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
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Beacon, and would like to, please contact
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Reflection...
A life well lived is a precious gift
Of hope and strength and grace,
From someone who has made our world
A brighter, better place.
It's filled with moments, sweet and sad
With smiles and sometimes tears,
With friendships formed and good times shared
And laughter through the years.
A life well lived is a legacy
Of joy and pride and pleasure,
A living, lasting memory
Our grateful hearts will treasure.
- Author unknown
Friends, this Sunday we have the extraordinary opportunity to consider one of life's great questions: What does it mean to live life well?
Donna Stein-Harris, who founded the UU's Death Caf
é for folks who wanted to sit with the great questions, will lead us in a unique celebration of the life well lived.
Sarah Montgomery-Richards will lead our 9 AM reflection on Karen Armstrong's
Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life
.
I will return the following week for a service on the practice of Sabbath -
as we inhale the joy of (I hope!) Spring!
In blessing -
Rabbi Chava
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Sunday Service
Sunday, April 15 -
Lay-lead Service with Donna Stein-Harris
10:30 AM Service:
"Reflections on a Life Well Lived"
Join Donna Stein-Harris and participants from Death Café as they reflect on the theme, "A Life Well Lived." The Death Café touches on some of life's most important topics. Death Café is a life-affirming group process that empowers participants to think deeply together.
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Lifespan Experience
f
or Children,
Youth
and Fam
ilies!
Sundays in April ~
preK - 8th grade
We're very excited to be continuing our "Environment Horcrux" in April!
We will spend our time engaging in lessons and stories that promote environmental stewardship, as well as considering the ways in which we can get involved in our community in this regard. Some of the wonderful ways we will accomplish this will include working with the Landscape Committee on learning about native plants, invasive species, and planning our own Children's Garden.
Suggested reading for families/parents this month!
In April, we have a lovely poetry collection that coincides with Transcendentalists in Sunday Services with selections from this collection offered in Story Wisdoms.
Poetry for Kids: Walt Whitman, edited by Karen Karbiener, PhD -
A 2018 Notable Poetry Book for Children (National Council of Teachers of English)
Introduce your children to the beautiful words of classic American poet, Walt Whitman. Poetry for Kids: Walt Whitman makes the work engaging and easy to understand...This collection of thirty-five of Walt's best works has been carefully curated for kids. Each piece of work is lovingly illustrated, and are both presented and explained by New York University professor Karen Karbenier, PhD, a primary authority on Whitman's poetry.
Walt Whitman includes enlightening commentary for each poem, definitions of key words, and a foreword by the expert so that kids, or even parents new to poems, will understand. Starting off with "I Hear America Singing," the collection includes excerpts from "Song of Myself," "O Captain! My Captain!", poems from Leaves of Grass, and many more thought-provoking, descriptive, and kid-friendly selections". Go to
https://goo.gl/7Azsaj
for more information.
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Friday Night Out!
April 13th, 5:30-9pm
Contact Sarah ASAP to reserve a spot!
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Information &
Gatherings
Safe Harbor Help Needed
UUCGT is staffing an extra day at Safe Harbor on Saturday, April 14 due to the continued wet and cold weather conditions.
We already have several volunteers, but we still need:
- Three individuals to be evening hosts (5:30 m - 9:00 pm)
- One female overnight volunteer (8:30 pm - 6:30 am)
- Two morning clean-up volunteers (6:30 am - 9:00 am on Sunday, April 15)
Volunteers are needed for Memorial Reception on April 21
A few folks are needed to help with food prep, provide baked goods, room and food set-up and serve for the memorial reception for Sally Mitchell on Saturday, April 21. Email Lauren Keinath or call 342-0617 if you are able to help out. Thank you!
Photo montage graciously provided by Charles Brackett
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Save the Date!
Monday, May 14 @ 7:00 PM
Mark Gustafson presents
"Finding My Truth Through Literature"
Traverse City Public Library
sponsored by Grand Traverse Humanists
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#NationalSchoolWalkout is being called for by Connecticut student, Lane Murdock, and others. Murdock lives just 20 minutes from Sandy Hook Elementary School. High school students to walk out on April 20 - no time has been specified as yet. Plans are currently being housed on
Twitter
, as well as
a
Change.org petition page
. More information here:
Mom's Demand Action for Gun Sense in America - Northern Michigan
Meetings at 6:00 PM on last Thursday of the month
Central United Methodist Church, Room 106
222 North Cass Street, Traverse City
Next meeting is
Thursday, April 26 @ 6:00 pm
- Contact
Liz Bruning
for more information. All are welcome - men, women, parents, non-parents, grandparents, friends
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Donated pieces from Members & Friends
are on display in the Corridor Gallery. Many thanks to all who loaned their treasured works of art for this exhibit and to the UUCGT Arts & Exhibitions Committee for organizing this exhibit!
Local Community Needs
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BEACON
articles are due by the 25th each month to
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UUCGT Calendar of Events
Please check UU calendar or website
to confirm cancellations
Meetings & Activities
Peacemakers Needleworkers: Thursdays, 1:30pm, social hall
Brewing Community: Thursday, April 12, 5:00pm @ The Workshop
Meditation Workshop: Thursday, April 12, 5:30pm, classroom
Vocal Ensemble: Thursdays, 7:00pm, sanctuary
Friday Night Out: April 13, 5:30-9:00pm, classrooms - RSVP to
Sarah
Singing Sisters: Saturday, April 14, 10:00am-2:00pm, sanctuary
9 AM Program: Sunday, April 15, Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life
Mindfulness Meditation: Sunday, April 15, 5:00-7:00pm, sanctuary
Stretch & Strengthen:
Classes meet Monday & Wednesday @ 11:00am
UUCGT Board Meeting: Monday, April 16, 5:30pm, classroom
Community Lunch: Tuesdays - Volunteers meet at 10:30am / Lunch at 11:30am. 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. To volunteer, call Mary Kiner at 935-3050, or email
marykiner@charter.net
Bridge Group: Tuesdays, 1:00pm, social hall
Covenantal Congregations Task Force: Tuesday, April 17, 5:30pm, library
Lifespan Experience Committee: Wednesday, April 18, 12:00pm, library
Sunday Services Committee: Wednesday. April 18, 4:00pm, classroom
Membership Committee: Wednesday, April 18, 4:15pm, library
Wednesday Potluck! April 18, 5:30pm social time /6:00pm supper - Join us for an evening of fellowship and great food!
Shantideva Fan Club: Thursday, April 19, 9:30am, sanctuary
Congregational Care Team: Thursday, April 19, 1:00pm, library
New Moon Women's Circle: Saturday, April 21 - contact Carolyn Kelly, 392-5761
Sally Mitchell - A Celebration of Life: Saturday, April 21, 1:00pm, sanctuary
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End Note...
So much damage in the world
is done by the sharp edges of those
who
can
no longer manage to hold the pieces
of their shattered hearts in place.
~ from Daily Compass
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