eNews for Thursday, March 17

3/17/2022

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eNews for Thursday, March 17

Worship Matters

We will gather online via Zoom and in-person this Sunday, March 20 to worship together with our minister Rev. Drew Frantz, who will present “Stewardship: What to Create, What to Keep, What to Release.” The Zoom call starts at 10:00 for social time, and the service starts at 10:30.

There is still room for people to worship in-person in March. Contact Norma Bailey if you are interested in coming!

“This week marks the two-year anniversary of the great COVID shut-down. Even though we are returning to in-person meetings, COVID has changed everything. In conjunction with our annual call for pledges of support to the Fellowship, this Sunday we reflect on how COVID has changed our congregation and how we want to be going forward.”

Zoom Invitation for Sunday, March 20
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 402489218

One tap mobile
+16468769923,,402489218#

Phone - audio only
+1 646 876 9923

Upcoming Services
March 27: Thomas Merton, Christian Mystic

If you happen to miss being in worship, please check out our website sermon archive for sermon video and/or text.

Minister’s Column

You can read the Minister’s Column at uufcm.org/andrew-frantz.

COVID Update

We have resumed hybrid services (in-person/Zoom). As a reminder, our current policy is everyone entering the building must be vaccinated and must wear a mask, which applies to children also.
Beginning this Sunday, March 20, singing by the congregation and the choir will be allowed with masks on.
Beginning Sunday, April 3 there will be no need to sign up to attend services. Anyone vaccinated and wearing a mask may attend.
Right now, small groups can meet in person if they wish, or continue meeting on Zoom – or do a mixture. This includes all of our committees and the Board itself. We will do our best to publish how meetings are going to be held, and please check with the leader of each meeting if you're not sure.

Please be aware that the situation is fluid. We are monitoring the situation frequently, so stay tuned for updates.

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.

- Sunday worship
- Sunday Stroll - throughout March at noon
- Welcome to UU Orientation - Last Sundays at 12:30pm
- CUUPs Ostara Ritual - Sunday, March 20 at 6pm, hybrid format
- UUFCM Men’s Group - 1st Mondays at 7pm on Zoom
- Game Night - 3rd Mondays at 7pm
- Central Michigan Sangha - Tuesdays at 6:45pm
- UU Discussion Group - Wednesdays at 10am
- Choir Rehearsal - Wednesdays at 7pm

Team Meetings

Anti-Racist Group - Sunday, March 20 at 2pm
Communications Team - Monday, March 21 at 7:30pm

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.

If you are interested in helping any of these teams or committees, please fill out the Volunteer Opportunity Form if you haven’t already.

Special Offering Collection - This Sunday

The March special collection on Sunday, March 20 is for the Isabella County Soup Kitchen, the agency providing meals to those in need. This year, because of the COVID pandemic and the economic situation, the Soup Kitchen has been serving to-go meals three days a week in a drive through/no contact manner. You can donate online to the Social Justice Special Plate Collection Fund at our website or checks can be sent to our treasurer made out to UUFCM with “Soup Kitchen” indicated in the memo line.

Youth Religious Education Has Gone Hybrid!

After a successful first service back last Sunday, we will continue with a Hybrid/In-Person format this Sunday, March 20.

After the story for all ages, DRE Jakobe and a volunteer from the congregation will lead the children to the fellowship hall. At that time, those participating online will switch to the Religious Education zoom and join the RE service.

Children and youth must be vaccinated and wear their masks in the building at all times. Both in the sanctuary and the fellowship hall, children will be socially distanced from one another for safety. All items and surfaces used during meeting time will be cleaned and sanitized before and after use by the RE Staff.

If your child is interested in coming in person, please email Board President, Norma Bailey at [email protected]! If you would like to join online, the Zoom link is available through the UUFCM calendar – please reach out if you have trouble with either. As we move into hybrid religious education, we encourage your family to consider either format. The RE Team is incredibly excited to safely welcome youth back into the fellowship completely.

Online Youth Religious Education Lessons

The Youth RE Team has been working very hard to create virtual learning opportunities for our young ones! During the month of January, we touched on our monthly theme of Living with Intention by branching off topics of Bullying & Learning, Black History, Nature Week, and in February we celebrated LGBTQIA+. Please use the links below to watch any of the lessons – in each video there are musical selections, stories for all ages, mindfulness practices, as well a variety of segments themed to the overall week. These videos are for young ones of all ages, both young and old!
And, stay tuned for the newest edition coming later this month on the theme of Renewing our Faith!

1-9-2022 Online Religious Education “Bullying & Learning”
1-16-2022 Online Religious Education “Black History”
1-30-2022 Online Religious Education “Nature Week”
2-27-2022 Online Religious Education “LGBTQIA+ Celebration”

Sunday Strolls for March

March 20 & 27 - Millpond Park
Meet at noon at the pavilion on 607 S. Adams St.
Questions? Call or text Jen Prout at 989-400-3130.

Anti-Racist Group Meeting - Sunday, March 20 at 2pm

If you are interested in helping to plan anti-racist activities based on the results of our congregational retreat on January 22, please join us in person in the Fellowship Hall on Sunday, March 20 at 2:00 pm. All are welcome.

CUUPs Ostara Ritual - Sunday, March 20 at 6pm

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 will hold the ritual promptly at 6pm, in hybrid format (in-person/Zoom), and there will be no potluck. Find the link on the Calendar.

Meals for ICRH Guests

It’s that time of the year again. The UUFCM is scheduled to provide dinners at St. John’s Church for the guests of the Isabella County Restoration House homeless shelter during the week of March 27 to April 2. We do not yet know which days we will be responsible for; contact Joyce Henricks ([email protected]) if you are interested in helping.

Welcome to UU Orientation - March 27

This orientation is geared to newcomers, visitors, and those seeking to learn more about Unitarian Universalism and this UU fellowship. It is offered every month both in person in the fellowship hall and via Zoom on the last Sunday at 12:30 pm. Sessions run approximately an hour and a half.

If you are interested in watching an introductory video regarding our faith, please view this YouTube video by Peter Bowden called Unitarian Universalism: You're Uni-What?.

For more info or to register for Welcome to UU, contact:
Laura McBride: 989.772.5512 [email protected]
Please let Laura know whether you will be attending via Zoom or in-person by the Friday prior to the orientation.

Are You the One We’re Looking For?

As we work to expand our outreach within and beyond our fellowship the Communications Coordinating Team (CCT) is looking for a person or persons who are willing to assist with Instagram and Twitter. We are especially interested in finding administrators for both platforms. If you are willing to take on either challenge as an administrator, co-administrator, or are simply willing to lend your expertise and support as a member of the team, please reach out to the CCT. Email Sally Armstrong or call/text 802-477-3275.

Like to Sing? Come Join the Choir!

If you like to sing, even if you don’t read music, now would be a perfect time to join us as we are getting close to being allowed to sing in the sanctuary! We rehearse on Sundays at 7pm and Sundays at 9:30am. Contact Norma Bailey at 989-560-3952 or [email protected] if you have questions.

Mother Earth Love (MEL)

What is it?

MEL gives you ideas for steps you can take to alter the path of climate change.
MEL consists of 2 short columns per month that give you information and action items.
MEL appears in our eNews, on our UUFCM website, and on the Connections Facebook group.

Consider volunteering...

If you have an interest in our natural world and have ideas for keeping it healthy.
If you would like to assist in writing a short column of a great idea to share.
If you like to take small steps to battle against climate change.

Then please contact: Karen Turnbull (text 989-560-3828; [email protected])

Metal Schmetal!

We are planning a metal drive again this May (or so) to earn money for some good cause at the UUFCM, such as Leadership Development or our 20th Anniversary Celebration. As you begin to unthaw from winter and muck about in your garage, basement, shed, or barn, please set aside metal that you would like to donate. We can take appliances, but check with Laura to see if anything is prohibited or needs to be drained. You may call/text/email her at 989.772.5512 or [email protected]. Details for drop off and pick up will be shared in April.

Save the Date - Saturday, April 23 from 10-Noon

We are planning a clean-up of the outside of our building on Saturday, April 23, from 10am-noon! Please put this date on your calendar and plan to come to help beautify our church grounds.

Attend GA!

General Assembly (GA) is the annual meeting of our Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). Each year UUs gather from across the United States and the world to learn, worship, and conduct the business of the Association through workshops, lectures, events, and worship services. This year’s GA will be held virtually and in-person in Portland, Oregon, June 22-26 with the theme “Meet the Moment: Reimagining Radical Faith Community.”

If you have never been to a GA, the Board is willing to pay for members to participate virtually using our Leadership Development Funds. If you are interested, please contact Norma Bailey ([email protected]) for further information, and visit the UUA website to learn more. Of course, if you have attended before, loved it, and found it to be a valuable experience, we encourage you to attend; because GA is virtual again this year, the registration fee is relatively inexpensive at $250.

• • • Community News • • •

33rd Annual CMU “Celebrating Life” Powwow

March 19 & 20 at the McGuirk Arena
CMU invites the community to the 33rd Annual Central Michigan University “Celebrating Life” Powwow! The powwow is an opportunity for the community to actively learn about Native American culture through drumming, dancing, arts & crafts, and food. Doors open at 11am both days and grand entry times are Saturday, March 19 at 1pm and 6pm, and Sunday, March 20 at 12pm. Download the flyer for additional information.

Discussion with Dr. Bettina Love

Monday, March 21 at 4:00 pm

CMU invites community members to a discussion with award-winning author Dr. Bettina Love about traditional education, the miseducation of Black and Brown girls, Queer Youth, and an assortment of concerns related to safe spaces for marginalized individuals, Monday, March 21 at 4pm. In-person, registration required.

An Evening with Carole Lindstrom

Tuesday, March 22 at 7pm via WebEx

The Clarke Historical Library at CMU announces “An Evening with Carole Lindstrom.” Carole is the author of the Caldecott Medal-winning book, We are Water Protectors, and is a member of the Turtle Mountain band of Ojibwe. The program is free, but you will need to register to receive the link.

World Water Week, March 17-25

The Peoples Water Board has put together an action-packed schedule of activities during World Water Week from March 17- March 25. Download the flyer, learn more and register for these events.

Native American Indian Panel

Tuesday, March 29 at 7:00 pm in the Kiva in Moore Hall

CMU invites community members to a Native American Indian Panel. The panel members will discuss cultural appropriation and misrepresentation of Native American Indians and other important issues. Download the flyer for more information.

Women’s History Month at CMU

March 1-30
Download the flyer for information on the events taking place during the month of March.

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

Together We Grow!

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

UUFCM Board of Trustees for 2021-2022
President: Norma Bailey (989.560.3952; [email protected])
Past-President: Guy Newland (989.944.0534; [email protected])
President Elect: Stacey Pattison (989.330.1832; [email protected])
Treasurer: Terrie Robbie (989.400.2495; [email protected])
Secretary: Elaine Emerick (989.621.6063; [email protected])
Trustee: Jennifer Davis (989.280.7010; [email protected])
Trustee: Cynthia Damer (989.506.5750; [email protected])
Trustee: Jodi Fisher (989.560.5135; [email protected])

Team and Committee Leaders

Building, Grounds & Safety Team - Norma Bailey
Communications Team - Sally Armstrong
Fellowship Life Coordinating Team - Gisela Moffit
Membership - Laura McBride
Arms Around - Gisela Moffit
Welcome & Hospitality - Gisela Moffit
Social Fun - Jen Prout
Social Justice Coordinating Team - Norma Bailey
Youth Religious Education (RE) Team - Jenny Kennedy
Worship Team - Drew Frantz
Adult Religious Education committee - Jodi Fisher
Coronavirus task force - Drew Frantz

We are a
religious community
guided by love,
transforming our lives
and our world.

Copyright © 2021 Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Michigan. All rights reserved.

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