eNews for Thursday, August 22

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

View this email in your browser eNews for Thursday, August 22 Fourth Annual UUFCM Picnic a Great Success!  Our fourth annual UUFCM picnic was a great success! The weather was beautiful, and the food and conversation were wonderful! Thanks so very much to Kris Los, Annette Pratt and Jen Prout for planning and providing the basics! Worship Matters We will gather online via Zoom and in person this Sunday, August 25, to worship with with Rev. Drew Frantz, who will present "Water Ingathering." The Zoom call starts at 10:00am for social time, and the service starts at 10:30am.   "Welcome back! The Water Ingathering is a special ritual that marks the beginning of the Fellowship’s year as summer turns towards autumn. Everyone is invited to bring water from a place that’s special to you – either at home or far away – and we pour our water into a common bowl. All are welcome: bring your water if you can. You can also participate in the ritual using a pitcher of water provided." Zoom Invitation for Sunday Service: Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 402489218 One tap mobile +16468769923,,402489218# Phone - audio only +1 646 876 9923 Upcoming Services August 25: Water Ingathering If you happen to miss being in worship, please check out Sunday Services on our website for sermon video and/or text. 2023 and prior year sermon video and/or text are located under Sermon Archives. Minister’s Column Today I traveled to Brighton, Michigan for an anti-racist event hosted by the Unitarian Universalist congregation there. It was held in response to a disturbing event on Saturday, when members of a white supremacist group demonstrated in the city. According to local news reports, a similar event occurred recently in nearby Howell, with the group chanting “We love Hitler! We love Trump!” Read the column 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. A Joyful Noise Choir Rehearsal - Wednesdays at 7pm Central Michigan Sangha - Tuesdays at 6:45pm Crafty U - 3rd Fridays at 10:30am (starting September 20) First Friday Potluck - First Fridays at 6:30pm Game Night - 3rd Mondays at 7pm Movie Night - 4th Saturdays at 7pm UU Discussion Group - Wednesdays at 10am UUFCM Men’s Group - 1st Mondays at 7pm on Zoom UUFCM Women's Circle - 3rd Thursdays at 7pm Welcome to UU Orientation - Last Sundays at 12:30pm 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 Youth RE Team - Sunday, August 25, at 3:30pm UUFCM is Hiring! Seeking Youth Program Facilitator starting September 1st The congregation is looking for someone with experience working with children to teach the weekly Sunday children's classes. The job calls for up to 6 hours per week (mostly on Sunday, with other times flexible) and pays $16-$20 per hour depending on experience.  The full job posting can be viewed here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/17_yUPQBlBl-fECJjX5kouyQtx0ihdWln/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=100857214146859957942&rtpof=true&sd=true If you know someone who might be a great fit for this job, please let Rev. Drew know! According to UUFCM policy, we do not normally hire someone who is a member of the congregation. Veggies Picked and Delivered! On Saturday, August 17, several Youth RE families headed out to the “farm” of George Lentz to pick veggies to donate. We picked tomatoes, chard, cabbages, and peppers galore (!) as well as apples and pears, filled two cars with boxes of produce to donate, and then enjoyed snacks as we visited with George and each other. Thanks to George for welcoming us and to our pickers – Aaron, Katie, and Felix Jones, Ben, Carla, and Isla Jensen, Derrick Moore, Monica and Tillie Jean, and Norma Bailey. All the veggies were delivered to the Food Pantry at the Strickler Center where it will be shared with the Soup Kitchen. Crafty UU Group If you like to do crafts, come join the new Crafty UU Group which will meet on the third Fridays of each month at 10:30 am in the Fellowship Hall starting on September 20.  Bring your craft to work on and enjoy socializing with other creative people.  All types of crafting are welcome.  Contact Nancy Roeder ([email protected]) or Mary Anne Kryscio ([email protected]) if you have any questions. Movie Night - THIS Saturday, August 24 Six and a half years ago, Frank Adler was a carefree bachelor and a philosophy professor. When his sister passed away, Frank took custody of his 6-month-old niece, Mary. He gave up his previous life, moved to Florida, and became a mechanic, always showering Mary with unconditional love. As Mary grows older, Frank realizes she has no friends and sends her to school. When the school discovers that Mary is gifted, the normal life Frank is determined to provide her is turned upside down. The principal sees Mary as a tool for recognition, and her absentee grandmother views her as a feather in her cap. Will Frank's unconditional love for Mary withstand the pressures and challenges of conditional love? Join us on Saturday, August 24, at 7:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall when we watch "Gifted" to find out! Welcome to UU Orientation – THIS Sunday, August 25 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 12:00 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. Screening of Movie “Bad Faith” You all are invited to a screening on Friday, September 13,  of the documentary "Bad Faith: Christian Nationalism's Unholy War on Democracy." The documentary discusses how Christian nationalism became a dominant political force in our society, closely associated with Project 2025. Your Social Justice Coordinating Team is co-sponsoring this screening with the Mount Pleasant Area Diversity Group.   The screening of "Bad Faith" is on Friday, September 13, at 6:30 pm in the Library Annex. Please see the flyer below for additional information. Hospitality Training Session - Saturday, September 14 Are you looking to participate more in our faith community but have limited time? The Hospitality Team is a great place to start! There are no meetings to attend—just a commitment on Sundays to be among the first to welcome our visitors, friends, and members. Interested in learning more about becoming a greeter, pre-service host, post-service host, or refreshment provider? Join us for a training session on Saturday, September 14, from 10:00am-11:30am at the church. Please let Gisela know or sign up here so we can plan accordingly. Come Get in “Good Trouble” with Us (John Lewis)! The Social Justice Coordinating Team invites you to join them in supporting our 5th UU principle of affirming and promoting the democratic process by participating in our letter-writing parties. Working with Vote Forward, we will write letters to citizens in underrepresented communities in Michigan encouraging them to vote in this important election cycle. All you need to do is come to one or more of our 44 letter-writing parties (see schedule here) –to write a brief statement about why you vote! They will provide the instructions, letters, envelopes, stamps, pens – and lemonade! Come join us to be energized by being part of an engaged community living out our values – making “good trouble!”  Youth RE Team Looking for a Book Shelf The Youth RE Team is looking for a bookshelf that would hold some tall children’s picture books.  If you have one to donate that might work, please contact Norma Bailey at [email protected] or at 989-560-3952. • • • Community News • • • UUFoM's CUUPs Upcoming Events UUFoM's CUUPs leader, Scott Malusi, has invited UUFCM to upcoming UUFoM CUUPs events. For questions on these events, or anything UUFoM CUUPs related, please contact Scott Malusi at [email protected]. Come join the fun and BUILD COMMUNITY with us. CUUPs Drum Circle Sunday, August 25, 12:00-1:00 PM UUFoM Grounds If you have hand drums or tambourines, please bring them along! If not, no worries—there will be some available for use. Sam will be leading a discussion on the "mundane" aspects of trancework, so come prepared with patience and an open mind, ready to explore an organic altered state, wherever it may take us. Please wear sensible shoes and dress in clean, neutral colors for both protection and versatility. For an added layer of spiritual cleanliness or protection, you may also wear a neutral-colored head covering or veil. Children who can follow simple beats are encouraged to participate. Spiritual Swap and Autumnal Equinox Celebration UUFoM Grounds Sunday September 22, 12:00-2:00 PM CUUPs is hosting their annual sharing and swap- expanded this year to celebrate inclusion and the change of season. Please bring anything that no longer serves you to give away/swap/or sell. Some examples: books, herbs, stones/crystals, card decks, meditation or magical tools, nature items, artistic creations, extra produce from your harvest…or anything you wish to share that has or supports meaning in your life (spiritual, secular or otherwise). We will also celebrate the equinox with some autumn themed crafts to do (fun for kids and adults). Bring a table on which to place your items (we will have extra, if needed) and a chair or blanket to sit. 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. 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 2024-2025 President: Aaron Jones (989.501.0672; [email protected]) President-Elect: Norma Bailey (989.560.3952; [email protected]) Treasurer: Terrie Robbie (989.400.2495; [email protected]) Secretary: Laurie Meadows (989.317.8299; [email protected]) Trustee: Annette Pratt (989.400.0173; [email protected]) Trustee: Monica Jean (616.443.8782; [email protected]) Trustee: David Allan (989.941.7349; [email protected]) Team and Committee Leaders Adult Religious Education Team - Jodi Fisher Building, Grounds & Safety Team - Norma Bailey Caring Committee - Laura McBride Communications Coordinating Team  Fellowship Life Coordinating Team - Gisela Moffit   Membership - Laura McBride   Welcome & Hospitality - Gisela Moffit   Social Fun - Jen Prout Social Justice Coordinating Team - Norma Bailey Worship Team - Drew Frantz Youth Religious Education (RE) Team - Norma Bailey Scam Alert Several congregants have received emails and texts purportedly from UUFCM leadership. If you receive a message that seems suspicious, please remember that we would never solicit money or ask for help in this way, and do not respond to the message. Read more here. We are a religious community guided by love, transforming our lives and our world. Copyright © 2024 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.