UUCGT Flash 
October 6, 2016
Vol. 10, Issue 450
 
In This Issue
Reflection
Sunday Service
Lifespan Experience for Children, Youth & Families
President's Corner
What's Going on at UUCGT?
Pagan Fair
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.
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UUCGT Beacon

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Reflection. ..All Our Relations
 
Beloved friends,

This Sunday, as we continue our exploration of love for the other, we will honor all our relations, including our relationship to animals and nature.  As it happens, St. Francis of Assisi's feast day was this week, so we invite you to bring a picture of a beloved animal friend you have had, and we ask our youngest members who have special stuffed animals to bring them for a fun blessing.  

Betsy Emdin will share what promises to be a wonderful reflection on her Facebook-famed dog, Pudge, and while my beloved cat,  Minnie Purrl, will not physically be in residence, her spirit of loopy bravado shall be indeed. 

In the words of UU minister Rev. Gary Kowalski: 
 
Fill us then with reverence and compassion
For all who are our kin,
Cloud and sun, sibling and cousin,
The multitude of beings
Who share this improbable and never-to-be repeated moment,
All expressions, like ourselves,
Of the Mind-at-Large,
The Spirit-at-Play,
The Dynamism-at-Work,
In whom we live and move
And whom we will never know. 

(read his full meditation here: 
 
I look forward to celebrating with you and our furry, fuzzy friends. 

Blessings -
Rabbi Chava 

Sunday Service 
Sunday, October 9

9:00 a.m. Program:  "A History of Covenanting" -  Rabbi Chava Bahle
This week we examine where the idea of covenant emerged, what it means in other communities and what it has meant here at UUCGT.  We continue with the Public Conversations Project approach as we learn together and from one another.   Child care provided.

10:30 a.m. Service:  "
Loving Nature ... and the Furry Stranger!"  
(St. Francis of Assisi Day) - Rabbi Chava Bahle
St. Francis of Assisi (who is celebrated around October 4) was a great lover of nature and animals.  In this morning's service we invite you to bring a picture of your furry friends to decorate our table, and we invite our youngest members to bring a stuffed animal for a moment of recognition.  The loss of pets touches the heart as deeply as their loving presence in our lives.  We will also consider how we as UUs deepen our commitment to preserving our environment for the wild things.

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: 
Kid President -  http://kidpresident.com/

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
After conversation with our youth, we'd like to make room for their feedback and interests, and allow them to help drive the focus of their time together. This could include teaching a lesson to the younger children, planning service projects, designing youth events/gatherings, etc.  This will help them develop leadership skills, and let them know that we value them, respect them, and support them on their journey.  This month, we will explore creating a lesson for the younger children for November, and think about the lessons they have to offer to those around them.

FRIDAY NIGHT OUT!  Friday,October 14 - Register by October 11th, contact Sarah   .

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Gratitude for today?  
That one of our UU parents shared this piece of school work her daughter completed as part of her class' consideration of The Bill of Rights. Acceptance, inherent worth and dignity, free and responsible search for truth and meaning...she nailed it!



President's Corner from Linda Fletcher

As promised, the spotlight this week is on the Memorial Services Committee.  The purpose of this committee is to provide the refreshments required for gatherings to honor the passing of our members.
Until this past year this committee was a subgroup of the former Pastoral Care Committee.  However, because the size of our congregation grew, so did the number of required memorial services.  Additionally, the size of the numbers attending also expanded...sometimes reaching into the 300+ range.  As a result, for ease of financial accounting this group became a stand-alone committee.

Sandra McDonald and Lauren Keinath served as the two standing committee members and they ...  click here to read more

What's Going On At UUCGT?

Our 2016 -2017 Program Season has begun
and UUCGT is busy!

Please check the Website Calendar for activities & events
 
  Link   HERE   for UUCGT WEBSITE CALENDAR 

Activities are also listed in the Order of Service & Beacon
Contact the office to schedule Committee meetings & events!
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Wednesday Night Supper Out-On-The-Town @ Sleder's! 
Wednesday, October 12,  6:00 pm dinner.  Please  RSVP to  John Hoffmann
by Tuesday, October 11th.

Membership Committee:  Wednesday, October 12, 4:00pm @ Buzzadoo Cafe, 1051 Milliken Drive.  Planning meeting for welcoming new members!

Brewing Community:  Thursday, October 13, 5:00-7:00pm @ Right Brain
Join us for this family-friendly UU social gathering!


 
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 9:00 - 12:00 noon 
UUCGT Fall Clean-up
Windows, too!  

Bring leaf rakes, wheelbarrows, window washing equipment
...and your Smile!  
Enjoy Fun & Fellowship!
Contact Dave Halsted or 409-0854 with questions.  Donuts? red smiley

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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 will be collecting socks throughout the month of October to be donated 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.


F Y I

    UUCGT Financial Summary  as of September 30, 2016 -  view here

  CROP HUNGER WALK - Sunday, Oct 9, 2:00 PM, Civic Center 
The WALK benefits local  food banks and other local & global  groups & agencies.   For details contact  John Hoffmann  

 We are collecting!!  We are collecting as many containers of this size and type for an art project BEFORE 10/21!  If you have any, please drop them off in the white bag near Sarah's cubby in the office.  Thank you!

  Tuesday Lunch Needs Your Help -  We always welcome new volunteers, but we are especially in need of someone who is comfortable preparing an entree for 30 to 40 people.  Contact Mary Kiner if you are called to serve our wider community in this way.

  Save the Date  -  Wednesday, November 9th, 7:00 PM
Showing of Ken Burns & Artemis Joukowsky's documentary, "Defying the Nazis:  The Sharps War".  Film about the Sharps, husband and wife UUs, who risked their lives to rescue people from the Holocaust.
Film will be presented following Wednesday Supper.

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Local Community Needs

Photo Finish...

 
fall leaves
 

 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

  

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