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November 17, 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, November 24, 2024 at 10:30am
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Special Guest Speaker this Sunday: Dr. Ryan Sensenig
Science, Spirituality, Preserving the Grasslands, and Living Off the Grid
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This Sunday, November 24th, we are thrilled to welcome Dr. Ryan Sensenig, a distinguished biologist and ecologist, to our Unitarian Universalist service.
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Currently a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Notre Dame, Dr. Sensenig has dedicated his career to understanding and preserving grassland ecosystems. His work reaches across continents, from the savanna grasslands of Kenya to the tallgrass prairies of Indiana, weaving together ecological research and teaching with a profound commitment to environmental stewardship.Dr. Sensenig’s research is both cutting-edge and deeply rooted in his personal spiritual values. By studying how essential disturbances like fire and grazing impact plant composition and soil health, he seeks to understand and protect the dynamics of these fragile ecosystems.
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Notably, his work sheds light on the crucial role grasslands play in carbon sequestration—grasslands alone store 30% of the world’s soil organic carbon. His current research explores how fire and grazing affect belowground carbon storage, soil microbes, and root systems, working toward practical solutions to support the environment in a time of climate crisis.Dr. Sensenig’s dedication extends beyond research. At his farm, which is mostly off the grid, he lives out his ecological principles, blending personal practice with professional purpose.Join us on Sunday, November 24th, as Dr. Sensenig shares how his work sustains him spiritually. Through his talk, we’ll gain insight into how the act of nurturing and studying nature offers its own form of spiritual renewal and commitment. We look forward to this inspiring service and the chance to reflect on our own connections with the earth.
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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. We use the same Zoom link every Sunday.
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This election has left many of us feeling a wide array of emotions- from uncertainty, to grief, to anger, and exhaustion. In these challenging times, we invite you to gather with us as we seek to renew our strength, deepen our connection, and build our resilience for the road ahead.
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Join us tomorrow, Tuesday, November 19, 8 PM ET for the final session of Forward Together: Anchoring in Community Post-Election. Co-hosted by Side With Love, UUA Congregational Life, faith-rooted organizers and UUA senior leadership, this event will provide a space for grounding in community and reflecting on how we move forward together.
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During this time, we’ll hear from Side With Love field staff about the current movement landscape and the ways congregations are responding. Together, we will hold space for support, reflection, and a renewed commitment to our shared values.
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Thanks to Jim Fuller, Charles Long, and Don Shaffer for fixing our septic system and saving us hundreds of dollars by doing it themselves.
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Thank you to all who contributed to the collection on Sunday for the Caring Fund.
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We collected over $480! What a generous bunch you are.
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December 8 will be a mostly music holiday service.
If you can play or sing, please see me.
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Beth La Fleur, Music Director
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Audrey Antonz-Flowers: Clare, Mary Lou Elson's sister, has been trying to move Mary Lou, but the DHS and the facility won't call her back. She needs help navigating if anyone can help. The Area Agency on Aging will help but needs a referral. UPDATE: Janice Zerfas took Clare to see Mary Lou on Monday and the social worker came while she was there, so there has been some contact made.
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BUUF’s Caring Committee
is a small committee currently made up of Laurie Myers, Leanne Thomas and Barry Kitterman. Our charge is to do what fellowships and churches and faith communities have always done, along with Reverend Jim, to look out for each other, especially in times of illness, or the loss of a loved one, or a difficult time financially.
We’d like to expand our committee a little. Some of us may be committee-phobic, and so we think we’ve hit on an idea for folks to join in the work in a simpler way. We are putting together a list of people who we are going to call our Caring Crew. If you’re someone who could help another BUUF member with a ride to the doctor, or visit someone in the hospital or at home, or perhaps fix a meal, we’d like you to be on our list, our Caring Crew. There’s a link to a very short questionnaire that you could fill out that would provide us with your contact info, or you could just speak to Laurie or Leanne or to me in person.
One thing that we are able to do in a limited way – we have a small fund and we are able to make grants, again small, to people who are in financial need. There’s a simple application process. We can’t know if someone is in need unless they contact us and fill out the application. The money that is in that fund comes from donations to the caring committee. If you’d like to contribute to that fund, we welcome donations at any time. In addition, twice a year the we will take a special offering during a Sunday service so the work of the caring committee can continue.
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Available to subscribers. Feel free to subscribe on our homepage.
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Spoken or unspoken, we hold you in our hearts.
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"Continue"
poem by Maya Angelou
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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 Women'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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