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September 1, 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, September 8, 2024 at 10:30am
Water Communion
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Join Us for a Special Water Communion Service This Sunday! You are invited to the annual BUUF Water Communion service. Rev. Jim McConnell will deliver a message titled "Splish Splash," and Rachel Reed, our Director of Religious Education, will share a special message for the kids, and Beth LaFleur, our Music Director, will provide some great music to uplift our spirits. Our Water Communion is a special time when everyone in our community—adults and children alike—comes together to share something important that has happened in their lives over the past year. The water we bring doesn't have to be from a special place; it can be water that stands for something meaningful that has happened in our lives. Maybe someone had a baby, or their grandchild graduated from college. Maybe someone finished paying off their house or graduated from 5th grade. It could be something like seeing a solar eclipse, fighting an illness like cancer, falling in love, or even going through something tough like a divorce. Some people might share that they learned how to drive or something else that made them feel proud or happy. Whatever it is, the water we bring symbolizes these special moments. When we pour our water together, it shows that we're all connected, and that we can share in each other's joys and challenges as a safe and caring community. Everyone is invited to share no matter how young or how old. (Kids will stay in the service for the Water ceremony and be let go to their classes before Rev. Jim's message.) Come in person or join on Zoom.
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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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Coming up: Saturday, September 7
Soup Kitchen
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Share some smiles. Please come to cook, serve, or both, and enjoy hanging with your BUUF friends. Cooking starts at 9:00am. Food service starts at 11:45am and runs til 12:45pm.
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- Judy Peelle: Helpers needed for packing, carrying, moving, cleaning
Saturday 9/07 1:00-4:00 pm at 6126 Monroe St., Coloma, MI
616-283-8899 Judy.peelle@yahoo.com
It is a joy to see so many supportive faces here today. I appreciate all the messages you have sent me over the past few weeks. Tom has gone to Florida and will be staying with his sister over the winter. We have a rented house in Coloma that I could use some help clearing out.
- Warning: our house is built into a hillside, with a walkout garage below. The main level requires climbing stairs either inside or outside but the entire garage/basement also needs to be cleared out and no climbing is required there. Extra cardboard boxes & newspaper for wrapping breakables appreciated but not required! Snacks and drinks provided! Directions: From Benton Harbor, take I-196/US 31 north to exit 7, Hagar Shores Rd., turn L to get to Blue Star Hwy., (M-63) then L again onto M-63, go 1/2 mile, turn L onto Central Ave. (across from Dollar General—look for a gypsy wagon & big moose statue) then 1st road on R is Monroe (street sign nailed to a tree!) past heavy woods, 1st house on R is us. Little gray house on a hillside. Many thanks to any who can help!
Depending on how much we get done, I may or may not need help on Saturday 9/14.
- Does anyone have any extra storage space where we could store some furniture for Tom for when he comes back from Florida in the spring?
- Leanne Thomas: Raffle today to benefit, as always, our maintenance fund! Beautiful chimes donated by Sandy Tardi brought in $73 which will help with our many projects to beautify BUUF! Thank you, Sandy, all who bought tickets, and Oliver Rojas-Lion for helping out!
- Nico Rojas: After service I have a list to sign up if you are interested in being part of the BUUF men's group. Please get with Nico lucificador@gmail.com if you are interested but were not able to sign up in person.
- Candace Onweller: Free snare drum! [Congrats to the lucky Rojas-Lion family who are the lucky new owners!]
- Katharine Lion: The Bridgman Library is looking for individually packaged Halloween candy donations for our annual party. Party is Oct. 10th and would need it by Oct. 9th.
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- Celia Barnes: I found my talking stick, and am gifting it to BUUF to use in groups.
- Gloria Weberg: I received this postcard in the mail. This is the first I've heard that I will be the keynote speaker at this 100 Women Strong event!
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Small Group Ministry Brett Maccani
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Since the September meeting falls on a holiday we are moving the meeting to Monday the 9th at 6:30 at BUUF. Here's the information for our next meeting, so you can see what we're up to: Click here for a look at the curriculum.
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New Moon Womyn's Circle
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The September New Moon Womyn's Circle will be at the home of Lisa Marie Fuller on Thursday, September 5th from 6:30-9:00 pm. The monthly program includes check-in, centering, intention setting and time for exploring our creative selves. New Moon Womyn is a collaborative circle open to members and friends of BUUF who identify as female or non-binary and feel called to the group. For more information contact Lisa at lmfuller0116@gmail.com.
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BUUF Orientation:
Are you curious about the workings of BUUF?
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Folx new to the fellowship are invited to attend an Orientation session Sunday, September 22, from 2-5pm. Get to know BUUF and its leadership. Light refreshments will be served.
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Learn how Sunday Services are planned; hear about Religious Education opportunities for children and adults; get information about Social Justice opportunities; become familiar with BUUF's governance process; and learn about membership and its benefits. Everyone is welcome and there is no charge to attend. Please RSVP to Lisa Fuller, lmfuller0116@gmail.com.
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The Social Justice Committee will meet Wednesday, September 11, 7-8pm
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on Zoom. Please get with Laurie Myers or Brett Maccani, co-chairs, or
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Our kids here at BUUF
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are collecting non-perishable foods for the soup kitchen and local food banks. They want to impact food insecurity in our area. We will have a box by the RE room for you to place your donations. Tina Eberly
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Sign Up Now for
Circle Suppers
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Introducing . . . BUUF Circle Suppers! Gather for a meal with other BUUFers in host homes. Guests are randomly assigned to the home of a different host each month (don't worry: perfect attendance is not required). Dinners will be on Second Saturdays, Sept through March--though if a host wants a different date they can arrange it with their guests. Hosts will provide a main dish and non-alcoholic beverage.
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Nan Lundeen: My workshop is now available online as well as in person. My book is now available at many local libraries.
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Guests will provide an appetizer, side dish or dessert and BYOB if desired. Join the fun! Singles, couples, families, and even those who don't cook--all are invited! Hosts and guests will receive their September assignments at the end of the month. Let the festivities begin!
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Art Journaling
at the Krasl
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Leanne Thomas: I will be teaching and would love to see you! Class starts September 16 and runs for 4 weeks. Registration is open. class info here
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Available to subscribers only. You are welcome to subscribe on our homepage.
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Spoken or unspoken, we hold you in our hearts.
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Happy September Birthdays!
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| Liz |
Goodwin |
9/1 |
| Lia |
McCoskey |
9/1 |
| Scott |
Frankel |
9/2 |
| Nan |
Lundeen |
9/10 |
| Ania |
Bijak |
9/15 |
| Reuben |
Lorenz |
9/25 |
| Michelle |
McHale |
9/30 |
| David |
Richardson |
9/30 |
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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.
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
- Every other Monday 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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