The congregation made a special vote last week to call me as a settled minister, an invitation which I gladly accepted on Sunday during the worship service. Although I have been serving the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Michigan as full-time minister for 17 months already, up until now my status was “contract minister.” The move to “settled minister” means that this is understood by both minister and congregation to be a long-term commitment. In employment terms, it’s like a college professor being granted tenure. In spiritual terms, here’s how the Unitarian Universalist Association defines settled ministry: The minister is understood to be a professional serving with the people of the congregation to further the purposes of the congregation’s ministries. In other words, the spiritual health and well-being of the congregation, and the fulfillment of the congregation’s mission, are my responsibility in full partnership with every member and friend of the congregation. Even though I had a good feeling that I would be staying, this official act makes it sink in much more deeply: I can settle into this work, and into my pastoral relationship with the congregation, much more fully. In the first year and a half you all have come to know me pretty well—the bad along with the good. I have come to know you pretty well—the strengths of the congregation along with the challenges. And I am getting to know the Mount Pleasant community pretty well–what it has to offer and what it needs from this Fellowship. Now it is time to get down to work: the work of community, the work of mutual care and safety, the work of love and justice, the work of spiritual awakening and deepening. I’m excited for the future we will create together. PRAYER Spirit of Life and Love, bless the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Michigan. Bless every person who enters its doors and who join on its Zoom calls. Bless the founders and the early visionaries who created this Fellowship; bless those who sustained it through the years; and bless those who are its current members, friends, and visitors. Bless those who served as spiritual leaders to this Fellowship over the years, whether they were called reverend, minister, worship leader, some other title—or no title at all, for true leaders need no title. May the Fellowship thrive long past those of us who now serve it and call it home. May this living congregation be a light of truth, hope, love, and equity today and as far down the path as we can imagine. May it be so. Rev. Andrew Frantz |
I’m shocked and saddened by the political violence in Washington DC today. I’m scared for the future of our democracy and the peace of our cities. I’m angry because Mr. Trump encouraged his people to do this, and didn’t stop them. I’m angry because the police presence and police response to the white mob of Trump supporters is totally different from the response to Black Lives Matter protestors. I am sad for this nation, for the loss of peace at its center. The act of democratic, peaceful transfer of power has been a hallmark of this nation for more than a century. We can no longer say that. This is now a violent transition of power.
As this unrest unfolds on our TV screens and Americans are riveted by it, I invite all of us to take care of ourselves. Let us breathe and calm ourselves. Let us reach out to loved ones, friends and neighbors and keep each other safe. Let’s talk and pray together. Let’s look for what this teaches us about ourselves and our nation, what this calls us to do and how to live. As people of conscience and of faith, we denounce violence. We lift up compassion, generosity, humility, and community. We dream of a community, a city, and a nation without violence; with public safety and public health a priority. We still believe this is possible, and we will work to make it so. PRAYER Divine spirit within us, between us, and beyond us, may there be peace. May the rioters be done with their vandalism and cease. May the angry mob put down their flags and their weapons, and remember their humanity. May the lawmakers be safe in their chambers and their offices. May the citizens of the nation’s capital be safe in their homes and businesses and the public places of the city. Divine spirit, bless America. May all Americans see this violence and be ashamed. May this nation rise from this moment into a more loving, more just, more peaceful tomorrow. By all that is holy, may it be so. Rev. Andrew Frantz From December 28 through January 3, Guy Newland will be the contact person in lieu of Drew: ([email protected], 989.944.0534). There will be no Minister’s Column on December 31.
One of the most moving things I heard this week was the news report of the first COVID vaccination being delivered in England. On the radio broadcast, we hear the voice of the nurse saying, “All done!” and then the applause of a small group of people in the elder care facility where it took place. I had tears of joy in my eyes.
This is the sign of hope that we’ve been waiting for, the concrete step that shows this pandemic is finally going to end. It’s a light at the end of the tunnel. In some months, enough of us will be vaccinated that we can see each other again: in families, groups of friends, and gatherings of our congregation. And, it’s going to be a long tunnel. Experts say that it will be not spring but summer before enough people are vaccinated that we can really control the virus. They say that wearing masks may be advisable in some circumstances even after that. I don’t know how successful the government and the public health system will be in the huge effort to vaccinate millions of people. Certainly, some will resist getting the vaccine, and there will be struggles (both political and social)l over this disease for many months to come. In the short term, the spike is higher than ever and hospital beds are filling up. Social gatherings for Christmas, cold winter weather, and seasonal flu may all contribute to a worsening health crisis in the next few months. In light of all this, the Fellowship’s virus task force met this week and decided to take a step back in our stance toward COVID: we were allowing a few small groups to gather in the Fellowship Hall but that is cancelled; everyone who enters the building for any reason is reminded to wear a mask at all times. The board of trustees had already voted to have Sunday worship online only through May. General Assembly in June has recently been moved to online only as well. I feel a strange mixture of optimism and dread at this moment in the pandemic. I feel like we all need to hunker down and survive the winter, hoping for better things in the months that follow. As we do, we will need each other for support more than ever. PRAYER Spirit of Life and Love, may the health care workers be safe and well. May they find the rest they need at the end of their long hospital shifts. May the elders find hope as they take their place in the front of the vaccine line. May those in the middle and the back of the line find patience as they wait their turn. Loving and merciful God, may we all find strength to endure this winter. May we find the compassion and the will to reach out to one another in kindness; may we be creative in forming community and connection while staying safe. May it be so. Rev. Andrew Frantz “When I move from struggle and control to observation and wonder, I begin to learn.”
I found these words in one of the wisdom books that I turn to for inspiration and grounding: “Native Wisdom for White Minds” by Anne Wilson Schaef. The author frames this concept around nature and gardening: she tells about fighting a fast-growing “weed” on her property, only to realize that it was serving a useful function. Where am I experiencing struggle? What am I trying to control in my life? How might I re-frame these things through the lens of observation and wonder? I would invite all of us to consider these questions. For me, two things come up that I am trying to control—and feeling the struggle of doing so. Both are negative: systemic racism and the global pandemic. Really big things! Can observation and wonder contribute to my anti-racist work? Yes, if I seek to notice racism and white supremacy: in myself, in my close circle, my wider community, and society at large. Noticing means opening my eyes to the racist attitudes and behaviors that are the water I’m swimming in. And then, I can begin to learn. I am struggling with this pandemic also, and wishing I had some control. I suppose that an attitude of wonder might mean leaning into this moment. This is an unprecedented moment of confronting a common natural enemy, which affords the opportunity to come together in common purpose, common action, and common compassion. I am optimistic that new federal leadership and the promise of a vaccine in 2021 will allow us to pull together for a difficult winter of isolation. It will take all of our spiritual discipline and all of the loving community we can muster to succeed. And we will learn a lot in doing so. In thinking about these things and my attitude towards them, another piece of wisdom comes to mind: the Serenity Prayer. Prayer: May we have the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can, and the wisdom to know the difference. May it be so. Rev. Andrew Frantz |
Rev. Andrew FrantzUUFCM Minister Summer Hours
Rev. Drew takes six weeks of time off during the summer months, and is also away for a full week at General Assembly. Although regular office hours are suspended for the summer, you may still contact Drew with any urgent Fellowship business if needed, or with significant pastoral care needs. Texting 440-935-0129 is the best way to reach Rev. Drew. [email protected] Phone/text: 440-935-0129 Pastoral Care Concerns
For support with life’s challenges, please contact Drew during his office hours or make an appointment with him. For specific needs such as rides to medical appointments or meals for people recovering from illness or surgery, please contact the Caring Team (formerly Arms Around) via Jen Prout at 989-400-3130 or [email protected]. Every effort will be made to lessen the burden on the individual or family who is dealing with a difficult circumstance. Archives
June 2024
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