Let us not wish away the winter.
It is a season to itself,
not simply the way to spring.
~ Greta Crosby
| Our Peace Pole Repaired and Re-Installed! With all due haste - due in no small part to the talents and kind responsiveness of our repairman extraordinaire, Marc Reohr - the UUFCM peace pole has been fully restored to its rightful place. Thank you also to Norma Bailey for her able assistance to Marc in this process. May peace prevail on earth! |  |
Many Thanks!
Thanks to the many members and friends who assisted with setting up, bring food/drinks to both the Harvest Feast and Holiday Celebration, and cleaning up! Special thanks to Kris and Richie Los for the loan of the catering equipment for the feast!
Thanks to the many members and friends who assisted with setting up, bring food/drinks to both the Harvest Feast and Holiday Celebration, and cleaning up! Special thanks to Kris and Richie Los for the loan of the catering equipment for the feast!
In Worship
Please join us this Sunday for a service titled “Waiting, Waiting, Waiting…Should We?”, delivered by
Norma Bailey. In this post-election season, should we wait to see what will happen in our country and in our world, or should we recognize that our faith requires us to be a hopeful people? Hope calls for action, and action is impossible without hope. If action is our response, what does that look like?
Upcoming Services
Saturday, December 24 at 7:00 p.m.: “Between Darkness and Light”
We will gather this night for worship by candlelight - a service for all ages woven with poetry, stories and songs of the season. Bring your friends and family for an evening filled with warmth and light. Childcare will be provided. Light refreshments to follow the service.
Saturday, December 31 at 7:00 p.m.: “The Burning Bowl – Welcoming the New Year”
The New Year is upon us again…join us for this special evening worship for our annual observance of the “burning bowl” as we reflect on our lives this past year and lean forward into tomorrow together. The service will be followed by our own New Year’s Eve celebration!
*Please note that there will be no morning worship services held on Sunday, December 25 and Sunday, January 1.
Holiday Fundraiser for Leadership Training Fund – Cheese Balls!
We are raising money to send eager UUFCM members to a special UUA-sponsored leadership training program in 2017. So for gift-giving or your own holiday dining pleasure (or both!) we have delicious, hand-crafted gourmet cheese balls available for purchase over the next two Sundays. These delectable treats are priced at $8 each, or 2 for $15. For more information, contact Annette Pratt 989-400-0173.
Holiday Outreach
We have adopted a family for the holidays. There is a sign-up sheet of items the family has requested, and you will be able to choose gifts you would like to donate to them. Thank you to those of you who chose a donation! If you have not already done so, please bring any gift you are donating to the family with the ‘tag’ taped to the gift. Gifts will be distributed to the family this Sunday, December 18th. Please call Mari Potter with questions at 989-944-4202.
Holiday Caroling
The RE Team would like to invite all members, friends, and especially children to join us as we sing holidays songs at Crestwood Village Assisted Living on Lincoln Road on Sunday, December 18. We’ll meet at the UUFCM at 2:45 to carpool to the site, sing for and with the guests, and then return to the home of Sarah Jamison (2191 O’Connor Dr.) for hot chocolate and cookies. We hope you will all join us!
CUUPs Winter Solstice Celebration - December 18, 7 p.m.
Help us celebrate the longest night of the year. A celebration of light and rebirth. A potluck will follow our ritual. Please bring a dish to pass. All are welcome.
Update on Jean
Jean Daab has moved to Crestwood Village Assisted Living. Her new mailing address is listed in our online directory.
Friend in Need
Our former RE director…and current RE volunteer teacher, Roze Bentley, has been diagnosed with TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder that has her in constant pain…and her insurance offers no coverage for the treatment she needs. Roze has started a Go Fund Me campaign to raise the necessary funds – she is halfway to her goal! Please chip in if you’re able.
Next Welcome to UU Orientation Session – January 22, 2017
Due to the holiday crunch of events complicated by the holidays falling on Sundays this year, we will not be holding our monthly Welcome to UU orientation in December. Please mark your calendar and join us for the next session on Sunday, January 22, 2017.
Schedule Changes
Sewing Circle and UUFCM Men's Group/Game Night are cancelled for December 19 and January 2. We'll start back up on January 16th!
Isabella County Restoration House (ICRH) News
The dates for our partnering with St. John's for the Restoration House are the weeks of January 2, March 5, and April 2. A sign up list for volunteers will be sent out after Thanksgiving. The shelter program has begun and we are again hosting the Welcome/Intake center. If you are interested in volunteering for the Intake Center, or for helping out with other churches, please contact Joyce Henricks (989-773-4709 or [email protected]).
UUFCM All-Congregation Retreat
Saturday, January 28, 2017 from 9-4 p.m.
Every year we have an all-congregational retreat in which we explore together a theme or question pertinent to all of us. This year we will meet to deepen our understanding of gender identity and learn how to better support the issues facing people who are transgender. This is a renewal and extension of our Welcoming Congregation initiative and designation that we earned in 2011. We are very fortunate to have with us Kathleen Campisano, the Faith and States Organizing Manager of the National LGBTQ Task Force, who will lead us in a number of exercises and discussions. Be sure to put this important retreat on your calendar right now so you won’t miss it. Child care will be provided; please contact Norma Bailey (989-560-3952 or [email protected]) to arrange this or with any questions you might have.
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.
Please join us this Sunday for a service titled “Waiting, Waiting, Waiting…Should We?”, delivered by
Norma Bailey. In this post-election season, should we wait to see what will happen in our country and in our world, or should we recognize that our faith requires us to be a hopeful people? Hope calls for action, and action is impossible without hope. If action is our response, what does that look like?
Upcoming Services
Saturday, December 24 at 7:00 p.m.: “Between Darkness and Light”
We will gather this night for worship by candlelight - a service for all ages woven with poetry, stories and songs of the season. Bring your friends and family for an evening filled with warmth and light. Childcare will be provided. Light refreshments to follow the service.
Saturday, December 31 at 7:00 p.m.: “The Burning Bowl – Welcoming the New Year”
The New Year is upon us again…join us for this special evening worship for our annual observance of the “burning bowl” as we reflect on our lives this past year and lean forward into tomorrow together. The service will be followed by our own New Year’s Eve celebration!
*Please note that there will be no morning worship services held on Sunday, December 25 and Sunday, January 1.
Holiday Fundraiser for Leadership Training Fund – Cheese Balls!
We are raising money to send eager UUFCM members to a special UUA-sponsored leadership training program in 2017. So for gift-giving or your own holiday dining pleasure (or both!) we have delicious, hand-crafted gourmet cheese balls available for purchase over the next two Sundays. These delectable treats are priced at $8 each, or 2 for $15. For more information, contact Annette Pratt 989-400-0173.
Holiday Outreach
We have adopted a family for the holidays. There is a sign-up sheet of items the family has requested, and you will be able to choose gifts you would like to donate to them. Thank you to those of you who chose a donation! If you have not already done so, please bring any gift you are donating to the family with the ‘tag’ taped to the gift. Gifts will be distributed to the family this Sunday, December 18th. Please call Mari Potter with questions at 989-944-4202.
Holiday Caroling
The RE Team would like to invite all members, friends, and especially children to join us as we sing holidays songs at Crestwood Village Assisted Living on Lincoln Road on Sunday, December 18. We’ll meet at the UUFCM at 2:45 to carpool to the site, sing for and with the guests, and then return to the home of Sarah Jamison (2191 O’Connor Dr.) for hot chocolate and cookies. We hope you will all join us!
CUUPs Winter Solstice Celebration - December 18, 7 p.m.
Help us celebrate the longest night of the year. A celebration of light and rebirth. A potluck will follow our ritual. Please bring a dish to pass. All are welcome.
Update on Jean
Jean Daab has moved to Crestwood Village Assisted Living. Her new mailing address is listed in our online directory.
Friend in Need
Our former RE director…and current RE volunteer teacher, Roze Bentley, has been diagnosed with TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder that has her in constant pain…and her insurance offers no coverage for the treatment she needs. Roze has started a Go Fund Me campaign to raise the necessary funds – she is halfway to her goal! Please chip in if you’re able.
Next Welcome to UU Orientation Session – January 22, 2017
Due to the holiday crunch of events complicated by the holidays falling on Sundays this year, we will not be holding our monthly Welcome to UU orientation in December. Please mark your calendar and join us for the next session on Sunday, January 22, 2017.
Schedule Changes
Sewing Circle and UUFCM Men's Group/Game Night are cancelled for December 19 and January 2. We'll start back up on January 16th!
Isabella County Restoration House (ICRH) News
The dates for our partnering with St. John's for the Restoration House are the weeks of January 2, March 5, and April 2. A sign up list for volunteers will be sent out after Thanksgiving. The shelter program has begun and we are again hosting the Welcome/Intake center. If you are interested in volunteering for the Intake Center, or for helping out with other churches, please contact Joyce Henricks (989-773-4709 or [email protected]).
UUFCM All-Congregation Retreat
Saturday, January 28, 2017 from 9-4 p.m.
Every year we have an all-congregational retreat in which we explore together a theme or question pertinent to all of us. This year we will meet to deepen our understanding of gender identity and learn how to better support the issues facing people who are transgender. This is a renewal and extension of our Welcoming Congregation initiative and designation that we earned in 2011. We are very fortunate to have with us Kathleen Campisano, the Faith and States Organizing Manager of the National LGBTQ Task Force, who will lead us in a number of exercises and discussions. Be sure to put this important retreat on your calendar right now so you won’t miss it. Child care will be provided; please contact Norma Bailey (989-560-3952 or [email protected]) to arrange this or with any questions you might have.
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.
In a dark time the eye begins to see.
~ Theodore Roethke
Service Cancellation Policy
In case of inclement weather, a decision to cancel the service will be made by 9 a.m. An announcement will be posted on Facebook as well as sent directly via email. Those who are not online will be phoned. If you have questions, call Laura McBride (989-772-5512). We hope we won't have to resort to this very often, but we live in Michigan after all, so we need to be prepared!
Got News?
The deadline for submissions to the Order of Service Insert and the UUFCM weekly e-News is
Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. Please send all submissions to [email protected].
UUFCM Board of Trustees for 2016-2017
President: Laura McBride (989.772.5512; [email protected])
Past-President: Annette Pratt (989.400.0173; [email protected])
President Elect: Norma Bailey (989.560.3952; [email protected] )
Treasurer: Chris Bailey (989.775.8257; [email protected])
Co-Treasurer: Ricky Courlander (989.772.4457; [email protected])
Secretary: Vicki Chessin (989.560.4614; [email protected])
Trustee: Scott Daigle (989.506.5750; [email protected])
Trustee: Janis Shinn (989.400.3724; [email protected])
Trustee: Brigitte Bechtold (989.954.1123; [email protected])
In case of inclement weather, a decision to cancel the service will be made by 9 a.m. An announcement will be posted on Facebook as well as sent directly via email. Those who are not online will be phoned. If you have questions, call Laura McBride (989-772-5512). We hope we won't have to resort to this very often, but we live in Michigan after all, so we need to be prepared!
Got News?
The deadline for submissions to the Order of Service Insert and the UUFCM weekly e-News is
Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. Please send all submissions to [email protected].
UUFCM Board of Trustees for 2016-2017
President: Laura McBride (989.772.5512; [email protected])
Past-President: Annette Pratt (989.400.0173; [email protected])
President Elect: Norma Bailey (989.560.3952; [email protected] )
Treasurer: Chris Bailey (989.775.8257; [email protected])
Co-Treasurer: Ricky Courlander (989.772.4457; [email protected])
Secretary: Vicki Chessin (989.560.4614; [email protected])
Trustee: Scott Daigle (989.506.5750; [email protected])
Trustee: Janis Shinn (989.400.3724; [email protected])
Trustee: Brigitte Bechtold (989.954.1123; [email protected])
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