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Attendance as a Spiritual Practice
Rev. Katie's Animas View
A new and heightened attention to "woke-ness" is upon us. Being woke challenges us to confront problematic norms and systemic injustices. A commitment to a faith home such as UUFD provides a wonderful place to join in community where becoming woke can happen, where participation can encourage staying woke.
One expression I've seen of this is in the practice that some of our members have embraced of making attendance - specifically, worship attendance - a spiritual practice. This is no easy feat especially when the family includes small children or teens. Children may sometimes suddenly come down with a cold or have a hard time rousing and getting ready for the day. Teens have competing ties.
But something deeper can happen when making a dedication to show up whenever possible. In our tradition, community (and communication) is the way we deepen our faith. Seeing each other, continuing to engage in conversation and enrichment, asking questions and participating in the shared ministry of our fellowship grows this spiritual practice. The practice brings good results.
Thank you to those of you who were able to say "yes" to participating in the March 3rd and 4th Summit. For those who were unable, please look for ways to learn from others who attended and to engage in other opportunities to have your voice heard.
I am grateful and committed to this flourishing community. May our spiritual practices strengthen us in these days ahead.
Love,
Rev. Katie
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March Sunday Services
Theme: If Every Woman in the World
Concepts: Women, Balance, Covenant
March 5
Nevertheless, She Persisted
-Rev. Katie Kandarian-Morris and Choir
As we begin Women's History Month, we'll be reminded of the strength and invincibility of women's voices. Words and deeds of women have emboldened our faith and have challenged us to confront powers and structures of evil.
March 12
For Such a Time As This
-Rev. Katie Kandarian-Morris
We're living in a special time that calls for a special response. What is the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Durango charged to do and be for such a time as this? Celebration Sunday welcomes our stewardship commitment and finishes with a "Finger Food Feast" following the service.
March 19
A Passion for Order
-Rev. Katie Kandarian-Morris
One side of our now conjoined Unitarian Universalist tradition was born out of response to an overly emotional fixation on biblical miracles. How did an appreciation for politeness and reason balance with romantic Transcendentalism to offer something useful for today's faith?
March 26
The Essential Humanity of the United States
-Melissa Stacy, pulpit guest
The text of the U.S. Constitution guaranteed a nation full of cultural conflict-and why is that something to celebrate? We'll hear a version of the message presented at the March on January 21st.
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President's Message
Teresa Jordan
What are the membership requirements at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Durango (UUFD)? The short response to that question is often repeated as "three Ts" - that is, donations of time, talent, and treasure. Let me suggest three opportunities available this month to satisfy the "three Ts" of membership.
TIME - The Summit: UUFD's Future Search
I am so excited about the upcoming Summit weekend! Members of our congregation will join together to seek answers to who we are and what we are called to do as a faith community. The Rev. Dr. Lawrence Peers, a consulting coach, will be on-site to facilitate this step of our strategic planning process. I expect this event to be a catalyst for much enthusiasm and "buzz" about the future of our congregation. You don't want to miss being a part of this process on
Friday, March 3 from 6:00-9:00pm and again on Saturday, March 4 from 8:30am-4:30pm. Snacks and lunch will be provided. Make sure you have registered with Tom Miller (
tommiller1945@gmail.com or 303.521.5495) Send childcare requests to Lisa McCorry (
lisa.mccorry@gmail.com). I am really looking forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas about how we will reflect who we truly are as a spiritual community.
TALENT - Board of Trustees Service
Service on the Board can be a form of spiritual practice leading to a deeper understanding of oneself, Unitarian Universalism, and Beloved Community. It is not only a way to help the congregation, meet people, form friendships, and build relationships - but to actively participate as a co-creator of our spiritual community. Board service is an opportunity to practice the spiritual lesson common in many faiths: how we do what we do matters more than what we do.
Contact Allison Andersen, Chair of the Leadership Development (Nominating) Committee, (
allisonindurango@aol.com or 970.799.0607) to learn more about Board service opportunities.
TREASURE - Pledge Campaign
Sharing the gifts life has given provides meaning by connecting us to and caring about things greater than ourselves. In giving, we affirm the interconnected web of "all this is our life," the title of one of our hymns in Singing the Living Tradition.
The annual pledge of members and friends pays for the ministry and programs of our fellowship. Your pledge makes it possible to build this home for liberal religion and spiritual exploration and to work toward social justice. UUFD is financially independent and completely self-supported by the tax-deductable donations of our members and friends.
Plan to attend worship on Celebration Sunday, March 12 prepared to complete your pledge card, and stay for the Fingerfood Feast to follow.
For more details about the Pledge Campaign, contact Stewardship Committee Co-Chairs Kathleen Adams (
kadams@mcw.edu or 970.764.4758) and Lisa Govreau (
lisagovreau@gmail.com or 970.749.4944).
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March brings three opportunities to become a more engaged member of UUFD by making the time to participate in the Summit, by considering your talents in Board service, and by pledging a portion of your treasure toward building your spiritual home here at UUFD. Thank you for sharing your "three Ts": time, talent, and treasure. Together our "Ts" will make a difference in the world.
Keeping faith,
Teresa Jordan
President, Board of Trustees
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Love in action at UUFD
Social Responsibility and Justice News
 "Some people care too much. I think it's called love."
Blessings and gratitude for each of you who care too much and show your love for all beings and for our world. Though in the big picture our time and our place can seem infinitesimally small, it's good to know that what we care about and do about in this moment does matter to someone or something. Here are some recent examples of actions of love being taken in our Fellowship:
Immigrant families who are fearful, anxious and confused about what may happen to them are receiving additional support as a result of the work of members of our Immigration Team.
About 40 more Durango people have an increased understanding of the lives and issues of transgender individuals as a result of the presentation sponsored by the LGBTQ Team.
The message of respect for diversity and human rights for all is more loudly being proclaimed through our new banner displayed on the exterior church wall, signs for members and friends to place in their yards, and the public wearing of Stand on the Side of Love buttons and apparel, thanks to the Healing Racism Team work.
Those who struggle with food security receive nourishment of body and spirit through the caring service of UUFD members who serve once a month at Manna as part of our Basic Needs focus.
Local organizations focused on social justice concerns have additional financial support to do their work as a results of our Share the Plate collection each month. Recipients thus far this year include Thrive! La Plata County Living Wage and the Four Corners Rainbow Youth Center.
We contributed to the ability of small-scale farmers in 19 countries to have a chance to make a living by providing fairly traded coffee and foods for purchase each Sunday after our worship service.
The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, which works to advance human rights through grassroots collaboration, is supported in doing their work by our financial contributions through our annual budget commitment and the Guest At Your Table donations.
Many of you could add examples of justice work to this list. Whether working individually or as part of team, translating our values into action to resist hate, fear and bigotry and to promote liberty and justice for all is core to our reason for being Unitarian Universalists. If you are looking for a way you can be part of making a difference, contact one of the Social Responsibility and Justice Coordinators. You are needed.
Looking Ahead
- Presentation on Next Steps to Living Wages on March 15 in Bowman Hall at 7:00 pm
- Diversity Dialogue at Fort Lewis College, March 18, 8:00 am
- Healing Racism Team sponsors a presentation on White Privilege by UUFD member Tara Frazer (TBD)
- A discussion of the UUA Common Read book The Third Reconstruction: How a Moral Movement is Overcoming the Politics of Division and Hatred by the Rev. Dr. William Barber and Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove (TBD)
Social Responsibility and Justice Coordinators: Bonnie Miller, Betty Schwartz-Bozeman, Charlie Clements
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Faith Formation News
Children's, Youth and Adult Education
The human being as such, is the promise-making, promise-keeping, promise-breaking, promise-renewing creature. -Martin Buber
Uniting in the common bonds of relationship rather than in obedience to a religious dogma is a distinguishing feature of Unitarian Universalism.
- Fredric Muir
Deepen your connection? The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Durango offers various opportunities for spiritual practice: Covenant Groups, Sage Circle, Yoga, Meditation, Painting, Covenant of UU Pagans (CUUPS), Poetry Circle, Cosmology, Game night, Outdoor Adventure Group, Circle suppers and more. See our calendar for a full list of offerings here
.
Child Dedication
Child Dedication ceremony is April 16th during morning worship. This is a unique UU rite of
passage. Please consider our Path to Membership, if you are not already a
member, to participate in this ritual. Children of all ages invited.
Contact:
re@durangouu.org
or
minister@durangouu.org
.
Multi-generational Passover Seder Meal at UUFD is Wednesday, April 12 at
5:45 in Bowman Hall. Contact re@durangouu.org to participate in the potluck meal.
Save the Date for the annual Four Corners Pine Song Retreat Friday, July 7-Saturday, July 9. Come together with UU's from all over the region for an affordable family-friendly weekend on the Pine River near Vallecito.
We are so glad you're here. Family attendance is on the rise.
We are updating registrations and improving check-in and check-out systems. Parents and Guardians, thank you for your patience and understanding.
Volunteers are greatly needed in our classrooms. No experience necessary.
Sign up easily
online
here
.
Thank you
to all volunteer teachers with the children and youth in February. Your presence and practice is vital to our community.
Kid care is offered at the Fellowship during Circle Suppers, thrid Saturdays. Next circle supper is Saturday, March 18. Contact Nancy Fisher.
Childcare is generally available upon request for choir rehearsals, committee and team meetings, spiritual practice offerings and other UUFD events. Contact
re@durangouu.org.
Around the region
WUULF Unitarian Universalist Family Camp
WUULF is an annual Mountain Desert District summer camp at Ghost Ranch in New Mexico and is looking for teachers for our kids this year. For more information or to register, see their website
.
Lisa McCorry, Director of Faith Formation
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CELEBRATION SUNDAY
UUFD Stewardship Campaign Kick-off
March 12, 2017 - 10 am
Fingerfood Feast Potluck to Follow at 11am (see below)
Join us as we joyfully celebrate the growth and momentum we're seeing at UUFD and pledge our "treasure" to support our community. In this campaign we are not just asking you to pledge money; we are inviting you to commit to a distinctive UU way of life in the Four Corners and beyond.
As you prepare to make your pledge, consider...
Your part in UUFD's growth and transformation
Spiritual renewal
Faith Formation for all ages
Social Justice in the Four Corners
The impact of the Future Search Summit (coming up this Friday and Saturday, March 3 and 4!)
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Fingerfood Feast Potluck
Following Celebration Sunday Service, March 12 at 11 am
Let's continue Celebration Sunday with an all-church potluck of fingerfoods, which require no eating utensils. Please bring your contributions to Bowman Hall by 9:30 am. Thank you for labeling ingredients.
Last name beginning with:
A-F Main (Examples: meat/cheese platter,
deviled eggs, tea sandwiches, etc.)
G-M Dessert - bars/cookies
N-R Sides - get creative
S-Z Fruit and/or vegetables
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Next Steps to a Living Wage
Thrive! Living Wage Coalition invites you learn more
Thrive! Living Wage Coalition believes that all workers should be paid a living wage - enough to pay for the basic necessities. Since its start in 2013, Thrive! has worked to build awareness in our community about the importance of a living wage through Education, Advocacy and our Employer Recognition Program. Thrive! was part of the state-wide coalition that raised the state minimum wage to $12 by 2020 last November. Yet, about 7000 workers in La Plata County still do not make a living wage.
During the minimum wage campaign, some argued that cost of living varies, depending where you live in the state and that minimum wages should be set locally. This makes good sense, however, Colorado law prohibits municipalities from setting their own minimum wage.
Let's talk about what we can do to get all workers in La Plata County to a living wage, so that all individuals, families and our community can thrive! In this workshop we will look at which workers are most impacted by low wages and brainstorm on how we can collectively cause change to improve wages for those workers.
"Nobody who works 40 hours a week should live in poverty." - Bernie Sanders
La Plata County Thrive! Living Wage Coalition is a grassroots, nonprofit organization engaging workers, employers, nonprofits and government to achieve a living wage for all workers in La Plata County. We use a four-pronged approach: Coalition Building, Education, an Employer Recognition Program (for employers paying or aspiring to pay a living wage) and Advocacy. We believe that a living wage in La Plata County will help all individuals, families and community to thrive!
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Artists! Join our group show
You are invited to display your pieces this summer
During the summer months there will be a group show featuring photography, drawings, woodcuts, paintings, fiber art, etc. produced by our UUFD members and friends. Please plan to participate and share your creative interests with us! All exhibitors are invited to display 2 or 3 pieces of art.
Our current exhibit features the work of Marikay Shellman whose monotype print series, "Passages" was produced on a Griffin Floor Press using a zink plate in Judy Hayes' studio. The abstract prints express her reaction to the many changes in life: loss, aging, politics and nature. Her show will hang until mid May.
Please let Ann Smith (
annsmithsws@hotmail.com
) know if you are interested in scheduling a solo exhibit of your artwork in the future.
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 CUUPs Corner
Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans
CUUPS of the Half Moon: March 9 at 6:30 pm, Bowman Hall
Join us for the 3rd in the series on Rituals as Laura and Alane guide us in planning a ritual. The practical application will be to plan the actual
Ostara Spring Equinox Ritual on
March 23. Child care provided on request. Contact
cuupsdurango@gmail.com.
Sliabh Anam Druid Grove: March 16 at 6:30 pm, Bowman Hall
Join our study group meeting, affiliated with CUUPs. We will continue to learn about the ancient Celtic spirituality of Druidry and how it is blossoming in the 21st century. At this meeting, we will discuss the nature of religion, divinity and Druid spirituality. Contact
sliabhanam@gmail.com.
Ostara Spring Equinox Ritual: March 23 at 6:30 pm, Bowman Hall
Spring is upon us and the hare is afoot as we celebrate Ostara, the Spring Equinox with a ritual celebration. Please wear your robes and bring flowers, painted eggs, and other signs of spring. Also bring food and drink for the feast afterward. Child care is provided. Contact
cuupsdurango@gmail.com.
-Sam Foster
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To read right now: Immigration 
Educate yourself on this critical issue
UUFD's Immigration Team has prepared two documents about the issue of immigration in America that they'd like to encourage us all to read. Please take a moment to become educated.
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Pause for Poetry
The Poetry Circle is currently reading selections from
Staying Alive (Astley); visitors are welcome at the next session,
Monday, March 13,
6-8 pm, Bowman Hall, over light refreshments. Inquire at
durangofolk@frontier.net.
This Path
This path wanders under trees,
Skirts ponds and passes through patches of prairie.
My steps stitch a steady seam right down its center.
You, beloved dog of the Happy name,
White silken hair and tail like an angel's wing,
Create your own trail all around me,
Embroidering wide whorls and loops
And clusters of French knots in those places where you snuffle awhile
In damp piles of leaves or leave your mark on coyote's spoor.
You stop, start, gambol, run,
Always keeping me at the center of your meanderings.
We never leave each other's field of vision.
I stop and turn around when I sense you've stayed too long
Behind, captured by some fecund furrow.
I call your name and watch you bound back towards me
Your black lips a grin and your brown eyes gleaming.
Likewise, when you're far up ahead, you turn
And catch my eye, assuring yourself that I'm still on the way.
Whether before, behind, or somewhere off to either side,
Occasionally you circle round just to nose the fingers of my hand.
We both stop then and savor that most sweet moment.
Such is the nature of our walks.
Last week, for the first time since you died,
I walked this path, keenly accompanied
By the presence of your absence.
I tried to make this poem
As I moved along
Whispering it aloud.
I felt your spirit and my words embroidering the woods
With invisible stitches,
But only squirrels and birds skittered in my peripheral vision
Beyond which you've now,
Against our bidding,
Gone.
© 2015, Feb 13, 2017 January Kiefer
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