blue sky melting snow

  UUCGT Flash

                                                                                                          January 7, 2016

  Vol. 10, Issue 411

In This Issue
Reflection
Sunday Service
Children and Youth
What's Going on at UUCGT?
FYI
Smile
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.
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UUCGT Beacon

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Reflection:  Acts of Caring
    
" Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."  
                                                                               - Leo F. Buscaglia
                                 
Dear UUCGT family,
 
I wanted to take this place in the Flash to say thanks to this community for the outpouring of love for Arline Howe and her family.  I especially want to thank Lauren Keinath and the Memorial Reception Committee, and the Pastoral Care Team for the kindness to all the friends and family who honored Arline's life.  It was a privilege to have Rev. Emmy Lou Belcher with us as well.  Friends, we have been through hard times together, but it speaks to the depth of goodness in this congregation that, when it truly matters, we come together in love.  From the bottom of my heart, I say thank you.  The Pastoral Care team meets this Thursday; I assure you we will move forward with love.  We are here for you. 
 
In care, to borrow Arline's phrase - 
 
Rabbi Chava 

Sunday Service 
January 10, 10:30 a.m. (one service only)
"The Art of Medicine" - Paul Ward
The human body is at times referred to as "the last frontier."  There is still much to learn about growth, disease, treatment and healing.  While most might think that medicine lies entirely in the realm of science and reason, there are essential spiritual aspects as well.  Please join us for a lay led service in which Paul Ward will discuss his 30 year career as a physician in the Grand Traverse region and the interplay between the spiritual and the scientific aspects of medicine.  
 
This Sunday for Children and Youth
January 10, 10:30 a.m. (one service only)   
Please remember that as of January 1, 2016 there is no 9:00 a.m. Children's Educational Option.  Childcare will be available when there is a 9:00 a.m. Contemplative Reflection or 9:00 a.m. Adult Learning opportunity.

Please consider enrolling your children in our 10:30 a.m. Children's Programming.  Contact Sarah with questions.  

THERE IS NO 9:00 a.m. PROGRAM THIS WEEK

10:30am:  Programming & Education for Children and Youth
Children (preK-5th grade) and Youth (6th-12th grade, 12-18yrs) are invited to join their families in the service through the Story Wisdom.  Following Story Wisdom, Children (preK-5th grade) will follow their teachers to the large classroom space.  Youth (6th-12th grade, 12-18yrs) will join their teacher in the Office.  Parents of Children (preK-5th grade) should make their way to the classrooms/program wing of the building to sign their child(ren) out of programming following the service.
  
This Month for Children... While the adults in the congregation explore science and reason in the sanctuary, we will be exploring the universe through the following:
"Born With a Bang: The Universe Tells Our Cosmic Story & From Lava to Life: The Universe Tells Our Earth Story" -  by: Jennifer Morgan and Dana Lynne Andersen.

This Month for Youth... This month our youth will gather to focus on connecting and getting to know one another as they prepare to revisit the "Heeding the Call - UU Justice Maker" curriculum which was started in our 9am Youth program earlier this year.     

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Friday Night Out, January 8, is full for this month.
 

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Donate Winter Gear for Children!
  
Please bring in NEW winter gear for children - hats, snow pants, mittens, jackets, etc. - and place them in the collection bin near the kitchen.  These items will be donated locally to both Traverse Heights Elementary School and the Goodwill Inn.
 
What's Going On At UUCGT?
 
Peacemaker Needleworkers:  Thurs, January 7, 1:30-3:30pm, social hall

Vocal Ensemble:  Thursday, January 7, 7:00-8:30pm, sanctuary
 
Friday Night Out:  Friday, January 8, 5:30-9:00pm (program is full)

UU Book Club:  Sunday, January 10, 2:00-4:00pm.  January's book selection is "Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk" by Ben Fountain.  Group will meet at the home of H.G. and Autumn Smith.  Please RSVP to them at 943-1207.
 
Mindfulness Meditation Group:  Sunday, January 10, 5:00-7:00pm (regular Sunday hours).  Silent meditation / beginners welcome.  For more information contact Fleda Brown or their website
 
Stretch & Strengthen Exercise:  Monday, January 11, 11:00am-12:00noon.  Contact Judith Briggs, 228-4655 
 
UUCGT Social Justice Book Group:  Monday, January 11, 6:00 pm in the lower level of Horizon Books.  Please contact Emmy Lou Cholak for further information or questions, or call 943-7999

Open Gay AA Meeting:   Monday, January 11, 7:00-8:00pm, small classroom.  Contact Linda Hebert, 590-3914 
 
Tuesday Community Lunch:  Tuesday, January 12, 11:30am-1:30pm, Friends Church on the corner of Fifth & Oak.  Contact Mary Kiner

Staff Resources Committee:  Tuesday, January 12, 12:30-1:30pm, classroom (formerly Personnel Committee)
 
Duplicate Bridge:  Tuesday, January 12, 1:00pm and every Tuesday.  Sanctioned by the American Contract Bridge League.  All are welcome.  Cost is $5 per person.  Have questions?  Need a partner?  Contact Paul Christ

Wednesday Morning Meditation:  Wednesday, January 13, 10:00-10:30am, sanctuary
 
Stretch & Strengthen Exercise:  Wednesday, January 13, 11:00am-12:00noon.  Contact Judith Briggs, 228-4655 
 
Membership Committee:  Wednesday, January 13, 4:00-5:30pm, classroom
 
Wednesday Night Supper:  Wednesday, January 13, 5:30pm social time, 6:00pm dinner.  Surprise Theme -  join us for shared community and fellowship.  $5/adult & $3/children 10 and under
               
Please Note:  There will be no Colloquium program this week
 
Finance Committee:  Wednesday, January 13, 7:00-8:00pm, office

International Folk Dances:  Wednesday, January 13, 7:00-8:30pm, classroom

Peacemaker Needleworkers:  Thurs, January 14, 1:30-3:30pm, social hall

Brewing Community:  Thursday, January 14, 5:00-7:00pm at The Workshop.  Join in for good cheer and good beer!  Brewing Community will now be meeting on the 2nd & 4th Thursday of the month!  Mark your calendars!

Vocal Ensemble:  Thursday, January 14, 7:00-8:30pm, sanctuary

Facilities Committee:  Friday, January 15, 10:00-11:00am, social hall

F.Y.I  .
     
  2016 UUCGT Directory:  Members & Friends who are listed in the current Directory, please email any changes to your address, email or phone to office@uucgt.org.
Additionally, Friends who would like to be included in the 2016 Directory, please also email your contact information to the office.
Our hope is to gather all data in the next few weeks and have a new 2016 UUCGT Directory ready for you in February!  Thank you!

SCRIP Cards:  Orders will be taken for SCRIP cards on Sunday, 1/10. Please remember your checkbooks if you'd like to order gift cards.  Our Guatemalan student, Norma, is sponsored by this project.  This means that she and her siblings receive school supplies, uniforms, shoes, and the whole family receives free health care.  Thanks for your continued support of Norma and her family.  If you have questions, call Mary Van Valin at 421-5243.

 Fife Lake Elementary School offers early world history and civilization class to 1st graders and includes early world religions (link to article here).  Call 231-369-3388 with your offer of support!
 
The Flying Rabbi:  A reminder that Rabbi Chava will be away from January 8 to the 15th, attending the OHALAH Association of Rabbis for Jewish Renewal annual conference, where she will present a workshop on what it's like to lead a UU congregation.  The conference theme is "Deep Ecumenism."  Rabbi Chava will be checking email and voice mail once daily.  If you have an emergency, it would helpful if you could also send a text to her cell phone (231)357-7152. 

"Little Spiritual Book" Brown Bag Lunch & Learn:  
Join Rabbi Chava for this new monthly brown bag "lunch and learn" program.  Pack yourself a lunch and come with an open heart.  
Tuesday, January 19, 12-1:00pm:  Pema Chodron's, "Practicing Peace in Times of War" (Shambala Publications)
Tuesday, February 16,  12-1:00pm:  Eknath Eawaran's, "Your Life is Your Message: Finding Harmony with Yourself, Others and the Earth" (Nilgiri Press).  See the January Beacon for more information.

Appreciative Inquiry:  The Committee on Ministry will offer Appreciative Inquiry small group discussions on  Sunday, January 31 following the 10:30 service.  We hope to see many of you there. 

Thinking About Membership at UUCGT?  Well, you are in luck!  A Prospective Member Orientation Session is scheduled for Sunday, February 7, 12 noon-1:15 pm.  Members of the Membership Committee and others will be on hand to talk about the steps to Membership and answer questions about all that is available at this very active, very caring congregation.  Even if you have been attending for some time or were members / attenders at another UU congregation, there is much we wish to share.  This session is FOR YOU!  Sign up at The Membership Table or call the office 947-3117.  Reservations for child care are required by January 24th - please contact the office.  See you there! Chris and Rick Walter, Membership Committee Co-Chairs, 421-3069 or chris9709@sbcglobal.net.
 
Rabbi Chava at NMC Extended Education:
  " Meeting Jesus in His Jewish Context,"   Explore the Jewish context of Jesus and how this can help deepen your understanding of the ministry of Jesus.  By looking at Jewish approaches to God, sacred text, and cosmology, you will discover how Jesus taught and why his message was both timely and timeless.  Tuesdays, February 16 through March 1, 3:00PM-5:00PM at the University Center.  Call (231) 995-1700 for more information and to register.
 
Save the Date - UUCGT Leadership Development Committee:  Saturday, March 5, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.  Experiential workshop, "What's Discernment Got to Do With It?"  Contact Tom Darnton, darnton@me.com
 

Local Community Needs:  Please find a Local Needs Community
donation request form here.  Should you wish, please complete the attached form and send to Liz Bruning, Community Needs Chair.

Donated Dinners fundraiser event update:  The event was a success!  To date, 9 dinners have been sold-out and we raised a little over $2,000.  Approximately 70 different people (including hosts) are participating.   Dinners range from Vegetarian, to a Beer & Brats picnic, to Italian/Indian/Moroccan fares, and gourmet Thai.  A nice variety! 
  The UUCGT Board had approved a request from the Autumn Affair Committee to set aside some of the monies for a scholarship fund to assist congregants who want to attend the 2016 UUA General Assembly this June.  If you have not yet paid for your dinner, please contact Sheri Novak at the office, 231-947-3117.  Thanks for your participation in this event!
 

 

Smile...

 


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

  

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