eNews for Thursday, December 12

12/12/2019

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eNews for Thursday, December 12

Worship Matters

We will gather this Sunday, December 15 to worship together with our minister Drew Frantz, who will present “Awe and Wonder.” Please join us!

“Artists and scientists alike wonder at the beauty and mystery of the natural world. This sense of awe is at the heart of what some would call the religious experience. Where do we experience awe and wonder, and how can we cultivate this in our lives? Poets, physicists, and other seekers are welcome.”

If you happen to miss being in worship, the texts to previous sermon messages (and some of the readings as well) can be found in our website sermon archive.

Upcoming Services

December 22: A Celebration of Life, Light, Love, and Hope - Norma J. Bailey
December 24 at 7pm: Christmas Eve Carols and Stories
December 29: The Burning Bowl

Minister's Column

Read the Minister's Column at uufcm.org/andrew-frantz.

Special Offering Collection - December 15

The special plate collection this Sunday, December 15, is for EightCap in Isabella County, a Community Action Agency which works for solutions to address the local conditions and causes of poverty in Isabella County. In our community, they address issues of housing and homelessness and emergencies, including heating and rental assistance. Your donation will be directed to their Walk for Warmth which provides heating assistance.

Fellowship Life Meeting - December 15

On the third Sunday of every month – immediately following our worship service – the UUFCM Board holds a brief Fellowship Life meeting to update the congregation on current happenings, plans and/or concerns within the congregation. The intention is for the meetings to be kept brief; the hope is for extended conversation to take place following the meeting during the coffee hour time. Please plan to attend.

Holiday Tea - December 15

Join us for a holiday tea following service this Sunday!

Year End Donations

Your Social Justice Coordinating Team would like to suggest that your donations in the holiday and end-of-year giving season be given to meet local, national, and global needs with a focus on advocacy for change locally, nationally, and internationally for global justice and peace. We believe that our donations should not only provide balm for the wounds of injustice but also should change the conditions that create injustice and poverty. We have created a document with further information and some suggested organizations that support justice.

RE Volunteers Needed - Beginning December 15

From December 15 to January 12, the RE program is looking for extra volunteers on Sunday mornings to fill in for our wonderful childcare staff who will be gone over the CMU Winter Break. Volunteers are needed to help care for the little ones in the nursery or assist Kendra with supervising the older children during our RE lessons. All help is appreciated, so please consider signing up for a Sunday morning with Kendra at [email protected] or find her in the social hall after service. New RE volunteers are welcome!

Hospitality Volunteer Opportunities

If you are a busy person with your family, job and involvements with other organizations, we have an easy job for you! How would you like to be part of the hospitality team on a Sunday? You could be a greeter, a person setting up the fellowship hall or the sanctuary or help cleaning up after the coffee hour. It takes less than an hour, is fun and you play an important part in our fellowship. Your commitment would be for one Sunday a month for 4 months (January to April). If you enjoy it, you can continue, but if you would rather serve in another capacity or want a break, that is fine. Contact Gisela Moffit ([email protected]; 989-772-1602) for more information.

ICRH Volunteers Needed

The Isabella County Restoration House is in need of more volunteers, particularly for the holiday season (when CMU students are away), but in actuality, throughout the shelter season. There are day shelter shifts (1-4 pm), intake shifts (4-6:30 pm), evenings at churches 7-10 pm, overnights at churches (10 pm – 6 am) and mornings at churches (6-8 am). To volunteer, submit an application on the website, and then sign-up to volunteer. Should you have questions, feel free to contact Norma Bailey ([email protected]) or Joyce Henricks ([email protected]).

Women’s Circle - December 19

We provide a safe and supportive place to explore womanhood and women’s history, discuss issues, get to know one another better, and have fun! Starting in January, we'll meet 4th Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. in the sanctuary - please join us!

CUUPs Yule Ritual - December 22

Yule, the winter solstice, is a time of great symbolism and power. It marks the return of the sun, when the days finally begin to get a little longer. It's also a time to celebrate with family and friends, and share the spirit of giving. We invite those of you who are interested in participating in this ritual to bring an item of food or drink to share at the potluck that follows the ceremony. We will gather at 6:30 pm and begin our ceremony promptly at 7:00 pm.

Calendar Changes

Sewing Circle will not meet until January 20.

First Friday Potluck - January 3

Who is hosting? and what’s the theme? We don’t know, but perhaps you’d like to host and choose! If so, please contact Jen Prout (989-400-3130) or George Lentz (248-346-4039). If you enjoy the potlucks, please consider hosting - it is fun and easy!

The potluck begins at 6:30 p.m. - helping hands are welcome at 6:15 p.m. to assist with set-up preparations. We will also be celebrating the January birthdays of Jubilee Daum, Janis Shinn, Elizabeth Dealing, Mel Bailey, Aaron Calhoun, Whitley Webster, Abiona Bailey, Stacy Pattison, Doris Hall, Dawn Daniels, and Jennifer Davis.

Worship Arts Workshop - January 11

Have you ever wanted to be part of a Sunday morning worship service? Come to this workshop led by minister Drew Frantz for anyone who is interested in leading a service or any part of one–from preaching a sermon to doing readings, joys and sorrows, etc. This will be interactive and fun. Saturday, January 11 from 10:00-noon.

Annual Congregational Retreat - January 25

Save the date! Breakfast and social time at 8 a.m., followed by the retreat from 9-noon.

UU History Webinar - Begins January 27

Join Drew Frantz for a 5-week webinar on UU history presented by a UU minister in Cincinnati. We'll meet on Mondays from 7:45-9 p.m. to watch, then have a brief discussion afterwards. Please contact Drew if you are interested.

Webinar: Whose History Is It Anyway?

Presenter: Reverend Connie Simon
How much do you know about the roots of our faith tradition? Explore the history of Unitarianism, Universalism, and Unitarian Universalism in this five-week class. Using an anti-colonialist, multicultural lens, we’ll look beyond the traditional, dusty facts of history and examine to see how our faith was born and how it has developed and evolved over the years.

Topics include: Whose story is it anyway, Why history matters, The Roots of Liberal Religion, The Universalists, The Unitarians, Transcendentalism, Westward Expansion, Humanism, Consolidation, Principles and Sources, Drawing the Circle Wider, Indigenous, Latinx, Black and Non-Black People of Color, GLBTQ, and Disability.

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].

Mindfulness in Parking Requested
Let us be mindful to leave the parking spaces directly across from our Wisconsin entrance open for our friends who have mobility issues. Thank you for your consideration.

Pastoral Care Concerns

For support with life's challenges, please contact Drew during his office hours or make an appointment with him. For specific needs such as rides to medical appointments or meals for people recovering from illness or surgery, please contact the Arms Around team via Gisela Moffit at [email protected] or 989-772-1602. Every effort will be made to lessen the burden on the individual or family who is dealing with a difficult circumstance.

Drew's Office Hours and Contact Information

Office hours:
Monday 10:00-12:00, Tuesday 4:00-6:00,
and by appointment.
Day off: Friday.

[email protected]
Phone/text:
440-935-0129

UUFCM Board of Trustees for 2019-2020
President: Carol Rard (989.561.2969; [email protected])
Past-President: Mary Alsager (989.773.2595; [email protected])
President Elect: Guy Newland (989.944.0534; [email protected])
Treasurer: Terrie Robbie (989.400.2495; [email protected])
Co-Treasurer: Jen Prout (989.400.3130; [email protected])
Secretary: Brigitte Bechtold (989.954.1123; [email protected])
Trustee: Janis Shinn (989.400.3724; [email protected])
Trustee: Aaron Jones (989.501.0672; [email protected])
Trustee: Daniel Davis (616.540.4759; [email protected])

We are a
religious community
guided by love,
transforming our lives
and our world.

Copyright © 2019 Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Michigan, All rights reserved.

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Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Michigan · 319 S University Ave · P.O. Box 41 · Mount Pleasant, Mi 48858 · USA

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