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Sunday Morning ONLINE Service at 10:30am
May 3
"The 'Business' of Non-Profit Organizations: Fostering a More Just and Moral World" How do non-profit organizations help us help others? Led by Denise Reiling
If you have a candle or chalice at home, please have it ready to light together when the time comes.
If you haven't zoomed with us before, please arrive 15 minutes early for Zoom instructions. Here's a video on how to install the Zoom app. Please contact Wendy Altmeier, office@uufom.org, if you have issues connecting or you need help with installing.
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UUFoM YouTube Channel
Did you miss the service last week? You can see a replay (minus Joys and Sorrows) below and on our YouTube Channel. We invite you to subscribe to our channel to stay up-to-date with all videos.
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April 26, 2020 "All In -- Pulling Together"
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This Week at the Fellowship
All teams and groups have decided to meet via Zoom instead of face to face during this time. Please contact your team/group leader if you need further guidance. If you have any questions about upcoming events, please email the office or call 989-631-1162.
All meetings listed below are via Zoom.
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| Tue 4/28 |
3:30pm |
Hanging with Friends |
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7:00pm |
Evening Chat with the DLRE |
| Wed 4/29 |
12:30pm |
Auction Meeting |
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1:30pm |
Racial Justice Group Meeting |
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2:00pm |
Story Time |
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5:00pm |
Three Jewels Sangha |
| Thu 4/30 |
2:00pm |
Afternoon Tea with the Minister |
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2:00pm |
Story Time |
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3:30pm |
Hanging With Friends |
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7:00pm |
Silent Auction Training |
| Fri 5/01 |
10:00am |
Pastoral Care Team Meeting |
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2:00pm |
Story Time |
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3:00pm |
Games in the Presidential Suite |
Calendar
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Virtual Gatherings
No Circle Dinners for now. We are rescheduling the dinners in October. Meanwhile, many of us are looking for opportunities to connect beyond our self-quarantine family.
Do you have the technical skills to host a Zoom virtual gathering of 4-5 participant devices? If so, please contact Sara Clavez with the date and time that is convenient for you. If you want to set a theme (not necessary, but might be fun) for your virtual gathering, include that as well. We will post your invitation and ask people to contact you for Zoom sign-in information. We encourage you to accept no more than 5 participants so there will be an opportunity for people to talk without too much confusion.
You are invited:
Tuesday, May 5, at 1:00-3:00pm Hobbies for the Pandemic. Hosted by Roy and Donna Wedge. RSVP wedgeroy@att.net
Wednesday, May 6, at 10:00-10:40am, Grow Your Own Tomatoes in a Container: Quick, Easy and Cheap. Hosted by Catherine Young. RSVP clyoung@gmail.com
Tuesday, May 12, at 4:00 pm, Italian Aperitivo, Have your favorite glass of wine and snack to virtually share with everyone. Hosted by Kathy Kinkema. RSVP kathykinkema@gmail.com
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Serendipity Auction
The silent auction will open for bidding on Friday, May 1 at 12:00pm! However, we recommend you plan your venture down the rabbit hole (and bidding strategy) in advance. You can enter the website now, to preview the auction items and register yourself as a bidder in preparation for the big day.
To register for silent auction bidding and to preview the items available, click here: https://www.biddingowl.com/UnitarianUniversalistMid.
It’s easy! It’s fun! It’s just like buying from eBay or other online sites, with the ability to make credit card or PayPal purchases. If you have any questions, a silent auction training session will be offered through Zoom on Thursday, April 30, at 7:00pm. At that time, click here to join us for bidding instructions: https://zoom.us/j/6640102763?pwd=L2xsdWp5TWxvRWdFYTQvdm5vZ0pWQT09.
Our DLRE, Heather, has activities planned for children during the live auction on May 9th. To receive these activities at your home, email Heather by May 3 at dreheather@uufom.org.
The live auction will be done in a Zoom meeting, using the Chat box. Instructions for Chat bidding will be provided at the start of the live auction event.
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Evening Chat with the DLRE
Tuesday, April 28, at 7:00pm via Zoom
Our Director of Lifespan Religious Education, Heather Cleland-Host, is holding chats to check in and brainstorm ideas. We are more than a month into social distancing. Virtual programming for church and schools are underway. How can we help families and each other? What would you like changed? What is your availability for activities? Would parents like a weekly Parent Chat for adults to share your struggles and breakthroughs? Come join us at 7:00pm on Monday and Tuesday to share your ideas, needs, and hopes.
ZOOM Link for Evening Chat: https://zoom.us/j/96639493601?pwd=VEdmRXJCVXB4TVVGQUw1QnhEbzNRdz09
Meeting ID: 966 3949 3601
Password: uufom
Dial-in Password: 546484
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Safe Church in the Virtual World
ZOOM together, be secure, be nice and have fun!
Safety online for our children is just as important as safety inside our Fellowship building. We are still practicing Safe Church policies in the ZOOM rooms. Our first protection comes from families themselves: please always supervise your children’s virtual activity. Additionally, we have also implemented an extra layer of protection for our sessions where children are present. These can be summed up as ZOOM together, be secure, be nice and have fun!
- ZOOM together (or the Rule of three): In any church session with a child, two additional people are needed, a host and an observer. Background checks are required for all Hosts and Observer/Co-hosts.
- Be secure: Zoom links and passwords are distributed directly to participants. No private messaging is allowed in sessions, and the host/co-hosts control screen sharing and annotations. Zoom meetings are recorded and retained for review.
- Be nice and have fun: We are a covenanted community, which means we choose how to be with each other – to be caring, take turns, share, appreciate each other, and have fun!
Notify the Director of Lifespan Religious Education, Heather Cleland-Host, or the Minister, Eric Severson, if you have any concerns. A more detailed description of our Fellowship’s Virtual Safe Church procedures will be communicated next week.
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How to Use Zoom Webinar
Now that you have become comfortable with attending services on Zoom, maybe you would like to take the next step and learn how to host a meeting, party or family gathering. The UUA MidAmerica Region is hosting free one hour webinars to help bring you up to speed on pandemic communication. The next two options are April 28 or April 30, from 1:00-2:00 pm. Use this link to register: https://www.uua.org/midamerica/events/webinar-how-use-zoom-april-28.
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Midland County Emergency Food Pantry
Food pantry donations can go to midlandcountyefpn.org. Scrolling down, on the left there’s a Donate button. On the donation form, below the personal information form, there’s the opportunity to choose which fund you wish to donate to, which food pantry, etc., if you have a preference. Below that, there’s a place to choose to donate “on behalf of.” Choose UUFoM. If you have any questions, please contact Marsha McDonald.
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Pantry Opportunities
May 21, 2020
Trinity Lutheran Church
3701 Jefferson Ave, Midland
Registration 9:00
Distribution 11:30
Sponsor: Trinity Lutheran
June 24, 2020
Blessed Sacrament Church
3109 Ashman, Midland
Registration: 9:30
Distribution: 11:00
Sponsor: Blessed Sacrament Church
July 25, 2020
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church
3516 E Monroe Rd, Midland
Registration: 9:00
Distribution 11:30
Sponsor: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church
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Virtual Tea with the Minister
Since we are not meeting in person regularly, if you would like to connect casually with our minister, Eric Severson, he will be holding virtual tea sessions via Zoom, per the schedule below. Please add one or more to your calendar if you wish. If you would prefer to schedule a private conversation, click here.
Morning Tea with the Minister: Tuesdays at 10:00am
https://uuma.zoom.us/j/671875462?_ga=2.255680072.1354847327.1583942114-281701554.1582131720
Afternoon Tea with the Minister: Thursdays at 2:00pm
https://uuma.zoom.us/j/194390393?_ga=2.159743997.1354847327.1583942114-281701554.1582131720
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Sunday Religious Education
Sunday Religious Education (K-12) – Buddhism
Sundays 1:00pm – 2:30pm via Zoom
Email dreheather@uufom.org for the ZOOM link for the session and additional details.
If you or your child missed the April 19 session on Buddhism, we encourage you to check out this video about Siddhartha Gautama who became known as the Buddha: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tilBs32zN7I. It is recommended to watch it at 0.75 (3/4 speed), as the narrator speaks rapidly.
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Story Time with Friends
“Story Time with Friends” (Private Facebook Group) - Mondays-Fridays
Our office assistant, Wendy Altmeier, is holding a daily story time at 2:00pm where children are invited to read to each other.
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Need to Connect with Someone?
HOW ARE YOU? For many of us, our daily lives have been turned upside down. We may be lonely, miss our daily routine and being with friends or family, feel trapped inside... and have trouble not touching our faces.
Whatever you are experiencing, it may be new feelings or bring back difficult memories from the past. Regardless, there are Pastoral Care people who would be glad to visit with you over the phone. You're welcome to call any member of the Pastoral Care Team.
Mary Johnson (989) 859-1490
Gisela Bailey (989) 708-1344
Linda Rector (989) 259-7492
Beth Sperry (415) 419-1747
Amy Rogers (989) 750-6989
Donna King (989) 488-2886
Speed Malecki (989) 835-1915
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Family Resources
“UUFoM Homebound Families Resources” (Private Facebook Group)
This private group is for sharing ideas for families who are homebound in the Mid-Michigan Region. This is for those moments when we need something to do and are all out of ideas. It is also a place where you can share ideas! Post educational links to resources from your school systems, virtual zoos, and other resources. Offer your ideas for outdoor options, crafts, and activities (especially ones that can be redone or reused). Please feel free to share information about food resources, free internet providers, and other supportive resources in the area as well!
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Hanging Out with Friends
Via Google Classroom and Zoom
Please note the time change: Virtual Zoom Recess is at 3:30 PM Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Hanging out with Friends (Google Classroom) is ready for joining. Participants meet twice a week on Zoom on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3:30 PM for a Virtual Recess with Friends. There are also fun activities in the Google Classroom for participants in kindergarten through high school.
How to get on:
1. Email dreheather@uufom.org for the Class Code. Please do not share this code.
2. Go to Google Classroom at https://classroom.google.com
3. Sign in with a Google gmail account. (See “If you do not have a Google account” below for pointers).
4. In the top right corner click on the plus mark that says create or join your first class.
5. Then click join class which will prompt you to enter a code.
6. Enter the class code I sent you, and you are in! You will not have to enter the code again.
7. Zoom links are announced in the Google Classroom.
If you do not have a Google account: Google Classroom requires an account through Google that is not a school email. The accounts are free. Children may use a parent’s account. You may want to have an account separate from your regular account to prevent access to your personal emails. Parents should know their children’s passwords.
One last safety note: Every family should have at least one parent in the class with their child. This does not require parents to directly participate, but it does provide the ability for you to more easily supervise your child.
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Virtual Meetings
Please add ALL of your meetings to the calendar, whether you are using a Fellowship account or a personal account. Email office@uufom.org with your meeting name, date and time and your zoom link.
Worship service and Religious Education are scheduled between 10:00am-3:00pm on Sundays. To allow full participation of the congregation in these programs, please schedule meetings outside of this time block. If you absolutely need to meet during this time, you will need to use a personal free
account.
If you can hold your meeting in 40 minutes or if you can easily stop and restart your meeting,
please use a personal free account.
Meetings via Fellowship Pro Accounts will be scheduled by the Director of Lifespan Religious Education, Board President, and Office Administrator according to the following guidelines:
- Only one meeting can be scheduled during a specific time period on a particular account.
- Please keep to your assigned time period.
- Heather Cleland-Host, Director of Lifespan Religious Education, handles Religious Education classes, Sangha, and other Religious Education programming. Please contact her if you need a meeting set up.
- Shannon Sonoras, Board President, handles Board Meetings, and board-related functions. Please contact her if you need a meeting set up.
- Wendy Altmeier, Office Administrator, handles Building and Grounds, Sunday Worship, staff meetings, ministry teams,covenant groups, and all others. Please contact her if you need a meeting set up.
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Games in the Presidential Suite
Fridays in May - 3:00pm-4:00pm
Need some play time that doesn’t include Pet Patrol or Popsicle sticks crafts? Join the gang in the Presidential Suite for trivia, riddles, brain-teasers, Boggle, Heads-Up and more!
Join URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86176203250?pwd=NGdDZFZxRmR3UzgzaVlSNmMvU2hoQT09
Meeting ID: 861-7620-3250
Password: SPIRAL
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Engagement Team: Bright Ideas
The Engagement Team would like to post a weekly list of ideas on how each of us can be of help during these unusual times. We invite members to email additional ideas to Estella Thomas, shukchong.thomas@yahoo.com. Also, if you see an idea you like, invite other members to join with you on the project, while always maintaining social distancing. Let’s join together to stay connected and get through this together!
Ideas
-Decorate a window or door with hearts and positive messages.
-Place a thank you message in your mailbox for your postal worker.
-Start some flower seeds at home to plant at the fellowship, Mary Johnson suggests petunias or short marigolds
-Write notes of appreciation to our healthcare worker members (Kathryn Hay, Maxine Guettler, Amanda Clifton, Jacob Guettler, Becky Carlson, Doug Barth)
-Download the free app C25K and train for a 5K, recruit friends to train with you
-Sew masks for healthcare workers, contact info@sara4mi.org for pattern and directions
-Reconnect with Covenant Groups
-Hold a family meeting: how is everyone doing, ideas of how to support each other
-Camp out in the back yard (weather permitting)
-Thank you notes to grocery stores, trash collectors
-Share your best new shopping ideas
-Connect every day with a family member or friend
-Start a jigsaw puzzle
We look forward to hearing other ideas and also reports on the activities you are doing!
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Upcoming Services
May Theme - "Vocation"
May 3
"The 'Business' of Non-Profit Organizations: Fostering a More Just and Moral World" How do non-profit organizations help us help others? Led by Denise Reiling
May 10
"The Calling of Our Hearts" - Do you love what you do? Whether you work in or outside the home, what does your heart call you to do? What are the barriers? Come explore how vocation matters, and how it might change through a lifetime. Led by Eric Severson.
May 17
"The Economics of Poverty" - Put yourself in another person's shoes: no work, no car, no insurance, food stamps, mouths to feed. It can be hard to make ends meet and escape the cycles of poverty when the cards seem stacked against you. Just what might it take to turn the corner? Led by Eric Severson.
May 24
"Mending the Brokenness" - One mask, sock, mitten, or hat at a time, people's avocations can help heal the world. Join Ellen Dodge Severson and other UUFoM crafty folks in discussing how and why they use their gifts to provide for others.
May 31
TBA. Led by Heather Cleland-Host
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Webinars with the MidAmerica Region
The MidAmerica Region is offering free webinars via Zoom. You may go to their website and sign up for any webinar offered. Sometimes there is limited seating. Most webinars are recorded and you will be able to view them on their website after they have finished.
Here's a list of their upcoming offerings. Click on the link to find out information about a webinar you are interested in.
How to Use Zoom - 4/28/2020 - 1:00pm
Congregational Meetings on Zoom - 5/1/2020 - 2:00pm
#VoteLove - Recruiting 5/2/2020 - 9:30am
Congregational Meetings on Zoom - 5/6/2020 - 3:00pm
Congregational Meetings on Zoom - 5/8/2020 - 2:00pm
#VoteLove - Conversational Persuasion 5/9/20020 - 9:30am
#VoteLove - Congregational Engagement 5/30/2020 - 9:30am
Here is a list of previously recorded webinars you may be interested in. You may go to their website and click on the video to start watching.
Pastoral Care in Times of Crisis and Challenge
Human Resources 101 Part 1
How to Host a Virtual Game Night
Digital Giving
How to Do Small Group Online Gatherings
Virtual Gatherings for Small Congregations
Working with Anxiety
Ritual of Healing and Recharging
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Fellowship Building Access
Under the governor's directive, no one should be in the building except designated persons performing "minimum basic operations." At the Fellowship, this includes
- Eric Severson, Minister
- Sandy Hay, Sexton
- Vicki Rothhaar, Treasurer (mail and check processing)
- Pete Carlson, Finance (donations, deposits)
All other staff and volunteers are working from home. If exceptions need to be made, please contact Eric Severson.
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UUFoM Online Donations
UUFoM is still accepting pledges, offerings and donations. You may write a check and send it to:
UUFoM
6220 Jefferson Avenue
Midland, MI 48640
Directions for Donating to Minister's Discretionary Fund
Thank you to all who have donated to the Minister's Discretionary Fund, especially recently. If you are in a position to donate in the future (for example, if you won't need the federal funds coming in a few weeks), please follow these directions:
CHECKS
1. Make checks out to "UUFoM" (NOT "Eric Severson"). These donations do not enter the fellowship's general fund and are not tax-deductible.
2. Write "Minister's Discretionary Fund" on the memo line.
3. During the stay-at-home order, please mail or drop off checks (as well as restaurant, grocery, or gasoline gift cards, or other items) to 4204 Swede Avenue, Midland, MI 48642. This is Eric's home address and will allow him to deposit your donations more quickly into a UUFoM minister's discretionary fund account at Chemical Bank. (He does his personal banking elsewhere.)
4. If you prefer to drop things off, please place items in the box next to Eric's front door (on the south side of the house -- to the right).
ONLINE
1. Please click on the "Paypal Donate Now" button below. This will take you to PayPal.
2. Enter the dollar amount you wish to donate. (If you are willing to cover PayPal's fees of 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction, please add this to your amount.)
3. Select "Minister's Fund" from the drop-down menu.
4. To make this a recurring monthly donation, click that box.
5. Enter your debit or credit card info, billing details, and contact info. If you would like PayPal to save this info, click that box. (To transfer funds from your own PayPal account, click "Log in.")
6. Click on "Donate now."
If you have questions about this process, please contact our treasurer, Vicki Rothhaar, or our office administrator, Wendy Altmeier. Thank you again!
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 Maintenance Requests
If you notice a burned-out light bulb or a needed repair, please fill out a Maintenance Request form, located in the rack outside the main office, and return it to the top slot. Our sexton, Sandy Hay, will fix the problem as soon as possible. Please note that Sandy does not work on Sundays.
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Shannon Sonoras
President
Beth Sperry
President-Elect
Marsha McDonald
Secretary
Vicki Rothhaar
Treasurer
Chris Nakamura
Member-At-Large
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Pastoral Care Ministry Team
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April Contact: Beth Sperry 415-419-1747
Our Pastoral Care Ministry Team is here for you. We can provide a meal, a ride, some respite or a supportive ear and a cup of coffee.
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Fellowship Office Hours
Fellowship Office currently closed due to Governor's Whitmer executive order.
Eric Severson
Minister
uuseverson@gmail.com
(608) 738-2694
In case of a pastoral emergency, call anytime.
Heather Cleland-Host
Director of Lifespan Religious Education
Office Hours by appointment only
DREHeather@uufom.org
Wendy Altmeier
Office Assistant
office@uufom.org
(989) 631-1162
Sandy Hay
Sexton
House_doc@att.net
(918) 698-0311
In case of building emergency, call anytime
Andrew Schulz
Choir Director
Melanie Willison
Accompanist
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