UUCGT Flash 

March 24, 2016

Vol. 10, Issue 422

In This Issue
Reflection
Sunday Service
Children and Youth
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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Reflection:  Easter, Renewal & Beyond

"March brings breezes loud and shrill,
Stirs the dancing daffodil."
~ Sara Coleridge (1802-1852)

Friends, beneath the snow that is falling, the earth is preparing to wake for Spring, the season of renewal.  Although we cannot see it, everywhere in the northern climes the world prepares to wake to make another journey toward the warmth of Summer.  We, too, are in a time of renewal, of hope for the future.

As our pledge drive nears a close, I am happy that Karl and I have invested in the future of UUCGT by increasing our pledge for the coming year.  This is a visible sign of hope, and belief, that our congregation's future is strong, abundant and joy-filled. 

Please join us this Sunday for an uplifting UU celebration of Easter, and the following Sunday, our joy comes to full flowering!  Our service on April 3rd will celebrate, "... And the Award Goes To ..."  Dress in your red carpet best - tuxedos, ball gowns - no kidding!  There will be a red carpet and fine celebration  of our Stewardship efforts  after the service.  Come and toast with us! 

In renewed joy -
Rabbi Chava 
 
March 27, Sunday Service
10:30 a.m.  "An Easter Sunday Rhapsody"  (one service only)
Rabbi Chava Bahle, Sarah Montgomery-Richards 
Join us for a one-of-a-kind celebration of Passover and Easter through song, symbol and horseradish.  Pack lightly for the journey - it's gonna be a long, strange trip ... for members of all ages.

This Sunday for Children and Youth
10:30 a.m. 
All Children and Youth are invited to remain in the service this week. Children and Youth who are able to mindfully participate with little supervision are invited to sit near the front of the sanctuary on the floor.
 
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Friday Night Out:  April 8th is ALREADY FULL!
 
We would love to open this option to more families if possible,
but we need another volunteer to help staff if we are going to make that happen
 
PLEASE consider giving your time to our community in this way. 
 
 
What's Going On At UUCGT?
 
FLASH CALENDAR is linked to the UUCGT WEBSITE (www.uucgt.org) where you can click on the Calendar tab and find information and details about upcoming programs and meetings.
UUCGT Calendar may be viewed  HERE 
 
Weekly activities are also listed in Sunday's Order of Service and the monthly calendar in the Beacon  
 
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"I M A G I N E !"
Our 2016 / 2017 Stewardship Campaign Continues!
  
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PLEASE NOTE:  Brewing Community is cancelled tonight due to the regional winter storm warning. 
 
Wednesday Night Supper:   March 30th is Pizza Night!
 
Cost of the meal (snacks, salad, pizza and dessert) is divided among those who join us.  It is helpful to have an idea of how many people to order pizza for - please contact  Sarah in the office if you think you will be joining us for the meal.  5:30pm social time, 6pm dinner.  
Enjoy a delicious pizza supper & shared fellowship!

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! HAVANA 2015 ! 
Photography Exhibit & Presentation
by Kathy Silbernagel
April 6, 7:00 p.m.
Please find more information here
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UPCOMING COLLOQUIUMS
 
April 13:  Rick and Christine Walter, Tanzania
April 27:  Paul Ward, "The Art of Medicine" - revisiting January service
 
NEW! Concert Series at UUCGT
Saturday, April 16, 7:30pm 
Stefano Barone, Italian Guitarist...has a masterful guitar technique, great  orchestration, harmony, infallible sense of rhythm and a natural ability to
improvise.  See www.stefbarone.com and link to poster here.
Coming Saturday, May 21:  Robin Lee Berry & Glenn Wolff
 
"Little Spiritual Book" Brown Bag Lunch & Learn, 12 - 1:00 p.m.  
Join Rabbi Chava for this monthly brown bag "lunch and learn" program. Pack yourself a lunch and come with an open heart.  
     Tuesday, April 19:   Robert Lawrence Smith, " A Quaker Book of Wisdom: Life Lessons in Simplicity, Service and Common Sense" 
(Quill Press)
     Tuesday, May 17 Brother Benet Tvedten, OSB, " How to be a Monastic and Not Leave Your Day Job: An Invitation to Oblate Life"  (Paraclete Press)
 
NEW!  Parent Empowerment Series
Presented by Planned Parenthood
Mondays, 6:00-8:00 pm, April 18 - May 23 at UU.  Six week workshop series to help parents build confidence in discussing personal values about sex, reproductive anatomy and child sexual development.  
Free childcare.  Cost:  $25/person, $35/couple.   Link to flier here
Contact Sarah with questions.

F Y I  

  Higher Grounds Coffee Orders are due this Sunday, March 27! Your purchase of delicious coffees supports UU Social Justice issues and sustainable coffee growers!

 UU Men's Group:   Monday, April 4, 5:30pm at Minerva's.  All UU men are welcome for conversation and fellowship to discuss this timely topic:  "Islam, Radical Islam and Political Islam," presented by Hal Gurian.   Due to the complexity of the subject, many sources will be utilized, and four books are highly recommended:
- "Heretic: Why Islam Needs a Reformation Now," by Ayaan Hirsi Ali
- "The Infidel," by Ayaan Hirsi Ali
- "The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11," Pulitzer Prize winning book by Lawrence Wright
- "Allah, Liberty and Love," Irshad Manji
 
  Tuesday Community Lunch:  Volunteers are needed in April. 
Please call Mary Kiner at 935-3050 if you are available to volunteer. Our wider community will thank you!
 
 Stretch & Exercise Class will be class-led from March 21 - April 18.  Strengthen and get ready for all of your Spring activities!
 
UU Book Cub:  Sunday, April 10.  "The Man," by Irving Wallace
 
 Benzie UU Happenings:  
May 1 - Beltane Celebration - Homestead Road house with ritual May        Pole, drumming, potluck, crown making, etc.  Time to be announced.
May 21 - Benefit Concert for Flint, sponsored by Singing Sisters and            Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation - for Flint Child Health & Development Fund.  Concert begins around 5:00 pm with reception to follow.  St. Andrews Church in Beulah (on the big hill). 
Email or call Jeanne at 248-736-9706, or Peggy at 248-736-9703 or 231-275-2244 with questions.

 Local Community Needs:  Please find a Local Community Needs request form HERE.
 


End note....


"The door is wide and open,
don't go back to sleep."
                  - Rumi

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

  

Office hours:  Monday by appointment

Tuesday - Thursday, 9:00 - 4:00

Friday, 9:00 - 12:00 noon 

  

FLASH articles are due by noon on Wednesday of each week