UUCGT Flash 
April 27, 2017
Vol. 11, Issue 479
 
In This Issue
Reflection
Sunday Service
Lifespan Experience for Children, Youth & Families
UUA General Assembly
UUCGT Spring Clean-up!
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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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...

Regional Assembly Days

Dear UUCGT Family - 

I write to you this week from the Ministry Days preceding the Regional Assembly here in Oak Brook, Illinois.  What a blessing this gathering has been so far.  Being with colleagues, sharing our stories and talking about the joys and challenges of our vocation has been most powerful.  Sharing worship in a room full of colleagues, lead by exceptional members of our region, has given me some great new ideas for UUCGT.  

A highlight for me is that this afternoon we will be hearing from internationally renowned interfaith leader, Eboo Patel, author of Interfaith Leadership, and other books I read frequently.  On Saturday, the keynote speaker is the president of Meadville Lombard Theological School who will speak on "To Multi-Faith:  A Verb" - all right up our alley.  

Looking forward to coming home and sharing insights with you.   Thank you for the opportunity to be here.

In blessing - 
Rabbi Chava 

Sunday Service 
Sunday, April 30 - Sarah Montgomery-Richards, MA
1 0:30 AM Service:  "Seasons of Love"
Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
Five hundred twenty-five thousand moments so dear
Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure, measure a year?
In daylights, in sunsets
In midnights, in cups of coffee
In inches, in miles
In laughter, in strife
In five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure a year in the life?
 
- Seasons of Love, from the musical, RENT
 
Join us as we conclude our month of considering themes of renewal and look to this season of love as a time to remember that life is not an exercise, but rather a joyful dance, rich in all the beauty it can afford.  

This service will be preceded by our annual May Day Celebration (weather permitting) in which we will ceremonially remove last year's ribbons from the May Pole (lamp post near the rear entrance of the building), and wind new ribbons as part of this year's dance.  

The ancient observance of Beltane,   a time in which love and joy were honored,  provided the roots of modern May Day celebrations.   Please gather at 9:45 am this Sunday if you are interested in participating in our May Day / May Pole Celebration!
 
Lifespan Experience  f or Children and Youth 
(and Fam ilies!)

Sunday Service:  10:30 a.m.  
Sunday programming for Children and Youth throughout the remainder of this program year will complement Sunday Services in our efforts to move closer to congregational thematic ministry.  This thematic calendar will explore the Six Source traditions, and consider wisdom from around the world. 

Sundays in April

As a congregation we will be considering the themes of rebirth and renewal as part of the Sunday Services.  Birth and the beginning of new things can be a mysterious and wondrous time - as all of the cycles of life are.  This month we're going to explore the beginnings of the cosmos and the beginnings of the earth as told by our good friend, The Universe!  
Through the book duo, "Born with a Bang - The Universe Tells our Cosmic Story" and "From Lava to Life - The Universe Tells Our Earth Story", we will consider the wonders of our blue boat home and of the universe. 
As Unitarian Universalists, we believe in using science to tell us about how we are related to other living things in our interdependent web of life.  

Remember! to join us before service on April 30th for our Annual May Day Ceremony!  All are welcome as we remove last year's ribbons and dance the May Pole for this year (lamp post by the rear entrance to the building).  Children interested in participating should join us at 9:45am.  This event is weather permitting - if it is raining we will postpone until May 7th.

Suggested readings for families/parents this month include:
  • "The Everything Seed" - by Carole Martignacco
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Child/Youth of  the Month
Our Child of the Month is Aidan Schleuder!

Make sure you take a moment to greet Aidan when you see him, and c heck 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?  Contact the office!

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Friday Night Out is May 12
FNO is full, but if you would like to be placed on a wait list,
please contact  Sarah


June 21 - 25, 2017

UUCGT is seeking members in good standing who would like to attend the UUA General Assembly in New Orleans in June as our delegates. 
Delegates are expected to remain active members in the congregation.
In addition to great workshops, worship and larger fellowship, delegates from UUCGT are asked to prepare, in conjunction with the Board of Trustees, for business meetings at which delegates represent the voice of our congregation on national issues. The packet  of materials will be available in advance.  

If you are planning to attend and would like to represent the UUCGT as a delegate, please contact Linda Fletcher via email ( l[email protected] ) by May 6th.  Some limited funds may be available for delegate funding. V isit  http://www.uua.org/ga   for more information.


@ UUCGT ~ Saturday, May 6
9:00 - 12:00
Yard work & window washing
Bring your own tools
Donuts provided!
Please join us as you can ~  15 minutes or an hour or more
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Check 'Lost & Found' for your lost items
(alcove shelves near the social hall)
P.S.If you mistakenly picked up a pair of sunglasses from
Lost & Found ~   please return to the office
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W hat's Going On At UUCGT?

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Brewing Community:  
Thursday, April 27, 5:00pm @ Brewery Terra Firma
Meet new friends, laugh with old friends - family-friendly!  Contact John Hoffmann

Social Justice Action Workshop - "Inclusivity":  Saturday, April 29, 9:30-11:30am.  See April Beacon or contact  Paula Jo Kemler

Social Justice Committee:  Sunday, April 30, 11:45am-1:00pm,
classroom.  Discussion on "The Third Reconstruction" by Rev. William Barber.

UU Men's Group:  Monday, May 1, 5:30pm, Minerva's  
"Babbitt, Trump & Me" - presentation  with Mark Gustafson

InterPlay Workshop:    Saturday, May 13, 10:00am-1:00pm, classroom
All are welcome!  See flier  here

Singing Sisters:  Saturday, May 13, 10:00am-2:00pm, sanctuary
Contact  Linda Hebert

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Weekly Activities &  Meetings

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

LGBTQ Group:  Sunday, 5:00-6:30pm, classroom

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

Community Lunch:   Tuesday, 11:30am.  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:  Tuesday, 1:00pm, social hall

Wednesday Potluck:  Wednesday, May 3, 5:30pm social, 6:00pm dinner

International Dances:  Wednesday, 7:00pm, classroom

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

Introductory Meditation Workshop:  Thursday, 5:30-6:30pm, classroom. Contact Elisabeth Treefon or click here for more information.

Vocal Ensemble:  Thursday, 7:00-8:30pm, sanctuary.  All Welcome!

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UUCGT Website Calendar   CLICK HERE
Activities are also listed in the Order of Service & Beacon
Please contact [email protected] to schedule meetings & events

F Y I

FLASH articles are due by noon on Wednes days - p lease  send via email to [email protected]

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

Thank you!
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Higher Grounds Coffee Orders:  Due this Sunday, April 30th

2017 UUCGT Directories:  Are still available!  Pick one up on Sunday!

P eople's Climate March:   Saturday, April  29, 12 noon-3:00pm  
"To change everything, we need everyone" -  The Social Justice and Green Sanctuary Committees encourage you to participate in the March on Saturday, April 29.  March begins at the Open Space on Grandview Parkway at noon, continues downtown and reconvenes at the Open Space.  The interconnected web of all life is at stake.  Let's march! Contact  Paula Jo Kemler or  Mary Van Valin

UU Benzie:  Wednesday, May 3  meeting at Bob and Mary Scholl's. 
Service led by Mary Scholl:  "When They Come for the 'Others', Where Will You Be? Thoughts on Immigrants, Migrants and Refugees" .  
P otluck at 6:30pm / Service at 7:30pm.  For directions, contact Mary at [email protected] .
BCUU Election of officers was held in April.   2017-18 officers are:  Marty Litherland (president); Laurie Mason and Mary Scholl (vice presidents); Roger Heit (treasurer); and Misty Sheehan (secretary).  Congratulations!

UU Book Club:  Sunday, May 21, 2:00pm, " My Brilliant Friend" by Elena Ferrante.  Join us!

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Local Community Needs

End Note....

"One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.
"

- William Shakespeare

 

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