UUCGT Flash 

March 10, 2016

Vol. 10, Issue 420
In This Issue
Reflection
Sunday Service
Children and Youth
Community News from Rabbi Chava
What's Going on at UUCGT?
Children's Art Reception
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:  Creatively Imagine

"Imagination is everything.  It is the preview of life's coming attractions."
  - Albert Einstein
 
Beloveds, what are the coming attractions of UUCGT for you?

Our stewardship experience is off to a great a start.  Thanks to everyone who has made a pledge, a promise, for the 2016 - 2017 year.  What can you imagine?  To what do you look forward?  What can you see for us?
These are the underlying questions of stewardship - what do you creatively imagine and how can we move our resources of time, talent and money in that direction together?  
 
Creativity takes many forms:  art, volunteerism, chili cooking, painting, singing, caring ... 
 
One way we nurture our creativity is by gathering with others to share ideas, problem-solve and find new ways of seeing.  The MidAmerica Region of the UUA is holding its Regional Assembly April 29 - May 1 in St. Paul, MN.  I am delighted to look forward to the energy, new ideas and connections I will find there, including the ministers' meeting for two days prior.  If any of you would like to consider attending, please take a look at https://www.midamericauua.org/events/regional-assembly.
 
The WHO in Unitarian Universalism:  WHO we want to be as faith communities in the coming years.  Who will we Unitarian Universalists need to be, to be relevant?  How will we get there?  Who will be joining us on this journey? 
 
And finally this on creativity - we join together in celebrating and honoring the publication of member Heather Shumaker's new book. "It's OK to Go Up the Slide."  There will be a book launch at Horizon Books, Traverse City this Sunday, March 13, at 2:00 PM! 
  
Questions are the beginning.  Join us on the journey, friends. 

In blessing - 
Rabbi Chava 
Sunday Service 
March 13
  9:00 a.m.  Adult Learning:  "The Seven Sources of UUism," Part 2

10:30 a.m.  "UU Lent?  Creativity?"  Rabbi Chava Bahle
What makes people creative?  What gives some of us the ability to create work that captivates the eyes, minds and hearts of others?  Jonah Lehrer, a writer specializing in neuroscience, addresses that question in his new book, "Imagine:  How Creativity Works."  Lehrer defines creativity broadly, considering everything from the invention of masking tape to breakthroughs in mathematics; from memorable ad campaigns to Shakespearean tragedies.  He finds that the conditions that favor creativity - our brains, our times, our buildings, our cities - are equally broad (npr.org). 
 
How can we be more creative and imaginative as a congregation?  How can we nurture creativity?  Let's use the tradition of Lent as an example.
 
This Sunday for Children and Youth
March 13
  9:00 a.m.  Childcare is available for preK-5th grade during Adult Learning Opportunities
 
10:30 a.m.  Programming & Education for Children and Youth
Children (preK-5th grade) and Youth (6th-12th grade, 12-18yrs) are invited to join their families in the service through the Story Wisdom.  Following Story Wisdom, Children (preK-5th grade) will follow their teachers to the large classroom space.  Youth (6th-12th grade, 12-18yrs) will join their teacher in the Office.  Parents of Children (preK-5th grade) should make their way to the classroom/program wing of the building to sign their child(ren) out of programming following the service.
  
This Month for Children...While the adults in the congregation explore "Big Community" and the theme of "Imagine," children will continue to work on art for the Children's Art Exhibit which will be featured in the Sanctuary beginning Wednesday, March 16th.  Other stories and learning this month will revolve around the books:  "Imagine" by Bart Vivian, "And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street," by Dr. Seuss, and "The Legend of Mackinac Island," by Kathy-Jo Wargin. 

This Month for Youth...This month our youth will continue to explore justice as they consider Community.  This will include helping our younger children with the Children's Art Exhibit.
 
Friday Night Out is full on Friday, March 11th.
 
 
Community News from Rabbi Chava
  
The Exploratory Committee of the Polestar LGBT Center of Traverse City is seeking input on the viability and long-term sustainability of a proposed LGBT Center in Traverse City, Michigan and serving the 5 county area. Your input is greatly desired.  Please take a moment to complete this survey:  http://www.tcpolestar.org/#!survey/s9kl2
 
Maya James of the NMC Black Student Union invited us to "like" the group on Facebook.  The link is here:  www.facebook.com/notmeus/?fref=ts
 
What's Going On At UUCGT?
 
FLASH CALENDAR is linked to the UUCGT website where you can connect to the website calendar page and find information and details about upcoming programs and meetings.  UUCGT Calendar may be viewed HERE. 
 
Weekly activities are also listed in Sunday's Order of Service and the monthly calendar in the Beacon. 
 
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 Many THANKS! to everyone who made the Chili Cook Off such a success!  We are already looking forward to next year!
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"IMAGINE!"
Our 2016 / 2017 Stewardship Campaign Continues!
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Brewing Community:  TODAY, March 10, 5:00-7:00pm @ The Workshop

UUCGT Book Club:  Sunday, March 13, 2:00 p.m.  "The Invention of Wings" by Sue Monk Kidd.  If questions, contact Emmy Lou Cholak.
April 10th title is:  "The Man," by Irving Stone.
 
UUCGT Board Meeting:  MONDAY, March 14, 5:30 p.m., classroom. 
All are welcome!
 
Special Event!  Children's Art Reception
Wednesday, March 16, 5:30 p.m. before Wednesday Potluck!

Wednesday Night Potluck:  Wednesday, March 16, 5:30pm social time, dinner at 6:00pm.  Delicious meals, shared fellowship!  Please join us!
 
Upcoming Colloquiums

March 23 - Karin Killian - Fair Trade Farmers in Latin America                   (rescheduled from 2/10)
April 13 - Rick and Christine Walter, Tanzania
April 27 - Paul Ward, "The Art of Medicine" - revisiting January service

"Little Spiritual Book" Brown Bag Lunch & Learn, 12 noon - 1:00 p.m.  
Join Rabbi Chava for this monthly brown bag "lunch and learn" program. Pack yourself a lunch and come with an open heart.  
     Tuesday, March 15:  Rami Shapiro, "Ecclesiastes: Annotated & Explained" (SkyLight Illuminations).  Please get Rami Shapiro's SkyLight version of Ecclesiastes - any edition of this version is fine.
     Tuesday, April 19:  Robert Lawrence Smith, "A Quaker Book of Wisdom: Life Lessons in Simplicity, Service and Common Sense" (Quill Press)
     Tuesday, May 17:  Brother Benet Tvedten, "How to be a Monastic and Not Leave Your Day Job: An Invitation to Oblate Life"  (Paraclete Press)

 

Children's Art Reception

Wednesday, March 16 at 5:30 p.m.

 


  

F Y I
     
 UUCGT Financial Summary as of 2/29/2016:  Please click here.
 
Social Justice Book Discussion Group meets Thursday, March 10, at 6:00 pm, downstairs at Horizon Books.  Discussion of "Between the World and Me," "The New Jim Crow" and "Just Mercy" books.  If questions, please contact Emmy Lou Cholak.
 
Safe Harbor Volunteers Still Needed:  UUCGT will be volunteering for Safe Harbor at The Presbyterian Church on three evenings:  Sunday, March 27; Tuesday, March 29; and Thursday, March 31.  A few positions are still open.  Sign ups for these opportunities will continue this Sunday, March 13 in the social hall both before and after the 10:30 am service.  
For more information contact Mike or Sandra McDonald or call 935-3759.
 
UU author, Heather Shumaker's new book, "It's OK to Go Up the Slide" covers her respectful yet contrarian take on everything from homework to talking to strangers, and is a sequel to her renegade parenting book, "It's OK Not to Share" (based on a UU preschool in Ohio).  Celebrate book launch on Sunday, March 13, 2:00 pm at Horizon Books.
 
Food for Life Nutrition Education & Cooking Workshops, designed by Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM.org):  offered by Sherry Davis, Certified FFL Instructor.  Please see link to website HERE.
 
 Local Community Needs:  Please find a Local Community Needs request form HERE.
 

 
Photo finish...
...signs of Spring!


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