UUCGV NEWS Welcome to the month of
Commitment
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Grand Valley — Newsletter
From Our Minister, Reverend Wendy Jones Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.
March 2021
We are an affiliated congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Association and the Mountain Desert District
― Howard Thurman, “The Living Wisdom of Howard Thurman: A Visionary for Our Time” What are the things in your life that you are committed to? Do you know why you are committed to them? Do you know how to translate that commitment into actions that produce your desired results? Is it okay for your desired outcome to take longer than you expected and is it worth the wait? When is it time to let go of something you committed to in the past that no longer serves you?
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What does it mean to walk away from a commitment verses simply letting go of something that is toxic? Sometimes, people hold on too long and sometimes people let go too soon. The key is knowing what you are doing and why.
We are a Welcoming Congregation
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In This Issue
#grandvalleyuu
A Place for Liberal Spirituality
Diverse Thought and Community Action
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Among Us 1-3 Children/Youth Religious Education 6, 10-11 Leadership 13 Community 4-5, 8-9, & 14 Worship Calendar 7 Calendar 15
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There is a difference between being determined and being stubborn. Determination offers you a grounding and a direction. You know where you are going, and you know why. Within determination is the ability to pivot, to reason, and if needed, to modify your direction. When a person is determined they are committed. The ideas, the goals and the process are not fleeting. Some things are worth letting go of, but many times we let go too soon. Some outcomes are worth staying with the process, the growth, the commitment and the wait. Discernment is figuring out which is which. Sometimes we release commitments because we are ready to move in a new direction or commit to something else. Sometimes, it serves us to take a deeper look before letting go, and sometimes we are living through both of these experiences at the same time. If only there were always easy answers. I have found that our seven UU principles serve as a guidepost for me when I am in the process of discernment about what to commit too. Is what I am committed to honoring the inherent worth and dignity of every person. Is it valuing the interconnected web of which we are a part? Is helping me move forward in my own search for truth and meaning? If I find that the answer to each of these questions is yes, then I stay committed, even if it is hard, even if it is scary, even if the path forward is unclear. At the same time, if the commitment is not in alignment with my highest sense of truth, then maybe it is time to release it with love and move towards something else. As Howard Thurman says, if something is making your heart sing and your world come alive, it is probably something worth committing to. There is nothing that says that a strong commitment can’t come with a by-product of genuine joy. With Love, Rev. Wendy
Thank you to all who participated in UUCGV’s 20th Service Auction!!! It was a huge success thanks to you!!! We have boundless gratitude for everyone who helped develop the creative outlets which made for a fun and interactive silent and live auction. 2
Welcome Miriam Deming!!! UUCGV’s New Director of Music Hello everyone! I am honored and excited to join the UU team as our new Music Director. I find it fitting that in a month focused on "commitment," we can be committed to continuing to create music and finding ways to meet as a group once again. I hope that, as opportunities arise for the choir to meet, some of you who are secret singers will decide to stretch your wings (or vocal cords) with our supportive group. We are currently hoping to begin meeting in person sometime toward the end of March on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8pm. Whether you have a musical background or not, all are welcome. I wanted to take the opportunity to introduce myself to those who might not know me or my background in music. I grew up in Fountain, CO with my parents and younger brother. My experience directing choirs started when I was still in high school and found myself directing the St. Joseph's Catholic Church Choir (I had sung in it since I was eight years old) and without any formal training, I unofficially became the director and did the best I could! Then I first studied music formally at Trinidad State Junior College and after that at CMU, receiving a degree in Music Education/Vocal Performance in 2010. I fell in love with Grand Junction (and the man who became my husband) during this time and decided to make it my home. I was the choir director at Bookcliff Middle School from 2011-2019 and at Mount Garfield Middle School from 2013-14. I am currently the Choral Director of a non-profit children's choir, Charisma Chorus. I've also taught private voice lessons for over 13 years, and I've performed with High Desert Opera, Western Colorado Chorale, and Mariachi San Jose. I love directing, teaching, and performing, so I am excited and hopeful to get to do these things again! In the midst of all this, though, I get to do my favorite job: mother to Margot (5) and Max (16 mos). We've all been through quite a year, but I know that we still have a song in our heart and a commitment to share it with others. I look forward to our endeavors moving forward and the beginning of a much anticipated spring! ~ Miriam Deming, UUCGV Director of Music 3
Navajo Nation COVID Crisis Support Over a thousand people have died on the Navajo reservation in the pandemic.
The last Navajo Nation supply run was a huge success. We saw overwhelming generosity from our community. It is was very much needed and greatly appreciated. Thank you! We have another opportunity to support our Navajo friends. There will be another Navajo Food Relief Donation collection on March 2nd from 10:00am to 1:00pm at 536 Ouray Avenue. Dennis Meyers and Mary McCutchen will be driving the donations to Bluff, Utah, the next day on March 3rd. Many thanks to them!
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Navajo Food Relief Donation Collection March 2, 2021 10:00am-1:00pm 536 Ouray Ave. What is needed:
5-7 VOLUNTEERS for Tuesday, anytime in the 10 a.m. to roughly 4 p.m. window. Please let Sandy Dorr know if you can come help with boxing up, organizing or loading donations, or cleanup by emailing braidedstory@gmail.com
FOOD & SUPPLIES: SPAM, Vienna sausage, corned beef hash, canned beef stew, other kinds of stew, chicken soup, other canned soups, canned veggies (corn, beans, peas, etc.), canned or dry pinto beans, canned fruits (peaches are a favorite). Please make sure canned donations are not expired!
OTHER ITEMS: Emergency-C, Alka Seltzer Cold, Vicks Vapo Rub, cough drops, kids’ vitamins, Vitamins C, D and E, hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, disinfectant spray, & multi-purpose cleaner/household cleaner, liquid or bar soap, laundry soap, Bounce, wash cloths, dish towels, hand/body lotion.
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Message from the DRE By Chelsea E. Craine, Director of Religious Education for Children and Youth When I ask myself what Unitarian Universalists are committed to, the first thing that comes to mind is our seven principles. While the official version of our principles is a little wordy and bulky, religious educators have created a variety of different versions of these principles in simpler language for our children to learn from a young age. One of these versions is called the Rainbow Path where each principle is associated with a color of the rainbow and the phrase representing the principle begins with the same letter as its associated color. The principles of the Rainbow Path as I was taught in my youth are as follows: Red - Respect all beings Orange - Offer fair and kind treatment to all Yellow - Yearn to learn Green - Grow in mind and spirit Blue - Believe in my ideas and act on them Indigo - Insist on a fair and peaceful world Violet - Value the interconnected web of life Another version, the one we use with our kids in RE each Sunday, creates a rhyming version of our principles which can easily be sung to the tune of “Do, a Deer” from the musical The Sound of Music. In this version each of our principles is numbered rather than associated with a color, and the numbers are sung as well as the words. One - Each person is important Two - Be kind in all you do Three - We help each other learn Four - And search for what is true Five - Each person has a say Six - Work for a peaceful world Seven - The web of life’s the way And that will bring us back to me and UU too! Regardless of the version, part of what links Unitarian Universalists from all over the country and the world is our commitment to these principles. This month, may we each take the time to assess our own daily practices and discern to which of these principles we need to recommit ourselves. As a further challenge, try discussing one or more of these principles with the children and youth in your life. You may be surprised by their insight and wisdom. Or you might not be surprised because you already know how awesome our kiddos are! In any case, I wish for each of you the fire of renewed commitment this month: to your own principles, to this beloved UUCGV community, and to the bright future which is our children. Love and Light, Chelsea
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Soulful Sundays Welcome to the month of Commitment March 7th The Fire of Commitment
March 14th The Joy of Prosperity
March 21st Spring Equinox
March 28th New Beginnings 7
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. March 4: Crown Chakra March 18: Crown Chakra Pt 2 Go to www.grandvalleyuu.org/goddess-group for the
Laughter Yoga is Back!!! 9:30 am each Wednesday. We will be meeting at the NE section of Sherwood Park, across from 1460 E. Sherwood Drive.
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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 Meditation Join us on Friday mornings at 9:00am for meditation with intentional breathing with Robintix via Zoom. Contact Robintix for more info at
Raise Funds for UUCGV Through Your Regular Purchases at City Market & Amazon Smile
City Market Community Rewards Program
Amazon Smile
This program makes fundraising easy by donating to local organizations based on the shopping you do every day. Once you link your loyalty card to an organization, all you have to do is shop at City Market and swipe your Shopper’s Card. Here’s how it works: Go to http:// www.citymarket.com and log into your King Soopers or City Market account Search for “Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Grand V” either by name or KA151 and then click "Enroll" New users will need to create an account which requires some basic information, a valid email address and a loyalty card
Did you know that by simply going to smile.amazon.com instead of to amazon.com, Amazon will donate 0.5% of your purchase to UUCGV?
Here are the steps: Go to smile.amazon.com Click the menu symbol at top left (stack of short lines) Go down to "Your Amazon Smile" and click Fill in: "Unitarian Universalist" in the space provided Scroll a LONG way down to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Grand Junction REMEMBER, purchases will not count for your organization until after your register Click "Select" button your loyalty card. You must swipe your registered King Soopers or City Market loyalty card or use the phone number that is related to your registered King Soopers or City Market loyalty card when shopping for each purchase to count.
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Important Dates in Religious Education Community Chalice Lighting Saturday, March 13th, 6:00pm-7:00pm Many thanks to Peg for helping us fire our chalices at the Art Center. They are now ready for action. Join us outside UUCGV as we paint and light our chalices! Paint, brushes, waterproofing spray, candles, and hot chocolate will be provided. For those who were not able to make a chalice last month, you are invited as well! Whether you just want to watch or you would like to make a chalice out of a small flowerpot, please join us in our chalice celebration. Looking forward to seeing many of you there! Celebrating Spring! Sunday, March 21st, 2:00pm-5:00pm Join us at Watson Island for an afternoon of outdoor fun! Bring your discs, frisbees, bikes, fishing/birding gear and other outdoor activities as we celebrate the Spring Equinox (3/20) and World Water Day (3/22). Bring snacks and plenty of water. Watson Island is located right off the Colorado River near the Las Colonias Amphitheater. Family Movie Night: The Hobbit Friday, March 26th, 6:00pm-7:30pm Families of all ages are invited to attend our movie night. We will be watching The Hobbit, a 1977 animated musical adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved novel in celebration of Tolkien Day (3/25). Popcorn will be provided. Feel free to bring a blanket or pillow and dress in pajamas! (This event will take place in the UUCGV Sanctuary. We ask that all participants please wear face masks, use the provided hand sanitizer, and observe social distancing.) Youth Group: Service and Social Sunday, March 28th, 6:00pm-8:00pm All middle and high school aged youth are invited to join us for an evening of service and social activity. We will pack bag lunches in preparation for the Grand Junction Mutual Aid distribution on Tuesday, April 2nd. These lunches feed hungry community members in need as well as the volunteers who run the distribution. After making the lunches, we will talk, play games, and/or watch a movie depending on the will of the group. Hope to see you there! Photo Challenge: Commitment What values and ideas are you committed to? What changes are you committed to seeing in the world? How does your conscience influence your commitments? March is our month of exploring what it means to be a people of commitment. As you consider this, take pictures inspired by the theme and send them (with a brief caption if desired) to dre@grandvalleyuu.org by Friday, March 26th to be included in the slideshow during the service on Sunday, March 28th.What values and ideas are you committed
to? What changes are you committed to seeing in the world? How does your conscience10 influence your commitments? March is our month of exploring what it means to be a people of commitment. As you consider this, take pictures inspired by
March - COMMITMENT Sunday, March 7th - Commitment to Curiosity: the Importance of Asking Questions When we think about commitment, we think first about our Unitarian Universalist commitment to asking questions and being curious. We encourage people to ask questions of wonder. We support people as they ask questions of doubt. Far from outlawing doubters and questioners, our faith places them at the center. So, what’s one of the ways our nonconformist faith guides us into becoming a people of Commitment? It tells us to “Never lose your commitment to being curious!” Sunday, March 14th - Change: the Importance of Keeping an Open Mind Our faith is a living tradition. We describe 6 Sources of our living tradition, instead of one holy book or one prophet. And when we learn new things, we expect our faith to change. We vote on adding new sources and new principles, as well as changing them. We are committed to keeping an open mind about anything that might challenge and change our faith. So, what’s one of the ways our faith guides us into becoming a people of commitment? It tells us, “Everything changes, so be ready to never stop growing!” Sunday, March 21st - Conscience: 5th Principle We are committed to conscience as a way to tell right from wrong. Our 5th UU principle inspires us towards “the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large.” Instead of turning to one person (like a king or a single “wiseman”) for all the answers, we believe that every single person has wisdom inside that needs to be listened to. The still, inner voice that we call conscience is a way to guide us on our journeys. So, what’s one of the ways our faith guides us into becoming a people of commitment? It says, “Always trust your conscience/inner voice/gut to help you tell right from wrong.” Sunday, March 28th - Compassion: 2nd UU Principle/AntiRacism Compassion comes from Latin words meaning “suffer with.” The 2nd UU principle invites us to “justice, equity and compassion in human relations.” Compassion for others points us to our larger community. Compassion guides us to freeing others from suffering by putting our love into action. So, what’s one of the ways our faith guides us into becoming a people of commitment? It tells us “commit to treating the struggles of others as your own.”
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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
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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, February 9, 2021. TLC will meet again on Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at 12:00 pm. The following was discussed at the meeting. Email tlc@grandvalleyuu.org for questions and comments.
Below are the highlights of the Board meeting held on Thursday, February 11, 2021 Our UUCGV Board will meet again on Thursday, March 11, 2021 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 March 5th, 2020 Finance: The auction was a great success.
Membership: The TLC is continuing the conversation about how to be welcoming to new members in a virtual context, and staying connected with current members who do not participate virtually.
Staff Congregations Relations Team: The board approved raising the facility position to 18 hours to adjust to the extra work required following the Tuesday Mutual Aid activities. The board formalized a rental agreement that helps offset these costs.
Care: There have been a few care issues that the care team dealt with. For the most part our UUCGV community is doing well.
Stewardship: The stewardship campaign will be beginning soon. The board is in the prelimary planning stage for this. If you would like to help with the stewardship campaign please contact Janet Cummings, or Melissa Humphry.
Celebrations: The Virtual action came together without much of a hitch and turned out to be fun & profitable. Thank you to everybody who helped plan and implement this event.
Marketing: The board voted to begin running one ad a month in the GJ Sentinel religious section for six months to see if this is beneficial to us.
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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 like to make an urgently needed tax deductible donation, please go to www.MutualAidPartners.org
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UUCGV Calendar
March
Worship Schedule Worship Services are held Sundays at 10:30 am via Zoom
2021 Sunday 28
Monday 1
9:30 Children’s RE via Zoom 10:30 Worship Via Zoom
Tuesday 2
4
10:30 Meditation
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9:30 Children’s RE via Zoom 10:30 Worship Via Zoom
10:00 GJ Mutual Aid 12:00 Finance 12:00 TLC
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15
6:30 Goddess Group via Zoom
10
11
10:30 Meditation
6:30 Hymn Recording
7:00 Board
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17
18
10:00 GJ Mutual Aid
10:30 Meditation
6:00 Youth Group: Service and Social
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12
13
9:00 Morning Meditation
8:30 UU Serves at the Soup Kitchen
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23
24
10:00 GJ Mutual Aid
10:30 Meditation
6:00 Community Chalice Lighting 19
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9:00 Morning Meditation
April Newsletter Deadline
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27
6:30 Goddess Group via Zoom 25
9:00 Morning Meditation 6:00 Family Movie Night: The Hobbit
2:00 Celebrating Spring! 9:30 Children’s RE via Zoom 10:30 Worship Via Zoom
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Saturday
9:00 Morning Meditation
6:30 Hymn Recording
6:30 Hymn Recording
9:30 Children’s RE via Zoom 10:30 Worship Via Zoom
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Friday
5:30 RE Team
9:30 Children’s RE via Zoom 10:30 Worship Via Zoom
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3
Thursday
10:00 GJ Mutual Aid
7
14
Wednesday
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.
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1
10:00 GJ Mutual Aid
10:30 Meditation
6:30 Adult Choir
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2 9:00 Morning Meditation
6:30 Goddess Group via Zoom
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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 Church Administrator: Maya Kraushaar 257-0772 x1 or administrator@grandvalleyuu.org Director of Religious Education: Chelsea E. Craine 257-0772 x3 or dre@grandvalleyuu.org Music Director: Miriam Deming music@grandvalleyuu.org Facilities: Cameron Jordan facilities@grandvalleyuu.org
536 Ouray Ave, Grand Junction, CO 81501
“Motivation is what gets you started. Commitment is what keeps you going.” ~ Jim Rohn
www.grandvalleyuu.org Find us on Facebook & Instagram @grandvalleyuu
We meet via Zoom on Sundays at 10:30 am for Worship
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