UUCGT Flash

                                                                                                                  December 31, 2015

      Vol. 9, Issue 410
In This Issue
Reflection
Sunday Service
Children and Youth
What's Going on at UUCGT?
FYI
Happy New Year!
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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UUCGT Beacon

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Reflection:  Endings and Beginnings
   
"Ends are not bad things, they just mean that something else is
about to begin.  And there are many things that don't really end, anyway, they just begin again in a new way.  Ends are not bad
and many ends aren't really an ending; some things are never-ending."  
                                                                - C. JoyBell C.
 
Friends, this coming Sunday occupies an interesting and liminal space for our congregation.  At 10:30 AM we will honor the year that is ending and the new year that begins.  For the worship service, please consider preparing a 2 minute sharing on your most treasured moment of 2015 or what you look forward to in 2016.  In the afternoon (1:30 PM gathering time, 2:30 PM service), along with her family, we will honor our beloved friend, Arline Howe. 

For Arline's service, if you can offer assistance with the reception, please contact Lauren Keinath (231) 342-0617 or email laurentc@charter.net.  We would welcome your participation in making this a loving gathering for Arline's family and dear friends.

Endings and beginnings.  We invite you to take an active role on Sunday in marking these moments. 
 
Blessings,
Rabbi Chava 

Sunday Service 
January 3, 10:30 a.m. (one service only)
"Looking Back, Looking Forward:  We Begin Again in Love" - Rabbi Chava
Let's start the new year off with a look at some of the great things that have happened in the past year.  What is the best thing that happened to you and your family in 2015?  What do you look forward to this coming year?  Congregants of all ages will enjoy participating!
 
This Sunday for Children and Youth
January 3, 10:30 a.m. (one service only)   
Please remember that as of January 1, 2016 there is no 9:00 a.m. Children's Educational Option.  Childcare will be available when there is a 9:00 a.m. Contemplative Reflection or 9:00 a.m. Adult Learning opportunity.

Please consider enrolling your children in our 10:30 a.m. Children's Programming.  Contact Sarah with questions. 
THERE IS NO 9:00 a.m. PROGRAM THIS WEEK.
 
10:30am:  All Congregation Service
All ages are invited to participate in the service this week. Children are invited to sit on the small chairs at the front of the sanctuary.  Parents are encouraged to sit near their children. 

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Friday Night Out:  Friday, January 8, 5:30-9:00pm.  RSVP Sarah by January 4.
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Winter Service Project
for Lifespan Education
  
"Heifer Tree"

We are happy to report that our congregation successfully raised $565 as part of our Heifer Tree Project this year! Thanks to your gifts, we are able to donate our full Knitter's Gift Basket! (which includes a llama, an alpaca, a sheep, an Angora rabbit, as well 3 Honey Bee Shares!)
Thank you for supporting this sustainable giving option and the learning opportunity about the interdependent web of life that this provided to our community.

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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.

What's Going On At UUCGT?
 
Mindfulness Meditation Group:  Sunday, January 3, 2:30-6:30pm (1st Sunday hours).  Silent meditation / beginners welcome.  For more information contact Fleda Brown or their website
 
Stretch & Strengthen Exercise:  Monday, January 4 & Wednesday, January 6, 11:00am-12:00noon.  A great way to enter into the New Year!  Contact Judith Briggs, 228-4655 

UU Men's Group:  Monday, January 4, 5:30pm at Minerva's.  Discussion materials available in the office. 
 
Open Gay AA Meeting:  Monday, January 4, 7:00-8:00pm, small classroom.  Contact Linda Hebert, 590-3914 
 
Tuesday Community Lunch:  Tuesday, January 5, 11:30am-1:30pm, Friends Church on the corner of Fifth & Oak.  Contact Mary Kiner

CUUPS:  Our Covenant of UU Pagans Chapter has changed the day, time, and place of its monthly meeting.  The group will gather for lunch on the First Tuesday of each month at That's A Pizza on N. Long Lake Road near Munson Hospital.  Please join us on Tuesday, January 5th from 12:00-1:00pm 
 
Duplicate Bridge:  Tuesday, January 5, 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 Morning Meditation:  Wednesday, January 6, 10:00-10:30am, sanctuary, Rabbi Chava

Sunday Services Committee:  Wednesday, January 6, 1:00-3:00pm, classroom 
 
Wednesday Night Potluck:  Wednesday, January 6, 5:30pm social time, 6:00pm dinner.  Please bring a dish to share - begin your New Year in fellowship!

International Folk Dances:  Wednesday, January 6, 7:00-8:30pm, classroom

Peacemaker Needleworkers:  Thursday, January 7, 1:30-3:30pm, social hall

Vocal Ensemble:  Thursday, January 7, 7:00-8:30pm, sanctuary

Facilities Committee:  Friday, January 8, 10:00-11:00am, social hall

Friday Night Out:  Friday, January 8, 5:30-9:00pm, RSVP Sarah by January 4th
FYI 
     
UU Book Club resumes Sunday, January 10 at 2:00pm.  January's book selection is "Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk" by Ben Fountain.  Group will meet at the home of H.G. and Autumn Smith.  Please RSVP to them at 943-1207.

UUCGT Social Justice Book Group:  The Social Justice Book Group will have its first meeting on Monday, January 11, at 6:00 pm 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 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 the attached form and send to Liz Bruning, Community Needs Chair.          
            

 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