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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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If you would like to receive our monthly newsletter
the
Beacon
please contact
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Sunday Service
January 12 - 1
0:30 AM - "I Have A Dream"
Lay-led service: Pam Hendrick, Mary Van Valin, coordinators
During this service, we will honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by sharing the dreams of a few of our local community leaders. Many voices will join together with UUCGT's Vocal Ensemble directed by UUCGT Music Director, Renee Russell and TC Sings! directed by Heather Kingham.
All are welcome!
Guest speakers:
Skip Pruss - former Gov. Granholm's director of the Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth will give his "I have a dream" speech on the environment and climate change.
Gladys Munoz - local leader in Peace and Justice Advocacy, especially with immigrants in our community, will give her "I have a dream" speech on immigration and human dignity.
Jim Olson - life-long protector of the Great Lakes and environmental attorney will give his "I have a dream" speech on the public trust, the hydrosphere and the common good.
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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 the RE class celebrated the new year by taking part in a fire communion ritual. We wrote things we wanted to let go of, then burned the papers in order to have a fresh start to the new year. Then the kids made "wish sticks" to hold the wishes they have for the coming year.
This coming Sunday we will explore the ways that different religions view and interact with the concept of a higher power, whether it be one God, multiple gods and goddesses, a spirit, or no higher power at all.
Sunday, January 12 is also our Cardboard Play Day!!
See below - Join us!
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Cardboard Play Day
Sunday, January 12
Everyone is invited to gather in the social hall from 12:00 - 2:00 PM to enjoy an afternoon of creativity, building, problem solving, and FUN!
Bring a box or two with you this Sunday!
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! ANNOUNCEMENT !
Classes
Starting in January
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 Soul Matters Small Groups, contact Rev. Cathy at
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
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UUCGT Bulletin Board
Volunteer Needed!
Bookkeeping experience & f
lexible schedule
4-6 hours/week to train, then 1-2 hours every couple of weeks
Contact Jim Walworth, 409-9278 or
Mike McDonald,
342-0768
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Opportunity to Volunteer at Safe Harbor
UUCGT will be providing the volunteers at Safe Harbor from the evening of Saturday, February 8 through the morning of Saturday, February 15. We will have a sign up table in the Gathering Space for the next five Sundays. There are opportunities to help prepare and serve meals, be an evening host, be an overnight host, and to serve and clean up for breakfast. We also need cleaning volunteers the mornings of Sunday, February 9 and Saturday, February 15. There are also opportunities to provide food items for the week.
Stop by and see us at the sign-up table
in the gathering space after services
and participate in a hands-on ministry to those experiencing homelessness in our community.
For more info contact Mike or Sandra McDonald (231) 935-3759
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BEGINNING THE SEARCH: A CONGREGATIONAL GATHERING
Curious about how we will choose our next settled minister? Ready to share your insights?
On
Sunday, January 19 from noon until 2:00 pm, Rev. Cathy and the Transition Team will present the process of selecting a new settled minister. During a working lunch, small groups will begin that work. We had more than a dozen individuals sign up for this event on January 5. Please add your name during the January 12 service or email the office with your intent to attend. Please indicate number of people attending, number of children needing care, and any dietary restrictions (gluten, vegetarian, vegan).
Join us, learn with us, and help our congregation move forward in this important effort.
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Donated Dinners - A Fundraiser Opportunity in 2020!
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!
2020-2021 Campaign Kick-Off & L
unch following th
e service
!
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Greeters are needed in January!
Sign-Up Sheet can be found at the Welcome Table!
New Greeters are always Welcome!
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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
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The Social Justice Action committee would like to recognize and give many thanks to all the open-hearted people who gave so generously on Christmas Eve to the plight of our neighbor immigrants! There is a enough money to pay for the waiver fee so that the father of the 5 year old boy and his American wife will hopefully not be destitute for too much longer. We hope and pray that his re-application for legal return to the US will be granted.
Many thanks on their behalf! There was also a goodly amount for the Peace and Justice Advocacy Center, too. Thanks!
Social Justice Action
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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
Or, gather a group of 5 and take this class together!
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UUCGT Calendar of Events
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Soul Matters Group Facilitator Training - Online: Thursday, January 9, 7:00pm - Contact Rev. Cathy asap if interested
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Vocal Ensemble: Thursdays, 7:00pm, sanctuary
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Facilities Team: Friday, January 10, 10:00am, social hall
- Small Group Facilitator Training w/ Rev. Cathy: Saturday, January 11, noon- 2:00pm, social hall
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Soul Matters Group Facilitator Training - Online: Saturday, January 11, 12:00 - 2:00pm - Contact Rev. Cathy asap if interested
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Program Council: Sunday, January 12, 9:00am, social hall
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OWL: Sunday, January 12, 10:00am - noon
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All Ages Cardboard Play Day!
Sunday, January 12, noon - 2:30pm, social hall
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UUCGT Book Club: Sunday, January 12, 2:00-4:00pm @ Candace Lee's
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Mindfulness Meditation:
Sunday, January 12, 4:00-6:00pm, sanctuary (note new time)
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Stretch & Strengthen class:
Monday, January 6, 11:00am
Everyone is welcome! Start out the New Year with some movement!
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Indivisible GT: Monday, January 13, 10:00am - 1:30pm, sanctuary
- Bridge Club: Tuesdays, 1:00pm, social hall
- SokukoJi Buddhist Meditation: Tuesday, January 14, 6:30-8:30pm, meditation room
- Endowment Committee: Wednesday, January 15, 10:00am,library
- Stretch & Strengthen class: Wednesdays, 11:00am, social hall
- Sunday Services: Wednesday, January 15, 12:30pm, sanctuary
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Wednesday Potluck Supper: January 15, 5:30pm - Everyone Welcome!
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UUCGT Board Meeting: Wednesday, January 15, 7:00pm, sanctuary
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Peacemaker Needleworkers:
Thursdays, 1:30pm, social hall
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SokukoJi Buddhist Meditation Retreat: Saturday, January 18, 9:00-4:00 Open to all, donations appreciated, light lunch
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OWL: Sunday, January 19, 10:00am - noon
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Social Justice Action Team: Sunday, January 19, 11:45am, library
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Transition Team & Congregation Q & A Discussion & Pizza Lunch - Please RSVP: Sunday, January 19, noon-2:00pm, social hall
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Mindfulness Meditation: Sunday, January 19, 4:00-6:00pm, sanctuary (note new time)
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End Note...
Peace demands the most heroic labor
and the most difficult sacrifice.
It demands greater heroism than war.
It demands greater fidelity to the truth
and a much more perfect purity of conscience.
- Thomas Merton
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UUCGT office hours
Mon
day - Thursday
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