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Congregational
Mission
Statement
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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the
Beacon
please contact
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Minister's Musings...
Dear Ones,
This Sunday's service is devoted to celebrating African Americans who have changed the world. Some names will be familiar to you, and some will not. For example, do you know about James Reese Europe and the Harlem Hellfighters? James Reese Europe enlisted during World War I and was a bandleader, and also became an officer in charge of one of the machine gun squads, making him the first African American officer to command troops during wartime.
When the 369th Infantry arrived in Brittany on 1 January 1918, they were not only the first African American regiment to fight for the US Army in the Great War, they also became the first people to take jazz across the Atlantic. The regiment contained a ragtime band called the Harlem Hellfighters, led by Lieutenant James Reese Europe, the best-known black bandleader in the US at the time, who entertained troops across Europe before returning home as heroes.
You will get to hear a clip of the Harlem Hellfighters performing in Europe. Another black musician who made history was Gladys Bentley. By the early 1930s, Bentley was Harlem's most famous lesbian figure - a significant distinction, given that gay, lesbian and gender-defying writers and performers were
flourishing during the Harlem Renaissance. For a time, she was among the best-known black entertainers in the United States. There are so many more!
As we do our own work towards dismantling the systemic oppression of white supremacy, it is also important to honor the pain and suffering of people of color and to also acknowledge the gifts they have shared with us and the world. Join me on Sunday as we explore our history and the African Americans who have enriched our lives and changed the world.
In faith and love,
Cathy
UUA Resources
Anti Racism - Anti Oppression
Pride Month - June 2020
Click here for a collection of LGBTQ resources
. Honoring
and celebrating the contributions of the LGBTQ community and its particular resonance in this moment as we remember Pride's origins in resistance and protest. The fight for equality continues.
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Sunday Service - Join us on Zoom
June 14 - 10:30 AM - "Juneteenth - Celebrating Black Lives"
Rev. Cathy Harrington, Misty Sheehan, Pam Hendrick, Betsy Hammerberg, Renée Russell, Barbara Young, coordinators
States in America outlawed slavery on this date.
Start signing in at 10:00 AM
Please note: Password is required
Type in password, enter 'waiting room' and then
the service
Join Zoom Meeting:
Password: 167208
Meeting ID:
810 8280 8095
Look for Order of Service on Friday
If you are unable to join us on Sunday, recordings of Sunday Services are available by request - contact [email protected]
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Religious Education - Children
& Youth
9:45 AM Sunday Morning RE on Zoom
On June 19, 1865, the Emancipation Proclamation was read to enslaved people in Texas, the last state in the Confederacy to abolish slavery.
Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, and Cel-Liberation Day, is celebrated throughout the United States.
This holiday takes on special importance this year as we find ourselves once again confronting the racism and oppression that have shaped, and continue to shape, our country.
On Sunday in RE we will look at and discuss the importance of Juneteenth. We will also create a Juneteenth poster - bring paper and many colors! (pencils or crayons or paint)
Note:
Zoom meeting link for Sunday Morning RE will be sent to families in a separate email. If you have a child who would like to attend the RE gathering and you did not receive the link, please contact Betsy Hammberberg at
[email protected]
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A Few Notes
Renée Russell,
UUCGT Director of Music
It's been a long time since I've been able to sit down with a clear head and share my thoughts. As I continue to heal, I thank you all so much for your support and kindness. In this tumultuous time I've been housebound and wondering what I could share to inspire and encourage us all to be a positive light in this important time of transition.
As a white musician who loves jazz and blues, one of the most transitional experiences of my life came while attending Berklee College of Music where my diverse teachers insisted we learn the personal histories of the musicians we were trying to emulate.
Ken Burns: Jazz does a tremendous job of unfolding the complicated, heart wrenching and heart lifting history of "America's music".
To dig into the history of one the most important protest songs ever created, research '
Strange Fruit', w
ritten by Abel Meeropol, a Jewish communist and
made famous by Billie Holiday. Learn more about the impact this song had on her life and the ongoing social justice movement.
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Order Today - 6/11! - Black Lives Matter T
-Shirts
(placing order Friday, June 12)
T-shirt color: black
Front: Black Lives Matter
Back: #ICan'tBreathe
Sizes available (standard unisex t-shirt): S, M, L XL, XXL
Cost: $22 each
% of every shirt purchased supports Black Lives Matter causes
Important: Email
[email protected]
today!
I
ndicate number of shirts & size. Mail
check payable to UUCGT, "BLM Tee" in memo. You will be notified when T-shirts arrive and a date for pick-up at UUCGT.
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Yard Signs
$11.50
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. Some signs are available now and more will be available next week.
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UUCGT Finance Team
We know that Covid-19 and social distancing have altered many aspects of our lives. One of the changes that your Finance Committee is aware of is that contributions have fallen and might be nearly $10,000 less than expected for the current year. If you haven't fulfilled your pledge for the 2019-2020 pledge year, please consider doing so before the end of June. If you normally contribute in the basket when attending on Sundays please take the time now to mail a donation.
Finally, it appears that Covid-19 has also impacted pledges for next year. Right now pledges for the new 2020-2021 pledge year are less than was pledged last year. If you have not yet made a pledge, please do so right away. If you have already pledged - Thank You! and if you can, please consider increasing your pledged amount even by a little. We promise to make that little bit go a long way.
Jim Walworth, Finance Committee Chair
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UUCGT Calendar -
Stay Up to Date!
Schedule a personal visit with Rev. Cathy via Zoom or phone - contact her by text or email:
231-301-3177;
[email protected]
Sunday Services, meetings and classes are
hosted on Zoom
until further notice.
Need help with Zoom? Click on Zoom links below.
Friday, June 12 - 2:00 PM
Rehearsal - Sunday Service
Password: 436607 (required)
Meeting ID: 821 1841 3461
Friday, June 12 - 8:00 PM
Vespers Service - Quiet, Connection, Community
** Sign in early for social time @ 7:30 PM
Look for Zoom meeting link on Friday
Sunday, June 14 - 9:45 AM
Religious Education for Children
Sunday, June 14 - 10:30 AM ~ Start signing in at 10:00!
Sunday Service - "Juneteenth - Celebrating Black Lives"
Password: 167208 (required)
By Phone: +1 646 876 9923
Meeting ID: 810 8280 8095
Monday, June 15 - 10:00 AM
Staying Home & Staying Fit!
Everyone is welcome!
Volunteer Community Lunch @ Friends Church - Contact
Mary Kiner
Tuesday, June 16 - 1:30 PM
Sunday Services Committee
Tuesday, June 16 - 2:30 PM
Sunday Services Coordinators Meeting
Wednesday, June 17 - 10:00 AM
Stretch & Strengthen Class -
Stay Fit at Home!
Wednesday, June 17 - 12:00 noon - 2:00 PM
Zoom Office Hours with Rev. Cathy (link in Tuesday's Ministry Message)
Wednesday, June 17 - 5:30 PM
Wednesday, June 17 - 7:00 PM
UUCGT Board Meeting
(link in Tuesday's Ministry Message)
Thursday, June 18 - 2:00 PM
Congregational Care Team
Contact Joanie Jackson for zoom link
New to Zoom?
Check out these Zoom introductory videos & FAQ's
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End Police Militarization and Over-policing in Our Communities Now. American Civil Liberties Union. Sign if you agree and share
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UUCGT Bulletin Board
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Alert! Email Scams Surface Again!
Please do not respond to any emails r
equesting money
which appear to be from R
ev. Cathy
SMALL GROUP OPPORTUNITY:
Growing Yourself Up - How to bring your best to all of life's relationships by Jenny Brown.
Mary Anne Rivers will offer a small group Zoom discussion using this
very well-written book based on the theory developed by psychiatrist and researcher, Dr. Murray Bowen.
We'll read the book, then meet on ZOOM and discuss!
If you are interested, please contact Mary Anne Rivers at 267-5058 or email
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* * * THANK YOU! * * *
To all of the fantastic Mask-Makers!
Donations of over $400 have been received
and will support our Ministerial Search Fund!
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Celebrate Pride Month - R
ainbow Face Masks!
Now available in the front entryway
Stay informed, be safe, save lives
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Soul Matters Monthly Packets & Sunday Service recordings
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EXPLORING NATURE @ UUCGT
Now this is just a friendly way of enjoying some of the things we might see as we follow the lovely path around the UUCGT building. I am not an expert and there are many members of our congregation who could give us a much better guide. But this is a beginning and is open for discussion...
One thing is clear: enjoy the walk around, see things you may not have noticed before, and then come back in a few weeks, or a month, and see the changes. This guide follows the numbers as you walk. Please leave the numbers where they are, but pick up any trash you might find. Thanks!
- Emmy Lou Cholak
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to building and beautifying UUCGT's nature pathways! The paths are waiting for YOU to explore them!
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End Note...
Wherever men and women are persecuted
because of their race, religion, or political views,
that place must -- at that moment --
become the center of the universe.
- Elie Wiesel
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UUCGT office will be closed until further notice
Stay up to date on Facebook & UUCGT website
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