UUCGT Flash 
September 21, 2017
Vol. 11, Issue 500
 
In This Issue
Reflection
Sunday Service
Lifespan Experience for Children, Youth & Families
Announcement of Special Meeting
What's Going on at UUCGT?
FYI
End Note

Congregational Vision

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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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Reflection... 
 
I believe we can change the world
if we start listening to one another again.
Simple, honest, human conversation.
Not mediation, negotiation, problem-solving, debate, or public meetings.
Simple, truthful conversation where we each have a chance
to speak, we each feel heard, and we each listen well.

Margaret J. Wheatley,  Turning to One Another:  Simple Conversations to Restore Hope to the Future
    
Beloved community - 

This Sunday at 9:00 AM, we will gather for the first in a series of "Dialogue in Community."  For each of the sessions, we will learn from the best innovators in dialogic process, and then take on a topic to explore together.  These will fun, brief, engaging opportunities to get to know each other - and perhaps ourselves - a little better.

Our 10:30 AM picks up on this theme and allows us to think about the "Stories of Us," the little tellings that shape our community and shape us as individuals.  (See below, in the service description for a hint!)  

This Sunday in addition to our Book of Joys and Concerns, we will invite those who wish to come to the microphone to speak a brief joy or concern and light a candle to do so.  Hearing each other's voices is part of the "story of us."

The Social Witness meeting scheduled following the service will take place at a future date.  We have some exciting ideas in the works, and like a good story, they take some time to come to their fullness.  In the meantime, we are thankful and encourage the many people in our membership who are actively working for social justice.

I wish those who celebrate a Shana Tova - a happy, sweet new year -

Rabbi Chava 

Sunday Service 
Sunday, September 24
 9:00 AM Kick-Off:  
Adult Lifespan Experience Connections Programs: "Can We Talk?  Beginning the Dialogue" - Rabbi Chava Bahle
 







10:30 AM
Service: 
"The Stories of Us"  -
Rabbi Chava Bahle, Betsy Emdin

We will explore UU related questions from varied perspectives:  Humanist, Buddhist, Theist, Pagan.  As we close our month of exploring what it means to be seekers together, several individuals will be invited to share a taste of their journeys with the community.  What was your journey to us? 
  
Lifespan Experience  f or Children,
Youth  and Fam ilies!

Sundays in September for preK-8th grade

In September, we head off to Hogwarts as we launch our "UU & YOU at Hogwarts" program.  On September 24 we will be finishing up details for our "Opening Ceremony" on October 1st here at the UUCGT Campus of Hogwarts!
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Suggested readings for families/parents this month include:
  • 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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"UU & YOU at Hogwarts"
We Are Still Taking Registrations 
for September 2017 - June 2018!

CLICK HERE to view the full brochure!
Print copies are available on the Welcome Table in the social hall.

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!



Announcement of Special Meeting of UUCGT

called by the Board of Trustees for the Purpose of a Vote
on the UUA Declaration of Conscience
Sunday, October 29, 2017
following 10:30 AM  Sunday Service
UUCGT sanctuary

The Board of Trustees of UUCGT calls for a Special Meeting on Sunday, October 29, 2017 - following the 10:30 AM Service for the purpose of voting on the UUA Declaration of Conscience.  The Board of Trustees voted its approval on the Declaration at its September, 2017 regular meeting.  This special meeting will consist of the single of item of voting on the Declaration.
 
The congregation will be asked to vote on approving this Declaration of Conscience by a show of hands vote.  Current members in good standing are eligible to vote. 


W hat's Going On At UUCGT?

~ Please Note ~
Please schedule committee meetings and events
by contacting

UUCGT Calendar -  Click Here

Meetings & Activities

Congregation Beth Shalom Rosh Hashanah Services   
Thursday, September 21,  3:00pm, family service, sanctuary

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

Meditation Workshop:   Thursday, September 21, 5:30pm, classroom
Group will not meet September 28, October 5 or 12

Vocal Ensemble:  Thursdays, 7:00pm, sanctuary

Sunday Services Committee Retreat:   Saturday, September 23, 10:00am-3:00pm, hosted by Donna Stein-Harris

New Moon Women's Circle -  New time & location:   Saturday, September 23,  4:00-7:00pm, 3591 Old Mission Road.   This group is open to all women to connect and consider the question - "What life experiences have most influenced your spirituality?"  We meet near the new moon - a time of new beginnings.  A light meal will be offered.  RSVP to facilitator,  Carolyn Kelly  or 231-392-5761

Adult Lifespan Experience Connections Programs Begin!  
"Dialogue in Community" - Sunday, September 24, 9:00am, social hall

9/24 Social Witness meeting postponed:  This meeting will take place at a soon-to-be-announced date.  In the meantime, we thank and encourage the many people in our membership who are actively working for social justice.

Mindfulness Meditation:   Sunday, September 24, 5:00pm, sanctuary

Stretch & Strengthen :  Mondays & Wednesdays, 10:30am

Safe Harbor Board:  Monday, September 25, 6:00pm, classroom

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]

Indivisible GT:  Tuesday, September 26, 12:00pm, sanctuary

Bridge Group:  Tuesdays, 1:00-4:00pm, social hall

Wednesday Supper:  Wednesday, September 27 is  Pizza Night!  Cost of the meal - appetizer, pizza, salad, dessert - is shared by those who participate.

Shantideva Fan Club:  Thursday, September 28, 9:30am, sanctuary

Congregational Care Team Retreat:  Thursday, September 28, 10:00-2:00pm.  Contact Joanie Jackson or Pat Light for details

Brewing Community:  Thursday, September 28, 5:00pm, The Workshop

Congregational Beth Shalom Yom Kippur Services   
Friday, September 29, 7:30pm, Kol Nidre
Saturday, September 30
10:00am Yom Kippur morning  service
3:00pm family service
4:00pm Yiskor service
4:30pm concluding service
6:00pm break-the-fast

F Y I

FLASH articles are due by noon on Wednes days - email [email protected]

BEACON articles are due by the 25th of each month to 

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Local Community Needs
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Higher Grounds Coffee Orders are due this Sunday!

Safe Harbor Opportunities:   As most of you know, Safe Harbor is renovating a building near downtown to house the emergency overnight shelter for those experiencing homelessness.  We are offering two opportunities to contribute to this effort the next two Sundays, September 24 and October 1.  We will have envelopes for those who wish to contribute financially to the renovation effort.  See us at the table in the Social Hall if you are interested in contributing or learning more  -  Mike and Sandra McDonald

UUCGT CUUPs Chapter (Covenant of UU Pagans)...would like to make the wider UUCGT community aware of the opportunity to connect with our local Pagan community.  The Grand Traverse Area Pagans (GTAPs) will be having an Open House on Monday, September 25 at 6:30pm at the Friend's Church on the corner of 5th & Oak.  This is an informational, meet-and-greet occasion that only comes along a few times a year!

Men's Group:  Monday, October 2, 5:30pm at Minerva's
Topic:   National Park Service future management concerns
A December, 2016 National Geographic article entitled "The Parks of Tomorrow" looks at changing conditions in the environment and how the National Park Service responds to them in managing for these changes. 
Max Old Bear will discuss the effects of changing climate and other changes including population control (over-crowding by visitors and over population of wildlife), endangered species protection, wildfire management, exotic species control, over development, and modern public expectations.
Copies of the National Geographic article will be available in the office. 

2017 CROP Hunger Walk, Sunday, October 8, 2:00pm
Bring a sack lunch to UU and have lunch after service in the social hall with other walkers, then go to the Civic Center together! 
This is 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.

End Note...


Oddly, it is the way in which the trees block the light
that makes the rays of sunlight-light
more distinctively visible than the unfiltered light.
Sometimes obstruction gives us a clearer view.

What have you understood
only once something got in your way?

- from Daily Compass

 

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       [email protected]         www.uucgt.org