When we see that our days are replete with abundance, we are less afraid.
When we are less afraid, we connect more. The more connections we see in our lives,
the more abundance we notice.
~ Deanna Vandiver
Join us for worship this Sunday, November 5, as we begin our month-long exploration of what it means to be a people of abundance, with a message titled “The Possibility of Abundance,” given by Tom Moffit.
“How do we translate those moments of seeing the abundant possibilities of living into our imperfect lives?”
~ Gregory Pelley
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
November Worship Theme: What Does It Mean to Be a People of Abundance?
November 12: “No Scarcity of Welcome”
November 19: “On Being a Stone Soup Community” ~ Annual Multigenerational Harvest Feast Service
November 26: “To Embody Abundance”
First Friday Potluck - This Friday, November 3
Join us for our November First Friday communal nosh! Janis Shinn is hosting, and the theme is Comfort Food.
We will also be celebrating the November birthdays of Jim Dealing, Jen Prout, Ricky Courlander, Irv Irvine,
Al Jackson, and Tom Moffit. The potluck begins at 6:30 p.m. - helping hands are welcome at 6:15 p.m. to assist with set-up preparations.
We need hosts for upcoming potlucks! If you are willing to host a potluck, please contact Jen Prout
(989-400-3130 or [email protected]) or George Lentz (248-346-4039 or [email protected]). Upcoming dates include: December 1, January 5, February and March 2, April 6, and May 4.
If you enjoy the potlucks, please consider hosting - it is fun and easy!
And if you have managed to read this far in this edition of the eNews – congratulations and thank you! – please read on to the end, and communicate with your minister via email, text, Facebook, or in person the simple message “hot fudge sundae” – thank you!
New Member Ingathering
On Sunday, November 5 during our service we will welcome 4 new members to our fellowship. Joelle Casteel, Sarah O’Bryan, Carolyn Hancock and Carla Jensen have expressed their desire to join us in our mission of transforming our lives and our world. We welcome them with open arms, open minds and open hearts.
Infant Pantry Collection - Sunday, November 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, 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 ([email protected] or
772-1602) with any questions.
Young Adult/Student UU Potluck - Sunday, November 5
We will meet on Sunday, November 5, at 5:30 in the Social Hall. A crockpot main dish and beverage will be provided. Please feel free to bring a dish to pass if you are able, but most importantly, just come!
Isabella County Restoration House News
The ICRH homeless shelter is open for the season! We are scheduled to partner with St. John’s Episcopal Church the two weeks from November 5-18. However the dates for which we have to provide food are:
Monday, November 6
Wednesday, November 8
Friday, November 10
Sunday, November 12
Wednesday, November 15
Friday, November 17
If you are willing, and able, to provide food on these days, please contact Joyce Henricks ([email protected] or 989-400- 9743). When we have a list of who is willing to help out on what days, committees will be formed to coordinate the dinners. What we want are: one or two main dishes, side dishes (e.g., veggies) that go with the main dishes, salads, desserts, and breads.
Christmas Outreach - 2017
Once again the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship is collecting new children’s books for Christmas Outreach.
Starting in November there will be a box for donations located in the Social Hall. Please bring new
books; we especially need books for young adults, but any new children’s books are welcome.
Distribution will be at Finch Fieldhouse on December 8th and 9th. There will be a need for volunteers for
2-hour shifts on those days, to help parents choose the books and hand them out. To volunteer, please contact Beth Macleod ([email protected] or989-772-0595) and save the date(s). Thanks in advance!
Upcoming RE Events
November 18: We will be doing a Stone Soup Overnight! 3rd graders and up are invited to come at 5:30 for pizza, then we will be making homemade soup, bread, and butter for the Harvest Feast the next day. This will be followed by snacks and a movie. Cynthia, Norma, and Anna will be chaperones. If you would like to volunteer let us know!
December 17: We will go caroling after service. Let us know if you would like to volunteer to help drive/come sing with us!
Please contact Anna VanArsdaleHoot ([email protected]; 517.930.6927) to RSVP or volunteer for an event, or with any questions.
Annual Harvest Feast - Sunday, November 19
We will celebrate our annual Harvest Feast tradition Sunday, November 19 following the worship service. Our youth will be presenting a musical program during the feast as well as collecting our annual donations to the UUSC Guest at Your Table Program, so please come prepared to generously participate in this ritual of giving as well as receiving the blessings of wonderful food and fellowship. Sign up forms for food and clean up will be available on Sunday mornings in the Social Hall.
Support CMU Public Radio and the UUFCM!
Please consider making a donation to CMU Public Media. UUFCM annually pools our donations to purchase air time on CMU Public Radio. We typically get ~$1500 and get 2 radio spots weekly for 8-9 months. You can write a check to CMU PUBLIC MEDIA and give it to Mary Alsager.
Save the Date
Our annual congregational retreat will be held on Saturday, January 20. Please be sure to save this date on your calendar for this important UUFCM gathering.
Social Justice Organizer Position Posted
The Michigan UU Social Justice Network is advertising for a Northern Michigan Justice Organizer for central and northern Michigan (see job description). This is a six month paid position. Take a look at it yourself and also feel free to send it to others who might be interested. Contact Norma Bailey ([email protected]) if you have questions.
Native American Heritage Month at CMU - November 2-30
Please be aware of the various events for NAHM at CMU.
Abundance is not about having what you want, but about noticing what you have,
and multiplying it through sharing it, multiplying it through your manner of being in this world.
~ Angela Herrera
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])