Congregational Vision
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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Reflection...
"We Remember Them"
Friends, our community holds a number of things sacred: our book of Joys and Concerns, the book we sign when we covenant to become members, and certain times when we honor the customs of our community. This Sunday is one of those times.
We will gather to remember those beloveds who have blessed our selves by bringing photographs or mementos to place on the table as we listen to the story, "The Invisible String," about how we stay connected through love across time, distance and even death.
Please bring your pictures or mementos and join us. Following the service the community is invited to join me as we inter the ashes of Arline Howe in our ever-growing-in-beauty memorial garden. The service will follow the coffee and will be brief, and for those who cannot be physically present we will live stream the interment. Simply click on this link:
Thank you for being people who remember.
In blessing -
Rabbi Chava
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Sunday Service
Sunday, October 30
9:00 a.m. Program:
"From Our Covenant: Mindfulness"
It is no accident that the first word of UUCGT's covenant is "mindful."
This morning we will explore the idea of mindfulness through the Six Sources, learn some useful mindfulness practices, and reflectively share our own experiences.
10:30 a.m. Service: "Samhain - Honoring Our Ancestors"
All Congregation Service - Rabbi Chava Bahle
As we end our month of reflection on loving the stranger, we remind ourselves that so many people we come to love started off as strangers. One of the most beautiful services we hold annually is Samhain - Honoring the Ancestors. Bring a photograph or memento you wish to place on the altar during our gathering music, "In My Life" to co-create our setting. With members of all ages, we remember our personal histories and those who have touched us.
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Lifespan Experience
f
or Children and Youth (and Families!)
Sunday Service: 10:30 a.m.
Sunday programming for Children and Youth throughout the 2016 - 2017 program year will complement the Sunday Services in our efforts to move closer to congregational thematic ministry. This thematic calendar will be exploring the Six Source traditions, and considering wisdom from around the world.
Sundays in October
The theme for the month of October for both Sunday Services as well as Children's Programming preK-5th grade will focus on "Loving the Stranger" which will launch us into our second annual "Socktober" campaign, and lessons based on "Kid President's Guide to Being Awesome".
Not familiar with "Socktober" or Kid President? Check out these links:
Suggested readings for families/parents this month include:
- Unitarian Universalism Is a Really Long Name, by Jennifer Dant
- Everybody is Important - A Kids' Guide to Our Seven Principles, by Jennifer Dant
- Sunday and Every Day - My Little Book of Unitarian Universalism, edited by Patricia Frevert
In October our youth will create a lesson for the younger children for November, and think about the lessons they have to offer to those around them.
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President's Corner - Linda Fletcher
This week let's continue our journey of exploring some of the many UUCGT committees by spotlighting the
Local Community Needs Committee. This is a quiet group about which not much is generally heard. Their mission is to distribute funds collected from our congregation to have an impact on the community via providing funds to nonprofit agencies, religious organizations, charities and other community groups in the area.
This committee of 5 is currently comprised of Liz Bruning, Committee Chair, Joan Sheard, Shari Cope, Karl Kristen and Chris Walter. The committee meets quarterly, having just met last week. The next meeting is scheduled for January 20th although more frequent meetings are currently under consideration...
read more here
Joan Sheard, Local Community Needs committee member
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Annual UUCGT Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner!
Sunday, November 20 @ 12 Noon
Gilbert Lodge, Twin Lakes Park on N. Long Lake Road
Come & Enjoy the Fellowship of Family & Friends!
Bring: Casse
role or dessert to share for 8-10 people
& your own place settings & beverage
Turkey & smashed potatoes, coffee & apple juice provided
Tickets:
Adults $5 each / Children $3 each / Family $15
Stop by the Turkey Table after Sunday Services
to buy tickets & to volunteer!
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W
hat's Going On At UUCGT?
Click
HERE for UUCGT Website Calendar
Activities are also listed in the Order of Service & Beacon
Please contact the office to schedule Committee meetings & events
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Brewing Community: Thursday, October 27, 5:00 pm @ Right Brain. Family friendly!
Wednesday Night Potluck:
Wednesday, November 2, 5:30 pm social,
6:00 pm dinner. Community fellowship & delicious meal!
UU Book Club: Sunday, November 13, 2:00 pm
Title: "Circling the Sun" by Paula McClain - Mark Gustafson, host
With many thanks to everyone -
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 9:00 am - 12:00 noon
Bring leaf rakes, wheelbarrows, window washing equipment
...and your Smile!
Contact Dave Halsted at 409-0854
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Safe Harbor Volunteer Sign-Up!
UUCGT is hosting Safe Harbor
Saturday, November 26 through early morning on Saturday, December 3
Volunteer sign-up will continue this Sunday, October 30. We still have about 25 volunteer slots to fill. There are still opportunities to sign up to volunteer as meal providers/servers, evening hosts, overnight monitors, morning breakfast/clean up crew and bathroom clean up for some of the days and also to set up on Saturday morning, November 26 and clean up on Saturday morning, December 3.
We will also need volunteers to provide food and supply items. We need everyone's support to make this work.
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F Y I
Higher Grounds Coffee Orders are due Sunday, October 30th!
Wednesday, November 9th, 7:00 PM
Ken Burns & Artemis Joukowsky's documentary,
will be presented following Wednesday Supper.
The Sharps, husband and wife UUs, risked their lives to rescue people from the Holocaust. A must see!
Last chance - October 30th - November Child/Youth of the Month!
S
ubmit your entry for consideration!
Each month we will give special attention to a child or youth from our UUCGT community! A
picture of them will be featured in the social hall, along with a little bit about them. Interested in more information?
Click
HERE
or contact
Socktober!
LAST Sunday to donate Socks is October 30th!
Every night in the United States an estimated 600,000 people live on the streets. This October, SoulPancake and Kid President want 2 million people to prove that even the smallest acts of love, like donating a pair of socks, can make a big difference in the lives of our neighbors who are homeless.
Our UUCGT UU Youngers Class has been
collecting socks
throughout the month of October to donate to the Goodwill Inn. The Goodwill Inn will make sure they are distributed to the people and programs that need them most in our community. Last year we donated more than 200 pairs of socks, infant - adult!! Our collection box is located outside of the kitchen near the social hall. Please click HERE
for more information, and contact
Sarah
with questions.
We are also looking for
small to medium size
Rubbermaid-type
storage
tubs with lids.
If you have
any that you are able to donate, please contact
WE WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND OUR GRATITUDE TO EVERYONE WHO PARTICIPATED IN OUR 2nd ANNUAL PAGAN FAIR!
We would especially like to thank all of the vendors, service providers, and workshop presenters, without whom the event would not have been possible. Special thanks as well to the members of our CUUPS Chapter and members of Grand Traverse Pagans who assisted with so much throughout the weekend! We are likewise very grateful to Sandra McDonald for her extra assistance with the lunch/snack preparation and clean up. We are humbled by the gifts that you share with the world, and look forward to working together again! Blessings!
DONATED DINNERS FUNDRAISER!
Sign-up sheets will be available at the annual UUCGT Thanksgiving Dinner. We invite congregants to host a dinner (or
other related event) so that the rest of us can purchase your donation at a preset price.
See the November Beacon article.
Contact John and Pinkie Hoffmann or Chris Walter, Membership Committee Chairperson, for more information.
This is a great way to mingle and get together with other UUs! Fun!
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End Note...
If stones could talk,
this one would sing of gratitude,
of death squarely faced,
of life lived like treasure gleaned from a full-moon tide.
If you were here,
I would press this stone into your hand,
and tell you that love is real,
and that gratitude opens the door to miracles.
- Judith Boice, N.D.
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phone: l(231) 947-3117 website: www.uucgt.org email: [email protected] Office hours: Monday by appointment Tuesday - Thursday, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm FLASH articles are due by noon on Wednesday each week
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