UUCGT Flash 
November 23, 2017
Vol. 11, Issue 509
 
In This Issue
Reflection
Sunday Service
Lifespan Experience for Children, Youth & Families
A Celebration of Ministry
What's Going on at UUCGT?
New Art Exhibit
FYI
End Note

Congregational Vision

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We are a Congregation creating a better world by nurturing the heart and expanding the mind.
We provide a safe, caring community where all can freely explore diverse religious thought. We work for justice and equality with the power of compassion and compassionate power.
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UUCGT Beacon

If you are not receiving our monthly newsletter, the Beacon, and would like to, please contact the office .
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Giving Tuesday is November 28 - donations given to UUCGT through a Facebook link will have the opportunity to be matched by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.  Because they are donating up to $2 million total, the earlier you donate (starting at 8:00 AM Eastern Time), the more likely UUCGT is to receive a portion of the funds.  

Please consider a special year end gift!  Watch for a special Flash on Monday.  

Reflection...

"In Great Britain the word "holiday" has the same meaning  as vacation.
Many Americans would find this comparison laughable.
For most of us, the holidays come with our own "to-do" lists." 
- The Cleveland Clinic 

Friends,

This Flash reflection will reach you just as we move more deeply into the winter holiday season.  (I still can't believe there are Christmas commercials airing in October!)  For many the holiday cycle brings great joys, and for many it also brings stresses:  busyness, family dynamics, and facing important changes in our lives (like the loss of loved ones) marked by the passage of time.

This year our Thanksgiving weekend Sunday Service is designed to help bring calm, centeredness and patience to the next few busy weeks.
Please join us at 10:30 AM on Sunday for a service of chant, meditation and reflection on tools for moving through the holiday season with grace. 
If you have family members who tend to bring up difficult topics at the holiday table, please consider a visit to Living Room Conversations at  http://bit.ly/2zSTGo7.  There are some wonderful tips for keeping conversations meaningful and civil.

Every good blessing -

Rabbi Chava 

PS - If you have a gratitude for something or someone at UUCGT, please share on our "30 Days of UUCGT Gratitudes" page here: 

Sunday Service 
Sunday, November 26
10:30 AM Service:  "Beyond Words - The Stories We Carry in the                             Heart" - 
Rabbi Chava Bahle, Amanda Mangiardi
Chant, meditation, stillness, silence and movement

Lifespan Experience  f or Children,
Youth  and Fam ilies!
Sundays in November for preK-8th grade

We're off to a great start with "UU & YOU at Hogwarts"!   We began our "literacy horcrux" this month and it is going very well!

Suggested readings for families/parents this month include:
  • "How to Train Your Dragon" - by Cressida Caldwell                 "How to Train Your Dragon has been touted as the perfect book to reel in your reluctant readers.  It's full of varied text and picture use throughout: maps, lists, songs, stat pages on dragons, rough drawings, even stray blots of ink strewn here and there.  Mixed in with all the laugh-out-loud moments, excitement, danger, dragons, and very uncivilized Vikings, your students will find a real hero's adventure complete with a quest or two, impossible odds, a main character you can't help but like, and a story that will keep the kids thinking (despite themselves) all the way through.  You'll find themes of quintessential initiation rites of childhood; dealing with intimidation by peers, parents, and even teachers; finding the leader within; depending on good friends; discovering strength you didn't know you had; learning to adapt; among many others.  This book can be used as a supplement to a study on early Vikings, Norse mythology, and/or even a fun language unit (due to the many bits of dragonese that will have your students in stitches)". Books & Bunnies Book Review
  • For Parents: "Why Grown-Up Muggles Should Read 'Harry Potter'" by David Busis, NY Times:  http://nyti.ms/2sUZ6sF
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A CELEBRATION OF MINISTRY
 
The UUCGT Committee on Ministry extends a heartfelt invitation to join them in a celebration of the ministry of Rabbi Chava Bahle,
our Senior Spiritual Leader.  
 
It has been three years since Rabbi Chava answered the call to spiritual leadership of UUCGT.  Our Congregation will renew its commitment to honor, support, and enhance her ministry as we embrace it as our collective ministry both within UUCGT and within our community.
 
We hope you will be able to join us!
 
Saturday, December 2, 2017
  5:30 PM

A wine & hors d'oeuvres reception will follow the Celebration Service
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You are also invited to join us for a Special Sunday Service
on December 3, 2017 at 10:30 AM
Cake and coffee or tea will be served following the Service
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Both events will take place at UUCGT

 Please RSVP to Joan Sheard a joansheard@aol.com

W hat's Going On At UUCGT?

Please c
ontact office@uucgt.org to schedule meetings and events

UUCGT Calendar - Click Here

Meetings & Activities

No meetings at UUCGT on Thanksgiving - Enjoy a special day of gratitude!

Mindfulness Meditation:  Sunday, November 26, 5:00-7:00pm, sanctuary

Stretch & Strengthen:  Mondays & Wednesdays, 11:00am

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  marykiner@charter.net

Indivisible GT:  Tuesdays, 12:00 noon, sanctuary

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

Wednesday Pizza Supper:  November 29, 5:30/social, 6:00/supper - Pizza, salad & dessert - shared cost.   All are Welcome!

Landscape Committee:  Wednesday, November 29, 5:30pm, classroom

Shantideva Fan Club V2.0:  Thursday, November 30, 9:30am
A Fearless Heart, How the Courage to Be Compassionate Can Transform Our Lives, by Thupten Jinpa.  Read more here...

Peacemakers Needleworkers:  Thursday, November 30, 1:30pm, social hall

Policy Committee:  Thursday, November 30, 5:00pm, library

Vocal Ensemble:  Thursday, November 30, 7:00pm, sanctuary

Facilities Committee:  Friday, December 1, 10:00am, social hall

InterPlay Workshop:  Saturday, December 2, 10:00am-1:00pm. Open to All!

Celebration of Ministry Service & Reception for Rabbi Chava Bahle:  Saturday, December 2, 5:30pm, sanctuary.  (see notice above)

New Art Exhibit at UUCGT

The Other Traverse City, Part 2
Photographs and Interviews with the Homeless
by Alan Newton

Many thanks to the Art & Exhibitions Committee for bringing Alan's photographs to our community!

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Also ~ look for the new magazine display in the front entryway

TC Street Voices
Real People...Real Stories
$2 suggested donation

F Y I
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Higher Grounds Coffee orders that support UU Social Justice Action are due Sunday, November 26

UU Men's Group:   Monday, December 4, 5:30pm.  Handouts are available on the table in the front entryway

December 10, All Music Service - Musicians Needed!
On December 10 we will have an All Music Service.  In addition to the Vocal Ensemble, we will have soloists and small ensembles.  Also, we are in need of wind and string players.  If you have a talent and would like to share, please call the office and leave your name and what instrument you play. You can also call John Bailey at 231-944-6059, email  peracola@gmail.com

Wanted - Church Accompanist
Our long-time accompanist, Margie Hunter, is retiring!  UUCGT is looking for an accompanist to play for Sunday Services and Vocal Ensemble rehearsals on Thursday evenings.  If interested, please call John Bailey at 231-944-6059, email  peracola@gmail.com  or call the UUCGT office, 231-947-3117, to leave a message.

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Local Community Needs

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 FLASH articles are due by Wednesday noon - office@uucgt.org
BEACON articles are due by the 25th each month - 

End Note...
give thanks 

 

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       office@uucgt.org         www.uucgt.org