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Rev. Katie's Animas View
Be not afraid of growing slowly. Be afraid only of standing still.
-Chinese Proverb
As the newly called minister of this congregation, I feel grateful for the many courageous dreams that allowed this relationship to come to be. It takes a really special congregation to be able to see themselves successfully doing ministry together that they could only imagine in their biggest dreams.
What are your courageous dreams for the next five years of our ministry? What might be the dreams of those who have not, as of yet, come to meet us? Can we offer them the saving message we have found? What might these new people have to teach us?
I believe that those things that matter most to us here like intimacy, compassion, dedication, deepening relationships, the ability to learn and grow together, will be with us as we grow in numbers. I believe that we will grow in spirit, in maturity, and in trust of our vision. I'm so glad to be here doing this good work with you. Let us cast aside our fears and trust in this saving faith, the one that lives and grows with us. Our living tradition has so much to offer the world. Let's give some away.
At the recent Dream Makers Dinners these visions were shared:
- Our congregation as a central meeting place for all Durango and the Four Corners area for spiritual searching and connection.
- A thriving community of all generations and a diverse, happy group of supportive people.
- A land based spiritual community with school and buildings and facilities with room to grow, broadcasting a positive message for the world through multimedia.
- A larger space that will enable all people to see, hear and be fully engaged in the programs offered.
- A sacred place in the buildings and the grounds where all ages are interacting and sharing in caring for a community of friends.
- To be known as the people who get it done.
- To have multiple ministries: youth, young families, LGBTQ, lonely and isolated, health challenged, economically diverse.
- A 7-day-per-week church where the community knows what we stand for.
In the Joy of the Dreams,
Rev. Katie
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April Sunday Services
 This month's theme: Blue Boat Home
In this spring month that includes Earth Day and other important days, we are reminded of the need for sustainability, for new life and possibilities for a hopeful world.
Concepts: Earth, creativity, hope
April 3
Hunger As an Issue of Justice
Dennis Aranson
The extent of world hunger and poverty is staggering; there are many root causes. Church World Service helps tackle these problems using the millions of dollars raised each year in CROP Hunger Walks conducted throughout the United States.
April 10
The Wisdom of the Elders
Rev. Katie Kandarian-Morris
Where is the culture that "respects the elders?" Let us take advantage of this wisdom as we listen to some wonderful words of those amongst us who are octogenarians and consider the importance of wisdom not found on the Internet.
April 17
The World Without Us
Rev. Kierstin Homblette Allen
What would happen to our Earth home if all humans instantaneously disappeared? The answers have implications for how we live our lives now that are serious but can also serve as a source of hope. Come worship together, as we explore the transient and the permanent, and celebrate the power of the interconnected web of existence!
April 24
Our Shared Blue Boat
Rev. Katie Kandarian-Morris and choir
Today we'll celebrate Earth Day through singing, imagining, planning what we might have to give through the energies and inspiration of our faith.
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President's Message
Teresa Jordan
Your Board has developed a new Governance/Ministry Model for the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Durango (UUFD), which is depicted below. This model is designed to reduce bureaucracy, make room for shared ministry, and invite members into spiritual growth and service.
About three years ago, Nancy Bowen, Director of Mountain Desert District of the Unitarian Universalist Association, recommend that our UUFD Board members read Dan Hotchkiss'
Governance and Ministry: Rethinking Board Leadership to help prepare for shared ministry with a professional leader. As the Board studied the book, it became more evident that UUFD would benefit by embracing this model. Therefore, the Board used the Hotchkiss model as our guide, to develop this new governance/ministry model.
The model has three main components: the
Congregation, the
Board, and the
Minister. All three play some role in both governance and ministry; however, some have more of a governance role, while others play out more in ministry. Let's take a closer look at each.
CONGREGATION. The Congregation is the base of the model because both governance and ministry are dependent upon the Congregation. The Congregation governs UUFD with formal, corporate decision-making at congregational meetings by voting for elected officers, amendments to bylaws, approving the budget, calling a minister, buying or selling property, and other important decisions. The Congregation discerns what directions the fellowship will take by contributing to strategic planning and visioning our future. Our recent Cottage Conversations and Dream-maker Dinners are examples of methods of congregational discernment. The Congregation is also the base for ministry. Members of the Congregation are the recipients of some of the efforts of ministry as well as the providers. The volunteer labor of the Congregation, working with our Minister, makes ministry possible at UUFD.
BOARD. Elected by the Congregation, the Board of Trustees is a fiduciary whose duty is to act in faithfulness to the interests of our UUFD mission. As fiduciaries for the mission, board members have the duties of care, loyalty, and obedience. The Board carries out these duties by providing oversight especially to the Finance Committee, Stewardship Committee, and Risk Management Committee. Along with the Minister, the Board shares responsibility with the Membership Committee, Leadership Development (formerly Nominating) Committee, Communications/Information Technology Committee, and Building and Grounds Committee.
MINISTER. Our Minister supervises all staff and all ministry teams. The newly formed Worship Arts Team is made up of all those who play a role in worship at UUFD including Worship Associates, Ushers, Chair Stewards, Sound/AV, Music (instrumental and choir), and the new Chancel Guild. Volunteers are being recruited for the Chancel Guild to provide flowers and ritual/holiday décor, stock worship supplies, and maintain the worship closet. Other ministry teams include Faith Formation, CUUPS, Social Justice, Caring, Hospitality, and Arts/Aesthetics. (NOTE: Please contact Rev. Katie for more information or to volunteer on these ministry teams.)
All three components of this Governance/Ministry Model - the Congregation, the Board, and the Minister - work together through collaboration, consultation, mutual support, and accountability. At the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Durango we are in this work together; doing shared ministry to provide a home for liberal religion, deepen our faith, and work toward peace and justice.
There is a role for you at UUFD. What role are you being called to play?
Teresa Jordan
President, UUFD Board of Trustees
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Social Responsibility and Justice update
Coordinators: Charlie Clements, Bonnie Miller, Betty Schwartz-Bozeman
Last month we explained that we are identifying a few areas for social justice work that we can sustain as a priority commitment over time, so that we might increase our impact in those areas. One area we announced that was selected is
Basic Needs, where we already have a team of people who are doing important work on issues of food insecurity, housing and living wage. There are two other active teams who wish to continue their work as well:
Healing Racism, which is focused on recognizing racism and its influence and opportunities for change, and
LGBTQ, which is focused on supporting our local LGBTQ community as well as advocating for justice on a national level. All three teams welcome your support, and invite you to consider joining them in their efforts. You can contact Rev. Katie about the Healing Racism team, Charlie Clements for the Basic Needs team, and Bonnie Miller for LGBTQ.
If one of these areas is not your passion, or you are not able to join a team, can you still contribute to our UUFD mission to "work toward a community with peace, liberty and justice for all?" Of course! There are two other approaches to our social justice mission which we encourage you to consider. The first is that we are developing a plan for several annual
social justice events that can become a tradition in our church and in which we hope many of us would participate. Some examples could be the CROP Hunger Walk, or the community Love Out Loud service weekend, or a food drive to fill local community pantries. We need your ideas about what would be compelling and meaningful for our involvement. Contact one of the Coordinators, or stop by the Social Responsibility and Justice table on Sundays, to share your thoughts about what we could do together.
The second approach is to provide
a menu of various social justice activities occurring in our community, some that take just a few minutes and others a few hours, which you could participate in as you would like. We would provide you with the information for getting involved in that activity. Our goal is to make it possible that each person in our fellowship is able to do something to make a difference in achieving our social justice mission.
NEW at the SRJ table - the book
A Witness to War, written by our own Charlie Clements. Charlie provides an intense personal account of his experience bringing medical care to peasants in the midst of a terrifying civil war in El Salvador. All donations for books are committed to the UUFD social justice budget.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
April 9: CROP Hunger Walk - see article in this newsletter. Contact Dennis Aronson for more information.
April 30: discussion of
Just Mercy led by Donna Nelson and John Schwob.
June 10-12:
Love Out Loud service projects.
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Please meet LOVE OUT LOUD
UUFD joins local churches in service projects June 11-12
Save the dates June 11-12!!
Several years ago, First United Methodist Church started the Love out Loud program to provide service opportunities to their members to live out their faith and provide needed work to support local non-profits and individuals in need. Soon Christ the King Lutheran joined them, and this year we of the UUFD as well as the River Church are joining as organizing faith groups. This year's Love out Loud is planned for June 11 and 12. Most projects will take place on that weekend, but some may extend over a longer period.
Each year, projects that require work are sought out. Volunteers can build with Habitat for Humanity, help write thank you letters to our local emergency responders, or find something for every energy and strength level in between. At present, projects are being sought, and suggestions for projects that will enhance our community are appreciated. A list will be compiled and published, and between May 21 and June 3, you will be asked to register and choose your first, second, and third place choices of the projects you'd like to help with.
Last year's list and more information are available at the Social Justice and Responsibility Corner in Bowman Hall each Sunday. This is an amazing opportunity for us to demonstrate our DEEDS NOT CREEDS philosophy in our community.
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| On March 6, 2016, UUFD called Rev. Katie Kandarian-Morris to full time settled ministry. A joyful moment! |
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Faith Formation News
Growing our hearts through all ages and stages
And what happened, then? Well, in Whoville they say - that the Grinch's small heart grew three sizes that day. And then the true meaning...came through, and the Grinch found the strength of ten Grinches, plus two!
- Dr. Seuss
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| Vanessa Self reads to young UUs. |
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Children: UUFD children expand their social justice wings through discussion, art and activity around Black Lives Matter, gender justice, food security, compassionate communication and service projects. This work represents seeds that are planted in the hearts of children. We, as a community, are called to nurture and grow healthy multigenerational relationships, and over the course of a lifetime, these seeds sprout and eventually bloom.
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| Bob Griffiths teaches kids about confidence using magic tricks. |
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Youth: UUFD youth finished their second set of 1,000 cranes while engaging in deep conversation, spiritual exploration and community outreach. This peace and justice work reaches near and far. Stay tuned for information on the recipients of these cranes.
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| Grace Wilmes with her youth Chaplain certificate. |
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Ask youth Grace Wilmes about becoming a certified Mountain Desert District youth chaplain. Grace may now chaplain in our own congregation as well as at UU youth events.
Young Adult: Starting in April, the young adult group,
Brewing Spirituality, will meet twice a month on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month from
6 to 7 pm. Stay tuned for a Brewing Spirituality Sunday picnic.
Adult: New Offering:
Sacred Circle for Mental Illness. Challenged by mental illness? Your own or another's? A monthly circle to learn and practice skills for down-regulating our brain, centering, replenishment. Gender inclusive. Join us on the first Wednesday of the month from
5:30 to 6:30 pm in the Sanctuary.
Diversity Dialogue: UUFD shows up! 15 UUFD members participated in a community-wide Diversity Dialogue on Saturday March 19th. This unique collaborative brought the community together with experiential, thought-provoking dialogue on diversity-related themes and experiences. Thank you to Durango Community Relations Commission and the Embracing Diversity Initiative in partnership with the Prejudice Elimination Action Team - Durango High School, Common Ground and El Centro at Fort Lewis College, and Celebrating Healthy Communities for creating this event.
Just Mercy Common Read: Get your
Just Mercy books at Hospitality Hour and join the common read sponsored by the UUFD Healing Racism Circle. Common Read workshop and discussion takes place
Saturday morning,
April 30th.
Continuing adult offerings include yoga, painting, poetry circle, Covenant of UU Pagans (CUUPs), meditation, Sage Circle on aging and wisdom, New Cosmology, Circle Suppers, Outdoor Adventure group and covenant groups.
Donations to the Faith Formation program are gratefully accepted with prior approval from the director.
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Durango CROP Hunger Walk/Run
Join in this national event!
WHAT
Three-mile (5k) walk/run north from Santa Rita Park to Schneider Park (at 9th Street bridge) and return, OR a six-mile (10k) walk/run to Rec Center and return. Go shorter distance if desired.
WHEN
Saturday, April 9, 2016, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
REGISTRATION
9:00 a.m. Santa Rita Park (Children's Pavilion)
START TIME
9:30 a.m.
REGISTER & DONATE
CROP HUNGER WALKS RAISE MONEY FOR
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Reducing global hunger
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Disaster relief
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Refugee assistance
WHY?
● 116,000 walkers raised $12 million dollars in 2015.
● "We walk because they walk": for all the people in the world who
walk great distances everyday to get clean water and food.
TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT OF DONATIONS WILL GO TO FORT LEWIS COLLEGE'S GRUB HUB FOOD BANK.
QUESTIONS
Call Dennis Aronson at 970-259-5045.
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FOUR CORNERS UU SUMMER RETREAT
It's only three months until retreat time--July 8 - 10 at Pine Song, which is Lois and Ken Carpenters place on the Pine River just below the Vallecito Lake dam. Besides UU's from our own church we can expect others from Pagosa Springs, Farmington, Alamosa, Cortez and possibly Carbondale, Grand Junction, and the Dillon area. Terri Reherman is in charge of the planning committee this year, and she expects to have the retreat brochures ready by mid-April. Details will be in the brochure, but go ahead and mark your calendars now.
Our guest minister will be the Rev. Marlin Lavanhar, senior minister of All Souls Church (UU) in Tulsa, OK. Marlin was called to serve there in 2000 at the age of 31. During his ministry the church has grown from about 1000 members to over 2000, plus they serve 850 children and youth. It is the largest UU church in our country.
After graduating from Tulane University he spent two years working and studying in Kyoto, Japan. Then he and a friend left there and took a three year, 20,000 mile, around the world odyssey on mountain bikes through high mountain ranges, across parts of the Gobi desert, and throughout much of Asia, Eastern Europe, the middle-east and North America. He then attended and graduated from Harvard Divinity School and was ordained in 1999. Marlin's family, wife Anitra Lavanhar, son Elias, 15, and daughter Lyla, 7 will be coming with him. And, Elias is bringing a friend with him. Marlin's hobbies include fly-fishing, hiking and outdoor adventure.
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ColoradoCare Presentation March 24
League of Women Voters presents free program
 On Thursday, March 24 at
5:30 p.m
at the Durango Public Library (1900 E. 3rd Ave.), t
he League of Women Voters of LaPlata County
will host a presentation on ColoradoCare by
T.R. Reid.
Read more about ColoradoCare in this article from the March 6 Grand Junction Daily Sentinel:
ColoradoCare Could Improve Dysfunctional Health Care System
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T.R. Reid
is the New York Times bestselling author of The Healing of America, A Global Quest for Better, Cheaper, and Fairer Health Care, a documentary filmmaker, and a former reporter with the Washington Post. At the Washington Post, he covered Congress and four presidential campaigns and served as the bureau chief in Tokyo and London.
Reid has made documentary films for National Geographic Television, PBS, and the A&E Network. The Healing of America and his 2008 documentary, "Sick Around the World." Both examined how other developed countries in the world provide high-quality universal health coverage for everyone at a fraction of the cost that Americans pay. For his most recent film for PBS, "U.S. Health Care: The Good News," he traveled across the country to study communities that provide first-rate health care at below market costs.
Reid says that ColoradoCare would be a win-win-win for Coloradans. "It gets everybody covered. It saves billions in administrative costs. And it gets Colorado out of ObamaCare."
Find more information at coloradocareyes.com. RSVP to owen@coloradocareyes.co to attend a post
-event reception and fundraiser with T.R. Reid.
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CUUPS Corner
"The wood is decked in light green leaf.
The swallow twitters in delight.
The lonely vine sheds joyous tears
Of interwoven dew and light.
Spring weaves a gown of green to clad
The mountain height and wide-spread field.
O when wilt thou, my native land,
In all thy glory stand revealed?"
- Ilia Chavchavadze,
Spring
CUUPS honors the return of spring with the Spring Equinox ceremony on
March 24th. Our usual offering of all-things-pagan discussion will be
March 10th. Please come and join us!
Linda Gumper,
ayrspirit@gmail.com
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Spring UUFD Spruce Up
Saturday, April 2, 2016
So the daffodils are popping up, spring is here, and it's time to get our grounds ready for prime time.
We will trim out some old foliage, put up the shade sails, and do some general cleaning up.
On Saturday, April 9, come at 9 am, or whenever you can, and bring gloves, hat, sunscreen, hedge trimmers and pruning shears if you have them. Questions? Call Aline at 970-946-8877 or
aschwob@msn.com
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Equal Exchange = A Different Way of Doing Business
Fairly traded items support our "coffee time"
Our Fellowship has been selling Equal Exchange fairly traded items since August 2007, when Maureen and Paul Malizewski began the initial program.
The sale of fairly traded items began as a way to support marginalized farmers, primarily in less developed countries. It is a way for us to participate in alleviating poverty and injustice in the world, and perhaps to say to others we may never meet that we believe in their right to a sustainable living. And that we are willing to pay for the real cost of a cup of coffee, chocolate, cocoa, chocolate candy bars, dried strips of pineapple, teas, and extra virgin organic olive oil from Palestinian small farmers.
Sales allow us to donate all the coffee that is used by the 'coffee time' in Bowman Hall after Sunday Services.
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| Janice Taylor and AJ Schenk with Equal Exchange merchandise for sale |
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All products are ordered through a long-standing collaboration between the UU Service Committee and Equal Exchange (
interfaith@equalexchange.com). EE purchases from co-ops/small farmers that grow organic products in a sustainable way, often offers help with small, fair loans, and guarantees a fair price. The farmers are rarely in a position to compete with large farming corporations.
Our own UUFD Fair Trade coffee and chocolate sales for the calendar year
2015 are as follows:
Expenses/ purchase of all products: $4,097.00
Total Sales/income: $4,190.00
Total value of products used for 'coffee time' in
Bowman Hall after Sunday Services: $476.00
Inventory from prior purchases: a lot!
Thank you for your support and your purchases. Collectively, as a part of the larger fellowship of UUs, perhaps we can witness to our support and affirmation of the meaning of fair trade. We thank Susana Jones, and recently A.J. Schenk, for helping sell the items.
Janice Taylor
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Pause for Poetry
The Poetry Circle meets next
April 11
,
Monday
, from
6 to 8 pm
, in Bowman Hall. The work of Denise Levertov will be highlighted at this session. Visitors are welcome. Light refreshments are served. For information, email
durangofolk@frontier.net
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Holy What
I seek holy
the scared saturates my brain
ever so slowly I awaken
I am the scared
I am not the scared
I am human
I am unfinished
-Tom Darnell
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Charisma
Lest we be mesmerized
By patriotic flags calling
For the death of yet more children
Or the voice of Greed
Seeking to sate
Its unrelenting thirst for more
Or by fiery demagogues
And other rants
Layering hatred
On our human fears.
Stand firm
Charisma is a scented lure
That draws us to the trap
Of fanaticism
And that awful snap
Within our minds
That leaves us deadened
Eyes bulging
Ears stopped to reason
No longer master of our lives
Sail past those Siren voices
And be not mesmerized
-Ralph Blanchard
Prayer
Prayer is simply
Hope wrapped in
Lotus flowers of love
Helping us
Struggle through
The fears and hatreds
That stubbornly inhabit
The pre-dawn darkness
That comes just before
The blossoming
Of the lotus flower
-Ralph Blanchard
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