Why not err on the side of the relational? Why not repent of all the insidiously goofy ways we try to keep realization of community at a distance? Life’s too short not to. Our life is one long process of mutual aid, and what a relief it is when people act on this knowledge. I want to keep within me and hold to the wit and the sensitivity of spirit to see, feel, appreciate, fear and revere the inescapable fact of my own caught-uppedness in the web of other people’s kindness.
~ David Dark, Life’s Too Short to Pretend You’re Not Religious
| Thank You to Our Children and Youth! The following message was received last week: Dear UUFCM, Thank you so much for your donations of produce in the summer and fall of 2016. We and our guests have truly enjoyed the fresh veggies and we greatly appreciate your support. God bless, Your friends at the Isabella Community Soup Kitchen Congratulations to our children and youth...and adult partners...for their great work with our garden this season! |  |
In Worship
With Election Day looming, it seems appropriate to spend a Sunday morning focused on our role as a religious people in this process…most especially on what follows this particularly damaging campaign cycle. Our message for this Sunday, October 30, is titled “Toward Healing the Heart of Democracy” and draws on the work of Quaker teacher and writer, Parker Palmer (“Healing” also seems an appropriate focus…). Please join us!
“The human heart is the first home of democracy. It is where we embrace our questions. Can we be equitable? Can we be generous? Can we listen with our whole beings, not just our minds, and offer our attention rather than our opinions? And do we have resolve in our hearts to act courageously, relentlessly, without giving up – ever – trusting our fellow citizens to join with us in our determined pursuit of a living democracy?”
~ Terry Tempest Williams, “Engagement”
And…if you happened to miss our service this past Sunday, you will find the text version of the sermon and selected readings on our website sermon archive page. As last Sunday was the last in our month-long exploration of “reverence,” we have created a resource sheet if any of you are interested in further reading.
Trick-or- Treating…in Service? Yes! This Sunday, October 30
As part of their Harry Potter curriculum this fall, our children and youth are battling the “Hunger Horcrux” and they need our help. Before they leave worship this Sunday for their classes, our RE kids will be trick-or- treating among the congregation for canned goods and non-perishables to benefit the mobile food pantry here in Mt. Pleasant. Please come stocked with goodies to pass out during service – thank you!
Special Offering
In addition to our regular morning offering this coming Sunday, we will be passing a basket to help replenish our minister’s discretionary fund. This resource allows our minister respond to immediate and emergent needs both within our congregation and from our community as well. The fund has been seriously depleted over the past several months and the requests for assistance don’t stop. We have one particular request for financial assistance to address a debilitating medical need that has been declined by insurance. Every little bit counts – we ask that you give what you can to help. Thank you so very much!
Support CMU Public Radio and UUFCM!
Please considering donating to CMU Public Radio and doing it now, in the fall, as we pool our donations and “buy” some air time. We usually gather about $1500 and get 2 spots/week for most of the year. Checks can be made out to CMU Public Radio and given (or mailed) to Mary Alsager (989-773-2595). Thank you for considering supporting public radio and giving us an advertising voice.
Save the Date
A memorial service to remember and celebrate the life of Danielle Riley will be held on Sunday, November 13 at 1:00 p.m. in our sanctuary. Danielle passed away on June 28 at the tender age of 20. Danielle was part of our fellowship, RE program and CUUPS group starting in fall of 2014 – it didn’t take long for her light to shine on all of us. Her presence here is missed deeply. It is time for us to gather to mourn her absence in body and to celebrate the gift of her life. All are invited.
Help Needed! Got Skills? Keep Reading…
Looking for a way to contribute to our congregation? We have a building manager position that is shared with Terrie Robbie that needs to be filled. This is an important volunteer position for our fellowship as it pertains to maintenance and upkeep of our beautiful building and grounds. We have a handyman who handles those jobs beyond our skills, so don't worry about that! If you have extra time and some basic skills to share, please contact Laura McBride (989.772.5512 or [email protected]) to learn more information and/or plan an orientation to the shared role. Please see the attached description of the position.
First Friday Potluck - Friday, November 4 at 6:30 p.m.
Our November First Friday Potluck is just around the corner! If you are planning to attend, please prepare a dish to share that serves at least 6-10 people. Birthdays to be celebrated this month: Jim Dealing, Jen Prout, Ricky Courlander, ‘Irv’ Irvine, Al Jackson, and Tom Moffit.
Cheeseballs?!
The UUFCM is selling cheese balls to raise money to send people to Leadership Conference. Please help us make cheese balls on Saturday, November 5th at noon here at the Fellowship. Sign up sheets will be located in the Fellowship Hall this Sunday. Please contact Annette Pratt at 989-400-0173 with any questions.
Infant Pantry Collection - November 6
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.
Revised Shelter Schedule
The schedule for the opening of the Isabella County Restoration House (ICRH) has changed. It will open November 6 (a week later than originally planned) and we will still be partnering with St. John’s, but those dates have changed. St. John’s planned renovations will not be completed in time for the opening weeks, so they will be the host sites for one week in January, one week in March, and one week in April. Joyce Henricks will announce specific times later.
CAMFED 2016
Last year the Board approved the adoption of CAMFED, an organization committed to helping communities around the world provide education for young women. The program is community-based, with funds provided by CAMFED. They provide a newsletter to sponsors, which keeps us up to date on their activities.
Last year we contributed over $400 to CAMFED – let’s try to do the same this year! Donations should be submitted by November 20, by writing a check to UUFCM with a notation that the money is for CAMFED.
Water for Life Presentation
All are invited to attend – and bring interested friends – to a presentation about water issues in Michigan on Thursday, November 17, at 7:00 pm at the UU Center. The program, which UUFCM is co-sponsoring, will be presented by the Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation led by Karen Turnbull and will provide us with means by which we can work to preserve Michigan’s fresh water resources. See attached flyer.
A Little Help Please!
We need baby holders for this upcoming year! If you would like to help out, please let Anna VanArsdaleHoot know what Sunday of the month you are available for holding any babies that come to church. You can contact her at [email protected].
With Election Day looming, it seems appropriate to spend a Sunday morning focused on our role as a religious people in this process…most especially on what follows this particularly damaging campaign cycle. Our message for this Sunday, October 30, is titled “Toward Healing the Heart of Democracy” and draws on the work of Quaker teacher and writer, Parker Palmer (“Healing” also seems an appropriate focus…). Please join us!
“The human heart is the first home of democracy. It is where we embrace our questions. Can we be equitable? Can we be generous? Can we listen with our whole beings, not just our minds, and offer our attention rather than our opinions? And do we have resolve in our hearts to act courageously, relentlessly, without giving up – ever – trusting our fellow citizens to join with us in our determined pursuit of a living democracy?”
~ Terry Tempest Williams, “Engagement”
And…if you happened to miss our service this past Sunday, you will find the text version of the sermon and selected readings on our website sermon archive page. As last Sunday was the last in our month-long exploration of “reverence,” we have created a resource sheet if any of you are interested in further reading.
Trick-or- Treating…in Service? Yes! This Sunday, October 30
As part of their Harry Potter curriculum this fall, our children and youth are battling the “Hunger Horcrux” and they need our help. Before they leave worship this Sunday for their classes, our RE kids will be trick-or- treating among the congregation for canned goods and non-perishables to benefit the mobile food pantry here in Mt. Pleasant. Please come stocked with goodies to pass out during service – thank you!
Special Offering
In addition to our regular morning offering this coming Sunday, we will be passing a basket to help replenish our minister’s discretionary fund. This resource allows our minister respond to immediate and emergent needs both within our congregation and from our community as well. The fund has been seriously depleted over the past several months and the requests for assistance don’t stop. We have one particular request for financial assistance to address a debilitating medical need that has been declined by insurance. Every little bit counts – we ask that you give what you can to help. Thank you so very much!
Support CMU Public Radio and UUFCM!
Please considering donating to CMU Public Radio and doing it now, in the fall, as we pool our donations and “buy” some air time. We usually gather about $1500 and get 2 spots/week for most of the year. Checks can be made out to CMU Public Radio and given (or mailed) to Mary Alsager (989-773-2595). Thank you for considering supporting public radio and giving us an advertising voice.
Save the Date
A memorial service to remember and celebrate the life of Danielle Riley will be held on Sunday, November 13 at 1:00 p.m. in our sanctuary. Danielle passed away on June 28 at the tender age of 20. Danielle was part of our fellowship, RE program and CUUPS group starting in fall of 2014 – it didn’t take long for her light to shine on all of us. Her presence here is missed deeply. It is time for us to gather to mourn her absence in body and to celebrate the gift of her life. All are invited.
Help Needed! Got Skills? Keep Reading…
Looking for a way to contribute to our congregation? We have a building manager position that is shared with Terrie Robbie that needs to be filled. This is an important volunteer position for our fellowship as it pertains to maintenance and upkeep of our beautiful building and grounds. We have a handyman who handles those jobs beyond our skills, so don't worry about that! If you have extra time and some basic skills to share, please contact Laura McBride (989.772.5512 or [email protected]) to learn more information and/or plan an orientation to the shared role. Please see the attached description of the position.
First Friday Potluck - Friday, November 4 at 6:30 p.m.
Our November First Friday Potluck is just around the corner! If you are planning to attend, please prepare a dish to share that serves at least 6-10 people. Birthdays to be celebrated this month: Jim Dealing, Jen Prout, Ricky Courlander, ‘Irv’ Irvine, Al Jackson, and Tom Moffit.
Cheeseballs?!
The UUFCM is selling cheese balls to raise money to send people to Leadership Conference. Please help us make cheese balls on Saturday, November 5th at noon here at the Fellowship. Sign up sheets will be located in the Fellowship Hall this Sunday. Please contact Annette Pratt at 989-400-0173 with any questions.
Infant Pantry Collection - November 6
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.
Revised Shelter Schedule
The schedule for the opening of the Isabella County Restoration House (ICRH) has changed. It will open November 6 (a week later than originally planned) and we will still be partnering with St. John’s, but those dates have changed. St. John’s planned renovations will not be completed in time for the opening weeks, so they will be the host sites for one week in January, one week in March, and one week in April. Joyce Henricks will announce specific times later.
CAMFED 2016
Last year the Board approved the adoption of CAMFED, an organization committed to helping communities around the world provide education for young women. The program is community-based, with funds provided by CAMFED. They provide a newsletter to sponsors, which keeps us up to date on their activities.
Last year we contributed over $400 to CAMFED – let’s try to do the same this year! Donations should be submitted by November 20, by writing a check to UUFCM with a notation that the money is for CAMFED.
Water for Life Presentation
All are invited to attend – and bring interested friends – to a presentation about water issues in Michigan on Thursday, November 17, at 7:00 pm at the UU Center. The program, which UUFCM is co-sponsoring, will be presented by the Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation led by Karen Turnbull and will provide us with means by which we can work to preserve Michigan’s fresh water resources. See attached flyer.
A Little Help Please!
We need baby holders for this upcoming year! If you would like to help out, please let Anna VanArsdaleHoot know what Sunday of the month you are available for holding any babies that come to church. You can contact her at [email protected].
Learn from the mistakes of others. You can’t live long enough to make them all yourself.
~ Eleanor Roosevelt
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 (989.463.3076; [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])
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 (989.463.3076; [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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