UUCGV NEWS
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Grand Valley — Newsletter
April 2019
From Our Minister, Rev. Wendy Jones “Truth is beyond your ability to destroy, but entirely within your ability to accept.” ~A Course In Miracles I sit here today writing with deep gratitude, and joyful anticipation of reentering the UUCGV community. I write in gratitude for the solidarity of the past three months; for the space; for the trust; for the love. And, in awareness that I really missed all of you!
We are an affiliated congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Association and the Mountain Desert District of the UUA.
A few months ago, I wrote that I was not going “away,” I was just going “within.” And with heartfelt gratitude I am ready to “emerge,” so to speak, and re-enter into the fray, the business and the deep and soulful work of this wonderful faith community. I want to thank our amazing UUCGV staff for keeping the day to day business of the church running smoothly. I want to thank our leadership teams for stepping up to the plate and demonstrating magnificent lay leadership. And I want to thank the larger UUCGV community for holding space for me as I rested and renewed. When I return I know that I return to things that have changed. We as a community have had to say goodbye to three of our beloved con-
We are a Welcoming Congregation
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#grandvalleyuu A place for Liberal Spirituality Diverse Thought And Community Action
In This Issue • • • • • • •
Among Us 1-7 Children/Youth Religious Education 8-9 UU Community 10,12 –13 Revelations, 3, 10-11,12 Among Us, 12-14 Worship Calendar 14 Calendar 15
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gregants, Susie Strode, Billie Sage and Dale Foreman. Our community has been deeply touched and changed in a beautiful way by these three individuals. We miss them deeply. For the past three months I have spent a lot of time “doing” nothing, while at the same time working hard. How does this happen? I think sometimes the inner work we do is just as important as the physical work we do. And yet, since the results are internally recognized sometimes we deem this work less important. I would argue that the inner work we are all invited to do in our lives is the most important. And in an ironic way it is the invisible inner work that will ultimately render the most visible external results. A Course in Miracles states: “Rest does not come from sleeping but from waking.” I am happy to say that it is with great joy that I am fully rested and so excited to walk alongside all of you once again!
UUCGV "Understanding the wisdom at the core of all spiritual traditions."
Thank you for this wonderful gift of renewal and rest! ~Rev. Wendy
Music Notes “Choral music is not one of life’s frills. It’s something that goes to the very heart of our humanity, our sense of community, and our souls. You express, when you sing, your soul in song. And when you get together with a group of other singers, it becomes more than the sum of the parts. All of those people are pouring out their hearts and souls in perfect harmony, which is kind of an emblem for what we need in this world, when so much of the world is at odds with itself… that just to express, in symbolic terms, what it’s like when human beings are in harmony. That’s a lesson for our times and for all time." ~By composer John Rutter I'm often reminded of these words, because the sense of community at our congregation is so strong. While it's true that wholeness probably starts from within and feeling comfortable and fulfilled with yourself, I know I feel the most whole when I am surrounded by like-minded friends, and am part of something larger. The unity I see from everyone here all the time truly is beautiful and unique. Everyone is always helping everyone. Figuring out what we can do to make someone's burden feel less heavy, so that even if they are struggling, they still feel a sense of wholeness and belonging. And in my times of need I have felt it from all of you too, so thank you! If any one reading this hasn't felt wholeness or would like to be a part of the harmony and unity we get from singing together, there is ALWAYS room in the choir for you :) Sing everyday, Amandalin Hunter, UUCGV Music Director, music@grandvalleyuu.org Our Adult Choir meets every Wednesday evening for rehearsal at 6:30 pm. 2
Easter Sunday Join us on April 21, Easter Sunday for our traditional Easter Potluck on the Monument. Contact the office for more information. administrator@grandvalleyuu.org.
Revelations This is a monthly column helping us to get to know our friends and members in a deeper way. We thank Monte High for taking the time to do these in-depth interviews for us.
A Note From Our Facilities Manager Come one, Come all! Spring is in the air! It is time for our annual 2019 Spring Clean-up. We have scheduled this years’ spring clean -up for Saturday, May 4, 2019 starting at 10:00 am at the church. Please make it a point to stop by and sign up before all the good job's are taken! See the sign-up sheets located in the foyer. Thanks for your ongoing support of our facilities. See ya there! Many Thanks, Your Friendly Facilities Manager, Sterling VanWagoner Email: facilities @grandvalleyuu.org for more information.
Gary and Connie Dolezal met on a mountainside. It was a glorious spring morning in 1973 when the youngsters departed from Denver in search of wilderness, each anticipating an adventure ahead of them. They were set to partake of a hike organized by the Colorado Mountain Club, to Bottle Pass and up the precarious slope to Ptarmigan Peak. Gary rode to the trailhead with the leader of the hike. Connie was traveling with her father and sister. When all the hikers were accounted for, the group set off along Deadhorse Creek. When they stopped for lunch Gary found the perfect seat on a rock that happened to be placed near an enticing young maiden. Connie’s younger sister offered Gary one of her mother’s illustrious “poison” cookies, and a most delightful conversation ensued. After lunch (without little sister) they walked down the mountain together and at the trailhead parted, enchanted, upon their not-so-separate ways, returning to their disrupted, everyday lives. During the course of their conversation, Gary had gleaned that Connie was finishing up her schooling at the University of Colorado Boulder. She was working on an internship at “The Denver”, or Denver Dry Goods, which happened to be in Gary’s neck of the urban woods as he was finishing up his schooling at the University of Colorado, Denver. So, a couple of weeks after his poisoning, Gary sauntered over to The Denver and asked where he might find a Miss Connie Bach. Needless to say, it was quite a jolt for Connie – she was astonished. Gary knocked her over with a feather and she accepted his invitation to lunch. Gary was born in Denver (and lived there until the age of 55, when he moved to Grand Junction). Gary’s foremost childhood endeavor was making music. In the fifth grade he became a racketeer, falling into a life of organized music. Gary had his heart set on playing the trumpet, with shiny brass and a big, boisterous sound. He saw that when a trumpeter played his horn, everyone took notice. Yet, when Gary visited the music store and listened to the salesman and his parents, he learned more about the various instruments – and he underwent an interesting metamorphosis and somehow came home with a clarinet. The clarinet – capable of creating a complex, intricate, sophisticated sound. [Yes, yes, yes, a trumpet in the masterful hand of an imaginative, playful person is also capable of a subtle nuance and sensitivity.] Dedication and practice are needed to move beyond squeaks and giggles. Gary did not begin to practice with gusto until the seventh grade, when he discovered the opportunities afforded to those in the “first section” band. Gary performed in band and orchestra through high school. Gary also signed up for judo in the fifth grade. He was not enthused. In fact, he was forced against his will. For the first three years of judo class, Gary was a mat mop. He was thrown this way and that and became quite adept at sprawling. Yet, in junior high, as Gary matured, he began to advance. He found his balance; he found his 3
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UU Night Please adopt a night to cook! It can be an awesome bonding experience and teach the attendees about all the involvement opportunities at UUCGV. It is fun & fulfilling to feed a group of people. You get to see how much they enjoy the meal and each other's company. Sign up in the foyer or contact the office at administrator@grandvalleyuu.org. City Market gift cards and monetary donations are always welcome.
Come get to know us! Do your friends or family ever ask you, “What is Unitarian Universalism?” Do you wonder what it means when we say that we are a covenantal church rather than a creedal church?
Laughter Yoga It's not really Yoga... come work out your spirit with laughter! Join us in this amazingly fun and energetic session! Every Wednesday 10 am at the church.
Black Canyon Discussion Group The UU discussion group usually meets in the Cedaredge, CO area at 5:30 pm on the first Wednesday of each month. The next black Canyon Discussion will occur on Wednesday, April 3 in Cedaredge at 5:30 PM. Topic: How do we get from empire-building to building a world community? We will discuss current issues with nationalism and autocracy. A reference: "The Great Turning" by David Corten. For more information please call the group coordinator, Enno Heuscher (970) 856-4226, or email epheuscher@gmail.com.
UU Connection Program Have you been coming to UUCGV for a while? Interested in learning more, but not quite sure how to get involved? Worry not! The UUCGV membership team is excited to announce the new “UU Connection Program.” This is a way to connect with a “Friendly UU Ambassador” who will act as your point of contact and help you navigate UUCGV organization and activities. Contact the office, and get connected! administrator@grandvalleyuu.org
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Have you ever wondered if there is a difference between being a "religious liberal" versus being a "political liberal?" Rev. Wendy leads a monthly informal gathering for friends, members and guests who would like to learn more about what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist. This is an ongoing conversation, usually on the third Sunday of every month after coffee hour. All people are welcome! All questions are welcome. Join the conversation on April 14.
Journey to Green Sanctuary
Meditation and Qigong Mary McCutchen (filling in for Bobbie and Boz) will offer sitting, walking and moving meditation on Monday, April 1 at 5:00 pm, at UUCGV.
Morning Meditation Join us on Friday mornings at 8:00 am for meditation with intentional breathing with Robintix at UUCGV. Contact Robintix for more info at
Meditating for Peace We meet the second Thursday of every month at 11 am. The next “vibration raising� will be on Thursday, April 11.
Mindful Meditation Mary McCutchen will offer another meditation on the third Monday of each month, starting April 15 at 5:00 pm, at UUCGV.
The Green Sanctuary Team is off and running and I am happy to be part of it. As a child in New York City I liked garbage picking and watching the gulls at my local dump. Vacations in upstate New York included trips to the dump to watch the black bears doing their version of garbage picking. As an adult I see garbage dumps in a different light. I work hard at not adding to them. I know discarded plastics last forever and adversely affect wildlife, wildlife habitat, and humans. The Green Sanctuary team has broadened my concept of being a steward of our planet. It's not just about recycling. We will be addressing environmental justice, sustainable practices and earth stewardship education for all of us. This is an exciting project for the congregation. Because the UUCGV building is used by so many community members, our green practices will reach a broad audience. Last summer, I moved to Grand Junction from Chicago and suddenly felt less green living here. Recycling got harder since I don't have curbside pickup. I miss my yard compost pile and vegetable garden. I use my bicycle less and my car more to get around in the heat. On the positive side, my eyes were opened up to water conservation like never before, and I much prefer the swamp cooler over air conditioners. Joining in the Green Sanctuary journey has given me new insights and revived my desire to walk softly on this planet as best I can. I look forward to sharing this journey with all of you. ~Mary Delbecq (The UUCGV Green Sanctuary Team meets again after church on Sunday, March 31 and Sunday, April 14.)
Discovery Garden On 5th and Chipeta. A place where volunteers and organizations create and maintain a beautiful space for learning and growing. Contact Nicole Fitzgerald at nfitzgerald@mcpld.org for more information.
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Men’s Cooking UUCGV’s Men’s Cooking Group is the longest- standing group in the church. We meet and cook the third Thursday of the month. If you’re new to the church and are maleidentifying, please join the fun! For more info, contact Mark McKenney at 256.7907 or mckenneyd@qwest.net.
Conversations on Consciousness with Deborah Steddom As you rest in the light energy that is your true nature, the old patterns of self hate and living from the ego mind drop away. The higher vibration of love is remembered and embraced. Join us for a fun, two-hour interactive presentation and discover the power and ease of truly letting go. • Free yourself from old patterns • Experience freedom and expansion • Remember who you are Where: UUCGV When: Thursday, April 4th, 6 pm—9 pm Cost: $20 Registration: Miranda Richardson, administrator@grandvalleyuu.org, 970-257-0772 The Institute for Simple Integration was founded by Deborah Steddom as a wellness collaborative with Dr. Kim Perry. Deborah was trained from an early age as an intuitive healer and has spent a lifetime exploring different modalities of personal growth and spiritual development. She has taught in the public school system and has given presentations from coast to coast. Please visit her website for more information: theanswersnow.com
InterPlay Are you an adult or teen, who likes to play? Please come and check out an introduction to InterPlay. What’s InterPlay?? InterPlay is an active, creative way to unlock the wisdom of the body. We play with music, stories, and movement, which can lead to surprising experiences of joy, fun, connection, and depth. If you are curious or this sounds interesting, please join me for the first of what will be monthly (on the 4th Saturday)
Goddess Group Join us on Thursday, April 25, 2019 at 6:30 pm for a Birthday Workshop led by Joanie Leinbach. Please email us your name and date of birth so we can prep for our gathering. (Email below) It is not required to send in your birth date beforehand, but it is helpful. If you are a goddess who identifies as a woman, you are welcome! Feel free to bring a snack or a drink to share. Contact Miranda for more information: administrator@grandvalleyuu.org. 6
InterPlay session from 10:00-11:30 am on Saturday, April 27, 2019 in the basement of the Grand Valley Unitarian Universalist Church. No skill or training needed – all bodies are welcome. Contact Nancy Banman for more information at phoebe56nb@gmail.com
Social Action Team We meet the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month at 7:00 pm at our church. We created the weekly social action calendar on our website.
Circle Suppers Do you want to make some friends or just get to know people at a deeper level than just "Hello" and "How are You?" If so, then Circle Suppers are just the thing! A group of 6 to 8 people get together once a month for a meal and conversation at the host of the month's house. The host provides the main course with the others bringing a salad, veggie or dessert. It is up to your group if you want to do breakfast, lunch or supper. It doesn't have to be fancy or expensive. If you are unable to host at your house, that's ok -- you are still welcome to be part of the group. When everyone has had a chance to be a host, then a new group is formed. So whether you are single, a couple or a family, all you need to do to become involved is contact Ellen Mayo at ellenmayo@yahoo.com. Hope to see you around the table!!!
Check it out grandvalleyuu.org/ social-action-team It's not too late to join the team! Peace and Love, Robert McDonald eldrethone@gmail.com
Soup Kitchen Saturday This is a reminder that Soup Kitchen Saturday is the second Saturday of every month at Catholic Outreach, located at the south end of 1st Street between Pitkin and Ute Avenues. We need your help on Saturday, April 13 from 8:30 am to 1:15 pm. We need 10-12 people from 8:30-10:30 am to help prepare and cook enough food for 150+ people. Another 7-8 people are needed from 11:45 to 1:15 pm to serve and help clean up the kitchen. Anyone with an interest in helping to prepare or serve this meal is welcome, teens included. Please contact Chris Jauhola (chrisjauhola@aol.com; phone 639-7616) for more information and to let us know that you plan to volunteer. Please bring a scarf or hat to cover your hair. Many thanks to the 23 volunteers in March who helped prepare and serve Chicken Marinara for 125 people. 7
GRAND VALLEY UU CHILDREN’S RE March 2019 Religious Education
The month of Wholeness
Join the team! We meet the first Tuesday of the month at 10:00 am.
Sessions for Children
April 7:
April 14:
Widening the Circle
You are Enough
April 28 April 21 Rebirth Join us Easter Sunday for our Traditional Easter Potluck & Egg Hunt on the Monument.
All the Slices
Check, Check, Check-in Our children join us for the beginning of the service. Please check in your children each Sunday morning in the foyer.
Childcare Childcare for babies, toddlers and preschoolers is provided from 10:00 am to noon each Sunday. Childcare is provided by Robintix Perryman.
Youth! 14 and up! We have the ball rolling on our Mentorship program for our youth! For more info, contact Shari at dre@grandvalleyuu.org
This year's MDD Youth events • • •
Mountain Desert District (MDD) Spring Con. April 12-14, 2019. Foothills, Fort Collins, CO. Quuest and Spirit Quuest Camps. June 30 - July 6, 2019. La Foret. Colorado Springs, CO. Leadership Development Con. Nov 9-11. First8 Universalist, Denver, CO.
What does mindful parenting mean? (Hint: self-love!) Recently, there is a lot of talk about mindfulness, and the idea of mindful parenting is becoming popular. Since my focus at Harvard Divinity School was on mindfulness, this is a particular interest of mine. If you’re interested, read on… Mindful parenting is about taking a moment to honor the important spiritual practice of parenting. It is to take parenting as a spiritual discipline, so that in the challenging moments, we have an unwavering intentionality to work with whatever situation arises. In the joyful moments, it means taking a moment to be present, relish and enjoy them! It is like holding a question through the day: how can I be more aware of the present moment with myself and with my child, nonjudgmentally and open-heartedly, with whatever arises (the good and the bad, pleasant and unpleasant)? How can I engage more fully in my parenting, whole-heartedly endeavoring to embody love, compassion, peace, and respect for myself and my child moment by moment, as best as I can? What a wonderful gift to offer our presence to ourselves and our children, and full acceptance of whoever they are! Mindful parenting is also about being realistic. Parents and children are perhaps more stressed today than ever before! Thus, simply having the intention to move towards greater emotional well-being and stress reduction for both us and our child/children is mindful parenting, recognizing that we are imperfect and human. Like working for world peace and economic justice for all, we strive with faith towards the goals, recognizing we can only do what we can do. Not judging ourselves means not judging if we are doing a “good” or “bad” job as a parent, as a mindful parent, etc. Success isn’t measured by achieving the goals, but continually recommitting to the process of working towards the goals with humor, patience, and self-love. It is a process-oriented and value-oriented approach to parenting. Mindful parenting does provide guidelines, grounded in neuroscience and psychology, of ways to work towards these goals of being aware of the present moment, fully engaged, fostering emotional intimacy and emotional well-being, as well as stress-reduction. For example, children learn more from how we embody being, and how we handle grief, disappointment, and stress, than what we say to them. So it makes sense to think consciously about how we are modeling and responding to our own challenging emotional states. Remember that we all experience challenging emotions like stress and anger, but if anger always leads to violence or disrespect, that emotional reactivity would be part of what they learn. Instead, by recognizing and acknowledging our emotions, taking a deep breath, and taking a moment to offer some love, acceptance, and relaxation to oneself in the moment, that will help us to respond in more loving, intelligent, and non-reactive ways. Self-compassion and self-care are therefore primary building blocks of mindful parenting, although we often have to practice on the go! By doing this, and embracing rather than trying to push away our challenging emotions, we model wholeness and self-love to our children. We are also practicing the way we’d like to respond to our children, as well – loving and validating whoever they are and, whatever their emotional experience, it is OK. Being conscious and deliberate about this increases the likelihood we will come back to remembering this more quickly when we inevitably forget, slip up, and get angry or snappy or whatever. Where do you feel you could benefit from a little more awareness of your own thinking and emotions in parenting? What thoughts and emotions do you struggle with? Where do you judge yourself for parenting or wish things were different – and how might you practice a more nonjudgmental, loving stance of acceptance toward yourself, your partner, or your child? Want to read more? Here is an interesting link on moving towards a scientific definition and research: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2730447/ Or just take a moment to relax and enjoy your life either by yourself or with those you love… 9
~Blog by Chris Scheller, First Parish of Sudbury UU
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rhythm; he perfected his moves. Gary earned his black belt in judo during high school. And judo turned out to be the perfect accompaniment to the clarinet. Gary graduated from Englewood High School in 1963 and entered the University of Colorado, Boulder, that autumn with engineering stars in his eyes. Three years and two academic suspensions later, his eyes had been pretty well cleared, and he started looking for a job. He was skilled at mechanical drawing and engineering graphics, and that seemed preparation enough for a starter job. He applied at several places that wanted more “field” experience, and just when his prospects were dimming his parents noticed a want ad that called for a “land draftsman.” The Denver office of the Kansasbased National Cooperative Refinery Association decided to give Gary a try. Land Drafting is all about showing mineral ownership on a map format, and Gary took right to it. He immersed himself in his realworld schooling and progressed to working with legal documents. He began to go into the field to research oil and gas prospects; however, the company said Gary and Connie Dolezal, castle grounds at that if he wanted to become Landman, he would have Willibaldsburg, Germany to get a degree – in something. (A Landman determines mineral ownership and negotiates contracts.) So, Gary found himself simultaneously in real-world school and officially back in school at the University of Colorado, Denver. Gary allowed the courses to guide him and eventually wound up with a degree in Interpersonal Communication. A few months before graduation, he met Connie. Connie was born in Richland, Washington. The family soon moved to Long Island, NY and then Pittsburgh, PA shortly after; and then, not long after Connie’s third birthday, they moved into a rural area outside of Pittsburgh that bordered a county park – South Park. The family became closely acquainted with South Park. Mom would organize impromptu walks in the woods. Off we go! Across the road and up a long, steep hill where they would follow any number of deer trails, old fire roads, and the like. They would often encounter wildlife, but most vivid in Connie’s memory is the time they came upon a pine rattler – “Mom poked him with a stick to make him rattle, so we kids would know the sound”. If you ever hear this sound... Vacations were usually reserved for road trips west. They would always stop in Denver to visit family. The most memorable trips were to Yellowstone, Grand Teton, the Grand Canyon, and Craters of the Moon. They camped along the way. They slept in a large family-size tent until they became a family of five, when her parents bought a teardrop trailer with a chuckwagon style kitchen on the backend. Her folks slept in the trailer, Connie and her older brother slept in the back of the station wagon on corrugated air mattresses, and her little sister slept in the car’s bench-style front seat. They all had old army surplus, feather-filled, mummy bags. In the evenings the children would search for other kids in the campground to play. They often played cards after dark, hearts being the favorite game. Playing cards by the light of a Coleman gas lantern, accompanied by its peculiar sound, was a regular event. Oh, and s’mores, of course. Connie’s dad would post a note in the high-traffic area of the campground, the lavatories, asking if anyone had kids that wanted to go on a long hike the following day. Though Connie was only in elementary school, she was expected to complete 10 to 20-mile hikes without complaint, and was usually having so much fun that she never had reason to complain. Connie’s only complaint on (Continued on page 11)
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these trips was the long three-day drive to Colorado and back. That is a long time to be stuffed into a vehicle with seats much less comfortable than they are nowadays, and without movies to watch or cell phones to keep in touch with friends. Perhaps that made the camping all the more enjoyable — when they could finally get out and run around, it seemed like being set free? The Bach family moved to Denver when Connie was in high school. She attended Lakewood High School in Jefferson County, and then attended the University of Colorado, Boulder. She’d had her hopes set on CU since living in Pennsylvania, so the move to Colorado saved Connie’s parents a good chunk of change. Connie graduated from CU with a Bachelor of Science degree in 3 ½ years. A few months before graduation, she met Gary. Connie and Gary were married on June 29, 1974. It was a small, intimate wedding; the reception the following weekend was large and a good time was had by all. The first honeymoon was a joyful weekend jaunt into the wild, camping below Berthoud Pass along Current Creek. On Labor Day they followed it up with a seven-day backpacking trip into the wilderness of the West Elk Mountains. The parents were very worried and tried to dissuade the young couple, yet the weather was ideal and Connie and Gary made it out of the forest fully intact and alive. Genuinely, they were more alive than ever before. And so began their journey through life as a married couple. Connie worked as a manager at Radio Shack and Gary as a Landman. They continued to fill much of their spare time hiking and camping in wood and meadow. Managing RadioShack required 10 to 12-hour days, so Connie eventually gave that up for a series of jobs that allowed regular eight-hour days. A couple years after their wedding, they bought their first home near Congress Park in Denver. Gary liked the intimacy of the small office; consequently, he never worked for a major corporation. He preferred to remain with the less bureaucratic organizations, and this path led naturally to him becoming an Independent Landman, working for many different companies on their many and varied prospects. He worked with oil and gas prospects in the Rocky Mountains states, and he also worked on an iron mining prospect in Colorado and several gold-mining prospects in Nevada. Work travel varied widely. Some of Gary’s contracts required a day or two, occasionally a month or so. Connie transitioned into being a homemaker, and a couple years later, in 1979, Danica was born. When Danica was tiny, the Dolezals began consorting with members of the Denver Sports Car Club and participated in many TSD car rallies. They also started square dancing while Danica was an infant and had a wonderful time with that for years. They wore matching outfits – Connie made her own dresses and Gary made his own shirts. There were tons of camping trips over the years because they wanted Danica to be comfortable in the quiet and dark of a mountain night, and they all enjoyed camping and hiking (and so did their dogs, Dwalin and Gimli, and later, Zirak). In the fifth grade Danica earned a membership to the Monkey Club – she was the only girl in her class able to climb to the top of the rope in the gymnasium. She enjoyed gymnastics and easily scampered to the top of trees that were 30 or more feet tall. Danica had no fear of heights, unlike her mother! In the mid-80s’ the Dolezal family was presented with an opportunity to exercise their dexterity and prove their ability to adapt. At the height of the petroleum crash most of the jobs in Denver were eliminated or moved to cities like Dallas, Midland, Houston and Oklahoma City. Gary and Connie elected to stay. Yet, how would they pay the mortgage? Gary thought he might enjoy teaching, so he took a job as a teacher’s aide to see if he could survive full days with the very young. The experiment was successful, so Gary returned to UCD to get his teacher certification. He started out substitute teaching until he landed a job at a private school in Greenwood Village – Beacon Country Day School. His first classroom was a group of 18 in grades 5 through 8. He taught the entire curriculum. Connie needed to find employment that would bring income into the household. Hired by Blue Cross and Blue Shield through a temp agency, Connie started out in personnel and ended up as a business analyst. Fast forward to 2005. An old attorney friend who had moved to Grand Junction called and asked (Continued on page 12)
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if Gary would be willing to work as a Landman again. Connie and Gary headed west. This time around they would run the title work business as a team. They worked well together, and all the time spent in close proximity, rather than erode their relationship as sometimes happens, airily unfurled another sail upon their friendship. One fine day Gary and Connie were driving along Grand Avenue and happened to pass the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Grand Valley. Gary hadn’t the faintest clue about Unitarian Universalism. Connie had asked a friend in the 80s,’ a UU who had responded to Connie’s curiosity with – “they ask a lot of questions.” Connie’s plate had been way too full at the time to even think of asking much about anything. Gary and Connie had both been raised Catholic and had not had much to do with religion for a good long while. They decided to give the UU’s a whirl, and showed up the following Sunday. During the Service, which was presented by Warren Peterson, they realized that it felt like a great home. After the Service they spoke with Warren – and signed the book to become members that very morning! After years of worshiping with nature they had at last found a community of their own species with which to share their joys and sorrows. Connie and Gary have also had the pleasure of wiping a good deal of sweat from their brows, pulling nails and doing heavy lifting, working on the remodeling project for our building and volunteering in various congregation leadership roles. You may have heard the Dolezals speaking from the pulpit, or heard Gary playing the native flute for special music. In 2015 Gary and Connie became grandparents. Danica and Bryan had a boy – Odin. They live in Denver, so Connie and Gary are making even more trips back and forth over the continental divide. When the Dolezals retired in 2016, they upped the ante on travel. There now are numerous delightful day trips, grounding camping trips, enlightening car trips and peaceful goodwill tours overseas. A few years ago they learned of a volunteer English Language Program in Spain, where volunteers do not need to speak Spanish. They decided to give it a try and have since fallen in love with Spain. Spain keeps calling them back. Connie and Gary enjoy the climate and the culture. The people are wonderful, and they have made close friends. Once again the Dolezals have been to Spain, spending time with friends. As I write these words they are zooming on a high-speed train on their way to Munich. They also plan to visit Fischach, Bavaria, Germany where Connie’s Jewish ancestors on the paternal side are from (the maternal side are from Russia). They’ll be staying with the cousin of a cousin, who’ll be taking them on a tour including the cemetery. The Dolezals are winding their way toward France. You may recently have witnessed Connie and Gary trekking around Grand Junction sporting backpacks and hiking poles. They have been building up their muscles to walk the pilgrimage of the Camino de Santiago (The Way of Saint James). On April Fools’ Day they will begin a five-week, five-hundred-twenty mile walking meditation beginning at St Jean Pied de Port, France, and ending at Finesterre, Spain, on the Atlantic Ocean. Life goes on…
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Greeters Big thank you to our greeters in March! Lynn deBeauclair Arleta Carr Pooka Maggie Eagleton Rachael & Mike Meadows Elizabeth High Duane Car
Don’t you love seeing that beautifully friendly UU face handing you the order of service each Sunday morning? Being a greeter at UUCGV is a simple way you can contribute to the life of the congregation. On Sunday mornings, our greeters pass out hymnals and the Order of Service and collect and count the offering. If you’re looking for a short term commitment, please sign up on the clipboard in the foyer, or use administrator@grandvalleyuu.org to let the office know your preferred dates!
April Membership Anniversaries John Spurgeon, 2003 Joel Prudhomme, 2003 Robintix Perryman, 2009 John & Ellen Mayo, 2014 Ricardo Carr, 2014 Barbara & Laird Milbrun, 1980
Sunday Hospitality There is more to hospitality than just food! Remember, being welcoming, making conversation and keeping seats open on the ends of the aisles are great ways to be hospitable. All are welcome to bring snacks to share with your UU friends (keep in mind, we have a lot of requests for fresh fruits and vegetables!) Don’t expect a full lunch spread each week. We now have a sign-up clip board for a weekly hospitality facilitator. This wonderful volunteer will make sure coffee is made and cleanup happens. Hospitality duties are in the upstairs kitchen and on the good ol' clipboard. Easy peasy! We appreciate all of our community help with hospitality! Thanks!
UUCGV Board Highlights Our UUCGV Board will meet again on Thursday, April 11, 2019 at 6:30 pm. (As a reminder, members/friends of the congregation are welcome to come and listen in on Board meetings. Also, if you have something that you would like to speak about with the Board, you can contact our Board President Janet Cummings at janetcummings26@gmail.com, and request a time at the beginning of our meeting to present your topic.) We read and are considering a proposed Mission Statement for the Board (thank you to Richard Hyland): “Entrusted by the Congregation, the Board's primary responsibility is to carry out the UUCGV mission with an eye on the future as well as the present, in collaboration with the Minister. The Board will do this through wise governance of the physical, financial, administrative, program and operational resources of the Congregation. Governance in this sense means 1) continuously discerning or interpreting the implications of the UUCGV mission on Congregational operations and making adjustments accordingly, 2) setting Congregational goals and developing a plan and strategy for achieving them, and 3) exercising an oversight role over the care and use of Congregational resources. Governance also means delegating responsibility as appropriate to volunteer teams and staff to carry out the day to day program and operational tasks essential to achieving the UUCGV mission.” We reviewed the Long Term Action Plan handout with tasks lists for Board, LDT and TLC, and discussed each team’s roles generally. We discussed some of the challenges of the current leadership structure and brainstormed some possible solutions. Prior to the meeting we read email updates from the Team Leadership Circle, Property Team, Staff-Congregational Relations Team, and Finance report. We spent some time during Board meeting discussing some points from these reports.
Treasurer Report Our income for the church is remaining pretty healthy although this time of year we spend a little more than is coming in. We encourage everyone to fill out your pledge cards with how much you plan to give to the church financially as well as your time and energy. This means the pledge team will not have to call you. Also if you have not paid for your items you purchased at the auction please do so as we are still around $2,000 short of the amount bid. ~Steve Watson, UUCGV Treasurer 13
Change for Change 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 went to purchasing items for our Blessing Box. Our April Change for Change will go to RSVP. RSVP works in partnership with local organizations to fill important volunteer needs by recruiting individuals ages 55 and over. RSVP volunteers strengthen your community by providing time and service to these organizations. While they work with a variety of organizations that offer a range of positions, its areas of focus are health care access and education; academic success of children K-12 in reading, math and science; and safe and affordable housing for low-income individuals and families. Whether providing transportation to a chemo patient, teaching a child a new word, or working side by side with a family building their first home, RSVP volunteers are here to help.
Blessing Box We are out of everything! The blessing box is running low! Non-perishable food items (snacks, pasta, soup) and hygiene products (shampoo, pads, toothbrushes) are always needed. With our chilly spring nights, socks, blankets, and tarps are still needed. Please do not donate opened or expired food or used hygiene products. You can place items directly in the Blessing Box or leave them on the donation shelf in the UU foyer. Thank you for all of your support to keep the Blessing Box full! Interested in joining a team to keep the box running? Please contact Emily Long at longsville@gmail.com.
Blessing Tree Last year the care team put together the “blessing” tree found on the front wall in the foyer. It is designed as a way to connect those who need some specific help with those who are happy to offer that help. When a need arises the care team will create a leaf and put it on the tree. If you would like to fill the need of the leaf please take the leaf and then let Miranda, our administrator, know that you are filling the need. 14
Interested in Becoming a Member of Grand Valley UU? Every now and then we are asked, "How do I become a member of this congregation?" It is a fairly simple process. If you are new to Unitarian Universalism, it is recommended that you go to one of the “Who are UU?” talks that Rev. Wendy facilitates once a month after the morning service. (“Who Are UU” will begin again in April when Rev. Wendy returns from her sabbatical.) If you decide this is for you, then you can talk to Rev. Wendy, Peg Oswald or Bill Conrod of the membership team about becoming a member. You may then sign our membership book, and you will be given a folder of information. In it there will be a time and talent survey that you fill out and return to the office. A list of all the activities going on in our church is also included. We encourage you to take part in an activity as a way to get to know us and feel a part of the congregation. You will be contacted by a member of the Membership Team and a member of the Stewardship team for a friendly visit. Also, if you would like, we have Friendly UU Ambassadors to help new members "find their way." For more information, contact Bill Conrod at 970-712-8684 or bcconrod@yahoo.com.
UUCGV Calendar
April
Worship Schedule Worship Services are held Sundays at 10:30am
2019
April Theme: Wholeness
April 7: Rev. Wendy returns to the pulpit April 14: Rev. Wendy Jones April 21: Easter & Earth Day All Ages Service April 28: Bill Hilty & The Green Sanctuary Team
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. Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
31
1
2
10:30 Worship 11:45 Green Team
10:00 RE 4:00 Property Team Team 5:00 Meditation & Qigong 6:30 TLC
Wednesday 3
Thursday 4
10:00 Care Team 10:00 Laughter Yoga 5:30 Black Canyon Discussion Group 5:30 UU Night 6:30 Choir
Friday 5
Saturday 6
8:00 Morning Meditation 6:00 Conversations on Consciousness
7 8 10:30 Worship 11:30 LDT (Leadership Development Team) 7:00 Social 11:45 Member- Action Team ship Team
10 11 10:00 Laughter 12:00 Finance Yoga 11:00 Team Peaceful Meditation 5:30 UU Night 6:30 Choir 6:30 Board
12 8:00 Morning Meditation
13
14
16
17 18 10:00 Laughter Yoga 5:30 UU Night 6:30 Choir 6:30 Black 6:00 Men’s Lives Matter Cooking
19 8:00 Morning Meditation
20 Newsletter Deadline!
23
24 25 26 10:00 Laughter 1:30 Aging 8:00 Morning Yoga Together Meditation (closed group)
15
9
10:30 Worship 11:45 Member Team
11:45 Green Team 12:00 Worship Team
21
5:00 Mindful Meditation 22
Easter 10:30 Worship 12:00 Potluck & Egg Hunt on the Monument
7:00 Social Action Team
28
29
10:30 Worship
7:00 Social Action Team
30 11:00 Newsletter Folding
5:30 UU Night 6:30 Choir
6:30 Goddess Group
1
2
10:00 Care Team 10:00 Laughter Yoga 5:30 Black Canyon Discussion Group 5:30 UU Night 6:30 Choir 15
8:30 Soup Kitchen Saturday
27 10:00 InterPlay 11:00 Billie Sage’s Memorial
3
4
8:00 Morning Meditation
Spring Clean-up Day!
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”
Office is open Tuesday-Thursday 9 am-2 pm Minister: Rev. Wendy Jones Tue 9-1, Wed & Thu 9-12 or by appointment 257-0772 x2 or minister@grandvalleyuu.org Religious Education Coordinator: Shari Daly-Miller 257-0772 x3 or dre@grandvalleyuu.org Church Administrators: Miranda Richardson & Maya Kraushaar Tuesday—Thursday 9-2 257-0772 x1 or administrator@grandvalleyuu.org Music Director: Amadalin Hunter music@grandvalleyuu.org Facilities Manager: Sterling VanWagoner facilities@grandvalleyuu.org 536 Ouray Ave, Grand Junction, CO 81501
“Happiness is just one part of our existence, wholeness is to embrace all that is within us. It’s to embrace our shadow qualities, to embrace our self-doubt, fear, anxiety, as well as the brightness, joy, and curiosity. It is all welcome.” ~Dan Putt
www.grandvalleyuu.org
Find us on Facebook & Instagram @grandvalleyuu
We meet Sundays at 10:30 am for Worship