Newsletter 1/15/2026
 Sunday Service, 3 P.M.: FRIENDS MEETING HOUSE 625 SOUTH ST., DAVIDSON Please visit our events calendar for more information. Mail: P.O. Box 991 Davidson, NC 28036 PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO THE END OF THE NEWSLETTER Jan. 18 – Rev. Melissa McQueen-Simmons: ‘The Movement in the Year of the Horse’ Considering everything happening in our communities and across the nation, we get another year to gallop into adventure. What does adventure and freedom look like for all of us? Where do you see your impact with the freedom and adventure for the civilization and the environment you encounter?Rev. Melissa McQueen-Simmons is the Spiritual Director/virtual pastor of Wholy Ground Spiritual Center in Mint Hill. Melissa is ordained in the United Church of Christ and is currently pulpit supply for the Southern Conference, a member for the Racial Justice and Equity team, and member of Holy Covenant UCC. She is also a facilitator for Our Whole Lives: Lifespan Sexuality Education, which fosters informed, responsible, and values-based decisions about sexual health and behavior. She is intentional about healthy relationships with self, others, and the Divine of our understanding. She is committed to relationship-building within the community. Melissa also co-leads the LGBTQ committee for the Charlotte Clergy Coalition for Justice.  Services can be viewed live at 3:10 p.m., and later for replays, by visiting our website. Information on upcoming services can also be found on our Facebook page. Jan. 25 – Rev. Pat Jobe: ‘The Five Regrets of the Dying’ Five life lessons from two best-selling books about the regrets of people dying in the secrets of a well-lived life.The Rev. Pat Jobe joined our Fellowship on Aug. 1, 2020. He is married to his lovely spouse Gabe and is an enthusiastic supporter of UU Lake Norman, FeedNC, Heart of the Carolinas UU Animal Ministry, the Barefoot Ministry, and all work done by UUs in our area.  This congregation continues to amaze me. Our willingness to live far beyond Sunday afternoons is pure gold. We serve and serve and serve again. On Jan. 25 we will Share the Plate again with All Souls Community in Forest City and support its ministry to immigrant families. In March the board has asked us to share with UU Justice NC. I don’t know how many of you read these notes, but I do want to put in yet another plug for Friday Action Hour, which is organized by UU Justice NC. Our recent victory to end Avelo Airlines’ contract with ICE feels great. George Bame, Sue Cunningham and Geo Johnson were all on the protest line the Saturday after Thanksgiving and we won! I recently heard another member wonder, do protests do any good? Protesters gathered to urge Avelo not to fly deportations in 16 states. We were there thanks to organizations like the UUA’s side with love. Congrats to all. P.S. Because we talked about the Zambrano family — Julio Zambrano Perez of Davidson was detained by ICE in February and sent to El Salvador — at our Jan. 4 meal with the Inclusion Community, a $500 gift came in the mail. We have now been part of a $10,000 fund from eight different congregations that has funded the family’s rent from May of last year through April of this year. A special need for immigrant families will be met by a Share the Plate on Jan. 25.  Following this Sunday’s service, we will have a short discussion and vote on these two amendments. 1. Proposed amendment change to the position of Co-Treasurer. Point 7 in the existing bylaws would be changed to read: the position of Co-Treasurer will be established but may possibly be eliminated or changed in the future should the congregation engage a full-time administrator. The Co-Treasurer will be a full member of the Board and as such will be able to vote on all issues. Both treasurers will be elected for two-year terms. 2. Proposed amendment change is to the position of Past President. The change is to Point V.A of existing bylaws. The amendment would read as follows: The President will continue to serve on the Board for the year following their term of office. They will serve as advisor to the Board and will also have full voting rights. Together is Better Lunch The “Together is Better Lunch” is at 1 p.m. this Sunday, Jan. 18. We’re joining with members of Temple Kol Tikvah, our neighbor on Davidson’s South Street, for lunch from 1-2:30 p.m. We are also asking our Quaker Friends if they would like to join us. Lunch will be inside at the temple. All we need to bring is dessert and homemade breads.Last-minute reminders for those planning to attend: Please park in our usual lot and walk over to the temple (limited parking will be available at the temple if the distance is too far). Enter through the front door, which faces South Street. Please arrive between 12:10 and 12:45 p.m. and try not to be late! Mary Nicholson and Lynn Henderson will be there to greet you and get your food into the right spot. Please plan to bring a serving utensil with the food you are bringing. A small sticker or card listing ingredients would also be helpful, especially if the food contains nuts or is gluten-free. We’ll have name tags available, and temple volunteers have a seating plan — not assigned seats, but sitting with someone you don’t know. If you have questions, please contact Karen Abrams or Lynn.  Aloka, the Peace Dog The next fence build by Heart of the Carolinas UU Animal Ministry, in honor of Aloka, will be Saturday, Jan. 24 at 9 a.m. We will be building two enclosures for 16 well-loved dogs. The address is 1448 Bess Chapel Church Rd., Cherryville. If you’ve ever wondered what we’re about, please join us. We need lots of helping hands. Please call Claudia (704 280-2354) if you have any questions about how you can help. Our congregation’s next volunteer shift at FeedNC is Thursday, Feb. 12, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Lots of hands are needed — please contact Jim Arnold if you can help.  Since May 2020, North Carolina UUs and friends have gathered online at 11 a.m. on Fridays to take action and experience the joy and power of community at Friday Action Hour. Organized by UU Justice NC, we recap the past week and take action on the issues impacting our state and country. Join us and you will learn more about these issues and get guidance and encouragement to take action. Join us this Friday on this Zoom link. Follow our concerns and actions each week as outlined in the Google Doc. Sign up for our weekly Friday Action Hour email.  UU Lake Norman’s Building Fund accepts donations to help ensure our future. For more information, please contact Alan Perkinson. FROM OUR TREASURER Thanks to all who have pledged to keep our Fellowship strong. You can mail your pledge to: UU Lake Norman, P.O. Box 991, Davidson 28036. To set up easy online giving from our website, just click the “Pledge or Donate” tab at the top of the page. Join us? If you are not a member but would like more information on becoming a member, please contact Marjorie Flowers at admin@uulakenorman.org. Rev. Pat Jobe UU Lake Norman Minister 2026 Board of Trustees: Greg Davis, President Jim Price, Vice President Jim Arnold, Past President Véronique Singerman, Secretary Karen Abrams & Linda Heydenburg, Co-Treasurers Gail Arnold, Trustee at Large We walk diverse paths to find meaning and purpose, but we are united by our belief in the inherent worth and dignity of all, and the obligation to express our faith through acts of justice and compassion. Join us as we create a diverse, spirit-curious, and justice-seeking community. Please send your newsletter items, suggestions or comments to Bruce Henderson at news@uulakenorman.org. The deadline for each week’s newsletter is midnight Wednesday. www.uulakenorman.orgCopyright © 2026 UU Fellowship of Lake Norman, All rights reserved. |