UUCGT FLASH NEWSLETTER

Ask the questions that have no answers.
Invest in the millennium. Plant sequoias.
Say that your main crop is the forest
that you did not plant,
that you will not live to harvest.
Say that the leaves are harvested
when they have rotted into the mold.
Call that profit. Prophesy such returns.
Put your faith in the two inches of humus
that will build under the trees
every thousand years.

Listen to carrion -- put your ear
close, and hear the faint chattering
of the songs that are to come.
Expect the end of the world. Laugh.
Laughter is immeasurable. Be joyful
though you have considered all the facts....

Go with your love to the fields.
Lie down in the shade. Rest your head
in her lap. Swear allegiance
to what is nighest your thoughts.
As soon as the generals and the politicos
can predict the motions of your mind,
lose it. Leave it as a sign
to mark the false trail, the way
you didn't go.

Be like the fox
who makes more tracks than necessary,
some in the wrong direction.
Practice resurrection.

~ Wendell Berry ~

from "Collected Poems"

Sunday Service

Sunday, January 6 - Hal Gurian, coordinator

10:30 AM: "What Are Our Intentions?"

Most of us have heard the expression, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions!"

Hearing it as a child, we may have wondered what it meant, but now as an adult, we understand it clearly. We may think that if our intentions are good, that should be worth something. There is one major challenge with that concept - no one can see our intentions. The only thing that can actually be seen is our behavior. Let's think about it!

Children & Youth Programs

UUCGT's new Religious Education Programs begin January 6

The Children and Youth of our Grand Traverse Region need a place like UUCGT! Let's build a multi-generational community together!

Child care for infants through age 4 continues to be provided in our Nursery on Sunday mornings. Meet our new teachers for K-5 and Youth programs:

Susan Holmes Glazier will be teaching K-5:

Susan has a Master's Degree in Montessori

Elementary Education and was the Music Director for the UU of the Blue Ridge (VA) from 2011-2014.

She will be assisted by parent and congregant volunteers.

Logan Chamberlain and Katie Tomczyk will co-teach 5th-8th graders:

Logan comes to us with college studies in philosophy and photography.

He currently runs the after-school Kid's Club in Leland in addition to doing marketing and communications for Neahtawanta Research & Education Center.

Katie's Master's degree is in Curriculum and Instruction with endorsements in PE/Health Education and Special Education and she has experience in teaching a wide range of health topics including self-care and reproductive health.

Please give Susan, Logan and Katie a warm welcome! Full resumes are available at

www.uucgt.org under Staff.

Due to our Safe Congregation policy, each classroom will have two adults working with the children and youth at all times. We welcome your s upport and invite Volunteers for a couple of Sundays throughout the year. Contact Jolynn Paige at 231-409-2050 or heyjopaige@gmail.com if you can help.

* * * * * * * *

The Religious Education Committee will host Brainstorming Sessions in January after the service during the coffee hour. Your suggestions are welcomed and encouraged! Join us!

Thank You Congregation!

You opened your Hearts and your Wallets during December and responded to the 2018 Giving Tree requests. Because of you, $752.50 will be sent to the Aaron Rodgers NORCAL Fire Recovery Fund at North Valley Community Foundation in Chico, CA.

And, thanks to you, $685.00 will be sent to assist humanitarian aid for Central American refugees in care of the UU Fellowship of San Miguel de Allende in Guanajuato, Mexico.

Thank you again for contributing a total of $1,437.50 to meet urgent needs of our fellow human beings.

Chris Walter & Joan Sheard

Community Needs

All Congregation Potluck Brunch

Sunday, January 20

after service

~ Sponsored by UUCGT Membership Team ~

Plus a Visioning Update from Mike McDonald,

Board President

Members & Friends are Welcome!

"Doing Our Own Work:

An Anti-Racism Seminar for White People"

January 11 & 12, February 8 & 9, March 8 & 9

Neahtawanta Inn

Sponsored by Allies for Change

Scholarships/payment plans available

Follow this link for more information:

https://www.alliesforchange.org/doow-traversecity-2019

UUCGT Social Justice Action Team

Emmy Lou Cholak

Time for a New Exercise Program?

Everyone needs some Exercise...

If you are looking for an Exercise Program to keep you motivated ...

If you already do aerobic exercise, but want to add some strengthen training ...

If you are young at heart and want to keep what muscle you have ...

If you want a quiet place to work-out with pleasant music (no blasting Rock 'n Roll) ...

If you want a friendly group of folks to work-out with..(no pumping iron) ...

If you want a short work-out that strengthens all major muscle groups, but doesn't exhaust you ...

You are Welcome to Join the UUCGT Exercise Group!!

Mondays & Wednesdays from 11:00-12:00

Class is simple Stretching and Strengthening, designed to work all muscle groups. The stretches are gentle and will help maintain your range of motion and help prevent falls.

Class is free! Bring a mat and hand weights IF you have some, if not, we have extra. E veryone can work at their own level and achieve improvement!

Try it! You will like it!

Judith Briggs (228-4655)

2019 Donated Dinners + FUNdraiser!

John Hoffmann and Lauren Keinath are coordinating this effort in 2019!

These fun, social activities benefit the Congregation as well as designated community groups. Great options are available:

Thai, Pennsylvania Dutch, Winter Comfort Dinner, Snowshoe Outing & Supper, Dune Hike & Lake Trout Dinner, Casual Cocktail Dinner w/ Gary Deavel at the piano, Beer & Brats, Old-Fashioned Sunday Dinner...

FUNdraiser descriptions and sign-up sheets will be available in the social hall in January after services!