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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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Aaaannnnnnnd . . . on to August!
This coming Sunday Service, August (!) 2, begins at 10:30 AM. Start signing into Zoom at 10:00 to visit before the Service begins. It is being coordinated by Pam Hendrick, and our guest is the Rev. Jane Lippert of Central Church Outreach, who will draw from Anne LaMott's book Help, Thanks, Wow: The Three Essential Prayers. Rev. Jane praises the book for "speaking to our universal spiritual hungers of asking for guidance, offering gratitude, and expressing wonder." Her focus for us on Sunday will be "Wow."
Click here
for the link to join the Service via Zoom; the passcode is 167208. Or enter the following URL address into your web browser...
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81777448560?pwd=Y3pHTkpOSFhMTHU3dGg5b2o3YUoydz09
Meeting ID: 817 7744 8560
Passcode: 167208
You'll receive a reminder on Sunday morning!
Pam will open the Service, and she and
Renée Russell will light the Chalice and ring the Singing Bowl before introducing Rev. Jane. The service also includes an extraordinary musical composition by
Xander Shumaker, only (!) 15 years old, performed by Interlochen Arts Academy students. Here's the rest of the
Order of Service
.
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MUSIC: "A Few Notes..."
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- from Music Director
Renée Herman Russell -
I have two wonderful services to highlight this week in my updates. Last week,
Misty Sheehan
led us through a wonderful meditation on Carolyn McDade's song "This Ancient Love," discussing our place in the stars.
Lynn McAndrews
and I created a choral version of her beautiful song
which you can listen to and watch here
.
To explore the theme further take an evening and listen to
The Planets
by Gustav Holz. For a fun, uplifting pop ballad enjoy
Sky Full of Stars
by Coldplay. For one of my favorite, mello, introspective folk grooves please enjoy Meg Hutchinson's
Seeing Stars
.
This week, our guest Reverend Jane Lippert will address the "wow' factor of prayer. What kind of music brings out the feeling of "wow"? A symphony, a single line of a song that pierces right to the soul? Now more than ever is a time to really dive into those moments of wow that make your heart expand. This Sunday I'll share several pieces that open me up to a place of awe including an original composition by the very talented 15-yr-old
Xander Shumaker
and the first video of our own
UUCGT Virtual Ensemble
.
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RE: "Delightful, insightful, creative, thought-provoking, detailed, silly..."
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- from Religious Education Director Betsy Hammerberg
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On Sunday, July 26, RE youth of all ages met together via Zoom. It is always fun to connect and share what we are doing during the summer as well as share what activities from the RE Youth Kits the kids did.
Two of the activities shared were: (1) Examining a flower to see how many petals or leaves, shape, and so forth. Then, to draw or take a picture of the flower. One child shared a delightful red flower he had drawn in detail and also shared the actual flower with us. (2) To use materials provided to build a parachute. Another child built a parachute that not only worked but was able to carry a small figure too.
Last week, we decided to do something fun, creative and challenging together each Sunday. One of the children designed a most creative, thought-provoking and FUN game called "Would You Rather?" The answers and reasons why the choices were made were insightful, creative, detailed and sometimes silly, bringing laughter from all!
We also were shown a new baby kitty, which elicited many "
ooohh!"
s from the kids and the adults.
Families: If your child has not received the RE Summer Creative/Fun Kit please let Betsy or Claire know. We will deliver it to you!
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Mike McDonald has sent along
the Finance Committee's fiscal-year-end
(The link takes you to a downloadable .pdf file.)
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UUCGT Calendar -
Stay Up to Date
Sunday Services, meetings and classes are hosted on Zoom until further notice. Need help with Zoom? Click on Zoom links below.
To request a Zoom meeting setup and link for your group or committee meeting, please call or
e-mail Guy at the office
.
Requests must be made by
Wednesday at noon
of the preceeding week, please, if you want your meeting or event included in the FLASH,
especially if you are requesting a Zoom set-up!
Reverend Cathy returns August 11th. (On which day Guy will be sponsoring a 1000-voice choir to assemble - with full orchestra, all spaced safely within our parking lot - to perform "Hallelujah!" from Handel's
Messiah,
an assortment of early African-American spirituals, and "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'!"* from Rodgers' & Hammerstein's
Oklahoma!)
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Every Tuesday - 10:30 AM
Volunteer Comm. Lunch, Friends Church, for info Mary Kiner
Tuesday, August 4 - 2:30 PM
Wednesday, August 5 - 11:00 AM
Stretch & Strengthen Class
Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86328072766
Wednesday, August 5 - 5:30 PM
Wednesday "Bring-Your-Own" Picnic Supper -
All are welcome! Contact Mike and Sandra McDonald.
Staff Resources, which usually meets 1st Wednesday of the month, will meet instead on Wednesday the 10th in August, at 1:30pm.
Thursday, August 6 - 2:00 PM
Congregational Care Committee meeting
Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87229186634
Friday, August 7 - 10:00 AM
Facilities Management Team meeting
Friday, August 7 - 2:00 PM
Rehearsal for Sunday Service
New to Zoom?
Check out these Zoom introductory videos & FAQ's
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UUCGT Bulletin Board
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From
Kim Gribi
: We are again working with the nationally recognized organization,
My Block My Hood My City
to bring a group of teens to Traverse City on August 30, for a four-day vacation, including a trip to Mackinac Island. This is our fourth summer doing this, and will involve an entirely new group of students. This summer has been particularly rough on the south-side of Chicago where they live, and this "vacation" will give the kids a chance for some much needed respite and fun. If you have any questions, please call me at: 499-8664.
and to see just what this experience means to the students:
Video Recordings of the current month's Sunday Services are available online. If you would like to view on, please contact Guy in the office: call 231-943-3117 or e-mail
[email protected].
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This week our always-active
Emmy Lou Cholak called my attention to the following:
This petition asks Congress to approve funding that will help contribute to fair elections in November.
The Brennan Center for Justice is a
nonpartisan
, egalitarian policy institute associated with the NYU School of Law, and advocates for fairness and equity for all persons.
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We still have
BLACK LIVES MATTER
T
-shirts
Well-made, 100% cotton.
$20 apiece.
This money supports local BLM efforts!
Please contact or come by the office.
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Reminder: Book Club in August: White Fragility
Please contact Rev. Cathy.
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Coronavirus infections and cases of the Covid-19 illness are rising faster than ever before in a majority of states. Many major news outlets are offering their coverage of the pandemic for free, without needing a subscription or running into a paywall. This is true of both
The New York Times
and
The Washington Post
.
Continue to stay informed, be safe, save lives.
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LAST CALL: Once the
Flash and
Beacon are out, I'll be turning my attention to the "Directory Project" - so here's your last chance...!
Please send any CHANGES of contact information to
Please note: CHANGES ONLY!
*
Tired of this image yet? It's going away soon!
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End Note...
"One of the advantages of being disorderly
is that one is constantly making
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Most of the UUCGT building is closed until further notice;
however the office will be manned Tuesday-Friday
for most of the next few weeks.
with any questions or concerns.
Stay up to date on Facebook & UUCGT website
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