eNews for Thursday, December 13

12/11/2018

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eNews for Thursday, December 13

Love is an endless mystery, for it has nothing else to explain it.

~ Rabindranath Tagore

Tree of Remembrance Dedicated

It was lovely to have so many family members and friends of those we've lost join us this past Sunday for the dedication ceremony for our newly
installed "Tree of Remembrance." It was also a blessing to have both Joyce Henricks (recently released from the hospital) plus her daughter, Lauren
Pillote-Wielenga - the artist who designed and crafted our tree - in attendance with us on Sunday. Thank you, everyone, for being with us for this special occasion in the life of our fellowship.

Worship Matters

Please plan to join us this coming Sunday, December 16 for another special worship service - our annual holiday “Festival of Lights” multigenerational service which will happily include this year a baby dedication ceremony for Felix Jones. It is also rumored that Lemony Snicket’s famous latke story will make another appearance. We hope to see you there!

Out of the darkest time of the year, out of the bleakest days,’ we make a season shine with lights. With mounds of greenery, the brightest ornaments, we bring high summer to our rooms, as if to spite the somberness of winter come. […] There is a blessed madness in the human need to go against the grain of cold and scarcity. We make a holiday, the rituals varied as the hopes of humanity. The reasons as obscure as ancient solar festivals, as clear as joy on one
small face. ~ Margaret Starkey

You can read more about our monthly theme as well as explore some supplemental resources here. And if you happen to miss being in worship on any given Sunday, the texts to previous sermon messages (and some of the readings as well) can be found in our website sermon archive.

Upcoming Services

December Theme: What Does It Mean to Be a People of Mystery?
December 23: “The Gift of Threshold Moments”
December 24 @ 7:00 p.m.: “Carols by Candlelight”
December 30: “The Burning Bowl”

Special Offering Collection

This Sunday a special plate collection will be taken to supplement the minister’s discretionary fund. Our minister is often contacted by people in the community who might need gas money, money to pay an electric bill, a night in a hotel, etc., and she uses her discretionary fund to provide this. While we have a line item in our budget, it does not suffice for the needs like this in the community, which is why we take a special plate collection to supplement the fund. Checks for this fund should be made out to UUFCM with “Discretionary Fund” indicated in the memo line.

Fellowship Life Meeting - This Sunday

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. This Sunday there will be brief reports from the Transition Committee and the Worship Team. Please plan to attend.

Baby Shower This Sunday

This Sunday we will have a baby dedication of Felix Jones, son of Aaron Jones and Katie Zapoluch. After the service we have planned a (belated) baby shower in the fellowship hall.

We asked the parents what he could use or enjoy, and we got a few suggestions. We decided that we would provide a high chair as a gift from the church. If you would like to contribute some money towards that, make out the check to Gisela Moffit as she will buy it.

If you want to give him something else, here are some suggestions:

foam puzzle floor mats
building blocks
musical toys
toys that teach shapes or colors
clothes (9 months or bigger)
diapers (35 lbs or bigger)

Keep in mind, however - you do not have to purchase any gift. Everybody is invited to the party, but gifts are optional. It's been a long time since we have been able to welcome a baby into our midst. Hope you can come and be a witness to this event.

RE Caroling - This Sunday
On Sunday, December 16th at 12:45 p.m., the RE team will be leading a group of kiddos and those young at heart to carol at Green Acres of Mt. Pleasant. The event is open to the whole congregation. Carolers will meet at the Church at 12:45 p.m. before heading over to the assisted living facility to give a casual singing performance for the residents. If you are interested in singing some holiday tunes for the residents at Green Acres and will need transportation, please contact Kendra at [email protected].

CUUPs Celebrates Yule - December 23

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.

Thank You!

We gathered $1245 for our UUFCM public radio spots! That's more than 50% over our $805 from last year. Thanks to all who donated.

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.

Important Retreat on Saturday, January 26 - Save the Date!

On Saturday, January 26, we will have our annual all-congregation retreat.
While always a valuable gathering, this retreat will be extremely important as we will be making decisions about our direction forward in light of Dawn’s departure on January 31. A hot breakfast will be served at 8:30, and the retreat will occur from 9-12. All members and friends are encouraged to attend.

MidAmerica Regional Assembly - Save the Date

The MidAmerica Regional Assembly will be held in St. Louis, Missouri, April 5-7, 2019. The keynote address will be presented by UUA President, Susan Frederick-Gray, and there will be multiple workshops. If you are interested in attending (with support from the Fellowship), contact Norma Bailey at 989-560-3952 or at [email protected]).

Please Lock the Door Behind You!

If you are the ever the last person to leave the building, please be sure that the Wisconsin door is locked. The door was discovered recently – yet again unlocked - with nobody in the building! Again…please - if you are in charge of a group using the building for an activity or you happen to stop by on an errand - remember to lock the door as you exit. Thank you.

I do not at all understand the mystery of grace - only that it meets us
where we are but does not leave us where it found us.

~ Anne Lamott

Got News?
The deadline for submissions to
the Order of Service Insert and the UUFCM weekly e-News
is Wednesday 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.

UUFCM Board of Trustees for 2018-2019
President: Mary Alsager (989.773.2595; [email protected])
Past-President: Norma Bailey (989.560.3952; [email protected])
President Elect: Carol Rard (989.561.2969; [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: Carolyn Hancock (517.881.6006; [email protected])

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

Copyright © 2018 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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