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UUCGT FLASH

April 14th, 2022



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IN THIS FLASH:


  • A week from Sunday: Rev. Alex's Installation
  • This Sunday, April 17, 2022, at 10:30 AM - "Historic Heresies"
  • Letter from Rev. Alex - And an Invitation!
  • Links for Attending Virtually - A CHANGE!
  • Links to Last Week's Service, and how to submit Joys & Concerns
  • Religious Education
  • Pledges are still arriving - have you sent yours?
  • Bulletin Board...
  • 2022 Annual Meeting of the Congregation
  • Special Thanks
  • Congregational Care
  • Tour of the Jim Crowe Museum May 19th
  • Transforming Hearts
  • UU Orientation
  • Calendar Links
  • End Note: Heresies...?


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A WEEK from SUNDAY

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At the Sunday Service, April 24th 2022, at 10:30, we will conduct and celebrate

the joyfully anticipated installation of


Rev. Alex Jensen as Minister of UUCGT


officially entering into Covenantal relationship.


PLEASE JOIN US

FOR THE CEREMONY

and the

RECEPTION FOLLOWING!


Please let us know by phone or email if you are likely to attend. Write office@uucgt.org

or call the office 231-947-3117.

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Sunday April 14th, at 10:30 AM:

At UUCGT and Online:

"HISTORIC HERESIES"

______________________________


Led by Rev. Alex Jensen

&

Coordinated by Andi Kramer

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What is our theological inheritance as Unitarian Universalists? On this Easter Sunday, we'll explore earlier ideas and heresies in our religious past around the divinity of Jesus. What does this history say to who we are now? 

Letter from Rev. Alex...


As Easter approaches, I find myself thinking about the seasons and of our own season of emergence as a community in this time. Not only are we coming out of a long season of winter with warmer, sunnier days ahead, but we as a congregation are also coming out of a long winter in a sense. A long winter of pandemic, of distancing and separateness, and of quiet and stillness. Just as the seasons shift, so too are we shifting in our energy and our excitement for this community. We are growing and budding again, much like the hints of green stalks from crocuses and bulbs, with the great burst of color harkening spring just around the corner.

 

In this state of emergence or even re-emergence, we have much to be grateful for. Generations of heretics, prophets, visionaries, and radical thinkers have paved the paths of history leading to our own path here as a congregation. To be the inheritors of this liberal faith and tradition is a blessing. Only centuries ago, people died to speak and preach the truth as they saw it. From one of our many sources as a faith, the differing viewpoints and notions around who Jesus was within Christianity––whether he was divine, human, or somewhere in between––were stifled. There wasn’t a sense of freedom of belief or a free search for what one understands to be true. Indeed, even today we see in the modern day just how fragile this freedom is in the wake of so much harmful religious rhetoric; the freedom for each of us to be on the free and responsible path toward truth and meaning, however we understand these.

 

This Sunday, we are exploring some of these early heretics and radical thinkers who challenged and pushed against the established ideas and structures of their times. As we think of the Easter story––a story that tells of renewal and rejuvenation in the face of destruction and death––we might remember these forbears who remind us of how precious these gifts are: the gifts of our free faith and of this wider community.

 

I hope to see you Sunday.


In faith and love,

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Rev. Alex



Community Office Hours: Coffee with Rev. Alex!


Are you a coffee or tea fan? Want to hang or visit with some of your friends from UUCGT over some sweet treats? Have a burning question or two for Rev. Alex?

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Grab a cup, pull up a chair, and come hang with Rev. Alex at Starbucks just down the street from UUCGT (1120 E Front St.) for a time of community and fellowship on Wednesday, April 20th from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM. Drop in for as little or as long as you’d like! Friends welcome!

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.


AND PLEASE NOTE:

We are again in a time of transition!


As with Sunday Services, members of committees, clubs, and other groups may be meeting in person, online, or in hybrid formats. It is wonderful meeting in person but not everyone is able to do it. Please check with chairs and other group leaders to confirm - our published and online calendars include Zoom links that may or may not still be necessary!


COMMITTEE CHAIRS & GROUP LEADERS:

You can help the office by being proactive! Please keep me aware of meeting times and places, and make sure group members and I all know about any changes.


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To Submit Joys & Concerns for the Service:


Instead of sharing your Joys or Concerns in the Zoom Virtual Social Hall chat before the start of the service, we invite you to share weekly using this online form:


https://forms.gle/k1L7NynkwpamWynx7


Please share BEFORE Sundays at 9:00 AM to ensure that your sharings are included in that Sunday's service. You can also share by writing in the book in the Sanctuary before the service starts up until the prelude. The Joys and Concerns shared after 9:00 AM will be included in the following Sunday's service. Please contact Rev. Alex if you have any questions.

  • Remember: if you miss a Service, they are almost always recorded! You can view last Sunday's Service, "Awakening Compassion" right here.
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FINANCIAL REPORT


SUMMARY AS OF MARCH 31, 2022

75% of OUR FISCAL YEAR



Budgeted Income Rec'd YTD


Budgeted Expenses Paid YTD


"For Those in Need" YTD

Current Year 2021-22


$195,397 61.8%


$212,293 66.0%


7,610

Prior Year 2020-21


$213,660 78.8%


$200,998 72.0%


10,131


We have finally reached a point where the Finance Committee is comfortable that the numbers above are a fair representation of where we stand. We have struggled the past few months with the conversion to a new accounting system and an outside firm doing the accounting.


We will probably finish the fiscal year with a loss, but we anticipated that would occur when we received forgiveness of our PPP loan of over $39,000 in May of fiscal 2020-2021 instead of this fiscal year. That did result in us finishing 2020-2021 with a surplus of over $18,000 which should cover much of our loss this year. 


Budgeted income includes the total of all pledged and unpledged donations and miscellaneous income including building rent, etc. “For Those in Need” collections are in addition to Budgeted Income Received and are disbursed quarterly to worthy causes, including Congregational Care, Tuesday Community Lunch, the Minister’s Discretionary Fund and other Community needs outside our congregation.  The percentage reflects the portion of the total amount of income or expense budgeted for the fiscal year.


If you want more detailed information, you can look at our website, click on Board, then on Board Packet, then on Monthly Comparison. Questions can be directed to your Finance Committee which includes Tom Darnton, Dusty Culton, Nancy Doughty, Mike McDonald and Jim Walworth.



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RELIGIOUS EDUCATION


We had an absolutely wonderful time on Sunday, meeting together in person! Nine children from ages 3 - 11 spent the hour getting to know each other, taking a tour of our congregation, and decorating rocks to spread around the grounds. We hope that by having the children leave a personal mark on the space, they will feel that this congregation and building are "theirs", and that this is a place where all of who they are is welcomed and embraced. 


We look forward to welcoming children again on April 24. We will have regular RE during the service, and after the service we will have a "Welcome Spring!" celebration. Adults are welcome to join Rev. Alex's installation party while their children celebrate spring with us.



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Pledges Still Arriving!


If you've not made yours, please know we'll be grateful if you do, no matter when.


Click on the image right to go to a downloadable Pledge Form!

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UUCGT BULLETIN BOARD



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 the actual deadline to submit information to the office will be Wednesday, April 20th - that's next Wednesday! - so it can be included in the Flash. Thank you!



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Much Gratitude...


...to Betsy Hammerberg for thoughtfully making Prayers for Ukraine pins, with ribbons the color of Ukraine’s national flag.


...and to Mary Moody, a new attender, who replenished the supply this past Sunday. We wear the pins close to our hearts.



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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.


Bob was a deep thinker and a kind soul, with involvements in several Unitarian Universalist congregations where he took on leadership positions and was passionate about social justice and action. Here Bob chaired the Endowment Committee and cared deeply for our Congregation and its ministry to the wider community and world.


The family and Rev. Alex are still in conversation about possibilities for remembering Bob's life at this time. 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

Connie Mooney had a stroke and after a brief stay at Munson has been moved to in-patient rehab. She can talk but her balance was the affected area. Please consider sending a card or calling her if you know Connie. (Or consider sending a card or calling if you don't know Connie?) Contact Connie at:

c/o Short Term Rehab

419 S Coral St.

Kalkaska MI 49646


Don Fraser

On April 1st we picked up Don at his Skilled Nursing Facility in Venice, Florida and 5 Frasers flew to Traverse City…… Tobin, Gretchen, Randy, Don and Nancy.  Back here in Traverse City, we drove to Don’s new Care Facility. The Fraser family encourages you to reach out to Don with your thoughtful notes and cards.


His new address will be:

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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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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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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The schedule continues as follows:

  • Tue., Apr. 19th: Session 2, Gender & Our Faith Community
  • Tue., Apr. 26th: Session 3, Unpacking the Gender Binary
  • Tue., May 3rd: Session 4, Trans Experience & Spirituality
  • Tue., May 10th: Session 5, The Role of Culture in Trans Exclusion
  • Tue., May 17th: Session 6, Creating Culture Shift


You can also participate online!

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Can't make it to UU but still want to tune in? 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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Members and Future Members:

UU ORIENTATION IS COMING!


UU Orientation on April 17th. Want to learn more about the UU religion, our UUCGT and the path to membership? 


Following services at 11:30, in the Sanctuary, we will meet to discuss all things UU and answer your questions. Meeting to last about 90 minutes.


Contact Chris at chrislautz7777@gmail.com or 860-884-7741 to reserve your spot.


Are you, or do you know someone, interested in more information or becoming a member of UUCGT?  This orientation gathering is for you and for them. Please share with anyone who might like to know about this.



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THE CALENDAR


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...

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"The religious geniuses of all ages have been distinguished by this kind of religious feeling, which knows no dogma and no God conceived in man's image; so that there can be no church whose central teachings are based on it. Hence it is precisely among the heretics of every age that we find men who were filled with this highest kind of religious feeling and were in many cases regarded by their contemporaries as atheists, sometimes also as saints. Looked at in this light, men like Democritus, Francis of Assisi, and Spinoza are closely akin to one another."


- Albert Einstein



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.