No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.
~ Hal Borlund
We are very blessed in this faith community to have cultivated a “pulpit of many voices” over the years that includes a talented team of lay service planners and lay worship leaders who both coordinate and lead worship in our minister’s absence. This is truly a shared ministry! This Sunday, January 17, Norma Bailey will share “Freedom Is a Funny Word.” We will explore various understandings of the meaning of the word “freedom,” especially in light of the tensions and issues present in American society today. Please join us!
Fellowship Life Meeting - This Sunday
On the third Sunday of every month – immediately following our worship service – the UUFCM Board holds a brief Fellowship Life meeting to update the congregation on current happenings, plans and/or concerns within the congregation. The intention is for the meetings to be kept brief; the hope is for extended conversation to take place following the meeting during the coffee hour time. This Sunday, the topic is “The New Jim Crow”, which will be our next Adult RE book, and a vote on issues to be discussed at the 2016 General Assembly in June. Please plan to attend.
Make Your Voice Heard
Our congregation has been asked to vote on four Congregational Study/Action Issues to help determine which of these issues will be added to the 2016 General Assembly in June. We will discuss and vote on these issues Sunday January 17th during the Fellowship Life Meeting. The four Issues include: A National Conversation on Race, The Corruption of Our Democracy, Climate Change and Environmental Justice, and Ending Gun Violence in America. Please come this Sunday, January 17th to discuss and help our congregation make our recommendation.
Invitation for Adults!
The unofficial Women's Wine and Whine group is inviting men to join us at our gathering this month only! All adult friends and members, spouses, and plus ones are welcome to attend.
When: this Saturday, January 16, 2016, 7-?
Where: Laura McBride's home at 306 W. Grand Avenue, Mount Pleasant
What: Bring a beverage or food item to share
Why: The men have repeatedly requested entry into this sacred monthly gathering (you know who you are)
Who: Contact Laura with any questions at [email protected] or 989.772.5512.
Happy New Year!
Directory Update Underway
We are in the process of getting the UUFCM directory ready for printing, and we need your help. Please view the online directory here on our website and check if your entry is correct or needs changing. If you have moved, changed your phone or email or have a new name or additional children’s names, contact our administrative assistant Kirsten ([email protected]) or Gisela ([email protected]) as soon as possible. The directory listing is password protected. If you don't remember what it was, contact Gisela. Thanks so much for your help and support.
Affirming Religious Freedom Without Harm: A Community Forum
Sponsored by the Mid-Michigan Interfaith Coalition
Wednesday, January 20 at 7:00-9:00 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Library Annex
Speaker: Regina Calcagno, Staff for the National LGBTQ Task Force
• What are Religious Freedom Restoration Acts (RFRAs)?
• How do they differ from Religious Freedom (in the Bill of Rights)?
• Why should I and my congregation/faith community care about RFRA laws?
• What can I and my congregation/faith community do about RFRA laws?
Come join us as we learn about and discuss RFRA laws, how they impact us, and how we can talk about our faith and these laws!
#BlackLives Matter - Thursday, January 21
The #BlackLivesMatter meeting will take place next Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Terrace Room at the University Center on CMU's campus. Please join us!
Guest at Your Table Boxes
Our Guest at Your Table boxes and the Stories of Hope from the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) were handed out at the worship service on Sunday, November 22, and we hope you have been sharing the stories and dropping your spare change in them since that time. We are going to collect the boxes at the January 24 worship service, so please bring them on that Sunday.
Community Justice Party
You are all invited to our Community Justice Party fundraiser for MUUSJN on Saturday, January 30,
7:00-9:30 p.m.! Come join the fun as we raise support for social justice efforts – a silent auction of social justice items, a variety of musical and theatrical performances by youth and adults, a youth group bake sale, a cake walk and light refreshments. The suggested donation for adults is $10.00 (although more will be gratefully accepted for MUUSJN), and children are free (with child care provided for the nursery). If you need child care, please contact Norma Bailey at [email protected] or at 989-560-3952 by Wednesday, January 27.
Be sure to invite your friends and family members who are also interested in social justice for this fun and meaningful social event!
CUUPs Celebrates Imbolc - January 31
Imbolc, also known as Candlemas and Groundhog's Day, occurs at the beginning of February. It marks the middle of Winter and holds the promise of Spring. It is a festival of spiritual purification and dedication.
We invite those of you who are interested in participating in this ritual to bring an item of food or drink to share at the potluck that follows the ceremony. We will gather at 6:30 pm and begin our ceremony promptly at 7:00 pm.
Service Cancellation Policy Clarification
In case of inclement weather, a decision to cancel services will be made by 9am. Should we decide to cancel services it will be emailed to the mailing list and posted on the website. Please check the website and your email regarding service cancelation. Should we determine that services are not going to be canceled we will not post on the website or send an email.
Restoration House News
Volunteers are still needed. If you are willing to serve as an intake volunteer from 4:15 to 6:00 any day of the weeks ahead (until the program ends on April 6), please contact Joyce Henricks at 773-4709, or [email protected]. Thank you!
First Friday Potluck - Hosts Still Needed
While Gisela and Tom Moffit are hosting in February, we are still in need of hosts for upcoming potlucks. If you are willing to host a potluck, please use this form to sign up to sign-up or email/phone Chris Bauerle directly at [email protected] or 989-330-8457. The upcoming dates include: March 4, April 1 (really!), May 6, June 3 and August 5. If you enjoy the potlucks, please consider hosting - it is fun and easy!
••• Community Events •••
Martin Luther King, Jr. Week at CMU
January 18-23
Download the flyer to see the full list of events!
The time is always right to do what is right.
~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
In case of inclement weather, a decision to cancel the service will be made by 9 a.m. An announcement will be posted on our web site (uufcm.org) and on Facebook as well as sent directly via email. Those who are not online will be phoned. If you have questions, call Annette Pratt (989-400-0173). We hope we won't have to resort to this very often, but we live in Michigan after all, so we need to be prepared!
Got News?
The deadline for submissions to the Order of Service Insert and the UUFCM weekly e-News is
Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. Please send all submissions to [email protected].
UUFCM Board of Trustees for 2015-2016
President: Annette Pratt (989.400.0173; [email protected])
President Elect/Past-President: Laura McBride (989.772.5512; [email protected])
Treasurer: David Macleod (989.772.0595; [email protected])
Secretary: Vicki Chessin (989.463.3076; [email protected])
Trustee: Scott Daigle (989.506.5750; [email protected])
Trustee: Carol Rard (989.561.2969; [email protected])
Trustee: Janis Shinn (989.400.3724; [email protected])