We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can only fly embracing each other.
~ Luciano De Crescenzo
This Sunday, March 22, marks the official end of the UUFCM 2015 Stewardship Drive and we will be bringing this process to a close with a celebratory worship service! We will reflect together on the many ways we individually and collectively “steward” this church and how the myriad ways in which we give of our time, talents and treasure is transformative in our lives, our community, and our world.
All members and friends have already received this year’s stewardship packet in the mail – if you haven’t yet, we ask that you take the time to read through it in order to inform yourself of the various issues we face as a fellowship and consider your gifts of time, talent, and money to this treasured faith community. We will be collecting your pledges during the worship service, so please remember to bring your completed forms with you. We will have extra forms on hand if you perchance forget…and please don’t hesitate to attend if you are not yet clear or perhaps conflicted about your ability to give this year. There is room at the table for everyone…the gift of your presence is welcomed!
In case you missed it…or want to review some of the references she mentioned…or just need some more inspiration - Dawn’s sermon on stewardship “Choose to Bless the World” from last Sunday, March 15, can be found here. It includes a helpful message on her evolving sermon-making style that she encourages all to read.
And if you’ve missed any of the personal “reflection on stewardship” testimonials that have been so generously shared in worship the past several weeks…or just want to revisit these poignant messages, please go to our home page.
Reflection on Selma...
The UUFCM was represented not only by the UUA and other sister UU fellowships at the jubilee observance in Selma on March 8 – our own Laura Frey made the journey to Selma to walk the bridge with President Obama, Rep. John Lewis, and a few thousand other folks. She has shared some of her photos with us and has written a reflection of this experience. Thank you Laura!
CUUPs Celebrates Ostara - This Sunday, March 22
Ostara is a pagan celebration of the Spring Equinox. It is a ritual that welcomes the full promise of Spring and the turning of the wheel towards the Summer Solstice. 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.
MidAmerica Regional Assembly News
Annette Pratt and Capalene Howse have volunteered to attend the MidAmerica Regional Assembly in Naperville, IL in April. We are thrilled they will serve the congregation in this manner. We look forward to learning about their experience. Thanks Annette and Capalene!
Selma, UUA, Voting Rights and Us
On Sunday, April 19, from 1-3 pm, Laura Frey and Norma Bailey will offer a two-hour program for young people (middle school and older) and adults to learn about what happened in Selma, how the UUA was involved, what’s happening with the Voting Rights Act, and what we can do. The program will include video, Laura Frey sharing about her recent visit to Selma, and conversation among ourselves. Please put this valuable opportunity on your calendar!
A Community Conversation About LGBT Rights On Thursday, April 23, from 7-9 pm, our Fellowship will sponsor a town hall meeting for citizens of Mt. Pleasant and the surrounding area titled A Community Conversation about LGBT Rights. Jay Kaplan, ACLU of Michigan LGBT Legal Project Staff Attorney, will present and then facilitate conversation about marriage equality, amending the Elliott Larsen Civil Rights Act, and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, all topics being considered by our legislators in Lansing. While marriage equality will be decided by the United States Supreme Court, the other two topics are ones that our legislators will decide, and we need to fully understand the issues and find out what we can do. |
Thank you to all who participated in and supported the UUSC Guest at Your Table Luncheon. $1007 was sent to UUSC from our congregation, a tremendous contribution! Thanks to all our young people and parents who helped with the luncheon – setting up on Saturday afternoon, serving on Sunday, and cleaning up after the event. Thanks also to Annette Pratt for providing the delicious bread, to Roze Bentley, Gisela Moffit and Susan Powers for providing the tasty soups, to Kris Los for the wonderful desserts, and to Cynthia Damer for providing the beverages and butter; your contributions were deeply appreciated.
• • • Community News • • •
CMU Events
2015 Pow Wow - March 21-22
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
Soup and Substance Spring Series calendar
Woodland Hospice “With you Every Step of the Way” - Saturday, April 11
Join us April 11th for our annual “With you Every Step of the Way” 5K run/1 mile walk at the Commission on Aging in Mount Pleasant. Proceeds of the event benefit Woodland Hospice Morey Bereavement Center. Guinness Book World Record holders, Chris Cakes, will be serving an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast. Participants can run, walk or just eat.
Where else in life do we find a community dedicated to this,
what Emerson described as ‘the infinite enlargement of the heart?’
~ from 3/15/15 sermon "Choose to Bless the World”
In case of inclement weather, a decision to cancel the service will be made by 9 a.m. An announcement will be posted here on our web site and on Facebook as well as sent directly via email. Those who are not online will be phoned. If you have questions, call Dawn Daniels (989-763-6315) or Laura McBride (989-772-5512). 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
Sunday at 10:00 p.m. Please send all submissions to [email protected]
UUFCM Board of Trustees for 2014-2015
President: Laura McBride (989.772.5512; [email protected])
President Elect: Annette Pratt (989.400.0173; [email protected])
Past-President: Gisela Moffit (989.772.1602; [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: Capalene Howse (989.488.8714; [email protected])
Trustee: Jennifer Prout (989.400.3130; [email protected])