“Embracing Possibility”
is our April theme
Hope locates itself in the premises that we don’t know what will happen and that in the spaciousness of uncertainty is room to act. When you recognize uncertainty, you recognize that you may be able to influence the outcomes — you alone or you in concert with a few dozen or several million others. Hope is an embrace of the unknown and the unknowable, an alternative to the certainty of both optimists and pessimists. Optimists think it will all be fine without our involvement; pessimists take the opposite position; both excuse themselves from acting. It’s the belief that what we do matters even though how and when it may matter, who and what it may impact, are not things we can know beforehand…
Every now and then, the possibilities explode. In these moments of rupture, people find themselves members of a “we” that did not until then exist, at least not as an entity with agency and identity and potency; new possibilities suddenly emerge, or that old dream of a just society re-emerges and – at least for a little while – shines…
Next Service
April 19 at 11:00am
“Butterflies” – Led by: Patty Brue
In person or live on Facebook.
The Monarch Experience from Dexter will be coming to talk with us about Monarch butterflies. This will be an Intergenerational service, with the kids doing a song with Nena.
Announcements
Annual Pledge Campaign: If you haven’t turned in your pledge form yet, please do so as soon as you can so we can prepare the budget for board approval and the annual meeting.
Celebrating Jane Volk: There will be a memorial service for longtime UUCEL member Jane Volk on Saturday, May 2nd at 1:00 pm here at the church. A reception with food will follow. All are welcome.
Lunch with the minister: Rev. Dan has been hosting regular monthly small group discussions over lunch. These discussions are not structured and don’t require any outside work. Come and enjoy casual conversation, good food, and a well-deserved break! The next gathering will be this Friday, April 17 at 11:30 at the West End Farm to Table in Jackson.
UUA General Assembly Registration is OPEN! The dates for GA are June 14-21. It will be virtual this year, so everything will be online. GA is a great way to learn more about what is happening in the denomination and to hear some really great speakers and presentations on a wide variety of topics. We are allowed 2 delegates who are eligible to vote on issues during the business meetings, so we need folks to fill those positions. For more information, please contact Rev. Dan and visit www.uua.org/ga/registration
Silent Auction: It’s that time again: AUCTION preparation!! Think about what you might wish to donate for bidding. Food items and experiences such as parties are the most popular. Please let Ann Green, Elissa Alden or Debbie Hartsuff know as soon as you can what you can offer (silent and/or live auction). Live auction will be Friday evening , May 1 beginning at 6:00 pm with yummy boxed lunches available starting at 5:00 pm in social hall ( courtesy of Fred and Debbie Marshall).
Mother’s Day Service: Sunday, May 10th is Mother’s Day. Do you have a story to share about your mother, or perhaps a story about someone who was like a mother to you? Maybe you have a story to share about being a mom. Maybe you are a dog or cat mom! If you have a story, we would love to hear it. Photos would be an amazing addition. Please let Patty Brue know if you would like to participate at bruecrew@sbcglobal.net or 517-740-1684.
Worship Committee seeks speakers: Do you have an idea for a service, or a willingness to take us on your spiritual journey? Or do you know someone in the community who would? Please contact Darrin Palmer or another member of the Worship Committee. They are happy to help create a Sunday Service!
The church phone number is 517-295-3290.
Social Mission Designee:
The Social Mission Designee for the 4th quarter is Partial to Girls/Women Taking Action. PTG is a diverse group of women working together and taking action in our community to help underserved women and children. Please give by using the donate button on our website or by contributing with a check with Partial to Girls/Women Taking Action in the memo.
Minister’s Schedule:
- April 15 – Off
- April 16-17 – UUCEL
- April 18-19 – Off
- April 20-21 – Elkhart in person
- April 22 – Off
Rev. Dan is available for 1:1 emergency pastoral care regardless of his days off. If you are in need of immediate pastoral care, please contact him right away. Please refrain from texting Rev. Dan after normal work hours unless it is a critical issue that needs immediate attention; if not, email him the next workday. If you need an immediate response to an email on a day off, type “URGENT’ in the subject line.
Please submit items for this weekly email by Tuesday afternoon at WednesdayChimes@gmail.com Please include the date(s) you would like the announcement published in the subject line of your email.
Sunday Announcements
Please submit items to be announced on Sunday to the Worship Committee at uuliberty@gmail.com
Joys and Sorrows
Please submit items for inclusion in our Sunday service to the Worship Committee at uuliberty@gmail.com