UUCGT Flash 
March 9, 2017
Vol. 11, Issue 472
 
In This Issue
Reflection
Sunday Service
Lifespan Experience for Children, Youth & Families
What's Going on at UUCGT?
Pledge Drive
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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UUCGT Beacon

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Reflection...

Let the Joy Continue 

We are born with whirlwinds, forest fires, and comets inside us. 
We are born able to sing to birds and read the clouds
and see our destiny in grains of sand. 
- Robert McCammon 

Friends, 

March is our month of joy, of celebrating, of being a little silly, but underneath it is the firm belief that what we are actually doing is reminding ourselves of a deep part of our true nature.  

After the darkness and hardships of winter, we touch inside to remember sweetness and joy.  Last Sunday, I mentioned two books several of you have asked about:

The Dalai Lama and Arch. Desmond Tutu's,  The Book of Joy ,
Leonard Scheff's,  The Cow in the Parking Lot:  A Zen Approach to Overcoming Anger

The two books are a nice balance for this liminal time of year.

Join us this Sunday for the next installment of why joy matters! 

Also, let me take this Flash moment to thank our awesome staff:  
Sarah, Susan and Sheri for leading on #ADayWithoutAWoman.  
Our staff is nimble, willing and joyous.  A pleasure to work with you, ladies! 

In bessing - 

Rabbi Chava

Sunday Service 
Sunday, March 12 - Rabbi Chava Bahle
No 9:00 AM Program
1 0:30 AM Service:  "
Purim:  How to Face An Oppressor"
Many cultures re-enact chaos (Mardi Gras, Purim) and role reversals prior to the Spring new year.  

UU writer Sharon Wylie writes:  
" For millennia, people have gathered together to hear stories, to root for the underdog, to jeer the evil and the unkind.  We see in our stories  mirrors to our own lives where we hope good things will happen to good people and that evil will be vanquished." 

This morning we gather for story, for cheering and jeering, for hope and for justice.

Lifespan Experience  f or Children and Youth (and Families!)
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. 

CHILD / YOUTH OF THE MONTH!
Our Child of the Month is Jack Matchett!
Make sure you take a moment to greet Jack when you see him, and check out the poster featuring him in the social hall all of this month!  
Each month we will give special attention to a child or youth from our UUCGT community!  A picture of them will be featured in the social hall, along with a little bit about them.  Interested in more information and how to participate?  Contact the office!

Sundays in March
As a congregation we will be exploring the theme of joy - and what better way to tie that into our lessons than celebrating nature and the changing of the seasons!  Through lessons based on our 6th UU Source - the Spiritual teachings of Earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature - we will happily welcome the spring together!

Suggested readings for families/parents this month 
  • "Sitting Still Like a Frog - Mindfulness Exercises for kids (and their Parents)" - by Eline Snel
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Friday Night Out - March 10!
5:30 - 9:00 PM
Email Sarah by noon, Thursday, March 9

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Save the Date!  Spring Break!

 
W hat's Going On At UUCGT?

UUCGT Website Calendar -
CLICK HERE
Activities are also listed in the Order of Service & Beacon

Please contact UUCGT office to schedule meetings & events

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UUCGT Vocal Ensemble:  Meets every Thursday at 7:00 - 8:30 PM.  
All are Welcome!  Contact John Bailey for more information.

InterPlay Workshop:  Saturday, March 11, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM, classroom, presented by  Lee Edwards and Kat Brown.  Come for a joyful, creative, and transformative experience - fun & insightful!  See flier  HERE

Singing Sisters:  Saturday, March 11, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM, sanctuary. Contact  Linda Hebert

UU Book Club:  Sunday, March 12, 2:00 PM, "The Rosie Project" by Graeme Simsion, hosted by Marcia Bellinger

Wednesday Potluck!  March 15, 5:30 PM social time & 6:00 PM dinner 
Join together in fellowship, conversation and a delicious shared meal!

Meditation for Spiritual Awareness 
Thursday, March 16, 5:30-6:30 PM, sanctuary.  Free class facilitated by Elisabeth Treefon.  See flier HERE

Death Cafe:  Friday, March 17, 10:00 AM, social hall.  Contact Donna Stein-Harris for more information.

UUCGT Board Meeting:  Monday, March 20, 5:30 PM, classroom

Pledge Drive

Reminder to Pledge for 2017-2018

A reminder to return your completed pledge either online, at UUCGT or through the mail by March 19.  If you have not received pledge materials, you can pick up a packet after Sunday Services, or contact  Kay Sturgeon at twodogk@aol.com or (231)  929-0895. 

PLEDGE DRIVE CELEBRATION
~ Please Join Us ~
 March 19 after service

F Y I

Please Note:  
FLASH submissions are due by noon on Wednesday to office@uucgt.org
BEACON articles are due by the 25th of each month to beacon@uucgt.org
Thank you!

  UU Benzie Program:   Wednesday,  March 15:  "T aking Care of the Self in Times of Turmoil" by Laurie Mason.  Contact Laurie at laurele52@charter.net .

  UU Social Justice Workshop:  Saturday, March 18,  9:30 - 2:30
We need you!!  Yes, YOU!!   Please join the Social Justice Committee on Saturday, March 18, in helping to determine the one or two issues that we will prioritize as a congregation.  We will be guided by Kat Norman using an excellent program she has designed based on UU principles.  A thoughtful discussion of what is important to us, a chance to engage with fellow congregants and a delicious lunch (a $5 donation is appreciated) are all great reasons to attend.  Please RSVP your intent to Paula Jo Kemler 
( pjkemler@me.com by Wednesday, March 15

 
SPECIAL!  Wednesday  Night Dinner & Program ~ March 22
Featuring our current Art Exhibit  -   PROTEST!
5:30 social time, 6:00 dinner, 7:00 program
RSVP to Ellie Smith, 231-620-4183.  
Click  HERE for more details!



 Brewing Community:  Thursday, March 24, 5:00-7:00pm, Rare Bird.  
This is a great way to meet people,  laugh with friends, family-friendly!
Contact Sarah with questions.
 
Wanted:    Large (approximately  17' x 18') rug or carpet for large classroom -   please  contact the office.   Thank you!

 We've welcomed many new members to our beloved congregation in the past year.  Some of you may not be aware that we have string groups, brass groups, an impromptu orchestra, as well as other instrumental groups from time to time on Sunday mornings.  If you play ANY instrument, we welcome your presence up front on Sunday. 
In particular, I'm looking for string players we're unaware of to participate with us March 26.  If you're interested or unavailable but would like to play some time, please send your contact information to me, Judy Weaver, at weavmusic@aol.com.  If you play another kind of instrument, please make your presence known to our Music Director, John Bailey, at peracola@gmail.com.   Thanks!

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Local Community Needs

End Note....

Each morning
we must hold out the chalice of our being
to receive,
to carry, 
and give back.

Dag Hammarskjöld


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

  

Office hours:  Monday - Thursday, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

  

FLASH articles are due by noon on Wednesday each week