UUCGV NEWS
Welcome to the month of
Holding History Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Grand Valley — Newsletter
November 2021
From Our Minister, Reverend Wendy Jones
We are an affiliated congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Association and the Mountain Desert District of the UUA.
Few will have the greatness to bend history itself; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total; of all those acts will be written the history of this generation. ~ Robert Kennedy We are living in historical times. There have been historical events in every decade. I believe the last 10 years we’ve been living through, will be written about in the history books.
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Historians will be writing about the 2016 & 2020 elections, they will be writing about the pandemic and our collective reaction to the vaccines, and they will be writing about how truly interconnected we realized we are, both as a humanity and with nature. In some ways, I find it extraordinary that we are the people who are living through these historical times. We are creating the future with our actions and our decisions right now. Please don’t underestimate the power of your thoughts and your choices on this very day. We
We are a Welcoming Congregation
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#grandvalleyuu A Place for Liberal Spirituality Diverse Thought
“Definitions belong to the definers, not the defined.”
and Community Action
~ Toni Morrison (“Beloved,” 1987) 1
In This Issue
Among Us 1-4, 8-9
Aging Graciously 6-7
Leadership 10
Worship Calendar 5
Calendar 11
(Continued from page 1)
are more powerful than we realize. We can choose anger, sarcasm, resentment and hate, or we can choose to be the people who stand strong with compassion strength and vision during these times. Sometimes it’s easy to get sucked into the drama, the chaos, and the fear that comes with uncertainty. When this happens, it’s our guiding principles that help us gain clarity and move forward. So many times throughout the last few years I have been encouraged and strengthened by our Unitarian Universalist guiding principles. When I have been at a loss on how to respond, or what to do in certain circumstances, I have looked to our UU principles as guideposts. I became a Unitarian Universalist because I strongly affirm and believe in the inherent worth and dignity of every person, the interconnected web of all existence & the free and responsible search for truth and meaning. These principles have guided me, grounded me and strengthened my resolve throughout the years. I am grateful for them, and I am grateful to be in a community of like-minded people who value those same principles too. Wouldn’t it be great if future historians end up writing about these principles becoming the guiding force for these times? With Love, Rev. Wendy
The Community Food Bank is seeking donations of whole turkeys and turkey breasts for the upcoming holiday. The best time to drop off donations is Saturday, November 20th between 10am-2pm. The Community Food Bank is located at 476 28 1/2 Rd, GJ, 81501. Donations can be dropped at the large garage door with the "Donations" sign. If you would like a receipt for your taxes, please request one at drop-off. 2
From UUCGV Director of Music, Miriam Deming In this month of "holding history" the choir music I have chosen both holds our personal history, like honoring those who have passed on in our All Soul's celebration, and it also remembers the overall history that is a part of our society's narrative. For example, as we honor our personal history and our relatives/ancestors who are no longer with us, I chose a Spanish piece called "Esto Les Digo," whose text is from a bible verse that may be familiar to many of us: "Where two or three are gathered in My name, there will I be also." Whether or not a higher power is a part of your paradigm, I think we can all relate to that "something special" that happens when we gather as a community (which is why we gather together in this community, I would venture to say). In the broader sense of history, we are singing the piece from Ragtime the Musical called "Make Them Hear You," whose lyrics include these: Go out and tell our story to your daughters and your sons Make them hear you Make them hear you And tell them, "In our struggle, We were not the only ones" Make them hear you Make them hear you Your sword could be a sermon Or the power of the pen Teach every child to raise his voice And then my brothers, then Will justice be demanded by ten million righteous men Make them hear youWhen they hear you, I'll be near you Again I hope we can listen, authentically, to each other's stories, so we can be heard and connect to each other in our shared experiences and in our acknowledged differences. If you would like to be a part of our music-making, we meet Wednesdays from 6:30-8pm and everyone is welcome regardless of music experience/ability...we are all learning together. Thank you! Happy Autumn! Miriam Deming, UUCGV Choir Director music@grandvalleyuu.org
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Join us at UUCGV’s sister church, the First Congregational Church of Christ, for a warm and welcoming meal together on Thanksgiving Day! Bring your favorite side dish or dessert to 1425 N. 5th St. on Thursday, November 25th at 2:00pm for a beautiful potluck celebration. The UUCGV Green Team would like to shout out a big thank you to Ann Barrett for starting to raise us out of the ashes. The Green Team has been mostly inactive since the beginning of Covid. Ann has graciously offered to lead the team. Five of us “Greens” recently met via Zoom. Moving forward we all agree that it would be wonderful if we could partner with another organization within the community that is already working toward reversing the impact of climate change. Joel brought up a similar option that also seemed exciting – coming up with our own idea for a project and partnering with Western Colorado Alliance, who currently has funds available and is seeking proposals. So, the Green Team is currently in the process of looking for ideas. We are hoping you, the UUCGV congregation, can help. Do you know of any local organizations with environmental projects, or are working on the impacts of climate change? Do you have any ideas for a project that we could create and participate in? If you have any ideas or would like to join our team (our next meeting is November 4 at 7:00pm via Zoom) please email us at, green@grandvalleyuu.org. - Monte High, Green Teammate Join us for our next Green Team discussion on November 4th at 7:00pm via Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84054809133?pwd=MHJnbE9PZm1SVGNOeDJWTkd4aGZ6QT09 4
Soulful Sundays Upcoming Sunday Services Please join us virtually or in person at 10:30 a.m. every Sunday. View the Order of Service at www.grandvalleyuu.org/sunday-services Children’s Programming provided downstairs. November 7th All Souls Day ~ Memorial Blessing ~ Rev. Wendy Jones November 14th Holding History Rev. Wendy Jones November 21st Embracing Gratitude Rev. Wendy Jones November 28th Find a Stillness Rev. Wendy Jones (No RE Programming 11/28 Thanksgiving Break) https://zoom.us/j/383905626?pwd=amdBd3NU cUtQWG5hbUFRTHBVNWI4UT09 5
This monthly Aging Graciously Newsletter is written by Ernie Stech, UUCGV member
Gracious Harvesting October is the month when farmers and gardeners harvest crops. Most of us are not able to do that, but we can harvest the results of having lived a long time. One senior citizen, quoted in the book A Life Complete, provides a possible answer as to our crop: “We’re lucky. We develop the humor, love, joy, and humility to discover life again – as a child. That is wisdom. And it usually takes old age to find it.” Humor, love, joy, and humility. Humor? Maybe the absurd antics of younger people and politicians. We can find humor also in the behavior of children and pets, even wild animals. Real YouTube posting: A bear steals a box of toilet paper from the front porch of a home! All-to-real jokes about getting old. Maybe a cartoon that hits home. Love? The patience to listen to a spouse, partner, or family member. The ability to support a friend in learning a new activity. Providing a spontaneous hug to a loved one. Taking care in selecting an appropriate birthday card for someone. Simply smiling at a stranger or thanking a store clerk. Joy? Getting a message from an old friend. Stepping into a warm bath or a hot tub. Having someone scratch or massage your back. Waking up to sunshine. Invited to lunch by friends. To cook up a favorite meal and then sit down and enjoy it. Having someone put a hand on your shoulder. Humility? Knowing that it is okay to let someone go by you in a supermarket aisle. To be able to look at an old tree or a very old rock formation in awe. Recognizing that earlier achievements have been made moot by progress; Or to look at the night sky and realize how small we are… Planted, nurtured, and harvested wisdom.
Celebrating Our Guardian Angels (Not the Mythical Ones Floating Overhead) Halloween is a holiday that dates to Celtic days. It is the day that is halfway between the Fall Solstice and Winter equinox on the Celtic annual calendar. It was devoted, in various places and times, to witches, goblins and ghosts. Because they were considered evil, people offered sweet treats to appease the malevolent spirits. Pope Gregory III saw an opportunity to convert the celebration to a Christian holiday in which folks would remember all the Catholic saints. Hence, “All Saints Day.” Recently I made a list of the people who supported, nurtured, and inspired me. My personal Guardian Angels. The list included two people from undergraduate days, four during professional work, one a graduate school faculty and another a Hopi (when I did volunteer work for the National Park Service). Last and most certainly not least is my wife. 6
I realized that I needed to celebrate their contributions to my life and that my own All Angels Day would be a good time to reflect and offer thanks. That is what I am going to do on the evening of October 31 while the neighborhood kiddies are out grabbing candy. I will devote time to thinking of my “angels” and how they not only transformed but saved my life.
A Reflection on Success “The problem…had something to do with having finally arrived and wondering what I had arrived at.” - Luciano Pavarotti
Ponder “Home is not where you were born. Home is where all your attempts to escape cease.” - Naguib Mahfouz
Closing Words “What we plant in the soil of contemplation, we shall reap in the harvest of action.” - Meister Eckhart* *First Christian mystic who believed people could have direct access to God; tried and convicted of heresy by Pope John XXII.
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Goddess Group Join the UUCGV Goddess Group as we discover the hidden forces within. All who identify as women are welcome to join us at any or all of the dates below. We meet monthly on the 4th Thursday, at 6:30 pm via Zoom. As women, we are stronger together through support and love. Each meeting offers sisterhood, exploration of various topics, a meditation and a whole lot'a love. For more information contact Barbara Beth by emailing works90@hotmail.com. Upcoming meeting: November 18, 2021 at 6:30pm via Zoom Go to www.grandvalleyuu.org/goddess-group for the Zoom link.
Black Canyon Discussion Group The next Black Canyon Discussion group will be held on November 3 at 6:00pm in the Cedaredge area. Topic will be: "What 5 things are we grateful for and the reasons for that?” The format for the meeting is changing back to the traditional dinner discussion manner: Host will offer the main dish, and then side dishes are provided by the participants. COVID vaccination is required to participate. Questions? Call 970-856-4226 E Heuscher or email at epheuscher@gmail.com There will not be a meeting in December. Meetings will restart in 2022.
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. 8
Men's Cooking Group UUCGV’s Men’s Cooking Group is the longeststanding group in the church. We meet and cook the third Thursday of the month. If you’re new to the church and are male-identifying, please join the fun! Meeting next on November 18, 2021 at 6:00pm Host - Don Bell Theme - fall squash or early Thanksgiving, but not turkey or cranberry. For more info, contact Mark McKenney at 970-256-7907 or mckenneyd@qwest.net.
Soup Kitchen Saturday ~ Volunteers Needed ~ The UU congregation has been cooking at Catholic Outreach’s soup kitchen for many years on the second Saturday of every month. Catholic Outreach is located at the south end of 1st Street between Pitkin and Ute Avenues. We have had a shortage of volunteers the past couple of months due to moves, travel and medical issues. We need some additional volunteers in order to continue this worthy effort during the coming year. Anyone with an interest in helping to prepare or serve this meal is welcome; no experience is necessary; recipes and direction are provided. This month we need your help on Saturday, November 13 from 8:30 am to 1:15 pm. We need 8-10 people from 8:30 am - 10:15 am to help prepare and cook enough food for up to 100 people. Another 4-5 people are needed from 11:30 am to 1:15 pm to serve and help clean up the kitchen. Please let me know in advance if you plan to volunteer this month so that the shifts can be balanced. Contact Chris Jauhola (chrisjauhola@aol.com; phone 703-216-6479) for more information or to volunteer. Please bring a scarf or hat to cover your hair and a face mask to meet state health department Covid-19 protocols.
Laughter Yoga!!! 9:30 am every Wednesday We will gather at the NE section of Sherwood Park, across from 1460 E. Sherwood Drive. 9
Living Into Leadership Board
Team Leadership Circle (TLC)
President - Laurel Carpenter Vice President - Melissa Humphrey Past President - Elizabeth High Treasurer - Sue Brown Stewardship - Kitty Tattersall At-Large - Laura Jeffries At-Large - Jeanie Hendricks
Worship - Robin Cyr Religious Education (RE) - Abby Leinbach Membership - Bill Conrod Celebrations - Mary Delbecq At-Large - Angie Ecker At-Large - Ann (Angeline) Barrett
Board Highlights
TLC Highlights
The Board's primary responsibility is to carry out the UUCGV mission through wise governance of the physical, financial, administrative program, and operational resources of the Congregation.
Team Leadership Circle, TLC, maintains the Programs of the church and the church calendar which live into the Mission, Vision, and Principles of UUCGV.
Below are the highlights of the Board meeting held on Thursday, October 14, 2021 Our UUCGV Board will meet again on Thursday, November 11, 2021 at 7:00 pm. We welcome and seek direct dialogue with members and friends of our congregation.
TLC communicates with the board about the day-today operations of the church and provides support to the teams if they need it. TLC meets the second Thursday of the month at 6:00pm. The following was discussed at the last meeting. Email tlc@grandvalleyuu.org for questions comments.
and
If you would like to discuss a matter at the Board meeting, please contact Board President Laurel Carpenter at cinnamon06@aol.com by November 5, 2021.
Membership: We will be welcoming our new friends and members during the service on Dec.12th, with a reception to follow. Formal invitations will be sent out In November.
MAP Warming Tent Proposal: A proposal for a warming tent was brought to the board.
Celebrations: The RE team and celebrations have teamed up to host a Halloween party on Oct. 30th from 4-6 p.m.
Finance Report: Sue Brown our treasurer reports that finances are looking good and that we are currently ahead of planned budget in our pledges/offerings for this time of year by $1700. Leadership Retreat: Leadership retreat is being postponed to January 2022. Front Awning Renovation Proposal: Board decided that we do not need to renovate the awning before this winter but we still do want to move forward with it this year. We decided to postpone discussion of this until the November meeting since we were already over time when this proposal came up. COVID-19 Policy Update: Board decided that no changes are needed at this time.
Grand Valley Interfaith Network, GVIN: ThanksGVIN service will be hosted by UUCGV this year. It will be a live zoom service recorded in the UUCGV sanctuary. We are honored to be asked to host this. Thanksgiving: We have been invited to join the First Congregational church to share the Thanksgiving feast. Specific details will be found in the weekly emails. Religious Education, RE: Classes are up and running for religious education on Sunday mornings. The children attend the first part of the service and then go downstairs for their programming. Worship: The hybrid worship services are running smoothly. At this point we have about 50% of our attendees joining virtually, and 50% joining in person.
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UUCGV Calendar
Please Remember that all meetings & events MUST be scheduled through the administrator (257-0772) or administrator@grandvalleyuu.org.
November
2021
See full calendar, renters and all, at grandvalleyuu.org/calendar.
Sunday 31
Monday 1
10:30 Worship All Ages Outdoor Service 11:30 Choir Bake Sale 12:00 K-1 OWL 7
Tuesday
Wednesday
2
3
10:00 GJ Mutual Aid
9:30 Laughter Yoga @ Sherwood 10:30 Meditation
Thursday 4
Friday
Saturday
5
6
12
13
7:00 Green 5:20 Modern Band Team Meeting 6:30 Adult Choir via Zoom 8
9
Daylight Savings 10:00 GJ Mutual Aid 10:30 Worship 10:30 Children’s 12:00 Finance Program 12:00 K-1 OWL
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9:30 Laughter Yoga @ Sherwood 10:30 Meditation
8:30 UU Serves at the Soup Kitchen
5:20 Modern Band 6:00 TLC 6:30 Adult Choir 7:00 Board 14
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10:30 Worship 10:30 Children’s Program
16
17
18
10:00 GJ Mutual Aid
9:30 Laughter Yoga @ Sherwood 10:30 Meditation
6:00 Men’s Cooking
5:30 RE Team
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20 December Newsletter Deadline
6:30 Goddess 5:20 Modern Band Group 6:30 Adult Choir 21
22
10:30 Worship 10:30 Children’s Program
28 10:30 Worship NO Children’s Program Thanksgiving Weekend
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23
24
25
10:00 GJ Mutual Aid 7:00 ThanksGVIN Interfaith Service via Zoom
9:30 Laughter Yoga @ Sherwood 10:30 Meditation No Band or Choir - Thanksgiving Break
Happy Thanksgiving! 2:00 Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner at First Cong. Church of Christ
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1
2
10:00 GJ Mutual Aid
9:30 Laughter Yoga @ Sherwood 10:30 Meditation 7:00 Green 5:20 Modern Band Team Meeting 6:30 Adult Choir via Zoom
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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”
We should face reality Minister: Rev. Wendy Jones 257-0772 x2 or minister@grandvalleyuu.org Church Administrator: Maya Kraushaar 257-0772 x1 or administrator@grandvalleyuu.org Director of Religious Education: Chelsea E. Craine 257-0772 x3 or dre@grandvalleyuu.org Music Director: Miriam Deming music@grandvalleyuu.org
and our past mistakes in an honest, adult way. Boasting of glory does not make glory, and singing in the dark does not dispel fear.
536 Ouray Ave, Grand Junction, CO 81501
~ Hussein of Jordan 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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