UUCGT FLASH

9-22-22

IN THIS FLASH:

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

TIME: Sunday, September 25 at 10:30 AM

"The Water Communion: Waters of Life in A Thirsty World"

In our post pandemic world, we are thirsty for connection, respite, and wholeness. Join us as we merge our shared waters and invite ourselves into this time of quenching and renewal.

We will also welcome new members into our community in the service.

Click here to view the Order of Service.

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

Our service this Sunday, September 25^th will be UUCGT’s annual Water Communion and Ingathering service. You are encouraged to bring with yourself a small amount/container of water from a place that is special or meaningful to you to contribute to our shared waters. Don’t fret! If you forget your water, we’ll have some here available for you!

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Water Communion:

We will be holding our own Water Communion in RE on September 25. Children are invited to bring a small container of water from a place that is important to them. (This doesn't have to be complicated - it can be from the kitchen sink at home or the water fountain at school, for example, because home and school are very important places!) We will learn about the UU tradition of Water Communion, and then hold a ceremony outside.

OWL Update:

We have finalized dates for the 2022-23 Our Whole Lives course, which will run from October 1 to May 13. Please spread the word to anyone who may be interested - we still have spaces available!

Click here on Calendar for 2022/2023 information!

You can also contact Betsy Hammerberg for any further information at dre@uucgt.org

An Opportunity to Serve Others with SAFE HARBOR!

UUCGT is volunteering at

SAFE HARBOR this year from Saturday, November 5th to Saturday, November 12th.

Caring hearts and hands are greatly needed!

Please sign up by clicking this link: https://gtsafeharbor.ivolunteer.com/uucg_11_5_22.

FOR ALL INFORMATION ON VOTING

How and where to register, where to vote, candidates & proposals, etc.

PLEASE CLICK ON THIS NON-PARTISAN LINK: http://vote411.org/

To confirm you are registered to vote, click here: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/Index/#yourclerk

To register to vote or update your voting status, click here: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Home/RegisterToVote

Many thanks from your Social Justice Action Team!

Emmy Lou Cholak, Chair

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, September 29th 3-4:30pm

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!

Soul Matters / Creativity Matters 2022-23

Wondering about our Creativity Matters group?

Creativity Matters is new to UUCGT this year and explores the same monthly themes as Soul Matters but through creative expression in the form of a creative journal and project prompts.

Choose movement, writing, art, collage, film/photography, music, fiber arts, or whatever modality speaks to you.

Participants share stories about their experiences engaging each theme’s questions and projects with their group using the same deep and disciplined listening process as the regular Soul Matters group.

Although Soul Matters / Creativity Matters groups are starting to get underway, there is still plenty of time for you to join one!

See the Thursday 9/8 email from UUCGT for more information about the nature and purpose of our Soul Matters / Creativity Matters groups (as well as links to copies of the Participant guide and the Soul Matters and Creativity packets on our September theme of Belonging).

Have more questions?

Ready to join?

Contact Kat Norman

at graennholt@gmail.com or 909-856-9945

ZEN BUDDHIST MEDITATION & STUDY

Tuesdays from 6:30 to 9PM

at UUCGT in the Yellow Classroom and on ZOOM

Join us in person at UUCGT, or through a ZOOM link on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 9PM.

Please contact Anne Hughes for details:

231-645-0911 / anne.hughes.828@gmail.com

Book Discussions on

EARTH DEMOCRACY: JUSTICE, SUSTAINABILITY AND PEACE

BY VANDANA SHIVA

Earth Democracy is both an ancient world view and an emergent political movement for peace, justice, and sustainability, to experience the earth as a family and community consisting of all beings and humans of all colors, beliefs, classes and countries.

Book Discussions will be led by Misty Sheehan on Zoom. Kindly let her know if you plan to join!

The Zoom discussions will be held on Wednesdays from 7 to 9pm on these dates:

Wed: Sept 28th (7 - 9pm)

Wed: Oct 12th (7 - 9pm)

Wed: Oct 19th (7 - 9pm)

Misty Sheehan: 231-499-9488 / mistysheehan11@gmail.com

UUCGT BULLETIN BOARD

GREETINGS FROM THE MEMBERSHIP TEAM - AND KIND REQUESTS!

From Membership Team - Chris Lautz, John Hoffman, Jane Watts, Chris and Rick Walter

All Members and Friends need to think about this: Stewardship involves more than putting your money into the weekly basket or when you make your pledge during the Pledge Campaign. Stewardship means Serving this congregation in ways that help others and yourself grow in Love and Support of our beloved Community.

In order for our community to continue to grow and thrive, more people are needed to Help and Serve. Our community is changing - some who have “carried the load” have moved or for a variety of reasons can no longer do so. It is Time for Others to get more involved.

Here are Two Simple and Rewarding Ways you can Step Up and Serve!

Hospitality on Sunday Mornings involves:

• Preparing Coffee, Hot water for Tea, Set Ups/Clean up. Edibles are Optional

• Volunteers or a Team of Volunteers are needed for:

• Share 2nd Sundays of the Month with Congregational Care Team (i.e. 6 Sundays per month)

• 4th Sundays of the Month

• 5th Sundays of the Month (only 4-5 per year)

Wednesday Supper Coordination:

• 1-2 people to select 2 dates per month (avoid 3rd Wednesday which is Board meeting night) for gatherings at UUCGT (Summers traditionally are at member’s homes)

• Accept distribution mail list from current coordinator and add new members and other interested people

• Send reminders to that list about upcoming gatherings

• Share dates monthly with Office Administrator for Calendar

• Arrive early to set up tables, chairs - Enlist helpers

• Enlist helpers for CleanUp

Both of these opportunities are extremely important for continued Fellowship among our members and friends, Welcoming new members into our congregation, Developing relationships with others, and continuing to build our loving community. It would be a shame if the Wednesday Suppers ceased since they have been a part of the Congregation for over 20 years.

Please try to think how you might help to keep them going. There are other people available to help you get started!

Please contact the Office at office@uucgt.org, or call 231-947-3117

to indicate your willingness to serve - looking forward!

Our New Website

Check out our BRAND NEW website at uucgt.org

Same link as before, but with revamped web pages, a sermon archive, updated information, and so much more!

For members of the congregation, there is also a password-protected "Members Only" page.

Please contact Arica in our Office to receive the password.

office@uucgt.org or (231) 947-3117

REMINDERS AND PRIOR ANNOUNCEMENTS

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 Betsy Hammerberg.

Sunday Service Greeters Needed: Please sign up on the sheets on bulletin board outside the office.

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 6:30PM. The office will always be closed during this time.

Join us as we call on our community to Vote our Values!

We invite you to join us for a special event this election season that will draw people of faith together to celebrate how we are all connected and to affirm the dignity and inherent worth in all people. Join us for:

Voting our Values: AN ELECTION BLOCK PARTY!

Sunday, Nov 6 from 2 to 4 PM

Twin Lakes Park Meeting Rm, 6800 N Long Lake Rd

The Grand Traverse Area SALT Coalition has invited every candidate running for office in Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties to be present to meet voters and share their literature with our community. Drop in when you can! There will be food, music, games and election information to inform you as you vote.

Who is SALT?: We are an interfaith group coming together from many belief systems. We move through the tension of polarizing views to be a prophetic voice in the public square, calling us back to our shared humanity and our best selves.

THE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CONGREGATION

OF GRAND TRAVERSE

6726 Center Road

Traverse City MI 49683

231-947-3117

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.