UUCGT Flash 
March 16, 2017
Vol. 11, Issue 473
 
In This Issue
Sunday Service
Lifespan Experience for Children, Youth & Families
What's Going on at UUCGT?
Pledge Drive
FYI
Photo Finish
Congregational Vision
UU Logo
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.
UUCGT Quicklinks
   
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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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Sunday Service 
Sunday, March 19 - Lay-led Service, 
Covenant of UU Pagans (CUUPS)
No 9:00 AM Program
1 0:30 AM Service:  " Ostara  & Spring Equinox"
Pagan writer Patty Wigington writes, "Ostara is a time of balance.  It is a time of equal parts light and dark.  At Mabon, we have this same balance, but the light is leaving us.  Today, six months later, it is returning.  Spring has arrived, and with it comes hope and warmth.  Deep within the cold earth, seeds are beginning to sprout.  In the damp fields, the livestock are preparing to give birth.  In the forest, under a canopy of newly sprouted leaves, the animals of the wild ready their dens for the arrival of their young.  Spring is here."   Join us this Sunday  and celebrate balance.



"The air is like a butterfly
With frail blue wings.
The happy earth looks at the sky
And sings."

Spring by Joyce Kilmer

Lifespan Experience  f or Children and Youth (and Families!)
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. 

CHILD / YOUTH OF THE MONTH!
Our Child of the Month is Jack Matchett!
Make sure you take a moment to greet Jack 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?  Contact the office!

Sundays in March
As a congregation we will be exploring the theme of joy - and what better way to tie that into our lessons than celebrating nature and the changing of the seasons!  Through lessons based on our 6th UU Source - the Spiritual teachings of Earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature - we will happily welcome the spring together!

Suggested readings for families/parents this month 
  • "Sitting Still Like a Frog - Mindfulness Exercises for kids (and their Parents)" - by Eline Snel
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March 31st - Spring Break Open Play!

 
W hat's Going On At UUCGT?

UUCGT Website Calendar -
CLICK HERE
Activities are also listed in the Order of Service & Beacon

Please contact UUCGT office to schedule meetings & events

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UUCGT Vocal Ensemble:  Meets every Thursday at 7:00 - 8:30 PM.  
All are Welcome!  Contact John Bailey for more information.

Death Cafe:  Friday, March 17, 10:00 AM, social hall.  Contact   Donna Stein-Harris for more information.

UU Social Justice Workshop: Saturday, March 18, 9:30am - 2:30pm
We need you!!  Yes, YOU!!   Please join the Social Justice Committee on Saturday, March 18, in helping to determine the one or two issues that we will prioritize as a congregation.  We will be guided by Kat Norman using an excellent program she has designed based on UU principles.  A thoughtful discussion of what is important to us, a chance to engage with fellow congregants and a delicious lunch (a $5 donation is appreciated) are all great reasons to attend.  RSVP Paula Jo Kemler  ( [email protected] ) ASAP.

Kudos:  Thanks to a hard-working group of UU writers, members of the Social Justice Committee sent out over 100 postcards as part of the March 15 Postcard Protest.
 
Pledge Drive Celebration!  Sunday, March 19 after Sunday Service

UUCGT Board Meeting:  Monday, March 20, 5:30 PM, classroom

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
SPECIAL EVENT!
March 22 ~
Wednesday
Dinner & Program
 featuring UUCGT Art Exhibit 
P R O T E S T !
5:30 social time, 6:00 dinner, 7:00 program
RSVP 
to Ellie Smith, 231-620-4183.   
Click  HERE for more details!



Brewing Community:  Thursday, March 23, 5:00-7:00pm, Rare Bird.  
This is a great way to meet people, laugh with friends, family-friendly!
Contact  Sarah  with questions.

Meditation for Spiritual Awareness:   Thursday, March 23, 5:30-6:30 PM, classroom.  Free class facilitated by Elisabeth Treefon.  See flier HERE

Impromptu Orchestra Practice:    Thursday, March 23, 6:00 pm, sanctuary.   Practice for  Sunday, March 26 service - a Bach harmonization of "We Are the Earth, Upright and Proud."  This is not a required practice, 
but it would be good to have a run through.  Please contact UU Music Director,  John Bailey , ASAP with your name and which instrument you'll be playing.   Thanks!

New Moon Women's Circle:   Saturday, March 25, 3:00pm-5:00pm, sanctuary.  Women gathering to celebrate the New Moon to rest in the potential of the dark quiet of the new moon and consider the time ahead.  Each month will focus on an aspect of our inner and outer lives.  For more information contact  Carolyn Kelly .  The book, "Soul to Soul" is available in the office, $13

Program Council:  Sunday, March 26, 9:00am

Pledge Drive Update

Reminder to Pledge for 2017-2018

A reminder to return your completed pledge either online, at UUCGT or through the mail by March 19.  If you have not received pledge materials, you can pick up a packet after Sunday Services, or contact  Kay Sturgeon at [email protected] or (231)  929-0895. 

~ PLEDGE DRIVE   CELEBRATION ~
Please Join Us!
March 19 ~ after service  

F Y I

FLASH submissions are due by noon on Wednesday to [email protected]
BEACON articles are due by the 25th of each month to [email protected]
Thank you!

 Volunteers Needed! for one evening / night of Safe Harbor:  UUCGT will be providing volunteers for one evening / night of Safe Harbor on  Monday, April 3 at Traverse Bay United Methodist Church.  
We will be providing volunteers for the evening meal, evening hosts, overnight monitors and breakfast/clean-up in the morning.  
We will be signing up volunteers after Sunday Services on March 19 & 26.  For more information contact  Mike or Sandra McDonald .

 SJA Coffee Program:   For many years, Social Justice Action of our congregation has sold coffee from Higher Grounds at a discount price to our members who order it.  The price is lowered so we could add anywhere from 5 to 20 cents a bag to raise money for Social Justice work and our Needs programs. R ecently, the interest has been low for ordering coffee from UU.  With that in mind, and pressure of other things, we will no longer be offering this service.  The last time to order coffee will be the last Sunday of this month, March 26.  It will be delivered and on the shelf in the Causeway ready for pick up on Sunday, April 2.
If someone wants to take over this service, please contact Emmy Lou Cholak  at 943-7999 as soon as possible.  Otherwise, this will be the last month to order coffee from UU.  Thank you!

  UUCGT Men's Group:   Monday, April 3, 5:30pm @ Minerva's.  Handouts are available in the causeway by name tag tower.


 UUCGT Book Club:  Sunday, April 9 - April title is "A God in Ruins" by Kate Atkinson 

 Save The Date!  Orientation Session for Prospective Members
Sunday, April 23 at 12 noon.  Questions?  Sherry Davis231-709-2309

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Local Community Needs

Photo Finish....



Remembering Spring...
awakening, renewal, rebirth, hope...


 phone: l(231) 947-3117       website:   www.uucgt.org         email:   [email protected]

  

Office hours:  Monday - Thursday, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

  

FLASH articles are due by noon on Wednesday each week