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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A UU chalice lighting for installations reads:
We light our Chalice in honor of all those
who have served in our ministry.
May the Chalice be to us a symbol of the sharing
of faith and hope which they have brought.
May the flame remind us of the giving of their lives
and love upon the altar of service and truth.
from "Awakened from the Forest: Meditations on Ministry"
by Gary E. Smith
This Saturday and Sunday are a celebration of us - of all who have served here, those who are here with us now, and those who are yet to be part of our beloved community. Let us remember as we celebrate that our lives in UUCGT are built upon foundations laid by visionaries decades ago who saw the need for a progressive, welcoming community here in northern Michigan.
As I prepare to accept the charge of Senior Spiritual Leader, I am keenly aware of the many gifts of time, talent and treasure that have brought us to this day, and of the sacred obligation this confers upon me to be the best leader I am able to be. Will I stumble? Will I falter? Surely. I am human. But please know each day as I ready myself to walk through the doors of this house of our dreams, I walk in the footsteps of hope, love and community pioneered long ago. I am aware that years hence, someone, someones, will follow after me in this ministry, and like my predecessors, I will do my best to give my own time, talent and treasure to build this altar of service and truth.
In loving blessing and with much gratitude -
Rabbi Chava
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Sunday Service
Sunday, December 3
10:30 AM Service: "A Celebration of Our Shared Ministry - A House For Our Dreams" -
Rabbi Chava Bahle
This is the Sunday following an event honoring Rabbi Chava and UUCGT's relationship in shared ministry. Come and deepen your sense of what it means to care, share, and repair the world through our caring for ourselves and each other, sharing the journey together and reaching out to the wider world with all the love we can.
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Lifespan Experience
f
or Children,
Youth
and Fam
ilies!
Sundays in December for preK-8th grade
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Lots of happenings in December!
We have officially launched into our "Literacy" unit at Hogwarts - we began this at the end of November. In this unit we start off considering the connection between poverty and access to education, and we introduce our annual "Heifer Tree" project.
Our "Heifer Tree" will be up from 12/10-12/31. Please consider donating to Heifer International through our annual project by selecting an animal from the tree near the social hall and making a donation. More information about this will be in the Flash, and fliers will be available in the social hall near the tree. We will also make note cards available should you want to give your donation as a gift this holiday season. The children have set their Heifer Tree goal as $450 this year - to donate a "Gift of Clean Water" through Heifer (this gift will help families install treadle pumps for access to clean water) & Irrigation Pumps (this gift will provide farmers with irrigation pumps to care for their crops and livestock). There are lots of special events and Sundays in December as well!
PLEASE BE SURE TO READ YOUR FLASH CAREFULLY EACH WEEK!
Celebration of Ministry - December 2 & 3!
Please join in the special events on Saturday, 12/2 and Sunday 12/3 as part of the celebration of Rabbi Chava's ministry here at UUCGT.
Childcare and pizza will be provided during the Saturday 12/2 evening program and reception, and our regular programming for children and youngsters will be available on Sunday 12/3 during the service.
CALLING ALL CHILDREN & YOUTH!
We are looking for young people to participate in the CHILDREN'S CHOIR that will have a special part not only in our Holiday All-Music Service on December 10, but also at the Community Interfaith Service at the State Theatre on Christmas Eve, December 24 - Carols begin at 5:00 pm - Children arrive at 4:45!!
The songs this year are "Peace, Salaam, Shalom" by Emma's Revolution & "All I Really Need" by Raffi! Don't worry! There won't be a million practices! We will be practicing in class on Sunday mornings (THROUGH 12/17) - there will be ONE special rehearsal before service on 12/10 at 9:30 am. These songs are fun and familiar... you can practice singing together as a family in the car!
Here are links to YouTube Videos to help you practice at home - children need to be familiar with the choruses to these songs:
"All I Really Need" - (children only need to learn the chorus)
"Peace Salaam Shalom" (children only need to learn the melody/chorus)
We are requesting that children who are participating come dressed in black bottoms and a white collared shirt. We will have a selection of brightly colored neckties for the children to borrow for the occasions. Please let Sarah know ASAP (if you haven't already) if you are interested, and which dates we can plan on seeing your children (12/10, 12/24 at the State Theatre, or BOTH!)
Suggested readings for families/parents this month:
- This time of year can be difficult for some people for a variety of reasons - income, personal loss, anxiety, and depression just to name a few. It's also a time of year when many of us feel the desire to reclaim the ways in which we spend our time and treasure - looking for ways to live simply and meaningfully. For these reasons, and many more, I thought I'd share this little blog with you. It's from Nurtured Mama - "Five Simple Ways to Create Your Happiest Holiday Yet". While it does highlight the celebration of Christmas, I think there are some gems within the article that could apply to a variety of perspectives and celebrations - suggestions for making a list of what really matters to you when considering commitments, giving simply and thoughtfully, etc.
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Friday Night Out!
December 8, 5:30-9:00pm
Brewing Community!
THERE WILL BE NO BREWING COMMUNITY IN DECEMBER
Wednesday Supper Schedule!
- 12/6 Annual Holiday Potluck! Bring one of your favorite holiday food items to share!
- 12/13 - Regular $5/$3 (10 & under) Night
- 12/20 - Winter Solstice Celebration & Potluck!
- 12/27 - NO SUPPER
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A CELEBRATION OF MINISTRY
Members of the UUCGT Committee on Ministry
invite you to a
celebration service
of the ministry of Rabbi Chava Bahle
Saturday, December 2, 2017
5:30 PM
A wine & hors d'oeuvres reception will follow the Celebration Service
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You are also invited to attend a special Sunday Service
December 3, 2017 at 10:30 AM
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W
hat's Going On At UUCGT?
Peacemakers Needleworkers: Thursdays, 1:30pm, social hall
Policy Committee: Thursday, November 30, 5:00pm, classroom
Meditation Workshop: Thursday, November 30, 5:30pm, classroom
Vocal Ensemble: Thursdays, 7:00pm, sanctuary - All are Welcome!
InterPlay Workshop: Saturday, December 2, 10:00am-1:00pm. Open to All!
Celebration of Ministry Service for Rabbi Chava Bahle & Reception: Saturday, December 2, 5:30pm, sanctuary (see invitation above)
Safe Harbor Training: Sunday, December 3, 9:00am, classroom
Celebration of Ministry Service & Reception: Sunday, December 3, 10:30am, sanctuary (see invitation above)
Mindfulness Meditation: Sunday, December 3, 2:30-6:30pm (1st Sunday)
Stretch & Strengthen: Mondays & Wednesdays, 11:00am
UU Men's Group: Monday, December 4, 5:30pm. Handouts are available on the table in the front entryway
Community Lunch: Tuesdays - Volunteers meet at 10:30am. Every week for the past 25 years, UUCGT has provided a free lunch for anyone in the community who would like to come to Friends Church located at Fifth and Oak Streets in Traverse City. For more information, or to volunteer, call Mary Kiner at 935-3050, or email
marykiner@charter.net
Indivisible GT: Tuesdays, 12:00 noon, sanctuary
Bridge Group: Tuesdays, 1:00pm, social hall
Annual Holiday Potluck! Wednesday, December 6, 5:30/social, 6:00/supper Share favorite holiday foods -
All are Welcome!
Congregational Care Team: Thursday, December 7, 1:00pm, library
Peacemakers Needleworkers: Thursdays, 1:30pm, social hall
Vocal Ensemble: Thursdays, 7:00pm, sanctuary - All are Welcome!
Facilities Committee: Friday, December 8, 10:00am, social hall
Sunday Services Holiday Tree Trimming: Friday, December 8, 5:00pm
Friday Night Out: Friday, December 8,5:30pm, classrooms
Singing Sisters: Saturday, December 9, 10:00am, sanctuary
Celebration of Life for Gary Harris: Saturday, December 9, 2:30pm
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F Y I
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Sunday, December 10, All Music Service - Musicians Needed!
On December 10 we will have an All Music Service. In addition to the Vocal Ensemble, we will have soloists and small ensembles. Also, we are in need of wind and string players. If you have a talent and would like to share, please call the office and leave your name and what instrument you play. You can also call John Bailey at 231-944-6059, email
peracola@gmail.com
Seeking Church Accompanist
Our long-time accompanist, Margie Hunter, is retiring!
UUCGT is looking for an accompanist to play for Sunday Services and Vocal Ensemble rehearsals on Thursday evenings. If interested, please
call the UUCGT office, 231-947-3117, or email office@uucgt.org
There are still openings for Chris & Rick Walter's Fondue dinner;
Lauren & Karl Keinath's Gourmet Thai dinner; and Lauren's
3-month dinner subscription.
New addition: Chava and
Karl
Bahle will host a Tapas & Fine Wine dinner on February 24 at 6:00 PM
Donated Dinners sign-up sheets will be available after the Sunday Service in the Social Hall - l
ook for John Hoffmann.
1/2 proceeds are donated to Community Needs!
Local Community Needs
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BEACON articles are due by the 25th each month -
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End Note...
"the soft overcomes the hard;
the gentle overcomes the rigid"
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| FLASH articles are due by noon on Wednesday each week
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