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...
Beloveds,
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for our shared
experience
last Sunday morning. It felt like a time of coming
into our power and shared
consciousness. I look forward to
working together to hold a vision of
"a nobler world than we have
known today," as the hymn goes.
So many of you asked for my sources from last Sunday's teaching -
thank you! You can find the texts of Swami Vivekananda's speeches at the
And further, here is a link to the story about the two men who only saw mud at their
feet, coupled with information on Appreciative Inquiry, a method that we have brought forward to the congregation over the last two years:
Friends, when we learn stories like these we are made better. This Sunday
we have an opportunity to engage with another amazing story - the story of
the Buddha's enlightenment on Bodhi Day. We will consider the question:
what does enlightenment mean in a UU context?
Joy!
Rabbi Chava
Save the date ~ Christmas Eve at the State!
Join us for our 3rd Annual Christmas Eve celebration of community and diversity at the State Theatre. Music, stories and inspiration for creating beloved community across our boundaries. This one hour service welcomes people of all ages!
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Sunday Service
Sunday, December 4 - Rabbi Chava Bahle
No 9:00 AM Program (Program Council meets)
10:30 AM Service: "Radiating Boundless Love"
This week (December 8) marks an important day in the Buddhist tradition: Bodhi Day, the day the historical Buddha Siddhartha Gautama achieved enlightenment. Let's gather in peace and radiance for a time of sanity, quiet and reflection on the many lessons UUs can learn from Buddhism and on what "UU Enlightenment" might look like.
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Lifespan Experience
f
or Children and Youth (and Families!)
Sunday Service: 10:30 a.m.
Sunday programming for Children and Youth throughout the 2016 - 2017 program year will complement the Sunday Services in our efforts to move closer to congregational thematic ministry. This thematic calendar will explore the Six Source traditions, and consider wisdom from around the world.
In our Sunday classes for children we will be focusing on the various holiday traditions that mark the season - this is a fun time of year that the children always seem to enjoy. Our youth will likewise take a look at traditions that mark the season.
Suggested reading for families/parents this month:
"
One World, Many Religions: The Ways We Worship"
by Mary Pope
Osborne
Important notes about holiday services in December and January
So that our staff might be able to celebrate with their families, and so that children and youth are offered the opportunity to share the joy of the season with their parents,
there will be no programming for children and youth or nursery on Sunday, 12/25 and Sunday, 1/1
.
Please contact
CHILD / YOUTH OF THE MONTH!
Our Child of the Month is Max Matchett
!
Make sure you take a moment to greet Max when you see him, and check out the poster featuring him in the social hall all of this month!
Each month we will give special attention to a child or youth from our UUCGT community! A picture of them will be featured in the social hall, along with a little bit about them. Interested in more information and how to participate? Click
HERE
or contact
Sarah
.
Friday Night Out for December 9th is full
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Let's Get Ready for the All-Music Holiday Service
on December 11th!
Children who want to participate should arrive at 9:30am to rehearse!
This special service will offer children an opportunity to play an active role along with the adults of the congregation!
There are some great selections for the children this year!
For
Deck the Hal
ls, the children will sing the first verse alone, and the congregation and VE will join in the remaining verses. For
Twelve Days of Christmas, children will hold up cards with the various gifts and declare what they are, while the VE sings the chorus. In order help prepare your children, here are some fun YouTube links featuring The Muppets singing these songs with lyrics on the
screen:
Children will also have the opportunity to ring hand bells as part of a special carol, arranged by our very own Director of Music, John Bailey!
Please contact
Sarah
with any questions.
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2nd Annual Heifer Tree!
We are excited to announce that we will once again be organizing a Heifer Tree during the month of December. This year, our children have set a very lofty goal! - $1,500 to donate a "Joy to the World" basket. The Joy to the World gift includes two sheep, four goats, one heifer and two llamas. Your donation will also fund training for the animals' feeding and care.
HOW Our "Heifer Tree" WORKS
- Each Sunday starting 12/4, there will be a tree in the UUCGT Lobby with paper animals on it. These animals each have a dollar amount.
- Select your animal(s) and write a check to UUCGT with "Heifer" in the memo. Put the animal(s) and your check in the Business Administrator's mailbox in the office. After 12/25 we will send all the money collected to Heifer, in the hopes of donating a "Joy to the World Basket".
- Feel free to select a holiday donation card from the table by the tree. Use these cards to send to your friends and family if you would like to turn your donation into a sustainable gift.
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UUCGT Director of Lifespan Experience
Sarah Montgomery-Richards...
will be taking time off from her work at UUCGT to bring something awesome into this world! The congregation will be notified when Sarah officially begins her time out of the office. After that date, all concerns related to Lifespan Experience should be routed to Marco Cabrera at
dedybear@gmail.com
or to his cell, 231-715-8757.
Marco, as part of the Lifespan Experience Committee, will be working with the committee to coordinate LE programming
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W
hat's Going On At UUCGT?
Click
HERE for UUCGT Website Calendar
Activities are also listed in the Order of Service & Beacon
Please contact the office to schedule Committee meetings & events
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Mindfulness Meditation:
Sunday, December 4, 2:30-6:30pm (1st Sunday)
UUCGT hosts Safe Harbor through December 3
Many regularly scheduled programs are cancelled during this time.
Please check with your Committee Chair, or call ahead to confirm.
Sanctuary Meditation: Thursdays at 9:00 AM
December 8, 15, 22 & 29 - Come, sit in presence and peace...
Death Cafe Workshop: Friday, December 2, 10:00am-noon.
"The Golden Conversation: Changing the Way We Think and Talk About the End of Life" - w
orkshop presented by Golden Intentions. Contact Donna Stein-Harris
Facilities Committee:
F
riday, December 2, 10:00am-11:00am, classroom
Program Council: Sunday, December 4, 9:00am-10:00am, classroom
UU Men's Group:
Monday, December 5, 5:30pm @ Minerva's
Hal Gurian will speak on gerrymandering. Handouts available in the office.
Wednesday Supper: Potluck on Wednesday, December 7, 5:30/social & 6:00/dinner
Brew Crew: Friday, December 9, 10:00-11:30 -
New location! Meet at Horizon Books, Lower Level for java and free-range conversation!
Green Sanctuary: Monday, December 12 @ 7:00 PM.
Green Sanctuary,
Citizen's Climate Lobby & TC350 co-host the film,
"Years of Living Dangerously". Free event. Contact Mary Van Valin for more information.
The Winter Solstice Celebration
Tuesday, December 20 ~ 6:00 pm
All who are interested in celebrating Yule and Winter Solstice are welcome to attend this family-friendly evening of joy and merriment!
The celebration will be followed by a potluck. Bring yourself, your loved ones and your little ones! Childcare will be provided for children who are too young to participate.
If you can stay for the potluck reception, please bring YOUR OWN PLACE SETTING, AND a dish to pass. Wine will be provided for $2/glass. Please bring another beverage if you wish.
Are you interested in reading in the service this year? We are also seeking a Kitchen Assistant for the potluck - Please contact
Sarah ASAP.
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A Note of Thanks...
Gene Rundell passed away at French Manor on November 8th. Many thanks everyone who sent sympathy cards, coordinated the Memorial Service, gave donations in his memory and arranged for the reception. A special thank you to Chava who spent time with the Rundell family before the se
rvice and then did such a beautiful Memorial Service on November 14th.
Sincerely,
Marge Rundell
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F Y I
All Music Service "Impromptu Orchestra" rehearsals:
12/8 - 6:00 PM
12/11 - 9:15 AM
John will be at each rehearsal 20 minutes before the scheduled start to set up. Help would be appreciated.
Anyone who plans to participate should email John Bailey at
peracola@gmail.com
, or call the office and leave your name and instrument. All are welcome!
Call to Poets & Poetry Lovers!
Our December 18 Sunday Service will feature poetry written by and/or read by members of the congregation. All kinds of poems are welcome - from the deeply reflective to the limerick.
This service will also include a component on the Winter Solstice, so Solstice poems are welcome.
To be a part of this congregation-led service, contact Margaret Wozniak or call 882-0435.
The deadline for submission is Saturday, December 10th
.
SAVE THE DATE!
Wednesday, December 14 @ 5:30 PM
~~ SPECIAL HOLIDAY POTLUCK!! ~~
Bring your favorite/special holiday potluck dish! We'll share stories about our dishes, celebrating traditions and memories as a community.
DONATED DINNERS FUNDRAISER!
Sign-up sheets are available after services in the hallway. This is a great way to enjoy the company of fellow UUs and support our congregation!
Wintry Weather ~
A Note of Caution re: UU driveway!
When reaching the summit of the entrance drive - PLEASE MOVE FORWARD - directly into the parking area. Pausing at the top of the drive creates a hazard to other vehicles especially in icy, winter conditions.
Please Drive Carefully!
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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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