosed that they are on the sex offender registry. Drew immediately reached out to our President, Aaron Jones, and President Elect, Norma Bailey, to discuss the situation. After careful consideration, it was decided that this person should not attend the Fellowship until we have a formal policy in place.

At the next Board meeting, the issue was addressed, and a path forward was established. Recognizing that children’s safety is a priority for us all, Drew reached out to parents to keep them informed. The Board formed a special Safe Congregation Team to develop a policy framework on this matter. To ensure we are handling this responsibly, both Drew and the Board have sought guidance from Lisa Presley of the UUA Mid-America Region.

As part of this process, it was recommended that we hold a special town hall event to present the proposed policy and invite input from the congregation. This event will take place on Saturday, April 26th, at 10:00 AM in the Sanctuary. We encourage everyone to attend, share their thoughts, and be part of this important conversation.

Please contact Rev. Drew with any questions about this matter. He will share what he can within the bounds of confidentiality.

Lunch (12:00-1:00pm in the Fellowship Hall)

Spring Clean-Up (1:00pm-3:00pm Outdoors)
Every year in the spring we have a spring clean-up where we spruce up the outside of our building! We’ll pick up sticks, rake, weed, edge sidewalks, trim bushes, get the hoses out, and wash windows, so please bring rakes, gloves, weeding tools, and clippers; we’ll provide the other materials.

Save the Date – Live Concert Coming to UUFCM!

Live music is coming to the UUFCM sanctuary on Saturday, April 19, at 7:00 pm! The concert features “A Simple Thing,” a local indie folk-Americana trio made up of Daniel Davis, Claire Lester, and Chris Olson playing a mix of original songs and favorite covers. This event is a fundraiser to benefit the UU Fellowship, so come out and support a great cause!

Do Something MORE!

In the February 23 sermon “Protest and Persist: Giving Up Hope Is Not an Option,” Norma Bailey mentioned several actions that each of us could take to help make a difference. Here are some repeats and additional ones in blue:

Join 5 Calls (www.5calls.org), either in your email or in an app on your phone. Enter your zip code; then you are given a list of current issues to choose from about which you may wish to contact your representatives. For each, you get an explanation about the current status of the issues, a script to use to speak to your representative, and contact information for each person to contact. Several of our local UUs are using this very successfully.
Continue to boycott Target, Amazon and Nestles’s, and participate in the April 7-14 Walmart boycott.
Participate in the Stop the Save Act rally on Saturday, April 12, 10:00 – 12:00 in Lansing. More information is in the Community News.
Sign up for our Social Justice Interest Survey if you haven’t already – to receive alerts about petitions to sign, members of Congress to call or email, both federal and state.
Put these people into your phone contacts and make at least one phone call or text every day. They keep track of how many calls/messages they receive.
- Senator Gary Peters (202-224-6221)
- Senator Elissa Slotkin (202-224-4822)
- US House Representative John Moolenaar (202-225-3561)
- Michigan Senator Roger Hauck (517-373-1760)
- Michigan State House Representative Jerry Neyer (517-373-2646)
Particularly speak up against the SAVE Act (federal) and HJR B (state) which are being debated and ultimately voted on in the US Congress and in our state legislature. These would require documentary proof in person to register (or reregister if you move) to vote! The SAVE Act is being voted on in the House of Representatives this week! Call John Moolenaar! 202-225-3561

• • • Community News • • •

2025 Earth Day Celebration - Tuesday, April 22

Everyone’s invited! EARTH DAY CELEBRATION 2025 will be held Tuesday, April 22, 11:00am to 4:00pm at the Farmers Market Pavilion in Island Park. Oodles of information, giveaways, and fun activities for all ages sponsored by Central Michigan Sustainability Partners and DTE.

Stop the SAVE Act District Office Rally - Saturday, April 12

John Moolenar's Caledonia Office
Saturday, April 12, at 10:00am

Anti-voter lawmakers in the US House or Representatives have introduced legislation to restrict the ability of eligible American citizens to register to vote by introducing oppressive new identification requirements.

The federal SAVE Act (H.R. 22) would require documentary proof of citizenship, creating chaos in our elections while blocking eligible voters from voting.

Millions of Michiganders voted to make voter registration and elections more accessible for eligible Michigan citizens in 2018 and 2022. We can not allow Washington D.C. politics and intentional election fearmongering to take over our state’s elections and disenfranchise Michigan voters.

Come to Representative John Moolenaar's district office in Caledonia and rally to urge them to vote NO on the SAVE Act! Sign up here!

Community Conversation: Get the Facts About School Funding - Wednesday, April 16

All In for Isabella County is hosting a Community Conversation: Get the Facts About School Funding on Wednesday, April 16 at 6:00-7:30PM at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Michigan. The goal is for attendees to leave with accurate information about the millage renewal that they can share with friends and neighbors. Superintendent Jennifer Verleger, Chief Financial Officer Ginger Faber, and Assistant Superintendent Linda Boyd will be there to share the details and answer any questions participants might have.

Capitol Day - Wednesday, April 23

Communities Over Corporations
Organized by Michigan United and Partners - including Michigan UU Social Justice Network

Working families are under attack -- from Lansing to D.C. -- and we must fight back. We're calling UUs from across Michigan to join together at the State Capitol to demand a government that puts people over profit. Issues we're fighting for: taxing wealth, getting big money out of politics, universal healthcare, reproductive freedom, defending voter rights.

Formal programming from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm:
·  Lobby meetings with key policymakers
·  A youth panel
·  A rally to demonstrate our power and solidarity

Click here to let us know you're going. Watch for further information about meet-up points, messaging for conversations with policymakers, signs for the rally, parking, and other logistics. Click here to access Michigan United's website for this event.

Get Involved in Local Governance

We all know that national and state politics have an impact on our lives, but a single voice can make a huge difference at the local level! Consider adding some of these upcoming meetings to your calendar. Use public comment if you have something to say. Even if you choose not to speak, your presence lets our elected representatives know that we are engaged and listening.

· Monday, April 14: Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting: 7pm in the City Commission Chambers, Mt. Pleasant City Hall, 320 W. Broadway.

· Tuesday, April 15: Isabella County Board of Commissioners Meeting: 5pm in Conference Room A, Isabella County Commission on Aging, 2200 S Lincoln Rd, Mt Pleasant

· Monday, April 21: MPPS Sex Ed Advisory Board Meeting: 5pm in the Media Center, Mt. Pleasant High School, 1155 S Elizabeth St, Mt Pleasant

· Monday, April 21: Mt. Pleasant Public Schools Board of Education Meeting, 6:30pm in the cafeteria, Mt. Pleasant High School, 1155 S Elizabeth St, Mt Pleasant

Special Election for City Commission in August

2025 Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Calendar of Events

Scam Alert

Donate Now!

If you prefer not to donate electronically, you may also write a check payable to UUFCM and send it to: UUFCM, P.O. Box 41, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48804-0041

Got News?
The deadline for submissions to
the Order of Service Insert and the UUFCM weekly eNews
is Tuesday at 5:00 p.m.
Please send all submissions to [email protected].

Drew’s Contact Information

Team and Committee Leaders

We are a religious community guided by love, transforming our lives and our world.

eNews for Thursday, April 3

4/3/2025

View this email in your browser

eNews for Thursday, April 3

Worship Matters

We will gather online via Zoom and in person this Sunday, April 6, to worship with Rev. Drew Frantz, who will present "The Practice of Joy." The Zoom call starts at 10:00am for social time, and the service starts at 10:30am.

"Joy is an important part of human life, allowing us to survive and thrive–and giving meaning and purpose to our days. At times Joy arrives unbidden and unexpected, but we can also increase our joy by seeking it and making time for it."

Zoom Invitation for Sunday Service:
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 402489218

One tap mobile
+16468769923,,402489218#
Phone - audio only
+1 646 876 9923

Upcoming Services

April 6 - The Practice of Joy
April 13 - Joy in Times of Crisis
April 20 - Springtime Joy

In Case You Missed It...

Many past sermons are available on our website under Sermon Videos and Archives. Here are links to more recent sermons.

"Lessons From Grief" - March 9, by Rev. Drew Frantz

In order to access any services 2024 on, go to the website and click on Worship, then Sunday Services.

Minister’s Column

As I write this column, it is April Fool’s Day. I enjoyed this day as a kid: my family played pranks on one another such as adding food coloring to the milk and rigging the kitchen faucet so that the sprayer sprayed when the water was turned on. Today I am not telling jokes or playing tricks, but I am embracing Joy. For ten months from September to June, we have a monthly theme that we follow (sometimes more, sometimes less) for worship and for small group ministry. The theme for April is Joy, and I am all in.

Read the column here.

Upcoming Events

Most meetings and events are hybrid (in-person/Zoom). Please contact the event or meeting leader if you are not sure. Event and meeting details and links can be found on the UUFCM Calendar.

A Joyful Noise Choir Rehearsal - Wednesdays at 7pm
Central Michigan Sangha - Tuesdays at 6:45pm
Crafty U - 3rd Tuesdays at 10:30am
First Friday Potluck - First Fridays at 6:30pm
Game Night - 3rd Mondays at 7pm
Movie Night - 4th Saturdays at 7pm
Readers Theater - 2nd Tuesdays at 7pm
Soul Matters Discussion Group - 4th Thursdays at 6:30pm
UU Discussion Group - Wednesdays at 10am
UUFCM Men’s Group - 1st Mondays at 7pm on Zoom
UUFCM Women's Circle - 3rd Thursdays at 7pm
Welcome to UU Orientation - 4th Sundays at 12:00pm

Team Meetings
Coordinating Team - Sunday, April 6, after Luncheon
Building Team - Monday, April 7, at 5:30pm
Communications Team - Thursday, April 10, at 6:30pm
Worship Team - Thursday, April 10, at 7:00pm

First Friday Potluck – THIS Friday, April 4

Paint and Pizza! – THIS Saturday, April 5

Once again, UUFCM will paint and have a banner hung in the Mt. Pleasant downtown area this year. Please join us in a paint and pizza party on Saturday, April 5, at 2:30pm in the Fellowship Hall to paint our banner. Children and adults are welcome, but do wear paint clothes! See Norma Bailey ([email protected]) or Darlene Ritchie ([email protected]) for more information.

Infant Pantry Collection – THIS Sunday, April 6

Donations for the Infant Pantry are collected on the first Sunday of each month. You can donate online to the Monthly Donations for Infant Pantry on our website, or checks can be sent to our treasurer made out to UUFCM with Infant Pantry in the memo. Questions? Contact Tom Moffit (989-772-1602; [email protected]). Thank you in advance for your generosity.

Stewardship Luncheon: Eat, Pledge, Love THIS Sunday, April 6 (no coffee hour!)

You are all invited to our Stewardship Luncheon – Eat, Pledge, Love – right after the worship service on Sunday, April 6. Each of you, whether you choose to pledge or not, will be contacted by one of the ten groups leaders to invite you to join us. Our plan is to eat lunch and visit in small groups about our theme “Courageous Love, Bold Generosity” and learn about how to pledge and/or volunteer to support our Fellowship. We will also do some brainstorming ideas about what we could do if UUFCM had more money or more time. For those who are unable to attend, we will send out your pledge packets (budget, pledge guidance, forms, etc.) on April 7. We hope you are able to join us for this important function in our church year!

“We Believe…” Yard Signs for Sale

Happy Birthday!

In April, we celebrate the birthdays of Annie Peters, Sierra Burke, Sandra Wickstrom, Isla Heumann (Jensen), J Main, Derrick Moore, Rick Messick, Chris Bauerle, Drew Frantz, Katie Fisher, Kurt Roeder, Eliana Daum, and Brigitte Bechtold. For the year to come, we wish them much joy, good health for body and mind, and new (ad)ventures. May it be so.

2025-2026 UUFCM Board of Trustees Candidates & Proposed Bylaws Changes

This year’s Nominating Committee consists of Annette Pratt (chair), Aaron Jones, and Jim Moreno. The committee is pleased to present the following slate of candidates for the open Board positions:

• President-Elect: Guy Newland

• Secretary: Jennifer Davis

• Trustee At Large (Two-Year Term): Jennifer Prout

• Trustee At Large (One-Year Term): Marco Muñoz-Fortino

We sincerely thank these individuals for their willingness to serve and encourage all members to consider future opportunities to join the Board.

Bylaws Amendments
In addition to Board elections, we will discuss proposed Bylaws changes at the annual meeting. Please review the proposed amendments here before the meeting.

Thank you for your engagement in this very important process!

Aaron Jones
UUFCM Board President
[email protected]

Town Hall and Spring Clean-up Information - Saturday, April 26

Save the Date – Live Concert Coming to UUFCM!

General Assembly Funds Available

General Assembly (GA), the annual national gathering of our Unitarian Universalist Association, will be held in Baltimore, June 18-22 this year, as well as held virtually (www.uua.org/ga). We have some leadership development funds available to help support attendance at the General Assembly. If you are interested, contact our Board president Aaron Jones ([email protected]).

Do Something MORE!

Join 5 Calls (www.5calls.org), either in your email or in an app on your phone. Enter your zip code; then you are given a list of current issues to choose from about which you may wish to contact your representatives. For each, you get an explanation about the current status of the issues, a script to use to speak to your representative, and contact information for each person to contact. Several of our local UUs are using this very successfully.
Continue to boycott Target, Amazon and Nestles’s, and participate in the April 7-14 Walmart boycott.
Participate in the Hands Off! Rally on Saturday, April 5, 12:00 – 2:30 in Island Park. More information is in the Community News.
Sign up for our Social Justice Interest Survey if you haven’t already – to receive alerts about petitions to sign, members of Congress to call or email, both federal and state.
Put these people into your phone contacts and make at least one phone call or text every day. They keep track of how many calls/messages they receive.
- Senator Gary Peters (202-224-6221)
- Senator Elissa Slotkin (202-224-4822)
- US House Representative John Moolenaar (202-225-3561)
- Michigan Senator Roger Hauck (517-373-1760)
- Michigan State House Representative Jerry Neyer (517-373-2646)
Particularly speak up against the SAVE Act (federal) and HJR B (state) which are being debated and ultimately voted on in the US Congress and in our state legislature. These would require documentary proof in person to register (or reregister if you move) to vote! The SAVE Act is being voted on in the House of Representatives this week! Call John Moolenaar! 202-225-3561

• • • Community News • • •

Hands Off! Central Michigan Fights Back!

Saturday, April 5 - Island Park, Mt Pleasant, MI
12:00 PM — 2:30pm
https://handsoff2025.com/

2025 Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Calendar of Events

Scam Alert

Donate Now!

If you prefer not to donate electronically, you may also write a check payable to UUFCM and send it to: UUFCM, P.O. Box 41, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48804-0041

Got News?
The deadline for submissions to
the Order of Service Insert and the UUFCM weekly eNews
is Tuesday at 5:00 p.m.
Please send all submissions to [email protected].

Drew’s Contact Information

Team and Committee Leaders

We are a religious community guided by love, transforming our lives and our world.