Homiletics for a Pandemic
Rev. Katie's Animas View
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Someone shared with me recently that they were missing the more substantial in length sermons that were part of our worship when we met in the sanctuary. I get it. There is something about listening to words and music in person that have a deep resonance, inviting our collective integration and transformation.
Last week I attended, virtually, a “homiletics” festival—a conference for preachers like me. ("Homiletics" refers to the work of sermons and homilies.) Together we are realizing our task has shifted.
Our online, virtual worship is a little different. For many reasons, it works to have a shorter message, to invite children to stay for the whole hour, and to have more visual elements.
I am in sync with the philosophy of a well-known minster serving in the Bay Area who believes that the main purpose of our online gathering is to create connection. We’ve added technical details. They’re fun, and sometimes can be a real asset, but I am reminded that simplicity is often the key.
In the fall, we’ll be experimenting further, possibly separating the message into two parts, in order to go longer. If you need a message now, you can go to
our website here
for past sermons. Or, on your phone, you can download our UUFD podcasts at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Durango.
You also may enjoy worship from the Church of the Larger Fellowship, where
you can listen here
.
During this time, we are paying attention to guidelines from the UUA and our local health department, discerning our future in-person gatherings. We realize we are likely going to be meeting virtually for quite a while. We’ll continue to adjust, incorporate, refine and learn.
I love you and miss giving you hugs.
Always in the love,
Rev. Katie
P.S. You may have noticed in one of our worship videos the beautiful new chancel furniture built by John Schwob. It’s so sad not to be able to appreciate the elements of the beautiful space we love so much. These new pieces will be used for years to come. We are grateful for the talent and generosity of our members. Thank you, John.
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May Services (all services held online)
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Theme: Compassion
The path of healing our pain by opening to the pain of others
June 7
Within the Heart of the Flower: A Flower Communion
-The Rev. Katie Kandarian-Morris
Cut a flower from your home or grab one from the store, and bring it to your screen during our virtual gathering. We’ll remember why this ceremony was so important to Norbert Câpek and to us, too.
June 14
What are We Called to Do?
-The Rev. Katie Kandarian-Morris
As liberal religionists in the midst of pandemic, what is our calling?
June 21
Heed the Results of Science
-The Rev. Katie Kandarian-Morris
The 5
th
source of our living tradition, “Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the results of science, and warn us of idolatries of the mind and spirit,” will serve as the summer series theme and guide for this season.
June 28
UUA General Assembly Worship Together
SPECIAL WORSHIP TIME : 8 am and 11 am Mountain Time
-Rev. Joan Javier-Duval
We’ll join Unitarian Universalists from across the country and world.
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Navajo Nation
Social Responsibility and Justice special feature
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There are many tragic stories during this pandemic – lives lost, livelihoods threatened, isolation and separation. Among the most critically impacted in our country is the Navajo Nation, which, if it were its own state, would have the highest per capita rate of confirmed COVID-19 cases in our country right now, behind only New York. Native peoples in New Mexico account for 50% of the state’s COVID-19 deaths, even though they make up only 11% of the population. Tribal leaders are concerned about the risk of extinction.
Living conditions in the Navajo Nation are normally challenging, with one-third of the homes across the area having no running water and many hours away from access to food. While the Navajo Nation spans vast empty spaces, families often live in crowded houses together. The usual guidance for frequent hand-washing and isolation to protect yourself during the pandemic are nearly impossible. Families are forced to travel many miles to a collective area for water and food to bring home. Due to a higher level of health problems that make COVID-19 more deadly, Native Americans are at much greater risk of infection and death. A coalition of care-givers has rallied to help, but hospitals are still struggling to have sufficient staff and protective gear.
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We will add our support to those who are working to help the Navajo Nation and its people to survive this pandemic. We are dedicating our June
Share the Plate to the
Navajo and Hopi Families Relief fund. During our Sunday June 7 Worship Service, we will hear from Native American Brenda Hoskie from the Navajo Nation about the situation and the needs. In addition, we will host a supply drive on Saturday, June 13, from 3:00-6:00 pm, in the church parking lot to collect items. When dropping off supplies, please stay in your car. Masked and gloved volunteers will take items directly from your vehicle. Here is the list of most needed supplies:
canned veggies e.g. green beans, corn, peas
canned fruit e.g. peaches, pears, oranges
pork and beans, pinto beans
canned meat e.g. corn beef hash, Vienna sausages, spam
ramen noodles, pasta
crackers
soup
flour and baking supplies
bottled water
coffee
paper towels
toilet paper
bleach
cleaning supplies e.g. pine sol
hand sanitizer
face masks
gloves
baby food
diapers
dog and cat food
fresh food e.g. cheese, meat, produce (place in separate bag or box marked as
“Fresh Food”)
We grieve for the daily struggles of the Diné (Navajo) people, and most especially now for the threat that COVID-19 presents to their survival as a nation. Please join this effort to help in whatever way you are able, and invite friends and neighbors as well.
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Leadership Council to meet June 18
Join via Zoom on Thursday, June 18, 5-6 pm
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Leadership Council will meet online on Thursday, June 18, from 5 to 6 pm. All committee chairs, team leaders, incoming and outgoing members of the Board of Trustees, and members interested in leadership positions should plan to attend. The focus of the meeting will be our church response to the pandemic. Contact Teresa Jordan, Governance Committee Chair, at
tjordan@frontier.net
for more information. Use this link to join the meeting
https://uuma.zoom.us/j/91687061727
.
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Summer Faith Formation plans at UUFD
Note from Interim Director of Faith Formation, Sara Sautter
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We are going to be offering a LOT this summer. That’s because we want to better understand what is most needed in your family. We’ll try a number of things and see what you like the best. From building and using family altars, sharing classic UU tales on Sundays and enjoying play and fellowship through Wonderful Wednesdays, there will be lots to do this summer to keep the faith formation in our congregation humming.
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Summer at Home Faith Formation
Our first resource for the summer will be
Creating Sabbath Space,
a resource through Soul Matters.
Whether you call it the Family Altar or the Chalice Home,
we want to help families carve out “sabbath space” in their homes and weekly schedules.
But what does that look like when we’re cut off from our church buildings? Who says you can’t build a space for the sacred in your home?” In fact, home worship and home altars are a central part of family life for
so many
religious traditions.
While all these traditions are different, they also share a common goal: To create a space that helps one stay connected to what is sacred and nourishing. And who of us doesn’t need that right now?!
Each week, you’ll get a Sabbath Toolkit with instructions for adding a new piece to your home altar, a family worship service to celebrate that addition and some “after worship activities” to help your family lean into Sabbath rest and connection together.
And here’s the super cool thing: Other UU families from across the country will be doing this too! Just like you, UU families from Massachusetts to Indiana to Oklahoma to Oregon will be carving out room in their homes for family altars and weekly Sabbath experiences. Even though we will be physically apart, we’ll be spiritually connected.
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Summer Sunday Morning Faith Formation
We’ll continue our Sunday faith formation by focusing on learning through story. Kiara will log on with kids every Sunday beginning on June 7 at a new time, 4:00, for
UU Story Time
.
The stories will be from wonderful classic Unitarian Universalist collections like
A Lamp in Every Corner
,
What if Nobody Forgave
and
Hide and Seek with God.
We’ll light a chalice, share our Sads and Glads, read a story, and talk about it together.
And most important, we’ll enjoy sharing together and building friends and community.
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Wonderful Wednesdays!
On Wednesday late afternoons, after a long day of hiking or play, log on to Zoom for Wonderful Wednesdays beginning on June 10. We will rotate games, music, stories, theatre and crafts from 4:00-5:00.
- Join Cara one week for a jam band Zoom using nursery toys or kitchen tools.
- Elizabeth will teach us how to make Cootie Catchers or friendship bracelets the next week.
- Jasmine will lead us in theatre or game play.
- Anna will read us chapter and picture books.
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NEW! UUFD Book Club
Adult UUFD members, visitors and guests: who likes to read?
Well, of course you do! UUs are a well-read bunch. Fiction or non-fiction, it’s all good.
UUFD is starting a new book club to read together and discuss books with each other. When will we meet? What will we read? That is what we will decide on
Monday, June 1 at 6:30 pm
on Zoom. The group will be facilitated by Sara Sautter, our Interim Director of Faith Formation.
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The new "collection basket"
How to make your contribution while services are online
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To contribute to the Sunday collection basket or make a one-time donation, you now have three options:
- Mail a check (please write "donation" in the memo field)
- Make an online donation (If you've done this before, log in and choose "online collection basket" or "all other donations." If not, click "Create Profile" to set up your account.)
- Send a text! Send a text message to the number 833-765-0135, and type the amount you want to donate as the message. Send it and you will be prompted with what to do next, which will include registering and verifying your account (a process you will only need to do once). You may want to save that phone number as "UUFD Text Giving" or something similar in your contacts. Detailed instructions here.
Each Sunday collection is actually a week-long "event." Any Sunday collection donation made (whether by text giving, online giving, or by check) from the Saturday prior to the service through the following Friday will be credited to that Sunday’s service.
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Contact Us
Newsletter Editor: Shanan Orndorff
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
419 San Juan Drive, Durango, CO 81301
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SUNDAY SERVICE 10 AM
(online until further notice)
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Our mission at UUFD is to:
Provide a home for liberal religion, spiritual exploration and personal growth.
Provide lifespan religious education that draws on multiple sources and explores religious, spiritual, intellectual and ethical questions.
Work toward a community with peace, liberty and justice for all.
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Ministry & Staff
Rev. Katie Kandarian-Morris, Minister
Jeanne MacKenzie, Office Administrator
Sara Sautter, Interim Director of Faith Formation
Marilyn Garst, Classical Pianist & Artistic Director for Recital Series
Lawrence Nass, Contemporary Pianist
Elizabeth Crawford, Choir Director
José Duran, Choir Accompanist
Shannon Beaver, Connections Coordinator
Tricia Bayless, Financal Clerk
Caesar Sanchez, Sexton
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Board of Trustees
Frank Lockwood, President
Elizabeth Long, Vice President
Nancy Burpee, Secretary
Julie Jordan, Member-at-Large
Rev. Katie Kandarian-Morris, ex-officio
Board meetings are held the third Tuesday of each month, 3 - 5 PM.
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