UUCGT  Flash 
June 20, 2019
Vol. 13, Issue 591
 
In This Issue
Reflection
Sunday Service
PRIDE Week
UUCGT Bulletin Board
Summer Potlucks Are Back!
Social Justice
UUCGT Calendar
End Note...
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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...Why I Make Sam Go to Church

Lately, I've been giving much thought to why we come to church, what the tangible benefits might be, and why it is important to us that our children join us. We each have our own personal reasons, but it seems there are reasons we have in common as well.

If we believe that Unitarian Universalism holds a meaningful place in our lives, it is important that they experience it firsthand. If we believe that our lives are richer, deeper and less selfish because in part of the relationships we develop within this community, there are real ways for that to happen. 

Annie Lammot sums up some of my thinking in her book "Traveling Mercies" when she writes:

"Sam is the only kid he knows who goes to church - who is made to go two or three times a month. He rarely wants to. This is not exactly true: the truth is he never wants to go. 
What young boy would rather be in church on the weekends than hanging out with a friend?

You might wonder why I make this strapping, exuberant boy come with me most weeks, and if you were to ask, this is exactly what I would say. I make him because I can. I outweigh him by nearly seventy-five pounds.

But that is only part of it. The main reason is that I want to give him what I found in the world, which is to say a path and a little light to see by. Most of the people in the world I know who have what I want - which is to say, purpose,  heart, balance, gratitude, joy -- are people with a deep sense of spirituality. They are people in community, who pray or practice their faith; they are Buddhists, Jews, Christians --- people banding together to work on themselves and for human rights. They follow a brighter path than the glimmer of their own candle; they are part of something beautiful.

I saw something once from the Jewish Theological Seminary that said, "A human life is like a single letter of the alphabet. It can be meaningless. Or it can be a part of great meaning." 
Our funky little church is filled with people who are working for peace and freedom, who are out there on the streets and inside praying, and they are home writing letters, and they are at the shelters with giant platters of food."

For my time and money, Lammot has it right. One thing I want for all of us, old and young, wise and naïve, overtly spiritual and brazenly secular, is "a path and a little light to see by" even if it means coming when we'd rather stay home with the Sunday paper, or when the kids are clamoring to go the park. For here, in this beloved community, there is the very real possibility of being part of something of great meaning.

With love and peace,
Rev. Beth

Sunday Service 
Sunday, June 23 - Rev. Beth Marshall
Andi Kramer, c oordinator
10:30 AM:   "The Edge of What We Know"

How can we open ourselves to the possibility that there are others in the larger community who would benefit from what we have at UUCGT, and how do we communicate that?

Children and Youth Programs this Sunday
PreK-5th grade and Youth (5th-8th grade) programs are available as well as  Nursery care for infants through age 4
Children please remain in the sanctuary until after Children's Benediction

Pride Week

Traverse City's official LGBTQ+ Pride Celebration is June 17-23!
This marks the 6th year of celebration with a continued mission of making our region a more diverse, inclusive and safe place for everyone!
! Pride Picnic & Visibility March !
Saturday, June 22
Picnic @ 3:00 - 6:00 pm -- Rally & March @ 5:30 pm
Traverse City's F & M Park (map )
Join UUers for the Pride Visibility March
Look for the UUCGT banner!

--  Pride Picnic & Kid's Activities at F & M Park at 3:00 pm
--  Rally @ 5:30 pm & March down Front Street to the Open Space for a          family-friendly Visibility Celebration
Up North Pride festivities include entertainment, food and drink, live performances-and the majority are free to the public or donation. Check out highlights, events and additional details at: http://upnorthpride.com/events


 
UUCGT Bulletin Board 
 
check markRev. Beth's June schedule
Due to a death in the family, Rev. Beth will not be here on Thursday, June 20 or Friday, June 21 (Brown bag lunch & class are cancelled)
Rev. Beth will speak on Sunday, June 23 at our 10:30 am service
Sermon title, "The Edge of What We Know"
Rev. Beth's last week with UUCGT is July 11 - 21

Tony Wilgus'  Sunday, June 23  class is cancelled. Tony's c lasses will resume July 14 and July 21 - "Miles Before I Sleep" Part I & II

check markUU Office Administrator, Susan Sherman, will be out of the office on Monday, June 24. Please plan accordingly - thank you !
check mark2019 UUCGT Annual Meeting Minutes (approved) - click here
check mark UUCGT Men's Group: Monday, July 8, 5:30pm @ Minerva's - Note date change due to Cherry Festival - Articles in entryway

check mark  Basement Giveaway II: Volunteers needed July 17, 18 & 19
    Wednesday, July 17, 3:30pm - set-up tables, carry items up to social hall. Many hands & feet will make this easier!
    Thursday, July 18, 9:00am-1:00pm - Giveaway for UU members & friends Volunteers needed to help organize/supervise - donation jar available
    Friday, July 19, 9:00am-1:00pm - Public giveaway - volunteers to help organize/supervise - donation jar available. 
Remainder to Goodwill - does anyone have a pick-up?
Please note we are NOT  soliciting any additional items for this Basement Giveaway - we are simply cleaning out the UUCGT basement - Thanks!

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STOP....and Smell the Roses ~  Open Garden Celebration!  
5  Year Anniversary! Sunday, June 30, 3:00 - 6:00 pm
Bring a vase, stroll the gardens, cut your own bouquet!
Enjoy light refreshments & good company in Karl's Gazebo
  6351 Cherry Blossom Drive
contact Lauren Keinath - 342-0617

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Local Community Needs
  
UUCGT SUMMER POTLUCKS
Wednesdays @ 5:30 PM
June 26 - Potluck is at UUCGT - Join Us!
Please bring your own table service & beverages

Watch the Flash for July & August locations
[ No Potluck on Wednesday, July 3 or July 31 ]

We hope to see you soon!
 

Protecting Women

Native American Women are more at risk with untold violence increasing against them! Please help get the Violence Against
Women Act passed by signing this petition today.
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Learn more about threats to girls and women. The AHA Foundation (Ayaan Hirsi Ali) educates, helps victims and families, and encourages laws to help protect against Female Genitalia Mutilation (FGM), early forced marriages, and honor killing.  The United States is behind other countries in passing laws against these practices. 


  Together we can do great things!
   Emmy Lou Cholak, Co-Chair UU Social Justice

UUCGT Calendar of Events

To schedule meetings and events, contact  office@uucgt.org  


- Cancelled -  Thursday, June 20,   Brown Bag Lunch w/ Rev. Beth

- Congregational Care Team: Thursday, June 20, 1:00pm, library

- Peacemakers Needlework: Thursdays, 1:30pm, social hall


- Meditation Introduction: Thursday, June 20, 4:00pm, meditation room

- Cancelled -  Friday, June 21,  UU Class w/ Rev. Beth

- Up North PRIDE Picnic, Rally & March, Saturday, June 22 @ F&M Park:
3:00pm picnic &  fun  family activities; 5:30pm Rally & March downtown TC to Open Space - Look for the UUCGT Flag!
- Mindfulness Meditation: Sunday, June 23,  5:00 - 7:00 pm, meditation room.  See www.tcmmg.org for more information

- Stretch & Strengthen: Monday & Wednesday @ 11:00a.m. 
Everyone is Welcome!


- SokukoJi Buddhist Community Meditation: Tuesday, June 25, 6:30-8:30pm, meditation room

- Wednesday Summer Potluck @ UUCGT!  Everyone is Welcome!  
5:30pm, June 26 - b ring a dish to share and table service

- Benzie UU Potluck: Wednesday, June 26, 6:30pm @ Ann Strehl & Barb Skurdall's

- Shantideva Fan Club: Thursday, June 27, 9:30am, sanctuary

- Stop & Smell the Roses Annual Garden Walk: Sunday, June 30, 3:00-6:00pm - Bring a vase, pick a bouquet & enjoy refreshments. 
H osted by Lauren &Karl Keinath,  6351 Cherry Blossom Drive

- TC Sings! Concert & Reception: Sunday, June 30, 4:00pm, sanctuary
Public is invited!

End Note...


June 21, 2019
This is the solstice, the still point of the sun,
its cusp and midnight, the year's threshold and unlocking, where the past lets go of and becomes the future; the place of caught breath.
~ Margaret Atwood

  

UUCGT office hours
Mon day - Thursday
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Closed Friday

(231) 947-3117        office@uucgt.org          www.uucgt.org