UUCGT Flash 

January 21, 2016

Vol. 10, Issue 413

In This Issue
Reflection
Sunday Service
Children and Youth
What's Going on at UUCGT?
FYI
End Note
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: 
Special Thanks to Our Wonderful Staff and Volunteers
 
"I'm not in search of sanctity, sacredness, purity;
these things are found after this life, not in this life;
but in this life I search to be completely human:  
to feel, to give, to take, to laugh, to get lost, to be found, to dance, to love and to lust, to be so human." 
                                                                            - C. JoyBell C.
   
Friends, this month we explore the idea of humanistic teachings that are a rich part of our UU tapestry of faith.  With all of its fine ideas, humanism still places the emphasis on being fully human:  creative, alive and loving.  So, I thought I would take this week's Flash reflection to acknowledge the wonderful women on our staff:  Sarah, Susan and Sheri, and the scores of volunteers doing the day-to-day work of supporting, maintaining and growing our congregation.  Without this amazing team and you, our members and volunteers, our community in northern Michigan would be missing something important and vital:  a strong, liberal religious community dedicated to helping each other and the world.
 
Thanks for being part of it -
 
Rabbi Chava  
 
 
Important schedule notes: 
Rabbi Chava's office hours at Brew will be postponed one week to January 29, from 10:00 to 12 Noon.
Also, the Program Council will meet this Sunday, January 24 following the service.  Mimosas may be served ... anything is possible ... 
 
Sunday Service 
January 24
  9:00 a.m. Adult Learning Class
"Learning the Six Sources of Unitarian Universalism, Part 2"
with Rabbi Chava
10:30 a.m. "Doubt" - Rabbi Chava
What is the place of doubt in the life of reason?  Why was the term "doubting Thomas" used as a negative?  How can doubt help us on the road of life, and when does doubt take on its shadow aspects?

This Sunday for Children and Youth
January 24  
Please remember that as of January 1, 2016 there is no 9:00 a.m. Children's Educational Option.  Childcare will be available when there is a 9:00 a.m. Contemplative Reflection or 9:00 a.m. Adult Learning opportunity.

Please consider enrolling your children in our 10:30 a.m. Children's Programming.  Contact Sarah with questions.  
 
THERE IS A 9:00 a.m. PROGRAM THIS WEEK FOR ADULTS -
A LEARNING OPPORTUNITY WITH RABBI CHAVA!
 
10:30am:  Programming & Education for Children and Youth
Children (pre-K - 5th grade) and Youth (6th-12th grade, 12-18yrs) are invited to join their families in the service through the Story Wisdom.  Following Story Wisdom, Children (preK-5th grade) will follow their teachers to the large classroom space.  Youth (6th-12th grade, 12-18yrs) will join their teacher in the Office.  Parents of Children (pre-K - 5th grade) should make their way to the classrooms/program wing of the building to sign their child(ren) out of programming following the service.
  
This Month for Children... While the adults in the congregation explore science and reason in the sanctuary, we will be exploring the universe through the following:
"Born With a Bang:  The Universe Tells Our Cosmic Story" & "From Lava to Life:  The Universe Tells Our Earth Story,"  by Jennifer Morgan and Dana Lynne Andersen.

This Month for Youth... This month our youth will gather to focus on connecting and getting to know one another as they prepare to revisit the "Heeding the Call - UU Justice Maker" curriculum which was started in our 9am Youth program earlier this year.     
  
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Donate NEW Winter Gear for Children!
COLLECTION CONTINUES ONLY UNTIL THE END OF JANUARY!
  
Please bring in NEW winter gear for children - hats, snow pants, mittens, jackets, etc. - and place them in the collection bin near the kitchen.  These items will be donated locally to both Traverse Heights Elementary School and the Goodwill Inn.
 
Friday Night Out:  Friday, February 12th, 5:30pm-9pm.  RSVP to Sarah BY Monday, February 8th.
  
What's Going On At UUCGT?

FLASH CALENDAR:  The UUCGT weekly FLASH calendar is now linked to the UUCGT website calendar, and may be viewed HERE.  This link will connect you to the website calendar page where you will find information and details about upcoming programs and meetings.  Give it a try! 
This calendar-linked format will help return the Flash to its original intention of providing a shorter format with brief weekly announcements.  Weekly schedules will continue to be printed in the Order of Service, and the Beacon will continue to post monthly calendars as well.
         
F Y I
     
  2016 UUCGT Directory:  Members & Friends, please email any changes to your address, email or phone to office@uucgt.org.
Our hope is to gather all data in the next few weeks and have a new 2016 UUCGT Directory ready to print in February!  Thank you!

 UUCGT Board of Trustees 1/19/16 Meeting Summary:  Please click here to link to summary.
 
If you were the last person to use the UUCGT Samsung Galaxy Tablet, please return it to the office at your earliest opportunity.  Thank you!
 
The family of Arline Howe would like UU members and friends to be aware that an estate sale will be held on Friday and Saturday, January 29th & 30th from 9:00-4:00, at 167 Wildwood Meadows Drive.  All household contents, including original art work and custom-made furniture will be available. 
 
 Flint Water Crisis:  Clean Water is a Human Right - Show Your Support Rally:  Saturday, January 23 at 11:00am & 12:30pm - meet at Horizon Books.  For more information, click  here  
                 
Thinking About Membership at UUCGT?  Well, you are in luck! 
Join us on Sunday, January 24, 9:00 am for an Adult Learning Program, "Learning the Six Sources of Unitarian Universalism, Part 2" with Rabbi Chava; and/or
Sunday, February 7, 12noon-1:15 pm for Prospective Member Orientation Session with Members of the Membership Committee and other members to talk about the steps to Membership and answer questions about all that is available at this very active, very caring congregation.
Even if you have been attending for some time or were members or attended another UU congregation, there is much we wish to share. This session is FOR YOU!  Sign up at the Membership Table or call the office 947-3117.  Child care reservations are required by January 24th - please contact the office.  See you there!  Contact Chris and Rick Walter, Membership Committee Co-Chairs, 421-3069 or chris9709@sbcglobal.net.
 
Coffee Orders:  Order forms are located in the causeway area. 
Forms are due Sunday, January 31!  Coffee purchases support UU Social Justice Action Committee.  Contact Emmy Lou with questions.

UU Men's Group:  Monday, February 1, 5:30pm at Minerva's.  Mark Gustafson leads a discussion on "In the Kingdom of Ice," by Hampton Sides.

  UU Book Club:  Sunday, February 14, 2:00-4:00pm.  February title is "Everything I Never Told You," by Celeste Ng.  Host:  Mark Gustafson
 
 Committee on Ministry Small Group Discussion:  The Committee on Ministry's small group discussion scheduled for Sunday, January 31 has been moved forward to Sunday, February 21 following the 10:30 service (please note date change).  We hope to see many of you there.  More details to follow.
 
"Little Spiritual Book" Brown Bag Lunch & Learn:  
Join Rabbi Chava for this new monthly brown bag "lunch and learn" program.  Pack yourself a lunch and come with an open heart.  February lunch is Tuesday, February 16,  12-1:00pm:  Eknath Easwaran's, " Your Life is Your Message:  Finding Harmony with Yourself, Others and the Earth" (Nilgiri Press).  See the January Beacon for more information.

Brew Crew:  Have-A-Java-with-Rabbi Chava and Friends! 
PLEASE NOTE: January 22 Brew Crew is rescheduled to January 29, 10:00-12:00noon.  Upcoming dates:  Friday, February 12 and Tuesday, February 23, 10:00-12noon at BREW in downtown TC. 
 
  Rabbi Chava at NMC Extended Education: 
"Meeting Jesus in His Jewish Context"  Explore the Jewish context of Jesus and how this can help deepen your understanding of the ministry of Jesus. By looking at Jewish approaches to God, sacred text, and cosmology, you will discover how Jesus taught and why his message was both timely and timeless.  Tuesdays, February 16 through March 1, 3:00pm-5:00pm at the University Center.  Call (231) 995-1700 for more information and to register.
The Flying Rabbi:  A reminder that Rabbi Chava will be teaching at the Academy for Spiritual Formation near Dallas from January 31 - February 6.
                     
Save the Date - UUCGT Leadership Development Committee Experiential Workshop:  Saturday, March 5, 10:00am-2:00pm.  "What's Discernment Got To Do With It?"  Contact Tom Darnton.            
  
  Local Community Needs:  Please find a Local Community Needs request form here.
 
 
End Note...

"Help us to be the always hopeful
gardeners of the spirit
who know that without darkness
nothing comes to birth
as without light
nothing flowers."

- May Sarton
 

 phone: l(231) 947-3117       website:   www.uucgt.org         email:   office@uucgt.org

  

Office hours:  Tuesday - Thursday, 9:00 - 4:00

Friday, 9:00 - 12:00 noon 

(Monday by appointment)

  

FLASH articles are due by noon on Wednesday of each week