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BUUF ANNOUNCE
April 5, 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:
Berrien County Commissioner
Chokwe Pitchford
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Sunday, April 12, 10:30 AM
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We warmly invite you to join us this Sunday for a special and inspiring service featuring guest speaker Chokwe Pitchford. Chokwe serves as the 3rd District Commissioner in Berrien County, Michigan and is the Executive Director of Berrien Forward and Berrien Connection—organizations dedicated to empowering communities, protecting rights, and educating citizens about the democratic process.
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Originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, and a graduate of Countryside Academy and Lake Michigan College, Chokwe has traveled across the country organizing in underserved communities and amplifying voices that too often go unheard. Mr. Pitchford will bring a message about his vision for our community and his deep calling to be a servant of the people. In addition to our guest speaker:
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- DRE Rachel Reed will share another engaging Story for All Ages
- Beth La Fleur and the BUUF musicians will offer moving and uplifting music
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This promises to be a meaningful and energizing service filled with insight, heart, and community spirit. All are welcome. Come as you are.
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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 Green Sanctuary Team presents the film BEING the CHANGE,
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- April 16 at 7pm
- Potluck dinner will precede the film at 6pm
- For more info contact Harvey Johnson
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Later this spring we will be creating a Three Sisters Garden—corns, beans, squash—here at BUUF. We'll find out why indigenous people planted like this.
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- DRE Rachel Reed: Look for the RE newsletter in your email boxes! There are QR codes. Please check out the volunteer opportunities and fun kids programs!
- Christopher Bartlett: LMC is having it's Spring Choral program on April 15, and several BUUF members will be performing, including Harvey, Crystal, Beth, and I.
- Harvey Johnson: Sign up sheets are in Fuller Fellowship Hall for our Cabaret. All abilities are welcome. We will share a potluck meal, and pledge forms will be available.
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Our family is grieving the loss of Jeff Schanze, my son and Ron’s stepson, who died of a heart attack at his home in St. Joseph, MI, Sunday, March 22, at age 53.
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- Visitation is at 10:00am April 17, at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Road.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00am officiated by his close friend, the Rev. Tom Vanderbilt. Interment will be held at Riverview Cemetery.
- Memorials may be given to the Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan at https://humanesocietyswm.org or 5400 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI 49085.
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May Market Prep
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Have you peeked into the seedling jugs? Dreamed up a great bake sale item? Planned a craft to sell? BUUF's May Market fundraiser is Saturday May 16 and everyone is getting ready. Saturday May 9 we will open the winter sowing jugs and transplant seedlings into individual containers. We'll have over thirty different flowers and grasses, all native to SW Michigan.
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Please take a yard sign to place in a prominent spot.
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In addition to plants, May Market also features a bake sale and vendors with art and crafts. BUUF bakers, artists and crafters needed! This is a big fundraiser for BUUF, plus an opportunity to spread the word about the importance of planting natives to support our local pollinators. In April we will need volunteers to put signs and postcards around the community to advertise the event. Save the dates, plan to participate and start telling your friends!
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BUUF's May Market is the place for native seedlings, delicious baked goods and art!
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Every contribution helps keep BUUF alive and kicking.
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Thank you for your financial and inkind contributions.
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There are also committees available if you would like to contribute in that way.
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Leanne Thomas: Krasl Art Center is offering two classes taught by me starting NEXT WEEK. Both classes are 5 weeks each. Please click below for dates & to register:
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Discover the endless possibilities of gelli plate printing! Artist Leanne Thomas will guide students through creating impressions with various objects, layering techniques, pulling "ghost" prints, incorporating botanicals, and embellishing dry prints.
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What if a painting isn't about a landscape, still life, or portrait? In this class, you'll explore the fundamental elements of art like shapes, lines, colors, and rhythm, and how they interact to create compelling compositions. We'll focus on non-objective painting, meaning your artwork won't be abstracted from any recognizable object. Instead, you'll learn to express ideas and emotions purely through form and color, experimenting with new approaches to create more of what you love.
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BUFF LETTER WRITING
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Writing letters to legislators is a powerful way to take action and create the world we want to see. They do count every opinion and keep it on record. We elect our legislators and pay their wages. They need to keep us happy even in this challenging time. I lobbied for 35 years to end the worst aspects of poverty globally and nationally with RESULTS. Zoe my daughter worked in Senator Chuck Schemer’s office for a year and in Senator Tammy Duckworth’s office for a summer. She worked on reading, recording and replying to letters from constituents.
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Letting our legislators know how we feel and demonstrating are both critical in different ways and combined are very powerful. I will have cards, stamps and addresses at BUUF on Sundays.
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Most of us live in either the 4th or 5th district. The Representative for the 4th is Bill Huizenga R. There is a map of his district on his website. It includes St Jo and further north. https://huizenga.house.gov/
The 5th district is South of the 4th. The Representative is Tim Walburg R. There should be a map on his site, https://walberg.house.gov/
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We are all related.
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Lakota saying • Thank you, Deej Leggitt • Click to read more.
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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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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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