UUFD Newsletter, November 2017

"We Sing Now Together Our Song of Thanksgiving"

Rev. Katie's Animas View

In our gray hymnal, there is a section for "Harvest and Thanksgiving" with two songs using the most well known tune. Different words, same tune. The one that we chose for this month's theme is a song about the joys and struggles of humanity, inviting us, at the end of the first verse to appreciate "life which leads beyond the goals which our forebears once sought." This is an appropriate occasion to consider the history we've been taught that applies a particular white, Euro-American lens. We have only lately come to realize that the historic story of an idyllic, multi-cultural Thanksgiving is really a feel-good myth to justify a particular settler-colonizer "American" ideology. In truth, the story of Pilgrims and New England Indians sharing a meal together is some kind of fiction merely 120 years old.

Sometimes it's good for us to carry on the ideals of our forebears, and sometimes we might want to pay attention to where we, today, might have grown beyond those ideals and have experienced some spiritual deepening. This month, we'll look to appreciate other stories than the ones we've always known. We'll simultaneously cultivate the practice of gratitude.

My gratitude includes being with you, serving you, as well as being able to take the gifts of this fellowship into the larger community. In particular, I want to make you aware of why I won't be present in worship on November 19 th . I have been invited to participate in the ceremonial service of a new minister, Aaron Norris, who will be ordained by First Universalist Church, Denver. It's an honor for ministers like me to be asked to provide the various important elements that make up this occasion of lifting up new accredited ministers to ordination. It is our congregational polity that allows each church or society to make that choice, and up to the person to whom the honor will be bestowed to choose the participants.

My role in this ceremony will be to "charge" the congregation. That means I'll remind them that the work they do to train new ministers, then send them out into the world, is a deeply important liberal religious calling, and that this particular Unitarian Universalist church, the very same one that ordained me nineteen years ago, continues to make a difference to the world. I will carry you with me that day, and remember how you continue to re-make me a minister each day I serve you, each time I write a card or a sermon, every time I take a stand for something un-popular.

Thank you for providing this thriving place to do ministry, this opportunity to share ministry with you. Let us continue to "sing now together our song of thanksgiving."

In faith, hope and love,

Rev. Katie

P.S. Don't forget to set your clocks back an hour before you head to bed this Saturday, November 4!

September Sunday Services

Monthly theme: We Sing Now Together

(Concepts of Story and Thanksgiving)

November 5

Extraordinary Moments

-Rev. Katie Kandarian-Morris

How might incorporating a practice of gratitude, generosity and wonder move us to spiritual maturity? Is now the moment to begin?

November 12

Stories for Empowerment

-Rev. Katie Kandarian-Morris

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie reminded us of the danger of a single story. What stories of thanksgiving might we find to repair broken dignity?

November 19

Who Is the Guest at Your Table?

-Betty Schwartz-Bozeman, pulpit guest

Each of our families will be invited to take home a box for the holidays, reminding us of the dedicated work of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, work that has been a part of our faith and a part of the world for many years. "Small change is big change."

November 26

My Story

-Judy Hook, Worship Associate and fellowship members

Come build relationship with members of our fellowship through hearing their stories of spiritual odyssey and faith.

President's Message

Tom Miller

Periodically, as we begin to settle into worship on a Sunday morning we sing into three questions: Where do we come from? What are we? Where are we going? Simple questions, but with profound implications, if we take the questions seriously. We can consider these questions personally and explore our answers inwardly. But for me, at his point, the operative word in each question is "we".

Where do we come from? A relatively easy response is that we have come to UUFD from many different places, both geographically and spiritually. Some of us have come recently, some many years ago. There is a richness in the variety of what we bring to each other from our individual histories.

What are we? My short answer would be a beloved community of faith and principled action. Each of us has chosen to become a part of this Unitarian Universalist Fellowship for individual and varying reasons. But I would say that three basic assumptions undergird our unity: that we ally around our Seven Principles and the values of our larger fait; that we live into the covenant we speak at each Sunday Service (Love is...); and that we commit ourselves to our stated mission.

When I was consulting, one of the issues I paid attention to was the extent to which the people in the business were focused on and aligned with the mission and the goals of the company. The more understanding and alignment, the more likelihood of business success. Successful companies had lots of ways to keep their people aware of and involved in their mission, to know how their particular effort contributed to the whole. In addition, companies would periodically revisit and adjust their mission to adapt to significantly changed business conditions.

Of course, UUFD is not a business. We do have a stated mission. And we are facing changing conditions as a religious community. Some changes we have initiated and some we can only choose to react to. Internally, we have a new called minister. We are growing with an increasingly full sanctuary and faith formation classes on Sunday morning. New members bring new energy. We have an updated strategic plan that sets out eleven goals for us to focus on over the next several years. We are actively examining how to expand our facilities to serve our growing numbers. Externally, we have an uncomfortably divided political climate that exacerbates many ways in which people can do "othering." There are innumerable causes, locally, regionally, and nationally, to which we can apply our efforts and which offer challenges to our Seven Principles. There is no shortage of need.

So, where are we going? We are clearly facing a different set of conditions than existed when the current mission statement was formulated. Our new Strategic Plan appropriately offers the opportunity to revisit our mission and to explore the extent to which our currently stated mission still applies. Our focus and impact will increase to the extent that we all have a voice in how we move forward, and the clarity and understanding of what we are about as a community.

In the coming months, the Board will initiate a process by which we can examine our mission and decide if and how we should make any changes. As a start to our thinking, let me offer some questions:

Is our current mission statement clear, concise and memorable?
Do you know it, and can you repeat it?
Does it represent what we want to be known for, or known as, within the wider world; what the congregation wants to mean to the community?
When you hear it, does it energize you and give you a real focus for your spiritual activity?
Is it really a mission, or is it generalized vision and values masquerading as a mission?
What is your opinion of what we need to rethink, change, or adapt?

When the time comes, I hope you will engage with others to explore these and other important questions as we continue to clarify where we are going.

Faith Formation News You Can Use

This season of giving thanks reminds me to pause. As the leaves fall and the flowers freeze, I am reminded of the valuable practice of letting go. The morning, still dark when I rise, offers a quiet peace, a prayer in itself. When was the last time I told someone I am grateful for them? How do I feel when I am the recipient of another's gratitude? Can I give thanks even where it seems unlikely? I recently told someone, Thank you for saying No. I was genuinely grateful as a person who is practicing the art of saying No. In a time when spiritual bypass would be easier than tolerance and understanding, I want to stay present. The walls we put up against anger and sadness don't discriminate. Those walls also block out peace and joy. How are we, as Unitarian Universalists, grounding ourselves in the UU foundation of love and tolerance? Share your gratitude for someone today. Invite a guest to your table.

Still Accepting Applications for 2017-18 Faith Formation Leaders and Assistants

We need a robust team. Leaders and assistants are paired up to work as co-teachers for one month. You will be placed into a classroom with the necessary understanding and resources. If you are interested, please contact [email protected] .

What are the benefits of getting involved in children's Faith Formation?

Deepening your faith
Learning
Gaining childlike insight
Fun
Renewed hope for the future
Transforming lives

What other opportunities exist to deepen faith?

Home for the holidays? Thanksgiving Day Dinner Potluck at UUFD in Bowman Hall.

Christmas Eve Worship services at 4 pm & 6 pm. No morning worship on Christmas Eve.

Healing Racism Circle continues their deep work this fall. Stay tuned for dates and events. This is an open group and all are welcome.

Social Justice and Responsibility Team focuses are Racial Justice, Gender Justice, Basic Needs and Immigration. An environmental focus is also being considered and needs leaders and volunteers.

Deepen your connection through Spiritual Practice. UUFD offers various opportunities for spiritual practice: Covenant Groups, Pastoral Care Associates, Sage Circle, Yoga, Meditation, Painting, Covenant of UU Pagans (CUUPS), Poetry Circle, Cosmology, Game night, Outdoor Adventure Group, Circle suppers and more. See the calendar for a full list of offerings.

Complimentary kid care is offered at the Fellowship during Circle Suppers, third Saturdays. The next circle supper is Saturday, November 18. Contact Nancy Fisher ([email protected]) to RSVP for these meaningful shared meals in the homes of congregants.

Childcare is generally available upon request for choir rehearsals, committee and team meetings, spiritual practice offerings and other UUFD events. Advance notice is appreciated. Contact [email protected].

-Lisa McCorry, Faith Formation Director

To love is to act.

Social Responsibility and Justice News

"To love is to act." -Victor Hugo

Your generosity is helping three organizations in Charlottesville, VA, who continue to fight against racism in their town. A total of $1200 ($700 from a special congregation collection and $500 from the social justice Disaster Relief and Development Fund) was divided into three $400 donations going to these organizations:

Congregate Charlottesville is purchasing a used car for an individual who was injured in the violent white supremacist rally in August. Due to the significant injuries she suffered during the car attack, the individual can no longer walk around town.

Black Lives Matter Charlottesville is on the front lines of racism struggles and organizes and provides training for anti-racism events and activities. They are also deeply involved in political and social education in their community, and in providing support to individuals engaged in the work.

Mt. Zion First African Baptist Church is a 150 year old, highly respected church in Charlottesville. They have a wide scope of activities focusing on providing positive messaging against hate.

We appreciate the significant assistance of UU minister Rev. Kathleen Rolenz, who lives in Charlottesville and responded to Katie's request to help us identify who could benefit from our donation.

Please join us for the November 19 Transgender Day of Remembrance service at 5:00 pm in our Sanctuary. Our social justice LGBTQ team is partnering with 4STAR (Four Corners Support for Transgender people, Allies and Relatives) to plan and lead this service, and an ensemble from our choir is singing. This is a very significant calendar event for transgender people, as it publicly mourns and honors the lives of those who were killed in acts of anti-transgender violence in the last 12 months. It remembers those who might otherwise have been forgotten. Bring a friend, and wear your yellow Standing on the Side of Love shirts. Stand in vigil to show your support for those who face prejudice and hatred. If you would like to volunteer to be one of the readers of names of those killed, contact Bonnie at [email protected].

If you want to know more about all the social justice work going on in our Fellowship, stop by the Social Responsibility and Justice table after the service each Sunday. And remember that you can now pick up the two UUA Common Read books at the table as well.

Social Responsibility and Justice Coordinators: Bonnie Miller, Betty Schwartz-Bozeman

Beat the rug!

(to help us buy a new one)

Are you little bit FRUSTRATED? FURIOUS even? STRESSED OUT ?

Feel like HITTING something AS HARD AS YOU CAN?

Come BEAT THE RUG to help us buy a new one!

Coming on Sunday Nov. 12, 11-11:30 am (after service), o utside

Bowman Hall: Contribute a fee to beat on the old carpet and help fund the new one for the office!

No rugs were harmed in the making of this announcement

CUUPS Corner

Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans

CUUPS of the Half Moon

November 9 at 6:30 pm in Bowman Hall

CUUPs of the Half Moon will have its annual organizational meeting. Please bring ideas, concerns and blessings. Child care provided on request. Contact [email protected].

CUUPS of the Half Moon

November 16 at 6:30 pm in Bowman Hall

The CUUPS activity will be a Night of Focused Group Prayers for Earth along with Deep Discussion on the issue and will be led by Susan. Child care provided on request. Contact [email protected] .

Sliabh Anam Druid Grove

November 21 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 [email protected].

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: [email protected].

New parents-and-babies meetup

Thursdays 9:30 - 11:30 in Columbine House

Starting Nov., 2, we'll be building support and connection for parents of young children through a new Baby Meetup, Thursdays from 9:30-11:30 am in Columbine House. This will be a free time for parents and babies to gather.

We would love help in getting the word out! Contact Liza Tregillus for more info, 970 749 9607.

UN Office on Disarmament & Ending Gun Violence

Unitarians around the world work with the United Nations Office (UNO) for Disarmament and Ending Gun Violence in our World. Visit the UUFD Social Justice Info Table to learn more about how you can help.

More information about the UU United Nations Office.

Thank you,

Susana Jones UU-UNO Envoy

Facilities Planning Task Force Chartered by Board

Architect to be selected

Our Strategic Plan is not just an idle document sitting hanging on the wall. In October, the Board initiated activity on the first task under Goal III of the new Strategic Plan. A Facilities Planning Task Force, chaired by Mary Ocken, is now hard at work seeking an architectural firm to begin conceptual design work as we seek to expand our facilities to accommodate the growth we have experienced and need to plan for. We expect to hear more from them when they make their final recommendation, planned now for the December Board meeting. Contact Mary or any Board member with your questions or comments.