eNews for Thursday, June 11

6/11/2020

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eNews for Thursday, June 11

RE Garden

Our garden is looking very well-watered and well-tended! Thank you to all the families and volunteers who have already offered up part of their Sunday to make sure our RE Garden is cared for. We're looking forward to all the veggies we'll see later this summer!

Worship Matters

We will gather online via Zoom this Sunday, June 14 to discuss two topics: “What has changed for you compared to last year at this time?” and “What brings you joy in a world that is turbulent?” The Zoom call starts at 10am for social time, and the service starts at 10:30am.

Zoom Invitation for Sunday, June 14
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 402489218

One tap mobile
+16468769923,,402489218#

Phone - audio only
+1 646 876 9923

Summer Service Series

When Drew is not with us this summer, our worship services will be different, more interactive and intimate, giving us a chance to get to know one another better, similar to what we engaged in last year. After the lighting of the chalice and honoring our joys and concerns, each week, in small random groups, we will engage in discussion of a topic announced in advance – here in the e-News, in service for the following week, and on our website. After the discussion time, the services will close with a song and a closing benediction.

The Summer Series services occur on June 14 & 21, July 19, and August 2 & 9.

There will be two special Sundays, June 28 and July 12, when worship will not be led by our Fellowship. On Sunday, June 28 at 10:00am, we invite everyone to worship with the UU General Assembly in a worship service live-streamed to the public. On Sunday, July 12 at 10:30am, we will participate in an all-Michigan UUs worship service in which 17 UU congregations across Michigan will contribute an element to the service.

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 - Summer Worship Series

June 21: “What do you foresee the new normal will be in our lives (pandemic, Black Lives Matter)?”
June 28: “UU General Assembly Worship Service”

Minister's Column

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

No In-Person Worship for Six Months

The UUFCM board has voted that worship services continue to be online only for the next six months (June through November).This decision is informed by the recommendations from the UUA. Their work is comprehensive and worth looking at. They recommend shutting down worship for the next 11 months, and we have decided to go with 6 months, re-evaluating in November.

The main reasons behind this decision are, first, that worship (unlike shopping for groceries) is not essential. Since there is risk of infection even with masks and social distancing, the risk outweighs the benefit. Second, gathering for worship is an inherently high-risk event, with a group of people in an indoor space for more than an hour. Third, a partial re-opening of worship would tend to include some people and exclude others–so the decision to put off worship for a longer time is more inclusive. We want to re-open when everyone can be here safely. Finally, deciding to close worship for six months lets us move on with planning. This is the new normal; this is how we gather our congregation now. Since we know we are doing this for the long haul, we can focus on doing it even better: more love, more justice, and more inclusion in our online space.

Upcoming Events - with Zoom Links

Click the link to join in!

- Sunday worship
*Please, no one else allowed in the sanctuary during online worship.
- 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
- Choir R ehearsal - Wednesdays at 7pm
- Women’s Circle - 2nd (informal) and 4th (formal) Thursdays at 7pm

Event links can also be found on the UUFCM Calendar.

Team Meetings - with Zoom Links

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.

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

- UUFCM Board meeting - Sunday, June 14 at 1pm
- Voting Rights meeting - Monday, June 15 at 7pm

Meeting links can also be found on the UUFCM Calendar.

Would You Like to Attend the UU General Assembly
Virtual Conference?

UU General Assembly is the national annual gathering of Unitarian Universalists. This year it takes place June 24-28, entirely online. The board has decided to use leadership funds to pay for the $150 registration fee for any members who wish to attend. The expectation is that participants will share about their experience with the congregation at a later date. For complete information, please contact Carol Rard at carol4uufcm@gmail.com or 989-561-2969 no later than this Sunday, June 14.

DRE Position Opening Announcement

As many children and families know, this will be Kendra Peffers's final year in the role of Director of Religious Education (DRE) at UUFCM. In preparation for the end of her term in this position (August 31, 2020), we are posting for a replacement to begin in the fall. We want to use this as an opportunity to hear from the members of our congregation to see if there is someone who you believe would be a good fit for this position and to ask for your help in spreading the word. The position's flyer can be viewed here: DRE Flyer. Kendra is also happy to answer any questions related to the position or the RE Program at re.uufcm@gmail.com.

Women’s Circle - June 11

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! Please bring a poem or a short reading that has inspired you to share if you wish. We meet on 4th Thursdays for a full meeting and on 2nd Thursdays for a shorter check in, both at 7pm. Join us via Zoom!

Citizens Climate Lobby Virtual Conference - June 13 and 14, beginning at 1:00pm

The Environmental Issues Team invites you to attend the Citizens Climate Lobby conference this weekend. It is free and open to the public. If you are interested in learning more and/or participating in the conference, visit the website and preregister here. This is an amazing group, and we would love to see you there! Love and peace and always go green!

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).

Americans United for Separation of Church and State Summer Speaker Series

Americans United for Separation of Church and State (AU) is launching a Summer Speaker Series each Tuesday in June at 3pm ET. The series will address the history and politics of church-state separation in the United States. See the course schedule and RSVP for any or all of the webinars.

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 (minister@uufcm.org; 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 (gbmoffit@gmail.com; 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.

• • • Ways to Make a Difference • • •

Need for Food!

The Food Pantry of the Community Compassion Network (CCN) continues to provide food here in Mt. Pleasant for those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the need is great. Donate online to CCN to help them purchase food.

Where to Donate Your Stimulus Check

If you are a person who really does not have a need for your stimulus check but have received it anyway, here is A Guide to Helping and Getting Help During the Coronavirus Crisis. It lists ways to give, how to get help, and how to help in your community.

Support the US Postal Service

As a result of the coronavirus pandemic and also without current administration support for the US Postal Service, the USPS is in immediate financial trouble. The USPS is a vital component of American society; people depend upon it for medications, paying bills, etc., and it serves everyone in the country. As well, having a fully functioning postal service will be especially crucial as the need for the ability to vote by mail is increased by the pandemic. Find suggestions about how to support the USPS here.

Mass Poor People’s Assembly and
Moral March on Washington – June 20, 2020

The Mass Poor People’s Assembly and Moral March on Washington will be held on June 20, 2020. Modeled after the Poor People’s Campaign envisioned by Dr. Martin Luther King, and currently led by the Reverend Dr. William Barber and the Reverend Dr. Liz Theoharis, the digital gathering will demand that both major political parties address the interlocking injustices of systemic racism, poverty, ecological devastation, militarism and the distorted moral narrative of religious nationalism by implementing their Moral Agenda. Find further information and sign up 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

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 admin@uufcm.org.

Drew's Office Hours and Contact Information

Please contact Drew via email, phone, or text.

minister@uufcm.org
Phone/text:
440-935-0129

UUFCM Board of Trustees for 2019-2020
President: Carol Rard (989.561.2969; president@uufcm.org)
Past-President: Mary Alsager (989.773.2595; malsager@yahoo.com)
President Elect: Guy Newland (989.944.0534; newla1gm@cmich.edu)
Treasurer: Terrie Robbie (989.400.2495; tlrobbie1@gmail.com)
Co-Treasurer: Jen Prout (989.400.3130; poutyprouty66@yahoo.com)
Secretary: Brigitte Bechtold (989.954.1123; becht1bh@cmich.edu)
Trustee: Janis Shinn (989.400.3724; janis_shinn@yahoo.com)
Trustee: Aaron Jones (989.501.0672; jones3aj@cmich.edu)
Trustee: Daniel Davis (616.540.4759; daniel.davis515@yahoo.com)

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.

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