FLASH

UUCGT Flash

December 14, 2017

Vol. 11, Issue 512

In This Issue

Reflection

Sunday Service

Winter Solstice Celebration

Lifespan Experience for Children, Youth & Families

Christmas Eve at the State

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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UUCGT Beacon

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Reflection...

"Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy;

they are the charming gardeners

who make our souls blossom."

- Marcel Proust

Friends,

Many thanks to those who created such a beautiful service and reception for Gary Harris' celebration of life. It was such an honor to welcome into our congregational home so many members of the community. Our love and blessings to Donna and her family.

This Sunday, Betsy Emdin and I will be offering a beautiful service on preparing for the Solstice. We will explore light and shadow, song and silence. I hope you can join us.

Finally, let me thank our wonderful staff John Bailey, Sarah Montgomery-Richards, Sheri Novak and Susan Sherman for all their work, day-by-day, to make all these beautiful UU moments happen.

Thanks again to the Committee on Ministry and all the volunteers who made my installation as Senior Spiritual Leader completely fun and awesome. Notice the new parking sign? - a gift from my regional UUMA colleagues!

Bowing in deepest humility and thanks -

Rabbi Chava

Sunday Service

Sunday, December 17

10:30 AM Service: "Preparing for Solstice - Finding True Repose"

Rabbi Chava Bahle, Betsy Emdin

John Matthews, who has lectured widely on Celtic and Arthurian traditions, has written this lyrical passage about Winter Solstice:

"The Solstice is a time of quietude, of firelight, and dreaming, when seeds germinate in the cold earth, and the cold notes of church bells mingle with the chimes of icicles. Rivers are stilled and the land lies waiting beneath a coverlet of snow. We watch the cold sunlight and the bright stars, maybe go for walks in the quiet land ... All around us the season seems to reach a standstill - a point of repose."

We are in need of one volunteer for the Lifespan Children's Program for this Sunday. Please contact Sarah if you can help out in this way!

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 until 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. Gift cards are available in the social hall near the tree 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).

CALLING ALL CHILDREN & YOUTH!

We are looking for young people to participate in the CHILDREN'S CHOIR in the Community Interfaith Christmas Eve Service at the State Theatre - 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 practice in class this Sunday morning, December 17. 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)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eerjiaH8dRE

"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 in participating!

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.

http://www.nurturedmama.net/happiest-holiday-yet/

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Brewing Community!

THERE WILL BE NO BREWING COMMUNITY IN DECEMBER

December Wednesday Supper Schedule!

12/20 - Winter Solstice Celebration & Potluck! Service @ 6:00 pm - Bring a dish to share & place settings
12/27 - NO SUPPER

~ We are seeking ushers for Christmas Eve at the State ~

Please plan to arrive at 4:40 PM to be the ministry of the first face - welcoming our friends and neighbors to the theatre

Fun hats and goodie bags for all usher volunteers!

Contact Hal Gurian: [email protected]

What's Going On ... at UUCGT?

Please contact [email protected] to schedule meetings and events

UUCGT Calendar - Click Here

Meetings & Activities

UUCGT Hosts Safe Harbor through December 16 @ Safe Harbor

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

Meditation Workshop is cancelled on Thursday, December 14

Vocal Ensemble: Thursday, December 14, 7:00pm, sanctuary

New Moon Women's Circle: Saturday, December 16 - contact Carolyn Kelly at 231-392-5761 or [email protected]

Mindfulness Meditation: Sunday, December 17, 5:00-7:00pm

Stretch & Strengthen will resume on January 3 - Happy Holidays!

UUCGT Board Meeting: Monday, December 18, 5:30pm, classroom

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 [email protected]

Indivisible GT: Tuesdays, 12:00 noon, sanctuary. Group will not meet on December 26 or January 2.

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

Solstice Celebration & Potluck: Wednesday December 20, 6:00pm, sanctuary. Bring a dish to share & place settings - All are Welcome!

Congregational Care Team: Thursday, December 21, 1:00pm, library

UUCGT Arts & Exhibitions

"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

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TC Street Voices M agazine

"Real People...Real Stories"

$2 suggested donation

F Y I

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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 @ [email protected]

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 and 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 [email protected]