Congregational Vision
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
Beacon
If you are not receiving our monthly newsletter, the
Beacon, and would like to, please contact the
office
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Reflection...
Dear friends,
Thank you so much for your warm reception of my teaching last Sunday on "Forgiveness, Part 2".
Several of you asked for the list of films we watched in my "Hope and Solidarity in Global Cinema" class, which as you know, turned out to be little more than eating popcorn and watching movies for credit. Lesson learned! :-)
My gratitude to Brother Ton Sison for a wonderful course. Enjoy and go deep. If anyone wants to watch these together at the UU, let me know. I'll bring popcorn.
The following descriptions are from the internet:
"Babette's Feast" (Denmark, 1987) - A beautiful film set in a remote Danish village in the 19th century. A truly wonderful story about artistry, redemption and the human spirit.
"Rabbit Proof Fence" (Australia, 2002) -
Tells the true story of three aboriginal girls who are forcibly taken from their families in 1931 to be trained as domestic servants as part of an official Australian government policy. They make a daring escape and embark on an epic 1,500 mile journey to get back home.
"Departures" (Japan, 2008) -
Loosely based on "Coffinman", a memoir by
Shinmon Aoki
, the film follows a young man who returns to his hometown after a failed career as a cellist and stumbles across work as a nōkanshi - a traditional Japanese ritual mortician.
"The Kite Runner" (USA, 2007) -
Growing up in Kabul, Amir and Hassan are inseparable friends. As an adult living in California, Amir remains haunted by a childhood incident in which he betrayed Hassan's trust.
When he learns that the Taliban has murdered Hassan and his wife, Amir returns to his homeland to learn the fate of the couple's son.
"Beasts of the Southern Wild" (USA, 2012) - Faced with both her hot-tempered father's fading health and melting ice-caps that flood her ramshackle bayou community and unleash ancient aurochs, six-year-old Hushpuppy must learn the ways of courage and love.
"Romero" (USA, 1989) - Archbishop
Óscar Romero (Raul Julia) is reluctant to get involved in a war that rages on between the military elite and guerrilla Marxists in his country of El Salvador. As conditions worsen and more churches are desecrated, however, he finds he cannot remain an observer.
"The Motorcycle Diaries" (various locations in South America, 2004) -
The film recounts the 1952 expedition, initially by motorcycle, across South America by the future Che Guevara and his friend,
Alberto Granado
. As well as being a
road movie
, the film is a
coming-of-age film
as the adventure, initially centered on youthful
hedonism
unfolds, Guevara discovers himself transformed by his observations of the lives of the impoverished
indigenous
peasantry.
My own final project was on "Of God's and Men" (France, Morocco, 2010)
An order of Trappist monks live among the Muslim population in a quiet corner of Algeria. As the country is plunged into civil war in the mid-1990s, the men of God must decide whether to stay among the impoverished residents who have been their neighbors, or flee the encroaching fundamentalist terrorists. The situation that unfolds, based on actual events, has tragic consequences.
In blessing -
Rabbi Chava
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Sunday Service
Sunday, May 28 - Lay-led Service with Karen Mars
1
0:30 AM Service:
"Forgiveness Part 3:
Forgiving Ourselves"
"We are souls in evolution who occasionally act negatively -
this is natural.
What is unnatural is to not forgive ourselves."
- Unknown
Forgiving ourselves is one of the most difficult things to do, but not doing so can damage us emotionally, spiritually and even physically.
Is there ever a time when we should not forgive ourselves for something committed or omitted?
You are invited to join us for a time of introspection and healing.
On this Sunday, we will also recognize Memorial Day and Ramadan.
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Lifespan Experience
Children, Youth and
Fam
ilies!
Sunday Service: 10:30 a.m.
Sunday programming for Children and Youth throughout the remainder of this program year will complement Sunday Services in our efforts to move closer to congregational thematic ministry. This thematic calendar will explore the Six Source traditions, and consider wisdom from around the world.
In May, we enter the last month of regular Lifespan programming for children and youth on Sunday mornings for the 2016/2017 programmatic year.
We will round out this year for our children preK-5th with lessons from "Picture Book UU" which utilizes popular children's books to teach UU identity.
Starting in June, we jump into yet another wonderful Specialty Class Summer for our younger children! If you have a hobby or a lesson that you'd like to share with the children prek-5th grade over the summer, please contact me. June-Labor Day our youth will attend services.
Suggested reading for families/parents this month
:
The Three Questions [based on a story by Leo Tolstoy] -
by Jon Muth
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Friday Night Out - June 9th, 5:30-9pm
Spots are going quickly!
Contact Sarah ASAP to reserve a spot!
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Register by June 12th!
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UUCGT ANNUAL MEETING
Sunday, June 4, 2017 - following service
Absentee ballots will be available in the UUCGT office on the following dates / times for members who are unable to attend the meeting:
Thursday, May 25 9:00am - 1:00pm
Sunday, May 28 after 10:30 service
Tuesday, May 30 9:00am - 1:00pm
Wednesday, May 31 9:00am - 1:00pm
Sunday, June 4 before 10:30 service
All absentee ballots must be returned before the Annual Meeting commences on Sunday, June 4, 2017. If you have questions regarding absentee ballots, please email Phyllis Jessup, [email protected]
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W
hat's Going On At UUCGT?
Activities are also listed in the Order of Service & Beacon
If you need the code for entrance to the building, please make arrangements during office hours: Monday - Thursday, 9-4
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Weekly Activities & Meetings ***
Mindfulness Meditation:
Sunday, 5:00-7:00pm, sanctuary
LGBTQ Group: Sunday, 5:00-6:30pm, classroom
Stretch & Strengthen: Monday & Wednesday, 11:00am
Community Lunch: Tuesday, 11:30am. Every week for the past 25 years, UUCGT has provided a free lunch for anyone in the community who would like to come to Friends Church located at Fifth and Oak Streets in Traverse City.
For more information, or to volunteer, call Mary Kiner at 935-3050, or email
[email protected]
Bridge Group: Tuesday, 1:00pm, social hall
International Dances: Wednesday, 7:00pm, classroom
Peacemaker Needleworkers: Thursday, 1:30pm, social hall
Introductory Meditation Workshop: Thursday, 5:30-6:30pm, classroom. Contact
Elisabeth Treefon or click
here for more information.
Vocal Ensemble: Thursday, 7:00-8:30pm, sanctuary. All are Welcome!
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Additional Meetings & Gatherings ***
New Moon Women's Circle: S
aturday, May 27, 3:00pm, sanctuary.
Women gathering to celebrate the New Moon to rest in the potential of the dark quiet and consider the time ahead. For more information contact
Shantideva Fan Club - Organizing Meeting, Option 2: Tuesday, May 30, 6:00pm, sanctuary (for those who missed the May 25 meeting).
CUUPS: Wednesday, May 31, 12:30pm, Blue Tractor
Brewing Community & Wednesday Dinner Out: Wednesday, May 31, social time 5:00pm / dinner 6:00pm at The Workshop. This is a great way to meet, chat, share and laugh with UU friends at a family-friendly get together! RSVP to John Hoffmann if you plan to join us for dinner so we can get a general count.
Shantideva Fan Club - Introduction & Chapter 1: Thursday, June 1, 9:30am, sanctuary.
"
A Fearless Heart, How the Courage to Be Compassionate Can Transform Our Lives," by Thumpten Jinpa, PhD., See
ttp://bit.ly/2q6lFv8
and the
May Beacon
for more information. Contact Rabbi Chava, 947-3117, or Chris Innes,
[email protected]
Congregational Care Team: Thursday, June 1, 1:00pm, library
Facilities Committee: Friday, June 2, 10:00am, social hall
UU Men's Group: Monday, June 5, 5:30pm, Minerva's.
Topic: "Our National Parklands" presented by Max Old Bear.
Hand-outs are available in the front entryway.
UU Book Club:
Sunday,
June 11:
"All That Man Is" by David Szalay
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F Y I
BEACON articles are due by the 25th of each month to
Coffee Orders are due Sunday, May 28
UUCGT office will be closed on Monday, May 29 - Memorial Day
Carpet Request:
2 large carpets - approx. 9' x 9' each
for the Classroom
. Contact the office if you can help!
Poetry Service -
June 11
:
Sunday, June 11, will be a lay-led service with the theme, "Poetry of the Earth & Celebrating the Coming of Summer".
If you have a poem or short prose piece that you would like to share at the service, contact Betsy Emdin,
[email protected]
or 231-492-3260.
This can be something you wrote or a favorite poem by another. If you are uncomfortable reading in front of the congregation, we can find someone to read for you.
Local Community Needs Update
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| FLASH articles are due by noon on Wednesday each week
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