Get Your Questions Ready!
On Sunday, August 25, there will be no formal sermon. Our new Interim Minister, Rev. Joe Cleveland, will respond to your questions rather than preach a sermon. Take advantage of this opportunity to get to know Rev. Joe!
Fellowship Life Meeting - This Sunday
On Sunday, August 25th will be our next fellowship life meeting after the service. Topics to be discussed will be plans for hospitality, the RE program, the upcoming Fellowship Fair (formerly known as Job Fair) and new office protocols. As always this is a great opportunity for asking questions and get more invested in our fellowship.
Have Things Changed?
The UUFCM directory update is currently under construction. If 'things have changed' for you - phone number(s), email, address, etc. - please contact Kirsten by September 1st and let her know!
First Friday Potluck
Want to host one of the upcoming potlucks? We still need help! The dates available for hosting are: September 6, October 4, and December 6. Duties include: arriving 15 minutes early; setting out plates, cups, and silverware; overseeing clean up afterwards and run dishwasher (if full) - not to worry, most will stay to help!; and then lock up and go. Contact Laura McBride at 989.772.5512 or [email protected] to sign up!
First Sunday Food Pantry Collection
Great need continues for many people in our own community for assistance in meeting the basic needs of life. Next Sunday, September 1, please bring non-perishable food items (canned goods), baby items, paper products and personal care products for donation. Your offerings will be collected by the children at the opening of the worship service. Thank you in advance!
Fall Fellowship Fair Coming Soon!
It is by working together, bringing our ideas and efforts to promote the health of this fellowship that we can grow and expand our Mission. Serving together we learn to rely on one another and become deeper friends. Please plan to attend one day of our two-day "Fair" to see all the areas in which you are needed. Learn about the places your time and talents can be given to promote the health and growth of our community. From worship on Sundays to RE, from communications, to planning, from soup to nuts, we need you! The return on involvement is deep and the work is lighter with many in service.
Our "Fall Fellowship Fair" will be held on Sundays September 15 and 22 following the worship service in the Fellowship Hall.
RE Kickoff
The new UUFCM Religious Education year will be kicking off Sunday, September 15. To celebrate last year’s growth and this year’s potential, we will be gathering at Buckley's as a congregation at 3:00 p.m. to enjoy time together as a fellowship family. Please show your support of our children and youth and your excitement for the RE program by participating in this event.
Children and youth paddle free of charge, but must have an adult present at the event, though not necessarily in the same watercraft. Kayaks and canoes are available to adults for the reduced rate of $15/person.
Contact Niki Henry to RSVP and for more information: [email protected] or 480-560-4785. An alternate event will take place in the case of inclement weather. So, save this date!
Silent Auction - Save the Date
Last year's auction was a great success, so plans are underway for another fun-filled evening. This year's Silent Item and Service Auction will be held on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. Mark your calendars now so that you don't forget!
Start thinking about what unique services or skills you can offer: teach, bake, host, create, share. What are you good at that somebody would really appreciate?
Look at some treasures in your house you no longer need, but somebody else would love to have. Consider donating them. If you want to help organizing the event, contact Gisela Moffit, Vicki Chessin or Norma Bailey soon. Stay tuned for more details...
Joyful Noise Choir Rehearsal
The Joyful Noise choir has begun rehearsing. If you enjoy singing we would be very happy if you joined us. If you have any questions please contact Chris Bauerle at (989) 330-8457 or at [email protected].
Children’s Choir
UUFCM will soon be forming a children's choir. Roze Finn will be leading our youngest members in this endeavor. Donations of percussive instruments such as tambourines, triangles, maracas, etc. are needed for the Youthful Noise choir. If you have something the children and youth could use, please see Roze or Niki. More information will soon be available.
Can Collection
Please remember that the UUFCM RE children and youth are collecting cans and bottles to raise money for a peace pole. We have raised about a third of the funds that we need to plant the pole on our property, so we have a great start. Also, start saving your pennies for this project. Several "noisy collections" will be taking place this fall to add to the fundraising effort.
Do You Donate to CMU Public Radio?
The last couple years some of us have bundled our donations to CMU Public Radio and purchased "publicity". UUFCM has been a "day sponsor" and had regular "blurbs" acknowledging us. Mary Alsager will be collecting our donations once again. You can make the check to CMU Public Radio as you have in the past but give it to Mary. You still get the tax benefit. We will continue to do this in the future, so if this year is a done deal for you, please remember us next year.
Have You Been Counted Yet? How Do We Show Up? Survey –
The first tabulation of the surveys is now posted in the Fellowship Hall, but we need more complete information as people return from summer. There are more surveys available in the entry way and we will be encouraging participation in the next few weeks.
The first two Sundays in July we asked “How do we show up?” living our faith in the world. To facilitate a discussion about how we collectively might work for Social Justice, we are looking at where we, as individuals, are already committed. On Friday, July 19, you received a survey via email. If you have not yet returned it or completed one at church, please do so by leaving it in the box in the entryway at the UU Center or mail it to Vicki Chessin, 7546 N Luce Rd., Alma, 48801. The collective information will be shared in early September.
Sewing Circle
Sewing Circle is cancelled for August, but will resume in September - see you then!
Party at the Spray Park
Roze Finn would like to invite the children of UUFCM and those young at heart to celebrate the birthday of her son, Taran. We will be celebrating at the Island Park Spray Park on Saturday, August 24 starting at noon. Please bring your bathing suit and refreshments will be provided.