UUCGT  Flash 
December 26, 2019
Vol. 13, Issue 618
 
In This Issue
Sunday Service
Children & Youth
Class Announcement!
Cardboard Play Day!
UUCGT Bulletin Board
Doing Our Own Work Seminar
Social Justice
UUA Webinar - UU History
UUCGT Calendar
End Note...
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Congregational
Mission
Statement

UU Logo

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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UUCGT
Beacon

If you would like to receive our monthly newsletter
the Beacon
please contact
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Sunday Service
December 29 - 1 0:30 AM - "A Whole New Era"
Mary Van Valin, coordinator

As we enter a new year, a new decade, and a whole new geologic epoch, we'll be taking a moment to imagine how our human impact can be a positive force in the world.  Come imagine with us!    

Local cellist, Crispin Campbell, who is renowned in Northern Michigan, will play for this service. 

Children  & Youth  Religious Education
Nursery care is available for infants through age 4
Children and Youth are asked to meet in the sanctuary

Last Sunday we held our  multi-generation "No-Rehearse Christmas Pageant" when all ages of the congregation brought the story of Christmas to life. See pictures below!

  
Please join us on Sunday, January 29 to celebrate the New Year!


!ANNOUNCEMENT!
Classes  Starting in 2020!

Starting Point: An Introduction to the Unitarian Universalist Journey
This four-part program is designed for newcomers, but Starting Point has a lot to offer long-time members as well. If you have never participated in a small group, this is the perfect opportunity. Or, maybe you are a longtime member looking to fall in love with UUCGT and Unitarian Universalism all over again. Well then, consider Starting Point your spiritual "re-starting point"!

Rev. Cathy will lead the sessions which are scheduled after the Sunday Service from 11:45-1:00 pm in the sanctuary. Mark your calendar for the following dates:

January 26, February 2, February 16 & February 23
A sign-up sheet is located on the Welcome Table
 
Soul Matters Small Group Facilitator Training
If you are interested in co-facilitating a small group, contact Cathy ASAP for registration. There are two opportunities to participate in an online training session: January 9, 2020 at 7 pm or January 11 at noon.

This is a two-hour online orientation for small group facilitators and small group organizing teams. Essential for new facilitators and a great tune-up for experienced ones, training covers the basics of the Soul Matters facilitation model, tips for handling facilitation challenges, strategies for program growth and best practices for new facilitator recruitment and support.

Soul Matters Small Groups will begin in March
Sign-up sheets will be located on the Welcome Table.
For more information about the small groups, contact Rev. Cathy at [email protected] or 231-301-3177

Cardboard Play Day
Save the Date!
Sunday, January 12

Everyone is invited to the social hall from 12:00 - 2:00 PM to enjoy an afternoon of creativity, building, problem solving, and FUN!

Cardboard box collection will begin in the RE room on Sunday,
December 29, so save those holiday shipping and gift boxes!



UUCGT Bulletin Board
  Link to December Beacon -  Part 1 & Part 2
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2019 Tax Year End is quickly approaching!  Any Pledge Payments or  Donations for your 2019 Year End Statement need to be  in the office by December 29, 2019 in order to be processed

Accounting / Bookkeeping Experience?
Flexible work schedule? Stay at home Mom?  Volunteer needed as back-up for our Accountant -  4-6 hours/week to learn system, then 1-2 hours every couple of weeks to  maintain skill level. Contact Jim Walworth, 409-9278 or Mike McDonald,  342-0768 for more information
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Sunday Greeters Sign-Up Sheet can be found at the Welcome Table!
Greeters are needed in January! New Year - New Faces!

UU Men's Group:  January meeting - Monday, January 6, 5:30pm @ Minerva's - Articles in entryway
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Donated Dinners Fundraiser Event!

John Hoffmann and Lauren Keinath are recruiting congregants to host dinners and other related events as fundraisers to help meet some of the upcoming Search Committee expenses. Please see the article in the January Beacon which has more details. We hope to have hosts volunteer in January with events starting in February. 
Contact John or Lauren if you have questions.
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Mark Your Calendars!

Sunday, January 12, 12 noon - 2:00pm: A ll Ages Cardboard Challenge Play Day!  Creative fun & adventurous for all!

Sunday, February 9: U UCGT STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN Kick-Off & Reception following th e service !
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DOING OUR OWN WORK
AN ANTI-RACISM SEMINAR  FOR WHITE PEOPLE

If you are a white person who is ready  to dive deep and come up stronger for  the work of racial justice - Join us!
Dates:  January 25 & 26, February 22 & 23, March 21 & 22 -  Attendance at all sessions is required

Time:  Saturdays, 9 am - 5 pm
           Sundays, 9 am - 5 pm

Location:  Neahtawanta Inn (barrier-free facility)
1308 Neahtawanta Road, Traverse City, 49686
Overnight options available

Cost:  $575 includes program, resource materials and  beverages for all six days.  Scholarships and/or time payment plan are available.  We are committed to making this seminar financially  accessible for all who wish to participate.

Facilitators:  Allyson Bolt and Lois McCullen Parr

For more information and to register:  
Enrollment is limited to 20 participants.

Questions?  Call Jody Betten at 616.706.3549

 
    Social Justice News
 
A special collection   was taken  on Christmas Eve to support local immigrant families through the Justice and Peace Advocacy Center, and to assist a local family in their struggle to gain legal residency for a family member.
 
Tax-deductible donations will go towards legal fees and other immediate needs. Your gifts of  generosity for our immigrant neighbors are appreciated.

Many thanks!

Emmy Lou Cholak
UUCGT Social Justice Action Team  
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WEBINAR: Whose History Is It Anyway?
Monday Evenings:
 January 27 - February 24, 2020
7:45 pm Eastern

How much do you know about the roots of our faith tradition? Explore the history of Unitarianism, Universalism, and Unitarian Universalism in this  five-week class. Using an anti-colonialist, multicultural lens, we'll look beyond the traditional, dusty facts of history and examine to see how our faith was born and how it has developed and evolved over the years.

Topics include: Whose story is it anyway, Why history matters, The Roots of Liberal Religion, The Universalists, The Unitarians, Transcendentalism, Westward Expansion, Humanism, Consolidation, Principles and Sources, Drawing the Circle Wider, Indigenous, Latinx, Black and Non-Black People of Color, GLBTQ, and Disability.
Presenter
Reverend Connie Simon    

This webinar has a fee, which is unusual for the MidAmerica Region. It has a fee for several reasons. First, the presentations will be highly unique, viewing UU history through an anti-colonialist, multicultural lens. Second, 85% of the proceeds from this webinar will go to Reverend Connie Simon so that she can continue her important historical research. The fee of $25 per individual and $60 for a congregation (for up to five people) includes all five sessions. There will be no recording, so we hope you can attend!

Cost: $25 individual, $60 for a congregational group (up to 5 people)

Dates/Times: The sessions are all at 7:45 PM Eastern, on:
  • January 27
  • February 3
  • February 10
  • February 17
  • February 24
Register Here
Or, gather a group of 5 and take this class together!

UUCGT Calendar of Events

To schedule meetings and events, please contact  [email protected]

Kwanzaa: Begins Thursday, December 26

Stretch & Strengthen classes will meet again on 1/6/2020

Congregational Care Team:  Thursday, January 2, 1:30pm library

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

Vocal Ensemble: Thursdays @ 7:00pm, sanctuary

- Happy New Year Everyone!

End Note...
Toward the end of a year...

It is good to have an end to journey toward, 
but it is the journey that matters in the end."
~ Ursula LeGuin

Cheers to 2020!

  

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

231-947-3117        [email protected]          www.uucgt.org