When we quit thinking primarily about ourselves and our own self-preservation,
we undergo a truly heroic transformation of consciousness.
~ Joseph Campbell
Text to come...
Home of the Brave Documentary Coming to Mt. Pleasant – Thursday, April 16!
Have you heard of Viola Liuzzo? Fifty years ago, this Unitarian Universalist left her Detroit home and family to join the Selma marchers. Killed mysteriously, Viola became the only white woman to lose her life in the civil rights movement. Home of the Brave tells her story, and the story of her family's fight to uncover the truth behind her death.
We were contacted recently by a group of CMU students intent on bringing the documentary of Viola’s life to Mt. Pleasant. The UUFCM has acquired tickets, and they will be available for purchase after services this Sunday, April 12. Ticket cost is $11.00. The showing will be Thursday, April 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Celebration Cinema. If we sell out, more tickets can be purchased – a total of 100 seats are available. To read more about this compelling story, visit the website at https://gathr.us/screening/11588.
In Worship
In our worship services for the month of April, we will explore together a central aspect of our mission as a faith community – Transformation. As we seek to transform ourselves and our world, what does this mean…really? This Sunday, April 19, we continue with “Earth, Our Deep-Home-Place” – a multigenerational observance of Earth Day. We hope you will join us!
Save the Date(s):
- Fellowship Life Meeting Agenda: Q & A proposed bylaw changes and refreshment schedule announcement
- Congregational Life Team is meeting Saturday, April 18 at 10 a.m. in the UU Social Hall. Please join us!
- UUFCM Clean Up Days: Saturday, May 2 & 9 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wear old clothes for cleaning, raking beds, washing windows, painting, etc. Get to know church members better and improve our building and grounds. Lunch onsite, details later!
- Annual Meeting in place of Fellowship Life meeting: Sunday, May 17th immediately following service to vote on bylaw proposals, election, budget, etc. More details later!
Directories Available
If you want to have a hard copy of our directory, please pick one up on Sunday. They are located on the ledge leading to the sanctuary. As always, there are inaccuracies due to recent changes in phones, emails or postal addresses. For the most current information, go to our website uufcm.org and click on directory. It is password protected so if you forgot the password, contact Kirsten at [email protected].
MUUSJN Plate Collection
This Sunday, April 19, we will have a special plate collection to support the Michigan UU Social Justice Network (MUUSJN). MUUSJN is a state-wide network of Unitarian Universalists and allies who work together for progressive change in the areas of income inequality, reproductive justice, gun control, human rights, LGBT rights and health care. You can find more information about their work at http://www.uujustice.org/index.html.
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 our 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. |

On Saturday, April 25 at 7:30 p.m. the UUFCM will happily welcome Dana and Susan Robinson, two guitar-playing, banjo-flailing, fiddle-sawing, and harmony-singing interpreters of the American experience. Their unique blend of contemporary songwriting and traditional Appalachian music bring to their performances a deep understanding of America’s musical heritage.
The genius of a Dana and Susan Robinson performance lies in their ability to capture the imagination of their audience, evoking a transformative experience that touches on the deepest humanity. They can make the audience howl with laughter or hush with poignant reflection as they take them on a journey across America and convey the mystery and wonder of the places they visit.
"Many songwriters have been heralded as modern day Woody Guthries or keepers of the American rural spirit, but that mantle might be better entrusted to musicians like Dana Robinson who embody both the heart and the soul of folk music.”
- Dirty Linen
Doors will open at 7:00 p.m. No tickets to purchase – a free-will love offering will be collected at the close of the concert. For more information about Dana and Susan, visit their website at http://www.robinsongs.com/
The Detroit Tigers have joined four other MLB teams in designating a night for LGBT Pride during the 2015 Baseball Season. Detroit has had a fantastic start with a 6-0 record and some big hitting games, so this is bound to be a fun night. If you are interested in attending the game on Wednesday, June 3, contact Capalene Howse: [email protected] or 989 488.8714 by April 24. Tickets will be around $20 per seat at the group rate if we can secure a group of 15 or more.
UUFCM Garage Sale
The UUFCM garage sale will be held on Thursday, Friday and (half day) Saturday, May 21-23. If you have items to contribute, please contact Norma Bailey (989-560-3952 or [email protected]) to find out how and where to drop them off. Please also contact her letting her know how and when you will be able to help either setting up the garage sale (sorting and pricing) and/or selling on the days of the sale. Many hands make light work!
• • • Community News • • •
Renewable Energy Forum & Fair - Saturday, April 25
Mt. Pleasant Citizens' Climate Education and Citizens' Climate Lobby invites members of faith groups to the free, public Renewable Energy Forum & Fair cosponsored with Central Michigan University's College of Communication and Fine Arts, Saturday, April 25, 1:00-4:00 p.m. in the ET Bldg., CMU, Mt. Pleasant.
Luke Allen of Michigan's Interfaith Power and Light (IPL) will be available to talk to members of faith groups. IPL enacts its motto-"Connecting Faith and Sustainability"-by providing educational resources on how to be better stewards of energy and with programs to increase energy efficiency and install affordable solar systems in houses of worship.
CMU Events
Pride Week 2015 - April 13-17
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month - through April 16
What you're supposed to do when you don't like a thing is change it.
If you can't change it, change the way you think about it. Don't complain.
~ Maya Angelou
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])