People cry not because they are weak. It’s because they’ve been strong too long.
~ Shane Koyczan
What does it mean to be a people of perseverance? That is the guiding question for our worship services for
the month of February. Please join us this Sunday, February 4, as we begin with an overview of the meaning of
perseverance with a message from our minister titled “To Persevere - to Sustain – to Persist.”
“A boy and his father were walking along a road when they came across a large stone. “Do you think if I use all of my strength, I can move this rock?” the child asked. His father answered, “If you use all of your strength, I am sure you can do it.” The boy began to push the rock. Exerting himself as much as he could, he pushed and pushed. The rock did not move. Discouraged, he said to his father, “You were wrong. I can’t do it.” His father put his arm around the boy’s shoulder and said, “No son. You didn’t use all your strength – you didn’t ask me to help.” ~ Rabbi David Wolf
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 11: Love Doesn’t Make Us Stupid – It Makes Us Brave
February 18: What I Learned Falling to Earth: Habits of Resilient People
First Friday Potluck - This 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 - This 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; [email protected]) with questions.
Challenging Racism Workshops at UUFCM - Beginning This Sunday, 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. If you didn’t sign up but still plan on attending this Sunday, please contact Norma Bailey (989-560-3952 or [email protected]) so that we can know numbers for the light lunch.
CUUPs Celebrates Imbolc - This 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.
Updating Our Directory - Deadline Is This Sunday, 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.
Celebrating Jean Daab’s Life
The memorial service for our dear Jean Daab has been scheduled for Saturday, March 10 at 11 a.m. at Clark’s Funeral Home, 114 S. Bradley Street, Mt. Pleasant. The service will be followed by a luncheon where we can exchange memories with her family and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to our UUFCM fellowship. Envelopes will be available at Clark’s Funeral Home. Condolence messages can be sent to her family via her daughter, Kelly Green, at 3453 E. Walton, Shepherd, MI 48883.
Want to Sing in Our Choir?!
If you like to sing, we hope you’ll consider joining our Joyful Noise Choir. We meet on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 and Sunday mornings at 9:30 to rehearse, and you don’t need to be able to read music to sing with us as we learn the music together. Feel free to contact Norma Bailey (989-560-3952 or[email protected]) if you have any questions. We’d love to have you!
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 (989.560.3952; [email protected]) or Joyce Henricks (989.400.9743; [email protected]) 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.
Student Activism: Then and Now – Vietnam Era Alums Return to CMU - Today at 7 p.m.
There was no shortage of social issues to spark protests across the U.S. in the ‘60s and ‘70s. CMU alumni/Vietnam War activists will share their experiences and lessons learned at this public forum, Wednesday, January 31 at 7 p.m. in the Bovee University Center on CMU’s campus or watch a live stream at WCMU.org. Presented by WCMU Public Media. Click here for a list of panelists and additional 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.
If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.
~ The Dalai Lama
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])