So I have spent almost all the daylight hours in the open air.”
~
Nathaniel Hawthorne, 10th October ,
1842
UUFCM Cottage Meetings
Transition Team announces cottage meetings to begin our interim work
We are now ready for the first of two rounds of "cottage meetings" to understand our past and present as the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Michigan (UUFCM) and to contemplate our future. Our goal is to include as many member voices as possible in discussing who and where we have been, who and where we are now, and who and where we want to be in the future.
For our first round, we have established five "cottage meetings," informal gatherings of 8-10 members, each facilitated by two of the members of the Transition Team, to gather our stories of why we came to the UUFCM, why we continue to come, what the role of the fellowship is in our lives, and what our involvement is with the fellowship.
The dates and places of the gatherings are:
Sunday, October 20, 4:00 - 6:00 pm - home of Justin and Niki Henry
Sunday, October 20, 7:00 - 9:00 pm - home of Scott Daigle and Cynthia Damer
Tuesday, October 22, 7:00 - 9:00 pm - home of Beth and David Macleod
Friday, October 25, 7:00 - 9:00 pm - home of Gisela and Tom Moffit
Saturday, October 26, 1:30 - 3:30 pm - home of Laura McBride
We are inviting all members to sign up for one of the five gatherings. We will have sign-up sheets available on Sunday mornings, October 6, 13, and 20, or you can contact Norma Bailey (989-560-3952 or [email protected]) to sign up. If you have questions about the goals and/or the process for the cottage meetings, you can contact Reverend Joe (989-400-4933 or [email protected]) or any member of the Transition Team (Norma Bailey,Jim Dealing, Laura Frey, Joyce Henricks).
If you are not a member and wish to take part in these conversations, we welcome your participation.
Please contact either Joe or Norma.
Movie Night
Movie Night is every second Saturday at 7 p.m. at the UU Center. The movie for Saturday, October 12th is “Queen to Play”. A hotel maid (Sandra Bonnaire) sees a couple playing chess. In her effort to learn to play - with some help from her employer (Kevin Kline) - she changes profoundly how she sees herself and how she is seen by those around her. Contact Jim Dealing with any questions - [email protected] or (989) 772-0269.
Youthful Noise!
The children's choir, Youthful Noise, will be performing this Sunday for a noisy collection to benefit the Peace Pole project. Be sure to bring some change!
Sunday Worship
The sermon for October 13th is “Bring Many Names: Exploring God”. “Why do you go to the forest in search of the Divine? God lives in all, and abides with you too. As fragrance dwells in a flower, or reflection in a mirror, so the Divine dwells inside everything; seek therefore in your own heart.” ~ Tegh Bahadur
Planning for Silent Auction in Full Swing
On Saturday, October 19 at 7 p.m. we will have our biggest fundraising event of the year. It will be a fun-filled evening with lots of great items and services to bid on. There is no cover charge so bring your friends and relatives. Child care will be provided off site. If you want to bring your children, contact Norma Bailey ([email protected] or 560.3952) no later than Sunday, Oct. 13.
Please bring your items for the auction to the UU Center by Wednesday,
Oct. 16. If you bring them on Sunday, leave them in your car until after the service as we don’t have enough storage space earlier. Thank you for your understanding. If you have other questions, call Gisela at 772-1602 or email at [email protected].
Looking forward to another fun adventure!
Kids of all ages can enjoy the wonders of night time by visiting stations throughout the Visitor Center, exploring topics such as nocturnal insects and frogs and enjoying a few stories around a fire. Kids are encouraged to dress up as their favorite animal to win a prize.
Date: Saturday, October, 26
Time: Families will meet at the fellowship at 5:00 p.m. Carpooling is encouraged. Event takes place from 6-8:30 p.m. in Midland.
Admission: FREE!
Details: Parents and guardians are encouraged to attend this event, but arrangements can be made for children and youth who will not have an adult available. A sleepover at the fellowship for kindergarten through third grade children will begin when the group returns from Midland. Please contact Norma Bailey or Cynthia Damer if you need more information or have any questions.
How to Reach Rev. Joe
The best way to reach Rev. Joe is by email at [email protected] or by calling our Fellowship's office number: 989-400-4933. If your concern is more urgent, you can call or text Rev. Joe directly at 989-941-6013.
Available Upon Request!
In It's Own Time: Forgiveness as a Spiritual Practice by Rev. Maureen Killoran is available upon request from Laura McBride. Laura contacted Rev. Killoran who is allowing the sermon to be shared electronically. Contact Laura McBride with your request and she will email it to you soon! Laura's edress is [email protected].
Food Collection
Thanks to all for the generous donations to the Food Pantry last Sunday. As always, the volunteers at the Pantry are appreciative of your efforts and local citizens can use all of the various items that were contributed. Start saving for the next collection - l
et's make the November 3rd donation the largest yet!
Consignments to Thrift shop
Just a reminder - The ICDC (Isabella Child Development Center) Thrift Shop (307 S. Mission) accepts donations and consignment articles for resale to the community. UUFCM has an account there where we get half of whatever is sold. All of the money earned by the store (save the business expenses) goes to the support of a free pre-school for qualified area youngsters. Your donations and/or consignments are appreciated. The store is open from 10-4 daily. See Tom Moffit for further details.
Searching for Hormonal Balance
If you attend services regularly, you may have noticed that the choir is a bit under -
represented by male voices. In the spirit of equality and Hank Graff, we are currently having a "push, pull, drag him in" event. If you know of anyone who might consider being dragged in, please have them join us on Wednesday evening at 7:00 or on Sunday morning at 9:45. If you enjoy singing in the car, in the shower, or at karaoke night please join us. If there are any questions, contact Chris Bauerle at 989-330-8457 or at [email protected].
••• Community Announcements •••
Soup & Substance Series
This series offers an opportunity for informed discussion on specific topics, complete with with free soup and rolls for attendees. For a complete schedule, click here.
Disability Awareness Public Expo
This Saturday, October 12 at the Education and Human Services building at CMU.
For complete information, see this flyer.
Indigenous Peoples' Day
This Monday, October 14, there will be a celebration of Indigenous Peoples' resistance of colonialism and the historical truths behind it. For complete information, see this flyer.
“falling leaves
hide the path
so quietly”
~ John Bailey, Autumn