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:
"The only way to get it together is together."
- Zalman Schachter Shalomi
Dear UU family,
I write to you this week from Boulder, Colorado where I am attending our annual rabbi conference. It has been a week of many great joys. One of the greatest was the opportunity to share with over 125 rabbis my excitement about serving our congregation. I presented a workshop and also did some stand up comedy. This combination was delightful for me as I was able to teach, but also able to open hearts and minds through laughter. I want you to know how delighted I am to serve our congregation, what a joy it is and how proud we should be of helping to lead the religious world in such good ways.
I look forward to coming home and sharing more with you over the coming weeks about the conference. In the meantime, please know I could not be happier to be your Rabbi and to serve our beloved community.
In blessing,
Rabbi Chava
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Sunday Service
January 17
9:00 a.m. Adult Learning Class
"Learning the Six Sources of Unitarian Universalism, Part 1"
with Rabbi Chava
10:30 a.m.
"The Reason for Civil Rights" - Rabbi Chava
On this day in history, January 15-17, 1950, over 4000 people attended the National Emergency Civil Rights Conference in Washington, DC. To put pressure on Congress, the Council issued press releases, and held rallies and meetings, where congressmen would speak in defense of civil rights legislation. Several hundred gathered at small meetings at churches, but
there were larger affairs, including a rally held at Madison Square Garden attended by 20,000. (Bonnie K. Goodman)
This Sunday we will explore and honor some of the lesser known organizations that shaped the civil rights struggle and examine the relevance of the NECRC today.
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This Sunday for Children and Youth
January 17, 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 A 9:00 a.m. PROGRAM THIS WEEK FOR ADULTS -
A LEARNING OPPORTUNITY WITH RABBI CHAVA!
10:30am: 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 classrooms/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 science and reason in the sanctuary, we will be exploring the universe through the following:
"Born With a Bang: The Universe Tells Our Cosmic Story & From Lava to Life: The Universe Tells Our Earth Story" - by: Jennifer Morgan and Dana Lynne Andersen.
This Month for Youth... This month our youth will gather to focus on connecting and getting to know one another as they prepare to revisit the "Heeding the Call - UU Justice Maker" curriculum which was started in our 9am Youth program earlier this year.
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Donate NEW Winter Gear for Children!
COLLECTION CONTINUES ONLY UNTIL THE END OF JANUARY!
Please bring in 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.
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UUCGT Board of Trustees Retreat:
The Board met Thursday afternoon, January 7, 2016. All members were present. Rabbi Chava joined us for the last hour. Also attending were Richard Miller and Loraine Anderson.
The purpose of the retreat was to get to know one another as a Board, to discuss what is before us, and to discern what broad areas of concentration our Board should focus our efforts.
Recently, the Leadership Development Committee submitted Loraine Anderson and Richard Miller as candidates to complete the Board. We therefore invited them to our retreat.
After long and spirited discussions, we agreed that our efforts need focus on three areas:
Firstly, Congregational healing and reconciliation.
Secondly, supporting the Leadership Development Committee in developing a slate of candidates for the next Board election with attention to prior experience in order to preserve "institutional memory" and safeguard the hard work and progress of the last several Boards.
Finally, we must attend to our fiduciary responsibilities to ensure the functional business of the Congregation is well administered.
Our first meeting will be Tuesday, January 19th at 5:30 PM at UUCGT.
All Committee reports and staff submissions to the agenda need to be submitted to the Board no later than the Thursday, January 14th prior to the meeting. Public submissions to the Board should also follow this deadline. Additions later than the deadline will be considered by exception. Anyone wishing to attend may of course do so.
The Board looks forward to the opportunities that lie ahead.
Respectfully,
Karl Love
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What's Going On At UUCGT?
Peacemaker Needleworkers: Today, January 14, 1:30-3:30pm, social hall
Brewing Community: Thursday, January 14, 5:00-7:00pm at The Workshop
Vocal Ensemble: Thursday, January 14, 7:00-8:30pm, sanctuary
Facilities Committee: Friday, January 15, 10:00-11:00am, social hall
Mindfulness Meditation Group: Sunday, January 17, 5:00-7:00pm
(regular Sunday hours). Silent meditation / beginners welcome. For more information contact Fleda Brown or their website
Stretch & Strengthen Exercise: Monday, January 18, 11:00am-12:00noon. Contact Judith Briggs, 228-4655
Open Gay AA Meeting:
Monday, January 18, 7:00-8:00pm, small classroom. Contact Linda Hebert, 590-3914
Tuesday Community Lunch: Tuesday, January 19, 11:30am-1:30pm, Friends Church on the corner of Fifth & Oak. Contact Mary Kiner
"Little Spiritual Book" Brown Bag Lunch & Learn: Tuesday, January 19, 12noon-1:00pm.
Join Rabbi Chava for this new monthly brown bag "lunch and learn" program. Pack yourself a lunch and come with an open heart. Title:
Pema Chodron's, "Practicing Peace in Times of War" (Shambhala Publications)
Duplicate Bridge: Tuesday, January 19, 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
UUCGT Board Meeting: Tuesday, January 19, 5:30pm, classroom. All are welcome!
Leadership Development Committee: Wednesday, January 20, 9:30-11:30am, classroom
Wednesday Morning Meditation: Wednesday, January 20, 10:00-10:30am, sanctuary
Stretch & Strengthen Exercise: Wednesday, January 20, 11:00am-12:00noon. Contact Judith Briggs, 228-4655
Membership/Stewardship: Wednesday, January 20, 11:30am, library
Wednesday Night POTLUCK: Wednesday, January 20, 5:30pm social time, 6:00pm dinner. Share and enjoy UU fellowship!
International Folk Dances: Wednesday, January 20, 7:00-8:30pm, classroom
Peacemaker Needleworkers: Thurs, January 21, 1:30-3:30pm, social hall
Vocal Ensemble: Thursday, January 21, 7:00-8:30pm, sanctuary
Brew Crew: Have-A-Java-with-Rabbi Chava: Friday, January 22, 10:00-12noon at BREW in downtown TC
Community Needs: Friday, January 22, 10:00-11:30am, library
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F.Y.I
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2016 UUCGT Directory: Members & Friends who are listed in the current Directory, please email any changes to your address, email or phone to
office@uucgt.org.
Additionally, Friends who would like to be included in the 2016 Directory, please also email your contact information to the office.
Our hope is to gather all data in the next few weeks and have a new 2016 UUCGT Directory ready to print in February! Thank you!
UU Program Council Meeting: Sunday, January 24 after 10:30 service, classroom. Please RSVP to the office if you plan to attend.
UU Book Club: Sunday, February 14, 2:00-4:00pm. February title is "Everything I Never Told You," by Celeste Ng. Host: Mark Gustafson
UUCGT Financial Statement:
The
UUCGT Financial Statement as of 12.31.15 is available here for your information and review. If questions, please contact Mike McDonald.
UUCGT Communications Task Group
:
On December 9, 2015, a Communications Task Group of nine UUCGT congregants with differing perspectives met, and has completed a meeting summary and recommendations on how to re-establish effective communication within our congregation.
Discussion was divided into four parts:
- What motivated attendees to participate?
- A review of elements of good communication.
- Discussion of how to incorporate these elements into our communications.
- The Unitarian-Universalist Congregation of Grand Traverse's Covenant.
The full report and recommendations are included
here in this issue of the Flash and o
nline at UUCGT.org (open the About Us tab and click on the link to the meeting summary and recommendations report). Copies are also available at the UUCGT office, 231-947-3117. This
report will also be an agenda item at the Interim Board's meeting on Tuesday, January 19, 5:30 pm at UU. All are welcome to attend.
Committee on Ministry Small Group Discussion: The Committee on Ministry's small group discussion scheduled for Sunday, January 31 has been moved forward to Sunday, February 21 following the 10:30 service. Please Note Date Change - We hope to see many of you there. More details to follow.
"Little Spiritual Book" Brown Bag Lunch & Learn:
Join Rabbi Chava for this new monthly brown bag "lunch and learn" program. Pack yourself a lunch and come with an open heart.
Tuesday, February 16, 12-1:00pm: Eknath Eawaran's, "
Your Life is Your Message: Finding Harmony with Yourself, Others and the Earth" (Nilgiri Press).
See the January Beacon for more information.
Thinking About Membership at UUCGT?
Well, you are in luck -
Informative options are available for you!
Sunday, January 17 & 24, 9:00 am:
Adult Learning Program, "Learning the Six Sources of Unitarian Universalism, Parts 1 & 2" with Rabbi Chava; and
Sunday, February 7, 12 noon-1:15 pm:
Prospective Member Orientation Session is scheduled for Members of the Membership Committee and others will be on hand to talk about the steps to Membership and answer questions about all that is available at this very active, very caring congregation. Even if you have been attending for some time or were members / attenders at another UU congregation, there is much we wish to share. This session is FOR YOU! Sign up at The Membership Table or call the office 947-3117. Reservations for child care are required by January 24th - please contact the office. See you there! Contact Chris and Rick Walter, Membership Committee Co-Chairs, 421-3069 or chris9709@sbcglobal.net.
Brew Crew: Have-A-Java-with-Rabbi Chava: Upcoming dates - Friday, February 12 and Tuesday, February 23, 10:00-12noon at BREW in downtown TC.
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 through March 1, 3:00PM-5:00PM at the University Center. Call (231) 995-1700 for more information and to register.
Save the Date - UUCGT Leadership Development Committee: Saturday, March 5, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Experiential workshop, "What's Discernment Got to Do With It?" Contact Tom Darnton, darnton@me.com
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.
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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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