UUCGT Flash 

April 7, 2016

Vol. 10, Issue 424
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

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Reflection: 
The Invisible Contract - A Surprisingly Simple Way to Create a Happy Congregation Experience 
  
Friends - 
               
When you look around UUCGT, what do you see that you like?  What do you appreciate, enjoy and receive?

When you look around UUCGT and see things you do not like, things that dissatisfy you, how do you respond?  How do you approach the things that do not meet your needs?

This month in our Sunday services, children's LE and here in the Flash, we explore the 4th source of Unitarian Universalism:  "Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves."  Leaving aside the theological implications for the moment, we focus on loving our neighbors - each other - day by day.

One of the ways we love our congregational "neighbors" is by assuming the best of each other, or as our covenant reads, "assume good intentions." This is the simplest formula for a happy congregational experience:  assume the best.  When someone does something you don't like or that rubs you the wrong the way, experiment this month with a pause before reacting, and fill in the space with the most generous assumption you can. Then, open a dialogue.
  
This is what it means to live our 4th source here at UUCGT. 

In blessing - 
Rabbi Chava 
 
April 10, Sunday Service (one service only)
10:30 a.m.  "Who Wrote the Book of Love?"  -  UUCGT Members
Love can mean so many different things for each of us.  Does the meaning of "love" change over time as we live, learn, share, grow and age?  We have all had different experiences in love whether amorous or brotherly and sisterly.  Several members of the congregation will reflect on their experience and understanding of love and friendship.

This Sunday for Children and Youth
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.  Following the service, 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.
  
This Month for Children... April brings with it the theme of Traditions & Celebration of our Judeo-Christian Heritage, as it relates to our UU principles and sources.  Lessons will include a basic understanding of the figure of Jesus as a teacher of love, peace, and justice.  Additionally, we will have a children's Passover Seder this month.  The last Sunday of the month will feature our Activity Centers.

This Month for Youth...This month our youth will continue to explore justice as they consider Leadership.
                 
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Friday Night Out:  April 8th is FULL!

What's Going On At UUCGT?
 
FLASH CALENDAR is linked to the UUCGT WEBSITE (www.uucgt.org) where you can click on the Calendar tab 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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Wednesday Night Supper:  Wednesday, April 13, 5:30pm social time, dinner at 6:00pm.  $5/adult & $3/children 10 and under.  Delicious meals, shared fellowship!  Come join us! 

UPCOMING COLLOQUIUMS
  
April 27:  7:00 p.m.  Paul Ward, "The Art of Medicine"
May 11:   7:00 p.m.  Karin Killian, "Fair Trade Farmers in Latin America"
 
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! EXCITING NEW CONCERT SERIES at UUCGT !
Saturday, April 16, 7:30pm 

Stefano Barone, Italian Guitarist...has a masterful guitar technique, great  orchestration, harmony, infallible sense of rhythm and a natural ability to
improvise.  Limited tickets are available in the UUCGT office. 
See www.stefbarone.com and link to poster here.
Coming Saturday, May 21:  Robin Lee Berry & Glenn Wolff
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"Little Spiritual Book" Brown Bag Lunch & Learn, 12 - 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, 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, OSB, "How to be a Monastic and Not Leave Your Day Job: An Invitation to Oblate Life"  (Paraclete Press)
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NEW!  Parent Empowerment Series
Presented by Planned Parenthood
Mondays, 6:00-8:00 pm, April 18 - May 23 at UU.  Six week workshop series to help parents build confidence in discussing personal values about sex, reproductive anatomy and child sexual development.  
Free childcare.  Cost:  $25/person, $35/couple.  Link to flier here, or contact Sarah with questions.
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Orientation for Prospective Members:  Sunday April 24, noon-1:15pm
15 Minutes with the Rabbi:  Sunday, May 8, 10:00 a.m.
             
F Y I

 Welcome to our candidate for Music Director, John Bailey!
If you were at last Sunday's service you may have seen John.  The Staff Resources Committee recently selected John as our final candidate.  John has an extensive background with a lifetime involvement in music.

 

John has been invited to conduct the Vocal Ensemble for two services on April 17th and May 8th.  Once John completes this audition portion of his candidacy, he will be placed in consideration for the position of Music Director by the Board of Trustees.  Say hello to John if you get the chance.  If you would like to share any feedback with the Staff Resources Committee during this period, the members are:  Leslie Cook, Rabbi Chava Bahle, Sheri Novak and Karl Love with music liaisons Judy Weaver and Bob Hicks.

A more extensive article regarding the search for a Music Director and our candidate, John Bailey will be forthcoming in the next Beacon.
                                             Respectfully submitted, Karl Love
 As you may have noticed, there may be occasional delays in receiving Flash newsletters, special announcements or the Beacon, and particularly if you have Charter email account.  Apparently the delay is due to how emails are bundled from our newsletter provider, Constant Contact, and Charter.  Although we are aware of the issue and sorry for the inconvenience and lack of timeliness, at this time the companies have not provided a solution.  Stay tuned!

 Stretch & Exercise Class:  Mondays & Wednesdays, 11:00-12:00.  Class-led through April 18.  Strengthen and get ready for all of your Spring activities!

UU Book Cub:  Sunday, April 10.  "The Man," by Irving Wallace.  Contact Karen Mars at 590-2551. 
 
 Spring Cleaning Kitchen Volunteers Needed!
The Kitchen Committee is offering you the opportunity to help bring greater cleanliness and order to the UUCGT kitchen!
Choose a cupboard or two to help us clean out, toss out or recycle the old, and organize what is usable.  To sign up for a 3 - 4 hour maximum time slot in April, please contact Karen Culp at 947-9416. Thank you!

 Lost & Found:  Lost something?  Perhaps you noticed a lost item belonging to you during last Sunday's fashion show!?  It is time for some spring cleaning - thank you!
 
 Local Community Needs:  Please find a Local Community Needs request form HERE.
 

 
End Note....

on earth, and under the earth
is penetrated with connectedness,
penetrated with relatedness.
         
Hildegard of Bingen


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

  

Office hours:  Monday by appointment

Tuesday - Thursday, 9:00 - 4:00

Friday, 9:00 - 12:00 noon 

  

FLASH articles are due by noon on Wednesday of each week