|
____________________
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.
|
|
____________________
UUCGT Quicklinks
|
If you would like to receive our monthly newsletter
the Beacon
please contact
____________________
|
|
|
|
This Sunday, November 8th, 2020 at 10:30 AM
VETERANS DAY
Dear Ones -
Where do we go from here? As we work together to "heal the soul of our nation," what does that look like? We must find a way to reach across the divide and work for the greater good.
Please join us via Zoom: the service begins at 10:30 AM but you can start signing in at 10:00 AM to visit; the link is below. And a Cottage Conversation follows the Service!
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Grand Traverse
Rev. Cathy Harrington, Interim Minister
Sunday morning's Order of Service
and the lyrics to songs
will be in Sunday morning's "Reminder" Flash.
Click on the link below to join the Service:
The Meeting ID is 817 7744 8560
Sunday Services are automatically recorded and posted to our Zoom account. Click here to view the Service of Sunday November 1 if you missed it and/or would like to re-view! (I am told that power outages on at least some of the Old Mission Peninsula interrupted the service for quite a few folks.) A passcode is required, that code is ?58ys09C
- from Mary Van Valin -
We are encouraging all to consider donating to the fundraiser to provide turkeys to seven immigrant families being served by the Peace and Justice Advocacy group that our friend Gladys Muñoz assists. Because we cannot gather together this year for our annual feast, the Program Council and Sunday Services committees have organized this small fundraiser. Please make checks out to the congregation, with "Turkeys for all" on the memo line of your check. If there is extra, the funds will go to Safe Harbor. Thank you, thank you!
_________________________
|
________________________________
You are cordially invited to Cottage Conversations
Following Sunday Services Nov. 8 in Breakout Rooms
Topics of conversation:
What are your goals in our congregation, how can a minister help you achieve these?
What do you see as the most important role of a minister for our congregation?
Looking back 3 years from now, how would you describe a successful ministry?
Sincerely,
Your Ministerial Search Team
________________________________
Ministerial Search Team Report
We are ENERGIZED, thanks to so many UUCGT folks who have enthusiastically offered their thoughts in Cottage Conversations and Focus Groups. We are asking that you KEEP GOING as we continue collecting information, forming an ever-clearer picture of who we are, what we need, and what our hopes are for the future. Summaries of the Congregational Survey and Cottage Conversations/Focus Groups will be shared after the last groups have had their opportunities to contribute.
In the meantime, we are excited to invite you to check out the improved UUCGT website which now contains lots of captivating photos of our church community in action as well as the beautiful Traverse City area throughout the seasons. It seems likely that ministers in search will also find it of great interest both personally and professionally.
We continue discussing and researching ways to conduct our search virtually, all the way to its conclusion if necessary. You will read more about that in future reports.
Your Team: Mary, Geoff, Charles, Dusty, Jim, Chris, Jan
|
___________________
- from Mary Anne Rivers -
SMALL GROUP POSSIBILITY: "GROWING YOURSELF UP"
Are there any of us who don't have some growing work to do? We are all "works in progress," and if you are interested in digging into your self and your relationships, Growing Yourself Up is a good guide. Combining reading, discussing, and art exercises, we will work our way through this important guide written by Jenny Brown, and based on the theory of Dr. Murray Bowen. No drawing skills are needed.
Dr. Bowen, a psychiatrist and researcher, developed a theory describing different levels of maturity in relationships. This theory is related to marital satisfaction, capacity to handle stress, make decisions, and manage social anxiety. Dr. Bowen refers to the differentiation of self, which, simply expressed, refers to the ability to think as an individual, while staying meaningfully connected to others. This small group will begin on the 2nd Tuesday evening in January, and will be lead by Sylvia Walworth and Mary Anne Rivers. With any questions or for further information, please contact..
or
- from Alison Ernst -
READING AND WRITING WHITENESS: PART II
The second round of "Reading & Writing Whiteness" will start on Tuesday, November 10, 6:30 - 8 p.m. and will run for 6 weeks.
Though the group will primarily be discussing the book White Fragility other readings will be incorporated during the workshop.
Please contact Rev. Cathy, [email protected] and ccing Alison, [email protected], ASAP If you've already indicated interest to Rev Cathy, please RSVP to ensure you're on the mailing list.
- from The Safe Harbor Team -
We are so happy to report that Safe Harbor is opening for business and we need your help and support to make this happen. More information will be available soon; the Team will be hosting a Zoom discussion and we'll let you know as soon as that has been scheduled!
*Our week for service at Safe Harbor is November 28th - December 5th and Christmas
Day.
*No midnight shifts this year.
*Numerous mindful safety protocols have been put in place.
*Very limited contacts with guests.
*Mandatory masks for team members and guests.
This year will look a bit different, due to the pandemic, but health and safety will be a top priority. Please stay tuned for more information to be coming soon.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact your UUCGT Safe Harbor committee members:
|
|
___________________________________________________________________
- from Renée Russell-
This song has meant something to me since the moment I heard it. No matter the outcome this week, the revolution of honesty, compassion, curiosity and vulnerability is already under way, and will continue to grow. Here is the one and only
Tracy Chapman.
__________________________________________________________________
- from Claire Crandell -
November's theme is Healing and what it means to be a "People of Healing." The various sections for this month will focus on: Don't run away from the hard work of healing. Let gratitude heal you. Listen before you try to help and heal others. Heal by telling the Truth. Find Ways to comfort yourself.
This Sunday we focused on why it is important to "not run away from the hard work of healing!" Our UU faith reminds us that healing takes work. Although we had a very small gathering of three, we talked about some of the things that might make it easier to resolve differences after a disagreement or fight with someone. We used a rope with a knot as an example and how hard it may be to untie after it has been left for some time.
We also talked about the importance of having ways to calm ourselves. We practiced our easy breathing and meditation for a few minutes. Then we each made an "I'm Sorry" card, just to have on hand in case we might need to give it to someone someday:) It was fun to decorate and think about the words to share saying we were sorry.
Our ending quote was from Meister Eckhart who said,
"If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is THANK YOU, it will be enough."
So for the rest of this week we all said we would practice saying THANK YOU in prayer, and to others for everything we were grateful for receiving. We bid adieu with a sweet THANK YOU for being together today!!! We were all grateful for our shared sweet presence! (Hope to see more of you next week!)
|
Once again the creative writing explorers from UUCGT share some of their work. See the announcement above from Adult RE Director Alison Ernst about signing up to be part of the second session of workshops with her and Rev. Cathy Harrington; the next session begins November 10th.
Volume 2 of UU ORIGINAL VOICES may be found here.
|
UUCGT Calendar - Stay Up to Date!
Sunday Services, meetings and classes are hosted on Zoom until further notice. Note that as of September 30 2020 Zoom requires a passcode and/or an enabled "Waiting Room" for ALL newly scheduled meetings.
Requests should be made by Wednesday at noon for the next day's FLASH, please, if you want your meeting or event included - especially if you are requesting a Zoom set-up!
_______________________________________
Tonight, Thursday, November 5
7:00 PM
Friday, November 6
1:00 PM
Zoom rehearsal for Sunday Service
8:00 PM
Sunday, November 8
10:30 AM
You can sign in beginning at 10:00 AM to visit!
Cottage Conversations to follow the service!
Monday, November 9
10:30 AM
11:15 AM
Stretch & Strengthen
3:00 PM
Ministerial SearchTeam
Zoom link is here; mtg ID: 839 8133 9396. Passcode is required and available to
Search Team members.
Tuesday, November 10
10:30 AM
Volunteer Comm. Lunch, Friends Church. For info contact Mary Kiner.
1:30 PM
Sunday Service Coordinators via Zoom here.
6:30 PM
Second session of Reading & Writing Workshops begins.
Wednesday, November 11 - VETERANS DAY
11:15 AM
Stretch & Strengthen Class
11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
2:30 PM
5:30 PM
BYO Dinner together, NOW VIRTUAL!
|
UUCGT Bulletin Board
POST-ELECTION VIGIL & GATHERING
The Unitarian Universalist Association and the Side With Love nonprofit are hosting a virtual gathering. "No matter the results of the election," says the UUA Facebook page for the event, "we know we will want to gather in community. Please save the date and time" - this evening, November 5, 8:00 PM Eastern - "and join the UUA, UU the Vote, Side with Love, and UUA President Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray for this event."
A LOVELY, GENEROUS OFFER of
TECHNOLOGY HELP (!)
from CHRIS LAUTZ:
Given up trying to attend Friday Vespers or Sunday Services because of that blasted ZOOM program, your computer or both? We have UU members who would be willing to come to your home and help you get set up, so you can attend and participate with our UU community.
WEDNESDAY DINNER MEETINGS
The Wednesday dinner group has tried to stay connected these past months, socially distanced picnicking in the UU parking lot when we could, on ZOOM when it was rainy. We are going to weekly ZOOM now, 5:30 every Wednesday. If you would like to join us, contact Mike and Sandra McDonald for the ZOOM invite. You may bring your glass of wine.
|
|
End Note:
"God breaks the heart again and again and again until it stays open."
|
|
Most of the UUCGT building is closed until further notice;
however the office will generally be staffed* Tuesday-Friday.
with any questions or concerns.
*With thanks to Alison Ernst for suggesting
the gender-neutral language here!
Stay up to date on the UUCGT website
|
|
|
-