Thanks for Giving
Rev. Katie's Animas View

The purpose of life is to discover your gift.
The work of life is to develop it.
The meaning of life is to give your gift away.
-David Viscott
 
This is the last month of our fiscal year, and hence we'll install a new board of trustees and a new nominating committee. As your minister, I work in close partnership with the board, and the fact that we've got such dedicated and talented people makes this ministry inspiring and meaningful.
 
I want to especially offer my gratitude to our outgoing president, Teresa Jordan. Teresa served two years and has led through the transition to policy-based governance, through calling your first minister and the initialization of a new strategic plan. She is visionary and dedicated, and rather than leaving the board for a well earned leadership sabbatical, she will be remaining committed as a member of the governance committee.
 
We will also be losing board member and treasurer Jim Dahlberg. Jim is organized and responsible, and never lets anything drop. He is humble and quiet, but always has the best jokes and puns.
 
Donna Nelson has been a scrupulous and caring secretary. She will continue her work on the Membership Committee and will bring attendance and membership numbers to the board's attention.
 
We also thank Maureen Maleszewski for her work on the Nominating Committee, which also provides leadership development to UUFD. Mo will be supporting family in California for the year to come.
 
Finally, our vital staff member, Felicia Libo will be leaving UUFD at the end of June to expand her counseling practice. We've been able to do so much with her aid. We will miss her-I've invited her to show up in church whenever she likes.
 
Please thank all these people for sharing their gifts with our community.
 
I continue to serve with a deep love for you,
 
Rev. Katie
 
P.S. I'll be in attendance at the Unitarian Universalist General Assembly from June 19-26th. I'll be back in the church office as soon as I return. 



June Sunday Services
Part of UUFD's Summer Series: 
Our Living Faith
We call Unitarian Universalism a "living tradition" in that new truths are ever being revealed to us. We'll hear from our members as to the way they live and understand their faith. 

It's been a tradition at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Durango to focus the summer worship on a particular topic. This summer will focus on how we, as religious liberals, live out our faith. View the full schedule here.

June 4            
Soul Singing                
-Rev. Katie Kandarian-Morris and UUFD Diversitones 
Come celebrate the beauty of song through sound and story from members of our choir. How is our life transformed through ear and eye?
 
June 11                           
Love Out Loud                                
-Rev. Katie Kandarian-Morris
UUFD is participating in this community effort to "lend a hand" in service projects around town. How do we show our love out loud?
 
June 18           
Who Do You Say We Are?                              
-Dennis McClure, pulpit guest
Our Unitarian Universalist faith is a "living tradition", subject to changes of times, the world, and ourselves. Come here what it's meant to one member.
 
June 25                   
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. (This service was postponed from April.) 


President's Message
Teresa Jordan

I put my hand in yours, so that we may do together what I cannot do alone.   -Twelve Step meeting closing words
 
It has been my pleasure to serve as President of the Board of Trustees of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Durango (UUFD) for the past two years. During that time UUFD experienced a lot of positive changes, growth, and development.  And there is more to come!
 
As our incoming members of the Board help to plan for and accommodate the growth with which UUFD is blessed, there will be a variety of opportunities for each of us to serve. Whether your calling is to one of our ministry teams or to a governance committee or task force, service to your church will help further our UUFD mission and deepen your spiritual development. I invite you to contact Rev. Katie or incoming Board President Tom Miller to discuss the many service opportunities available here at UUFD.
 
Even though I am leaving the Board at the end of June, I plan to continue to serve as Chair of the new Governance Committee. The Governance Committee will help the Board to focus on its chosen role by drafting policies for the Board's consideration and arranging training, retreats, and self-evaluations for the Board. Contact me if you would like to learn more about the Governance Committee.
 
Finally, I want to thank my fellow Board members for serving with me during the past two years: Jim Dahlberg, Rev. Katie Kandarian-Morris, Susan Koonce, Tom McCampbell, Tom Miller, Donna Nelson, Graham Smith, and K Redford. Thanks to immediate Past-President Bonnie Miller for the training and support she shared with me. And thanks also to my husband John Schiffel who did so much to help me dedicate time to my work on the Board. I couldn't have done this sacred work without all the love and support I enjoyed from our beloved community. My heart is swollen in gratitude for all.
 
Keeping faith,
Teresa Jordan
President, Board of Trustees

_________________________________

News from the Board

Strategic Plan
The Board reviewed the Report from the Strategic Planning Task Force at the May meeting. This report collected the thinking of the congregation at the Summit Focus weekend and in the work groups that followed. It will be the foundation on which the strategic plan is built. The Board has a special study session scheduled to continue working on the plan. To gather more information the Board will consult with UUA resource staff, study literature on congregational stewardship, and solicit feedback from our UUFD staff.
 
New Staff Positions
The Board is writing position descriptions for the two new staff positions approved by the members at the Annual Congregational Meeting on May 21. UUFD will hire a part-time Financial Clerk and a part-time Membership Professional in FY18.
 
Columbine House Remodel
To meet the City Building codes for places of assembly, new outward swinging doors need to be installed and landing pads need to be elevated at the Columbine House. To continue our commitment to being a welcoming and inclusive community, an Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant, gender-inclusive restroom will be installed and at least one entrance into the building will be ADA compliant. Remodeling can begin as soon as our building permit is issued. The Columbine House will be available to the Adult and Children's Faith Formation program as soon as the remodeling is completed.
 
Offices Moving above Bowman Hall
After our current tenants vacate the apartment above Bowman Hall, the UUFD offices will move into that space. The Information Technology (IT) Committee is planning the infrastructure to support this new office space. With some minor renovation and the installation of a vertical lift, the offices above Bowman Hall should be fully functional by the end of August.


Space Versus Place
Faith Formation News and Notes

Columbine House
As many are aware, we've acquired the house next door on Columbine Drive. What an amazing opportunity. UUFD is bursting at the seams in its current space. For years now, we've reluctantly turned away space requests from great organizations to accommodate internal operations. It's a good problem to have. While many faith organizations are seeing a decline in attendance and membership, UUFD is expanding.

Just the other day, my daughter was making people out of Play Doh. They looked as though they were cut from cookie cutters, though she was proudly cutting them by hand. She said "Mom, look. I'm going to use all of my Play Doh to make as many as I can, and then show Rev. Katie." I don't know why that was her vision for the finished creations. What I do know is that what is created in our spaces are places to belong. 

Whether it's the child-centered spaces, spiritual practice groups,  Sunday worship or fellowship, a liberal faith tradition asks that we arrive as our authentic selves. Liberal faith asks that we accept one another and continue to grow together. Liberal faith asks us to keep learning and questioning. Liberal faith asks that we find our own way. In this vulnerable endeavor, how can we not connect? 

I am deeply grateful to continue our mission in this new space, even more grateful to make it a sacred place. May we remember that it's not the walls and doors within which we gather that makes us whole, but rather the places among us where we belong.

Upcoming Opportunities
All are welcome, families and kids encouraged, to join us for the Annual 4 Corners Retreat.  July 7-9. Kids 12 and under, free! See flyer here.

Now Accepting Applications for 2017-18 Leaders and Assistants
Positions begin in September. This year we need over 30 people who commit themselves to our  Sunday child-centered learning. We provide children's Faith Formation every  Sunday and need a robust team. Leaders and assistants are paired up to work as co-teachers. You will be placed into a classroom with the necessary understanding and resources. Prerequisites include at least a three-month attendance at UUFD, an interview, and a background check. A Faith Formation representative will be in front of the pulpit  on the first Sunday of each month following the services, if you are interested.

Healing Racism Circle invites all to a community event sponsored by Durango Peace and Justice,  JuneteenthSun. 6/18 noon-4 PM. The event is still in the planning process. More information here.

Deepen your connection. UUFD 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. 

Kid care is offered at the Fellowship during Circle Suppers, third Saturdays. Next circle supper is Saturday, June 17. Contact Nancy Fisher to RSVP.

Childcare is generally available upon request for choir rehearsals, committee and team meetings, spiritual practice offerings and other UUFD events. Contact  re@durangouu.org.



Love out Loud and much more!
Social Responsibility and Justice News
 
"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."  -Mahatma Gandhi
 
There are many ways to engage in our social justice mission, and plenty of opportunity for each person to choose what matches their interests and skills.  Some people like to work toward legislation that creates greater justice.  Some like to connect with others to build awareness of social justice issues.  And some like to do hands-on work where you can directly see the impact of your contribution.  If you fit in the latter group, then Love Out Loud is for you!
 
Love Out Loud is a community-based service outreach that happens every June in Durango.  This year there are five churches whose congregations are participating - Christ the King Lutheran, Faith Community Church of the Nazarene, First United Methodist, The River Church, and UUFD.  This is our second year to be a part of this interfaith work and we hope to continue to grow our participation. 
 
Through the LOL ministry to our community, we do requested projects for non-profits and identified individuals with a need.  While the dates of June 10 and 11 are the prime dates for service projects, there are a number of projects that can be done on different days. Projects range greatly in type and the kinds of skills needed... for example, deck refinishing, gardening, ranch chores, baking or writing notes. Those requesting help include Needham Elementary, Holly House, Four Corners Health Care Center, Ohana Kuleana Community Garden, Habitat for Humanity, several senior residents, and many more.  Some projects need to be done on site and some can be done from your own home.  A brochure is available at the SRJ table that lists all the projects and how to sign up.  Whatever your interest or skill, there is something you can do to express love to our community through service.  Everyone participating is invited to Celebrate Serving! worship service at 12:30 at First United Methodist, followed by dinner at 1:15.  Join us in these shared social justice actions!
 
This year's Durango Pride Festival is June 21-25.  Saturday, June 24 is the annual Pride Procession on Main Avenue and UUFD will be marching with our Standing on the Side of Love banner and our Diversity banner.  Let's have another great parade turnout!  Wear your yellow SOTOL tee shirt and any rainbow accessories you may have.  The procession ends at Buckley Park for the Family Fun Pride Festival and UUFD will have a booth there with some of our folks ready to encourage, support and answer questions.  If you'd like to help carry a banner or spend an hour or so in the booth, please contact Bonnie Miller at yjmiller2@gmail.com.
 
We hope you can join in these additional events supported by SRJ in which UUFD members are involved. Information is available at the SRJ table:
  • Wear Orange Rally - June 3 rally sponsored by Mothers Demand Action at Buckley Park, 4:00 p.m.  June 2 is Durango Gun Violence Awareness Day, coinciding with the national day.  Wear orange to honor victims and survivors of gun violence and to promote common sense gun safety in our community.
  • Real Boy movie - award-winning PBS film at Durango Library on June 8, 6:00 pm. Story of a teen's transition and his mom's transformation, and the power of community.  (http://www.realboymovie.com)
  • Harvest of Empire movie - film at FLC Center for Southwest Studies on June 29, 4:00 pm; a history of Latinos in America. (harvestofempiremovie.com)
Social Responsibility and Justice Coordinators:  Bonnie Miller, Betty Schwartz-Bozeman, Charlie Clements


Columbine House
Full steam ahead

Plans for the use of Columbine House are moving ahead, with plans for renovation, including making the bathroom ADA compliant, preparing the space for Faith Formation activities, and evaluating additional needs. Recently volunteers pitched in to improve access between the house and the existing campus. Do you have gently used furniture or other useful household items (bookshelves, desks, storage items, etc.) you'd like to donate? Contact the office administrator at information@durangouu.org.


October 9: Real History of the Americas/Indigenous People's Day 
UUFD's Healing Racism Social Justice Team invites you to participate

Mark your calendar!

The 10th Annual Real History of the Americas event at Fort Lewis College will be here before you know it - October 9th, 2017.  You may recall that last year this event coincided with the Inaugural Indigenous People's Day celebration, and both will be celebrated again this year.  Likewise, UUFD will again commemorate Indigenous People's Day during our Sunday Service the day before, and the student co-chairs leading RHOA/IPD will join us for the service. We hope you'll be here too!  As part of UUFD's Healing Racism Social Justice Team, I've been attending Planning Committee meetings since April with a dedicated group of FLC students, staff and faculty.  I'm honored to be building relationships between UUFD and other groups and individuals in our community who are also doing the work of dismantling racism and celebrating our diverse histories.
 
Wondering what it's all about?   "The Real History of the Americas takes a positive, but different look at the history of North and South America from the viewpoints of Hispanic, African-American, Asian, Native and LGBT peoples, among others. The 2017 theme is: Honoring the Heartbeat of our Mother and will feature indigenous drumming, traditional foods, lectures, art, theatre and storytelling.  The Real History of the Americas celebration seeks to increase awareness and appreciation of the cultures and histories of sometimes marginalized peoples."
 
Wondering what you can do to help?
  • Mark your calendar now - Monday, October 9th
  • Talk to your family and friends and plan to make a day of it
  • Watch the Social Justice table after services this summer: advance RHOA/IPD T-shirt sales coming soon!
  • Let me know if you'd like to volunteer on the day of the event:  annabroyer@gmail.com
See you there!

-Anna Royer



Recital Series 2016-27 and 2017-18
Thank  yous, and looking ahead to next year
 
Thank you so much to those who assisted with the 2016-17 Recital Series.  The series would not be possible without the kind of help received from the following members:
  • Brochures, posters, programs and finances-Ron Garst
  • Publicity-Lynn Griffith and Teresa Jordan
  • Page turning-Tricia Bayless
  • Sound engineers-Ed Cox, Tom Miller
  • Reception coordinators-Marta Snow, Ann Smith, Bernardine Cox, Katherine Burgess
  • Food, beverages, decorations, set-up and clean-up for receptions-Bernardine Cox, Katherine Burgess, Elizabeth Long, Julie   Jordan, Lisa Govreau, Lynn Griffith, Jack and Sue Eberhart, Carolyn and Tim Miller, Aline Schwob, Marta Snow, Ann Smith, Bonnie and Tom Miller, Nancy Fisher, Joanna Jennings, Allison Anderson, Connie Jacobs, Marye Jackson, Dell Manners, Susan Koonce and John Lyons, Donna Nelson and Syl Allred, Elizabeth Crawford, Judy Hook, Susie Francis, Kathleen Adams, Janice Taylor, K Redford, Lois Carpenter
  • Financial contributions-Ron Garst, Don and Judy Hayes, John and Aline Schwob, Lois and Ken Carpenter, Graham and Ann Smith, Susan Koonce and John Lyons, Tricia Bayless, Dwight and Katherine Burgess, Connie Jacobs, Teresa Jordan, Elizabeth Long and Bill Wallhauer
Hugs of appreciation to all of you from Marilyn Garst.  The Recital Series for 2017-18 has been organized.  The artists and dates are as follows, except for one date that has not been confirmed:     
  • Brandon Christensen, violin, assisted by Marilyn Garst, piano-Oct. 13, 2017
  • Erik Gustafson, tenor, assisted by Marilyn Garst, piano-Nov. 17, 2017
  • Anne Eisfeller, harp-March 2, 2018
  • Southwest Piano Trio (Kay Newnam, violin, Bonnie Mangold, cello, Marilyn Garst, piano), assisted by Lori Lovato, clarinet


Compañeros screens "Harvest of Empire: The Untold Story of Latinos in America"
Hosted by Compañeros: Four Corners Immigrant Resource Center

Save the date for a screening of Harvest of Empire: The Untold Story of Latinos in America, Thursday, Ju ne 29  at  4pm  at the Center for Southwest Studies at Fort Lewis. Compañeros  will host the showing of this documentary, based on the groundbreaking book by award-winning journalist and Democracy Now! Co-host Juan González. Harvest of Empire takes an unflinching look at the role that U.S. economic and military interests played in triggering an unprecedented wave of migration that is transforming our nation's cultural and economic landscape.



UUFD scholarship recipients at  Durango Adult Education Center graduation May 25


Above, left to right:  Aiche Balde, Kathleen Adams, Amber Candoff, Tim Miller, Luna St. Pierre, and John Schwob.  Aiche, Amber and Luna are Durango Adult Education Center (DAEC) graduates and UUFD scholarship awardees. UUFD provided scholarship funds for these selected DAEC students in need to help them move on to post-secondary education.

Luna St. Pierre earned her GED in May 2016. Since that time she has been exploring different career options through multiple jobs, working 60+ hours per week. She has decided to attend Southwest Colorado Community College and study psychology. Already enrolled for the fall semester, Luna will be the first in her family to attend college. 

Aiche Balde started English as a Second Language classes in 2016. She quickly topped out of our highest level English class and has been exploring career options. Aiche was a work study student at DAEC for a semester and honed her English while registering individuals for certification exams. Aiche currently works nights at WalMart and attends Southwest Colorado Community College during the day. She is married and has three children. She received a scholarship to apply for US citizenship and to offset her college expenses. 

Amber Candoff earned her GED this May after years of believing that she wasn't smart enough. Nonetheless she persisted and is currently enrolled at Southwest Colorado Community College on her way to fulfilling her long-term goal of being in the Air Force. Amber worked full-time while working on her GED. 




Love Out Loud service project weekend June 10-11
Projects for all ages, abilities, availabilities
Put your love into action here in the Durango community by joining several other churches in participating in Love Out Loud service projects. Through this annual program, people celebrate their faith by lending a hand for non-profits and community members across town.

Pick up a flyer describing available projects and registration form after Sunday worship, or see the link below. You'll pick projects that interest you and register with your preferences. Register early for best chance of getting your favorite! Deadline is noon on June 4.

http://www.fumcdurango.org/love-out-loud

There are projects for all  ages and energy levels, and projects that can be done on the day (such as gardening, yark work or household help) or ahead of time (such as baking, craft projects or writing notes).

On June 11, UUFD will hold its regular 10:00 am service. First United Methodist Church will host a Celebration Worship on at 12:30, followed by a Celebration Dinner at 1:15 pm. 


CUUPs Corner
Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans

CUUPS of the Half Moon 
June 8 at 6:30 pm in Bowman Hall
Gwen will lead us in an experience of Making a Book of Shawdows.  Child care provided on request.  Contact  cuupsdurango@gmail.com .
 
CUUPS of the Half Moon 
June 17 at 6:00 pm in Bowman Hall
Please join us for a Celebration of the Summer Solstice, the Longest Day! Child care provided on request.  Contact  cuupsdurango@gmail.com .

Sliabh Anam Druid Grove 
June 22 at 6:30 pm in Bowman Hall
Join our study group meeting, affiliated with CUUPs.  As an OBOD group, we continue to learn about the ancient Celtic spirituality of Druidry and how it is blossoming in the 21st Century.  Contact  sliabhanam@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.  Contact:   cuupsdurango@gmail.com.


-Sam Foster
Steward of the Wood
CUUPS of the Half Moon
visit us on Facebook at CUUPS of the Half Moon



Pause for Poetry

Visitors are welcome at the UU Poetry Circle. Our next meeting will be in Bowman Hall on  Monday, June 126-8pm. Light refreshments are served. Bring your personal creations and choose favorites from Astley's Staying Alive, section 6, 'Man and Beast'. Direct questions to  durangofolk@frontier.net.

Friendship
 
The sun clears the horizon
A new dawn, a release of bird song
We are unopened gifts
Lying beneath the tree 
Drawn to this moment by 
The longing to know and be known. 
 
We meet as strangers 
throwing wide the shutters
opening new vistas
beckoning each other into new lives
whispering "grow,  
become what you might have been.
Come with me. "
 
Fumbling around like phrenologists 
of old - moving our hands
Reading the obscure signs of sympathies
And affinities - discovering the 
Whorled knots of old wounds
And thresholds of silence
Mapping the topography of each
Other's hearts and minds.
 
Anything can happen!
 
We may dare the wilderness -
Following  each other into mazes, 
sometimes lost in the 
unfathomable strangeness
of each other's psyches,
stumbling upon subterranean rages
 and unanswerable needs 
that metamorphose friendship
into stone.  
 
We may retreat, preferring 
 the downy breast of the familiar
clinging to the old habits 
of our carefully crafted social selves,  
the gestures and small revelations
 expected of us, maintaining our  
orderly bordered plots
no weeds, no thorns, no shadows.  
 
Or we may be released by a thaw
Our thirst slaked by the discovery 
Of the hidden springs of each other's spirits,
Our  intimacy illuminated in the 
Flickering dancing firelight
Of our stories and songs

Doreen Hunter