“Sacred space” is another way of saying “with intention.”
~ S. Kelley Harrell
Tonight: MLK Celebration Keynote Speaker – Dr. Michael Eric Dyson
Tonight at 7:00 p.m. in Plachta Auditorium, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson will present the keynote address for CMU’s Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Week. Professor of Sociology at Georgetown University, author, contributing opinion writer at the New York Times, a MSNBC political analyst, a contributing editor at New Republic, and an ordained Baptist minister – Dyson’s most recent book is Tears We Cannot Stop – A Sermon to White America. You can read more about Michael Eric Dyson here.
Here’s a sermon that’s as fierce as it is lucid. It shook me up, but in a good way. This is how it works if you’re black in America, this is what happens, and this is how it feels. If you’re black, you’ll feel a spark of recognition in every paragraph. If you’re white, Dyson tells you what you need to know―what this white man needed to know, at least. This is a major achievement. I read it and said amen. ~ Stephen King
All-Congregation Retreat This Saturday – “Is UUFCM Your Basecamp?”
It’s not too late to participate! This coming Saturday, January 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. will be our all-congregation retreat – our annual opportunity to gather and spend a portion of a day together focused on some issue of importance to this community. This year our time will be dedicated to varying aspects of the issue of community itself, centering on the question “Is UUFCM Your Basecamp?” This retreat experience is an opportunity to get to know one another better and to dive more deeply into what church means to each of us as individuals and as citizens of the world in this time and place.
We will start our retreat together at 8:30 a.m. with a delicious hot breakfast and the retreat activities facilitated by our minister will conclude at 1:00 p.m. In preparation, we ask that everyone read the UU
World article titled “Religious Community Is Not Enough” by Thomas Schade – you can read it online if you missed picking up a hard-copy of the article at church.
So…if you’ve been on the fence about this, we urge you to join us for this unique opportunity to be in community together. Childcare will be provided. Even if it’s a last-minute decision and you haven’t responded to the various invitations that have been put out – come anyway! You will be most welcome.
Worship Matters
Our exploration of the question “What does it mean to be a people of intention?” will continue this Sunday, January 21 with a message by our minister titled “The Intentional Act of Going to Church” – we hope you will join us!
“Let me tell you why I come to church. I come to church…[because] my church renews my courage and my hope…I must have my conscience sharpened—sharpened until it goads me to the most thorough and responsible thinking of which I am capable. I must feel again the love I owe to others. I must not only hear about it but feel it. In church, I do. I am brought toward my best, in every way toward my best.”
~ A. Powell Davies
You can read more about our monthly theme as well as explore some supplemental resources here.
And if you happen to miss being in worship on any given Sunday, the texts to previous sermon messages
(and some of the readings as well) can be found in our website sermon archive.
Upcoming Services
January 2018 Worship Theme: What Does It Mean to Be a People of Intention?
January 28: The Gift of Good Questions
February 2018 Worship Theme: What Does It Mean to Be a People of Perseverance?
February 4: On Perseverance
Special Plate Collection - This Sunday, January 21
This Sunday a special plate collection will be taken to supplement the minister’s discretionary fund. Our minister is often contacted by people in the community who might need gas money, money to pay an electric bill, a night in a hotel, etc., and she uses her discretionary fund to provide this. 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, January 21
Our monthly (very brief) Fellowship Life meeting will follow the worship service this Sunday. This is an opportunity for our UUFCM Board to keep us apprised of issues and happenings. Agenda to include: upcoming budget hearing, “Challenging Racism” workshops, the Poor People’s Campaign, need for ICRH volunteers, WCMU radio spots, and changes to e-News delivery.
Notice: Announcements Prior to Worship
It has been our practice to allow time prior to the beginning of our worship services for the sharing any necessary additional announcements or highlights of items already noted on the order of service insert – most often communicated by our minister. In order to relieve her of this task that often conflicts with her other necessary preparations prior to service, the UUFCM Board is making a change to this practice. Following the minister’s “welcome to worship,” a Board member will step forward to share any necessary additional announcements for the morning. From now on, all requests for additional announcements and/or highlights need to be given to either Laura McBride (first and fourth Sundays of the month) or Norma Bailey (second, third and fifth Sundays of the month) prior to the service. Please note that our intention is to keep any necessary additional announcements prior to service to a minimum – so you may instead be asked to make an oral announcement in the Fellowship Hall during coffee hour. Thank you for your support in this matter.
Volunteering for ICRH
The Isabella County Restoration House (ICRH), which provides the day shelter and the rotating shelter for our homeless community members, is in need of volunteers for both those efforts, including intake. Please go to www.icrhouse.org and sign up for specific days and times. Feel free to contact Norma Bailey or Joyce Henricks if you have any questions.
Welcome to UU - January 28
This class is geared to newcomers, visitors, and those seeking to learn more about Unitarian Universalism and this UU fellowship. It is offered every month on the fourth Sunday at 12:15 p.m. Sessions run approximately ninety minutes.
Challenging Racism Workshops at UUFCM - Beginning February 4
The Social Justice Coordinating Team is facilitating four workshops to engage members and friends in racial justice work, utilizing the Interfaith Toolkit on Challenging Racism developed by MUUSJN. We will provide these adult RE sessions in the sanctuary on February 4 and 18 and March 4 and 18, 12:00-1:30 each time, and a light lunch will be provided. Our sessions will involve articles, video clips, activities and discussion, with an emphasis on deeper understanding of white privilege and systemic racism. Please sign up in the Fellowship Hall on January 21 and 28 so that we can know numbers for refreshments.
Poor People’s Campaign
The Social Justice Coordinating Team is encouraging you to participate in the Poor People’s Campaign - A National Call for Moral Revival, a nationwide effort to continue the work begun by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. Led by the Rev. Dr. William Barber and the Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis, the Poor People’s Campaign was officially launched on December 4 at the National Press Club. Go to https://poorpeoplescampaign.org/ to find out how you can participate and complete the provided sign-up form.
Updating our Directory
Have you moved? got a new phone or email address? or changed your name? If so, let our Administrative Assistant, Kirsten Keeton, or Gisela Moffit know as soon as possible. We are in the process of printing a new directory so we want to be as accurate as we can be. Even if you have not made any changes, check your entry in our online directory for correct information or spelling. The directory is password protected and has been updated for 2018.
Tonight at 7:00 p.m. in Plachta Auditorium, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson will present the keynote address for CMU’s Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Week. Professor of Sociology at Georgetown University, author, contributing opinion writer at the New York Times, a MSNBC political analyst, a contributing editor at New Republic, and an ordained Baptist minister – Dyson’s most recent book is Tears We Cannot Stop – A Sermon to White America. You can read more about Michael Eric Dyson here.
Here’s a sermon that’s as fierce as it is lucid. It shook me up, but in a good way. This is how it works if you’re black in America, this is what happens, and this is how it feels. If you’re black, you’ll feel a spark of recognition in every paragraph. If you’re white, Dyson tells you what you need to know―what this white man needed to know, at least. This is a major achievement. I read it and said amen. ~ Stephen King
All-Congregation Retreat This Saturday – “Is UUFCM Your Basecamp?”
It’s not too late to participate! This coming Saturday, January 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. will be our all-congregation retreat – our annual opportunity to gather and spend a portion of a day together focused on some issue of importance to this community. This year our time will be dedicated to varying aspects of the issue of community itself, centering on the question “Is UUFCM Your Basecamp?” This retreat experience is an opportunity to get to know one another better and to dive more deeply into what church means to each of us as individuals and as citizens of the world in this time and place.
We will start our retreat together at 8:30 a.m. with a delicious hot breakfast and the retreat activities facilitated by our minister will conclude at 1:00 p.m. In preparation, we ask that everyone read the UU
World article titled “Religious Community Is Not Enough” by Thomas Schade – you can read it online if you missed picking up a hard-copy of the article at church.
So…if you’ve been on the fence about this, we urge you to join us for this unique opportunity to be in community together. Childcare will be provided. Even if it’s a last-minute decision and you haven’t responded to the various invitations that have been put out – come anyway! You will be most welcome.
Worship Matters
Our exploration of the question “What does it mean to be a people of intention?” will continue this Sunday, January 21 with a message by our minister titled “The Intentional Act of Going to Church” – we hope you will join us!
“Let me tell you why I come to church. I come to church…[because] my church renews my courage and my hope…I must have my conscience sharpened—sharpened until it goads me to the most thorough and responsible thinking of which I am capable. I must feel again the love I owe to others. I must not only hear about it but feel it. In church, I do. I am brought toward my best, in every way toward my best.”
~ A. Powell Davies
You can read more about our monthly theme as well as explore some supplemental resources here.
And if you happen to miss being in worship on any given Sunday, the texts to previous sermon messages
(and some of the readings as well) can be found in our website sermon archive.
Upcoming Services
January 2018 Worship Theme: What Does It Mean to Be a People of Intention?
January 28: The Gift of Good Questions
February 2018 Worship Theme: What Does It Mean to Be a People of Perseverance?
February 4: On Perseverance
Special Plate Collection - This Sunday, January 21
This Sunday a special plate collection will be taken to supplement the minister’s discretionary fund. Our minister is often contacted by people in the community who might need gas money, money to pay an electric bill, a night in a hotel, etc., and she uses her discretionary fund to provide this. 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, January 21
Our monthly (very brief) Fellowship Life meeting will follow the worship service this Sunday. This is an opportunity for our UUFCM Board to keep us apprised of issues and happenings. Agenda to include: upcoming budget hearing, “Challenging Racism” workshops, the Poor People’s Campaign, need for ICRH volunteers, WCMU radio spots, and changes to e-News delivery.
Notice: Announcements Prior to Worship
It has been our practice to allow time prior to the beginning of our worship services for the sharing any necessary additional announcements or highlights of items already noted on the order of service insert – most often communicated by our minister. In order to relieve her of this task that often conflicts with her other necessary preparations prior to service, the UUFCM Board is making a change to this practice. Following the minister’s “welcome to worship,” a Board member will step forward to share any necessary additional announcements for the morning. From now on, all requests for additional announcements and/or highlights need to be given to either Laura McBride (first and fourth Sundays of the month) or Norma Bailey (second, third and fifth Sundays of the month) prior to the service. Please note that our intention is to keep any necessary additional announcements prior to service to a minimum – so you may instead be asked to make an oral announcement in the Fellowship Hall during coffee hour. Thank you for your support in this matter.
Volunteering for ICRH
The Isabella County Restoration House (ICRH), which provides the day shelter and the rotating shelter for our homeless community members, is in need of volunteers for both those efforts, including intake. Please go to www.icrhouse.org and sign up for specific days and times. Feel free to contact Norma Bailey or Joyce Henricks if you have any questions.
Welcome to UU - January 28
This class is geared to newcomers, visitors, and those seeking to learn more about Unitarian Universalism and this UU fellowship. It is offered every month on the fourth Sunday at 12:15 p.m. Sessions run approximately ninety minutes.
Challenging Racism Workshops at UUFCM - Beginning February 4
The Social Justice Coordinating Team is facilitating four workshops to engage members and friends in racial justice work, utilizing the Interfaith Toolkit on Challenging Racism developed by MUUSJN. We will provide these adult RE sessions in the sanctuary on February 4 and 18 and March 4 and 18, 12:00-1:30 each time, and a light lunch will be provided. Our sessions will involve articles, video clips, activities and discussion, with an emphasis on deeper understanding of white privilege and systemic racism. Please sign up in the Fellowship Hall on January 21 and 28 so that we can know numbers for refreshments.
Poor People’s Campaign
The Social Justice Coordinating Team is encouraging you to participate in the Poor People’s Campaign - A National Call for Moral Revival, a nationwide effort to continue the work begun by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. Led by the Rev. Dr. William Barber and the Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis, the Poor People’s Campaign was officially launched on December 4 at the National Press Club. Go to https://poorpeoplescampaign.org/ to find out how you can participate and complete the provided sign-up form.
Updating our Directory
Have you moved? got a new phone or email address? or changed your name? If so, let our Administrative Assistant, Kirsten Keeton, or Gisela Moffit know as soon as possible. We are in the process of printing a new directory so we want to be as accurate as we can be. Even if you have not made any changes, check your entry in our online directory for correct information or spelling. The directory is password protected and has been updated for 2018.
• • • Community Events • • •
Alma College Hillel Presents…
Tomorrow, Thursday, January 18 at 7:00 p.m. at Alma College’s Heritage Center for the Performing Arts, Vanderbilt Divinity School Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies, Dr. Amy-Jill Levine, will present a lecture titled “Jesus the Jewish Storyteller: Hearing the Parables Anew.” Levine’s numerous publications include The Misunderstood Jew: The Church and the Scandal of the Jewish Jesus and Short Stories by Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi. This event is free and open to the public. You can read more here.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Week at CMU - January 14-19, 2018
Download the events calendar.
Speak Up, Speak Out “Fake News: Why You Should Care”
January 24, 7-9 pm in the UC auditorium. More information…
Screening of Walk With Me - Monday, March 5 at 7pm, Reserve by February 23
at Celebration Cinema in Mt. Pleasant
Walk With Me takes place inside the world-famous monastery of Zen Buddhist master Thich Nhat Hanh, and captures the life of a monastic community who have given up all their possessions for one common purpose – to practice the art of mindfulness. This screening will only happen if enough people reserve tickets by February 23. You're only charged for tickets if we’re successful in getting the minimum (or more) reservations. If you plan on attending, please reserve your ticket at https://gathr.us/screening/22302.
Alma College Hillel Presents…
Tomorrow, Thursday, January 18 at 7:00 p.m. at Alma College’s Heritage Center for the Performing Arts, Vanderbilt Divinity School Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies, Dr. Amy-Jill Levine, will present a lecture titled “Jesus the Jewish Storyteller: Hearing the Parables Anew.” Levine’s numerous publications include The Misunderstood Jew: The Church and the Scandal of the Jewish Jesus and Short Stories by Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi. This event is free and open to the public. You can read more here.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Week at CMU - January 14-19, 2018
Download the events calendar.
Speak Up, Speak Out “Fake News: Why You Should Care”
January 24, 7-9 pm in the UC auditorium. More information…
Screening of Walk With Me - Monday, March 5 at 7pm, Reserve by February 23
at Celebration Cinema in Mt. Pleasant
Walk With Me takes place inside the world-famous monastery of Zen Buddhist master Thich Nhat Hanh, and captures the life of a monastic community who have given up all their possessions for one common purpose – to practice the art of mindfulness. This screening will only happen if enough people reserve tickets by February 23. You're only charged for tickets if we’re successful in getting the minimum (or more) reservations. If you plan on attending, please reserve your ticket at https://gathr.us/screening/22302.
Self-improvement is not the same as self-alignment.
~ Soul Matters introduction to discussion of intention.
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.
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].
Service Cancellation Policy
In case of inclement weather, a decision to cancel the service will be made by 9 a.m. There are multiple ways to learn the status of a Sunday service in our snowy months. Members and friends may request to join the
Remind app and receive cancellation news via a text or email. In addition, 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!
UUFCM Board of Trustees for 2017-2018
President: Norma Bailey (989.560.3952; [email protected])
Past-President: Laura McBride (989.772.5512; [email protected])
President Elect: Mary Alsager (989.773.2595; [email protected])
Treasurer: Chris Bailey (989.775.8257)
Assistant Treasurer: Ricky Courlander (989.772.4457; [email protected])
Secretary: Brigitte Bechtold (989.954.1123; [email protected])
Trustee: Janis Shinn (989.400.3724; [email protected])
Trustee: Joyce Henricks (989.400.9743; [email protected])
Trustee: Ethan Kolek (413.387.7321; [email protected])
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.
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].
Service Cancellation Policy
In case of inclement weather, a decision to cancel the service will be made by 9 a.m. There are multiple ways to learn the status of a Sunday service in our snowy months. Members and friends may request to join the
Remind app and receive cancellation news via a text or email. In addition, 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!
UUFCM Board of Trustees for 2017-2018
President: Norma Bailey (989.560.3952; [email protected])
Past-President: Laura McBride (989.772.5512; [email protected])
President Elect: Mary Alsager (989.773.2595; [email protected])
Treasurer: Chris Bailey (989.775.8257)
Assistant Treasurer: Ricky Courlander (989.772.4457; [email protected])
Secretary: Brigitte Bechtold (989.954.1123; [email protected])
Trustee: Janis Shinn (989.400.3724; [email protected])
Trustee: Joyce Henricks (989.400.9743; [email protected])
Trustee: Ethan Kolek (413.387.7321; [email protected])
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