Weekly E-News

January 16, 2026

Love courageously. Inspire spiritual growth. Work for justice.

Guiding Theme for January:

"Practicing Resistance"

"Honoring the Women Who Shaped the Dream"

This service is a celebration of the power and grace of the righteous women of the civil rights movement.

Join us for an engaging and lively multigenerational service in honor of the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.!

Sunday Morning Worship

January 18, 2026 10:00am

Worship Leader:

Anti-Racism Team

Worship Associate:

Lisa McCorry & the UUFD Youth

Chalice Lighters:

Leon, Veda, & Oscar Rains and Megan Dugan

Music Ministry:

Kathy Kolbe, Sheryl Guy, & Tom Miller

Zoom Link for Sunday Service

Next Week: "The Radical Love of Covenant" led by Rev. Jamie Boyce and Julie Jordan

Sunday, January 25, at 10am MST

Newsletter Deadline - January 25

Please submit February newsletter items to information@durangouu.org.

Building Engagement Task Force

Since the holidays, the BTF has been busy. We have met with Spiritual Growth to understand their concerns and with the architects to modify the floor plan. The architects have incorporated all the input into a revised Small-PLUS design with a modified floor plan and renderings of what the building could look like from the outside. Elizabeth Boone is creating a presentation that will be available to the congregation to view online. You will receive an email announcement which will include the link to the presentation and a survey for your input and questions.

The next town hall on the Fellowship Hall will be after the service on Jan 25. Tracy Reynolds, Senior Principal of RA&A, will be available to answer questions.

Don't Forget:

You can catch up on the state of the discussion by clicking on the "Potential New Building Updates" box in the lower right corner of the UUFD homepage or by clicking this link.

Hospitality

BOWMAN KITCHEN CLEAN & TOSS

Hi Folks,

Please come Saturday 1/17, 9 to 2 - Lunch included!

Help with our annual clean-up of Bowman storage and kitchen. Think about the last time you were in Bowman and you enjoyed the convenience of having supplies clean and ready - from tables to wine glasses and compost bucket to dishwasher.

Thanks for your support in maintaining the space we love!

RSVP to Pat Senecal via Text or Call at (970)759-7644.

Social Justice and Responsibility

Anti-Racism Team

Preserve Democracy Team

JANUARY 20 - WALKOUT AMERICA

Join this nationwide event in Conjunction with The Women's March!

Gather at the four corners of Camino del Rio and College Ave on Tuesday, January 20, Noon-1:00 for sign-waving in front of the Doubletree Hotel as we continue our resistance to the fascist Trump regime.

Bring your lunch, signs, friends and neighbors, and dress warmly!

YOUR VOICE IS NEEDED!

Let our Senators and Representative know your concerns. Sign a postcard at the Social Justice table in Bowman Hall and tell them! Address labels and stamps provided.

If you want to tell Governor Polis your thoughts about potential clemency for Tina

Peters, call 303 866-2471 or click on this link from the League of Women Voters.

Environmental Justice Team

The EJT wants to share with you an excellent community environmental event hosted by the Dharma center:

Want to learn more about single use plastics recycling?

Thursday, January 22, 2026; 6-8pm at the Durango Public Library

There will be a short documentary film followed by 3 guest speakers:

Michael Rendon, FLC associate professor with an expertise in waste policy and informal recycling
Mark Thompson, founder and owner of Phoenix Recycling, focused on turning waste into resources
Jim Smith, from the City of Durango's Waste Management Department

Q&A to follow. More info here.

Basic Needs Team

Manna Soup Kitchen is in need of sleeping bags and tents (new or used) for their Street Outreach team, to distribute to our unhoused neighbors who camp overnight.

Also, the Emergency Warming Center (open when temps are below 15 degrees) needs volunteers. There is a recorded orientation, and volunteers must have a background check (not difficult, online).

Please contact Marilyn Leftwich, 970-749-4143 or spiderango19@gmail.com, if you can help with any of these. Thank you.

Native Hope Needs YOU!

In 2025, Summit Church and UUFD combined provided 1,044 boxes of food and supplies to struggling Navajo families. Currently, a 64-year-old grandmother and her 14-year-old granddaughter are in need of monthly sponsors providing two boxes each month. This would be a one-year commitment. It works best if two different families, couples, or individuals share the work.

Please contact Connie Jacobs if you are interested: cajacobs2400@gmail.com

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. Go to durangouu.org and click on “Donate” in the menu bar. You will then see choices for donations; click on the “Immigrant Family Emergency Assistance Fund” box and follow the directions.

January Share-the-Plate

Gifts for share the plate this month will go to 4CORE

4CORE serves Southwest Colorado by promoting energy efficiency and the adoption of green energy solutions through programs that strengthen the local economy and promote a healthy and sustainable future.

We focus on energy efficiency upgrades, renewable energy installations, clean transportation education and support, and water conservation, to help individuals and businesses achieve immediate energy and cost savings. 4CORE envisions a resilient Southwest Colorado in which fair access to clean energy solutions reaches all in our community.

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 4CORE using the QR code or during the Sunday offering.

Thank you for your generosity!

Announcements

UUFD MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION

It was wonderful to hold a Meet and Greet session last Sunday, January 11, with interesting and interested folks who wanted to find out more about UUism and UUFD. These 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 talk.

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.

SAVE THE DATE: SNOWDOWN 2026

"UNIQUELY COLORADO - THEN AND WOW"

January 30, 2026 at 6:00pm

Our UUFD float will be based on the theme "Love Train", drawing from our Durango heritage and our UU commitment to admitting LOVE into our lives. This annual event is a celebration of community and the beauty of our city.

To volunteer and help with the UUFD float, contact John Redemske at redemskeja@gmail.com.

Upcoming Float Construction Dates:

Saturday, Jan 17: 1-4pm Snowdown graphics painting. Pizza provided! Location: John Redemske’s House
Saturday, Jan 24: Noon-4pm. Snowdown float construction. Children welcome! Location: John Redemske’s House
Friday, Jan 30: Snowdown parade. Ride the UUFD float or walk beside it - Children welcome!

Meet at the float located on 5th Ave - lineup by 5:30 pm at the latest. Call John for more info.

Sunday, Feb 1: 1-3pm Snowdown float deconstruction. Children welcome! Location: John Redemske’s House

Please RSVP to John Redemske at 603-345-2244 for address.

Snow Clearing Volunteer Sign-up List

Looks like that time of year (finally). Many hands make light work, but 3 volunteers per week would ensure we have snow clearing coverage throughout the snow season. The sign-up list is now available here. All of you able-bodied folks who can run a snow shovel or thrower are welcome to get some fine cold- weather exercise. We need to have our sidewalks clear on weekdays by 8am for the Needham kids, and the parking lot needs to be cleared for our church activities. Sign Up Here

Need Boxes?

Mike has found an apartment and moved in early this month. He will donate his boxes to anyone who needs them. Contact Mike here.

Scammers are at it again!

A reminder that Rev. Jamie and members of the UUFD staff team will never email to ask for money, gift cards, or access to the congregational directory. When in doubt, delete and let us know that you received a suspicious email. Thank you!

UUFD COVID Reporting

In order to simplify the reporting of a positive COVID test in the congregation, it will now be reported directly to the COVID Advisory Team at cat@durangouu.org.

If you have been in contact with others at a UUFD event in the last 5 days, please let us know as soon as you test positive.

Thank You.