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:
Is Church Relevant Anymore?
"American religion is changing. The story of decline is by now familiar. Each year, 3,500 churches close their doors. Over 70% of non-Orthodox Jews marry outside the faith. Corporate mindfulness programs divorce meditation from Buddhist tradition. With more than a third of Millennials categorizing themselves as "none-of-the-above," a broad generational difference underpins fears about decreasing religiosity." -- Fetzer Institute
When at General Assembly, I had the privilege of attending a workshop with two young Harvard Divinity students who are mapping what is really happening with GenXers, Millennials and those who identify as "nones" (none of the above religiously or spiritual). Their report can be read in its entirety here:
http://fetzer.org under "Something More".
Here are some take aways: Millennials, just like us older folk are looking for six things:
1) Community - Valuing and fostering deep relationships that center on service to others
2) Personal transformation - Making a conscious and dedicated effort to
develop one's own body, mind, and spirit
3) Social transformation - Pursuing justice and beauty in the world
through the creation of networks for good
4) Purpose finding - Clarifying, articulating, and acting on one's personal mission in life
5) Creativity - Allowing time and space to activate the imagination and engage in play
6) Accountability - Holding oneself and others responsible for working toward defined goals
Believe it or not, every one of these themes is part of this Sunday's creative Film Festival service!
There is more to the study, but I urge our members and friends to reflect on these ideas as you consider our new congregational year. I also invite you to pass along an invitation to Brew (on Front Street) next Friday, August 5, at 6:00 PM when Sarah Montgomery-Richards, DLE, and I are inviting Millennials into conversation about these topics and how UUCGT can support them.
Let us learn from the people who are studying what is real and not stay stuck because "that's how we've always done it." Let's look at the data and reach out to the community and REACH IN to our inner needs from UUCGT.
In blessing -
Rabbi Chava
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Sunday Service
Sunday, July 28
10:30 a.m. Service: "As You Wish..." - Rabbi Chava
Inigo Montoya, Prince Humperdinck, Wesley/the Man in Black, Princess Buttercup and ... the Impressive Clergyman - these characters make up the lovable band of loonies who populate the beloved film, "The Princess Bride". Join us for our second annual end of TC Film Festival "Movie as Metaphor Service." This year, we'll celebrate UU values of true love, cleverness and the importance of hope.
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This Sunday for Children and Youth
10:30 a.m.
SPECIALTY CLASS SUMMER FORMAT
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 REMAIN IN THE SERVICE
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...
In July we continue our annual Specialty Class Summer! Throughout the summer the children will take part in a delightful array of activities. This month features an Independence Day celebration (complete with ice cream sundaes), Pete the Cat and His Magic Sunglasses, Super Hero Sunday, Movie Magic Sunday and more!
This Month for Youth... This month, and for the remainder of the summer, our youth will join the adults in the sanctuary for the duration of the service. Please contact Sarah in advance to make arrangements if this is problematic for your family. This provides youth with the much needed opportunity to learn to be in community with the adults of the congregation, and to learn more about UU Sunday services.
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This Sunday is a Multigenerational Service - children of all ages are invited to remain in the sanctuary for the duration of the service. Those who can mindfully participate with little adult supervision are invited to sit in the front. REMEMBER - we are STILL in need of people to play roles in our Princess Bride storytelling this week - please contact
Sarah or
Chava
if interested. Practice will be at 9:15am before service on Sunday. Please see additional information below.
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FRIDAY NIGHT OUT: August 12, 5:30-9:00 pm
Registration deadline is
August 9. Contact
Sarah to register.
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| What's Going On At UUCGT?
Link to the UUCGT WEBSITE CALENDAR
Weekly activities are listed in the Order of Service & the Beacon
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UUCGT Board meets the 3rd MONDAY of the month. August meeting is Monday, August 15 @ 5:30 p.m.
All are welcome!
Wednesday Summer Potluck -
August 3: 5:30 pm
at the home of Connie Armstrong & Chuck Grabiel, 1851 Caspian Lane, Chrystal Ridge Condominiums near Hammond & Four Mile. Please BYOB and place settings. Join us for a lovely summer meal shared with UU friends! Contact
Connie
with questions and/or directions.
August 10 & August 24 remain open for hosting a Summer Potluck. Please contact Sarah if you would like to host UU members & friends for a casual summer supper.
"Americanah" by Chimananda Ngozi Adichi
Book Club meets on Sunday, August 14, 2:00pm. Bonnie Mathias, host.
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F Y I
Sunday Service, July 31
We are featuring the story of "The Princess Bride" as our annual movie-themed, all-congregational service on July 31st. We are looking for folks of all ages to play roles in the service. There are non-speaking parts, and we are in need of narrators as well. Please contact
Sarah or
Rabbi Chava
ASAP if you are interested - lots of roles are still open! Rehearsal will be before service on July 31st.
Please Note:
D
ue to scheduled vacation time, FLASH deadline for August 4 issue is Monday, August 1.
Office hours will be shortened on August 4, 8 & 9 (10:00 am - 2:00 pm)
If you are interested and available to cover phones on one of those days, please contact Susan in the office.
Coffee Orders are due Sunday, July 31
Bolivian medium dark has replaced Mexican Maya Vinic. Your p
urchase supports UU Social Justice Action efforts.
Traverse City Film Festival!
So just what do we mean when we say, "That movie was good!"?
What is it we're looking for when we head to the movie house?
What do our films say about us?
Pick up some tickets to any or all of the TCFF films below and join us at our service on August 7 to talk movies. Let's explore how UU principles are woven into many of the films and celebrate the fact that female directors are finally finding a seat at the table.
--- Sand Storm
--- Suffragette
--- Kings of Kallstadt
--- Death by Design
--- The Last Reel
UUCGT to host SAFE HARBOR
Our very own UUCGT will be hosting Safe Harbor in our building from Saturday evening, November 26 until Saturday morning, December 3.
Safe Harbor is a seasonal shelter
that provides overnight housing and meals, in area churches, to people experiencing homelessness.
Watch for more details starting in September and sign up to volunteer in late October. Anyone interested in serving on a planning task force for this effort, please contact Mike or Sandra McDonald at (231) 935-3759.
We Are Listening.....
For more information on the Healthy Reconciliations Task Force, please see the article in the July 2016 issue of The Beacon.
If you would like to be a part of this healing process, please contact your choice of the listeners listed below to establish a meeting(s) so that YOUR voice may be heard:
Your voice is important.
Please don't let your ideas and feelings go unrecognized.
Facilities Housecleaning: Do you love birds & would like an extra bird feeder? Several bird feeders are available for free! Contact Dave Halsted, 223-7277.
The Local Community Needs Committee met to distribute money donated at Sunday Services for those in need. Sherri Fenton, of the Traverse Health Clinic, spoke to us. Previously, they were known as the Free Clinic and while they still provide services to those without insurance, they can now also bill insurance companies. The Traverse Health Clinic serves the poor and working poor and provides services to children in addition to adults and older adults. There is also a full time mental health professional on site. The clinic is moving into a larger space in the fall. We made a $1000 donation to their Immunization Fund.
Other agencies we made donations to include: Grace Episcopal Food Pantry - $500; Fresh Food Rescue - $500; Backpacks for Kids (Sunrise Rotary) - $350; Blessings in a Backpack (Father Fred) - $350; and the Laundry Project - $350. As always, thank you for your generosity and please feel free to send us a donation request form (see below).
Liz Bruning, Chair
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Photo finish...
The Milky Way in summer...
(photo from The Headlands International Dark Sky Park, Emmet County, MI)
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phone: l(231) 947-3117 website: www.uucgt.org email: office@uucgt.org Office hours: Monday by appointment Tuesday - Thursday, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm FLASH articles are due by noon on Wednesday each week
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