“The season for enjoying the fullness of life – partaking of the harvest,
sharing the harvest with others, and reinvesting and saving portions
of the harvest for yet another season of growth.”
~ Denis Waitley


Sunday Worship
The sermon for September 29th is “​In Its Own Time: ​Forgiveness ​as a Spiritual Discipline​”, with worship leaders Cynthia Damer and Laura McBride.

Fellowship Life Meeting
After service this Sunday we will have a brief Fellowship Life meeting in the social hall. We will share updates on events ahead and have a question/answer time with the board.

Fellowship ​F​air​ Big ​Success
A big ​thank ​you to all of you who signed up for the various opportunities to be involved in the life of our fellowship. We are especially pleased about the tremendous response to the caring committee. ​Way to go, UUs!

Do You Donate to CMU Public Radio?
The last couple years some of us have bundled our donations to CMU Public Radio and purchased "publicity". UUFCM has been a "day sponsor" and had regular "blurbs" acknowledging us. Mary Alsager will be collecting our donations once again. You can make the check to CMU Public Radio as you have in the past and give it to Mary before September 29th. Your donation is tax deductible.

Our Backup Minister...
Rev. Joe will be away September 23-October 1, working at UUA headquarters in Boston. While he is away, Rev. Jeff Liebmann of the UU Fellowship of Midland will be available if an urgent pastoral care need arises. You can reach Rev. Jeff at UURevJeff@gmail.com or by phone 412-760-6588.

First Friday Potluck
Our monthly gathering to share a meal and have a fun social time together is happening Friday, October 4 at 6:00 p.m. Gisela and Tom Moffit will be hosting the potluck this month. Simply bring a dish to pass and your week-worn weary self to the UUFCM social hall for nourishment and rejuvenation - at least as much as can be gained from sharing a meal, conversation and laughter with friends. We hope you'll join us!

First Sunday Food Collection
Great need continues for many people in our own community for assistance in meeting the basic needs of life. This Sunday, October 6, please bring non-perishable food items (canned goods), baby items, paper products and personal care products for donation. Your offerings will be collected by the children at the opening of the worship service. Thank you in advance!

If you want to find out more about the needs of the hungry and poor in our own community, read the article by Ed Fisher in The Morning Sun of Monday, August 26.

Searching for Hormonal Balance
If you attend services regularly, you may have noticed that the choir is a bit under-represented by male voices. In the spirit of equality and Hank Graff, we are currently having a "push, pull, drag him in" event. If you know of anyone who might consider being dragged in, please have them join us on Wednesday evening at 7:00 or on Sunday morning at 9:45. If you enjoy singing in the car, in the shower, or at karaoke night please join us. If there are any questions, contact Chris Bauerle at 989-330-8457 or atcchris1111@gmail.com. ​

Do's and Don'ts for the Silent Auction
Saturday​,​ October 19 at 7​:00 p.m. - ​No ​Door ​Charge​!​
Do attend this fun-filled event.
Do bring friends. This is not just for UUs
Do donate one or more services: massage, transportation, raking, babysitting/time with a child, host an event, teaching something you do....
Do think creatively of items to donate: something nice you no long use. childrens' items, tools, dishes, a quilt, something you make: food, music, art, time at your cabin...
Do let us know if you can help set up from 10 - noon on Saturday,​ Oct.​ 19.
Do let us know if you can help that night with greeting, cashing out or bringing finger foods to go with the wine and cheese.
Do stay and help clean up. Many hands make it go quickly when we are all tired.

Don't miss this event! If all life allows this year is your presence, come and have fun. We want you there​!​

Last year's auction was our biggest fundraiser​. F​or ​more information contact Gisela Moffitt, Vicki Chessin or Norma Bailey. Slips for don​​at​i​o​n​s of services and items are available at the UU Center or via email from Gisela or Vicki. Everything needs to be dropped off at the UU Center by October 16​,​ please.

RE Volunteers Still Needed
Positions available for you to invest in the children of our congregation:
Elementary Volunteer Teacher

• A commitment of only ten to twelve Sunday mornings
• Participating on a four-person team
• Backyard to the Universe, Dr. Seuss and UUs curriculum, customized with materials provided

Passion Sunday Volunteers

• Passion Sundays are an opportunity for adults in our fellowship to share whatever they
  are passionate about with the children and youth of our congregation.

Please contact Niki Henry or Bill Tinsley for more information or to volunteer.

Get to Know Kristin and Rev. Joe
As a way of helping Rev. Joe get to know us, the Transition Team has been organizing dinners for Rev. Joe with members. We'd like to see these dinners continue, especially now that his partner, Kristin, is in town! But there's no need to use the Transition Team as a go-between. If you'd like to get to know Rev. Joe and Kristin better over dinner, you can extend that invitation to Rev. Joe at RevJoeUUFCM@gmail.com or call him at the fellowship: 989-400-4933.

Taking ​P​lace at the UU Fellowship of Midland
Beyond the "A" Word: Reproductive Justice Conference
Saturday, September 28, 2013 (9:00 ​a.m. to 4:00 ​p.m.)

UUFoM is hosting this state-wide event to continue our discussion on the broad range of social justice issues associated with reproductive justice. There will be important speakers, panel presentations, and opportunities for you to participate in focus group sessions.

In order to make this accessible to as many people as possible, registration is free for all persons 25 and under and for students with ID, assisted income registrations are available, and child care will be provided. Regular registrations is $15 and includes lunch.

This conference is being sponsored by UUFoM's Reproductive Justice Task Group and the Michigan Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Network​.​


“Autumn mornings: sunshine and crisp air, birds and calmness,
year's end and day's beginnings.”
~ Terri Guillemets


Find Us on Facebook!
More detail about UUFCM activities, shared interest groups is available on our website.
The deadline for submissions to the Order of Service Insert and the UUFCM weekly e-News isTuesday at 5 p.m. Please send all submissions to admin@uufcm.org

“My growing belief is that, as a religious community and as individuals,
we may be secure enough, mature enough to find a language of reverence,
a language that can acknowledge the presence of the holy in our lives.”
~ William G. Sinkford, UU Minister and former president of the UUA

Middle Level Sleep Over at the UUFCM!
All UUFCM 4th-8th graders are invited to attend a night of fun, food and friendship, Friday, September 20 at 6:30 p.m. until Saturday, September 21 at 9:30 a.m. There will be snacks, games, movies and more! Bring your self, a sleeping bag and pillow, pajamas, a change of clothes and your tooth brush. Contact Norma Bailey (baile1nj@cmich.edu or at 989-560-3952) or Cynthia Damer (ckdamer@gmail.com or at 989-506-5750) if you have questions. Hope to see you there!

Blazing Star Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans

Days of Awe
Temple Benjamin, the Jewish Synagogue of Mt. Pleasant, will be celebrating the Jewish High Holy Days (also called "the days of awe") with services taking place at UUFCM. Guests are welcome! Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) starts the evening of Friday, September 13. Kol Nidre services begin this Friday at 6:30pm and daytime Yom Kippur services will be this Saturday, September 14, 2:30-4:30.

Social Justice Opportunity This Friday
Take part in the Zombie Run, a perfect event for Friday the 13th! Proceeds benefit the local program CAFE (Child and Family Enrichment). The cost is only $5. Registration begins at 5:00 p.m. at the CMU Seal outside Warriner Hall. The race will begin at 6:00 p.m. at the corner of Bellows and Main and will end in the center of downtown. Afterwards there will be a fun, family friendly after party. For more information, contact Kathy Hill at (989) 773-3689 or look the event up on Facebook. This is a fun event for families and youth. Any interested middle level and high school youth can contact Bill Tinsley to arrange a meeting place to register and participate in the event together.

Celebrate the Life of Burnie Bonnell, Sept. 14 at 11:00 a.m.
On Saturday, September 14 at 11:00, we will celebrate and give thanks for the life of Burnie Bonnell. She was an artist and writer and much-beloved member of not only UUFCM but of the greater Mt. Pleasant community and we miss her. (Some of her art hangs now in the "green room" at UUFCM – be sure to take a look!). A reception will follow in the library annex, next door to UUFCM.

Movie Night
Movie Night is every second Saturday at 7 p.m. at the UU Center. The movie for this Saturday, September 14th is “Company Men.” The story centers on a year in the life of three men trying to survive a round of corporate downsizing at a major company - and how that affects them, their families, and their communities. Contact Jim Dealing with any questions - deali1jr@cmich.edu or (989) 772-0269.

Sunday Worship
The sermon for September 15th is “My Banjo Is Broken”. What if the way we are "broken" is the source of what we have to offer?

Noisy Collection
The children and youth will be using percussive instruments while taking up a "noisy collection" of coins on Sunday. This money will help fund the Peace Pole Project, so come with your pockets full of change.

Fall Fellowship Fair This Sunday!
It is by working together, bringing our ideas and efforts to promote the health of this fellowship that we can grow and expand our Mission. Serving together we learn to rely on one another and become deeper friends. Please plan to attend one day of our two-day "Fair" to see all the areas in which you are needed. Learn about the places your time and talents can be given to promote the health and growth of our community. From worship on Sundays to RE, from communications, to planning, from soup to nuts, we need you! The return on involvement is deep and the work is lighter with many in service.
Our "Fall Fellowship Fair" will be held on Sundays September 15 and 22 following the worship service in the Fellowship Hall.

RE Kickoff
The new UUFCM Religious Education year will be kicking off Sunday, September 15. To celebrate last year’s growth and this year’s potential, we will be gathering at Buckley's as a congregation at 3:00 p.m. to enjoy time together as a fellowship family. Please show your support of our children and youth and your excitement for the RE program by participating in this event.
Children and youth paddle free of charge, but must have an adult present at the event, though not necessarily in the same watercraft. Kayaks and canoes are available to adults for the reduced rate of $15/person. 
Contact Niki Henry to RSVP and for more information: b.niki6.15@gmail.com or 480-560-4785. An alternate event will take place in the case of inclement weather. So, save this date!

RE Volunteers Needed
Positions available for you to invest in the children of our congregation:
Elementary Volunteer Teacher
- A commitment of only ten to twelve Sunday mornings
- Participating on a four-person team
- Backyard to the Universe, Dr. Seuss and UUs curriculum,
  customized with materials provided
Preschool Room Volunteer
- Holding and interacting with the youngest members of the congregation
- Providing support for the Preschool Teacher
- One Sunday morning every four weeks
- Participating on a four-person team
Please contact Niki Henry or Bill Tinsley for more information or to volunteer.

Get to Know Kristin and Rev. Joe
As a way of helping Rev. Joe get to know us, the Transition Team has been organizing dinners for Rev. Joe with members. We'd like to see these dinners continue, especially now that his partner, Kristin, is in town! But there's no need to use the Transition Team as a go-between. If you'd like to get to know Rev. Joe and Kristin better over dinner, you can extend that invitation to Rev. Joe at RevJoeUUFCM@gmail.com or call him at the fellowship: 989-400-4933.

Blazing Star Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans 
Mabon 2013 - Friday, September 20
At the Fall Equinox, we begin to descend into the dark time of year. The dark can be scary, but facing it with confidence helps us find power in ourselves. There are few experiences more thrilling, more transformative, than facing a challenge and overcoming it. At our Mabon ritual this year, we shall honor each others’ work in our world and grant each other the strength needed to face the challenges that are ahead of us, as we prepare for our annual descent into the dark half of the year.

We will gather at 6:30 p.m. to celebrate Mabon. Our ritual will begin promptly at 7:00 p.m. with a potluck to follow the ceremony. The potluck will conclude at 8:00 p.m. Please wear Fall colors to this event, or anything with grapes, vines, or a wine theme. Blessed be!
Jayson Turner, CUUPS Coordinator
Climate Change Speaker
Climate advocate Lynate Pettengill will speak at UUFCM on September 23rd at 7:00 p.m. Her talk will address climate change and how we can address this challenge with a revenue-neutral tax on carbon. Lynate is field director for the Citizens Climate Lobby, a grassroots advocacy organization pursuing national policies to address climate change. The talk will be facilitated by Jim Dealing. For more information contact Maura Brennan at 231-645-0827.

Joyful Noise Choir Rehearsal
The Joyful Noise choir has begun rehearsing. If you enjoy singing we would be very happy if you joined us. If you have any questions please contact Chris Bauerle at (989) 330-8457 or at cchris1111@gmail.com.

Children’s Choir
UUFCM will soon be forming a children's choir. Roze Finn will be leading our youngest members in this endeavor. Donations of percussive instruments such as tambourines, triangles, maracas, etc. are needed for the Youthful Noise choir. If you have something the children and youth could use, please see Roze or Niki. More information will soon be available.

Do You Donate to CMU Public Radio?
The last couple years some of us have bundled our donations to CMU Public Radio and purchased "publicity". UUFCM has been a "day sponsor" and had regular "blurbs" acknowledging us. Mary Alsager will be collecting our donations once again. You can make the check to CMU Public Radio as you have in the past and give it to Mary before September 29th. Your donation is tax deductible.

Quiz: What have you not heard lately? 
Answer: The old, very noisy air conditioner/heater in the Fellowship Hall. Your Capitol Campaign dollars at work have successfully resulted in a new AC/Furnace. Thanks to Tina for helping get this done.

Days of Awe
Temple Benjamin, the Jewish Synagogue of Mt. Pleasant, will be celebrating the Jewish High Holy Days (also called "the days of awe") with services taking place at UUFCM. Guests are welcome! Rosh Hashanah services (the start of the Jewish year) will be held tomorrow, Thursday, Sep 5, 10:00 a.m.-noon. Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) starts the evening of Friday, Sep 13. Kol Nidre services begin that Friday at 6:30pm and daytime Yom Kippur services will be Saturday, September 14, 2:30-4:30.

First Friday Potluck - This Friday
Our monthly gathering to share a meal and have a fun social time together is happening this Friday, September 6 at 6:00 p.m.Janet Simon will be hosting the potluck this month. Simply bring a dish to pass and your week-worn weary self to the UUFCM social hall for nourishment and rejuvenation - at least as much as can be gained from sharing a meal, conversation and laughter with friends. We hope you'll join us!

Sunday Worship: Bring Water!
Celebrating the start of our fellowship's liturgical year! Bring a small vial of water symbolic of a place or experience you had this summer. We'll pour these waters into a common bowl to symbolize our coming together for another year. We'll also formally recognize the start of Rev. Joe's interim ministry with us. 

RE News
Positions available for you to invest in the children of our congregation:
Elementary Volunteer Teacher
- A commitment of only ten to twelve Sunday mornings
- Participating on a four-person team
- Backyard to the Universe, Dr. Seuss and UUs curriculum,
  customized with materials provided
Preschool Room Volunteer
- Holding and interacting with the youngest members of the congregation
- Providing support for the Preschool Teacher
- One Sunday morning every four weeks
- Participating on a four-person team
Please contact Niki Henry or Bill Tinsley for more information or to volunteer.

Social Justice Opportunity
Take part in the Zombie Run, a perfect event for Friday the 13th! Proceeds benefit CAFE. The cost is only $5. Registration begins at 5:00 p.m. at the CMU Seal outside Warriner Hall. The race will begin at 6:00 p.m. at the corner of Bellows and Main and will end in the center of downtown. Afterwards there will be a fun, family friendly after party. For more information, contact Kathy Hill at (989) 773-3689 or look the event up on Facebook. This is a fun event for families and youth. Any interested middle level and high school youth can contact Bill Tinsley to arrange a meeting place to register and participate in the event together.

Celebrate the Life of Burnie Bonnell, Sept. 14 at 11:00 a.m.
On Saturday, September 14 at 11:00, we will celebrate and give thanks for the life of Burnie Bonnell. She was an artist and writer and much-beloved member of not only UUFCM but of the greater Mt. Pleasant community and we miss her. (Some of her art hangs now in the "green room" at UUFCM – be sure to take a look!). A reception will follow in the library annex, next door to UUFCM.

Movie Night
Movie Night is every second Saturday at 7 p.m. at the UU Center. The movie for Saturday, September 14th is “Company Men.” The story centers on a year in the life of three men trying to survive a round of corporate downsizing at a major company - and how that affects them, their families, and their communities. Contact Jim Dealing with any questions - deali1jr@cmich.edu or(989) 772-0269.

Fall Fellowship Fair Coming Soon!
It is by working together, bringing our ideas and efforts to promote the health of this fellowship that we can grow and expand our Mission. Serving together we learn to rely on one another and become deeper friends. Please plan to attend one day of our two-day "Fair" to see all the areas in which you are needed. Learn about the places your time and talents can be given to promote the health and growth of our community. From worship on Sundays to RE, from communications, to planning, from soup to nuts, we need you! The return on involvement is deep and the work is lighter with many in service.
Our "Fall Fellowship Fair" will be held on Sundays September 15 and 22 following the worship service in the Fellowship Hall. 

RE Kickoff
The new UUFCM Religious Education year will be kicking off Sunday, September 15. To celebrate last year’s growth and this year’s potential, we will be gathering at Buckley's as a congregation at 3:00 p.m. to enjoy time together as a fellowship family. Please show your support of our children and youth and your excitement for the RE program by participating in this event.

Children and youth paddle free of charge, but must have an adult present at the event, though not necessarily in the same watercraft. Kayaks and canoes are available to adults for the reduced rate of $15/person. 

Contact Niki Henry to RSVP and for more information: b.niki6.15@gmail.com or 480-560-4785. An alternate event will take place in the case of inclement weather. So, save this date!
Silent Auction - Save the Date
Last year's auction was a great success, so plans are underway for another fun-filled evening. This year's Silent Item and Service Auction will be held on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. Mark your calendars now so that you don't forget!

Start thinking about what unique services or skills you can offer: teach, bake, host, create, share. What are you good at that somebody would really appreciate? Look at some treasures in your house you no longer need, but somebody else would love to have. Consider donating them. If you want to help organizing the event, contact Gisela Moffit, Vicki Chessin or Norma Bailey soon. Stay tuned for more details...

Joyful Noise Choir Rehearsal
The Joyful Noise choir has begun rehearsing. If you enjoy singing we would be very happy if you joined us. If you have any questions please contact Chris Bauerle at (989) 330-8457 or at cchris1111@gmail.com.

Children’s Choir
UUFCM will soon be forming a children's choir. Roze Finn will be leading our youngest members in this endeavor. Donations of percussive instruments such as tambourines, triangles, maracas, etc. are needed for the Youthful Noise choir. If you have something the children and youth could use, please see Roze or Niki. More information will soon be available.


Do You Donate to CMU Public Radio?
The last couple years some of us have bundled our donations to CMU Public Radio and purchased "publicity". UUFCM has been a "day sponsor" and had regular "blurbs" acknowledging us. Mary Alsager will be collecting our donations once again. You can make the check to CMU Public Radio as you have in the past and give it to Mary before September 29th. Your donation is tax deductible.

Quiz: What have you not heard lately? 
Answer: The old, very noisy air conditioner/heater in the Fellowship Hall. Your Capitol Campaign dollars at work have successfully resulted in a new AC/Furnace. Thanks to Tina for helping get this done.