UUCGT Flash 
November 17, 2016
Vol. 10, Issue 456
 
In This Issue
Reflection
Sunday Service
Lifespan Experience for Children, Youth & Families
President's Corner
UUCGT Thanksgiving Dinner
What's Going on at UUCGT?
FYI
Smile
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

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Reflection...
Post Election - Where Do We Go From Here?

Friends, I hope this Flash finds you well.  

This Sunday we will gather for a one hour service prior to the privilege we have of sharing a bountiful meal at Twin Lakes.  During our service time together, we will unpack some of impact of the national election.  From the bottom of my heart, I invite you to gathering in peace.  We will also have the joy of another Bailey - in addition to John - his son, Jake, will grace us musically as well. 

Please join us!

In blessing - 
Rabbi Chava 

Sunday Service 
Sunday, November 20 - Rabbi Chava Bahle
No 9:00 AM Program
10:30 AM Service:  "Fair Housing, Affordable Housing"

On this day in 1962, President John F. Kennedy issued Executive Order 11063, which mandates an end to discrimination in housing.  
Join Rabbi Chava and members of our community who are young, working hard and do not have adequate housing  They will share their stories and help us understand what housing vulnerability means to young, working families. 
This will be a short service followed by our congregation's Annual Thanksgiving potluck gathering at Twin Lakes Park.

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 November
As an entire congregation, we will be considering the theme of "Covenantal Community" in the month of November.  In our Sunday classes for children, we'll be thinking about community and engaging in activities like creating classroom covenants and learning about ways to work together in the world.  We will also think about our relationship with the world community by beginning to talk about our second-annual Heifer Tree project.
 
Suggested readings for families/parents this month include:
  • Under the Rose Apple Tree - Thich Nhat Hanh
  • A Pebble for Your Pocket - Thich Nhat Hanh
Our youth will be completing and presenting a lesson that they have created for the younger children which offers themes such as "being yourself" and "acceptance".  

The youth will remain in the service with adults on November 27 (Thanksgiving Weekend).

CHILD / YOUTH OF THE MONTH!
Our Youth of the Month for November is Geoff Norman-Anderson!  
Make sure you take a moment to greet Geoff when you see him, and check out the poster featuring him in the social hall all of this month! 
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 and how to participate?  Click HERE or contact Sarah.

Let's Get ready for the All-Music Holiday Service on December 11 th!

     We are less than a month away from this special service that will offer children an opportunity to play an active role, along with the adults of the congregation!  There are some really fun selections for the children this year, as always.
     For Deck the Halls, the children will be singing the first verse alone, and the congregation and VE will join in the remaining verses.  For "Twelve Days of Christmas", children will hold up cards with the various gifts and declare what they are, while the VE will sing the chorus.  In order to start preparing with your children, here are some fun YouTube links featuring The Muppets singing these songs with lyrics on the screen:

  Deck the Halls
   
Twelve Days of Christmas
 
Children will also have the opportunity to ring hand bells as part of a special carol, arranged by our very own Director of Music, John Bailey!  
Please contact Sarah with any questions.

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Our Director of Lifespan Experience, Sarah Montgomery-Richards,
will be taking time off from her work at UUCGT to bring something awesome into this world!   The congregation will be notified when Sarah officially begins her family leave time out of the office.  After that date, all concerns related to Lifespan Experience should be routed to Marco Cabrera at [email protected] or his cell, 231-715-8757.  Marco, as part of the Lifespan Experience Committee, will be working with the committee to complete what can be done, and coordinate items to work with Sarah on when she becomes available.
 
President's Corner - Linda Fletcher
 
This week I'm taking a bit of a break from the pursuit of learning more about our committees.  It's been a rough week to say the least, and it seems relevant to address the aftershock of Election Day reverberating through our nation, our communities and the members of our congregation.

Many thanks to Rabbi Chava's rapid response in attending to our collective and individual emotional needs.  Some 40 members and friends, new and old, accepted her invitation and gathered in the sanctuary after the Wednesday Night Supper to process our feelings in response to Donald Trump being elected to assume the presidency of our nation... read more here

cornacopia
UUCGT Annual Thanksgiving Feast
Sunday, November 20 @ 12 Noon
Gilbert Lodge, Twin Lakes Park on N. Long Lake Road

Tickets available at the door
   Adults $5 each / Children $3 each / Family $15
Bring  a casse role  or dessert to share

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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No Wednesday Supper on November 23rd or 30th

Death Cafe:  Friday, December 2, 10:00-12:00noon
"THE GOLDEN CONVERSATION:  CHANGING THE WAY WE THINK AND TALK ABOUT THE END OF LIFE".  This 2-hour free workshop will be presented by Golden Intentions, a non-profit community resource which encourages end-of-life conversation, preparation, and celebration through community education and support services.  This workshop provides a special workbook filled with resources and information for those interested in reviewing past experiences with death, considering how those experiences impact our lives today, advanced planning for our future, and learning the importance of communicating our desires while we are able.
 
This is an RSVP event limited to 25 attendees.  Please RSVP to Donna Stein-Harris via email,  [email protected] by Monday, November 28.  If we do not reach our 25 person limit, Golden Intentions will open it up to the public.  So please reserve your seat as soon as possible.

Facilities Committee:   F riday, December 2, 10:00 - 11:00am, classroom

F Y I
    
  DONATED DINNERS FUNDRAISER!
Sign-up sheets will be available at the annual UUCGT Tha nksgiving Dinner.  We invite congregants to host a dinner (or  other related
event) so that the rest of us can purchase your donation at a pre-set price. 
Contact John and Pinkie Hoffmann or Chris Walter, Membership Committee Co-Chair, for more information.   This is a great way to enjoy the company of fellow UUs!

  Holiday Trees:  December is drawing near!
Thank you to Bill Perkins who cut and donated holiday trees in past years. This year we are asking for donations of 4 trees before December 3rd when they would be placed and decorated prior to Sunday service on December 4th.  If you can donate a tree this year, please contact Sarah or Hal Gurian.

 UU Men's Group:  Monday, December 5, 5:30pm @ Minerva's
Hal Gurian will speak on gerrymandering.  Handouts will be available in the office.

  UUCGT All Music Service, December 11 from John Bailey:
Director of Music, John Bailey, would like the "Impromptu Orchestra" to rehearse before 12/11.  While you may not be able to make some, or all, rehearsals, please know you'll be welcome to join us if the only rehearsal you can attend is the rehearsal on 12/11 before the service.
 
11/17 - 6:00 PM  Impromptu Orchestra
11/20 - 9:15 AM  Impromptu Orchestra
12/8  -  6:00 PM  Impromptu Orchestra
12/11 - 9:15 AM  Impromptu Orchestra
 
John will be at each rehearsal 20 minutes before the scheduled start to set up.  Help would be appreciated.  Anyone who plans to participate should email John Bailey at [email protected], or call the office and leave your name and instrument.  Looking forward to meeting all the instrumentalists! 
 
  Morning Meditation:  9:00 AM on Thursdays in December except December 1st (Safe Harbor) & December 29th.   Come, and sit in presence and peace...

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Local Community Needs

Smile...



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