"Let us wake up to this world we live in:

to its beauty and wonder,

and also to its tragedy and pain.
We must wake up to this reality:

that not all in our world have what we do,

however much or little that is.
We must wake up to the idea that our wholeness, our lives,

are only as complete as the lives of those around us,

of those we are inextricably tied to in a great web of mutuality,

of which all of us are part."

- Rev. Christian Schmidt, UU Cherry Hill, NJ 

Friends, my heart is heavy with the news of the latest shootings (this time in Kalamazoo).  How sad is it that we call them "the latest"?  I have reached out to my colleague at the Kalamazoo UU congregation, as has Sarah to their DLE.  We will keep you apprised of how we can help support the community as they face this terrible, senseless loss.

This Sunday, our congregation will stop to take stock and listen deeply to perspectives on African American experiences in northern Michigan.  Our guest speaker, Maya James, is a founder and current President of the Black Student Union at NMC, and she is awesome!  We will be challenged and charged to act with courage, fresh insight and our powerful UU heritage.  Please join us for this important Sunday celebration of our highest ideals.

   

Speaking of highest ideals, thanks to Misty Sheehan and the Green Sanctuary Committee for reaching out to the UU in Flint.  They have asked that the money we collected be directed where it can do maximum good, the Community Foundation of Greater Flint.  The money we contributed will be used for critical and direct intervention services for children.

  

Following Sunday service, the Program Council will convene once again! Please RSVP to Susan in the office so we can provide some snacks.  We will continue our conversation about connecting leaders and moving forward with our congregation's powerful mission to work for the honest, profound, joyous growth (search for truth) of each individual; to gather the fruits of that growth through worship, reflection and sharing (whether it is in small group ministry, coffee hour, owning the congregation's growth and well being); and to share the essence of that goodness and generosity by working for justice and compassion in the world.

In blessing - 

Rabbi Chava