UUCGV NEWS
Welcome to the month of
Healing Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Grand Valley — Newsletter
From Our Minister, Reverend Wendy Jones The wound is the place where the Light enters you. ~ Rumi Most of you will receive this newsletter in the mail a few days before the 2020 Presidential election. We are at a crossroads in the United States. The two divergent paths could not be more different. One path I believe, will lead us along the road of healing, peace & reconciliation. There will be a lot of work that needs to be done, but the process can begin.
November 2020
We are an affiliated congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Association and the Mountain Desert District of the UUA.
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The other path will lead us down a road to resistance. This will be a road in which we will need to take a deep breath, reassess and regroup. Either way, healing will be necessary. As we enter into November the theme is healing. Henri Nouwen says “We are called to grieve our losses. It seems paradoxical but healing and dancing begin with looking squarely at what causes us pain.” (Turn My Mourning into Dancing)
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 1-5,7 Children/Youth Religious Education 9-11 Leadership 13 Community 6, 8, 12, 14 Calendar 15
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There has been a lot of pain in 2020, in the past 4 years, in the past 4 decades, in the past 4 centuries. Human beings are resilient, and yet the human condition is not new to pain. Sometimes we like to cover it up, hide it, pretend that it is not real. But, hiding from our pain will not and cannot ever bring healing. Healing comes from facing that which is harming us; moving in it and through it so that we can come out on the other side of it. “Only those who can face their wounded condition can be available for healing and enter a new way of living.� (Henri Nouwen) 2020 has been the year when we as a collective humanity have been called to face our wounded condition. Regardless of what happens on Nov. 3, it will be a day to begin healing. We will know which path we are on, and we will move forward accordingly. Let us take a deep breath together. Remember that we are not alone, and as Unitarian Universalists, our collective understanding and belief in the inherent worth and dignity of every human being, the interconnected web of all existence, and the belief and trust in the democratic process are all guiding posts to hold onto in this time of uncertainty. Together we move forward. Together we heal. With Love, Rev. Wendy
Hello Singers! Thank you to all who participated in creating music for the All Souls Service! Moving into the holidays you can expect more virtual singing opportunities as well as some solo opportunities! I will be sending out an email with available times I will be at the church next month and through Christmas for those who prefer to rehearse in person or need help filming their part. As far as solo opportunities, please email me if you have a musical selection you would like to share for our Christmas Eve Service! 2
Sing every day, Amanda
Have You Voted???
What happens when people open their hearts? "They get better.� ~ Haruki Murakami
If you are feeling anxiety about the election, and don’t want to watch the election results alone, join our Zoom room on Tuesday, November 3, 2020 at 6:00pm. Rev. Wendy will also be at the church as a pastoral presence from 5:30-7:30pm on election night. Ballot Box Locations Mesa County Central Services 200 South Spruce Street, Grand Junction Fruita Civic Center 325 East Aspen Avenue, Fruita Clifton DMV 3225 I-70 Business Loop, Unit A2, Clifton GVT West Transfer Facility 612 24 /12 Road, Grand Junction Department of Human Services 510 29 1/2 Road, Grand Junction Colorado Mesa University 1100 North Avenue, Grand Junction Mesa County Fairgrounds 2785 US Highway 50, Grand Junction Palisade Community Center 120 West 8th Street, Palisade 3
UUCGV Meditation Groups
Laughter Yoga Remember to wear a mask and 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. Due to the weather starting to get colder, Laughing Yoga may meet later in the day on Wednesdays. Regular attendees will be notified of the time change. New attendees can text or call Mary at (708) 552-1537 to check the time.
Black Canyon Discussion Group Because of the current pandemic, the Black Canyon Discussion Group will not meet over this winter season.
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Silent Meditation for Healing Our World Join us at the church on Wednesdays at 10:30am for 20-30 minutes of silent meditation for healing our world. We will have chairs arranged six feet apart and we ask that you please bring a mask.
Morning & Evening 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 Monday evenings at 7:00pm & Friday mornings at 9:00am 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. November 12: Heart Chakra Pt.2 November 26: No Goddess Group December 10: Celebrate being together and discussion of chakras December 24: No Goddess Group January 7, 2021: Throat Chakra January 21: Throat Chakra Pt 2 February 4: Brow Chakra February 18: Brow Chakra Pt 2 March 4: Crown Chakra March 18: Crown Chakra Pt 2 Zoom in: https://zoom.us/j/91710127618? pwd=dmRrRkJtRVY5WmJmSUV2blNWQlFwdz09 Meeting ID: 917 1012 7618 Passcode: 083780
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ThanksGVIN Every year at the Grand Valley Interfaith Network (GVIN) offers a community Thanksgiving interfaith service. First Congregational Church under the leadership of Rev. David Dethmers, will be hosting this year. However, due to COVID safety protocols, this year the service will be virtual. Religious and community leaders throughout the Grand Valley have been invited to speak for three to five minutes. Rev. Wendy will be one of the speakers. Please join us virtually on Tuesday, November 24, 2020. The theme of this year's service will be: Gratitude in the Midst of Crisis The link will be sent out in our weekly email.
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Soulful Sundays November 1st For All That Is Our Life Sharing Our Collective Wisdom
November 8th Moving Forward ~ Beginning the Healing Process November 15th Divergent Paths November 22nd A Service of Gratitude November 24th ThanksGIVIN Virtual Community Service Gratitude in the Midst of Crisis 7
THE UUCGV YARD SALE IS GOING VIRTUAL! Due to COVID precautions we are changing our annual yard sale into an ongoing online sale! To raise money for the church we can sell your larger ticket items (over $50 in value) on Facebook Marketplace. Clothing and household items under $50 in value can be dropped off at The Encore Shoppe and sold under UUCGV’s account.
If you have an item valued at $50 or higher that you would like to donate to the church, please email administrator@grandvalleyuu.org for details! 8
Message from the DRE By Chelsea E. Craine, Director of Religious Education for Children and Youth As we settle into the cold months we embrace a time of gathering. We gather the fruits of our year of labor whether they be crops, knowledge, or new friendships. We return to our roots. We gather together with distant relatives around tables of food we have gathered through our bounty. We gather our gratitude for what we have in the present and we gather our courage to face what may come in the future. If we are wise, we gather ourselves. We cast our nets widely and gather all the little pieces that make up ourselves and gather them back together for a time of rest and growth. Throughout the year we give little pieces of ourselves to the world: to our work, to people we meet, to our children. But as many animals know, the winter is a time for selfcare. We need this season of healing to bring ourselves together so that we may enter into a new year strong, fresh, whole, and healed. May this November bring warmth and healing to you and your family. Love, Chelsea
Thank you to everyone who supported our fundraisers which paid for our children and youth to enjoy a full day of fun at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park!!!
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Important Dates in Religious Education Blanket Tying and Pizza Sunday, November 8th, 12:00pm-2:00pm All children and youth are invited to UUCGV to help make fleece blankets for the Frozen Hobo Rescue. If you have fleece, bring it, if not, come anyway. There will be enough supplies for everyone. We will also have pizza for lunch!
Riverfront Trail Expedition Saturday, November 21st, 1:00pm-3:00pm Join us at the Riverfront Trail for an afternoon of fun! Bring your bikes, skates, and frisbees and find us at the Las Colonias park near 9th St. and Riverside Parkway.
Photo Challenge: Healing What does healing mean to you? How does your gratitude help you heal? How can we help heal others? November is our month of exploring what it means to be a people of healing. As you consider this, take pictures inspired by the theme and send them to dre@grandvalleyuu.org by Friday, November 27th to be included in the slideshow on Sunday, November 29th. Thankful Thoughts Children, youth, and adults are invited to record short videos sharing what they are thankful for this year. Please send videos to dre@grandvalleyuu.org by Friday, November 20th to be included in the slideshow on Sunday, November 22nd.
Children’s Carols We are inviting children and families to record themselves singing the following holiday songs for use in virtual worship throughout December. Chelsea will email accompaniment tracks and lyrics to families so that we can all sing “together” in the same key! Selections will include: Jingle Bells Frosty the Snowman Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer O Mitten Tree Dreidel
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November - HEALING Don’t Run Away from the Hard Work of Healing! Sunday, November 1st, 2020 After a fight with someone, it’s easy to run away from the feelings. We have to work at healing. So what does our faith tell us? It tells us, “Don’t run away from the hard work of healing!” Let Gratitude Heal You Sunday, November 8h, 2020 Gratitude means saying thank you. When we think of everything we are grateful for, we are healed. Listen Before You Try to Help and Heal Others: Second UU Principle Focus Sunday, November 15th, 2020 We listen to others before we try to help them. We ask, “How can I help?” and listen for their answer. Heal by Telling the Truth...of Thanksgiving: Anti-Racism, 4th and 8th UU Principles Focus Sunday, November 22nd, 2020 Nobody likes to be made fun of. We do not make fun of Indigenous People. We use the words “Indigenous People” instead of “Indians.” We learn about Indigenous People. Find Ways to Comfort Yourself Sunday, November 29th, 2020 We learn to comfort ourselves. One way is to eat our favorite comfort food. ________________________________________
UUCGV
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.
Diverse Reads for Kids
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A Sacred Project for a Sacred Year The number of people who have died from COVID-19 has surpassed 200,000. 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 day-to-day operations of the church and provides support to the teams if they need it. TLC meets the second Tuesday of the month at noon. The TLC met on Thursday, October 13, 2020. The following was discussed at the meeting. TLC will meet again on Tuesday, November 10, 2020 at 12:00 pm.
Below are the highlights of the Board meeting held on Thursday, October 8, 2020 Our UUCGV Board will meet again on Thursday, November 12, 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 Treasurer: The FY20/21 budget is showing a surplus. Auction: The fall auction has been postponed to the spring. We are also looking into creative on-line options. Hybrid Service Discussion : The board also had a conversation around maintaining a safe hybrid worship option, with social distancing, masks and temperature taking at the door. So far this has been working well. Board Goals for 2020-2021: i. By May 2021, the Board will have come to a consensus about a clarified description of the Leadership Development Team and whether or not this team should continue to be part of our Bylaws. If we do continue with the team, the Board will have agreed upon the specific job description of the LDT and will have found 2-3 ideal volunteers to serve on the LDT during the 21-22 fiscal year. ii. Board will update/revise the description of the Board duties in the Bylaws, to be voted on in the annual meeting June 2021. iii. Board will ensure that there is a well-organized Stewardship Campaign for the 2020-2021 fiscal year. 13
Email tlc@grandvalleyuu.org for questions and comments.
UUCGV Yard Sale: Angie offered to head up the yard sale which will be held on Nov. 6 & 7 outdoors in the parking lot of the church. 10/28/20 UPDATE: This will now be virtual, see page 8.) Care: Rev. Wendy will be available via zoom and at the church to offer pastoral care on election night and Wednesday morning following the election. Membership: The “Fall Into Fellowship� gathering at Canyon View Park was a success and a wonderful opportunity to connect with one another. Worship: The hybrid in person/zoom worship option is working well, with an average of about 10 people showing up in person on Sunday mornings. We will continue this contingent on the COVID numbers in Mesa County.
GJ Mutual Aid Food & Resource Distribution (970) 214-5683 Every Tuesday at 536 Ouray Ave, Grand Junction, Co 81501 10 am – 1pm drop off. 11am - 1:30 pm pick-up In addition to fresh produce & nonperishable foods supplies, we have also partnered with Vote Positive Colorado, Union Station Kutz for free haircuts/ barber services, GV Peace & Justice for resource navigation, Barkley’s Hope for free dog vaccinations and health insurance/Medicare specialists. Find Grand Junction Mutual Aid on Facebook, where you can post needs and offers or send a message to the group admins.
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UUCGV Calendar
November
Worship Schedule Worship Services are held Sundays at 10:30 am via Zoom
2020 Sunday 1
Monday 2
9:30 Children’s RE via Zoom 10:30 Worship Via Zoom
Tuesday 4
Election Day
9:00 Laughter Yoga @ Sherwood Park 10:30 Meditation 11:00 Memorial “Dotting” 11:00 Care
6:30 Goddess Group via Zoom
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11
12
10:00 GJ Mutual Aid 12:00 Finance 12:00 TLC
9:00 Laughter Yoga 10:30 Meditation 11:00 Memorial “Dotting”
10:00 GJ Mutual Aid
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9:30 Children’s RE via Zoom 10:30 Worship Via Zoom 12:00 Blanket Tying & Pizza
7:00 Evening Meditation
15
16
9:30 Children’s RE via Zoom 10:30 Worship Via Zoom
5
23
9:30 Children’s RE via Zoom 10:30 Worship Via Zoom
29
17
18
10:00 GJ Mutual Aid
9:00 Laughter Yoga 10:30 Meditation 5:30 RE Team
6
6:30 Goddess Group via Zoom
24
25
10:00 GJ Mutual Aid
9:00 Laughter Yoga 10:30 Meditation 11:00 Memorial “Dotting”
7:00 ThanksGVIN Service
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1
2
10:00 GJ Mutual Aid
9:00 Laughter Yoga 10:30 Meditation 11:00 Memorial “Dotting”
7:00 Evening Meditation
7
13
14
9:00 Morning Meditation
8:30 UU Serves at the Soup Kitchen 10:00 Discovery Garden Clean Up
20
21
December Newsletter Deadline 9:00 Morning Meditation
1:00 Riverfront Trail Expedition
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27
Thanksgiving
9:00 Morning Meditation
3
4
5
9:00 Morning Meditation
1:00 It’s Scary to Be Hungry (Food Drive)
6:30 Goddess Group via Zoom 15
Saturday
9:00 Morning Meditation
19
7:00 Evening Meditation
9:30 Children’s RE via Zoom 10:30 All Souls Day Service
Friday
7:00 Board
7:00 Evening Meditation 22
Thursday
3
7:00 Evening Meditation 8
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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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 11:15am-1:30pm 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 11:15-1:30 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
“Each of us has a unique part to play in the healing of the world.” ~ Marianne Williamson
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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