About our Fellowship

If you are searching for a religious community to call your own, we invite you to explore the possibilities that the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship holds for you. We are an active, involved group of people united in a quest for religious, ethical and social values. You will find acceptance of who you are, encouragement to share your thoughts and talents, and stimulation to fulfill your potential. We look forward to getting to know you. Join us in participation in our programs and events.   WHAT WE BELIEVE Religion should express itself in the everyday improvement of individuals and the community. Our Fellowship welcomes all who are willing to place the principles of freedom, responsibility, and love above uniform theological doctrines. We hope you will find this community to be challenging to your deepest thoughts and feelings as well as being a place where long-standing friendships can form. "The purposes of this society are manifold, but its primary reason for existence is to create and maintain a liberal religious intergenerational community which will

1. Affirm, nurture, and promote our UU values of individual freedom of belief, democratic process, and universal interdependence;
2. Provide the opportunity for us to recognize and achieve our potential as human beings;
3. Provide a supportive and stimulating environment wherein we can examine, clarify, and strengthen our own personal value systems;
4. Strengthen and sustain us in our efforts to live our values by constructively influencing the larger communities in which we all function;
5. Join us in celebrations of life’s joys, wonders, and rites of passage while supporting and comforting us in times of need."

(From the Constitution and Bylaws of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Midland)

FROM THE PAST

We are a growing group, with over one hundred adults and fifty young people. Our Fellowship carries on the liberal religious tradition of a Unitarian group active in Midland in the late 1800s. Unitarianism returned to Midland with the founding of this Fellowship in 1954. We met for several years in the Community Center and built our present Fellowship home on our five acre site at the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Wackerly Road in 1963. We took a big step forward with the expansion of the building in 1992.

We are affiliated with the Unitarian Universalist Association, formed from the 1961 merger of American Unitarianism with Universalism, two religious movements which have illustrious histories dating back to the 1700s in this country and to Reformation in Europe. These movements had in common strong support for freedom of belief. We continue to emphasize the free and responsible development of individual values and democratic participation in Fellowship affairs.

TO THE PRESENT

The Fellowship has been served both by ministers and lay leaders. Over the years our friends and members have discovered and developed skills and talents as well as strengths as a group which contribute to a rich and satisfying community experience. Reverend Jane Thickstun, our full time minister, nurtures the spiritual and intellectual life of our community providing professional leadership. Counseling and support also comes from our Paraministry team, a group of caring people who are trained to be confidential, non-judgmental, empathic listeners.

Operational needs of our Fellowship are the responsibility of our Minister, our standing committees and our elected Board of Directors. We meet as a congregation at least once a year to elect officers, approve our budget, and make other important decisions. All meetings are open to interested friends and members. The democratic process is basic to all we do, and decision making by consensus is our goal.

To be involved with the activities of the Fellowship, you are encouraged to join one or more of our committees:

In addition to our Minister, our professional staff includes a Secretary, a Director of Religious Education, a Choir Director and a Musical Accompanist.

TO THE FUTURE

The Board of Directors recently updated the Fellowship's Purpose, Values, & Vision statement.

FINANCING OUR ACTIVITIES

This Fellowship is a self-supporting religious community. We pay for many activities that we undertake. Members and friends make annual pledges of financial support. Contributions of time as well as money are welcome. A contribution box is also located near the entrance to the sanctuary. We do not pass a plate during the service.

SUNDAY MORNING SERVICE - 10:30 to 12:00

Our Sunday morning programs are offered through out the year and are diverse in focus as well as form. They include inspirational and spiritual services by our minister and occasionally by visiting ministers, our Director of Religious Education and members and friends. They may take the form of celebrations, dramatizations, musical productions, visual presentations, topical discussions, readings and sharing of personal events. "Congregational Response," our informal discussion period, is part of most services. We believe in the value of an intergenerational society and often invite our young people of all ages to participate in our Sunday morning services. Child care is provided for infants. Members and guests gather together for coffee, continued discussion, and fellowship following the program. Our choir, sings for at least two Sundays each month.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION - PROMOTION LIFELONG LEARNING

For children from nursery through high school, a full Religious Education program is offered by the Religious Education Committee. The program is age specific, inspired by many diverse sources, fun for the children, and designed to encourage children to think for themselves.

Adults are challenged by a variety of workshops, study and discussion groups, and extended groups activities planned by the various committees in the fellowship. These programs utilize the skills and talents of our friends and members as well as those of the minister and Director of Religious Education. A "New UU" program explores our beliefs and activities with those who are interested in learning more about us. The DRE also has a number of books and pamphlets describing more about Unitarian Universalism.

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

The fellowship comes together often, in large and small groups, for a variety of activities, many centered on the family and children. We enjoy potlucks, circle dinners, plays and concerts, ski and boating events, picnics and holiday parties. Many attend UU summer camp at Lake Geneva in Wisconsin. We also help to create a sense of community among ourselves through our extended families.

TO BECOME A MEMBER

Membership in this society is open to all who share it's spirit and purpose and are willing to make a commitment of time and financial support. There is not creedal test of any kind applied.

We encourage you to attend a sampling of our Sunday morning programs and our social activities, join our "New UU" group, and get to know us before pursuing membership. When you feel ready to join this fellowship, you need only obtain a copy of our Bylaws and  complete a membership card affirming your support of our purposes. The membership committee is here to help you and answer questions.

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Midland is recognized by the Unitarian Universalist Association as a Welcoming Congregation. We welcome, affirm, promote and celebrate the full participation of all persons in all of our activities without regard to age, gender, sexual orientation, race or any other such category of exclusion.

Please feel free to contact us with any feedback, corrections or questions at jaham1729@gmail.com