Let us be that stable,
let us be the place
that welcomes at last
the weary and rejected,
the pilgrim stranger,
the coming life.
~ Patrick Murfin
Please join us this Saturday at 7:00 p.m. for a service titled “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. Please contact Gisela Moffit (if you are interested in participating.
Upcoming Services
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 gathering in the social hall with light refreshments and games as we wait for the live streaming of the Social Justice Watch Night Service from Washington DC that will begin at 10:00 p.m. in the sanctuary (see item below for more details).
*Please note that there will be no morning worship services held on Sunday, December 25 and Sunday, January 1.
Social Justice Watch Night Service at UUFCM
The Mt. Pleasant Area Diversity Group is sponsoring, and UUFCM is hosting, the live-streaming of the Social Justice Watch Night Service from Washington DC on Saturday, December 31, from 10:00-midnight. Led by Rev. Dr. William Barber, leader of North Carolina’s Moral Mondays protests, the watch will bring together diverse communities in a shared fight against extremism and commitment to advance state-based moral public policy agendas. We invite you to join us. See flyer for more information.
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 this Saturday, December 24. These delectable treats are priced at $8 each, or 2 for $15. For more information, contact Annette Pratt 989-400-0173.
Schedule Changes
Sewing Circle and UUFCM Men's Group/Game Night are cancelled for 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. 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]).
First Friday Potluck - January 6
Join us for our January First Friday communal nosh! We will also be celebrating the January birthdays of Janis Shinn, Liz Dealing, Mel Bailey, Stacey Pattison, Doris Hall, and Dawn Daniels. The potluck begins at 6:30 p.m. - helping hands are welcome at 6:15 p.m. to assist with set-up preparations.
Infant Pantry Collection - January 8
Donations for the Infant Pantry are collected on the first Sunday of each month - however, as we are not having service on Sunday, January 1, we will make the collection on Sunday, January 8.
Most needed items are things for baby care - diapers (especially sizes 5 and 6), creams, shampoos,and lotions. Baby food and formula are not needed a this time. If you want to donate money, then the check should be made out to CCN (Community Compassionate Network) with memo “Infant Pantry.” Please contact Tom Moffit ([email protected] or 772-1602) with any questions.
RE News - Parent Meeting January 8
In the New Year our younger students will be partaking in Our Whole Lives, which is a comprehensive lifespan sexuality curriculum. Laura McBride will be teaching Kindergarten and First graders this wonderful curriculum, which several members of our youth group have gone through before. The mandatory parents meeting will be on Sunday, January 8th, following service. If you have have questions, please contact me at [email protected].
Path to Membership Workshop - Saturday, January 21 at 1:00 p.m.
This workshop is designed for those who are ready to make the membership commitment to UUFCM. In this interactive session we explore the deeper meanings and expectations of membership and shared ministry; it is a three-hour session. Please contact Gisela Moffit (989-772-1602; [email protected]) if you would like to participate in this workshop.
Next Welcome to UU Orientation Session – January 22
This class is geared to newcomers, visitors, and those seeking to learn more about Unitarian Universalism and this UU fellowship. Welcome to UU classes are offered every month on the fourth Sunday at 12:15 p.m. Sessions run approximately ninety minutes.
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.
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.
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.
Do not underestimate the power of the manger, and the hope it holds.
The Christmas song of the angels is not as innocent as it sounds.
It has turned the world upside down before now. It still can.
~ Kendyl R. Gibbon
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])