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What if life is not a problem to be solved, but a mystery to be lived?
~ Prof. Emil Homerin, University of Rochester
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Worship Matters
This Sunday morning, December 2, we will begin our exploration of what it means to be a people of mystery with a message from our minister titled “Wondering and Wandering” – we hope you will join us!
“To stay awake, past the moment of speechlessness to speaking, past the moment of terror or beauty, which comes in a flash and then fades. To stay awake, open eyes and open heart, open mind and hands, and somehow shift amazement into art, into music, into stories of hope, stories of outrage, resolutions, revolutions, legislation. To make amazement into sacrament and holy scripture—something useful and generous and real—that is the holy work. To make wonder into something real, to make it the source of all your commitments, the reason behind every action.” ~ Victoria Safford
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) can be found in our website sermon archive.
Upcoming Services
December Theme: What Does It Mean to Be a People of Mystery?
December 9: “When God Had a Body” + Dedication of UUFCM Tree of Remembrance
December 16: “Festivals of Light” – a multigenerational celebration
December 23: “The Gift of Threshold Moments”
December 24: @ 7:00 p.m. “Carols by Candlelight”
December 30: “The Burning Bowl”
Please Lock the Door Behind You!
If you are the ever the last person to leave the building, please be sure that the Wisconsin door is locked. The door was discovered recently – yet again unlocked - with nobody in the building! Again…please - if you are in charge of a group using the building for an activity or you happen to stop by on an errand - remember to lock the door as you exit. Thank you.
Christmas Outreach - December 7 & 8
Volunteers are needed to sign up for 2-hour periods on Friday, December 7 and Saturday, December 8, to help distribute books to parents giving books to children. One volunteer per slot would be good. You don't have to know anything about kids' books to volunteer–the books will be arranged by age and most parents will know what their children would like.
Time slots are:
Friday: 9-11, 11-1, 1-3, and 3-5
Saturday: 9-11, 11-1, 1-3, and 3-4:30
There will be a sign-up sheet in the book box in the Social Hall, or you can email Beth Macleod at beth.macleod@cmich.edu. Thanks in advance!
First Friday Potluck - December 7
Tom and Gisela Moffit will be hosting, with the theme of Memorable Dishes - your favorite from childhood, college days, your grandmother’s favorite recipe, etc. The potluck begins at 6:30 p.m. - helping hands are welcome at 6:15 p.m. to assist with set-up preparations. We will also be celebrating the December birthdays of Donna Giuliani, Matt Cavalieri, Aaron Jones, Chris Swier, Laura Frey, Sally van Cise, and Christopher Harris.
Tree of Remembrance Dedication - December 9
During our worship service on Sunday, December 9, we will formally dedicate our “Tree of Remembrance” that was installed in our welcome lobby this fall. This artwork was commissioned by the UUFCM Board of Trustees to stand as a memorial to our members and friends of the Fellowship who have died – the tree when fully completed will have leaves attached that bear the names of those who have passed. We have invited their family members to join us in the celebration, and we will also live-stream the dedication for those who are unable to attend.
Holiday Tea & Sweets - December 9
Please sign up to bring a sweet treat (cookies, cake, bar cookies, candies, etc.) to enjoy with several teas, coffee, and cocoa on Sunday, December 9. Sign-up sheets will be available in the social hall this Sunday. This year the tea will be held in the Library Annex to give us more room for our gathering, so bring your platter to the Annex before the service. If you have any questions, contact Jen Prout (989-400-3130; poutyprouty66@yahoo.com).
Calendar Updates
Sewing Circle will meet on Monday, December 10 only this month.
Men's Group will meet on Monday, December 10, rather than on the 17th.
RE Caroling - December 16
On Sunday, December 16th at 12:45 p.m., the RE team will be leading a group of kiddos and those young at heart to carol at Green Acres of Mt. Pleasant. Carolers will meet at the Church at 12:45 p.m. before heading over to the assisted living facility to give a casual singing performance for the residents. Transportation can be provided for any carolers who need a ride. If you or your child is interested in singing some holiday tunes for the residents at Green Acres, please contact Kendra at re.uufcm@gmail.com.
Year End Donations
Your Social Justice Coordinating Team would like to suggest that your donations in the holiday and end-of-year giving season be given to meet local, national, and global needs with a focus on advocacy for change locally, nationally, and internationally for global justice and peace. We believe that our donations should not only provide balm for the wounds of injustice but also should change the conditions that create injustice and poverty. We have created a document with further information and some suggested organizations that support justice.
Save the Date!
Be sure to put Saturday, January 26, on your calendar for our annual all-congregation retreat. While always a valuable gathering, this year it will be particularly important as we gather to discuss our future.
Many Thanks for Harvest Feast 2018!
Our annual Thanksgiving “Harvest Feast” celebration was a wonderful highlight of the year. We served about 70 people...and could have served even more as we had an abundance of food. We want to thank all those who provided delicious dishes: salads, fruits, casseroles, hot vegetables, sweet potatoes, vegetarian and vegan dishes, turkey, gravy, dressing, bread, rolls…and pies, cakes and cookies!
Another thank you to all the volunteers who happily set up on Saturday, came early on Sunday to organize the dishes and stayed after the feast to clean up. Kudos also to our youth – Abi Bailey and Tanyth Bass who served as Masters of Ceremonies, Jolie Damer-Daigle and Cynthia Damer who played violin duets, and Alexis Calhoun and Quinn Pelcher who entertained us with their Knock Knock jokes. We also appreciate our younger youth who had an overnight at the church on Saturday and made stone soup, bread, and butter, led by our RE Director Kendra Peffers and supported by Karlee Liles, Cynthia Damer and Norma Bailey. Last, but by no means least, a tremendous thank you to Jen Prout and Kris Los who oversaw the entire operation and worked almost all shifts! We couldn’t have done it without you both!
It is at times like this that we experience the abundance of talent and generosity in our community. The friendship found in this community of faith gives special meaning to Thanksgiving.
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• • • Community News • • •
Interfaith Peace Service and Pot Luck Dinner - Sunday, December 2
This coming Sunday, December 2 there will be an Interfaith Peace Service and Potluck dinner hosted by the CMU Muslim Students Association and Wesley at CMU starting at 4:30 p.m. at the Wesley Center, 1400 S. Washington on campus.
“Come together to speak and pray for peace. We will share ways in which our world has not seen peace, and then signs of hope where peace abounds. Those attending will have a chance to share their own experiences. We will enjoy a pot luck meal after our service; bring a dish to pass if you are able (if not, please join us anyway).”
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A mystic is anyone who has the gnawing suspicion that the apparent discord, brokenness, contradictions, and discontinuities that assault us every day
might conceal a hidden unity.
~ Rabbi Lawrence Kushner
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Got News?
The deadline for submissions to
the Order of Service Insert and the UUFCM weekly e-News
is Wednesday at 5:00 p.m.
Please send all submissions to admin@uufcm.org.
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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.
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UUFCM Board of Trustees for 2018-2019
President: Mary Alsager (989.773.2595; malsager@yahoo.com)
Past-President: Norma Bailey (989.560.3952; baile1nj@cmich.edu)
President Elect: Carol Rard (989.561.2969; cprard@gmail.com)
Treasurer: Terrie Robbie (989.400.2495; tlrobbie1@gmail.com)
Co-Treasurer: Jen Prout (989.400.3130; poutyprouty66@yahoo.com)
Secretary: Brigitte Bechtold (989.954.1123; becht1bh@cmich.edu)
Trustee: Janis Shinn (989.400.3724; janis_shinn@yahoo.com)
Trustee: Aaron Jones (989.501.0672; jones3aj@cmich.edu)
Trustee: Carolyn Hancock (517.881.6006; hancock60@yahoo.com)
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We are a
religious community
guided by love,
transforming our lives
and our world.
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