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All Souls Unitarian Universalist E-Letter
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This week's editor:
Tamsin Cowdery
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office hours
Administration office hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-1pm.
Minister's office hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 10am-3pm and evenings and weekends by appointment.
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service this week
No, not the movie, π
the mathematical constant, which starts off with 3.14 and goes on into infinity. Because of this, March 14 is recognized as International Pi Day. So, for those math nerds and for those for whom math remains a nemesis, join us as Rev. Rost explores what pi can teach us about life.
spring forward!
Don't forget to set your clocks ahead an hour on Saturday night; we'd hate to miss you on Sunday!
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all souls news
call to warriors (survivors)
Welcome new member Rosie Love to the congregation. Rosie is working on a project and wants your help. She writes, "I am doing a call-out to all survivors of domestic and sexual violence/trauma for an exhibit that I am creating. I am an artist that makes hand-made dolls, and I will be making "warrior" dolls out of the clothing of survivors. The idea is to create something beautiful and empowering while reclaiming innocence lost with something so childlike: a doll. I want to pay homage to my fellow survivor who isn't just a survivor, but a warrior: having to learn to live with that trauma, day in and day out, for the rest of their lives. The call out goes to women, men, and non-binary gendered folks as the dolls will represent a diversity of gender and ethnicity. The collection will be displayed at shows and galleries, including a show this summer in Rochester, NY featuring a variety of work from survivor-artists around the country."
You can find more information about Rosie's project
at her website.
96th birthday party
4/1 (Easter Sunday) will be a celebration of Mary Quan's 96th birthday celebration. It will be held at her assisted living residence after church on that Sunday.Invitation is space-limited to the first 15 people to contact Larry Norfleet. There will be food from Mary's favorite restaurant, Hunan Springs.
facilities task force update
Shall we stay or shall we go? The facilities task force has been gathering information for the past 10 months about the status of our current building and options related to remaining at our current location or moving with all the options we could imagine. We were tasked with presenting our information to the congregation at this year's annual congregational meeting on 5/20. To help you understand the options, the task force will be holding a series of presentations after Sunday services to share the information. Please plan to attend at least one of these presentations so that we can be better prepared to make the best decision about our lovely 126-year-old building. Members of the task force are Jim Michali, Laurie Frydendall, Josh Cahill and Larry Norfleet. Dates of the presentation are 3/18, 4/8, 4/15, and 5/6.
stewardship drive
Our annual stewardship has started out full steam ahead. We heard a rousing sermon by Rev. Nori announcing this year's stewardship focus-TOGETHER WE CAN! Our first visiting steward workshop was well attended. Our second workshop is this Sunday, 4 March at 8am in the small hall. If you are interested in attending, please contact any of the co-chairs-Ed Benn, Richard Stettler, or Larry Norfleet. Please respond promptly to the contacts from your visiting steward. Your response is critical to the health of All Souls.
security team news
The security team has met recently and is in the process of updating protocols. Anticipate an evacuation drill in the near future. A number of members attended an "active shooter" webinar. We are trying to remain proactive in regards to our environment. Co-Chairs of this team are Bart Weinberger and Sarah Bethke. Please contact them if you have any suggestions or concerns.
security team news
basement repair update
We all know that the basement has been subjected to repeated flooding over the past many years. Once the new flooring was installed this fall, the Building and Grounds team decided to run a testing procedure to find out whether these flooding incidents resulted in the presence of mold and/or mildew. The testing was performed by EMSL Analytical.
All the rooms in the lower level were tested including the bathrooms and furnace room. The tests showed that compared to the ambient levels outside the church, there were no significant raised levels of mold or mildew in any tested areas.
A former church member, Henry Reitwiesner, tested the interior walls for dampness and water damage. These tests showed no apparent water intrusion into the basement area. This is great news for everyone who uses the lower level. A big thank you to Bob Armintor who made this procedure possible. It has been on the Building and Grounds team's to-do list for a long time.
full blue moon
Everyone is welcome to celebrate the Full Blue Moon at All Souls, 7pm on 3/31! Wear blue, bring finger food, prepare to cry a bit, rage a bit, sing a bit, and envision a better future. This is a CUUPS event. For more info contact Karla Crescenta.
affinity groups
Our affinity groups are open to all! There is no enrollment period and no fee required. Friends are welcome! These groups share a common interest and provide opportunities to connect and deepen our fellowship outside of Sunday Service. Perhaps one is for you? For more information, please click here.
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religious exploration
re registration
If you think All Souls is a fit for you and your children, please register your kids! Look for the light blue registration form at the RE Table. By doing so we get a chance to better know you and your children, be made aware of any concerns or allergies and it helps to better plan and keep you
updated. There is no charge to register!
Thanks to Justin Lincoln for filling in on Game Day. We really appreciate your willingness to lend a hand! Thank you to Maggi Bradle and Katie Hopkins for their input to our Wish List for our Nusery/PreK room.
hmmmm, i wonder
Ever wonder about volunteering in RE? It's fun to do and easy to sign up. Just use our
new Sign-Up Genius for our 2nd semester. We still
have 5 slots available on Team Game Days and Contemplate This! Days. Experience not necessary. Please contact
Laurie
with any questions. We just can't do it without you!
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children
last sunday
Last Sunday was a Team Game Day. We had 9 visitors from High Plains, ranging from 5th grade through adult, join us as we played together. There were some interesting twists to Twister (right eye to yellow dot), an intriguing game of Clue, and massive amounts of Legos as well as some other game favorites. Many thanks to Lisa Kreidel, Justin Lincoln, and Lindsay Teplesky for leading the morning.
3/11
Our Being UU curriculum continues. The theme this session for our Air Element class will be how making our voices heard can show love. The Fire Element class will examine the importance of listening as represented by the tool of the day - a stethoscope. So "Listen Up" and join us!
3/18
Air Element class will explore what it means to have a peaceful and fair world. Our Fire Element class examines humor represented by the tool of the day - sandpaper.
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youth
Last Sunday our youth had their own Team Game Day as All Souls played with some of the youth and adults from High Plains. We played a rousing game of Apples to Apples as we learned a bit about each other. Join us this Sunday, 3/11, in Youth Group as we enjoy a "Pi" Brunch in celebration of Pi Day. There will be homemade quiche and dessert pie, cause what else would we serve?! Don't forget our Lock-In on St. Patrick's Day!
lock-in
After a very fun and worthwhile middle school con, Laurie has had requests for a sleepover at church. The Lock-In will be held on St. Patrick's Day, Saturday, 3/17, at All Souls. This event is open to our middle AND high schoolers (6th grade - 12th grade) who are registered in RE at All Souls and have previously attended a middle or high school con. If your youth would like to attend but has no con experience, please contact Laurie so you can discuss if this is a good fit for them. The Lock-In will include dinner Saturday night, games, watching Netflix, and breakfast in the morning before we all attend church together. Plan to meet inside the church back ramp door at 4pm. A small donation towards meals will gladly be accepted. You must RSVP your youth in order for them to attend. The deadline to RSVP will be 3/11.
9th grade trip
The time is near for the Trippers to depart on the 54th annual 9th Grade Trip 4/20-4/29. They will meet at First Universalist Church at 8am. Safe travels everyone!
summer camps
Registration is now open for our MDDUU Summer Camps! To be held 7/1-7/7 at La Foret Conference and Retreat Center. Cost is $650 with a $25 discount through 3/15 and a sibling discount available. No one should be stopped from attending PWR events because of finances. This is a team effort. If you need assistance to attend, please complete the Youth Scholarship Fund here by 4/30.
For more information or to register click here for Quest (
rising 9th graders) and click here for Spirit Quest (rising 6th-8th graders)
youth observer to the uua board of trustees
For more information or to apply to
be a candidate for the 2018-2020 term Youth Observer
click here. To be eligible, you must be a youth who: for this two-year term position, will be in high school (Grades 9-12) or the equivalent for both the 2018-2019 school year and 2019-2020 school year; is active in a UUA congregation; and is able to attend the first Board of Trustees Meeting on Monday, 6/25, in Kansas City, MO (following the close of General Assembly) and all Board meetings thereafter. Attendance is also expected at the 2019 and 2020 General Assemblies. An exciting added bonus - All expenses related to presence at Board meetings and GA are paid by the UUA!
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local activism & awareness
Editors' note:
Occasionally, changes are made to these events after publication. Please click on the links provided if you are interested in attending something, to make sure the details have not changed. Thank you!
***new event***
3/6-4/30, Tuesdays-Fridays, 9am-3pm, at One Nation Walking Together, "
Annual Spring Food Drive 2018."
Assist One Nation Walking Together in the collection of 10,000 lbs of non-perishable food items to address pervasive hunger and food insecurity in the Native reservation communities they serve. Your non-perishable food items and/or cash donations (which aide in the delivery of food items) are greatly appreciated, and help to advance both our hunger-relief and food sustainability programs. With your help, they can certainly reach our 10,000 lb goal and provide hope to thousands living in poverty.
3/10, 12:30-4:30pm, at Library 21c, "CO Rising Activation Workshop - Colorado Springs."
Colorado Rising is powering the grassroots effort to pass a statewide ballot initiative establishing common sense protections for our communities from the dangers of oil & gas development and fracking.
Ballot language has been submitted, and they are gearing up to start collecting signatures this spring. Anyone who is interested in volunteering to help this initiative pass should attend this training. Check out the website for more info on the initiative.
***new event***
3/10, 2-3pm, at 322 W. Bijou St., 80905, "Mothers Against School Shootings Meeting." We are holding our first meeting of Mothers Against Mass Shootings. Join them and help them to grow by bringing your ideas and thoughts with you. No firearms allowed!
***new event***
3/11, 4-5:30pm, at Tim Gill Center for Public Media, "RAWtools and First Strike Theatre - Spring Collection."
First Strike Theatre struts the stuff in RAWtools Spring Collection - Tools in Bloom, the first-ever on-site spring sale of garden tools forged from guns. With song and shtick, First Strike salutes tools that transform boom to bloom. Nico Wilkinson, Mallory Everhart, Heidi Cooper and Rosemary Lytle also perform spoken word and song. Hand tools, heart and olive leaf necklaces available on site before online.
***new event*** 3/14, 10-10:17am, at Palmer High School, "Community Support for Palmer Walkout." Students all over the country are walking out at 10am on Wednesday, March 14, to say #NeverAgain and #EnoughIsEnough. Youth at schools all over Colorado Springs are organizing walkouts and students at Palmer High School have asked allies to join them in support. Join us on the NW corner of St. Vrain and Tejon at 9:30am to walk together to Palmer to meet up with the students when they exit their classes at 10am. Signs are encouraged! Help the organizers at Palmer know you're coming in support by RSVPing here.
***new event***
3/22, 6:30-8:30pm, at Cheyenne Mountain Library, "Repro Rights Roadshow." Join ACLU of Colorado to learn how the Colorado Reproductive Health Rights and Justice Coalition is working to preserve and strengthen reproductive rights in Colorado. They'll talk about what's going on at the Capitol and how you can help. They also want to hear from you! Tell them what's happening in your schools and community and how they can help make your community and the state of Colorado a leader in Reproductive Rights.
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***new event***
3/24, 12-3pm, at Acacia Park, "March For Our Lives." The March for Our Lives movement will take to the streets to demand that we end the epidemic of mass shootings in our schools today. Mothers Against School Shootings are hosting the Colorado Springs march.
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community news
Editors' note: Occasionally, changes are made to events after publication. Please click on the links provided if you are interested in attending something, to make sure the details have not changed. Thank you!
painting with a twist
6:30pm on 3/18, visit Painting with a Twist on Powers for a fundraiser supporting the Multiple Sclerosis Alliance. Cost $35.
free food mobile food pantry
All are welcome to come pick up free food 11am-12pm on 3/23 at Deerfield Hills Community Center. Past food options have included bread, peppers, apricots, potatoes, and watermelon.
**Product will be distributed first-come, first-served.
**Please bring re-usable bags, laundry baskets, or plastic tubs to carry food.
If you would like to volunteer to help package food into
bags, distribute, etc., please email them.
Next
dates are 11am
-12pm on 4/27 & 5/25.
marion house free legal clinic
11am-1pm on 3/24, The Justice Center hosts this free clinic at the Marion House Soup Kitchen. Speak with a volunteer attorney from the Pikes Peak region who - for free - will answer questions you may have about a legal issue and provide basic legal advice and guidance. Next dates are 4/28, 5/26 & 6/23.
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joys & concerns
joys
My sister and her terminally-ill fiance will be married this week -- Tamsin Cowdery
My partner, Patrick and I will be celebrating our 10 year anniversary of being lovers and best friends this week. This has been our hardest year together, but we've come out of it strong. -- Marina
Saturday's Japanese Doll Festival was an unbridled success! The displays were beautiful, and a steady stream of visitors steeped themselves in a piece of traditional Japanese culture. Thanks to Setsuko, Jacquie, and Kaye for organizing this event, to Nuwanee for introducing the displays, and to Naoko and Donna for their contributions to the displays. Special thanks to the Japanese American Society for their generous donation. -- Anon
I had the gastronomic and social pleasure of attending a fabulous gourmet dinner that I won at last year's service auction. The menu by chef James Cowdery was exquisite-- pleasing to the eye as well as to the palate; the wine pairings by Tamsin Cowdery were perfect and the company was divine!! Many thanks. -- Nori
concerns
None to share this week.
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all souls board of trustees
Larry Norfleet, President,
(Vacant), Vice President
Gary Harrison, Treasurer
Judie McMath, Secretary
Kate Harrison, Member-at-Large
Bruce Leeson, Member-at-Large
Jan Otto, Member-at-Large
Terry Schultz, Member-at-Large
Rick Schwarz, Past President
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e-letter deadline
The deadline for each week's e-letter is
Wednesday at
noon, barring something truly unexpected, such as a last-minute cancellation. Other items submitted after deadline will run the following week. Please help us inform you by honoring the deadline. Thank you -- Tamsin & Shawn
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