eNews for Thursday, August 31

8/31/2023

eNews for Thursday, August 31

Worship Matters

We will gather online via Zoom and in person this Sunday, September 3, to worship together with Norma Bailey, who will present Rev. Dr. David Breeden's "Putting 'Labor' Back in Labor Day." The Zoom call starts at 10:00am for social time, and the service starts at 10:30am.

"On this Labor Day, 2023, come hear the words of the Rev. Dr. David Breeden as he posits that the most effective anti-poverty program this nation has ever had is labor unions AND that our Unitarian Universalist faith needs to clearly get on the side of justice for the civil rights issue of our time, fighting to create a fair and equitable economy."

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
September 3: Putting “Labor” Back in Labor Day
September 10: The Gift of Welcome
September 17: Honoring Rosh Hashanah

If you happen to miss being in worship, please check out our website sermon archive for sermon video and/or text.

Minister’s Column

I saw James Taylor perform an outdoor concert last weekend at the Soaring Eagle Casino here in Mount Pleasant. It was an evening full of beauty, nostalgia, and meaning. There was beauty in the setting, seated on the grass with a family-friendly crowd on a lovely night with the sun setting and the moon in the sky. And there was beauty in the musical performance of James Taylor and every member of his band.

Read more 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.

- Welcome to UU Orientation - Last Sundays at 12:30pm
- UUFCM Men’s Group - 1st Mondays at 7pm on Zoom
- Game Night - 3rd Mondays at 7pm
- Central Michigan Sangha - Tuesdays at 6:45pm
- UU Discussion Group - Wednesdays at 10am
- Choir Rehearsal - Wednesdays at 7pm
- Drawing Workshop - 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 10am
- First Friday Potluck - First Fridays at 6:30pm (This week)
- Movie Night - 4th Saturdays at 7pm (September Date Change - September 16)

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
Coordinating Team - Sunday, September 3 at 1:00pm (Note: new time)
Building Team - Tuesday, September 5 at 6:00pm
Worship Team - Tuesday, September 5 at 7:00pm

If you are interested in helping any of these teams or committees, please fill out the Volunteer Opportunity Form if you haven’t already.

First Friday Potluck – September 1

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.

Happy Birthday!

In September, we celebrate the birthdays of Jolie Damer-Daigle, David Wagstaff, Carol Messick, Gisela Moffit, Jane Douglas, John Campbell, and Mairi Devenney. For the year to come, we wish them much joy, good health for body and mind, and new (ad)ventures. May it be so.

Updating Our Birthday Calendar

We noticed that we don't have the birthdays of several adults and children on our birthday calendar. Can you help us bring it up to date? Please check the calendar to see if you and your children are listed. If you want to add your birthdays, please send them to Gisela by Sunday, September 17th. Then we can sing to you on the First Friday Potluck of your month.

Movie Night - September 16 New Date - September Only

Academy Award-winning director Francis Ford Coppola presents My Family (Mi Familia), a powerful, three-generation saga of the Sanchez family, as told by the oldest son. From his father’s journey to California in the 1920s, to his brother’s tragic rebellion in the 1950s, to the stark realities of modern day, his family struggles to live the American dream. Come join us in the Fellowship Hall on Saturday, September 16, at 7:00 pm to view this generational epic.

Small Group Starting in September

Monthly meeting based on themes from Soul Matters

As announced from the pulpit last Sunday, Rev. Drew will be leading a monthly small group starting in September. The small group will meet for two hours toward the end of the month. At the beginning of the month, participants will get a packet of activities and questions related to the monthly theme. These themes are published by a UU group called Soul Matters and are the same themes that we often follow in Sunday worship and in the children’s classes. For example, the theme for September is “Welcome” and some of the questions that the small group will consider include:

Who welcomed you in when you needed it most? How has that gift changed you? What would you say to the person if you had the chance?
What would you tell someone younger than yourself about welcoming in grief?
Have you ever welcomed in a moment so fully that you suddenly felt one with it?
What part of you do you wish your family of origin would have welcomed more enthusiastically?
Do you know what it’s like to encounter a welcome that requires you to remove parts of yourself to belong?
What part of yourself is hardest to welcome in and embrace with compassion: Your vulnerable self? Your flawed self? Your easily frightened self? Your angry self?

If you’re interested in joining the small group….

Download the Soul Matters small group packet for September here. It is 11 pages and contains all the activities and questions for the month.
Let Rev. Drew know that you are interested and what times of the week are good for you–the meeting time will be decided based upon who is attending.

Chris Bailey's Memorial Service

Chris Bailey's Memorial Service will be Saturday, September 23 at 2pm at the Fellowship. After the service, everyone is invited to Cops and Donuts in Mt. Pleasant for snacks and sandwiches.

We hold his wife, Nancy, and everyone who loves Chris in support and love. His full obituary can be found at Clark Funeral Home.

UUFCM is Hiring!

UUFCM is looking to hire a new Director of Religious Education. If you know anyone interested and qualified, please encourage them to apply, as the best employees sometimes are recruited by word of mouth. UUFCM policy states that we usually do not hire members of the congregation to be employees. Applications and inquiries should go to Rev. Drew. The job posting is here and on our website:

Job posting for Director of Religious Education
(6-10 hours per week)

• • • Community News • • •

Water Is Life Festival in Petoskey, MI on September 2

Save the date of September 2, 12pm-9pm, for the Water Is Life Festival at the Festival Park in Petoskey, MI. Come celebrate the Water and our connection to it through music, art and food. For further information - https://www.waterislifefestival.org/

Punk Theology: Spirituality As Resistance Webinar

Webinar presented by Inclusive Justice and MUUSJN on September 7, 2023. Register here!

MI Response To Hate (MIR2H) Conference

The MI Response to Hate Conference, presented by the Michigan Alliance Against Hate Crimes MIAAHC, is an annual statewide conference focused on anti-hate and anti-bias programming. The all-day conference will be held in East Lansing on Thursday, September 14. For further information:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mi-response-to-hate-mir2h-conference-tickets-639420833927

Let Peace Reign!

Save the Date! On September 23, 2023, Isabella County Human Rights Committee will be doing its annual "Let Peace Reign" event. The event starts at approximately 3pm and will last until approximately 6pm. There are going to be a few local artists, musicians, speakers, a drum band, a Peace walk, and other various activities. Come out to Island Park Performance Arts Pavilion and enjoy an afternoon of peace and harmony!

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.

“Deepening Connections”

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 2023-2024
President: Cynthia Damer (989.506.5750; [email protected])
President Elect: Aaron Jones (989.501.0672; [email protected])
Treasurer: Terrie Robbie (989.400.2495; [email protected])
Secretary: Laurie Meadows (989.317.8299; [email protected])
Trustee: Victoria Sladek (989.506.7039; [email protected])
Trustee: Monica Jean (616.443.8782; [email protected])
Trustee: Kevin Daum (989.546.7701; [email protected])

Team and Committee Leaders

Adult Religious Education Team - Jodi Fisher
Building, Grounds & Safety Team - Norma Bailey
Communications Coordinating Team - Amy Voege
Fellowship Life Coordinating Team - Gisela Moffit
Membership - Laura McBride
Arms Around - Gisela Moffit
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 © 2023 Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Michigan. All rights reserved.

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eNews for August 24, 2023

8/24/2023

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eNews for Thursday, August 24

Welcome Back!

Water Ingathering - August 27

The Water Ingathering is a special ritual that marks the beginning of the Fellowship’s year as summer turns towards autumn. Everyone is invited to bring water from a place that’s special to you – either at home or far away – and we pour our water into a common bowl. All are welcome: bring your water if you can.

Worship Matters

We will gather online via Zoom and in person this Sunday, August 27, to worship together with Rev. Drew Frantz, who will present “Water Ingathering." The Zoom call starts at 10:00am for social time, and the service starts at 10:30am.

"The Water Ingathering is a special ritual that marks the beginning of the Fellowship’s year as summer turns towards autumn. Everyone is invited to bring water from a place that’s special to you – either at home or far away – and we pour our water into a common bowl. All are welcome: bring your water if you can."

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
August 27: Water Ingathering
September 3: Putting “Labor” Back in Labor Day

If you happen to miss being in worship, please check out our website sermon archive for sermon video and/or text.

Minister’s Column

On Saturday I had the pleasure of spending the day at Market for the Arts, a delightful community event sponsored by For Arts Sake in downtown Mount Pleasant. The downtown area was blocked off for pedestrians only.

Read more 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.

- Welcome to UU Orientation - Last Sundays at 12:30pm
- UUFCM Men’s Group - 1st Mondays at 7pm on Zoom
- Game Night - 3rd Mondays at 7pm
- Central Michigan Sangha - Tuesdays at 6:45pm
- UU Discussion Group - Wednesdays at 10am
- Choir Rehearsal - Wednesdays at 7pm
- Drawing Workshop - 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 10am
- First Friday Potluck - First Fridays at 6:30pm
- Movie Night - 4th Saturdays at 7pm

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
Communications Team - Monday, August 28 at 7pm

If you are interested in helping any of these teams or committees, please fill out the Volunteer Opportunity Form if you haven’t already.

Small Group Starting in September

Monthly meeting based on themes from Soul Matters

Who welcomed you in when you needed it most? How has that gift changed you? What would you say to the person if you had the chance?
What would you tell someone younger than yourself about welcoming in grief?
Have you ever welcomed in a moment so fully that you suddenly felt one with it?
What part of you do you wish your family of origin would have welcomed more enthusiastically?
Do you know what it’s like to encounter a welcome that requires you to remove parts of yourself to belong?
What part of yourself is hardest to welcome in and embrace with compassion: Your vulnerable self? Your flawed self? Your easily frightened self? Your angry self?

If you’re interested in joining the small group….

Download the Soul Matters small group packet for September here. It is 11 pages and contains all the activities and questions for the month.
Let Rev. Drew know that you are interested and what times of the week are good for you–the meeting time will be decided based upon who is attending.

Movie Night - August 26

Some movies are so timeless many argue a remake could never do it justice. The iconic movie, The Princess Bride, is one such movie. It has a Rotten Tomatoes score of almost 100%. The all-star cast includes Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Billy Crystal, Mandy Patinkin, Wallace Shawn, Fred Savage, Chris Sarandon, Christopher Guest, Andre the Giant, Carol Kane and many more! Join us August 26 at 7:00 in the Fellowship Hall and decide if this hype is deserved.

Welcome to UU Orientation – August 27

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, on the last Sunday at 12:30 pm. Sessions run approximately an hour and a half.

For more info or to register for Welcome to UU, contact: Laura McBride: 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 – September 1

Chris Bailey's Memorial Service

UUFCM is Hiring!

Job posting for Director of Religious Education
(6-10 hours per week)

• • • Community News • • •

"Beyond the Binary: The Genders of God” - TODAY at 3:00 pm

Inclusive Justice of Michigan invites everyone to its next webinar “Beyond the Binary: The Genders of God” on Thursday, August 24 at 3:00 pm. The Rev. Lawrence T. Richardson, a social justice advocate, writer, and pastor at Salem United Church of Christ, will present a fascinating discussion on using gender-expansive language for the Divine. For further information and to register: register for the webinar today!

17^th Annual People’s Traditional Powwow August 26 and 27

All are welcome at the 17^th Annual People’s Traditional Powwow on August 26 and 27 at the Seventh Generation Powwow Grounds at 7957 E. Remus Road. Grand entries 1pm and 7pm on Saturday and 1pm on Sunday. For further information - https://meetmtp.com/event/peoples-traditional-powwow-2/

Water Is Life Festival in Petoskey, MI on September 2

MI Response To Hate (MIR2H) Conference

Let Peace Reign!

Donate Now!

“Deepening Connections”

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 August 17, 2023

8/17/2023

View this email in your browser

eNews for Thursday, August 17

Veggies Picked and Delivered!
On Saturday, August 12, several Youth RE families headed out to the “farm” of George Lentz to pick veggies to donate. We picked tomatoes, kale, chard, cabbages and peppers galore (!), filled a car with boxes and bags to donate, and then enjoyed lemonade and snacks as we visited with George and each other. Thanks to George for welcoming us and to our pickers – Matthew, Elaine and Charles Emerick; Aaron, Katie and Felix Jones; Ben, Carla, grandma and Isla Jensen; and Norma Bailey. Because it was open, all the veggies were delivered to the Food Pantry at the Strickler Center where it will be shared with the Soup Kitchen.

Worship Matters

We will gather online via Zoom and in person this Sunday, August 20, to worship together with Rev. Drew Frantz, who will present “The Power of Questions." The Zoom call starts at 10:00am for social time, and the service starts at 10:30am.

"Unitarian Universalism is a religion that values free thinking and the right of every individual to find for themselves what is right and true and meaningful. We value questions as highly as answers. Indeed, the most important questions in life are those for which the answers are complex, unsure and changing. On this day as we bless students and teachers beginning their new school year, we celebrate questions."

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
August 20: The Power of Questions
August 27: Water Ingathering

If you happen to miss being in worship, please check out our website sermon archive for sermon video and/or text.

Minister’s Column

The weather this summer in Michigan, including today, has been gorgeous. Days with a high around 80 and a low in the 50’s are perfect in my mind. I went out into the yard this morning in my bare feet and the cool dew on the grass was delightful; a bit later I sat on a bench with my coffee and saw the dewdrops, individual droplets shining like gems, perched on the blades of grass.

Read more 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.

- Welcome to UU Orientation - Last Sundays at 12:30pm
- UUFCM Men’s Group - 1st Mondays at 7pm on Zoom
- Game Night - 3rd Mondays at 7pm
- Central Michigan Sangha - Tuesdays at 6:45pm
- UU Discussion Group - Wednesdays at 10am
- Choir Rehearsal - Wednesdays at 7pm
- Drawing Workshop - 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 10am
- First Friday Potluck - First Fridays at 6:30pm
- Movie Night - 4th Saturdays at 7pm

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
Youth RE Team - Sunday, August 20 at 6pm

If you are interested in helping any of these teams or committees, please fill out the Volunteer Opportunity Form if you haven’t already.

School Shoe Drive Donates 28 Pairs to Clothing, INC!

Thank you to everyone who donated a new pair of shoes so that youth might have a new pair on the first day of school.

Social Justice Special Plate Collection - Sunday, August 20

This Sunday, a collection will be taken to support the CCN Food Pantry as the need for food continues to be great for some of our neighbors in our community You can put a donation into the passed plate on Sunday, donate online to the Social Justice Special Plate Collections Fund at our website, or checks can be sent to our treasurer made out to UUFCM with CCN Food Pantry in the memo.

Game Night - August 21 at 7pm

We meet on 3rd Mondays from 7-9pm in the UUFCM social hall and have fun with a variety of games decided by consensus. It is a great opportunity to learn new games and meet people with similar interests! Questions? Contact Jim Dealing at 989.772.0269.

Movie Night - August 26

Welcome Back!

Water Ingathering - August 27

Chris Bailey's Memorial Service

UUFCM is Hiring!

UUFCM is looking to hire a new Director of Religious Education. If you know anyone interested and qualified, please encourage them to apply, as the best employees sometimes are recruited by word of mouth. UUFCM policy states that we usually do not hire members of the congregation to be employees. Applications and inquiries should go to Rev. Drew. The job posting is here and on our website:

Job posting for Director of Religious Education
(6-10 hours per week)

• • • Community News • • •

We Are Invited...

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Midland is hosting a community-wide open house and Family Fun Day on Sunday, August 20 at 1pm. There will be bounce houses, ice cream, fairy hair, face painting, arts & crafts, and much more.

"Beyond the Binary: The Genders of God”

17^th Annual People’s Traditional Powwow August 26 and 27

Water Is Life Festival in Petoskey, MI on September 2

MI Response To Hate (MIR2H) Conference

Let Peace Reign!

Donate Now!

“Deepening Connections”

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 August 10

8/10/2023

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eNews for Thursday, August 10

Third Annual UUFCM Picnic a Great Success!

Despite the all-day rain, our third annual UUFCM picnic was a great success! The pavilion offered protection from the rain (although our dedicated cooks got drenched cooking the dogs and burgers!), and the food and conversation were wonderful! Thanks so very much to Kris Los, Annette Pratt and Jen Prout for planning and providing the basics! It was a special treat that several people from the Midland church joined us; it was good to get to know one another!

Worship Matters

We will gather online via Zoom and in person this Sunday, August 13, to worship together with Rev. Drew Frantz, who will present “Worship and Tie-Dye: Lessons from a UU Summer Camp." The Zoom call starts at 10:00am for social time, and the service starts at 10:30am.

"What happens when hundreds of Unitarian Universalists gather for an all-ages summer camp? Wisdom, joy, challenging new ideas, abundant love, and lots of tie-dye. Summer Institute last month in Pennsylvania offered all of these gifts, and a strong experience of community-building and community-strengthening."

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
August 13: Worship and Tie-Dye: Lessons from a UU Summer Camp
August 20: TBD
August 27: Water Ingathering

If you happen to miss being in worship, please check out our website sermon archive for sermon video and/or text.

Minister’s Column

I returned yesterday from summer vacation. In addition to family visits, gardening, and trips to
the beach, I made time for a weekend men’s retreat. This retreat is called Path to Spirit Warrior
and this year I was one of the guides.

Read more 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.

- Welcome to UU Orientation - Last Sundays at 12:30pm
- UUFCM Men’s Group - 1st Mondays at 7pm on Zoom
- Game Night - 3rd Mondays at 7pm
- Central Michigan Sangha - Tuesdays at 6:45pm
- UU Discussion Group - Wednesdays at 10am
- Choir Rehearsal - Wednesdays at 7pm
- Drawing Workshop - 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 10am
- First Friday Potluck - First Fridays at 6:30pm
- Movie Night - 4th Saturdays at 7pm

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
Board of Trustees - Sunday, August 13 at 1pm
Social Justice Coordinating Team - August 14 at 7pm

If you are interested in helping any of these teams or committees, please fill out the Volunteer Opportunity Form if you haven’t already.

Summer Schedule Ends This Weekend!

Final Simplified Worship

This Sunday is our final simplified worship led by Rev. Drew Frantz. Childcare and activities will be provided.

Water Ingathering - August 27
The Water Ingathering is a special ritual that marks the beginning of the Fellowship’s year as summer turns towards autumn. Everyone is invited to bring water from a place that’s special to you – either at home or far away – and we pour our water into a common bowl. All are welcome: bring your water if you can.

Picking Vegetables at George's "Farm!" This Saturday!

The Youth RE program is inviting all young people to pick vegetables for the Soup Kitchen at the “farm” of George Lentz on Saturday, August 12. We’ll meet at the church at 9:00am, car pool out together, pick veggies, and have lemonade and snacks together. Please let any member of the Youth RE team know if you plan to join us – Norma Bailey, Carla Jensen, Jennifer Davis and Monica Jean.

Movie Night - August 26

Chris Bailey's Memorial Service

Our Building Is Looking Good!

A tremendous thanks to Darlene Ritchie for all the work she has done to make the Wisconsin Street side of our building so beautiful! The flowers are gorgeous! As an aside, the youth garden with its potato plants is looking good, too. What fun for the children this fall when the potatoes will be ready to be dug up!

Adult RE Fall Classes

The Adult RE Team is thinking about hosting another "Building Your Own Theology" class series if there is enough interest. Would you like to attend this series, possibly offered in the fall? If so, please email Jim Dealing at [email protected] or Jodi Fisher at [email protected].

UUFCM is Hiring!

Job posting for Director of Religious Education
(6-10 hours per week starting August 15)

• • • Community News • • •

"Beyond the Binary: The Genders of God”

MI Response To Hate (MIR2H) Conference

"Sound of Freedom" - Recommended Movie

Jennifer Davis and Norma Bailey highly recommend the movie “Sound of Freedom,” now showing at Celebration Cinema. “Sound of Freedom” is the amazing true story of Tim Ballard, a former U.S. government agent, who quit his job in order to devote his life to rescuing children from global sex traffickers. The link to the trailer is below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rt0kp4VW1cI

Donate Now!

“Deepening Connections”

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, August 3, 2023

8/3/2023

View this email in your browser

eNews for Thursday, August 3

Worship Matters

We will gather online via Zoom and in person this Sunday, August 6, to worship together with Jessica Jernigan, who will present “First Harvest." The Zoom call starts at 10:00am for social time, and the service starts at 10:30am.

"We have just passed the midway point between the Summer Solstice and the Fall Equinox. This is a good time to pause and reflect on the gifts of the season, those we've worked for and those we've received as gifts. What are you gathering now?"

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
August 6: First Harvest
August 13: TBD
August 20: TBD
August 27: TBD

If you happen to miss being in worship, please check out our website sermon archive for sermon video and/or text.

Minister on Study Leave

Rev. Drew will be on vacation and will be back in the office on August 8. During this time off from regular duties, Drew is still available for urgent business as needed. Texting 440-935-0129 is the best way to reach Rev. Drew.

Minister’s Column

There is no minister’s column this week because Rev. Drew is away on vacation. He will be back in the office on August 8.

Read previous columns 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.

- Sunday Worship - Summer Worship Series through August 13
- Welcome to UU Orientation - Last Sundays at 12:30pm
- UUFCM Men’s Group - 1st Mondays at 7pm on Zoom
- Game Night - 3rd Mondays at 7pm
- Central Michigan Sangha - Tuesdays at 6:45pm
- UU Discussion Group - Wednesdays at 10am
- Choir Rehearsal - Wednesdays at 7pm
- Drawing Workshop - 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 10am
- First Friday Potluck - First Fridays at 6:30pm
- Movie Night - 4th Saturdays at 7pm

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
Worship Team - August 8 at 7pm

If you are interested in helping any of these teams or committees, please fill out the Volunteer Opportunity Form if you haven’t already.

Summer Schedule

Simplified Worship

Welcome to summer! Through August 13, Sunday morning services will be slightly simpler with no choir and no children’s story. However, childcare and activities will be provided. Six services during the summer will be led by lay worship leaders Laura McBride, Norma Bailey and Jessica Jernigan; two will be led by Rev. Drew Frantz.

Minister’s Time Off

Rev. Drew takes six weeks of time off during the summer months, and is also away for a full week at General Assembly. He will be here to lead worship on August 13. Although regular office hours are suspended for the summer, you may still contact Drew with any urgent Fellowship business if needed, or with significant pastoral care needs. Texting 440-935-0129 is the best way to reach Rev. Drew.

First Friday Potluck - August 4 - Friday Night!

Annual UUFCM Picnic - Sunday, August 6 This Sunday!

UUFCM Annual Potluck Picnic is fast approaching! It will again be held on Sunday, August 6 from 1-4:00pm at the Rosebush Park enclosed pavilion. We are looking for set-up helpers from 12-1:00pm and clean-up helpers form 3:30-4ish pm.

We are providing burgers, dogs, a vegetarian option, beverages, chips and a dessert of some kind. We are looking for people to bring dishes to pass. There are sign-up sheets in the Fellowship Hall or you can call/text Jen Prout at 989.400.3130. There will be cornhole and ladder ball games, and softball equipment for anyone interested. Looking forward to seeing you all there!

Please RSVP by signing up on the sheets in the Fellowship Hall or by call/text to Jen Prout at 989.400.3130. If there are any questions or dietary concerns, please let Jen know.

Thank you,
Social Fun Trio
(Jen Prout, Annette Pratt and Kris Los)

UUFCM is Hiring!

Job posting for Director of Religious Education
(6-10 hours per week starting August 15)

Chris Bailey's Memorial Service

Chris Bailey, pictured here with his wife Nancy White, died suddenly and unexpectedly last week. Chris and Nancy are both founding members of UUFCM. We are all shocked and saddened by this loss. The Memorial Service will be Saturday, September 23. More information coming later. Until then, we hold Nancy and everyone who loves Chris in support and love.

Make Joyful Noise!

The Joyful Noise Choir will begin rehearsals for the fall on Wednesdays at 7:00pm. If you like to sing – even if you don’t read music – now would be a perfect time to join us as we are beginning to learn new music! Contact Norma Bailey at 989-560-3952 or [email protected] if you have questions.

Picking Vegetables at George's "Farm!"

Adult RE Fall Classes

• • • Community News • • •

Faith in Action Webinar

Click this link to sign up for this special forum: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_bYCiBOLuTiKJekkOfIqR5A#/registration

Democracy in the U.S. and the Rise of Fascism

You are invited to a Zoom meeting on Friday, August 4, 2023 at 7:30 pm.

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0qc-qopzIqG9OedPnfVzZc2mZwAkfBElr5

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

"Sound of Freedom" - Recommended Movie

Donate Now!

“Deepening Connections”

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].