UUCGT Flash 
April 20, 2017
Vol. 11, Issue 478
 
In This Issue
Reflection
Sunday Service
Lifespan Experience for Children, Youth & Families
Pledge Reminder
UUCGT Spring Clean-up!
What's Going on at UUCGT?
UUA General Assembly
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.
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...

"No more words. 
In the name of this place we drink in with our breathing, 
stay quiet like a flower.
So the nightbirds will start singing."

- Jalaluddin Rumi, Night and Sleep

Beloved community - 

Continuing our journey this year through the sacred calendar of the six UU source traditions, this Sunday we will honor Lilat al-Miraj, the night of ascent when the prophet Mohammed ascended to heaven.  On his way he met all the previous prophets of the Jewish and Christian traditions, from Adam to Jesus.  

The night journey gives us a chance to learn about Islam, the spiritual journey and the beauty of the night as a time for spiritual practice.  Please join us for this service. 

Also, I would like to take a moment to thank everyone who made Easter so lovely; I neglected to mention Sarah Montgomery-Richards who helped design the service and was, of course, a wonderful participant.  

Best blessings to you all - 
Rabbi Chava 
 
P.S.  The Women's New Moon Group will meet this Saturday from 3:00 to 5:00 PM in the sanctuary for chapter two of Soul to Soul, on Compassion.  

"One kind word can warm three winter months." 
    - Japanese Proverb from Soul to Soul

Sunday Service 
Sunday, April 23 - Rabbi Chava Bahle
1 0:30 AM Service:  "Lilat ahl-Miraj / The Night Journey"

Join us for a special journey of personal stories honoring the anniversary of 
Lailat al Miraj, an annual commemoration of the the night the Prophet Mohammed (sa) made the night journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and his ascension to heaven.  In that process of ascent, he meets all the previous prophets from Adam to Jesus.  In this way, Islam remembers its roots and connection to its sister religions of Judaism and Christianity.
The service will include elements of Muslim worship, a personal story from Kathy Booker-Graham and a reading from the Qur'an.   Why does this matter to UUs?  Cultural literacy and the memory of archetypes awakens a deep part of the self.  Let us journey together. 

The Qur'an says:

In the name of Allah, the beneficent, the merciful.  Praise be to the Lord of the Universe who has created us and made us into tribes and nations, that we may know each other, not that we may despise each other.  If the enemy incline towards peace, do thou also incline towards peace, and trust in God, for the Lord is the one that heareth and knoweth all things.
And the servants of God, Most Gracious are those who walk on the Earth in humility, and when we address them, we say "PEACE."
Based on the Koran, 49:13, 8:61

Lifespan Experience  f or Children and Youth 
(and Fam ilies!)

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. 

Sundays in April

As a congregation we will be considering the themes of rebirth and renewal as part of the Sunday Services.  Birth and the beginning of new things can be a mysterious and wondrous time - as all of the cycles of life are.  This month we're going to explore the beginnings of the cosmos and the beginnings of the earth as told by our good friend, The Universe!  
Through the book duo, "Born with a Bang - The Universe Tells our Cosmic Story" and "From Lava to Life - The Universe Tells Our Earth Story", we will consider the wonders of our blue boat home and of the universe. 
As Unitarian Universalists, we believe in using science to tell us about how we are related to other living things in our interdependent web of life.  

Don't forget to join us before service on April 30th for our Annual May Day Ceremony - all are welcome as we remove last year's ribbons and dance the May Pole for this year (lamppost by the rear entrance to the building). Children interested in participating should join us at 9:45am.  This event is weather permitting - if it is raining we will postpone until May 7th.

Suggested readings for families/parents this month include:
  • "The Everything Seed" - by Carole Martignacco
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Child/Youth of  the Month
Our Child of the Month is Aidan Schleuder!

Make sure you take a moment to greet Aidan when you see him, and c heck 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!
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Pledge Reminder

If you haven't taken the opportunity to pledge for 2017-2018, please do so as soon as possible so we can wrap up our Pledge Drive, and finalize our budget for 2017-2018.  
If you have misplaced your pledge materials, please contact Kay Sturgeon to get a pledge form.  
 
We appreciate every gift and every giver!
Thank you!

@ UUCGT ~ Saturday, May 6
9:00 - 12:00
Yard work & window washing
Bring your own tools
Donuts provided!
Please join us as you can ~  15 minutes or an hour or more

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Lost & Found
   Check 
for your lost items ~ there are many!
(alcove shelves near the social hall)
**If you picked up a pair of sunglasses from
Lost & Foundthe owner would appreciate their return**
please return to the office ~

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EARTH DAY
Saturday, April 22
Clean Up  &  Green Up
Recycle your old technology at Staples
(some exclusions apply, call ahead)

W hat's Going On At UUCGT?

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Little Spiritual Book Club:  Thursday, April 20, 12noon, sanctuary.  Make-up date for "The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World"

Congregational Care Team:  Thursday, April 20, 1:00pm, library

Death Cafe:   Friday, April 21, 10:00-12:00, social hall 

Community Needs:  Friday, April 21, 2:00-4:00pm, library

Benefit 
Concert and Silent Auction: 
Friday, April 21, doors open 6:30
UU Vocal Ensemble is singing at 7:00pm, so come early!
Amelia Burke and Aili Simpson, Glen Chown, Jon Timm, and the Minor 6 Jazz Ensemble will play.  Funds are being raised to send 12 high school students to Washington, DC in June to lobby legislators to take action on climate change.  Thank you so much to all who donated items for the auction!

New Moon Women's Circle:  Saturday, April 22, 3:00-5:00pm, sanctuary. Contact Carolyn Kelly

Program Council:  Sunday, April 23, 9:00am, classroom

CUUPS:  Wednesday, April 26, 12:30pm, Blue Tractor,

Brewing Community: 
Thursday, April 27, 5:00pm, Brewery Terra Firma

Social Justice Action Workshop, "Inclusivity":  Saturday, April 29, 9:30-11:30am.  See April Beacon, or contact  Paula Jo Kemler

Social Justice Committee:  Sunday, April 30, 11:45am to 1:00pm, UUCGT classroom, "The Third Reconstruction" by Rev. William Barber

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Weekly Activities &  Meetings

Mindfulness Meditation:   Sunday, 5:00-7:00pm, sanctuary

LGBTQ Group:  Sunday, 5:00-6:30pm, classroom

Stretch & Strengthen:  Every Monday & Wednesday, 11:00am

Community Lunch:   Every Tuesday, 11:30am @ Friends Church, 5th & Oak.  Contact  Mary Kiner  to volunteer.

Bridge Group:  Every Tuesday, 1:00pm, social hall

Wednesday Potluck:  Wednesday, April 26, 5:30pm social, 6:00pm dinner
$5/adult & $3/10 and under

International Dances:  Every Wednesday, 7:00pm, classroom

Peacemaker Needleworkers:  Every Thursday, 1:30pm, social hall

Introductory Meditation Workshop:  Thursdays, 5:30-6:30pm, classroom. Contact Elisabeth Treefon or click here for more information.

Vocal Ensemble:  Every Thursday, 7:00-8:30pm, sanctuary.  All Welcome!

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UUCGT Website Calendar   CLICK HERE
Activities are also listed in the Order of Service & Beacon
Please contact office@uucgt.org to schedule meetings & events


June 21 - 25, 2017

UUCGT is seeking members in good standing who would like to attend the UUA General Assembly in New Orleans in June as our delegates. 
Delegates are expected to remain active members in the congregation.
Some scholarship money is available!  In addition to great workshops, worship and larger fellowship, delegates from UUCGT are asked to prepare, in conjunction with the Board of Trustees, for business meetings at which delegates represent the voice of our congregation on national issues. The packet  of materials will be available in advance.  
If you are interested, please contact Rabbi Chava at (231) 947-3117; and visit  http://www.uua.org/ga  for more information.

F Y I

FLASH articles are due by noon on Wednes days - p lease  send via email to office@uucgt.org

BEACON articles are due by the 25th of each month to 

Thank you!
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  UUCGT Financial Summary  as of March 31, 2017 - click  here

  Tuesday Community Lunch:  Every week for the past 25 years, UUCGT has provided a free lunch for anyone in the community who would like to come to Friends Church located at Fifth and Oak Streets in Traverse City.  For more information, call Mary Kiner at 231-935-3050, or email

  Holocaust Remembrance Day:  Sunday, April 23, 7:00pm, memorial service at Central United Methodist Church.  Light refreshments.

 P eople's Climate March:   Saturday, April  29, 12 noon-3:00pm   
"To change everything, we need everyone" -  The Social Justice and Green Sanctuary Committees encourage you to participate in the March on Saturday, April 29.  March begins at the Open Space on Grandview Parkway, continues downtown and reconvenes at the Open Space.  The interconnected web of all life is at stake, here.  Let's march!  Contact Paula Jo Kemler or  Mary Van Valin

UU Men's Group:  Monday, May 1, 5:30pm, Minerva's.  Discussion of "Babbitt" by Sinclair Lewis with Mark Gustafson.  If time allows, further discussion on public/private education.

  UU Book Club:  Sunday, May 21, 2:00pm, " My Brilliant Friend" by Elena Ferrante.  Join us!

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Local Community Needs

End Note....

"Come, come, whoever you are.
Wanderer, worshiper, lover of leaving.
It doesn't matter.
Ours is not a caravan of despair.
Come, even if you have broken your vows a thousand times. Come, yet again, come, come."


 

FLASH articles are due by noon on Wednesday each week


  

UUCGT Office hours:   Mon day - Thursday, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm


(231) 947-3117       office@uucgt.org         www.uucgt.org