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Reframing: Songs of the Soul
Rev. Katie's Animas View
Soul matters. On the next three Sundays, we'll continue to delve more deeply into the depths of the soul. This fellowship has made a practice of offering a summer series focused around a particular subject as a way to connect us, to bind us together and at the same time, allow for diversity. This past year we continued the use of themes to take us through the year of worship, with the overarching theme of "Songs of the Soul." We sang those songs during worship, and they helped introduce us to some of the theological (or "theyological," to better welcome in the many names for the ultimate) ways we are together, and the important arc of the seasons and holy days of the year.
As an opening to connect again, we'll repeat these same themes for the year, reframing them just a bit to see again, to see differently. Next month's newsletter will include the themes for the whole year ahead, with monthly titles, metaphors and descriptive terms to help us think ahead for this year, to consider some of what might matter to us, and to imagine how else we might use these themes in other areas of fellowship life.
I'm glad to be ministering with you again this year, glad that our relationship has a chance for greater understanding, deepening, for widening.
I will be on vacation until August 11th, when I'll be back in my church office, re-connecting with you and the fellowship.
All Blessings,
Katie
Please take note of these things:
On 8/23, please bring a book that you are willing to part with. We'll be having a book communion and you'll be able to take home a new book.
Don't forget to gather a small amount of water on your travels this summer for participation in our ingathering water communion on September 13th.
If you're a member, be on the lookout for the new issue of UUWorld Magazine with a special feature on our fellowship. If you're not yet a member, one additional bonus to membership is receiving this great magazine four times a year.
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August Sunday Services
2015 Summer Series: SOUL MATTERS
What is this immortal essence of a living thing called Soul? Some say our soul is our unique inner expression of the divine. Others say the soul is something like our essential self and holds secrets to our deepest purpose for life. How do we hear our soul's messages in our life? Is the soul eternal? This year's Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Durango Summer Series will explore a variety of perspectives on the meaning of soul and how it expresses in our lives.
A
ugust 2
On the Wellbeing of Our Soul
Suzanne Arms
Throughout the centuries, philosophers, poets and artists have placed great importance on matters of the soul. And what about us? Do we have a stake in the wellbeing of our own soul?
Suzanne Arms has been an outspoken visionary, author, inspired teacher and public speaker since 1975. She is a recent member of UUFD.
 August 9
Animas: The Spiritual Nature of Animals
Karlene Stange
Gain insight into the soul of non-human animals through consideration of creation myths, shamanism, ancient pagan beliefs, Hinduism, Buddhism, Biblical stories, science and the spiritual teachings of mystics, clairvoyants, channels and animal communicators.
Dr. Karlene Stange has practiced veterinary medicine in La Plata County for 30 years.
 August 16
Soul Matters: What Matters to You?
Tom Miller
How can we integrate the seven different perspectives of approaches to the soul? How has your understanding of Soul broadened? What's the "so what" for us?
Tom Miller is a retired counseling psychologist who helped executives and their teams understand and increase their effectiveness and impact.
--End of Summer Series--
August theme: Reframing Soul Songs: Come, Come Whoever You Are
August 23
Book Culture
Rev. Katie Kandarian-Morris
Let's keep the culture of reading alive with a book communion. Bring a book you've loved to give away and choose another today to take home.
August 30
#Black Lives Matter. Here.
Rev. Katie Kandarian-Morris
There is a growing movement across the country calling for all people to notice and respond to the violence against black bodies. What is our obligation here?
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President's Message
Teresa Jordan
Can we talk? UUFD is facing two enormous questions that we need to answer this coming year, and we need your help to answer these. The first question is:
Is our congregation ready to call a minister?
A called minister, also known as a settled minister, has a long-term, open-ended relationship with a congregation. A UU minster acts as a spiritual leader of a congregation by giving sermons, challenging and guiding spiritual focus, providing pastoral care, and representing Unitarian Universalism in the community. In addition, a minister serves as an administrative leader working closely with volunteer leaders of the congregation, supervising staff, and providing day-to-day administration.
About now you must be asking yourself if I have forgotten that UUFD already has a minister. I do remember the excitement last summer as The Rev. Katie Kandarian-Morris became the first minister ever for the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Durango. Rev. Katie was offered a contract as UUFD's Developmental Minister after our Ministerial Search Committee went through an arduous search and lengthy interview process to find the best candidate available for our congregation. Having a Developmental Minster allowed our congregation some time to "try out" a relationship with a minister before making a long-term commitment. Our current contract with Rev. Katie ends August 1, 2017; however, she is open to being called by the members of UUFD.
That brings up the second question:
Will Rev. Katie become our called minister?
It seems that our congregation needs to have an on-going conversation about these two questions. The BOT will help to develop a process to encourage such a conversation so that UUFD members will be prepared to cast informed votes at our Congregational Meeting next spring. In the meantime, you might find helpful information on the Unitarian Universalist Association website at http://www.uua.org/careers/ministers. Please, share your thoughts with the BOT members, Leadership Council members, and Rev. Katie. Let's continue this conversation through the year.
Teresa Jordan, BOT President
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Social Responsibility and Justice News
"Tell me, what will you do with your one wild, precious life?" Mary Oliver
So many things to do - it seems that time just gets eaten up. Of all the activities, events, and commitments that call for your time and attention, is there something that calls your heart to action? That inspires a desire to get involved, do something, make a difference? Our newly designed Social Responsibility and Justice program intends to provide you with a way that you can join a few friends in doing just that. Here are the teams currently, or soon to be, at work on some important social justice issues. Think about joining a team, or about helping a team with some specific part of their work. Just contact the listed facilitator and get involved in leaving your own legacy of creating a "community with peace, liberty and justice for all." (UUFD mission statement)
Affordable Housing - Facilitated by Betty Schwartz-Bozeman and Peter Dybing. Great news in learning that the Durango community is seriously looking at issues related to affordable housing, and the team plans to find out how they can be part of a bigger community effort. In addition, they are participating in 'First Steps,' helping Housing Solutions with teaching transitional housing clients tools for success.
Economic Justice - Facilitated by Ron Garst. Currently this is not a formal team, but rather involves a group of interested individuals exploring issues of economic inequality using materials provide by UUA as part of the Congregation Study Action Issue adopted at a past General Assembly.
Environmental Justice - Facilitated by Tom Miller. This newly forming team will initially consider UUA's Green Sanctuary program. Program guidelines would help us examine our own practices for environmental responsibility as a church community, with an option to pursue becoming certified through Green Sanctuary.
Food Insecurity - Facilitated by John Schwob. Team members are joined by other UUFD individuals participating in community food support efforts. Our numbers assisting Manna Food Kitchen every month have increased. Manna/Garden Project/Cooking Matters knows to call us for help, e.g. childcare for cooking class clients.
International Concerns - Facilitated by Brooks Taylor. This team is working with several ideas and projects. This year they will provide a series of educational sessions on critical world issues which will be open to the public. The team also now has a UUFD liaison (Susana Jones) to the UUA United Nations Office that advocates for international issues. In addition, they are planning for the next CropWalk, and considering presenting a proposal to partner with a small developing church in another country through the Unitarian Universalist Partner Church Council.
Racial Justice - Facilitated by Rev. Katie Kandarian-Morris. In September a circle of conversation will be offered for those interested in exploring and understanding issues of racism and oppression in our nation and its continued woundedness. Watch for more details soon.
Social Justice Awareness - Facilitated by Bonnie Miller. This team works on social justice areas where a need for education, understanding, and support is identified. The first area chosen for focus is LGBTQ concerns. In addition to supporting the June annual Pride Festival, the team participated in an Open House where the need for a safe and supportive place for young (13-17) people was discussed. To be called The Rainbow Center, community leaders are exploring options for a place to lease and for program design, and our team plans to contribute to these efforts. UUFD member Allison Andersen is one of those leaders, conducting a significant fundraising drive to provide needed resources to create this center. Contact Allison if you can contribute, particularly by their August 6 goal date!
Join the action on any team and make it so that UUFD is a place where truly "service is our prayer!"
-Bonnie Miller
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Religious Education update
Docendo discimus - "Teach in order to learn"
Brewing Spirituality young adult group meets monthly at The Steaming Bean.
Want to go deeper into self exploration and the search for truth and meaning? Consider joining a covenant group. Open enrollment is now. New groups form in September and meet monthly at mutually agreed upon times. To learn more about the small group ministry experience or to register, contact re@durangouu.org. No cost.
"It's Hard to Talk About Race." Join us Saturday, September 19 at UUFD for a conversation on race.
BYOB-Book Communion is Sunday, August 23. Give a book, receive a book.
This year, children's and youth programming mirrors the worship themes and concepts. This increases our capacity for meaningful conversation across generations and beyond Sunday mornings. Shared learning and participation in each other's growth strengthens relationships. Our shared teaching model is a beautiful example of multigenerational community in action.
August Worship Theme: Come, Come Whoever You Are
RE Schedule (children and youth)
8/2 Annual Field Day planning and preparation
8/9 Hands in the Dirt
8/16 Annual Field Day
8/23 BYOB-Book Communion (bring donations of one or two books per child on or before 8/23 to the drop box in the RE hall)
8/30 Black Lives Matter. Here.
September Theme: Return Again
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CUUPS Corner
Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans
"May you say yes to the adventures that scare you and emerge from the darkness transformed." Cailin Chero
CUUPS Study group meets on August 1. We celebrate Lughnasadh with a ceremony and potluck to honor the First Harvest. Study group meets Aug 13 and 27th in Bowman Hall at 6:30. Contact Dawenwalker for more information at 970-385-9597 or CUUPSDurango@gmail.com.
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"Good-to-Go" meets monthly
Addressing end-of-life issues
The Good to Go group meets on the third Tuesday of each month from 12:00 noon to 1:30 pm in Bowman Hall. This group focuses on issues related to the end of life. If interested in joining this group, please contact Juanita at juanita.ainsley@aol.com or (970) 884-7309.
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Pause for Poetry
The Poetry Circle will meet
Monday, August 10
, from
6 to 8 pm
, offsite; light refreshments are served. For details and to RSVP, email
durangofolk@frontier.net.
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