UUCGT  Flash 
                      July 9, 2020

 
In This Issue
"Let's Stay Connected!": Sunday's all-Michigan service, and a note from Rev. Cathy.
Looking back just a bit...
Music and RE at UUCGT, with an update from Renée
Social Justice
Yard Signs-Black Lives Matter
UUCGT Calendar
Bulletin Board
Directory Update
End Note
Directory Update
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Congregational
Mission
Statement

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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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Staying Connected, Summer of 2020...

This Sunday, July 12, the entire UU community of Michigan gathers virtually for an all-Michigan, across-the-state service via Zoom.  Up to 1000 UU Michiganders or more are expected to attend and share in this special service.

Our own UU Congregation of Grand Traverse leads the Call to Worship, as you'll see from the Order of Service here.   The homily, delivered from Northwest UU, is entitled "Hope in the Connections," aligning beautifully with our own  "Let's Stay Connected!"  

The service begins at 10:30 Sunday morning.  Following the service there will be a virtual statewide coffee hour in which to discuss, visit, and perhaps even meet new people.

Here's the necessary info:

Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 824 8787 4268 

Audio Only
+1 301 715 8592
Or find your local number: here.

Please remember that our new Office Administrator, Guy Molnar, is eager to meet those of you he doesn't already know.  He's available in the office 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM Tuesdays through Fridays for the time being, so if you have a moment please stop by and we'll step far enough away from each other to show what we look like unmasked!

Sunday the 19th we are back to our own regular Zoom service at our regular time, and Rev. Cathy will be back on August 11.  Meanwhile she suggests you might want to check this out:
 
Or you can go straight to the Museum's site 
here!



A name was inadvertently left out of the list of members of our new Ministerial Search Committee in the July BEACON. Apologies to
JAN ZERBEL
and thanks in advance to all seven for what will undoubtedly be challenging and rewarding work. 

Again: The team is
CHARLES BRACKET
DUSTY CULTON
JIM LINSELL
GEOFF NORMAN-ANDERSON
MARY VAN VALIN
CHRIS WALTER and
JAN ZERBEL
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Last Sunday our guest was the Rev. Dr. W. Fred Wooden. He has graciously allowed us to share two of his most popular sermons/essays: His text from last Sunday and some thoughts on Love in this time of disconnection.  He asked us to share how grateful he was to be included as "such a satisfying service."
Somehow last week I neglected to include "A Few Notes" from Music Director Renée Herman Russell. I know many of you are anxious to hear how she's doing, so I apologize to everyone for missing this one...

music note
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While I have been encouraged by the return of my energy to allow me to begin making music for our wonderful congregation again, I've been asked to give a brief health update. As most of you know, I've been struggling since the end of March with what my doctor believes was Covid 19. I do not know how I contracted it, likely through shopping. I was unable to be tested as I did not meet the strict criteria having only a mild ongoing temperature. I did have the dry cough, GI issues, intense fatigue (I went from running 7 miles to not being able to walk up our driveway), lost sense of taste, lesions on my toes (that came right at the onset), shortness of breath, brain fog, and an ongoing low-grade temperature (99.7-100) for several weeks. Frustratingly, those symptoms lingered for months and continued to resurge any time I would begin to exert myself. Fortunately, I am now finally seeing some real improvement but I wanted to bring attention to the thousands of people in the US alone who are struggling with the same ongoing issues. I have been a part of several support groups online and the media is beginning to cover these folks who call themselves "Long Haulers". You can read more about them here and here and  here. I encourage everyone to please wear a mask and to take good care of yourself. And I thank each and everyone of you for your patience and support. 

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And RE Director Elisabeth Hammerberg is excited to share these photos and this message...




The RE Summer Fun Kits were delivered this week! Craft supplies, straws, and a weekly surprise package will be used to complete a weekly  STEM challenge, a nature-based observation and building activity, and an imaginative building activity. The kids are also being encouraged to take photos of things that bring them joy, some of which will be printed as postcards and mailed to congregants who are in need of extra care right now. As UU's we value science, independent thinking, our natural world, and taking care of our fellow humans; we hope that the kits will provide a way for kids to engage with these values while having fun.




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Emmy Lou Cholak, our  Social Justice Action Committee chair,
asks that you take a moment and consider
which would prohibit the use of the death penalty in the U.S.
You can reach Emmy Lou at  sjatcmi@gmail.com.
BLM Yard Signs - Order Today!
$11.50
To Order: Please email Betsy Hammerberg at dre@uucgt.org

A generous donor has paid for extra signs so that they are available to everyone regardless of ability to pay. Signs can be picked up near downtown TC.
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 schedule a personal visit with Rev. Cathy via Zoom or phone - after she returns August 11 - contact her by text or email:  231-301-3177;  revharrington@mac.com

Thursday, July 9 - 2:00 PM   
        Congregational Care

This Sunday, July 12 - 9:00 AM
        Program Council
Sunday, July 12 - 10:30 AM - MICHIGAN-WIDE UU SERVICE!
     Join with the Zoom meeting info:   ID: 824 8787 4268 

Monday, July 13 - 10:00 AM
        Stretch & Strengthen

Every Tuesday - 10:30 AM
        Volunteer Community Lunch @ Friends Church - Contact  Mary Kiner 

Tuesday, July 14 - 1:30 PM
        Zoom Sunday Services Committee
T uesday, July 14 - 2:30 PM
        Sunday Services Coordinators Meeting

Wednesday, July 15- 11:00 AM
        Stretch & Strengthen Class - Note the time change !
Wednesday, July 15 - 5:30 PM  
         Wednesday Supper Picnic! Bring chairs, food & beverage - We'll                   socialize at a safe distance!   All are welcome!  C ontact 
         Mike and Sandra McDonald
 for details
Wednesday, July 15- 7:00 PM
         Meeting of the UUCGT Board

Thursday, July 16 - 2:00 PM
         Congregational Care Team

To schedule all meetings & events, contact  office@uucgt.org
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New to Zoom?
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UUCGT Bulletin Board
Visit our website at  www.uucgt.org

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Want to do something constructive in this time of continued cautiousness? Help set up a diverse UU Free Library with books for all ages about racism, GLBTQ+ and more! Contact Emmy Lou Cholak if interested and read more in the Beacon. Thanks!   https://littlefreelibrary.org/

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We still have
BLACK LIVES MATTER
T -shirts: 
3 med and 5 lg available at $20 apiece.
This money supports local BLM efforts!
Well-made, 100%-cotton shirts.
Please contact or come by the office.

Reminder: Book Club in August: White Fragility
Please contact Rev. Cathy.
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Coronavirus infections are rising again in many places,
in some of them faster than before.

Continue to stay informed, be safe, save lives.
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                                                          *
The UUCGT Directory is STILL being updated!

Please send any CHANGES of contact information to
Please note: CHANGES ONLY!

* Tired of this image yet? You'll be seeing it a lot!

End Note...

"He said that men believe the cure for war is war as the curandero prescribes the serpent's flesh for its bite. He told them of horses killed under him and he said that the souls of horses mirror the souls of men more closely than men suppose and that horses also love war. He said that he supposed he wished that this were not so but that it was so."
                                                     - Cormac McCarthy
                                                       
  All the Pretty Horses

 

   
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.

Contact Rev. Cathy at revharrington@mac.com
Stay up to date on Facebook & UUCGT website