UUCGV NEWS
Welcome to the month of
Deep Listening Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Grand Valley — Newsletter
From Our Minister, Reverend Wendy Jones One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say. ~ Bryant H. McGill
October 2020
We are an affiliated congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Association and the Mountain Desert District of the UUA.
Stephen Covey says, “Most people don’t listen with the intent to understand. They listen with the intent to reply.” The theme for this month of October is deep listening and I find it very fitting as we approach the election in November. Never has listening to and hearing one another been so important.
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We don’t only listen with our ears. We listen with our eyes. We listen with our feelings. We listen with our intuitions. We listen by looking. We can’t listen if we can’t slow down. We can’t listen if we can’t see each other. We listen by slowing down, we listen by making time, we listen by creating space for another to feel fully heard. Who is responsible for listening? We all are: teachers, ministers, coaches, parents.
We are a Welcoming Congregation
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#grandvalleyuu
In This Issue
A Place for
Liberal Spirituality Diverse Thought
and Community Action
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Among Us 1-5 Children/Youth Religious Education 7-9 Leadership 10-11 Community 6, 10, 12 Calendar 13
(Continued from page 1)
The level of disconnect in this country right now is staggering, and yet I really believe the solution is simple. We have to get reconnected to one another. We have to get reconnected to ourselves. We have to get reconnected to the idea that there is something larger than us. This disconnect even extends to our relationship with nature to the extent that we as human beings believe we can do whatever we want it with no consequence, and it’s become a sickness in our society. Deep listening is about us taking this disconnect seriously, acknowledging it, naming it, and making a commitment to do something about it. What can we do about it? We can start showing up in each other’s lives. We can slow down long enough to recognize the need in another person. We can turn off our devices long enough to look around us. We can recognize that there’s more to life than the next item on our to do list. We need to be able to say, “I am listening.” We need to be able to say, “I see you“. We need to be able to say, “you are not alone“. We need to be able to say to another person “you were missed.” If we practice doing all of this now, we will be prepared to move forward in November regardless of the outcome of the election. With Love, Rev. Wendy
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It’s Scary to Be Hungry! Saturday, October 31st, 1:00pm-3:00pm
“Part of doing something is listening. We are listening. To the sun. To the stars. To the wind.”
The Community Food Bank needs your help to make sure everyone in the Grand Valley has the food they need for a fantastic holiday meal. Most needed items include stuffing, gravy, instant potatoes, cranberry sauce, and canned sweet potatoes and pumpkin. Monetary donations are also accepted (checks may be made out to Community Food Bank.) Congregants should drop off donations in the UUCGV parking lot between 1:00pm and 2:00pm where kids will help sort the food. At 2:00 the kids will caravan to the food bank to help weigh in and put away the donations. Kids are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes for the event. Help our children celebrate Halloween by getting food to those in need.
Photo Challenge: Deep Listening Where do you go when you want to listen to your heart? Who has helped shape your past with their words of wisdom? Do you enjoy listening to nature? October is our month of exploring what it means to be a people of deep listening. As you consider this, take pictures inspired by the theme and send them to dre@grandvalleyuu.org by Friday, October 23rd to be included in the slideshow on Sunday, October 25th.
~ Madeleine Tie Dye It Up!
L'Engle
Stop by the church during office hours to pick up a T-shirt or mask tie dyed by our UUCGV youth! Proceeds sponsor children to attend the Glenwood Caverns trip on October 24th! Shirts $20 Masks $10 Shirt/Mask Bundle $25 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 across from 1460 East Sherwood Drive at 9:00am Wednesday mornings until further notice.
Black Canyon Discussion Group Our next Black Canyon Discussion Group will meet on Wednesday, October 7 at 6:00pm. We will be outdoors in the covered picnic area of Cedaredge Park Shelter on W. Main Street past the tennis courts, 4 blocks west of Hwy 65. 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. Topic will be: In the situation we find ourselves now, how can we be most effective? We will identify the situation and potentially effective solutions. 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 8:30 am for meditation with intentional breathing with Robintix via Zoom. Contact Robintix for more info at
Join the UUCGV Goddess Group as we discover the hidden forces within. All who identify as woman 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. August 20: Root Chakra September 3: Sacral Chakra September 17: Check-in on Root & Sacral Chakra October 1: Solar Pexus Chakra October 15: Heart Chakra October 29: Throat Chakra November 12: Brow Chakra * No Goddess Group on November 26th for Goddesses to enjoy Thanksgiving Day December 10: Crown Chakra Zoom in: https://zoom.us/j/91710127618? pwd=dmRrRkJtRVY5WmJmSUV2blNWQlFwdz09 Meeting ID: 917 1012 7618 Passcode: 083780
Mindful Meditation Bobbie and Boz are hosting a one time outside meditation walk and sit at our place to enjoy the trees turning and the pond. It will have to be weather permitting and please bring something to sit on. We will meet at 185 Bevan Lane on Sunday, October 4th at 4:00pm. Hope to see you, we have missed you! RSVP if you can by emailing bozbie@hotmail.com. 5
It’s Time to Sing!
Choir is up and running again in a new virtual and social distanced way. Wednesdays have always been choir night and they are again. Beginning on October 14th we will be recording music together! While we are not able to sing as an in-person choir on Sundays, this is an opportunity to create music together on a regular basis. Our amazing Music Director, Amandalin Hunter, will be at the church on Wednesday nights for connection, conversation, and collaboration of our musical talents. Drop by the church on the 2nd & 4th Wednesdays anytime between 6:30-8:00pm to record your music. If you aren't already part of our choir, but interested in singing for special arrangements, we’d love to have you! Please email Amandalin at music@grandvalleyuu.org for more info. 6
Soulful Sundays
October 25th ~ All Souls Day November 1st ~ Staying Mindful in a Mindless World ~ Sharing Our Collective Wisdom November 22nd ~ Giving Thanks November 24th ~ Gratitude in the Midst of Crisis (ThanksGIVIN Virtual Community Service) December 20th ~ Mitten Tree December 24th ~ Virtual Christmas Eve 7
UU Fall Picnic
FALL INTO FELLOWSHIP Join us to enjoy stimulating fall weather and sparkling conversation (hey, we're UUs!) at a do-it-yourself lawn picnic for the whole congregation. Join us on Saturday, October 10, from 11:30 on, at Canyon View Park. This is along 24 Road just south of I-70. Look for us on the lawn by the volleyball site near the pavilion. This is close to parking, shade, restrooms and kiddie playground. Bring: your food and beverage (no glass), lawn chairs, and mask. We'll have space on the lawn to spread apart as you wish. 8
Message from the DRE By Chelsea E. Craine, Director of Religious Education for Children and Youth At first I was not excited about the theme of Deep Listening. When I saw that it was surrounded by Renewal in September, Healing in November, and Stillness in December, I thought there was no way that kids could enjoy engaging in so many sedentary topics. However, over the last couple of months, I have come to realize the importance of deep listening now more than ever. Listening is not something we are taught in school. In many schools we are taught rhetoric, how to frame our own argument in a convincing manner. If we are lucky, our school teaches us how to examine another person’s argument critically. At every school, we are ordered to listen without being taught how: “Pay attention!” “Quiet down!” “Listen up!” But the motivation of these instructions is far from the motivation of Deep Listening. According to the Center for Spirituality and Healing, “Deep Listening is the process of listening to learn. It requires the temporary suspension of judgement, and a willingness to receive new information - whether pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral.” In a divisive climate like the one in which we live, it is very easy to cling to our previously established beliefs and miss out on the opportunity to listen deeply to one another and ourselves. I believe this is especially true for those of us who are adults. We have developed our opinions over time, and over time they have fossilized and become inflexible. Like the human brain, which has greater elasticity in our younger years, our convictions also grow stale with age. What happens when our minds can no longer be changed? We become incapable of empathy. The brains of children are changing all the time, and so are their ideas. To reference a cliche, they are sponges, soaking up new information and constantly reconfiguring their worldviews to accommodate what they have learned. But are they confused by this constant rewiring? No. To children it is perfectly natural to continue learning and changing; they accept (perhaps subconsciously) that to live is to change. My hope for this month is that we all take a leaf out of the book of our children: learn to be open to change through Deep Listening. Here are a few ideas about how we can deepen our listening skills: imagine yourself inside the mind of the person to whom you are listening, listen for the other person’s meaning, pay attention to their body language, cultivate empathy, avoid making judgments, look into the other person’s eyes while they are speaking, and pay attention to the feelings associated with the other person’s words. Blessings upon you and Happy Fall! Chelsea 9
Important Dates in Religious Education Tie Dye Time Sunday, October 4th, 1:00pm-2:00pm All children and youth are invited to the UUCGV parking lot to tie dye T-shirts and face masks! These items will be on sale during office hours at the church to continue raising funds for our Glenwood Caverns trip. Hope to see you there. Moon Farms Fall Extravaganza! Saturday, October 17th Join us in a fall celebration at Moon Farms Pumpkin Patch and Petting Zoo! Enjoy a haunted straw maze, hay rides, and time outdoors with friends and family. Meet at Moon Farms entrance at 10:30am or at UUCGV at 10:00am to carpool. Admission is $6/person. Please RSVP to dre@grandvalleyuu.org by Thursday, October 15th.
Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park! Saturday, October 24th Get ready for a fun-packed day at Glenwood Caverns! Whether you like thrill rides like the Alpine Coaster, Haunted Mine Drop, and Giant Canyon Swing or more relaxed activities like fossil digging, gemstone panning, and cave tours, there is something for everyone. Meet at UUCGV at 8:30am to carpool or meet at the park entrance at 10:00am. Admission is $29/person (offset by the Kids Art Sale and Tie Dye fundraisers.) Please RSVP to dre@grandvalleyuu.org by Tuesday, October 20th. It’s Scary to Be Hungry (Food Drive) Saturday, October 31st, 1:00pm-3:00pm The Community Food Bank needs your help to make sure everyone in the Grand Valley has the food they need for a fantastic holiday meal. Most needed items include stuffing, gravy, instant potatoes, cranberry sauce, and canned sweet potatoes and pumpkin. Congregants should drop off donations in the UUCGV parking lot between 1:00pm and 2:00pm where kids will help sort the food. At 2:00 we will caravan to the food bank to help weigh in and put away the donations. Kids are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes for the event. 10
October - DEEP LISTENING Listen to Your Heart: 2nd Principle Focus Sunday, October 4th, 2020 At church we practice kindness. We practice listening to each other as a way to be kind. It’s part of our Second UU Principle, “Be kind in all you do.” So what’s one of the ways our faith guides us into becoming a people of deep listening? It tells us to “Listen to your heart telling you to be kind!” Listen to BIPOC Voices: Anti-Racism and our 8th Principle Sunday, October 11th, 2020 When children’s books only have white characters, people of color are erased. To fight against racism, we tell stories by BIPOC authors, with BIPOC characters. Listen to Nature: Our Seventh UU Principle Sunday, October 18th, 2020 We feel calm when we listen to the crickets chirping in the evening. Deeply listening makes us feel part of all that is around us. Listen to the Wise Ones: Second Source and Memorial Services Sunday, October 25th, 2020 Listening deeply to the memories and stories of grandparents and wise ones helps us learn how to live our lives. When we lose a wise one, It helps us know that we are not alone.
UUCGV Kids Diverse Reads Throughout the year we 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. 11
A Sacred Project for a Sacred Year The number of people who have died from COVID-19 has surpassed 180,000. In an attempt to grasp the magnitude of this number, Linda McBride with the Art Center in Grand Junction has invited UUCGV and the entire Grand Valley community to share in a sacred community art project called Helios (for the Greek god of the sun) with the intention of offering “light” in these dark times through a special community art project recognizing & honoring those who have lost their lives this year due to COVID-19. A number of panels have been printed with beautiful red rose petals overlaid with 4,680 small squares. The community is invited to place a silver dot inside each square representing a person who has died from COVID. This project will be done in silence as each square is intentionally dotted with love and honor. Please join us on Wednesday mornings from 11:00- 12:00 to “dot” the beautiful panels (currently 40) that will be displayed outside of the Art Center of Western Colorado this fall.
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 At-Large Paul Kraushaar Team Leadership Circle (TLC) Worship Robin Cyr
We invite you to join us for our Wednesday Meditation for Peace from 10:30 a.m. -10:50 a.m. and then stay if you wish to continue this sacred practice.
Religious Education (RE) Jan Hyland
If you would like to participate in this project but would prefer to offer your "sacred dotting intention" in the evening, please let Rev. Wendy know and we will set up additional opportunities for people to participate in this sacred project.
Celebrations Mary Delbecq
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Membership Bill Conrod
At-Large Angie Ecker At-Large Laura Jeffries
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 dayto-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 Thursday, September 15, 2020. The following was discussed at the meeting. TLC will meet again on Tuesday, October 13th, 2020 at 12:00 pm.
Below are the highlights of the Board meeting held on Thursday, September 17, 2020 Our UUCGV Board will meet again on Thursday, October 8, 2020 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 October 2nd, 2020
The board approved a plan to move forward to begin offering a hybrid approach to in person/zoom worship services. There will be a leadership retreat/workshop in October for the leadership of UUCGV Finance Report: YTD net $1342 positive. PPP loan forgiveness process is underway.
Email tlc@grandvalleyuu.org for questions and comments.
Religious Education:
Fall RE has started via zoom for the pre-school and elementary ages. The first Sunday went well with just a few technology snags. Chelsea & Abby Leinbach are working on in-person activities for the middle & highschool groups. Upcoming RE Activities
September 19th - - Art show with the kids for fundraiser for Glenwood Caverns trip. September 26th - - Youth Pizza Party October 17th - - Moon Farms family outing October 24th - - Trip to Glenwood Caverns Amusement Park Membership: “Fall Into fellowship” Social Event The membership team will be hosting an opportunity for the UUCGV community to gather together for fellowship on October 10th Canyon View Park from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00. The congregation is invited to bring their own food to the picnic shelter near the playground. Care: There are a few congregants dealing with issues related to aging and Rev. Wendy is in touch with their out of town families. Worship: Zoom worship is going well. We are averaging about 65 people joining us via zoom on Sunday mornings. A discussion ensued about whether we are ready to start incorporating a hybrid style of worship opening up to some “in person” opportunities. We do occasionally have visitors and guests joining the service which is exciting. 13
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 in the next couple of weeks. We will be accepting donations at the church during office hours.
GJ Mutual Aid Distribution Day
The following items are needed: - Emergen-C - Alka Seltzer cold - Vicks or chest rub - Cough drops - Kids vitamins - Vitamins C, D and E - Hand sanitizer - Disinfectant wipes - Disinfectant spray - Multi-purpose cleaner/household cleaner - Liquid soap - Bar soap - Laundry soap - Bounce - Wash cloths - Dish towels - Hand/body lotion - CANNED MEATS SPAM, CORN BEEF HASH - CANNED VEGETABLES - CANNED FRUIT - Potatoes - Water - Vitamin water - Ensure drinks - Clear protein drinks - Socks for kids - Kids shoes sizes 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 - Socks for adult men and women - Toilet paper - Paper towels - Kleenex 14
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 & Modern Man's Barbershop
UUCGV Calendar
October
Worship Schedule Worship Services are held Sundays at 10:30 am via Zoom
2020 Sunday 27
Monday 28
9:30 Children’s RE via Zoom 10:30 Worship Via Zoom
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5
9:30 Children’s RE via Zoom 10:30 Worship Via Zoom
Tuesday
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9:30 Children’s RE via Zoom 10:30 Worship Via Zoom
18
19
9:30 Children’s RE via Zoom 10:30 Worship Via Zoom
25 9:30 Children’s RE via Zoom 10:30 All Souls Day Service
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Thursday
Friday
Saturday
29
30
10:00 GJ Mutual Aid
9:00 Laughter Yoga @ Sherwood Park 10:00 Me and White Supremacy 10:30 Meditation 6:30 Goddess 11:00 Memorial Group via Zoom “Dotting”
8:30 Morning Meditation
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7
9
10
10:00 GJ Mutual Aid 12:00 Finance
9:00 Laughter Yoga 10:00 Me and White Supremacy 10:30 Meditation 11:00 Memorial “Dotting” 11:00 Care 5:30 Black Canyon
8:30 Morning Meditation
8:30 UU Serves at the Soup Kitchen
1:00 Tie Dye Time
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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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8
14
15
10:00 GJ Mutual Aid 12:00 TLC
9:00 Laughter Yoga 10:00 Me and White Supremacy 10:30 Meditation 6:30 Goddess Group via Zoom
20
21
November Newsletter Deadline 10:00 GJ Mutual Aid
9:00 Laughter Yoga 10:00 Me and White Supremacy 10:30 Meditation 11:00 Memorial “Dotting” 5:30 RE Team
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28
10:00 GJ Mutual Aid
9:00 Laughter Yoga 10:00 Me and White Supremacy 10:30 Meditation 11:00 Memorial 6:30 Goddess “Dotting” Group via Zoom
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29
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11:30 UU Fall Picnic at Canyon View Park
7:00 Board
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15
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8:30 Morning Meditation
10:30 Moon Farms Fall Extravaganza!
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24
8:30 Morning Meditation
8:30 Glenwood Caverns Trip!
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8:30 Morning Meditation
1:00 It’s Scary to Be Hungry (Food Drive)
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 11am-1pm Minister: Rev. Wendy Jones Tue 10-1:00, Wed & Thu 10-12:00, or by appointment 257-0772 x2 or minister@grandvalleyuu.org Church Administrator: Maya Kraushaar Tue & Wed 9-2:30, Thu 11-2:30, Fri 11-1:00, or by appointment 257-0772 x1 or administrator@grandvalleyuu.org Director of Religious Education: Chelsea E. Craine Tue 9-12:00, Sat & Sun 12-2:00, or by appointment 257-0772 x3 or dre@grandvalleyuu.org Music Director: Amadalin Hunter music@grandvalleyuu.org Facilities: Cameron Jordan
“Sometimes its not the strength but gentleness that cracks the hardest shells.” ~ Richard Paul Evans
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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