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UUCGT FLASH

April 21st, 2022



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This is a long one! I know the temptation is to skim, but today please at least skim EACH block below: changes are coming - small but impactful - and many of the notes below are looking for folks to help out - also in small but impactful ways! - in the Congregation's mission and activities.


Thanks,

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IN THIS FLASH:


  • Note from Guy above: Please read (or at least glance at) the WHOLE FLASH today! Plus last-minute announcement: NO VE TONIGHT, APR 21st.
  • This Sunday, April 24, 2022, at 10:30 AM - Installation of Rev. Robert Alex Jensen
  • Letter from Rev. Alex
  • Special Installation Sunday Offering
  • Links for Attending Virtually and to Last Week's Service
  • Help Us by Serving as a Greeter; Help Us Host at Coffee Hour!
  • Religious Education: Back in Business and Ain't It Grand!
  • Bulletin Board...
  • 2022 Annual Meeting of the Congregation
  • Proposed By-law Changes
  • Candidates for Office - Coming Soon
  • Congregational Care
  • "Escape to Freedom" Holocaust Presentation
  • Tour of the Jim Crowe Museum May 19th
  • HELP UKRAINE "Garage" Sale! - May 7th
  • Help Out at Community Lunch
  • Transforming Hearts
  • Social Justice: Vigil TODAY for Patrick Lyoya
  • Calendar Links
  • End Note: Gratitude according to Proust


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Sunday April 24th, at 10:30 AM:

At UUCGT and Online:

INSTALLATION . . .

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A ceremony to formally recognize that this Unitarian Universalist Congregation and Minister are entering into

covenantal relationship


________________

Just over 50 people have RSVP'd

to say they'll be attending; of course

we hope we'll be seeing many more of you!


ALL ARE WELCOME TO JOIN US

even if you have not responded. If you have a moment today, to tell us that you're coming, great;

call 231-947-3117 or e-mail office@uucgt.org


(Don't bother after mid-day today; no one will see or hear your message as the office is closed Fri-Sun. Just join us!)


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Letter from Rev. Alex..._______


Dear Ones:


The week is finally here! This Sunday, we are gathering as a community to solemnize an Installation. An Installation Service is special, as it marks the covenant of shared ministry made between a congregation and its settled Minister. In this important act and ritual, we will be sharing a spoken covenant with all who are gathered; a covenant which revolves around the care and support of the community, its ministry, and our service to the wider area.

 

A word like “Installation” can be a bit of a misnomer. It may bring up images for you of computers, discs, and hard drives! Or the slowly progressing bar or spinning wheel of doom, as the case may be… While I am to be formally installed as this congregation’s next Minister and Spiritual Leader, it does not mean the ministry rests solely on my own shoulders. Ministry is a partnership. An Installation doesn’t mark the completion of our work together. It is just the beginning.

 

Even in my youth, I am no “superman”. I am only human. An Installation is not about simply installing a new leader as a new piece of equipment or technology. In order for us to fully bloom and blossom as a congregation, we will need to remember how this ministry is shared and our own roles in supporting it.

 

I am so blessed to be your Minister and to have found my way to you. I know we will do great things together, the glimpses of which I’ve seen in these months over my first year with you. Let’s celebrate together this Sunday and rejoice that a new covenant and bond has been forming! Let’s see where this journey can, and will, take us!

 

From your Minster, with great faith and love,

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Rev. Alex



SPECIAL INSTALLATION SUNDAY OFFERING:


It is customary for Installation and Ordination services to collect an Offering for the UUA’s Living Tradition Fund, which supports the vibrancy and vitality of our ministry.

 

The Living Tradition Fund provides three types of support for ministry:

  • need-based scholarships for theological students who have completed a full year of theological education;
  • new minister assistance to reduce the burden of high educational debt and repayment;
  • emergency assistance grants to seminarians, ministers, religious professionals, other congregational staff, retired ministers and their loved ones.

 

Read more about the Living Tradition Fund here.

If you're joining us online...

Attend via YouTube here.

The Virtual Social Hall now happens following the Service. Visit with each other online here immediately afterward.


There will be no Joys & Concerns segment during this Sunday's Installation Ceremony. You can share Joys & Concerns if you wish, and they will be shared the following week. They should be submitted before 9:00 AM on Sunday May 1st here at UUCGT in the book in the Sanctuary, or using the online form at

https://forms.gle/k1L7NynkwpamWynx7


Our Services are almost always recorded. Last week's Service, "Historic Heresies," can be viewed here.


Sermons are available on our YouTube page.


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HELP US ON A SUNDAY BY BEING A GREETER!


Now that UUCGT is open for services, we are looking for Greeters. As a Greeter you...

  • meet people at the door (we have 2);
  • hand out Orders of Service;
  • direct people to the Sanctuary, Children's rooms, or Welcome Table; and
  • pass out the collection baskets and process the collection.


If you have any questions contact Chris Lautz  chrislautz7777@gmail.com or 860-884-7741. There are sign up sheets on the Welcome Table.


HELP IS NEEDED IN ADDITIONAL WAYS:

From the Program Council...


Do you enjoy coffee/tea/hot chocolate and light snacks after Sunday Services while getting acquainted with Visitors or New Members, and visiting with long-time Friends? This tradition may cease unless volunteers respond to help with this important Fellowship function.


Much Gratitude to Penny Ort who will continue as she has for many years, volunteering every 1st Sunday of the month, and to Membership Team members who continue to handle 3rd Sundays every month. Volunteers need to respond to this Stewardship opportunity and step up for 2nd, 4th and 5th Sundays each month. Committees, Teams or individuals please consider taking a turn. In addition, an overall Coordinator for Sunday Hospitality is needed who would train volunteers, oversee the schedule, and manage supplies. Waiting for your phone call or email is Chris Walter, 989-430-4776, chris9709@sbcglobal.net.


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Weekly RE will be offered starting

this Sunday, April 24!

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With the recent change in our re-opening protocol, which allows unvaccinated children in all areas of the building, we will now be able to offer RE on a weekly basis. For staffing reasons, all children (including nursery-aged children) will need to remain with their caregivers until after the Time for All Ages. Unvaccinated children over the age of 2 must wear a mask at all times while indoors. We are SO excited to finally welcome all of our children back! 


Also, please join us for a Welcome Spring! celebration on April 24 after the service. We will have music, games, crafts, snacks, and fort-building! Parents/caregivers are welcome to stay with their children for the celebration, or to join the adults for Rev. Alex's installation gathering. 


Parents and caregivers were sent an email from Betsy, with more details about our RE re-opening and upcoming events. If you did not receive an email, please contact Betsy at dre@uucgt.org



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UUCGT BULLETIN BOARD


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ANNUAL MEETING OF THE CONGREGATION


UUCGT's by-laws call for the Congregation's Annual Meeting to be held on or before the 1st Sunday in June. (The pandemic shifted the scheduling of the previous two years.) This year that will be Sunday June 5th.


The by-laws also call for information that will be considered and/or voted on by the Congregation at the meeting be shared at least six weeks prior. This year that means by Sunday April 24th. This in turn means that if you have additional information involving a Congregational vote, the Congregation must be notified by this coming Sunday - so please send it by 3:00 PM TODAY so it can be included in Sunday's "Reminder" Flash. Thank you!


UUCGT BYLAWS AMENDMENTS

as of APRIL 2022


Following direction from the UUCGT Board at its March 9, 2022 a Bylaws Task Force was formed to draft proposed changes to the Bylaws regarding ARTICLE IV. MEMBERSHIP.  During their work additional changes were suggested for ARTICLE II. PURPOSE. Task Force members: Chris Lautz (Membership), Mike McDonald (Finance), Judy Myers (Stewardship and Board), Mary Van Valin (Program Council), Chris Walter (Board and Membership), Jane Watts (Membership and Program Council), and Rick Walter (ex-officio, Program Council).

 

Click here to see the proposed changes. Current words suggested for change are printed in red strikethrough and new proposed words are green.


Candidates for Offices, 22-23


This year's Candidate Brochure will be sent out later today if possible; either way Sunday morning's "Reminder" Flash will link to it.


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Caring for Our Congregation


Robert & Nancy Doughty

Many of you will have heard by now that our beloved member Robert "Bob" Doughty drew his last breath last weekend after a long and glorious life. He was a month short of turning 92.


We will remember and honor Bob's life on Saturday, May 14th, at 2:00 PM. Cards and letters of appreciation of Bob's life are welcomed by his wife, Nancy, especially notes about how much Bob meant to you. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes you to donate to UUCGT's Endowment Fund and to the Inland Seas Education Association in Bob's name to honor his memory.


Connie Mooney

Please consider sending a card or calling Connie if you know her (or if you don't!). She is in a rehab facility regaining her balance following a stroke. Contact Connie at:

c/o Short Term Rehab

419 S Coral St.

Kalkaska MI 49646


Don Fraser

Don's family flew him from Florida to a new Care Facility here in TC. The Fraser family encourages you to reach out to Don with your thoughtful notes and cards.


His new address is:

Orchard Creek Skilled Nursing Facility

Room 22

9731 Cherry Bend Road

Traverse City, Michigan 49684


Many thanks to all of you for your love and support during this difficult time. 


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On Sat. April 30th at 7pm:

Escape to Freedom: A Holocaust Story

with Storyteller & Author,

Judy Sima

  • here at the UUCGT!


Join Judy Sima as she gives a first-person account of her mother, Elsa Mosbach’s escape from Germany during World War II.


Listen to her harrowing confrontation with the Gestapo as she begs for her father’s release from Buchenwald Concentration Camp after Kristallnacht, the Night of the Broken Glass.


Read more about Judy and the story in this flyer, or visit this Congregation Beth Shalom Facebook event page.


More questions? Contact Jennifer Strauss at

admin@beth-shalom-tc.org


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Jim Crow Museum of Racial Memorabilia Tour

"Teaching Tolerance with Objects of Intolerance"


A group tour of the Jim Crow Museum of Racial Memorabilia at Ferris State University, Big Rapids, is planned for Thursday, May 19. Meet at church at 10:00, return by 5:00.


Contact Margaret Wozniak at wozniak64@yahoo.com or 231-510-0903 with names of persons attending and whether you are able to be a driver. No cost except a contribution to your car-pool driver to defray gas costs. Deadline for registration is May 12. There is a maximum of 25 per tour. If we have interest beyond that number, we will arrange a second tour on another date.


This project is a result of action items brought forth by the CASTE book discussion group!


Further info at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yf7jAF2Tk40



In gratitude,

Margaret Wozniak


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Help Ukraine Garage Sale!


The sale itself is Saturday, May 7th, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM here at UUCGT.


Volunteers are still needed to help set up the sale on Friday, May 6 from noon to 5 pm. AND/OR to work the day of the sale, Saturday, May 7, from 7:30 am to noon AND/OR noon to 4:30 pm.


Donations for the sale may be dropped off at UU on:


Thursday, May 5, from noon to 4 p.m.

Friday, May 6, from 9 a.m. to noon


Contact Kim Gribi, kgribi@chartermi.net   499-8664

or

Mary VanValin, mgvv77@yahoo.com   342-1605

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Help Out at Community Lunch!


Did you know that this congregation has been serving a free lunch on Tuesdays for 30 years? We serve lunch the Friends meeting house, as it is more convenient than our building for those without transportation. This year I have lost 2 of my best cooks 😞.


As a result I desperately need one or two people willing to prepare entrees for 20-30 servings. Please call, email, or text me. 



Mary Kiner 

marykiner@charter.net

423-991-9794

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TRANSFORMING HEARTS

Our Transforming Hearts program here at UUCGT is well underway! Discussions are happening weekly on Tuesdays from 5-6 PM. We encourage you to view each session and module at home before the discussion, though you are also welcome to participate even if you haven't had a chance to view the material.

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This week's gathering is Session 3,

"Unpacking the Gender Binary"

You can also participate online!

Zoom in to the in-person discussion here: 

https://uuma.zoom.us/j/97422513728

We encourage you to enroll in the full Transforming Hearts program online, using the following steps:



  • Scroll down to view the selected option for Groups & Congregations for $500. It should be crossed out and say “Free”. You do not need to purchase this program! Click the “Enroll” button underneath the part that says “Free”.
  • Click “Signup with Email” and input your name, email address, and password. You are now enrolled in the course!
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From Rev. Colleen Squires,

All Souls Community Church of Western Michigan

in Grand Rapids


This weekend demonstrators continued to protest the April 4th fatal shooting of Patrick Lyoya by a Grand Rapids police officer. This is another tragic example of police violence toward a Black man.


On April 13th graphic video was released showing Mr. Lyoya on the ground and being fatally shot in the back of his head. It is extremely difficult and upsetting to see this young man fully alive at the start of the video and just a few minutes later witness his lifeless body still and silent on the ground. Keep in mind, this was a traffic stop and Mr. Lyoya was unarmed.


As Unitarian Universalists we are called to demand justice and full accountability. In the days ahead many protests and rallies are planned. Each one is a call for justice, equity and accountability. People are angry and heartbroken. We fully support free speech, and we must also understand that people have a right to be angry and upset. I pray for the safety of all involved.


And from Randy Block, MSW

Director (he, him, his) of Michigan UU Social Justice Network


TWO THINGS YOU CAN DO

 

Write a short note to Grand Rapids city officials. Click HERE to write a letter that relays justice demands from the Lyoya family. NOTE: One of those demands has been met: release of video with pictures of the incident.

 

Also, you can donate through a Go Fund Me program to help with funeral expenses for Patrick Lyoya by clicking HERE.

Together, we can do great things,

 

THERE IS A VIGIL HERE IN TRAVERSE CITY


You can help honor Patrick Lyoya's life today, Thursday, April 21st, at 5:30pm in front of the Traverse City Courthouse. Please join us.



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THE CALENDAR


PLEASE NOTE: There is no Vocal Ensemble rehearsal this evening, Thursday, April 21st.


The UUCGT calendar for the week may be viewed and/or downloaded by clicking on the "mini-calendar" image on the left. It is also available on our website at https://www.uucgt.org/calendar/

Again, please double-check if meetings are happening in person, online, or both; when in doubt please make sure the office knows your status. If you notice something is missing or in the wrong place on our calendar, please let the office know!

PLEASE NOTE: The Staff meet every Wednesday from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM. The office will always be closed during this time.


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End Note...


"Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom."


- Marcel Proust



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THE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CONGREGATION

OF GRAND TRAVERSE

6726 Center Road

Traverse City MI 49683

231-947-3117

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office@uucgt.org

www.uucgt.org



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.



The office is generally staffed MON - THU, 9am-3pm.

If you're planning to drop by, please email office@uucgt.org or call the office at 231-947-3117 first if you are able.