UUCGT Flash 
December 21, 2017
Vol. 11, Issue 513
 
In This Issue
Reflection
Sunday Service
Christmas Eve at the State
Lifespan Experience for Children, Youth & Families
What's Going On?
Exhibit at UUCGT
FYI
End Note

Congregational Vision

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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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NOTE:  There will be no 10:30 AM Service at UUCGT
on Sunday, December 24

Please join us at the State Theatre on Christmas Eve for the 

4th  Annual   Community  Interfaith  Celebration

"Together  We  Shine"

Doors open at 5:00 PM
Tickets are FREE
Reserve tickets by calling the State Theatre Box Office @ 947-3446
(See flier below)

Reflection...

"Though my soul may set in darkness,
it will rise in perfect light;
I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night." 
- author unknown
 
Holy friends, 

I write this to you on the very day of the solstice, a day of such delicate balance, a day of honoring both Darkness and Light.  

It is my sincere hope that many of you will join us at the State Theatre this year in particular for Christmas Eve.  John Bailey, UUCGT Music Director, has wonderful carols chosen for the 5:00 p.m. door opening, and the service from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. is particularly special this year. 

Please think about whether there is anybody who might be alone on the holiday who might like to join us for this hour.  All are welcome. 

I bless you that if these holidays bring you any darkness that you might also know the love of this community and know that the light is forthcoming.

A gentle reminder that we have no morning Sunday service at the UU this week, but will resume next Sunday on December 31 with an awesome celebration of Kwanzaa.

In love, Light and blessing,

Rabbi Chava

Sunday Service 
Sunday, December 24 - No Morning  Service at UUCGT

5:00 PM:  Christmas Eve at the State Theatre








"Together We Shine"











An Interfaith Celebration of Love & Peace






Join us for a community evening of songs, stories and familiar carols in celebration of the Holiday Season!

(Please see more information below)


Lifespan Experience
f or Children,  Youth  and Fam ilies!

Sundays in December for preK-8th grade

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We officially launched our "Literacy" unit at Hogwarts. In this unit we are considering the connection between poverty and access to education, and we introduce our annual "Heifer Tree" project.  

Our "Heifer Tree" will be up until 12/31/17
Please consider donating to Heifer International through our annual project by selecting an animal from the tree near the social hall and making a donation.  Gift cards  are available in the social hall near the tree should you want to give your donation as a gift this holiday season.  

The children have set their Heifer Tree goal as $450 this year - to donate a "Gift of Clean Water" through Heifer (this gift will help families install treadle pumps for access to clean water) & Irrigation Pumps (this gift will provide farmers with irrigation pumps to care for their crops and livestock).  

  CALLING ALL CHILDREN & YOUTH!

We are looking for young people to participate in the CHILDREN'S CHOIR in the Community Interfaith Christmas Eve Service at the State Theatre - December 24 - Carols begin at 5:00 PM - Children arrive at 4:45 PM!! 
 
The fun and familiar songs this year are "Peace Salaam Shalom" by Emma's Revolution & "All I Really Need" by Raffi!
 
Here are YouTube Video links for practice at home, or singing together as a family in the car!  Children need to be familiar with the choruses to these songs:

"All I Really Need" - (children only need to learn the chorus)

"Peace Salaam Shalom" 
(children only need to learn the melody / chorus) 

Participating children should come dressed in black bottoms and a white collared shirt .   We will have a selection of brightly colored neckties for the children to borrow for the occasion!   Contact  Sarah ASAP -  if you'd like to participate (and haven't already).   Children arrive at 4:45 PM!! 

Suggested readings for families/parents this month:
  • This time of year can be difficult for some people for a variety of reasons - income, personal loss, anxiety, and depression just to name a few.  It's also a time of year when many of us feel the desire to reclaim the ways in which we spend our time and treasure - looking for ways to live simply and meaningfully.  For these reasons, and many more, I thought I'd share this little blog with you.  It's from Nurtured Mama - "Five Simple Ways to Create Your Happiest Holiday Yet".  While it does highlight the celebration of Christmas, I think there are some gems within the article that could apply to a variety of perspectives and celebrations - suggestions for making a list of what really matters to you when considering commitments, giving simply and thoughtfully, etc.

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NO WEDNESDAY SUPPER on December 27

What's Going On ... at UUCGT?

Please contact  office@uucgt.org to schedule meetings and events

Meetings & Activities

PLEASE NOTE
Building Entry Key Codes will change as of January 3, 2018
Committee Chairs will be given the new code

Congregational Care Team:  Thursday, December 21, 1:00pm, library

Peacemakers Needleworkers:  Thursdays, 1:30pm, social hall

Meditation Workshop:  No class on Thursday, December 21 - class will resume on Thursday, December 28

Vocal Ensemble:  No rehearsal on Thursday, December 21  

Christmas Eve at the State:  Sunday, December 24 - doors open at 5:00 pm with holiday carols.  Reserve FREE tickets at the box office - 947-3446

Mindfulness Meditation:  Sunday, December 24, 5:00-7:00pm

UUCGT office will be closed on Christmas Day - Merry Christmas!

Stretch & Strengthen class will resume on January 3 - Happy Holidays!

Community Lunch:  Tuesdays - Volunteers meet at 10:30am.  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, or to volunteer, call Mary Kiner at 935-3050, or email  marykiner@charter.net

Indivisible GT:  Tuesdays - No meetings on December 26 or January 2

Bridge Group:  Tuesdays, 1:00pm, social hall

No Wednesday Supper on December 27

Shantideva Fan Club:  Thursday, December 28, 9:30am, sanctuary

Meditation Workshop:  Thursday, December 28, 5:30pm, classroom

Vocal Ensemble:  Thursdays, 7:00pm, sanctuary
 
UUCGT Arts & Exhibitions
"The Other Traverse City"  - Part 2
by Alan Newton
A collection of photographs of people facing hunger
and homelessness in our community

Many thanks to:
Alan Newton,  UUCGT Art & Exhibitions Committee,
Charles Brackett,  Mike and Sandra McDonald
  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Check this out:  TC Street Voices M agazine
"Real People...Real Stories"
$2 suggested donation
 
F Y I
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Photos from the Celebration of Ministry & Installation of Rabbi Chava Bahle,  December 2 & 3, 2017
Courtesy of Charles Brackett -  click here: http://bit.ly/2kv3gV4e

UUCGT Financial Report - as of November 30, 2017:  Please click here

Safe Harbor Recap:   Our thanks to our Congregation for making our annual week serving at Safe Harbor a success.  This was our first year serving in the new Safe Harbor building and we think it went quite well.  Together with our partners, Temple Beth Shalom, the Grand Traverse Humanists and the Grand Traverse Area Pagans, we provided an average of 49 guests a night with meals, shelter and fellowship.  

We served more that 400 hot meals in the evening over the course of the week.  Over 90 volunteers from UUCGT and our partners served during the week filling over 150 different volunteer positions.  A special thanks to those of you who took on multiple volunteer positions.  Additionally, many in our congregation provided food for the breakfasts and evening snacks .  

We could not have done this without your commitment and enthusiasm!
Thank you, Mike and Sandra McDonald


Winter  Items  Collection!

We are collecting NEW winter items for children during the month of December.  New gloves, hats, coats, snow pants, etc. can be put in the collection basket located outside of the kitchen near the social hall.
Items will be donated to the Goodwill Inn at the end of December to distribute to local children in need.  It is suggested that items donated are durable in nature - example:  think warmer, insulated gloves for instance rather than thin, cotton knit.   Questions?  Please contact Sarah @  dle@uucgt.org

Seeking UUCGT Archivist(s)!  Photos, newspaper clippings, historical memorabilia are stacking up in the library awaiting an organized touch and simplified filing system.  Please contact the office if you have a talent for organization and wish to serve in preserving UUCGT history.

Tax deduction deadline is December 31:  If you wish to make a donation to UUCGT that will be deductible on your 2017 income taxes, either stop by the office with your check payment or mail by December 28.  
You can also put checks in the offering basket any Sunday up to and including December 31.  Remember, who knows what will be deductible in 2018?

Seeking Church Accompanist
Our long-time accompanist, Margie Hunter, has retired and  UUCGT is looking for an accompanist to play for Sunday Services and Vocal Ensemble rehearsals on Thursday evenings.  If interested, please  call the UUCGT office, 231-947-3117, or email office@uucgt.org

Donated Dinners... are selling out -- fast!  

" Tapas & Fine Wines"  hosted by Chava and  Karl  Bahle
February 24 - $30 per person

"3-Month Dinner Subscription" prepared by Lauren Keinath
Menu and price to be determined individually


1/2 proceeds are donated to Community Needs!

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Local Community Needs

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 FLASH articles are due by Wednesday noon - office@uucgt.org
BEACON articles are due by the 25th each month -

End Note...

 
Winter  Solstice  Blessings

The longest night of the year invites us to sit. . . .
if only for a moment, 
in the presence of darkness, of mystery, of possibility and potential. 
The darkness is a gift. 
So are the stars and other tiny lights
that we only notice
when we step into the dark.

from Daily Compass, CLF

 

FLASH articles are due by noon on Wednesday each week

  

UUCGT Office hours:   Mon day - Thursday, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm


(231) 947-3117       office@uucgt.org         www.uucgt.org