We must build dikes of courage to hold back the flood of fear.
~ Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
CROP Walk - There’s Still Time to Donate! Eight members and friends of UUFCM walked on Sunday, October 1, in this year’s CROP Walk to help alleviate hunger, both locally and in the wider world. And if you think you missed the chance to contribute to this effort – you didn’t! The deadline for donations is Sunday, October 22. Please see our organizer-in- chief, Jim Dealing, to submit your contribution. And a big thank you to Jim for organizing our efforts! |
Our worship theme for the month of October asks what does it mean to be a people of courage? Our worship this Sunday, October 8 will be a mosaic on the courage needed to resist cynicism. Our gathering for worship is the very heartbeat of this congregation – please plan to attend!
“When cynicism becomes the default language, playfulness and invention become impossible. Cynicism scours through a culture like bleach, wiping out millions of small, seedling ideas. Cynicism means your automatic answer becomes “No.” Cynicism means you presume everything will end in disappointment.”
~ Caitlin Moran
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) and can be found in our website sermon archive.
Upcoming Services
October Worship Theme: “What Does It Mean to Be a People of Courage?”
October 15: “On Being Co-Conspirators – Not Allies”
October 22: Lay Service – Joyce Henricks on friendship and courage (title to be announced). Service Coordinator: Laura McBride
October 29: “Cultivating a Culture of Risk”
…But I’m Not Racist! Tools for Well-Meaning Whites
Follow this link to a wonderful resource that was unfortunately left out of our September 24 service on “Learning to Welcome Conversations about Race.” And if you missed that Sunday, you may find the service in its near-entirety here.
And in case there is confusion or concern – our Black Lives Matter banner was removed from the front of our building in preparation for an upcoming facility rental (a wedding).
First Friday Potluck - This Friday, October 6
Join us for our October First Friday communal nosh! Jen Prout is hosting, and the theme is Food for Fall.
We will also be celebrating the October birthdays of Joyce Henricks, Michelle Gawne, and Chris Bailey.
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: November 3, 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!
RE News
This upcoming Saturday at 7:00 p.m., the RE program will be showing the movie Brave! We will be watching the movie to go with the October theme of Courage. Popcorn and snacks will be provided, please contact Anna (517-930-6927 or [email protected]) if you are planning on attending.
Thank You Letters for Special Plate Collections
We have received thank you letters from the Goodrow Fund ($146.26) and from Women’s Aid Service ($328.48) for our special plate collections on the third Sunday of each month. People who wrote checks directly to each organization received a personal thank you from the organization, and UUFCM received thank you letters for the cash donations. Please see the notes on the bulletin board in the fellowship hall. Thanks to all for your generosity.
Path to Membership Workshop - 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, October 14
This workshop is designed for those who are ready to make the membership commitment to UUFCM. In this interactive session we explore the deeper meanings and expectations of membership and shared ministry; it is a three-hour session, depending on the size of the group.
Childcare can be made available, if needed. Advance registration for this workshop is required – please contact either Laura McBride (989.772.5512; [email protected]) or Gisela Moffit (989.772.1602 or [email protected]) by Sunday, October 8, to reserve your place in the workshop!
Invitation to Community Justice Party
You are all invited to our second bi-annual Community Justice Party on Saturday, October 21 from 7-9 pm. There will be a program in the sanctuary of music, skits, poetry, and activities highlighting several social justice issues, and then we will meet in the fellowship hall for light refreshments and a rousing cake walk (cake walk tickets 25 cents each, so bring lots of quarters)! The suggested donation for adults is $5.00 (although more will gratefully be accepted for MUUSJN), and children are free (with child care provided for in the nursery if you will let Norma Bailey know that it is needed by Sunday, October 15). This was a highlight event two years ago, so be sure to have it on your calendar!
Welcome to UU - Sunday, October 22
This orientation session is geared to newcomers, visitors, and those seeking to learn more about Unitarian Universalism and this UU fellowship. Welcome to UU will be offered every month on the fourth Sunday at 12:15 p.m. Sessions run approximately ninety minutes.
New Year's Eve Party?!?!?!?
Happy 2018! Are you interested in ringing in the new year with a party in the Social Hall? Would you like it to be family friendly? Adult only? A hybrid of an early midnight (at 9 pm) with the kids followed by adults staying until the real midnight? Games? Conversation? Singing?
The Congregational Life Ministry team wants to know!!! Please share your input if you and/or yours would actually attend. Please send your response to Laura McBride (989.772.5512 or [email protected]) via text, phone call, or email. We will ask for final input at the October Fellowship Life meeting on October 15th.
On Social Hall Use
We need your immediate attention plus an increase in mindfulness, dear ones. We have had some instances lately of our social hall being left less than clean after use by some of our shared interest groups. There have also been recent occurrences of the freezer door being left open - resulting in the loss of a number of food items - as well as the water pot left plugged in and our main door being left unlocked. Please remember that if you use the social hall as a member of any group, it is important that someone is designated to fill out the building use sheet (found on the green cart) that provides a checklist of tasks that must be completed before you leave the building. Doing so will assure that the building will be left clean and safe. Thank you.
Please Note
If you have an announcement after the eNews publication on Wednesday and/or need a particular item to be highlighted during the pre-service announcement time, please send it to Gisela at [email protected] no later than Saturday at 5:00 p.m. so it can be included on Sunday morning.
Remind-ers
Please add this app to your smartphone, laptop, or ipad/tablet...REMIND! This is the method we will use to notify you of fellowship service closings and event announcements. You will be getting an invitation from Laura McBride. If you want it sent to an email address versus a cell phone number, let Laura know. Add the app to your technology of choice. Direct questions and requests to Laura McBride at 989.772.5512 or [email protected].
Hispanic Heritage Month - Through October 11
Be sure to check the various events on CMU’s campus for Hispanic Heritage Month.
Sue Guevara Featured Speaker
The Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation’s “Look Who’s Talking” Women’s Initiative Speaker Series luncheon will take place on Tuesday, October 10, from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at the Comfort Inn Conference Center. Tickets are $45.00 each and can be purchased by calling 989-773-7322. All proceeds will go directly to the Women’s Initiative Fund which benefits Isabella County women and girls in need.
It takes courage...to endure the sharp pains of self-discovery rather than choose to
take the dull pain of unconsciousness that would last the rest of our lives.
~ Marianne Williamson
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].
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])