Foothills Unitarian Church "Extra"
furthering the reach of Love in our lives,
in Northern Colorado, and beyond
April 22, 2015
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Dear friends, 
I don't know about you, but I've been doing a lot of thinking about the past lately.
Surely our monthly theme, "Roots" has something to do with my looking back. I listened with huge personal investment to Cynthia Grant Tucker's story of the clergy women (she calls them "sister-clergy") who brought liberal religion to Colorado in the late 19th century, and the ways they "ordained each other to ministry." Rev. Anna Jane Norris was 32 when she came to plant a church in Fort Collins Colorado. Incredible!
I was moved beyond my expectations to hear the passion and struggle of our religious ancestors in Transylvania in the stories offered by our visiting scholar, Sandor Kovacs. I tried to imagine that I would be willing to sacrifice as much to preserve my own sense of faith and heritage.
And, I loved putting together the little "skit" about our congregational history for this past Sunday. I felt grateful for the many lay leaders and clergy who have steadily done the work to create our church of today. All of the opportunities this month have drawn me into our greater history and tradition, and I hope they have done the same for you.
Even more than this reflection on our historical roots, however, I've been thinking especially about this past year. Just a year ago right now, the Interim Search Task Force was on the verge of selecting an interim senior minister. Marc was just a few months from retirement. We really had no idea what the next few months would be like. I remember thinking: we don't even know what we don't know yet.
When a minister is called by a church, we use the term "settled." I don't know all the reasons why we call use that term, but over these past few months, I have learned its truth by experiencing its opposite: being with a congregation that feels deeply "unsettled." Things that some assumed were givens suddenly are not. Being unsettled is a great opportunity for learning, and growth - we know! We know that that only the tilled ground brings the great harvest. But still, after 23 years of being able to generally predict what and how and when and who, it's a shock to the system.
I know it hasn't been easy for many of you, maybe most. I have borne witness to this transition over the past year - sometimes with excitement and energy, and sometimes with heartache and struggle, often with a mixture of it all. I wished often I could do more to make it easier, to help us regain some of that sense of calm and ease, just a little bit of that "settled" feeling. But more often than not, as is too common with ministry, my witness is all I could offer. And we are just nearing the half way mark.
The Sunday after Marc retired, I offered a sermon using the concepts of 19th Century Unitarian minister Theodore Parker's sermon "The Transient and the Permanent" to offer what I felt were the "permanent" through-lines of our congregation, things I knew people worried were instead tied to our now-retired minister and therefore retiring with him. The whole of the sermon can be found here.
I named three things:
1) Our capacity to hold the imperfect together, and our appreciation for being human together; our being ok with the ways that we are all simply doing the best we can in this one life, together.
2) Our practice of joy in all its forms, but especially in shared laughter, occasional silliness, and an appreciation for absurdity and playfulness together. Taking our mission, but not ourselves too seriously.
3) Trusting each other, and being worthy of that trust.
These are the qualities that I experienced as core to Marc's ministry with this congregation. My witness to you last June - and it remains true nearly a year later - is that these qualities need not be transiently tied to a minister, but rather can be permanently embodied and lived into within this congregation. Though we do not have a settled senior minister, we can settle these qualities within ourselves, practice these things within ourselves.
I feel like we know a little more this year than we did last; but still there remains a lot unknown - in our church, and in life more generally. Even when it is hard or heartbreaking, I am grateful for being able to walk with you, to bear witness to the gifts and griefs of individual lives, as well as in our community as a whole. And so let us keep taking that next step forward, breathing in and out, remembering always the spirit of love that is at the center of why we care so much, that great good news that all are worthy, and we are all in this together. All of us.
In partnership,
Rev. Gretchen Haley
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Join us this Sunday -
Traveling Far and Near
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This Sunday at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.
"Traveling Far to Find What is Near"
With Special Guest - the Rev. Roger Bertchausen, leader in the Partner Church ReFresh program, and minister of the large Unitarian Universalist church in Appleton, Wisconsin.
Our service will explore our connections with Unitarianism in Eastern Europe, as well as our relationship with our Partner Church in Transylvania.
W
e will begin with a time for all ages, with another special guest, Melody Moberg, UU Partner Church Council Member, and Education Program Coordinator at the large UU Church in Seattle, University Unitarian.
For more information about the weekend's events exploring our Partner Church check out the articles below.
Also this Sunday.....
You are cordially invited to the wedding of...
Ursula Harvey and Gail De Mars
To be celebrated as a part of
our 11:00 service this Sunday
Reception to follow, all are welcome!
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| Faith Forward - Featured Blog Post from Foothills Leaders |
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Interim Search Process Schedule The search process for our second year interim senior minister has begun. Below is the schedule from the UUA we will be following to accomplish this:
Round 1
- May 4 or 5 - congregations receive names of interested ministers
- May 15, noon Eastern time (10am Mountain time) - congregations in round 1 may make an offer
Round 2
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May 18 or 19 - congregations without a match from round 1 receive names of interested ministers
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May 29, noon Eastern time - congregations in round 2 may make an offer
Round 3
If you have any questions regarding this process, please do not hesitate to find me at church on Sundays or you can email me at jennhawkpowell@gmail.com directly. In faith, Jennifer Powell |
| The Next Big Thing - Vespers and Hops & Hospitality |
Further the Reach of Love: Connect and Grow in Spirit
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Partnership Fun for Families!
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Spirit Singers - Spring 2015
Come and join in the Singing! Our Spring Spirit Singers, directed by Ryan Marvel, will begin rehearsals Sunday, April 12th. This choir is open to singers in 2nd - 6th grades. We will rehearse for three Sundays only, and then perform for our annual All Music Sunday on May 3. We will meet in the Children's Worship Room, 227, in the RE building (a.k.a. "The Blue Room") between services. Since it is a very short rehearsal run, we are asking that your singer be at every practice, on time. Interested in joining? ryan@ryanmarvel.com or just show up on the 12th!
Schedule
Sundays, April 12, 19 and 26 - 10:10-10:45 - Rehearsal in Room 227
Sunday, May 3 - Sing at both services, call time TBA
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 WUULF Testimonial by Kirsten Hartman "I attended WUULF in 2014 for the 1st time. Although I have attended Mountain Dessert District meetings, the feelings/learnings/support was so different at WUULF. Due to the length of time at WUULF as well as the many opportunities to get to know others, I came away feeling inspired and happy to better know other UUs. This helped me to feel stronger as a committed UU." WUULF is Western Unitarian Universalist Life Festival, a week-long family camp being held at Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico June 22-18, 2015. For information, visit wuulf.org to see the catalog or contact Jane Everham, jeverham@frii.com, 224-5443 |
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It's time to register for General Assembly, the annual national gathering of Unitarian Universalists for shared learning and doing the business of the association, this year in Portland from June 24th - June 28th. To check out the full schedule of events, go
here. May 1st marks the end of "Early registration," so register now if you'd like to join us. If you are planning to be a part, contact Rev. Gretchen Haley no later than May 15th so that we can coordinate schedules and travel plans.
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 Campus Ministry Update - Chris Sharp,
Young Adult Coordinator
I just wanted to share the wonderful experience I had at our Campus Ministry Earth Day event, and to thank all the members of the church for helping make such visions come true though your pledges! Kelly and Rosalina presided over a wonderful event where we celebrated our interdependent web of existence through the creation of terrariums that encompassed the history of life on Earth. This moving ceremony introduced our values and faith to several students who were not familiar with Unitarian Universalism beforehand, and I believe that, much like our plants, we only have upwards to grow!
We need your help, however. Several students have inquired about carpooling to church, and with finals swiftly approaching they are anxious about all the tests and essays they must complete. We want to create a team of church members to support the spiritual exploration of our students by assisting with care packages, mentorship, and maybe even by hosting students far from home for dinner during the holidays! Visit our campus ministry booth this Sunday during the social hour between services to see how you can help, or email Chris Sharp at youngadults@foothillsuu.org. We thank you for your love and support as we discover new paths to further the reach of love in Northern Colorado and beyond!
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| Further the Reach of Love - Serve in Partnership |
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THANK YOU - to the over 40 volunteers who made our FFH hosting the last week of March such a warm and pleasant experience for our guests - they loved the hot breakfast on Satuday morning and the Easter Baskets. Please join us at the Foothills Unitarian table for the community wide FFH Volunteer Celebration on Thursday May 7 6 pm at Summitview Community Church 1801 Drake. Everyone is welcome. This is a great way to get the bigger picture of FFH and have an enjoyable evening - RSVP sueferguson7@gmail.com March 2015 Coordinators Marla Nelson & Sue Ferguson extend their sincere thanks to the following volunteers who worked during the week: Suzanne Brown, Irma Crump, Dave Davies, Myrna De Milt, Andrea & Mark Delorey Judy & Jeff Donaldson, Jane Everham, Jennifer & Joshua Follett, Susan Goldman Mary Hill, Erin Hottenstein, Libby James, Ruth Larner, Shoshana Leis, Stacy Lynn, Kathy Noble, Renie O'Rourke, Chris O'Dell, Geri Raichel, Rich Roberts, Bill Slye, Heather & Michael Suchowski, Gayle Vancil, Heidi Wagner, Judy Warren, Naomi Weidner, Kindra Weisbrod, Shirley White, Kay Williams, Patti Young, Natalie Shrewsberry, Jossie Stern, Julie Pass, Carol Kitts, Anne Haro Sipes Bob & Bev Bacon, Jennifer & JohnDunkle, Julie Estlick, Danue Laborde, Rebecca & Mike Parish, Jo Anne Powell, Diana Royce, Marty & Ken Tharp, Joan Woodbury, Mary Pat Aukema, and Lauren Prause We host again the week of May 17
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| Further the Reach of Love: Give in Gratitude |
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Share the Plate in April to Connect with Roots and Branches
Transylvanian Students needing scholarships will benefit
In the tiny village where our partner church is located in Transylvania, there is no high school. Students must pay for travel, room & board, and tuition in a distant town if they are to continue their education. Few can afford it. For many years, Foothills congregants have given generously to provide these scholarships, but the funds have run out.
UU congregations stay in touch with the world of their sisters and brothers in other lands through the UU Partner Church Council, which is sending a team here this Sunday to "Refresh" our partnership with that Transylvanian village. Your worship offerings in April will be shared to support scholarships, scholars and connections through these programs.
Lose your King Soopers gift card?
It has been found! Contact Michael Manning 484-9436 or mikem@frii.net
Do you know about Scrip and Grocery Cards?
Last year Foothills raised over $13,000 from Scrip and Grocery card sales. Here is how it works -
- You buy a card and receive full face value of the card.
- We receive a rebate from the merchant.
It's time to buy Fort Collins Nursery cards!
The nursery generously gives
a 20% rebate. Support the nursery and Foothills at the same time.
Purchase a refillable King Soopers and/or Safeway and you can load it yourself at the store. This means you can load your card with up to $500 using your own debit of credit card. These cards can also be used for Pharmacy and Gas purchases!
Scrip cards are available from many different merchants providing rebates from 2% to 18%!!! For a complete list of participating merchants and the amount of the rebate we receive take a look here. Cards available on Sunday in the Social Hall or anytime in the office. Special orders encouraged.
Remember to shop here first!
Practice Generosity:
Our religious community offers us an opportunity to practice generosity through our
shared giving for a larger good. Your financial support to the church shows your values being made real in the world. We gratefully receive your pledge or your one-time donation at any time. Find out more information about giving in gratitude,
here.
Thank you for supporting Foothills Unitarian Church.
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Further the reach of Love
in our lives,
in Northern Colorado,
and beyond
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| Something new! Members' Milestones |
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We share the joy of newcomers Amy Doran and Katie Stieber and their daughter Riley who were married on April 9 in the sanctuary with Rev. Gretchen Haley officiating.
Congratulations to Loren Jones, the 2015 recipient of Poudre School District's Don Morford Outstanding Custodial Employee Award. Loren will be recognized at a banquet on Wednesday, April 29 at the Fort Collins Senior Center. The Association of Classified Employees annually recognizes employees who are nominated by the school sites for outstanding contributions to the PSD Community. Loren serves as Head Custodian at Lopez Elementary School.
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The Foothills Unitarian Church "Extra" is published each Wednesday and features articles from church leaders and staff, congregational events coming up in the next couple weeks, as well as a few save the dates. The deadline for submission is Tuesday at noon for inclusion in Wednesday's publication. Contact Carolyn at carolyn@foothillsuu.org if you have church-related info to share.
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Kids and Parents - you are invited join us this Sunday, April 26th from 10:10 - 10:50 am in the RE Building to learn more about our Partnership with Unitarians in Romania.
Sunday Morning Adult Discussion Group
Out of the Flames: The Remarkable Story of the Scientist & Religious Heretic Who Became the First Unitarian Martyr - Monday, May 11th 6:30 pm
