later that night
I held an atlas in my lap
ran my fingers across the whole world
and whispered
where does it hurt?
it answered
everywhere
everywhere
everywhere.
~ Warsan Shire
Worship Matters
We hope you will join us this Sunday, December 3 as we insert a pause into our thematic worship rhythm and welcome Guy Newland to our pulpit with a message titled “Healing Stories.” Worship leadership will be provided by our minister. Our worship theme that explores the question of what it means to be a people of hope will commence with our December 10 service.
“Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world's grief. You are not obligated to complete this work, but neither are you free to abandon it.” ~ the Talmud
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 10: “Still the Moon Increases: A Meditation on Hope in the Dark Season”
December 17: “Festivals of Light” – a multigenerational service
December 24 at 10:30 a.m.: “The Case for Hope”
December 24 at 7:00 p.m.: “Carols by Candlelight”
December 31: “The Burning Bowl – Welcoming the New Year” Lay Leader: Ricky Courlander
Personal Reflection Resources on Abundance
If you missed getting a copy of the personal reflection exercises on abundance that Dawn offered at the conclusion of worship this past Sunday, you can download them here.
Results from Guest at Your Table/Harvest Feast Donations
Thanks to all of you who so generously donated to the UU Service Committee (UUSC) at our UUSC Guest at Your Table program at the Harvest Feast on November 19. We were able to send $905.36 to UUSC to support their efforts to bring hope to so many in need.
To Whom Should We Give Our End-of-Year Donations?
Your Social Justice Coordinating Team would like to suggest that your donations in the holiday and end-of-year giving season be given to meet local, national, and global needs with a focus on advocacy for change locally, nationally, and internationally for global justice and peace. We believe that our donations should not only provide balm for the wounds of injustice but also should change the conditions that create injustice and poverty. We have created a document with further information and some suggested organizations that support justice.
First Friday Potluck - This Friday, December 1
Join us for our December First Friday communal nosh! Jim Dealing is hosting. 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 - Sunday, 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.
Last Chance to Support CMU Public Radio and the UUFCM!
Please consider making a donation to CMU Public Media by this Sunday, December 3. 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).
Young Adult/Student UU Potluck - Sunday, December 3
We will meet on Sunday, December 3, at 5:30 in the Social Hall. A 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!
Holiday Tea and Treats - Sunday, December 10
Please sign up to bring a sweet treat (cookies, cake, bar cookies, candies, etc. to enjoy with several teas, coffee, and cocoa. Sign up sheets will be available in the social hall. The tables will be decorated with the colors of the season while we visit in our fellowship hall. The more goodies provided, the sweeter the sharing! Bring your platter to the hall before the service. If you have any questions, contact Laura McBride (989.772.5512; [email protected]) or Susan Paton (989.400.9005; [email protected])
RE Caroling - Sunday, December 17
RE children and youth will be 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).
CUUPs Celebrates Winter Solstice - Sunday, December 17
Yule, the winter solstice, is a time of great symbolism and power. It marks the return of the sun, when the days finally begin to get a little longer. It's also a time to celebrate with family and friends, and share the spirit of giving. 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.
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!
We hope you will join us this Sunday, December 3 as we insert a pause into our thematic worship rhythm and welcome Guy Newland to our pulpit with a message titled “Healing Stories.” Worship leadership will be provided by our minister. Our worship theme that explores the question of what it means to be a people of hope will commence with our December 10 service.
“Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world's grief. You are not obligated to complete this work, but neither are you free to abandon it.” ~ the Talmud
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 10: “Still the Moon Increases: A Meditation on Hope in the Dark Season”
December 17: “Festivals of Light” – a multigenerational service
December 24 at 10:30 a.m.: “The Case for Hope”
December 24 at 7:00 p.m.: “Carols by Candlelight”
December 31: “The Burning Bowl – Welcoming the New Year” Lay Leader: Ricky Courlander
Personal Reflection Resources on Abundance
If you missed getting a copy of the personal reflection exercises on abundance that Dawn offered at the conclusion of worship this past Sunday, you can download them here.
Results from Guest at Your Table/Harvest Feast Donations
Thanks to all of you who so generously donated to the UU Service Committee (UUSC) at our UUSC Guest at Your Table program at the Harvest Feast on November 19. We were able to send $905.36 to UUSC to support their efforts to bring hope to so many in need.
To Whom Should We Give Our End-of-Year Donations?
Your Social Justice Coordinating Team would like to suggest that your donations in the holiday and end-of-year giving season be given to meet local, national, and global needs with a focus on advocacy for change locally, nationally, and internationally for global justice and peace. We believe that our donations should not only provide balm for the wounds of injustice but also should change the conditions that create injustice and poverty. We have created a document with further information and some suggested organizations that support justice.
First Friday Potluck - This Friday, December 1
Join us for our December First Friday communal nosh! Jim Dealing is hosting. 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 - Sunday, 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.
Last Chance to Support CMU Public Radio and the UUFCM!
Please consider making a donation to CMU Public Media by this Sunday, December 3. 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).
Young Adult/Student UU Potluck - Sunday, December 3
We will meet on Sunday, December 3, at 5:30 in the Social Hall. A 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!
Holiday Tea and Treats - Sunday, December 10
Please sign up to bring a sweet treat (cookies, cake, bar cookies, candies, etc. to enjoy with several teas, coffee, and cocoa. Sign up sheets will be available in the social hall. The tables will be decorated with the colors of the season while we visit in our fellowship hall. The more goodies provided, the sweeter the sharing! Bring your platter to the hall before the service. If you have any questions, contact Laura McBride (989.772.5512; [email protected]) or Susan Paton (989.400.9005; [email protected])
RE Caroling - Sunday, December 17
RE children and youth will be 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).
CUUPs Celebrates Winter Solstice - Sunday, December 17
Yule, the winter solstice, is a time of great symbolism and power. It marks the return of the sun, when the days finally begin to get a little longer. It's also a time to celebrate with family and friends, and share the spirit of giving. 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.
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!
• • • 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.
May we be the church of come as you are but not stay as you have been.
~ Dr. Takiyah Amin
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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