Do not let our grief shift to despair. Despair immobilizes. Honor the pain and grief…
let yourself feel it fully…but do not stay there. The work of love is needed now.
~ Dawn Daniels
Candlelight Vigil Held at UUFCM
A candlelight vigil was held in front of the UUFCM last evening to honor and remember the lives tragically lost in the massacre at Orlando’s Pulse gay nightclub on Sunday, June 12. For those of you who missed the vigil, here is the text of what was shared…plus a short video from CM Life.
After welcoming the 70+ people gathered in front of the UUFCM, the following message was shared:
“Young queers, you who are just daring to come out, who are now wondering if it might not be a better choice to lie and to hide: Please, do come on out. There is no safety in the closet and we need your true self and your gifts to help us all.
Muslims, you who are in the midst of Ramadan, who love your faith and embrace its compassionate practice, who are now witnessing this sacred identity being defined as terrorism by U.S. media once again: Please know not all viewers buy those lies. We know that your faith is a gift to our world. We need more compassion and love in our world.
We are grateful for your practice; please keep practicing!
Latinx queers, you who are celebrating unique pride and power as you dance deep into the night: Please keep dancing. The beat of that music brings life to us all.
Men who dared to kiss each other in public, who now wonder if it was your kiss that, according to the killer’s father, upset him so much he wanted to kill people: Please keep kissing. Your kisses for each other are a wonder in this world where men are forbidden to be vulnerable and instead offered guns.
All of us who are struggling to hold onto our humanity in the face of this latest atrocity: Please let the tears come. Don’t listen to the pundits who are peddling fear. Struggle to find the witnesses of love and resilience and honor their stories.
Let us refuse to allow any gunman to assassinate our own humanity. Let us refuse to divide our own hearts, according some people “us” status and labeling others as “them” Let us peer deep within this mess of terror and healing and choose life, and choose love, over and over.”
~ Meg Riley, UUA Church of the Larger Fellowship
Candles were then lit and the list of Orlando victims was read – silence held between each name.
• Edward Sotomayor Jr., 34.
• Stanley Almodovar III, 23.
• Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, 20.
• Juan Ramon Guerrero, 22.
• Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, 36.
• Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz, 22.
• Luis S. Vielma, 22.
• Kimberly Morris, 37.
• Eddie Jamoldroy Justice, 30.
• Darryl Roman Burt II, 29.
• Deonka Deidra Drayton, 32.
• Alejandro Barrios Martinez, 21.
• Anthony Luis Laureanodisla, 25.
• Jean Carlos Mendez Perez, 35.
• Franky Jimmy Dejesus Velazquez, 50.
• Amanda Alvear, 25.
• Martin Benitez Torres, 33.
• Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, 37.
• Mercedez Marisol Flores, 26.
• Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado, 35.
• Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez, 25.
• Simon Adrian Carrillo Fernandez, 31.
• Oscar A. Aracena-Montero, 26.
• Enrique L. Rios Jr., 25.
• Miguel Angel Honorato, 30.
• Javier Jorge-Reyes, 40.
• Joel Rayon Paniagua, 32.
• Jason Benjamin Josaphat, 19.
• Cory James Connell, 21.
• Luis Daniel Conde, 39.
• Shane Evan Tomlinson, 33.
• Juan Chevez-Martinez, 25.
• Jerald Arthur Wright, 31.
• Leroy Valentin Fernandez, 25.
• Tevin Eugene Crosby, 25.
• Jonathan Antonio Camuy Vega, 24.
• Jean C. Nives Rodriguez, 27.
• Rodolfo Ayala-Ayala, 33.
• Brenda Lee Marquez McCool, 49.
• Yilmary Rodriguez Sulivan, 24.
• Christopher Andrew Leinonen, 32.
• Angel L. Candelario-Padro, 28.
• Frank Hernandez, 27.
• Paul Terrell Henry, 41.
• Antonio Davon Brown, 29.
• Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz, 24.
• Akyra Monet Murray, 18.
• Geraldo A. Ortiz-Jimenez, 25.
Vigil ended with the singing together of “We Shall Overcome.”
A candlelight vigil was held in front of the UUFCM last evening to honor and remember the lives tragically lost in the massacre at Orlando’s Pulse gay nightclub on Sunday, June 12. For those of you who missed the vigil, here is the text of what was shared…plus a short video from CM Life.
After welcoming the 70+ people gathered in front of the UUFCM, the following message was shared:
“Young queers, you who are just daring to come out, who are now wondering if it might not be a better choice to lie and to hide: Please, do come on out. There is no safety in the closet and we need your true self and your gifts to help us all.
Muslims, you who are in the midst of Ramadan, who love your faith and embrace its compassionate practice, who are now witnessing this sacred identity being defined as terrorism by U.S. media once again: Please know not all viewers buy those lies. We know that your faith is a gift to our world. We need more compassion and love in our world.
We are grateful for your practice; please keep practicing!
Latinx queers, you who are celebrating unique pride and power as you dance deep into the night: Please keep dancing. The beat of that music brings life to us all.
Men who dared to kiss each other in public, who now wonder if it was your kiss that, according to the killer’s father, upset him so much he wanted to kill people: Please keep kissing. Your kisses for each other are a wonder in this world where men are forbidden to be vulnerable and instead offered guns.
All of us who are struggling to hold onto our humanity in the face of this latest atrocity: Please let the tears come. Don’t listen to the pundits who are peddling fear. Struggle to find the witnesses of love and resilience and honor their stories.
Let us refuse to allow any gunman to assassinate our own humanity. Let us refuse to divide our own hearts, according some people “us” status and labeling others as “them” Let us peer deep within this mess of terror and healing and choose life, and choose love, over and over.”
~ Meg Riley, UUA Church of the Larger Fellowship
Candles were then lit and the list of Orlando victims was read – silence held between each name.
• Edward Sotomayor Jr., 34.
• Stanley Almodovar III, 23.
• Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, 20.
• Juan Ramon Guerrero, 22.
• Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, 36.
• Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz, 22.
• Luis S. Vielma, 22.
• Kimberly Morris, 37.
• Eddie Jamoldroy Justice, 30.
• Darryl Roman Burt II, 29.
• Deonka Deidra Drayton, 32.
• Alejandro Barrios Martinez, 21.
• Anthony Luis Laureanodisla, 25.
• Jean Carlos Mendez Perez, 35.
• Franky Jimmy Dejesus Velazquez, 50.
• Amanda Alvear, 25.
• Martin Benitez Torres, 33.
• Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, 37.
• Mercedez Marisol Flores, 26.
• Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado, 35.
• Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez, 25.
• Simon Adrian Carrillo Fernandez, 31.
• Oscar A. Aracena-Montero, 26.
• Enrique L. Rios Jr., 25.
• Miguel Angel Honorato, 30.
• Javier Jorge-Reyes, 40.
• Joel Rayon Paniagua, 32.
• Jason Benjamin Josaphat, 19.
• Cory James Connell, 21.
• Luis Daniel Conde, 39.
• Shane Evan Tomlinson, 33.
• Juan Chevez-Martinez, 25.
• Jerald Arthur Wright, 31.
• Leroy Valentin Fernandez, 25.
• Tevin Eugene Crosby, 25.
• Jonathan Antonio Camuy Vega, 24.
• Jean C. Nives Rodriguez, 27.
• Rodolfo Ayala-Ayala, 33.
• Brenda Lee Marquez McCool, 49.
• Yilmary Rodriguez Sulivan, 24.
• Christopher Andrew Leinonen, 32.
• Angel L. Candelario-Padro, 28.
• Frank Hernandez, 27.
• Paul Terrell Henry, 41.
• Antonio Davon Brown, 29.
• Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz, 24.
• Akyra Monet Murray, 18.
• Geraldo A. Ortiz-Jimenez, 25.
Vigil ended with the singing together of “We Shall Overcome.”
In Worship
Please join us for worship this Sunday, June 19, as we grapple with the aftermath of last Sunday’s devastation in Orlando. The message for the morning is titled “The Power and Poverty of Freedom.”
June Is LGBT Pride Month
June 2016 is the one-year anniversary of marriage equality! While we celebrate this month as LGBT Pride Month (you can read President Obama’s eloquent proclamation here), we are all aware of the work still needed towards true equality. In Michigan, not one but two “bathroom inspection” bills aimed at transgender persons have been introduced in our legislature. Visit the Equality Michigan website to sign the petition to stop the Runestad & Casperson Bathroom Inspection Bills SB 993 and HB 5717.
RE for the Summer
Our summer RE program has started. Each week the children who attend the RE program will be involved in planting, tending and then sharing the produce of their garden with the guests at the Soup Kitchen. Each Sunday after they leave the sanctuary, the children will have their opening ritual, a story, and then they will work on a related craft and/or work in the garden on the east side of the building. Please have your children dress appropriately for being outside each Sunday. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact Norma Bailey (989-560-3952 or [email protected]) or see her at church.
Choir on Hiatus Until August
Following tonight’s rehearsal and our performance in service this Sunday, June 19, the Joyful Noise Choir will be taking a summer break. The date is not yet set for the first rehearsal in August, but will be announced later this summer.
CUUPs Celebrates Solstice Monday, June 20
Solstice, or Litha means a stopping or standing still of the sun. It is the longest day of the year and the time when the sun is at its maximum elevation. This is also a time to celebrate growth and life for those who see balance in the world and are deeply aware of the ongoing shifting of the seasons. It is also time to acknowledge that the sun will now begin to decline once more towards winter.
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 p.m. and begin our ceremony promptly at 7:00 p.m.
Please join us for worship this Sunday, June 19, as we grapple with the aftermath of last Sunday’s devastation in Orlando. The message for the morning is titled “The Power and Poverty of Freedom.”
June Is LGBT Pride Month
June 2016 is the one-year anniversary of marriage equality! While we celebrate this month as LGBT Pride Month (you can read President Obama’s eloquent proclamation here), we are all aware of the work still needed towards true equality. In Michigan, not one but two “bathroom inspection” bills aimed at transgender persons have been introduced in our legislature. Visit the Equality Michigan website to sign the petition to stop the Runestad & Casperson Bathroom Inspection Bills SB 993 and HB 5717.
RE for the Summer
Our summer RE program has started. Each week the children who attend the RE program will be involved in planting, tending and then sharing the produce of their garden with the guests at the Soup Kitchen. Each Sunday after they leave the sanctuary, the children will have their opening ritual, a story, and then they will work on a related craft and/or work in the garden on the east side of the building. Please have your children dress appropriately for being outside each Sunday. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact Norma Bailey (989-560-3952 or [email protected]) or see her at church.
Choir on Hiatus Until August
Following tonight’s rehearsal and our performance in service this Sunday, June 19, the Joyful Noise Choir will be taking a summer break. The date is not yet set for the first rehearsal in August, but will be announced later this summer.
CUUPs Celebrates Solstice Monday, June 20
Solstice, or Litha means a stopping or standing still of the sun. It is the longest day of the year and the time when the sun is at its maximum elevation. This is also a time to celebrate growth and life for those who see balance in the world and are deeply aware of the ongoing shifting of the seasons. It is also time to acknowledge that the sun will now begin to decline once more towards winter.
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 p.m. and begin our ceremony promptly at 7:00 p.m.
You’re crying; you say you’ve burned yourself.
But can you think of anyone who’s not hazy with smoke?
~ Rumi
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 2015-2016
President: Annette Pratt (989.400.0173; [email protected])
President Elect/Past-President: Laura McBride (989.772.5512; [email protected])
Treasurer: David Macleod (989.772.0595; [email protected])
Secretary: Vicki Chessin (989.463.3076; [email protected])
Trustee: Scott Daigle (989.506.5750; [email protected])
Trustee: Carol Rard (989.561.2969; [email protected])
Trustee: Janis Shinn (989.400.3724; [email protected])
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 2015-2016
President: Annette Pratt (989.400.0173; [email protected])
President Elect/Past-President: Laura McBride (989.772.5512; [email protected])
Treasurer: David Macleod (989.772.0595; [email protected])
Secretary: Vicki Chessin (989.463.3076; [email protected])
Trustee: Scott Daigle (989.506.5750; [email protected])
Trustee: Carol Rard (989.561.2969; [email protected])
Trustee: Janis Shinn (989.400.3724; [email protected])
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