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...
Dear friends,
I write this week's Flash with a heavy heart. As you know, this week we said goodbye to Mercedes Kimling, whose warmth and loving-kindness we will miss so greatly. Many of us had recently seen her featured on the PBS show regarding growing up in the upper peninsula. She lived an amazing life.
I, for one, will always think of her playing "You've Gotta Have Heart" from memory, with no written music!
We also said goodbye to a giant in our congregation - the beautiful and amazing John Ort. John was a larger-than-life figure with years of amazing accomplishments on behalf of teachers and public education, and he was one of the warmest, friendliest UU ambassadors our congregation has ever had.
Please join us this Sunday for a special service marking the end and the beginning of the year, and honoring these wonderful people. I am glad to be able to be with you. Special thanks to Hal Gurian for his flexibility in allowing these changes for this Sunday service. Please do join us.
With a heart that is deeply touched by the love of this community and by those whom we have lost,
Rabbi Chava
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Sunday Service
Sunday, January 1 - Rabbi Chava Bahle
No 9:00 AM Program
10:30 AM Service:
"Endings and Beginnings
"
(Children & Youth will remain in the service; no nursery on this Sunday)
We light this chalice on the brink of a new year,
Letting go of what has been,
Open and hopeful for what may come,
Renewed, restored, ready,
To live Life fully anew,
May we move forward with intention.
- Lois Van Leer
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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 remainder of this program year will complement 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.
Sundays in January
In our Sunday classes for children we will be considering the theme of Non-Violent Community along with the larger congregational community. Lessons in the children's classrooms will include activities from "Kid President's Guide to Being Awesome!" The book by the same title is worth purchasing - it's a wonderfully fun resource. Click
HERE
for information on the book, including purchasing options.
Important note regarding January 1st Service
So that our staff may celebrate the New Year holiday with their families,
there will be no programming for children and youth, or nursery services on New Year's Day, Sunday,
January
1
.
Suggested readings for families/parents this month include:
- Born With a Bang (Book One) - The Universe Tells Our Cosmic Story - by Jennifer Morgan
- From Lava to Life (Book Two) - The Universe Tells Our Earth Story - by Jennifer Morgan
CHILD / YOUTH OF THE MONTH!
Our January Child of the Month is Sofia Cabrera!
Make sure you take a moment to greet Sofia when you see her, and check out the poster featuring her in the social hall!
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
Friday Night Out - Friday, January 13 - 5:30 - 9:00 pm
RESERVATIONS are due to Marco Cabrera by Tuesday, January 10th
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2nd Annual Heifer Tree!
The Heifer Tree will be up through January 1st in case you missed your opportunity to offer a donation this year. Our UU children have set lofty goal of $1,500 to donate a "Joy to the World" gift basket which includes two sheep, four goats, one heifer and two llamas. Your donation will also fund training for the animals' feeding and care. How to donate:
- Select an animal ornament from the tree in the lobby.
- 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. Or, select a donation card for your friends and family if you would like to turn your donation into a sustainable gift. Find cards on the table by the tree.
After 1/1/17, all
collected
monies will be sent to Heifer. Thank you!
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UUCGT Director of Lifespan Experience,
Sarah Montgomery-Richards
is taking time off work at UUCGT to care for the newest addition to the Montgomery-Richards clan! All concerns related to Lifespan Experience should be routed to Marco Cabrera
is working with the
Lifespan Experience 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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Blessings for this New Year
Mindfulness Meditation: Sunday, January 1, 2:30pm - 6:30pm
(1st Sunday, four hour extended sitting time)
LGBTQ Support Group: Sunday, January 1, 5:00pm - 6:30pm, classroom
Wednesday Potluck: January 4, 5:30pm/social & 6:00pm/supper.
Join together in
sharing fellowship and a meal as we begin the
New Year!
Stretch & Strengthen:
No class on January 2, c
lasses resume on Wednesday, January 4th, 11:00am-12noon.
Social Justice Action: Sunday, January 8, 12:00 after service, classroom
In times of change, understanding and action are often called for and help 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?
12:15 Welcome and introductions
12:30 Proposals for action
1:00 Sharing information about actions that are already taking place
1:30 Adjournment
U
UCGT Book Club: Sunday, January 8,
2:30 pm
(note time change), Emmy Lou Cholak's. "Elizabeth Street" by Laurie Fabiano.
UUCGT Men's Group: Monday, January 9, 5:30pm, Minerva's.
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F Y I
Leadership Development Season Opens
The Leadership Development Committee is beginning its process for building a slate of candidates for positions that will be open at the annual meeting in June. Between now and February 15th, there is an opportunity for any member to suggest candidates for our process. Please see the more detailed information in the January Beacon to learn how you can participate in this important work. You can also contact any member of our committee: Tom Darnton, Chair, Nancy Doughty, Richard Miller, Judy Myers, Ann Swaney, Mary VanValin or Judith Weaver. Our contact information can be found in the Beacon article or the directory.
2017 Directory - Members & Friends
The 2017 UUCGT Directory of Members and Friends will be formatted in January. All members and friends, please review your listing in the current 2016 Directory. If there are any updates, please
notify the office via email (
office@uucgt.org
) Thank you!
Please note: Members need to make a monetary contribution of record (this is acting on your Pledge) to be designated as a member in this annual directory.
Contact Sheri Novak,
bookie@uucgt.org
for more information.
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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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