Our 60th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, April 27th, was a resounding success. We welcomed close to 100 guests to the event. We were especially delighted at how many BUUFers came from out of town to pay tribute to our 60 years of fellowship in Berrien County, including Rev. Michael Brown and Diane Fuller Brown, who formerly served as co-ministers of the fellowship. A full buffet meal of salads, meats, vegetables, fruits and vegan burgers was catered by Mason Jar and Ronora Lodge & Retreat. Numerous desserts and beverages were donated by guests. We are especially grateful to the two anonymous donors who generously provided financial support for the evening, as well as the guests who contributed to the free will offering.
Board Members Dave Sarra and Harvey Johnson served as MCs for the evening. Jim and Lisa Fuller (son and daughter-in-law of founding members Kate and Marv Fuller) opened the night’s program with a warm welcome and by leading the guests in singing Kate Fuller’s “Take Me Out to the Church Now.”
Diane Fuller Brown shared some of her favorite memories of the fellowship and each of its charter members. She then led the group in singing a favorite UU hymn “For the Beauty of the Earth.” Next, long-time member Gloria Weberg shared the history and meaning behind the many mounted wall quilts she has sewn for the fellowship. This was followed by a rousing performance of two songs by the BUUF Musicians: “Hey, Hey, We’re the BUUFers” newly written by member Jim Dalgleish and “I Am the Very Model of a Modern Unitarian.”
Rev. Michael Brown gave a moving talk of the important role Berrien UU Fellowship has played in the history of Berrien County, as a guiding light toward promoting a respect for human dignity (1st UU principle), justice, equity and compassion (2nd principle), and environmentalism (7th principle). He also talked about the increasing importance of our role as we enter a world that is in danger of becoming environmentally degraded, less democratic (in violation of our 5th principle), less peaceful (in violation of our 6th principle), and less free (in violation of our 2nd and 4th principles). He called us to keep the fellowship alive well into the future, not just for the benefits it offers members, but for the greater benefit it offers the community.
We wrapped up the evening with a closing message from current BUUF minister Rev. Jim McConnell, who briefly shared how he came to the fellowship and some of his most meaningful memories, including providing pastoral care to members who were ill, as with the now deceased Kate Fuller and her family.
Below are some favorite photos from the evening.
Rev. Michael Brown and his wife Diane Fuller Brown (former co-ministers of the fellowship)
Rev. Jim McConnell and his wife Rev. Patty McConnell
BUUF President Lisa Fuller, founding family member Jim Fuller, and guests Ben and Deb Schwartz
Some of our dinner guests, with Board Members and MCs Harvey Johnson and Dave Sarra in the foreground
Our BUUF Musicians performed two songs at the dinner
A full buffet dinner was served
Notice the snow coming down in the window in back. Ah…a night to remember!
