UUCGT Flash

                                                                                                                               December 23, 2015 

                                                                                                                                            Vol. 9, Issue 409 
In This Issue
Reflection
Sunday Service
Children and Youth
Christmas Eve at the State
Memorial Service for Arline Howe
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

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Reflection:  A House of Many Traditions
"Christmas is the spirit of giving without a thought of getting.
It is happiness because we see joy in people.
It is forgetting self and finding time for others. 
It is discarding the meaningless and stressing the true values." 
                    - Thomas S. Monson
 
Friends this house, the UUCGT, is home to many traditions represented in our six sources.  This week, with people all over the world, our hearts turn to the story of Christmas.  Please join us for an extraordinary program on Christmas Eve at the State Theatre - beautiful, heartwarming music, stories from many traditions to celebrate, and an unforgettable "Silent Night" will bless us, each and every one. 
 
Tickets are now available at the State Theatre box office - we recommend getting them in advance, but there may be some available at the door on Thursday evening.
 
I look forward to seeing you there -
 
Blessings,
Rabbi Chava

Sunday Service 
December 27
10:30 a.m.  "Music and Meditation" (one service only)
A morning of peaceful music, meditation and contemplation as we pause together in blessed community.  Peace and quiet, calm and beauty.  This is what many of us long for during the holidays.  Please join us.
 
This Sunday for Children and Youth
10:30:  Child Care available for infants - 5th grade
     
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Friday Night Out:  Friday, January 8, 5:30-9:00pm.  RSVP Sarah by January 4.
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.
                     

 

  CHRISTMAS EVE AT THE STATE!
   Thursday, December 24, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. 
 
Tickets for seating are required and are FREE and available at the State Theatre or Bijou box offices. 

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

Memorial Service for Arline Howe

Friends, join us in honoring the life of our beloved Arline Howe. 
On Sunday, January 3, there will be gathering time at 1:30 PM, followed by the 2:30 PM service.  Lauren Keinath is coordinating the reception following the service and requests that those wishing to help please contact her at laurentc@charter.net.
 
What's Going On At UUCGT?
 
Holiday Blessings from the UUCGT Staff
 
Please note the office will be closed
Friday, December 25
Thursday, December 31
Friday, January 1
 
Also, please send your FLASH articles to the office by Monday, December, 28th.  Thank you!

Mindfulness Meditation Group:  Sunday, December 27, 5:00-7:00pm(winter hours).  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 resume on January 4th.  Happy Holidays!  Contact Judith Briggs, 228-4655
 
Open Gay AA Meetings:  Monday, December 28, 7:00-8:00pm, small classroom.  Contact John Young, 590-8229
 
Tuesday Community Lunch:  December 29, 11:30am-1:30pm.  Friends Church on the corner of Fifth & Oak.  Contact Mary Kiner
 
Duplicate Bridge:  Tuesday, December 29, 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 Meditation on December 30  We will reconvene in January.  Blessings until then.  
 
Please Note:  There will be no Wednesday Supper on December 30
Happy Holidays!  See you in January for our potluck on 1/6/16!

FYI 

Higher Grounds Coffee Orders are due by Sunday, December 27!

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.  January discussion topic:  Slate staff writer, Jamelle Bouie, discusses challenges in integrating America's neighborhoods.  Copies available in the office.
       
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!
           

 

  End Note....

 

 


 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