Congregational Vision
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
If you are not receiving our monthly newsletter, the
Beacon, and would like to, please contact the
office
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Reflection: Beloved Community
Dear ones,
As you know, I am writing to you from Texas. I have spent my week here teaching a group of primarily Methodist ministers, and it has been a great joy. We are covering a lot of ground from sacred text to theology. It has made for some very long days, but truly beautiful work.
What has also been quite moving is the level of sharing and reflection that goes on in a retreat setting. It is always a joy to teach in such a place. I am eager to bring home some of the things that I have learned and share them with you. Much of what I have seen is that sharing our most important stories can truly transform a community from a group of acquaintances to beloveds. Let's find some ways to share our stories in the weeks ahead.
With blessings from chilly Texas!
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Sunday Service
February 7
9:00 a.m. Contemplative Reflection
10:30 a.m. "Slavery is Not Over" - Rabbi Chava Bahle
As we begin a month of exploring social justice topics, we will examine the topic of human trafficking, locally, nationally and internationally. It is our hope to be joined by TC-CAST, a local organization working to help people in the Traverse City area who have been victims.
12:00-1:15 p.m. Prospective Member Orientation Session. Meet with Membership Committee members and learn about UUCGT membership opportunities.
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This Sunday for Children and Youth
February 7
9:00 am: Childcare is available for pre-K-5th grade during Contemplative Reflection
10:30 am: 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 our Second UU Principle - Justice, Equity, and Compassion in Human Relations, we will be exploring the theme through story in our classrooms. This month will include Lily's Purple Plastic Purse, Old Turtle, and The Grateful Bull - from "Buddha at Bedtime." The last Sunday of the month will be Super Activity Sunday - we will make this a regular monthly occurrence, providing children with the learning-center opportunity that was available (and very popular!) earlier this fall.
This Month for Youth
...This month our youth will continue to explore justice. They will continue to learn about homelessness through activities and discussion.
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Friday Night Out is FULL. We will see all of those who have already registered on February 12 from 5:30-9:00pm.
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What's Going On At UUCGT?
FLASH CALENDAR: The UUCGT weekly FLASH calendar is linked to the UUCGT website calendar, and may be viewed HERE. This link will connect you to the website calendar page where you will find information and details about upcoming programs and meetings.
Weekly activity schedules are also in Sunday's Order of Service, and monthly calendars are included in the Beacon. Upcoming
meeting dates and events are listed below:
Thinking About Membership at UUCGT? Join us this Sunday,
February 7, 12noon-1:15 pm for a
Prospective Member Orientation Session to learn about steps to Membership and answer any questions about all that is available at this very active, very caring congregation. Contact
Cathy Annelin, 941-1497.
Wednesday Night Supper: Wednesday, February 10
Belated Mardi Gras Party! Join us for our Mardi Gras-themed Wednesday Supper (a day late...!). Social time at 5:30pm, Dinner served at 6:00pm. $5/adult, $3/child 10 and under.
Colloquium: Wednesday, February 10, 7:00pm: Karin Killian presents, "The Faces of Fair Trade." Have you ever wondered what "Fair Trade" really means? Karin will talk about her experience working with farmers and artisans in South America and explain how, exactly, choosing fairly traded products changes lives. Karen and her husband, Matt, worked with coffee farmers and artisan groups in Peru as Peace Corps volunteer and have continued to do work in that field.
Future Colloquiums:
February 24 - Mark Hoffmann & Dan Mauk, "Introduction to Backpacking for Beginners"
March 9 - Pete Kirkwood of Workshop Brewing, "How My Beer Will
Change the World - Creating Community"
Brewing Community: Thursday, February 11 & February 25, 5:00-7:00pm at Rare Bird
Brew Crew: Have-a-Java-with-Rabbi Chava and Friends!
Friday, February 12, 10:00-12noon at BREW in downtown TC.
Upcoming Brew Crew date: Tuesday, February 23
UU Book Club: Sunday, February 14, 2:00-4:00pm. February title is "Everything I Never Told You," by Celeste Ng. Host:
Mark Gustafson
"Little Spiritual Book" Brown Bag Lunch & Learn:
Join Rabbi Chava for this monthly brown bag "lunch and learn" program. Pack yourself a lunch and come with an open heart.
Tuesday, February 16, 12-1:00pm: Eknath Easwaran's, "
Your Life is Your Message: Finding Harmony with Yourself, Others and the Earth" (Nilgiri Press). See the February
Beacon for more information.
Committee on Ministry Small Group Discussion: Sunday, February 21 following the 10:30 service. We hope to see many of you here. More details to follow.
Leadership Development Committee Experiential Workshop
Save the Date: Saturday, March 5, 10:00am-2:00pm.
"What's Discernment Got To Do With It?" See February Beacon for more information, or contact
Tom Darnton.
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Green Sanctuary
The last rally to support the people of Flint went so well another one was decided upon:
Northern Michigan Rally to Support Flint
Saturday, February 6
12:30 PM downtown across from Horizon bookstore
We will march to the Grandview Parkway
Bring signs to support the people of Flint
Clean Water is a Human Right (United Nations)
The congregation is looking at other more concrete ways to aid the people of Flint, and we'll let you know what is proposed.
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2016 UUCGT Directory: Reminder to Members & Friends
Please email any changes to address, email or phone to
office@uucgt.org. We are finishing our data collection in the next couple of weeks.
UU Library -
On Our Shelves: Check out these books from our UU Library to commemorate Black History Month
"All Labor Has Dignity: the King Legacy," demonstrating Martin Luther King, Jr. as a tireless champion of the working class.
"Creating Black Americans: African American History and Its Meanings, 1619 to the Present," an art book which interweaves straight-forward narrative with vivid portraits of black artists to record how an unloved people created a vibrant but still endangered Black America.
"Bound for the Promised Land," revealing Harriet Tubman as one of the giants of American history.
Rabbi Chava at NMC Extended Education:
"Meeting Jesus in His Jewish Context" - Explore the Jewish context of Jesus and how this can help deepen your understanding of the ministry of Jesus. By looking at Jewish approaches to God, sacred text, and cosmology, you will discover how Jesus taught and why his message was both timely and timeless.
Tuesdays, February 16 - March 1, 3-5pm at the University Center. Call
(231) 995-1700 for more information and to register.
Local Community Needs: Please find a Local Community Needs request form here.
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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
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