It is not enough to be busy. So are the ants. The question is: What are you busy about?
~ Henry David Thoreau
Wow! What a Day! Thank you to everyone who attended and participated in our annual congregational retreat on Saturday, January 20…and to all those who planned and facilitated everything from the hearty hot breakfast and break-time refreshments through all of the day’s discussions and activities that took us deep into the question “Is UUFCM Your Basecamp?” Being a religious community in the vein of MLK’s Beloved Community was explored and experienced. Thank you for bringing your whole selves to this shared endeavor. |
This Sunday, January 28, we will conclude our month-long exploration of what it means to be a people of intention by reflecting on “The Gift of Good Questions” – how it is that we may invite each other to reflect more deeply when we are intentional in the asking of good questions. Please join us!
“When was the last time someone asked you an honest, open question — one that invited you to reflect more deeply on your own life, asked by a person who did not want to advise you or “fix” you but “hear you into speech,” deeper and deeper speech?” ~ Parker Palmer
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
February 2018 Worship Theme: What Does It Mean to Be a People of Perseverance?
February 4: On Perseverance
February 11: Love Doesn’t Make Us Stupid – It Makes Us Brave
February 18: What I Learned Falling to Earth: Habits of Resilient People
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.
Welcome to UU - This Sunday, January 28
This orientation session 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.
First Friday Potluck - Friday, February 2
Join us for our February First Friday communal nosh! Our minister is hosting, and the theme is “Groundhog Day: Dishes You Return to Again and Again.” We will also be celebrating the February birthdays of Annette Pratt, George Lentz, Kris Los, Laura McBride, Glenn Lewandos, and Jean Daab. 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 - Sunday, February 4
Donations for the Infant Pantry are collected on the first Sunday of each month. Most needed items are things for baby care - diapers and pull-ups in sizes 4, 5 or 6, creams, shampoos, lotions, and baby food in jars. Formula is 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 (989-772-1602; moffi1tc@cmich.edu) with questions.
CUUPs Celebrates Imbolc - Sunday, February 4
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.
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.
Updating Our Directory - Deadline Is February 4
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 by Sunday, February 4. 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. If you remember last year’s password, then you’ll be able to discern this year’s as well. If not, please email Kirsten and she will share it with you.
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 (989.560.3952; baile1nj@cmich.edu) or Joyce Henricks (989.400.9743; joyce.henricks@cmich.edu) if you have any questions.
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 poorpeoplescampaign.org to find out how you can participate and complete the provided sign-up form.
Speak Up, Speak Out “Fake News: Why You Should Care”
Tonight! 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.
Intention is the difference between those old mustard stains and Jackson Pollock.
~ Anonymous
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 admin@uufcm.org.
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; baile1nj@cmich.edu)
Past-President: Laura McBride (989.772.5512; lmcbride010@gmail.com)
President Elect: Mary Alsager (989.773.2595; malsager@yahoo.com)
Treasurer: Chris Bailey (989.775.8257)
Assistant Treasurer: Ricky Courlander (989.772.4457; magicwalnut@charter.net)
Secretary: Brigitte Bechtold (989.954.1123; becht1bh@cmich.edu)
Trustee: Janis Shinn (989.400.3724; janis_shinn@yahoo.com)
Trustee: Joyce Henricks (989.400.9743; joyce.henricks@cmich.edu)
Trustee: Ethan Kolek (413.387.7321; ethank3535@gmail.com)