UUCGT FLASH

11-17-22

IN THIS FLASH:

This Week’s Service IN PERSON at UUCGT - and ONLINE!

TIME: Sunday, November 20th at 10:30 AM

“Trans Day of Remembrance”

Service led by the Rev. Alex Jensen, in Collaboration with Up North Pride

Coordinated by Mary Van Valin

In this joint service with Up North Pride, we honor trans, genderqueer, agender, and nonbinary folks who have lost their lives to violence, hatred, and bigotry in the past year. Join us as we lift up their lives and memories.

Due to the collaborative nature of this service, you will find the completed Order of Service at UUCGT.ORG as soon as it is available - thank you!

If you’re joining us online, attend with YouTube by clicking here.

If you are attending in person, please feel free to join us following the service for a time of community and fellowship in our Social Hall!
Please submit Joys & Concerns before 9 AM on Sundays with the online form at: https://forms.gle/k1L7NynkwpamWynx7 or at UUCGT in the book in the Sanctuary.

To view past Sermons - visit our website: UUCGT.org

Winter Sunday Service Cancelations & Building Closures

In the event of unsafe or inclement weather, we may need to cancel our in-person services at a moment's notice. Sunday service cancelations or closures will be determined by Rev. Alex, the Sunday Service Coordinator, and Staff. As the colder months approach, please be on the lookout for an emergency e-blast about possible closures and alternate plans for worship. We will also announce closures on our website and social media pages. Please be vigilant and stay tuned!

A friendly reminder that it is cold and flu season, not to mention Covid season still - so we encourage you to stay home if you're feeling sick, and to wear a mask if you feel more comfortable that way!

UUCGT BULLETIN BOARD

It’s Almost Party Time!

Our Autumn Fun(d)raiser is this Saturday, November 19^th at 7 PM!

We’ve got very fun music planned, thanks to Judy Barrett, Renée Russell, our own UUUkers, the Celtic Band, and maybe more!

The silent auction tables will be open for bid at 7:00 and begin closing, table by table, starting about 8:00. The auction will be complete before 9:00. Hal Gurian, the famous local auctioneer, will run the live auction about 8 p.m. The items he will auction include:

+ 10 hours of skilled craftsman and handyman Karl Keinath’s precious time for your home needs.

+. A beautiful Old Town Kayak, very lightweight paddle, life jacket, wheeled kayak cart, and car top rack. Get ready for summer!

+Our own famous dessert maker, Mary Kiner, will bake a special dessert once a month just for you!

+John and Peg Zachman are donating a weekend in June (either June 9-11, or June 16-18) at their lake front house on Elk Lake. It sleeps 20, so invite the whole family! Row boat, canoe, sunfish, grills, and a fire pit all ready for your fun.

+The Celtic Band will play for your event! How exciting is that?

+ The jigsaw puzzle challenge from the Wozniaks! Complete it, take a photo of the puzzle, and you, earn $500 for UUCGT!

The “UU Store” will be open the whole evening with the “buy it now” set up. You’ll want to shop early and often for the great items on sale. Do bring your bags and totes to take things home.

If you don’t want to buy anything, invite friends and family, and share the purchasing opportunities! The more the merrier.

The last thought is we are raising funds for our operating budget, as a part of year-long stewardship. When we get more experienced at this, we can do wider community outreach fundraising and invite the whole city! For now, we’ll keep our doors open and inviting to all. The committee so appreciates your generosity and hard work for this fun event. Thank you!

We’ll be accepting items here at the building Friday, November 18th ALL DAY!

ALSO, if you can help on the night of the FUN(d)RAISER - please let us know!

Rev. Alex On Study Leave Next Week: Nov. 22^nd to Nov. 28^th, 2022

Rev. Alex will be away from his pastoral responsibilities from Tuesday, November 22^nd through Monday, November 28th, returning to the Office on Tuesday, November 29^th.

During this time, he will be available only for emergencies and will not be monitoring emails as usual. All queries during this time will be answered once he returns.

This is an important time of rest, study, development, and rejuvenation for our Minister. During this time, Rev. Alex will be catching up on his reading list, developing reflections for future worship services, and exploring ideas for social media and enhancing a digital presence for UUCGT!

If you have any questions, please reach out to Rev. Alex or the Committee on Ministry.

Pitch In and Shovel Walks for a Week?

Will you help shovel the walks this winter? A group of volunteers will be sharing the work, each responsible for a single week. Here’s how it will work: Each person takes on a week and assures that the walks will be clear of snow during that time. If it’s just a daily dusting it’s a quick job. If it’s a larger snowfall we call the rest of the group and those that can help out join the effort.

It is cost prohibitive to hire a service for this work, since our lake-effect snow sometimes falls a bit every day. Nor should it be one person’s full responsibility, as winter is long and our average snowfall is substantial. With this system, we share the work and contribute to a team effort. (The parking lot plowing is done by a pro, but the shoveling of the walks is not in their scope.)

If you are able-bodied and reside a reasonable distance from the building, please join the team. The more volunteers we get the fewer weeks anyone will be assigned.

Call text or email David Hassing to join. Dhassing13@gmail.com, 231.631.8757

Community Office Hours: Coffee with Rev. Alex!

Want to hang or visit with some of your friends from UUCGT over some tea, coffee, or sweet treats? Have a burning question or two for Rev. Alex? Grab a cup, pull up a chair, and come hang!

When: Thursday, Dec. 1st from 3 to 4:30pm

Where: Grand Traverse Pie Company at 525 W. Front Street

(next to Burritt's)

Drop in for as little or as long as you’d like - friends and acquaintances welcome!

A SPECIAL THANK YOU!

We wish to thank all of the UUCGT congregants and friends who gave so generously of their time, talent and donations in support of our week at SAFE HARBOR. As we are reminded during the daily huddles there, none of the work would be possible without you. During our congregationally supported week, SAFE HARBOR was able to supply 425 guest/nights of lodging and 495 separate meals.

Your donated time and material support were remarkable, and we cannot thank you enough!

Sincerely,

Rich Faller, Betsy Wacker and Katie Grier

REMINDERS AND PRIOR ANNOUNCEMENTS

Interested in Getting More Involved at UUCGT? Click HERE to find out how!

Vocal Ensemble: Rehearsals are Tuesdays at 6:30pm. All voices/experience levels welcome!
Religious Education: Seeking help with our program during Sunday Service! Contact DRE Betsie Hammerberg.
Sunday Service Greeters Needed: Please sign up on the sheets on bulletin board outside the office.
Zen Buddhist Meditation/Study: Tuesdays, 6:30-9 PM in Yellow Classroom/Zoom. Contact Anne Hughes for details.
Soul & Creativity Matters Small Groups: Great opportunities for engagement and creation! Contact Kat Norman to get involved.
WE ARE HIRING for RE Lead Teacher - Please click HERE for details!

THE CALENDAR

The UUCGT calendar for the week may be viewed on our website at https://uucgt.org/21861-2/

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 Tuesday from 5:00 to 6:30 PM. The office will always be closed during this time.

THE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CONGREGATION

OF GRAND TRAVERSE

6726 Center Road

Traverse City MI 49683

231-947-3117

office@uucgt.org

www.uucgt.org

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.