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IN THIS ISSUE
(click link to go directly to the article)
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 The Fellowship Belongs to Us
Rev. Katie's Animas View
A couple years ago I used as my inspiration for preaching this
article from a progressive pastor, Erin Wathen, in which she asserted that "your church does not need volunteers." She used the analogy that it's not babysitting if it's
your child. If it's
our church, we don't volunteer, we serve. We aren't passersby; we are part of the congregation. I still use the word volunteering at times, but the notion is secular, rooted in consumer culture. I urge you to read her entire piece.
Whatever we choose to call our engagement with UUFD, whether it be ministry, discipleship, service, or volunteering, the effort is truly how we create together a powerful presence in so many lives, in the community and in the world.
As we turn the star wheel, completing another church season and year, may we express our gratitude to each other for all that has been given to make ours a place of growth and abundance.
As the current Board of Trustees finishes its service, some to complete a term, some to continue on, please thank them for their dedication, their vision, their service. They are: Tom Miller, Elizabeth Long, Becky Malecki, Mark Swanson, Kathleen Adams, Julie Jordan and finally Vanessa Self, who served a partial term.
Our Nominating Committee (Leadership Development) has been comprised of Allison Andersen, Robert Winslow, and Linda Gumper.
These are just a few of the folks who have committed themselves to our congregation. Look next to you in the "pews"; everyone has been involved in some significant way, whether it's quietly or on the chancel.
Our recent Annual Meeting was so well run and presented that it gave me another of my many occasions to feel a great gratitude that I am a member here.
I love you.
With deep appreciation,
Rev. Katie
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Theme: Beauty
Spiritual practice: Of savoring life's gifts
Song: Turn the World Around
June 2
This Most Amazing Day: A Flower Communion
-Rev. Katie Kandarian-Morris
Today we'll give thanks for all the teachers and helpers for our children, youth and adults. We'll celebrate with the beauty of flowers. Bring a flower to add to the bouquet. You'll receive another to take home.
June 9
Summer Series: Fathers of our Faith
-Rev. Katie Kandarian-Morris
A week before Father's Day we'll look at two of the authors of our tradition, William Ellery Channing and Hosea Ballou. Who were they and how have they helped bring us this far?
June 16
Summer Series: Clara Barton
-Beth Patterson, pulpit guest
Universalist Clara Barton was called "the angel of the battlefield." How did she inspire? What does she bring to our faith today? We'll also celebrate the tenure of our Director of Faith Formation.
June 23
Summer Series: Frances Watkins Harper
-Connie Jacobs, pulpit guest
Unitarian Frances Watkins Harper challenged those of her faith to practice a deeper form of justice. How is she an inspiration? What does she bring to our faith today? An all-church BBQ will follow the reflection time.
June 30
Summer Series: Béla Bartók
-Elizabeth Crawford, pulpit guest
Hungarian composer Unitarian Béla Bartók brought creativity to our world. How is he an inspiration? What does he bring to our faith today?
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President's Message
Tom Miller
This is a letter of gratitude and hope as I transition out of my term on the Board. I have enormous gratitude to express to all of you who make up the UUFD beloved community for all that you do to make this congregation as special as it is. All boards operate on the shoulders of those who have come before, and we have been blessed with visionary and effective leaders for many years. I am especially thankful for all the recent Board members, Committee Chairs, Team Leaders and members of the past three years who have been such great colleagues and partners in sharing the joys and challenges of guiding and shaping UUFD's continued growth.
There are some notable recent accomplishments we can look back on from a Board perspective. We acquired/built/renovated facilities that make it more attractive and easier to serve our mission. Much of this was done with volunteer labor and spontaneous financial contributions. We have grown further into our policy governance model, a necessary and continuing project now that we are truly a Program sized church. This enables a more efficient and effective partnership with our various ministries and Rev. Katie. We significantly revised and updated our strategic plan, another on-going effort. Many people continue to be involved in the implementation of the different goals and objectives of the plan. Our Leadership development has continued and is on more solid footing. We have continued to grow our financial support to match our expanded vision. There is a well thought out, collaboratively generated facility plan "in the bank" on which we can elaborate should we decide that the time is right to further expand our campus facilities in the future.
We are doing well, and there are lots of avenues for continued improvement. My hope - actually an expectation - is that all of our recent success is just the solid platform from which further progress will emerge. I would like to thank retiring Board member Kathleen Adams, continuing Board members Becky Malecki, Elizabeth Long, and Mark Swanson, and the newly elected members of the Board, Tom McCampbell, Frank Lockwood, and Nancy Burpee, as well as new and continuing Team Leaders and Committee Chairs for their willingness to bring their commitment and many talents to the important and energetic work of keeping us alive, vital and growing. I hope we all will get to deal with continued growth problems.
Finally, I want to acknowledge the personal benefit I have derived from my three years on the Board. It has been a great growth experience for me, learning more about leadership, community building, the deep workings of the Church and building great relationships, all framed in the context of significant spiritual deepening. Perhaps board service is not for everyone, but if you have an inkling that it could be for you, I encourage you to make your interest known. You won't be disappointed.
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Increase your pledge; double your money
Match offered for increased pledges
UUFD has again been blessed by a member's generosity this year, with an offered match for 2019-2020 pledge increases.
This new campaign's goal is $15,000 in pledge increases from those pledges already submitted. The initial response to this offer has been very positive, and we are well on our way to the goal, but we still need your help.
If you would like to increase your 2019-2020 pledge, please contact Sheryl Guy by June 15 at
[email protected]. The extra pledged amount will help us in our Faith Formation goals as well as Fellowship mission and objectives for the next year.
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Welcoming Congregation
Social Responsibility and Justice special feature
 While you hear the words every Sunday during our service that we are a "Welcoming Congregation," you may not realize that those words mean more than warm friendly greetings. In 1989, the Unitarian Universalist Association launched a program of Welcoming Congregation certification to support congregations in being fully inclusive of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. This was an acknowledgment of the need to learn how to undo homophobia which still existed in some congregations.
In January 2011, UUFD formed a Welcoming Committee to lead the congregation in awareness, education and outreach activities to complete the new process to become certified as a Welcoming Congregation. The congregation voted unanimously to apply for certification, and was successful in achieving recognition as a Welcoming Congregation in July 2012. Today, most Unitarian Universalist congregations are recognized Welcoming Congregations.
A major priority of UUFD's LGBTQ social justice team is to assure that we continue to meet the intentions and spirit of being a Welcoming Congregation. Last year the UUA unveiled a revised process for Welcoming Congregation certification, recognizing that the work of welcome is never finished. The revised and updated certification includes an annual renewal process, called The Five Practices of Welcome Renewal. The LGBTQ Team has been working over a year to move toward meeting the requirements to be a current Welcoming Congregation. These requirements include:
- Become a Welcoming Congregation (we've completed this step)
- Welcome Worship Services (at least two services uplifting themes of LGBTQ welcome and inclusion; we are in process)
- Welcoming Days of Observance (celebrate/observe at least six LGBTQ+ Days of Observance during our Sunday services; we are in process)
- Welcoming Congregation Module (one learning module for congregation; we have Trans 101 scheduled for September 25)
- Support a Welcoming Project (significant contribution to LGBTQ+ organization or project; we are donating to 4 Corners Rainbow Youth Center through Share the Plate)
The LGBTQ Team's hope is that we will have completed all the new requirements by this fall and we'll be ready to apply for renewal of our Welcoming Congregation status by December. If you have thoughts, ideas or interests related to this work, the team would love to hear them! Members include: Bonnie Miller, Jim Brooke, Don Spangler, Jackie Lee, A.J. Swenk, Anna Royer, Susan Koonce, and Robert Bridges.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
June Justice Events
June 9: Quarterly food drive for the Durango Food Bank, at UUFD
June 22: Rosa Belongs Here vigil; details to come
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June 23 potluck/picnic/BBQ for all!
 Please plan to join us on
June 23, after Sunday Service, for a multigenerational potluck/picnic/BBQ on the patio and grounds.
UUFD's Membership Team will provide hot dogs, veggie dogs, buns and condiments, lemonade and iced tea. Otherwise please BYOB/BYODrinks. We urge you to bring your own reusable table service. Camp chairs encouraged.
Please bring potluck items according to last names:
A-E desserts / F-K appetizers
/ L-P salads / Q-Z sides
Please RSVP for planning purposes. Could you help with set-up, clean-up, or supervising games?Contact Nancy
Fisher at
[email protected]
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Notes & News from Faith Formation
"I feel like a good person right now."
"I mean I helped that woman with her plate but really it helped me."
"I want to go there again."
-UUFD Middle School Youth after service work
Cooking with kids requires you put on your Montessori mind. Preconceived notions must be abandoned. You have to let go. And enjoy. This was exactly the skill needed to cook with teenagers for 30 residents at the Durango Community Shelter.
Actually, I was fired from the lasagna assembly line, my abstract method of layering, unappreciated.
I participated in my first Beltane Festival, learning the weaving dance of the Maypole (pictured) with our seasoned Covenant of UU Pagans (CUUPS). Three days later, the UUFD kids danced the Maypole in the church yard during Sunday classes (pictured). The colorful satin ribbons wove in a much less orderly fashion than the aforementioned ritual, the result more tangled yet still beautiful. Let go and enjoy!
Mark your calendars!
All Church Potluck Picnic Sunday, June 23: hot dogs and veggie dogs provided. Bring a side dish or dessert. 12 noon on the patio.
4 Corners UU Retreat July 12-14: Register by clicking here or at coffee hour.
-Lisa McCorry, Director of Faith Formation
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Staff changes at UUFD
"The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails." -William Arthur Ward
Kerry Ginger has resigned as the UUFD choir director. While she will be greatly missed by UUFD and the musical community here in Durango, we are excited for her to pursue a wonderful opportunity at the University of the South in Tennessee. Our very own Elizabeth Crawford has agreed to serve as our Acting Choir Director.
As many of you already know, Lisa McCorry will complete her time as Director of Faith Formation
at the end of June. We are actively seeking her replacement now.
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Circle Suppers: how do they work?
Monthly meals are an opportunity for connection, food and fun
Our UUFD community has a long-standing tradition of monthly Circle Suppers - an opportunity for anyone within the community to gather over a shared meal for fellowship, food and fun. The Membership Team facilitates the suppers by helping with the behind-the-scenes organization and connections, but very simply, everyone is welcome to sign up for any month either as a guest or a host. Signing up to receive invitations does not obligate you to anything but does let you know about the upcoming supper. You are free to RSVP or not as your schedule permits. Please contact Jeanne if you'd like to get on the Circle Supper mailing list: [email protected].
Several suppers are held simultaneously, with the guests and hosts organizing their own meal once guests and hosts are connected. Suppers take place on the third Saturday of the month. In January a "Grand" Circle Supper is held - this past January over 50 people attended with ages ranging from 4 months to 90 years! On June 23 an "all generations" BBQ after the service will serve as the June Circle Supper (see article above). We hope to see you there.
We would love to hear from you if you are interested in hosting or attending a "family inclusive" Circle Supper; as our UU family grows, we are actively seeking hosts interested in having multigenerational suppers, even if just once in a while. If you're interested in hosting a supper, we encourage you to think creatively - Bowman Hall is available if you need more room, small suppers are an option even if you can only seat a few people, and I'm planning to host a picnic supper this summer in a neighborhood park. Contact us at [email protected]. We welcome your feedback and bon appetit!
-Laurie Meininger
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Interested in joining UUFD?
Are you considering becoming a member at UUFD? Would you like to know more about what membership entails? If so, please stop by the Welcome podium on Sunday morning and see Shannon Beaver, our Connections Coordinator (
[email protected]) or a member of the Membership Team, who can help you take the next step to membership at UUFD.
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