UUCGV NEWS
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L Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Grand Valley —
Newslet- February 2022
We are an affiliated congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Association and the Mountain Desert District
From Our Minister, Reverend Wendy Jones If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
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Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; It is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; It does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. We are a Welcoming Congregation
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (Continued on page 2)
#grandvalleyuu A Place for Liberal Spirituality Diverse Thought and Community Action
I have found that
In This Issue
if you love life,
Among Us 1-2, 6-7
Green Sanctuary 4
life will love
Leadership 8
Aging Graciously 9
you back.
Worship Calendar 3
Community Outreach 10
Calendar 11
~ Arthur Rubinstein 1
(Continued from page 1)
Love never ends; as for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For our knowledge is imperfect and our prophecy is imperfect; but when the perfect comes, the imperfect will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall understand fully, even as I have been fully understood. [Corinthians 13] As human beings, the guiding light or the glue that holds us together is love. Many times when we think of “love” we limit ourselves to thinking about romantic love with a partner. However, there are so many types of love to sustain us and help us endure. We have the love we feel for our children or our parents, we have the love expressed through friendship, and we have the universal love expressed through the acknowledgement that we are all a part of the interconnected web of all existence. This month, I invite us to reflect on and bless the love that we have in our lives. Not everybody is in a nurturing romantic relationship. However that is certainly not a requirement for fulfillment or for experiencing the true joy that loving and being loved can bring. I invite us to take a few minutes to write down all of the ways in which we express our love and are in turn receiving love. As Paul reminds us, love expands. It does not limit. Let us not contain it in a little box based on our own narrow definition. With Love, Rev. Wendy
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Floyd Joramo will be mixing up a batch Kenya's most popular cocktail, Dawa, for the Auction’s Virtual cocktail hour. Place your order by emailing Floyd at floyd@joramo.com. Pick up your fresh, cold cocktail up at the church on Saturday, February 26 from 3:00pm-5:00pm to enjoy at home during the Virtual Cocktail Hour via Zoom at 6:00pm just before the UUCGV Safari begins at 7:00pm. 3
Dawa Cocktail
From UUCGV Green Team “The plastic invasion of the planet is a reality. Just remember that the plastic waste island floating in the Pacific Ocean now measures 1.6 million km2. Plastic has become a constant element in our lives. It's everywhere: product packaging, cosmetic ingredients, textiles, mobile phones, etc. It's even in the chewing gum you might be chewing on right now! Its omnipresence is such that many would find the mere fact of giving it up a difficult task. Reducing the consumption of plastics therefore requires not only a change in habits, but also a change of mindset.” (Iberdrola.com) Yes! A change in mindset. My switching from using plastic to paper sandwich bags doesn’t put a dent in the relentless climate crisis, or even the plastic invasion. Yet, it is movement in that direction. It is a shift in my mindset. It opens an awakening and builds the intention to walk this world in a more sustainable way, a kinder, loving way. Everything I think, say and do affects my immediate environment and those around me, and this ripples out to affect the world. I am affecting the world, one small step at a time. Changing my mindset changes the mindset of the world. It is shifting. It is shifting. I will keep the kindness of sustainability moving forward. And this need not be a grim undertaking. Gratefulness overwhelms me, when I allow myself to simply to be, immersed in the timeless moment, One with all that is, was, and forever shall be. Be kind to the Earth and all its creatures. Especially your self. Don’t beat yourself up. All it takes is one kind step. Take a kind step toward healing your self; take a kind step toward healing the world.
It is easier than you think to reduce the consumption of plastics. Here are a few ideas: Avoid single-use plastics such as drinking straws, plates and cutlery. These types of products have viable alternatives. When you go shopping, remember to bring a reusable bag. If you chew gum, look for natural and organic options. Buy more bulk food, support your local farmers and community gardens. Grow your own food. When your Tupperware wears out, replace it with glass or steel containers. (They now make stretchable silicone lids.)
Remember that even the smallest actions have a positive impact on the planet. Even something as simple as buying wooden instead of plastic clothes pins for hanging out laundry. By setting an example you may get your friends and family to join you in being kind to our planet. Find ways to reuse plastic packaging. Exercise your creativity. For instance: there is a technique for weaving plastic bags into reusable (for hundreds of years) grocery/shopping bags. Plastic peanut butter jars seal tightly and work great for storing leftover paint/liquids or nuts/bolts. Recycle. Pay close attention and make sure that you put your plastic waste in the correct container. Join the green team! For details about Grand Valley recycling locations go to www.grandvalleyuu.org. If you scroll down past the Green Team article, there is a printer friendly handout available, great for your fridge or to bookmark on your device.
Next Green Team Meeting – Thursday, February 3rd at 7:00pm via Zoom 1. We’ll be discussing Earth Day Film Festival with Library Partnership 2. Looking into Citizen’s Climate Lobby activities on the Western Slope with ideas for joining in 3. Monthly ideas for sustainable living in UUCGV newsletter 4
Soulful Sundays Upcoming Sunday Services & Children’s Programming Please join us virtually or in person at 10:30 a.m. every Sunday. View the Order of Service at www.grandvalleyuu.org/sunday-services Children’s Programming provided downstairs. February 6th Worship: Transformational Love Rev. Wendy Jones Children’s Programming: Learning About the Six Types of Greek Love February 13th All Ages Service Musical Valentine's Service (No RE) Rev. Wendy Jones February 20th Worship: Forging a New Path - Stewardship Sermon Rev. Wendy Jones Children’s Programming: A Day of Laughter February 27th TBD Rev. Wendy Jones Join us on Zoom: www.grandvalleyuu.org 5
Virtual Coffee Hour is Back! Join us on Thursday, February 3, 2022 at 10:00 am for some conversation, company and cheer! Zoom in here: https://zoom.us/j/93221836949
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.
Goddess Group 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 monthly on the 4th Thursday, at 6:30 pm via Zoom. For more information contact Barbara Beth by emailing works90@hotmail.com. We will not be meeting on Thursday, February 24, 2022 Thursday, March 17, 2022 at 6:30 pm - Introduction to Vol II and a brief recap of Vol I Thursday, March 24, 2022 at 6:30 pm - Cakes for the Queen of Heaven: Volume II Go to www.grandvalleyuu.org/goddess-group for more info.
Men's Cooking Group UUCGV’s Men’s Cooking Group is the longeststanding group in the church. We meet and cook the third Thursday of the month. If you’re new to the church and are male-identifying, please join the fun! Meeting next on February 17, 2022 at 6:00pm Host - Floyd Joramo Theme - Breakfast for Dinner For more info, contact Mark McKenney at 970-256-7907 or mckenneyd@qwest.net. 6
Aging Graciously Open to everyone of all ages! This month’s topic will be: The Art of Aging: How do we embrace the aging process? The discussion will be lead by Rev. Wendy on Thursday, February 17, 2022 at 1:00 pm Join us virtually or in person. Go to www.grandvalleyuu.org/aging-graciously for the Zoom link.
Soup Kitchen Saturday The UU congregation has been cooking at Catholic Outreach’s soup kitchen for many years on the second Saturday of every month. Anyone with an interest in helping to prepare or serve this meal is welcome; no experience is necessary; recipes and direction are provided. This month we need your help on Saturday, February 12th from 8:30 am to 1:15 pm. We need 8-10 people from 8:3010:15 am to help prepare and cook. Another 4-5 people are needed from 11:30 to 1:15 pm to serve and help clean up the kitchen. Please let us know in advance if you plan to volunteer this month so that the shifts can be balanced. Contact Chris Jauhola (chrisjauhola@aol.com; phone 703216-6479) for more information or to volunteer. Please bring a scarf or hat to cover your hair and a face mask to meet state health department Covid-19 protocols.
Black Canyon Discussion Group The next Black Canyon Discussion Group will be held on February 2nd at 5:30pm in the Cedaredge area. Topic will be: "What gives you joy and why?" Host will offer the main dish, and then side dishes are provided by the participants. COVID vaccination is required to participate. Questions? Call 970-856-4226 E Heuscher or email at epheuscher@gmail.com
Laughter Yoga!!! Wednesdays at 9:30 am It's Not Really Yoga... Come work out your spirit with laughter! Remember to wear a mask, bring something to lie down on. We'll meet at NE section of Sherwood Park across from 1460 East Sherwood Drive. For more info text or call Mary at (708) 552-1537 7
Living Into Leadership Board
Team Leadership Circle (TLC)
President - Laurel Carpenter Vice President - Melissa Humphrey Past President - Elizabeth High Treasurer - Sue Brown Stewardship - Kitty Tattersall At-Large - Laura Jeffries At-Large - Jeanie Hendricks
Religious Education (RE) - Abby Leinbach Membership - Bill Conrod Celebrations - Mary Delbecq At-Large - Angie Ecker At-Large - Ann (Angeline) Barrett
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.
Team Leadership Circle, TLC, maintains the Programs of the church and the church calendar which live into the Mission, Vision, and Principles of UUCGV.
Below are the highlights from the last Board meeting. Our UUCGV Board will meet again on Thursday, February 10th, 2022 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 Laurel Carpenter at cinnamon06@aol.com by Friday, February 3, 2022.
TLC communicates with 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 Thursday of the month at 6:00pm. Email tlc@grandvalleyuu.org questions and comments.
January 13, 2021 Board Meeting Highlights Present: Wendy Jones, Laurel Carpenter, Elizabeth High, Kitty Tattersall, Jeanie Hendricks, Laura Jeffries, and Sue Brown. Review and discussion of current COVID-19 safety policy. The board added a staff vaccine mandate.
December 9th, 2021 TLC Meeting Highlights Present: Angie Ecker, Mary Delbeque, Bill Conrad, Abby Leinbach, Wendy Jones
Agreement to forego the town hall meeting for 2022 due to current Covid-19 conditions. Auction will be February 26th.
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Auction - - UUCGV Safari - - Angie Ecker will be the auctioneer again, combine it with stewardship campaign, Saturday February 26th.
The Care Team is up and running and beginning to reach out to people.
Discussion of having a children’s St. Patrick’s Day party in March.
Religious Education Programming is postponed until February due to rising COVID numbers.
Worship will continue to be hy-brid in 2022.
Stewardship packets will be mailed out by February 18th. Finance Report Shows the 2021 year was good for UUCGV from a financial perspective. The end of December was 6 months into our fiscal year and on the Profit and Loss Budget vs Actual we show Total Income at 58% . Pledges, offerings and yard sale work being done by Maya online are all helping to keep income on track. Expenses have also been well managed and are within the budget.
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AGING GRACIOUSLY A Newsletter for UUCGV Seniors and Near-Seniors by Ernie Stech ________________________ Graciously Pausing Now and then it's good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy. - Guillaume Apollinaire We live in a time of rush, fast pace, and urgency. Even when retired, we have many tasks to be done and needs to be satisfied. Some of this is probably a holdover from working days. Without pauses this what daily life looks like in print: getupfixbreakfastcleankitchenshopshopforgrocedriesmeetfriendforlunchrakeleavesprepdinner There are no pauses. No breaks. The advantage is that there is no time to think, the disadvantage is that there is no time to think. The quote above is about chasing after happiness. However, wise people in the past have made the same statemen about spirituality. Working at becoming spiritual is an oxymoron. Developing a spiritual way of life is not about trying harder but just the opposite. It is about relaxing, being calm, not trying. As the wise ones say, “It will come to you. You do not need to chase it.” Take a walk with a turtle. And behold the world in pause. - Bruce Feller Clean Slate January begins a new year. The rush of the holidays is behind us. But there is a mental slate. Things we remember off and on. Things maybe we would like to leave behind. Things we do that are not really satisfying. But they are written on the slate. That slate is in our mind. It is our own creation, produced through the years. It is totally our own and unknown to anyone else. And it can be wiped clean. Gurus, wisdom writers, and spiritual advisors have provided a way. It is to live and think in the here-and-now. The Stoics, philosophers and practitioners, embrace the notion that we can control our own lives and thinking. (Stoics are not unemotional; they have learned how to deal with feelings.) The slate occurs in memory. The slate is about the past. Usually about people or events that involved strong emotions. Being in the past, there is nothing we can do about them. Through discipline we stop thinking about them. The method is quite simple: focus entirely on the sensations of the moment, on the feel of the body, on the sights and sounds. This is exactly the same advice that is given for meditating. It requires non-thinking. If a thought or memory intrudes, simply refocus on the moment. It is possible to get good at this. Practice, of course.
Snow There’s something beautiful about walking on snow that no one else has walked on. It makes you feel special. - Carol Rifka Brunt
Proverb One kind word can warm up three winter months. - Japan
Ponder Silence, healing From Heraclitus the Obscure noted for his wordplay, cryptic utterances, and paradoxical philosophy. Also known as the “weeping philosopher” for his belief in the folly of humankind. 9
Change for Change is Back! Each month we collect change (coins) from the offertory baskets and donate it to a local charity. This effort usually brings in about $100/month. Our February Change for change will go to The House, providing homeless youth on the Western Slope with safety through short-term housing programs, warmth, and hope for a new day. Learn more at https:// thehousegj.org Our January Change for Change went to Homeward Hounds.
Care Team Update The Care Team is a vital part of our congregation. Our goal is to stay connected and reach out to you throughout the year. Among other Care Team services, we will be reminding each member and friend, adults and children, just how special you are to our congregation. We would like to send each person in the household a birthday card, as well a greeting on your UUCGV anniversary. If you would like, please furnish us with the date of birth for each member of your household in order to receive our greetings. You can email this to me at jeanie2299@gmail.com Thank you, Jeanie Hendricks, UUCGV Care Team 10
Love is to recognize yourself in another. ~ Eckhart Tolle
UUCGV Calendar
Please Remember that all meetings & events MUST be scheduled through the administrator (257-0772) or administrator@grandvalleyuu.org.
February
See full calendar, renters and all, at grandvalleyuu.org/calendar.
Sunday 30
Monday 31
10:30 Worship
6
7
10:30 Worship 10:30 Children’s Program
12:00 Finance
13
14
10:30 Worship 10:30 Children’s Program
Tuesday
Wednesday
20
21
10:30 Worship 10:30 Children’s Program March Newsletter Deadline 27 10:30 Worship 10:30 Children’s Program
12:00pm Virtual Silent Auction Opens
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Thursday
1
2
3
10:00 GJ Mutual Aid
9:30 Laughter Yoga @ Sherwood 10:30 Meditation 11:00 Care Team 5:30 Black Canyon
10:00 Virtual Coffee Hour 5:30 Auction Planning 7:00 Mindful Meditation 7:00 Green
8
9
10
10:00 GJ Mutual Aid
9:30 Laughter Yoga @ Sherwood 10:30 Meditation
10:00 Virtual Coffee Hour 5:30 Auction Planning 6:00 TLC 7:00 Mindful Meditation 7:00 Board
15
16
17
10:00 GJ Mutual Aid
9:30 Laughter Yoga @ Sherwood 10:30 Meditation
10:00 Virtual Coffee Hour 1:00 Aging Graciously 5:30 Auction Planning 6:00 Men’s Cooking
Auction Donation Deadline 22
23
24
10:00 GJ Mutual Aid
9:30 Laughter Yoga @ Sherwood 10:30 Meditation
10:00 Virtual Coffee Hour 5:30 Auction Planning
1
2
3
9:30 Laughter Yoga @ Sherwood 10:30 Meditation 11:00 Care Team 5:30 Black Canyon
10:00 Virtual Coffee Hour
10:00 GJ Mutual Aid
11
2022
5:30 Auction Planning 7:00 Green Team Meeting via Zoom
Friday
Saturday
4
5
11
12 8:30 UU Serves at the Soup Kitchen
18
19
25
26 12:00pm Virtual Silent Auction Closes 6:00 Virtual Cocktail Hour 7:00 Virtual Live Auction
4
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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”
Minister: Rev. Wendy Jones 257-0772 x2 or minister@grandvalleyuu.org
Where there is
Church Administrator: Maya Kraushaar 257-0772 x1 or administrator@grandvalleyuu.org
great love,
Facilities Coordinator: Jimi Blevins facilities@grandvalleyuu.org
there are
Office Hours: Tuesdays: 10:30 am - 2:30 pm Wednesdays: 10:30 am - 2:30 pm Thursdays: 10:30 am - 2:30 pm Fridays: 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
always miracles. – Willa Cather
www.grandvalleyuu.org Find us on Facebook & Instagram @grandvalleyuu
We meet via Zoom and inperson on Sundays at 10:30 am for Worship
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