eNews for Thursday, April 20

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Keep up with all that’s happening at the UUFCM!

View this email in your browser eNews for Thursday, April 20 Worship Matters We will gather online via Zoom and in person this Sunday, April 23 to worship together with our minister Drew Frantz, who will present “Organic Resistance.” The Zoom call starts at 10:00 for social time, and the service starts at 10:30.   “In our world, a few people wield inordinate power through corporations, personal wealth, and political positions–and this power is used for profit and for enacting harmful laws. In the face of this reality, we are called to resist by banding together in communities of mutual support and grassroots action. This Earth Day weekend reminds us that resistance is organic: that we grow strong together like interwoven roots.” Zoom Invitation for April 23: Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 402489218 One tap mobile +16468769923,,402489218# Phone - audio only +1 646 876 9923 Upcoming Services April 30: Buddhist Sangha May 7: Creativity in Art May 14: Creativity in Families and Relationships If you happen to miss being in worship, please check out our website sermon archive for sermon video and/or text. Minister’s Column “Yesterday I went walking in one of my favorite spots, Deerfield Park just west of town. I knew that the forecast was for flurries—a big change from the summer-like weather a few days ago—but decided to go anyway. It ended up snowing on and off during the whole walk, but I was with one of my favorite people—my youngest child, now 24 years old—and I didn’t mind.” Read more here. Upcoming Events Most meetings and events are hybrid (in-person/Zoom). Please contact the event or meeting leader if you are not sure. Event and meeting details and links can be found on the UUFCM Calendar. - Sunday Worship - Welcome to UU Orientation - Last Sundays at 12:30pm - UUFCM Men’s Group - 1st Mondays at 7pm on Zoom - Game Night - 3rd Mondays at 7pm - Central Michigan Sangha - Tuesdays at 6:45pm - UU Discussion Group - Wednesdays at 10am - Choir Rehearsal - Wednesdays at 7pm - First Friday Potluck - First Fridays at 6:30pm - The 1619 Project Docu-Series - Friday, April 21 at 6:30pm - Movie Night - Saturday, April 22 at 6:30pm All members and friends are welcome to attend our UUFCM Board meeting as well as the various team meetings that occur monthly. If you are interested in attending any specific team meeting, please contact the team leader for information. Team Meetings Communications Coordinating Team - Monday, April 24 at 7:30pm If you are interested in helping any of these teams or committees, please fill out the Volunteer Opportunity Form if you haven’t already. Stewardship Update We are in the last official week of our Deepening Connections pledge campaign. As of Sunday, April 16, we have received pledges from 56 members representing 76% of our membership. Thank you to all of you who have turned in your pledge so far! Since our goal is that 100% of our members make a pledge for the 2023-2024 year, we need the rest of you to complete a pledge form, hopefully by this Sunday, April 23. If you haven’t yet pledged and you have misplaced your pledge packet, you can get a paper copy at the Fellowship on Sunday or pledge online at the Donate! button.   This Sunday, April 23, we will also be making our raffle drawing for the prizes announced in the stewardship packet.  We hope you can be there to enjoy the fun! If you have questions, contact anyone on the Stewardship Committee – Mary Alsager, Norma Bailey, Drew Frantz, Gisela Moffit, Darlene Ritchie, and Amy Voege. The 1619 Project Docu-Series Continues Tomorrow, April 21 from 6:30-9:30pm in the Fellowship Hall Everyone is invited to attend The 1619 Project Docu-Series, a three-week series of videos and discussions! This week we will watch and discuss the next two episodes: Music and Capitalism.  Sponsored by Adult RE, the Social Justice Coordinating Team, and the Anti-Racist Task Force, the Hulu video series examines how the legacy of slavery shaped different aspects of contemporary American life. Each evening features two 60-minute videos and a guided discussion of the ideas.  Movie Night for Adults and Children This Saturday, April 22 at 6:30pm To honor Earth Day, our April movie for adults will be Dark Waters. It is based on the true story of a lawyer taking on the chemical company Dupont, who knowingly dumped a forever chemical compound in the West Virginia water supply that caused birth defects and deaths. If you enjoyed Erin Brockovich, Dark Waters is in the same vein. While the adults are watching their movie, the Youth RE program will be showing The Lorax in the sanctuary. Join us! Snacks will be provided. Outside Church Clean-Up Saturday, April 29 from 10-noon Now that spring is here, we are planning a clean-up of the outside of our building! We’ll pick up sticks, rake, weed, edge sidewalks, and wash windows, so please bring rakes, gloves, weeding tools, and clippers; we’ll provide the other materials and snacks! Please text, call, or email any one of the Building Team members – Norma Bailey, Jerry Cavalieri, Daniel Davis, or Jen Prout and let us know you’re coming to help beautify our church grounds! Welcome to UU Orientation - April 30 This orientation is geared to newcomers, visitors, and those seeking to learn more about Unitarian Universalism and this UU fellowship. It is offered every month both in person in the fellowship hall and via Zoom, typically on the last Sunday at 12:30 pm. Sessions run approximately an hour and a half. For more info or to register for Welcome to UU, contact: Laura McBride: 989.772.5512 [email protected] Please let Laura know whether you will be attending via Zoom or in person by the Friday prior to the orientation. CUUPs Beltane Ritual - April 30 Covenant of UU Pagans Beltane is a time to celebrate fertility and the greening of the earth, to honor the arrival of spring and new life. We invite those of you who are interested in participating. We will hold the ritual promptly at 6pm, in hybrid format (in person/Zoom) and there will be no potluck. Save for This Year’s Garage Sale Every two years in the spring, we hold an all-Fellowship garage sale with profits dedicated to a variety of projects, the last sale paying for our new front doors. As you are doing any spring housecleaning and come across items you could donate, please hold on to them for the mid-June sale. If you have questions, please contact Norma Bailey (989.560.3952; [email protected]). Scrap Metal Drive - May 12 We are planning a metal drive on May 12 to earn money for some good cause at the UUFCM, such as Leadership Development. As you begin to unthaw from winter and muck about in your garage, basement, shed, or barn, please set aside any metal that you would like to donate. We can take appliances, but check with Laura McBride to see if anything is prohibited or needs to be drained. You may call/text/email her at 989.772.5512 or [email protected]. Details for drop off and pick up will be shared soon. Save the Date! Rev. Eric Severson of the UU Fellowship of Midland has achieved the professional milestone of Minister in Full Fellowship. We are invited to celebrate with UUFoM on May 20. Would You Like to Attend General Assembly This Year? General Assembly, the annual gathering of our Unitarian Universalist faith, this year will be June 21-25 in person in Pittsburgh or virtually. We have some donated leadership funds that can support attendance, so if you are interested in attending, either in person or virtually, contact Stacey Pattison ([email protected]). COVID Policy and Information We continue with hybrid services (in-person/Zoom). Our current policy is that everyone entering the building must be vaccinated (unless exempt), which applies to children also. Masks are optional for worship services and small group meetings.   Singing by the congregation and the choir is allowed with masks optional.   Small groups can meet in person if they wish, meet on Zoom – or do a mixture. This includes all of our teams and the Board itself. We will do our best to publish how meetings are going to be held, and please check with the leader of each meeting if you’re not sure.   Indoor eating events are allowed – coffee hour, Friday night potlucks, and our annual Harvest Feast, etc. ​ Please be aware that the situation is fluid. We are monitoring the situation frequently, so stay tuned for update The current list of UUFCM COVID policies may be found on our website. Extension of COVID Test Expiration Dates Learn about the extended COVID test expiration dates of your at-home tests. Scroll to the bottom for the paragraph with two bullet points! Free COVID Tests The US government is again offering free COVID home tests. They also provide an explanation of how to secure additional tests through your insurance. • • • Community News • • • CMU Speaker Series: Nic Stone The Power of Storytelling Tuesday, April 25 at 8pm Plachta Auditorium Nic Stone draws on her new book How to Be a (Young) Antiracist to give us essential context and practical tools for the fight for racial justice, helping us to be powerful forces for real change in our school, work, and everyday life. A book signing will follow her talk. 8th Annual Diversity Symposium Wednesday & Thursday, April 26 and 27 9am-4pm each day in CMU’s UC Terrace Rooms and Rotunda Wednesday: • Cost of Poverty Experience • Lunch Keynote: Dr. Jonathan Metzl Thursday: • Brunch with “Real Dialogue” Both days include research-based presentations by students, faculty, and staff. Lunch and a continental breakfast will be served. Register here. Contact [email protected] or (989) 774-7318 with any questions. Jews for a Secular Democracy Religion/Government Separation in Michigan Today Saturday, April 29 at 7pm, in person or online A discussion of the separation of religion and government with two Michigan state senators that will address current issues including threats of Christian Nationalism. Visit this website for more information, or to register to join the event online. UUFoM Summer Fun Day/Weekend! UUFCM is invited to join the UU Fellowship of Midland for a summer weekend! Mark your calendars for Saturday, July 22, when the fellowship will host a day at Herrick Recreational Area, near Clare, about 30 miles from Midland. Planners will offer a free breakfast at one of the park pavilions, with time in the afternoon for hiking, games, swimming, kayaking, and other activities – feel free to organize something! A bonfire and social event are planned for late afternoon and early evening. The UU pavilion will be open all day for participants to play games, converse, read, do arts and crafts, and nap – oh, whatever.   Some participants are electing to camp out. Herrick offers tent sites (with and without electricity), cabins with electricity, and RV sites.  People who want to camp must make their own site reservations.   Herrick comprises two separate areas: Isabella County Parks Herrick and Herrick Recreational Area. Campsites and cabins are located on one side of Herrick Road, with pavilions, swimming, trails, and picnic areas on the other side. Campers get free entry to the recreational area, while noncampers must pay $6 per car to enter. Rev. Eric says the fellowship will cover the entry fee for noncampers.   Friends/relatives are welcome. We also have invited the Mount Pleasant UU fellowship.   Reserve a campsite or cabin at Herrick here.   Questions or suggestions? Contact Ellen Severson, Vicki Reidelberger, or Monica Hughes.   Please let us know if you're attending - either for the weekend (make sure you reserve first!) or just for the day! Click here to RSVP.  Donate Now! The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Michigan is funded solely by its members and friends. ​ For your convenience, you can make a donation electronically with the button below, or via the GivePlus Church App. Please consider the option of offsetting the cost to the Fellowship for providing the convenience of making an online donation. “Deepening Connections” If you prefer not to donate electronically, you may also write a check payable to UUFCM and send it to: UUFCM, P.O. Box 41, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48804-0041 Got News? The deadline for submissions to the Order of Service Insert and the UUFCM weekly eNews is Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. Please send all submissions to [email protected]. Drew’s Contact Information Please contact Drew via email, phone, or text. [email protected]  Phone/text: 440-935-0129​ Office Hours (in person and/or Zoom):    Tuesdays 10am-noon   Wednesdays 1-3pm and 8-9pm Office Hours Zoom Link UUFCM Board of Trustees for 2022-2023 President: Stacey Pattison (989.330.1832; [email protected]) Past-President: Norma Bailey (989.560.3952; [email protected]) President Elect: Cynthia Damer (989.506.5750; [email protected]) Treasurer: Terrie Robbie (989.400.2495; [email protected]) Secretary: Elaine Emerick (989.621.6063; [email protected]) Trustee: Victoria Sladek (989.506.7039; [email protected]) Trustee: Mary Alsager (989.3302226; [email protected]) Trustee: Penny Swart (989.330.3587; [email protected]) Team and Committee Leaders Adult Religious Education Team - Jodi Fisher Building, Grounds & Safety Team - Norma Bailey Communications Coordinating Team - Amy Voege Fellowship Life Coordinating Team - Gisela Moffit   Membership - Laura McBride   Arms Around - Gisela Moffit   Welcome & Hospitality - Gisela Moffit   Social Fun - Jen Prout Social Justice Coordinating Team - Norma Bailey Worship Team - Drew Frantz Youth Religious Education (RE) Team - Cynthia Damer Anti-Racism Task Force - Norma Bailey Coronavirus Task Force - Drew Frantz   We are a religious community guided by love, transforming our lives and our world. Copyright © 2023 Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Michigan. All rights reserved. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.