UUCGT Flash

 November 12, 2015 

   Vol. 9, Issue 403 

 
In This Issue
Reflection
Sunday Service
Children and Youth
What's Going on at UUCGT?
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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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:  The Spirit of This Congregation

Love is the spirit of this church,
and service its law.
This is our great covenant:
To dwell together in peace,
To seek the truth in love,
And to help one another.

- James Vila Blake (1842-1925), Unitarian minister
  
Friends, this Sunday, as we celebrate our year of exploring the principles and sources of Unitarian Universalism, at 9:00 AM we will continue our 3 part class on the brief history of UU (you can attend even if you missed part 1), and then worship together at 10:30 AM, with a focus on the role religious history plays in shaping who we are as a community.  

Above all, it is important for us to consistently return to what it means to be a covenantal community:  what are the core ideas that have shaped us, and how do we return, again and again, to the basic ground upon which this UUCGT was built:  love, service, peace and helping each other.  
Please join us. 
In blessing-
Rabbi Chava

Sunday Service 
November 15
  9:00 a.m. - "Introduction to  UU History, Part II" - Rabbi Chava
10:30 a.m. - "Is Religious History a Trap?" - Rabbi Chava Bahle
As a religiously progressive community, we take pride in innovation and the ability to change with the times.  Do we see history as a trap?  Or, are there gifts we might claim by living in relationship to the religious histories of our six sources?

Please Note:  In November, we host our first 9:00am learning opportunities for adults:  "A Brief History of Unitarian Universalism":  Part II, November 15 and Part III, November 29 (classes meet in the social hall).  Contemplative Meditation will return in December.    
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
 
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) 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.
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Friday Night Out! is full this month
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New Winter Service Project for Lifespan Education!
 
As was mentioned in the Beacon this month, this year our winter service project will take a new turn as we look for ways to make a difference, while finding opportunities to teach our children about the spirit of giving.  Family lives have become increasingly busy in recent years, and as a result, the Women's Resource Center Toy program has fallen on the shoulders of a handful of adults.  Given this, the Lifespan Experience Committee began exploring the hiatus of the WRC Toy project last year.  At this time, we will be giving this project a break, and perhaps we will revisit it again in the future.  We began communication with the WRC regarding this last year, and recently confirmed that the center does in fact have a great many other donations of toys to draw upon at this time. 
 
This winter we will be focusing our attentions on the creation of a "Heifer Tree" - with proceeds to support the work of Heifer International (http://www.heifer.org/).  Please watch your Flash for greater details.  We will also launch this winter service project at the Twin Lakes Thanksgiving.

What's Going On At UUCGT? 
 
Peacemakers Needleworkers:  Today, November 12, 1:30-3:30pm, social hall.  Join us for needlework and conversation.

Christmas Eve @ the State Planning Meeting - tonight!
Christmas Eve at the State planning continues this evening at the UU from 6:00 to 6:45 PM.  All are welcome to take part in shaping this terrific community event. 
 
Vocal Ensemble:  Today, Thursday, November 12, 7:00-8:30pm, sanctuary.

BREW Crew:  Friday, November 13, 10:00-12noon!  Join Rabbi Chava and a host of friends tomorrow at Brew on Front Street for coffee and conversation.  (Please note that R. Chava will need to duck out for a call from 11:00 to 11:15 AM.)  This is simply awesome hang out time! 

Friday Night Out is full this month. 
 
LGBTQ Support Group is currently on hiatus.  We are grateful to Rachel Snyder and Nick Erber for their work with this group.  Those looking for additional resources may contact the UU office. 

Mindfulness Meditation Group:  Sunday, November 15, 5:00-7:00pm.  Silent meditation / beginners welcome.  For more information contact Fleda Brown or their website.

Stretch & Strengthen Exercise:  Monday, November 16, 11:00-12noon, social hall.  Contact Judith Briggs, 228-4655.
 
Open Gay AA Meetings:  Monday, November 16, 7:00-8:00pm, small classroom.  Contact John Young, 590-8229.
 
Tuesday Community Lunch:  November 17, 11:30am-1:30pm.  Friends Church on the corner of Fifth & Oak.  Contact Mary Kiner.
 
Duplicate Bridge:  Tuesday, November 17, 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:  November 18, 10:00-10:30am, sanctuary, Rabbi Chava.

Stretch & Strengthen Exercise:  Wednesday, November 18, 11:00-12noon, social hall.  Contact Judith Briggs, 228-4655.

Membership Committee:  Wednesday, November 18, 4:00pm, classroom.  Chris Walter.

Wednesday Night Potluck!  November 18, 5:30pm social time, dinner at 6:00pm.  All are welcome in sharing an evening of fellowship.  Sandra McDonald.
 
Wednesday Colloquium:  November 18, 7:00-8:00pm, sanctuary.  Program presented jointly by the Leadership Development and Policy Committees:  Strengthening UUCGT Through Our Committees - looking at the May, 2015 policy on Committee structure.  It is highly recommended that all committee chairs attend or send a representative.  The invitation is also open to any new members who are interested in someday serving on a committee here.  Mary Grover will be a lively and informative speaker, plus there will be time for questions afterwards.  The Policy Committee would not have added this new policy unless they strongly felt there was a need for it.  Mary will explain why.

International Folk Dance:  Wednesday, November 18, 7:00-8:00pm, classroom, Richard Fidler.
Peacemakers Needleworkers:  Thursday, November 19, 1:30-3:30pm, social hall.  Join us for needlework and conversation.
 
Death Cafe:  Thursday, November 19, 2:30-4:30pm. social hall.  Donna Stein-Harris.
 
Brewing Community:  Thursday, November 19, 5:00-7:00pm at Rare Bird.  (Please note date change due to Thanksgiving holiday.)
 
Vocal Ensemble:  Thursday, November 19, 7:00-8:30pm, sanctuary.
 
FYI 

Program Council:  Due to a low number of RSVPs, the Program Council meeting scheduled for Saturday, November 14, is postponed to Sunday December 13 following the 10:30 AM service.  All committee chairs or your representatives are encouraged to attend this important conversation about programming for the 2016 calendar year.  Please RSVP to the office. 

Appreciative Inquiry:  On Sunday 11-1-15 after the service about 40 members and friends of the UUCGT met in 5 small groups led by members of the Committee on Ministry and others who had also taken Appreciative Inquiry training together in September.  We discussed questions about "What elements of our congregation do we want to emphasize as we build community in a new Tradition?"
In true UUCGT fashion, we had many diverse comments and discussions. We want to thank all of you who participated and shared your thoughts, ideas and suggestions.  We also thank you all for listening openly to each other.  We will compile all of your thoughts and get them back to the congregation in the near future. 
Our initial plan was to hold this type of discussion quarterly, but several suggested we need more of this focused open discussion more regularly. We will also be considering this.
Thanks for your support in helping this congregation move forward in a positive fashion.
Regards,
The Committee on Ministry
 
Donated Dinners:  John and Pinkie Hoffmann are coordinating a Donated Dinners mini-FUNdraiser!  This is a great event and is a simple process:  Congregants may volunteer to host a dinner, others purchase the dinners, show up at the scheduled date and time, and enjoy amazing food and company!                               
 
More hosts are needed!  If interested, contact John & Pinkie, 275-3602, or talk to them at Church.   Let them know what type of dinner you will serve (Thai, Vegetarian, French, etc.), the date (as specific as possible), price per person (prices usually average about $25-$35), and number of guests you can accommodate.  Donated Dinners will be available for purchase at our UUCGT Thanksgiving Dinner at Twin Lakes Gilbert Lodge on November 22. 
         
ORYANA and SCRIP cards will be ordered this Sunday.  These are gift cards for which we get full value, AND we get percentages back from each purchase for Norma's Fund.  Norma is a 13 year old Guatemalan student in a small, agricultural village.  Because of our sponsorship, Norma and her family receive free health care, and the children in the family get school supplies and other support educationally.  
       This is the time of year to consider gift cards for holiday gifts!  Most franchised catalogs and stores have scrip cards available.  If you have questions, contact Mary Van Valin.  Thank you!
 
November is Homelessness Awareness Month:  Sorellini's, McGee's & Harrington's will donate a portion of dinner proceeds to Northern Michigan Supportive Housing (NMSH).  Click here for details and for additional community events.
         
BCUU Service:  Wednesday, November 18, 6:30pm Potluck, 7:30pm Program.  "Things We Have Learned from our Parents," or, "What heritage did they leave me?" or, "How did they gift me?  What you "have learned" may be a skill, a value, or an idea of relationship and connection.  Please think about this ahead of time so that you come prepared.  Michigan Shores Retirement Facility, Frankfort.

 Annual Thanksgiving Potluck Feast - Sunday, November 22 @ Twin Lakes Camp - following a shorter 10:30 a.m. Sunday Service at UUCGT!
Cost is $5/adult, $3/child or $15/family, and sign up will be available on Sundays.  Bring your own place setting and beverage.  We will provide coffee and cider.  Bring your favorite Thanksgiving dish to share (enough to serve 8 for every 2 adult appetites in your group).  Volunteers are needed to roast turkeys and help with set up and clean up.  Sign up on Sundays, or call or email Mary Kiner - 935-3050 or marykiner@charter.net.
 
 ALL MUSIC SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6th is fast approaching!  So, it is time to consider being a part of a wonderful morning.  We are asking that musicians who would like to take part prepare a 3-5 minute piece for the program.  The deadline to register is November 22nd, as time is needed for planning the service.  Anyone interested should contact Judy Weaver or call 947-0947.
 
Two Friends, Two Cellos - Crispin Campbell & Eugene Friesen:  Saturday, December 5, 8:00pm @ UUCGT.  The combination of Friesen's haunting, nature-inspired compositions and Campbell's blues and tango influenced playing create what has been called a "...thundering evening of cello music."
Tickets:  $20 advance/$25 door / Oryana & Brilliant Books.  View poster in the causeway.
         

 

 

 
End Note...
I awoke and saw that life was service.
I acted and behold, service was joy.
          

 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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