A Message from Rev. Barbara

Waiting and Going Forward

Dear Friends, 

This time of the church year during an interim ministry often brings a mix emotions: excitement over the many hundreds of hours of shared ministry over the past months which have prepared a congregation to call a new minister; combined with wonder, perhaps worry, about how these preparations will pan out. We may also experience heightened involvement of staff and congregants as the turning from the winter season also stimulates a turning of engagement in church life; while we also wonder how the next several months will unfold anticipating the departure of one minister and the arrival of another. Perhaps some readers of this newsletter may be looking ahead to summer travel; while also realizing the need for attentiveness to current responsibilities for family, home, and job, as well as significant events in congregational life such as finalizing the stewardship campaign and planning a new roster of leadership for the coming church year.

Indeed, this is a time of waiting, of wondering, of asking everyone (congregants and staff) for patience as these various transitions unfold. This is a time of heightened energies and anxieties among many in this congregation. Most important, this is a time for inviting respectful support for each other. This is a time of trusting that, in the words of our Universalist ancestors, “in the end, all will be well.” 

Perhaps this reading by my UU Interim Minister colleague, Rev. Michelle LaGrave, can be a useful, heart-filled resource for you as you experience congregational life at UUFD in the coming weeks.

In-betweenness

We—you and I—are in-between right now:

In-between what was and what will be. 

In-between who we were and who we will become. 

In-between letting go and embracing. 

In-between saying hello and saying goodbye. 

In-betweenness, it’s a thing. 

In-betweenness is a time of fullness. 

A time of anticipation. 

A time of hope. 

A time of worry. 

A time of sadness. 

In-betweenness is a time of waiting. 

Waiting for news. 

Waiting for departure. 

Waiting for arrival. 

Waiting for death. 

Waiting for life. 

In-betweenness is a time of transformation. 

A time of reflection. 

A time of action. 

A time of growing. 

A time of becoming. 

-Rev. Michelle LaGrave

During this time of many experiences of “in-betweenness,” may we support one another as a community grounded in compassionate communication, mutual respect, and faith in the unfolding goodness of life.

In community,

Rev. Barbara

President's Message

I am so fortunate to be currently living in a time and country where diversity is generally valued, allows open discussion on our social issues, respects everyone’s spiritual beliefs, and ideally appreciates what each unique individual brings to our collective consciousness. I think liberal religion could not exist in the open except within an environment that tolerates differences.

I believe fear of those differences is the enemy of democracy. I realize democracy is messy and inefficient. It requires continuous effort and lots of communication to reach consensus. Wouldn’t it be easier to let others do my thinking for me? I think to do so would mean giving up my freedom to choose, freedom to worship or not worship as I wish, freedom to disagree, and freedom to be different.

The recent release of the second Dune movie reminds me of what Frank Herbert, the author of the book on which it is based, said about fear. In it he describes a young man who is judged whether he is truly human. He is forced to insert his hand into a box and face the imagined destruction of his hand. He doesn’t know it is imagined, but he does know he will be deemed an animal and killed if he removes his hand-his instinctive response to pain. Can he control his fear, his instinct, and choose to be human? Can we as a country do the same?

What can we do to help our broader community realize that fear of something different is groundless? I see an opportunity to help our community celebrate diversity. I think continuous outreach is the key. I believe only by being openly accessible and familiar will those outside our fellowship understand the benefit of unique perspectives. I realize it may be an effort, but I ask whenever you have the opportunity to invite others to share in our celebration. 

In gratitude and respect,

Steve Govreau

Love courageously. Inspire spiritual growth. Work for justice.

April News from Faith Formation

From Dependence, to Independence, to Interdependence 

“Breathe with me.

Know that with each breath we take in molecules of air

that were breathed by every person that ever lived…

Breathe with me,

and know that we are all interdependent…

Breathe with me,

as we come together to do the holy work

of interconnection and relationship…”

~Rev. Matt Aslpaugh

As Mother Earth reawakens and the snowy cold of winter gives way to burgeoning blossoms of spring flowers and the return of seasonal birds, it’s easy to see how all of Creation is interdependent. The single symbiotic relationship between bees and dandelions illustrates. They are the first food of bees in spring.  Those bees can then flourish and spend their next many weeks pollinating all the plants we humans find useful and depend upon for food. That first interdependent relationship between bees and the lowly dandelion sets in motion the cycle we each depend upon.  

Faith Formation in April

Sunday Faith Formation Focus

April 7.  The Web of Community. Delivery of the Grub Hub donations. Interdependence reminds us that we are not alone in this world.  

April 14. Interdependence. We honor the interdependent web of all existence. With reverence for the great web of life and with humility, we acknowledge our place in it.

April 21. Caring for the Web of Creation.  Celebrate Earth Day.

April 28. How the Web of Creation Cares for Us. We are part of the Earth and It is part of us.  

Thank you, UUFD.  

The donations you each provided for the Easter Food Drive for Grub Hub was a great success.  Thank you for your generosity.

If you missed out on the drive, Grub Hub has posted a wish list on Amazon.   

Book Study Begins April 15: Scripture Unbound by Rev. Jonalu Johnstone

Many of you have expressed  an interest in developing your own theology. This book study is a foundational study that helps provide a historical look at sacred texts from many faith traditions. This book draws upon many sacred texts beyond the Holy Bible. Included are readings from The Analects of Confucius, Nehemiah, the Qur'an, I Ching, Dhammapada, Tao Te Ching, and Black Elk Speaks.

Along the way of this study, we will discover how other religions and their sacred texts have many the same foundational principles we embrace in UU even though the cultural trappings may be unfamiliar.

This book study will run on Monday evenings beginning April 15 for six weeks and ending on May 20. The time will be from 6:30 to 8:00, meeting in Bowman Hall.

Scripture Unbound is available at both InSpirit UUA Bookstore and Amazon where is also available as a Kindle ebook. Click here to register. 

Personal Faith Development  -- the Gifts of Interdependence

“Namasté. I honor the place in you in which the entire universe dwells. I honor the place in you that is of love, of truth, of light, and of peace. When you are in that place in you, and I am in that place in me, we are one.”

The mystics of all religions come to this same core idea after all the trappings of culture are eased away.  We are one. This includes anything and everything we can imagine, from a light-years-distant nebula to the frog singing at night outside your window. We are one.

The second we begin living as though that were true is the second we begin to see the interdependence of all life. When we see the oneness and interdependence of a couple dancing a waltz to beautiful music, we open space to see the beauty and wisdom of nature. And how, then, can we not be better stewards of nature? When we see this in nature, it’s less of a leap to see it in our relationships with one another, whether family or a group we’re tempted to label as enemy. We are one. Interconnected and interdependent.  

To deepen your own relationship with this principle of interdependence:

Take pictures of as many different animals, including insects, as you want, from a pill bug to your own dog or cat.  Imagine how each one contributes in some way, whether it is the joy your pet brings you or the way the pill bug contributes to the soil’s health by eating decaying leaves.

Write a thank you letter to a good friend, telling how the qualities of the friendship enrich your life and about the meaningful times you’ve had together – both good and bad.

Have a conversation with your children or grandchildren about the evolution of dependence to independence to interdependence in their own lives. Look for examples of being stronger, more happy, more productive when using different skills working together.

In closing, this lovely African proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

Sharon Mignerey, Coordinator of Faith Formation (faithformation@durangouu.org)

Kathleen Adams thanks pledge campaign volunteers

I’m doing my best to adequately thank so many people for help with this year’s pledge campaign. It’s not working – it’s not possible.  Thanks to Rev. Barbara for guidance and impactful worship, Shanan for quick and the best graphics, the Board for brunch, the Spirit Movers for willingness and creativity, the Jug Band for FUN!, the reminding callers, the testimonial trio for courage and enthusiasm, team leads Carroll and Elaine ... and special thanks to Ilona and Christy for bolstering energy to keep going and for co-leading events and communications. Last but far from least, all of you who have already pledged. We will continue to check the offertory basket and mail box for those pledges yet to come in!!     

-Kathleen Adams

Special announcements from the Board

Please update your calendars

Notice of Special Congregation Meeting

A SPECIAL CONGREGATION MEETING will take place April 14 at 11:30am to vote on the proposed Bylaw changes extending Board member terms from 2 years to 3 years and providing for the election of officers by the Board rather than the congregation. It is the Board's intent that these and related changes will assist the congregation in its search for those willing to serve on the Board and enable a process for developing and growing experienced Board leadership. This will be a one-agenda-item meeting, and proxies will be allowed per our Bylaws. Click here for the Proposed versus Current Bylaws. (Note the proposed changes, and the rationale for those changes which are highlighted in yellow.)

Notice of change of date of Board Town Hall

The Board of Trustees Town Hall meeting following the March 26 Board Meeting, regularly scheduled for March 31st, is changed to April 7 due to a special Easter event.

Ministerial Search Committee News

Please note Congregational Meeting on April 28!

Candidating Week is coming soon! Mark your calendars for Sunday, April 21 – Sunday, April 28. That week will be your chance to meet and greet our candidate, to ask questions, and to extend our welcome to our fellowship.

Following are some details about the schedule for the week:

Sunday, April 21 – The candidate will be in our pulpit. During the week, our teams and committees will have a chance to meet the candidate. There will also be times set aside for other Q & A and for those who would like to drop by to say hello. 

We also need your attendance at our service on Sunday, April 28, either on Zoom or in person. After the candidate is again in our pulpit, there will be a Congregational Meeting to vote on calling the candidate to be our minister. As long as you are present for the meeting - either on Zoom or in person - you may vote. Per UUA guidelines, proxies will not be accepted for this vote.

Thank you for your input; your time sharing your thoughts, priorities, and concerns; and especially your patience as we have navigated the intricate waters of this extensive, significant process.

In Grateful Covenant,

-Your MSC Team (Allison Andersen, Bonnie Miller, Connie Jacobs, Lisa McCorry, Liz Volz, Sheryl Guy, and Tim Miller) 

Final recital features Presley, mezzo-soprano, and Garst, piano

The final recital in this year’s Recital Series will take place on April 26 at 7:00 p.m. and will feature Drea Pressley, mezzo-soprano, and Marilyn Garst, piano. The program of varied musical styles will open with two arias from the 17th and 18th centuries by Giacomo Carissimi and Christoph Willibald von Gluck followed by a set of art songs from the 19th century by Robert Schumann and two 20th-century songs by Samuel Barber and Benjamin Britten. The next set of songs will be from Disney productions. Two of those – "The Second Star to the Right" and "Colors of the Wind" - will be followed by piano arrangements of the same songs performed by Marilyn. A special treat will be Drea singing several Celtic folk songs. She will accompany herself on her beautiful new Celtic harp. The program will conclude with two Broadway show tunes, "I Wish I Could Forget You" by Stephen Sondheim and “Gimme Gimme” by Dick Scanlan and Jeanine Tesori.  

Drea Pressley, a financial advisor with Edward Jones, has an extensive background as a professional musician. Drea has performed locally with Music in the Mountains, the Durango Choral Society, in several UUFD services and on this series previously. She has performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Santa Fe Opera, Santa Fe Pro Musica, Santa Fe New Music and the Santa Fe Desert Chorale. Drea has performed opera roles with the New Orleans Opera Association and the Operafestival di Roma. In addition, she has given numerous solo recitals and ensemble performances and been a studio musician in Los Angeles, recording music for various films. She received a Bachelor of Music degree from Loyola University in New Orleans.

You may purchase admissions on the UUFD website or at the door by cash or check.