eNews January 15, 2026

Keep up with what's happening at UUFCM!

View this email in your browser eNews for Thursday, January 15, 2026 Worship Matters We will gather online via Zoom and in person this Sunday, January 18, to worship with Rev. Drew on “Martin Luther King." The Zoom call starts at 10:00am for social time, and the service starts at 10:30am.   "Unitarian Universalists follow the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in envisioning a ‘beloved community’ where love unites and frees us. On this day every year we celebrate the life and work of Dr. King and re-dedicate ourselves to the version of the American dream he articulated. This year, the holiday comes as protests and violence dominate our national attention, begging the questions: How does this moment compare to the civil rights movement led by Dr. King? What lessons and inspiration can we take from Dr. King to help us today?” Zoom Invitation for Sunday Service: Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 402489218 One tap mobile +16468769923,,402489218# Phone - audio only +1 646 876 9923 Upcoming Services   January 18: Martin Luther King   In Case You Missed It... Many past sermons are available on our website under Sermon Videos and Archives.  In order to access any services 2024 on, go to the website and click on Worship, then Sunday Services.  Minister’s Column: "Renee Nicole Good" The death of Renee Good this week, shot at the wheel of her own car by an ICE agent, feels like a turning point in the story of our country. It represents a whole new level of violence on the part of government agents, and a new level of danger for protesters and bystanders. This event certainly calls for protest and outrage and mourning—which is what we did on Saturday at the weekly Indivisible protest. In addition to marching with our signs as usual, we had a ceremonial coffin for Renee Good with flowers and candles. It gave us an outlet for our rage and grief. More...   Upcoming Events Most meetings and events are hybrid (in-person/Zoom). Please contact the event or meeting leader if you are not sure. Event and meeting details and links can be found on the UUFCM Calendar. A Joyful Noise Choir Rehearsal - Wednesdays at 7:00pm Central Michigan Sangha - Tuesdays at 6:45pm Crafty U - 3rd Tuesdays at 10:30am This Tuesday First Friday Potluck - First Fridays at 6:30pm Sleepy Time Yoga - 3rd Mondays at 6pm - THIS MONTH SUNDAY JANUARY 18 at 6:30pm Game Night - 3rd Mondays at 7pm - This Monday Movie Night - 4th Saturdays at 7pm  Readers Theater - 2nd Tuesdays at 7pm Returning April 14 UU Discussion Group - Wednesdays at 10am UUFCM Men’s Group - 1st Mondays at 7pm on Zoom Welcome to UU Orientation - last Sunday of the month at 12:00pm unless otherwise indicated  All members and friends are welcome to attend our UUFCM Board meeting as well as the various team meetings that occur monthly. If you are interested in attending any specific team meeting, please contact the team leader for information. Team Meetings Youth RE Team Meeting: January 18 at 3:30pm Worship Team  Meeting: January 22 at 4:30pm   Fellowship News Special Offering Collection – January 18 This Sunday a collection will be taken to supplement the minister’s discretionary fund which is used to respond to requests from people in the community who might need gas money, money to pay an electric bill, a night in a hotel, etc. You can donate online to this fund at our website or checks can be made out to UUFCM with “Discretionary Fund” indicated in the memo line, and sent to UUFCM Treasurer, P.O. Box 41, Mt. Pleasant, MI, 48804-0041.    Sleepy Time Yoga + Sound Bath by Victoria - Sunday, January 18 Join Kelly Lawson and Victoria Sladek for an evening of Yoga Nidra and Sound Bath 6:30-7:30 pm in the UU sanctuary. Bring a yoga mat, blankets, pillows, or anything to get cozy. The evening is donation-based, and all donations will go to the homeless shelter (ICRH).   The evening will begin with gentle movement before finding rest in Savasana (final resting pose) for a guided meditation. During the meditation, relax deeper with Victoria’s singing bowls!   Martin Luther King Jr. Peace March - This Monday, January 19 The annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Peace March will be held on Monday, January 19, and it will be great for us to have a large number of UUs marching behind our UUFCM banner! The march starts at 3:00pm at the Bovee University Center Rotunda and ends up at the downtown center. We will meet in front of the Art Gallery (next door to the University Center, near the corner of Preston and Franklin) at 2:50pm to line up behind our banner. Dress warm and come join us!  Game Night - Monday, January 19 at 7:00pm We meet on 3rd Mondays from 7-9pm in the UUFCM social hall and have fun with a variety of games decided by consensus. It is a great opportunity to learn new games and meet people with similar interests!  The Crafty U’s - Tuesday, January 20th at 10:30am Group meets in our fellowship hall on the third Tuesday of the month at 10:30am. It is an informal, drop-in group for anyone working on craft projects, especially fabric arts.  A Path to Membership   A Path to Membership class will be held on Saturday, January 31st from 1-4pm. Please contact Laura for further information. Her info is: 989.772.5512 or [email protected].  Annual All-Congregation Retreat:  “Feeling Connected in the Struggle”  Saturday, January 24, 2026  8:45 coffee 9:00 – 12:00 retreat 12:00 – 1:00 luncheon  Please join us for the annual UUFCM retreat, a chance for the whole congregation to reflect and connect. Our intention this year is to balance social connection and bonding with reflection on what is happening in the world and how it affects us. Movie Night - "Possession" Two modern day literature critics strangers to each other are researching different Victorian poets. Each discovers their respective poets exchanged love letters exposing an illicit affair. What happens next? Join us at the Fellowship Hall January 24th at 7:00 to find out.  Stay Informed for UUFCM Cancellations   When we decide to cancel or postpone a UUFCM event due to weather--as we did due to last Sunday's snowstorm--we use a cell phone app called Remind to make these announcements. In the case of Sunday morning worship, we make our decision by 8:30 am.  Downloading the Remind app to your phone and signing up just takes a few minutes. Stay informed and prepared this winter! View our full cancellation policy along with instructions for signing up on the Remind app here. Although the Remind app is the best way to stay informed, we also try to send an email and post an announcement on the website and social media. Save the Date for our Community Justice Party on February 21   You are all invited to our fifth bi-annual Community Justice Party on Saturday, February 21, 7-9 pm.  There will be a program in the sanctuary of music, skits, poetry, and a “Guess the Activist” contest highlighting several social justice issues, and then we will meet in the Fellowship Hall for light refreshments and a rousing cake walk!  This was a highlight event in 2024, so be sure to have it on your calendar!  Community News Let Voters Vote! LWVMI is hosting a panel discussion on January 21 at 7pm via Zoom to advocate for and educate the public about LET VOTERS VOTE! Why Proposed Documentary Proof of Citizenship is Needless Voter Suppression. Hear experts address: Security and Integrity of Voting Unnecessary Red Tape of documentary proof of citizenship Impact on Voters in Michigan and across the US Our panelists include: Christopher Thomas, former Michigan Director of Elections, who will focus on the Michigan perspective on citizen voting. Melanie Macey, Policy and Government Affairs Director at Promote the Vote, who will focus on ballot proposals in Michigan that would require documentary proof of citizenship. Valencia Richardson, Voting Rights attorney at the Campaign Legal Center, who will focus on the federal SAVE Act and the federal perspective. All are welcome. Register Here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ZfQFdcF4R32HB7MpzfaA5w Indivisible Protests Continue! Indivisible Central Michigan plans on continuing their weekly Saturday protests at the usual location (corner of Mission and Broadway). The time is 11:00-1:00.  In case of extreme weather, a cancellation email will be sent out by 10:00.  Email [email protected] to get on the email list. Facts on Petitions Donate Now! The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Michigan is funded solely by its members and friends. ​ For your convenience, you can make a donation electronically with the button below. Please consider the option of offsetting the cost to the Fellowship for providing the convenience of making an online donation. If you prefer not to donate electronically, you may also write a check payable to UUFCM and send it to: UUFCM, P.O. Box 41, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48804-0041 Got News? The deadline for submissions to the Order of Service Insert and the UUFCM weekly eNews is Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. Please send all submissions to [email protected]. Drew’s Contact Information Please contact Drew via email, phone, or text. [email protected]  Phone/text: 440-935-0129​ Office Hours    Tuesdays 10am-noon   Wednesdays 1-3pm and 8-9pm   UUFCM Board of Trustees for 2025-2026 President: Norma Bailey (989.560.3952; [email protected]) President-Elect: Guy Newland (989.944.0534; newla1g[email protected]) Treasurer: David Allan (989.941.7349; [email protected]) Secretary: Jennifer Davis (989.280.7010; [email protected]) Trustee: Annette Pratt (989.400.0173; [email protected]) Trustee: Jennifer Prout (989.400.3130; [email protected]) Trustee:  Matt Collins (616-617-2274; colli2mr@gmail.com) Team and Committee Leaders Adult Religious Education Team - Joyce Henricks Building, Grounds & Safety Team - Norma Bailey Caring Team - Laura McBride Communications Coordinating Team Annie Peters  Fellowship Life Coordinating Team - Laura McBride   Membership - Laura McBride   Welcome & Hospitality - Gisela Moffit   Social Fun - Jen Prout Social Justice Coordinating Team - Norma Bailey Worship Team - Drew Frantz Youth Religious Education (RE) Team - Norma Bailey We are a religious community guided by love, transforming our lives and our world. 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