“Making a decision to have a child–it's momentous.
It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.”
~ Elizabeth Stone
Sunday Worship
This Sunday, May 11, the theme is Keep the Gift Moving.
Upcoming sermons include:
May 18: TBA
May 25: Fishes Without Bicycles - What does it mean to be a church without a binding creed?
June 1: Community and Communion
Time Line of Important Upcoming Events
Saturday, May 17:
11:00 a.m. - Memorial Service for founding member Margaret Nash at Clark's Funeral Home.
Sunday, May 18: Annual Business Meeting after the service
Saturday, May 24: UUFCM will be Standing on the Side of Love at the Highland Festival Parade in Alma
and the March to Stop Monsanto in Mt. Pleasant
Saturday, May 31: Board Spring Retreat
New Refreshment Calendar
The calendar for bringing refreshments during the summer months is available here. As before, people were assigned on the basis of having every person bring a treat one or two times a year. Please have a look and find out if you are on the list. If you have a conflict with your date, please swap with somebody else and let Gisela know so that she can remind the right people. Thanks so much for your dedicated service. The delicious treats add a lot to our coffee hour.
Movie Night - This Saturday!
Movie Night is every second Saturday at 7 p.m. at the UU Center. The movie for this Saturday, May 10th is “Antonia’s Line,” a 1995 Dutch film and a personal favorite. Described as a “feminist fairy tale,” it tells the story of the independent Antonia who, after returning to the anonymous Dutch village of her birth, establishes and nurtures a close-knit matriarchal community. The film covers topics ranging from death and religion to sex, intimacy, lesbianism, friendship and love. It’s a beautiful, even “heart-warming” film but not cloying; and don’t we all deserve a happy fairy tale once in a while? Contact Jim Dealing with any questions -[email protected] or (989) 772-0269.
RE News
The elementary sleepover will be hosted by Midland UU on Friday, May 16 through Saturday, May 17. We'd like to send a couple people as volunteers/chaperones so Midland does not have to supply everyone. Anyone interested can contact Bill Tinsley or Capalene Howse.
Summer is nearing, which means our RE year is winding down. Our kids would love for you to sign up to hang out with them on a Sunday or two this summer. The curriculum is FUN and whatever that means to you! Take them for a walk, to a park, play games, share passions, etc. This is a great time to get to know our young congregants and for them to get to know you! Contact Bill Tinsley to sign up ([email protected] or 989-488-8505).
RE is searching for someone to replace Keelei in the preschool room. This paid position is two hours on Sundays. Other availability on an as needed basis is preferred. If you know of anyone who may be interested, please let them know we are looking. Contact Bill Tinsley for more details.
Annual Business Meeting
On Sunday, May 18 after the service we will have our annual business meeting where the Board proposes a slate of candidates for board positions, the budget and several motions to be voted on by the members of the congregation. A separate mailing with all pertinent details will be sent to you later this week so that you can prepare for this important meeting. Please plan to be there and participate actively in the business of our fellowship.
Save the Date!
Come march with us. Let’s get out there and let them know what we stand for. Saturday, May 24 midmorning, UUFCM will be “Standing on the Side ofLove” with our banners and shirts walking together supporting the local GLBTQ group supporting marriage equality in the Highland Festival parade in Alma. Exact time and starting location will be in future announcements. Contact person: Vicki Chessin ([email protected] or 989-463-3076)
Saturday, May 24 in the afternoon, UUFCM will be “Standing on the Side of Love” in Mt. Pleasant joining the March to Stop Monsanto. Time and location will be in the next announcement. Contact person: Kris Los ([email protected] or 989-429-0425). We think time allows one to do both if desired. Come with or without a yellow shirt.
Special Event Coming Up
On Sunday, June 1, we will not meet at the UU Center, but plan a “Worship In the Park”. We have rented a Pavilion (close to Timber town) and plan to have a service followed by a picnic. Put the date on your calendars and stay tuned for more details.
Stewardship Drive
You will be happy to know that our stewardship drive was a very successful venture. More than half of the congregants increased their contributions significantly so that we are very close to our goal. If you want to know more of the details, be sure to come to the Annual Meeting on May 18 after the service!
In the meantime, we want to thank all the contributing households for their generosity.
Their investments in the future of our fellowship will help us get closer to the fulfillment of our hopes and dreams and are greatly appreciated.
Special thanks go to the ambassadors (Norma Bailey, Jim Dealing, Laura Frey, Joyce Henricks and Capalene Howse) and the hosts of the Circle Suppers (Vicki Chessin, Scott Daigle and Cynthia Damer, the Dealings, K'ana Degen, Kris Los, Jen Prout and the Moffits). Thank you also to the participants of the Circle Suppers who provided tasty dishes and libations for the meals. We also want to express our gratitude to our treasurer, Ricky Courlander, who did an outstanding job keeping track of the pledges and donors. Last, but not least, a big thank you to the stewardship co-chairs, Vicki Chessin and Gisela Moffit, who organized and re-organized - and kept a cool head throughout the hectic weeks.
Results from the Fourth Transition Workshop
A big thank you to all of you who participated in the fourth of our congregational meetings about the transition process! Led by Dan Wiseman, a facilitator from the Mid-America region, we engaged in a process to begin to describe our vision for our future.
Utilizing a multitude of post-it notes and chart paper, we responded to the question "What would we envision for ourselves in five years in the areas of worship, internal programs, social justice and congregational governance?" We then clustered the ideas, found themes, and ultimately prioritized our keys to success in order to become a vibrant and purposeful congregation. The top two priorities were having a strong worship life and engaging in meaningful social justice work. All the ideas are posted in the foyer of the fellowship; feel free to peruse them and engage in continued conversation!
At their spring retreat on May 31, the Board and Transition Team will be addressing all the ideas from the workshops held this year.
Sustainability Workshop
The Michigan Interfaith Power & Light presents a Sustainability Workshop to be held Saturday, May 17 from 10:30am-4pm in Grand Rapids. The workshop will help members of all faiths create strong sustainability initiatives in their congregations and offers practical ways to deepen the connection between faith and ecology. Visit their website for details.
ReCONcile: Breaking Bars to Build a Just Community
ReCONcile will take place Friday, May 16 through Sunday, May 18 at Countryside UU Church in Palatine, Illinois, and welcomes all young adults age 18-35. Young adult cons provide a space where participants can come together in worship, participate in engaging and educational workshops, take action on social justice issues, and build community among young adults throughout the region. Interested? See the flyer in the social hall or on our website.
Love Reaches Out: UUA General Assembly
June 25-29 in Providence, Rhode Island
We believe that our faith provides a path for each of us to unlock our transformational capacity to serve the world with love. We will gather to help our association live into a future where Love Reaches Out – to share our faith both within and beyond our congregations' walls. General Assembly is a transformative and invigorating experience! Registration and housing info and more at http://uua.org/ga.
This Sunday, May 11, the theme is Keep the Gift Moving.
Upcoming sermons include:
May 18: TBA
May 25: Fishes Without Bicycles - What does it mean to be a church without a binding creed?
June 1: Community and Communion
Time Line of Important Upcoming Events
Saturday, May 17:
11:00 a.m. - Memorial Service for founding member Margaret Nash at Clark's Funeral Home.
Sunday, May 18: Annual Business Meeting after the service
Saturday, May 24: UUFCM will be Standing on the Side of Love at the Highland Festival Parade in Alma
and the March to Stop Monsanto in Mt. Pleasant
Saturday, May 31: Board Spring Retreat
New Refreshment Calendar
The calendar for bringing refreshments during the summer months is available here. As before, people were assigned on the basis of having every person bring a treat one or two times a year. Please have a look and find out if you are on the list. If you have a conflict with your date, please swap with somebody else and let Gisela know so that she can remind the right people. Thanks so much for your dedicated service. The delicious treats add a lot to our coffee hour.
Movie Night - This Saturday!
Movie Night is every second Saturday at 7 p.m. at the UU Center. The movie for this Saturday, May 10th is “Antonia’s Line,” a 1995 Dutch film and a personal favorite. Described as a “feminist fairy tale,” it tells the story of the independent Antonia who, after returning to the anonymous Dutch village of her birth, establishes and nurtures a close-knit matriarchal community. The film covers topics ranging from death and religion to sex, intimacy, lesbianism, friendship and love. It’s a beautiful, even “heart-warming” film but not cloying; and don’t we all deserve a happy fairy tale once in a while? Contact Jim Dealing with any questions -[email protected] or (989) 772-0269.
RE News
The elementary sleepover will be hosted by Midland UU on Friday, May 16 through Saturday, May 17. We'd like to send a couple people as volunteers/chaperones so Midland does not have to supply everyone. Anyone interested can contact Bill Tinsley or Capalene Howse.
Summer is nearing, which means our RE year is winding down. Our kids would love for you to sign up to hang out with them on a Sunday or two this summer. The curriculum is FUN and whatever that means to you! Take them for a walk, to a park, play games, share passions, etc. This is a great time to get to know our young congregants and for them to get to know you! Contact Bill Tinsley to sign up ([email protected] or 989-488-8505).
RE is searching for someone to replace Keelei in the preschool room. This paid position is two hours on Sundays. Other availability on an as needed basis is preferred. If you know of anyone who may be interested, please let them know we are looking. Contact Bill Tinsley for more details.
Annual Business Meeting
On Sunday, May 18 after the service we will have our annual business meeting where the Board proposes a slate of candidates for board positions, the budget and several motions to be voted on by the members of the congregation. A separate mailing with all pertinent details will be sent to you later this week so that you can prepare for this important meeting. Please plan to be there and participate actively in the business of our fellowship.
Save the Date!
Come march with us. Let’s get out there and let them know what we stand for. Saturday, May 24 midmorning, UUFCM will be “Standing on the Side ofLove” with our banners and shirts walking together supporting the local GLBTQ group supporting marriage equality in the Highland Festival parade in Alma. Exact time and starting location will be in future announcements. Contact person: Vicki Chessin ([email protected] or 989-463-3076)
Saturday, May 24 in the afternoon, UUFCM will be “Standing on the Side of Love” in Mt. Pleasant joining the March to Stop Monsanto. Time and location will be in the next announcement. Contact person: Kris Los ([email protected] or 989-429-0425). We think time allows one to do both if desired. Come with or without a yellow shirt.
Special Event Coming Up
On Sunday, June 1, we will not meet at the UU Center, but plan a “Worship In the Park”. We have rented a Pavilion (close to Timber town) and plan to have a service followed by a picnic. Put the date on your calendars and stay tuned for more details.
Stewardship Drive
You will be happy to know that our stewardship drive was a very successful venture. More than half of the congregants increased their contributions significantly so that we are very close to our goal. If you want to know more of the details, be sure to come to the Annual Meeting on May 18 after the service!
In the meantime, we want to thank all the contributing households for their generosity.
Their investments in the future of our fellowship will help us get closer to the fulfillment of our hopes and dreams and are greatly appreciated.
Special thanks go to the ambassadors (Norma Bailey, Jim Dealing, Laura Frey, Joyce Henricks and Capalene Howse) and the hosts of the Circle Suppers (Vicki Chessin, Scott Daigle and Cynthia Damer, the Dealings, K'ana Degen, Kris Los, Jen Prout and the Moffits). Thank you also to the participants of the Circle Suppers who provided tasty dishes and libations for the meals. We also want to express our gratitude to our treasurer, Ricky Courlander, who did an outstanding job keeping track of the pledges and donors. Last, but not least, a big thank you to the stewardship co-chairs, Vicki Chessin and Gisela Moffit, who organized and re-organized - and kept a cool head throughout the hectic weeks.
Results from the Fourth Transition Workshop
A big thank you to all of you who participated in the fourth of our congregational meetings about the transition process! Led by Dan Wiseman, a facilitator from the Mid-America region, we engaged in a process to begin to describe our vision for our future.
Utilizing a multitude of post-it notes and chart paper, we responded to the question "What would we envision for ourselves in five years in the areas of worship, internal programs, social justice and congregational governance?" We then clustered the ideas, found themes, and ultimately prioritized our keys to success in order to become a vibrant and purposeful congregation. The top two priorities were having a strong worship life and engaging in meaningful social justice work. All the ideas are posted in the foyer of the fellowship; feel free to peruse them and engage in continued conversation!
At their spring retreat on May 31, the Board and Transition Team will be addressing all the ideas from the workshops held this year.
Sustainability Workshop
The Michigan Interfaith Power & Light presents a Sustainability Workshop to be held Saturday, May 17 from 10:30am-4pm in Grand Rapids. The workshop will help members of all faiths create strong sustainability initiatives in their congregations and offers practical ways to deepen the connection between faith and ecology. Visit their website for details.
ReCONcile: Breaking Bars to Build a Just Community
ReCONcile will take place Friday, May 16 through Sunday, May 18 at Countryside UU Church in Palatine, Illinois, and welcomes all young adults age 18-35. Young adult cons provide a space where participants can come together in worship, participate in engaging and educational workshops, take action on social justice issues, and build community among young adults throughout the region. Interested? See the flyer in the social hall or on our website.
Love Reaches Out: UUA General Assembly
June 25-29 in Providence, Rhode Island
We believe that our faith provides a path for each of us to unlock our transformational capacity to serve the world with love. We will gather to help our association live into a future where Love Reaches Out – to share our faith both within and beyond our congregations' walls. General Assembly is a transformative and invigorating experience! Registration and housing info and more at http://uua.org/ga.
“We never know the love of the parent until we become parents ourselves.”
~ Henry Ward Beecher
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More detail about UUFCM activities and shared interest groups is available on our website.
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 [email protected]
Important Contacts
Have a suggestion? a problem? a question? We can help!
Building Manager: Tina Christy (989.506.2985; [email protected])
Caring Committee: Mary Alsager (989.773.2595; [email protected])
Children’s RE Committee: Bill Tinsley (989.488.8505; [email protected])
Hospitality: Norma Bailey (989.560.3952; [email protected]),
Laura McBride (989.772.5512; [email protected])
Membership: Gisela Moffit (989.772.1602; [email protected])
Social Action: Norma Bailey (989.560.3952; [email protected])
Social Fun: Laura McBride (989.772.5512; [email protected])
Stewardship: Gisela Moffit (989.772.1602; [email protected]),
Vicki Chessin (989.463.3076; [email protected])
Transition Team: Norma Bailey (989.560.3952; [email protected])
Worship Team: Vicki Chessin (989.463.3076; [email protected])
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