A Look Back: March 2010 at UU Lansing and Beyond
by Ed Busch
This week, let’s take a trip back to March 2010, a time of civic engagement, environmental awareness, and community connection.
Headlines from March 2010
In Michigan news, Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero officially announced his candidacy for governor. Meanwhile, the City of East Lansing took a stand for sustainability by voting to support Earth Hour, a global movement organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). Earth Hour, which began in 2007, encourages individuals, businesses, and governments to turn off non-essential lights for one hour on the last Saturday of March. Over the years, it has evolved into a broader call to “give an hour for Earth” through various environmental actions.
At UU Lansing: Reflection and Renewal
At UU Lansing, the March 2010 church newsletter was packed with updates and inspiration. Our minister at the time, Rev. Kathryn Bert, had recently returned from sabbatical and was focusing on reflecting on the church’s mission. With guidance from a consultant assessing the feasibility of a building plan, the congregation was encouraged to revisit its mission statement. To spark discussion, Rev. Bert dedicated her February through April sermons to exploring key aspects of UU Lansing’s mission:
February 14 – Caring for One Another and the World
February 28 – Seek Justice: Harnessing the Power of Love to Stop Oppression
March 7 – Celebrate Diversity
March 14 – Search for Truth and Meaning
March 28 – Faith in Love
April 28 – Hope for Community
TBA – Growing and Changing Together
Rev. Kathyrn Bert at the 2014 Folk Festival in East Lansing.
Lifespan Faith and Development
The church’s Religious Education program, known as Lifespan Faith and Development, was bustling with activities. March featured events such as Glass Slipper Sunday, a High School Worship Service, and a Passover Seder. A special workshop, Spiritual Practices with Kids, aimed to help families incorporate meaningful rituals into their daily lives. The much-loved Church Pal Program was in full swing, with participants eagerly anticipating the big reveal on Glass Slipper Sunday. Meanwhile, high school youth were preparing their annual service for March 21.
The Return of the Service Auction
Back by popular demand, the UU Lansing Service Auction was set to make its return. The event featured a silent auction followed by dinner and a live auction, offering a lively evening of fundraising and community-building. With an international theme, organizers encouraged donations of items from around the world to enhance the atmosphere.
UU Lansing Service Auction Dinner and Live Bidding in 2014.
Community Events and Justice Initiatives
March 2010 also brought a variety of opportunities for learning, connection, and activism:
A Mindful Eating Potluck featured a presentation by Julie Roy on the benefits of raw foods for both personal and planetary health.
The UU Women’s Fellowship met at Diane Nichol’s home for lunch and discussion.
The Pretty Good Book Group tackled Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife (2005).
The UU Seder Dinner was scheduled for April 3, with music provided by the Youth Choir.
Circle Suppers continued their tradition of monthly potluck gatherings focused on good food and great conversations.
Justice Sunday (March 28) featured a discussion hosted by Gene Mellen on workplace issues, including a conversation about The Big Squeeze by New York Times correspondent Steven Greenhouse.
Updates from the UU Lansing Board
The March newsletter included a “Splinters from the Board” section, detailing church leadership updates. A key focus was the ongoing Feasibility Study for a potential capital campaign, with findings set to be presented at the April Congregational Meeting. The following were appointed to serve as PC cluster representatives: Worship, Kathy Lovell; Members, Judith Rowell-Devaney; Money, Tracey Swift; Learning, Teresa Putnam; Justice, Arlene Teed; Our Space, Kathy McWilliams; Record Keeping, Ed Busch; Planning, not yet appointed. The board also approved a six-month sabbatical for Teresa Putnam, beginning in August 2010, with Deb Mosher leading her planning committee. Additionally, an update to the church’s Personnel Policy was in the works.
Connecting Beyond UU Lansing
The newsletter also highlighted broader UU and community events, such as:
A workshop by Mary Elaine Kiener at the Greater Lansing Women’s Center: Getting Unstuck: Finding Your Way Out of the Quicksand.
Student scholarship opportunities announced by the MSU GLBT Alumni Association and the LBGT Resource Center, along with a call for contributions to these scholarship funds.
The 14th Annual Michigan Lesbian & Gay ComedyFest in Dearborn, featuring an evening of laughter with comedians Jessica Kirson, Gloria Bigelow, Jamie Pierce, and Roxanna Ward.
A fundraising event by the Greater Lansing Housing Coalition, which included a special evening at Riverwalk Theatre with hors d'oeuvres and a performance of Enchanted April.
Share Your Memories
Were you part of the UU Lansing community in March 2010? Do you have memories, stories, or photos from that time? I’d love to hear from you! Please email me at uucgl.archives@gmail.com. If you have memorabilia from 2010 or any other time, let’s preserve these pieces of our shared history.
Let’s keep the conversation going and celebrate our vibrant history together!
Sources:
UU Lansing Archives
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About the Author
Hi, I’m Ed Busch, the writer behind these blog posts exploring the history of UU Lansing. After retiring in 2023 from a 15-year career as an Electronic Records Archivist at Michigan State University’s Archives & Historical Collections, I’m thrilled to dedicate my time to sharing our church’s rich history.
I hold a Master’s in Library and Information Science, specializing in archival administration, and my academic background also includes a degree in Fisheries and coursework in Computer Science. Before shifting to a career in archives, I worked across diverse fields, including fisheries, aerospace, and IT.