UUCGT Flash 
January 4, 2018
Vol. 12, Issue 515
 
In This Issue
Reflection
Sunday Service
Lifespan Experience for Children, Youth & Families
FYI
What's Going On?
End Note

Congregational Vision
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Reflection...

Belated But Happy Kwanzaa 

"In all things that are purely social
we can be as separate as the fingers,
yet one as the hand
in all things essential to mutual progress."
-  Booker T. Washington
 
Dear friends -

I hope everyone is enjoying the robust blast of winter we are enjoying here in the lovely north country.   Stay warm and safe!  Winter is such a wonderful time to turn inward to reflect, and I am delighted that we will offer our Honoring Kwanzaa service this Sunday.

In its origins "Universalism" referred to the belief in universal (versus particularist) salvation - that every human being has the possibility of salvation.  Today, for us as UUs, this also means the urge toward shared liberation:  none of us are free until all of us are free.  

It is an honor to devote a Sunday to considering the meaning of this important Blackamerican cultural celebration, and the ideals we share together.  

One of my favorite bluesy songs, "None of Us are Free" by Solomon Burke says: 
Well you better listen my sisters and brothers,
'cause if you do you can hear
There are voices still calling across the years.
And they're all crying across the ocean,
And they're cryin' across the land,
And they will till we all come to understand.
None of us are free.
None of us are free, one of us are chained.
None of us are free.

(You can listen to the song here:   http://bit.ly/2CLIcl5) 
Every soul that is suffering will know they are not alone. 

See you Sunday - and following the service we will honor the Kwanzaa custom of holding a feast.  Ours will be modest, but do please plan to hang out a while to reflect together on honoring Kwanzaa. 

Amani!

Rabbi Chava

Sunday Service 
Sunday, January 7 - 
Rabbi Chava Bahle, Andi Kramer
10:30 AM Service:  " Honoring Kwanzaa:  7 Symbolic Principles"
Although the week-long celebration of Kwanzaa has passed, le t's join in learning the seven principles / symbols of this holiday, and consider together how they intersect with the Seven Principles of Unitarian Universalism.

Kwanzaa honors African heritage in African-American culture, and is observed from December 26th to January 1st, culminating in a Karamu feast and gift-giving.  Join us for a mini-Karamu feast following the service.
 
Lifespan Experience
f or Children,  Youth  and Fam ilies!

It's not too late!
Our "Heifer Tree" will be up through Sunday, 1/7/18!
 
The children are only $35 from their 2017  goal!
 [  Gift cards are also available ]

We welcome 2018 with a new unit in our "UU & YOU at Hogwarts" curriculum!  We will begin our "poverty" horcrux on 1/7/18.  In this unit we will explore what poverty is, and what we can do about it in our own communities.  As part of this effort, we will be collecting items for The Goodwill Housing Support Services "wish list" -  http://bit.ly/2CBbu9x

Please leave items in the collection tub located near the social hall (where we had previously been trying to collect winter clothing items).  We will collect items from the "wish list" through the end of January.

Suggested reading for families/parents this month:

  • Our book this month is once again connected to our focus in our "Hogwarts" program - this month we have a book dealing with poverty & hunger.  "Maddi's Fridge" by Lois Brandt comes highly recommended, and is the Winner of:
         2014 Christopher Award, Books for Young People
         2014 ILA Primary Fiction Award
         2015 MLA Mitten Award Honor
         Human Rights in Children's Literature Honor
"...Filled with colorful artwork, this storybook addresses issues of poverty with honesty and sensitivity while instilling important lessons in friendship, empathy, trust, and helping others.  A call to action section, with six effective ways for children to help fight hunger and information on anti-hunger groups, is also included".

Friday Night Out!
January 12, 5:30 - 9:00 pm
Contact Sarah ASAP to reserve a spot!
 
Brewing Community!
Brewing Community is back from its holiday break!
See you  on 1/11 & 1/25  from 5:00 - 7:00 pm
The Workshop Brewing Company 

F Y I
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UUCGT Book Club

Meets January 14, 2:00pm @ Mark &  Solveig Gustafson's - "Lady Chatterley's  Lover" by D.H. Lawrence

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Local Community Needs

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 FLASH articles are due by Wednesday noon - [email protected]
BEACON articles are due by the 25th each month -


What's Going On ... at UUCGT?

Please contact  [email protected] to schedule meetings and events

Winter is definitely upon us!
Please check UU calendar or website to confirm cancellations, or delays in office hours

Meetings & Activities

Congregational Care Team:  Thursday, January 4, 1:00pm, library

Peacemakers Needleworkers:  Thursdays, 1:30pm, social hall

Meditation Workshop:  Thursdays, 5:30pm, classroom

Music Committee:  Thursday, January 4, 6:00pm, sanctuary

Vocal Ensemble:  Thursdays, 7:00pm, sanctuary  

Facilities Committee:  Friday, January 5, 10:00am, social hall

InterPlay Workshop:  Saturday, January 6, 10:00am-1:00pm, sanctuary
Open to Everyone!   See more information here

Mindfulness Meditation:  Sunday, January 7 (1st Sunday), 2:30-6:30pm, sanctuary

Stretch & Strengthen:  Monday & Wednesday @ 11:00am

UUCGT Men's Group:  Monday, January 8, 5:30pm @ Minerva's
Charles Brackett and Chris Innes will discuss Thupten Jinpa's book, "A Fearless Heart:  How the Courage to be Compassionate Can Transform Our Lives".  Pick up articles in the front entryway.

Community Lunch:  Tuesdays - Volunteers meet at 10:30am.  Every week for the past 25 years, UUCGT has provided a free lunch for anyone in the community who would like to come to Friends Church located at Fifth and Oak Streets in Traverse City.  For more information, or to volunteer, call Mary Kiner at 935-3050, or email  [email protected]

Indivisible GT:  Tuesdays @ noon, sanctuary

Staff Resources:  Tuesday, January 9, 12:30pm, library

Bridge Group:  Tuesdays, 1:00pm, social hall

Leadership Development:  Tuesday, January 9, 5:00pm, classroom

Finance Committee:  Tuesday, January 9, 5:30pm, office

Executive Board - Agenda:  Wednesday, January 10, 1:00pm, library

Landscape Committee:  Wednesday., January 10, 2:00pm, classroom

Wednesday Supper:  January 10, 5:30pm social & 6:00pm supper
$5 adults/$3 age 10 and under

Shantideva Fan Club:  Thursday, January 11, 9:30am, sanctuary

Policy Committee:  Thursday, January 11, 5:00pm, library

Brewing Community:  Thursday, January 11, 5:00pm @ The Workshop Brewing Company on Garland Street in the Warehouse District - Family Friendly!

Meditation Workshop:  Thursdays, 5:30pm, classroom

Vocal Ensemble:  Thursdays, 7:00pm, sanctuary

Friday Night Out!  January 12, 5:30-9:00pm, classrooms
 
End Note...

bird in winter

A bird in winter brings the delight of hope 

 

FLASH articles are due by noon on Wednesday each week

  

UUCGT Office hours:   Mon day - Thursday, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm


(231) 947-3117       [email protected]         www.uucgt.org