UUCGT Flash 
August 3, 2017
Vol. 11, Issue 493
 
In This Issue
Reflection
Sunday Service
Lifespan Experience for Children, Youth & Families
What's Going on at UUCGT?
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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Reflection...

"Love is the whole thing.
We are only the pieces."
- Rumi

Dear beloved community - 

I am delighted to return from a time of study and reflection with a heart and soul refreshed.  

This Sunday, we begin a fun but serious look at UU cosmology through the Beatles!  We will begin at the heart of Unitarian Universalism:  the love and compassion that grow out of the inherent worth and dignity of all people - starting with ourselves.  

We are told to "love our neighbor as our self," but what does this mean? What is love?  How do we awaken to the heart of compassion that is our true nature?

Following the service, we will join together to inter the remains of our beloved John Ort in the beautiful memorial garden.  Please join us for this brief and meaningful moment. 

In blessing - 
Rabbi Chava 

Sunday Service 
Sunday, August 6 - Rabbi Chava Bahle
10:30 AM Service:  "Love Me Do - An Ode to John Ort"

"Reverence and respect for human nature is at the core of Unitarian Universalist (UU) faith.  We believe that all the dimensions of our being carry the potential to do good.  We celebrate the gifts of being human:  
our intelligence and capacity for observation and reason; our senses and ability to appreciate beauty; our creativity; our feelings and emotions."

                  - Rev. Dr. Rebecca Ann Parker, minister, theologian, author
 
Featuring Beatles songs,  "Love Me Do", "I Will" and " And I Love Her"

Lifespan Experience  f or Children,
Youth  and Fam ilies!

Sundays in August

As our 5th Annual Specialty Class Summer (our summer program for children prek-5th grade on Sunday mornings which runs June 1st -Resumption Sunday in September) comes to a close, I'd like to thank all of the wonderful people who made it so remarkable! 

Special thanks to Mary Cheney, Kathy Booker-Graham, Mark Dragovich, Bob Fitch, Denny Richards, and Laura Matchett. There are still great classes ahead in August which include "Meeting a Tree" and going on a "Micro-Hike". 

Youth are invited to remain in the sanctuary throughout the summer.

Suggested readings for families/parents this month include:
  • "Families" by Susan Kuklin
  • "The Tiny Seed" by Eric Carle
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Friday Night Out  -  August 11, 5:30-9:00pm 
Contact Sarah ASAP to reserve a spot!
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Register NOW for UU & YOU at Hogwarts!

We are THRILLED to announce that registration is open for our "UU & YOU at Hogwarts" program!  This will be our Sunday morning curriculum September 2017 - June 2018.

Most parents believe that it's important to instill social responsibility in their children, but it can be difficult to find meaningful sources or projects for children to get involved in.  In addition, many social action projects are not relevant to children, and a lack of relation can lead to a lack of engagement. The Harry Potter series of books by J.K. Rowling are an excellent way to immerse children in the idea that one can work to make the world better. Harry Potter, like other pop culture, can allow children to discuss important social issues with peers.

The "Harry and UU" curriculum was originally written by Unitarian Universalist Educator, Karen Hager - creator of the Imagine-RE UU curriculum series, and we are enhancing it to meet our multi-age classroom needs.  This curriculum is a fun way to get children and middle-school youth excited about our UU principles and social justice.  Children pre-k-5th grade are invited to participate as UU Hogwarts students, and middle-school youth are invited to be "prefects", or "upper-classmen" with additional (but FUN!) responsibilities.

Don't worry!  Children/Youth needn't have read or be familiar with the storylines from Harry Potter in order to fully participate - they need only come with a creative, playful, inquisitive, and open mind ready to explore!

CLICK HERE to view the full brochure!
Print copies are available on the Welcome Table in the social hall.
 
Children/Youth who register by AUGUST 28th
will receive a special Hogwarts UU Acceptance Letter! 

CLICK HERE  for Registration forms!
Print copies are available at the Welcome Table in the social hall.

We Are Also Seeking Volunteer Professors ( aka classroom teachers ) For This Program!  Please Contact Sarah If You Are Interested!


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W hat's Going On At UUCGT?

~ Please Note ~

Please schedule all committee meetings and events through
the UUCGT office to confirm availability and reduce double-scheduling 
Contact:   

UUCGT Calendar
Meetings & Activities

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

Meditation Workshop:  Thursdays, 5:30pm, classroom
Please note:  This group will not meet on Thursday, August 10 or 17. Workshop resumes Thursday, August 23

Vocal Ensemble:  Thursdays, 7:00pm, sanctuary

Facilities Committee:  Friday, August 4, 10:00am.  
Anyone interested in participating on a reinvigorated Landscape Committee is invited to attend this meeting.   For more information, please contact David Halsted (409-0854) or Richard Miller (946-4853).

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

Stretch & Strengthen :  Mondays & Wednesdays, 10:30am

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]

Bridge Group:  Tuesdays, 1:00-4:00pm, social hall

Finance Committee:  Tuesday, August 8, 5:30pm, office

Executive Committee Agenda Meeting:  Wednesday August 9, 1:00pm, library.  Any materials for submission or review for the August 15 Board meeting are due to any Board member prior to this meeting.

Wednesday Summer Potlucks / BYOB - 6:00pm

Your August Hosts:

August 9       Mary Kiner (location change)
August 16     Connie Armstrong & Chuck Grabiel
August 23     Cindy & Bob Clements (location change)
August 30     Dinner out with Brewing Community @ Rare Bird
(please RSVP to John Hoffmann)

Friday Night Out:  Friday, August 11, 5:30-9:00pm, classrooms

InterPlay Workshop:  Saturday, August 12, 10:00am-1:00pm, sanctuary
A fun, engaging workshop that is open to everyone!   See flier here

Program Council:   Sunday, August 13, 9:00am, classroom

UUCGT Board Meeting:  TUESDAY, August 15, 5:30pm, classroom

F Y I

FLASH articles are due by noon on Wednes days - email [email protected]

BEACON articles are due by the 25th of each month to 

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Benzie UU Summer Potluck:  Wednesday, August 9
Contact   Mary & Bob Scholl

UUCGT August Board Meeting is  TUESDAY, August 15, 5:30pm
 
Congregation Beth Shalom Jazz Shabbat Service:   Friday, August 18, 7:30 pm @ UUCGT  with Jeff Haas and Rabbi Sleutelberg.   Reserved free tickets are required.   For more information,  click here

UUCGT Book Club:  September 10 title is "Commonwealth" by Ann Patchett - Happy Summer Reading!
 

Don't  Miss  It!
UUCGT BOOK SALE!
  August 24, 25, 26
9:00am - 5:00pm


Clean out your bookshelves!

Please bring books to UUCGT on Sunday, August 20!

Volunteer to help!

For more information contact:

Joann Rosi    or    Cynthia Brzak
- or -

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Local Community Needs

End Note...

Homeward
It happens sometimes in films ~
you swallow a gust of heaven,
and know a sudden fullness
in chest and belly,

a leaning of the heart toward
its elementary place, a surprising
remembrance of the springy lift
of being, of Love...

- Jean Biegun

 

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