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Sunday Morning Online Service at 10:30am
June 7
“Strength in Diversity” – Join us for an unusual Flower Communion service. We will celebrate the earth’s natural beauty, our own great diversity, and the courage it takes to live and fight for sacred ideals. Led by Eric Severson, Minister, and Heather Cleland-Host, Director of Lifespan Religious Education.
Order of Service.
If you have a candle or chalice at home, please have it ready to light together when the time comes.
If you haven't zoomed with us before, please arrive 15 minutes early for Zoom instructions. Here's a video on how to install the Zoom app. Please contact Wendy Altmeier, [email protected], if you have issues connecting or you need help with installing.
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UUFoM YouTube Channel
Did you miss the service on May 17? You can see a replay (minus Joys and Sorrows) below and on our YouTube Channel. We invite you to subscribe to our channel to stay up-to-date with all videos.
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May 31 - “Mending the Brokenness”
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This Week at the Fellowship
All teams and groups have decided to meet via Zoom instead of face to face during this time. Please contact your team/group leader if you need further guidance. If you have any questions about upcoming events, please email the office or call 989-631-1162.
All meetings listed below are via Zoom.
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| Sun 6/07 |
10:30am |
Online Sunday Service |
| Mon 6/08 |
6:00pm |
Our Examined Lives (cov grp) |
| Tue 6/09 |
10:00am |
Morning Tea with the Minister |
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12:00pm |
Staff Meeting |
| Wed 6/10 |
5:00pm |
Three Jewels Sangha |
| Thu 6/11 |
1:30pm |
Social Justice Group Meeting |
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2:00pm |
Afternoon Tea with the Minister |
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Calendar
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Vigil for Justice - Midland, MI
All are invited to a rally for racial justice on Sunday, June 7 at 3:00pm at the northwest corner of The Circle, Midland, MI followed at 5:15pm by a vigil for justice. Speakers at the vigil will include our minister, Eric Severson. These events are sponsored by WOMAN and Midland Area Interfaith Friends. Masks and social distancing are strongly encouraged.
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Special UUA's President's Column
UUA President, The Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray, shared a special social justice message to white Unitarian Universalists. Click here to read her latest column.
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UUA Book Offerings
How to Be an Antiracist
by Ibram X. Kendi
From the National Book Award–winning author comes a bracingly original approach to understanding and uprooting racism and inequality in our society. In How to Be an Antiracist, Ibram X. Kendi asks us to think about what an antiracist society might look like, and how we can play an active role in building it. Kendi brings together an electrifying combination of ethics, history, law, and science, bringing it all together with an engaging personal narrative of his own awakening to antiracism. How to Be an Antiracist is an essential work for anyone who wants to go beyond an awareness of racism to the next step: contributing to the formation of a truly just and equitable society.
White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism
by Robin DiAngelo
In this groundbreaking and timely book, antiracist educator Robin DiAngelo deftly illuminates the phenomenon of white fragility. Referring to the defensive moves that white people make when challenged racially, white fragility is characterized by emotions such as anger, fear, and guilt, and by behaviors including argumentation and silence. These behaviors, in turn, function to reinstate white racial equilibrium and prevent any meaningful cross-racial dialogue. In this in-depth exploration, DiAngelo explores how white fragility develops, how it protects racial inequality, and what we can do to engage more constructively
Invisible No More: Police Violence Against Black Women and Women of Color
by Andrea J. Ritchie
Invisible No More is a powerful examination of how Black women, Indigenous women, and other women of color experience racial profiling, police brutality, and immigration enforcement. Placing stories of individual women—such as Sandra Bland, Rekia Boyd, Dajerria Becton, Monica Jones, and Mya Hal—in the broader context of the twin epidemics of police violence and mass incarceration, it documents the evolution of movements centering women's experiences of policing and demands a radical rethinking of our visions of safety—and the means we devote to achieving it.
Mistakes and Miracles: Congregations on the Road to Multiculturalism
by Nancy Palmer Jones and Karin Lin
What calls Unitarian Universalists to create multicultural, antiracist Beloved Community? What do congregations need when they embark on this journey? What common threads run through their stories? Nancy Palmer Jones and Karin Lin—a white minister and a lay person of color—share how five diverse congregations encounter frustrations and disappointments, as well as hope and wonder, once they commit to the journey. Extensively researched, Mistakes and Miracles will guide readers to apply these stories to their own communities and develop next steps. |
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Resources for Racial Justice Dialogue with Children
Embrace Race - 31 Books to support conversations on race, racism and resistance
A Mighty GIrl - Broadening the Story: 60 Picture Books Starring Black Mighty Girls
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Help is Here
The Fellowship is rallying to help all our friends in need. Here are a few comprehensive lists of tools, items and services offered by various UU friends. They will be updated as needed. You can contact people directly, or contact the office, or the minister, or any member of Pastoral Care team for any other needs you may have. We are here for you!
List of tools/items offered
List of services offered
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What Do You Need? What Can You Offer?
UUFoM was in the process of creating this form before COVID-19, but due to the absolute devastation of the flood that has affected many in our community, we wanted to get this out as soon as possible. Please fill out the UUFoM Resources: Haves and Needs form. You may fill it out more than once if your needs increase when you are able to re-assess your situation. And you may fill it out to offer services or donations anytime. Maybe you have something to offer and a need for yourself - include it all! We will try to match them up all up and contact you at a later date. Also, if you would rather donate financially, the Minister's Discretionary Fund is always available. If you have any questions or are unable to access the form, please contact Wendy Altmeier.
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Calling All Poets!
We’re planning a poetry service for June 28, and are looking for 1- or 2-sentence contributions from any or all of you about your lived experience of the pandemic and lockdown. Jim Crissman will do his best to fuse your submissions into a collective poem to commemorate this historic time. We also plan to have a limerick interlude for the lighter side of lockdown. Email Jim Crissman with your original short contribution to the collective poem and/or a limerick, or call him at 989-297-3009 with any questions.
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 Hi, all. The end of our first year together is coming to an end! Can you believe it?
As agreed to by the Board of Directors, I will be taking off the month of July as vacation and the month of August as a study break, preparing for the coming year. I likely will be frequently unavailable for direct communication, so I wanted to share with you my plans for delegating certain responsibilities in my absence. Please communicate questions or concerns in July and August to the following people.
Weekly operations: Office Administrator Wendy will continue to manage communications and scheduling from her home office. Treasurer Vicki will continue to collect mail and handle financials. The building will remain closed through August, with exceptions made only by the board. Sexton Sandy Hay will continue to keep an eye on the building.
Plans for large gatherings: The board will continue meeting and making decisions about our suspension of in-person activities (and any exceptions). I will consult once or twice with board and staff members while I am away. Please contact President Shannon or President-elect Beth.
Member needs: The Pastoral Care Team is prepared to monitor and follow up on members’ needs. If there is a death or urgent need, Gisela Bailey or someone else from that team will contact me.
Worship planning and execution: The Worship Team is on top of this and has made good progress on planning summer services. Sarah Nuss-Warren and the team will work with Wendy, Melanie, and Heather to produce online worship services, as we have for the last three months.
Religious education: Heather’s time with us as DLRE officially ends July 31, but she will assist us as acting DLRE until we hire a new DRE. She will be taking a couple weeks of vacation in July and will announce her summer hours soon.
The RE Team is planning a thank-you and celebration of Heather’s work with us in coming weeks. Members of the new Director of Religious Education Search Team are Amanda Clifton, Scott Hughes, Lisa Janetski, and Karen Roth. They and I will gather before my break so we have a plan that they can implement while I’m gone.
Before I take time, the Finance Committee (led by Speed and Tom) will recommend to the board a budget for next year. I encourage teams and committees to continue meeting over the summer to discuss what efforts may be possible to further y/our mission, beginning in September.
If you have any questions or concerns before the end of June, please don’t hesitate to let me know. Thank you.
Blessings,
Eric
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Virtual Tea with the Minister
Since we are not meeting in person regularly, if you would like to connect casually with our minister, Eric Severson, he will be holding virtual tea sessions via Zoom, per the schedule below. Please add one or more to your calendar if you wish. If you would prefer to schedule a private conversation, click here.
Morning Tea with the Minister: Tuesdays at 10:00am
https://uuma.zoom.us/j/671875462?_ga=2.255680072.1354847327.1583942114-281701554.1582131720
Afternoon Tea with the Minister: Thursdays at 2:00pm
https://uuma.zoom.us/j/194390393?_ga=2.159743997.1354847327.1583942114-281701554.1582131720
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Need to Connect with Someone?
HOW ARE YOU? For many of us, our daily lives have been turned upside down. We may be lonely, miss our daily routine and being with friends or family, feel trapped inside... and have trouble not touching our faces.
Whatever you are experiencing, it may be new feelings or bring back difficult memories from the past. Regardless, there are Pastoral Care people who would be glad to visit with you over the phone. You're welcome to call any member of the Pastoral Care Team.
Mary Johnson (989) 859-1490
Gisela Bailey (989) 708-1344
Linda Rector (989) 259-7492
Beth Sperry (415) 419-1747
Amy Rogers (989) 750-6989
Donna King (989) 488-2886
Speed Malecki (989) 835-1915
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June Theme - "Play"
June 7
"Strength in Diversity" - Join us for an unusual Flower Communion service. We will celebrate the earth's natural beauty, our own great diversity, and the courage it takes to live and fight for sacred ideals. Heather Cleland-Host is still looking for pictures. Please email her your pictures for this service. Led by Eric Severson and Heather Cleland-Host.
June 14
"Our Incredible Journey" - The Incredible Journey tells the story of a cross-country journey of two dogs and a cat that actually happened, but for the most part was unwitnessed. It was an unintentional journey, much as the one we find ourselves on right now. Come join us in celebrating our incredible yearlong journey across our interfaith community, within our community, and ultimately across the internet. Come sing a song with our UUFoM community! Heather Cleland-Host is still looking for pictures. Please email her your pictures for this service. Led by Heather Cleland-Host.
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COVID-19 MICHIGAN INFORMATION
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Governor Whitmer's Press Conference - June 5
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Latest News
Executive Order 2020-38, which extends certain FOIA deadlines due to COVID-19, will be rescinded at 12:00 am on June 11, 2020. Executive Orders 2020-39 (providing temporary relief from certain restrictions and requirements governing the provision of emergency medical services) and 2020-82 (providing temporary enhancements to operational capacity and efficiency of health care facilities) are rescinded, effective immediately.
The Michigan National Guard will continue its partnership with MDHHS, Michigan State Police, and local health departments to offer COVID-19 testing this weekend in the communities of Holland, Ferndale, Battle Creek, Sturgis, Allegan, and Petoskey. These drive-through sites will be offering tests at no cost to the public both Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7.
In an effort to provide more information about COVID-19 in Michigan, MDHHS is providing additional and improved statistics on its website Michigan.gov/Coronavirus.
Michigan previously approved the additional food assistance for March, April and May and now that is being extended for the month of June with approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service.
The Michigan National Guard will continue its efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic after President Donald Trump extended federal deployment known as Title 32 authority until Aug. 21. The extension comes after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer sent a letter to the president on May 27 urging him to extend Title 32 authority.
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June Webinars with the MidAmerica Region
The MidAmerica Region is offering free webinars via Zoom. You may go to their website and sign up for any webinar offered. Sometimes there is limited seating. Most webinars are recorded and you will be able to view them on their website after they have finished.
Here's a list of their upcoming offerings. Click on the link to sign up for a webinar you are interested in.
Congregational Leaders Check-in Conversation — Every Tuesday in June at 8:00pm
https://www.uua.org/midamerica/events/webinar-congregational-leaders-check
This webinar series is for all congregational leaders and will respond directly to the challenges that congregations are encountering during this time of finding new ways to be in religious community and responding to this health emergency.
Congregational Leaders Check-in Conversation — Every Wednesday in June at 1:00pm
https://www.uua.org/midamerica/events/webinar-congregational-leaders-check
This webinar series is for all congregational leaders and will respond directly to the challenges that congregations are encountering during this time of finding new ways to be in religious community and responding to this health emergency.
Congregational Meetings on Zoom — Wednesday, June 3 at 3:00pm and Friday, June 5 at 2:00pm
https://www.uua.org/midamerica/events/clone-webinar-congregational-meetings-zoom
Planning to hold a virtual congregational meeting? This one’s for you! There is also an "On Demand" recording of this webinar on our website here.
Small Congregation Check-In Conversation — Thursday, June 11 and June 25 at 7:45pm
https://www.uua.org/midamerica/events/webinar-small-congregation-check
This webinar series is for leaders of small congregations and will respond directly to the challenges that small congregations are encountering during this time of finding new ways to be in religious community and responding to this health emergency.
Board Basics for Virtual and Beyond — Tuesday, July 28 (Session 2) at 8:00pm and Tuesday, August 25 (Session 3) at 8:00pm
https://www.uua.org/midamerica/events/webinar-board-basics-virtual-and-beyond-session-2
Are you a newly elected Congregational Board member? Are you wanting to refresh your Board skills? Does your board need to rethink how to be a board in a virtual environment? Then this is your webinar! If you missed the first session, it is available "On Demand" on our website here.
Stewardship Salon with UUA Stewardship and Development — Every Monday at 7:00pm
https://www.uua.org/leadership/library/stewardship-distance
The Stewardship and Development Office holds an “office hour” where UUs from around the country gather to ask questions and share best practices for fundraising.
Stewardship for Us Webinars — Every Friday at 1:00pm
https://stewardshipforus.com
Stewardship for Us offers a FREE one-hour webinar on stewardship concerns. Recent webinars have focused on pledge drives and how to successfully conduct and complete them.
Here is a list of previously recorded webinars you may be interested in. You may go to their website and click on the video to start watching.
Board Basics 2020
Virtual Circle Process
Congregations as Employers During COVID-19
Human Resources: Hiring for Success
Pastoral Care in Times of Crisis and Challenge
Human Resources 101 Part 1
How to Host a Virtual Game Night
Digital Giving
How to Do Small Group Online Gatherings
Virtual Gatherings for Small Congregations
Working with Anxiety
Ritual of Healing and Recharging
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Fellowship Building Access
Under the governor's directive, no one should be in the building except designated persons performing "minimum basic operations." At the Fellowship, this includes
- Eric Severson, Minister
- Sandy Hay, Sexton
- Vicki Rothhaar, Treasurer (mail and check processing)
- Pete Carlson, Finance (donations, deposits)
All other staff and volunteers are working from home. If exceptions need to be made, please contact Eric Severson.
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Shannon Sonoras
President
Beth Sperry
President-Elect
Marsha McDonald
Secretary
Vicki Rothhaar
Treasurer
Chris Nakamura
Member-At-Large
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Pastoral Care Ministry Team
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June (until 6/15) Contact: Gisela Bailey 989-708-1344
June (after 6/15) Contact: Mary Johnson 989-859-1490
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.
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Fellowship Office Hours
Fellowship Office currently closed due to Governor's Whitmer executive order.
Eric Severson
Minister
[email protected]
(608) 738-2694
In case of a pastoral emergency, call anytime.
Heather Cleland-Host
Director of Lifespan Religious Education
Office Hours by appointment only
[email protected]
Wendy Altmeier
Office Assistant
[email protected]
(989) 631-1162
Sandy Hay
Sexton
[email protected]
(918) 698-0311
In case of building emergency, call anytime
Andrew Schulz
Choir Director
Melanie Willison
Accompanist
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