Here we are called to live life at depths greater than the facades that mask our fears and silence even our most modest vision. Here… where we dare to hope.
~ Craig M. Nowak
As many of you heard during Sunday service, Susan Powers' father, Elmer (Dick) Richardson Powers, passed away this past Saturday morning. Visitation (beginning at 1:00 pm) and a funeral service (at 4:00 pm) are planned for this Thursday, January 26, at the Clark Family Funeral Home in Mt. Pleasant.
The obituary can be found here. Please hold the family in your thoughts and prayers.
Invitation to #StayWoke - Tomorrow, Thursday, January 26
We need to extend the energy and hope sparked by the amazing outpouring of support for Democracy and diversity at the Women’s March on Washington and the over 600 sister marches around the world last Saturday by incorporating action in our lives.
You are invited to an Open House at which we can share stories and hope, but also talk about concrete action we can take to resist the historic change that is coming in our government.
Open House at the home of Vicki Chessin
7546 N Luce Road – Alma
Thursday, January 26
5:30 – 8:30PM
989 560-4614
There will be Eats, Drinks, Postcards, Stamps, and the sharing of Ideas. Drop by as your schedule allows.
In Worship
Please do join us for worship this Sunday, January 29, as our minister shares a message titled “The Calling Greater Than Fear.”
“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself ‘I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’ You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt
Upcoming Services
February 5: “A Charter of Compassion”
February 12: New Member Ingathering
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. 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.
CUUPs Celebrates Imbolc - January 29
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.
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
First Friday Potluck - February 3
Join us for our February First Friday communal nosh! We will also be celebrating the February birthdays of Annette Pratt, George Lentz, Kris Los, Laura McBride, Glenn Lewandos, and Jean Daab.
Infant Pantry Collection - February 5
Donations for the Infant Pantry are collected on the first Sunday of each month. 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.
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 (989-400-9743 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.
The opposite of courage in our society is not cowardice, it is conformity.
~ Rollo May
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])