“One need not be a chamber to be haunted;
One need not be a house;
The brain has corridors surpassing
Material place.”
~ Emily Dickinson
Few of us have ever been in the basement underneath the sanctuary - and that was for good reason! It is a Michigan basement which was used by us and Art Reach before us to store (dump) anything that could not find a place upstairs, and therefore was not very accessible. But on Saturday, a few brave souls ventured downstairs, disregarded the dirt, the creaky stairs and the heavy loads. They filled an entire pick-up truck and made room for three new shelf units to be installed. A big thank you to Norma Bailey, Vicki Chessin, Jacob Guettler, Gisela Moffit, Bill Tinsley and his son Kai.
A New Look
Yesterday our website transitioned to a new platform and server. It still has all the same information available, but is arranged a little differently. The password is also the same, but rather than log in to see the members/friends links, the links are always visible - you'll be asked for the password only if you click those links. If you should have any difficulty, please contact Kirsten at [email protected] for help!
Bells for Hospice - Ring 'em This Friday at Noon
November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Awareness Month, and Woodland Hospice and Morey Bereavement Center are participating in the national "Bells for Hospice" campaign. On Friday, November 1, 2013 at Noon, churches and community organizations across the nation join together by ringing their bells in remembrance of loved ones, in support of their families and in recognition of the great work hospice provides members of their communities. We want to be part of this, so come to the UU Center a little bit before noon and bring your bells no matter how big, how loud, how beautiful. All are welcome!
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. Jim and Liz Dealing 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
The sermon for November 3rd is Pillars of Our Spiritual Connection: Memory and Hope. “The challenge with memory is to hold it lightly, to avoid being trapped in the comfort or terror of any of it for too long…” ~ Rev. Mary Katherine Morn
Interested in Membership?
If you want to find out how to become a UUFCM member or learn more about Unitarianism Universalism, come to the next orientation meeting, which will take place at the UU Center on Friday, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. This so-called Path Class will be facilitated by Rev. Joe and Gisela Moffit and will offer an opportunity to learn about the history of Unitarian Universalism (in brief), UUFCM history, its principles, its governance and committee structures and the joining process. Child care will be provided. Please let Gisela know ([email protected] or 772-1602) by this Friday, Nov. 1 if you want to bring your children and/or if you plan to attend so that we can have enough handouts ready. Looking forward to meeting many of you who are new to our fellowship. For additional information, please see this flyer.
Covenant of UU Pagans (CUUPS) Celebrates Samhain
Samhain (sah-win), popularly known as Halloween, takes place in late October/early November. For many Pagans, Samhain is both the end of the harvest season and the beginning of a new year and/or cycle. Participants pay their respects to departed loved ones and ancestors, honoring endings and transformation.
We gather this Saturday, November 2nd at 6:30 p.m., hold ritual promptly at 7:00 p.m., and our potluck takes place between 7:30 and 8:00 p.m. Please bring a dish to pass and/or a dessert to share, and don't forget to wear orange and/or black to this event.
Time to Fall Back!
Daylight saving time ends this Sunday, November 3 at 2 a.m. Don't forget to change your clocks Saturday night, especially as you get that extra hour of sleep you gave up last spring! This is also a good time to change the batteries in your smoke detectors.
First Sunday Food Collection
The UU's are known at the Food Pantry for being very generous and providing a variety of items that may be used by those in need. (We have provided almost 800 items since we started collecting.) This Sunday, November 3 is when we traditionally bring things and give the children a chance to collect them. Be aware that all canned and dried foods are needed, but there is also a great demand for paper products and personal items such as toilet paper, facial tissue, deodorants, soap, lotion, men's shaving materials, shampoos and conditioners, etc. It would be nice if the children would have to go around the rows a couple of times in order to pick up all the items. Thank you in advance for your generous donations.
Movie Night
Movie Night is every second Saturday at 7 p.m. at the UU Center. The movie for Saturday, November 9th is Made in Dagenham, an English movie celebrating a 1968 strike in a British auto factory by hundreds of women seeking equal wages. Provocative, inspirational and satisfying. Contact Jim Dealing with any questions - [email protected] or (989) 772-0269.
Good News - Tax Benefits Extended!
If you are 70 1/2 years old or older and want to make a contribution to UUFCM from your IRA account, you can receive significant tax benefits again this year. The contribution must be sent directly from your account advisor no later than December 31, 2013 in order to take advantage of this tax-saving program. Check with your financial advisor for details.
How to Reach Rev. Joe
The best way to reach Rev. Joe is by email at [email protected] or by calling our Fellowship's office number: 989-400-4933. If your concern is more urgent, you can call or text Rev. Joe directly at 989-941-6013.
••• Community Announcements •••
Indigenous Film Screenings
The Ziibiwing Center and the CMU Native American Programs invite the public to free screenings of Stolen Spirits of Haida Gwaii (Wednesday, Nov. 6, 3:30 & 5:30 p.m.) and Black Ash Basketry: A Story of Cultural Resilience (Thursday, Nov. 21, 2:00 & 5:00 p.m.). A Q&A follows each screening. For complete information, see this flyer.
Soup & Substance Series - Today from 12:00-1:00 p.m.!
This series offers an opportunity for informed discussion on specific topics, complete with with free soup and rolls for attendees. For a complete schedule, click here.
"Shadows of a thousand years
Rise again unseen,
Voices whisper in the trees
‘Tonight is Halloween!’"
~ Dexter Kozen