All Souls Unitarian Universalist E-Letter
September 16, 2021
This week's editor:
Tamsin Cowdery

 
 
   
Email the transition team:
office hours
 
The Office Administrator will keep hours at the church 9am-1pm, Tuesdays through Fridays. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, phone calls and e-mails are preferable to in-person visits.
Sunday Service Time: 10:30am
service this week
09/12 ~ resilience
Join us on Zoom. 15 months ago, just when Rev. Robinson was starting to wonder if she was going to be able to muster the resilience to manage a summer of isolation, her little dog had his own crisis and she learned from him, things that have kept her on her feet through the ups and downs since. She will tell us about that on Sunday.

Click here to see upcoming service themes.
how to submit joys and sorrows before sunday
The sharing of Joys and Sorrows (which includes concerns) is now part of our online worship services. If you have a joy and/or sorrow to express, but you can't join the service, you can submit it before Sunday, and we'll include it in the service. To do that, email the church office with the subject: "Joys and Sorrows".
worship support volunteers wanted
We need volunteers to help us with A/V support before, during and after our worship services. Non-technical and technical help are both needed. Training will be provided. If you’re interested, send an email to Rick Schwarz, Production Coordinator. If you're interested, email Rick Schwartz, Production Coordinator.
all souls news
how long will online-only worship and re last?
All Souls' Covid Response Team met this week. Here's what they decided.

We will still follow the UUA guidelines and base our reopening status on El Paso County's Covid risk level as shown on the *Covid Act Now website* (https://covidactnow.org). We are now at Very High Risk, which is why large indoor and outdoor gatherings are still suspended. We will continue to meet online-only – including worship services and RE – until our Covid risk level has continuously been below Very High Risk for at least three weeks AND we continue to see a downward trend in the risk data. For our youth, we are being even more careful. RE will remain online-only until the risk level is below Very High for at least three weeks, we see a downward trend in the data, AND for at least one month after children age 5 to 12 are able to be vaccinated.

Small gatherings (less than 10 people) in the church are currently allowed as long as the group meets these requirements: 1) all participants must be masked and socially distanced, and 2) you must reserve your space in advance (including providing a contact person) with the church office. We encourage everyone who hasn't been vaccinated to get vaccinated as soon as possible. To see where you can get vaccinated, visit the Where Can I Get a Vaccine? page of the El Paso County Public Health website.
men's group
ASUUC Men’s group is still active and meeting every second Thursday of the month either at the church or another location. They welcome men to join them for discussions regarding men’s issues and fraternization in a confidential environment. To subscribe to the email list, contact Ed Benn.
all souls green sanctuary collaborates with eco-spiritual climate justice network in southern colorado
Prepare for 10/17-10/18 Faiths 4 Climate Justice local actions (joining global happenings through Greenfaith International). Mobilizing our grassroots moral power to demand commitment from our leaders heading into Oct-Nov COP26 climate negotiations in Glasgow; exploring creating a regional, multi-community Greenfaith Circle. Email Sarah Hautzinger for more info.
music director search on hold
Because of the ongoing changes in our worship services resulting from our return to online-only services and the work of our Ministerial Transition Team, we are suspending our search for a Music Director in order to review and update the short-term and long-term requirements for that position. No candidates have applied so far, and the search will resume when the job description update is complete.
calling all volunteers!
The All Souls RE Team is looking for virtual volunteers for the 2021-2022 e-RE year! We cannot make this program happen without you. Any size commitment is welcomed. Minimal Zoom knowledge required. To sign up, please click here or contact our DRE, Dee Koches for more information.
community care team
The Place, which "ignites the potential in youth to exit homelessness and create self-determined, fulfilled lives" has a vision that "all Colorado youth have safe housing, supportive relationships, and the opportunity for self-sufficiency and success." Kaye Brabec, 719-434-2053, is happy to facilitate picking up and delivering donations at any time if needed. Click here to visit their website. Please look at their website where their immediate needs are listed with a synopsis of their history, mission, programs, and locations. They are always in need of new pillows, and large duffle bags, thereby avoiding the youth using garbage bags to transport their belongings. Contact information for donations and in-kind goods, with drop-off appointments, can all be explained through Fiona Bachoroski, Development Coordinator, 719-338-9257. They have an updated list of current needs.
affinity and covenant groups
It's been a while since our small groups have met! If your affinity or covenant group is interested in resuming meetings on Zoom, we currently have a church account that can be shared by multiple groups; meetings just need to be one at a time. If your group is interested in meeting on Zoom, please contact A.B. to receive instructions on proceeding further with our Zoom account.
religious exploration
e-re is back!
e-RE will meet prior to service, 9:15-10:15am, on Sunday mornings. Join the Zoom call by clicking here. Zoom links will also be available on our website and emailed to registered families. Register your children here!
volunteers needed
We only have a few more slots available for our first quarter of the e-RE year! Sign up for volunteer slots here! Any level of commitment is greatly appreciated. This program is not possible without YOU!
check your spam boxes
Have you been missing out on e-RE information for the past few months? Please check your spam/promotions folders for emails from our DRE's personal email address (deanna.koches@yahoo.com) and add her to your contacts to stay up to date with the latest RE news.
re calendar
Click here for the NEW September calendar!
children

9/19 - uu principles day
This multigenerational class is open to children of all ages! We will be exploring the rainbow as it applies to our Seven UU Principles! Join Ms. Sarah and Ms. Bonnie as we contemplate our first principle through story, art, and play!
youth
yruu
YRUU is currently on hiatus as we explore the safest and most beneficial ways to build connections and friendships among our youth, please stay turned for more information.
joys & concerns

Editor's note: Please email any joys or concerns you wish to be included in the e-letter.

joys
None to share this week.
concerns
None to share this week.
local activism & awareness
 
Editors' note: Occasionally, changes are made to these events after publication. Please click on the links provided if you are interested in attending something, to make sure the details have not changed. Thank you!
ongoing
COVID Mask Crafters, an international collective of stitchers making home-sewn masks for healthcare workers, needs your help. Needed: sewers, donations of material (sheets, pillowcases, etc), drivers to pick up and deliver masks, and financial support. If you are interested in helping, please visit visit the website or email the Mask Crafters.
community news

Editors' note: Occasionally, changes are made to events after publication. Please click on the links provided if you are interested in attending something, to make sure the details have not changed. Thank you!
grief support facebook group
These are challenging times. If you could use some help in your grief now, and the pandemic is adding to the stress, there is help. There is a free online grief group for anyone who needs support. To find the group, go to www.Facebook.com/groups/David Kessler.
drive-thru garden market
The first weekend of every month, The Aquaponic Garden holds a garden market at the Mountain Springs Church. The fish waste is converted by naturally occurring water-borne bacteria into vital nutrients that are absorbed by the plants which in turn clean the water for recirculation back into the fish tank. This type of system uses approximately 20% of the water used in traditional soil-based gardens. They sell their produce to support their donations of fresh produce to several local charitable organizations.
drive-thru food pantry
Do you know someone or are you in need of FREE food, toiletries, etc? Join Chopcos 11am-1pm on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month at 4360 Bradley Rd for a drive-thru pantry.
drive-up pet food pantry
Dog, cat, and some small animal food and supplies to share. This is a first-come, first-served basis event and piggybacks on Church for All Nations' human food pantry 10am-12:30pm, every 3rd Saturday of the month.
free medical care & prescriptions
People sometimes face the stark choice between food and medicine. In Colorado's El Paso & Teller Counties, Open Bible Medical Clinic & Pharmacy also serves as a Community Pharmacy dispensing free prescription medication to our neighbors who are uninsured. Residents of the county can qualify for our services if they are at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. 10am-2pm every Thursday and 9am-1pm every Saturday.

people's grocery distribution 
The Chinook Center holds a weekly free grocery distribution 12-2pm on Sundays.

food distribution 
El Paso County has compiled a lengthy list of local food distribution locations here.
e-letter deadline

The deadline for each week's e-letter is Wednesday at noon, barring something truly unexpected, such as a last-minute cancellation. Other items submitted after deadline will run the following week. Please help us inform you by honoring the deadline.
Thank you -- Tamsin & Beth