UUCGT Flash

 October 8, 2015 

   Vol. 9, Issue 398 

 
In This Issue
Reflection
Sunday Contemplative Reflection
Sunday Service
Sunday for Children and Youth
AUTUMN AFFAIR
Green Sanctuary
What's Going on at UUCGT?
CUUPS Pagan Fair
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.
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Reflection:  Sharing Sacred Space

 
 

UU family, I do hope you will be able to join us this Sunday as, along with guest speaker, Rabbi Raachel (pronounced Raquel) Jurovics, we explore dimensions of sharing sacred space.  If you don't know all of this congregation's beautiful history with space sharing, come and learn!

 

This Sunday is also National Coming Out Day, so we will honor the fact that our sacred space, our congregation home, is a place where people can feel safe coming out and living out.

 

Several of you have asked for the Aramaic to English version of the Lord's Prayer from Neil Douglass-Klotz.  He has several versions in his books, all worth reading.  Here is the one I shared: 

 

O Breathing Life,

your Name shines everywhere!

Release a space to plant your Presence here.

Envision your "I can" now.

Embody your desire in every light and form.

Grow through us this moment's bread and wisdom.

Untie the knots of failure binding us, as we release the strands we hold of others' faults.

Help us not to forget our source, yet free us from not being in the Present.

From you arises every Vision, Power, and Song from gathering to gathering.  Amen

 

- May our future actions grow from here. 

 

Friends, may we envision, embody and grow from gathering to gathering!
 
In blessing-
Rabbi Chava

Contemplative Reflection
October 11, 9:00am - "Muddy water, let stand, becomes clear", Rabbi Chava
Join us in the sanctuary for a time of quiet contemplation with our beloved UU symbols - bell and chalice - in addition to a period of silence and a short teaching.  Begin your day in peace.

Sunday Service 
October 11, 10:30am - "What is Spirit?" - Rabbi Chava
Early in our congregation's history, the local Friends Church made space for us to meet.  Later, this gift of sharing was paid forward when the UU welcomed Ahavat Shalom into this space.  Opening our doors to each other is part of the fabric of this community.
 
Please join us for a very special Sunday with guest speaker, Rabbi Raachel Jurovics, founding rabbi of Yavneh in Raleigh, North Carolina, which shares a building with an Episcopal church.  She is a nominee as incoming President of OHALAH, Association of Rabbis for Jewish Renewal, and she received ordination as a mashpia ruchanit (spiritual director) from Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi and rabbinic smicha from the seminary.  In 2010, Raachel was invited to serve as spiritual leader at Yavneh:  A Jewish Renewal Community, while maintaining her multi-faith spiritual direction practice.
 
This Sunday for Children and Youth
9:00 a.m.
Nursery:  Intended for children who are 4 years old and younger  
UU Youngers (preschool-1st grade):  Chalice Children Curriculum
UU Mids (2nd-5th grade):  Our UU Principles & "Kid President's Guide to Being Awesome"
UU Youth (middle/high school):  Heeding the Call:  Qualities of a Justicemaker Curriculum

UU Youngers will be in the small yellow classroom; UU Mids will be in the large classroom; and UU Youth will be in the office.  These classes will offer a more focused and engaging curriculum-based offering, with an expectation around participation.
It's not too late to register!  Contact Sarah soon!
10:30 a.m.
Nursery:  intended for children who are 4 years old and younger
Children's Programming (preschool-5th grade):  Encouraging Little UUs
This is our one-room schoolhouse model for those families who choose to attend the 10:30am service, and features multiple activity stations.  Registration is likewise required for this program. 
 
We encourage youth (middle/high school) who join us to attend the 10:30am service, affording them the opportunity to build connection with adults in our community and begin to take more active roles in the service itself.

Our 9:00am UU Mids Religious Education class (children 2nd-5th grade) is exploring our UU Principles this year while gaining inspiration from Kid President and his "Kid President's Guide to Being Awesome"!  In October they will start exploring our 2nd Principle:  "Justice, equity and compassion in human relations".   
 
            
 
 
What better way than to kick off our own "Socktober" sock drive for our neighbors in need?!?  Don't know what "Socktober" is?  Learn all about it with the help of Kid President!  Watch the Social Hall for our donation box!Get involved!  http://soulpancake.com/socktober/.



2015 AUTUMN AFFAIR
 
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14 - 6:00pm- 9:00pm

       
We Are The World!

The Autumn Affair is coming!  Have you heard? 

Please buy your tickets ahead of time so we'll know how much food and drink to provide. 
 
Folks have been asking about donating dinners.  Here's an example of how that works:
Linda & Gail are offering a cross-country ski/snowshoe trek in our back woods in January.  This will be followed by wine and hot cocoa and a soup and salad meal.  We will set the date, the menu, and the price per person. The event will be offered to up to six people, first come, first served. 
By the way, Lauren Keinath is offering a Thai dinner.  She has studied Thai cooking in Thailand, so that promises to be a real gourmet treat!  More details on that soon!
 
Don't forget to contact a committee member with your donation by October 20th.  Check the website for a list of Autumn Affair offerings.  Services and meals are bestsellers.  Please think about offering a meal in your home for six or eight friends.  Everybody wins.  Contact John and Pinkie Hoffmann to get more details on donating dinners, or contact Gail Trill.
 
Thank you for your generous support!
Autumn Affair Steering Committee:  Gail Trill, Bob Hicks and Shelley Burnes, John and Pinkie Hoffmann
 

Green Sanctuary thoughts...


from Shelley Burnes

I think about the elm, the ash, the maple.  What can we do?

What's Going On At UUCGT? 
 
Peacemakers Needleworkers:  Today, Thursday, October 8, 1:30 - 3:30pm.  Join us for needlework and conversation.

UUCGT CUUPS is canceled today, October 8.

Vocal Ensemble:  Today, Thursday, October 8, 7:00-8:30pm, sanctuary
 
Friday Night Out:  Friday, October 9, 5:50-9:00pm, classroom.  2 openings left - RSVP to Sarah by 3:00pm TODAY!
 
LGBTQ Support Group:  Saturday, October 10, 1:00-2:30pm, classroom. For persons with questions about their sexuality.  Contact Nick Erber or Rachel Snyder.
 
AUTUMN AFFAIR Committee:  Sunday, October 11 after the 10:30am service, planning meeting in classroom.  All interested parties please attend.  Autumn Affair is November 14!

UUCGT Book Club:  Sunday, October 11, 2:00pm at Stan and Dottie Cain's to discuss "Shanghai Girls" by Lisa See.  Contact Karen Mars.
 
Mindfulness Meditation Group:  Sunday, October 11, 6:30-8:30pm.  Silent meditation / beginners welcome.  For more information contact Fleda Brown or their website.

No Stretch & Strengthen Exercise on Monday, October 12.

Death Café:  Monday, October 12, 2:30pm, social hall.  Contact Donna Stein-Harris.
 
Open Gay AA Meetings:  Monday, October 12, 7:00-8:00pm, small classroom.  Contact John Young, 590-8229.
 
Tuesday Community Lunch:  October 13, 11:30am-1:30pm.  Friends Church on the corner of Fifth & Oak.  Contact Mary Kiner.

Duplicate Bridge:  Tuesday, October 13, 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 Meditation:  October 14, 10:00-10:30am, sanctuary, self-led this week.

Stretch & Strengthen Exercise:  Wednesday, October 14, 11:00-12noon, social hall.  New session begins!  Join us on Monday & Wednesday and build your core strength!  Contact Judith Briggs, 228-4655.
 
Wednesday Night Supper:  October 14, 5:30 social time, 6:00pm dinner, beverage options available for a small donation.  This will be a German cuisine themed dinner!  Supper is just $5 for adults and $3 for children 10 and under.  Please join us!
 
Wednesday Night Colloquium:  October 14, 7:00-8:00pm - Michigan League of Conservation Voters.  The Michigan League of Conversation Voters is the leading non-partisan political voice for protecting Michigan's land, air and water.  Join us for an enlightening evening!

International Folk Dance:  Wednesday, October 14, 7:00-8:00pm, classroom, Richard Fidler.
Peacemakers Needleworkers:  Thursday, October 15, 1:30-3:30pm, social hall.  Join us for needlework and conversation.
 
Vocal Ensemble:  Thursday, October 15, 7:00-8:30pm, sanctuary.
 
UUCGT Fall Clean-Up - Mark Your Calendars!  Saturday, October 17, 9:00-3:00pm.  Bring leaf rakes, wheelbarrows, window washing equipment, and your Smile!  Enjoy Fun & Fellowship!
    

  

UUCGT CUUPS PAGAN FAIR!

 

 

   

 
FYI 
                                                  
UUCGT PICTURE DIRECTORY PHOTO SHOOT - OCTOBER 14 - 17
Additional scheduling added for Wednesday, October 14th between 5:00-8:30pm!  Schedule a photo appointment online by visiting www.appt.lifetouch.com.  Select state - "MI", city - "Traverse City", and church - "Unitarian Universalist Congregation", or sign up at church on Sunday, October 11, or call Jane Watts, 941-7233.  All photos will be taken in the sanctuary.
We need your help:  (1) at scheduled appt times for sign-ins; (2) to provide snacks and drink; (3) to submit or take photos of church activities to be included in Directory.  Please call Jane Watts, 941-7233 or Jan Zerbel, 590-4086 if you can help.

Please sign the Social Justice Petition in the social hall after services for putting Paid Sick Leave on the ballot in November.  Right now 1.5 million Michiganders have to work when sick in order to get the needed pay.  Salaried people get paid time off for illness.  We need to give that right to everyone.  We need to vote on that in November.  Thank you, Emmy Lou

35th Annual Traverse City Area Crop Walk:  Sunday, October 11.  Walk to raise funds for hunger programs in our area and around the world.  Contact Janet Swanson or call 223-8914 for more information.

 UUCGT Fall Clean-Up - Mark Your Calendars!  Saturday, October 17, 9:00-3:00pm. 
Bring leaf rakes, wheelbarrows, window washing equipment, and your Smile!  Enjoy Fun & Fellowship!

 Benzie UU Book Discussion Group:  October 20 & 27, 4:00-5:00pm, Darcy Library of Beulah.  "Between the World and Me," by Ts-Nehisi Coates.  RSVP Cheryl Bartz or sign up at the library.

Benzie UU:  October 21, 6:30pm potluck, 7:30pm program, Michigan Shores Retirement Facility in Frankfort.  "An Argument Favoring Replacing Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples' Day," led by Mary Lee Orr.
 
 BREW CREW:  Friday, October 23, 10:00-noon at BREW, downtown TC.  Join us for coffee & conversation!
 
UUCGT Facilitator Training:  Sunday, October 25, 12noon-1:30pm, classroom.  All committee chairs or anyone interested in leading small groups are encouraged to attend. This meeting will feature discussion of small group dynamics and best practices for leading in small group situations, safe congregation information relative to small groups, and more!  Please RSVP Sarah or call the UUCGT office at 947-3117.
 
Committee on Ministry:  Sunday, November 1 following 10:30 service, 20 minute small group discussion to support the well-being of the congregation facilitated by COM members.  Contact Anne Hughes.
 
"15 Minutes with the Rabbi":  November 8, 10:00-10:15am in Rabbi Chava's office.  Intended for interested individuals or small groups of 3-4 people for an informal chat prior to membership.
 
Empty Bowls:  Sunday, November 8, 11:00am-2:00pm at the Hagerty Center.

Mark Your Calendars!  I know this is early and you don't want to think about it yet, but mark your calendars for the all church Thanksgiving potluck on November 22.  Tickets go on sale in November.
 Mary Kiner.


End Note...

Bloom where you are planted - Mary Engelbreit




 

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


 

Office hours:  Tuesday - Thursday, 9:00 - 4:00

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