Calendar

In January, we are restarting Small Group Ministry, otherwise known as Chalice Circles or Covenant Groups.

Each month we will focus on a different theme chosen by our partner, Soul Matters. January’s theme is “Intention.” Members will review the monthly packet beforehand and reflect on the readings and questions. (To access the monthly packet for January, go to berrienuu.org/Fellowship Resources and click on “Small Group Ministry Jan 2022” to download the packet.) In small group meetings, we’ll discuss our reflections in a series of discussion rounds. Unlike other discussion groups, in Chalice Circles we do not engage in cross-talk or debate particular points of view. Instead, we each share our reflections and honor one another through focused listening. More details on this unique discussion approach can be found in the Participant Guide.

If you’d like to get to know your fellow BUUFers better in a more informal environment, build connections and explore your spirituality, Small Group Ministry is a great opportunity to do so. You will be encouraged to attend the same discussion group monthly so that deep connections can be formed. Please Note: These are initial meeting times but they can be scheduled differently if another day and time works better for group members. Also, in-person meetings may temporarily switch to virtual meetings if required by the pandemic or member request. If you are interested but neither meeting time works for you, please contact Interim DRE Joanne Krettek to see if alternative arrangements can be made: dre@berrienuu.org.

MONTHLY MEETING GUEST

José Aguto, Catholic Climate Covenant
Support from faith communities carries considerable influence with members of Congress on both sides of the aisle, 30% of whom are Catholic. This month, we’ll hear from José Aguto, executive director of Catholic Climate Covenant, which helps U.S. Catholics respond to the Church’s call to care for creation and care for the poor. José will talk about the Covenant’s work, how to connect with Catholics on climate, and the Covenant’s support for climate solutions like the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act. José worked for the Friends Committee on National Legislation before joining Catholic Climate Covenant. He served in the U.S. Army and is a graduate of Brown University and Villanova Law School.

• To connect by video conference, go to cclusa.org/meeting (NOTE: this links to meeting ID# 95498355745)
  Note: To improve audio/video quality, close all applications and other browser windows
  Note: To turn on closed captions and adjust their size, see this Zoom help page
• To connect by phone: If you have unlimited calling, call 1-646-558-8656; otherwise you can call toll-free at 1-877-369-0926. Enter 954-9835-5745 as the meeting ID
• To watch a livestream go to: cclusa.org/livestream

The Kalamazoo/St. Joseph Chapter Meeting will take place after the national meeting.

Time: Sat. January 8th, 1:45  The meeting will begin once the national call ends–typically at between 1:40 and 1:45. We’ll have informal conversation as we begin–and get down to business by 2.

Here’s the link to join:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81455448742

This Sunday January 9th we continue with our monthly theme of “Mental Health.” Our focus is how mental, spiritual, and physical health are all important parts of being a healthy person. Tracie Crenshaw will bring us the message, Charles Long will talk about building accessibility, Julie Williams will share thoughts on the Endowment Committee, Rev. Jim will have a Story for All Ages, and Beth La Fleur has selected some great music for us. This service will be virtual only (over Zoom). Watch for the Zoom link to arrive with your Order of Service email on Saturday.

We will have an RE class for children this week. As this is the first Sunday back since Christmas break, we have a fun “BUUF BINGO” game planned. Parents will be emailed a unique BINGO card they can print for their child(ren) to use. All the BINGO cards will be different. Parents will also be sent a separate Zoom link for the RE session. The RE lesson will begin at 11:30am or whenever the Sunday service ends.

Are you feeling called to plan or attend a local Women’s Circle?  Join women of Berrien UU Fellowship 6:30-9:00 pm Monday January 10 via Zoom to view the movie “Things We Don’t Talk About,” and explore ideas for creating a Women’s Circle or women’s event at Berrien UU Fellowship (4340 Lincoln Avenue, St. Joseph, MI). Open to all who identify as women. To receive a link for this virtual meeting, send your name and email address to Lisa Fuller, lmfuller0116@gmail.com.

Resources:

https://redtentmovie.com

Lisa Fuller, lmfuller0116@gmail.com

Gretchen Ohmann, gretchen@ladyweave.com

Katharine Lion, lion.katharine@gmail.com

The next Social Justice Committee meeting will take place on Wednesday, January 12th from 7-8pm over Zoom.

The committee has some important planning and decision-making to accomplish in 2022. Several items on the January agenda will continue into the February and March meetings. This is not only because the committee is busy—it is—but also because the continuing development of Covid-19 makes some activities difficult to pursue safely.

The January agenda also includes a report on donations to the Cora Lamping Center, an update on both the bail bond project and the documentary film being developed by Trenton Bowens and Neighbors Organizing Against Racism, and the contributions of our committee to the Sunday Service themes for January through April.

Please contact Clark or Nancy Gilpin (committee co-chairs) for the meeting Zoom link.

I answer the heroic question ‘Death, where is thy sting?’ with
‘It is here in my heart and mind and memories.’

From: Maya Angelou, “When I Think of Death”

This Sunday, January 16th, we continue with our theme of Mental Health with a focus on Loss and Grief. Everyone has been touched by loss in some way. We have lost beloved grandparents or parents. Some of us have lost children. Others of us have lost beloved pets, family homes, farms, and jobs we loved. Loss is a part of Life. We all will deal with it many times in our lives. Join us this Sunday on Zoom.

The service will include a Story for All Ages that addresses loss, in terms appropriate for children, followed by a discussion led by Rev. Jim. It would be wonderful to have as many children as possible present for at least that portion of the service. In addition, there will be another fun RE class via Zoom immediately following the service, around 11:30-11:45am. Look for details in this week’s Order of Service.

In January, we are restarting Small Group Ministry, otherwise known as Chalice Circles or Covenant Groups.

Each month we will focus on a different theme chosen by our partner, Soul Matters. January’s theme is “Intention.” Members will review the monthly packet beforehand and reflect on the readings and questions. (To access the monthly packet for January, go to berrienuu.org/Fellowship Resources and click on “Small Group Ministry Jan 2022” to download the packet.) In small group meetings, we’ll discuss our reflections in a series of discussion rounds. Unlike other discussion groups, in Chalice Circles we do not engage in cross-talk or debate particular points of view. Instead, we each share our reflections and honor one another through focused listening. More details on this unique discussion approach can be found in the Participant Guide.

If you’d like to get to know your fellow BUUFers better in a more informal environment, build connections and explore your spirituality, Small Group Ministry is a great opportunity to do so. You will be encouraged to attend the same discussion group monthly so that deep connections can be formed. Please Note: These are initial meeting times but they can be scheduled differently if another day and time works better for group members. Also, in-person meetings may temporarily switch to virtual meetings if required by the pandemic or member request. If you are interested but neither meeting time works for you, please contact Interim DRE Joanne Krettek to see if alternative arrangements can be made: dre@berrienuu.org.