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. |
____________________
UUCGT
Beacon
If you are not receiving our monthly newsletter, the
Beacon, and would like to, please contact the
office
.
|
|
| |
|
Reflection...
"No more words.
In the name of this place we drink in with our breathing,
stay quiet like a flower.
So the nightbirds will start singing."
- Jalaluddin Rumi, Night and Sleep
Beloved community -
Continuing our journey this year through the sacred calendar of the six UU source traditions, this Sunday we will honor Lilat al-Miraj, the night of ascent when the prophet Mohammed ascended to heaven. On his way he met all the previous prophets of the Jewish and Christian traditions, from Adam to Jesus.
The night journey gives us a chance to learn about Islam, the spiritual journey and the beauty of the night as a time for spiritual practice. Please join us for this service.
Also, I would like to take a moment to thank everyone who made Easter so lovely; I neglected to mention Sarah Montgomery-Richards who helped design the service and was, of course, a wonderful participant.
Best blessings to you all -
Rabbi Chava
P.S. The Women's New Moon Group will meet this Saturday from 3:00 to 5:00 PM in the sanctuary for chapter two of
Soul to Soul, on Compassion.
"One kind word can warm three winter months."
- Japanese Proverb from
Soul to Soul
|
|
Sunday Service
Sunday, April 23 - Rabbi Chava Bahle
1
0:30 AM Service: "Lilat ahl-Miraj / The Night Journey"
Join us for a special journey of personal stories honoring the anniversary of
Lailat al Miraj, an annual commemoration of the the night the Prophet Mohammed (sa) made the night journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and his ascension to heaven. In that process of ascent, he meets all the previous prophets from Adam to Jesus. In this way, Islam remembers its roots and connection to its sister religions of Judaism and Christianity.
The service will include elements of Muslim worship, a personal story from Kathy Booker-Graham and a reading from the Qur'an.
Why does this matter to UUs? Cultural literacy and the memory of archetypes awakens a deep part of the self. Let us journey together.
The Qur'an says:
In the name of Allah, the beneficent, the merciful. Praise be to the Lord of the Universe who has created us and made us into tribes and nations, that we may know each other, not that we may despise each other. If the enemy incline towards peace, do thou also incline towards peace, and trust in God, for the Lord is the one that heareth and knoweth all things.
And the servants of God, Most Gracious are those who walk on the Earth in humility, and when we address them, we say "PEACE."
Based on the Koran, 49:13, 8:61
|
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:
-
"The Everything Seed" - by Carole Martignacco
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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!
|
|
Pledge Reminder
If you haven't taken the opportunity to pledge for 2017-2018, 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!
|
@ UUCGT ~ 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
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Check
for your lost items ~ there are many!
(alcove shelves near the social hall)
**If you picked up a pair of sunglasses from
Lost & Found, the owner would appreciate their return**
~
please return to the office ~
EARTH DAY
Saturday, April 22
Clean Up & Green Up
Recycle your old technology at Staples
(some exclusions apply, call ahead)
|
|
W
hat's Going On At UUCGT?
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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
Death Cafe:
Friday, April 21, 10:00-12:00, social hall
Community Needs: Friday, April 21, 2:00-4:00pm, library
Benefit
Concert and Silent Auction:
Friday, April 21, doors open 6:30
UU Vocal Ensemble is singing at 7:00pm, so come early!
Amelia Burke and Aili Simpson, Glen Chown, Jon Timm, and the Minor 6 Jazz Ensemble will play. Funds are being raised to send 12 high school students to Washington, DC in June to lobby legislators to take action on climate change. Thank you so much to all who donated items for the auction!
New Moon Women's Circle: Saturday, April 22, 3:00-5:00pm, sanctuary. Contact
Carolyn Kelly
Program Council: Sunday, April 23, 9:00am, classroom
CUUPS: Wednesday, April 26, 12:30pm, Blue Tractor,
Brewing Community:
Thursday, April 27, 5:00pm, Brewery Terra Firma
Social Justice Action Workshop, "Inclusivity": Saturday, April 29, 9:30-11:30am. See April
Beacon, or contact
Paula Jo Kemler
Social Justice Committee: Sunday, April 30, 11:45am to 1:00pm, UUCGT classroom, "The Third Reconstruction" by Rev. William Barber
* * * * * * * * *
Weekly Activities &
Meetings
Mindfulness Meditation:
Sunday, 5:00-7:00pm, sanctuary
LGBTQ Group: Sunday, 5:00-6:30pm, classroom
Stretch & Strengthen: Every Monday & Wednesday, 11:00am
Community Lunch:
Every Tuesday, 11:30am @ Friends Church, 5th & Oak. Contact
Mary Kiner
to volunteer.
Bridge Group: Every Tuesday, 1:00pm, social hall
Wednesday Potluck: Wednesday, April 26, 5:30pm social, 6:00pm dinner
$5/adult & $3/10 and under
International Dances: Every Wednesday, 7:00pm, classroom
Peacemaker Needleworkers: Every Thursday, 1:30pm, social hall
Introductory Meditation Workshop: Thursdays, 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!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Activities are also listed in the Order of Service & Beacon
|
June 21 - 25, 2017
UUCGT is seeking members in good standing who would like to attend the UUA General Assembly in New Orleans in June as our delegates.
Delegates are expected to remain active members in the congregation.
Some scholarship money is available! In addition to great workshops, worship and larger fellowship, delegates from UUCGT are asked to prepare, in conjunction with the Board of Trustees, for business meetings at which delegates represent the voice of our congregation on national issues. The packet
of materials will be available in advance.
If you are interested, please contact Rabbi Chava at (231) 947-3117; and visit
http://www.uua.org/ga
for more information.
|
|
F Y I
FLASH articles are due by noon on Wednes
days - p
lease
send via email to
office@uucgt.org
BEACON articles are due by the 25th of each month to
Thank you!
UUCGT Financial Summary
as of March 31, 2017 - click
here
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
Holocaust Remembrance Day: Sunday, April 23, 7:00pm, memorial service at Central United Methodist Church. Light refreshments.
P
eople's Climate March:
Saturday, April
29, 12 noon-3:00pm
"To change everything, we need everyone" -
The Social Justice and Green Sanctuary Committees encourage you to participate in the March on Saturday, April 29. March begins at the Open Space on Grandview Parkway, continues downtown and reconvenes at the Open Space. The interconnected web of all life is at stake, here. Let's march! Contact
Paula Jo Kemler or
Mary Van Valin
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!
|
|
End Note....
"Come, come, whoever you are.
Wanderer, worshiper, lover of leaving.
It doesn't matter.
Ours is not a caravan of despair.
Come, even if you have broken your vows a thousand times. Come, yet again, come, come."
|
| FLASH articles are due by noon on Wednesday each week
|
|
|
