History UUFCM (draft dated 2/07)

 

Quick links:

Bob Frank's Ordination 9/30/01

Charter members 2002

Mission and Vision Statement

Ministers

Presidents 

In the late summer and early fall of 2000, Robert Franke, who later became the first minister of our congregation and is now the Founding Minister Emeritus, passed the word around the Mt. Pleasant area that he was interested in starting a UU fellowship in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. Bob had retired a few years before that from a career in academia where he was a biology professor and also provost at Central Michigan University. He went to the UU theology school at the University of Chicago.

 26 people showed up at Deerfield Park, Isabella County on 10/26/00 and we agreed to meet monthly.

Deerfield Park

The Wesley Foundation allowed us to use their facilities free and we had a few meetings and informal services there beginning in early 2001.

 We began meeting at Art Reach, see the photo below, later in 2001.

 

 ArtReach, Mt. Pleasant

In May of 2001 Laura McBride (left), who later was the first president of the UUFCM 2002-2003, and Nancy White (right) , second president 2003-2004, attended a workshop sponsored by the UUA for congregations intending to join the UUA. Here is a photo taken from that conference in Boston:

Laura McBride and Nancy White in Boston 

Bob Franke's Ordination

Bob was ordained as the minister in 9/30/01. Here is a copy of the order of service for the ordination:
 

Thank you

 Ordination Committee Members

Libby Jackson, Nancy White, Helen Hagens, Mari Potter,

Laura McBride, Beth Macleod

 Rev. Emmy Lou Belcher, Minister, UU Congregation of

Traverse City, MI.

Ms. Sara Clavez, President, Heartland District Board of Directors,

UU Association

Rev. Charlotte Cowtan, Heartland District Executive Director (Ret.)

Mrs. MaryAnn Force, Traverse City, MI

Rev. Nancy Fulton, Mt. Pleasant, MI.

Rev. Patricia Greene, Mt. Pleasant, MI.

Rev. Mary Irvine, Mount Pleasant, MI.

Margaret and Curt Nash, Mount Pleasant, MI.

Rev. Norman Naylor, Minister, Emerson Church UU, Troy, MI.

Rev. Susan Smith, Minister, UU Church of East Liberty, Clarklake, MI and President, Heartland District, UU Ministers’ Association

Mr. Kevin Tarsa, Director of Music, UU Congregation of

Traverse City, MI.

Mr. Kier Todd, Mt. Pleasant, MI

Rev. Jane Thickstun, Minister, UU Fellowship, Midland, MI

Rev. Vail Weller, Minister, West Shore UU Congregation, Ludington, MI

Brass Quintet: David Biedenbender, Abby Church, Sam Jackson,

Jamie Macleod, Gabe Newland

St. John’s Episcopal Church

 And all of the Members of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Michigan,

 for making this day possible.

 

 Acts of Ordination and Installation

 Call: Laura McBride

 Offer by Congregation of Ordination and Installation: Laura McBride

 Response: Robert G. Franke

 Ordination and Installation by the Members of the UU Fellowship of Central Michigan

“We, the congregants of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Michigan, do hereby ordain you, Dr. Robert G. Franke, to the Unitarian Univerrsalist ministry, and install you as minister of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Michigan. We charge you to lead all people and us as you have opportunity, into the fuller knowledge of truth and the greater service of love. We pledge ourselves, so far as is possible, to walk with you in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in the ways of truth.”

 Acceptance:  Rev. Robert G. Franke

 

 

 

 

 

Ordination and Installation Service

Of Robert G. Franke, September 30, 2001

 Prelude: Mr. Kevin Tarsa

 Processional: “Rank by Rank,” Brass Quintet

 Call to Celebration: Rev. Jane Thickstun

 Song: “Gather the Spirit,” Kevin Tarsa, accompanist

Meaning of this Occasion: Rev. Vail Weller

 Greetings from the Heartland District UU Ministers’ Association:

Rev. Susan Smith

Personal Greetings

 Greetings from the Heartland District UU Board of Directors:

Ms. Sara Clavez, President

 Musical Solo: Selection from the Mass by Leonard Bernstein,

Rev. Mary Irvine

 Reading: Poem written and ready by Rev. Kendra Ford

 What is a Minister: Rev. Charlotte Cowtan

 Musical Interlude: “Amazing Grace”,

Mr. Keir Todd, Piper

 Living Endowment Fund Offering with Musical Interlude by Kevin Tarsa

 Acts of Ordination and Installation – See Insert

 Stoling: Rev. Vail Weller

 Charge to the Minister and Laying on of Hands: Rev. Emmy Lou Belcher

 Welcome from the Ministers: Rev. Susan Smith

 Charge to the Congregation: Rev. Norman Naylor

Closing Words: Rev. Dr. Robert G. Franke

 Recessional: Brass Quintet and Organ