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...
"Every single cell in the human body
replaces itself over a period of seven years.
That means there's not even the smallest part of you now
that was part of you seven years ago."
Easter is a time of renewal, rebirth, revival. If indeed we are made new every seven years, it makes sense to have time in our covenantal community to pause and reflect on where we have been and who we are becoming.
This year our all congregation Easter will be a quiet, reflective time of meditation and song to renew the spirit. One of our UU readings says,
"
On this Easter morning may we discover a joyous and courageous faith enabling us to set [our] burdens down."
Come friends, come and be refreshed and let us begin again in love.
In blessing -
Rabbi Chava
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Sunday Service
Sunday, April 16 - Rabbi Chava Bahle
1
0:30 AM Service: "Easter Morning - All Congregation Service"
"Dear God: Good Friday is gone - a dark day on the calendar, a time of suffering - with more losses than gains, and more pain than we thought we could bear. We are tired of crying, we are tired of burying, we are tired of mourning. But Easter is here - and we who survived are prepared for the turning of the year - not to escape the past, but to provide a witness for a brighter future. We are ready for joy, we are ready for love, we are ready for new beginnings. Amen!" - Rev. David O. Rankin
Children are encouraged to sit i
n
the
sanctuary
with their families
during this special all c
ongregation Easter
service.
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Lifespan Experience
f
or Children and Youth
(and Fam
ilies!)
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.
As a congregation we will be considering the themes of rebirth and renewal as part of the Sunday Services. Birth and the beginning of new things can be a mysterious and wondrous time - as all of the cycles of life are. This month we're going to explore the beginnings of the cosmos and the beginnings of the earth as told by our good friend, The Universe!
Through the book duo, "Born with a Bang - The Universe Tells our Cosmic Story" and "From Lava to Life - The Universe Tells Our Earth Story", we will consider the wonders of our blue boat home and of the universe.
As Unitarian Universalists, we believe in using science to tell us about how we are related to other living things in our interdependent web of life.
Don't forget to join us before service on April 30th for our Annual May Day Ceremony - all are welcome as we remove last year's ribbons and dance the May Pole for this year (lamppost by the rear entrance to the building). Children interested in participating should join us at 9:45am. This event is weather permitting - if it is raining we will postpone until May 7th.
Suggested readings for families/parents this month include:
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"The Everything Seed" - by Carole Martignacco
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Child/Youth of
the Month
Our Child of the Month is Aidan Schleuder!
Make sure you take a moment to greet Aidan when you see him, and c
heck 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? Contact the office!
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Friday Night Out - April 14
5:30 - 9:00 pm
2 spots are still available!
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Pledge Reminder
Several members and friends have not yet pledged for 2017-2018.
If you haven't taken the opportunity to pledge, please do so as soon as possible so we can wrap up our Pledge Drive, and finalize our budget for 2017-2018.
If you have misplaced your pledge materials, please contact Kay Sturgeon to get a pledge form.
We appreciate every gift and every giver. Thank you!
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Save the Date!
Saturday, May 6
9:00 - 12:00
Yard work & window washing!
Bring your own tools!
Donuts provided!
Please join us as you can ~ 15 minutes or an hour or more!
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W
hat's Going On At UUCGT?
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Mindfulness Meditation:
Sunday, April 16, 5:00-7:00pm, sanctuary
LGBTQ Group: Sunday, April 16, 5:00-6:30pm, classroom
Stretch & Strengthen: Every Monday & Wednesday, 11:00am (no class on Monday, April 17)
Committee on Ministry:
Monday, April 17, 1:30-3:30pm,
Linda Fletcher's
UUCGT Board Meeting: Monday, April 17, 5:30pm, classroom
Community Lunch:
Every Tuesday, 11:30am @ Friends Church, 5th & Oak. Contact
Mary Kiner
to volunteer.
Bridge Group: Every Tuesday, 1:00pm, social hall
Memorial Garden Committee: Tuesday, April 18, 2:00pm, classroom
Lifespan Experience: Wednesday, April 19, 12:00pm, library
Membership Committee: Wednesday, April 19, 4:00pm, library
Sunday Services: Wednesday, April 19, 4:00pm, social hall
Wednesday Potluck: Wednesday, April 19, 5:30pm social / 6:00pm dinner
International Dances: Every Wednesday, 7:00pm, classroom
Little Spiritual Book Club:
Thursday, April 20, 12noon, sanctuary. Make-up date for "The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World".
Congregational Care Team: Thursday, April 20, 1:00pm, library
Peacemaker Needleworkers: Every Thursday, 1:30pm, social hall
Introductory Meditation Workshop: Thursday, April 20, 5:30-6:30pm, classroom. Contact
Elisabeth Treefon or click
here for more information.
Vocal Ensemble: Every Thursday, 7:00-8:30pm, sanctuary. All Welcome!
Community Needs Committee: Friday, April 21, 2:00pm, library
New Moon Women's Circle: Saturday, April 22, 3:00-5:00pm, sanctuary.
Program Council: Sunday, April 23, 9:00am, classroom
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Activities are also listed in the Order of Service & Beacon
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F Y I
Next week, FLASH articles are due by noon on T
uesday, April 18
BEACON articles are due by the 25th of each month to
Thank you!
Benzie County UU:
Wednesday, April 19 meeting at Benzie Area Historical Museum, 6941 Traverse Avenue, Benzonia, MI. Potluck at 6:30pm. P
rogram will be a business meeting - please attend if possible as there are a number of important items to discuss. Contact Cliff VanDyke at ccv901@gmail.com
with agenda items.
Little Spiritual Book Club:
Thursday, April 20, 12noon, sanctuary. Make-up date for "The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World". Join us!
Benefit
Concert Fundraiser & Silent Auction at UUCGT!
Friday, April 21, 7:00pm (doors open at 6:30pm; auction runs to 8:30pm)
Central High School Students for Environmental Advocacy, Citizens' Climate Lobby, Groundwork Center, and Green Sanctuary offer this collaborative fundraiser event to assist 12 students with travel costs to Washington, DC in June to lobby for climate action.
Click
here for more details on the Benefit Concert and Silent Auction.
UU Vocal Ensemble will sing to welcome everyone at 7:00 PM, so do come early! Thanks to all for wonderful items for the auction!
Prospective Members ~
Orientation Session
: Sunday, April 23 at 12 noon. Questions? Contact
Sherry Davis, 231-709-2309
Holocaust Remembrance Day: Sunday, April 23, 7:00pm, memorial service at Central United Methodist Church. Light refreshments after the service will encourage you to linger and mingle together.
SJA Workshop - "Inclusivity": Saturday, April 29, 9:30-11:30 am. See April Beacon for more information, or contact
Paula Jo Kemler.
Save the Date! - Social Justice: Sunday, April 30, 11:45 am to 1:00 pm, UUCGT classroom. We will have a general meeting and discuss
"The Third Reconstruction" by Rev. William Barber detailing the history and contemporary realities of the marginalization of voters and lessons we can learn about power entrenching itself.
UU Men's Group: Monday, May 1, 5:30pm, Minerva's. Discussion of "Babbitt" by Sinclair Lewis with Mark Gustafson. If time allows, further discussion on public/private education.
UU Book Club: Sunday, May 21, 2:00pm, "
My Brilliant Friend" by Elena Ferrante. Join us!
Tuesday Community Lunch: Every week for the past 25 years, UUCGT has provided a free lunch for anyone in the community who would like to come to Friends Church located at Fifth and Oak Streets in Traverse City. For more information, call Mary Kiner at 231-935-3050, or email
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Photo Finish....
Spring...
a lovely reminder of how beautiful change can truly be
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