All Souls Unitarian Universalist E-Letter
February 22, 2018
Sunday Service Time: 10:30am

This week's editor:
Tamsin Cowdery


 
 
 
office hours
 
Administration office hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-1pm.  
 
Minister's office hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 10am-3pm and evenings and weekends by appointment.
in this week's issue
service service this week
 
2/25 ~ play fair  
Join us as we kick-off our annual Stewardship Drive with a sermon exploring what it means to participate fully in the life of All Souls, each to the best of our ability. How can we contribute our fair share to the live and vitality of All Souls and its mission?

Click here to see upcoming service themes. 
asnewsall souls news

circle suppers

Your Membership Team has noticed that the social life of our congregation seems to revolve around potlucks. So, we thought it might be worth our effort to resurrect Circle Suppers, this time organized in neighborhood groups, by zip code, and hosted in people's homes. To that end, we have yet another sign-up sheet available next to the visitor's table. Please add your name, zip code, and contact information if you are interested. We will use this list as a basis for forming groups and recruiting hosts. If you wanted to be on the sign-up sheet, but do not regularly attend church, contact Lyne Hannan (425-443-3332) or Jo Winn.

japanese traditional doll festival
Please join us anytime 9:30am-1:30pm on Saturday, 3/3 for the inaugural Japanese Traditional Doll Festival, featuring a beautiful display of a Japanese Traditional "Hina-Matsuri" Doll set and a presentation by Setsuko Dunphy. This display is presented only once a year; on this day, families set up a special step-alter on which to arrange their Emperor and Empress dolls, called "hina" in Japanese. There is no admission fee, but all donations go to All Souls.

little free library

The ASUUC book discussion interest group is currently maintaining the Little Free Library located in the front of the church on Tejon. We are often in need of gently used books that would be of interest to the lives of the public who take these books. If you find books on your shelf at home that you would like to share, please consider bringing them to church and dropping them in the LFL collection box near other community donation boxes, we would appreciate it. The Book Discussion group members will collect them and prepare them for distribution. We thank you for your contributions and urge you to stop by this restful LFL garden location and also choose a book for yourself. 
 
visiting steward workshop
All Souls wants you to become a visiting steward. As part of our annual stewardship drive we are looking for members of our community to visit their fellow congregants and have a conversation about our current commitment to All Souls. A workshop to become a visiting steward will answer all your questions about this process.
This workshop will be held Sunday, 2/25 in the ASUUC Small Hall. Lunch will be served at 12:30pm and the workshop will run 1-3pm. If you cannot attend that workshop, there will be a second one 8:30-10:30am on Sunday, 3/4, with breakfast served at 8am. Please contact Ed Benn, Richard Stettler or Larry Norfleet if you have any questions or are planning to attend.

affinity groups
Our affinity groups are open to all! There is no enrollment period and no fee required. Friends are welcome! These groups share a common interest and provide opportunities to connect and deepen our fellowship outside of Sunday Service. Perhaps one is for you? For more information, please click here
RE religious exploration

get to know our kids
We need one more adult to play games with us on March 4th. This will be a special Game Day as we will also have several middle schoolers from High Plains Church join us. Come on - you know you want to play!

supplies needed
RE can always use the following: plastic storage bags in any size, paper plates, plastic silverware, plastic cups, and paper napkins; new markers (Expo, Sharpie, Magic, etc.) or colored pencils; and construction paper and poster board. Just place them under the RE Table in the Small Hall. Thank you for your generosity and support!

re registration
If you think All Souls is a fit for you and your children, please register your kids! Look for the light blue registration form at the RE Table. By doing so we get a chance to better know you and your children, be made aware of any concerns or allergies and it helps to better plan and keep you updated. There is no charge to register!
 
shout out
Thanks to Maureen Miller Witte for supply great youth snacks! Thank you for the RE supply donations from Jan Otto, Jim Michali, and an anonymous donor. We appreciate your thoughtfulness! Many thanks to Beth Green for presenting the Story for all Ages last Sunday. Beth led us on a nature-based, guided meditation. I took a quick trip to the beach! Where did you go?

find your balance
To volunteer, just sign up using our new Sign-Up Genius for our 2nd semester. We still  have 6 slots available on Team Game Days and Contemplate This! Days. Please contact Laurie with any questions. We just can't do it without you! 
children children 
 
last sunday  
It was certainly a sea of yoga mats out in the RE Assembly Area last Sunday as Beth Green, assisted by Michelle Freddolino and Marina Kessenich, led as on a nature inspired yoga morning. Nature is such a relatable thing for kids and pairs so well with yoga and contemplation. Thank you to our leader and assistants for helping to teach mindfulness and the importance of being present and living in the moment; a skill our kids need more now than ever.

2/25
Being UU continues as our Air Element class explores how our words matter while the Fire Element class examines courage and conviction as represented by the tool of the day - a saddlebag.

3/4 
We will have the opportunity to meet some middle schoolers form High Plains Church as they come join us for Team Game Day. Come join in the fun, make new friends, and strengthen your relationship with those you know.

earth element class
Our nursery/PreK class had a chance to try out a little nature inspired yoga and finished with some playtime together. 
youthyouth
 
yruu youth group 
Last Sunday we discussed the mass shooting at the high school in Parkland Florida. The kids had a lot to say as they shared their perspectives and insights. Perhaps the youth of today are actually going to be the ones that affect the change we so desperately need. It seems so sad that this is a topic that kids need to talk about. We hope to see everyone this Sunday, February 25th, for more non-judgmental sharing and of course snacks! 

middle school con
Those attending need to meet at All Souls parking lot on the 23rd at 4pm with their small personal bag, pillow, and sleeping bag. Don't forget your winter coat as we will be spending some time outside.

youth observer to the uua board of trustees 
For more information or to apply to be a candidate for the 2018-2020 term Youth Observer  click here. To be eligible, you must be a youth who: for this two-year term position, will be in high school (Grades 9-12) or the equivalent for both the 2018-2019 school year and 2019-2020 school year; is active in a UUA congregation; and is able to attend the first Board of Trustees Meeting on Monday, June 25, 2018 in Kansas City, MO (following the close of General Assembly) and all Board meetings thereafter. Attendance is also expected at the 2019 and 2020 General Assemblies. An exciting added bonus - All expenses related to presence at Board meetings and GA are paid by the UUA!  
 
trippers update
Trippers next meet for a retreat at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Boulder on 3/3 & 3/4    
activism local activism & awareness

Editors' note:
Occasionally, changes are made to these events after publication. Please click on the links provided if you are interested in attending something, to make sure the details have not changed. Thank you!

***new event***

2/28, 5:30-7:30pm, at UCCS, " In The Shadows: Film Screening & Panel Discussion," h osted by Citizens Project. Come learn about the plight of undocumented immigrants living in the shadows and join in a discussion with a special guest panel including Dr. Emily Skop, UCCS; Edwin Ruiz, Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition; and local DREAMERS advocating for immigrant justice. Presented by GLINT (Global Intercultural Research Center) and Citizens Project. Free event parking in lot 224.

***new event***
3/4, 2-4pm, at Acacia Park, " Rally for our Future." Join 350 Colorado Springs, Keep Colorado Green, and Action for People and the Planet to demand that the Colorado Legislature defend our common home. Right now Colorado politicians don't have to know anything about how their proposed legislation will impact our local ecosystems or public health. There's no reason for such important information to be considered optional. Keep Colorado Green has been circulating a petition to ask on behalf of Colorado's 1,042,670 young people that the Colorado State Legislature put forward legislation mandating the estimation of ecological and environmental impacts of legislation before it is voted on. Bring your best climate justice signs for a Rally, Petition Signing and to demand that our elected officials defend and protect our beautiful state!
 
***new event*** 
3/7, 6-8pm, at Sand Creek Library, "Empowered Open Mic Night." In honor of International Women's Day. This magical event will feature:
- Light Snacks
- Local Women-Owned Businesses
- Local Artists of all genres
- Free raffles
- Free opportunity to record your piece 12-3pm, on Saturday 3/10 at the newly built Recording Studio located at Sand Creek Library.
This event is sponsored by Break the Silence against Domestic Violence, a national nonprofit organization committed to supporting families affected by abuse.


***new event***
3/10, 12:30-4:30pm, location TBD, "CO Rising Activation Workshop - Colorado Springs."  Colorado Rising is powering the grassroots effort to pass a statewide ballot initiative establishing common sense protections for our communities from the dangers of oil & gas development and fracking. Ballot language has been submitted, and they are gearing up to start collecting signatures this spring. Anyone who is interested in volunteering to help this initiative pass should attend this training. Check out the website for more info on the initiative. 
   communitycommunity news
 
Editors' note: Occasionally, changes are made to events after publication. Please click on the links provided if you are interested in attending something, to make sure the details have not changed. Thank you!

free food mobile food pantry
All are welcome to come pick up free food 11am-12pm on 2/23 at Deerfield Hills Community Center. Past food options have included bread, peppers, apricots, potatoes, and watermelon.
**Product will be distributed first-come, first-served.
**Please bring re-usable bags, laundry baskets, or plastic tubs to carry food. 
If you would like to volunteer to help package food into bags, distribute, etc., please email them. Next dates are 11am-12pm on 3/23, 4/27 & 5/25.

coffee with a cop
Join the El Paso County Sheriff's Office and the Colorado Springs Police Department 11am-1pm on Friday, 2/23 at SOPRA located at 2802 W. Colorado Ave.

esn's night out
Come hang with Empowerment Solidarity Network (ESN) 3-8pm on 2/28 at Spice Island Grill for good food and a good cause! Tell your server you're here for the ESN to support us. 

ask-a-lawyer free legal clinic 
10am-12pm on 3/10, The Justice Center hosts this free clinic at the Imagination Celebration Space. Speak with a volunteer attorney from the Pikes Peak region who - for free - will answer questions you may have about a legal issue and provide basic legal advice and guidance. Next dates are 4/14, 5/12 & 6/9.

visit public lands on fee-free days
Mark your calendars for the 2018 Fee Free Days in your national parks, refuges, conservation lands, lakes and forests. On designated days throughout the year, participating federal land management agencies offer free entrance and waive some standard amenity and day-use fees. For more details about which standard amenity fees and day-use fees are waived, please visit the website
joysjoys & concerns 

joys
None to share this week.
  
concerns  
None to share this week.
all souls board of trustees

Larry Norfleet, President,
(Vacant), Vice President
Gary Harrison, Treasurer
Judie McMath, Secretary
Kate Harrison, Member-at-Large
Bruce Leeson, Member-at-Large 
Jan Otto, Member-at-Large
Terry Schultz, Member-at-Large
Rick Schwarz, Past President
e-letter deadline

The deadline for each week's e-letter is Wednesday at noon, barring something truly unexpected, such as a last-minute cancellation. Other items submitted after deadline will run the following week. Please help us inform you by honoring the deadline. Thank you -- Tamsin & Shawn
All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church | 719-633-7717 | info@asuuc.net  | asuuc.net
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