May 5
“Not For Ourselves Alone”  Each of us is called throughout life to be and to act in certain ways. What have been your callings? Come learn about ministerial candidate Eric Severson’s vision of ministry and share your own. To what things, great or small, might we be called together? Eric Severson speaking.

Notice of Congregational Meeting – May 5, 2019

A special business meeting of the congregation on Sunday, May 5, 2019 at 12:00 noon.  At this meeting, the congregation will vote on whether to call the Ministerial Search Committee’s recommended candidate to be our next settled minister.  

Per our Bylaws, a quorum of 40% of members is required for this meeting, and an 80% majority of those present (including proxy votes) is required to call a minister.  Those who have been members for a minimum of 45 days are eligible to vote.

A member may issue a general or limited proxy for use at a meeting of the Fellowship.  No person will be entitled to vote more than one proxy, proxies will be in writing and filed with the Board Secretary before being exercised, and only members may be named as proxies. 

Sarah Schulz, President, Board of Directors

Join us for food, fun, fellowship, and bidding on nearly 100 auction items!

Check out the offerings here:  2019 Serendipity Auction Booklet

Sign up to attend and/or volunteer on the sign-up table opposite the bathrooms.  Choose your potluck contribution by writing your name on an object in the star galaxy and recording its number on the sign-up page.

Donated auction items should be dropped off at UUFoM during these time frames:
Thursday, May 2, 7:00-8:30pm
Saturday, May 4, 12:00-2:00pm

The big night is THIS Saturday, May 4 at 6:00pm
(bring food items at 5:30pm).

Yub Nub!  See you there!

We hope you will sign up to attend a Cottage Meeting . You must sign up for a Cottage Meeting by contacting Maxine Guettler at 989-492-4413.

Cottage Meetings
Thursday, May 2, 7:30-9:00pm - Shannon Sonoras & Simon Cook's House
Friday, May 3, 2:00-3:30pm - Linda Rector's House


Eric will be preaching on Sunday, May 5, and there will be additional opportunities to meet him and his wife, Ellen, during the Serendipity Auction on Saturday, May 4.

Following the service on Sunday, May 5, there will be a Congregational Meeting to vote on calling Eric as our next settled minister. 

May 18, 8:30am, Eastman Road Area TBD

The Midland Business Alliance is  coordinating Midland Blooms, an annual beautification project for the community.  Midland Blooms is in its 30^th year and involves over 500 community volunteers to make it happen.  As in years past, we will be planting on both sides of Eastman Ave. for a two-and-a-half mile stretch.  

Mary Johnson is coordinating the effort for UUFoM.  Eight to ten volunteers are needed.  Mary will have sign-up sheets at the Fellowship, along with more information, if you are interested in signing up. 

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 Friday, May 10.  We’ll start around 1:00pm and work until we’re all tired and hungry, which is usually around 5:00pm.  We have inside jobs (cleaning & organizing) and outside jobs, repairs and some simple improvements to do, and a great need for weeding.  Please bring yourselves, rakes, shovels, a dandelion digger, pruning shears, gloves, a hat, and anything else you think might be needed.  Don't forget your sunscreen!  This is a great opportunity to get to know your fellow UUs!  Please contact Luis Mulford if you’d like to add something to the job list.

Saturday, May 11, 1:30 – 3:30pm

Do you have a sermon in you?  Would you like some help to get it out?

It’s been said that every person has at least one sermon in them!  Explore the possibilities in this workshop sponsored by the Worship Team and led by Rev. Connie Grant.  We are hoping to spark some ideas and to offer some tools to help you develop your thoughts and experiences into a sermon proposal.  There are open slots in our worship schedule for June, July, and August, available for lay-led services.  You don’t have to commit to actually doing a service in order to attend the workshop!  Please contact Sarah Nuss-Warren or Rev. Connie Grant with any questions.  Whether or not you participated in Part 1 in April, please attend!  Register here by May 8.
 

Friday, May 17, 6:30 – 9:00pm at UUFoM
 
An interactive presentation and panel discussion.  Amy McDonald, an outpatient therapist at Family & Children’s Services who specializes in LGBTQ issues, will talk about some terms and provide education in a presentation full of humor, grace, and support. After the presentation there will be a panel discussion with members of the Tri-Cities transgender and gender non-conforming community. 
 
A petition with 22 member signatures has been presented to the Board to hold a congregational meeting to vote on a Statement of Advocacy as follows:
 

We affirm the full inclusion and participation of people of all genders in our religious community and in society at large.

UUFoM & You 
Saturday, May 18 9:00am-12:00pm

How do people of diverse beliefs become part of one congregation?  “UUFoM & You,” led by Rev. Connie Grant and representatives of the Welcome and Engagement Teams will be held on Saturday, May 18 9:00am-12:00pm.

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 on the Events bulletin board.  This event will be held if six people are registered by Wednesday, May, 14.
 

The Midland County Emergency Food Pantry Network is a cooperative effort of area churches and other organizations to provide food and supplies to people in Midland County who have emergency needs and are living near or below the Federal poverty level income guidelines. 

At UUFoM, we collect donations on an ongoing basis.  Bring your donations with you when you come to the Fellowship and place them in one of the bins in the UUFoM Donation Center outside the sanctuary, and we will transport them to the Food Pantry. Non-perishable foods, self-care items, paper products and cleaning supplies are accepted.  The Food Pantry is unable to accept any types of medication, including vitamins and over the counter medications. 

Scott delivered five items to the food pantry on Sunday.  In the past, we have donated hundreds of items a month.  Please check your pantries for any unopened food items that can be donated.  

UUFoM can receive $1.00 each for recyclable empty ink cartridges. Not all cartridge types are eligible, but please bring to the Fellowship any empty cartridges you have and they will be turned in, with a credit then being issued to the UUFoM for eligible cartridges. Ineligible cartridges will be properly disposed of. This is an on-going collection effort that in the past was facilitated by RG Converse. Please bring in empty cartridges and deposit them in the labeled collection bin in the UUFoM Donation Center outside the sanctuary. If you are allowed to collect empty ink cartridges from your workplace this can greatly increase our return.