I hope that this article finds you with the gifts of the season: a cup of tea, a window to the changing leaves or shorter days that provide pause and reflection.
When people ask me how I’m doing these days, I share (in complete honesty) that my work with CUUF is a highlight. I feel energized and inspired from working with Jenise Swartley and the Worship Committee. I receive hope and joy working with Andrea, Ashley and the Religious Education Committee. At the Water Service on Sept. 10, I was reminded of how spirituality comes so naturally to children, and I was moved by all the stories that folks shared, including Denise Bosak’s testimonial and Anne Chartier’s testimonial about working alongside Water Protectors.
I know CUUF asks a lot from members and friends. Requests for financial support, service on committees and participation in Sunday services are made repeatedly. The culture I hope that we can cultivate is one where your contributions are generative in that they give back to you. Term limits are honored and celebrated for work on boards and committees. It’s work that I love and I invite others to join by considering if one of the following opportunities calls to you.
Provide snacks for fellowship: June Bavlnka and Joe Fernandez (pictured) and Jan Perkins come early and stay late every service to set up and be on-hand at the hospitality table for fellowship services. They’re looking for three people to bring a snack for each service. By splitting it up, it means you only need to bring one thing to have a full table. Fellowship is a favorite time, especially for the kids, and these contributions are well-appreciated. Text June to sign up at: 715-209-1622.
Serve on the Worship Committee: The group meets about three times per year to brainstorm service speakers, plan special services and create policies for engaging, inspiring worship. Members oversee recruiting volunteers to be lay leaders and to create the altar. They invite and confirm speakers and often help set up worship services. This is a very engaged group and we are looking for two to three additional members to join Jenise Swartley (chair-pictured), Megan Perrine,
Provide Special Music: The Music Committee is asking for volunteers to provide a musical selection during the offertory during Sunday services when Joni Chapman isn’t with us. Strings, winds, percussion, a Capello singing, solo or group, novice or professional—please share your music. Contact Music Committee Chair Linda Calhan at: music@chequamegonuuf.org
Help Set-Up/Take Down: Having a shared worship space saves us thousands of dollars and reduces our carbon footprint, but it comes with a lot of heavy lifting. Are you able to help with set-up before a service and clean-up after the service? If so, contact Fellowship Assistant Adam Haecker at: cuufad@gmail.com
A big shout out to all nine committees and the CUUF board for the leadership and care they put into their work. Please know that if a ‘yes’ isn’t right for you, if this is a time when you need to receive or if you have already said ‘yes’ to too many other things, that too is part of being the fellowship. I find it helpful to plan out a few years for when my next ‘yes’ will be possible, and I hope that you’ll consider CUUF’s committees, board or other volunteer opportunities for that next ‘yes’. And, I hope that it becomes a highlight of your days as well. —In community, Rev. Stacy Craig