March 16, 2026
Dear Siblings in Christ,
With everything going on in our world today, how we long for Easter! We look forward to the celebration of Easter Day (Sunday, April 5) and the Easter Season. Easter is a season of new life and hope, and a reminder that death, despair, and destruction do not have the final word. Here at UUMC, we work to share hope with others so that God’s love is visible.
The UUMC Missions Team has chosen the following recipients for the 2026 special Easter Offering. Donations received will be shared equally among the recipients.
Southside Community Kitchen
https://www.southsidecommunitykitchen.org/
The Southside Community Kitchen helps to meet the food needs of people in our community who often go without, who live on the margins, who may be lonely, and who are looking for connection with others. When those caring community members first gathered to discuss hunger, their mission and method were rooted in feeding people and helping to restore dignity and worth to each guest through a simple meal in a safe, warm place, served with love and care.
1 in 9 Michiganders experience food insecurity, according to Feeding America. People in 11.9% of Michigan households, on average, went without food because of money concerns between 2020 and 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. You are invited to join the caring people in our community who support our mission.
After the Storm
https://afterthestormmi.org/
After the Storm was chosen due to the recent tornadoes in Three Rivers, Edwardsburg, and Union City, Michigan. We know that the “After the Storm” agency will be working to help these areas and others recover in the not-so-distant future, as well as providing financial help for the other Michigan communities that have been hit by natural disasters and are currently supported by this nonprofit organization.
Please make your donations payable to UUMC with “Easter Offering” in the memo line. You may also use the Venmo app on your phone by going to @UUMCDonation. The missions team will keep you apprised of this offering, and they thank you in advance for your generosity. In addition to your generous offerings, your prayers for those in need are also greatly appreciated.
Rev. Melanie Carey