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October 6, 2024
your weekly newsletter of events & issues
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You are welcome here.
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OUR MISSION:
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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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Your donations help us build a loving and just community.
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Coming up: Sunday, October 13, 2024 at 10:30am
Wild Things
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Do you have a wild thing that you need to befriend?
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This Sunday, October 13th, our service theme is "Wild Things." We all have Wild Things. Can we tame our wild things? Should we tame our wild things? Jim Thurman, well-known to our congregation as a talented musician, will bring a thought-provoking message titled "Recognizing the Adversary". Rev. Jim McConnell will share the Story for All Ages titled, "Befriending Our Wild Things," offering insight for both young and old. And as always, Beth La Fleur will treat us to some wonderful music. Whether you attend in person or join us on Zoom, we look forward to a lively and inspiring time together!
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To join BUUF’s Sunday Service via Zoom, please click this link; Meeting ID: 973 1741 4085; Password: 354882. If you have trouble getting connected please contact Beth LaFleur (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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- Tom Peelle: I have found a new apartment in Grosse Pointe and could use some help carrying things. I have a truck coming at 10:00am on October 17th. Then the following Monday I need to vote here early and could use some help doing a cleanup. My number is 313-400-7190.
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Celebrate with us at the Volunteer Party in honor of you, our dedicated Soup Kitchen volunteers.
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The party is at the Livery Brewery in Benton Harbor on Sunday, October 13th. Free food, drinks, fellowship and live music starting at 1:00 PM. Pizzas service will end at 3:00, but you are welcome to stay as long as you wish.
Please RSVP via the link or QR code. We need to know how many are coming for the food order. We are also asking for your phone and email so we can check the database, so please take a moment to register.
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Choir will meet at 9:30 Sunday mornings for the remainder of October.
All are welcome!
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Circle Suppers
Join BUUF’s monthly Circle Suppers! Guests are assigned to the home of a different host each month. Perfect attendance is not expected.
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Dinners are on Second Saturdays, Sept through March (though if a host wants a different date they can arrange it with their guests).
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Hosts will provide a main dish and non-alcoholic beverage.
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Guests will provide an appetizer, side dish or dessert and BYOB if desired.
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Join the fun! Singles, couples, families, and even those who don't cook--all are invited!
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- Leanne Thomas: LOST & FOUND: two silver rings with sparkly bits (looks like they fit together.) Please claim!
- I will be in the UP with my mom and my daughter October 10-15 and wifi will be iffy. For next week's Announce, please email any announcements to office@berrienuu.org
- Laurie Myers: Social Justice Committee meets on Zoom this Wednesday at 7pm. All are welcome. Click here for the Zoom link.
- Tina Eberly: Our RE kids collected two full bags and a big box of food to donate. That project is over now. Thank you to all of you who donated food to help those with food insecurity. We will update you soon on what the RE kids are up to this month.
- Ishmael Garces: I am selling popcorn for Cub Scouts to pay for activities.
- Brandon Flowers: October 29 at the Livery my friend Dan Dietrich from Vote Common Good will be holding an immigration rally to fight misinformation.
- Harvey Johnson: BUUF's quarterly Climate Café is happening on October 17 with an ethical eating potluck (focused on vegetarian and vegan options but all are welcome) and a film to follow. Stay tuned for more details. Bring a dish and an idea regarding our climate.
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BUUF Board Meeting: 7pm on Monday, October 21st
at BUUF and on Zoom. All are welcome.
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Available to subscribers. Subscribe on our homepage.
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Spoken or unspoken, we hold you in our hearts.
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Autumn 2024 Stewardship Message
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Lisa Fuller, Stewardship Chair
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Being a steward of BUUF is to commit to providing it with the financial support, time and talents required for it to thrive. During the Spring pledge drive each year, BUUFers commit to supporting the financial responsibilities of the fellowship by making a pledge of financial or in-kind support.
Financial: Bills, staff, supplies, etc.
In-kind: provision of services that would otherwise be an expense to BUUF–such as cleaning, mowing, tech support.
But paying bills is not where our BUUF stewardship ends.
Outside of the pledge season, BUUFers also commit to supporting the fellowship in other ways:
● As RE (religious education) teachers
● Contributing to Sunday Services, music, or tech
● Supporting member events - circle suppers, chili cook-off and fall festival of family fun
● Caring for our building & grounds by cleaning, mowing or gardening
Occasionally BUUF’s building and grounds require extra attention.
Currently three areas are a concern and focus:
1. Fuller Fellowship Hall renovations - lighting, countertop replacement and backsplash installation
2. Repair of our roadside sign
3. Care for the memorial garden in front of the building
Please look for a call to participate in the work needed to address these important concerns.
And in closing: If you have not already submitted a pledge of financial support for the 2024-2025 BUUF year we have pledge packets available on the Welcome table. There is no minimum pledge expected. An Ingathering Ceremony for those who have recently signed the membership book, or feel called to sign as members of BUUF, will be held Sunday, Oct 20th during service.
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Thank you for supporting BUUF, our unique place of seeking and connecting.
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Drum Circle
- Last Sunday of each month from 12:30-1:30 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?
- Thursdays at 3:30–5:30pm in various BUUFers' homes
- You do not need to know how to play. Contact Leanne Thomas, BUUF Office Admin, office@berrienuu.org or 407-488-4057
Men's Group
- Second Thursday of the month at 7:00pm at BUUF
- If you have any questions, please contact Nico Rojas at lucificador@gmail.com
New Moon Womyn's Circle
- 6:15—9:00pm on or around the new moon each month at various locations
- Contact Lisa Fuller lmfuller0116@gmail.com to be added to our email list.
Salvation Army Soup Kitchen in Benton Harbor
- First Saturday of the month from 9:00am–1:00pm
- 233 Michigan St, Benton Harbor, MI 49022
- Feel free to come for all or part of this opportunity to help. Contact Leanne Thomas office@berrienuu.org for more info.
Social Justice Committee
- Second Wednesday of the month from 7:00–8:00pm
- We meet via Zoom, and occasionally in person.
For more information, contact Brett Maccani or Laurie Myers ljm1960@att.net.
Small Group Ministry
- First Monday of the month at 6:30pm at BUUF
- The curriculum is always heart and mind opening. This is a friendly way to get to know other interesting BUUFers—as well as yourself! For details contact our DRE Rachel Reed dre@berrienuu.org
Writing Group
- Second and Fourth Mondays at Noon at BUUF
- Bring your lunch, notebook, and favorite pen. Contact Patrice Grant at astilbe531@gmail.com or Leanne Thomas office@berrienuu.org for next meeting date. Janice Zerfas is also a leader.
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Call for Volunteers
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There are many ways at BUUF to connect with other BUUFers and serve the fellowship. Scan this list of Volunteer opportunities to find one that fits your interests and skill set. There's truly something for everyone at BUUF.
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For help with any of this, please contact
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Leanne Thomas, BUUF Office Admin,
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Would you like a copy of our Members & Friends directory including our leadership roster? Just let me know.
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BUUF Caring Committee Do you need a call or a card, some food or funds? Application forms for the caring fund are available in Fuller Fellowship Hall behind the visitor's table. Many requests for support can be fulfilled simply by reaching out.
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BUUF on the World Wide Web
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Did you know BUUF has a hearty online presence? BUUF members are invited to visit and become familiar with BUUF's website, facebook page, private facebook group and YouTube channel. These platforms provide information about BUUF governance, upcoming events, discussion of various topics and an opportunity to view previous services and messages.
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Being familiar with these online locations will help you participate more fully in BUUF activities and share information with others who might appreciate our BUUF community.
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For information about upcoming events, visit, like, and follow BUUF on Facebook at
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Berrien Unitarian Universalist Fellowship • 4340 Lincoln Ave, St. Joseph, Michigan 49085
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