Hope is patience with the lamp lit.
~ Tertullian
| Our Peace Pole Has Been Stolen! …or perhaps someone has just borrowed it and forgot to mention it to anyone? No, that seems unlikely. As none of us can remember exactly the last time we saw it, we reported to the police that it likely went missing sometime between last Friday and Monday evening. The Mt. Pleasant police have been provided with a photo of our beloved pole and the Morning Sun is being contacted. If you happen to hear of anyone bragging of a recent acquisition of a tall peace-etched object, please let us know. Sigh…and the culprit(s) even took time to fill in the hole in the ground. Spread the word and keep your ears open please. |  |
| More Feasting! Here's still more proof that a good time was had at our annual Harvest Feast! Thanks to Vicki Chessin for sharing these photos. | |
In Worship
Join us this Sunday for worship and our minister’s message titled “On Patience…and Possibility.”
“…for all our knowing, the invitation of this season and its stories is to enter a deeper kind of waiting – to wait without knowing exactly what we’re waiting for. It is a kind of faithful listening, an attentiveness to possibilities we may not even yet imagine. Surely, for all our knowing, the world still contains enough mystery, enough uncertainty, enough proleptic promise that we too in the 21st century can take up this kind of faithful watch.” ~ Karen Hering
Upcoming Services
December 11: “Festivals of Light”
Join us for our annual “Festival of Lights” multigenerational worship service; a special service packed with light, life and laughter as we share and reflect together through stories and songs of the season. Childcare will be provided, if needed. This service will be followed by our annual “Sweets & Tea” celebration in the social hall.
December 18: “Waiting, Waiting, Waiting…” Worship Leader: Norma Bailey
Saturday, December 24 at 7:00 p.m.: “Between Darkness and Light”
We will gather this night for worship by candlelight - a service for all ages woven with poetry, stories and songs of the season. Bring your friends and family for an evening filled with warmth and light. Childcare will be provided. Light refreshments to follow the service.
Saturday, December 31 at 7:00 p.m.: “The Burning Bowl – Welcoming the New Year”
The New Year is upon us again…join us for this special evening worship for our annual observance of the “burning bowl” as we reflect on our lives this past year and lean forward into tomorrow together. The service will be followed by our own New Year’s Eve celebration!
*Please note that there will not be morning worship services held on Sunday, December 25 and Sunday, January 1.
Welcome to Our New Building Co-Managers
James Hatcher responded to the call to co-manage our building and grounds together with Terrie Robbie who volunteered already a couple of months ago. We are so pleased that they stepped up and want to thank them for their support and dedication to our fellowship. If you notice things in the building that need their attention (repairs, paint, scuffs, dirt spots, non working items) contact either one of them (Terrie at 989-400-2495; [email protected] or James at 989-644-2816; [email protected]).
We are happy that Kris Los will continue as kitchen manager and supply purchaser. Leave messages for her in the kitchen on the clipboard when we need to refill kitchen and bathroom supplies. We also want to express our deepest gratitude to Kris who has been doing these tasks for several years thus guaranteeing that life behind the scenes runs smoothly.
First Friday Potluck - December 2
Our monthly gathering to share a meal and have a fun social time together is happening this Friday at 6:30 p.m. Simply bring a dish to pass and your week-worn weary self to the UUFCM social hall for nourishment and rejuvenation - at least as much as can be gained from sharing a meal, conversation and laughter with friends. Birthdays to be celebrated this month are: Donna Giuliani, Chris Swier, Laura Frey, Sally van Cise, and Christopher Harvey. We hope you’ll join us!
Fellowship Life/Special Business Meeting - This Sunday, December 4 After Service
UUFCM members and friends, please plan to attend this Sunday! In addition to a brief Fellowship Life discussion, there will be a special business meeting to learn the recommendation by the board to enroll in the UU Common Endowment Fund. Your voice and vote are needed.
Infant Pantry Collection - December 4
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, and lotions. Baby food and formula are 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.
Holiday Sweets & Tea Celebration - December 11
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 at 989.772.5512 or [email protected].
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.
Guest at Your Table Results
A big thank you to all who so generously donated to the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) at our Guest at Your Table celebration on November 20 at the Harvest Feast. A total of $1099 was sent to the UUSC from our fellowship to help with their social justice efforts around the world. Once again, a big thank you to our youth who also participated in the worship service or with the music at the dinner – Josh Daniels, Chiron Finn, Izzy Rollins, Tolby Busch, Roman Damer-Daigle, and Reid Sladek.
Christmas Outreach - Children's Books
UUFCM is again collecting new or like-new children's books which will be distributed at Christmas Outreach on December 9th and 10th. We especially need books for sixth grade through high school. There will be a box for books in the Fellowship Hall. Financial donations are welcome as well - checks should be made out to Christmas Outreach. Beth Macleod will be collecting both books and checks.
Holiday Outreach
We will be adopting a family for the holidays. There will be a sign-up sheet of items the family has requested, and you will be able to choose gifts you would like to donate to them. Thank you to those of you who chose a donation last Sunday! The gifts will be collected on Sundays before and after service, and distributed to the family on December 18th. Please call Mari Potter with questions at 989-944-4202.
Holiday Caroling
The RE Team would like to invite all members, friends, and especially children to join us as we sing holidays songs at Crestwood Village Assisted Living on Lincoln Road on Sunday, December 18. We’ll meet at the UUFCM at 2:45 to carpool to the site, sing for and with the guests, and then return to the UUFCM for hot chocolate and cookies. We hope you will all join us!
Help Fight to End Poverty!
Our 2nd-6th graders are in the midst of fighting the Poverty Horcrux! You can help them by donating new or gently used shoes, which will be sent to Kenya or sold to raise funds for Funds2Org, which help people start businesses in impoverished third world countries. Men's, women's, and children's shoes of all sizes are welcome. Contact Anna at [email protected] with any questions.
Isabella County Restoration House (ICRH) News
The dates for our partnering with St. John's for the Restoration House are the weeks of January 2, March 5, and April 2. A sign up list for volunteers will be sent out after Thanksgiving. The shelter program has begun and we are again hosting the Welcome/Intake center. If you are interested in volunteering for the Intake Center, or for helping out with other churches, please contact Joyce Henricks (989-773-4709 or [email protected]).
UUFCM All-Congregation Retreat
Saturday, January 28, 2017 from 9-4 p.m.
Every year we have an all-congregational retreat in which we explore together a theme or question pertinent to all of us. This year we will meet to deepen our understanding of gender identity and learn how to better support the issues facing people who are transgender. This is a renewal and extension of our Welcoming Congregation initiative and designation that we earned in 2011. We are very fortunate to have with us Kathleen Campisano, the Faith and States Organizing Manager of the National LGBTQ Task Force, who will lead us in a number of exercises and discussions. Be sure to put this important retreat on your calendar right now so you won’t miss it. Child care will be provided; please contact Norma Bailey (989-560-3952 or [email protected]) to arrange this or with any questions you might have.
Join us this Sunday for worship and our minister’s message titled “On Patience…and Possibility.”
“…for all our knowing, the invitation of this season and its stories is to enter a deeper kind of waiting – to wait without knowing exactly what we’re waiting for. It is a kind of faithful listening, an attentiveness to possibilities we may not even yet imagine. Surely, for all our knowing, the world still contains enough mystery, enough uncertainty, enough proleptic promise that we too in the 21st century can take up this kind of faithful watch.” ~ Karen Hering
Upcoming Services
December 11: “Festivals of Light”
Join us for our annual “Festival of Lights” multigenerational worship service; a special service packed with light, life and laughter as we share and reflect together through stories and songs of the season. Childcare will be provided, if needed. This service will be followed by our annual “Sweets & Tea” celebration in the social hall.
December 18: “Waiting, Waiting, Waiting…” Worship Leader: Norma Bailey
Saturday, December 24 at 7:00 p.m.: “Between Darkness and Light”
We will gather this night for worship by candlelight - a service for all ages woven with poetry, stories and songs of the season. Bring your friends and family for an evening filled with warmth and light. Childcare will be provided. Light refreshments to follow the service.
Saturday, December 31 at 7:00 p.m.: “The Burning Bowl – Welcoming the New Year”
The New Year is upon us again…join us for this special evening worship for our annual observance of the “burning bowl” as we reflect on our lives this past year and lean forward into tomorrow together. The service will be followed by our own New Year’s Eve celebration!
*Please note that there will not be morning worship services held on Sunday, December 25 and Sunday, January 1.
Welcome to Our New Building Co-Managers
James Hatcher responded to the call to co-manage our building and grounds together with Terrie Robbie who volunteered already a couple of months ago. We are so pleased that they stepped up and want to thank them for their support and dedication to our fellowship. If you notice things in the building that need their attention (repairs, paint, scuffs, dirt spots, non working items) contact either one of them (Terrie at 989-400-2495; [email protected] or James at 989-644-2816; [email protected]).
We are happy that Kris Los will continue as kitchen manager and supply purchaser. Leave messages for her in the kitchen on the clipboard when we need to refill kitchen and bathroom supplies. We also want to express our deepest gratitude to Kris who has been doing these tasks for several years thus guaranteeing that life behind the scenes runs smoothly.
First Friday Potluck - December 2
Our monthly gathering to share a meal and have a fun social time together is happening this Friday at 6:30 p.m. Simply bring a dish to pass and your week-worn weary self to the UUFCM social hall for nourishment and rejuvenation - at least as much as can be gained from sharing a meal, conversation and laughter with friends. Birthdays to be celebrated this month are: Donna Giuliani, Chris Swier, Laura Frey, Sally van Cise, and Christopher Harvey. We hope you’ll join us!
Fellowship Life/Special Business Meeting - This Sunday, December 4 After Service
UUFCM members and friends, please plan to attend this Sunday! In addition to a brief Fellowship Life discussion, there will be a special business meeting to learn the recommendation by the board to enroll in the UU Common Endowment Fund. Your voice and vote are needed.
Infant Pantry Collection - December 4
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, and lotions. Baby food and formula are 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.
Holiday Sweets & Tea Celebration - December 11
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 at 989.772.5512 or [email protected].
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.
Guest at Your Table Results
A big thank you to all who so generously donated to the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) at our Guest at Your Table celebration on November 20 at the Harvest Feast. A total of $1099 was sent to the UUSC from our fellowship to help with their social justice efforts around the world. Once again, a big thank you to our youth who also participated in the worship service or with the music at the dinner – Josh Daniels, Chiron Finn, Izzy Rollins, Tolby Busch, Roman Damer-Daigle, and Reid Sladek.
Christmas Outreach - Children's Books
UUFCM is again collecting new or like-new children's books which will be distributed at Christmas Outreach on December 9th and 10th. We especially need books for sixth grade through high school. There will be a box for books in the Fellowship Hall. Financial donations are welcome as well - checks should be made out to Christmas Outreach. Beth Macleod will be collecting both books and checks.
Holiday Outreach
We will be adopting a family for the holidays. There will be a sign-up sheet of items the family has requested, and you will be able to choose gifts you would like to donate to them. Thank you to those of you who chose a donation last Sunday! The gifts will be collected on Sundays before and after service, and distributed to the family on December 18th. Please call Mari Potter with questions at 989-944-4202.
Holiday Caroling
The RE Team would like to invite all members, friends, and especially children to join us as we sing holidays songs at Crestwood Village Assisted Living on Lincoln Road on Sunday, December 18. We’ll meet at the UUFCM at 2:45 to carpool to the site, sing for and with the guests, and then return to the UUFCM for hot chocolate and cookies. We hope you will all join us!
Help Fight to End Poverty!
Our 2nd-6th graders are in the midst of fighting the Poverty Horcrux! You can help them by donating new or gently used shoes, which will be sent to Kenya or sold to raise funds for Funds2Org, which help people start businesses in impoverished third world countries. Men's, women's, and children's shoes of all sizes are welcome. Contact Anna at [email protected] with any questions.
Isabella County Restoration House (ICRH) News
The dates for our partnering with St. John's for the Restoration House are the weeks of January 2, March 5, and April 2. A sign up list for volunteers will be sent out after Thanksgiving. The shelter program has begun and we are again hosting the Welcome/Intake center. If you are interested in volunteering for the Intake Center, or for helping out with other churches, please contact Joyce Henricks (989-773-4709 or [email protected]).
UUFCM All-Congregation Retreat
Saturday, January 28, 2017 from 9-4 p.m.
Every year we have an all-congregational retreat in which we explore together a theme or question pertinent to all of us. This year we will meet to deepen our understanding of gender identity and learn how to better support the issues facing people who are transgender. This is a renewal and extension of our Welcoming Congregation initiative and designation that we earned in 2011. We are very fortunate to have with us Kathleen Campisano, the Faith and States Organizing Manager of the National LGBTQ Task Force, who will lead us in a number of exercises and discussions. Be sure to put this important retreat on your calendar right now so you won’t miss it. Child care will be provided; please contact Norma Bailey (989-560-3952 or [email protected]) to arrange this or with any questions you might have.
• • • Community News • • •
Ebenezer at Strand Theatre in Alma
Do you want to know what happened to Ebenezer after the conclusion of A Christmas Carol? Go to Alma’s Strand Theatre December 2, 3, 9 or 10 at 7:30 p.m., or December 4 and 11 at 2:30 p.m. to find out. The new play by Michigan playwright Joseph Zettelmaier is set 15 years later in a London hospital. The lead is played by Mike Klahre who is one of our UU newcomers. The nurse assigned to him is Kallei Mapes-Hahn, another UU visitor. The director Craig Zeese said that the play has an important message about kindness and goodness. Just what we need right now. For more information go to gratiotcountyplayers.com.
Ebenezer at Strand Theatre in Alma
Do you want to know what happened to Ebenezer after the conclusion of A Christmas Carol? Go to Alma’s Strand Theatre December 2, 3, 9 or 10 at 7:30 p.m., or December 4 and 11 at 2:30 p.m. to find out. The new play by Michigan playwright Joseph Zettelmaier is set 15 years later in a London hospital. The lead is played by Mike Klahre who is one of our UU newcomers. The nurse assigned to him is Kallei Mapes-Hahn, another UU visitor. The director Craig Zeese said that the play has an important message about kindness and goodness. Just what we need right now. For more information go to gratiotcountyplayers.com.
Patience is an active condition of the spirit. It can march; it can demonstrate;
it can live in jails. It can survive the long haul of transformation.
~ Douglas Gwyn
Service Cancellation Policy
In case of inclement weather, a decision to cancel the service will be made by 9 a.m. 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!
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 2016-2017
President: Laura McBride (989.772.5512; [email protected])
Past-President: Annette Pratt (989.400.0173; [email protected])
President Elect: Norma Bailey (989.560.3952; [email protected] )
Treasurer: Chris Bailey (989.775.8257; [email protected])
Co-Treasurer: Ricky Courlander (989.772.4457; [email protected])
Secretary: Vicki Chessin (989.560.4614; [email protected])
Trustee: Scott Daigle (989.506.5750; [email protected])
Trustee: Janis Shinn (989.400.3724; [email protected])
Trustee: Brigitte Bechtold (989.954.1123; [email protected])
In case of inclement weather, a decision to cancel the service will be made by 9 a.m. 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!
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 2016-2017
President: Laura McBride (989.772.5512; [email protected])
Past-President: Annette Pratt (989.400.0173; [email protected])
President Elect: Norma Bailey (989.560.3952; [email protected] )
Treasurer: Chris Bailey (989.775.8257; [email protected])
Co-Treasurer: Ricky Courlander (989.772.4457; [email protected])
Secretary: Vicki Chessin (989.560.4614; [email protected])
Trustee: Scott Daigle (989.506.5750; [email protected])
Trustee: Janis Shinn (989.400.3724; [email protected])
Trustee: Brigitte Bechtold (989.954.1123; [email protected])
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