Weekly E-News

July 10, 2026

Love courageously. Inspire spiritual growth. Work for justice.

Get Ready for the Four Corners Pine Song Retreat at UUFD!

July 11 & 12, 2026

Dear Four Corners Friends,

The Pine Song 2026 Retreat is tomorrow! We look forward to welcoming you to a weekend of spiritual deepening and community building as we explore "The Water of Life". This year we will gather at the UUFD campus at 419 San Juan Drive in Durango, Colorado. Due to increased fire risk in our area and the

Registration and Check-In opens Saturday morning at 8:30am.

If you did not register online, please visit the "Registration and Check-In" table upon arrival.

Parking in the UUFD parking lot will be limited to accessibility parking. Street parking is available surrounding the UUFD campus. Parking is also available at Needham Elementary School: 2425 W Third Ave Durango, CO 81301

A reminder that the event this year will be FREE OF COST for all participants.

Those who have already paid for registration may be refunded the full registration fee, or they may donate their registration fee to one of the ministries of the congregation, including the Capital Campaign, Share-the-Plate, FY 2027 Pledge Balance, Immigration Family Assistance Fund, or the Legacy Fund.

If you have already paid and would like a refund, please fill out this form.

If you would like to redirect your fee to one of the congregation’s ministries, please use this form.

Please CLICK HERE for helpful information about the retreat this year including:

Children and Youth Program
Retreat Highlights
Full Retreat Schedule
Meals and Hospitality
Pet Policy

We are glad that you will be a part of this special weekend and we look forward to seeing you on Saturday morning.

Rev. Jamie

Next Week: Help us kick off the Building a New Way UUFD Summer Series!

"Fine and/or Applied" led by pulpit guest Judith Reynolds and Sheryl Guy

Sunday, July 19, at 10am MDT

Building Engagement Task Force

Attend the BETF Unworkshop TOMORROW at Four Corners Pine Song Retreat -

Come With Your Questions!

What is happening behind the scenes? What's the latest? Has the schedule changed? If you are curious, visit the Building Engagement Task Force table Saturday afternoon between 1 and 3pm (location TBD) to dialog with Task Force members about the current state of our building project.

Don't Forget: You can stay updated and review key steps along the way by checking out our blog at this link.

Social Responsibility and Justice

July Share-the-Plate Gifts will go to: Four Corner's Slow Money

Four Corner's Slow Money supports our robust local food economy by giving farmers, growers, and local food enterprises a leg up in the Four Corners region. Through community-supported peer-to-peer lending, we provide 0% interest loans to growers and local food entrepreneurs. Since 2019, Four Corners Slow Money has invested $141,855.00 in our local farmers and food entrepreneurs in La Plata County, CO, Montezuma County, CO, and San Juan County, and NM farmers and food entrepreneurs. Loans have ranged from $3,000 - $10,276. FCSM is part of a global Slow Money movement that has invested over $73 million in local food enterprises, through the generosity of everyday people.

This year, we are donating our Share-the-Plate collections to a different non-profit each month rather than donating to only 4 non-profits for the entire year. The need was so great for so many non-profits this year that we decided to step up for all of them.

You can donate to Four Corner's Slow Money using the QR code or during the Sunday offering. Thank you for your generosity!

From the Basic Needs Team

PLEASE HELP US DO LAUNDRY!

Volunteer for the UUFD month of July with Laundry Love, a program that gives our unhoused and low-income neighbors free laundry services twice a month. Sponsored by a different faith community each month, our days are Wed, July 22 and Wed, July 29, 1:30-4pm. Meet at 1:30 at the College Plaza Laundry (509 E. 8th Ave). It's fun and social, and a huge outreach for our neighbors in need. Contact Marilyn Leftwich, 970-749-4143 or spiderango19@gmail.com

Donate Fresh Produce to the FLC Grub Hub!

Are you experiencing garden abundance? The Fort Lewis College Grub Hub Food Pantry will appreciate any of your extra fresh summer produce. Simply drop it off at the Fort Lewis Grub Hub Food Pantry. Their summer hours are Monday, 9am -2 pm, Wednesday 8am - 1pm, Thursday 11am - 4pm. The Grub Hub is located in the FLC student Union, room 5, across from the student Post Office.

The FLC Grub Hub Food Pantry is Hiring!

The Fort Lewis College Grub Hub Food Pantry is in need of a Grub Hub Operations Coordinator. They would appreciate your help in spreading the word and helping to find interested candidates. CLICK HERE for the job description and application process.

From the Environmental Justice Team

Climate Champions March July 4

The Environmental Justice Team and fellow UUs marched in Durango's 4th of July Parade as Climate Champions, representing UUFD's commitment to climate activism.

Thank you to everyone who turned out to support each other and our environmental justice values!

From the Immigration Team

Immigration Support Needs

Apoyo, our immigration team that includes not only UUFD members but many from the wider Durango community, provides emergency legal support when a family is in danger of deportation. If you can help with the costs of lawyer fees, we have a UUFD-hosted account line item to accept tax-free donations.

Click “Donate Now” on this webpage. You will then see choices for donations; click on the “Immigrant Family Emergency Assistance Fund” box and follow the directions. Your help is greatly appreciated!

Spiritual Growth Ministry

Children and Youth Summer Programming

Adult Spiritual Growth Ministry

Covenant Groups

If developing a deeper relationship with other UU folks and deepening your own spirituality appeals to you, then you may want to participate in a Covenant Group! Currently, there are four UUFD Covenant Groups meeting, but we have almost enough interested people to start another group. If you would like to know more or to join a new Covenant Group, contact Julie Jordan at juliejane@mindspring.com or Bonnie Miller at yjmiller2@gmail.com

Community Connections

Earth Whisperers Affinity Group

Come touch & breathe with Mother Earth. Stay grounded. Refuse to let anxiety get you in its grip. Nurture a calmness anchored from within. After meditating on the land we gather in a circle to share & strengthen one another. 3rd Sat. of the month. Next meeting: Sat. July 18, 10-11:30am @ Flo's WILDE Spirit Retreat. RSVP & directions: frgaia@icloud.com

Just-Words_Gamenight-300X226-300x226 image

Game Night - First Friday of Every Month!

First Friday of every month! The next Game Night is August 7, 2026, in Bowman Hall at 6:30pm. Open to all, young and old. Bring games, snacks, drinks, yourselves, family and friends. Let's play games and be together for fun! Contact Nancy Fisher (nfisher48@gmail.com) with questions and to RSVP. Or you can just show up!

Bhakti Yoga Kirtan Chanting - Second Thursday of the Month

When: August 13, 7:00pm

Where: UUFD Sanctuary

Who: All are welcome!

Join us for a heartfelt evening of chanting and meditating, not only for inner peace but also for a world where everyone is safe and has enough. No experience needed. We’d love to welcome you! Text questions to Anna: (970) 382-8182. For a taste of UU Kirtan, check out This Video!

Information

UUFD Membership Information

Informational meetings will be held after service on the 2nd Sunday of each month. Inquiring minds are encouraged to gather at the Welcome Station right after service to meet our leaders and find a quiet spot to learn more about UUism and UUFD. Our next special information opportunity will be during "Unworkshops" at the Four Corners Pine Song Retreat at UUFD.

On the 4th Sunday of each month, there will be a membership book-signing opportunity around the chancel right after the service. Please talk to Rev. Jamie or someone at the Welcome Station if you are interested. Our next membership opportunity is Sunday, July 26.

COVID hasn't left, folks! UUFD COVID Reporting

Help protect your fellow UUs! If you have been in contact with others at a UUFD event in the past five days and have a positive COVID test, please contact the COVID Advisory Team directly at cat@durangouu.org, in order to simplify the reporting of a positive COVID test in the congregation. Please do not come to UUFD if you have a contagious illness. Please let us know as soon as you test positive. Thank You!

Scam Alert!

A reminder that Rev. Jamie and members of the UUFD staff team will never e-mail to ask for money, gift cards, or access to the congregational directory. Also, be aware of any suspicious emails that appear to come from other members of the congregation asking for financial assistance via gift cards. When in doubt, delete, and let us know that you received a suspicious email at it@durangouu.org. Thank you!