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BUUF ANNOUNCE
March 1, 2026
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OUR MISSION: For every individual searching for spiritual meaning, Berrien Unitarian Universalist Fellowship provides a welcoming and caring religious community dedicated to diversity of thought, social and environmental justice, and peace for all.
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VISIT: 4340 Lincoln Avenue, St. Joseph, MI 49085
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COMING UP:
President’s Day at BUUF
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Sunday, March 8, 10:30 AM
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I have a confession to make. For decades I’ve indulged in a daydream: taking a long road trip with Thomas Jefferson and showing him what America has become, its vastness, its greatness, and yes, its foolishness. I’ve imagined his long silences, his sharp questions, his raised eyebrow at our contradictions. So, this Sunday, I’m going to indulge that fantasy just a bit. (Maybe a lot.) Three brave BUUFers will step into history and embody three pivotal presidents: Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Franklin D. Roosevelt. We’ll ask Jefferson how he sustained himself spiritually and emotionally during the framing of our Constitution, and what he makes of leaders in our own time who seem to ignore the law and act in ways that feel dangerous for our country and the world.
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We’ll ask Lincoln, who governed through profound national division, what counsel he might offer us as Unitarian Universalists navigating today’s deep political fractures. We’ll ask Roosevelt about his religious sensibilities, how they shaped his New Deal vision, and how we might address the persistent inequality and poverty that still plague America, leaving 14 million children facing food insecurity. And yes, we’ll even ask each president which Unitarian Universalist principle most resonates with him. DRE Rachel Reed will share another wonderful Story for All Ages, and Beth La Fleur and the BUUF musicians will lift our spirits with beautiful music. Renee Al-Gassab will read our Welcoming Words and Swan Michler will do our Chalice work. Everyone is welcome. Join us in person or on Zoom for what promises to be thoughtful, provocative, and maybe even a little audacious.
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Join us in person or on Zoom.
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Meeting ID: 973 1741 4085; Password: 354882.
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If you have trouble getting connected please contact Beth La Fleur at 269-932-8598.
To minimize background noise, please mute yourself unless you are speaking.
Please leave your camera on; we love knowing you are there.
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We use the same Zoom link every Sunday.
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A tip for those who attend via Zoom and may have regular issues with sound levels: purchase or use a simple pair of headphones plugged in or connected via bluetooth to your computer (or phone) as most home computers don't have great sound quality.
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The updated 2026 BUUF Directory is here! You can get one as a searchable PDF for you computer or a printed out version—or go crazy and get both! Email Leanne Thomas, Office Admin, for your copy. You can also call or send a text to 407-488-4057.
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- Charles Long: Soup kitchen is Saturday, March 7. We will be making 100 lunch bags. Please see me for details.
- Beth La Fleur: There is a job opening here at BUUF for a piano accompanist. If you or someone you know are interested please see me.
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The Welcoming Congregation committee
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will meet on Sunday March 8 after the service. Please come if you are interested. We will be discussing what we can do to highlight International Transgender Day of Visibility at the service on Sunday March 29. We will not have the whole service, just a part of it. Questions: Laurie Myers, ljm1960@att.net.
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- Peter Tortorello (as part of the SJ Committee) met with Mary Jo from the Outcenter. They need people to watch the schools and hospitals as allies, attending meetings and so on. She is coming to the next Social Justice Committee meeting on Wednesday, March 11, at 7pm on Zoom.
- Anne Reed: Soul Matters (small group ministry) is the first Monday of the month at BUUF from 7:00-8:30pm.
- We are continuing the can drive through the summer. We have recycled many cans and made over $150 so far.
- Julia Ryan: Letter writing will continue. I want to share this quote:
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"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead
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- Harvey Johnson: On Saturday, April 25 the Membership Committee will put on a Cabaret. That's us entertaining ourselves. Start thinking of something you can do, or just come and enjoy the fun. There are sign-up sheets in the kitchen for participants and volunteers/potluck. BUUF will provide a main course and it will be potluck for the other items.
- We are planning a new member ingathering on March 22 if you would like to join the fellowship as a member. The first step is to sign the red new member book that goes back to 1959.
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Nan Lundeen:
Westminster Art Festival Portage Kalamazoo
Artists & Poets! Enter your work here. This year's theme is environmental justice: "Whose Backyard?"
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The Social Justice Committee Film Series Presents:
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Amend: The Fight for America, Episode 3: Wait
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Thursday March 26, 2026 - 7:00 PM
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Amend: The Fight for America, a 2021 Netflix docuseries, covers the legacy of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution and explores the history of discrimination and activism for equality. Episode 3: As the civil rights movement gains momentum in the 1960s, Martin Luther King Jr. orchestrates protests to goad President Kennedy into action.
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Episode 3 of Amend is just under 1 hour in length. Discussion will follow.
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Happy 104th to our dear Gloria! So much fun celebrating YOU with you!
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Green Sanctuary
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March 2026 • by Jeff Green
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We have a president who wants history to smile upon and glorify him. If that happens, it won’t be because of me. I am all for wanting to make America great but sticking with fossil fuels while suppressing renewable energy isn’t the path to historical greatness. Renewable energy is the cheaper healthier energy and is getting cheaper every year. The economics of that is now quite evident in the countries that are ahead of us in this effort. The reality of RE is that it is basically unstoppable. I doubt that our president could really care less about our health and cost of energy, otherwise fossil fuels would be on its way out the door instead of prolonging us in dirty more costly energy.
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Featured South Australia as a global proof point for renewable energy effectiveness, noting the state's transformation from coal-dependent to 74% renewables in just a decade.
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Big, beautiful coal is the mantra while renewable energy delvers the results we would all like to have. Cleaner cheaper healthier renewble energy for all. The article claims a 30% drop in the price of electricity, yet by my math it’s about 65% drop in the price of electricity. If I have made a mistake, then let me know.
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****from $104 AU/MWh in Q3 2025 to just $37 AU/MWh in Q4 2025 (approximately 2.6 US cents per kilowatt hour). This is the lowest wholesale price across all of Australia, and it happened while demand actually increased by 1.2% to record levels.****unquote
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Fossil fuels cannot compete. South Australia has gone from a mostly coal region to a mostly renewable energy region in about 10 years. By 2027, South Australia has plans to be at 100% RE.
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****Some 74% of South Australia’s electricity consumption is provided by renewables, and the state plans to make that 100% by 2027, in only two years. Wind, solar and battery generated 100% of the state’s electricity for 99 days (27% of the time) in 2024, the last year for which full data are available as yet.**** unquote
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Do we want expensive dirty energy or do we want far cheaper clean energy. This is a no brainer.
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In some ways it feels strange that a president can be so resistant to renewable energy and here is a shining example of just how profound it can be in changing our lives. DJT promised to lower our costs when in fact, it is the opposite in that he is making take the more expensive route. Above note that the state’s (South Australia) electricity was 100% renewable for 99 days. California has a similar record for over 100 days of 100% solar energy.
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****California had 219 days in 2024 (last year) when 100% clean energy met or exceeded demand for at least part of the day.****
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This is a fight to keep the message based in reality. Fossil fuels is losing in the marketplace and the only place left to help them (FF) out is the government. We are now in a winning position economically; all we need now is a fair fight. The rest of the world is getting it. Soon it will be our turn and back to clean energy investment with government assistance in abundance.
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This is where politics just makes a difference. Progress for lessening pollution is slowed, and we all will pay some price for it. When I consider this is a less than competent president, it gives me some kind of space within my bubble of hope. I so look forward to different leadership than DJT. In the meantime, I’m at home voting where and when I can by internet supporting a better government as best I can.
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These kinds of examples do give me hope for the future of our energy in the United States and the world. Again, thank you for making green sanctuary part of your reading pleasure. Take care everyone and see you in church.
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Potluck & Raffle
- First Sunday of every month after service.
- Raffle items are donated—thank you!—and the money is used for building and grounds upkeep and improvements.
Drum Circle
- Last Sunday of each month from 12:00-1:00 in the BUUF Sanctuary
- All are welcome to join. Feel free to bring your own drum, or share what we have.
All over the age of 8 are welcome to attend and participate.
- There is a $5.00 donation requested to build a drumming fund for special events.
Euchre, Anyone? & Mahjong!
- Thursdays at 3:30–5:30pm in various BUUFers' homes
- We also started learning mahjong most Fridays at 3:30-5:30pm.
- You do not need to know how to play. We play various games depending on the number of people. Contact Leanne Thomas, BUUF Office Admin, office@berrienuu.org or 407-488-4057
Green Sanctuary
- Climate Action Potluck and Film: Quarterly, details will be announced
- Please join us for potluck at 6pm and film at 7pm to learn how we can take actions for a sustainable future.
- Contact Harvey Johnson at johnsonh4@michigan.gov or 269-470-1470.
New Moon Women's Circle
- 6:00pm On or around the new moon each month at various locations
- Contact Lisa Fuller lmfuller0116@gmail.com to be added to our email list.
Soup Kitchen
- In the morning on the first Saturday of the month
- We are currently making sack lunches at Red Lotus on Vineland in the Slackers Fun Center building. The soup kitchen is moving to a new location which is under construction. Up to date details in the Announce newsletter and back of the Order of Service.
- Please contact Diane Gibbons if you are interested 269-235-0344 or gmad50@comcast.net
Social Justice Committee
- Second Wednesday of the month from 7:00–8:00pm
- We meet at on Zoom.
For more information, contact Anne Reed at libchik74@gmail.com
Soul Matters
- First Monday of the month at 6:30pm at BUUF
- Soul Matters (Formally known as Small Group Ministry) meets on the first Monday of each month at 6:30 PM at BUUF. Anyone interested in participating can contact Anne Reed at libchik74@gmail.com
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Make Our Own Sunshine Makers Group
All creative pursuits are welcome.
You're welcome if you think of yourself as an artist
or if you'd like to learn more.
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We will be meeting at noon on the first Sunday
of the month after potluck.
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Find BUUF Everywhere
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To view previous services (abridged for privacy) or messages delivered during Sunday Services, visit BUUF's YouTube channel
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