“Paying Attention”
is our March theme
Only by giving primary value to the full-bodied world of our face-to-face-and face-to-place-encounters, do we have a chance of maneuvering wisely, and well, among the many other worlds that now claim our attention. Only by really opening and offering ourselves to the local earth – unplugging ourselves from the digital thrall and stepping out to wander and bask in the scents drifting up from the night river, allowing the intersecting tones of this land (of its denizens and its solitudes) to recalibrate our organism – only thus do we begin to come to our senses and start to reckon the worthy use, and the misuse, of all our technologies. For we are human only in contact, and in conviviality, with what is not human.
–David Abram, from The Spell of the Sensuous
Next Service
March 15 at 11:00 am
“Spirituality in Mathematics” Led by: Cory Page
In person or live on Facebook.
Announcements
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.
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. Just come and chat and connect. The next gathering will be Friday, March 27 at 12:30 at the Bone Island Grill in Vandercook.
New Adult RE Offering: Rev. Dan will be offering a three-month Adult RE class beginning in late March using a new curriculum offering from the folks at Soul Matters called Practice Matters. This curriculum is designed to support spiritual practice curiosity by learning and doing. In other words, Practice Matters doesn’t just explain the featured spiritual practices; it helps people experience them and the deeper invitations to which they point.
Each session provides background about a particular spiritual practice, teases out how the practice speaks to universal hungers, and offers options about how participants can engage the practice in their own life, with care given to avoid cultural misappropriation. Participants then pick one of the options provided and do it prior to their group meeting. Sessions also contain reflection questions for participants to debrief their experience personally and with their groups.
The three monthly practices we will explore are:
- Labyrinth Work
- Loving Kindness practice
- Offering Gratitude
Classes will be held on Zoom so that both congregations can participate. Our first monthly session will be Thursday, March 26 at 6:30. Please contact Rev. Dan ASAP if you would like to participate.
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:
AWARE is our third quarter designee. AWARE provides services and resources for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. They support survivors at every stage. They’re dedicated to ensuring that survivors have the resources, support, and comfort they need. Write a check to the church with a note in the memo line or use the give button on our website.
Minister’s Schedule:
- March 18 – Off
- March 19-20 – Elkhart in person
- March 21 – Off
- March 22 – Elkhart in person
- March 23-24 – UUCEL
- March 25 – 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