UUCGT  Flash 
August 15, 2019
Vol. 13, Issue 599
 
In This Issue
Minister's Musings
Sunday Service
Children & Youth
Our Whole Lives
Job Opportunity! Music Director
Women's Resource Center
UUCGT Bulletin Board
Social Justice
UUCGT Calendar
End Note...
____________________

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.

____________________

UUCGT Quicklinks


   
Find us on Facebook
_______________________

 
____________________

UUCGT
Beacon

If you would like to receive our monthly newsletter
the Beacon
please contact
____________________

Minister's Musings...

Last Saturday, this congregation honored the life of MaryAnn Force, a beloved co-founder of UUCGT. I want you all to know that I was deeply moved by the love and care that the Congregational Care Team along with many volunteers gave to MaryAnn's service, and that I am honored to serve a congregation that knows how to join together in labor and love to provide comfort and support in times of need.  

Thanks to all who contributed to making MaryAnn's service meaningful and memorable with sincere apologies if anyone has been missed.

Charles Brackett
Judith Briggs
Dottie Cain 
Barb Culton
Barb Gibson
Hal Gurian
Solvieg Gustafson
Judith Halsted
Lauren Keinath
Mary Kiner 
Maya and Doug LaForest
Chris Lautz
Candace Lee
Amanda Mangiardi
Sandra McDonald
Christie McGue
Richard Miller
Penny Ort
Millie Putz
Susan Sherman
Barb Termaat
Jane and Price Watts
Nan Worthington
Margaret and Doug Wozniak
Jan Zerbel

In faith and love,
Cathy

Please click here  to view photos from MaryAnn's Celebration of Life, August 11, 2019 - courtesy of Charles Brackett

Sunday Service 
Sunday, August 18 - Lay-led service with Mark Gustafson
Andi Kramer, coordinator
10:30 AM:    "How We Tell Stories in Film"

Today's  service will focus on the importance of plot and endings in stories and why they affect us the way they do. Is there a message in this for Unitarians?
* * * * * * *
Thisunday at 10:00am - Indian Village String Quartet performs
amed after the historical Indian Village neighborhood in Detroit, the quartet  hails from Ruthven, Ontario where they play quarterly at the Olinda UU Church.
 
The program will be Mozart Divertimento in B flat, KV 138 (125c), 3 movements, and Topped Hen/Peat Dance (Nordic folk music arranged for string quartet by the Danish Quartet).
Paul Champion. Violin
Anita Suarez. Viola
Ray Stone. Violin
Cellist

Come early on Sunday for this special performance!

Children & Youth
Religious Education
Nursery care for infants through age 4 is available

During our Summer RE Program for PreK-5th grade and Youth (5th-8th grade), c hildren are asked to come directly to the RE classroom when they arrive. We  will be outside as much as possible!

Last Sunday in RE the children collected natural objects and mixed them together to make "good intentions potions", which they then served to each other. They also played a game in which they discussed things for which they are grateful. 
This coming Sunday the children will continue exploring mindfulness and gratitude.
 

OUR WHOLE LIVES (OWL)
Holistic Lifespan Sexuality Education
7th - 9th grade students

 Parent I nformation M eeting
Sunday, September 8 at 4:30 pm

The RE program is offering Our Whole Lives for 7th through 9th grade students in the upcoming school year - October through April.

Read the OWL article in the Record Eagle here:  https://bit.ly/2yVJOYJ

This program is open to all students in the community. If you know of anyone who may be interested, please pick up a brochure or flier from the RE classroom to share or download and print here

Questions? contact  Betsy Hammerberg or  Katie Tomczyk



JOB OPPORTUNITY
PART-TIME MUSIC DIRECTOR
 
UUCGT seeks a part-time Music  Director
(10 hours/week)   to nurture and facilitate music as an integral part
of the congregation's intellectual and spiritual life.
 
A background in choral conducting in a school or church environment as well as basic piano skills  are required.
 
Please visit  www.uucgt.org  for a complete job description
or call 947-3117 for more information.
  


Recent contact with the Women's Resource Center highlighted a need for women's sanitary supplies as crisis displacement often leaves them without basic necessities. As a result, they need tampons, sanitary napkins, and toilet paper. There will be a donation box in the lobby by the kitchen should you care to donate.  Thanks so much!
* * * * * * * *
Thanks to your generous donations to the 'other side of the basket',  the Community Needs Committee made the following disbursements to a variety of nonprofits this quarter:
 
- Reining Liberty Ranch: $800 to send 8 kids and  their military dads to camp for a chance to  heal and reconnect and have fun
- Food Rescue: $500
- Women's Resource Center: $200
- Safe Harbor: $700
- Justice for our Neighbors: $1,000
- Northern Michigan Supportive Housing: $300
 
Our next quarterly distribution is in November. We always welcome your suggestions and ideas -  Community Needs Request form

Community Needs Committee
Jane Fochtman, Chairperson
Shari Cope
Candace Lee
Sandra McDonald
Joan Sheard
Chris Walter

UUCGT Bulletin Board 

check mark
Please join us in b eautifying our grounds!  H elp move  our Meandering Pathway along just a little further  every Sunday after service (weather permitting). 30 minutes of your time can translate into a lifetime journey for someone else. Come as you can, stay as you will, leave when you must...we appreciate every bit you do!
check markInterested in a Tour of the American Waste Recycling Plant?  
We are still taking names! Contact the office with days and times that are good for you - Chris Lautz will organize a tour!
check markGreeters are needed in September!  Thanks to those who have signed up to Greet on Sunday morning! S ign up on the bulletin board by the office & share your welcoming presence!
check mark Sunday Coffee in the social hall: Your mission...is to visit with two people you don't know - Let's get to know one another and welcome new people and visitors! Hospitality - that's what it's all about!
check mark UUCGT Labor Day Service will be a reflection on how our careers or volunteer work have contributed to our spiritual growth, We are looking for a few congregants who are willing to write a few paragraphs on this topic. These will be woven into the service, or you may choose to speak your reflections in person. Questions that might be addressed are: 
1) What kind of work did you do? 
2) How did you find fulfillment in it? 
3) What non-monetary benefits did you derive from your job? 
4) Were there times when you performed duties beyond your job description because you knew it would benefit another person?
Please email your reflections to Margaret Wozniak, [email protected] or call 231-510-0903 with questions. Responses are needed by Friday, August 23 .
check mark R eally Fun Policy Committee Seeks Members:  
This is a committee with very few meetings, nobody really knows what we do, but our work is vitally important to the underlying governance of UUCGT.  If interested, contact  Tom Darnton  or  Judy Myers
check mark  Office Volunteers needed mid-September:  Interested in learning how to publish the Flash? It's easy! Volunteer needed for two issues - 9/19 & 9/26. Office/phone coverage is also needed 9/16 - 19 and 9/23 - 9/26.
If interested, please call the office at 947-3117. Thank you!
check mark UUCGT Book Club begins again in September! 
"Where the Crawdads Sing" by Celia Owens.  September 15 @ 2:00pm - Harriet Wall will host (note date/location change)
check mark  Speaker @ UUCGT -   Katie Gresziak, Invasive Species Network:  Wednesday, September 26, 7:00pm following Wednesday Supper. Katie will offer  a presentation on methods used to control invasive species, including the use of herbicides.  Mark Your Calendar - All are Welcome!

* * * * * * * * * * * *
UU Vendors Wanted! 

We are planning a Craft, Book & Bake Fair  on Sunday, October 20 and Sunday, October 27  from 11:45 am to 2:00 pm.  Do you have an Art or Craft that you'd like to sell?  If interested, contact  Chris Lautz   or call 860-884-7741 or the office.
* * * * * * * * * * * *

UUCGT Volunteers @ Safe Harbor
Mark Your Calendar!

Saturday, November 16 (pm) - Saturday, November 23 (am)
Saturday, February 8 (pm) - Saturday, February 15 (am)

If you have any questions, please contact Mike or Sandra McDonald

  
 
Green Cards

The current administration is adding a wealth test for immigrants applying for a green card by  expanding reasons to refuse green cards to even legal immigrants. The administration's opinion is that any dependency on public assistance such as food stamps, Medicaid, etc. would forfeit an immigrant's chance of obtaining a green card. 
 
Learn more here:  https://bit.ly/2H708tR
   
UUCGT Social Justice Action Team
Emmy Lou Cholak, co-chair
UUCGT Calendar of Events

To schedule meetings and events, contact  [email protected]

- Finance Committee: Thursday, August 15, 3:30pm, office

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

- Finance Committee: Thursday, August 15, 3:30pm, office

SokukoJi Meditation Retreat: Saturday, August 17, 9:00am-4:00pm - all are welcome -  Go to  https://sokukojitc.org/  for more information

Indian Village String Quartet special mini-concert at UUCGT!
Sunday, August 18, 10:00am before the service
Come early on Sunday and enjoy some fabulous music!  One of the members, Ray Stone, joined us for a service at UUCGT last summer while attending the Adult Chamber Music Camp at Interlochen. He offered to return with his quartet and play for us this summer. And he didn't forget his offer!!
 
The Indian Village String Quartet (named after the historical Indian Village neighborhood in Detroit) hails from Ruthven, Ontario, where they play quarterly at the Olinda UU Church.  The quartet will perform Mozart Divertimento in B flat, KV 138 (125c), 3 movements, and Topped Hen/Peat Dance (Nordic folk music arranged for string quartet by the Danish Quartet).
 
Come early on August 18 for this special performance!

UUCGT Grounds:  Sundays after service (weather permitting) - Join us in building our Meandering Pathway! 30 minutes of your time can translate into a lifetime journey for a future someone

Mindfulness Meditation: Sunday, August 18, 500-7:00pm, sanctuary - see www.tcmmg.org for more information

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

- SokukoJi Buddhist Community Meditation: Tuesday, August 20, 6:30 - 8:30pm, meditation room. See  https://sokukojitc.org/ for more information

- Wednesday Summer Potluck: August 21, 5:30pm, Jane & Price Watts host.  Bring a dish, table setting, BYOB - Enjoy a relaxing evening!

- Benzie UU Potluck: Wednesday, August 21, 6:30pm, Tom & Linda Farrell host

- Shantideva Fan Club: Thursday, August 22, 9:30am, sanctuary

- Congregational Care Team: Thursday, August 22, 1:00pn, library

- UUCGT Vocal Ensemble: Thursday, August 22, 7:00pm, sanctuary

- Social Justice Team: Sunday, August 25, 11:45am, library

- No Wednesday Potluck is scheduled on August 28

- UUCGT Board Meeting: Wednesday, August 28, 7:00pm, sanctuary (please note date change)

End Note...

If we could surrender to Earth's intelligence,
we would rise up rooted,
like trees.
- Rainer Maria Rilke -
   

  

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

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