If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.
~ Meister Eckhart
| Harvest Feast 2017 Our annual Thanksgiving “Harvest Feast” celebration was a wonderful highlight of the year. We served over 80 people...and could have served even more as we had an abundance of food. We want to thank all those who provided delicious dishes: salads, fruits, casseroles, hot vegetables, relishes, sweet potatoes, lasagna, vegetarian and vegan dishes, turkey, gravy, dressing, bread, rolls… and pies, tortes, cakes and cookies! | Special thanks to Aaron Jones for these photos! |
Another thank you to all the volunteers who happily set up on Saturday, came early on Sunday to organize the dishes and stayed after the feast to clean up. Kudos also to our older youth - Roman Damer-Daigle who served as Master of Ceremonies, Tolby Busch who played his saxophone, and Reid Sladek who played the piano for us during the feast. We also appreciate our younger youth – Jolie, Inara, Alexis, and Quinbob – who had an overnight at the church on Saturday and made stone soup, bread, and butter, led by our RE Director Anna VanArsdaleHoot and supported by Cynthia Damer and Norma Bailey. We also thank Eric Limarenko, a friend of Aaron Jones, who played his acoustic guitar and sang during the afternoon.
Last, but not least, a special thank you to Jen Prout who did all the decorations and Kris Los who oversaw the entire operation, loaned us her catering equipment and worked almost all shifts!
It is at times like this that we experience the abundance of talent and generosity in our community.
The friendship found in this community of faith gives special meaning to Thanksgiving.
Last, but not least, a special thank you to Jen Prout who did all the decorations and Kris Los who oversaw the entire operation, loaned us her catering equipment and worked almost all shifts!
It is at times like this that we experience the abundance of talent and generosity in our community.
The friendship found in this community of faith gives special meaning to Thanksgiving.
UUSC Guest at Your Table – Deadline for Donations Extended
If you were unable to make your donation to the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee’s Guest at Your Table Program last Sunday – don’t despair! - we will be accepting donations this coming Sunday, November 26. Donation envelopes can be found in the foyer outside the sanctuary
If you were unable to make your donation to the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee’s Guest at Your Table Program last Sunday – don’t despair! - we will be accepting donations this coming Sunday, November 26. Donation envelopes can be found in the foyer outside the sanctuary
Worship Matters
In worship this coming Sunday, November 26, we will conclude our month-long exploration on
what it means to be a people of abundance with a message titled “Abundance Without Attachment”
– we hope you will join us!
“Call it the Christmas Conundrum. We are supposed to revel in gift-giving and generosity, yet the season’s lavishness and commercialization leave many people cold. The underlying contradiction runs throughout modern life. On one hand, we naturally seek and rejoice in prosperity. On the other hand, success in this endeavor is often marred by a materialism we find repellent and alienating… So here is my central claim: The frustration and emptiness so many people feel at this time of year is not an objection to the abundance per se... It is a healthy hunger for nonattachment…” ~ Arthur C. Brooks
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
December Worship Theme: What Does It Mean to Be a People of Hope?
December 3: “Healing Stories” Guest speaker: Guy Newland
December 10: “Still the Moon Increases: A Meditation on Hope in the Dark Season”
Welcome to UU - This Sunday, November 26
This orientation session is geared to newcomers, visitors, and those seeking to learn more about Unitarian
Universalism and this UU fellowship. Welcome to UU is offered every month on the fourth Sunday at 12:15 p.m. Sessions run approximately ninety minutes.
First Friday Potluck - Friday, December 1
Join us for our December First Friday communal nosh! Who is hosting? and what’s the theme? We don’t know, but perhaps you’d like to host and choose! If so, 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!
We will also be celebrating the December birthdays of Donna Giuliani, Chris Swier, Laura Frey, Sally van Cise, and Christopher Harvey. The potluck begins at 6:30 p.m. - helping hands are welcome at 6:15 p.m. to assist with set-up preparations.
Last Call! New Children’s Books for Christmas Outreach
December 3 will be the last Sunday to donate new children's books for Christmas Outreach. Distribution for all items (coats, boots, linens, etc.) will be at Finch Fieldhouse on the CMU campus on Dec. 8th, from 9am-4:30pm, and Dec. 9th from 9am-2:30pm. Beth Macleod will be signing up volunteers to serve 2-hour intervals on those days to help parents choose books for their children. Contact Beth Macleod ([email protected] or 989-772-0595) if you have questions.
Infant Pantry Collection - December 3
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 ([email protected] or 989-772-1602) with any questions.
RE Caroling - Sunday, December 17
We will go caroling after service. If you would like to volunteer to help drive/come sing with us, please contact Anna VanArsdaleHoot ([email protected]; 517.930.6927).
Please Think Before You Spritz
This message is a request for mindfulness as well as an effort to raise awareness. There are people who attend services and other activities at our fellowship who have fragrance allergies/chemical sensitivities. Being in close proximity (which is difficult to avoid in our small space) to folks wearing cologne, perfume - even heavily scented soaps/shampoos - can cause a range of uncomfortable symptomatic reactions. While we like to think of ourselves as a diverse bouquet as a faith community, the literal mixing of so many different scents (as opposed to the metaphorical mixing) can be a health hazard for some of us. We ask that you keep this in mind when considering your choice of personal care/hygienic applications. Thank you!
Condom Alert!
Oops! So sorry – that was supposed to read “condiment alert,” but now that we have your attention: We have just recently cleared our refrigerator of multiple bottles of both ketchup and mustard. We currently have plenty of available ketchup and mustard in our kitchen – please resist the urge to bring more in. Thank you!
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 collect ~$1500 to get 2 radio spots weekly for 8-9 months. Just write a check to CMU Public Media and give it to Mary Alsager (989.773.2595).
In worship this coming Sunday, November 26, we will conclude our month-long exploration on
what it means to be a people of abundance with a message titled “Abundance Without Attachment”
– we hope you will join us!
“Call it the Christmas Conundrum. We are supposed to revel in gift-giving and generosity, yet the season’s lavishness and commercialization leave many people cold. The underlying contradiction runs throughout modern life. On one hand, we naturally seek and rejoice in prosperity. On the other hand, success in this endeavor is often marred by a materialism we find repellent and alienating… So here is my central claim: The frustration and emptiness so many people feel at this time of year is not an objection to the abundance per se... It is a healthy hunger for nonattachment…” ~ Arthur C. Brooks
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
December Worship Theme: What Does It Mean to Be a People of Hope?
December 3: “Healing Stories” Guest speaker: Guy Newland
December 10: “Still the Moon Increases: A Meditation on Hope in the Dark Season”
Welcome to UU - This Sunday, November 26
This orientation session is geared to newcomers, visitors, and those seeking to learn more about Unitarian
Universalism and this UU fellowship. Welcome to UU is offered every month on the fourth Sunday at 12:15 p.m. Sessions run approximately ninety minutes.
First Friday Potluck - Friday, December 1
Join us for our December First Friday communal nosh! Who is hosting? and what’s the theme? We don’t know, but perhaps you’d like to host and choose! If so, 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!
We will also be celebrating the December birthdays of Donna Giuliani, Chris Swier, Laura Frey, Sally van Cise, and Christopher Harvey. The potluck begins at 6:30 p.m. - helping hands are welcome at 6:15 p.m. to assist with set-up preparations.
Last Call! New Children’s Books for Christmas Outreach
December 3 will be the last Sunday to donate new children's books for Christmas Outreach. Distribution for all items (coats, boots, linens, etc.) will be at Finch Fieldhouse on the CMU campus on Dec. 8th, from 9am-4:30pm, and Dec. 9th from 9am-2:30pm. Beth Macleod will be signing up volunteers to serve 2-hour intervals on those days to help parents choose books for their children. Contact Beth Macleod ([email protected] or 989-772-0595) if you have questions.
Infant Pantry Collection - December 3
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 ([email protected] or 989-772-1602) with any questions.
RE Caroling - Sunday, December 17
We will go caroling after service. If you would like to volunteer to help drive/come sing with us, please contact Anna VanArsdaleHoot ([email protected]; 517.930.6927).
Please Think Before You Spritz
This message is a request for mindfulness as well as an effort to raise awareness. There are people who attend services and other activities at our fellowship who have fragrance allergies/chemical sensitivities. Being in close proximity (which is difficult to avoid in our small space) to folks wearing cologne, perfume - even heavily scented soaps/shampoos - can cause a range of uncomfortable symptomatic reactions. While we like to think of ourselves as a diverse bouquet as a faith community, the literal mixing of so many different scents (as opposed to the metaphorical mixing) can be a health hazard for some of us. We ask that you keep this in mind when considering your choice of personal care/hygienic applications. Thank you!
Condom Alert!
Oops! So sorry – that was supposed to read “condiment alert,” but now that we have your attention: We have just recently cleared our refrigerator of multiple bottles of both ketchup and mustard. We currently have plenty of available ketchup and mustard in our kitchen – please resist the urge to bring more in. Thank you!
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 collect ~$1500 to get 2 radio spots weekly for 8-9 months. Just write a check to CMU Public Media and give it to Mary Alsager (989.773.2595).
• • • Community News • • •
Native American Heritage Month at CMU - November 2-30
Please be aware of the various events for NAHM at CMU.
Native American Heritage Month at CMU - November 2-30
Please be aware of the various events for NAHM at CMU.
Our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world
as being able to remake ourselves.
~ Mahatma Gandhi
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.
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])
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])
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