Social Responsibility and Justice Team News

This month's Social Responsibility & Justice Team’s announcement comes with mixed emotions. As of July 1, we are saying good-bye to Bonnie Miller, our steadfast leader of the past 8 years.  Bonnie’s commitment to social justice is extraordinary, and her administrative skills stellar. This combination led to a thriving SRJ team at UUFD comprised of six active sub-teams:  Anti-Racism, Basic Needs, Environmental Justice, Immigration, LGBTQIA+, and UU Service Committee. Through Bonnie’s unique leadership style, both strong and gentle, all of these teams are making great contributions to our congregation, our community, and the broader world.  Of course, Bonnie is not going far, and will continue to share her many talents with UUFD in many capacities. Our beloved community thanks you, Bonnie, from the bottom of our collective hearts.  

In an attempt to fill Bonnie’s very large shoes, Terri Reherman will take over the responsibilities of coordinating the SRJ Team. Terri has a broad background in social justice, and actually started the first volunteer team at UUFD back in 1994. Our first step was simply volunteering once a month at Manna Soup Kitchen. My how we have grown! With Bonnie’s generous mentorship, and six autonomous and highly capable teams, Terri should be able to maintain the ambitious and professional standards that Bonnie has set.  

Our second announcement is that by July 1, all the SRJ sub-teams will have a display board hung in Bowman Hall. The boards will post news about what they have done, what they are doing, relevant information about their causes, and contact information so that any congregant can get involved if they feel so moved. Thanks to Judy Hayes for her expert aesthetic guidance in this endeavor!

One final thing to think about. In August, the SRJ team will be soliciting nominations for our next cycle of Share the Plate recipients. Nominations will be collected in August, nominators will have the opportunity to tell the team a little about their nominees in September, and the first of the four chosen recipients will begin receiving Share the Plate funds in October. This is your chance to nominate your favorite LaPlata County non-profit organization!  Specific criteria and deadlines will be available soon. 

Heads up! Information for online auto-pay pledgers

If you pay your pledge by auto-pay online, please remember to set up your new one-time or recurring payment as soon as possible. You may use either a credit card or checking account.

• Edit your existing donation OR start or renew your one-time or recurring payment to start July 1, 2023 and end June 30, 2024. Get started by clicking here and then click the green “Donate Now” button
• When on the “Online Donating” page log in to your account profile. If you forgot your password, you can create a new one.
• Fill in the required information.
• Please consider the “Help Offset Processing Costs” option for credit cards so UUFD will receive the full amount of your pledge.
• Questions? – Kathleen Adams: 970-676-1022, kadams@mcw.edu
• For more details visit this page on the website: How to Set Up Electronic Payments

Rev. Barbara's July schedule

Rev. Barbara's anticipated schedule for July includes several days of study leave, personal days for vacation, and ministry at UUFD: 

July 1 – 2: Study Leave, attending professional conference in southern California

July 3 – 6: Vacation: family time

July 7 – 9: Pinesong Retreat

July 10 – 16: Ministry at UUFD

July 17 – 20: Vacation

July 21 – 24: Study leave, professional conference

July 25 – 31: Vacation in Yellowstone Park

As per UUMA guidelines, she will be available to the UUFD congregation by email during Study Leave. On vacation time a minister is free of communications with her congregation. During absences from Durango she collaborates with the UUFD Caring Committee (Susan Koonce) for coverage of pastoral emergencies.

Join us July 7-9 at the 4 Corners UU Retreat at Pine Song!

The Pine Song retreat is almost here, the weekend of July 7-9. Join fellow UUs for a fun, relaxing, and stimulating retreat on the beautiful Pine River. All UUFD members, friends, and guests are welcome, along with fellow UU congregation members. All the information you need, including online registration, is right here.

Calling all gardeners and would-be gardeners!

Our landscape is looking great with all the nice spring rains but is in need of some sprucing up (weeding, deadheading, clearing the weeds off the patio, etc.). If you are available and willing, we will work on Friday, July 14, starting at 8 am and doing as much as possible before it gets too hot. Many hands get the job done. We hope you can join us. Thanks, let us know if you are able to help at: Aline aschwob@msn.com or Carroll cgroeg@gmail.com.

The new Circle Suppers!

First of all, what are Circle Suppers? Circle Suppers are potluck dinners shared by UUFD members and friends in members’ homes on the third Saturday of each month. There are typically 6-10 at each home. 

Through this small group ministry, we deepen our connections with each other. Our goal is to be welcoming and inclusive. All ages and diets are accommodated as well as possible. The organizer, Nancy Fisher, assigns folks to a “supper group” based on who has RSVP’d to attend that month. We strive to mix it up each month.

So what’s ”new” about them? Veterans of UUFD Circle Suppers can rest assured that the Suppers will be much the same. The difference will be in how you sign up/RSVP to attend a particular Supper. 

To RSVP, you will simply email circlesupperuufd@gmail.com by the deadline, which is the Sunday prior to that month's Supper. You'll be reminded of upcoming suppers through UUFD's weekly e-announcements. Click on the link in the e-announcements for more information, or if you already know you want to attend, just email  circlesupperuufd@gmail.com. No more invitations will arrive in your inbox! For this reason, you might consider penciling the third Saturday of the month (except July and December) into your calendar now. You'll be able to RSVP for a couple weeks before the RSVP deadline. 

Questions? Contact Nancy at circlesupperuufd@gmail.com.