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Connections Weekly
For February 16, 2024
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We shape our self
to fit the world
and by the world
are shaped again.
The visible
and the invisible
working together
in common cause
to produce
the miraculous.
~from Working Together by David Whyte
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Sunday, February 18, 10:00 a.m. Pledge Drive Kick-Off In World War II, the US faced acute labor shortages. Yet, our country already had the powerful human resources it needed. . . but we didn't know it at first. Creative thinking, flexible mindsets, and embracing change helped the US re-imagine who could meet the need for a strong, competent, and resolved workforce: women. It may be that when we can think creatively, open our minds to new ideas, and embrace change, we, too, can find the resources we need already in our midst: as a Fellowship and as individuals.
Led by Rev. Teri Schwartz and Service Associate Scott Youmans.
This Sunday's half plate benefits Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). MSF is an independent and impartial medical humanitarian organization, providing medical care with empathy and compassion to all patients, regardless of their race, religion, ethnicity, or politics. From Palestine and Israel to Sudan and Ukraine, civilians and medical facilities should never be a target of war. MSF-USA is entirely funded by independent donors. When a crisis strikes, they are able to immediately mobilize and save lives—sometimes within a matter of hours. Please give generously to continue to provide medical aid where the needs are greatest.
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After the service, enjoy coffee hour in Fellowship Hall. Coffee and snacks are served. You are welcome to enjoy the refreshments inside or on our patios, weather permitting. Be sure to browse the books on our book cart. | |
School of the Spirit & Youth Classes | |
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February in School of the Spirit
PK-8th grade meets at 10:00 a.m. during the service on Sunday mornings. After check-in, all groups will begin with songs in the Fellowship Hall. High school youth group meets every other week from 11:30 - 1:00 p.m. in the Red Room (see below for details.)
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February Monthly Exploration: Hinduism
Let's learn about Hinduism! We'll start our sessions with some group Kirtan singing with a special guest!
Bring a Book Have an old favorite or a book you've outgrown? Bring it along and we'll make a big pile to share with others.
Register your children and youth for School of the Spirit programming.
We need YOU! Consider spending some of your valuable time playing with us in the School of the Spirit! There are all sorts of ways to help other than teaching. Come be an extra pair of hands! To volunteer, please see our interest form.
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High School Youth Group
This Sunday: 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. in the Red Room or Fellowship Hall.
Interested in learning more? Helping out as a Youth Advisor? Reach out to the Youth Coordinator.
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The LUUP Will Meet on February 23 Everyone is welcome to join the Longmont UU Presence (the LUUP) at the Longmont United Church of Christ, 1500 9th Avenue in Longmont on February 23 at 5:30 p.m. Free supper is interspersed throughout the program with music, all-ages activities, and always spaces for quiet social time or free play. Children are welcome. For information on the service and other LUUP activities, read the LUUP newsletter. Masks are encouraged. | |
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Sunday, February 25, 10:00 a.m. Save Our Democracy! Our beloved country, with all its promise and all its failings, is now one election away from slipping into autocracy; an election that many of us feel will lead to a higher road for the future or a much lower one. How did we get here? Will our democracy and our dreams survive? What can we do in the next 8 months to put our faith into action, and how can we do it with love and respect for people whose actions we can’t understand? Join service associates Eric Williams and Larry LaVerdure as we dance around our fellowship's non-profit status and its restrictions on endorsing or dis-endorsing any specific political campaign. Pledge Testimonial by Nancy Daugherty.
This Sunday's half plate benefits the Boulder County NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People).
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Pledge Drive KICK OFF Catered Brunch for All
After the February 18 Sunday Service
You–ALL of US, everyone, kids, older, younger–are joyfully invited to the 2024-25 Pledge Drive Kick Off Sunday service and catered brunch on February 18. Socialize with old friends and new in the Fellowship Hall after the 10:00 service. WE CAN DO IT! What's that? We can participate in a successful pledge drive benefiting our Fellowship! WE CAN DO IT! ~your Pledge Drive Team
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- Fun Fellowship Factoid -
Did you know that. . . snow removal for BVUUF is budgeted to be $6,000 this year?
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Thoughtful Endings Affinity Group (TEAG) Saturday, February 17, 10:00 a.m. - 12 noon, in the Mountain View Room. The BVUUF Caring Council invites you to continue, or come for the first time, as we begin our second-year meeting together. Please join our open group, which provides a caring and safe space to explore topics on aging, end of life, death and dying as well as grief and loss. We meet every third Saturday of the month from 10:00 a.m. - 12 noon. No need to register. Drop-ins welcome. Questions? Contact Mzia Chatara.
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SPHERE - THIS SUNDAY at 3pm!
(House is getting full - get your tix!)
Sphere Ensemble presents Menagerie Sunday, February 18, 3:00 p.m.
BVUUF will host one of Colorado's most exciting and dynamic string ensembles, SPHERE, who will present a varied program (as they always do!) with works by Saint-Saëns (Carnival of the Animals), B-52s, Henry Mancini, The Tokens, Jorge Pinzón, David Balakrishnan, and much more. Want to see a video of Sphere playing? Check them out here.
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Fellowship members receive a $10 discount off their $40 price! Here's how:
1) Click here to purchase tickets.
2) Fill out the number of tickets needed and all other appropriate information.
3) Enter coupon code: BVUUFCong224 and your discount will be applied. This code should not be shared outside the BVUUF community.
4) Student tickets are available for $10, Children 12 and under, $5.
Tickets now on sale, click below!
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Free NAACP Film Screening and Celebration
Sunday, February 18 at 3:00 p.m. join the FREE 2024 NAACP Freedom Fund Celebration at University of Colorado-Boulder's Macky Auditorium. The event will kick off with the soulful sounds of Danielle Ponder, a talented entertainer and musician who will set the stage for an afternoon of celebration. Dynamic speaker Anthony Ray Hinton will speak about his experiences being wrongfully convicted in 1985 for the murders of two fast-food restaurant managers in Birmingham, Alabama, and enduring 28 years on death row. Click here to learn more and to register. ~submitted by Meri Gibb, on behalf of the Boulder County NAACP, Religious Action Committee
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Are You Living with or Caring for Someone with Memory Loss?
The Fellowship has an ongoing confidential support group for caregivers for people with memory loss. Some regular attendees are living with folks who have been officially diagnosed, some are considering long-term placement outside of the home, some are just seeing the first signs. When we gather, we start with a deep listening check-in, followed by questions that arise and a sharing of resources.
We meet on the third Tuesday of the month and our next meeting will be on Tuesday, February 20, from 10:15 - 11:45 a.m. in the Mountain View Room. Newcomers always welcome! Please check this newsletter each month in case the time or have changed. For more information or if you have any questions, contact Constance Holden.
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Roots of UU Humanism You are invited to join a discussion group exploring the writings of UU Rev. John Dietrich from the 1920-1930's. Dietrich paved the way for the religious humanist movement. Beginning Sunday, February 25, 9:00 - 9:45 a.m. at the Fellowship, we will explore ten sermons (from a collection of over 200) that were incorporated into a book, What If the World Went Humanist. We will discuss one sermon per week for 10 weeks (ending April 28). If interested and for more information, email Paul Brynteson.
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The Inquirer's Series - for February 25 On February 18, there will be no Inquirer's Series session so that everyone can attend our All Congregation brunch to kick off our Pledge Drive.
We resume the series on February 25 when visitors and members are invited to Meet Our Leaders. Return to the Sanctuary about 15 minutes after the service ends to have a discussion with representatives from our Board, our Council on Shared Ministries and our Leadership Development Committee. This is a time to learn and discuss how our Fellowship in governed. Please join us for any and all of the sessions in this series. Drop by the Welcome Center if you have questions. The full schedule is on the bulletin board and at this link. ~The Member Engagement Council
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You Are Invited to the Public Launch of UU the Vote for 2024
The work before us requires our compassion, consistency and commitment. We will offer political and skill development alongside spiritual resources. Democracy calls on us all to mobilize towards our collective thriving. The promise of democracy has yet to be realized in this country, but each of us can kindle the flame that ignites our growing social movements.
My friends, this is the work. This is OUR work. Join us on Thursday, March 14 5:00 pm MT, to ground, connect and GET READY! Together our movements are strong. This year, we will mobilize to generate a groundswell of democratic action and leadership. Because we the people are the democracy. ~ Nora, UU the Vote
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Save the Date: UUCB Watch Party for UUA’s General Assembly
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Boulder invites anyone attending this year’s virtual General Assembly in June to join them in gathering in-person to watch the proceedings. They will project plenaries and worship on the big screen, have lunches together, and potentially have breakout rooms or other space for the virtual programming or in-person conversation. In May they will follow up with more logistics -- schedule, food logistics, RSVPs -- but for now, please save the date.
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Dear Members and Friends,
Consider receiving a visit from your pledge drive steward when they reach out to you.
You may have already received a postcard in the mail celebrating this year’s pledge drive with the theme, We Can Do It! You will also receive a letter from Janet Meyer, President of the Board, which lists your current pledge amount at the bottom of the page - hold onto that - it may be useful when deciding on your pledge for the upcoming pledge year (July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025).
When you’re ready to make your pledge, you can fill out a pledge form online (accessible from our homepage at bvuuf.org). (Stewards have blank pledge forms on cardstock if you prefer paper).
If you want to pay your pledge for the new fiscal year using a monthly electronic fund transfer (EFT), you will need to fill out the bank authorization form that accompanied the letter from Janet. You do not need to attach a blank check; you do need to sign the bank authorization form.
Thank you for supporting the Fellowship! ~ Carol Pranschke, Office Manager
What is the Fellowship's mailing address?
1241 Ceres Drive, Lafayette CO 80026
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Help UUs Care for Migrants in Denver
We received this email from Columbine UU:
Hello Denver metro area UU churches,
As you are aware, Denver has seen an unprecedented increase in the number of migrants in our city. Most of these folks have been bused to Denver from Texas after they crossed the southern border. Currently, Denver is housing around 4,000 migrants in shelters and hotels scattered across the metro area. Denver has announced that the migrants are going to be "discharged" during the months of February and March. Most of the people have nowhere to go and will end up in tent encampments.
You can donate to Columbine’s food/supplies fund.
You can join Columbine’s Facebook group to stay up-to-date on all activities.
Thank you for your support.
From Carol Pranschke, Office Manager:
The email from Columbine UU also mentions that over the past several weeks, Columbine UU has been organizing food and donation drives and making deliveries to the migrants who are being housed in hotels near the airport. Columbine is pivoting to bring them outdoor gear. Items most needed are: rolling suitcases, backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, camp chairs, heaters, solar lights, men's boots, heavy socks and personal hygiene items (soap, shampoo, deodorant, menstrual pads).
If a member of the BVUUF community wishes to step up to coordinate item delivery on behalf of BVUUF donations, contact Carol, Office Manager, to discuss short-term storage space at BVUUF. The coordinator will need to contact [email protected] to coordinate delivery when donations have been collected.
Thank you for considering helping out with this important endeavor.
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The Preserving Democracy in Ukraine Task Force thanks to all those who continue to support and express interest in Ukraine.
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This is a link to a list of documentaries in English about the war in Ukraine.
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This second document, by political historian Heather Cox Richardson, quotes a recent speech by Senator Angus King, Independent of Maine, where he puts the Russian invasion of Ukraine in historical context.
~ Marya Innis, Preserving Democracy in Ukraine
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February 19 - Fellowship Office Closure The Fellowship office will be closed this Monday, February 19, for Presidents' Day. | |
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For Music Lovers, Soul Matters offers: February, Justice & Equity
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from Building Committee Two new bulletin boards were installed to keep the congregation up to date on all the Fellowship news. Thanks to Larry LaVerdure and David Burrous.
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Thank you to those who help make our services happen! For Sunday February 11:
- Audio-visual by Larry Sherwood, Scott Youmans, and Kathy Partridge
- Aesthetics by Wendie Highsmith
- Hospitality by the Dorothea Dix Dozen
- Music by Julie Morris, piano
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One more stone is placed in our water for all the Joys, Concerns, and Gratitudes that remain in the silent sanctuary of our hearts, knowing that even in our silence we are bound together in the web of life. | |
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During this time of Ministerial Transition, support is available to members of our congregation. Our transition minister, Rev. Teri Schwartz, is available for pastoral care. You can reach her at [email protected]. You may also contact our Lay Pastoral Care Associates and Neighborhood Connectors if you or a loved one are in need by filling out a Caring Request form.
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The Interfaith Network on Mental Illness is a BVUUF community partner receiving our support through a half plate donation, as well as an ally with our BVCAN/Together CO organizing for mental health access, while providing resources to help faith communities like ours support people and families. Here are some upcoming events of interest, including a panel on February 25 with Marc Esenwein, past BVUUF member and co-founder of BVCAN.
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HELPFUL INFO
Submissions for Post Its and Connections Weekly are due Wednesdays by 12:00 noon.
The Fellowship's mailing address is: Boulder Valley UU Fellowship, 1241 Ceres Drive, Lafayette CO 80026
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