President's Message

Did you know that your Board is required by our bylaws to review and approve its Covenant annually? This usually takes place after a new Board is elected. Unlike a behavioral covenant, this is a “high” covenant whose purpose is to remind us of our core values and promises to one another in representing all of you. For example, when we covenant to respect one another, the behaviors associated with this core value includes showing up for a meeting on time-having reviewed any meeting materials in advance, prepared to listen deeply to each other, and ready and willing to contribute our thoughts to any discussion.

At our recent Board Retreat in October, we developed together and agreed to covenant the following: 

We, the UUFD Board of Trustees, hold each other accountable to act, to the best of our abilities, with compassion, honesty, respect, and integrity, in pursuit of mission-based decisions that are unbiased, generous, and realistic.

In addition, we also developed a Board Vision for FY 2024.

Our Board of Trustees Vision for Fiscal Year 2024 is to support:

1) the path to ministry,

2) bringing the congregation back together, and

3) continued outreach to the community.

This vision reflects the top three priorities your Board sees as most important to you, our congregation, this year. The strategies for the first two are underway. The strategy for the last is not as clearcut. We consider all three equally important. 

1)    Assisting and supporting the congregation and the Ministerial Search Committee in finding a settled minister.

2)    Supporting Reverend Barabara’s vision in helping us learn and apply how to walk together in covenant.

3)    Supporting methods that can enhance the opportunity to share our UU values in our community.

Keeping in mind the MSC’s latest report that suggests most of us live within 15 minutes of our campus, we shared some exciting ideas at last night’s Deep Chair meeting for community outreach:

1)    Interfaith sermon exchanges and visits with area religious organizations. (Let’s show support for each other and live being a welcoming congregation.)

2)    Open houses, block parties, and information literature drop-offs. (Thank you Lisa McCorry!)

3)    A used book exchange or shop, advertised locally, maybe in conjunction with music and a coffee bar. (Bookmarks anyone?)

4)    Supporting groups such the Durango Dementia Coalition. (Currently being investigated.)

5)    Plus, everything the Social Justice and Justice Ministry Teams promote.

These ideas we can all get behind and are the most important in the long run for our greater community today. Share your ideas with all of us by sending them to my attention, president@durangouu.org, and I’ll share them with your Board.

In gratitude and respect,

Steve Govreau

Love courageously. Inspire spiritual growth. Work for justice.

A Message from Rev. Barbara

Deep Listening and Deep Speaking

Mid-winter holiday time is upon us. Perhaps the coming weeks will be marked by “busy-ness” for you: attending holiday gatherings and celebrations, planning your own events, shopping for those special people in your life. In the face of busy times, even as we connect with more people, we can easily lose sight of deep, authentic connections - lifelines - with one another. We may especially miss small threads of connections: a light touch of support, or gentle smiles of approval, or brief words of endearment from others. While missing such outreach from others can happen at any time of the year, our busy-ness as we move into the darkest time of the year may exacerbate our missing connections with others. Many of us may feel like we are living in a metaphorical blizzard, caught up in busy schedules, in frantic responses to get everything done, perhaps while actual blizzards swirl around us as Mother Nature confirms that indeed we have entered the season of cold weather and snow. In these busy days, it is especially important to take time every day to review and affirm our authentic lifelines with others.

In a sermon a few weeks ago I encouraged habits of deep listening as one important means of affirming lifelines with others. Many of you indicated that reminders of the importance of deep listening struck a chord with you. So let’s re-visit the theme of deep listening, here at the start of the darkest and perhaps the busiest month of the year, at this time of increased personal activity as well as heightened stresses and pressures from news around the world. Engaging in intentional practices of deep listening is critical for sustaining threads of human connections. Perhaps you ask, what’s so special about listening? We listen to people all the time, and because we also talk, others must be listening to us.  But do we really listen well to one another, do we listen deeply? 

What do you understand as ‘deep listening?’ What does it sound like and look like? Even more important, what does it feel like? Do you practice deep listening when you are with others? How does deep listening create threads and lifelines, between two individuals, and among all the individuals who make up a community or a congregation? It takes particular attention to listen deeply. Deep listening means that we give our undivided attention to the speaker. We don’t have other conversations running through our minds at the same time, we aren’t thinking of all the insightful things we’ll say in response to the speaker, and we surely don’t interrupt the speaker. When we listen deeply, we acknowledge that the other person matters, that our connections matter. When we listen to one another, we grant the speaker a sense of voice. By ‘voice’ I mean not only the vocalizing of words, but also the acknowledgment of the existence of another person. Telling someone that they do not have freedom to speak is parallel to denying their reality, their presence, their existence. When we deeply listen, we have no need to assert our own egos. We openly receive and welcome the speaking of another, confirming our lifeline of welcome. It’s fairly easy to tell when someone we are talking to is not deeply listening to us: through their bodily reaction, the words they use in response, the aura they emote that indicates that our words don’t really matter to them.  

When my colleague, Rev. Keith Kron, Director of the Transitions Office of the Unitarian Universalist Association, visited UUFD several weeks ago to lead the workshop Beyond Categorical Thinking, one of his parting stories concerned the important message he imparts to ministers during their Start-Up as interims. He promotes the mantra: “More curiosity, less judgement,” a necessary habit critical to effective shared ministry for both ministers and congregants. One of the most powerful habits to encourage curiosity is deep listening. When we listen deeply, we open ourselves to deep wondering, to deep inquiry into learning more about our conversation partner’s stories. This capacity to “turn to wonder” in the face of the words and ideas of another person whom we either don’t understand or don’t agree with, offers us a moment to pause, take a few deep breaths, and ward off possible judgmental responses. Judgment tends to shut down conversations. Wondering and curiosity keeps the conversation open, inviting the building of trust and collaboration, as each conversation partner learns more about the other.  

Forecasting some of our shared ministry in the New Year, you in this congregation will have another opportunity to practice deep listening and deep speaking in our spiritual program “Circles of Trust,” based on the work of the Quaker writer Parker Palmer. I plan to offer a four-session “Circles of Trust” series, called “Habits of the Heart,” based on Palmer’s 2011 book Healing the Heart of Democracy, his application of his core spiritual principles to the public arena. Stay tuned for an announcement about time and dates for this next workshop series. Feel free to contact me beforehand if you have questions or would like to know more about “Circles of Trust.”

As we move further into mid-winter’s darkness, may your capacity for both deep listening and deep speaking remain important lifelines in your connections with others: your family, your friends, and members of the UUFD community of liberal faith.

See you at the fellowship!

In faith and joy,

Rev. Barbara

Wondering about Electric Vehicles (EVs)? Special workshop for women

Offering from Environmental Justice Committee

"Colorado Mandates 82% EVs by 2032” Find headlines like this alarming? Want to take a big step to minimize your carbon footprint, but don’t know much about EVs? Have range anxiety? The Environmental Justice Committee wants to do something about that. Deborah Lycan, EJC member, EV owner and educator, has offered to run a small hands-on workshop for women on EVs. She will explain what regenerative braking is, how to find charging stations, how to use the Plugshare App to plan a road trip, and answer your questions about range, cost and tax rebates. She is especially looking for women who would volunteer to host a few of their women friends (4-6) in their home for wine and cheese and an hour or so to learn about EVs. Please contact Deborah (lycan@lclark.edu) if you would be willing to host a group of friends at your home. Please also contact her if you would like to attend a workshop but don’t feel you can host - we'll work something out. The workshop is intended for people who want to start preparing for the future; you don't need to be committed to getting an EV any time soon. Depending on the response, Deborah will consider additional offerings for a broader community audience.

December News from Faith Formation

O come all ye faithful, 

     and doubtful, and joyful, and blue,

Mary and Joseph, Rudolph and Frosty, 

     and me and you,

To hear Christmas stories, some old and some new,

Reminding us that love, hope, and mystery are true.

~ Rev. Sarah C. Richards 

I love this quote for the season because it perfectly captures that play between fun and reverent that most of us feel sometime during the season.  For me, the last line is particularly meaningful: “love, hope, and mystery are true.”

Thank you, Volunteers! 

The Preschool Toddler Room is now two months old, made possible by generous volunteers.  The success of this program is dependent upon them, and it does take a village.  A huge thanks to: Melina Adduci, Allison Anderson, Sherrod Beall, Brenda Huffman, Elizabeth Long,  Lisa McCorry, Bonnie Miller, Grace Wilms, Liza Tregillus, and Marketa Young. To keep to my commitment of calling upon volunteers no more than once a month, we have room for additional help.  If you’d like to be part of this endeavor, please drop me an email by clicking on this link.  

Sunday Faith Formation Is Growing  

Little by little over the last year, the number of children in attendance is growing, though we still have a long way to go to reach pre-pandemic numbers. A year ago, we were, on average serving eight children each week. During November we served an average of thirteen each week, including our two groups growing the fastest—preschoolers and middle schoolers. Though our numbers are still small, this growth is significant,

After the first of the year, the middle schoolers and elementary schoolers will be divided into their own groups at least twice a month so they can each focus on their individual areas of interest.  This leads to – yes! another call for volunteers. As a volunteer, you will be assisting one of our regular teachers each Sunday to give our kids the richest experience possible.  If you like working with middle school-age children or elementary school-age children, please let the Coordinator of Faith Formation know of your interest. 

The donations have rolled in, and the Faith Formation team is busy getting the market ready for this coming Sunday.  After service and after the children have finished shopping, adults are invited to peruse the offerings and perhaps find a special treasure to gift to a loved one.  

Peace, Joy, and Ho, Ho, Ho – December 10

During this Sunday service, join the UUFD kids for this irreverent, fun, and poignant service that highlights the House of David family reunion and holiday festival where wise persons, Christmas characters from many traditions, and a young expectant couple show up at the UUFD Bed and Breakfast for the most sacred of events.  It’s time to break out your favorite Christmas sweater and warm up your voice for some new and some traditional carols. 

Big Changes in Faith Formation Staff

Nikki Bauer is stepping away from her role as a teacher at the first of the year.  She focusing on her studies as a full-time college student and as the efficient Office Administrator for UUFD.  Harrison Wendt is stepping down from being the Youth Coordinator of Faith Formation, but he will continue to be a teacher each Sunday. Please extend to them a thank you for their many contributions in helping the Sunday Faith Formation program grow. Both Harrison and Nikki will continue on with Faith Formation in vital roles as needed, including being teachers for the OWL program coming in February.

After the New Year

Watch this space for the dates for Our Whole Lives (OWL) classes for the elementary school kids beginning in February.  This sexuality education presents honest, accurate information about sexuality that dismantles stereotypes and assumptions, builds self-acceptance and self-esteem, fosters healthy relationships and improves decision-making.  This 10-session program will be led by Nikki Bauer and Harrison Wendt, who became certified OWL teachers last spring. 

Adult Faith Formation Opportunities

Plans are underway for a new book study (led by Sharon Mignerey) and a new Circles of Trust (led by Rev. Barbara) after the first of the year.  Watch this space for details.

Personal Faith Development

This lovely poem is from Rev. Gordon B. McKeeman, which could be the basis of daily reflection during the often too-busy holiday season.

How does one address a mystery?

Cautiously...

Reverently...

Hopefully...

Quietly…

Simply be in the intimate presence of mystery, unashamed—unadorned—unafraid.

This quiet poem encourages an equally quiet reflection that I extend to each of you during this holiday season.  May you be well and filled with peace. May you be at ease as you shop, cook, and care for your loved ones.  May you take good care of yourself.  May you breathe deeply and feel the love that you give and that comes back to you.



Merry Christmas.   

Respectfully submitted – Sharon Mignerey, Coordinator of Faith Formation

Share the Plate with the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee

In the past, the SRJ Team has collected nominations and chosen local, non-profit organizations to receive our first Sunday Share the Plate donations.  This year, we decided to add the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee as one of our recipients. The UUSC is a nonprofit, nonsectarian organization advancing human rights together with an international community of grassroots partners and advocates.

The UUSC works to defend human rights and injustices all around the world that are at risk due to criminalization and systemic oppression of people based on their identity. They defend the rights of people displaced due to climate, conflict, economic hardships, and other forms of humanitarian crisis.



UUSC MISSION: UUSC advances human rights and social justice around the world, partnering with those who confront unjust power structures and mobilizing to challenge oppressive policies. Our work is grounded in the belief that all people have inherent power and dignity.



UUFD member Richard Bulter has been our UUSC liaison for years and organizes our “Guest at Your Table” campaign, which is another way to support the UUSC.  Thank you to Richard for his efforts, and thank you to everyone who contributes to UUSC this year through Share the Plate donations or Guest at Your Table donations.

UUFD Fiber group, "Common Threads," returns!

Common Threads, a knitting, crochet and fiber arts group, is back after a long Covid induced hibernation. We are meeting upstairs around the kitchen table at Bowman, every Thursday from 1:00pm to 2:30. We are having fun getting to know each other and sharing projects and plans for future projects, and may eventually get involved with volunteering. But for now, we are just happy to be “doing threads” together.

For more information, please contact Elizabeth Long at 713-443-0579 or elong@rice.edu.

Ministerial search update

Our HUGE thanks to the Fellowship for all of your participation to date – the Congregational Survey, Focus Groups and Cottage Meetings, Beyond Categorical Thinking workshop, Town Hall ideas and comments on Shared Ministry, and your ongoing feedback. Here’s where we are and what we can look forward to in the upcoming months:

COMPLETED

• Congregational Record – 51 specific questions/answers about our Congregation: religious, political, and social context from a historical and current perspective (with support from your feedback) – sent in to UUA after final approval
• Documents packet - documents/records/UUFD histories (some that supplement the CR questions) – sent in to the UUA after final approval
• Our Negotiating Team has been working on a possible hiring contract package, with compensation, housing, insurance, and other elements in the mix to be discussed with a potential candidate.

WHAT’S NEXT

• Now through mid-December: Our CR and Documents Packet are being reviewed and approved.
• Once approved – ideally, by December 1 - the above are made available for prospective ministers to review.
• First week of January – MSC team receives names of interested applicants.
• January – Team Zoom interviews possible candidates and chooses final slate of pre-candidates.
• February/March – Team invites pre-candidates to campus for in-depth, on-campus interviews, as well as hearing them preach at an out-of-town neutral pulpit.
• March/April – Team decides on final candidate, submits name to negotiating team. Background check on minister.
• May – Candidating week, when leaders, staff, and congregation have time to meet and interact with the candidate. Candidate will preach one Sunday or both at the beginning and end of that week. Congregation votes; if 95% vote to accept the proposed candidate as our new minister, we then can move forward, and the signed contract is sent to the UUA Transitions Office.
• May-July – Interim Ministry finishes.
• August 1 – New minister arrives.

THANK YOU, UUFD, for your feedback and information, questions and concerns, and your shared ministry and support as we travel this important path together.

Your Search Team: Allison Andersen, Bonnie Miller, Connie Jacobs, Lisa McCorry, Liz Volz, Sheryl Guy, and Tim Miller