eNews for 8/26/14

Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.

~ Ovid

Fun and Fellowship!
Wearing our Standing on the Side of Love tee shirts and rainbow attire... members of our UUFCM participated in the 25th annual Mi Pride March and Rally in Lansing Michigan August 23rd. We look forward to doing it again next year!  We stand on the side of love and support the LBGTQ community and equality for all! Check out the slideshow...

UU Kids' Choir
In anticipation of the dedication of our Peace Pole that our kids worked so long and hard to install, the UU Kids' Choir will begin rehearsals on Sunday, August 31st from 12:00-12:30. We will be performing for the Peace Pole ceremony. Many thanks to Hank Zeniewicz for his great effort involved in planting and protecting the pole last Saturday.

Worship Matters

• Those able to be present at worship this past Sunday experienced a somewhat untraditional sermon reflection. An overview of Dawn’s message can be found here on our website. And here is the link to the Sinead O’Connor song (with lyrics) that was presented at the close of service: “Take Me to Church”
  
• Reminder: We have available a “joys and sorrows” book that is placed on the side table as you enter the sanctuary for Sunday worship. Please use this book to record any brief remembrances you wish read aloud during the morning’s joys and sorrow ritual. 
  
• Upcoming Sunday service themes:
  August 31 - Work and Rest
  September 7 - The Religious Impulse – Worship Leader: Vicki Chessin
  September 14 - The River Flows On: Annual Fall Ingathering-Water Service
  *This service will be followed by the dedication of our recently installed Peace Pole. 
• Further information about Sunday worship is available on our website “Upcoming Services” page. Please check back often as the calendar is updated each week...and changes do occur. Please note that unless otherwise indicated, worship will be led by UUFCM minister, Dawn Daniels.

RE Needs Volunteers
September is right around the corner, and as well as back-to-school, our youth will be resuming religious education curriculum. We are very excited to be offering diversity and social justice as our theme for this year's programs. We need teachers! All you need to be a successful RE volunteer is to be caring and enthusiastic. We have great curriculum prepared, ready to be placed in helping hands. Each volunteer will be teaching with a partner and time commitments are somewhat flexible. If you have any availability we would love to have your help energizing our youth with a UU's commitment to social justice. Please contact the Director of Religious Education, Roze Finn, with questions at (989) 400-7674 or rozeofmanycolors@gmail.com.

Make Joyful Noise!
Come, come, whoever you are. The 2014-2015 choir season is underway with weekly practices every Wednesday evening from 7:00-8:00. If you have ever been in a choir, or have always wanted to be in a choir, or just enjoy singing, please join us. We are in need of some additional voices. Although we do try and sing on the majority of Sundays from September through June, we are very flexible and are happy to have you when you are able to be with us even if it is once a month. We also have some members who are unable to be at the rehearsals on Wednesday evenings and sing with us on Sunday mornings. If you are interested and have questions or would like a personal invitation, please contact Chris Bauerle or any of the other choir members and we will be happy to talk with you. My contact information: cchris1111@gmail.com or 989-330-8457.

Sewing Circle
Sewing Circle is cancelled for September 1st, but will continue the regular schedule on September 15th.

First Friday Potlucks Are Back!
Laura McBride is kicking off the first themed potluck on Sept. 5th with the theme being Comfort Food Favorites! If you are interested in attending, please go to Perfectpotluck.com and enter coordinator last name: McBride and password: 3619. If you would rather contact Laura with your favorite comfort food, call or email her at 989.772.5512 or Lmcbride010@gmail.com. Conversation and/or games may follow, so bring your favorites of either or both! See you then!A global educational opportunity coming to Mt. Pleasant...
Educating and Caring for the Orphaned Children of Rural Kenya
Tuesday, October 7 at 6 p.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Mt. Pleasant
Florence Oyosi is the Co-Founder and Director of His Arms Children’s Project, a non-governmental organization (NGO), whose mission it is to organize financial and educational support for orphaned children in the Ekwanda/Maseno area of Western Kenya. In her presentation, Ms. Oyosi will share the struggles of the women and orphaned children there. Using photos and case studies, she will demonstrate how grassroots efforts can lead to improved lives of people living in extreme poverty. For more information, contact Renee Babcock at 989-773-6936 or babco1rl@cmich.edu. St. John’s is at the corner of Washington and Maple in Mt. Pleasant. Read the complete flyer announcement here on our website.

Blessed are you who know that the work of the church is transformation of society, who have a vision of Beloved Community transcending the present, and who do not shrink from controversy, sacrifice, or change. Blessed are you indeed.

~ John Buehrens

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)