eNews 4-9-26

Keep up with what's happening at UUFCM!

View this email in your browser eNews for Thursday, April 9, 2026 Worship Matters We will gather online via Zoom and in person this Sunday, April 12, to worship with a message from Rev. Drew on "Embracing Possibility." The Zoom call starts at 10:00am for social time, and the service starts at 10:30am.    "As the poet David Whyte asks, “What shape waits in the seed of you/ to grow and spread its branches/ against a future sky?” Like a growing tree, each person is full of possibility – at whatever age and stage of life we may be in. The idea of embracing possibility also offers us hope in the context of national and international turmoil. Outcomes are not pre-determined, but shaped by our will and our values. Realizing this is empowering and liberating."   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 12: Embracing Possibility April 19: Earth Day April 26: Follow Love 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:  “Peace Prayer”   Life in America today has the strange feeling that we are going about our regular daily lives --work, school, buying groceries--while we are at war in Iran. Today (Tuesday April 7) has been especially surreal because the news was all about President Trump’s blasphemous Easter morning post threatening to destroy the civilian infrastructure of Iran, only to back down at the 11th hour and agree, seemingly, to a ceasefire.   The sickening anti-religious element of Trump’s post bothers me especially as a person of faith. He threatened a Muslim nation with military annihilation, ending the message with a sarcastic Muslim prayer. This is disgusting and immoral, and people of faith everywhere should be appalled.   In contrast to the war-mongering behavior of my government, I am buoyed with hope over two things I saw this past week. First, while driving through Chicago, I saw a highway billboard that read: RAMADAN MUBARAK Blessings of Peace from your Muslim neighbors   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 - Resumes in April at 6:00 pm 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  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 Meeting: Sunday April 12 at 1:00pm Social Justice Team: Monday April 13 at 6:30pm Worship Team: Thursday April 16 at 4:30pm Fellowship News Readers Theater Meets April 14th The Readers Theater group is meeting on Tuesday, April 14, at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Roles have already been cast for this play.  If you haven’t gotten your script yet, you can find it in the Fellowship Hall with your name on it. For information about the group, contact Roxanne Fleer ([email protected]). Don't Forget to Turn In Your Pledge Forms!      If you are reading this and haven’t turned in your pledge materials, please do! The stewardship campaign officially ends on April 17. You can return your pledge form to the church by mail or in-person or you can complete the online pledge form linked HERE. After April 17, members of the stewardship team will begin reaching out to people we haven’t heard from. Nobody likes this part of the work, so please return your pledge materials or let us know you don’t intend to pledge so we don’t have to bother you. 2026-2027 UUFCM Board of Trustees Candidates & Proposed Bylaws Change 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 Guy Newland (chair), Jennifer Davis, and Joyce Henricks. The committee is pleased to present the following slate of candidates for the open Board positions: • President-Elect: Laura McBride • Treasurer: David Allan • Trustee At Large (Two-Year Term): Katie Zapoluch • Trustee At Large (One-Year Term): Kurt Roeder 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 Guy Newland ([email protected]) and cc President Norma Bailey ([email protected]) no later than Sunday, April 12. 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 Amendment In addition to Board elections, we will discuss a proposed Bylaws change at the annual meeting. Please review the proposed change before the meeting. This year’s annual meeting will be held after service on Sunday, May 17. Elections for Board officers and the Bylaws amendment will take place electronically in the days following the annual meeting. Thank you for your engagement in this very important process! Norma Bailey UUFCM Board President [email protected] Book Discussion Hosted by UUFCM Member "The Sacred Awakening" by Sami Awad “What if Jesus didn’t start a religion, but sparked a revolution of consciousness? The Sacred Awakening invites us to embody Christ’s radical path - not worship him. Through history, scripture, and lived experience, Sami Awad reveals a hidden power of love and presence that can heal, transform and awaken our true humanity.”     This invitation is from Cathryn Young. Please contact her directly if you're interested: I have begun reading “The Sacred Awakening: Reclaiming Christ Consciousness by Sami Awad. Sami is a Palestinian activist who I came to know in Bethlehem. Sami is “committed to nonviolence, healing and transformation….and living life through radical love.” He comes from a prominent Christian family, and created quite a stir when he stepped away from Christianity, and found Jesus outside of organized religion.  He says, "When I stepped away from Christianity, it was not to abandon Jesus but to seek him beyond the institutional filters placed over his life and message. I found a figure far more disruptive, radical, and liberating than anything the Church had ever presented."   In “The Sacred Awakening” Sami explores the Beatitudes, the Sermon on the Mount, as a framework for transformation, not of belief or dogma, but a way of embodying radical love, transforming not only ourselves, but the world. I am super excited about this book, and would love to find several others who would like to explore it together. Identifying as a “Christian” is not necessary to exploring the themes and ideas in the book. Meetings would need to be at my home due to my caregiving responsibilities. Days and times could be determined together if there is interest. The book is available on Amazon and Reverend Drew has ordered several copies. Save the Date! - Saturday, April 25 We’ll have our annual spring clean-up on Saturday, April 25, 10:00 am - noon. Lots of outside work will need many hands! Please put the date on your calendar!    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). Community News Gender Affirming Care Drive      The Mt. Pleasant Pride Center, supported by a grant from the American Humanist Association that Gracee Day received, is asking for donations for a gender affirming care drive. The Center is collecting clothing (particularly business and formal wear as well as ties and makeup bags); unused/unopened makeup/makeup brushes; hair-styling supplies (curling irons, hair dryers, flat irons, rollers, etc.); new to lightly used men’s shoes in smaller sizes; new to lightly used women’s shoes in wide sizes; tote bags; and binders and bras.  Donations can be placed in the labeled box in the Fellowship Hall. ICRH Fundraiser – Party for a Purpose       ICRH Requests for Household Donations for Party for a Purpose   ICRH is holding its annual fundraiser on May 2 and is looking for items for prizes for their paddle auction.  If you have any new or unused item to donate (see list in Fellowship Hall or click here), please see Norma Bailey for delivery. Indivisible Meetings & 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 *Phone numbers available in our UUFCM Directory President: Norma Bailey ([email protected]) President-Elect: Guy Newland (newla1g[email protected]) Treasurer: David Allan ([email protected]) Secretary: Jennifer Davis ([email protected]) Trustee: Annette Pratt ([email protected]) Trustee: Jennifer Prout ([email protected]) Trustee:  Matt Collins (colli2mr@gmail.com) Team and Committee Leaders Adult Religious Education Team - Aaron Jones 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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