UUCGV News January 2021 by Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Grand Valley

UUCGV NEWS Welcome to the month of

Imagination & Welcome 2021!

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Grand Valley — Newsletter

From Our Minister, Reverend Wendy Jones Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world. ~ Albert Einstein

January 2021

We are an affiliated congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Association and the Mountain Desert District of the UUA.

Here we are in 2021. I write an article every January looking forward to the new year. This year, for obvious reasons it is a little bit different. It feels as if the world is indeed a different place on January 1, 2021 than it was on January 1, 2020.

Who would have guessed that instead of being “famous” for wonderful Sunday services our sanctuary would become a “go to” place to get fed on Tuesdays? Who would have guessed that instead of gathering together in our sacred sanctuary to sing Blue Boat Home in honor of beloved congregants who have passed away this year, we would gather together to say goodbye and sing together via a zoom screen? Who would have guessed that simply going outside for a walk would be “lifesaving” and yet scary for some of us?

We are a Welcoming Congregation

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In This Issue

#grandvalleyuu  

A Place for Liberal Spirituality

   

Diverse Thought and Community Action

Among Us 1-5 Children/Youth Religious Education 6, 10-11 Leadership 8 & 13 Community 9, 12 & 14 Worship Calendar 7 Calendar 15

(Continued from page 1)

So, 2020 is officially in the rear-view mirror. Now what? Does everything just change and go back to “normal” as soon as the clock strikes midnight? What is normal and do we even want to go back to “normal” this year? There will be a number of things I will let go of from 2020, but here are some things I will gladly hold on to in 2021:   



The Sunday morning connection with friends and family throughout the country and the world who I get to see and talk to once a week. The value of understanding the importance of one person’s vote collectively making a difference in the world. The rising consciousness of the power of marginalized people to say “this isn’t right” and the paradigm shift and awareness of racial inequity slowly wending its way through the collective conscious. The value of friendship and the appreciation for the little things in life that one year ago were still being taken for granted.

No, the world will not turn on a dime. This pandemic is far from over. But some things have changed for the better. There will be a few treasures that I bring with me from 2020. The rest I’m going to go outside and burn. As I said in my sermon last week. According to Dr. Joe Dispenza, “the best way to predict your future is to create it.” Here is to creating a new and unimagined 2021. After all, hindsight is 2020. With Love, Rev. Wendy

Save the Date UUCGV Virtual Auction February 13, 2021 2

Floating Leaves All these I still remember: The river road in fall, the hickory trees, A paw paw, sumac, hazel nuts - all these The breath of fields and woodlands in October, The glassy lake, the floating leaves - and you All these I still remember. ~ Phil

We lost our beloved friend and congregant in early December. While he will be sorely missed, we take comfort in his beautiful words and poetry that continue on. Monte High wrote a Revelations about Phil in the March 2018 UUCGV newsletter. All of the Revelations articles can be found at http://www.grandvalleyuu.org/blog 3

UUCGV Meditation Groups

Join the UUCGV Goddess Group as we discover the hidden forces within. All who identify as women are welcome to join us at any or all of the dates below. We meet every other Thursday, at 6:30 pm via Zoom. As women, we are stronger together through support and love. Each meeting we will experience sisterhood, exploration of a particular chakra, a meditation and a whole lot'a love. For more information contact Barbara Beth by emailing works90@hotmail.com. January 7, 2021: Throat Chakra January 21: Throat Chakra Pt 2 February 4: Brow Chakra February 18: Brow Chakra Pt 2 March 4: Crown Chakra March 18: Crown Chakra Pt 2

Silent Meditation for Healing Our World Join us at the church on Wednesdays at 10:30am for 20-30 minutes of silent meditation for healing our world. We will have chairs arranged six feet apart and we ask that you please bring a mask. ____________ Morning & Evening Meditation

Go to www.grandvalleyuu.org/goddess-group for the

Laughter Yoga will not meet for the month of January. ~ Daily laughter is still encouraged!

Join us on Monday evenings at 7:00pm & Friday mornings at 9:00am for meditation with intentional breathing with Robintix via Zoom. Contact Robintix for more info at

Message from the DRE By Chelsea E. Craine, Director of Religious Education for Children and Youth

What a time to celebrate the immeasurable beauty of our ability to imagine! With the new year imploring us to reimagine ourselves as the people we want to become, the promise of a new political administration taking action later this month, and the hope of widespread COVID vaccination on the horizon, there has been no greater opportunity in the last year to engage our fantastic imaginations. This month I invite us all to employ the power of our imagination to bring compassion, joy, and patience into our world. Our imaginations can just as easily, when left to their own devices, dwell on the negative and the hopeless, inducing despair. In this month as we explore what it means to be a people of imagination, let us marshal our considerable mental and spiritual gifts to imagine and realize the light, warmth, and sustenance which will carry us through the dark and out the other side. Love and Light, Chelsea

UUCGV Photo Challenge

Photo Challenge: Imagination What does imagination mean to you? What do you see when you imagine a better world? What inspires you to think outside the box? January is our month of exploring what it means to be a people of imagination. As you consider this, take pictures inspired by the theme and send them to dre@grandvalleyuu.org by Friday, January 29th to be included in the slideshow on Sunday, January 31st. 6

Soulful Sundays January 3rd Time Capsule

January 10th Imagination

January 17th MLK Weekend

January 24th A New Chapter

From UUCGV Board President, Elizabeth High, January is a time when many people remind themselves of the ideals that they want to live up to in the coming year.

Mahatma Gandhi, who called himself a “practical idealist,”

demonstrated what can be accomplished by someone who truly holds onto ideals!

I love the way that Unitarian Universalism continually

reminds us not to let our ideals get covered with the moss of habit or cynicism.

Each of our seven principles is a shining ideal, and UUCGV

offers us avenues to help bring them to life. These include projects that are directly part of UUCGV, such as teaching Religious Education or contributing to our Blessing Blox.

They also include projects that

individuals or groups from UUCGV can partner with.

During our

December 13 worship service, we heard inspirational talks from representatives with.

of three organizations

that

UUCGV can partner

Clara O’Connor spoke about the Colorado Immigrant Rights

Coalition, Emilee Brown spoke about The Wilderness Society’s 30 by 30 Campaign, and Stephania Vasconez spoke about Grand Junction Mutual Aid.

As you

consider what YOUR ideals are, consider also whether any of these projects will allow you to live into your ideals this year. If so, jump on in, and invite some of your UUCGV friends to join you!

~ Elizabeth High

The Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC) is a statewide, membership-based coalition of immigrant, faith, labor, youth, community, business and ally organizations founded in 2002 to improve the lives of immigrants and refugees by making Colorado a more welcoming, immigrant-friendly state. CIRC achieves this mission through non-partisan civic engagement, public education, and advocating for workable, fair and humane immigration policies. Clara@coloradoimmigrant.org Mutual Aid Partners (MAP) is a network that supports and connects grassroots organizations on the Western Slope by facilitating communication, education, boosting collaboration, sharing resources & volunteers, and partnering on fundraising efforts. GJ Mutual Aid is for offering surplus items, requesting needed items, and sharing reliable information in Grand Junction and the surrounding areas. We are creating change in our community, and improving each other’s lives. We will get through this. Stephania@MutualAidPartners.org The Wilderness Society 30 by 30 Campaign Since 2001, Colorado has lost over a half-million acres of natural lands to development. If Colorado continues on the same path of nature loss compounded with climate change, we will experience ever-larger consequences on the landscapes and animals that are foundational to Colorado’s identity. With a prolonged fire season and the entire state facing drought, we must encourage bold leadership from Colorado’s elected officials on efforts to conserve the lands and waters that we cherish and can abate the threats of climate change. If there's one thing that unites Colorado, it's an abiding love for the outdoors. About 9 in 10 Coloradans regularly participate in outdoor recreation, supporting a half-million jobs and $62 billion to Colorado’s economy in 2017. Fortunately, there is an emerging, science-based global campaign working across local, state and international boundaries to accelerate the pace and scale of conservation to 30% of the planet by 2030. This is an ambitious goal, but a bipartisan majority of Coloradans – nearly three quarters – support setting a national goal of protecting 30 by 30. emilee@greencorps.org 9

Important Dates in Religious Education UUCGV Community Chalice Project Looking for a way to connect with others while celebrating the return of the light? Join our intergenerational chalice project to help us surround our church with light, love, and song! Pick up your clay from the church on Saturday, January 9th from 9:00am-12:00pm or Sunday, January 10th from 11:30am-1:00pm. Shape your unique chalice at home and decorate it with stamps, etchings, or other creative ideas. Return your chalice to the church on Saturday, January 16th from 9:00am-12:00pm or Sunday, January 17th from 11:30am-1:00pm so we can fire it for you. Stay tuned for an announcement when the final products are ready, then join us at the church for the lighting of the chalices, hot cocoa, and singing! For more information, email Chelsea at dre@grandvalleyuu.org.

Family Bonfire Night! Friday, January 29th, 6:00pm-8:00pm Join us for a night of outdoor family, food, and fun! We will gather at Laurel and Jake Carpenter’s house for a community bonfire, marshmallow roasting, and hot cider. Dress warmly and bring instruments, outdoor games, and anything else you need for a night of frivolity! For more information, email Chelsea at dre@grandvalleyuu.org.

January - IMAGINATION Imagine a New You Sunday, January 3rd, 2021 You are born with goodness and lots of possibilities. You can be anything!

Imagine a World Without COVID Sunday, January 10th, 2021 We have hope that the COVID sickness will end one day soon.

Imagine a Better World Sunday, January 17th, 2021 We need to work hard to build a world without racism. We can imagine a better world.

Think Outside the Box Sunday, January 24th, 2021 We use our imagination and our thinking to invent new things.

Visit Other Worlds Sunday, January 31st, 2021 We like stories which create pretend places.

2020-21 Leadership Board President Elizabeth High Vice President Laurel Carpenter Past President Janet Cummings Treasurer Sue Brown At-Large Melissa Humphrey At-Large Richard Hyland At-Large Herb Feinzig At-Large Abby Leinbach

Team Leadership Circle (TLC) Worship Robin Cyr Religious Education (RE) Jan Hyland Membership Bill Conrod Celebrations Mary Delbecq At-Large Angie Ecker At-Large Laura Jeffries

Living Into Leadership Board Highlights

TLC Highlights

The Board's primary responsibility is to carry out the UUCGV mission through wise governance of the physical, financial, administrative program, and operational resources of the Congregation.

TLC maintains the Programs of the church and the church calendar and hold on close to the Mission, Vision, and Principles of UUCGV. TLC communicates with each other and the board about the day-to-day operations of the church and provides support to the teams if they need it. TLC meets the second Tuesday of the month at noon. The TLC met on Tuesday, December 8, 2020. The following was discussed at the meeting. TLC will meet again on Tuesday, January 12, 2020 at 12:00 pm. Email tlc@grandvalleyuu.org for questions and comments.

Below are the highlights of the Board meeting held on Thursday, December 10, 2020 Our UUCGV Board will meet again on Thursday, January 14, 2020 at 7:00 pm. We welcome and seek direct dialogue with members and friends of our congregation. If you would like to discuss a matter at the Board meeting, please contact Board President Elizabeth High at elizabethahigh3@gmail.com by January 8th, 2020 Finance: Over all we are in a healthy financial situation. We finished November negative $1500 in overall assets, which is a lower deficit than predicted. Maintenance and water expenses exceeded predictions due to a water main break with the sprinkler system this summer. Virtual Collection of Offerings During Services: Discussion of how giving has been a missing element of our services since we went virtual. Several recent services have begun to include the congregational words that used to be said during offerings in person. Wendy will now begin to include this as a part of each weekly service, and occasionally we’ll play a video encouraging giving. Elizabeth & Laurel will be responsible for putting online giving links in the chat every Sunday. Leadership Development Team: Richard read a draft mission statement for Stewardship Team and proposed new Volunteer Coordinator role on LDT. He will send this out to Board for review after making a few specific changes mentioned in the meeting. Board voted unanimously to adopt this model going forward, and continue shaping it. Development Opportunities: Elizabeth presented UUA Pacific Western Region programming offerings: 



UUA Pacific Western Region is again offering a Board development workshop that we considered utilizing last year. We have 4+ board members committed to attending this training Generosity Labs: Wednesday evening series of workshops for congregations dealing with new stewardship challenges in the age of Covid-19. Suggestion to try to have 1 Board member attend each one so that we maximize the available opportunity. Discussion of this opportunity potentially leading to an active stewardship team.

Virtual Auction - The UUCGV will be on Sat. February 13th, Angie Eckert will take the lead on this. If you would like to be part of the team please let Angie know. Now is also the time to start thinking about auction items you would like to donate. Religious Education - Chelsea has put together a number of fun Holiday events for the month of December. Including: Virtual Ornament making party on 12/12, Mitten Tree donation drop off on 12/19, Mitten Tree Service 12/20, and Christmas Eve Pageant. Membership - TLC will start paying attention to people who aren’t coming to virtual services and membership will reach out and check in with those people in January

GJ Mutual Aid Food & Resource Distribution (970) 316-2019 Every Tuesday at 536 Ouray Ave, Grand Junction, CO 10 am – 1pm drop off. 11am - 1:30 pm pick-up Due to heightened COVID restrictions, strict safety guidelines are being followed in order to keep our guests and volunteers safe. In person human resources are now being scheduled by appointment only, these include Barkley's Hope for dog/cat vaccinations, GV Peace & Justice & Vote Positive for resource navigation, Solidarity Not Charity for street outreach, 970 Medicare & Seguros Pa'ti for health insurance plans. Non-perishable foods and fresh produce are still available through our partnership with Food Bank of the Rockies and Catholic Outreach Soup Kitchen. Premade food boxes are being delivered to veterans as well as low income & senior housing. Find Grand Junction Mutual Aid on Facebook! If you'd live to make an urgently needed tax deductible donation, please go to www.MutualAidPartners.org

UUCGV Calendar

January

Worship Schedule Worship Services are held Sundays at 10:30 am via Zoom

2021 Sunday 27

Monday 28

9:30 Children’s RE via Zoom 10:30 Worship Via Zoom

Tuesday 29

Wednesday 30

Please Remember that all meetings & events MUST be scheduled through the administrator (257-0772) or administrator@grandvalleyuu.org. See full calendar, renters and all, at grandvalleyuu.org/calendar.

Thursday 31

9:00 Laughter Yoga @ Sherwood Park

Friday 1

10:00 GJ Mutual Aid

9:30 Children’s RE via Zoom 10:30 Worship Via Zoom

5 10:00 GJ Mutual Aid

9:00 Morning Meditation HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

7:00 Evening Meditation 3

10:30 Meditation

9:00 Morning Meditation

8:30 UU Serves at the Soup Kitchen

6:30 Goddess Group via Zoom

9-12 Chalice Project Clay Pick Up

7:00 Evening Meditation 10

9:30 Children’s RE via Zoom 10:30 Worship Via Zoom 11:30-1:00 Chalice Project Clay Pick Up

10:00 GJ 12:00 Finance Mutual Aid

9:30 Children’s RE via Zoom 10:30 Worship Via Zoom 11:30-1:00 Return Your Clay Chalice 24/31

12:00 TLC

9:00 Morning Meditation

9-12 Return Your Clay Chalice

5:30 RE Team 7:00 Board

10:00 GJ Mutual Aid

10:30 Meditation

February Newsletter Deadline

7:00 Evening Meditation

9:30 Children’s RE via Zoom 10:30 Worship Via Zoom

10:30 Meditation

7:00 Evening Meditation

Saturday

10:00 GJ Mutual Aid

10:30 Meditation

9:00 Morning Meditation 6:30 Goddess Group via Zoom

29 9:00 Morning Meditation 6:00 Family Bonfire Night!

7:00 Evening Meditation 15

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Grand Valley P.O. Box 1053 Grand Junction, CO 81502

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 118 GRAND JUNCTION, CO “Return Service Requested”

“Vitally Inclusive Justice-Centered Spiritually Alive”

As the numbers of COVID cases are rising, UUCGV is prioritizing the safety of our wonderful staff. So, for the time being, beginning this week our UUCGV staff will be working mainly from the safety of their homes. Rev. Wendy, Chelsea, and Maya are available via appointment or can be most easily reached via email. Minister: Rev. Wendy Jones 257-0772 x2 or minister@grandvalleyuu.org

“You can’t depend on your

Church Administrator: Maya Kraushaar 257-0772 x1 or administrator@grandvalleyuu.org

eyes when your

Director of Religious Education: Chelsea E. Craine 257-0772 x3 or dre@grandvalleyuu.org

imagination is

Music Director: Amadalin Hunter music@grandvalleyuu.org Facilities: Cameron Jordan facilities@grandvalleyuu.org

out of focus.” ~ Mark Twain

536 Ouray Ave, Grand Junction, CO 81501 www.grandvalleyuu.org Find us on Facebook & Instagram @grandvalleyuu

We meet via Zoom on Sundays at 10:30 am for Worship