UUCGT Flash 
September 8, 2016
Vol. 10, Issue 446
 
In This Issue
Reflection
Sunday Service
Lifespan Experience for Children, Youth & Families
What's Going on at UUCGT?
FYI
End Note
Congregational Vision
UU Logo
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
   
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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... Good to Be Home and Begin a New Year!
 
Beloveds, 

I had such a great time learning in Chicago and look forward to continued studies, but I am delighted to be home!  I will be studying in Chicago on Tuesdays going forward this semester.

I am especially excited about beginning our new year of Sunday Services.  We had a truly robust and exciting planning meeting for the upcoming months of services:  the staff and coordinators are full of great ideas, ways of honoring our traditions, and also trying a little something new here and there.

As the busy Fall season begins, I want to communicate very clearly how best to reach me if you have questions, concerns or want to meet together.
To schedule meetings, please call Susan in the office.  Generally, my office days are Monday (by appointment), Wednesday afternoon, Thursday, Friday (by appointment) and Sunday.  Often I have community programs - ministers meetings, public gatherings, life cycles - that take me away from the office, but I welcome meeting with you. 

Telephone is the best and most effective platform, but email is okay too - 'though it sometimes will take me up to 48 hours to respond to email simply because of the volume that comes in!

If you have a true emergency, my personal phone is listed in the congregation's directory.  You can also contact our Congregational Care Team and they can reach me.

I hope this helps clarify how we can be in touch during office hours. 

I truly look forward to seeing you,
Rabbi Chava 

Sunday Service 
Sunday, September 11
10:30 a.m. Service:  "Resumption Sunday - The Journey Begins"
  All Congregation Service
Resumption Sunday, as it is called here at UUCGT, is the kick-off for our new year.  This year it coincides with the Muslim holy days called the Hajj - a story-telling journey in which Muslims make pilgrimage to Mecca to retell the sacred stories of their tradition.  We also have "sacred" stories of our UU early days.  Let's honor our founders, share our congregational stories and recommit to the journey together.
 
Lifespan Experience  f or Children and Youth (and Families!)
Sunday Service:  10:30 a.m.  

Sunday programming for Children and Youth throughout the 2016 - 2017 program year will complement the Sunday Services in our efforts to move closer to congregational thematic ministry.  This thematic calendar will be exploring the source traditions, and considering wisdom from around the world. 

Sundays in September:
As we kick-off our 2016 - 2017 program year, we begin with Resumption Sunday (9/11), which is an All Congregation Service - the children and youth will remain in the service.  The remaining two Sundays in September will feature lessons from the " Wonderful Welcome" UUA Tapestry of Faith curriculum for our younger children, and the youth will have an opportunity to get to know one another in fun and creative ways.
 
Special Notes for This Sunday:
This week is an All-Congregation service, all ages will remain in the sanctuary for the duration of the service.  Families are invited to sit near the front so that younger children can see better - those children who can mindfully participate with little supervision are invited to sit on the small chairs that will be in the front of the sanctuary.  Any children/youth who would like to participate in our opening processional are invited to gather in the lobby outside of the sanctuary immediately prior to the start of service.
ALSO - This week is our "Blessing of the Backpacks!"  We invite students who are launching into their studies to bring their backpacks with them as we honor and bless them on their continuing journey of learning.

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ATTENTION PARENTS

Registration for 2016-2017 programming for Children and Youth begins NOW.  Please click HERE to download the forms.  Completed forms need to be returned to Sarah BY SEPTEMBER 11TH.  Forms can be mailed, scanned and emailed, faxed, sent by carrier pigeon, whatever!  Please just turn them in.  

REMINDER - even if you completed forms last year, you need to complete new forms.  New registration is required at the start of each programming year - this includes those children who use the Nursery.  Thank you.

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VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED

Lifespan Experience Committee is beginning our search for volunteers for the 2016 - 2017 program year!  Without volunteers, programming for all ages will not be possible.  

PLEASE consider volunteering even once or twice a month in our various programs - especially in our classrooms on Sunday mornings!  Our classrooms span from preschool-12th grade, and there are lots of options for you to choose from.  Please contact Sarah as soon as possible to get involved - we currently have less than half of the volunteers needed to staff our existing Sunday morning programs for children and youth. This does not factor in anything new that we would like to offer.  



Friday Night Out is FULL

Family Welcome Picnic is Sunday, September 11
Annual event hosted at the home of John and Pinkie Hoffmann
Gathering time 5:30pm, Dinner at 6:00pm
PLEASE RSVP TO SARAH ASAP
Hot dogs and veggie burgers will be provided -
Please bring a potluck dish to share and BYOB
John serves as our Adult Programming Liaison on the Lifespan Experience Committee, and we thank both John and Pinkie for their very gracious offer to host again this year.

What's Going On At UUCGT?
   
Link to UUCGT WEBSITE CALENDAR 

Weekly activities are also listed in Order of Service & Beacon

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UU Men's Group:  Monday, September 12, 5:30 PM @ Minerva's
Pick up a copy of the New Yorker article about Tony Schwartz, ghostwriter for "The Art of the Deal" by Donald Trump. 
Fascinating read!

Wednesday Night Supper:  Wednesday, September 14
5:30pm social time, 6:00pm dinner - $5/adult, $3/child 10 and under
Delicious meal & shared fellowship!

UU Book Club DATE CHANGE!  Club meets on Wednesday, September 14 @ 7:00pm.   Host:   Barbara McClellan
The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman 

Morning Meditation - New day & time:  Thursday, September 15, 9:00-9:30am, sanctuary

Brew Crew:  Friday, September 16, 10:00-11:30am @ Brew Cafe in downtown Traverse City.  Great conversation & morning brew!

Program Council:  Sunday, September 18, 9:00-10:00am, classroom

F Y I

  Lost & Found...is overflowing!   Please  take a moment to browse through the Lost & Found shelving near the name tag tower for your lost items!  Thank you!

  2016 CROP HUNGER WALK 
    Sunday October 9 @ 2:00 PM at the Civic Center

The WALK benefits many groups and Agencies both locally and globally. Several food banks in our area have received monies from the WALK. 
Sarah Montgomery-Richards  and  John Hoffmann  are coordinating this year's Congregational efforts to help raise monies and awareness.  
We will have a sign-up table in the Social Hall every Sunday through October 2nd to recruit volunteer walkers and donors.  
Come visit with us - your help is appreciated!

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Local Community Needs

End Note...


"Taking in the good,
whenever and wherever we find it,
gives us new eyes for seeing and living." 


 phone: l(231) 947-3117       website:   www.uucgt.org         email:   office@uucgt.org

  

Office hours:  Monday by appointment

 Tuesday - Thursday, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

  

FLASH articles are due by noon on Wednesday each week