The UUAA Building is Closed

In care for our community's health and in compliance with Michigan Governor Whitmer's 3/23 shelter in place order, our building is completely closed.

Daily Centering Thought * April 2nd

This pandemic experience is a massive experiment in collective vulnerability. We can be our worst selves when we’re afraid, or our very best, bravest selves. In the context of fear and vulnerability, there is often very little in between because when we are uncertain and afraid our default is self-protection. We don't have to be scary when we're scared. Let’s choose awkward, brave, and kind. And let’s choose each other.

-Brené Brown-

During the COVID-19 Pause...

Finding Community (online)

Our physical building may be closed, but our community is needed more than ever. UUAA's creative and talented staff and lay volunteers have been working on ways to keep us all connected throughout these unusual times. A new private Facebook community space is up and running. And we now have regular online Zoom community meetings for choir and other groups. Keep reading news on this page or

view the UUAA Online Community webpage and find more resources for inspiration and education.

PASTORAL CARE IS STILL AVAILABLE 

Virtual Pastoral Care

Although we have suspended all in person gatherings, we are still able to offer Pastoral Care- primarily calls, cards, meal delivery and bereavement support by phone. If you or a beloved member of the community are in need of support, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or you can call 734-665-6158 ext 2. It is our goal to respond to each request within a  day.

In Peace,
UUAA Pastoral Care Team

WORSHIP SERVICES ARE ONLINE

Our Sunday services are now held online. A Zoom online Social Hour follows the service. Use the easy to remember links:

www.uuaa.org/service to view the week's service and

www.uuaa.org/socialhour to take part in the Zoom social hour.

The links are always available on this web page in the Sunday information box (on the left if you are viewing on a desktop computer, scroll up if you are on a smartphone.).

You can also view previous online service videos following this link.

Or visit our audio service archive to listen to earlier services.

[You can learn how to use Zoom on your computer by reading Getting Started with Zoom]

Meetings Via ZOOM - How to Reserve a "Room"

UUAA group leaders can now request Zoom meeting rooms using the familiar room reservation system. Please note that there are only 3 simultaneous Zoom spaces available, so as with UUAA’s physical spaces, the Room Team will aim to be as equitable as possible in how spaces are assigned.

Use this link to submit a Zoom Room Request Form.

As before, the Room Team will put events/meetings on the UUAA public calendar. This is a great place to find out what’s going on.

The Getting Started with Zoom guide has been updated to include the procedure for Primary Contacts (ie, meeting organizers) and using non-UUAA Zoom accounts for meetings.

Kids are Connecting on Zoom

PreK-5th Grade Zoom Check-In - Wednesdays, 10:00am

6th - 8th Grade Zoom class - Sundays, 10:30am - 11:30am

6th - 8th Grade Zoom class - Sundays, 10:30am - 11:30am

And watch for some online gaming opportunities as well. Check your emailed SGD Newsletter for links to these events.

Stay Connected to UUAA

While we can't meet in person, there are many ways to stay connected. Visit this website often, "like" our Facebook Page,  check out the UUAA calendar, and make sure you are subscribed to the UUAA Weekly Bulletin and Monthly Newsletter. To subscribe please fill out the subscription form using this link.  (You can use the form to update your contact information, also.) 

The UUAA Weekly Bulletin is typically emailed Thursday afternoons and the Monthly Newsletter is typically emailed the 28th of each month. If you have any questions, please email Welcome Ministries Coordinator Hannah Hotchkiss at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Zoom Online Meditation * April 1, 8, 15th 4-5 pm

As we find ways to join in community without meeting in person, please join an online meditation session with Rev. Manish:

Wednesday afternoons April 1st, 8th and 15th

4:00 - 5:00 pm

Use this Zoom link to join the session.

Or join with Zoom Room ID: 156-032-686

Are you Interested in learning more about meditation?

• Jon Kabat-Zinn, of the Cambridge Zen Center, explains the
  benefits of mindfulness in this YouTube video.
• Frequent Questions About Meditation - from the Tibetan Shambhala Perspective.

Pastoral Care Q (uarantine) Buddies!

The world has changed in the last few weeks with COVID19.  Many of us are moving to internet-based social interaction. Although this is beneficial in many ways, we also know the benefits of being in a real time connection with one another. 

We are asking for your help in maintaining our UUAA community during COVID-19

 PASTORAL CARE REQUEST: Q Buddies for those being Held Close

 HELD CLOSE? We have members who, for many reasons, are being highly impacted by the quarantine. These are the community members we want to keep close to our hearts and reach out to regularly during this unique time.

 What is a Q Buddy?  A Q Buddy is a congregant who is willing to bea quarantine buddy with a HELD CLOSE member of the community. We are asking for Q Buddies to check their buddy 1-2 times per week via phone, provide some social connection and communicate with the Pastoral Care team if the person requires additional care. We would love for folks to commit to 8 weeks, but if sign up and can no longer be a Q Buddy simply inform the Pastoral Care team.

To volunteer, send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. stating YES I CAN be a Q Buddy! Quiana will send you the name, number, and email of a Held Close community member.

Honor system! We will assume you have called your Buddy 1-2 per week. If there are no issues, concerns or questions, you can continue to call until the shelter in place order is lifted.

If there is a concern or a change in need, just call or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

   Thank you for considering participating in this unique Pastoral Care effort.

Drop-in Pastoral Care Hours * Mon & Weds

In support of community health and wellness, the Pastoral Care Team will be offering weekly online ZOOM Pastoral Care hours. All are welcome to this drop in style gathering, which will include a chalice lighting, a reading and open space for joys, concerns, reflection and dialogue.

Mondays 11:00 am-12:00 pm  

    *On Mondays, we will hold a Memorial Ritual to honor anyone the community has lost in the past week.  

Wednesdays 6:00 pm-7:00 pm 

ZOOM meeting links are shared in the Pastoral News, emailed with your bulletin every Thursday. If you need the link, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Alpha House Host Week * April 13-19

Our next Alpha House host week is from April 13th thru 19th. Due to the COVID-19 evolving situation, volunteer needs are very different this time-- the online volunteer signup can be found at https://tinyurl.com/AH0413,

More food will purchased through Food Gatherers rather than cooked and delivered by volunteers  and there are new expenses now to get ready for the possibility of a virus outbreak. The estimated financial need during our host week is $540. The volunteer sign up lets you sign up to donate money toward a meal rather than take food.

You can make a credit card donation to help with costs using this link to the UUAA credit card payment page (Alpha House box is half way down the page). Thank you to all who are able to help!

And, please use this link to view a Wish List for supplies needed at Alpha House. You can drop any donations off to them at any time. To learn more about the Alpha House COVID-19 response or other information, go to the Alpha House web page, or send your questions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

POSTPONED -Mens Fellowship Dinner * April 18th

The Annual Men's Fellowship Dinner that was scheduled for April 18 has been postponed. If possible, it will be rescheduled this summer. Check this website and email news from UUAA for updates. Email Tom Reischl (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) if you have questions.