Congregational Vision
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 -
What Good Does Celebrating Do?
F
riends -
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Labor Day was created by the labor movement and "
is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country." So Labor Day was created by labor to celebrate labor. What's the point?
The point is that what we focus positively on - whether it is an ideal, a project or a process like a relationship - will thrive. Celebrating labor reminds us of our indebtedness to one another and our interdependence with each other. We are born vulnerable and needing the love and care of others; so, too, do we live.
Celebrating ideals - like hope, peace and compassion - helps those things flourish in our lives, in our congregation and in our community. This Sunday join Rev. Karen Mars as we begin September celebrating all that is good at UUCGT. A portion of this
week's offering will go to a fund being set up by the UUA and UUSC to assist people affected by Hurricane Harvey. Please join us at 10:30 AM on Sunday.
Tonight, (Thursday, August 31), at 7:30 PM, I hope you will join me and over 40 area clergy in a gathering of hope and community at the State Theatre. The free program, Peace in the Midst (a term we are borrowing from Unity), will be a celebration of the ideals of compassion and justice. For more information please visit
http://bit.ly/PeaceInTheMidst. We have never had such a large gathering of leaders from across faith and philosophical traditions together in my 23 years in Traverse City.
Now is the time to celebrate community, diversity and the strength of our highest ideals.
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Peace in the Midst*: A Community Gathering for Solidarity & Justice
August 31, 2017 - 7:30 PM at the State Theatre, Traverse City
Come join together with leaders from across the community for a 1-hour event promoting justice, peace and solidarity. This is a participatory, family friendly event with leaders from the Christian, Native American, Jewish, Humanist, Buddhist and Nature Based communities.
Rather than waiting to respond to injustice, this pro-active, participatory and family-friendly event is a chance to join your neighbors for an evening of hope.
Tickets are free, and are available at the State Theatre box office via phone at 231.947.3446 or online at www.stateandbijou.org (a small processing fee may apply to online orders).
(*Peace in the Midst is a reference to the 2017 Unity World Day of Prayer)
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Sunday Service
Sunday, September 3 - Lay-led service with Karen Mars
10:30 AM Service: "It's All About Us"
No matter what brought us to UUCGT or what our background is, no matter how alike or diverse we find ourselves, it is the spirit of Congregation and how we feel about each other that keeps us here. This is a time to think about what is most important to us in our lives.
Because our September theme is "Our UU Congregation," we are asking congregants to participate in the setting by bringing something that has significance to you, reflects you, or somehow represents you, and to add those items to the setting. Please be prepared to participate in creating the setting on Sunday, September 3 and September 10 during the service. Congregants are also welcome to bring items and place them on the setting either prior to the service or afterwards. The final setting should be overflowing with items that, taken as a whole, serve to reflect our congregation.
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Lifespan Experience
f
or Children,
Youth
and Fam
ilies!
Sundays in September for preK-8th grade
In September we make preparations to head off to Hogwarts as we launch our "UU & YOU at Hogwarts" program. Labor Day weekend will be the last class of "Specialty Class Summer". The following Sunday, September 10th is Resumption Sunday - all ages will remain in the sanctuary. The last two Sundays in September will be spent building excitement for our Opening Ceremony (October 1st) here at the UUCGT Campus of Hogwarts.
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Suggested readings for families/parents this month include:
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Ravenclaw Reader: Seeking the Meaning and Artistry of J.K. Rowling's Hogwarts Saga, Essays from the St. Andrews University Harry Potter Conference
- by John Patrick Pazdziora (Editor), Micah Snell (Editor)
- Into the Pensieve: The Philosophy and Mythology of Harry Potter - by Patrick McCauley
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Friday Night Out ~ September 8, 5:30-9:00pm
Contact Sarah asap to reserve a spot!
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We are THRILLED to announce that registration is open for our
Sunday morning curriculum September 2017 - June 2018
Most parents believe that it's important to instill social responsibility in their children, but it can be difficult to find meaningful sources or projects for children to get involved in. In addition, many social action projects are not relevant to children, and a lack of relation can lead to a lack of engagement. The Harry Potter series of books by J.K. Rowling are an excellent way to immerse children in the idea that one can work to make the world better. Harry Potter, like other pop culture, can allow children to discuss important social issues with peers.
The "Harry and UU" curriculum was originally written by Unitarian Universalist Educator, Karen Hager - creator of the Imagine-RE UU curriculum series, and we are enhancing it to meet our multi-age classroom needs. This curriculum is a fun way to get children and middle-school youth excited about our UU principles and social justice. Children pre-k-5th grade are invited to participate as UU Hogwarts students, and middle-school youth are invited to be "prefects", or "upper-classmen" with additional (but FUN!) responsibilities.
Don't worry! Children/Youth needn't have read or be familiar with the storylines from Harry Potter in order to fully participate - they need only come with a creative, playful, inquisitive and open mind - ready to explore!
Print copies are available on the Welcome Table in the social hall.
Children/Youth who register by AUGUST 28th
will receive a special Hogwarts UU Acceptance Letter!
CLICK HERE
for Registration forms!
Print copies are available on the Welcome Table in the social hall.
We Are Also Seeking Volunteer Professors (
aka classroom teachers
) For This Program! Please contact Sarah if you are interested!
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W
hat's Going On At UUCGT?
~ Please Note ~
Please schedule committee meetings and events
Peacemaker Needleworkers:
Thursdays, 1:30pm, social hall
Meditation Workshop:
Thursdays, 5:30pm, classroom
Vocal Ensemble:
Thursdays, 7:00pm, sanctuary
Facilities Committee:
Friday, September 1, 10:00am, social hall
Mindfulness Meditation:
Sunday, September 3, 2:30-6:30pm (1st Sunday), sanctuary
Labor Day, Monday, September 4: UUCGT office will be closed in honor of this national holiday
Stretch & Strengthen
: Mondays & Wednesdays, 10:30am. Group will not meet on Labor Day, Monday, September 4.
Community Lunch
: Tuesdays - V
olunteers 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
[email protected]
Bridge Group:
Tuesdays, 1:00-4:00pm, social hall
CUUPS: Special CUUPS meeting to begin planning the 2017 Pagan Fair! Wednesday, September 6, 12:30pm @ Robby's Taqueria Mexicana
Wednesday Suppers:
In September we return to our regular schedule with a few exceptions. There will be NO supper on September 6.
On 9/13 the meal is provided - $5/adult, $3/child 10 and under. Due to a building rental, supper on 9/20 will be held at 6:00pm at Sleder's - please let
Sandra McDonald
know if you plan to attend.
9/27 will be Pizza Night with the cost of the meal shared by those who participate.
Congregational Care Team:
Thursday, September 7, 1:00pm, library
Friday Night Out: Friday, September 8, 5:30-9:00pm, classrooms
InterPlay Workshop: Saturday, September 9, 10:00-1:00pm, sanctuary
Program Council: Sunday, September 10, 9:00am, classroom
UUCGT Book Club: Sunday, September 10, 2:00pm. Host, Bonnie Mathias - title is "Commonwealth" by Ann Patchett
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F Y I
BEACON articles are due by the 25th of each month to
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Brewing Community s
witches back to its regular format!
This gathering moves back to the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month from 5:00-7:00pm. In September we will be heading to The Workshop (9/12 & 9/26)
Save the Date:
2017 CROP Hunger Walk, Sunday, October 8, 2:00 pm
GT Civic Center. An excellent family-focused event. See John Hoffmann after Sunday Services in the Social Hall for more Information. Sign up to walk and/or make a donation.
UU Benzie: Fall services begin September 20! Please send electronic images of photographs you love that include water and one that includes YOU! before 8/31. Please send to [email protected]
Also, on 9/20 please bring a small container of water
from a source dear to you
to the service.
Wow, just think about how water is a part of our lives, necessary for life itself...
We will bring water from the places of our lives.
"To cherish what remains of the Earth and to foster its renewal is our only legitimate hope of survival."
- Wendell Berry
2018 Mindful Journey to India!
An
opportunity to travel with other U.U.'s and enjoy the wonder and colors of India.
India has become a favourite destination for Mindful Journeys and has been brought back by popular demand.
Daily meditations and evening reflections help to experience your travel more fully.
More information here
.
Please contact Joan Walder for an itinerary of the trip and information about Mindful Journeys at:
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End Note...
We light the light of this chalice,
Knowing that:
We - like it,
Are small flames against the wind.
We - like it,
Are not infinite in our burning
But have an end.
We - like it,
Can share our light
Each to the other
With no cost to our compassion.
So may we commit to share the light we have within
And magnify the love in this world.
- from Soul Matters
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| FLASH articles are due by noon on Wednesday each week
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