The BUUF Board meets monthly, usually on the second Sunday of the month. Members and friends are welcome to attend.
BUUF Board members include (from left to right): Dave Sarra, Rev. Jim McConnell, Treasurer Harvey Johnson, Secretary Beth La Fleur, President Lisa Fuller and DRE Katharine Lion
Sunday, February 10th, is the culmination of our BUUF Sock Drive. If you are so inclined, bring some new, warm socks to service on that day. Connie DeGraaf will make sure they get to the feet of those in need in Berrien county. It is also the day when, after service, we will hold our Most Outrageous Sock contest. There will be prizes in several categories including, Most Colorful Socks, Socks that Tell a Story, Theme Socks, Socks that are Most Mismatched, and Oldest Pair of Socks.
The RE children will present their Change for Change sponsorship check for the owls, snakes, and chameleon they selected, meet the animals with a Naturalist, and check out the brick walkway where their inscribed brick will be placed.
BUUF Brunch – Small Group Ministry: February 14th 11am-1pm
Our Small Group Ministry is meeting on Valentine’s Day, February 14th from 11am-1pm. We lovingly invite you to join us. We break bread over our Potluck, have a time of peace, then commune by telling our stories and listening to one another with open hearts. The topic for this meeting is Love. We will discover what loves means to us & find out how love has changed, healed or even betrayed us.
“There is no remedy for love but to love more.”
Henry David Thoreau
Any questions may be emailed to Katharine (dre@berrienuu.org). Here is a link to the readings and questions which you may choose to review before the meeting.
The February BUUF Book Club meeting will take place on Friday, February 15th at the home of Dorothy Long. The group will be discussing the book Love and Other Consolation Prizes by Jamie Ford.
Here’s an overview from the Amazon website:
From the bestselling author of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet comes a powerful novel, inspired by a true story, about a boy whose life is transformed at Seattle’s epic 1909 World’s Fair.
For twelve-year-old Ernest Young, a charity student at a boarding school, the chance to go to the World’s Fair feels like a gift. But only once he’s there, amid the exotic exhibits, fireworks, and Ferris wheels, does he discover that he is the one who is actually the prize. The half-Chinese orphan is astounded to learn he will be raffled off—a healthy boy “to a good home.”
The winning ticket belongs to the flamboyant madam of a high-class brothel, famous for educating her girls. There, Ernest becomes the new houseboy and befriends Maisie, the madam’s precocious daughter, and a bold scullery maid named Fahn. Their friendship and affection form the first real family Ernest has ever known—and against all odds, this new sporting life gives him the sense of home he’s always desired.
But as the grande dame succumbs to an occupational hazard and their world of finery begins to crumble, all three must grapple with hope, ambition, and first love.
Fifty years later, in the shadow of Seattle’s second World’s Fair, Ernest struggles to help his ailing wife reconcile who she once was with who she wanted to be, while trying to keep family secrets hidden from their grown-up daughters.
Against a rich backdrop of post-Victorian vice, suffrage, and celebration, Love and Other Consolations is an enchanting tale about innocence and devotion—in a world where everything, and everyone, is for sale.
Berrien Unitarian Universalist Fellowship is excited to announce our next Mindfulness Workshop: Labyrinths as a Meditative Tool. Learn about Labyrinths & all the ways to interact with one: walking, gazing, sitting, even yoga-based dancing. We will use a variety of patterns & even make our own. All abilities are welcome. Our workshop presenter, Joan Guilfoyle, is certified by the Wisdom Ways Center for Spirituality in labyrinth facilitation. She has led workshops and retreats around the country, and for The Labyrinth Society’s annual gatherings since 2003. We wholeheartedly invite you to come & enjoy an afternoon of spiritual exploration, music & fun.
Have you ever wondered how the great 19th century educator, abolitionist, champion of women’s rights, and promoter of trade unionism, Susan B. Anthony would react to the ‘Me Too Movement?’ This Sunday, February 17th, Rev. Jim McConnell will speculate on that very topic in his sermon titled, “What Would Susan B. Anthony Do?” In this service, several women of the congregation will bring their own thoughts on the subject of sexual harassment and assault. Additionally, The BUUF Musicians will bring us another inspiring Special Music number, and the BUUF kids will help open the service. Beth La Fleur will teach the RE class for children on the topic of “Kindness in Nature.”
Don’t miss this service. The topic is timely, as well as politically and spiritually important.
