Minister's Message

A message from UUFD Minister Rev. Jamie Boyce

Freedom to Rejoice, Resist, and Rest

When I saw that the Soul Matters theme for the month of June was “freedom”, my heart

sank with sadness. What a time to reflect on freedom as we bear witness to the

dismantling of human and civil rights across the United States. Celebrating freedom at

this moment is a heartache as grief and fear threaten to silence the voices of freedom

and justice.

And I know that for many Americans, this country has never been a place of true freedom, even as it has amplified “freedom and justice for all” as a collective aspiration. Indigenous, black, people of color, immigrants, disabled, trans, and queer beloveds have been fighting for their lives in this United States, this home of the free and brave, since the very beginning. Our Unitarian Universalist faith calls us to be brave and bold and continue to work for justice with hearts full of courage and conviction. Now, more than ever, we need to cling to the dream of freedom, liberty, peace, and happiness.

We also have the freedom to celebrate the places in our lives and our communities where we can surrender to hope, to joy, and to the power of people. In June we celebrate Pride, the party that is also a protest, as Rev. Hannah Roberts Villnave writes:

“Why not

Rejoice as we resist

Dance as we demand change

Celebrate as we create community that delights in

All of who we are?”

In addition, on June 19, I hope you will join the Southwest Movement for Black Lives in Buckley Park from 5 pm-7 pm for the annual celebration of Juneteenth. Juneteenth is a celebration of resistance, resiliency, history, and freedom from enslavement for black, indigenous, and people of color across the United States.

Finally, we might also discover together the freedom to rest as we approach the summer months. As the Bishop of the Nap Ministry Tricia Hersey writes, “Rest pushes back and disrupts a system that views human bodies as a tool for production and labor. It is a counter-narrative. We know that we are not machines. We are divine.” Reclaiming the freedom to rest is an act of resistance, especially for bodies that have been historically denied rest by systemic injustice. Rest is holy, sacred, and yes, an act of liberation and freedom!

In the days ahead, I hope we celebrate and rejoice together in our dreams for freedom for people and the Earth. I hope we notice ways to rest and claim that rest as fuel for the revolution of love. May it be so!

In love and freedom,

Rev. Jamie

Faith Formation News – Save the Date!

Faith Formation Families, Children, and Youth are invited to Breakfast on Sunday, June 22, at 10 am with Rev. Jamie. We will have a light breakfast, followed by family worship, conversation, and connection in Columbine House. Bring only your smiles!

RSVP at minister@durangouu.org.

President's Message

A message from Board President Tim Miller

June is a month of transition at UUFD. School’s out. Summer travel begins for many of

us in what Rev. Barbara accurately named this “in and out” congregation. Rev. Jamie

starts some well-deserved summer vacation and study leave. The Summer Series kicks

off later this month. And the “church year” ends June 30.

Our two new board members, Jan Dahlquist and Elaine Collins - whose service officially

begins July 1 - have already attended a Deep Chair and a monthly Board meeting.

Their enthusiasm is palpable, evidenced by their watching UUA training videos and

asking a lot of good questions! We’ll be deciding which board member takes on which job at our June meeting.

DATE CHANGE: To accommodate some summer travel schedules, the June board meeting is on Tuesday, June 17, from 6-8 pm.

We’ve had a productive year at UUFD. First, we’ve enjoyed the stability of having Rev. Jamie as our settled minister and have benefited from the energy and curiosity she brings to her ministry. A process to assess our readiness to build a new multi-use hall is underway, beginning with a February visit with stewardship consultant Kay Crider and

continuing with the visioning workshop in late March, which generated a mountain of ideas about how new spaces might enhance our mission. The next steps include communicating the visioning ideas in early June and raising a task force to commission renderings that incorporate the best of these ideas. Third, new air source heat pumps

in the sanctuary provide year-round comfort, eliminate hydrocarbon use in that building, and better utilize our rooftop solar generation. Fourth, our first congregational covenant was approved by members at the annual meeting; of course, the real work is to consciously and intentionally live into these words and, when we fall short, return to the covenant by making amends. In addition, we completed a very successful pledge campaign (Thank You!), and we will end the year with an operating surplus.

As you probably know, the labor pool in Durango can be challenging. Efforts to recruit new music staff continue, and the search for a Faith Formation Coordinator to lead the transition to a “whole church” model will begin shortly.

I wish everyone a summer break full of excitement, connection, and relaxation in equal measure. It has been a privilege to serve as your board president this year.

News from the UUFD Office

Vacation Notice

I am currently out of the office and will return on Tuesday, June 10.

Thank you!

Nikki, Office Administrator

June News from Faith Formation

Social Justice & Responsibility Team News

Updates & Recharge Reminders

The SRJ committee has begun providing an information table on the patio during social time. The SRJ teams will be offering information about their work and opportunities for volunteering and donating. The Basic Needs

team highlighted their work last Sunday, June 25. In the following weeks, look for information from the Environmental Justice Team, the Preserving Democracy Team, the LGBTQIA+ team, and the Anti-Racism Team.

As a reminder, the following resources are available for mindful resets: 

Bhakti Yoga Affinity Group is a chanting group that meets on the first Thursday of every month at 6:30pm in the sanctuary. Sanskrit chanting is an ancient practice that leads to a deeper sense of relaxation and peace of mind. This is a free offering by Anna Pool, who can be reached at (970) 382-8182. 

Earth Whisperers Affinity Group is a monthly group that focuses on deep ecology to restore our personal kinship with Mother Earth through meditation on the land, art, writing, music, sacred plants, QiGong, breathwork, imagery journeying, and listening to nature’s life lessons. This free drop-in group meets on various public land sites the first Saturday of every month from 10:30am-noon. Contact Flo Gaia at frgaia@icloud.com for locations. 

The UUFD Outdoors Group John Schwob has relinquished his role as hiking coordinator for the Outdoor Activities group, although he will still be the coordinator for our group camping trips. We thank John for his many years of organizing amazing hikes and hope he continues to join us on the trails. See more information regarding the outdoor group and summer hike schedule below.

UUFD Outdoors Group - Summer Hike Schedule

Taking over the coordination of activities will be Dan King, Bob Kuhnert, and Terri Reherman. The new leadership team plans to offer at least 3 hikes per month during hiking season. They will try to offer various hikes to appeal to various hiking preferences – some long, some short, some steep, some relatively flat (as though there are any of those in our vicinity), some on weekdays, some on weekends, some with dogs, some without dogs, etc. We will announce the hikes in our monthly newsletter and on the group email list.

If you are not on the email list and would like to be, please email Terri Reherman at terrigoes@gmail.com.

The following are the June hikes they are offering:

COLORADO TRAIL TO GUDY’S REST

THURSDAY, JUNE 12

Leader: Terri Reherman

Meeting Time and Place: 8:30 am, Colorado Trail parking lot up Junction Creek Road

Hiking logistics: Trail rated as moderate. 8.3 miles round trip with 1,253 feet elevation gain.

Dogs: Dogs that consistently do well with people and other dogs are welcome.

Bring: Water, lunch, snacks, rain gear

Description: This is a beautiful, early-season, woodland hike on the Colorado Trail along Junction Creek. A bench awaits you at the top (Gudy’s Rest) with sweeping views of the valley below. It is a popular trail, and we can expect a fair amount of human and canine traffic.

PLEASE LET TERRI KNOW IF YOU ARE COMING AT

terrigoes@gmail.com

LIME CREEK HIKE

TUESDAY, JUNE 17

Leader: Bob Kuhnert

Meeting time and place: 8:30 am, UUFD parking lot, and carpooling from there.

Hiking logistics: Trail rated moderate. Approximately 6 miles round trip. Starting at 10,000 feet, with 600 feet elevation gain.

Dogs: No

Bring: Water and snacks, possibly lunch afterward

Description: This hike is an old standard of John Schwob’s hiking adventures. Runoff should still be going well, which will fuel several waterfalls in the approx. 6-mile In and Out round trip. We will encounter stream crossing of unknown volume until the day of the hike, so wear your Gore-Tex boots. Trekking pole(s) are highly recommended as they are of great benefit when crossing streams, as well as stabilizing in rocky and steep slopes.

No dogs on this hike as we will be in a good elk habitat, crossing two elk travel corridors.

Always carry rain gear and a light layering piece, even though the sun may be shining and the forecast is clear. High-elevation weather and temperatures can change rapidly.

PLEASE LET BOB KNOW IF YOU ARE COMING AT

rkuhnert55@gmail.com

KENNEBEC PASS FROM DURANGO

TUESDAY, JUNE 24

Leader: Bob Kuhnert

More information on this hike will be provided via the hiking group email list.

WEST MANCOS RIVER LOOP (BIG AL TRAIL; CAMPOUT OPTION)

SATURDAY, JUNE 28

Leader: Dan King

Meeting Time and Place: 9:30 am, Transfer Campground (north of Mancos). Pizza and fellowship at Mancos Brewery after the hike!

Hiking Logistics: Trail rated easy. Round trip distance 3.8 miles. 750 feet elevation gain.

Dogs: Dogs that consistently do well with people and other dogs are welcome.

Bring: Rain jacket, lunch, snacks, trekking poles

Description: This hike is being offered in conjunction with the Colorado Mountain Club. The West Mancos River Loop is a short hike on a section of four different trails. It takes you along the West Mancos Canyon rim, with breathtaking views of the LaPlatas, then drops below the rim for an up-and-down ramble along the West Mancos River before ascending back to the rim.

The Big Al trail hike could be done before or after the Mancos River Loop. It is a barrier-free, surfaced gravel trail leading to a deck overlooking the West Mancos Canyon, with spectacular views of the LaPlatas. The trail is suited for all ages and abilities and is dedicated to “all people who have experienced a disability.” There are interpretive signs along the way and benches every few hundred feet.

We will consider an optional campout Friday night at the Transfer Campground, which is also the trailhead for the 2 hikes. Let Dan know if you are interested in this fun option!

PLEASE LET DAN KNOW IF YOU ARE COMING AT

dannythek@gmail.com

Pine Song Updates