UUCGV NEWS
A New Normal
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Grand Valley — Newsletter
August 2020
We are an affiliated congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Association and the Mountain Desert District of the UUA.
From Our Minister, Reverend Wendy Jones
A New Normal Well, we are heading into our fifth month of having gone virtual. For the most part our virtual zoom meetings are receiving warm and positive feedback that this is working well for many of you. We also know that not everybody has access to the technology that makes this connection possible.
:
I thank you for your patience as we collectively learned how to catch our breath and function as a community of faith in this new post COVID world. That said. WE MISS you! While we are not meeting together on Sunday mornings yet, and in all honesty I am not sure when we will be able to safely resume, our office is open. We are a Welcoming Congregation
Maya, Wendy & Chelsea are in the building for office hours on (Continued on page 2)
#grandvalleyuu A Place for Liberal Spirituality Diverse Thought and Community Action
In This Issue
Among Us 1-5 Children/Youth Religious Education 6-9 Leadership 2 Community 10 Calendar 11
(Continued from page 1)
Tues, Wed. & Thursdays. (Please check for specific hours for each person.) We are resuming smaller group activities such as Wednesday morning meditations & Laughter Yoga. Tuesday mornings are a hub of activity as Grand Junction Mutual Aid is using our parking lot to distribute needed items throughout the community. While life is certainly not “back to normal” yet in any capacity, the beauty about the human spirit is that we are resilient. We are creative and we are continuing to come up with creative avenues for connection and ways to continue living out our faith. We have been staying connected with you via three weekly emails. If you are not receiving our emails or opening them on a regular basis, this is what you can expect: Monday: The Monday email will contain a link to the previous Sunday worship service which can be watched on-line at your convenience. It will also contain the text of Rev. Wendy’s sermon for those of you who prefer to read it instead of watch. Wednesday: The Wednesday email will contain various announcements & links for upcoming UUCGV zoom events. Friday: Friday’s email will contain the Order of Service and the zoom link for the upcoming Sunday worship service. (All zoom links can also be found on the UUCGV calendar page on our website grandvalleyuu.org.) We know that not being able to gather together in person has caused sadness and grief for many of us. We are so grateful that we do have many virtual options while recognizing that they are not always ideal. If you have any ideas or suggestions for ways to help us better stay connected with you, we welcome your ideas. We are all in a learning curve right now. Please know that I am available for one on one pastoral care either in person or via zoom. Your faith community is still here, and as we move through this crazy year of 2020 my hope is that in the long run, we will all be stronger and more connected because of it. With Love. Rev. Wendy
2020-21 Soul Matters Themes September: RENEWAL
February: BELOVED COMMUNITY
October: DEEP LISTENING
March: COMMITMENT
November: HEALING
April: BECOMING
December: STILLNESS
May: STORY
January: IMAGINATION
June: PLAY 2
2020-21 Leadership Board President Elizabeth High Vice President Laurel Carpenter Past President Janet Cummings Treasurer Sue Brown At-Large Melissa Humphrey
Saying goodbye to two of UUCGV’s beloved members who will be greatly missed.
Wes Allen and Arleta Carr
At-Large Richard Hyland At-Large Herb Feinzig At-Large Abbey Leinbach At-Large Paul Kraushaar 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 3
UUCGV Meditation Groups
Laughter Yoga Remember to wear a mask, bring something to lie down on. We'll meet at NE section of Sherwood Park a cross from 1460 East Sherwood Drive at 8:30am Wednesday mornings until further notice.
Black Canyon Discussion Group Our next Black Canyon Discussion Group will be outdoors in the covered picnic area of Cedaredge Park off of Main Street, 4 blocks west of Hwy 65. We will meet at 6:00pm. Bring your own food and drink. We again are limiting it to 10 people: (couples count as one}. RSVP to this email or call E Heuscher at 970-856-4226 for more information. 4
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 Take a good look within And ask yourself with no doubt When I breathe you in How much will I breathe out? The answer is divine You knew it all the time I will never stop Until I breathe out every drop! -Robintix Join us on Friday mornings at 8:00 am for meditation with intentional breathing with Robintix via Zoom. Contact Robintix for more info at
Goddess Group Goddess Group will meet every other Thursday, at 6:30 pm via Zoom. We will look at the origins of the chakra system and learn more about their correspondences and meaning in our life before embarking on a more long-term exploration over the coming months. We welcome your open mind and your goddess soul. For more information contact Barbara Beth Wolf by emailing works90@hotmail.com. The Goddess Group will meet again Thursday, August 6 at 6:30 pm. Watch your weekly emails or go to www.grandvalleyuu.org for the link.
Me and White Supremacy Beginning on Wednesday, August 5th 10:00am - 11:30am More than ever before, people are asking what they can do to help dismantle white supremacy and where to begin. Layla F. Saad, author of Me and White Supremacy answers: “Begin within. Begin with you and white supremacy.” A daytime R.E. series, (August 5th through September 2nd) will lead the participants through the 28-day challenge included in Layla Saad’s book to understand their white privilege and their participation in white supremacy so they can stop (often unconsciously) inflicting damage on People of Color and, in turn, help other white people do better too. In this time of zooming around, Penny Youngren 'attended' a U-U worship service in Burlington, VT where members who met Saad's 28day challenge told how meaningful and life-changing it was to read and journal about white supremacy. Their stories so inspired Penny, she bought the book, phoned Wendy, and offered to lead this course. Participation is limited to 12 people. To register, learn more about the course, or If you are interested but cannot attend daytime meetings, call Penny at (970) 549-1152. 5
Message from the DRE By Chelsea E. Craine, Director of Religious Education for Children and Youth
I’m sure you are all wondering what children’s RE will look like this fall. The RE team and UUCGV staff have been working very hard to come up with a plan that will keep our families safe while engaging us all in spiritual growth. We all wish we could begin meeting in person for Sunday worship and RE, however that is not possible at this time. This fall we will be offering RE via Zoom on Sunday mornings from 9:30am-10:15am beginning on Sunday, September 13th. There will be two classes offered at this time, one for preK-1st graders and another for 2nd-5th graders. Middle and high school youth will meet twice a month in person on Sunday evenings. Many of our wonderful RE teachers from last year will be rejoining us and we will be welcoming a couple new teachers to the team. Thank you to everyone who has volunteered to share their time and talent with our children and youth. We will continue using the Soul Matters themed curriculum for this RE year. The Soul Matters team has been working diligently to modify their structure to work with online teaching rather than against it. For younger children, classes will include elements such as embodied meditations, arts activities and Wonder Box props, as well as treasure hunt and “find & show” games. For older children, classes will also include simultaneous creation (i.e. online simple creative projects one can do on the screen with others) and science experiment-based lessons. Another important addition to this year’s Soul Matters curriculum is a renewed focus on anti-racism work. An entire lesson each month will be dedicated to a different aspect of dismantling white supremacy. In addition to Sunday RE, we will continue to program activities for children, youth, and intergenerational bonding throughout the week. Some of these will be virtual offerings, but others will be small, outdoor, in-person gatherings. This month we will continue to explore the Discovery Garden and will also help decorate a door for Habitat for Humanity Mesa County. Please see the Important Dates section of your newsletter for specifics on these and other kid-friendly events including Sundae Sunday. Finally, throughout the year I will be procuring a rotating selection of “Diverse Reads” for kids featuring BIPOC, Latinx, LGBTQ, and differently abled authors and characters. Families can check out books during office hours. I want to thank each member and friend of UUCGV for your kindness and support of each other during this unprecedented time. You are loved and appreciated. Hope to see you soon! 6
Important Dates in Religious Education In the Discovery Garden Saturday, August 8th, 9:30am-10:30am Join us in the Discovery Garden to plant seeds for a fall vegetable harvest and paint rocks to decorate the garden. Snacks to follow.
World Habitat Day Door Project Saturday, August 15th, 9:00am-10:00am UUCGV families are invited to help decorate a door. Kirk from Habitat for Humanity Mesa County will tell us about his organization and the work they do as we paint the door together.
Sundae Sunday Sunday, August 23rd, 2:00pm-4:00pm Ice cream, friends, and fun at Lincoln Park! Bring picnic blankets, sunscreen, and outdoor toys as we enjoy a socially-distanced party and register for Fall RE! The pool is open, so folks interested in swimming can bring a suit.
Teacher Orientation Saturday, August 29th, 9:00am-12:00pm All RE teachers are invited to a Zoom orientation prior to the start of Fall RE. Topics to be discussed include how online RE is different from in-person RE, an introduction to this year's Soul Matters curriculum, how to use Zoom, online teaching strategies, mandatory reporter training, nuts and bolts of lesson plans, and breakout time for teams to schedule and review September lesson plans together. First Day of Fall RE Sunday, September 13th Join us on Zoom for the beginning of Fall RE. You will not want to miss the new stories, activities, and catching up with your friends and teachers! Classes will be separated by age to provide ageappropriate religious education for all children and youth.
7
August RE Schedule
Children’s Chapel: Buddhism 1 Sunday, August 2nd, 10:00am-10:25am https://uuma.zoom.us/j/95239613556 This week we begin exploring the religion of Buddhism. We will learn about the life of Siddhartha Gautama and the tenets of Buddhism he helped establish. We will share a story and brief meditation. Please bring your mandalas, coloring supplies, and the image of Buddha from your Summer RE box! Children’s Chapel: Buddhism 2 Sunday, August 9th, 10:00am-10:25am https://uuma.zoom.us/j/95239613556 This week we will continue exploring the religion of Buddhism. We will learn about the Eightfold Path, the mantra of Chenrezig, the Buddha of Compassion, and the Five Precepts. Children’s Chapel: Wrapping Up Sunday, August 16th, 10:00am-10:25am https://uuma.zoom.us/j/95239613556 This week we will wrap up our world religions summer curriculum. We will reflect on what we have learned, examine our 7 UU Principles in relation to the religions we have been studying, and share some of our favorite memories from Summer RE. * NO SUNDAY RE ON 8/23, 8/30, or 9/6 * 8
8
September - RENEWAL
Renewed by Our Church Friends: Water Communion Sunday, September 13th, 2020 Church is a place where we make friends and are renewed by being together. While young children may not get the metaphors of Water Communion, they certainly feel the connective power of blowing bubbles together and playing with water related games. Renewed by Differences: Anti-Racism Sunday, September 20th, 2020 We are renewed by differences. People have different colors of skin. Some people are treated badly because of the color of their skin. That is called racism. We are working hard to make racism go away. No one should be treated badly because of the color of their skin. We are different and that makes life beautiful. Renewed by Wonder: Our First UU Source Sunday, September 27th, 2020 Wonder is part of our religion. We wonder about the stars, and about life. Wonder renews our spirit. It helps us remember that life is full of some many amazing and surprising things!
9
9
COVID-19 Crisis Donations for the Navajo Nation in Arizona Thank you for your generosity! The donations for the Navajo were much appreciated! The next supply train will led by Tim Kral and Teri Roth, will be headed to Arizona on August 25th. Donations will continue to be accepted at UUCGV this week on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday 12:004:00. Next week we will have slightly different office hours, to be announced soon. Please email administrator@grandvalleyuu.org if you would like to coordinate a different time to drop off donations. The Downtown Vineyard Church is hosting an event for the community to bring supplies for the Navajo people on August 16th. It will be from 8:00am until noon in the parking lot. Tim and Teri will be there to answer any questions and to thank people for their support.
GJ Mutual Aid Distribution Day
Food donantions are always needed, non-perishables as well as fresh.
Need help tracking your stimulus check?
10am- 2pm RESOURCE NAVIGATION services provided BY Shannon Shiree Robinson
11am-12pm FREE DOG vaccinations for at-risk dogs by Vince Cope of Barkley's Hope NO COST for the houseless community.
10:30am-1:20pm Free Hair Kutz by Pooka Campbell & Kim Smith 10
UUCGV Calendar
August
Worship Schedule Worship Services are held Sundays at 10:30 am via Zoom
2020 Sunday 26
Monday 27
Tuesday 28
10:00 Children’s Chapel via Zoom 2
3
4
12:00 Staff Meeting
10
10:00 Children’s Chapel via Zoom 10:30 Worship Via Zoom
16
17
10:00 Children’s Chapel via Zoom 10:30 Worship Via Zoom
24
6
18
19
1 12:00 Staff Meeting
Saturday 1
7
8
8:00 Morning Meditation
8:30 UU Serves at the Soup Kitchen 9:30 Discovery Garden
3:00 Memorial for Arleta Carr 4:00-6:00 Reception
8:30 Laughter Yoga @ Sherwood Park 6:30 Goddess 10:00 Me and Group via Zoom White Supremacy via Zoom 7:00 Board 10:30 Meditation
25
31
7:00 Board
12:00 Finance Team 12:00 Staff Meeting 12:00 TLC
12:00 Staff Meeting
31
5 8:30 L.aughter Yoga 10:30 Meditation 10:00 Me and White Supremacy via Zoom 5:30 Black Canyon
Friday 8:00 Morning Meditation
12
12:00 Staff Meeting
10:00 Children’s Chapel 10:30 Worship 2:00 Sundae Sunday @ Lincoln Park Pool 30 10:00 Children’s Chapel via Zoom 10:30 Worship Via Zoom
30
11
5:30 RE Team
23
29
Thursday
8:30 Laughter Yoga @ Sherwood Park
10:00 Children’s Chapel via Zoom 10:30 Worship Via Zoom
9
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.
13
20
14 8:00 Morning Meditation
15
9:00 Habitat Door Day
7:00 Peace Road 2020 21
22
September 8:30 Laughter Newsletter Yoga @ Deadline Sherwood Park 10:00 Me and White Supremacy via Zoom 10:30 Meditation
8:00 Morning Meditation
26
28
29
8:30 Laughter Yoga @ Sherwood Park 6:30 Goddess 10:00 Me and Group via Zoom White Supremacy via Zoom 10:30 Meditation
8:00 Morning Meditation
9:00 RE Teacher Orientation
2 8:30 Laughter Yoga @ Sherwood Park 10:30 Meditation
4 8:00 Morning Meditation
5
27
11
3
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-Wednesday 9:00am-2:30pm Thursday 11am-2:30pm, Friday 10am-12pm Minister: Rev. Wendy Jones Tue 10-1, Wed & Thu 10-12, or by appointment 257-0772 x2 or minister@grandvalleyuu.org Church Administrator: Maya Kraushaar Tue & Wed 9-2:30, Thu 11-2:30, Fri 10-12, or by appointment 257-0772 x1 or administrator@grandvalleyuu.org Director of Religious Education: Chelsea E. Craine Tue & Thu 9-11, Wed 3-5, or by appointment 257-0772 x3 or dre@grandvalleyuu.org Music Director: Amadalin Hunter music@grandvalleyuu.org Facilities: Cameron Jordan
“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them. “ ~Albert Einstein
www.grandvalleyuu.org Find us on Facebook & Instagram @grandvalleyuu
We meet Sundays at 10:30 am for Worship
