Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.
~ Winston Churchill
Safe travels, blessings, love and gratitude to all the UUFCM members and friends who are attending the Women’s March on Washington this Saturday as well as the sister marches happening locally in Lansing and Clare. We look forward to hearing your witness of these experiences.
In Worship
Please do join us for worship this Sunday, January 22, as our recently-returned-and-refreshed-from-holiday minister shares a message titled “Lessons from the Cowardly Lion.”
“Courage is the most important of all the virtues, because without courage you can’t practice any other
virtue consistently. You can practice any virtue erratically, but nothing consistently without courage.”
~ Maya Angelou
Upcoming Services
January 29: “The Calling Greater Than Fear”
February 5: “A Charter of Compassion”
Path to Membership Workshop - This 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 – This Sunday, 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.
Minister’s Evaluation
This is the time of year when the UUFCM Board provides a formal evaluation to our minister, Dawn Daniels. Over the next two weeks, if anyone has feedback they would like incorporate into the evaluation, please contact one of the Board members with your thoughts. We can be reached by phone or email as listed in the directory or in person. The Board members include Laura McBride, Norma Bailey, Annette Pratt, Chris Bailey, Scott Daigle, Janis Shinn, Brigitte Bechtold and Vicki Chessin.
Directory Update Underway
We are in the process of getting the UUFCM directory ready for printing, and we need your help. Please view the online directory here on our website and check if your entry is correct or needs changing. If you have moved, changed your phone or email or have a new name or additional children’s names, contact our administrative assistant Kirsten ([email protected]) or Gisela ([email protected]) as soon as possible. The directory listing is password protected. If you don't remember what it was, contact Gisela. Thanks so much for your help and support.
UU Cabaret Performers Needed!
As the Stewardship Team prepares for the 2017 Stewardship Campaign, the kick off event is being planned…drum roll please…the UU Cabaret! This highly anticipated event will be Saturday, February 18, 2017 at 7 pm in our sanctuary. Sign up sheets are available in the Social Hall. If you play an instrument, sing, dance, act, perform UU tricks, recite poetry/stories, etc., then we need you.
Thank you for your consideration!
Annette Pratt, 2017 UUFCM Stewardship Chairperson
CUUPs Celebrates Imbolc - February 5
Imbolc, also known as Candlemas and Groundhog's Day, occurs at the beginning of February. It marks the middle of Winter and holds the promise of Spring. It is a festival of spiritual purification and dedication.
We invite those of you who are interested in participating in this ritual to bring an item of food or drink to share at the potluck that follows the ceremony. We will gather at 6:30 pm and begin our ceremony promptly at 7:00 pm.
A Kind Thank-You Received
The UUSC sent our congregation a lovely thank-you letter for our December Guest at Your Table donation of $1009.00. The letter in its entirety is posted on the social justice bulletin board in our social hall – do take the time to read it!
Isabella County Restoration House (ICRH) News
The remaining dates for our partnering with St. John's for the Restoration House are the weeks of 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]).
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.
MLK Week of Events at CMU - January 16-20
Join the CMU community in celebrating and honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with these special presentations and activities. All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.
Courage is the first of human qualities because it is the quality which guarantees the others.
~ Aristotle
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])