The difference between the right word and the almost right word
is the difference between lightning and the lightening bug.
~ Mark Twain
If you were unable to attend last Sunday's special service, you missed a wonderful event. The “Celebration Sunday” service was the highlight of this year's stewardship drive as we celebrated together all the gifts of time, talent and treasure given generously to our fellowship to help us grow and thrive. Special thanks to our minister, Dawn, who designed the meaningful service, Laura McBride who gave an excellent reflection on her role and involvement as a steward, and Annette Pratt who joined Dawn in thanking and blessing all the many people whose gifts of service have transformed our faith community into an active, participatory, and committed church. We collected our pledges of time and money in our own “stone soup” pot, symbolizing the miracle of giving: when everybody gives, there is enough for everyone and more to feed other hungry souls. Thank you for your generosity and dedication to our church – your gifts will enable us to continue to live out our mission. Blessing to you all!
If you missed the opportunity to add your donation to the soup pot, please bring it next Sunday or send it directly to our treasurer David Macleod, UUFCM, P.O. Box 41, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48804-0041 by March 29. If you need pledge forms, click here. Thanks so much for doing your share to help us thrive as a community of faith!
In Worship
This Sunday, March 29, the theme for our worship will focus on some of the perils of unmindful communication. The sermon message for the morning is titled “Spreading the News”, a humorous multi-voiced dramatization of the downside of gossip, presented by the UUFCM Readers' Theatre and Friends. We hope you will join us!
First Friday Potluck - Cancelled for April
The potluck for April 3 is cancelled. See you in May!
Mission Statement Review – April 12 Focus Group
In the spring of 2014, the UUFCM drafted a new mission statement - “Fueled by love, transforming our lives and our world” on a year-long trial basis to assist our development as a faith community. As we approach the one-year anniversary of this action, it is time for us to review our mission. On Sunday, April 12 – following worship at 12:00 p.m. - the Transition Task Force will convene a focus group of UUFCM members and friends to facilitate a discussion review and evaluation of the mission statement. Should we keep the draft mission statement as is or is there need for modification? Does it articulate clearly enough – for both ourselves and others outside our fellowship - what we see as our purpose and mission as a faith community? These and many other questions will be posed to assist us in this evaluation process. This is a wonderful opportunity to reflect together on the essence of who we are as a community…and how we communicate it. We encourage everyone to come and join in the discussion!
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. |
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!
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!
Follow-up to Guest at Your Table Luncheon
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
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.
Be sure to taste your words before you spit them out.
~ Unknown
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 admin@uufcm.org
UUFCM Board of Trustees for 2014-2015
President: Laura McBride (989.772.5512; lmcbride010@gmail.com)
President Elect: Annette Pratt (989.400.0173; ampratt@cybersingerscafe.com)
Past-President: Gisela Moffit (989.772.1602; gbmoffit@gmail.com)
Treasurer: David Macleod (989.772.0595; macle1d@cmich.edu)
Secretary: Vicki Chessin (989.463.3076; vechessin@aol.com)
Trustee: Scott Daigle (989.506.5750; sndaigle@gmail.com)
Trustee: Capalene Howse (989.488.8714; capalene.howse@gmail.com)
Trustee: Jennifer Prout (989.400.3130; poutyprouty66@yahoo.com)