Worship Matters
We gather for worship this coming Sunday, December 17 to continue our exploration of what it means to be a people of hope. This special multigenerational service is titled “Festivals of Winter: Between Darkness and Light” and is crafted to serve the participation needs of all ages; childcare will be provided if needed for our littlest members. Please plan to join us!
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 Worship Theme: What Does It Mean to Be a People of Hope?
December 24 at 10:30 a.m.: “Radical Hope”
December 24 at 7:00 p.m.: “Carols by Candlelight”
December 31: “The Burning Bowl – Welcoming the New Year” Lay Leader: Ricky Courlander
Poor People’s Campaign – Justice Warriors Needed
A nationwide effort has been initiated to continue the work begun by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. Led in our time by the Rev. Dr. William Barber and the Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis, the Poor People’s Campaign – A National Call for Moral Revival – was officially launched on December 4 at the National Press Club.
Brought to our attention by recently-retired CMU professor, Dr. Joyce Baugh, there are several ways for us to participate in the PPC in the coming months. Our minister has information to share that will be made available this coming Sunday, but the most efficient way is to visit the website and explore there the various ways to participate and complete the provided sign-up form.
Dish Towel Mystery
While many of us enjoy a good mystery, this particular one is simply inconvenient. Please help us solve the mystery of the rapidly depleting supply of dish towels and dish rags that have gone missing from our kitchen. We suspect the culprit is a forgetfulness that may have overcome the kindly souls that take our towels and rags home to launder after church gatherings. We need to remedy this forgetting – please return our towels and rags to their rightful kitchen home. Thank you!
Special Plate Collection this Sunday – ICRH
The December special collection on Sunday, December 17 is for the Isabella County Restoration House (ICRH), the agency providing temporary shelter for their guests - the homeless population in Isabella County. In addition to providing dinner and overnight housing, ICRH also provides a day center so that their guests can get out of the cold while waiting for the shelter to open for the evening. If you prefer to write a check, please write it to ICRH.
Find Out Where You Stand on Your Pledge
If you would like to find out where you stand on payments on your pledge to UUFCM before the end of the 2017 year, please contact Ricky Courlander (989-772-4457; [email protected]).
RE Caroling - Sunday, December 17
RE children and youth will be caroling after service this Sunday. If you would like to volunteer to help drive/come sing with us, please contact Anna VanArsdaleHoot ([email protected]; 517.930.6927).
CUUPs Celebrates Winter Solstice - Sunday, December 17
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.
Welcome to UU - Sunday, December 24
This orientation session is geared to newcomers, visitors, and those seeking to learn more about Unitarian
Universalism and this UU fellowship. Welcome to UU is offered every month on the fourth Sunday at 12:15 p.m. Sessions run approximately ninety minutes.
Church Clean-up Campaign - December 28/29
We need volunteers to help us clean up the church before the start of the new year. We will be cleaning inside windows, washing walls, sanitizing the toys in the infant room, organizing the kitchen cupboards, etc. Please sign-up in the Coffee Community Center for Thursday, December 28th and/or Friday, December 29th. We will be working from 10:00-4:00, with lunch from 12:30-1:30. If you would like to provide soup, bread or a dessert for our meal, you can sign up for that, as well. Please bring any cleaning supplies that you would like to, but that is not required. We look forward to working and dining together! Thank you.
To Whom Should We Give Our End-of-Year 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.
Remind-er - In Case You Missed It!
Please add this app to your smartphone, laptop, or ipad/tablet...REMIND! This is the method we will use to notify you of fellowship service closings and event announcements. You will be getting an invitation from Laura McBride. If you want it sent to an email address versus a cell phone number, let Laura know. Add the app to your technology of choice. Direct questions and requests to Laura McBride at 989.772.5512 or [email protected].
Please Think Before You Spritz
This message is a request for mindfulness as well as an effort to raise awareness. There are people who attend services and other activities at our fellowship who have fragrance allergies/chemical sensitivities. Being in close proximity (which is difficult to avoid in our small space) to folks wearing cologne, perfume - even heavily scented soaps/shampoos - can cause a range of uncomfortable symptomatic reactions. While we like to think of ourselves as a diverse bouquet as a faith community, the literal mixing of so many different scents (as opposed to the metaphorical mixing) can be a health hazard for some of us. We ask that you keep this in mind when considering your choice of personal care/hygienic applications. Thank you!
We gather for worship this coming Sunday, December 17 to continue our exploration of what it means to be a people of hope. This special multigenerational service is titled “Festivals of Winter: Between Darkness and Light” and is crafted to serve the participation needs of all ages; childcare will be provided if needed for our littlest members. Please plan to join us!
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 Worship Theme: What Does It Mean to Be a People of Hope?
December 24 at 10:30 a.m.: “Radical Hope”
December 24 at 7:00 p.m.: “Carols by Candlelight”
December 31: “The Burning Bowl – Welcoming the New Year” Lay Leader: Ricky Courlander
Poor People’s Campaign – Justice Warriors Needed
A nationwide effort has been initiated to continue the work begun by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. Led in our time by the Rev. Dr. William Barber and the Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis, the Poor People’s Campaign – A National Call for Moral Revival – was officially launched on December 4 at the National Press Club.
Brought to our attention by recently-retired CMU professor, Dr. Joyce Baugh, there are several ways for us to participate in the PPC in the coming months. Our minister has information to share that will be made available this coming Sunday, but the most efficient way is to visit the website and explore there the various ways to participate and complete the provided sign-up form.
Dish Towel Mystery
While many of us enjoy a good mystery, this particular one is simply inconvenient. Please help us solve the mystery of the rapidly depleting supply of dish towels and dish rags that have gone missing from our kitchen. We suspect the culprit is a forgetfulness that may have overcome the kindly souls that take our towels and rags home to launder after church gatherings. We need to remedy this forgetting – please return our towels and rags to their rightful kitchen home. Thank you!
Special Plate Collection this Sunday – ICRH
The December special collection on Sunday, December 17 is for the Isabella County Restoration House (ICRH), the agency providing temporary shelter for their guests - the homeless population in Isabella County. In addition to providing dinner and overnight housing, ICRH also provides a day center so that their guests can get out of the cold while waiting for the shelter to open for the evening. If you prefer to write a check, please write it to ICRH.
Find Out Where You Stand on Your Pledge
If you would like to find out where you stand on payments on your pledge to UUFCM before the end of the 2017 year, please contact Ricky Courlander (989-772-4457; [email protected]).
RE Caroling - Sunday, December 17
RE children and youth will be caroling after service this Sunday. If you would like to volunteer to help drive/come sing with us, please contact Anna VanArsdaleHoot ([email protected]; 517.930.6927).
CUUPs Celebrates Winter Solstice - Sunday, December 17
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.
Welcome to UU - Sunday, December 24
This orientation session is geared to newcomers, visitors, and those seeking to learn more about Unitarian
Universalism and this UU fellowship. Welcome to UU is offered every month on the fourth Sunday at 12:15 p.m. Sessions run approximately ninety minutes.
Church Clean-up Campaign - December 28/29
We need volunteers to help us clean up the church before the start of the new year. We will be cleaning inside windows, washing walls, sanitizing the toys in the infant room, organizing the kitchen cupboards, etc. Please sign-up in the Coffee Community Center for Thursday, December 28th and/or Friday, December 29th. We will be working from 10:00-4:00, with lunch from 12:30-1:30. If you would like to provide soup, bread or a dessert for our meal, you can sign up for that, as well. Please bring any cleaning supplies that you would like to, but that is not required. We look forward to working and dining together! Thank you.
To Whom Should We Give Our End-of-Year 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.
Remind-er - In Case You Missed It!
Please add this app to your smartphone, laptop, or ipad/tablet...REMIND! This is the method we will use to notify you of fellowship service closings and event announcements. You will be getting an invitation from Laura McBride. If you want it sent to an email address versus a cell phone number, let Laura know. Add the app to your technology of choice. Direct questions and requests to Laura McBride at 989.772.5512 or [email protected].
Please Think Before You Spritz
This message is a request for mindfulness as well as an effort to raise awareness. There are people who attend services and other activities at our fellowship who have fragrance allergies/chemical sensitivities. Being in close proximity (which is difficult to avoid in our small space) to folks wearing cologne, perfume - even heavily scented soaps/shampoos - can cause a range of uncomfortable symptomatic reactions. While we like to think of ourselves as a diverse bouquet as a faith community, the literal mixing of so many different scents (as opposed to the metaphorical mixing) can be a health hazard for some of us. We ask that you keep this in mind when considering your choice of personal care/hygienic applications. Thank you!
• • • Community News • • •
Sing-Along “Messiah” - This Friday, December 15 at 7 pm at the First Presbyterian Church
All are invited. Bring your score to sing along or just come to hear many of the famous choruses and solos. Always uplifting!
Sing-Along “Messiah” - This Friday, December 15 at 7 pm at the First Presbyterian Church
All are invited. Bring your score to sing along or just come to hear many of the famous choruses and solos. Always uplifting!
Critical thinking without hope is cynicism. Hope without critical thinking is naïveté.
~ Maria Popova
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.
Got News?
The deadline for submissions to the Order of Service Insert and the UUFCM weekly e-News is
Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. Please send all submissions to [email protected].
Service Cancellation Policy
In case of inclement weather, a decision to cancel the service will be made by 9 a.m. There are multiple ways to learn the status of a Sunday service in our snowy months. Members and friends may request to join the
Remind app and receive cancellation news via a text or email. In addition, an announcement will be posted on Facebook as well as sent directly via email. Those who are not online will be phoned. If you have questions, call Laura McBride (989-772-5512). We hope we won't have to resort to this very often, but we live in Michigan after all, so we need to be prepared!
UUFCM Board of Trustees for 2017-2018
President: Norma Bailey (989.560.3952; [email protected])
Past-President: Laura McBride (989.772.5512; [email protected])
President Elect: Mary Alsager (989.773.2595; [email protected])
Treasurer: Chris Bailey (989.775.8257)
Assistant Treasurer: Ricky Courlander (989.772.4457; [email protected])
Secretary: Brigitte Bechtold (989.954.1123; [email protected])
Trustee: Janis Shinn (989.400.3724; [email protected])
Trustee: Joyce Henricks (989.400.9743; [email protected])
Trustee: Ethan Kolek (413.387.7321; [email protected])
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.
Got News?
The deadline for submissions to the Order of Service Insert and the UUFCM weekly e-News is
Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. Please send all submissions to [email protected].
Service Cancellation Policy
In case of inclement weather, a decision to cancel the service will be made by 9 a.m. There are multiple ways to learn the status of a Sunday service in our snowy months. Members and friends may request to join the
Remind app and receive cancellation news via a text or email. In addition, an announcement will be posted on Facebook as well as sent directly via email. Those who are not online will be phoned. If you have questions, call Laura McBride (989-772-5512). We hope we won't have to resort to this very often, but we live in Michigan after all, so we need to be prepared!
UUFCM Board of Trustees for 2017-2018
President: Norma Bailey (989.560.3952; [email protected])
Past-President: Laura McBride (989.772.5512; [email protected])
President Elect: Mary Alsager (989.773.2595; [email protected])
Treasurer: Chris Bailey (989.775.8257)
Assistant Treasurer: Ricky Courlander (989.772.4457; [email protected])
Secretary: Brigitte Bechtold (989.954.1123; [email protected])
Trustee: Janis Shinn (989.400.3724; [email protected])
Trustee: Joyce Henricks (989.400.9743; [email protected])
Trustee: Ethan Kolek (413.387.7321; [email protected])
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