A Message from Rev. Barbara
A Time of Turning
We are in a season of turning, in the weather, in resuming activities here at UUFD after the summer. Temperatures are falling, and snow has already been reported on higher elevations. Trees are changing to shades of yellows and oranges and browns. The high holy days, between Rosh Hashanah (September 15) and Yom Kippur (September 24), have marked a traditional ten days of turning on the Jewish calendar.
All of us may be inspired by the Jewish tradition of deep introspection about our relationship with others over the past year. Certainly, as Unitarian Universalists, we affirm the positive in human nature: the inherent worth and dignity of all persons. Still, a gift from Jewish practice is the reminder that even persons of liberal faith are capable of hurt and harm. We are reminded to pay attention to how we move forward from both causing harm to others and experiencing harm from others. Fortunately, there are many approaches available to process hurt between a wrongdoer and a victim. There are many options for turning. Let me consider two of them here.
Many of us may think first about forgiveness to move past misunderstanding and conflict: that is, the person or persons harmed offers the agency, to forgive the wrongdoer. Forgiveness is turning, but not forgetting or denying, hurt and harm, so that wrongs of the past do not dominate our lives, our actions, and our feelings in the future. Forgiveness is seen by some as giving up the right to get even. Forgiveness helps us return to positive relationships. Forgiveness is literally good for your health: forgiveness can lower blood pressure.
A compelling story about forgiveness is by Simon Wiesenthal, a Jew imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp in the 1940s. One day he was pulled from his work detail to the deathbed of a young SS officer who had committed heinous crimes. The soldier wanted to confess and receive absolution from a Jew. Simon was dumbfounded and confused. He left the bedside without granting the requested forgiveness. Nagging questions swirled around his head for years. He eventually wrote a provocative book about the request of the young officer, at the end of which he asked the questions: “What would you have done?” Clearly, forgiveness is complicated.
Contrasting forgiveness, a second model for processing hurt and harm, perhaps less familiar to some of us, is the method described in UUFD’s current “Repentance Project,” which we will delve into as we discuss the current UUA Common Read, Repentance and Repair by Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg. I described Ruttenberg’s approach in last month’s newsletter and many of you have heard more in conversations and worship services. Click here for more information and to register for "Repentance and Repair: Courage to Covenant Conversations."
In preparation for your participation in the small-group conversations about this approach, which begin the first week of October, perhaps it will be helpful to contrast Ruttenberg’s model of repentance with forgiveness. Ruttenberg calls not for the victim but the wrongdoer to be the agent of repentance, the one accountable for “turning.” The wrongdoer engages in five steps of repentance, starting with admitting harm, and culminating (perhaps years later) in authentic transformation so as to not repeat harmful acts in new settings. A process applicable in many arenas of life, from personal relationships to communities and organizations (such as congregations) to national policy and leadership.
Ruttenberg also offers stories about healing. Most pointed are her many examples from the #MeToo movement, and the many wrongdoers who have not owned the harm: “Many of the public statements offered by famous men in the first year after #MeToo broke offer a master class in how to fail at [authentic owning of harm].” Joyfully, she also includes examples of others who genuinely demonstrated the deep soul-searching required to own the harm of sexual harassment and intimidation, so to create authentic and effective ways to move forward.
The UUFD Transition Team and I look forward to our small-group conversations starting the week of October 1 on this important and complex theme of repentance. May this season of turning inspire us to move forward toward more authentic relationships, with love, with life, and with one another.
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October Services
Services begin at 10:00 am in our sanctuary located at 419 San Juan Drive in Durango, unless otherwise noted below. If you are unable to attend, we stream the service on Zoom, which you can find by clicking here.
October 1
The Call to Racial Justice from our Theological Heritage
Rev. Dr. Andrea Johnson
What calls you to work for justice in the world? How does our understanding of theology ground our justice work? This sermon will explore both the historical and contemporary call to justice that arises from our Unitarian Universalist theological heritage.
Rev. Dr. Andrea Johnson is a community minister affiliated with First Universalist Church in Minneapolis, MN. She recently completed her Doctor of Ministry in public theology at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. The title of her dissertation is Human Liberation, Sacred Nature, and the Inescapable Network of Mutuality: Theologically Grounding Unitarian Universalism’s Quest to Dismantle White Supremacy.
October 8
You Can’t Choose Your Relatives, but You Can Choose Your Ancestors
Rev. Barbara Coeyman
During this month focused on “the gift of heritage,” let’s consider how “heritage” differs from “history.” We choose what we regard as our heritage by the activities, social groups, and congregations we voluntarily associate through common values. Because heritage can be a matter of choice, we also come by the “ancestors” in that heritage by our own choosing, individuals of the past who can inspire our lives today and into the future going forward. Who are your Unitarian Universalist ancestors? Who most inspires you? I’ll review my story of claiming Rev. Lydia Ann Jenkins as one of my most significant ancestors in ministry.
October 15
Our Liberal Heritage of Shared Ministry
Rev. Barbara Coeyman
The recent survey from the Ministerial Search Committee included conversations about “shared ministry.” How do you understand this concept? Even if UUs haven’t always labeled laity and professional staff working together with “Shared ministry,” our ancestors in liberal faith have been practicing such collaboration for a long time. Sharing the ministry is an integral part of our heritage. Shared ministry offers great potential for transformation as we expand the potential for our community.
The Transition Town Hall, held on the third Sunday this month, will focus on “shared ministry.”
October 22
Beyond Categorical Thinking
Rev. Keith Kron
Following the workshop of the same name, “Beyond Categorical Thinking,” on Saturday October 21, come hear more from Rev. Keith Kron, Director of the Transitions Office of the Unitarian Universalist Association. Rev. Kron will continue to challenge how we often unknowingly carry biases and what we might do to transform these habits.
October 29
Day of the Dead
UUFD Faith Formation
Come, join with UUFD’s Faith Formation staff and children in observing Day of the Dead. Come in costume to participate in the joyous Halloween Parade at the end of the service.
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President's Message
Hello fellow UUFD members and friends,
What is Shared Governance and how does it apply in our congregation? What happens when we don’t have a minister, or have a minister who is inexperienced in managing staff and organizational structures, or is otherwise uninterested in administration? Our governance model requires collaboration, consultation, mutual support, and accountability between the Board and Minister. What exactly does that mean when dealing with real issues?
The Board and I have been wrestling with these questions since I first joined the Board. It’s been especially top of mind as the Ministerial Search Committee focuses on what we want in a settled minister.
It’s not as black and white as one might think. Despite one’s best intentions it’s easy to make mistakes, especially when considered in retrospect. I’ve learned it takes humility, flexibility, deep listening, and collaborative discernment while keeping in mind what we believe to be best for our congregation and remembering our humanity. Although I’m still exploring what Shared Governance means, one thing I’ve determined is that it’s a process, more of a guideline than a fixed set of rules.
For those of you interested in exploring this topic in more detail, there are lots of resources on our website here. This includes links to our Bylaws and Board Policies as well as a pictorial depiction of our governance model.
With gratitude and respect,
Steve Govreau
Love courageously. Inspire spiritual growth. Work for justice.
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Update from the Ministerial Search Committee |
“Beyond Categorical Thinking” (BCT) Workshop Coming!
“Will the new minister hear me? Will my concerns and needs be met? Will the minister understand what I’m living with? How will the community respond to the minister?”
In answering these questions, a picture of the “ideal minister” -- influenced by categories like age, gender identity, nationality, physical or cognitive ability, race, sexual orientation, etc. -- may come to mind.
With this picture in place, it can be easy to unintentionally exclude ministers who fall into certain categories. At times, we get caught up in comparing candidates to our “picture”; we can even forget what it is we hope for in a minister.
On the weekend of October 20 – 22, UUFD will participate in the Beyond Categorical Thinking workshop offered by the UUA. On Friday afternoon, the MSC team will meet with Keith Kron, our UUA Transitions Office representative. Keith will also lead the Saturday workshop and deliver the homily via Zoom for Sunday’s service.
The workshop will be in-person on Saturday, October 21, from 9 am to noon, in the Sanctuary, followed by lunch. The program is designed to promote inclusive thinking and help prevent discrimination in the search process for a new minister. We will consider the hopes, expectations, and concerns for a new minister. We will learn more about the ministerial search process and explore how thinking categorically about people sometimes interferes with choosing the best candidate.
Come on Saturday, October 21, from 9am – noon, to participate in this UUA-sponsored workshop. The selection of a minister is important. This BCT workshop is another opportunity for everyone in our Fellowship to be a part of that process. This experience will provide guidance for the MSC in our work.
Please sign up with MSC member Liz Volz at warmandwise@gmail.com, so we can plan our space and numbers for our lunch order.
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Heat pump in our future!
Social Responsibility and Justice Team Special Feature
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Several months ago, the UUFD Board voted to allocate any funds generated by the FROLIC event over and above $10,000 to the Social Responsibility & Justice Team. We were thrilled by this possibility and decided that, if we received any funds, they would go towards the HVAC renovation of our sanctuary that Mike Trefry and the Environmental Justice Team is working on. Much to our delight, we will be receiving approximately $5,000 from Frolic donations!
The Environmental Justice Team is working towards minimizing our environmental/carbon footprint by transitioning from a natural gas to an electric heat pump system. It's expensive, but a significant and long-term impact solution. According to the US Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, “heat pumps offer an energy-efficient alternative to furnaces and air conditioners for all climates. Like your refrigerator, heat pumps use electricity to transfer heat from a cool space to a warm space, making the cool space cooler and the warm space warmer. During the heating season, heat pumps move heat from the cool outdoors into your warm house. During the cooling season, heat pumps move heat from your house into the outdoors. Because they transfer heat rather than generate heat, heat pumps can efficiently provide comfortable temperatures for your home.”
The EJT will be looking for additional funding support from various sources, including UUA, but it will be good for other funders to know that we are financially supporting the switch locally as much as possible.
Many thanks to the Board, the Environmental Justice Team, and all of the FROLIC donators for significantly moving this project along!
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News from Faith Formation
“You don't stumble upon your heritage. It's there, just waiting to be explored and shared.” Robbie Robertson, Musician
October marks the beginning of the busier-by-the-day holiday season that begins with Halloween. With all these holidays, we each look forward to (or perhaps dread) the traditions of our families and communities that are part of our individual heritage.
Fall Festival Cancelled
The best laid plans ... such is the case with the Fall Festival. It turns out to be the autumn break for District 9R, so there are conflicts with family plans plus so much else going on that most cannot attend.
The Fall Festival is cancelled. Many thanks to John Redemsky for his offer to host this event.
Toddlers and Pre-Schoolers Have Their Own Space
Have you noticed the transformation of the room at the back of the sanctuary? This bright space is being used by the youngest UUFD children to have their own Sunday Faith Formation.
The preschoolers will follow the same schedule as the older children—in the sanctuary with their parents until Time for All Ages. Then they will go to their new room at the back of the sanctuary. Parents! You must check in your children when you arrive for service so we can safely care for them. See the assigned teacher who will be at the back of the sanctuary before the start of service (and who will be on the lookout for you). Please pick up your child(ren) by fifteen minutes after the end of service.
We still need a few more volunteers so we are calling on people only once a month. If you’d like to help ONE SUNDAY PER MONTH, please reach out to Sharon Mignerey.
Multi-Gen Service Coming October 28
The children and youth of UUFD are planning and will lead our worship service on October 28, exploring the important heritage of Day of the Dead. The end of service will be marked with the annual Halloween parade, when kids get to show off their costumes.
Sharon Mignerey, Coordinator of Faith Formation
Harrison Wendt, Youth Coordinator of Faith Formation
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Pledge campaign co-chairs needed: no offers yet and time is ticking
We are urgently seeking co-chairs to oversee the late-winter-to-early-spring annual pledge campaign, an essential and hugely important task for our fellowship's health and effectiveness.
Important facts:
- high foundational importance
- task is time-limited, mostly January through the end of March
- only 1 organizing meeting
- model of organized sub-tasks is already in place
- experienced consultant will be involved
Questions, thoughts, offers to participate? Please contact me at 970-676-1022 or kadams@mcw.edu.
--Kathleen Adams
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Circle Supper coming up Oct. 21
Deadline to RSVP Oct. 15
We are excited to announce that the next Circle Supper will be on Oct. 21! Circle Suppers are potluck dinners for six to ten people, hosted in UUs’ homes on the third Saturday of each month (except July and December). Connection, community building and FUN are the goals. Find out more here.
Please plan to RSVP for the Oct. 21 supper by Oct. 15 by emailing circlesupperuufd@gmail.com.
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FROLIC a resounding success! | |
Another Fabulous, Rousing, Outrageous, Lively, Ineluctable Celebration (FROLIC) hit the UUFD stage on Friday, September 22. The culmination of the event was raising funds for a new Memorial Garden and additional support for a much-needed upgraded Sanctuary HVAC system. The $14,726.11 raised was a reflection of the generosity and the joy our members and friends experienced in returning to this event after a 4-year hiatus due to COVID.
Beloved ever-entertaining emcee Bob Griffith kept attendees on the edge of their seats for our Live Auction (including the bidet seat from the Eco Justice team’s reminder to use less TP in our lives). The frantic bidding wars of the Bid Board auction were delightfully interrupted by Faith Formation staff Harrison Wendt and Office Administrator Nikki Bauer, who sang “True Colors” from Trolls, followed by Harrison’s rousing performance of “You’ll Be Back” from Hamilton and a hilarious, outrageous rendition of “Physical” by Olivia Newton-John. The evening started with uplifting words by Interim Minister Reverend Dr. Barbara Coeyman.
The event is all about community and working together for fun, for worthwhile meaningful goals, and for examining our stewardship of time, treasure, and talents. The event is entirely volunteer-run, and 17 teams spent the past six months – or longer – helping co-chairs Aline Schwob and Sheryl Guy with the countless lists of tasks to stage this successful event. Teams included Auction Donations, Beverage Table, Food Table, Board Auction, Live Auction, Cashiers & Data Entry, Check-in/Registration, Child Care, Clean-up, Communications, Entertainment, Graphic Design & Catalog, Publicity, Raffles, Setup, Sound/Technology, and Ticket Sales. As important were those who attended, supported team members, and bid on their heart’s-desired auction items.
Sooo…it’s time to begin looking ahead to the next FROLIC! Pre-COVID timing was about every 18 months between events, which could mean late spring of 2025. And with Aline and Sheryl stepping down, it’s time for some new ideas, new energy, and new angles that point us in new directions! Working with a partner is ideal and provides the benefit of combined strengths and division of labor. This might be your place to shine, to fit in a niche ideally suited for your strengths and interests.
We have a decade and more of materials and support ideas to help you plan and prepare for the next FROLIC. Think about it! If you have ANY questions, contact Aline or Sheryl. You’ll be glad you did!
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Attention garden helpers
Can you join us Oct. 7 for fall cleaning?
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The city is having the annual Fall cleanup Oct. 9-14 for our UUFD neighborhood. Our yard clippings need to be on the curb by the 9th. If you are able to join us to help do some fall cleaning, here is the info.
Date: Sat, Oct.7, starting at 9:00 am
Bring: Tools (clippers, pruners, broom, line trimmer, and hedge trimmer if you have them, otherwise the church has some), your own gloves, hat, sunscreen.
You can join us any time that works for you and leave when you have to. Any and all help is appreciated. Many hands make the job go fast and fun.
An RSVP would be greatly appreciated! Send to aschwob@msn.com.
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Recital Series kicks off with Nicolò Spera on ten-string guitar Oct. 6 | |
| | The 16th season of the Recital Series will begin on Oct. 6 featuring Nicolò Spera, Italian guitarist. He will perform works on the ten-string guitar from the 17th, 18th and 21st centuries beginning with Passacaglia by Heinrich Biber. The Passacaglia was composed for solo violin around 1676 and is often claimed to be the most impressive unaccompanied work before J.S. Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas. Nicolò has transposed the piece in order to accommodate the tuning and resonances of the guitar. Next on the program will be Suite de la Cappella degli Scrovegni composed by the young Italian composer Giacomo Susani and dedicated to Spera. The suite is based on the iconographic events represented in Giotto’s frescoes for the Scrovegni Chapel of Padua. The work includes eight movements that signify the seven vices and virtues represented below the main frescoes plus the eighth day that completes the journey of human spiritual growth. The recital will conclude with Ciaccona, the most monumental piece for solo violin by J.S. Bach from the Second Partita in D Minor. This work is one of the most often arranged compositions in the history of music. In his transcription for ten-string guitar, Nicolò has changed as little as possible. His goal has been to “preserve the simple beauty, sincerity and immeasurable profundity of Bach’s artistry.”
Nicolò has sustained a performance career in the USA and in Europe. He currently serves as Professor of Classical Guitar at the University of Colorado Boulder where he also received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree. You may purchase admission on our website or at the door by cash or check.
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Contact Us
Please submit items for this newsletter by the 25th of each month to information@durangouu.org
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
419 San Juan Drive, Durango, CO 81301
www.durangouu.org
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Sunday Service 10 AM
In-person and online
Our mission
Love courageously.
Inspire spiritual growth.
Work for justice.
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Ministry & Staff
Rev. Barbara Coeyman,
Interim Minister
intmin@durangouu.org
Sharon Mignerey, Coordinator of Faith Formation
faithformation@durangouu.org
Harrison Wendt, Youth Programming Coordinator
harrisonuufd@gmail.com
Marilyn Garst, Classical Pianist
mmgarst1940@gmail.com
Nikki Bauer, Office Administrator
information@durangouu.org
Holly Quist, Music Director
music@durangouu.org
Tricia Bayless, Finance Clerk
financeclerk@durangouu.org
Caesar Sanchez, Sexton
(c/o information@durangouu.org)
For general questions:
information@durangouu.org
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Board of Trustees
Steve Govreau, President
president@durangouu.org
Jill Bystydzeinski, Vice President
vicepresident@durangouu.org
Mark Swanson, Treasurer
treasurer@durangouu.org
Carolyn Miller, Secretary
secretary@durangouu.org
Members-at-Large
Sherrod Beall
mal2@durangouu.org
Beth Connors
mal1@durangouu.org
Rev. Barbara Coeyman, ex-officio
intmin@durangouu.org
Board meetings are held the
third and fourth Tuesday of each month
6:00 - 8:00 PM
(check website calendar)
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