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...
Caring Community:
3 Good Deeds
"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch,
a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment,
or the smallest act of caring,
all of which have the potential to turn a life around."
- Leo Buscaglia
Friends, at this time of year, we have a heightened awareness of the ways we show care. I wish to offer three concrete ways you can show help and care for your congregational community.
1.
Please call
- Karen Mars (texting is hard right now) and John Ort (numbers are in the directory). A two minute phone call can make someone's whole day. Don't know them well? Just say that, and tell them they are on your heart!
2.
Meals for Sarah and Denny - as you know we welcomed Eileen this past weekend! The awesome Congregation Care Team (Joanie Jackson and Pat Light, Co-Chairs, Judith Briggs,
Don Fraser,
Barb Gibson,
Hal Gurian, Marilyn Mayo and Jerry Schatz) is coordinating a Mealtrain for donated meals to give them a boost. Please contact any team member to participate.
3.
Speaking of light ... we need to get our Christmas Eve tea lights in ship shape. If 3 or 4 of us could donate 15 minutes to go through them, that would be a great help: any time Monday, December 19 between 3 - 5 PM.
Thank you in advance for the show of caring. Small things make a difference.
Love,
Rabbi Chava
[Bonus deed! - Help locate six gently-used, comfortable, conference room chairs for the UUCGT office.]
PS -
Don't forget that the doors open at the State Theatre at 5 PM for Christmas Eve. Free reserve tickets are available at the State box office and we have a few available at the UU office. This year will be very special.
Come together!
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Sunday Service
Sunday, December 18 - Lay-led Service
No 9:00 AM Program
10:30 AM Service: "Words of Poets for our Darkest Days"
As we move through our days, years and lives, poetry offers us a particular invitation into the deeper recesses of our hearts and minds. Join us this Sunday for a morning of inspiration and joy evoked through the beauty of words, metaphor and imagery.
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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 services on Sunday, 12/25 and Sunday, 1/1
.
Please contact
Rabbi Chava
with questions
.
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
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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
is taking time off from her work at UUCGT to care for their newest family member. 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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UUCGT BOARD MEETING: Monday, December 19 @ 5:30 PM in the classroom
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.
Wednesday Supper: No Supper this week - our next Wednesday Supper is scheduled for Wednesday, January 4, 2017. Enjoy the holiday season!
Sanctuary Meditation:
Thursdays at 9:00 AM,
December 22 & 29
Come, sit in presence and peace...
Brew-Pub Brewing Community:
M
eets
Th
ursday, December 22 at Rare Bird Brew Pub from 5:00-7:00pm. Food and non-alcoholic beverages are also available. Contact
John Hoffmann for additional information.
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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
Tickets will be held at will call
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F Y I
UUCGT Financial Summary as of 11/30/16: View
here
Stretch & Strengthen: No classes December 19, 21, 26, 28 or January 2. Enjoy the holidays! Classes resume Wednesday, January 4th.
DONATED DINNERS - FUNDRAISER!
Enjoy delicious meals, make new friends and enjoy the company of fellow UUs in support of our congregation. Sign-up after services in the social hall.
Contact
John
&Pinkie Hoffmann
or
Chris Walter
with any questions.
UUCGT Book Club: Sunday, January 8,
2:30 pm
(note time change),
"Elizabeth Street" by Laurie Fabiano
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Wintry Weather
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,
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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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