Each New Day
by Peter Friedrichs
Why is the blank page
staring back at me,
mocking, like an affliction,
and fraught with dread?
How can it hold such sway,
this simple emptiness?
Might it instead be a gift
left on my doorstep overnight,
waiting to be broken open
with the dawn?
A present, eager to emerge
if only I had the sense
to hold the paper
over a candle flame,
its lemon juice message
appearing, like magic,
clear and true?
Each new day is like this,
pure air, devoid of density,
but for the weight of our own invention.
Birds do not worry the morning
or fret the rising sun.
They wait, expectant,
until its rays kiss their downy necks.
Then, stretching,
they turn to face the day,
And sing.
Next Service
August 9 at 11:00 am
“Matthew 22”
Led by: Rev. Dan Miyake
In person at UUCEL or live on Facebook.
Announcements
Annual Church Picnic is Coming Soon:
Friday, August 28 from 5:30pm on… at the church!
We’ll have a fire pit hot and ready to go! There’ll be hot dogs to roast with condiments and water, and marshmallows with graham crackers and Hershey bars for s’mores
With music and games and fellowship. Bring your family and friends, and a lawn chair and a side dish or dessert. This is a low-key, high-FUN event – relax and enjoy!
[Rain date – Monday, August 31]
Choir Rehearsal: The UUCEL Choir is practicing on August 9th from 10:15 am to 10:45 am, before the service. We plan to sing at the August 9th service. All voices welcome!
Security Training: The Michigan State Police will be hosting the Security in Places of Worship Training on August 19, 2026, from 8:30a.m. – 4:00p.m – hosted at the Trinity Fellowship Evangelical Free Church, located at 15085 220th Avenue, Big Rapids, Michigan 49307. This class is open to both law enforcement members and members of the public. All registration is completed through Professional Development Learning Center (PDLC) with a registration closing date of August 12, 2026. Non-MSP personnel can review instructions on creating an account in the PDLC to register for this course. This class is limited to 80 people. The cost is $50 and includes training materials, lunch, and beverages throughout the training. For questions, contact Michele VanSickle, Michigan State Police, 517-855-8244.
Jackson County Immigrant Coalition: Many members of the congregation have expressed interest in joining the JCIC. Due to the nature of the coalition’s work with vulnerable people, the first step to getting involved is to fill out a secure vetting form. Please visit the JCIC linktree to access that form: https://linktr.ee/Jackson_County_For_Immigrants (the form is the second link from the top). Feel free to explore the other helpful links on the page.
A New UU Hymnal! Our two printed hymnals have old favorites, but the UUA has a new hymnal and it’s not printed; it’s online! Sing Out Love is a collection of music for services that includes some old favorites and many new selections, with more being added all the time. And you have access to it. Go to singoutlove.org/song-library, log in with the ID uuliberty@gmail.com and the password Eliberty1856. Make a suggestion for what you’d like to sing at church!
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!
Social Mission Designee:
The Social Mission Designee for the 1st quarter is the Jackson County Immigrant Coalition (JCIC). JCIC are friends, families, and neighbors united in protecting & supporting our Jackson County immigrant community through allyship, education, and activism. Please give by using the donate button on our website or by contributing with a check with Jackson County Immigrant Coalition in the memo.
Minister’s Schedule:
- August 5 – Off
- August 6-7 – UUCEL
- August 8 – Off
- August 9-11 – UUCEL
- August 12 – 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