UUCGT Flash 
August 25, 2016
Vol. 10, Issue 444
 
In This Issue
Reflection
Sunday Service
Children and Youth
What's Going on at UUCGT?
FYI
End Note
Congregational Vision
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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...

Dear friends,

When we speak - and listen - in life affirming ways with each other, we become an unstoppable force for good (what Gandhi called satyagraha). 

Last Sunday about 115 of us were privileged to bear witness to a public conversation about our congregation's theological diversity and the growing edges of our hospitality.  Several of you asked for more information and resources.  I had the honor of witnessing the process in use at the General Assembly.  Here is the link to more information: 

Also, Chris Innes, a member of the Committee on Ministry, offered us a beautiful text from the Dalai Lama as a daily morning reflection.

A Precious Human Life

"Every day, think as you wake up,
Today, I am fortunate to have woken up, I am alive.  
I have a precious human life.  I am not going to waste it.

I am going to use all my energies to develop myself to expand my heart out to others, to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings.

I am going to have kind thoughts toward others.  
I am not going to get angry or think badly about others.

I am going to benefit others as much as I can."

Thank you, especially to Joan Sheard, Sandra McDonald, Christie McGue and Chris Innes for your willingness to openly and publicly share your stories.  I, too, look forward to more of this kind of sharing as we go forward as a community.  

Watch your Beacon for details on our October 16 service, when we will once again hear stories from our members.

Thanks one and all,  

Rabbi Chava 

Sunday Service 
Sunday, August 28
10:30 a.m. Service:  "Collective Kindness"  -   UUCGT Members
UUCGT has always reached out in kindness to our wider community.  Green Sanctuary, Safe Harbor, Quilts for Habitat For Humanity, Community Lunch and our financial donations are some of our collective acts of kindness.  How do these actions of kindness nourish the essence of who we are?
 
This Sunday for Children and Youth
10:30 a.m.
We are excited to have Rabbi Chava in the classroom with us this week for a surprise lesson!  We hope to see you for this special opportunity!

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.

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ATTENTION PARENTS

Registration for 2016/2017 programming for Children and Youth begins NOW.  Please click HERE to download the forms.  Completed forms need to be returned to Sarah BY SEPTEMBER 11TH.  Forms can be mailed, scanned and emailed, faxed, sent by carrier pigeon, whatever!  Please just turn them in.  

REMINDER - even if you completed forms last year, you need to complete new forms.  New registration is required at the start of each programming year - this includes those children who use the Nursery.  Thank you.

 
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VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED

Lifespan Experience Committee is beginning our search for volunteers for the 2016-2017 program year!  Without volunteers, programming for all ages will not be possible.  

PLEASE consider volunteering even once or twice/month in our various programs - especially in our classrooms on Sunday mornings!  Our classrooms span from preschool-12th grade, and there are lots of options for you to choose from.  Please contact Sarah as soon as possible to get involved - we currently have less than half of the volunteers needed to staff our existing Sunday morning programs for children and youth. This does not factor in anything new that we would like to offer.  

What's Going On At UUCGT?
   
Link to UUCGT WEBSITE CALENDAR 

Weekly activities are listed in the Order of Service & Beacon

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Vocal Ensemble Potluck - Thursday, August 25, 5:30pm
Hosts Mary Kiner and Cal Boulter.  BYOB and a dish to share.  Spouses and significant others are welcome!  If you have an easily portable chair, that would be helpful also.  Questions?  Call Mary at 231-935-3050. 

Wednesday Supper & Brewing Community @ The Workshop 
August 31, 5:00pm social, 6:00pm dinner 
Join us for a summer social supper out  with UU friends  at The Workshop! Contact  John Hoffmann  w ith questions.

UU Book Club:  Sunday September 11, 2:00pm.  Book title:  Dalva by Jim Harrison.  Host:   Barbara McClellan

F Y I

  Higher Grounds Coffee Orders are due this Sunday, August 28th!
Your purchase supports UUCGT Social Justice Action!

  Listening sessions will wrap up at the end of August  
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 time so that your voice may be heard.   Your voice is important!

Joan Sheard:      joansheard@aol.com
Jane Watts:        jswatts10@gmail.com
Linda Fletcher:   linlfletch@gmail.com

Morning Meditation - Please note September schedule change
Morning Meditation moves to  Thursdays at 9:00am.   Please join us for a time of inner quiet and attunement.

 UU Men's Group:  Monday, September 12, 5:30pm @ Minerva's
Pick up a copy of the New Yorker article about Tony Schwartz, ghostwriter for "The Art of the Deal" by Donald Trump.  Fascinating read!

Mark your calendars, dust off your walking shoes!  
2016 CROP HUNGER WALK is Sunday, October 9 at the Civic Center! 
T his community-based project raises awareness and monies to help combat hunger both locally and globally.  This year Sarah Montgomery-Richards and John Hoffmann are coordinating efforts to promote our Congregation's participation in the WALK.  UUCGT has not been involved since 2009, so it's time to engage once again with this community service project.  We will need walkers and donors.  Watch for details to follow. Keep this date reserved.  Thank you!

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Local Community Needs

End note...


The best and most beautiful things in the world
cannot be seen or even touched - 
they must be felt with the heart.

-  Helen Keller

 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

  

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