UUCGT  Flash 
May 5, 2016
Vol. 10, Issue 428
 
In This Issue
Reflection
Sunday Service
Children and Youth
Nominations for Board & LDC
What's Going on at UUCGT?
FYI
End Note
Congregational Vision
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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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Reflection:  UUA Regional Assembly and Ministers' Meetings 

Friends,

I am back from my first UUA Regional Assembly and minister meetings - what a week!  I received a warm welcome from regional colleagues as well as UUA staff who were present.  This included our Congregation Life Consultant, Rev. Lisa Presley; and from our national office, Rev. Richard Nugent, Director, Church Staff Finances; and UUA Director of Stewardship and Development and Special Advisor to the President, Rev. Mary Katherine Morn.  In addition, I met dozens of colleagues from around our region.

The Regional Assembly was full of learning moments, which I will share with you in the weeks ahead. Two highlights were the workshops on Congregational Chaplains (what we currently call Pastoral Care), and on "Bridging the Theist-Atheist Divide."  In both I learned some rich ideas from which we will all benefit going forward.  All of the meetings, workshops and meals with new colleagues helped me look ahead in a new way.  I also found the workshop on Stewardship helpful.

This Sunday, which is Mother's Day, I will address "What We are Birthing?" Please do join us and thank you for supporting the UUA and my associate membership in the UUMA. 

Also, please consider joining me at 9 AM for "Foundations of Humanism, Part 2."  

In blessing - 
Rabbi Chava

Sunday Service 
Sunday, May 8 
  9:00 AM Adult Learning Program: "Foundations of Humanism, Part 2"  -  Rabbi Chava
10:30 AM Service: "For the Earth Forever Turning" - Rabbi Chava
On this day when we celebrate Mother's Day, join us for a celebration of nature and ecology through some of our best loved hymns!  Weaving hymns and words from UU sources new and old, we will celebrate Spring with music that will stir the heart and open the eyes to the wonder and beauty of the natural world.

This Sunday for Children and Youth
  9:00 a.m.  Childcare is available for pre-K-5th grade during Adult Learning Opportunities  
10:30 a.m. 
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.  Following the service, parents of Children (preK-5th grade) should make their way to the classroom/program wing of the building to sign their child(ren) out of programming.
  
This Month for Children... April brings with it the theme of Ecology.  We will celebrate the people who "mom" us, including Mother Earth on Mother's Day.  Other stories this month will include "Henry Builds a Cabin" by D.B. Johnson and the "Tiny Seed" by Eric Carle.  The last Sunday of the month will feature our Activity Centers.

This Month for Youth... This month our youth will continue to consider the ways they can be involved in justice-seeking in our world.
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Friday Night Out:  Friday, May 13, 5:30 - 9:00pm is FULL!  One Volunteer is needed! 
Please contact Sarah if you can help support our young families in this way.
 
Nominations for Board of Trustees & Leadership Development Committee

The Leadership Development Committee wants to be sure that everyone in the Congregation understands the process for nominations to the Board of Trustees and to the Leadership Development Committee. 
 
Article VIII of the By-Laws provides:
 
"The Leadership Development Committee shall present a slate of candidates for a vote at the Annual Meeting.  The slate shall include candidates for open positions to be nominated from the Congregation's voting membership.  The Leadership Development Committee will present its slate for Congregational review on each of 3 Sundays prior to the Annual Meeting and announce that any 2 members of the Congregation may nominate, in writing to the Leadership Development Committee, not later than 14 days before the Annual Meeting, additional candidates for open offices."        
                                                                         
Ann Swaney, Chair
Leadership Development Committee

What's Going On At UUCGT?
 
 FLASH CALENDAR
 Link to the UUCGT WEBSITE CALENDAR HERE 
Weekly activities are listed in the Order of Service and the Beacon  

 
15 Minutes with Rabbi Chava:  Sunday, May 8, 10:00-10:15.  A meet and greet for prospective UUCGT members.
 
Wednesday Night Supper:  Wednesday, May 11.  Our last themed dinner until fall is Mexican Night!  $5/adult, $3/child 10 and under.  5:30pm social time, 6:00pm dinner. 
Join us stay for the Colloquium at 7:00pm!
 
Colloquium:  Wednesday, May 11, 7:00 p.m., Karin Killian, "Fair Trade Farmers, Latin America"

Special Wednesday Supper
REMINDER!
We are almost at the end of our regular Wednesday Supper season.  We are beginning to schedule summer potlucks in people's homes.  Please contact Sarah if you would like to sign up. 
 
Our last Wednesday Supper gathering at UU until fall will be Wednesday, May 18th (potluck).  Wednesday, May 25th is our first Summer dinner out with the Brewing Community at Rare Bird - social time at 5pm, dinner at 6pm.  Family friendly, fun and fellowship!
  
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"Little Spiritual Book" Brown Bag Lunch & Learn with Rabbi Chava 
Pack yourself a lunch and come with an open heart.  
Tuesday, May 17 Brother Benet Tvedten, " How to be a Monastic and Not Leave Your Day Job:  An Invitation to Oblate Life"

CONCERT SERIES at UUCGT
Saturday, May 21, 7:30pm
Robin Lee Berry & Glenn Wolff 

Robin Lee Berry's voice is like "clear spring water gushing out from a deep place in the earth.  It goes right to your heart."   - Greg Brown, Red House Recording Artist
Bassist Glenn Wolff , has been performing and recording with Robin for many years, recently adding slide guitar and dobro to their duo performances.  He is also bassist in the Neptune Quartet, and Jazz North. 
Link to more information HERETickets are $15.00 and available in the UUCGT office. 

F Y I
     
Please Note:  UUCGT office will be closed on Friday, May 6 and will be open 10:00 - 2:00 on May 9, 10, 11.  Thank you for your kind attention.
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 Reminder!  Spring Clean-up:  Saturday, May 14, 9:00 - 3:00 
Stop by as you can with open hearts and willing hands (and backs!) for tidying up our UUCGT grounds and kitchen!  Welcome Spring renewal and fellowship!

 Program Council:  Sunday, May 15 after service in the classroom.  Committee chairs and/or representatives, please attend this important committee planning meeting.
 

Local Community Needs - April 2016:  (correction to May Beacon)
$2000 was donated to local charities through the Local Community Needs Committee this quarter. $500 was given to each of these agencies: Goodwill, Traverse Health Clinic, Commission on Aging Senior Support Program and The Rock of Kingsley.  Thank you for your generous support of those in need.
  
UU has often given to Goodwill and the Traverse Health Clinic as both provide basic important services at the heart of our mission statement.   The Senior Support Program assists poor people over 50 with unmet needs such as dental care, shelter, and vehicle repair; they partner with other agencies including Father Fred .   http://basatc.org/current-initiatives/senior-support/.  The Rock of Kingsley provides free programming to both seniors and youth and is an inspiring community center. http://www.therockofkingsley.com/about/.  If you are not familiar with The Senior Support Program or the Rock, check out these links.
  
We meet again in July.  Please let us know if you have a donation request by completing the form below or contact any committee member:  Liz Bruning, Shari Cope, Karl Kristen, Joan Sheard, and Chris Walter.
  
Liz Bruning, Chair
Local Community Needs request form HERE.                                            


End Note...
 

"To see things in the seed, that is genius."


            ~  Lao Tzu


 phone: l(231) 947-3117       website:   www.uucgt.org         email:   [email protected]

  

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