eNews: December 4th

Keep up with what's happening at UUFCM!

View this email in your browser eNews for Thursday, December 4, 2025 Worship Matters We will gather online via Zoom and in person this Sunday, December 7, to worship with Rev. Drew on "Choosing Hope." The Zoom call starts at 10:00am for social time, and the service starts at 10:30am.   "'Choosing Hope' is our worship theme for the month of December. Let’s help one another find hope in our personal lives, through the yearly challenge of a dark winter time and the individual challenges we face. And let’s remember that hope–like gratitude–is more of a practice than a feeling. How can we choose hope, and support each other in doing so?"   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   December 7: Choosing Hope December 13: Saturday at 4:00pm - Blue Holidays 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: "Don Julin Trio" A couple of weeks ago we had a special performance in our sanctuary, organized by Bob Busch for the purpose of bringing joy and music into the UUFCM building. Mission accomplished!   Don Julin was the band leader: an accomplished mandolin performer, composer and arranger. He assembled a trio for this concert and a few others across Michigan and Ohio. Along with a small and enthusiastic crowd, I was engaged with every song from start to finish. The trio traded riffs and solos fluidly, adding beauty and musicianship to the jazzy bluegrass repertoire they shared with us. Don narrated the performance with stories of being a travelling musician and with insights into the songs they were playing. All three musicians (mandolin, bass, and guitar) were masters of their craft, and the rapport among them was easy and solid. 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 - This Friday! Sleepy Time Yoga - 3rd Mondays at 6pm - resuming in January Game Night - 3rd Mondays at 7pm  Movie Night - 4th Saturdays at 7pm - resuming in January Readers Theater - 2nd Tuesdays at 7pm - This Tuesday! Soul Matters Discussion Group - next meeting to be announced 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 Social Justice Team Meeting: Monday, December 8 at 6:30pm   Fellowship News Infant Pantry Special Collection 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. Voter Education Event -TODAY!   The Mt. Pleasant Area League of Women Voters and the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Michigan (UUFCM) are co-sponsoring a voter education event on Thursday, December 4, at 6:30 pm in our UUFCM building.  The program will be presented in the sanctuary, and there will be refreshments and conversation in the Fellowship Hall afterwards. Inviting you to come and bring friends!    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. Thank YOU Alert for the UUFCM Harvest Feast Potluck!!! Many friends and members chipped in food, money, set up, clean up, and advice! Big thanks go out to: Tasty food and beverages by: Victoria, Phoenix & Co., Phil, Dave, Cynthia, Carmen & Roger, Kelly G., Gisela, Cathryn, Helenan, LouAnn, Annie, James, Joyce, and Laura. Financial support: Lonna, Gisela, LouAnn, Norma, Dave, and Laura. Set up & clean up: Jen, Joe, Phoenix, Luna, Carmen, Roger, Cathryn, Joyce, James, Dave, and Laura. Advice gurus: Cynthia, Rev. Drew, Victoria, and Dave. The event was a fun meal with lots of variations, planning, and visiting. 21 of us enjoyed the meal. It was nice to be with friends! With much appreciation, Laura and Dave December 13, 2025 (Saturday at 4:00) Special Worship Service: "Blue Holidays" The winter holiday season is supposed to be fun–but what if you’re not feeling that way? The expectation to be joyful can be stressful in itself, while family gatherings can also bring up challenges and traumas large and small. Please join us for a special service that allows time to acknowledge the difficult feelings that are present in the holiday season. You may find serenity and acceptance here; you may find comfort in the companionship of others. All are welcome. Choosing Where to Give: End-of-Year Donations 2025     What can each of us do in response to the injustices that the Trump administration is perpetrating?  Your Social Justice Coordinating Team would like to suggest that your donations in the holiday and end-of-year giving season this year support the efforts of state and national organizations which are responding to the many challenges that we are facing. As a result of the administration’s actions, many of the organizations working for justice will continue to need additional support to combat the efforts that have been made to undo some of the protections that have been in place for many years.   If you are interested in supporting any of these organizations, a list from your Social Justice Coordinating Team of organizations that support justice can be found here. Drop Off Free Calendars   Do you have extra 2026 calendars? Your Social Justice Coordinating Team (SJCT) will collect them to distribute to the residents of local nursing homes for the new year! You can drop them off in the box located by the nursery. Policy Regarding Safer Inclusion of Potential Sex Offenders   On November 9, the UUFCM Board of Trustees approved a revised Policy Regarding Sexual Misconduct that had been approved at the May 10 Board meeting.  After the old policy was shared with the congregation, there were concerns raised by a number of congregants that the original policy was more concerned with the welcome to a sex offender than with the safety of the members of the congregation.  The concerns were shared at a Listening Circle on September 30 and in communication with members of the Safer Congregation Committee.   Based on that feedback, the Safer Congregation Committee revised the original policy and recommended it to the Board, which subsequently approved the revised policy.  The Policy Regarding Safer Inclusion of Potential Sex Offenders is linked HERE.  Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact any member of the Safer Congregation Committee: Rev. Drew Frantz, Mel Bailey, Norma Bailey, Sierra Burke, Kirsten King, Guy Newland, and Katie Zapoluch. Care Request Form for UUFCM Community The UUFCM Caring Team supports members and friends of the congregation in practical ways such as offering rides to medical appointments, meals for those temporarily unable to cook for themselves, and help with moving. Our ability to help, of course, is limited to the capacity of our volunteers. To facilitate delivery of these helping services, you are invited to fill out this online form on behalf of yourself or others if you want to request such assistance. Cynthia Damer coordinates this effort; others members of the Caring Team are Phoenix Thompson, Lou Ann Ashley, Laura McBride, Victoria Sladek, and Rev. Drew Frantz. Click Here Path to Membership - Coming in January A Path to Membership opportunity will be held in January on a Saturday afternoon; more to come in a few weeks. If you are interested in learning more about how UUFCM is organized, volunteer opportunities, benefits and responsibilities of membership, and more, please contact Laura McBride or Rev. Drew Frantz.  Contacts: Laura McBride 989.772.5512 [email protected] Rev. Drew 440.935.0129  [email protected] Community News Volunteers and Items Needed for Christmas Outreach    Christmas Outreach, an effort to coordinate the community for Christmas giving, is in need of financial support and gently used items to serve the 2787 individuals, 828 households, and 1220 children registered this year, about a 43% increase in numbers this year. There are multiple ways to help:   Financial:  Mail checks to Christmas Outreach of Isabella County, PO Box 1227, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48804.   Donations:  Any gently used coats, snow pants, boots, linens, hats, gloves, scarves, children’s books in good shape, large deodorant, and full-size toothpaste.  Drop off donation at Morey Courts, December 10 and 11 between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm   Volunteer:  Need to escort and to help people take the items they have received to their cars.  Volunteers are especially needed Friday, December 12 in the afternoon and Saturday, December 13 between 12:00pm and 4:00pm.   To sign up HERE!           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. Facts on Petitions 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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