Welcome to the Month of
UUCGV NEWS
Renewing Faith Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Grand Valley — Newsletter
March 2022
From Our Minister, Reverend Wendy Jones
We are an affiliated congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Association and the Mountain Desert District
To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible. ~ Thomas Aquinus Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase. ~ Martin Luther King A few weeks ago, I shared in one of my sermons that for the most part I had turned the news (or more specifically cable TV) off last year. I was hoping if I didn’t have the constant barrage of fear and disconcerting stories being part of my attention on a regular basis, the low hum of an underlying sense of dread and anxiety might be decreased a little bit.
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Last night, I had to turn the news back on. I watched and listened as Russia invaded Ukraine. When I left the church yesterday, I left Maya with a safe thoughtful newsletter article about faith for this month’s
We are a Welcoming Congregation
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#grandvalleyuu A Place for Liberal Spirituality Diverse Thought and Community Action
I know this rose will open. I know my fear will burn away. I know my soul will unfurl its wings. ~ Mary Grigolia 1
In This Issue
Among Us 1, 8-9
Green Sanctuary 6-9
Leadership 10
Worship Calendar 4
Community 5 & 12
Calendar 13
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newsletter. I’m rewriting that this morning. The theme for this month is renewing faith. To be honest, I am not even sure what that means. What is faith? What is faith in the midst of Russia invading Ukraine? What is faith in the midst of governor Abbott in Texas declaring war on transgender children? What is faith in the midst of school boards throughout the country systemically taking control of their districts with their own agendas of what our children should be allowed to learn? This month, we will be exploring these questions. Often times we find that we are left with more questions than answers and perhaps, the answers that we do find may bring us to yet more questions. Somewhere in there, perhaps we will be able to find some truth. And maybe, finding the truth in something requires a leap of faith. With Love, Rev. Wendy
Forging a New Path - UUCGV Stewardship 2022
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From Kitty Tattersall, Head of Stewardship The Stewardship Campaign has begun! Stewardship brochures, vocabulary and pledge cards went in the mail on February 17. The UUCGV Service Auction will double as the Stewardship Kickoff event. You might have already pledged by the time you receive this newsletter. If you are hoping to talk with a visiting steward, that will be happening in March and April. Our goal is to have received most of the pledges by mid-April so that the leadership team can start working on the budget. The budget will be voted on at the yearly congregation meeting in June. How much should I pledge? If you are Mormon worshiping in a temple you are required to tithe 10% of your income to the church. Some pay on gross income, others on net income. Mormons who worship in ordinary church buildings (chapels) are not required to tithe at all. If you are Muslim, you are asked to pay Zakat. Zakat considers assets as well as yearly income. It is payable at 2.5% of wealth above ordinary living expenses, minus the value of three ounces of gold. There are eight categories of Zakat recipients including social action groups. If you are Unitarian Universalist, you can find a table at the UUA website that suggests 2% to 10% of “adjusted income” depending on the level of income and level of commitment. I did not find a definition of “adjusted income.” For myself, I have always kept track of my donations to church, charities, political groups, and gifts to friends in need, with the goal of giving a total of 10% of my gross income. Church usually ends up being around 3%. I read interesting thoughts on the internet about whether one should tithe on withdrawals from an IRA or other savings income if you tithed when you saved the money. I decided that for myself, I would pay a second tithe as I withdrew the funds. All this discussion ends at this recommendation: you should pledge according to your ability and you should balance your donations to the church with other ways of helping others. Whether you donate to other charities or run a business that creates goods, services, and jobs, you are doing good in the world and should not feel guilty if you pledge less than some arbitrary percentage. But I hope you will pledge to UUCGV. You may mail or drop off your pledge cards, e-mail Maya with your pledge amount, or wait for a steward to contact you. 3
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. March 6th Worship: Renewing Faith Rev. Wendy Jones Children’s Programming: The Practice of Covenanting March 13th Renewing Relationship Rev. Wendy Jones Children’s Programming: The Practice of Joining Forces for the Common Good March 20th Worship: Renewing Self Rev. Wendy Jones Children’s Programming: The Practice of Trusting Our Gifts March 27th Renewing Community Rev. Wendy Jones Children’s Programming: The Practice of Noticing the Richness We Already and Always Possess Join us on Zoom: www.grandvalleyuu.org 4
Spring Seed Exchange - Discovery Garden Come visit the Mesa County Libraries 2022 spring seed exchange and help your garden thrive! We are welcoming gardeners of all ages and skill levels to take seeds, give seeds, swap seeds, and talk gardening. Please come prepared with your seeds divided into individual packets or envelopes and clearly labeled with common name, variety or color, and date of purchase if possible. If you’re bringing seeds in bulk, please provide envelopes. Participate in any of the Spring Seed Exchange opportunities
12 - 2 p.m., Thursday, March 17 at the Gateway Branch Library
10 a.m. - 12 p.m., Saturday, March 19 at the Collbran Branch Library
10 a.m. - 12 p.m., Saturday, March 19 at the De Beque Branch Library
10 a.m. - 12 p.m., Saturday, March 19 at the Orchard Mesa Branch Library
12 - 3 p.m., Saturday, March 19 at the Fruita Branch Library
12 - 4 p.m., Saturday, March 19 at the Discovery Garden 5
Next Green Team Meeting – Thursday, March 3rd at 7:00pm via Zoom All Are Welcome! Some of the topics we’ll be discussing at the next meeting are:
For Earth Day, the Green Team, Mesa County Public Library, and Grand Valley Interfaith Network (GVIN) are teaming up to host the film “H20: The Molecule that Made Us” followed by a community discussion.
The Seed Exchange at the Discovery Garden on March 19 at 12:00pm-4:00pm
Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth Resource Page: uuministryforearth.org.
Citizen’s Climate Lobby
Green Team Tip of the Month I am a person who is usually cold so here is how I try to cut down on my use of the gas fired furnace: I set our thermostat to 68 degrees. Then I bought a good pair of thermal base layer pants (formerly known as “long johns”) and some wool socks. I wear two or three layers on top such as an undershirt like a turtleneck, then over that, a shirt, then a nice wool sweater. I buy my wool sweaters used or at the after Christmas sales. You can take off layers if you get too hot. But even though you may gain a couple of pounds with all those clothes, I bet you won’t be cold :) - Ann Barrett 6
From Elizabeth High, UUCGV Green Team In November 2016, three UUCGV congregants traveled to the No Dakota Access Pipeline (#NoDAPL) protests. When they later presented a worship service about their experience, my eyes started to open to the injustices that are occurring, the urgency to stand up against these injustices, and the beauty of the community that is standing up for the earth and our survival as a species. Since that time, I have gradually become convinced that even though changes in our personal habits to reduce our carbon footprint are important, even more crucial is joining our voices in community and becoming a part of a movement to pressure the large-scale changes that are needed to save us. This year, I have set myself a goal to learn more about and provide more support to the Indigenous-led movement to protect land and water and to keep carbon in the ground. Climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe notes that “Seventy-three percent of people in the United States agree the planet is warming... And 62 percent of Americans recognize that the main reason for this warming is human activity; specifically, burning fossil fuels (that’s about threequarters of the problem) and deforestation and agriculture (that’s most of the other quarter).” With a plethora of renewable energy options available to us today, it is vitally important to put a stop to new fossil fuel infrastructure and pipelines. Indigenous groups have been playing a leading role in standing up against these projects: a recent analysis found that, “Indigenous resistance has stopped or delayed greenhouse gas pollution equivalent to at least one-quarter of annual U.S. and Canadian emissions.” This grassroots Indigenous movement is also working to open our eyes to the beautiful values that guided people for millennia before the modern era brought in the disastrous cycle of (Continued on page 8)
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consumption and pollution that has brought us to the crisis we are in today. As Tara HouskaZhaabowekwe, a Couchiching First Nation Ojibwe, writes, “I suggest we do far, far more to address our values– the core principles that guide us…Across many Indigenous teachings and cultures, several threads weave in and out, creating similar patterns and core understandings… These are values centered in balance, in life, not in human fallacy. They are values that require commitment and self-sacrifice. Humility, recognition of fragility and our place in the circular framework of nature, empathy, courage, respect– those are just a few threads of the many values that are meant to guide us through the whole of our lives.” Unitarian Universalists have been active allies of Indigenous land defenders and water protectors for years. A December 2021 UU World article describes much of this involvement, including UU involvement in the #NoDAPL protest and more recently in the Stop Line 3 protest in Minnesota. To join with other UUs in supporting the Indigenous resistance against carbon, go to the webpage for the UU Ministry for Earth (uumfe.org) and subscribe to their emails. Here you can learn about letter-writing/petition-signing opportunities, protest opportunities, movie viewings to raise money for Indigenous-led climate justice organizations, and more. Indigenous activists in North America are currently resisting fossil fuel projects equal in pollution to 400 new coal-fired power plants. Imagine if more of us joined our voices with these Indigenous activists and helped turn the tide of public opinion against such projects. Imagine if these projects could no longer get funding or insurance or political support to move forward. Now THAT would be reducing our collective carbon footprint! - Elizabeth High, UUCGV Green Team Reference details from this article are available at : www.grandvalleyuu.org/green-team
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#NODAPL Sleepless before I go, hours pass like molasses. On the road 14 hours turns to 20, no problems other than police in Belle Fourche. Sleepless as I drive or ride, close, so many deer on the road side. Arrive, many religious groups here to help water protectors survive. Stand and listen to so many blow their wind, important words sure. Standing in prayer staring at the police in military gear, why? The water protectors, the religions, hundreds of people this day. Hopeful that our hearts were heard and the black snake will go away. Finally, 36 hours awake, asleep in the tent on the ground in Oceti Sakowin. Next day feel the prayers, watch and listen, learn. Pray in my own way. Help do camp dishes, meet smiling wonderful people from many places. Listen, smell, hear, feel the prayers of so many in the camp. Impacts me deeply I will never forget, I will cry when I remember sometimes. This is how to live, together, as people, messy but alive and respectful of all. Be there I ask of all of you, if not in person, then in prayer. Help stop the Black Snake. Take your fear out of your heart and listen to what Mother must say. Water is Life, oil is death, listen with your heart. So, that all of us will have another day to watch children play. - Billie Sage, Trans Voice: A Decade of Prose Poems
Billie Sage, Connie Murillo, and Robert McDonald get ready to leave the UUCGV parking lot for the #NoDAPL protest in November 2016. 9
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. * We will not be meeting on March 23rd due to Spring Break.
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. Thursday, March 17th at 6:30 pm - Introduction to Vol II and a brief recap of Vol I Thursday, March 24th 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 March 17th at 6:00pm Host - Mark McKenney Theme - Something you have never made or cooked before For more info, contact Mark McKenney at 970-256-7907 or mckenneyd@qwest.net.
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 10
Aging Graciously Open to everyone of all ages! This month’s topic will be: What is wisdom? Who has it? How do we attain it? Does wisdom come with age? Does it come with time? Is it a given as we age? The discussion will be lead by Rev. Wendy on Thursday, March 17th 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, March 12th from 8:30 am to 1:15 pm. We need 8-10 people from 8:30-10:15 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 703-216-6479) 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 March 2nd at 5:30pm in the Cedaredge area. Topic will be: "What is current and past paganism and how is it relevant today?” 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 11
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, March 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, March 4, 2022. February 10, 2022 Board Meeting Highlights Present: Rev Wendy Jones, Sue Brown, Jeanie Hendricks, Elizabeth High, Melissa Humphrey, Kitty Tattersall
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.
Night Time Security: The UUCGV Board accepted the offer from the Mutual Aid Partners Board to pay for a few months of Citadel Security to provide night-time security service (drive by 6 times per night and ask people to leave if people are congregating outside our building who are not supposed to be)
Email tlc@grandvalleyuu.org for questions and comments.
Paddle Auction: Decided that paddle auction for this year will go to sprucing up patio (providing shade and possibly new furniture)
February 10, 2022 TLC Meeting Highlights
Stewardship: Stewardship brochures will be mailed out next week. Fun incentives for people to turn in their stewardship cards before or during the auction event. Kitty will then get a team together to call people who have nut turned in their cards. Finances: In the black, doing well. Sue says “we appreciate everyone staying up to date with their pledges” DRE Search Team: Staff Congregation Relations Team, SCR, will be putting together a team to begin the search process for a new Director of Religious Education, DRE.
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Present: Angie Ecker, Mary Delbecq, Bill Conrad, Jeanie Hendricks, Wendy Jones The Auction Team joined the meeting which focused on the live and silent auction details.
Our local Together Colorado Faith Leaders Table will be hosting a series of book discussions this year. The titles will be chosen from books which have recently been banned in communities throughout the United States. UUCGV is honored to host the first conversation, reviewing the book MAUS by Art Spiegelman which will take place on March 22nd at 7:00 p.m. As Dave Edwards who represents the local synagogue says: Reading MAUS or any other banned book doesn't mean we agree with or promote anything whatever in the book. It only means that we believe that actually reading these books informs us of their contents and allows us to form our own opinions of them, which will be for or against. If for, we would recommend others read them, if against, we wouldn't. This will be a hybrid conversation with the option to join in person at the UU church or virtually on Zoom. A link will be sent out a week before the discussion. We hope to see you there, and happy reading! 13
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 March Change for Change will go to Friends of the Library The Friends of Mesa County Libraries is a committee of Mesa County Libraries Foundation, a 501(c)(3) entity formed exclusively to support Mesa County Libraries. The Friends main function is to focus public attention on the library and to stimulate the use of the library’s resources and services. Our February Change for Change went go to The House.
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 14
There is a cleansing from winter darkness the moment we sink our fingers into spring's fresh earth. ~ Toni Sorenson
UUCGV Calendar
Please Remember that all meetings & events MUST be scheduled through the administrator (257-0772) or administrator@grandvalleyuu.org.
March
See full calendar, renters and all, at grandvalleyuu.org/calendar.
Sunday 27
Monday 28
10:30 Worship 10:30 Children’s Program
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7
10:30 Worship 10:30 Children’s Program
13
14
10:30 Worship 10:30 Children’s Program
20
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 Discussion Group
5:30 Auction Planning 7:00 Green Team Meeting via Zoom
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9
10
10:00 GJ Mutual Aid
9:30 Laughter Yoga @ Sherwood 10:30 Meditation
15
10:00 GJ 12:00 Finance Mutual Aid
9:30 Laughter Yoga @ Sherwood 10:30 Meditation
1:00 Aging Graciously 6:00 Men’s Cooking 6:30 Goddess Group Recap
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23
24
22
Friday
Saturday
4
5
11
12 8:30 UU Serves at the Soup Kitchen
6:00 TLC 7:00 Board
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18
19
25
26
1
2
Spring Break Office Closed
April Newsletter Deadline
10:30 Worship 10:30 Children’s Program
Wednesday
16
10:30 Worship 10:30 Children’s Program
27
Tuesday
2022
28
10:00 GJ Mutual Aid 7:00 Banned Book Discussion
9:30 Laughter Yoga @ Sherwood
6:30 Goddess Group
29
30
31
10:00 GJ Mutual Aid
9:30 Laughter Yoga @ Sherwood 10:30 Meditation
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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
True, it's not
Church Administrator: Maya Kraushaar 257-0772 x1 or administrator@grandvalleyuu.org
over till it's over.
Facilities Coordinator: Jimi Blevins facilities@grandvalleyuu.org
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
And even when it's over, it just begins again. ~ Kate McGahan
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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