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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Winter Weather Notice
Friends, it is that time of year again! As you know we are expecting a winter storm on Thursday and Friday. Your safety and that of our staff is paramount.
If area schools are closing due to weather, please be aware that the office may also close (week days). Should this occur, a
n email announcement will be sent out and an updated message will be recorded on the
office phone.
Committee Chairs are responsible for contacting participants in case of cancellations.
In the event of inclement weather, Sunday Service may be canceled. Should this occur, we will send an email announcement, update the outgoing office phone message, notify local TV stations 7&4 and 9&10, place a notice on our website,
www.uucgt.org and on our Facebook page,
Please note, we are aware that not all our members use email, and we have a plan to reach out to them by phone.
Also a Note of Caution re: UUCGT 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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Reflection...
Annual All Music Service This Sunday!
"Music expresses that which cannot
be put into words
and that which cannot remain silent."
Friends, this Sunday UUCGT will host its annual and most beloved All Congregation, All Music Service under the guidance of our fabulous Music Director, John Bailey, and Service Coordinator, Paula Ward. As we enter the holiday season I can think of no better way to welcome holiday cheer than with this creative program. Come one and all and join in!
Also, a reminder that we will be hosting our 3rd Annual Holiday Program at the State Theatre, beginning this year at 5:30 PM (doors open at 5 PM).
And finally, please note, our scheduled Brew Crew is postponed due to the currently posted winter weather warning. Our next scheduled gathering is Friday, January 13 at 10:00 AM at a new location in the lower level of Horizon Books! I look forward to a good cup of java and your excellent company.
So many wonderful opportunities to gather in the spirit of what is good and beautiful.
In blessing -
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Sunday Service
Sunday, December 11 - Rabbi Chava Bahle
9:00 AM Program: "UU, Jewish, Buddhist Theology
Gleanings from School"
10:30 AM Service: "Annual All Music / All Congregation Service"
Join UUCGT Music Director, John Bailey, Rabbi Bahle and members of our community in this beloved annual tradition of an All Music Service.
Delight, reflect, sing along, come and enjoy your community as we head into the holidays.
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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.
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
Suggested reading for families/parents this month:
"
One World, Many Religions: The Ways We Worship"
by Mary Pope
Osborne
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
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All-Music Holiday Service
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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Christmas Eve at the State!
Join us for our 3rd Annual Christmas Eve celebration!
This one hour service welcomes people of all ages!
~ Saturday, December 24 ~
Doors open at
5:00 PM
Service begins at
5:30 PM
This is a free ticketed event
Reserve your tickets now
Call the box office at (231)947-3446 or order online
Tickets will be held at will call
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Safe Harbor Thank You
For the first time, we hosted Safe Harbor in our own UUCGT building from Saturday, November 26 through Friday, December 2. Thanks to the over 110 volunteers who gave over 600 hours of their time to help our UU Congregation provide shelter, food and fellowship to an average of 28 guests who are experiencing homelessness over the seven nights. During the week we had 40 different guests, some of whom were here all seven nights and some for only one night. Several of our guests mentioned how much they appreciated how welcoming our volunteers were, how good the food was and the comfortable atmosphere in our facility.
Volunteers prepared and served over 250 dinners during the week, provided fellowship during the evening, stayed overnight with our guests, served breakfast and cleaned up every morning. In addition, several volunteers helped with set-up on the first Saturday and clean-up on the last Saturday. Special thanks go out to five groups: Congregation Beth Shalom, the Grand Traverse Humanists, the Grand Traverse Area Pagans, the UU Men's Group and the Vocal Ensemble. Each of these groups provided the majority of the volunteers for an evening. Hopefully, this will prepare us to serve at the new Safe Harbor building downtown for a week during the next Safe Harbor season.
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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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"Impromptu Orchestra" rehearsals:
12/11 - 9:15 AM
If you want to participate, email
John Bailey
.
All are welcome!
Brew Crew is canceled for Friday:
Next Brew Crew is scheduled for Friday, January 13, 10 AM at a new location - Horizon Books, lower level.
There has been a lot going on this fall. Like many of you, I had been busy campaigning and am recovering. Hope that you are too. So in times of change, understanding and action is often called for and helps us get a grip on things. Let's meet and see what we can do, what we can join, what we want, how we can help each other?
Let Emmy Lou Cholak k
now if you can attend.
Agenda:
12:30
Welcome and introductions
12:45 Proposals for action
1:15 Sharing information about actions that are already taking place
1:45 Adjournment
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
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~ SPECIAL HOLIDAY POTLUCK ~
Wednesday, December 14 @ 5:30 PM
Bring your favorite special holiday potluck dish!
We'll share stories about food, celebrating traditions and memories!
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Sanctuary Meditation:
Thursdays at 9:00 AM
December 15, 22 & 29 - Come, sit in presence and peace...
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.
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F Y I
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!
UUCGT Book Club: Sunday, January 8, 2:00 pm. "Elizabeth Street" by Laurie Fabiano
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End Note...
"Sing to express your joy.
Sing to chase your blues away.
Sing to make the world right again. Sing a particularly eloquent song or catchy tune. Sing to someone you love.
Sing because you were given a voice, and that's what it's for.
Feel the blessed vibrations coursing through your throat, rumbling in your chest, buzzing in your ribs.
Feel the breath of life fill you up and be returned to the world."
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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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