UUCGT Flash

                                                                                                                               December 17, 2015 

                                                                                                                                            Vol. 9, Issue 408 
In This Issue
Reflection
Sunday Service
Children and Youth
UUCGT Winter Solstice
CHRISTMAS EVE AT THE STATE
What's Going on at UUCGT?
Committee on Ministry
FYI
Photo finish
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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Reflection:  Connection
 
"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one.
I hope someday you'll join us.  And the world will live as one." 
                       - John Lennon
Dear ones -
Connection takes many forms.  Join us and be part of the emerging joy of UUCGT.  This week I invite you to consider three openings of connection to your congregation for the next week:
 
1)  Our Annual Poetry Service takes place this Sunday at 10:30 following the 9:00 AM Contemplative Meditation.  We still have space for poems reflecting the season if you would like to offer one "open mic" style on Sunday.
 
2)  We are seeking three additional ushers for Christmas Eve at the State.  See the announcement from Judy Myers below.  This is a chance to be a welcoming face to the community and show the UU at is best.
 
3)  If you plan to attend Christmas Eve at the State, remember that you must have tickets (they are free).  Tickets are available here at the UU office (see note below on holiday hours for the next two weeks), and at the State and Bijou box offices.
 
Please consider joining in these community moments.  They will be beautiful, and for at least a few moments, we will live as one.

Blessings -
Rabbi Chava

Sunday Service 
December 20
  9:00 a.m.   Contemplative Meditation - This service will dedicated to our dear and long serving member, Arline Howe
10:30 a.m.  "A Winter's Morn of Poetry" 
A beloved UUCGT tradition...members of the community bring a favorite poem - original or from another author - to share.  Works celebrating winter, natural beauty and healing are particularly inviting at this time of year.
This Sunday for Children and Youth
Nursery Care available for infant - 4 years at 9:00am and 10:30am
 9:00am Programming
This is our last week for 9:00am programming at this time.  All ages will gather together to reflect on what they have learned this year.
10:30 a.m.  Children's Programming for pre-K - 5th grade

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Winter Service Project for Lifespan Education!
  
"Heifer Tree"

Please click here for the handout with more information about Heifer International (http://www.heifer.org/), as well as our project for this year. Our "Heifer Tree" is set up in the hallway of the congregation!

UPDATE!
We have raised ALL of the money to meet our goal of donating a "Knitter's Basket" share!  We are now able to donate even more than we had anticipated!  Keep those donations coming in!  Thank you!

Remember - we are accepting donations until 12/27/15!

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Donate Winter Gear for Children!
 
Please bring in your NEW winter gear for children - hats, snow pants, mittens, jackets, etc., and place them in the collection bin near the kitchen.  These items will be donated locally to both Traverse Heights Elementary School and the Goodwill Inn.
   
   
UUCGT Winter Solstice Celebration

Sunday, December 20, 6:00 PM          

 

Our UUCGT Winter Solstice Celebration will be held on Sunday, December 20, at 6:00 PM. Please see flier here.
 
All who are interested in celebrating Yule and Winter Solstice are welcome to attend this family-friendly evening of joy and merriment!  The celebration will be followed by a potluck.  Bring yourself, your loved ones and your little ones!  Childcare will be provided for children who are too young to participate.  
 
If you can stay for the reception, please bring a dish to pass and your own place settings.  Wine will be provided for $2/glass, or bring another beverage if you wish.  Questions?  Please contact Sarah.
 

 

  CHRISTMAS EVE AT THE STATE!
   Thursday, December 24, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. 
 
Tickets for seating are required this year and are FREE and available at the State Theatre  or Bijou box offices, or UUCGT office (4 per adult). 

Come and share the light, love and joy of the season
with our wider Traverse City community!

Ushers Needed 
Do you love being the "ministry of the first face," those warm and wonderful greeters who set the tone of joy and welcome?  We are seeking three additional ushers at 5:15 PM for Christmas Eve at the State Theatre. Please contact Judy Myers if you are willing to help:  231-409-7644.  
Be part of the excitement!  Early arrival gets you great seats, too!  :-) 

What's Going On At UUCGT?
 
Holiday Blessings from the UUCGT Staff! 
Please note Holiday Office Hours:
The office will be closed on the following days:
Monday, December 21
Thursday, December 24
Friday, December 25
Thursday, December 31
Friday, January 1
Also, please send any FLASH articles for the next two weeks by Monday, December 21 and Monday, December, 28.  Thank you!
 
Peacemakers Needleworkers:  Today, December 17, 1:30-3:30pm
 
Brewing Community:  Tonight, December 17, 5:00-7:00pm at the Hofbrau in Interlochen. 
  
Vocal Ensemble:  Tonight, December 17, 7:00-8:30, sanctuary

Invitation into Reconciliation and Healing:  Sunday, December 20, 12:00 noon, sanctuary.  The purpose of this ritual gathering, on the day of Solstice Eve, is the inner work of healing.  If you wish to participate, please bring a bowl (preferably of a natural material - not plastic; even better if it has some meaning or significance for you), a wash cloth and small hand towel.  Also, it will be helpful to create a space of openness in ourselves.
This ritual is open to everyone, for any reason, who wishes for reconciliation, healing and forgiveness this season.

Mindfulness Meditation Group:  Sunday, December 20, 5:00-7:00pm(classroom location).  Silent meditation / beginners welcome.  For more information contact Fleda Brown or their website
 
Please Note:  There will be no Stretch & Strengthen Exercise class until the New Year.  Classes will resume on January 4th.  Happy Holidays!  Contact Judith Briggs, 228-4655
 
Open Gay AA Meetings:  Monday, December 21, 7:00-8:00pm, small classroom.  Contact John Young, 590-8229
 
Tuesday Community Lunch:  December 22, 11:30am-1:30pm.  Friends Church on the corner of Fifth & Oak.  Contact Mary Kiner
 
Duplicate Bridge:  Tuesday, December 22, 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
 
Please Note:  There will be no Wednesday Supper on 12/23 or 12/30.
Happy Holidays!  See you in January for our potluck on 01/06/16!
 
International Folk Dances:  Wednesday, December 23, 7:00-8:00pm, classroom

Interim Board of Trustees Update
 
The Interim Board of Trustees met Monday evening, December 14, 2015. All five members were present along with Linda Wikle, from the Leadership Development Committee.  Rabbi Chava participated by phone to join our scheduling plans.
 
The purpose of the meeting was to set our meeting schedule, establish a date for a Board retreat, and to designate authorized signers to transact the business of the Congregation.
 
We established our meetings for the third Tuesday of each month.  The date was chosen to coordinate with committee meeting schedules and reporting cycles.  The meetings will be at 5:30 PM at the church and the schedule for the next six months is:
 
            January 19, 2016                              February 16, 2016
            March 15, 2016                                 April 19, 2016
            May 17, 2016                                    June 21, 2016
 
Anyone wishing to attend may, of course, do so.
 
Any Committee reports and staff submissions for the agenda should be submitted to the Board no later than the Thursday prior to Board meetings. Public submissions to the Board should also follow this deadline.  Additions later than the deadline will be considered by exception.
 
A Board retreat is scheduled for Monday, January 4 from 1:30 to 4:30 PM.
 
The Board appointed Phyllis Jessup to the position of Treasurer.  Price Watts and Karl Love will be authorized signers for congregational business matters.
 
The Board looks forward to the business at hand and ahead and is honored to be of service.  Unapproved minutes from the meeting are posted on the UUCGT website.
 
Respectfully,
Karl Love

Committee on Ministry
 
Update on Appreciative Inquiry discussions held on November 1, 2015:
On Sunday November 1, 2015 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 all discussed the question:  "What elements of our congregation do we want to emphasize as we build community in a new Tradition?"
 
The many comments and suggestions fell into 5 main categories as well as additional comments on how we can improve the AI process and operation of UUCGT.  The 5 main categories were: 
  
1.  Welcoming - New Member program
2.  Music is important Tradition
3.  Outreach - Activism
4.  We are all different and need to be supported and thought of as equal
5.  RE and Lifespan education

Some of the suggestions, such as reminding us of the UUCGT covenant in the weekly bulletin, have already been implemented.  Our future AI sessions are planned for January 31, 2016 and May 1, 2016.  We hope to see you there. 
 
- UUCGT Committee on Ministry
     
FYI 

Sunday Service, December 27:  10:30 AM - "Music and Meditation"
(one service).  Peace and quiet, calm and beauty.  This is what many of us long for during the holidays.  We hope that our single service at 10:30 AM on Sunday, December 27, will give you that gift.  

 Donated Dinners mini-FUNdraiser:  If you have signed up for a dinner, but haven't yet paid, we would like to collect the monies by the end of December.  You can send a check directly to the office (attention:  Sheri Novak), or you can pay me (John Hoffmann) with cash or check (with notation of "dinners").  I am planning to be at the Sunday Services on 12/20 and 12/27.  If you're not sure how much you owe, please email John Hoffmann here, or call him at 275-3602.  Thanks for your cooperation. 
 
UUCGT Men's Group:  Monday, January 4, 5:30pm @ Minerva's.  Great Discussions!  Questions?  Contact Dave Halsted at 409-0854.
       
UUCGT Social Justice Book Group:  The Social Justice Book Group will have its first meeting on Monday, January 11, at 6:00pm in the lower level of Horizon Books.  We will decide then where and when to meet for future discussions, and will be reading various articles and books.  Please see the November Beacon or contact Emmy Lou for further information or questions, or call 943-7999.
         
Local Community Needs:  Please find a Local Needs Community donation request form here.  Should you wish, please complete this form and send to Liz Bruning, Community Needs Chair.
         
Member Ariel Love is seeking an apartment or room in the Traverse City area.  Please call Ariel at 231-360-8549 if you have a lead to pass along to her.  With thanks!
           

 

  Photo finish....

 


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

  

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

Friday, 9:00 - 12:00 noon 

(Monday by appointment)

  

FLASH articles are due by noon on Wednesday of each week