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Sunday Morning Service & Religious Education at 10:30am
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April 1
“Imagine: Love Beyond Belief” Let’s explore how our faith as Unitarian Universalists gives us the fortitude, stamina, and courage to practice what we preach: love beyond belief. Guest speaker Rev. Dr. Thandeka is a Unitarian Universalist theologian, minister, and congregational consultant.
Upcoming Services
Children's Circle - Food Art Gallery and Project Box
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Hospitality Groups - Update
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You've seen the faces, shaken the hands, and eaten the snacks. Our 2018 debut of Hospitality Groups is a success! Sure, there's a learning curve, but the intention behind this community-wide endeavor is now a reality. We are coming together with a group of specified members to serve our beloved UUFOM family - often in ways we've never served before. And with this cooperation, we are building friendships and reinforcing bonds in this spiritual home we share. In other words, we are actively participating in the strategic goals we made for ourselves. Updated Hospitality Group assignments, effective April 1, are posted on the Connection and Exploration bulletin board near the office. Don’t see your name and would like to be in a Hospitality Group? Contact Shannon Sonoras at [email protected] or 989-708-5348. NOTE: The Oak Hospitality Group begins on Sunday, April 1.
~ UUFOM Engagement Team
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Love Beyond Belief™: Practicing the Heart of our Unitarian Universalist Faith
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 A spiritual vitality workshop for the congregation, led by Rev. Dr. Thandeka, renowned Unitarian Universalist theologian, minister, and congregational consultant. Friday March 30 – Saturday March 31
Love Beyond Belief™ is a spiritual practice for insight, reflection, and action guided by compassion. Each step begins with the discovery of connections that create awe, care, and joy. The discoveries heal broken hearts, mend injured souls, and calm restless minds because unconditional love is felt.
The 2005 Commission on Appraisal Report, “Engaging Our Theological Diversity,” found that “almost universally among UUs, personal experience is considered the most important source of religious conviction.” Using our personal experience, this weekend workshop is designed for us to develop a deeper sense of who we are as Unitarian Universalists and gain an expanded sense of what we can do together.
The goals of this workshop are to deepen our spiritual practice, expand our theological understanding of the UU tradition, and strengthen our commitment and spiritual ability to create communities of lovingkindness that heal and transform the world.
Friday , March 30
6:30 – 9:30 pm Part I Building a foundation for a Unitarian Universalist theology of personal experience
Saturday, March 31
9:45 am Coffee and tea
10:00 am – noon Part II Creating a common vocabulary for a Unitarian Universalist theology of personal experience
12:00 – 12:30 pm lunch
12:30 – 3:30 pm Part III Practicing a Unitarian Universalist theology of personal experience
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 FOOD ART GALLERY
April 1 - After the Service
CALLING ALL MEMBERS WHO LIKE FOOD AND ART!
WE NEED YOU!
The UUFoM Youth Group will host a Food Art Gallery after the service on April 1. EVERYONE is invited to make an edible food sculpture for the Gallery. The congregants will be able to buy tickets to vote for the pieces. The piece of art which receives the most votes will win! Sculptures will also be auctioned (silently) for congregational consumption. There will be additional items for fun purchase and take home. All funds raised will go to the Humane Society of Midland which runs the Midland Animal Shelter.
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We need help in the kitchen on Friday, April 13 and Saturday, April 14 to prepare pasties for the Pasty Sale. Responsibilities include cutting vegetables, blending the filling mixture, making crust, assembling the pasties, timing the pasties in the ovens, wrapping finished pasties, doing dishes and cleaning the kitchen among other jobs. Six or more per shift will work out well. Sign up by clicking here, sending an email to [email protected] or sign up on the sheet at the Fellowship.
In the past, this fundraiser has been successful in part because the ingredients and supplies have been donated.
Please have all ingredients to the Fellowship kitchen by Sunday, April 8 with the exception of the ground beef and pork. The ground meat (FRESH – NOT FROZEN) should be at the Fellowship in the refrigerator by Friday, April 13.
You can sign up here for your donation, email [email protected], or sign up on the sheet at the Fellowship. Please fill in the date when you deliver items to the kitchen or email [email protected].
We will be having a Pasty Fundraiser! Click here to place your order or sign up at the Fellowship for a Traditional (beef and pork mix) or a Vegetarian (lentils with olive and sesame seed oil) Pasty, or both! Cost: $5 each
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Tempus Fugit!!
UUFoM Auction Deadline Extended
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Elementary Earth Day Overnight
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Friday, April 20- Saturday, April 21
We are having an Elementary Overnight in the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Midland on April 20 for children in 2nd grade or older! Youth will be assisting in making this extra fun! See Paula Bauer or Heather Cleland-Host (Director of Religious Education) if you are interested. More details to come!
Note: April 21 is the Earth Day festivities at Midland Center for the Arts and the Chippewa Nature Center. So we will be finishing early enough for everyone to go and enjoy the fun!
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How do people of diverse beliefs become part of one congregation? “UUFOM and You,” led by Rev. Connie Grant, Linda Rector, Judy Donahue, and Sara Clavez, will be held on Saturday, April 28, 9AM - 12PM.
If you think you have found a spiritual home at UUFOM and are ready to consider becoming a member, or if you are already a member and want to know more, please come! Register here or contact Rev. Connie Grant at [email protected].
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It’s time for our annual spring cleaning and meet-the-earth ritual of pulling weeds, removing brush, throwing away trash, cleaning up indoors, and making our UU Fellowship building and grounds look smashing.
Please plan to come and work alongside your fellow UUs on Saturday, May 5 (this is a change from what some of you were told). We’ll start around 9 AM and work until we’re all tired and hungry, which is usually around 1pm. We have inside jobs (cleaning & organizing) and outside jobs, repairs and some simple improvements to do, and a great need for dirt-to-your-elbows weeding. Please bring yourselves, rakes, shovels, a dandelion digger, pruning shears, gloves, a hat, and anything else you think might be needed. This is a great opportunity to get to know your fellow UUs! Please contact Tim Wagner if you’d like to add something to the job list.
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Collection for Midland Emergency Food Pantry Network
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On an ongoing basis, we collect canned goods and other non-perishable items for the Midland Emergency Food Pantry Network (EFPN). The EFPN helps many people in Midland County. Here are some of the ways they have helped recently:
- A family living in a hotel had not eaten in 1.5 days. They were desperate for some food. They were helped that day.
- A young parent with 4 children is undergoing treatment out of town for cancer. Doctors are hopeful the treatment will work. EFPN provided them food for the trip as they had depleted all their resources.
- A recipient at one of the pantries was overwhelmed with emotion because of the amount of food they received.
- A father needed Ensure to help gain his weight back after having chemo treatments.
- A mother with a sick child used her food stamps to buy food that her sick child would eat. She did not have enough money to buy more food for the rest of the family.
During the month of March, we collected small items for Shelterhouse. Shelterhouse provides safe houses, shelter, advocates, counseling and more (all free of charge) to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Midland and Gladwin counties.
Drop off your donations in the bin at our new UUFoM Donation Center located across from the office door.
April's Focus - "Protecting Our Environment" More information in next week's newsletter.
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PERSONAL CONNECTION AND
DEVELOPMENT
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If you are interested in joining a group, watch for Covenant Group registration information in April.
A Covenant Group is a small relational group made up of six to twelve people who meet regularly on an ongoing basis for their own spiritual growth and for connection with each other and with the Fellowship. Covenant Group members share what going on in their lives and explore a topic of mutual interest, within a structured format and a covenant for their own group’s relationship and interaction.
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Wednesdays
Tea in the Emerson Room at 5:30
Meditation in the Meditation Room at 6pm
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A Chosen Faith Discussion Group
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An exploration of sources from which Unitarian Universalism draws, based on A Chosen Faith: An Introduction to Unitarian Universalism by John Buehrens and Forrest Church. Suitable for longtime members as well as those who may be new to Unitarian Universalism, led by Rev. Connie Grant.
7:00 – 8:30 pm.
Tuesday, Apr 17: Spiritual teachings of Earth-centered traditions
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Key Access to UUFoM - More Information
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Re-keying has been delayed, and will be scheduled as soon as the locksmith obtains necessary key blanks.
A list of keyholders can be found under the password-protected section of the UUFOM website here. If you feel you need a key but are not on the list, you may submit a key request form and fill out and return the completed form to the rack outside the Fellowship Office. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].
Our Sexton, Sandy Hay, will announce hours when keys can be picked up.
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Our website is currently being updated. If you have any questions, please contact Wendy - [email protected].
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| 03/30 |
6 PM |
Love Beyond Belief™ Part 1 |
| 03/31 |
9:45 AM |
Love Beyond Belief™ Part 2 |
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7 PM |
CUUPS Blue Moon Ritual |
| 04/01 |
10:30 AM |
Sunday Service - "Imagine: Love Beyond Belief" |
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10:30 AM |
Children's Circle - Project Box |
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10:30 AM |
Jedi Academy |
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11:30 AM |
Food Art Gallery (Youth Group) |
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7 PM |
AA Meeting |
| 04/03 |
6:30 PM |
Engagement Team Meeting |
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6:30 PM |
Improv Group Rehearsal |
| 04/04 |
5:30 PM |
Three Jewels Sangha |
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7 PM |
Choir Rehearsal |
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8 PM |
AA Meeting |
Calendar
Reserve a space.
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Pastoral Care Ministry Team
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March contact:
Gisela Bailey 989-708-1344
April contact:
Evelyn Lipowitz 989-631-0119
Our Pastoral Care Ministry Team is here for you. We can provide a meal, a ride, some respite or a supportive ear and a cup of coffee.
We maintain a volunteer list where you can identify ways to help a fellowship member in need. Please click here to fill out the Pastoral Care Volunteer Form online.
Joys & Sorrows of the congregation are available to members and friends on our website.
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The Weekly Candle Flame is published each Friday. Submission deadline is Monday for Friday publication. Please send submissions to Wendy Altmeier, Office Assistant, using only this address [email protected].
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Fellowship Office Hours
Monday 10am-1pm
Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday 9am-3pm
[email protected]
Rev. Connie Grant
Interim Minister
Office Hours
Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday 11am-3pm or by appointment
[email protected]
(847) 840-8542
In case of a pastoral emergency, call anytime
Wendy Altmeier
Office Assistant
Office Hours
Monday 10am-1pm
Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 8:30am-1pm
[email protected]
989-631-1162
Heather Cleland-Host
Director of Religious Education
Office Hours
Tues. & Thurs. 10am-12pm or by appointment
[email protected]
Sandy Hay
Sexton
[email protected]
(918) 698-0311
In case of building emergency, call anytime
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March 30, 2018 
