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Congregational
Mission
Statement
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 Quicklinks
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If you would like to receive our monthly newsletter
the
Beacon
please contact
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Minister's Musings...
What does the ancient art of Kintsugi teach us about Resilience?
The Soul Matters February theme of "Resilience" asks us to think about where we are in our journey of resilience. One definition suggests that resilience is "the ability to return to one's original shape after it has been unexpectedly jolted, stretched, flattened, bent, etc." So, where are you in that process? Are you starting to feel pulled or perhaps significantly bent? Are you stretched too thin and worried about breaking, or just worried about the state of our nation? Are you slowly realizing there's no going back to that original shape?
Kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery teaches us that sacred scars can be even more beautiful than the original. In fact, the scars become what to exhibit. With this ancient technique it is possible to create new and always different works of art, each with its own story and beauty, thanks to the unique cracks formed when the object breaks, as if they were wounds that leave different marks on each of us.
Legend has it that the kintsugi technique may have been invented around the fifteenth century, when Ashikaga Yoshimasa, the eighth shogun of the Ashikaga shogunate after breaking his favorite cup of tea sent it to China to get it repaired where they decided to transform the cup into a jewel by filling its cracks with lacquered resin and powdered gold. https://www.lifegate.com/people/lifestyle/kintsugi
I love the metaphor of "sacred scars." These days, it is hard not to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders, and to remember on rugged journeys such as these we need to be gentle with ourselves and with one another. There are times when "grin and bear it" is not the best advice to follow, and this is one of those times. Instead, we would do better to rest and restore ourselves. It is only when we are rested that we can begin the sacred work of repairing the brokenness with care, compassion, and bold and beautiful creativity.
See you in church!
L, Cathy
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Creating a Personal Mission Statement
Last Sunday, Rev. Cathy asked members and friends to consider creating a personal mission statement as a precursor to the process of crafting a new mission statement for UUCGT. The goal is to have as many people as possible contribute the essence of their mission in one or two words. From there, we will choose a team to work on draft mission statements using the collective values and mission of all who wish to participate.
Click here for a
guide to help you get started on creating your Personal Mission Statement!
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Sunday Service
February 2 - 1
0:30 AM - "Practicing Resilience"
Rev. Cathy Harrington with Richard Miller, coordinator
This Sunday, please join us for an in depth exploration of Resilience and how we embrace our own "sacred scars."
Words of wisdom from
Maya Angelou:
I can be changed by what happens to me.
But I refuse to be reduced by it.
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Children
& Youth
Religious Education
Nursery care is available for infants through age 4
Children and Youth are asked to meet in the sanctuary
We had a lot of fun creating Blessing Board Games last Sunday and playing them during coffee hour. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to enjoy the games with us!
Next Sunday we will bake banana bread for Safe Harbor and make Valentine cards for residents of a local nursing home. We are searching for two volunteers to bake bread with us - contact
Betsy if you are able to help.
The Valentine card materials will be available in the social hall during coffee hour - please stop by to create a card!
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UUCGT Bulletin Board
Opportunity to Volunteer at Safe Harbor
UUCGT will be providing the volunteers at Safe Harbor from the evening of Saturday, February 8 through the morning of Saturday, February 15. We will have a sign-up table in the Social Hall for the next two Sundays. There are still nearly 20 opportunities to help prepare and serve meals, be an evening host, be an overnight host, and to serve and clean up for breakfast. We also need cleaning volunteers the mornings of Sunday, February 9. There are also opportunities to provide food items for the week.
Stop by and see us at the sign-up table and participate in a hands-on ministry to those experiencing homelessness in our community. For more information contact Mike or Sandra McDonald (231) 935-3759.
UUCGT Events on Facebook: W
e will soon begin posting UUCGT Events on Facebook to inform our wider community of the various activities taking place at UU.
Currently, those activities are placed on the website calendar only.
If you are leading a group at the church and do not want your activities posted through Facebook, please contact Jolynn Paige at
231-409-2050 or
grandtraversesocialmedia@gmail.com
John Hoffmann and Lauren Keinath are recruiting congregants to host dinners and other related events as fundraisers to help meet some of the upcoming Search Committee expenses. Please see the article in the January Beacon which has more details. We hope to have hosts volunteer in January with events starting in February.
Contact
John
or
Lauren
if you have questions.
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Mark Your Calendars!
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Sunday, February 9
UUCGT 2020-2021 Stewardship
Campaign Kick-Off & Lunch
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Valentine's Day Dance!
Come learn easy & fun International Folk Dances!
Each dance is taught, and once learned, the sequence is repeated. You get to experience of joy of moving with others in a circle or line. We'll do dances from Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Israel, Germany, Macedonia, and more!
All ages are welcome! Children 6 and up can easily learn these dances. Comfortable shoes are recommended & w
e'll dance from 7 - 9 PM.
Call Mary Van Valin at 231-342-1605 if you have questions.
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UU Brewing Community: Meet-up on Sunday, February 9 from 5:00- 7:00pm at the Workshop Brew Pub. Come enjoy a varied food menu, a variety of drinks and some good conversation. Questions? contact John Hoffmann
UUCGT Men's Group:
Monday,
February 17
, 5:30pm @ Minerva's (note date).
Read this Book! It Can't Happen Here
by
Sinclair Lewis. Mark Gustafson will facilitate discussion
.
Read the book and come prepared to share your thoughts!
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Support Michigan
Social
Justice
Click below
Social Justice Action
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UUCGT 2020 Member & Friend Directory
Do you have a new phone number or email address?
Are you new to UUCGT? Have you moved recently?
If you wish to be included in the 2020 Directory,
please send new contact information to
Thanks!
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UUCGT Calendar of Events
To schedule meetings and events
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Peacemaker Needleworkers:
Thursdays, 1:30pm, social hall
- Transition Team: Thursday, January 30, 2:00pm, library
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Vocal Ensemble: Thursdays, 7:00pm, sanctuary
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Death Cafe Workshop: Friday, January 31, 10:00 - 2:00, social hall
- OWL Program: Saturday, February 1, 1:00 - 5:00pm, all building
- OWL Program: Sunday, February 2, 10:00am-noon, meditation room
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Starting Point UU Class:
Sunday, February 2, 11:45pm - 1:00pm
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Mindfulness Meditation: Sunday, February 2, 4:00pm, sanctuary
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Stretch & Strengthen class:
Mondays @ 11:00am
or call
423-991-9794
- Bridge Club: Tuesdays, 1:00pm, social hall
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SokukoJi Buddhist Meditation:
Tuesday, February 4, 6:30-8:30pm, meditation room
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Stretch & Strengthen class:
Wednesdays, 11:00am, social hall
- Staff Resources: Wednesday, February 5, 3:00pm, library
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Wednesday Potluck Supper: February 5, 5:30pm - Bring a dish to share Enjoy UU Fellowship! All are Welcome!
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Congregational Care: Thursday, February 6, 1:00pm, library
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Peacemaker Needleworkers:
Thursdays, 1:30pm, social hall
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Vocal Ensemble: Thursdays, 7:00pm, sanctuary
- Facilities Team: Friday, February 7, 10:00am, social hall
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Singing Sisters: Saturday, February 8, 10:00am-2:00pm, sanctuary
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Haskin Memorial Service: Saturday, February 8, 3:30pm, all building
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End Note...
Before I can tell my life what I want to do with it,
I must listen to my life telling me who I am.
- Parker Palmer -
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UUCGT office hours
Mon
day - Thursday
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