Lunch will be provided; please contact Norma Bailey ([email protected], 989-560-3952) if you need child care. A progress report of the second meeting is available on our website.
Be sure to put Sunday, March 23, 12:30-2:00 p.m. on your calendar for the third of our four congregational workshops about the transition process. We will be considering the topic "Unchurching Church: Exploring New Ways to Think About Ourselves”. To that end, we will be taking a look at two 'breakthrough' congregations that have achieved significant and sustained growth: Harmony, in Landen Ohio, and the UU Church of Ogden, Utah. We encourage all of you to read these articles prior to the workshop.
Lunch will be provided; please contact Norma Bailey ([email protected], 989-560-3952) if you need child care. A progress report of the second meeting is available on our website. Tina Christy has been our volunteer Building Manager for a long time. She is in charge of anything that concerns the building and grounds, but she needs your eyes and ears to let her know if you spot some problems (ex.: bulbs burned out, faucets dripping, thermostat, door locks, leaks anywhere). If it is an emergency, contact her at 989-506-2985 or [email protected]. For all other concerns, leave a message on her clipboard located on the piano in the fellowship hall.
If you notice that we are running out of needed items, contact our kitchen manager and purchase volunteer Kris Los (989-429-0425 or [email protected]). Her message board is located in the kitchen next to the light switch. We are grateful to Tina's and Kris' devoted service to our fellowship. Once a year as a democratic congregation we take a time to examine the stewardship of this church. We consider our budget for the next year: from heat and lights to our other needs, responsibilities ,
and hopes for programming that take financial resources, as well as our time and energy. We reflect on the meaning of giving of ourselves and the work of our hands. This year we plan to have a series of small group gatherings, “Circle Suppers,” in members’ homes and at the UU Center. We will have the opportunity to talk about our faith, our fellowship and our hopes for next year as each of us decides how much to pledge to the common good. Members and interested friends will find the sign-up sheets located in the Fellowship Hall for these Circle Suppers after worship on Sunday, March 9, 16 and 23. The Suppers are listed by date and time. Find the one most convenient for you and claim your chair at the table. On Tuesday, February 25, Judge Bernard Friedman convened a federal court hearing on a lawsuit challenging Michigan's ban on same sex marriage. Our congregation felt strongly that he should hear from faith groups which support the right of same sex couples to marry. The following resolution was passed overwhelmingly:
“As Unitarian Universalists, we affirm the inherent worth and dignity of every person; and because marriage is held in honor among the blessings of life, we stand in strong support of equal marriage. As citizens in Michigan, we will speak out to ensure equal protection for all who live and love in our state of Michigan. As people of faith, we call on our elected officials to pass marriage equality in the state of Michigan. Marriage equality strengthens families, protects children and ensures the basic rights of citizenship for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender couples. In the face of injustice, we stand on the side of love." Please join me in saying THANK YOU to the many people who helped with the Intergenerational Coffeehouse a couple of Saturdays ago! Card tables were loaned by: Annette Pratt, Gisela & Tom Moffit, Joe Cleveland, Victoria Sladek, Norma Bailey, and Cynthia Damer. Yummy treats were made and contributed by: the McNerny family, Swier Family, Shawn & AJ McKeever, Kris Los, Liz Dealing, Gisela Moffit, Victoria Sladek, Annette Pratt, and Terry Tribe. Set up and clean up crews of: Annette Pratt, Gisela Moffit, Norma Bailey, K’ana Degen, Susan Powers, and Jen Prout (& Friend).
The acts were remarkable and enjoyed by all! I was struck by the variety and creativity of our performers 6-60+ years of age. Young violinists from Illinois performed in addition to scores of local talent. Such stage presence and interstate participation! The Broadway critics and audience members demand more! Special thanks to Ivory Griffin for his beautiful Coffeehouse banner he crafted for us! Additional thanks to the remarkable junior emcees of the evening's events: Izzy Rollins and Roman Damer-Daigle! See you next year! ~ Laura McBride |
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