We need help in the kitchen on Saturday, February 1, to prepare pasties for the Pasty Sale on Sunday, February 2. 

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. You can sign up here or 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 dry ingredients to the Fellowship kitchen by Sunday, January 26, with the exception of the ground beef and pork.  The ground meat (FRESH – NOT FROZEN) should be in the Fellowship refrigerator by Saturday, February 1.  You can sign up here or on the sheet at the Fellowship.  Please fill in the date when you deliver items to the kitchen. 

Click here to place your order or sign up in advance at the Fellowship to purchase traditional (beef and pork mix) or vegetarian (lentils with olive and sesame seed oil) pasties for $5 each!

***Waiting on approval from Tom Bailey***

You probably know we have an Endowment Fund?  It was established in 1995 from a donation by a member who thought such a fund should be established to further the financial health of our Fellowship. 
 
Since that time, donations have totaled just over $102,000, and expenditures in support of the Fellowship have exceeded $83,000.  The Endowment Committee manages the funds which are invested principally in index funds.  This past year, aided by a very strong stock market, it grew to a balance in excess of $228,000. 
 
Among other things, our Endowment Funds have been used over the years toward:

• Parking lot improvement project
• Carpet replacement in our sanctuary and foyer
• The barrier free entrance doors to the fellowship
• Playground equipment
• Additional chairs for the sanctuary
• And leadership and  other training for our members

 
The funds are invested and that provides for the growth which we can for use for various projects, but it was started from and grows even more quickly from the donations of our members.  These donations are encouraged and we want to emphasize that

1. We want to encourage everyone to think about and possibly participate in the Endowment Fund’s success.  Contributions of any size are encouraged and fully appreciated.
2. They don’t have to come from your will or a trust, meaning you don’t have to die to donate.
3. They don’t have to be huge, great big amounts, meaning you don’t have to be rich to donate.
4. They can be made at any time, meaning that any time is a good time to donate to the Endowment Fund.
5. They ARE tax deductible.
6. They can be made in direct donations of appreciated stocks for an additional tax benefit.
7. They can be made from Required Minimum Distributions from retirement funds, further sheltering income taxes.
8. AND speaking of taxes, it is income tax filing time and a donation to the endowment fund of a small portion of an income tax refund could be a great use of funds.

 
You can see any member of the committee (Jim Falendar, Tom Bailey, Roy Wedge, Karen Roth, or Judy Donahue) if you want to make a contribution, or simply drop a check or envelope in the collection plate or the box on the wall with a clear indication that it is for the Endowment Fund.
 
Tentatively, we are planning a luncheon, with a date to be determined, to provide answers to any questions you might have about the Endowment process and the fund itself.  We will ask for a donation of $1.00 (or more) from those that join us for lunch.   Stay tuned for more information as that date draws near.
 

Saturday, February 29, 6:30 PM (signup deadline is Feb 23)

Since the opportunity only happens once every four years, let’s celebrate Leap Day with an evening of fun, fellowship, and competition!  Both euchre and non-euchre players are welcome at our next Euchre/Game Night FUNdraiser, to be held on Saturday, February 29 at 6:30pm.  Sign yourself and your game-playing friends up soon.  Light snacks, drinks and dessert will be provided.  $10 per person--and for euchre players, make sure to bring quarters in case you get euchred!  Signup deadline is Sunday, February 23 for both game-players and childcare. If you have any questions, contact Janelle Dombek or Michaele Malecki. 

Sign Up Here!

If you do not have a UU t-shirt, or are ready to order a new one, Amy Rogers will be taking orders January 26 during the coffee hour.  Amy will have a sample t-shirt available along with price details.  Don’t miss this opportunity!  The t-shirts are a great way to promote the fellowship in the community.

The votes are in and the Engagement Team will be organizing circle dinners for April 18 and April 25.  The next step is to recruit hosts for the dinners.  There will be sign up sheets available during the coffee hour for the month of January, hosts only at this time.  Hosts are asked to pick one of the two dates and indicate the total number of people they can accommodate.  There will be a child friendly option.  Circle dinner sign up sheets will be available once the hosts have been identified.  Please remember, hosts are asked to provide the main course. Guests are asked to bring a dish to pass along with their own beverages. This is a great opportunity for lively conversation and new friendships!

UUFoM has delivered 51 items to the Food Pantry recently!  Thank you!

There are two hearing aid headphones available for use during Sunday services. If you would like to use one, please let an usher know at least five minutes before the service.

Wi-fi password for the Fellowship is yellowdeer807.  

 You can access the Member Directory on the password-protected Member section of the website.  The Member Directory contains names and contact information for all members and pledging friends.  Please notify the office if you need to change your information or you do not wish your information to appear in the online directory. 

The Weekly Candle Flame is published each Friday.  Submission deadline is Monday for Friday's publication.  Please send submissions to Wendy Altmeier, Office Assistant, at [email protected].