eNews for 3/12/14

“You can cut all the flowers but you cannot keep Spring from coming.” 
~ Pablo Neruda

Sunday Worship
The theme for this Sunday, March 16th is Don't Take Your Guns to Town. In my sermon this Sunday, I'll be exploring the idea of safety, and toward that end, I'm interested in hearing from you: What makes you feel safe? What was a time when you felt particularly safe? Drop me a note at revjoe@uufcm.org. All responses will be kept anonymous.
Upcoming sermons include:
   March 23: The Spirituality of Money
   March 30: A Report from the Moral March

Time Line of Important Upcoming Events
Sunday, March 16:
   Sign up for Circle Suppers
   1:00-3:00 p.m.: “Path to Membership” class
   3:30-5:30 p.m.: “2000 years of Heresy” pt. 4 (repeated Thursday, March 20 at 7 p.m.)
Sunday, March 23:
   Last sign up for Circle suppers
   12:30-2:00 p.m.: Transition Team Congregational workshop

RE News
There will be a Noisy Collection this Sunday. Please bring your change, and possibly ear protection!

Michigan Moms to Hold Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath Service
Music and Words to Memorialize Victims of Gun Violence, Call for Common-Sense Solutions 
As part of the National Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath Weekend, the Michigan Chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America is holding a worship service and prayer vigil to remember those killed by gun violence, to pray for those whose lives have been forever changed because of the murder of a loved one, and to continue the discussion on how communities of faith can work together to help reduce gun violence. Places of worship across the country will hold similar services that day. Please join us​ ​
at the UU Church of Greater Lansing (855 Grove)​ ​
this​ ​Sunday, March 16​ ​at 7:00 p.m.!

Have You Signed Up for Circle Suppers Yet?
As you know, as part of our stewardship drive we plan to have a series of small group gatherings, “Circle Suppers,” in members’ homes and at the UU Center. We will have the opportunity to talk about our faith, our fellowship and our hopes for next year as each of us decides how much to pledge to the common good.
   
Members and interested friends will again find the sign-up sheets located in the Fellowship Hall for these Circle Suppers after worship on Sunday, March 16 and 23. The Suppers are listed by date and time. Find the one most convenient for you and claim your seat at the table. They are filling up fast!

Sewing Circle
Is cancelled for this Monday, March 17th. Meetings will resume in April.

CUUPS Celebrates Ostara
Covenant of UU Pagans (CUUPS) will have an Ostara Ritual at the UU Center on Saturday, March 22 at 7:00 p.m. We gather at 6:30 p.m., hold ritual promptly at 7 p.m., and our potluck takes place between 7:30 and 8 p.m. Please bring a dish to pass and/or a dessert to share.

Third Congregational Meeting on Our Transition
Be sure to put Sunday, March 23, 12:30-2:00 p.m. on your calendar for the third of our four congregational meetings about the transition process. We will be considering the topic "Unchurching Church: Exploring New Ways to Think About Ourselves”. To that end, we will be taking a look at two 'breakthrough' congregations that have achieved significant and sustained growth: Harmony, in Landen Ohio, and the UU Church of Ogden, Utah. We encourage all of you to read these articles prior to the workshop.

Lunch will be provided; please contact Norma Bailey (baile1nj@cmich.edu, 989-560-3952) if you need child care. A progress report of the second meeting is available on our website.

Contacting Our Building and Kitchen Manager
Tina Christy has been our volunteer Building Manager for a long time. She is in charge of anything that concerns the building and grounds, but she needs your eyes and ears to let her know if you spot some problems (ex.: bulbs burned out, faucets dripping, thermostat, door locks, leaks anywhere).​ ​
If it is an emergency, contact her at 989-506-2985 ortina48858@gmail.com. For all other concerns, leave a message on her clipboard located on the piano in the fellowship hall.  

If you notice that we are running out of needed items, contact our kitchen manager and purchase volunteer Kris Los (989-429-0425 or Krislos71@gmail.com). Her message board is located in the kitchen next to the light switch. We are grateful to Tina's and Kris' devoted service to our fellowship.

“No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow.”
~ Proverb

The deadline for submissions to the Order of Service Insert and the UUFCM weekly e-News
is Tuesday at 5 p.m. Please send all submissions to admin@uufcm.org

Important Contacts
Have a suggestion? a problem? a question? We can help!
Building Manager: Tina Christy (989.506.2985; tina48858@gmail.com)
Caring Committee: Mary Alsager (989.773.2595; malsager@yahoo.com)
Children’s RE Committee: Bill Tinsley (989.488.8505; w.tinsleyii@gmail.com)
Hospitality: Norma Bailey (989.560.3952; baile1nj@cmich.edu), Laura McBride (989.772.5512; lmbride010@gmail.com)
Membership: Gisela Moffit (989.772.1602; gbmoffit@gmail.com)
Social Action: Norma Bailey (989.560.3952; baile1nj@cmich.edu)
Social Fun: Laura McBride (989.772.5512; lmbride010@gmail.com)
Stewardship: Gisela Moffit (989.772.1602; gbmoffit@gmail.com), Vicki Chessin (989.463.3076; vechessin@aol.com)
Transition Team: Norma Bailey (989.560.3952; baile1nj@cmich.edu)
Worship Team: Vicki Chessin (989.463.3076; vechessin@aol.com)