WhaT we Do
SUNDAY SERVICES
Services at Berrien Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (BUUF) are held Sunday mornings at 10:30am.
Children’s Religious Education Classes and Nursery Care also begin at 10:30am.
The people of BUUF welcome you to our Sunday Service. Immediately following the Worship Service move to the Fuller Fellowship Hall for coffee and conversation. After coffee we often gather again in the sanctuary for Circle Talk, an open discussion of the morning’s topic–considered by some to be the most important part of the service. Everyone is invited to participate in Circle Talk as they feel comfortable.
CHILDREN'S R.E.
To help develop their UU identity, children are included in the first half of service each week, and in the full service at least once a month. They are encouraged to participate in the the life of the fellowship by sharing during Joys and Concerns. After hearing and briefly discussing a Story for All Ages the congregation sings the children off to their Religious Education class, led by a volunteer RE teacher.
For more information, please contact our Director of Religious Education (DRE@berrienuu.org).
ADULT FAITH DEVELOPMENT
Upcoming events are available on our calendar, which is coming soon.
SMALL GROUP MINISTRY
In-person meetings the first Monday of the month from 6:30-8:00pm are ongoing.
For more information contact Rachel Reed, Director of Religious Education.
NEW MOON WOMEN'S GROUP
BUUF’s New Moon Womyn’s circle meets on or near each new moon, gathering at BUUF or member homes and via Zoom. The group is for BUUFers with female gender identity, and is open to friends of BUUFers by invitation. Circle participants may join our private facebook group, New Moon Womyn.
Each circle usually includes a chalice/candle lighting and reading, member check-in, an activity and discussion. Though we meet on or near the new moon each month, our focus is not limited to moon phases or astrology. We explore ways to tap into our creativity, honor our whole selves, and explore our own intentions. Contact Lisa Fuller for more information.
Potluck Sunday (1st Sunday Monthly)
The first Sunday of each month everyone is invited to participate in our monthly potluck. Sharing a meal helps us slow down and connect with each other. Participation in the potluck can take many forms: bringing a dish to pass, enjoying food and fellowship, or helping with clean up.
Ethical Eating Potluck and Environmental Justice Film Series (3rd Thursday Monthly)
As part of our dedication to environmental justice, we pay attention to the impact of our involvement in the food system. Ethical eating recognizes the moral consequences of our food choices. The ways our societies raise, buy, and consume our food has direct effects on the earth, plants and animals, and humans who work to make our food available. Movies and documentaries of environmental justice interest are screened free and followed by discussion.
As always, all BUUF members, family and friends are welcome to share an evening of yummy food and good conversation.
New Moon Women’s Circle (Monthly)
This collaborative circle meets on or near each new moon. The group is for BUUFers with female gender identity, and open to friends of BUUFers by invitation. Our circles are hybrid, gathering at BUUF or member homes and via Zoom. The agenda generally consists of a chalice/candle lighting and reading, member check-in, an activity and discussion. Though we meet on or near the new moon each month, our focus is not necessarily on moon phases or astrology. We mainly explore ways to tap into our creativity, honor our whole selves, and explore our own intentions.
UU AllComers (Twice per Year)
We encourage anyone interested in our fellowship or in Unitarian Universalism to attend our UU AllComers program to get to know more about us. UU AllComers is conducted by our minister, Rev. Jim McConnell and other BUUF leaders. It provides an overview of Unitarian Universalist identity, history, and theology. It is designed especially for (but not limited to) those new to BUUF or Unitarian Universalism.
UU AllComers participants will hear about our fellowship and its programs. Members identify personal attitudes about religion and spirituality, and share them with the other group members. We explore the diversity of prior religious experiences of the participants.
A light meal is provided. UU AllComers is often part of the path to Berrien UU membership.
Annual Pledge Celebration Dinner & Cabaret (spring)
The dinner is a celebration of our fundraising process. Entertainment is cabaret style skits and songs performed by Berrien UU members and friends.
Parent's Night Out
Periodically, adult volunteers and child care workers will host a fun evening of food and activities for children 12 and under, usually on a Friday or Saturday night. BUUF members and friends are invited to drop off their children or grandchildren, especially those who already participate in our RE program. Often, parents will organize a group outing during this time period. However, adults are also free to enjoy a date night, shopping trip or other activity. All participants need to have a completed registration form on file before joining the event. There is no charge for participation.
Green Funerary
With traditional burial and cremation processes having large carbon footprints, identification of ‘greener’ post-death practices is part of BUUF’s Green Sanctuary five-year plan. Anyone interested in learning about green burial and other sustainable funerary practices is invited to join hosts Jim and Lisa Fuller for discussion and exploration.
A Note from the Minister
My calling, as Religious Leader, is to be present to the members of the congregation during the landmark events in life. Sometimes it means sitting with the sick and dying, being present in times of difficulty, or officiating at memorial services. Other times it means sharing in the joys of family accomplishments like, getting a child through college, celebrating a 50th wedding anniversary, and officiating at a marriage, or a naming ceremony. Mostly being the Religious Leader means standing with the Beloved Community as the ‘Spirit of Life’ manifests itself in peoples lives. My greatest challenge is to be faithful to my own spiritual process, so that I can speak from the pulpit with a voice that inspires wise, courageous, compassionate, and mindful living.
The Reverend Jim McConnell
The seven principles of the Unitarian Universalist Association are the basis of BUUF’s community outreach and social action.
Many of BUUF’s community outreach and social actions have been initiated by recommendations from the Social Justice Committee, which has an integral relationship with the BUUF Restricted Endowment Fund. Each year forty percent of the previous year’s dividends and interest from the Restricted Endowment Fund becomes available to support BUUF community outreach and social action, typically between $1,400 and $1,900. The Social Justice Committee presents a proposal for the use of the funds to the BUUF Board of Trustees. Once approved by a majority vote of members at the annual meeting in June, the Social Justice Committee can proceed with its proposal.
In recent years, funding has been provided directly to such organizations as the All God’s Children Community Choir, Benton Harbor Soup Kitchen, Community AIDS Resource and Education Services (CARES), the OutCenter, Saint Augustine’s Episcopal Church’s Neighborhood Food Pantry, Emergency Shelter Services, Calling All Colors, and Fresh Start Children’s Garden.
BENTON HARBOR SOUP KITCHEN
Every first Saturday BUUF prepares and serves homemade pizza to those in need of a meal. We are the only group that serves pizza, so we are quite popular with our Soup Kitchen friends.
MUUSJN
Berrien Unitarian Universalist Fellowship is a member of the Michigan Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Network. MUUSJN is a state wide network of Unitarian Universalists and our allies who work together for progressive change.
Most of the important work of this fellowship is accomplished by volunteers. You are invited to join one or more volunteer committees or teams that align with your interests. Thank you for sharing your time and talents!
Note: If you have additional ideas for how to offer support, we want to hear from you! Please email office@berrienuu.org with your proposed volunteer project or team.
Adult Faith Development: Under the direction of the RE Director, help plan and conduct Adult Faith Development sessions, such as Small Group Ministry, etc. Contact Person: Rachel Reed.
BUUF Musicians: Perform periodically at BUUF services and/or record music for Zoom services.
Contact our Music Director Beth LaFleur for more information.
Building & Grounds: Assist with building & grounds maintenance, such as regular mowing, clearing snow and dust from the solar panels, building repair and maintenance, spring and fall yard clean-up, gardening.
Contact Person: Harvey Johnson.
Caring Team: Send cards, coordinate services (meals, rides, visits). Chair: Leanne Thomas
Children’s Religious Education: Under the direction of the RE Director, serve as an RE teacher. Help plan and conduct RE classes for children. May also assist with special projects involving the fellowship’s children. Contact Person: Rachel Reed
Fundraising: Help with the important mission of funding the fellowship by planning, organizing, marketing and working special fundraising events, such as an auction or garage sale, plant sale, bake sale, book sale, etc. Also help with event clean-up. Fundraising Activities: Lisa Fuller
Green Sanctuary: Help plan Green Sanctuary events and projects related to Sustainable Living, Ethical Eating, Environmental Justice, Worship & Celebration and Religious Education; further BUUF’s status as a Green Sanctuary Candidate; market events like the Environmental Justice Film Series internally and externally. Green Sanctuary Co-Chairs: Diane Gibbons and Harvey Johnson
Janitorial Service: Sweep, mop, vacuum floors; clean and stock bathrooms, kitchen; remove dust, cobwebs. Coordinator: Vicki Dwyer Thomas
Marketing: Promote BUUF activities with weekly news releases in small local papers which would provide free publicity. Generate and act upon additional ideas for community networking and visibility. Create and distribute logo wear. Contact: Leanne Thomas
Membership: Promote a welcoming culture for members/visitors at Berrien UU; follow up with visitors; communicate with members and friends; coordinate new member Ingatherings; organize UU AllComers event and annual Volunteer Recognition Service & Luncheon. Membership Team Chair: Harvey Johnson
Safe Congregation: Continually review the UUA’s suggestions for keeping people of all ages safer from physical and emotional harm and update our policy as needed, identify our safety risks, create a list of resources (local, state & federal), create a plan for emergency preparedness & update our employee / volunteer application. Safe Congregation Chair: Beth La Fleur
Social Justice: Coordinate with Social Justice partners such as Calling All Colors; add Social Justice and partner events to Berrien UU calendar; coordinate participation in Social Justice projects or events such as the Soup Kitchen; further the Berrien UU Social Justice vision; help determine distribution of Social Justice endowment funds. Contact: Laurie Myers
Social Media: Do you enjoy interacting on Facebook? Help promote BUUF’s services and activities by creating posts and events on our page and in our private group. Contact: Lisa Fuller
Solstice/Equinox Services: Help with planning and conducting the summer & winter solstice, spring and fall equinox services. Contact Sunday Services Chair: Beth La Fleur
Stewardship: Help plan and conduct the annual pledge drive and planned giving efforts. In cooperation with the Treasurer and Bookkeeper, keep the fellowship apprised of BUUF’s financial condition and collection of annual pledges on a regular basis. Discuss and celebrate members’ financial commitment year-round, connecting it to all aspects of our activities and mission. Stewardship Chair: Lisa Fuller
Sunday Services: Create Sunday service calendar of themes and topics; coordinate and schedule Sunday Service speakers and service leaders; set up sanctuary (as needed) and/or manage Zoom hosts; set guidelines for Sunday services. Sunday Services Chair: Beth La Fleur
Tech Support: Manage/host Zoom services, edit and post recorded services, create slides, edit music recordings and match with slides, operate projector for in-person services. Contact Beth La Fleur for more information.
Click to see a wheel of the year for Solstice/Equinox services reference.
Browse through the slideshow presentation by Katharine Lion and Beth La Fleur about their summer 2018 attendance at Midwest Leadership School. After attending MWLS Katharine served three years as BUUF’s Director of Religious Education. Beth served on the BUUF Board, including as President, and is now our Music Director and Chair of Sunday Services.
Berrien Unitarian Universalist Fellowship is a member of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), the central organization for the Unitarian Universalist (UU) religious movement in the United States. The UUA’s 1000+ member congregations are committed to Seven Principles that include the worth of each person, the need for justice and compassion, and the right to choose one’s own beliefs. UU congregations and faith communities promote these principles through regular worship, learning and personal growth, shared connection and care, social justice action and service, celebration of life’s transitions, and much more.
All BUUF members and friends are encouraged to participate in BUUF’s Member – Friend Profile by submitting your entry to office@berrienuu.org
For a listing of all voting members and friends, along with their contact information, please email office@berrienuu.org and ask for our Berrien UU Members and Friends Directory. Note: This information will not be made available to the public.
Berrien Unitarian Universalist Fellowship is a member of the MidAmerica Region of the Unitarian Universalist Association which includes nearly 200 UU congregations in parts or all of these states: Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Kentucky, Ohio, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska. The MidAmerica Region seeks to covenant with each other to find new ways of partnering and standing together on the side of love for the flourishing of our world, our communities, our congregations and our members.
Disability Network Southwest Michigan
Kalamazoo Office: 517 E. Crosstown Parkway, Kalamazoo, MI 49001 ph:(269) 345-1516
Berrien/Cass Office: 2900 Lakeview Avenue, St. Joseph, MI 49085 ph (269) 985-0111
Substance Abuse Recovery Networks
UU Addictions Ministry: https://uuaddictionsministry.org/
SMART Recovery (based on Rational Recovery): https://www.smartrecovery.org/about-us/
Buddhist Recovery Network: www.buddhistrecovery.org
Carol’s Hope (A 24-hour crisis intervention facility that provides a supervised, supportive setting for individuals with substance use and co-occurring disorders. As an alternative to emergency room care, the center provides clients a welcoming environment where individuals can develop a Recovery Plan and connect to services.): https://communityhealingcenter.org/service/carols-hope/ / (269) 556-1526
Online Peer Recovery Groups: www.intherooms.com
Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Center (residential treatment): https://www.sacredheartcenter.com/index.html (269) 815-5500
SWMBH – Southwest Michigan Behavioral Health (helps connect people with Medicaid to recovery resources in Berrien and other counties): 800-781-0353
Community Healing Center (outpatient treatment in Niles): (269) 684-7741
Al Anon (family and friends of alcoholics): https://al-anon.org
ACOA (Adult Children of Alcoholics): https://adultchildren.org
MENTAL HEALTH
UU Mental Health Network: https://uumentalhealth.org
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
1-800-273-TALK (8255) [24/7 Hotline]
1-888-628-9454 (Spanish)
1-800-799-4889 (TTY)
Crisis Text Line: Text “MHFA” to 741741 to speak with a compassionate, trained crisis counselor, a volunteer who has been trained to help with problem-solving and will address the caller’s situation. https://www.crisistextline.org/
Children’s Crisis Mobile Team: 269-934-0747
SAMHSA: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration:
SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders. https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline / 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
Veterans Crisis Line: Connect with the Veterans Crisis Line to reach caring, qualified responders with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Many of them are Veterans themselves. You can call the number or chat online. https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/ / 1-800-273-8255 and press 1
Andrews University Community Counseling Center (free): 269-471-6238
Center(ed) on Wellness (Mental Wellness & Addiction Recovery / United Way Partner Agency): https://centeredonwellness.info/ – (269) 926-6199
Find a Therapist: www.Psychologytoday.com
