eNews for Thursday, July 23

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Keep up with all that’s going on at the UUFCM!

View this email in your browser eNews for Thursday, July 23 Drew’s Ordination Ceremony, Saturday, July 25 at 2pm Gathering at 1:30; Ceremony at 2pm In the Unitarian Universalist tradition, only a Unitarian Universalist congregation has the power to ordain a minister. Drew has completed all the requirements to serve as a minister, but has not taken this step until now. Being ordained means that a minister can take the title of Reverend, can perform weddings, and (in our tradition) can wear a stole.   Drew’s home congregation, the Oberlin Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, and the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Michigan will jointly ordain Drew. Everyone at the ordination will be asked to articulate three blessings: what is your blessing for Drew in his work as a UU minister; what is your blessing for yourself; and what is your blessing for the whole world? All are welcome for this ceremony of ordination, held virtually on Zoom. Andrew Frantz and Mary Melaragno were married on July 11. Only two family members and a wedding officiant were present, and other family and friends were able to join by video conference. Drew and Mary are grateful for all the good wishes they've received from the congregation. Worship Matters We will gather online via Zoom this Sunday, July 26 to worship together with our minister Drew Frantz, who will present “Living in Covenant.” The Zoom call starts at 10:00 for social time, and the service starts at 10:30.   “We are a people of covenant–but what does that mean? The covenant of this Fellowship reads, in part: “...we pledge to be mindful when speaking of and to one another. We will walk in the ways of truth and loving-kindness...” In this service, we explore how we live into a covenant and how to handle it when we or someone else breaks that covenant.”    Zoom Invitation for Sunday, July 19 Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 402489218   One tap mobile +16468769923,,402489218# Phone - audio only +1 646 876 9923 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 August 2: Summer Worship Series: “In what ways has your understanding of the Black Lives Matter movement changed over time?” August 9: Summer Worship Series: “What is important to you this year? How have your priorities changed?”   Minister's Column Read the Minister’s column at uufcm.org/andrew-frantz. Widening the Circle Access to UUFCM Zoom Services and Events With all of our Fellowship events on Zoom these days, we want to be sure that all members and friends of UUFCM have access. If you are in need of a device such as a tablet or phone in order to join our events, please let Drew know...and if you have a tablet or phone that has a working camera that you could donate, please let Drew know.   News from the July 12 Michigan UU Worship Service We received word that between Zoom, Facebook Live, and YouTube, there were at least 1,000 participants at the July 12 Michigan UU Worship Service! The offering raised $4,343, which will be split equally between The Unitarian Universalist Trauma Response Ministry (UUTRM) and Black Lives UU (BLUU). Upcoming Events - with Zoom Links Click the link to join in! - Sunday worship - Welcome to UU Orientation - last Sundays at 12:30pm - Choir Rehearsal - Sundays at 7pm - White Fragility Workshop - Mondays at 7pm through July - UU discussion group - Wednesdays at 10am  - Check-In Circle with Drew - Wednesdays at 4pm - Coffee with Candi - 2nd and 4th Wednesdays at 5:30pm.   Contact Candi for information. - Game Night - Wednesdays at 7pm - Soulful Sundown - 1st Thursdays at 7pm - Women’s Circle - 4th Thursdays at 7pm - Coffee House Open Mic - 1st Fridays at 7pm Event links can also be found on the UUFCM Calendar. Team Meetings - with Zoom Links Click the link to join in! 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. As well, the links for the various team meetings will be posted in the eNews and on the UUFCM calendar. If you are interested in helping any of these teams or committees, please fill out the Volunteer Opportunity Form 2020-2021 if you haven’t already. UUFCM Board - Guy Newland Social Justice Coordinating Team, Building team - Norma Bailey Environmental Issues committee - Daniel Davis Voting Rights committee - David Wagstaff Religious Education (RE) Team - Mel Bailey Coordinating Team - Gisela Moffit Worship Team - Drew Frantz Corona Virus task force - Drew Frantz Arms Around - Gisela Moffit Welcome & Hospitality - Gisela Moffit Voting Rights - Wednesday, July 29 at 4:30pm Meeting links can also be found on the UUFCM Calendar. Women’s Circle - Thursday, July 23 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! We meet on 4th Thursdays only this July and August, but return to meeting on 2nd (check in) and 4th (full meeting) Thursdays at 7pm beginning in September. Summer sessions are mainly to gather,  connect and support one another. We will discuss one question that will be  presented at the time of the meeting. Join us via Zoom!   Welcome to UU Orientation - Sunday, July 26 If you are interested in learning more about UU history, our fellowship’s history, meeting new folks, and exploring the first phase of possibly joining this tradition, please join Laura McBride on Sunday, July 26 at 12:30 p.m. Feel free to eat your lunch and plan for one hour of connection, learning, and relaxation. There is no exam or homework. If you are interested in watching a introductory video regarding our faith, please view this YouTube video by Peter Bowden called Unitarian Universalism: You're Uni-What?. If you have specific questions, please contact Laura at [email protected] or call/text 989-772-5512. Join us via Zoom!   White Fragility Workshop - Monday, July 27 Adult Religious Education (RE) Class Carolyn Hancock and Joyce Henricks will facilitate a workshop using the book White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo. The goal of this workshop is to help ourselves as white people understand our identity as white people within a racist system, and to work together to develop white stamina in order to be part of the solution. We meet this Monday via Zoom at 7pm, for the final class. Please read chapters 10-12 beforehand in order to be prepared for our discussion. Join via Zoom!   We Need to Hear from You If… …you moved, got a new phone number or an additional email address, etc. We are in the process of updating the Directory, and want to be as accurate and current as possible. So we need your help! Please check your listing here. It is password protected, so if you do not remember the password, contact our administrative assistant, Kirsten at [email protected] or Gisela at [email protected]. If you have changes, please contact Kirsten by July 31. Many thanks for your help!   RE News The RE Program continues to provide religious education over Facebook on the group called UUFCM RE Program (Click here to go to the RE Facebook group). Virtual RE lessons are posted every other week to the Facebook group. Our Kids' Coffee Hour is held every Sunday at 11:45 a.m. over Webex for check-ins, games, and themed activities (click here on Sundays to join the Kids' Coffee Hour; Meeting number: 120 985 4031; Password: RE_Program).   Americans United Summer Series Recommended In light of the Supreme Court decisions that came down recently undermining the separation of church and state in the areas of reproductive rights and education, the Social Justice Coordinating Team recommends that people watch the recordings of the Americans United for Separation of Church and State Summer Series, particularly the June 2, 9, and 23 webinars. Voting Rights News Job Opportunity Looking for a way that you can support voting in Isabella County? Both the City of Mt. Pleasant and Union Township are hiring election inspectors. It’s easy to apply, training is provided, and you get paid! You can find more information about the positions and download applications on our website.   Forgot to Register Online to Vote? You can still register to vote through Election Day. Find out how!   UU the Vote Challenge! Your Voting Rights committee is asking you to join us in a challenge to expand the number of people voting in any election, particularly voting absentee. Get the details…   Support the HEROES Act for Election Assistance The HEROES Act includes $3.6 billion for state and local governments to make their election systems safe under pandemic conditions. Contact your senators…   Invitation to Join Voting Rights Team If you would like to get more involved with encouraging voting rights for our congregation and beyond, contact David Wagstaff at 610-220-3359 by phone or text. We could always use more voices and hands. Environmental Issues News Free Viewing of the Film Dark Waters Sierra Club is partnering with Participant Media to offer free Michigan home screenings of the film Dark Waters. Dark Waters is a powerful film that follows Rob Bilott, a tenacious attorney played by Mark Ruffalo, as he uncovers a dark secret that connects a growing number of unexplained deaths to one of the world's largest corporations. Watch the film at home starting next week, and then join a live virtual conversation featuring Michigan environmental activists on Monday, July 27 at 7pm. RSVP now to reserve your free home theater ticket and an invite to the virtual conversation!* *This is a limited opportunity, available to the first 500 respondents in Michigan.  Are You in Need of Assistance? At this time of social distancing, it is important that we keep in close contact via technology. Drew has encouraged you to reach out to him if you want to talk to him via email or phone/text ([email protected]; 440.935.0129). Please do so if you need emotional support or to share your concerns. If you are experiencing financial hardship, the minister's discretionary fund may be able to help. Please contact Drew for more information. Assistance from this fund is strictly confidential. For those of you who are shut in and can’t get groceries or your meds, let Gisela know ([email protected]; 989.772.1602). We now have 6 volunteers who are willing to pick up your orders for you. Many thanks in advance to those willing to help out. Volunteers Needed at Clothing, Inc. Clothing, Inc. is in need of volunteers to sort clothing. They are social distancing and wearing masks as they work. If you are willing to help, contact [email protected].   United Way’s COVID-19 Community Response Fund United Way of Gratiot and Isabella Counties is holding a fundraiser (United Way’s COVID-19 Community Response Fund) to raise $200,000 to help local non-profits respond to the basic necessities that are significant in Isabella County and will continue to be in the coming months due to COVID-19. We are encouraging people to donate directly to the United Way drive or send a check to United Way of Gratiot and Isabella Counties, 524 East Mosher St., Suite 400, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858, with “United Way COVID-19 Community Response Fund” in the memo. 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   Take all that you need; give all that you can! 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 Office Hours and Contact Information Please contact Drew via email, phone, or text. [email protected]  Phone/text: 440-935-0129 UUFCM Board of Trustees for 2020-2021 President: Guy Newland (989.944.0534; [email protected]) Past-President: Carol Rard (989.561.2969; [email protected]) President Elect: Norma Bailey (989.560.3952; [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: Jennifer Davis (989.280.7010; [email protected]) Trustee: Aaron Jones (989.501.0672; [email protected]) Trustee: Mel Bailey (989.600.6460; [email protected])   We are a religious community guided by love, transforming our lives and our world. Copyright © 2020 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.