June 2009 - Columbine Unitarian Universalist Church

June 2009 June 2009
Volume16,
16,Issue
Issue12
12
Volume
The
Columbine
Connection
The Columbine Connection
Sunday Programs
June 7
“Stories of Hope and Committed Action”
Anita Sanchez
Hope is an expectation of an occurrence that has little chance of fulfillment, anticipation of an improbable desire. Yet, most of us can recall a desire, a hope, for something that appeared impossible and perhaps, would even require a miracle. Still to
our surprise, when we hold onto the gift of hope and move forward in committed
action, our dreams for a better world can come true.
Anita Sanchez, Ph.D., an internationally renowned consultant, coach and storyteller,
is known for her creative interventions, and for connecting the heads and hearts of
her clients and their organizations. Hope in committed action can create positive
change for the individual and for the world.
June 14
Inside This Issue:
From the Minister
2
From the President
3
Making a Difference
4
Musings
5
Happenings
6&7
Notes from Rev. Barbara
8
Com News
9
Long Range Planning
10
Walk-Talks and More
11 & 12
Summer RE Schedule
13
Blues Clues
15
"Heal Our Land"
Dr. Denise Hall
Dr. Hall intends on sharing the wisdom of the mystic Dr. George Washington Carver
of Tuskegee University (formerly Tuskegee Institute), who revolutionized southern
agriculture in the United States through innovation, science, and creativity. In doing
so, his influence instilled an inspiring vision and dream for community-building and
self-reliance which resonates with the various levels of healing needed in our world
today along with the Eco-Womynist liberation theological perspective.
Dr. Hall is a student at Iliff Theological Seminary and ministerial intern at Foothills
Unitarian Universalist Church in Fort Collins.
June 21
“Celebrating Successful Ministries”
Reverend Coeyman
At the end of May we honored individuals in this congregation who have given of
themselves: the dozens and dozens of volunteers who contribute to the shared ministry of our congregation. Today we celebrate the many ministries that we have here at
CUUC, and we notice just how far we have come in this year of challenge and
change. Come celebrate this congregation in this end-of-the-regular-worship-year
service. Listen to magnificent music by the CUUC choir, horn players of this congregation, and the bell choir from Jefferson Unitarian Church. Enjoy a reception
(that may include chocolate) after the service sponsored by Reverend Barbara and
the Committee on Ministry.
June 28
“Reality — Subjective and Created — and The Power Of Prayer”
Christopher Fort
Christopher Fort, who last spoke to this congregation on the topic of ‗acceptance,‘
now brings us plausible explanations of how and why prayer can work and does
work for Unitarian Universalists, no matter their theological orientation. Some of
our congregation will be at Pridefest, others will be attending Unitarian Universalist
Association General Assembly in Utah. If neither is part of your plans for this Sunday, come, attend worship at CUUC and show support for our congregation and for
Christopher‘s shared ministry of worship leadership.
The Columbine Connection
June 2009
From the Minister
“Ministry in Three-Quarter Time”
Last month, realizing the end of this church year was fast approaching, the Committee
on Ministry and I offered newsletter articles reviewing shared ministry and pastoralstyle congregations. More recently, at our congregational meeting on May 17, we also
reviewed many of the accomplishments of this congregation in this past year. We have
indeed had a busy year. I would like to express my gratitude to all of you, elected officers, committee chairs, volunteers of all stripes, for your dedicated service this past
year. We have faced some challenges and enjoyed many triumphs that have significantly contributed to the maturing of this congregation as a beacon of liberal faith in the
greater southwest Denver area.
Also at that congregational meeting in May, the election of new officers for the coming
year called us to look forward to the coming year. Based on all the many positive
changes we have experienced transitioning this year to a congregation operating in pastoral style through shared ministry, I‘d say we have much to look forward to in the coming year as we continue this momentum of growth and change.
I noted last month that a pastoral church is oriented around the role of the professional
minister (pastor) and other professional staff persons, who serve as conduits or clearinghouses for most if not all of the congregation‘s activities. In this month‘s column, let me
offer my vision and hope for ministry for the coming year — my vision for how I, as
minister, and the rest of the professional staff, hope to serve this pastoral-style congregation, understanding that budgeting and thus size of staff positions for the coming
church year will remain generally at the same level as they have been this year.
As your Consulting Minister, I will again be serving 3/4 time. In terms of worship service leadership, this means I will be responsible for 25 to 28 services in the coming
year, including, just as last year, four multi-generational services prepared in collaboration with the Director of Lifespan Religious Education and the children and youth of the
congregation. The remaining 20-some worship services will be under the planning and
responsibility of the worship committee, with which I remain as adviser as needed.
Columbine Connection
This monthly newsletter of the Columbine Unitarian Universalist Church is for
the benefit of its members and pledging
friends. Visitors receive the newsletter
for six months, after which time, if they
have not made a pledge to the church,
they may subscribe for $12.00 a year by
calling (303)972-1716. To contribute an
article to the newsletter, send an email
to::
[email protected]
Or call (303) 882-1896
Carmelo J. Corica
Editor
Darrell Dodge
Web Coordinator
CUUC Website:
Http://www.columbineuuchurch.org
All contents copyright 2009
As I discussed at the recent congregational meeting, each of the three program staff will
generally maintain the same relationship with the congregation‘s groups and committees that we had this year. In my Consulting Ministry, I work full-time with some
groups and what I refer to as ‗part-time‘ with others. I enjoy full-time connections with
groups or committees that are directly associated with ministry or worship, such as the
Committee on Ministry, and the Worship and the Music Committee. Additionally, I
offer full-time connections with and support to the professional staff, which include the
DLRE, Music, Administrator. In a parallel way, in addition to administrative responsibilities coordinating our Religious Education program, our Director of Lifespan Religious Education, Martin Blue-Norton, offers connections and support to the Youth Religious Education Committee and the Adult RE Committee. Our Director of Music Ministry, David Burrows, works with the Music Committee and the choir.
In this three-quarter time Consulting Ministry, by necessity I will be able to offer only
‗part-time‘ connections with other groups and committees. That is, I visit meetings and
participate in activities as time allows, but I do not actively participate in every conversation or project. I am of course available anytime for consulting as needed. This parttime connection goes to several committees including Just Act, Welcoming Congregation, Membership, Stewardship, Long Range Planning, and Caring, the Book Club, the
men‘s group, and the women‘s group. As the size of this ministry can grow, my time
with these groups can grow accordingly. Also, next year, as this year, I will again par
Continued on Page 14
Page 2
The Columbine Connection
June 2009
From the President
Members and Friends,
It has been a good year, not an easy year, but good. Lots of changes at CUUC, lots of growth on many levels, lots of
good conversations and on balance, so much to be thankful for.
We are maturing as a UU congregation. As a UU congregation we‘ve managed to raise our horizons from just getting
together on a Sunday morning for coffee and conversation to asking some tough questions about who we are, why we
exist, where we are going, and how. The changes we have experienced the past couple of years could tear many small
UU congregations with similar histories apart. Not so with CUUC, and we all should take a lot of pride and dignity from
that. We may not all agree on everything, or even anything, but that‘s UU in a nutshell, and we‘re doing it now – together and respectfully.
As we go forward, I encourage all of us to keep reaching out to those we don‘t yet know, those who seem different and
even to those who may seem threatening. They need us, and in turn, we need them. Diversity is a tough row to hoe, but
at the same time it is what binds us together as UUs and is the source of our strength for the future. Diversity is our
commonality as UUs, and in an ever more diversified world we need to embrace that and all that comes with it. We
have begun as a congregation to intentionally venture upon a path of ―radical hospitality‖, and not just within the confines of CUUC. We are reaching out beyond our walls as exemplified by Just Act‘s refugee assistance program, project
Angel Heart, Ft. Logan tutoring, and Interfaith community services to name a few. We are also a Welcoming Congregation and host a new PFLAG chapter. Keep getting out there and reaching out; spread our faith through personal deeds of
―radical hospitality‖ to those who may be different from you. Our future depends on it.
It has been an honor and a privilege to serve this congregation as president this year. As a life long UU, I am proud of
where we have ventured together and look forward to continuing with all of you on our chosen path as a growing and
dynamic UU congregation. It‘s not easy. UU is not easy, and in the words of George N. Marshall, the late minister
emeritus of the UU Church of the Larger Fellowship:
“When the church is performing its task, it often will make the uncomfortable comfortable and the comfortable uncomfortable. Another way of saying this is lamentably to recognize that for the majority of persons, religion is a comfortable, conforming experience used to make people conformists, uncritical, and unthinking. To the religious liberal, on
the other hand, the church is important because it offers an alternative approach which strengthens, builds resistance,
enhances courage, and challenges life’s easy platitudes. Thus the religious liberal may be the best hope for salvation in
the church if it successfully creates this new sense of “mission.” Otherwise the church is following the path to its own
destruction.”*
* From his book, Challenge of a Liberal Faith
In Service and thank you,
David
David Manning, President of the Board of Trustees
.
Page 3
The Columbine Connection
June 2009
Making a Difference
by Frances
Blizard
Ready! Set! School! Yes, it's already that time. Some children will be looking forward to it but others will be dreading it
because if they come from a less-fortunate family they won't have the right clothes, the school supplies they'll need for
the year, or a backpack like all the other kids.
When school is an uphill fight, many children drop out as soon as they are sixteen, and even if they stay in school it is
unlikely that they‘ll thrive. It's important for kids to feel that they fit in, and if their parents are poor they probably won't.
But Here’s Where You Come In! Every year Inter-Faith Community Services presents a program to help children from
struggling families start off their school year on the best foot possible, providing a new outfit and a certificate for a new
pair of shoes, plus school supplies for the year and a new backpack to hold them.
In two weeks you will get all the information about this program. In case you don't have time to do the
shopping, a check made out to Inter-Faith will be just fine.
This program can save as child's life.
The Food and Clothing At Inter-Faith
Your very generous contributions of food and clothing to the Community Baskets (One of them has been replaced by a
little red wagon!) have been outstanding. Everything goes to Inter-Faith, which is a safety net for families whose income
just does not stretch to keep the family decently fed, or clothed.
All contributions are gratefully received. Food goes on shelves of the Food Bank. Clothes are attractively arranged in a
separate room.
Who Are These Inter-Faith People We Help?
Today I was at Inter-Faith Community Services to sign up families for the Ready, Set, School program that CUUC participates in each year. Children between kindergarten and eighth grade receive backpacks with school supplies and a
new outfit to wear when classes start. I‘d like to share with you the story of one woman whose story was particularly
touching.
Missing her front teeth, she was a bit hard to understand as she told of having five children — all epileptic. One died in
Guatemala at the age of five, because they had no money to take her to the hospital. She went on with a big smile to say
that things were ever so much better here, because her severely disabled four-year-old was able to receive regular medication and hadn‘t had a convulsion in weeks. Her husband supports them all on a minimum-wage job, since she needs to
care full-time for the young handicapped boy, who has emotional as well as physical problems. In spite of this, she told
of their family having taken in a young woman with three children because she was being abused and had nowhere to
turn. For the last several months they have had three adults and seven children living in their tiny apartment. ―It‘s a little
tight,‖ she said, ―but there was no way that I could turn away someone that needed help.‖
It was hard — very hard — for me to tell this woman that her kids would likely not get backpacks this year. Inter-Faith
has had to establish a priority system in which those who‘ve received backpacks in the past rank lower than those new
to the program. This is because the need so far exceeds the number of sponsors. She smiled again, said she understood,
but that she sure hoped it would be possible because that is the only set of new clothes her kids got all last year and they
had been thrilled.
When Frances asks you to be a sponsor this year, please think of this dear woman who has had such a rough life and yet
finds it in her heart to support those who are having an even harder time.
Ann
Ann Wederspahn
Page 4
The Columbine Connection
June 2009
Musings
I‘ve been thinking about education lately. My son Carmine and I do his homework everyday
when he comes home from school. There is always Math, English and Reading. These are certainly worthy subjects for children to learn.
The school day should be concentrated on math and reading. The more a child practices these
subjects, the better they become. Even with normal intelligence, practice will make a child better
in both reading and math. If the first four years of grade school were spent knowing and understanding how to read, write and calculate, a child would have a solid foundation for the remainder of their schooling.
As I understand it now, a child spends about 50 minutes each on reading and math every day. That‘s about one hour and
forty minutes per day plus homework. That is not long enough. I understand the day needs to be broken up so that a
child can absorb the material better. However, I do not believe there is a need to ―teach‖ things such as history, geography and geometry during the first four years of school. By varying the things the children read, we can be teaching children history and geography in the reading materials. We can have forty-minute sessions three times during each school
day so that children read about many different subjects. Whatever the children absorb about these subjects is a bonus but
the main goal should be to have the children reading; reading a lot; there cannot be too much reading.
I also have a problem with homework. I don‘t believe in homework. After school, children should be worried about
playing and their chores at their home. How happy would you be if every day you had to take an hour or two of work
home with you, complete it by the next day and then bring it back to work? I don‘t mind working nine, ten hours in a
day as an adult, but I don‘t want my children working those kinds of hours.
To give a child who hasn‘t graduated high school homework tells me that the school day is not constructed for maximum advantage. A six to eight hour school day should be enough to get all their schoolwork done. Children only have
one childhood. Let them play. Let them have fun. There will be plenty of time in their adult life to work.
This said, I still feel something is missing from school. If we concentrate on reading and math until fourth grade, then
expand to other subjects - history, geography, and science - most children will have a solid basis for learning. If you can
read, you can learn most any subject. But I couldn‘t shake the gnawing feeling that something is missing in school.
Then I heard Steve Allen give a speech and he told me what was missing from education. When do we teach our children about relationships? When do we teach our children how to care for people and the world around them? When do
we teach our children about love? Shouldn‘t these subjects be taught at an early age and throughout all levels of school?
Should we not have experts who teach our children the myriad of ways of that relationships work, giving them alternatives they may not have thought through?
Maybe I‘m the odd one out here but I was never taught about relationships. My father was divorced twice by the time I
was sixteen years old. I‘ve been divorced twice now. I do not see a coincidence in this fact. Even the best parents don‘t
know everything about relationships and how to solve problems within one. The more exposure a child gets to working
out personal problems, the better.
Why not have classes about relationships? We have many relationships. There are professional relationships; personal
relationships; relationships with lovers and friends. I have not heard of one class that teaches skills for relationships
through high school. Shouldn‘t we have teachers who are qualified in relationships teaching our children various ways
to go about problem solving within a relationship? Obviously, I am clueless. All I am qualified to teach my children is
to not make the same mistakes I have made.
―Yes son, there are better ways to go about relationships that I have done with your mother. No, I don‘t know them, but
you should. No, I have no idea what they are or else I would teach them to you. Now clean up your room please.‖
I cannot help my children learn what I do not know or understand. Am I alone in this?
School should be more than reading and math. Certainly, there is not just one way to love and work out problems. But
school, from first grade throughout high school, should show children a myriad of ways to live, love and work out problems. Special classes to learn about relationships should not be only for adults who have spare time and money to take
such classes. Isn‘t it too late by time we‘re adults?
I hope my children, at least my grandchildren and great grandchildren, get an education that is truly rounded. Reading,
(Continued on page 9)
Page 5
The Columbine Connection
June 2009
Social Activities
th
Circle BBQ-Saturday June 13 6:30pm at Karen and Jim Hopkins home. Karen and Jim have a nice
sized home and anyone who would like to attend is welcome to join this family friendly dinner. Karen
and Jim will be serving us a delicious BBQ entrée. This is a potluck style dinner and each attendee will
bring a side dish, dessert, or beverage to share. This is a great casual way for new church members to get
to know us. Questions? Contact Tracy Leonard at 303-904-2015 or [email protected].
I have spent the past three years as Chair of the Social Activities Committee. Everyone knows how much
I adore throwing a party, but the time has come for me to step down and let someone else have a chance to be in
charge of our fun times. Please extend a warm welcome to Ralph Benson. Beginning July 1st, Ralph has graciously
volunteered to take over my position. He is talented and enthusiastic and will provide us with many opportunities for
good times. A Big Thank You to all of you. It takes a village to put on a dinner for 40 people and I could not have
executed any of the social activities without the help that each of you has given me. Also, a big thanks for giving me
the opportunity to serve the church in a way that I love.
Best Wishes,
Tracy
Tracy Leonard, Social Activities Chairperson
2009 Denver PrideFest Parade
Sunday, June 28, 2009; 9:00 am to 11:00 am
Come and join your fellow Unitarian Universalists as we show our UU Pride by marching in the 2009 Denver
PrideFest Parade. Adults and young people from the Denver/Boulder area UU Congregations will march together and support the LGBT community, while showing the crowd what our beliefs and values are all about.
The route is about 1.5 miles long. Please sign up at the back of the sanctuary. We can arrange carpools or
meet at First Unitarian at 8:00am for a breakfast and send off. It's a lot of fun! If you have questions, please
contact Suzanne at 303-978-9585.
Don’t Skip the Scrip!
Scrip is "substitute money," an old fashioned term for gift cards and grocery cards. Buying Scrip allows
CUUC‘ers to purchase everyday items like office supplies, home necessities, clothing, and entertainment
in the stores of your choice; while earning a percentage of each dollar of gift card to support CUUC. Scrip
is a painless fund raiser because it costs you nothing and still generates money for CUUC.
We hope you use gift cards! We hope you buy them at CUUC! We keep gift cards in stock from stores like Barnes and
Noble, Home Depot, Lowe‘s, Office Depot, Great Harvest Bread and Starbucks. But we can order – just for you – gift
cards from thousands of stores and restaurants. Please let us know if you shop at TJ Maxx, or Best Buy or Old Navy, we
can order their gift cards for you. In fact there is a huge list of stores we can order from: just ask for it at the table in the
lobby on any Sunday when you buy your coffee. If you are curious how Scrip works, please talk with the people selling
gift cards, coffee, and grocery cards, or ask Sarah Manning (303 771-6172) for details.
Don’t leave CUUC without Scrip! Don’t leave CUUC without Equal Exchange Coffee!
The deadline for The Columbine Connection for the next 12 months is as follows:
June 17, July 15, August 19, September 16, October 14, November 18, December 16, January 20, February 17, March 17,
April 14, May 19
These dates are the Wednesday prior to the second to last Sunday of the month. The Connection will be available for members and friends
at the last Sunday Service of the month at CUUC. Then it will mailed to the remainder of the subscribers. The deadline for the next thirteen
issues will be at midnight on the above dates. Be prepared to have all submissions to the Connection by 12:00AM (midnight) on the deadline date. If it is a problem meeting the deadline, please contact the editor to make arrangements for the submission. No guarantees, explicit
or implied are made for any submission which become the property of The Columbine Connection.
Page 6
The Columbine Connection
June 2009
CUUC Book Club Meets
Frances Blizard will lead discussion of To Siberia by Per Petterson in the Church
Lounge at 7:30PM on June 24.
In Danish Jutland, where the sea freezes over and the Nazis have yet to invade, a young girl dreams
of going on a great journey to Siberia, while her brother yearns for the warmer climes of Morocco.
With a staunchly Christian mother, a father who is an unsuccessful carpenter, and a grandfather
who hangs himself in a cowshed, the relationship between brother and sister flourishes through the
cold and the dark clouds that threaten to overtake their dreams. As the narrator looks back, she reflects on the harsh realities of her life and the directions in which they led her.
Per Petterson narrative reminds us that it is out of small and negligible things that a life may be
composed.
The Book Club meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month. Contact Wes Howe at 720-5294406, or email [email protected].
UU Laughs
A Unitarian hymn: "Praise Be to Whom It May Concern"
What is a Unitarian Universalist? Someone who believes in life before death.
There are very few Unitarians in Wyoming, and recently when one died the family approached a Methodist Minister and asked her if she could perform the service. She said
she would be happy to do so, but first, in order to be on the safe side, she had to contact
her bishop in Denver for permission. A few days later she received a reply, "Permission
granted. Bury all the Unitarians you want!"
Fannie Mae Holmes, the wife of Oliver Wendell Holmes, when asked why she was a Unitarian, is said to
have replied, "Because in Boston everyone has to be something, and Unitarian is the least you can be."
What's the difference between Catholics praying and Unitarians praying? Catholics cross their upper bodies, Unitarians cross their fingers.
A little Unitarian Universalist girl was sitting on the curb in front of her house with a sad look on her face.
An older lady happened upon her and asked her why she looked so sad. The girl replied, "My kitty cat
died." The older woman, trying to be helpful, said to the little girl, "I know you're sad, but right now your
kitty cat is with Jesus." The girl crinkled her nose for a second and replied, "What would Jesus want with a
dead cat?"
Singers Wanted!
Musicians Wanted!
For the Columbine UU Church Choir.
Expand your voice and heart.
Refresh and Recharge with Song.
Take part in Sunday services and
musical events in the larger Denver
community. Enjoy new musical experiences. For more
info contact David Burrows at 303-455-2110 or email
[email protected].
You‘re Invited!
to share your musical gifts!
in the CUUC Sunday Services!
Gratitude and Thanks in Advance!
Please contact David Burrows at
[email protected], or 303-455-2110, for
more information
Page 7
The Columbine Connection
June 2009
Notes from Reverend Barbara
Articulating Your UU Faith: This course, a curriculum published by the Unitarian Universalist Association, led by
Reverend Barbara and assisted by Jamie Daniels, is being sponsored by the Membership Committee as a follow-up to
the Pathways to Membership class that we recommend to all who are interested in becoming members of this congregation. We highly encourage anyone who has joined CUUC in the past year to take this follow-up, ‗Articulating‘ class.
Also, any ‗old-time‘ members who want a refresher in basics of Unitarian Universalism are welcome, as are any visitors
to this congregation wanting to learn more about this free religion before taking the Pathways class. The course will be
offered in two sessions, Monday June 1, and Monday June 22, 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. For more information about the class,
contact Reverend Barbara. Advance registration required, no later than Friday May 29, by calling the office during office hours.
New Worship Procedure: During worship services we now have a time called ‗Connections and Concerns of the Community.‘ This is a time during the Pastoral Prayer/Meditation period when the service leader — either Reverend Barbara
or the lay leader — will read celebrations or sorrows of the community. This pastoral prayer offers an important complement to Joys and Sorrows; for individuals who prefer not to light a candle in front of the congregation; and for those
who are not present at a service. To notify worship leaders of a Connection or Concern you want to have mentioned,
contact the office no later than Friday afternoon (4:00 pm) before the service. Leave complete contact information with
the office administrator, Julie, so that the service leader may call you back. No personal event will be named in the service without direct conversation and permission of the member or friend it concerns.
The Minister’s Garden: Friends, this summer we have no group or committee who has spoken up to take responsibility for the garden behind our building. Living in an apartment as I do currently, I welcome the place to grow my own
vegetables. Thus, I declare this the Minister‘s Garden for the 2009 growing season, and I welcome sharing the space
with congregants who are interested in helping tend the garden. Perhaps come the fall, we can give some of our bountiful crop to food banks or other organizations in our wider community. Please contact me if you can help with the garden, for one day, or the whole summer long.
Hiking? Anyone interested in hiking this summer? Let me know of your interest. Let‘s see what type of hikes we can
arrange, weekdays, weekend, evenings, and more.
Lunches in June: Due to scheduling conflicts because of vacation and General Assembly, lunches with the minister are
canceled during the month of June.
Thank You: Many thanks to members of this congregation (unsigned) who left the beautiful planter of flowers in my
office on Mother‘s Day weekend. The many different blossoms in the arrangement continue to unfold and grace the
balcony of my apartment.
Welcoming Congregation & Just Act
The Question Alliance is a group of concerned citizens asking fundamental and necessary questions about issues that
affect us all. We use the grass-roots method of peaceful sign-waving on street corners. We ask questions about issues
that concern all people, no matter where they fall in the political spectrum.
The Welcoming Congregation Committee & Just Act are co-sponsoring a Question Alliance action for Pride month.
When: Saturday, June 27, 2009, 10-11:30 AM
Where: Littleton area
Question: Why does our Democracy allow legal discrimination against gay Americans?
The Constitution grants equal rights to all persons. Let us ask our neighbors why we continue to allow discrimination
against gays in this country. This is not an easy question for many — but it is a necessary question for all. Please remember that it is important to have the same exact wording on your sign. The exact wording for the question on June
27th is: Why does our Democracy allow legal discrimination against gay Americans? Please make sure your signs
have this EXACT wording. This is very important and is one of the basic tenets of this alliance. The visual effect of one
repeated, simply worded question will be more easily absorbed and remembered.
Please sign up on the signup sheet at church, and contact Suzanne Fey-Gaiser with any questions. Suzanne can be
reached at [email protected] or 303-978-9585.
Page 8
The Columbine Connection
June 2009
News from Your Committee on Ministry
Our church year has almost ended and a glorious Colorado summer has arrived. Mark your calendar for Sunday, June
21 when we‘ll celebrate the ministries of our church during the Sunday service and afterwards with cake, balloons and
bubbly. The ministries of CUUC have had a productive and successful year. Your Committee on Ministry appreciates
your contributions of volunteer time and talent, individually and collectively as committees. The spirit of vibrant and
compassionate service is alive and well at CUUC!
Our professional staff also plays a vital and integral role in the success of our ministries, very frequently giving additional staff time to make sure all is well. As we move into the 2010 fiscal year, how can we help our ¾ time minister,
Reverend Barbara Coeyman, our ½ time Director of Lifespan Religious Education, Martin Blue-Norton and our part
time Director of Music Ministries, David Burrows, work within the boundaries of their contracted staff time? How can
we help them do their jobs as effectively as possible?
The answer is Communication – efficient, timely, productive and compassionate. What does that look like?
First, you are reading this newsletter so you are already helping with efficient communication. Our staff uses the newsletter and e-blasts to communicate important information to you – practical and philosophical. If all of us read the newsletter and the weekly e-blasts, we can stay current on our church events and needs.
Second, volunteer to teach RE! Martin has a fabulous summer program planned and he needs teachers. Also, sing in the
choir, play special music or volunteer to light the chalice and participate with an open heart in worship.
Third, sometimes less is more – be judicious and patient with email! As we all know, email is great until your inbox
takes over your life.
Fourth, demonstrate trust in our church and our staff – reach out for pastoral care if you need it, share that great idea
you have, ask questions, keep current on our evolving policies and procedures and participate in the many programs
CUUC has to offer.
Hopefully you are thinking of additional ways to support good communication in our church community and with our
professional staff. All of us at CUUC have a vital part in this OUR shared ministry. Remember – ministry shared is
ministry multiplied. May it be so!
Bed and Breakfast Vacation
Fifteenth Annual B&B Weekend offered by the UU Church of Rutland, VT.
Enjoy the beauty of Vermont, UU hospitality, and a choice of guided activities:
hiking, nature walk, kayaking, bicycling, antiques/arts, cider making historic
tour, soaring tour, touring historic sites and quaint towns, and much more. Registration by August 15, $275 (single) and $475 (double). After August 15, $325
(single bed) and $525 (double bed). For more information contact [email protected] or call (802) 353-7969.
)Continued from page 5)
math and life skills are all necessary to be a successful adult in the twenty-first century. I wish I had learned those lessons. They say it‘s never too late to teach an old dog new tricks. Maybe there is still hope for me. But I want it to be easier for my children. I want, so desperately, for my children not to live my life! Is that too much to ask for in our educational system?
Peace & Love,
Carmen
Carmen J. Corica, Editor of The Columbine Connection
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The Columbine Connection
June 2009
Feedback: A Tool for Change Management
As we introduce changes and implement plans at CUUC, we all need to give and receive feedback to/from each other.
It is essential for clear effective communication and good collaboration. Webster’s New World College Dictionary defines feedback as ―a process in which the factors that produce a result are themselves modified, corrected, or strengthened by that result.‖
Ineffective attempts to give feedback often cause defensiveness and resistance on the part of the recipient. These reactions are the opposite of what we desire. You can increase the likelihood that your feedback will be well received and
have a positive impact if you know the qualities of effective feedback below:
Expected — Ideally, both parties should perceive feedback as a normal and fundamental aspect of their
relationship. This expectation needs to be fostered and reinforced as the relationship develops. By becoming a regular, even routine, way in which you communicate with each other, feedback sheds the negative
connotation it sometimes has.
Two-directional — Feedback needs to flow in both directions in order to be effective. Receiving feedback, as well as giving it, is in your own best interest. Also demonstrating that you welcome feedback is a
very effective way to encourage the same attitude on the part of others.
Balanced — Too often feedback is seen as criticism in a negative sense and is only mentioned when
there is a perceived deficiency of some kind to be corrected. In a healthy relationship it also conveys positive messages, not only negative ones.
Helpful intent — Its purpose is to be helpful and non-threatening to the party receiving it. Therefore, it is
not meant to be a means for the giver to ventilate feelings or relieve stress. Merely expressing or displaying frustration, displeasure and disapproval is not feedback. Likewise, to be constructive it should focus
on something objective (a behavior, practice, procedure or policy) that the recipient is able to change.
Non-judgmental — Although feedback often is part of the evaluation process, it does not include making
or expressing value judgments about ―good and bad‖ or ― right and wrong.‖ It describes observable behavior and performance but does not attribute moral qualities or motives to the recipient. Keeping your
feedback value-free in this sense helps avoid triggering defensiveness and denial.
Non-prescriptive — The recipient always has the freedom, after hearing and considering feedback, to
conclude that it is valid or not. There is no obligation or mandate implied.
Gary
Gary Wederspahn, Long Range Planning Committee Chair
What Kind of World Do You Want to Live In?
Does this sound like the world you want? A world that is free from oppression and injustice, a world
where everyone can realize their full human rights. This is the vision of the Unitarian Universalist Service
Committee. The UUSC started out in 1940 giving humanitarian help to Nazi dissidents and refugees.
Now the UUSC is working to protect human rights in Afghanistan, Kenya, Darfur. Now the UUSC is working to ensure $10 in 2010 a national campaign for a fair minimum wage in the US. Now the UUSC is working to promote the rights of workers in the USA and other countries including the coffee farmers who sell
their coffee through Equal Exchange to CUUC. Now the UUSC is working to make sure everyone has access
to safe, sufficient, affordable water in South Africa and in New Hampshire.
The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee advances human rights and social justice around the world,
partnering with those who confront unjust power structures and mobilizing to challenge oppressive policies.
The UUSC give us in CUUC the opportunity to impact the world in a larger scale than we can alone. Join the
UUSC. Go to www.uusc.org and find out how to create the world you want to live in.
Page 10
The Columbine Connection
June 2009
June Notes: Adult Ed
During the summer months, Adult RE will consist of a series of Walk-Talks — informal hikes in the local area with selected discussion topics aimed at stretching both your legs and your mind — and the third annual Wilderness Quest.
Come fall, the Adult RE Committee hopes to provide you a wide selection of educational offerings at different times.
Do you have an idea for an exciting adult ed class you would like to present or facilitate? We are looking for highinterest activities with a direct tie-in to the mission of the church. Please contact Ann Wederspahn at 303 9048-5605.
Third Annual Wilderness Quest
Reserve Sunday afternoon August 9 through Wednesday August 12 for a challenging, fun, time at Forest Lake in the
James Peak Wilderness. As in past years, we‘ll combine group meals and hikes with a 30-hour solo in which you‘ll experience the wilderness completely on your own. This all happens at a spectacularly beautiful lake at 10,800 ft., surrounded by meadows of wildflowers and rocky cliffs. While some prior camping experience is recommended, this trip
can be as strenuous — or not — as you would like. The hike in to the base camp is an easy half-hour downhill. No facilities are available, but there is good spring water. Free, except for the cost of your food and shared transportation. Basic camping gear is required and purchase of a Colorado Search and Rescue card ($3).
Sign up for this activity, and you will be notified when a planning and information meeting will take place. Questions?
Contact Martin Blue-Norton or Eric Gustafson.
Schedule for Summer Walk-Talks
A Walk-Talk is a small group hike with an interesting discussion topic — a chance to exercise body and mind in a natural setting. The group chooses the topic the morning of the hike.
Date
Monday June 1
Wednesday June 17
Place
Mt. Falcon (Jeffco Open Space)
Deer Creek Canyon (Jeffco Open Space)
Tuesday June 23
Roxborough State Park South Rim Trail
Saturday in July
Place to be determined
Date to be Announced
Saturday June27
Alderfer/Three Sisters near Evergreen
(Jeffco Open Space)
Monday July 20
Carson Nature Center near Mineral
and Santa Fe
Late July/early August Mt. Falcon (Jeffco Open Space)
Date to be Announced
August
Place to be announced
Date to be announced
Leader
Brian Pendleton
Ruthanne Cauley
Comments
Meet at CUUC at 8:00 a.m.
Meet at CUUC at 8:00 a.m.
or at the Deer Creek Canyon
parking lot at 8:20.
Ann Wederspahn Meet at CUUC at 8:00 a.m.
or at the fire station near the
park entrance at 8:30am.
Tracy Boykin and Meet at CUUC at 8:00 a.m.
Mark Brindel
Carol Mowery
Meet at CUUC at 8:00 a.m.
Susan Stein and
Brian Pendleton
Gaye Denley
Meet at CUUC at 8:00 a.m.
or on the Nature Center porch
at 8:20.(Easy/level walk)
Meet at CUUC at 8:00 a.m.
Dory and Bob Pinkham
More hikes will be scheduled in July & August if interest is shown! Want to lead one? Call Ann at 303 948-5605.
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The Columbine Connection
June 2009
What’s a Walk-Talk?
Is your idea of a good summer morning to enjoy a hike with friends while talking about something meaningful? Do you
like to make last-minute decisions instead of having to plan everything? Then chances are, you‘ll want to join us for one
or more Walk-Talks this summer.
What: These are half-day hikes — mostly in the local foothills — with the degree of strenuousness determined by those
who show up. At the beginning of the hike, someone in the group will draw a topic from a wide selection. If the group
agrees, that becomes the focus of the conversation during the hike. (If you don‘t like the topic, draw another!)
How: Check the calendar that will be posted on the bulletin board and published weekly in the E-blast to see what dates
and places the hikes will be held. Some are on weekdays; some are on Saturday mornings. You‘ll be back home by early
afternoon. No need to sign up! Just decide that morning if it‘s a good day to stretch your legs and share some quality
time with good folks. Meet either at the church parking lot or at the trailhead, as indicated on the schedule. Bring a
snack, water, hat, sunscreen, and clothes appropriate for the weather. Sturdy shoes are fine; hiking boots not necessary.
Questions? Call Ann at 303 948 5605.
Self-Determination or Destiny
Is the future pre-determined by factors and forces beyond our control? Or do we
have the power to create our own futures? Do you believe in free will or fatalism? On what do you base your belief? What are the implications of your belief? Do you take charge of your destiny or go with the flow?
Heaven, Hell, the Great Beyond, Reincarnation, or None of That…
What are your beliefs about the afterlife (or not)? How did you develop them?
What led to your thinking the way you do? How do your beliefs in this area
affect your life? Have they changed over time? Why? Do you think your beliefs
Goals
When you were a kid, what were some of your dreams? Have you reached any
of those? Have your dreams or goals changed over the years? How? If you look
deep inside now, what are some of your deepest goals? Are they still meaningful to you? Are they realistic? How do you expect to be able to realize them?
Join Just ACT
Just ACT, the Justice Action Coordinating Team, isn‘t a committee. It is a team of people who believe that we each
must do what we can to change our world and that we can help each other out. Several members of Just ACT are leaders
of year round projects. Frances Blizard heads up our support for Inter-Faith Community Services; Jim Hopkins coordinates our delivery team for Project Angel Heart; Brian Pendleton leads our band of tutors. Other members focus on
shorter term endeavors. Ann Wederspahn led the work camp in Guatemala, and Eric Gustafson instigated our refugee
mentoring. Sarah Manning hosted the ―Who is my Neighbor?‖ conversation on immigration, and coordinated CUUC‘s
Community Service Day.
However everyone at CUUC is officially a member of Just ACT because we are UUs and taking action is how we bring
our faith to life.
If you‘d like to join us, we meet on the first Wednesday of every month at CUUC, 6:30 – 8:00pm.
Page 12
The Columbine Connection
June 2009
Please Consider Volunteering To Teach
One Of Six Remaining Sundays This Summer!!
CUUC Summer 2009 YRE Sundays
June 7th – Families Worship together
June 14th – Children’s Chapel
June 21st – Creation – The Coming of Gluscabi (Abenaki-Northern Woodlands)
Topic: Sense of Place
Activities: Visit the Columbine Peace Labyrinth, create a field journal then do a ‗Walk About‘
to observe nature taking notes and sketches on their observations, or Teachers
choice on the topic.
June 28th - Earth – Old Man Coyote and the Rock (Pawnee – Great Plains)
Topic: Geology and Soil
Activities: Do a ‗Walk About‘ to gather rocks, create a ‗Rock Collection display, make soil, or
Teachers choice on the topic.
th
July 5 – Families Worship together
July 12th – Children’s Chapel
July 19th - Fire – Loo-Wit, The Fire-Keeper (Nisqually- Pacific Northwest)
Topic: Energy: Forms, Sources and Conservation
Activities: The Energy Experience- make a heat & light motion machine and photosynthesis
paper experience. Develop a display board of how CUUC can use less energy and
become a Green Sanctuary, or Teachers choice on the topic.
July 26th – Wind and Weather – Gluscabi and the Wind Eagle (Abenaki-Northern Woodlands)
Topic: Clean Air
Activities: Make windsocks, kites, pinwheels, blow soap bubbles into the wind, or make individualized Native American ‗Prayer Sticks, or Teachers choice on the topic.
August 2nd – Families Worship together
August 9th – Children’s Chapel
August 16th - Water – The Hero Twins and the Swallower of Clouds (Zuni - Southwest)
Topic: Fresh water and its Inhabitants
Activities: Create clouds and rain in a bottle, demonstrate water as solid, liquid and a gas to
vapor and back to a liquid through condensation on a pop can, Do a ‗Walk About‘
to observe and study life in a pond or creek, or Teachers choice on the topic.
Thank You, Sarah and David Manning for having selected August 16th to Teach!
August 23rd - Animals – Awi Usdi, The Little Deer (Cherokee – North Carolina)
Topic: Caring for Animals and Species Survival
Activities: Caring for animals Inside: Share pets by having a pet parade and Outside: Do a
Walk About‘ and do some bird watching, build bird houses. Create a design
for a bumper sticker or poster about endangered and threatened species, or
Teachers choice on the topic.
August 30th – Unity of Earth – The White Buffalo Calf Women and the Sacred Pipe (Lakota [Sioux] – Great Plains)
Topic: Earth Stewardship: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
Activities: Conduct the Native Americans‘ ―Earth Circle of Life Dance,‖ which includes gifts
from the earth and gifts to the earth, or Teachers choice on the topic.
September 6th – Families Worship together
September 13th - Kickoff Sunday – followed by a Congregational Picnic at Clement Park.
Page 13
The Columbine Connection
June 2009
Music Corner
Music in June features the choir singing choir favorites from years past as well as special performances involving
a French Horn duet, the Handbell Choir (from Jefferson Unitarian), four-handed piano, and possibly a guest flutist. The Choir will sing May 31, June 7 and June 21 then break for the summer. My summer involves a little bit
of travel to both General Assembly in Salt Lake City as well as the UU Musicians Network
Conference in Portland. Have a wonderful summer.
In Harmony,
David
David Burrows, Director of Music Ministry
Continued from Page 2
ticipate as ex-officio, non-voting member of the board and council.
We will begin Covenant Group Ministry (CGM) next year. Also known as ‗Small Group Ministry,‘ Covenant Groups
are groups organized intentionally around the goal of spiritual deepening and growth. Rather than in the summer as I‘d
originally hoped, we will start leadership training for CGM in the fall with a small group of six to eight facilitators-intraining, and then create groups, under their facilitation, open for congregational participation after the New Year. I will
be writing more in future newsletter about the goals and workings of covenant groups. If you are interested in becoming
a Covenant Group facilitator, please contact me. Additionally, while it has been my intention of being a program of Pastoral Care under ministerial mentoring come the fall, paralleling the minister‘s current relationship with the worship
committee, within the scope of a three-quarter ministry, this program will have to be postponed for the immediate future.
We will be on a slower plan for initiating a Pastoral Care program, but we will eventually get there. For next year, I remain the primary contact for pastoral care for congregants during periods of personal hardships, and I look forward to
the chance to work with lay leaders down the line.
Alice Mann, a specialist in church growth on the staff of the Alban Institute, reminds us that pastor-centered does not
mean pastor-dominated. Particularly in shared ministry, professional staff works in partnership with lay leaders, expressed through a teaching or mentoring relationship between staff and lay leaders. The pastoral congregation feels like
one community, one organism, in which all parts relate to one another. A pastoral congregation is an organic whole. As
we move forward in the coming year, I invite each of you, members and friends of this congregation, to be in full partnership with us professional staff as we continue our transitioning and
growth. I also invite anyone to visit with me in my office if you want to discuss anything about
church life and organization.
Have a good summer!
Many blessings,
Barbara
Reverend Barbara Coeyman
It is the editorial policy of this newsletter to print whatever is sent to us for inclusion, unless we think the
item will be offensive or hurtful. It occurred to us that it would be interesting reading to hear how others
came to call themselves Unitarian Universalists. This, then, is an invitation to share that part of your faith’s
journey with our readership. All other topic are open for submission also. Members of CUUC will be given
preferential treatment where publishing is concerned. Thank you for understanding.
Page 14
The Columbine Connection
June 2009
Blue’s Clues
CUUC's Religious Education Update
The summer is upon us with a vengeance! The temperature has hit the upper eighties already and I have had to
add lawn mowing to my weekly chores. Go figure! I am looking forward to the break from all that yard work
while I conduct the Columbine Unitarian Universalists‘ Youth Religious Educations‘ new Summer Day Camp.
As I mentioned in last month‘s newsletter I have made a personal pledge to this congregation that I will do what
I can do to help CUUC work towards being a ‗Green Sanctuary‘ community. As part of that commitment I am
leading the first YRE summer camp titled ―Eco-Warriors: Keepers of the Earth.‖
The ―Eco-Warriors: Keepers of the Earth‖ day camp will be for children ages 6 through 12 years old and will be
based at the church. We have chosen the week of July 13th through July 17th daily from 9:00am till 3:00pm. As
part of the camp every registered child will get a t-shirt, sun hat, backpack and a water bottle that they will be
able to tie-dye and customize. We have also planned two healthy snacks during the day as well as a sack lunch
for everyone. The YRE is offering all this plus fun and exploration for a mere $25 per child.
We have based the YRE summer program on the Keepers of the Earth and Keepers of Life: Native American
Stories and Environmental Activities for Children by Michael Caduto and Joseph Bruchac. The children will be
learning to understand, live with and care for our Earth and its environment using carefully selected Native
North American stories and hands-on activities that will promote an understanding of, appreciation for, empathy with and responsible stewardship the environment on Earth. Everyday the children will be involved in creative arts, theatre, reading, writing, science, and social studies, among other subjects. Because the children will
be interacting with nature, the lessons emphasize creative thinking and synthesis of knowledge and experiences.
It looks to be a great summer and I hope that many of CUUC children will take advantage of this wonderful
summer day camp. You will be able to find the registration forms on a clip-board on the south wall of the sanctuary. I have scholarship opportunities available for any family that would like to help out during day camp, so
please see me or give me a call at the church. Have a GRRRReat Summer! And remember to wear your sun
screen!
With Love and Respect,
Blue
Martin J. Blue-Norton, Director of Lifespan Religious Education for Columbine Unitarian Universalist Church
Sign Up for Adult RE Classes!
We recently had to cancel an adult RE class because only two people signed up. It's likely that others would
have attended the session without signing up, if their schedules permitted at the last moment. However, this
does not allow the organizers and presenters to plan adequately. So, if it is likely that you will attend a class,
please add your name to the sign-up sheet on the counter under the bulletin boards. You can always cancel if
something comes up that will keep you from attending, simply by calling the presenter, the church, or anyone
on the Adult RE Committee. Please help us ensure a variety of good adult education offerings by "being religious" about signing up ahead of time!
Page 15
The Columbine Connection
THE
COLUMBINE CONNECTION
is published monthly by
Columbine Unitarian Universalist Church
6724 S. Webster Street
Littleton CO 80128
Phone: 303-972-1716
June 2009
Officers
David Manning
Lygia Garrick
Loraine Kreznar
President
Vice President/Secretary
Treasurer
Trustees
Alan Popiel
Anne Wederspahn
Jamie Daniels
Sunday Morning Worship Begins at 10:30am
Coffee & Conversation Served After Service
Home
www.columbineuuchurch.org
ALL ARE WELCOME!!
The Columbine Connection
Columbine Unitarian Universalist Church
6724 S. Webster Street
Littleton CO 80128
Page 16