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Dear Ones,
I'm postponing my regular column this month to post instead some exciting news. Please read this letter below, and plan on joining folks after worship
on Sunday morning when we'll gather in Bowman Hall to ask and answer questions.
Love,
Rev. Katie
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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
Dear UUFD Members and Friends,
We have exciting news to share. The owner of the house immediately to the south of our Sanctuary building (on Columbine Dr.) approached one of our members last week to share that she intended to sell her property. Given the high priority that our members at the recent Summit placed on improving/increasing our facility space, this was fortuitous indeed. However, the real estate market in Durango moves at lightning speed, which gives us very little time to go through the deliberate planning process required by our governance model - not to mention a capital campaign - that would be necessary if UUFD wanted to acquire this property.
To take advantage of this immediate opportunity and to protect the longer term interests of the Church (who knows when such an opportunity will arise again?), one of our members has offered to purchase this property and lease it back to UUFD for the nominal fee of $1/year, for an initial period of one year, during which time UUFD would be responsible for renters insurance, utilities and any improvements. In the short term, this will allow us to accommodate our growing congregation with much-needed space for Faith Formation. As we move forward in crafting the details of our strategic plan, the addition of this space will give us considerably more flexibility to create an overall "campus plan," including improved space for fellowship, worship and administration, with the goal of addressing the priorities that were identified at the Summit.
We wanted to reach out to you, our members and friends, to include you in this exciting development. Your Board of Trustees and other trusted leaders have met to discuss and decide how best to handle this opportunity. We are very mindful of the priorities and concerns you voiced (and, please, continue to voice) through the Summit and subsequent interest-area team meetings.
Obviously, there is much more work to be done to continue to evolve our facilities to allow us to clarify and accomplish our mission. This will require the work of all of us on an ongoing basis. If you have concerns or questions of any kind, expertise that may be helpful, or wish to participate in any way, please know that we very much value your opinions, input and advice.
In faith,
Rev. Katie Kandarian-Morris and UUFD Board of Trustees
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Please join us on
Easter Sunday
Two services:
9:30 am
11:00 am
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April Sunday Services
Theme: Swimming to the Other Side
Concepts: Transformation, Creativity, Earth Justice
April 2
Come, My Truth
-Rev. Katie Kandarian-Morris
It's a good practice to reflect upon beliefs and values, especially on anniversaries. It's wise for the minister who serves a congregation to name where she stands. Come, celebrate with your minister.
April 9
Living in Extraordinary Times
-Ken Francis, pulpit guest
Regardless of where we stand, the recent election has changed our lives. We've been asked to sign the UUA's Declaration of Conscience. How can we best live this declaration each in our own lives?
April 16
EASTER SUNDAY: TWO SERVICES, 9:30 AND 11 AM
Real Resurrection
-Rev. Katie Kandarian-Morris
Mystery and metaphor are helpful tools around holy days that might not always make sense for us. Yet how might we find something real in on this celebratory holiday? Formal child dedication ceremonies will be held today; contact Rev. Katie to be included in this special UU ritual.
April 23
Sun My Sail and Moon My Rudder
-Rev. Katie Kandarian-Morris and The Diversitones Choir
How does Earth provide a theology for us? How might we sustain this foundation of our lives?
April 30
Active Hope
-Rev. Ellen Johnson-Fay, pulpit guest
Active hope provides a way of transforming the pain and despair we may feel in these times of great challenge to the earth and all its beings. One of the ways to explore is the local food revolution. Let's consider how.
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President's Message
Teresa Jordan
Have you felt it yet? The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Durango (UUFD) is abuzz with activity - activity that helps us achieve our mission to build a home for liberal religion, buoy our spiritual development, and bend toward justice.
March was a very eventful month for the Board and for UUFD. Any one of these events could be considered a milestone within an annual cycle of the church activity, but all this happened in just one month!
The Summit. The month began with the Summit, a day-and-a-half discernment process lead by consultant Rev. Dr. Lawrence Peers. Over half of our members participated and identified areas of common ground which will be the focus of our developing strategic plan. Thanks to the Summit Planning Committee for helping to make this experience possible: Ken Carpenter, Judy Hayes, Chris Lopez, Tom Miller, Terri Reherman, Portia Sykes, Aline Schwob, and Melissa Stacy. Contact Vice-President Tom Miller for additional information at tommiller1945@gmail.com.
Chalice Lighter Grant Award. UUFD was awarded a Mountain Desert District Chalice Lighters grant for up to $12,282 to install a vertical lift to the second floor above Bowman Hall. Thanks to Building & Grounds Committee Chair John Redemske for providing the labor and materials estimate and building plan sketch and to John Schiffel for the photographs to include in the grant application package.
Second Floor for UUFD Use. After discussing the possibility for over a year, the Board voted at our March Board meeting to use the apartment above Bowman Hall for our growing church needs and to not renew the rental lease with our tenants when it expires on July 31. That space could become administrative offices, meeting spaces, and work areas. Faith Formation could expand into the vacated space within the sanctuary building and use the second floor meeting spaces as needed.
The House Next Door. Please see the special announcement, above, for information about this exciting opportunity.
Pledge Campaign.
Thanks to your generosity at our March 12th Celebration Sunday, pledge totals for next year have already exceeded our current year's totals. If you have not already handed in your pledge card, please do so as soon as possible. Accurate pledge totals are crucially needed information to develop next year's budget. Pledge cards are available at the Welcome Station in the back of the Sanctuary. Completed cards can be placed in the donation baskets or returned by mail to UUFD, 419 San Juan Drive, Durango, CO 81301. Congratulations to us all on the success of the pledge campaign and to Kathleen Adams and Lisa Govereau, Stewardship Committee Co-Chairs.
Candidate Slate.
The Leadership Development/Nominating Committee is searching for candidates for upcoming Board vacancies. What an exciting and rewarding time to be a member of the UUFD Board of Trustees! For more information, contact Allison Andersen, Leadership
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The next time you are at UUFD, I invite you to pause for a few seconds to feel that near-tactile sensation created by all the activity directed toward achieving our mission. Can you feel the UUFD buzz?
Keeping faith,
Teresa Jordan
President, Board of Trustees
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Our thoughtful, committed social justice action
Social Responsibility and Justice News
"But of this we can be sure: when we stand for what is good and right, evil will employ every power at its disposal to take us out. A heavy backlash against our movement for justice may hurt. It may well make us weep and moan. But it must not deter us. In fact, it should encourage us. Because resistance is our confirmation that we are on the right track." -Rev. Dr. William Barbour II
Strong words, a bit scary, and yet encouraging...to not allow the difficulty of the struggle for justice, or the unpredictable responses to justice efforts deter us from our work. Unprecedented famine in the world, persistent terrorism attacks, a growing refugee crisis, and our own country's political chaos and backtracking on human rights are just some of the issues that can seem overwhelming and therefore tempt us to retreat or hide ourselves away.
If just reading this makes you tired or discouraged or even irritated, please stay with this a bit longer and keep reading.
We can't change everything, but a lot of people doing whatever they can do change things, and our fellow beings depend upon us. As anthropologist Margaret Mead said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
Right here in our community of Durango and at UUFD, there are many individuals and small groups engaged in thoughtful social justice work. Their work is important and contributes to the great stream of moral actions across our nation and our world. If you want to be a participant and add your energy to achieving justice and human rights for all, here are some things going on. Sign on with a UUFD
social responsibility and justice team, or join in some of the Durango community events and actions.
Healing Racism Team: Examine how racism persists, and share ideas about what we can do. Come to the "White Identity" workshop taught by Tara Frazer on April 9 from 1:30-3:00. Join in our discussion of the UUA Common Read book,
The Third Reconstruction, by Rev. Dr. William Barbour II on April 22 from 10:00-12:00 and May 6 10:00-12:00.
LGBTQ Team: Learn about and advocate for our LGBTQ community; support our commitment as a Welcoming Congregation. We have a special emphasis on youth ages 13-17 and are exploring hosting a music benefit concert this summer for the 4 Corners Rainbow Youth Center.
Basic Needs Team: Join a team of people who prepare and serve meals on the fourth Tuesday of each month at Manna Kitchen. Participate in the interfaith Love Out Loud projects on June 10 and 11 that assist people and local non-profits with basic living needs.
Immigration Team: Learn about important immigration issues, and support our immigrant neighbors by helping to respond to increasing threats to their safety, security and dignity. Advocacy training provided.
The UUFD Social Responsibility and Justice Program supports these upcoming
Durango community-wide events and encourages participation by our fellowship:
- Same Struggle, Different Difference - an inclusion event advocating for all people who struggle because of their difference, whatever that might be. April 13, 12:00-1:00. Line the sidewalks of Main Street and stand in silent solidarity. Signs encouraged.
- People's Climate March - April 29, 10:00-11:00. Bring a sign or poster and march from the train station to Buckley Park to show your concern for environmental justice. Stay for a post-march rally hosted by Citizens' Climate lobby.
Ongoing social justice commitments:
- We are an Interfaith partner with LaPlata County Thrive! Living Wage Coalition.
- Each month through our Share the Plate offering we provide funds to selected recipients whose organizations are engaged in local social justice work. In the previous six months we have donated a total of $4,624.08 to Share the Plate recipients.
- Each year's UUFD budget includes a $1000 allocation to the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee to support its social justice programs and activities. We donated an additional $700 through the Guest at Your Table program.
- Each year's UUFD budget includes an allocation for Disaster Relief and Development to assist with crises locally or globally. This year we sent $2500 to the Unitarian church in Baton Rouge to help with flood relief efforts, and $1000 to the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee for Haiti relief.
- Each year's UUFD budget includes an allocation of $1000 for the Durango Adult Education Center scholarship fund to support needy students with post secondary education and employment plans.
We hope you see reflected in these activities a strong commitment to our mission for social justice as a fellowship - and that you trust that each of these commitments of time, talent and treasure from our members and friends are ways we stand up for what is right and good and just. "WE are the leaders we have been waiting for!" -
Sweet Honey in the Rock musical group
Social Responsibility and Justice Coordinators: Bonnie Miller, Betty Schwartz-Bozeman, Charlie Clements
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Faith Formation News You Can Use
Children's, Youth and Adult Education
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 on our website.
Formal Child Dedication.
April 16th, Easter
Sunday
Worship. Children of all ages are invited to participate in this UU rite of passage for members. Please contact Rev. Katie to include your children or to begin the path to membership.
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.
Adult Ed Workshop: White Identity Workshop April 9 1:30-3 pm Bowman Hall.
Explore white identity - including research by the UU Theologian Thandeka - and white privilege, with the end goal of dismantling racism and promoting wholeness and healing. Contact Tara Frazer,
tarafrazer@yahoo.com
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Adult Ed Course Offering: The Haunting Church: Owning Your Religious Past.
Rev. Katie will lead this adult class focusing on the need to reckon our religious upbringings and integrate them into current religious lives. Wednesdays
5:30-7pm
April 19
,
May 3 and 10th
. RSVP Julie Jordan at
juliejane@mindspring.com
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Save the Date for the annual Four Corners Pine Song Retreat,
Friday, July 7 - Sunday, 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 needed in our children's and youth classrooms.
No experience necessary. What's the difference? Children includes preschool through 5th grade, and children's classes are usually divided into two age groups. Youth includes junior and senior high school age.
Sign up easily by clicking here.
Thank you to all volunteer teachers with the children and youth in March. Your presence and practice is vital to our community.
Kid care is offered at the Fellowship during Circle Suppers (third Saturdays). Next circle supper is Saturday, April 15. 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.
QUUest and Spirit QUUest Summer Camps
for middle school and high school youth. Scholarship opportunities available. Contact re@durangouu.org for more information.
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 for camp,
wuulf.org
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Lisa McCorry, Director of Faith Formation
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Stewardship Update
Our March 19 Stewardship Celebration
Sunday
was a success. Chinese New Year red envelopes were seen in hand, in baskets and later in pockets; children were intriqued and engaged with Bonnie's related story; then counting took place of the BIG basket filled with some of the red envelopes, lots of $10 bills (you had to be there), and 60 pledge cards. All the fanfare was followed by a lovely Finger Food Feast potluck arranged by Nancy Fisher and her team.
THANKS VERY MUCH TO ALL WHO PLEDGED RIGHT OUT OF THE GATE! We now have 68 pledges collected and have a potential 62 more to go. The Stewardship Team is now strategizing in order to be sure those remaining members and friends all have the opportunity to participate in this critical work to support the UUFD mission.
The fact that we aren't reporting our total dollar amount pledged so far is purposeful. That number will be published as we close in on reaching all the potential pledges still out there.
- Please turn in your pledge no later March 31. Please don't wait to be contacted by the team.
- Helpful stewardship information and pledge cards are available at the membership stand in the sanctuary. Cards can be put in the offertory basket. Also, Kathleen will mail to you on request. A HARD COPY PLEDGE CARD IS NEEDED.
- Remember that we encourage you to make your pledge payments online at durangouu.org.
Remember, an 'OK' stewardship campaign at UUFD means an 'OK' program and outreach at UUFD. We are aiming for a 'GREAT' campaign for all that is ahead in our church year, which is July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018.
Stewardship Chairs
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Crafting our Future
Summit follow-up and strategic planning update
UUFD held its first-ever Strategic Planning Summit the first weekend of March. Over half the membership participated in a day-and-a-half facilitated workshop filled with energy, enthusiasm and optimism about our future. It was an intense but highly productive time. The varied activities of the workshop built toward the main objective of the weekend - to discern the key strategic goal areas into which the Fellowship will put energy, time, and money over the next several years to further achieve our mission.
Eight strategic goal areas were collectively identified and assigned a Strategic Planning Committee member as convener of an Action Planning Group (APG). Those groups and their conveners are:
- Expand Faith Formation for children, youth, and adults in order to nurture their ongoing personal and spiritual growth (Terri Reherman)
- Sustain and increase our financial health (Judy Hayes)
- Live our environmental values (Melissa Stacey)
- Expand our community presence and outreach (Portia Sykes)
- Plan appropriately for growth and expansion (Tom Miller)
- Preserve and deepen relationships among the congregation (Ken Carpenter)
- Foster social justice (Aline Schwob)
- Grow diversity within the congregation (Chris Lopez)
The Action Planning Groups are meeting as this newsletter goes to press. You can find out more about or actually still join one or more to assist in their work by contacting the convener. The APG groups are tasked with defining the specific short- and long-term (3-5 years) actions the Fellowship needs to take to achieve those goals. Their initial reports will be received by the Strategic Planning Steering Committee in mid-April. That committee will coordinate and integrate those reports into a recommendation to the Board of Trustees in early May.
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Equal Exchange Climate Justice Initiative
Your purchases support a more sustainable planet
Allow me to share with you one part of a new Climate Justice Initiative that Equal Exchange is launching, from their
website:
 The solution to climate change lies not only in our ability to exercise our collective will to immediately reduce the amount of CO2 and other greenhouse gases that we emit into the air, but in our willingness to support, and thereby benefit from, the regenerative capacity of small-scale, organic agriculture to actually pull existing CO2 out of the air-back into the soil.....Equal Exchange now joins an emerging movement of farmers, scientists, researchers, and activists, who advocate this new perspective to combat climate change.
Small farmers are already working to reverse the impacts of climate change, despite suffering most from the damage that has already occurred.
Please join us to create a more just and sustainable food system, economic model, and planet.
Why? Global warming, while a threat to all mankind, is already undermining the lives and livelihoods of the world's most vulnerable populations in the Global South. Our farmer partners are feeling the impact of erratic weather patterns, record-breaking temperatures, and new challenges to agriculture caused by changes in the climate.
- At Cecovasa, in Peru, and the Chajul Co-operative in Guatemala, coffee farmers have seen catastrophic losses-up to 75% on some farms-due to "La Roja" (coffee rust): a fungus previously unknown in the highland coffee regions, which has recently migrated to higher elevations due to warmer temperatures and high humidity.
- At the Aprainores cashew co-operative in El Salvador, 3 days of relentless hurricane-like winds caused farmers to lose 70% of their harvest; subsequent unusually high tides destroyed 100 acres of cashew trees on the island of Montecristo: the resulting salinity of the soil makes future replanting impossible.
- At the Potong Tea Garden, a worker-owned, collectively managed tea garden in Darjeeling, extremely low rainfall during the last monsoon season crippled soil rehabilitation and planning projects, and led to losses of nearly five tons on first and second-flush tea.
We, in the developed countries of the North, are among the greatest culprits responsible for climate change. Our societies contribute the vast majority of greenhouse gas emissions, enjoy the benefits of mass consumption and the behemoth fossil fuel industries that drive CO2 emissions from factories, cars and industrial agriculture. The disparity between those who benefit from the industries deepening the climate emergency, and those who most suffer from the impacts of climate change, and ultimately pay the highest costs, is one of the greatest social injustices on the planet today.
The very act of growing food organically (when not accompanied by petroleum-based fertilizers and chemical pesticides) can reduce CO2 in the atmosphere, build healthier soil, and provide sustainable livelihoods for millions.
While there are additional things that can be done to alleviate global warming, I want to remind you that by buying organic, fairly traded products, you are supporting a more sustainable planet. Those of us who believe in Equal Exchange thank you for your support...
Janice Taylor
PS: if you read to the end of this article, you may receive a free tea bag!
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Calling all UUFD artists!
You are invited to display your pieces this summer
The next Bowman Hall Art Gallery exhibit will feature the art work of UUFD members and friends in a Group Show running through the summer months. Please deliver up to 3 pieces of art to Bowman Hall by
11:30 AM
on
Sunday, May 7th
along with information including name of artist, title, price and contact information. All sales will be arranged between the artist and the purchaser and although no sales commissions are charged donations to UUFD are much appreciated. Paintings, prints, drawings, photographs, and fiber art are all welcome, keeping in mind that the vertical size limit is 40 inches. Contact Ann Smith (
annsmithsws@hotmail.com
or
505 320-3132
) with any questions. Reveal your creative side!
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Dine Out Durango
Five Days for a Living Wage
Treat yourself and bring your friends. It's mud season, ski season is over, and it is too messy to hit the trails. Don't mope, SPLURGE! Go out for coffee, a drink, breakfast, lunch and dinner for five consecutive days. Do this guilt-free because you will be making a statement that workers should be paid a living wage.
Show you support living wages and living wage employers by doing business with the following Thrive! Living Wage employers between Monday April 17 and Friday April 21:
81301 Coffee House, Eolus Bar & Dining, Ore House, Ska Brewing, Fifth Street Eatery, Zia Taqueria (North and South).
These employers will appreciate the bump in business during mud season and will donate a portion of your bill to La Plata County Thrive! Living Wage Coalition.
Dine Out Durango - do it for yourself, workers, employers, Thrive! and our community.
See you then,
Maureen Maliszewski, Director
La Plata County Thrive! Living Wage Coalition
970-903-0957
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 CUUPs Corner
Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans
CUUPS of the Half Moon April 13 at 6:30 pm in Bowman Hall
Amber will provide us a glimpse into her insights on Fairy Folk and Fairy Traditions, Beliefs and History. Child care provided on request. Contact
cuupsdurango@gmail.com
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Sliabh Anam Druid Grove Meets April 20 at 6:30 pm in 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. We will discuss the four magickal cities sacred to the Tuatha De' Danann and honored by the Druids. Contact
sliabhanam@gmail.com.
Beltane Ritual with CUUPS of the Half Moon April 29 at 6:30 pm in Bowman Hall
Fire leaping, May poles, and flower-clad ladies are revived in our celebration of Beltane, most sacred spring holiday. Bring food and drink for the feast afterward. Child care is provided. Contact
cuupsdurango@gmail.com
.
Ongoing Classes and Groups
CUUPS (Covenant of UU Pagans)
All are welcome for seasonal celebrations and to explore study topics. Meets two Thursdays a month from
6:30-8:30 pm in Bowman Hall. Childcare on request. For more information:
cuupsdurango@gmail.com.
-Sam Foster
Steward of the Wood
CUUPS of the Half Moon
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Special music for April
Upcoming music at UUFD
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Erik Gustafson |
We will have two guest singers for services in April. The first one will be Erik Gustafson, tenor, on
April 2. Erik is an adjunct faculty member at the college and a member of various vocal ensembles including Quadrivium, the ensemble that performed on the Recital Series in February.
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| Drea Pressley |
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The second guest singer is Drea Pressley, mezzo-soprano, who will sing at our Easter services on
April 16. She has performed with well-known organizations such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Santa Fe Opera and Pro Musica and has sung as a studio musician in Hollywood.
The last recital on this year's Recital Series will take place on
Friday, April 28, at
7:00 p.m. and will feature the Mangold Duo - Marilyn Garst on piano and her sister Bonnie Mangold on cello. Marilyn will open the program with a piano sonata by Muzio Clementi (1752-1832). As a contemporary of Beethoven, his sonatas are less developmental and less complex than Beethoven's, yet delightful. The duo will then perform the Sonata for Cello and Piano (1949) by Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953). The three movements, in which the two instruments are treated as equal partners, include much soaring lyricism, playful writing and drama. Marilyn will continue the program with Oiseaux tristes (Sad Birds) and Une Barque sur l'océan (A Boat on the Ocean) from Miroirs, composed in 1905 by Maurice Ravel (1875-1937). The music is characterized by impressionistic harmonies, layers of sound and exploitation of the entire keyboard. Marilyn and Bonnie will conclude with the Adagio and Allegro by Robert Schumann (1810-1856), one of the greatest composers of the Romantic era. The Adagio is quiet and plaintive, after which the music erupts with the tempestuous Allegro, though not without further interludes of quieter, introspective music. Admission can be paid at the door by cash or check. See the
UUFD website for further details.
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Pause for Poetry
The UU Poetry Circle will meet Monday evening, 6-8pm, April 10 in Bowman Hall. Light refreshments served: visitors welcome. The Circle is currently reading selections from the anthology Staying Alive. Inquire: durangofolk@frontier.net
THE RIGHTEOUS CHOICE (Tom Darnell)
thus it is
when it is not
a mist of subjectivity covers me
blinding my mind and feelings
an inverted reality appears
I believe i know
I know I believe
but all a glittering facade
a well constructed fiction
a good story
I know all and agree with myself
here now, the pivot point of my choices appears
slowly, painfully, joyfully a new life is offered
can I allow myself to be me
or be a puppet to another master
can I allow my curiosity, freedom
can possibilities enliven me
could I be like Van Gogh or Matisse
or does fear of uniqueness mortify me
is safety in numbers, the group my choice
how to see through the obliviousness of my life
while incarcerated in a prison of knows
am I aware enough even now of my chains
will I be able to open my arms to the new choices?
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