A wonderful problem to have:

Lights On, Doors Open...

Odd as it may seem, we had a lot of people at the Service last Sunday (see the photos below and follow the link to more of them). In the wonderful hustle and bustle of Rev. Alex's Installation and reception, a door was left propped open and unlocked in the RE area of our building. Whenever you're leaving UUCGT, please check to be sure of whether you are the last person doing so, and whether there are doors to be closed and locked.

And a couple of times in the past week or two I've come in to find lights still burning, left on from the day or night before. Again, please note if you are the last person leaving, and if so please make sure all lights are off.

Thanks,

IN THIS FLASH:

• Note from Guy (above): Building Security
• This Sunday, May 1, 2022, at 10:30 AM - Yom HaShoah, the "Day of Fire": Holocaust Remembrance Day
• Links for Attending Virtually, Submitting Joys & Concerns, plus Links to Video and Photographs of Last Week's Service
• Help Us by Serving as a Greeter; Help Us Host at Coffee Hour and Potluck Suppers!
• Become a PenPal to One Who Could Use a Friend
• Religious Education: Including OWL News!
• Bulletin Board...
• 2022 Annual Meeting of the Congregation
• Proposed By-law Changes
• Candidates for Office
• UU's Proposed Eighth Principle
• "Escape to Freedom" Holocaust Presentation
• HELP UKRAINE "Garage" Sale! - May 7th
• Social Justice: Petition "Buffet" - May 14th
• Jim Crow Museum Tour - May 19th
• Help Out at Community Lunch
• Transforming Hearts
• "Community Coffee Hour" and Calendar Links
• End Note: William Styron: "At Auschwitz...?"
• UUCGT Scheduling & Contact Information

Sunday May 1st, at 10:30 AM:

At UUCGT and Online:

יוֹם הַשּׁוֹאָה

Yom HaShoah: the Day of Fire

Holocaust Remembrance Day - A Lay-led Service

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.

For Joys & Concerns: they should be submitted before 9:00 AM on Sunday, 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, "The Installation of Rev. Alex Jensen," can be viewed here.

Most sermons are available on our YouTube page.

The Installation of Rev. Alex Jensen

The Sanctuary was a place of joyous celebration (and nearly packed!) for Sunday's Installation Ceremony. Charles Brackett's photos of the event are - as usual - beautiful and evocative. Charles has graciously allowed us to link to the entire album of photos here; we ask only that you not reproduce them without his permission. You can e-mail him at

cabrackett01@gmail.com

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:

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. We can't expect the same people to be responsible for this all the time! 

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, 989-430-776, chris9709@sbcglobal.net.

And the impending departure of Sandra & Mike McDonald will leave many holes and shoes to fill. Chris will also be helping to organize the Wednesday potluck supper - they'll usually be happening every other week - but needs a co-chair to help in the enterprise. Please call her!

Religious Education

 From RE Director Betsy Hammerberg

We had a wonderful RE session last Sunday! The children learned about the chalice as a symbol of Unitarian Universalism, and we went on a "chalice hunt" through the building. The children then built their own chalices out of blocks and natural materials, and we finished with free play on the swings and slides. It is so heartwarming to see a group of children engaged in learning about our faith, and having fun together afterwards. 

Next Sunday, May 1, children are invited to go directly to the RE room when they arrive. For all following services in May and June, children will remain in the sanctuary until after the Time for All Ages. 

O.W.L. News:

______________________

We will be holding an OWL Informational Parent Meeting on May 15 at 6:30 pm, for parents/caregivers who are interested in enrolling their children in Our Whole Lives (grades 7-9) in the fall. This meeting is for parents/caregivers who are new to the OWL program; we will give an overview of the program and provide time for questions. 

Questions? Contact Betsy at dre@uucgt.org

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 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 candidates, nominated by the Leadership Development Team, may be viewed here.

Should the UUCGT adopt the proposed 8^th Principle?

A decision facing the Congregation is whether or not to adopt the proposed 8th Principle of Unitarian Universalism. This will be discussed at the Annual Meeting as well. Visit this link for more on where the 8th Principle came from, and how and why other Congregations are adopting it.

The proposed 8^th Principle states:

"We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote: journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse and multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions."

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

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

SOCIAL JUSTICE ACTION OPPORTUNITIES

Petition 'Buffet'

Saturday May 14, 9:30 to 3:30

at the Open Space, Traverse City

1. Reproductive Freedom For All:

This constitutional amendment would repeal the 1931 law that makes abortion a felony and would enshrine reproductive freedom in our state constitution. Reproductive freedom includes the right to obtain contraception, the right to have an abortion, and prohibits prosecution for terminating a pregnancy or helping someone else exercise their reproductive freedom. It also makes forced sterilization illegal.

2. Promote the Vote:

This constitutional amendment would make voting more accessible. Our present methods have always been safe and free of fraud so continue them and add guarantee early voting, guarantee the right to vote without a photo ID, if no ID one signs an affidavit, make it easier to obtain absentee ballots, prepaid to return absentee ballots, establish more drop boxes, establish that audits can only be done by clerks and elected officials.

3. Raise the Wage:

This would gradually raise the state minimum wage to $15 per hour for all workers.

4. Michigan United (a.k.a. Good Time):

This would repeal the law that requires incarcerated inmates to serve out their entire minimum sentence. It would establish ‘credits’ to reduce the sentences of those who earn degrees or work in prison and who have good behavior.

Please come and sign each petition if not already signed them all. 

Also, if you can help, here is the sign-up sheet. We need help please!!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/16aXUU8LN4Ke5eQzVzBakujyqDt4Id1gO/edit

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

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

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.

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:

• Visit https://transforming-hearts-collective.teachable.com/p/transgender-inclusion-in-congregations/?product_id=60%205700&coupon_code=UUGRANDTRAVERSE.

• Scroll down to the selected option for Groups & Congregations for $500. You wdo not have to purchase! 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!

'Off-Site Office Hours'

or

'Community Coffee Hours':

(Choose your preferred alliteration,

and/or beverage!)

We had such a great turnout for our first Community Office Hours meetup! Grab a cup, pull up a chair, and come hang with Rev. Alex again––this time at Higher Grounds at Grand Traverse Commons (806 Red Dr.) for a time of community and fellowship on Tuesday, May 3rd from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM. Drop in for as little or as long as you’d like! Friends welcome!

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/

End Note...

"The best answer I've ever heard to the question 'At Auschwitz, where was God?' was another question: 'At Auschwitz, where was man?'"

- William Styron

Sophie's Choice



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; however Monday is Rev. Alex's Sabbath and he is unavailable except for emergencies. He holds office hours 11:15a to 12:00n on Wednesdays

and 11:00a to12:00n on Thursdays, plus Community Coffee Hours on some Tuesday afternoons from 3:00 to 4:30 (see above). Or visit 

https://calendly.com/rev-alex

to set up an appointment.