eNews for Thursday, March 12

3/12/2020

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eNews for Thursday, March 12

Soulful Sundown

On Thursday, March 5, Drew led a lovely Soulful Sundown worship service that included drumming, songs, poetry and reflection. This month’s theme was wisdom, and a number of us enjoyed our time together in the interactive service as well as sharing a pizza and salad supper afterward. Hope to see more of you at the next one on Thursday, April 2!

Worship Matters

We will gather this Sunday, March 15 to worship together with our minister Drew Frantz, who will present “Wisdom of the Generations.” Please join us!

“For this multigenerational service, we will hear a piece of wisdom from members of the congregation throughout the span of years, as well as popular wisdom from recent decades.”

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

March 22: The Wisdom of Generosity
March 29: The Wisdom We Don’t Want to Hear

Minister's Column

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

Coronavirus Update

Although the virus has not been reported yet in our community, we want to take steps to protect everyone’s health, especially the elders among us. We have placed hand sanitizer and tissues throughout the Fellowship building. Washing hands frequently, avoiding touching hands to face, and using a tissue to cough or sneeze into are among the primary recommendations of public health experts. They also recommend that anyone who is sick stay at home and avoid contact with others as much as possible.

For the duration of the coronavirus outbreak, we’ve decided to change our practice of holding hands during the benediction.

If the outbreak increases in our area, we will follow the recommendations of health experts and government officials regarding possibly shutting down of worship services and other Fellowship activities. If such a decision is made, we would communicate in the same way as a cancellation due to a snowstorm: on our website, eNews, Facebook page, email message, and the Remind phone app. If we cancel in-person Sunday worship service, we will try to stream a version of the service via internet instead.

Finally, anyone experiencing emotional and spiritual stress about the coronavirus is welcome to contact Drew for pastoral care.

Circle Supper Sign-Up

Circle Suppers are a social chance to enjoy a great meal and great conversations with other UUFCM congregants. Guests will sign up on the host sheets in the fellowship hall for suppers scheduled between now and April 18. Look for a list of hosts, dates and times on Sunday!

Confidentiality in Pledging

Our practice is that (except in unusual circumstance) only the Treasurer (Terrie Robbie) sees/knows your financial pledge. This year we sent out the financial pledge card printed back-to-back with service pledge sheet. These latter ultimately go to Gisela Moffit. Terrie will receive the pledge forms either directly from you or else from a member of the stewardship committee (Mary, Guy, Carol) to whom you have given it. Terrie will then photocopy the back portion, the volunteer forms, and pass them to Gisela.

Discussion/Support Group - This Sunday

Join us for a group that combines discussion of the monthly theme (“Wisdom” for March) with time to check in and share about what is happening in our lives. This group creates an atmosphere of hearing each other with support, not judgment. We have a light lunch at 12:30 and meet until 2 p.m. one Sunday a month.

Special Offering Collection - This Sunday

This Sunday a special plate collection will be taken to supplement the minister’s discretionary fund, a fund we use to help people in the community who might need gas money, money to pay an electric bill, a night in a hotel, etc. 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. Please plan to attend.

RE Grow Your Own Luck!

After service this Sunday, March 15, children and families are invited to the RE’s Grow Your Own Luck event! At this event, children will be able to paint a flower pot, then plant seeds to watch them grow into lucky four-leaf clovers! Lots of Saint Patrick’s-themed snacks and treats will be offered as well. If your child(ren) are able to make it to this event, please let Kendra know at re.uufcm@gmail.com.

Arms Around Seeks Drivers!

Arms Around provides services to our congregants who are going through a hard time (ex: sending cards, making phone call, visits in hospital or home, bringing in food, providing rides to appointments). We are in need of drivers who would be available to take people to doctors’ appointments during the week. If you are able to serve, please let Gisela know what days you are available. Thank you in advance!

Environmental Issues Committee - Upcoming Events!

In celebration of Earth Day, the environmental team will install a rain barrel and compost unit on April 19 after the service with the help of the children. We’ll also teach how the compost unit works, and what can be added to it throughout the year. There will be containers for donations in the social hall this Sunday through Sunday, April 5, giving us two weeks to purchase the supplies and prepare for the installation.
In celebration of Arbor Day, we will provide a sapling to anyone willing to plant it at their home, and care for it throughout the year. There will be a sign up sheet in the social hall through April 12 for requests for a sapling, those willing to help transport and/or plant the saplings, and for donations to purchase them. We will have the trees available two weeks later on Sunday, April 26.
Here is an article with 20 Green Tips to Improve Your Health and Lifestyle - check it out!
Please note: the Environmental Conference at CMU has been cancelled.

CUUPs Ostara Ritual - March 22

Ostara is a pagan celebration of the Spring Equinox. It is a ritual that welcomes the full promise of Spring and the turning of the wheel towards the Summer Solstice. 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 pm.

UUFCM Women’s Circle - March 26

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 at 6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary of the UU Center. Join us!

• • • Community News • • •

The Gun Show

Sponsored by the Michigan Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, The Gun Show, written by Playwright E.M. Lewis, is a one-actor play that explores Ms. Lewis’s unique perspective and relationship with guns and American gun culture. The narrative leans neither left or right but instead centers on the question: Can we talk about this? The presentation is occurring at a number of venues in Michigan through March 19. For further information, see the Coalition’s website.

World Water Day - March 24

World Water Day will be celebrated in Lansing on March 24. To register, visit tinyurl.com/RegisterWWD-Detroit. For more information, visit MIWorldWaterDay.org.

Women’s History Month at CMU

Central Michigan University invites community members to join in celebrating Women’s History Month. Download the flyer for more information about events through April 4.

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.

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.

Pastoral Care Concerns

For support with life's challenges, please contact Drew during his office hours or make an appointment with him. For specific needs such as rides to medical appointments or meals for people recovering from illness or surgery, please contact the Arms Around team via Gisela Moffit at gbmoffit@gmail.com or 989-772-1602. Every effort will be made to lessen the burden on the individual or family who is dealing with a difficult circumstance.

Drew's Office Hours and Contact Information

Office hours:
Monday 10:00-12:00, Tuesday 4:00-6:00,
and by appointment.
Day off: Friday.

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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