eNews for Thursday, August 29

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

View this email in your browser eNews for Thursday, August 29 Thank You! A big thanks to Jennifer Davis for keeping the front of the building trimmed and beautiful all summer long! Worship Matters We will gather online via Zoom and in person this Sunday, September 1, to worship with with Rev. Drew Frantz, who will present "Election Stress and Self-Care." The Zoom call starts at 10:00am for social time, and the service starts at 10:30am.   "With the national election a little more than two months away, many of us are on edge emotionally, torn between fear and hope about the outcome. Let’s take time this Sunday morning to consider the spiritual wisdom available to us related to elections and governing; and let’s dedicate ourselves to finding the right balance between self-care and action.' 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 September 1 - Election Stress and Self-Care September 8 - Offering the Invitation September 15 - Accepting the Invitation September 22 - Banned Books  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 On Saturday, the Board of Trustees had its annual retreat. Monica Jean graciously hosted us at her cabin in Canadian Lakes, where eight of us gathered from 9:00-4:00, seated in a circle in the shade on a beautiful summer day. As morning turned to afternoon, the sound of pontoon boats and jet-skis punctuated our conversation; Monica’s dogs made their rounds, befriending the board members and the minister. 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 October) 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 None this week! Happy Birthday! In September, we celebrate the birthdays of Jane Douglas, Jolie Damer-Daigle, David Wagstaff, John Campbell, AliciA Genia, Ali Slafter, Carol Messick, Gisela Moffit, Mairi Devenney, and Brittany Johnson. For the year to come, we wish them much joy, good health for body and mind, and new (ad)ventures. May it be so. 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. Infant Pantry Collection – THIS Sunday, September 1 Donations for the Infant Pantry are collected on the first Sunday of each month. You can donate online to the Monthly Donations for Infant Pantry on our website, or checks can be sent to our treasurer made out to UUFCM with Infant Pantry in the memo. Questions? Contact Tom Moffit (989-772-1602; [email protected]). Thank you in advance for your generosity. First Friday Potluck – Friday, September 6 Please join us in the UUFCM Fellowship Hall at 6:30pm (doors open at 6:15) for food, conversation, and games! Coffee, hot tea, and water will be provided. If you are able, please bring a dish to pass. 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!”  Michigan UUs Unite: Fifty for Justice! UUs are known to be justice-seeking people. It takes many of us working together to achieve the goal of freedom and equity for all. The Michigan UU Social Justice Network (MUUSJN) leverages expertise and resources to support this work for member congregations and fellowships across our state and gives UUs a larger voice among partners, allies, and justice-makers. Become a supporting member today and help foster this collaboration. We need 50 of you (or more!) to reach our new member goal. Go to uujustice.org; click “Become a Member” and make a donation today. • • • Community News • • • UU Fellowship of Midland's CUUPs Upcoming Events UU Fellowship of Midland's CUUPs leader, Scott Malusi, has invited UUFCM to upcoming CUUPs events. For questions on these events, or anything Midland CUUPs related, please contact Scott Malusi at [email protected]. Come join the fun and BUILD COMMUNITY with us. Spiritual Swap and Autumnal Equinox Celebration UU Fellowship of Midland 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. 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. 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 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.