eNews for 8/27/15

I imagine one of the reasons people cling to their hates so stubbornly
is because they  sense, once hate is gone, they will be forced to deal with pain.

~ James Baldwin

In Worship
This Sunday, August 30, our worship will center on the theme of racial justice and “Why #Black 
Lives Matter Matters.” Please come – be present – listen and share…engage. 

“The term “stay woke” is used on social media by people who continue pointing to the ever-growing list of victims of state violence, racial profiling, or other racial injustices. Unitarian Universalists, too, can “stay woke” by continuing to grapple with the magnitude of the work ahead, and by refusing to succumb to the temptation to ignore the racial realities of our country.

It is imperative, whatever our level of education or our privileges, that none of us looks away. If we are to live up to our First Principle, and truly honor the inherent worth and dignity of every person, then we must proclaim, with words and deeds, that black lives matter.”

- Kenny Wiley, in UU World post “Five Ways to Support Black Lives Matter”

Voter Registration Effort Needs Your Help!
We have formed a new coalition made up of representatives of the League of Women Voters, the Mid-Michigan Interfaith Coalition, and CMU faculty and students to work on voter registration and voter education from a non-partisan stance. Our first effort is voter registration, and there are three events where volunteers are needed to register students (listed below). The task is simple – carry a clipboard and help students fill out a voter registration form accurately – and there will be a brief training to help you feel confident about the task. Sign up with Norma Bailey at church the next two Sundays or contact her at [email protected] or at 989-560-3952. Please join us as we UUFCMers work to make the world a better place!

Saturday, August 29, 5-9 pm at MainStage at CMU (most needed)
Sunday, August 30, 1-5 pm at Wesley Foundation (corner of Washington and Preston)
Wednesday, September 2, 4-7 at CMU’s Warriner Mall (MASS Get Acquainted Day)

Michigan Pride Parade and Festival
It's Pride season! The annual Pride Parade, part of the 26th Celebration of Pride in Michigan’s Capitol, steps off on Saturday, August 29, 2015 at 12:00 p.m. from Adado Riverfront Park. The parade travels through downtown Lansing and ends in front of the state Capitol Building. We have so much to celebrate this year! Meet in front of Adado Riverfront Park (300 N. Grand Ave.) with fun rainbow decorations and/or your Standing on the Side of Love t-shirt for the parade. The Pride Festival is in Adado Park from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m.

Infant Pantry Collection - September 6
Donations for the Infant Pantry are collected on the first Sunday of each month. Most needed items are  things for baby care - diapers (especially sizes 5 and 6), creams, shampoos,and  lotions. Baby food and formula are not needed a this time. Please contact Tom Moffit ([email protected] or 772-1602) with any questions. Thank you in advance for your generous donations!

First Friday Potluck - September 11
Due to Labor Day Weekend the First Friday potluck has moved to September 11. More information to follow...

Upcoming Social Justice Events
September 15: The Mt. Pleasant Area Diversity Group is sponsoring a community forum on Black Lives Matter on Tuesday, September 15 in the Veteran's Memorial Library Annex. Look for more information as we get closer to the date.
October 11: Crop Walk (details to come)

Parking for Sunday Services
Due to the reduced accessibility from the parking lot to our Wisconsin entrance, please leave parking on Wisconsin to our members and friends who have mobility challenges. Feel free to park in the lot and along University and Franklin streets. While Sundays are our busiest days, please be considerate when coming for other church sponsored events to park elsewhere. Thank you for your support in this matter!

We have spent too much time in thinking…We have learnt, rather too late,
that action comes  not from thought, but from a readiness for responsibility.

~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer

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 2015-2016
President: Annette Pratt (989.400.0173; [email protected])
President Elect/Past-President: Laura McBride (989.772.5512; [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: Carol Rard (989.561.2969; [email protected])