eNews for Thursday, September 22

9/22/2022

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eNews for Thursday, September 22

RE Kickoff a Great Success!

The Youth RE kickoff last Sunday after the worship service was great fun! After eating some healthy snacks, parents and children played rousing games of UNO, Tillie fully enjoyed the hula hoops, and Samantha beat Jakobe for the musical chairs championship!

Worship Matters

We will gather online via Zoom and in person this Sunday, September 25 to worship together with our minister Drew Frantz, who will present “Belonging.” The Zoom call starts at 10:00 for social time, and the service starts at 10:30.

“As humans, we all want to have a sense of belonging. People sometimes feel belonging in their families; in their work, school or social groups; and in the biggest sense, a belonging in the universe. When have you felt belonging? What reminds you that you belong? How can we give one another the gift of belonging?”

Zoom Invitation for Sunday, September 25
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 402489218

One tap mobile
+16468769923,,402489218#

Phone - audio only
+1 646 876 9923

Upcoming Services
October 2: Adaptive Ministry

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

Minister’s Column

Since moving into my house a year and a half ago, I’ve had a squirrel problem. Many times, squirrels could clearly be heard in the ceiling above my bedroom–seemingly romping and running and rolling nuts around. It took three exterminators to finally solve the problem, and during this time I had a real war mind-set. Killing the squirrels was part of the intervention, and I was OK with that…

Read more here.

COVID Update

We continue with hybrid services (in-person/Zoom). Our current policy is that everyone entering the building must be vaccinated (unless exempt), which applies to children also. Masks are optional for worship services and small group meetings.
Singing by the congregation and the choir is allowed with masks on.
Anyone vaccinated may attend services.
Small groups can meet in person if they wish, or continue meeting on Zoom – or do a mixture. This includes all of our teams 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.
Indoor eating events are allowed – coffee hour, Friday night potlucks, and our annual Harvest Feast – as long as people are vaccinated.

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
- Welcome to UU Orientation - Sunday, September 25 at 12:30 pm
- Sunday Stroll - Sundays in September at 12:30pm
- 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
- First Friday Potluck - First Fridays at 6:30pm

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.

Team Meetings
Worship Team - Tuesday, September 27 at 7pm

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

Deep Dive and Relational Organizing

Today at 7-8pm via Zoom

Nomi Joyrich, a MUUSJN consultant, will present a deep dive into all three statewide ballot proposals and training in relational organizing today from 7-8pm via Zoom. The deep dive is to help all of us have a deeper understanding of the various aspects of the ballot proposals, and the relational organizing training is a structured way for us to reach out to our own network - family, friends, neighbors, barber, people at the gym, colleagues, etc. – to educate them and get them to vote. Please plan on attending to help achieve the results we need in this most important midterm election! We will be joined by five other UU congregations, and feel free to invite your non-UU friends.

Field Trip to the Jim Crow Museum

Friday, September 23

12:45pm - meet at UUFCM
1pm - depart (car-pooling) for Big Rapids
2-4pm - visit museum
5-6pm - reflection and discussion at UUFCM with pizza dinner

Join fellow UUFCM members and friends as we explore and reflect on the provocative collection known as the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia at Ferris State University in Big Rapids. As their website explains, “The Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia is the nation's largest publicly accessible collection of artifacts of intolerance. The Museum contextualizes the dreadful impact of Jim Crow laws and customs. The Museum uses objects of intolerance to teach tolerance and promote a more just society.”

Please contact Norma Bailey (baile1nj@cmich.edu) with questions and/or to sign up so that we can organize the carpooling.

Worship Retreat and Training

Saturday, September 24

10-12pm - training for anyone interested in improving their worship skills
Rev. Drew will lead exercises to make you feel more comfortable reading from the pulpit, handling the technology in our sanctuary, and understanding the various elements that make up Unitarian Universalist worship services. This is intended for anyone who has been part of leading worship or would like to be involved. No experience necessary!

12-1pm - lunch provided by UUFCM Worship Team
All are welcome.

1-2pm - long-term planning for the coming year of worship
We will brainstorm about the themes and topics that we would like to see in the 2022-23 year of Sunday worship, planning for services that are minister-led, lay-led, collaborative, and/or multigenerational. Bring your ideas and your calendar. This is intended for those who may lead a worship service and for anyone who has new ideas for the worship team in their planning.

Movie Night - September 24

A prominent white doctor and a talented black lab technician challenge the archaic belief you don’t touch the heart even when it could save the lives of the blue babies who seldom survived past their first birthday. Battling the Jim Crow attitudes and the Church’s notion you do not interfere with the Lord’s plan, Alan Rickman and Mos Def star in Something The Lord Made. Based on true events. Join us Saturday, September 24 at 7pm. Snacks will be provided.

Welcome to UU Orientation - September 25

Rev. Drew Frantz will be leading this month’s orientation, which 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, typically 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 Lmcbride010@gmail.com
Please let Laura know whether you will be attending via Zoom or in-person by the Friday prior to the orientation.

Rewriting UUA Bylaws, Principles and Sources

A revision is underway of the statement of UU beliefs and values. Since 1987, the language of the 7 principles and 6 sources has been in place, with some slight revisions along the way. Now it is time for a major revision, and a group at the UUA has been working on it.

As a first step, the group has proposed changes to Purposes of the UUA and a paragraph about Freedom of Belief (they have not yet released a new draft of the principles and sources themselves). There are feedback sessions scheduled this week, daily from Saturday 9/24 through Thursday 9/29. You can sign up for these sessions and get more information here.

Sunday Strolls in September

Sunday, September 25 - Millpond Park
Meet at 12:30 at the pavilion on 607 S. Adams St.
Questions? Call or text Jen Prout at 989-400-3130.

A Metal Donation!

Carol Rard and Errol Putman donated 1000 pounds of scrap metal. The recyclers gave a $55 check to UUFCM. Thanks, Carol and Errol. It will be put toward leadership education.

Thanks to Our Letter Writers!

Last Saturday we wrote 166 letters to underrepresented voters in Michigan while enjoying good conversation and snacks! Added to the 84 letters that Katie Zapoluch wrote at home, our total now is 330 letters we have prepared!

One letter-writer said, “It felt good to know that I was doing something to help with the election.” Therefore, we have decided to have two more letter-writing parties, Saturdays, October 1 and 8 at 10am. Come join us if you want to have that same feeling! If you have any questions, feel free to contact anyone from the Social Justice Coordinating Team.

Anti-Racism Small Group Discussion Series

Thursdays, October 6 - November 3 @ 7pm

This program is intended for people with white privilege to confront and dismantle the (often unconscious) racism within themselves, opening the way to reducing harm and increasing harmony everywhere in their lives. We will use the workbook “Me and White Supremacy” by Layla Saad which guides us through 28 days of daily reflection and journaling. In our weekly small group meetings, we will strive to create a safe space to share and reflect with each other. The workbook will be provided, and participants are invited to make a donation to offset the cost. Please contact Drew to sign up or to ask any questions.

Pumpkin Party - October 23

On Sunday, October 23 from 11:45-12:45 at UUFCM, the Religious Education team will host a Pumpkin Party! Children of all ages and their families are invited to join us in the fellowship hall directly following service to paint and/or carve a pumpkin of their choice! Youth are more than welcome to bring a friend to this event as well. If interested, please fill out this form so we can have enough pumpkins for everyone!

• • • Community News • • •

Hispanic Heritage Month at CMU

Join us as we #celebrate #educate #advocate and #activate diversity education at CMU. Learn more here.

13th Annual HIV/AIDS 5k Run/Walk

This Saturday at Island Park
Join the Central Michigan District Health Department at 331 North Main Street at 9:30 am! 100% of the proceeds from the event will help those living with HIV/AIDS within the Central Michigan community and support programs that provide solutions for stopping the spread of the virus. Find registration information here.

Anishanabe Art

Olga Denison Collection
at the Clarke Historical Library, CMU
The Olga Denison Collection of Anishinabe art largely represents the contemporary expression of many traditional native crafts…
View the collection online 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

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 admin@uufcm.org.

Drew’s Contact Information

Please contact Drew via email, phone, or text.
minister@uufcm.org
Phone/text: 440-935-0129

UUFCM Board of Trustees for 2022-2023
President: Stacey Pattison (989.330.1832; staceyp555@gmail.com)
Past-President: Norma Bailey (989.560.3952; normabailey.uufcm@gmail.com)
President Elect: Cynthia Damer (989.506.5750; ckdamer@gmail.com)
Treasurer: Terrie Robbie (989.400.2495; tlrobbie1@gmail.com)
Secretary: Elaine Emerick (989.621.6063; ebundy84@gmail.com)
Trustee: Victoria Sladek (989.506.7039; victoriasladek@gmail.com)
Trustee: Debbie Reid (989.854.9830; debbiereiduufcm@gmail.com)
Trustee: Penny Swart (989.330.3587; ps.unicm@gmail.com)

Team and Committee Leaders

Adult Religious Education Team - Jodi Fisher
Building, Grounds & Safety Team - Norma Bailey
Communications Coordinating Team - Debbie Reid
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
Worship Team - Drew Frantz
Youth Religious Education (RE) Team -
Anti-Racism Task Force - Norma Bailey
Coronavirus Task Force - Drew Frantz

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

Copyright © 2022 Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Michigan. All rights reserved.

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