We are a spiritual fellowship dedicated to building beloved community within and beyond our doors.

A Stable Faith

There’s a new category of ministry emerging across the country called "entrepreneurial ministry". Those practicing in this arena don’t always directly serve congregations, but often their work overlaps.

My colleague, Kimberley Debus, is one such minister and she has launched a weekly publication we have been linking to in our weekly newsletter. But it doesn’t seem to be getting too many hits.

I thought this particular article was too important to miss, so I’m submitting it in place of my own this month. The publication is called “Hold My Chalice.” This article (It. Was. In. The. Newsletter.) was published a few weeks back. Read up!

Shalom - Rev. Shayna

Editor's Note: PLEASE read this. It's as if it was written for us, and it's a lesson for us as we search for our next minister, and contemplate the future of UUCM. 

UUCM Sunday Services at 10:30am

In the sanctuary and on Zoom

Services this month will be focused on the theme "The Path of Resistance". Information on upcoming services is posted on the UUCM website and in the Weekly Update. Masks are now optional at UUCM!

From the President's Desk

"If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." (African Proverb.)

"Together" is the important word here -- the one I need reminding of right now, and perhaps you do too. 

If I’m being honest, as a Gen X-er, latch-key kid, and DIY kind of guy, the past few years of managing through COVID have secretly been a bit of a comfort. The forced excuse to “have to” stay

home and lay low has really played to my introverted tendencies. Stay home… I can do that! Now, three years on, I've gotten into the groove of just staying put. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy to feel like we’re all finally emerging on the other side of the pandemic. But still, actually being out, being together in the world in person with others… it's a challenge.

While some folks are anxiously trying to get back to what was, some of us (myself included) are still functioning within these recently formed habits of isolation -- and rather productively, at that - or so it seems. For instance, we're relieved to realize that we actually can communicate pretty effectively with each other from behind our technology. We’ve seen how wonderful Zoom can be to help easily gather folks for meetings from the comfort of our own homes. But, really, in other ways, these new habits are just not beneficial. Increased screen time is no replacement for actual in-person conversation and togetherness. We really do need more face time and less FaceTime.

As for emails and texts, they now seem to be casually shot off to each other without much thought, as if sent by a bunch of internet commenters -- people who feel safe hiding behind their screens, typing whatever comes to mind while thinking they're simultaneously keeping tabs on everyone and everything going on around them. We may all have the best of intentions. Yet, oftentimes our disembodied words can end up being misread and reacted to as if we’re all just trolling each other. There is so much more to communication than just words alone: tone, facial expressions, breath, body language. All of this and more helps communicate volumes beyond just words, and helps us to understand context, feel connected, and, hopefully, a little less alone.

We need to remember what it is to be together -- the importance of actual human interaction, whether for business, pleasure, or everything in between. 

We’ve learned much these past few years, and we know there is no going back to the way things were before -- only onward! So, please, let's get out from behind our computer screens and meet each other again in person. Let's reach out and find out how we are all doing -- how we are really doing. Let's hang out. Let's work. Let’s play. Let's just be – together! Don’t wait for a call or an invitation. We need to get back to being and functioning not only as individuals, but with each other together, as groups and committees. As friends. As humans. As connected souls.

Scott Blanchard (president@uucm.org)

From the UUCM Board

The Board will meet on April 16 at 12:30pm in Emerson Hall. Zoom is used if attendees cannot attend in person.

• Minutes of board meetings are posted here.
• Agenda for the next Board meeting is linked from the Weekly Update the Friday before the meeting. 
• If you wish to attend, please email board@uucm.org by end of day Saturday to let us know whether you will attend in person or via Zoom. Time will be set aside at the end of the business meeting for visitor comments on the agenda items that were discussed during the meeting. 

April is Earth Month!

Yes, Earth Day is April 22, but we have much more planned!

Sun., April 2 -- Don’t miss Lou’s service on Trees, followed by the Stewardship Brunch where you are encouraged to bring a meatless, ethnic dish.

Sat., April 15 -- Sustainability Potluck @ 5:30pm followed by a discussion about sustainable living. Read about sustainable eating and enjoy sampling a variety of dishes. (For "extra credit", bring a copy of your recipe.)

Sun., April 23 – Earth Day Service with the Climate Action Team (CAT).

CAT welcomes your ideas and participation. You can contact the team at climate@uucm.org or join us on 1^st Wednesdays at 4pm on Zoom. (See the UUCM Calendar for the link.) Also share your ideas and resources on UUCM's Climate Action Facebook page.

Property Committee Announces Spring Work Day

Saturday, April 8 @ 9am-noon

Please come make UUCM shine once again. Help us tackle one of the many chores that need doing inside and outside. All welcome, training provided, snacks offered. Sign up here for a specific job (or just show up).

Click here to learn more about the Property Committee and the Maintenance Team.

Piano Karaoke - Friday, April 7 @ 7pm

Singers performing their favorite tunes, unrehearsed and on request, in their best vocal range or key, accompanied by a live pianist, in front of a live audience. A great place to try out your singing chops. This is NOT karaoke as you may know it, but a live piano player accompanying you with songs you bring to the table. Pop, Rock, Broadway, the great American songbook, Jazz.

Community Sing-along - Friday, April 14 @ 7pm

All are welcome to a sing-along and jam session in the Fireside Room. Instrumentalists and voices of all sorts are welcome. Songbooks are available, but feel free to bring ten copies of your favorite song lyrics (music or chords optional). Contact Amy Conley for details.

Community Supper - Wednesday, April 19, 5:30-6:30pm

Take a night off from cooking and join some friends at church for supper! The menu changes monthly, and we always offer a vegetarian option. Questions? Or want to volunteer to help? Contact Nancy Danzinger.

UUCM Goods & Services Auction - Live! - April 22 @ 6pm

After a four-year pandemic pause, the UUCM Goods & Services Auction will once again be happening in Barnum Hall. Starting at 6pm, grab a table, some snacks and a beverage, and bid on the silent auction items (gift cards and interesting smaller items). At 7pm, the auctioneer bangs the gavel to start the live auction (fabulous dinners and events, services, and more). Watch for listings of items to be auctioned. Contact Dona Eaton to donate a gift card or something special.

Meet The Minister - April 23 @ 12pm

Rev. Shayna will host a newcomers get-together following worship on April 23. Whether you are new to Unitarian Universalism, wondering if membership is for you, or you've been here for awhile but still have questions about Unitarian Universalism and/or UUCM, come!

UUCM Adult Ed: April 2023 (See Calendar for Zoom links.)

What’s Up, Doc? April 12 at 4pm

All fiction is about people, unless it's about rabbits pretending to be people. Margaret Atwood was right about this, and so in celebration of Easter and the coming of Spring, we will feature the Bunny as a character in famous literature, movies, mythology, advertising, and nature. It’s time to emerge from the burrow and have some fun with these animals who are one of the species that are both wild and domesticated, white, gray, and brown -- and sometimes pink, blue, or a rainbow of other colors if they are peeping. Nancy Baker will guide you through the history of the bunny. If you have a favorite bunny in any of its many forms, have it handy to share! 



Surface of Mystery Winter/Spring Series, Part IV - Darkness

Apr 25 (7 pm) and Apr 26 (4 pm)

Is darkness just the opposite of light? Then why did it exist before light? Can darkness be a place? What does darkness look like? We’ll explore one of the most fundamental facets of nature and human nature in this program that brings together philosophy, theology, mythology and art.  

SHARE Needs Your Support in April

This month, please purchase Pancake Mix & Syrup, Condiments, Cooking Sauces & Seasonings, Cooking Oil, Jelly, and Cold Cereal for the Food Pantry at SHARE. Leave items in the basket in Barnum Hall, or click to see where to drop off food donations.

What in God's Name

"What in God's Name" is a podcast featuring Rev. Shayna and her good friend and colleague, Rev. Chris Owen. The weekly show runs about 20-25 minutes and explores current events through the lenses of theology and philosophy. Learn more or sign up to be notified about upcoming podcasts at Whatingods.com.

To contact UUCM leadership:

• Jamie, our administrator, has office hours Monday-Thursday from 8am-3pm. You can reach her at 603-673-1870 or at office@uucm.org. It's best to call ahead before coming to the church. Jamie will be on vacation April 20-26
• Rev. Shayna can be reached at minister@uucm.org or call 603-673-1870 x2. For time sensitive or urgent/emergent situations – text or call 802-579-6066.  
• The UUCM Board can be reached at board@uucm.org.

For Pastoral Care Assistance in April: Contact Karen Walsh or office@uucm.org.

Find it on UUCM.org

The easiest and quickest way to find information on our website is to use the Search feature. Enter a word or two into the search box located at the upper right on any page.

UUCM 603-673-1870 office@uucm.org