UUCGT Flash

 October 22, 2015 

   Vol. 9, Issue 400 

 
In This Issue
Reflection
Sunday Contemplative Reflection
Sunday Service
Sunday for Children and Youth
AUTUMN AFFAIR CANCELED
Coffee Updates
What's Going on at UUCGT?
CUUPS Pagan Fair
Search for Director of Music
FYI
Photo finish
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:  The Power of Speech and Listening

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue."  - Proverbs 18:21 
  
Beloveds, this Sunday we explore listening as an act of love.  Often, when we are hearing others, we are, in fact, preparing our response rather than being fully present.  This is particularly true when what we are listening to feels painful, difficult or provocative.  During this political season, this feels particularly true!

Join us this Sunday at 9:00 AM for a contemplative listening service and at 10:30 AM for our morning service of beautiful music and a teaching on listening as act of love.  As our friends at StoryCorps write, "We do this to remind one another of our shared humanity, to strengthen and build the connections between people, to teach the value of listening, and to weave into the fabric of our culture the understanding that everyone's story matters." 

In blessing-
Rabbi Chava

Sunday Contemplative Reflection
October 25, 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 25, 10:30am - "Listening is an Act of Love" - Rabbi Chava
Since 2003, when StoryCorps was launched, about 15,000 conversations have been recorded as part of the project.  "What StoryCorps is really about," founder Dave Isay says, "is families taking the time to kind of turn off the computer screens, turn off their BlackBerrys and look each other in the eyes and tell them that they love them by listening."  Join Rabbi Chava for an amazing service about listening as an act of love.
 
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.

Our 9:00 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 
we will explore our 2nd Principle:  "Justice, equity and compassion in human relations".

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.
            
 
 
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!  Look for our donation box in the Social Hall!  Get involved!  http://soulpancake.com/socktober/.  Our children have made some wonderful posters to advertise their sock drive!  CLICK HERE to see them!  Copies will also be in your Orders of Service for the 10:30 am service this week!  PLEASE DONATE NEW SOCKS!  The children have set a goal for 350 pairs!!!

 

AUTUMN AFFAIR HAS BEEN CANCELED

 

We regret to inform you that the Autumn Affair has been canceled for this year.  Your ticket money will be refunded in a manner to be announced soon.  Some people have already decided to leave their ticket money as "seed" for next year's event.  Folks who have so kindly donated auction items may pick them up on Sundays after service.

 

John and Pinkie Hoffmann will carry on with donated dinner events, and you can read more about that in the November Beacon.

 

 
 Coffee Updates...
 
Monthly Coffee Orders from Higher Grounds Trading Company
 
The price of coffee has gone up - so, we are making changes, too!
  
   1 - Coffee is now sold in 12 ounce bags, no longer in 16-ounce/1 pound bags.
  
   2 - Higher Grounds charges extra to grind coffee.  Coffee is 25 cents more per bag for ground coffee.
  
   3 - Our coffee is 10% or more under grocery store prices.  We will be adding a charge of 30 cents to each bag which will benefit Social Justice Action issues.
  
   4 - Please look at the order sheet in the Causeway on the coffee bookcase shelf, fill out an order sheet and include your check.  Remember that orders must be in by the last Sunday of the month.  Coffee will be delivered to the Causeway by the first Sunday of the month.
  
Please be sure to submit your order by October 25th.  If questions, please email Emmy Lou Cholak.

Sunday Coffee Hour at 10:30am
 
Coffee and tea will continue to be served for our social hour after the 10:30 am service.  However, at this time beverages will not be offered for the 9:00am program.  The Sunday Services Committee thanks the congregation for its understanding in this matter.
 
If you would like to help the Hospitality Committee with preparing coffee, set-up and/or clean-up on Sunday morning, Committee Chair, Penny Ort, would welcome your help!  She's anxious for new members to join her in providing our convivial coffee time after the 10:30 service.  Please contact Penny at 932-9766.

What's Going On At UUCGT? 
 
Peacemakers Needleworkers:  Thursday, October 22, 1:30-3:30pm, social hall.  Join us for needlework and conversation.
 
Vocal Ensemble:  Today, Thursday, October 22, 7:00-8:30pm. 
PLEASE NOTE practice location changed to Bortz Health Care (now Villa Healthcare), 2828 Concord Street.  Join us there!
 
BREW Crew:  Friday, October 23, 10:00-11:45am (please note time shift) at BREW, downtown TC.  Join us for coffee & conversation! 
Can't make this one?  Next BREW Crew is Friday, November 13.

LGBTQ Support Group:  Saturday, October 24, 1:00-2:30pm, classroom. For persons with questions about their sexuality.  Contact Nick Erber or Rachel Snyder.
       
UUCGT Facilitator Training on Sunday, October 25th has been postponed and will be rescheduled to a later date.

Mindfulness Meditation Group:  Sunday, October 25, 5:00-7:00pm (please note Winter hours).  Silent meditation / beginners welcome.  For more information contact Fleda Brown or their website.

Stretch & Strengthen Exercise:  Monday, October 26, 11:00-12noon, social hall.  Contact Judith Briggs, 228-4655.
 
Open Gay AA Meetings:  Monday, October 26, 7:00-8:00pm, small classroom.  Contact John Young, 590-8229.
 
Tuesday Community Lunch:  October 27, 11:30am-1:30pm.  Friends Church on the corner of Fifth & Oak.  Contact Mary Kiner.
 
Duplicate Bridge:  Tuesday, October 27, 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.
 
Christmas Eve at the State - Planning Meeting:  Tuesday, October 27, 5:30pm, social hall.  Beverages and snacks provided (wine & cheese & more!).  Please RSVP to Sarah or the office if you would like to be part of planning this holiday event!
 
Wednesday Meditation:  October 28, 10:00-10:30am, sanctuary, Rabbi Chava.

Stretch & Strengthen Exercise:  Wednesday, October 28, 11:00-12noon, social hall.  Contact Judith Briggs, 228-4655.

Membership Committee:  Wednesday, October 28, 4:00pm, classroom.  Contact Chris Walter.
 
Wednesday Night Supper!  October 28, 5:30pm is social time, with dinner at 6:00pm.  Supper is just $5 for adults / $3 for children 10 and under.  Beverage options available for a small donation.  See you there!
 
Wednesday Night Colloquium:  October 28, 7:00-8:00pm, sanctuary.  
Nancy Doughty will speak on "Weaving with Natural Materials" - join us for conversation with an artist.

International Folk Dance:  Wednesday, October 28, 7:00-8:00pm, classroom, Richard Fidler.
Peacemakers Needleworkers:  Thursday, October 29, 1:30-3:30pm, social hall.  Join us for needlework and conversation.

Brewing Community:  Thursday, October 29, 5:00pm-7:00pm.  Gather at the Hofbrau in Interlochen - Northern Michigan's LARGEST tap room! 
 
Vocal Ensemble:  Thursday, October 29, 7:00-8:30pm, sanctuary.
 
UUCGT CUUPS PAGAN FAIR!  Saturday, October 31, 10:00am-3:30pm.  
Come on out in support of UUCGT CUUPS and education, connection, revitalization!
   

  

UUCGT CUUPS PAGAN FAIR!

 

     

  

    Starting the Search...
    Acting Director of Music
The Personnel Committee, consisting of Karl Love, Chair, Marco Cabrera, Leslie Cook, Sheri Novak* and Rabbi Chava Bahle*, is starting the process of locating an Acting Director of Music for our Congregation.  In order to be as forthcoming as possible, we would like to identify the process we intend to use to accomplish our goal.

This description is written and intended to be sequential steps, starting in our October 13th Personnel Committee Meeting.

As musical knowledge is essential to this position, we will invite 2 members of our Vocal Ensemble (V.E.) to participate in the interviews and hiring process.

After we have received signed confidentiality agreements from these two members, we will work together to review the job description, and job postings.

If we decide to make any changes to the Job Description for the Director of Music position, we will make a recommendation for approval of the Board.
We will post this advertisement on UUCGT.org, Craigslist, Facebook, and The Ticker.

The Personnel Committee along with the 2 members of the V.E. will review resumes of candidates.

When we have narrowed down the number of candidates based on their resumes, we will send a request for an application to be filled out by these individuals.

Upon receipt of their application, we will work to schedule the first interview.
The first interview with these candidates will be with our 2 V.E. members, and the chair (or representative) of the Personnel Committee. This interview will be to see if they have the skills we would really hope for in this position.
For those candidates that make it past the first round of interviews, we will hold a second interview to meet with the chair (or representative) of the Personnel Committee, the Senior Spiritual Leader and the Business Administrator with the hopes of locating the person that will be the best fit with the current staff.

Finally, we will come to a decision, and make an offer.

If you are interested in helping, please look for the posting as it comes up, and share it with anyone you find could be a good candidate!

Thank you,
The Personnel Committee
 
(* indicating an ex officio, non-voting member of the committee)
FYI                              
 PHOTO DIRECTORY PICTURES for MEMBERS & FRIENDS:  This Sunday and Monday (October 25, 5:00 - 7:30 & October 26, 4:00 - 8:30) at Saint Joseph's Catholic Church, 6 miles north of UUCGT on Center Road, there are a number of opportunities to be photographed for inclusion in our Directory.  You MUST call Lifetouch's Center For Excellence at 1-866-756-0281 to set up an appointment ASAP.  We are trying very hard to have all our members and friends photographed so PLEASE, PLEASE SIGN up.  If this is impossible, Jane Watts or Rick Walter will take your picture at church this Sunday.  The cost for this or your submitted photo is $10.00, and you'll receive a directory.  If Lifetouch takes your snapshot, you will receive a FREE 8 x 10 photo and directory.  Call Jane Watts at 941-7233 with any questions.

 "Help Wanted"-  Stewardship Committee is seeking new Stew Crew members - Lots of Fun!.  Contact Judy Myers if you are interested in serving on this committee! 

"Help Wanted" -  Memorial Reception Committee is looking for VOLUNTEERS.  We need to revise and expand our volunteer lists and are looking for people who can help with set-up, food prep, baking, serving and clean-up.  This is a loving service for our congregation, and a chance for fellowship in the kitchen.  Email or call Sandra McDonald 935-3759, or Lauren Keinath 943-7919.

 Benzie UU Book Discussion Group:  Tuesday, October 27, 4:00-5:00pm, "Between the World and Me," by Ts-Nehisi Coates.  Darcy Library of Beulah, RSVP Cheryl Bartz or sign up at the library.
 Benzie UU Friends:  Wednesday, November 4, 6:30pm potluck, 7:30pm service, Contemplative
Reflection:  "Under One Roof:  When Fellow Seekers Differ", Rabbi Chava.
Our congregation, like many UU congregations, boasts a range of theological beliefs:  atheist, agnostic, ignostic, theist, deist, pantheist and panentheist, and others!  We live under one roof, and we do not always agree.  How do we build a strong congregational community when a single set of beliefs does not define us?
 
 Free Workshop:  New member, Sherry Davis, is offering UU members free attendance to the "Food for Life - Cancer Prevention & Survival Nutrition & Cooking Workshop" on Saturday, October 31, 9:00am-3:00pm at the First Congregational Church.  See more information HERE, or contact Sherry at 231-709-2309.
 
Committee on Ministry:  The purpose of the Committee on Ministry is to support the spiritual health and well being of the entire Congregation...to strengthen the quality of these ministries and to provide conflict management."  (from the Manual on Board, Staff and Committees)
One of the methods the COM will use to operationalize this "purpose" will be 20 minute sessions held after services four times a year.  In each of these sessions, small group discussions will be facilitated by COM members utilizing the constructs of Appreciative Inquiry.
The next, and incidentally first, session is November 1 following the 10:30am multigenerational service (one service only this date).  Contact Anne Hughes.

UU Men's Group:  Monday, November 2, 5:30pm at Minerva's.  Continued discussion on management of carbon dioxide levels.  Pick up your copies in the office.
 
"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 - supporting Food Rescue for over 40 food pantries in Northwest Michigan.  Info at www.goodwillnmi.org/emptybowls.
 
UU Book Club:  Sunday, November 8, 2:00pm.  Contact Karen Mars and check for details in November's Beacon!

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.  Contact Mary Kiner.

 
       Photo finish...
 

 

 


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