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To Minister to Each Other's Needs and Those of Humanity
Rev. Katie's Animas View
Every congregation's mission, however expressed, boils down to this: Nurturing spirits and healing the world. -Rev. Matt Title
The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Durango is a congregation with a living mission. It is a place and a people actively living the mission of liberal religion. It's a very attractive community of faith, a deep "Fellowship" where the intentions and aspirations move this group, those living the tradition, into reaching for Ultimate concern and Ultimate commitment.
At nearly 49 years of being, UUFD had a "slow-cooker" kind of development and then, a decade ago, things really started cooking. Although I first knew of this fellowship in the mid-90s when I came to lead the summer retreat, in recent history, I was greatly intrigued and impressed by the work you did together, by the way you did that work together, by the expressed longings of your hearts and minds. I was excited by the way you loved beauty as a theological exhibition, and how you knew that the place and land in which you inhabited would be well-served by your attention and dedication.
You are kind to each other, not smothering, but welcoming and nurturing, ready to walk with each other, urging each other along as needed, willing to hold each other up, to lift each other's spirits, to companion and grieve together. You have fun together, because you know that doing the work of the world involves joy and laughter in order to keep on moving, and in order to keep on loving.
I am grateful to know you and be with you at this time in your history - the history of the congregation that has allowed us to meet and to grow together. I am proud to serve you as your minister, to invite others to join us, to challenge you, and to feel your challenge of me, too. I am glad to be doing this ministry with you.
As we move into the month where spring returns, may we together "turn the world around," may we together wake it up, may we find new growth around our feet and hearts and heads, finding promise for the days to come.
In the shared faith we walk together,
Rev. Katie
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March Sunday Services
 This month's theme: Turn the World Around
Harry Belafonte sang this song from Guinea that connects earth, air, mountain and spirit. The connection of elements and people can bring understanding to make a difference.
Concepts: Community, transformation, service
March 6
Living the Benediction
-Rev. Katie Kandarian-Morris
What is ministry really? What does it mean if not to share together the work of the world, to connect, to deepen, to make ourselves vulnerable?
March 13
Money and Real Life
-Rev. Roger Jones
With media buzzing constantly about money - U.S. budget battles, stock market swoops, and family financial holes - where is the help in facing this issue with maturity? Come, hear stories about family strife of Biblical proportions. Consider our relationships, our money, and those funny places where they overlap.
March 20
Giving and Other Radical Acts
-Rev. Katie Kandarian-Morris
What do Palm Sunday, Black Lives Matter, and Stewardship have in common? How might we make a radical act to turn the world around?
March 27
Super-Natural Re-dedication
-Rev. Katie Kandarian-Morris & Lisa McCorry
Where in the world do we find resurrection? How might we dedicate ourselves to this new world? The choir will sing today and we'll dedicate our newest young ones as an example of our hope in things to come.
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President's Message
Teresa Jordan
At the recent Cottage Conversations the congregation indicated an overwhelming readiness to call our minister The Rev. Katie Kandarian- Morris to settled ministry. (
Click here to read the summary report of the Cottage Conversations.) Since the February board meeting when the Cottage Conversation results were presented, the members of your Board of Trustees have been joyfully preparing for the Special Congregational Meetings scheduled immediately following worship on Sunday, March 6. At last, we, the members of UUFD, will vote on calling our minister. What method of voting will we use?
In accordance with our bylaws, the meetings will follow Robert's Rules of Order, which allow for two types of voting: public or secret. The methods for public voting include: by voice, show of hands, rising, moving to different locations in the room, or unanimous consent when there is no objection. The ballot is the method used when secrecy is desired.
Your board will be prepared for public or secret voting if a motion for the secret ballot is made, seconded, and passed by a majority. A motion for a secret ballot is considered an incidental motion and is decided immediately without debate.
Since moving to a secret ballot is not debatable, you might consider some of the advantages and disadvantages of public and secret voting.
At our past congregational meetings, UUFD has usually used public voting, which allows members to observe how the others vote. Knowing how we each stand on issues within our congregation can help us to understand and accept one another, which allows us to be in right relation within our beloved community. On the other hand, some members may feel pressured to vote with the majority even when they hold a minority opinion.
The secret ballot avoids such peer pressure. It is a missed opportunity, however, to develop right relations because no one knows the other's positions.
The will of the majority will determine our use of the secret ballot if the motion is made during the meeting.
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The following preliminary agenda may help you to share in our joy of anticipation of the March 6 meetings:
Special Congregational Meetings
March 6, 2016
- Members Check-In & Receive Voting Cards
- Call to Order Meeting to Consider Bylaws Changes to Article X - Ministry
- Chalice lighting/reading
- Quorum Established,
- Summary of Bylaws Task Force,
- Motion to Accept Bylaws Changes thus establishing provisions for calling a minister, Second
- Discussion
- Vote
- Results announced
- Meeting adjourned
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- Call to Order Meeting to Call Rev. Katie
- Agree on Orders of the Day (time limits on discussion)
- Summary of How UUFD Acquired Our Minister
- Motion to Call, Second
- Discussion
- Vote
- Results Announced
- Chalice Extinguished
- Adjourn
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News from the Social Responsibility and Justice program
Have you noticed the new look, and more regular schedule, of our Social Responsibility and Justice table in Bowman Hall? We hope you will take a minute or two to stop by. We have our Standing on the Side of Love tee shirts available, plus any other items related to current activities, such as the community read book
Just Mercy and signup for the April CropWalk. We would also love to hear any ideas or hopes you have for UUFD social justice work, as well as answer any questions you may have.
We are delighted to welcome
Charlie Clements to the SRJ Coordinators team! Other Coordinators Betty Schwartz-Bozeman and Bonnie Miller are grateful for the extensive social justice experience, knowledge and wisdom that Charlie brings to the team. Charlie has a deep background in social justice work at both the congregational level and in leadership with the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee. The Coordinators work closely with Rev. Katie on our social justice priorities, activities, and directions for the future.
As part of our effort to improve and expand our social justice work as we continue to grow as a Fellowship, we've been exploring ideas for small team work and ideas for larger involvement of members and friends. One of the changes we believe would create a more dynamic approach is to identify 2 to 3 social justice areas aligned with our deepest values for significant commitment over time. To that end, one area selected is
Basic Needs, focusing on hunger, housing and hope. The small teams of
Affordable Housing, Food Insecurity, and
Economic Injustice will merge to lead work on Basic Needs. There are important current activities that will continue in order to tackle issues of basic needs in our community - providing help to Manna Soup Kitchen, engaging in community efforts toward impacting housing issues, and collaborating with those working toward a living wage. But we also plan to further expand and develop our options for how we might have an impact on meeting basic needs, whether someone has only 5 minutes to give or has 5 hours. Watch for more information to come about how you can contribute to making a difference!
NOTICE OF UPCOMING EVENTS:
- March 18, 7 to 9 pm at UUFD, UUFD is co-sponsoring with Thrive! Living Wage Coalition a presentation on The Problem of Tipping. We will learn and discuss what the issues are with tipping and its impact, and how change may come.
- April 9, We Walk Because They Walk, the annual CropWalk in Durango for hunger, is sponsored by UUFD. See Dennis Aronson at the SRJ table each Sunday in March for sign up and information. Help the fight against hunger in our community and in the world by walking or running, and/or sponsoring someone.
- On Saturday morning, April 30, Donna Nelson and John Schwob will lead a discussion of our common read book Just Mercy. Pick up a copy on Sunday at the SRJ table and join us in delving into this gripping true story of the potential of mercy and justice.
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Calling all artists!
Be a part of Bowman Art Gallery
 Ann Smith is currently scheduling art exhibits for the fall of 2016 and would love to feature your art work! Please let her know if you or any of your family members are interested in participating in the next group show or would like to set a date for a solo exhibition. Paintings, prints, photographs, drawings and textiles are all welcome. Our gallery wall provides a creative backdrop for the weekly
Sunday coffee and conversation time as well as for a variety of meetings and classes that take place in Bowman Hall. Julie Abril's paintings and drawings will hang through the month of April and are available for purchase directly from her. We take great pride in the number of emerging and established artists who share their work with us. Contact Ann at
annsmithsws@hotmail.com
or 970-375-9439.
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Turn the world around!
Join us March 19 for dinner and dreaming for the future
 Turn the World Around! As part of our annual Stewardship Campaign, we will be asking what our boldest dreams are for the next 5 to 10 years for our UUFD community. You are invited to join a small dinner group where hosts will provide a meal and gather your thoughts, hopes and dreams for any area of our life as a fellowship - facilities, programs, outreach, and activities.
Please reserve the evening of March 19 to join one of the Dream Makers Dinners and help us in forming important perspectives on our future together! Childcare and transportation will be provided for anyone needing it. Hosts will be calling you with a personal invitation, and you may also contact John Schwob (970-946-6156) or Bonnie Miller (303-898-0313) with any questions.
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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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Durango CROP Hunger Walk/Run
Saturday, April 9, 2016
 WHAT IS IT?
CROP Hunger Walks are conducted each year throughout the United States to raise money for reducing global hunger, disaster relief, and refugee assistance, mostly in the developing world. Last year $12 million dollars were raised through 1200 walks involving 116,000 people and 2000 communities. One slogan is "We walk because they walk" referring to the millions of people in the world who have to walk great distances everyday to get clean water and food. Up to 25% of funds raised can go to local food closets.
WHEN AND WHERE IS IT?
Saturday, April 9, 2016, 9:00 am - 1:00 p.m. Start at Santa Rita Park (children's pavilion) and walk/run north on the River Trail. Three-mile (5k) walk/run will go to Schneider Park (at 9th Street bridge) and return. Six-mile walk/run will go to Rec Center and return. One can walk a shorter distance if desired.
HOW CAN I PARTICIPATE?
Sign up in Bowman Hall and get information on ways to solicit donations or contact Dennis Aronson at
dtaronson1@gmail.com
or call 9780-259-5045.
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Faith Formation News
Enjoy and contemplate our artistic addition to Bowman Hall
Have you noticed the new decoration above the banquet counter in Bowman Ha
ll?
This artwork is the product of a multigenerational activity during our recent Standing on the Side of Love worship.
Baskets of fabric strips were passed around the sanctuary; each congregant selected one piece and was instructed to link their fabric to their neighbor's like a chain. Each row linked to the row in front of and behind them.
A symbol is a thing that represents or stands for something else, especially a material object representing something abstract.
This chain created here is a symbol. Each piece of fabric represents the individuality of a child, member, friend or guest in our beloved community. The chain itself represents the strength of our community as a whole. Even this activity, of knotting together the fabric, is a symbol of how our loving community works and worships together amidst our differences.
The beauty lies not in the sameness but the difference. Our Unitarian Universalist faith calls us to honor, respect and love difference. You are welcome here.
Look at all the different colors and textures in the fabric of our chain. Some people are bright, others are soft, some are rough and others gentle. Some people are simple, others are complex. I think there's even some wild cheetah print in there. It is
because
of this diversity that our wholehearted community thrives, not in spite of it. It is with these differences that we grow our love. Bound by faith and called to love, we open our hearts and bring our authentic selves to this community. We need not think alike to love alike. We are not like minded. We are like hearted.
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Pause for Poetry
The Poetry Circle meets the second Monday of each month to read and discuss personal contributions and favorites. Join the group on March 14 from
6 to 8 pm
over light refreshments. Inquiry:
durangofolk@frontier.net
.
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