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IN THIS ISSUE
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Rev. Katie's Animas View
The smaller of the two UU churches in Pasadena, California was a recent recipient of a grant funded by the UU social responsibility panel on which I sit. This historic congregation is known in the area as "the permaculture church" as they continue their work for sustainability. I follow their minister on Instagram, and I was somewhat jealous when I read about her trips to their local zero-waste refill store in L.A. "How cool is that?" I thought, and how fortunate she is to live in a place where a store like that is possible.
I was pleasantly surprised, then, after reading the Durango Herald's recent report about the opening of a new retail business, We-Fill, located on North Main Avenue, where we can bring in our own containers to fill with home cleaning and personal care products so that less plastic is manufactured, and less waste is generated. I'll be taking my containers there to replenish what I need and considering other areas where I might be of less impact on the environment.
Isn't Durango great? I want to tell you all so that this place will stay in business.
As we think about our long-haul work for earth justice and race, it's a good time to lift up our UUA Common Read for this year. As a number of our people are delving deep into our ongoing program, Beloved Conversations, and as we move toward Earth Day in April, this book will get us thinking about the meetings of race, class and the environment. Justice on Earth is edited by two UU ministers, and it contains essays that offer an intersectional analysis of how these important concerns are linked. Please mark your calendar, read the book and plan to attend our one-time session on Sunday, April 7
th
, at 12:30 pm. You can either order the book yourself from the UUA bookstore or wait until it is available from our own Social Justice table.
In the meantime, I'm going to try to use less plastic.
With love,
Rev. Katie
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 February Services
Theme: Trust
Spiritual Practice:
The practice of commitment and faith in a love that won't let us go
Song:
Come, My Way My Truth, My Life
February 3
Love Is the Doctrine of This Church
-Rev. Katie Kandarian-Morris
How do we build trust in what matters? In the time in which we live, where we aren't certain of what is real, what tools do we have?
February 10
Offering Trust and Love
-Rev. Katie Kandarian-Morris & Lisa McCorry
Multigenerational service. It used to be everybody got a hug if someone wanted to give one. We are discovering a greater awareness that there is more involved than just what we want. Worship will be followed by "fellowship FondUU"!
February 17
Committing to Disrupt Business as Usual
-Rev. Katie Kandarian-Morris
What can we learn from Black History, both in the nation and in our own faith movement?
February 24
Queen of Soul
Bob Griffith, pulpit guest
On this last Sunday of Black History Month, we'll experience a life imprinted from faith and church. Aretha Franklin was an activist, a diva, an icon. Let's honor her influence on us.
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President's Message
Tom Miller
UUFD is an exciting, dynamic church community with growing and increasingly high ambitions for how we deliver on our mission. Our steady, gradual membership growth over the past several years has allowed us to expand our efforts in a number of areas of our ministry, supported by increased funding and new members, who also bring in additional ideas about how we can better serve.
Our church is full of very active and involved members and friends. Just look at the activities and requests listed in the Sunday bulletin, or the crowded calendar of events occupying our various meeting rooms. To be most effective, all this effort, enthusiasm and energy needs to be coordinated, if not managed, by people who care about what we are doing and how well we do it.
We are coming into the part of the year when we start actively planning for the next one - mission priorities, budget support, volunteer recruitment. There are several key leadership positions currently open or anticipated. Several Board committees would be more effective with additional members. If we decide to go forward with expansion, we will need people to lead and be part of task forces for a capital campaign and building committee.
Most critically, the Board is currently operating with two vacant positions, Secretary and Member at Large. Those positions, as well as people completing their terms, offer the opportunity for high level contribution in the coming years.
At our most recent Leadership Council, we talked about several different ways we are working on expanding the Church's leadership capacity. Good work is happening and I hope you will think about how you can become more involved. If you share our commitment to delivering our mission in this community, if you have the desire to give something back and to put your faith in action, if you want to connect with others in sacred activity and grow personally in the process, I invite you to talk to a current Board member or one of the members of our Nominating and Leadership Development Committee to see where your best fit will be.
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Social Responsibility and Justice special feature
The Basic Needs social justice team has six areas where their work is focused: Durango Food Bank, Love Out Loud, Manna Kitchen, Needham Elementary, Thrive! Living Wage, and Days for Girls. Each provides significant help in our local community or beyond. This month we are featuring the interfaith Days for Girls project.
Days for Girls
began in 2008 when Founder and CEO Celeste Mergens learned that girls in small villages around the world had no means of feminine hygiene during their periods. They were sitting on cardboard for several days each month, missing school, and often going without food unless someone would bring it to them. Providing disposable pads wasn't workable as they had no place to dispose of them. The solution was to provide washable, long-lasting pads.
Many iterations of work led to Days for Girls Kits designed to meet unique cultural and environmental conditions in communities throughout the world. Kits contain washable and absorbent liners, waterproof shields, underwear, a bar of soap, ziplock bags for washing and storing, and a washcloth in a colorful storage bag. Today, Days for Girls is a global volunteer effort and has reached more than one million women and girls in 125+ countries with kits and menstrual health education, helping them to stay in school and to live a life of dignity.
The Days for Girls Durango Chapter meets twice each month, cutting material, sewing and assembling kits. Anyone can help and is welcome: Second Tuesdays at the Quilt Company from 10-2, and last Wednesdays at UUFD from 1-4. Currently the group is working on 150 kits to go to Kenya in March. Knowing that this basic care support for girls frees them to participate in their community and school makes this work a true labor of love! For more information, contact Teresa Jordan
at
[email protected].
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Love in Action!
2019 Stewardship Campaign kicks off
LOVE IN ACTION
is the theme of this year's Stewardship campaign. Information and pledge packets are now being distributed. Please mark your calendar for "Celebration Sunday," March 17th at 11 am in Bowman Hall, the day we will turn in our pledge cards and celebrate with a "Fingerfood Feast"! For information, please email Sheryl.
What is stewardship? Each year, during UUFD's annual Stewardship campaign, members and friends are asked to make monetary pledges to sustain the church and its work. The financial promises made during this time make up the bulk of UUFD's budget and allow us to plan appropriately for the Fellowship's growth and commitments.
Why pledge? UUFD depends on the generosity of members and friends to sustain and develop the church community, supporting spiritual growth and development in all generations and continuing important social justice work. Here, member Julie Jordan shares her reasons for supporting UUFD:
"When my husband Dennis and I were considering moving to the Durango area one of the first places we visited was UUFD. We were met with friendly, like minded people. Here we have found a community that encourages each person to find their own truth, in their own way. Here you can find opportunities for life long learning, participating in social justice demonstrations, or sharing ministry in a Covenant group. I believe that it is critical that the liberal religious opportunities of Unitarian Universalism be available in the four corners area. The inclusiveness of UUFD specifically and UUism in general can be life changing and even life saving to those in need of a safe haven. I love that we participate in a variety of Social Justice events from demonstrating against gun violence to listening to Reverend Katie speak at the Women's March. The fact that Unitarian Universalism exists at all gives me hope in uncertain times, it is the 'rock that I cling to'. Please join me in supporting this congregation's work in providing a home for Liberal Religion in the four corners."
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"Women of Resolution" Film Showing
March 1 at 7 pm at UUFD
"Women of Resolution," a
documentary film about four immigrant women in sanctuary at Colorado churches, will be shown at UUFD in the Sanctuary March 1 at 7 pm. The UUFD immigration team is partnering with the local Friends Meeting and Rosa Belongs Here to sponsor the showing, which is open to the public. Suggested donation is $10 - 20. Proceeds will help support Rosa Sabido, who is featured in the film and has been in sanctuary at the Mancos United Methodist Church for over 19 months. We welcome the opportunity to share this moving film with the community. See you there!
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Ministry Review Task Force has questions for you
The Ministry Review Task Force is continuing to gather information about how well we are meeting our mission. In February, our focus will be on the entire UUFD fellowship. The two questions we are posing are:
1. How well is UUFD engaging members and friends?
2. How Is UUFD serving its mission?
Please take a moment to stop by our feedback station in Bowman Hall during Sunday coffee hour.
A comment/suggestion box is available for written comments. To schedule a visit, contact one our members: Tekla Miller, Ken Rice and Allison Andersen.
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February opportunities to connect
Notes & News from Faith Formation
"We have a legacy of 'deeds not creeds.' Our work for a better world calls us to unexpected places as we harness love's power to stop oppression. Social justice work has long been a part of Unitarian Universalism. We affirm our belief that collective social justice activity is an integral part of Unitarian Universalism and necessary for living out our theological approach."
-
uua.org and
uua.org
This February, connect with the Four Corners Community and the congregation. Dive into justice work. Deepen your understanding of UU theology.
UU Super Power Snowdown Float
. Fri, Feb. 1 at 5:30 p.m. Ride on the float or brave the cold and watch the parade. The UUFD torch light chalice is hard to miss! To reserve a spot on the float for you or your child, contact John Redemske at [email protected].
The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship is hosting its first monthly high school Youth Night this Wed, Jan. 30 from 6-8 p.m. This will be a recurring event on the 4th Thursday of the month. Pizza dinner is provided (with gluten-free option). This event is open to the community so feel free to bring friends or share the invite. The intention of the gatherings is to create healthy, loving, non-judgmental space for youth to have fun, strengthen values, dive into deep issues, eat and play games. We want to create a supportive space for youth.
Community of Resilience.
An event to bring people together and provide research and resources to support mental health of La Plata County citizens.
It is undeniable that mental health is a growing concern and issue of sustainability in our community. But as the issue grows, so does the awareness and response. The event is on February 4th from 5-7 p.m. in the Fort Lewis College Student Union Ballroom. We are more resilient together!
Ralph W. Emerson as Spiritual Guide.
With Rev. Katie Kandarian-Morris. Three sessions: 5:30 - 7 pm on Wednesdays 1/30/19, 2/13/19, 2/27/19. Columbine House. Registration strongly encouraged ([email protected]).
We are having a very special visitor here next week on Feb. 6th at 6. The Durango Fire Protection Districts Scott Davis is coming to UUFD to educate us about fire safety. We hope all of our families and grown-ups and grandparents will attend. You can invite friends and other families to come with you so we can keep all of the Four Corners safe not just UUFD. It will be a pizza dinner.
Children and Youth Curriculum for Feb. 17: Black Lives of UU (BLUU) Teach-In
The practice of understanding black history in America and in Unitarian Universalism. Unitarian Susan B. Anthony, Unitarian and Universalist abolitionists, NAACP and Malcom X.
Diversity Dialogue: Feb. 23, 9 am - 3 pm, Fort Lewis College. Intergenerational experience recommended for adults and children age 12 and up. RSVP to [email protected] to reserve your spot and lunch.
New Spiritual Practices and Ongoing Adult Faith Formation Offerings
Common Threads
: First Wednesdays 4:30-6:30 pm. 2/6 and 3/6 in Admin Conference Room; April through June in Columbine House. Knitting & fibers group. All levels welcome. Contact Elizabeth at [email protected].
What speaks to you? Where do you feel called to connect, to engage, to let your UU superpowers shine?
-Lisa McCorry, Director of Faith Formation
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New year, new name
Introducing our "Connections Coordinator"
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Shannon Beaver, Connections Coordinator |
I am Shannon Beaver, your Connections Coordinator (formerly known as Congregational Life Coordinator) at UUFD! My new title of Connections Coordinator is more in line with my actual duties within the congregation:
actively working to grow our ministry groups by connecting guests and members, being present in worship services on Sunday mornings to meet and connect people, helping facilitate the pathway to membership for guests, and much more!
If you and I haven't met yet, please look for me hanging around the Welcome podium on Sunday mornings!
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News from the Nominating and Leadership Development Committee
New board members being sought; Emerging Leaders Meet & Greet event
The Nominating and Leadership Committee is actively searching for new Board of Trustee members. The new board will be seated on July 1st, 2019. There are four open positions
:
President, Vice President, Secretary and Member at Large. Interested members should contact Allison Andersen, Committee Chair, Robert Winslow or K. Redford.
Participants in the Emerging Leaders program are invited to a Meet & Greet on Monday, February 18th from 5 to 6 pm in Bowman Hall. Meet each other and members of the Nominating & Leadership Development Committee and Board Members. Information regarding the Emerging Leaders program and our new UUFD Leadership Journey Process will be shared. Please RSVP to Robert Winslow at [email protected].
To learn more about the this event or the Emerging Leaders Program, please contact Allison Andersen at [email protected] .
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Baby/Caregiver meetup
Thursdays 9:30-11:30 am
An important basic need is connection, and parents/grandparents of young children really deserve our support! UUFD hosts a baby/caregiver meetup every Thursday from 9:30-11:30 led by member Liza Tregillus. Liza also opened a play space in the Smiley building, "Durango Cafe au Play," and you are welcome to visit, either to volunteer as a helping adult or to bring 0-5 year olds to play and make friends! Call Liza at 970-749-9607 or see DurangoCafeauPlay.org for more info!
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Keeping Thrive! Alive!
Use Local First's Be Local coupon book to benefit Thrive!
 UUFD, a long-time supporter of
La Plata County Thrive! Living Wage Coalition
, has an opportunity to harness the generosity of a local business to support
T
hrive! The Payroll Department, a certified living wage employer through Thrive's Employer Recognition Program, will donate $5 to one of three local nonprofits of your choice when you turn in their coupon provided in
Local First's Be Local coupon book,
which is available for purchase at many locations in downtown Durango.
To donate $5 to Thrive at no additional cost to you: Simply remove the coupon from Page 141 of the Be Local coupon book and turn it in at
Maria's Bookshop
,
The Payroll Department
, or the
Local First office
(located in Suite #1 of the Smiley Building at
1309 East Third Avenue, Durango
). Or, even easier, just give it to Ilona Hruska or Mark Swanson, and they will take it to one of those locations for you.
And don't forget to check Thrive! Living Wage Coalition as your nonprofit of choice to receive a $5 donation!
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