UUCGT  Flash 
January 17, 2019
Vol. 13, Issue 569
 
In This Issue
Reflection
Sunday Service
Children & Youth
Input Sessions
All Congregation Potluck Brunch
UU Social Justice
2019 Directory
Donated Dinners
Bulletin Board
Calendar of Events
End Note
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Congregational Vision


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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....

Getting back to basics....

In Unitarian Universalism, you can bring your whole self:
Your full identity, your questioning mind,  your expansive heart.

Together, we create a force more powerful than one person or one belief system.  As Unitarian Universalists, we do not have to check our personal background and beliefs at the door:   we join together on a journey that honors everywhere we've been before.

Our beliefs are  diverse and inclusive.  We have no shared creed.  Our shared covenant (our  seven Principles) 
supports "the free and responsible search for truth and meaning."

Though Unitarianism and Universalism were both liberal Christian traditions, this responsible search has led us to  embrace diverse teachings  from Eastern and Western religions and philosophies.

Unitarian Universalists believe more than one thing:
We think for ourselves, and reflect together, about important questions.

We are united in our broad and inclusive outlook, and in our values, as expressed in our  seven Principles.  We are united in  shared experience:  our open and stirring worship services, religious education, and rites of passage; our work for social justice; our quest to include the marginalized; our expressions of love.

(from UUA.org)


Sunday Service 
Sunday, January 20 - Amanda Mangiardi, coordinator
10:30 AM:  "Our Seven Principles" 
 
Rev. Jane Lippert will lead our service this Sunday.  It's a fresh year and the ink is still wet on our resolutions.  The new year comes with non-negotiables:  our age will change; our body will change; however, the core of this community will not change.  Our UU principles bind us together, providing deep roots and our unified vision.


Children & Youth Programs

The Children and Youth of our Grand Traverse Region
need a place like UUCGT!

Child care for  infants through age 4 is  provided in our Nursery on Sunday mornings.  Programs for pre-K-5th grade and Youth are also available.
Meet our teachers for preK-5th grade and Youth programs: 

Susan Holmes Glazier

Susan has a Master's Degree in Montessori   Elementary Education and was the Music  Director for the UU of the Blue Ridge (VA) from 2011-2014.
She will be assisted by parent and congregant volunteers.



 
5th-8th grade co-teachers - Logan Chamberlain and Katie Tomczyk 

Logan comes to us with college studies in philosophy and photography.  
He currently runs the after-school Kid's Club in Leland in addition to doing marketing and communications for Neahtawanta Research & Education Center.  



Katie's Master's degree is in Curriculum and Instruction with endorsements in PE/Health Education and Special Education and she has experience in teaching a wide range of health topics including self-care and reproductive health.




Please give Susan, Logan and Katie a warm welcome!  
Full resumes are available at  www.uucgt.org  under Staff.  
  
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We welcome your support and invite Volunteers to participate  a couple of Sundays throughout the year  to help build a Multi-Generational Community.   The Religious Education Committee  continues to host Brainstorming Sessions in January after the service during the coffee hour.    Your suggestions are welcomed and encouraged!  Join us!   Contact Jolynn Paige at 231-409- 2050  or  [email protected]  if you can help.


Input Sessions for UUCGT Congregation
 
Your Board is faced with a challenging decision on how to move forward with our most important position, Senior Spiritual Leader.  We would like your input to help inform our discernment on what path to take at our Board Meeting on January 22. 
 
Accordingly, we have scheduled two more opportunities for you to be informed on what alternatives we have and give us your thoughts and input.  Rabbi Chava is aware of these sessions and is supportive of our decision making process.
 
Thursday, January 17 at 7:00 pm;
and a final session on  Sunday, January 20 at 9:00 am 
Both sessions will be held in the Sanctuary
 
These forty-five minute sessions will be solely for you to be informed and to provide your thoughts. They are not official Congregational Meetings and no vote will be taken.  Please attend one of these sessions if you possibly can.
 
Your input is important to us.
 
Mike McDonald
Board President
 

 ~  All Congregation Potluck Brunch ~
Sunday, January 20  after service

Please bring a dish to share & your own table service

Membership Team will provide desserts!


Everyone is Welcome!

Mike McDonald, Board President, will present an update on UUCGT's October Visioning session

###  Third Annual Women's March  ###
   
~ Saturday, January 19 @ 1:00 PM ~
Assemble @ 12 noon - Workshop Brewing Co 221 Garland Street, TC

We all, Women & Men, March

March with pride for the freedoms we have obtained

March for those women throughout the world
who are still fighting for their basic rights

March for passage of the Equal Rights Amendment 

Signs Welcome!
           More information:   https://www.womensmarch.com/2019
UUCGT Social Justice Action Team,  Emmy Lou Cholak

 
STAY CONNECTED!

2019 - MEMBERS &  FRIENDS  DIRECTORY
 
Email any changes to  your address, email or phone

Submission deadline is February 10, 2019


2019 Donated Dinners FUNd-raiser
A benefit for UUCGT & local community groups!
John Hoffmann and Lauren Keinath are coordinating this effort in 2019!

Great options!  Thai, Winter Comfort Food, Snowshoe Outing & Supper, Casual Dinner w/ cocktail music by Gary Deavel,  Dune Hike & Lake Trout Dinner,  Beer & Brats, Old-Fashioned Sunday Dinner, Indian Cuisine...

FUNd-raiser descriptions and sign-up sheets are available in the social hall 
after services!

UUCGT Bulletin Board 

Super Bowl Raffle and Party has been cancelled due to lack of interest.  Other opportunities to benefit UUCGT are coming up - Have you signed up for a Donated Dinner yet?!

SokukoJi Buddhist Community Meditation/Book Study
Initial gathering: Tuesday, January 22, 6:30-8:30pm, meditation room (former small classroom).  Group will meet weekly on Tuesday evenings.  Meditation is open to everyone.

UU Men's Group:  Monday, February 4 @ 5:30pm - Minerva's 
Mark Gustafson will facilitate discussion on UU World Magazine article, "No Time for a Casual Faith" by Susan Frederick-Gray, UUA President.  Articles available in entryway.


--- HOW ART SPEAKS ---
in the corridor gallery
How does art speak to you?

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Local Community Needs
UUCGT Calendar of Events
** Contact  [email protected]  to schedule all meetings and events

Congregational Care Team: Thursday, January 17, 1:00pm, library

Input Session for Congregation: Thursday, January 17, 7:00pm, sanctuary

UU Office is closed on Fridays

Sunday Services Committee: Sunday, January 20, 9:00am, library

Input Session for Congregation: Sunday, January 20, 9:00am, sanctuary

All Congregation Potluck Brunch: Sunday, January 20 after service.  





SokukoJi Buddhist Meditation: Tuesday, January 22, 6:30-8:30pm, meditation room (former small classroom)

Wednesday Supper/$5 : January 23, 5:30pm, social hall





End Note...
The Journey

Above the mountains
the geese turn into
the light again

Painting their
black silhouettes
on an open sky.

Sometimes everything
has to be
enscribed across
the heavens

so you can find
the one line
already written
inside you.

Sometimes it takes
a great sky
to find that

small, bright
and indescribable
wedge of freedom
in your own heart.

Sometimes with
the bones of the black
sticks left when the fire
has gone out

someone has written
something new
in the ashes of your life.

You are not leaving
you are arriving.

~ David Whyte ~
(House of Belonging)

 

  

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

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