January 2020
Graceland
Rev. Katie's Animas View
Graceland, just the name …itself pulled directly out of gospel tradition. An idealized home…perfect symbol. 
–Bruce Springsteen


I'm going to Graceland. My pilgrimage inspiration for the trek comes from the  Paul Simon song of that name. Simon wrote the song after his divorce from Carrie Fisher, and he used the moniker of the beloved home that was such a comfort to Elvis Presley as an homage to the road trip for finding solace and comfort. 

Pilgrimages are most often considered religious journeys, and mine will be a liberal religious one. Even though I will be beginning my short sabbatical with a trip to the “ultimate rock and roll destination,” for me it will be a spiritual journey, not particularly about rock and roll, nor any particular personal fandom of Elvis. 

I am not alone in my interest. In recent years, Graceland has become a pilgrimage site of spiritual and religious significance for a growing number of people. Some of my work will be to do research into the breadth of the interest and devotion. 

On my journey, I will also be visiting sites of more solemn significance, like the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama, which remembers the history of lynching through its “grim cloister.” I am expecting a visceral response.

And, in addition to my journeying, I will be writing, finishing a book I’m co-authoring with another colleague (more to come on that, when our book reaches publishing stage at the UUA). I will also be writing a paper to present at my ministers’ study group when we gather mid-week at the beginning of March following my return. 

These two months will go by quickly, and I will be careful with my time to make room for rest as well as study. I will see you again Sunday, March 1 st

You will be in my sustained prayers. 

ALWAYS in the love,                 Rev. Katie 

January Services
Theme: Integrity
Spiritual Practice of: Refusing to hide

January 5     
In Praise of Small Things           
-Bonnie Miller, pulpit guest
Our lives are formed from a collection of all our small moments. Do we notice the small things that nourish us and the ones that hinder us from living more joyfully? Come, and participate in the annual ritual of burning off the old. 

January 12
Sacred Witness and the Groaning Earth
-Rev. Cindy Pincus, pulpit guest
Come for this message of hope in winter. Stay afterward for the workshop titled “Sacred Witness and the Magdalena.” 

January 19
Wholly Holy
-Terry McLaughlin, pulpit guest
The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a reluctant activist. Pulled into the fight for desegregation, his integrity was seriously tested time and again. How might we learn patience and perseverance from the reluctant leader?

January 26
Hospitality: Adopting a Philosophy of Welcome
-Rev. Jacob Gertz, pulpit guest
The practice of hospitality is a shift in praxis. Truly practicing welcome means giving up control and allowing people and emotions that we consider “other” from ourselves to take up home and to teach us. We encounter the opportunity for this radical hospitality in many different ways, and it is only through humility and a change in practice that we can truly welcome one another, no matter our story.

UU the Vote!
Social Responsibility and Justice Special Feature
Conversations that the Unitarian Universalist Association has had with UUs around the country have revealed the deep worry many feel about the state of our democracy.  After much consideration and planning, UUA is launching a campaign called  UU the Vote!   Recent communications from UUA about this explain that the “goal is to create a large-scale, decentralized campaign that moves our UU faith communities into new or deeper action by leveraging our greatest resource – our people and our passion – and focusing it where it can have the greatest impact.”  Issues that UUs care deeply about are on the ballot in 2020, and the intent is to engage, educate, and mobilize voters around key ballot initiatives.  

The UUA is already partnering with different national movement organizations for 2020, and the campaign supports building solidarity with local, statewide and regional partners.  The official launch date is Sunday, January 12, 2020, with a livestream webinar.   UUFD will host a watch party in Columbine House at 2:00 pm  and you are invited to come and learn together what we can do to increase our effectiveness working in our area for our democratic values.  As UUA Organizing Strategy Director Rev. Ashley Horan stated, “The stakes are incredibly high…In this all-hands-on-deck moment, every single one of us can contribute meaningfully.”  For more information, stop by the social justice table or email Bonnie at yjmiller2@gmail.com .
News from Faith Formation
"Coming of Age" program; preschool room move help needed; new class for parents
Coming of Age program starting at UUFD

  • Is there a God?
  • What happens when you die?
  • Why is there evil in the world?
  • What is my personal responsibility to my community?

These are big and important themes for all of us.  They are also the types of questions that middle school youth will explore with their peers, their group leaders and with their mentors during a new Coming of Age program that is starting at UUFD.

Parents and their youth between the ages of twelve and fifteen are encouraged to come and learn about our new Coming of Age program on  Sunday, January 5 at 12:30 in Bowman Hall . We’ll order a pizza, see a presentation, talk to those who have completed the program and answer your questions.

Being a part of a faith community that actively supports diverse theologies can be difficult for a young child. But in early adolescence, ages twelve to thirteen, youth have the cognitive ability to understand our diverse moral underpinnings and multiple perspectives of faith. 

It is also a time when, due to their strong desire to “belong,” youth can find new meaning in religious community. Eighty percent of youth who are active in their congregations in their secondary school years will identify as Unitarian Universalist as adults. 

Come and learn about this important program! 

Our Preschool Class is Growing!

We have another happy problem. Our preschool class has outgrown their tiny classroom!

This class is often the first stop for new parents as they seek a church family. Our preschool program needs to provide space for learning, movement and lots of play.  We will be moving our class to the Chalice Room in the Columbine House during the month of January. 

Can you help us with this move? We’ll need folks to move our tiny chairs and tables, and to help us decorate the room to make it warm and welcoming for our youngest Unitarian Universalists and their families. To help with our move, please send an email to Sara Sautter at  faithformation@durangouu.org .

New Adult Class for Parents

Parents are a child’s primary religious educators. Questions about God, death and prayer do not usually come during the golden hour of faith formation classes on Sunday morning. More often they come in the car wash line or in the frozen food section of the grocery store.

How will you respond when your child asks these questions?  Sharing Your Faith: Parents as Primary Religious Educators  will provide scenarios that help parents practice their responses to the faith questions their children will inevitably ask.
The class will begin on Sunday, January 12 at 12:30 in Bowman Hall. The group will use the book  Nurturing Children and Youth: A Developmental Guidebook , by Tracy Hurd. You may purchase the book  here  or  here

The class meets both in person on Sundays after worship, as well as online. Childcare for the Sunday meetings will be available upon request. 

Enroll by sending an email to  faithformation@durangouu.org  or  click here to sign up .
"Sacred Witness and the Magdalena"
Workshop follows Jan. 12 worship
Please join us Sunday January 12th from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm for "Sacred Witness and the Magdalena" with Rev. Cindy Pincus, UU Community Minister.

Magdalena has a bad rap as the simple prostitute saved by Christ. In fact, her ministry of Sacred Witness is the unacknowledged work of the Judeo-Christian Mythology. If we read carefully, we discover that this powerful woman was not only present at the most difficult parts of life, but that the messier it got the closer she leaned in. Have you ever been going through something difficult and shared your story with a close friend? And even though they couldn't do anything to change the circumstances, just having them listen changed everything? This is the power of the Magdalena and the Feminine Divine. This workshop is a deep dive into our January themes of "integrity" and "refusing to hide." Come gather to learn and practice three powerful spiritual tools for sacred witness, both giving and receiving. Learn how to create sacred space with another person to come out of hiding and see each other with the eyes of Love and Holiness. Together we'll call upon the everpresent witness of the Magdalena, Sophia, and the Sacred Feminine to transform our lives into blossoms of light.

When we fall and break our leg, some folks encourage us to keep walking. Others sit with us while we heal. Come learn the practices of compassionate sitting and healing.
Sing with us in 2020!
The UUFD choir, “The Diversitones,” will resume rehearsals on Wednesday, January 22, from 7:00 to 8:30 pm in the sanctuary. We would love to have you join us, even if you have not sung with us in the past. We promise to make you feel welcome. If you are interested, please email Elizabeth at  choir@durangouu.org
Annual Pledge Campaign starts now!
Financial commitment meets spiritual growth
“As we approach the time for our offering, give what you will: for the church that has meant so much to you, for the church that meant so much to those who came before you, and for the church that will mean so much to people you will never know. Give what you will, for you are a generous people.” —  UU Minister Michael Hall

Our annual pledge campaign runs January through March 2020. As a part of this year’s campaign, UUFD leaders have discussed the need for reflection regarding financial stewardship of our community. 

Many of us give to support people and programs that fulfill a mission, rather than simply to support a budget line item. So we’re asking all of you to look inward and examine your own core spiritual values and what drives you to be a part of UUFD. Consider the following: 

  • What is the importance of giving to the community that nurtures your inward spiritual well-being?
  • Does your inward spiritual well-being fuel the rigors of your outward daily life?
  • Is there any other place you support financially that is directly related to your own core well-being? 
  • Are these compelling reasons to give generously to UUFD?

When financial commitment and spiritual growth meet, our church, our members and our community thrive. For the place that means so much to us, let us ask ourselves what we can give with whole hearts during this year’s campaign. Look for details and more information to come from Sheryl Guy, campaign chair, and Kathleen Adams, year-round Stewardship Committee chair. 
Above, a model of year-round stewardship at UUFD
Val Pal is coming!
Program matches adults and children for fun and friendship
A new Valentine program for children between the ages of four and twelve will begin in January. The program pairs participating children with an adult member of the congregation in the hope that new friendships will form!

Once enrolled, an adult pal will send their child Val Pal notes, riddles, jokes and other fun things through the US mail, between January 5 and February 7. 
The fun will culminate on Sunday, February 9 at a Val Pal lunch when the two will meet and enjoy a light meal and a few games together.

To enroll your child,  click here . And to serve as an adult pal to a child,  click here .
Kick off the new year with Coffee and Connections!
Is one of your resolutions to make meaningful connections with others? You might consider joining us for "Coffee and Connections," each Sunday at 9:15 am before worship. This is a small-group ministry geared toward new members and guests, but all are welcome! It's a casual, friendly setting to meet others before the service. We look forward to seeing you there!
Leadership Council to meet Jan. 30
All committee chairs, team leaders, and members interested in leadership are encouraged to attend this meeting of the Leadership Council. We'll meet in Bowman Hall on Thursday, January 30 from 5:30 to 7:30pm. Dinner will be provided. Please RSVP to information@durangouu.org
Contact Us

Newsletter Editor: Shanan Orndorff
Please submit items for this newsletter by the 25th of each month to  shananyo@gmail.com

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
419 San Juan Drive, Durango, CO 81301
970-247-1004
SUNDAY SERVICE 10 AM: 
Religious education & child care provided
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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. 

Stay Connected   

Ministry & Staff 
Rev. Katie Kandarian-Morris, Minister
Tu/Wed/ Th 9-2 *  minister@durangouu.org

Jeanne MacKenzie, Office Administrator
Tu/Wed/Th 9-2 *  information@durangouu.org  

Sara Sautter, Interim Director of Faith Formation

Marilyn Garst, Classical Pianist & Artistic Director for Recital Series

Lawrence Nass, Contemporary Pianist

Elizabeth Crawford, Acting Choir Director

Shannon Beaver, Connections Coordinator

Tricia Bayless, Financal Clerk

Caesar Sanchez, Sexton
Board of Trustees

Frank Lockwood, President:  president@durangouu.org


Mark Swanson, Treasurer:  treasurer@durangouu.org


Becky Malecki, Member-at-Large:  mal2@durangouu.org

 
Board meetings are held the third Tuesday of each month from 4-6:30 PM.

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Durango
419 San Juan Dr.
Durango, CO 81301
1-(970)-247-1004