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Sunday Morning Service & Religious Education at 10:30am
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April 8
"Faithful Doubt" “Doubt isn't the opposite of faith; it is an element of faith,” according to Christian theologian Paul Tillich. Can we Unitarian Universalists “cherish [our] doubts” (as UU minister Robert T. Weston put it) without making an idol of them? Rev. Connie Grant speaking.
Upcoming Services
Children's Circle - Project Box
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The UUFoM Board held a brief business meeting on March 27. The financial report was reviewed and minutes were approved. June 3 was selected as the date for a special congregational meeting to consider proposed amendments to the UUFoM By-Laws. The remaining business was deferred until April while the board members could spend an hour with the Rev. Thandeka exploring Board Service as a spiritual practice.
The next UUFoM Board Meeting will be Tuesday, April 24 at the Fellowship. Any member of the Fellowship is welcome to attend. On the agenda will be selection of our delegates to the UUA General Assembly in Kansas City, Missouri June 21-24. Anyone can attend GA and participate in the wide array of workshop and worship opportunities. If you are 35 or younger, the youth and young adult caucuses are an exciting way to connect with others and experience the UUGA community. To be selected as a delegate you must be a member of the Fellowship and available to attend the plenary sessions where the business of the Unitarian Universalist Association is conducted. For more information visit uua.org/ga. If you are interested in serving as a delegate contact Sara Clavez, [email protected], or look for her on Sunday morning.
Recommendations for Midwest Leadership School July 15-21 will also be made at the April Board Meeting. Leadership School is a week-long intensive study of organizational development, UU history, theology, worship, and personal beliefs. It is designed to strengthen the skills of UU leaders. For more info go to https://www.mwls.org/. If you are interested in attending contact Sara Clavez, [email protected],.
Your 2018 Board:
Sara Clavez, President
Sarah Schulz, President-Elect
Vicki Rothhaar, Treasurer
Andy Salogar, Secretary
Kevin King, At-Large
Jill Haver-Crissman, At-Large
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Upcoming Services - Sunday at 10:30 AM
April 15
"Climate Change: Will There Be Enough Love?" We understand the science, but how will humanity respond to overwhelming stresses if we continue business as usual? Jim Crissman speaking. Jim is a scientist, a writer, leader of the Midland chapter of Citizens' Climate Lobby, and a long-time member of the congregation.
April 22
"Celebrating Earth Day" A musical celebration of Earth Day with the UUFOM choir, directed by Andrew Schulz. A multigenerational service.
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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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THE SERENDIPITY AUCTION
BRINGS YOU
GRECO-ROMAN NIGHT
SATURDAY, APRIL 28
6:00 PM
THIS IS OUR BIGGEST FUNDRAISER
AND OUR BEST PARTY
OF THE YEAR.
SO BREAK OUT YOUR TOGAS
DUST OFF YOUR LATIN
AND
CARPE DIEM!
REMEMBER THE IMMORTAL WORDS OF THE GREAT CAESAR:
IF YOU DON’T VENI AND VIDI, YOU CAN’T VICI!
Click here to sign up to attend the 2018 Serendipity Auction on April 28
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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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Protecting Our Environment - City Forest Clean-Up Walk April 22
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Following the service on Earth Day, April 22, please join us for a clean-up walk in the Midland City Forest. We’ll meet 1:00 PM at the main MCF parking lot on Monroe Rd, 1/2 mile west of Eastman Rd. There isn’t a lot of trash, so a grocery bag will be plenty for collection of the odd piece of litter. But there is a lot of trail—8 miles of 2-track and 14 miles of single track—so, depending on turnout, we will divide and conquer what we can. If there are enough of us, including a few willing to move heavy stuff, there are a few old bridge sections left in the woods along the singletrack when newer bridges were installed, and I’d love to get these out. I’ll bring tractor and trailer and other tools to get this done if we have the people. Anybody who can walk more than a mile will enjoy this outing. Dress for the weather, bring a snack, a water bottle, sturdy shoes, and gloves. I’ll provide trail maps and grocery bags. RSVP to Jim Crissman at [email protected].
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"Living Our Values" Update
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Do you have a passion for racial justice? The Living Our Values organizing team needs a fourth member to help UUFOM focus awareness and efforts in this area.
UUFoM’s strategic plan, adopted in 2016, includes “Living Our Values (Service and Advocacy)” as one of three strategic directions for the congregation, as follows:
As a Fellowship, and as individuals, when we are filled with love, that love overflows in service to building a better world today and for the future. We offer our members opportunities to enrich their lives through service and advocacy in targeted issue areas important to our Fellowship because they respond to the needs of our community and fulfill our commitment to the Unitarian Universalist Principles.
In addition to Racial Justice, identified areas of focus (with organizing team leads) are Homelessness (Amy Rogers), Protecting our Environment (Jim Crissman), and LGBT rights (Jacob Guettler).
The team’s role is to help organize social justice efforts at UUFoM in ways that will be more visible in the congregation and the larger community, considering ways to get involved as a congregation in projects that are already going on (and that some congregants may already be doing), as well as multiple ways to involve congregants depending on their own abilities and passions.
If you are interested in becoming one of the four members of the organizing team, representing Racial Justice, please contact Rev. Connie Grant at [email protected].
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PERSONAL CONNECTION AND
DEVELOPMENT
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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.
~ UUFOM Engagement Team
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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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There are many ways UUFoM congregants help each other. Your community of love and acceptance offers a spiritual home, and also offers practical assistance for those who need help. You look out for each other and offer a ride or a meal when you become aware of those needs. The volunteer list maintained by the Pastoral Care Team helps to match those who can help with those who need help.
To volunteer, fill out the form online.
Sometimes, members of the UUFoM community have emergency financial needs, to pay a utility bill, buy groceries, or cover a car repair or other critical expense. The Minister’s Discretionary Fund was established so that members of the congregation can help others in need by donating to the fund, which is then available for the minister to disburse.
The fund is maintained separately from the main UUFOM accounts. It is not part of the overall UUFoM budget,and is supported only by direct contributions. Having an independent account means that recipients of assistance are known only to the minister, and means that the minister can immediately write a check from the account (directly to a utility company or other provider when possible) to meet an emergency need. (This also means that donations to the fund are not tax-deductible, since the fund itself does not have 501(c)(3) status.)
The current account has passed from minister to minister since 1999, and has been well-used over the years. The balance of course fluctuates, and the fund is currently in need of replenishment after responding to recent needs of several congregants. Further needs are expected as congregants face crises.
The minister maintains an overview of needs in the congregation, and uses judgment to make equitable and appropriate distribution. The only restriction on use of the fund is that it is not to be used for the benefit of the minister or the minister’s family. If you or someone you know has an emergency need for financial assistance, please let me know.
If you wish to make a donation to the fund, please make a check payable to Minister’s Discretionary Fund and give it to Rev. Connie Grant. If you have gift cards for groceries, restaurants, or gasoline that you would like to donate so they can be given to those in need, those would also be welcome.
In faith and hope,
Connie
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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. Our final discussion, on "Spiritual Teachings of Earth-Centered Traditions," will be held on Tuesday, April 17 at 7pm.
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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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| 04/08 |
10:30 AM |
Sunday Service |
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10:30 AM |
Children's Circle |
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11:30 AM |
Religious Education Open Discussion |
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7 PM |
AA Meeting |
| 04/09 |
7 PM |
Lifespan Religious Education Team Meeting |
| 04/10 |
11:30 AM |
Staff Meeting |
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6:30 PM |
Improv Group Rehearsal |
| 04/11 |
5:30 PM |
Three Jewels Sangha |
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7 PM |
Choir Rehearsal |
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8 PM |
AA Meeting |
| 04/13 |
7:30 AM |
Pasty Making begins |
Calendar
Reserve a space.
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Pastoral Care Ministry Team
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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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