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IN THIS ISSUE
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Come In
Rev. Katie's Animas View
We lift up ours as a "welcoming community where we find connection; a spiritual community where we find meaning." These words, originally written by Scott Phillips to frame our ritual of joys and sorrows, remind us of the sacred position played by our religious community.
And when we gather in community in our sanctuary, we lift up prayers of the people by inviting folks to name the things that weigh on or lighten their heart. This is our worship element of "Joys and Sorrows." As Wayne Arnason and Kathleen Rolenz write in Worship That Works, it's "a cherished part of the liturgy in many UU congregations."
Because this spiritual element involves individual voices, it's up to all of us to pay attention to the words we say, to the length of time we allot, and to remember the many needs of others in the congregation.
Arnason and Rolenz reflect on how congregational leaders have experimented to make this time the most meaningful it can be, adjusting this element to fit the changing needs of worship, noting the size of the gathered body, the longings of both long-time and brand new people, and working toward the most reverent and meaningful atmosphere (sometimes that may include tears, other times laughter).
Various congregations do this element sometimes in silence, lighting candles set to the side of the sanctuary, sometimes read by the worship leader, sometimes placed in the monthly newsletter, sometimes in the Sunday bulletin. Their intent to connect us to one another, to help us find meaning remains.
As our community grows, we will continue to look at how we express and carry out this liturgy. For now, we'll continue as we are, feeling that our people appreciate the purpose of this prayer, while knowing, too, that we have other ways to connect, such as through our covenant groups or Caring Team visitors.
Come in, to this place of love.
Always in the Love,
Rev. Katie
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October 7
Empowering Our Roots
-Rev. Katie Kandarian-Morris
We join as allies to Indigenous Peoples and others who aim to un-do some of the harm that has been done to the original people of this continent. Our guests will be students from Fort Lewis College as we learn the real history of the Americas.
October 14
Welcome to Wholeness
-Rev. Katie Kandarian-Morris
October 11th was National Coming Out Day. Do we still need to recognize this day? How might it make each one of us more authentic? We'll listen to special music today.
October 21
Beloved Conversations
-Julica Hermann DelaFuente and Rev. Katie Kandarian-Morris
How can we rediscover the sacred and important presence of compassion, grace, risk-taking, vulnerability, and the healing joy when cross-racial relationships are reconciled? Let us create beloved conversations.
October 28
The End of the Harvest
--CUUPS members, pulpit guest
We'll celebrate Samhain as the wheel of life turns for the final harvest holy day. Samhain symbolism encourages and honors our sacred space and that of others. Our choir will sing today.
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 President's Message
Tom Miller
What's the purpose of a church? Many would say it's to make a meaningful, positive difference in people's lives. As I reflect on my six years of membership, that seems to be happening
for me
, maybe even in spite of myself. I'm not a notoriously fast changer.
I wonder if my case would sound familiar. When I joined UUFD in 2012, I was primarily drawn to the warm, accepting community that I immediately experienced. I hadn't been attending any church for a good number of years and didn't see myself as particularly religious or spiritual, but I did have a vague sense that there was more for me to pay attention to. Over the last few years, as my level of involvement in the Church has increased, my level of "UU-ness" has broadened and that sense of community has expanded exponentially.
As I practice living into UU values and principles, I find myself seeing the world and myself in it with new perspectives. In particular, my feeling of connection has become much more meaningful, important and multi-faceted. This has been particularly true as the turmoil of our national political landscape has increased. Rather than sitting back and being discouraged and cynical, I'm challenged to act in the service of our core principles. I'm supported by the sense that our community not only cares, but is willing to step up and out and demonstrate that care in so many ways. Just look at the SRJ article in this newsletter to be reminded of how we are working to make a difference.
How is your involvement at UUFD working on you? How does that help you connect with the broader mission of the church? As Rev. Katie said last Sunday, we have the space, the people, and the vision to join together to make the difference that we want to see. We are the people we've been waiting for!
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Social Responsibility and Justice special feature
October is turning out to be a HUGE social justice month! Recognizing the challenge of all our calendars, we nevertheless hope you can make it a priority to participate in as many of these activities as possible. Here's what's coming up and why it matters:
October 3: Dr. Kathleen Hynes, ACLU volunteer speaker on the topic "Preserving the Constitution in the Age of Trump," at 11:00 in UUFD Sanctuary. As Dr. Hynes says "...there is no better way to ensure social justice than by working to protect, defend and extend the civil rights and civil liberties of all people." Free and open to the public.
October 4-6: Chuck Collins, national expert on economic inequality, tax policy, corporate power and class privilege, will be speaking at several events, with October 6
th
at 4:00 scheduled in our UUFD Sanctuary. His book Born on Third Base describes the critical impacts of increasing economic disparity and is available at our SRJ table on Sundays. Collins not only speaks clearly and compellingly about the injustice and negative impact on communities, but also offers possible solutions. Free and open to the public.
October 8: Real History of the Americas/Indigenous People's Day at Fort Lewis College. Join Rev. Katie, member Nancy Stoffer and FLC students in the Student Union Ballroom at 10:00. This multi-cultural event seeks to increase awareness and appreciation of the cultures and histories of sometimes marginalized peoples. Spoken words, dance, poetry, music, live art, and food. Free and open to the public.
October 19-20: Beloved Conversations retreat weekend begins a journey to explore the role of race/ethnicity in individual and congregational lives and creates intentional and supportive spaces to reverse the damaging impact of racism. Using a small-group ministry format, the participants (max of 40) continue the journey in eight two hour follow-up sessions. Registration only.
In addition to these events, October is a critical time to encourage everyone to fulfill the civic privilege and responsibility of becoming informed of candidates and issues and voting in the midterm elections. And if you want to have a better understanding of some of the real facts about immigrant rights and issues, you can pick up a copy of notes from the UUFD Immigration Team at the SRJ table.
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| Our social justice team recently collected donations to fund teacher-requested classroom materials for Needham Elementary. Thank you for funding their first three priorities! |
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CUUPS Corner
Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans
October schedule
Thursday, October 11 6:30 pm Bowman Hall
CUUPS meeting: Everyday rituals, small things one can do during the day.
Thursday, October 18 6:30 pm Bowman Hall
Silabh Anam Druid group meeting. All are invited and welcome .
SATURDAY, October 27 6:30 PM Bowman Hall
Major SHAMAIN RITUAL (and potluck)
CUUPS of the Half Moon
visit us on Facebook at CUUPS of the Half Moon
cuupsdurango@gmail.com
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Author Chuck Collins to present "Reversing Inequality"
Join Thrive! Living Wage Coalition for its 2018 premiere educational event
 Nationally known author Chuck Collins, writer of
Born on First Base: A One Percenter Makes the Case for Tackling Inequality, Bringing Wealth Home, and Committing to the Common Good, will be presenting three educational programs locally this October. All events are free and open to the public. Read the
Durango Telegraph's coverage of Collins' visit
here.
Reversing Inequality: What is the Path Forward?
Thurs., Oct. 4, 6-8 pm (panel with our Rev. Katie)
Fort Lewis Ballroom
Born on Third Base: Engaging Wealth & Power to Reverse Inequality
Sat., October 6, 1-2 pm
Pine River Library
Inequality and The Beloved Community: A Faithful Response to Extreme Wealth Inequality
Saturday, Oct. 6, 4-6 pm
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Durango
A light meal will be served.
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Grand Canyon Art Opportunity
Share your creative work!
In January, the Bowman Hall Art Gallery will feature any kind of 2 dimensional creative work inspired by UUFD members and friends' trips to the Grand Canyon. Framed art must use WIRE (no saw tooths
), and each artist is limited to 2 pieces. Exact hanging date to be announced later. Please participate!
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