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Congregational
Mission
Statement
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 Quicklinks
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If you would like to receive our monthly newsletter
the Beacon
please contact
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IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT:
GOOD NEWS, & HEADS UP, EVERYONE!
The Pledge Drive for 2021-2022 officially starts on February 14th! Brochures will be mailed early in February. Meanwhile, watch for Special Stewardship Flashes that will share electronic versions of the Brochure, Rev.Cathy's special message regarding the Drive, and Pledge Forms themselves in the week of February 7th.
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Sunday's Service
2.7.2021
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For Sunday's Service the Zoom link is here.
The Service is at 10:30 AM but you can begin
signing in at 10:00 AM to visit.
Rev. Cathy leads this Sunday's Service, which has been coordinated by Richard Miller and which looks at The Gospel of Luke 12:24 - "Consider the ravens...."
Consider the Ravens: Introverts have too often been labeled misfits, but did you know that Martin Luther King was an introvert? Introverts have influenced the course of history, science, business and the entertainment industry. (And - oh, right! - sports.) Did you know that ravens in nature are at times communal and social, working together to assure adequate food for all members of a flock? At other times they are solitary, and serve as symbols of solitude, stillness, perseverance.
Ravens are seen in many cultures as symbols
of reflection, of renewal, of transition.
Again, the Zoom link for SUNDAY SERVICE is
Sunday's "Reminder" Flash will have a link to the Order of Service, which will be posted on our website homepage at uucgt.org as well.
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Vespers for Peace
Join us on Friday evenings for a calming time of
music, contemplation, poetry, and inspiration.
This Friday, January 29, 2021 at 8:00 PM
Begin signing in at 7:30 to visit
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MINISTERIAL SEARCH TEAM REPORT
"Getting to Know You" via Zoom
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Our field of potential candidates has been narrowed down to a list of "finalists". Digging deeper into references and planning for more in-depth interviews are presently on our agenda. We eagerly look forward to getting to know the pre-candidates better during February and March when we will also offer them more information about UUCGT, our facilities, and our area. Our creative juices flow as we put together presentations and plan virtual social times in lieu of in-person visits.
Your team,
Mary, Geoff, Charles, Dusty, Jim, Chris, Jan
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A FEW NOTES
This week we explore what it means to be an introvert. I believe there is a misconception that all musicians are naturally extroverted. As with the world, musicians cover the full spectrum of human behavior characteristics and with each tendency comes its own set of strengths and challenges. It is important to note that "shyness" and "introversion" are not the same. Susan Cain, bestselling author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking explains, "shyness is the fear of negative judgment, and introversion is a preference for quiet, minimally stimulating environments."
Some notable introverted musicians include Barbara Streisand, Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, Adele and Bob Marley. Introverted musicians thrive from quiet time for creativity, and tend to take more time to prepare and think through all aspects of a performance. I would say I am an introvert with some extrovert tenancies. I have learned that careful preparation, thinking through every scenario and having a plan, give me confidence as a musician and director. As a social worker, I know the importance of creating connection, so I make sure to nurture myself with quiet and planning so I can then have the energy and focus to provide direction and support to our congregation. I start every Sunday morning with yoga and meditation so I feel grounded in myself so I can then be open to the energy of others. I also carefully select the music I listen to throughout the day to make sure it feeds my creativity and spirit. Do you have certain music or techniques that you use to perform or create that help you to feel balanced and energized?
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RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Today I'm flying low and I'm not saying a word I'm letting all the voodoos of ambition sleep.The world goes on as it must, the bees in the garden rumbling a little, the fish leaping, the gnats getting eaten. And so forth.But I'm taking the day off. Quiet as a feather. I hardly movethough really I'm traveling a terrific distance. Stillness.One of the doors into the temple.
~Mary Oliver (1935 to 2019., American Poet) Hello to all of the youth and families from all of the RE staff. We hope you are staying well and enjoying this lovely winter. Watch your mailboxes as soon you will receive the fun and inspiring "Youth RE Kit" in the mail! We look forward to seeing you on our zoom Sunday RE February 7th. We will have a story and a fun craft to do and will share our week with one another. It is always so good to see and be with you.
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RE-OPENING TASK FORCE: CALL for VOLUNTEERS
Friends -
In anticipation of re-opening our sacred space sometime this year, your Board of Trustees is calling for volunteers to create a "Re-Opening Task Force," filled by you, our Congregants. The Task Force will be asked to research all Local, State and Federal guidelines and requirements, along with gathering recommendations from the UUA. All meetings will be electronic - no in-person meetings are necessary. We will make this decision based on science-backed data and will abide by all regulations related to COVID-19. We will gather information from all sources and make a recommendation to the Board about the timing of the re-opening.
Of course, we all hope this is sooner, rather than later, but will abide by the science and orders of our authorities. If you are interested in serving on this Task Force, please contact Board of Trustees member Judy Myers at [email protected] by February 15, 2021.
We appreciate any input and hope you will consider this important responsibility.
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UPCOMING ADULT RE OPPORTUNITIES
Antiracism workshops:
Co-facilitated by Alison Ernst and Rev. Cathy Harrington
WHAT: Reading and Writing Whiteness, using the text White Fragility by
Robin Diangelo.
WHO: You and your non-UU friends - please invite others to participate
WHEN: Thursdays 6:30 - 8:00 PM, 6-week session, February 4 through
March 11
POSTPONED: The "How to be an Anti-Racist" book group will be postponed
until mid to late March. Start date TBD. You can still sign up for it now,
and I'll keep you posted.
OTHER CLASS/WORKSHOP OPPORTUNITIES
WHAT: Starting Points
WHO: Anyone who might be new to UU, or who might want to be re-newed.
WHEN: Saturdays 10:00 AM, beginning February 6
WHAT: Soul Matters
WHO: Anyone interested in exploring aspects of Unitarian faith
WHEN: Once a month, based on participant group's availability
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You can access the calendar online
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UUCGT Bulletin Board
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SOCIAL JUSTICE ACTION:
OPPORTUNITIES TO BE HEARD
Don't we all deserve to identify for ourselves who we are? Read, understand, and sign the Petition from the ACLU if you agree. Thanks!
Jewish values compel us to build a world that protects the most vulnerable, so let's ask President Biden to go further. We should make it clear to the world that reproductive rights are human rights. Tell President Biden to prioritize the health and rights of women, girls, LGBTQI+ people, and other marginalized communities.
FROM MARY ANN RIVERS
GROWING YOURSELF UP
Joining a small group can have many benefits beyond the subject anchoring the group. One of the most important to us is finding and building a safe and trusting community. Being together for learning can add to our daily lives - spiritually, socially, and intellectually. We can learn and practice careful listening skills to better enhance our Healthy Congregation principles. All these and more can be part of belonging to a small group.
Sylvia Walworth and Susan Lio and I are offering a study of the book Growing Yourself Up by Jennifer Brown. The books are available for perusal with just a call to me. The group will first meet on Tuesday, February 16th at 7 p.m. We will then choose a time and day that works for everyone.
Please consider joining us for this guided study of ourselves in the world today. Call or e-mail me for more information or to sign up.
The Wednesday dinner group has tried to stay connected these past months, socially distanced picnicking in the UU parking lot when we could, on ZOOM when it was rainy. We are going to weekly ZOOM now, 5:30 every Wednesday. If you would like to join us, contact Mike and Sandra McDonald for the ZOOM invite. You may bring your glass of wine.
ABOUT OUR OWN MARY VAN VALIN!
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"On the road to wisdom, be like a raven and observe everything carefully."
- Mehmet Murat Ildan
"The raven is about rebirth, recovery, renewal, reflection. About healing and transition."
- Native American tradition
"And the raven, never flitting,
Still is sitting, still is sitting...."
- Edgar Allan Poe
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Thank you, Mary VV, for sharing your story with Interlochen Public Radio.
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The UUCGT building is closed until further notice;
however the office is again staffed (at least) Tuesday-Friday, 9am-3pm.
Stay up to date on the UUCGT website
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