eNews for Thursday, December 5

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

View this email in your browser eNews for Thursday, December 5 Worship Matters We will gather online via Zoom and in person this Sunday, December 8, to worship with Rev. Drew Frantz, who will present "Bodhi Day" The Zoom call starts at 10:00am for social time, and the service starts at 10:30am.   "On December 8, Buddhists in Japan and elsewhere celebrate Bodhi Day, commemorating the enlightenment of the Buddha. In a culture overshadowed by the Christmas holiday this month, we take a moment to reflect on a very different religious tradition. While we may not achieve enlightenment on December 8, we can be open to the wisdom of Buddhism. " Zoom Invitation for Sunday Service: Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 402489218 One tap mobile +16468769923,,402489218# Phone - audio only +1 646 876 9923 In Case You Missed It... Many past sermons are available on our website under Sermon Archives. Here are links to more recent sermons.  "Repair" - November 10, by Rev. Drew Frantz "Guest at Your Table" - November 17, by Rev. Drew Frantz "Gratitude" - November 24, by Rev. Drew Frantz Minister’s Column Winter arrived suddenly during Thanksgiving weekend--with a touch of Christmas magic. On Friday evening we took our visiting grandchildren up the street to Kinney Lodge Christmas House amid the first snowfall of the season.   Read previous columns 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 Tuesdays at 10:30am  First Friday Potluck - First Fridays at 6:30pm Game Night - 3rd Mondays at 7pm Movie Night - 4th Saturdays at 7pm Soul Matters Discussion Group - Tuesday, December 17, at 5:30pm 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 - 4th Sundays at 12:00pm 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 Board of Trustees - Sunday, December 8, at 1:00pm Worship Team - Thursday, December 12, at 7:00pm Suggestions for Bylaws Changes Any individual UUFCM members who wish to propose changes to the bylaws for consideration at the annual meeting in May may submit written suggestions to Board president Aaron Jones (989.501.0672; [email protected]) by January 1, 2025. First Friday Potluck – December 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. Youth RE Cookie Decorating Party - Sunday, December 15 On Sunday, December 15, the Youth RE Team will be hosting a cookie decorating party for youth of all ages during their RE class during service. No Movie Night in December With all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, Movie Night is taking a short break this December. But don’t worry—come January, we’ll be back in full swing with a great movie, popcorn, and hopefully you! UUFCM's Path to Membership A Path to Membership class is being planned for January! Keep an eye on the eNews for the official announcement. Typically, the class takes place on a Saturday from 1:00–3:00 PM. For any questions, feel free to reach out to Laura McBride or Rev. Drew. Sustainable Holiday Tips The holiday season often brings a rush of shoppers eager to find the perfect gifts for their loved ones. While gift-giving is a cherished tradition, it's also a time to be mindful of the impact on overconsumption and waste. Here are some sustainable tips for this holiday season: Choose long-lasting or reusable gifts that can be recycled later. Make your own gifts, like homemade breads, cakes, or crafts such as jewelry or crochet. Limit the number of gifts you buy. Bring your own reusable tote bag when shopping. Use only the amount of wrapping paper you need. Wrap gifts in reusable bags. Save the Date! - January 20 The annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Peace March will be held on Monday, January 20. Let’s get a large number of us to march together behind our UUFCM banner!  Put the date on your calendar if you can! Save the Date: Saturday, January 25 - UUFCM Retreat 8:00am - Breakfast 9:00am - 12:00pm Retreat Theme/topic coming soon! UUA Common Read Authentic Selves: Celebrating Trans and Nonbinary People and Their Families   This book has been designated by the Unitarian Universalist Association as the “common read” for 2024-25. All UU congregations are encouraged to read and study this book. More information, including study guides and videos, can be found on the UUA website at: https://www.uua.org/lifespan/curricula/read   Rev. Drew will lead a discussion of the book at a time to be announced. Depending on interest, discussions may be in a mixed group...or there may be a separate group for trans and nonbinary people and their families.   Ten copies of the book have been purchased for UUFCM, and they are in the fellowship hall. Your options include: -       take a copy and keep it -       borrow a copy and return it to the UUFCM library -       purchase your own copy at the online UUA bookstore  Please let Rev. Drew know if you have any questions, or if you are interested in being part of the book discussion. Now Hiring: Two Job Postings for UUFCM Religious Education We are looking to hire two people for our religious education program. The Assistant position ($15 per hour, 2-3 hours per week) is available immediately. The Facilitator position ($16 per hour, up to 6 hours per week) is available January 1st, when our current facilitator Seally is leaving. Per UUFCM policy, we do not normally hire from within the congregation. Please see the full job postings here. Applications and inquiries should go to Rev. Drew. Choosing Where to Give: End-of-Year Donations 2024 In previous years, your Social Justice Coordinating Team has suggested 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.   This year, as a result of the state and national elections this fall, many of the organizations working for justice will need additional support to combat the efforts that are already being made to undo some of the protections that have been put in place for many years.   If you are interested in supporting any of these organizations, a list from your Social Justice Coordinating Team of organizations that support justice can be found here. Give to CMU Public Media, Help the UUFCM! We are once again collecting for CMU Public Media. In the fall, we pool our resources together in order to purchase airtime on CMU Public Radio. Depending on the amount gathered, we get 1-2 ads per week for a good part of the year. Please make your check to “UUFCM,” include in the memo line “for CMU Public Media” and give it to Mary Alsager at church by December 14. A single check for the total collected will be sent to CMU Public Media. Thank you in advance for contributing to this worthy effort – you are appreciated! Suggested Safety Apps for Trans People (and Everyone Else) Because the current environment is less safe for transgender, gender fluid, and non-binary people, Sierra Burke has compiled and annotated a list of apps that can be used to increase safety. Please see the full letter here with details about each app. The apps are listed below. Thank you Sierra! bSafe My Safetipin Refuge Restroom Yelp Google Maps • • • Community News • • • Free COVID 19 Tests Available The program for ordering free at-home COVID-19 tests are available. Check this link https://special.usps.com/testkits for further information. 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 Team - Laura McBride Communications Coordinating Team - Jessica Jernigan and Monica Jean 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. 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