President's Message

A message from Board President Tim Miller

I got another good chuckle just now as I re-read Steve Govreau’s President’s Message from the July 2024 monthly newsletter. He was describing some of the to’ing and fro’ing that ensued during June meetings when the new and continuing board members negotiated what Board positions were possibilities for them and which ones were non-starters. I am happy to report that everyone seemed to be satisfied with the outcome of this new way of filling the various board roles. During this process, I became a fan of this new methodology, not least because it can encourage cross-training into different roles during one’s interval of board service, which in turn adds resilience to our governance structure. And yes, I was the one wanting a break from my decade of Finance positions – so, Steve and I essentially swapped areas of responsibility and have spent the month of July facilitating each other’s transition.  

I’m betting I share your excitement about the imminent arrival of our new settled minister, the Rev. Jamie Boyce.  As I write this, she and her two cats plan to be in Durango by the 3rd or 4th of August and will take some time to settle into their new home in the Three Springs neighborhood.  Be watching for more information from our Welcome Team about Rev. Jamie’s first few weeks in town.  I know she’s looking forward to meeting with her new flock in small-group settings.

Love courageously. Inspire spiritual growth. Work for justice.

August News from Faith Formation

“Summertime and the livin’ is easy.”

~George Gershwin from Porgy and Bess

Weatherwise, this quote is true for our area. When we hear news from friends and relatives about hurricanes, extended heatwaves, heavy rains with subsequent flooding, and tornadoes, we are reminded that here, “the livin” is easy” despite the occasional cloudburst.  

Faith Formation’s  RAD Sundays Continue  

July 21 Blessing:  

Today we eat together as friends.

We worked together to make this meal.

Thank you all, to the flower people, 

And the people who set the table. 

Thank you.

Written and recited by Lilah McVeigh

Each week, the kids report, “this one was the best ever!”  So far, they have created pottery with Trenton Wann, participated in skateboarding with Jeff Hamner, made delicious charcuterie food with Lisa McCorry, and participated in a host of other activities with other UUFD adults who’ve been generous with their time and talent.  Coming this month:  

August 4:  Waterworks

August 11: Garden Exploration

August 18: Freakin Frisbee

August 25:  Pottery Part 2 and Audacious Art

Coming in September:  Exploring Article II Values and Making them Personal

Adult Faith Formation

Coming in September:  a book study of Braving the Wilderness by Brené Brown.  From the back cover:  “The four practices of true belonging require us to be vulnerable, get uncomfortable, and learn how to be with people without sacrificing who we are and what we value.  (1) People are hard to hate close up.  Move in. (2) Speak truth to BS. Be civil.  (3) Hold Hands with strangers. (4) Strong back. Soft front. Wild heart. These practices challenge how we think about ourselves, show up with one another, and find our way to courage and connection.”  This seems to be the perfect study to be more courageous and authentic with ourselves and be more adept with others during this energizing, uncertain time of election year.  

Watch this space for additional information.  

Personal Faith Development – The Dog Star Sirius 

Did you know the “dog days of summer” begin with the early July appearance of Sirius, the dog star, rising in the east as the sun sets?  Coinciding with the heat of summer, there we have it—the “dog days of summer.”  Some religions say this represents a spirit of rebirth, of sacred comings and becomings for both people and the land.  Observation suggests why. We visit family and relatives during summer, events that mark milestones and memories in our lives where we see children growing up and parents, aunts, and uncles growing older. We’re remembering the accomplishments or regrets of spring and making plans for autumn. We partake in the bounty of the summer harvest—that giant zucchini that appear overnight in our gardens, the Olathe corn, Palisade peaches, and Rocky Ford cantaloupe.

All of it is an invitation to be fully present as we soak in all the emotional and physical bounty of summer. 

Specific things you can do to cultivate your own “summer garden of spirit”: 

• Connect with nature as you walk or hike without any electronic distractions.  Hear and see and absorb the sights, sounds, and smells of nature.  
• Meditate while you work in your garden-- a variation of "chop wood, carry water."
• Create art in your favorite medium or maybe one you want to explore.
• In closing, this from Mary Oliver whose touchstone is nature: “I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass, how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields.”

May the harvest of this summer season seep into all aspects of your life and bring you joy, peace, and hope.

Critical UUFD Team Opening

There’s a vacancy coming up in a critical UUFD Team. I’m bring the opportunity to awareness early because it is SO important for all members to be fully aware. 

Recruiting for the ANNUAL CO-CHAIRS of the 25-26 pledge campaign has begun because of the critical importance of this yet-to-be filled position. Needless to say, the viability of our community depends heavily on this annual task of gathering our life-giving financial resources. The sub-team structure is in place already – it is the co-chairs that are needed to orchestrate the task.   

I have been on this spiritual journey of guiding the campaign for 8 seasons now. I have been happy in the role all along. However all advice points to the wisdom of the role changing hands in order to bring new ideas and energy for success. 

So I am stepping down from full involvement but I will continue to be around for consulting as needed. 

Co-chairs begin development of the campaign in early November which is right around the corner. 

I am glad to describe what’s involved for co-chairs and other members of the team.

SO THERE IT IS – A VACANCY AND AN OPPORTUNITY OF A SPIRITUAL NATURE.  

Kathleen Adams, 970-676-1022,  kadams@mcw.edu

Remembering the Chokecherry Massacre

Social Responsibility and Justice Special Feature

In the fall of 1974, three Navajo men, John Harvey, Herman Benally, and David Ignacio, were brutally beaten, burned, killed, and dismembered in Chokecherry Canyon, outside of Farmington, New Mexico.  Three white Farmington High School boys were charged with the murders. The boys were found guilty and received very light sentences by the courts.

The racially motivated crimes caused a violent, racial street riot that prompted the governor of New Mexico to call out the National Guard. In the months and years that followed, AIM (American Indian Movement) and the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) would actively, sometimes violently, protest the court’s decision and draw attention to the ongoing struggles for human rights by the Indigenous Peoples of this land.

The 1992 book by Rodney Barker, “The Broken Circle:  A True Story of Murder and Magic in Indian Country” reveals both sides of the dramatic and painful conflict that served as a turning point in the struggle for Native American rights.

Please join the Farmington Unitarian Church for a commemorative walk of reflection on Sept. 21, the 50th Anniversary of the Chokecherry Massacre. Meet at the intersection of W. Main & Broadway at 10:00am. The walk will be followed by presentations at the Totah Theater (315 W. Main).

Also, if anyone is interested in purchasing and reading “The Broken Circle” and discussing the book on Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 5 pm in Bowman Hall, please email Terri Reherman at terrigoes@gmail.com.

Recital Series gratitude and a look ahead

A note from Marilyn Garst

Once again, I wish to thank all those who assisted with the Recital Series this past season. I hope I have not omitted anyone in the list that follows:

• Brochures, flyers and programs–Shanan Orndorff
• Finance and page turning–Tricia Bayless
• Publicity–Lynn Griffith, Teresa Jordan and Connie Jacobs
• Ticket Sales–Naomi Moon, Tricia Bayless and Connie Jacobs
• Sound Engineers–Tom Miller and Jory McCann
• Receptions:

Coordinator–Julie Jordan

Help with food, beverages, set-up and clean-up–Lisa and Steve Govreau, Carol 

Groeger, Sheryl and Stephen Guy, Susan Koonce and John Lyons, Marilyn 

Leftwich, Elizabeth Long, Bonnie Miller, Aline Schwob, Mary Sison, Marta Snow

• Financial Contributions–Stephen and Sheryl Guy, Aline and John Schwob, Anita Cohen, Katherine and Dwight Burgess, Connie Jacobs, Susan Koonce and John Lyons, Janice Sheftel, Brooks and Janice Taylor, Tricia Bayless and Teresa Jordan

As of Sunday, July 7, the Recital Series for 2024-2025 has been finalized as follows:

• Ömer Kayhan (new UU Music Director and Choir Director), baritone, and Hannah Duff (UU pianist and accompanist), piano–Sept. 27, 2024
• Marilyn Mangold Garst, piano–Nov. 22, 2024
• Brandon Christianson, violin, Richard Silvers, violin, and Mika Inouye, piano–Feb. 28, 2025
• Lori Lovato, clarinet, Frank Murry, double bass, and Marilyn Garst, piano–May 2, 2025

Marilyn Garst

Join us for a campout/picnic Aug 23-24

All members, friends, kids, and well behaved pets are invited to enjoy Chris Park (near Haviland Lake) on August 23 and 24 (Friday and Saturday). Overnight camping is an option if you choose, or you can just come for the day and hike, play volleyball, horseshoes, board games or schmoozing and relaxing. We have reserved group campground #1, which has a large pavilion, fire pit, grilles, and possibly even dancing. We will have a group potluck dinner on Saturday evening. Please RSVP to John Schwob (johnschwob@msn.com) when you know you are coming.

Climate Justice Revival

National UU Climate Justice Revival takes place Sept. 28-29

For the first time in…ever…the entire UU ecosystem is organizing for climate justice action. We all know how desperate the situation is. And even those of us who have been climate and environmental activists for a long time can feel powerless at times. But there is power in numbers, and thousands of UUs around the world are getting ready to join hands in September for a denominational Climate Justice Revival. Sponsored by the UUA, UUMFE, UUSC and a whole lot of other UU organizations including UUFD—as well as our own leaders and thinkers on this subject—this Revival is designed to give a booster shot to our activism and ongoing engagement in climate justice work.

These kinds of things don’t happen often. Our churches all stand alone and apart. Collaboration is difficult, let alone a decision for every UU congregation to join in this Revival at the same time. We’ll all have the same materials, our leaders will be trained with other UUs, and when it’s over, we’ll be part of the national conversation moving our climate work forward. It’s exciting just on the face of it, and the day itself promises to be engaging and a lot of fun. We hope you will make your climate justice concerns known through your active presence. Specific information about times and how to sign up will be forthcoming. Read more here.

Climate Revival

September 28, 29



Multigenerational,

Full Congregational Event

Mark Your Calendar now!