eNews 2/19/26

Keep up with what's happening at UUFCM!

View this email in your browser eNews for Thursday, February 19, 2026 Worship Matters We will gather online via Zoom and in person this Sunday, February 22, to worship with Rev. Drew on “Songs of Protest and New Member Ceremony." The Zoom call starts at 10:00am for social time, and the service starts at 10:30am.     "Today we explore the use of protest songs–popular songs played on the radio and songs sung by marchers in the streets. From the civil rights movement to the “ICE Out” protest in Minneapolis, this music articulates the values and urgency of the movement while giving people a sense of hope and belonging. Show up ready to sing! In this morning’s worship, we also make time for a special ritual to welcome new members to our Fellowship." 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   February 22: Songs of Protest   In Case You Missed It... Many past sermons are available on our website under Sermon Videos and Archives.  In order to access any services 2024 on, go to the website and click on Worship, then Sunday Services.  Minister’s Column:  “Rev. Jesse Jackson”  Today Rev. Jesse Jackson died. A human rights advocate and political figure, he bridged the civil rights era of Martin Luther King and the modern era of Barack Obama. Jesse Jackson was present when Martin Luther King was killed, and went on television the following day wearing clothing stained by his blood. In the years and decades that followed, Jackson did a lot to advance civil rights for Black Americans. A serious candidate for president in 1984 and 1988, Jackson won as much as 29% of the Democratic primary vote. His presence as a political leader and his advocacy for voting rights contributed to the eventual election of our first Black president. More...   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 7:00pm Central Michigan Sangha - Tuesdays at 6:45pm Crafty U - 3rd Tuesdays at 10:30am  First Friday Potluck - First Fridays at 6:30pm  Sleepy Time Yoga - 3rd Sundays at 6:30pm  Game Night - 3rd Mondays at 7pm On hiatus  Movie Night - 4th Saturdays at 7pm  Readers Theater - 2nd Tuesdays at 7pm Returning April 14 UU Discussion Group - Wednesdays at 10am UUFCM Men’s Group - 1st Mondays at 7pm on Zoom Welcome to UU Orientation - last Sunday of the month at 12:00pm unless otherwise indicated -This Sunday 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 Meeting - Thursday Feb 19 at 4:30 Fellowship News Community Justice Party THIS SATURDAY!   Be sure to attend our fifth bi-annual Community Justice Party this Saturday, February 21, 7-9 pm.  There will be a program in the sanctuary of music, skits, poetry, and a “Guess the Activist” contest highlighting several social justice issues, and then we will meet in the Fellowship Hall for light refreshments and a rousing Justice Desserts Walk!  $5 suggested donation with donations going to Indivisible Central Michigan.   Bring family and friends! Welcome to UU Orientation - THIS Sunday, February 22 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.  Sign Up to Help with Our UUFCM Week at the Homeless Shelter!   UUFCM is in charge of providing meals and volunteers for ICRH (the homeless shelter) the week of Sunday, March 8 through Saturday, March 14.  We’ll need lots of people to participate, bringing food and/or volunteering mornings and evenings, so please bring your calendars to church on Sunday to sign up for your part in this major project UUFCM has committed to.  If you are not able to be in church on Sunday, please contact Norma Bailey ([email protected] or 989-560-3952) who will find a spot for you. Parents’ Night Out a Success!   On Saturday, February 14, the Youth RE Team provided a Parents’ Night Out for the parents of our children.  Four children were dropped off from 4-8 pm so that parents could have the afternoon/evening free.  Norma Bailey and Elowen Kourteva guided Charles Emerick, Felix Jones, Gaius McGregor and Rowan Peters in games, crafts, cookie decorating, a pizza dinner and an acrobatic game of Twister! Everyone, parents and children alike, said, “Let’s do it again sometime!”  The Youth RE Team used the bottle and can fund to provide the event this year.  If you would like to contribute to this fund, you can drop off bottles and cans in the receptacles in the kitchen any time, and we will recycle them for you. Crafty UUs Busy at Work!  Celebration of Life for Tom Moffit The Celebration of Life for Tom Moffit will be held Saturday, March 14 at 11:00 am at the Immanuel Lutheran Church at 320 S. Bradley in Mt. Pleasant.   Visitation at 10:00am and luncheon at 12:00pm. Here is the link to his obituary. https://www.clarkfuneralchapel.com/obituaries/Thompson-Carson-Moffit?obId=46956154 Attend General Assembly Virtually General Assembly (GA) is the annual gathering of Unitarian Universalists, where we conduct business, explore our faith’s theological foundations, and fully embrace our mission and principles. This year, GA will be held virtually.  Would you like to participate or serve as a UUFCM delegate? We have a Leadership Fund that can cover the costs for you. If you're interested in attending, see www.uua.org/ga for information. If you need more details, contact Norma Bailey ([email protected] or 989-560-3952). Did you get your end-of-year statement on February 2?   On February 2, our treasurer, David Allan, sent out end-of-year statements for 2025 for tax purposes via email.  If you did not receive a statement, please contact David at [email protected]. "If you made a contribution of record in 2025 (meaning that your name was attached to your contribution), then a statement of your total contribution in 2025 was emailed to you on February 2, 2026. If you did not see your email, please check your spam folder for an email with the subject line "UUFCM Record of Contributions 2025." To avoid emails being filtered into the spam folder, please add "[email protected]" to your contacts or accepted email senders list." —Dave Allan, Treasurer 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. Actions You Can Take Today!    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.   Sign up for Dial for Democracy. Receive email alerts when it's time to call your lawmakers on legislation or decisions that impact Michigan's democracy. See Community News for how to join.  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) Stay Informed for UUFCM Cancellations   When we decide to cancel or postpone a UUFCM event due to weather--as we did due to last Sunday's snowstorm--we use a cell phone app called Remind to make these announcements. In the case of Sunday morning worship, we make our decision by 8:30 am.  Downloading the Remind app to your phone and signing up just takes a few minutes. Stay informed and prepared this winter! View our full cancellation policy along with instructions for signing up on the Remind app here. Although the Remind app is the best way to stay informed, we also try to send an email and post an announcement on the website and social media. Community News Join Voters Not Politician's "Dial for Democracy" List!  Activists across the political spectrum can all agree that picking up the phone and calling your elected officials is the most effective way to make your voice heard. In fact, many elected officials and their staff members have stated that a phone call from a constituent holds more weight than an email, tweet, or a fax. By joining VNP's "Dial for Democracy" list, you will receive exclusive alerts when it's time to call your lawmakers on legislation or decisions that impact Michigan's democracy. These alerts will contain info and tips to help you have an easy and productive call to your local lawmaker! If you aren't receiving exclusive Dial for Democracy alerts yet, sign up here. You'll receive alerts when critical legislation is introduced along with your state legislators' contact information and a script to use during your call.  Indivisible Protests Continue! Indivisible Central Michigan plans on continuing their weekly Saturday protests at the usual location (corner of Mission and Broadway). The time is 11:00-1:00.  In case of extreme weather, a cancellation email will be sent out by 10:00.  Email [email protected] to get on the email list. 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. 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    Tuesdays 10am-noon   Wednesdays 1-3pm and 8-9pm   UUFCM Board of Trustees for 2025-2026 President: Norma Bailey (989.560.3952; [email protected]) President-Elect: Guy Newland (989.944.0534; newla1g[email protected]) Treasurer: David Allan (989.941.7349; [email protected]) Secretary: Jennifer Davis (989.280.7010; [email protected]) Trustee: Annette Pratt (989.400.0173; [email protected]) Trustee: Jennifer Prout (989.400.3130; [email protected]) Trustee:  Matt Collins (616-617-2274; colli2mr@gmail.com) Team and Committee Leaders Adult Religious Education Team - Joyce Henricks Building, Grounds & Safety Team - Norma Bailey Caring Team - Laura McBride Communications Coordinating Team Annie Peters  Fellowship Life Coordinating Team - Laura McBride   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. 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