UUCGT Flash 
December 07, 2017
Vol. 11, Issue 511
 
In This Issue
Celebration of Life - Gary Harris
Reflection
Sunday Service
Lifespan Experience for Children, Youth & Families
Winter Solstice Celebration
Christmas Eve at the State
What's Going on at UUCGT?
Exhibit at UUCGT
FYI
End Note

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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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The community is invited to  a

Celebration of Life Service for Gary Harris

Saturday, December 9
2:30 PM
UUCGT Sanctuary

The Memorial Committee is seeking a few more willing hands to help with the reception following the service.  Please contact Lauren Keinath at 231-342-0617
Reflection...

"When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, 
everyone is blessed." 
~ Maya Angelou
 
Dear beloved and holy friends - 

I scarcely have words to express my deep gratitude for the celebration this past weekend.  Everything was so abundantly generous and beautiful.  

My deepest thanks to the Committee on Ministry for its vision and creation of this celebration of our shared ministry.  Thanks one and all for your generous help, participation and attendance.  I was particularly proud to have so many members of the larger community and clergy friends here to see what a warm, loving place UUCGT is. 
 
My heart is filled with delight, and once again I promise to work hard to hold up all that is wonderful in this Beloved Community.
  
Blessings - 
Rabbi Chava 

Sunday Service 
Sunday, December 10
10:30 AM Service:  "Annual All Music Service" - All Congregation
John Bailey, UUCGT Music Director
Join UUCGT Music Director, John Bailey and members of our community in this beloved annual tradition of an All Music Service.  
Delight, reflect, sing along, come and enjoy your community in  a rich celebration of the season through verse and music.

Lifespan Experience
f or Children,  Youth  and Fam ilies!

Sundays in December for preK-8th grade

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Lots of happenings in December!

We have officially launched into our "Literacy" unit at Hogwarts - we began this at the end of November. In this unit we start off considering the connection between poverty and access to education, and we introduce our annual "Heifer Tree" project.  

Our "Heifer Tree" will be up from 12/10-12/31.  Please consider donating to Heifer International through our annual project by selecting an animal from the tree near the social hall and making a donation.  More information about this will be in the Flash, and fliers will be available in the social hall near the tree.  We will also make note cards available should you want to give your donation as a gift this holiday season.  The children have set their Heifer Tree goal as $450 this year - to donate a "Gift of Clean Water" through Heifer (this gift will help families install treadle pumps for access to clean water) & Irrigation Pumps (this gift will provide farmers with irrigation pumps to care for their crops and livestock).  There are lots of special events and Sundays in December as well!

PLEASE BE SURE TO READ YOUR FLASH CAREFULLY EACH WEEK!

  CALLING ALL CHILDREN & YOUTH!

We are looking for young people to participate in the CHILDREN'S CHOIR that will have a special part not only in our Holiday All-Music Service on December 10, but also at the Community Interfaith Service at the State Theatre on Christmas Eve, December 24 - Carols begin at 5:00 PM - Children arrive at 4:45 PM!! 

The songs this year are "Peace, Salaam, Shalom" by Emma's Revolution & "All I Really Need" by Raffi!  Don't worry!  There won't be a million practices! We will be practicing in class on Sunday mornings (THROUGH 12/17) - there will be ONE special rehearsal before service on 12/10 at 9:30 am. These songs are fun and familiar... you can practice singing together as a family in the car!

Here are links to YouTube Videos to help you practice at home - children need to be familiar with the choruses to these songs:

"All I Really Need" - (children only need to learn the chorus)

"Peace Salaam Shalom" (children only need to learn the melody/chorus)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKlaqo4Uzr0

We are requesting that children who are participating come dressed in black bottoms and a white collared shirt.  We will have a selection of brightly colored neckties for the children to borrow for the occasions.  Please let Sarah know ASAP (if you haven't already) if you are interested, and which dates we can plan on seeing your children (12/10, 12/24 at the State Theatre, or BOTH!)
 
Suggested readings for families/parents this month:
  • This time of year can be difficult for some people for a variety of reasons - income, personal loss, anxiety, and depression just to name a few.  It's also a time of year when many of us feel the desire to reclaim the ways in which we spend our time and treasure - looking for ways to live simply and meaningfully.  For these reasons, and many more, I thought I'd share this little blog with you.  It's from Nurtured Mama - "Five Simple Ways to Create Your Happiest Holiday Yet".  While it does highlight the celebration of Christmas, I think there are some gems within the article that could apply to a variety of perspectives and celebrations - suggestions for making a list of what really matters to you when considering commitments, giving simply and thoughtfully, etc.

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  Friday Night Out is full!
December 8, 5:30-9:00pm
 
Brewing Community!
THERE WILL BE NO BREWING COMMUNITY IN DECEMBER
 
Wednesday Supper Schedule!
  • 12/13 - $5 / $3 (10 & under) Supper
  • 12/20 - Winter Solstice Celebration & Potluck!
  • 12/27 - NO SUPPER



W hat's Going On At UUCGT?

Please contact office@uucgt.org to schedule meetings and events

UUCGT Calendar - Click Here

Meetings & Activities
 
Congregational Care Team:  Thursday, December 7, 1:00pm, library

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

Facilities Committee:  Friday, December 8, 10:00am, social hall

Holiday Tree Trimming:  Friday, December 8, 5:00pm - Pizza & wine will be served - All are Welcome!  

Friday Night Out:  Friday, December 8, 5:30pm, classrooms

Singing Sisters:  Saturday, December 9, 10:00am, sanctuary

Celebration of the Life of Gary Harris:  Saturday, December 9, 2:30pm

UUCGT Hosts Safe Harbor:  December 9 - 16 @ Safe Harbor

Mindfulness Meditation:  Sunday, December 10, 5:00-7:00pm

Stretch & Strengthen:  Mondays & Wednesdays, 11:00am

Committee on Ministry:  Monday, December 11, 2:00pm, sanctuary

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  marykiner@charter.net

Indivisible GT:  Tuesdays, 12:00 noon, sanctuary

Staff Resources:  Tuesday, December 12, 12:30pm, library

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

Leadership Development:  Tuesday, December 12, 5:00pm, classroom

Finance Committee:  Tuesday, December 12, 5:30pm, office

Board Executive Committee - Agenda:  Wednesday, December 13, 1:00pm, library

Wednesday Supper:  December 13, 5:30/social, 6:00/supper -  $5/adult; $3/10 & under -  All are Welcome!

Shantideva Fan Club:  Thursday, December 14, 9:30am, sanctuary

Meditation Workshop:  Thursday, December 15, 5:30pm, classroom

New Moon Women's Circle:  Saturday, December 16 - contact Carolyn Kelly, 231-392-5761 or carolynk113@gmail.com

~ Exhibit at UUCGT ~
"The Other Traverse City" - Part 2
by Alan Newton
A collection of photographs of people facing hunger
and homelessness in our community

Many thanks to:
Alan Newton
UUCGT Art & Exhibitions Committee
Charles Brackett
Mike and Sandra McDonald
  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
TC Street Voices  magazine display  in front entryway
 " Real People...Real Stories"
$2 suggested donation
 
F Y I
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Last Minute Musicians Welcome!
This Sunday, December 10 is our Annual All Music Service!  In addition to the Vocal Ensemble, soloists, small ensembles, wind and string players will perform.  If you would like to share your talent, please call John Bailey at 231-944-6059, or email  peracola@gmail.com

Winter Items Collection!     
We will be collecting NEW winter items for children during the month of December.  New gloves, hats, coats, snow pants, etc. can be put in the collection basket located outside of the kitchen near the social hall. 
Items will be donated to the Goodwill Inn at the end of December so that they can be distributed to local children in need.  It is suggested that items donated are durable in nature - example:  think warmer insulated gloves for instance rather than thin cotton knit.  
Questions?  Please contact Sarah @  dle@uucgt.org

Tax deduction deadlines are coming soon:  If you wish to make donations to UUCGT that will be deductible on your 2017 income taxes, either stop by the office with your check payment or mail by December 28.  
You can also put checks in the offering basket any Sunday up to and including December 31.  Remember, who knows what will be deductible in 2018?

Seeking Church Accompanist
Our long-time accompanist, Margie Hunter, has retired!  
UUCGT is looking for an accompanist to play for Sunday Services and Vocal Ensemble rehearsals on Thursday evenings.  If interested, please  call the UUCGT office, 231-947-3117, or email office@uucgt.org

Donated Dinners... are selling out fast!  

New addition:  

" Tapas & Fine Wines"  hosted by Chava and  Karl  Bahle on February 24
- $30 per person

Also, Lauren Keinath' 3-month dinner subscription is still availa ble

Come to the sign-up table after Sunday Service and take a look!   
- 1/2 proceeds are donated to Community Needs -

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Local Community Needs

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 FLASH articles are due by Wednesday noon - office@uucgt.org
BEACON articles are due by the 25th each month - 

End Note...

"Music brings a warm glow to my vision,
thawing mind and muscle from their endless wintering."
~ Haruki Murakami

 

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       office@uucgt.org         www.uucgt.org