Hip Happenings Minister’S Musings

HIGH PLAINS CHURCH UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST NURTURE | INSPIRE | ACT

March 2021 Vol. 28 No. 3 HiP Happenings Minister’s Musings... Dear HiP Church Family, Maybe that is the word we can use instead of “commitment.” When we embrace any path of transformation, it takes “Devotion” somehow grabs at my heart. It seems that commitment. devotion can turn a commitment from something that feels like a trap into something that is liberating. Yet, I agree with a colleague from the Non-Violent Communication What does it do to our hearts to think about working for (NVC) community, Miki Kashtan, the accumulated liberation of all people? An example who writes that commitment can of devoted action might be doing a power analysis in Rev. Julia McKay be a word that we shy away from each challenging human exchange we find ourselves HPCUU Minister because it connotes a “should,” in by asking: who is the person here who has the most to lose in this situation? an obligation, or duty. It is true, that often we can end up feeling trapped by a commitment we make. Dr. Takiyah Nur Amin spoke so completely into this place of devotion during the Side With Love Service If not commitment, then what word do we use? Miki on Sunday when she called upon us to remember: continues describing her struggle to find a word that “In every moment, life gives us an invitation to do the is not too strong, but strong enough: loving and life affirming thing.” “Intention” is not strong enough to carry the unwavering force of staying the course even when the going gets hard…I want to somehow capture the unpredictability of life… that every single one of us at some point or another will not find sufficient inner resources to IN THIS ISSUE follow through.” It IS hard to face the realities that we are living in – Minister’s Musing 1 especially now. Passing a deadly virus to one another Worship Services 3 through breath that we cannot see. Global uprising against state sponsored violence. Mass awareness of President’s Message 4 the racial divide that is not the civil rights of the 1960’s. JEDI Allies Invite 5 So much more about black history AND white history is being surfaced in ways that are shocking us and will New Members 6 not allow us to turn away. In fact, I think the mandate Faith Formation 7 of our faith calls for our deep commitment. Adult Faith Formation 8 Yet, the choice to be involved is always ours to make. Upcoming Events 10 As Jessica York said this past weekend at the New Day Rising Conference: “We can thank the ones who are attending for their devotion to this work. This is long haul work. It is lonely work.” Ministers Musings...

This is an invitation to extend ourselves to life fully without conditions. To commit. And, to commit to LOVE. Easier said than done, I know. So, this is why commitment takes community. It is essential. Miki says: “…we need each other to be able to continue to face reality – external and internal – and keep focused on what matters to us most.” We must seek support, she says. That community is the key to embarking and sustaining any journey, especially a spiritual, moral, and ethical one. And, I think that accompanying one another and supporting each other is especially needed as we are trying to transform our community itself. The mandates of our Unitarian Universalist faith urge us on. Won’t you join us? With devotion, Rev J

2 Worship Services

MAR 21 – This Land Has a Voice Theme: Come join Sebrena Forrest and Rev J as we take this journey together to learn some of the historical offerings about the COMMITMENT Native peoples who first populated the land our current sanctuary sits on. We will also explore where MAR 7 – Cherishing Our Connections contemporary lineal descendants As we acknowledge the strange anniversary of live, and receive some native insights beginning virtual worship services (one year ago this and philosophy gathered along the month), we hold the exciting vision of being able to way. Guest, Sebrena D. Forrest is of push the “reset button” sometime in this coming the Mohawk Nation. She has received many cultural year. We have had to make some bold substantial awards from organizations which support leadership changes, but what has remained are the substantial and the arts. She is a storyteller, ceremonial singer, connections on a human level with one another. musician, writer, and artist. She prays for greater In this service, we will explore the deep questions understanding between all people and respect for which animate our hearts and are the life pulse of Mother Earth. Our Third Sunday Offering will support the church. Rev J speaks. the organization One Nation Walking Together.

MAR 14 – Holy Now: A Service in Song MAR 28 – We Are Climbing to The Mountain Top! Come enjoy our very special Come hear about the new collaborative racial Guest, Peter Mayer, as he weaves justice ministry of the UURJ (UU’s reflections and original music United for Racial Justice) in the to celebrate our commitment Colorado Front Range cluster. Meet and connection to each other, the Minister of this burgeoning the larger world and to the BIPOC community, Jen Simon (they/ universe around us. Peter is them, she/her), and hear about an infamous singer/songwriter the upcoming programs, and the from Minnesota, who wrote the powerful collective work in our lyrics to our beloved UU hymn cluster that is centering equity, “Blue Boat Home.” He has been diversity, justice and anti-oppression principles performing full-time for 25 years and is currently throughout all of our ministries. Guest Speaker, Jen working on his 12th album. If you’d like to read Simon, MDiv, serves as the Community minister for more about Peter, please visit his website at The Mountain Top BIPOC Community and CO UUs www.petermayer.net. Please make sure you don’t for Racial Justice. Jen’s calling is to provide space miss the Saturday evening concert sponsored by for BIPOC UUs and their families to live into the HiP Church the night before. Tickets are on sale fullness of their spiritual growth and expression, as online in our NTYUU shop. well as to provide resources to our UU communities as they do the work of dismantling white supremacy within and without. Jen has been welcomed into Preliminary Fellowship by the Ministerial Fellowship All services be on Zoom at 3:30 pm unless Committee of the UUA and will be ordained on May 15, 2021. otherwise noted. HPCUU Zoom Link

3 President’s Postings

I want to begin by thanking passion in our community and the wider world. To the congregation for all the promote diversity, acceptance, and inclusion so that support we are giving each people of all backgrounds and identities can thrive. other, for supporting the Together, we create a force more powerful than one Board in our endeavors, and person or one belief system. for supporting the ministries of the church and Reverend In the next month, we are going to start talking Julia during this last year of about stewardship. Not just financial steward- volatile times. Our present so- ship, but all the ways we work together to cherish, Gretchen Hein cial reality is dramatically dif- preserve, and protect our values and beliefs. To pre- HPCUU President ferent from last year but the pare for those conversations, let’s talk about what is core of our church, its mission has not changed. We the value of church in your life. How does church fill exist to accompany each other through times of suf- your soul, connect you to your deeper self, help you fering and beauty, provide spiritual guidance in nav- make the world better? igating our lives, and strengthen our communities of care by helping each other and being helped by one In this last year, we have been showing up for another. The fact that we have been able to do these each other and for our church, even in those times things during a global pandemic, almost exclusively where our safety nets have been frayed. We have on-line, is the truest testament of our commitment shown strong financial stewardship which has built to one another. morale and given us resources for our mission and our ministries. How will we use those precious resources But we also exist for something larger than our- going forward? selves. We exist to promote justice, equity, and com- Our church is a community of service that strengthens the social fabric we call home. It’s our cherished connections that bind us and support us and our collective mission that inspires us. Together we will be deciding what do we want to accom- plish this next year? What will we need to decide about next year? How will our resources reflect our hopes and dreams?

In Peace, Gretchen Hein

4 Request for Volunteers: JEDI Allies Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion Team!

It is exciting that HPCUU is gradually We believe the following benefits will come from becoming more fully committed to forming a JEDI Allies Team: institutional change and the trans- 1. Creating a brave and safe environment for per- formation of our beloved communi- sons whose voices are normally not heard, or un- ty. The formation of a Justice, Equity, derstood as part of the status quo, to openly share Diversity, and Inclusion team is one their thoughts and ideals based on their life expe- direct response to the Commission riences. Their insights and recommendations will On Institutional Change report from inform HPCUU decisions on policies, practices, the UUA released in June of 2020. The Board and and approaches that will enhance justice, equal- Multicultural Action Team are supportive and excit- ity, equity, diversity, and inclusion in the congre- ed about implementing this action. gation. The Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) 2. Assessing congregational practices, policies, Allies will serve as a sounding board and a resource and approaches, through the perspective of those to the congregation to facilitate justice, equality, eq- historically marginalized will lead to institutional uity, diversity, and inclusion in all areas of ministry change and transformation that will benefit ALL and governance. members of the congregation. Through greater JEDI Allies will be congregational members from understanding, knowledge, and ongoing reflec- various historically marginalized population groups. tion each of us will grow in our ability to build right The team will serve in an advisory capacity. Draw- and authentic relationships, regardless of how we ing upon their life experiences, they will provide identify and with whom we interact. insights, advocacy, and discernment with the goal 3. Engaging in this transformational process does of assisting those making decisions and all others not have as its end goal attracting new members committed to institutional change and the transformation of our beloved community. (More about this from marginalized populations. Instead, it encour- group and their role will be shared in future newslet- ages us to more fully live into our UU principles ters.) and values. As an outcome, our congregation will be increasingly anti-racist and a more welcoming The purpose of this article is to reach out to individu- place for all individuals regardless of how they als who would be interested in serving on this team. identify. This also better positions us to be com- Our goal is for members to self-identify as belonging munity partners with those whose values are in to at least one of the target groups; mindful that per- keeping with UU principles. sons may intersect with more than one of the target groups: 4. Forming a JEDI Allies Team will provide a welcoming, nurturing, validating, and empowering • Black, Indigenous, or Persons of Color (BIPOC) space of solidarity for those in our congrega- • LGBTQ+ tion who have been traditionally marginalized.

• Youth and Young Adults (e.g., high school and Through participation in this group, personal be tween 18-30-year-old) healing may occur, members may grow spiritually, and gain needed strength to fully engage in other • Older Adults (75 years+) congregational activities and in our greater • Persons differently-abled (e.g., physically, devel community. opmentally, cognitively, and/or neurodiverse) Carol Harper is acting as the initial convener and • Persons of various spiritual practices (e.g., atheist, facilitator of the JEDI Allies Team, although ulti- humanist, Christianity, various world religions,) mately indigenous consensus models will govern. • Economically disadvantaged and/or under-valued If you have an interest in serving or have gener- education and/or employment types al questions about the JEDI Allies Team, please contact Carol at [email protected] or 719-377-1974.

5 Welcoming New Members

Alex Tolson Elizabeth Wilkinson Alex was raised in the mid-west Elizabeth has rejoined High Plains and grew up playing outside and after being away for a short bit, also during the rise of person- looking for deeper spiritual al computers. He is a creative connections, social justice work, person -- be it cooking, drawing, and her love of people. writing, or game development. We are thrilled she joined the What drew him to High Plains UU HPCUU Worship Team! Perhaps church was “how non-restrictive you saw her debut as a worship associate a couple and inclusive it is,” and he loves the encouragement of weeks ago! to explore everything. He hopes to connect with For Elizabeth, connecting with others, being with more people and has enjoyed getting to know some her family, fur babies, and friends bring great joy! of the other members joining today as well. Rhonda Johnson and Steve Ramirez Robert Patrick Rhonda and Steve have Robert is originally from Kansas. been UUs for some time Most of his family is very conser- now. They moved to vative, except for his mother and Colorado Springs three grandmother who he stuck very years ago for a job oppor- close to growing up. He attend- tunity with US Army Space ed Friends University and was a and Missile Defense Com- member of the Singing Quakers mand (Steve is retired, Air Force). Rhonda works at his freshman year, before trans- Pikes Peak Community College as Assistant Director ferring to Emporia State University. He worked as a of the Financial Aid office. manager in food service/hospitality for many years Previously, they belonged to congregations in Au- before transferring to Colorado in 2007, where he gusta, Macon, Blacksburg, and (for a short period) later obtained his MBA, and now works at Ford Mo- All-Souls here in Colorado Springs, but it just “didn’t tor Credit as a bankruptcy specialist. He identifies click” there for them. as a person who is gay and Atheist. His pronouns are he/him. It has been a great journey and it brings them a joy to now join a friendly and active “Community” Making a positive difference in the lives of others with people who are basically on the same journey, brings him the most joy. looking for meaning and fellowship respectfully and He’s joining HPCUU to become part of something responsibly with open hearts and minds. bigger than himself. He enjoys the company of this They have a grown daughter who is an ER nurse liv- community that has so many brilliant people. ing in North Carolina and when they are not working they like hiking, board games, and wine tasting! Bev Johnson Bev loves ideas and anything creative. Reading the They are joining HPCUU now because COVID pre- comics in the morning brings her joy so she can vented them from doing it sooner!!!! They have start every day with a giggle. She has been a been active in all of their communities and are Unitarian a long time and wants to make it official. so glad to have found their new Church “Home”!! Bev has five adult children living in the Colorado Rhonda loves serving on the Fellowship Team and Springs area. Steve has just joined the Worship Team!

6 Faith Formation

This month our church will be March 13th is our next Faith Formation Social exploring the idea of commit- Gathering, with weather and COVID restrictions ment. This is a large concept (changed by state officials) permitting, we have and can sometimes feel scary been cleared by HPCUU Board to meet in person. because it sounds perma- We will be meeting at Lost Island for some fun mini- nent. However, in Unitarian golf. Masks and social distancing are necessary at Universalist terms, we make all times. This will be from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm. If covenants as a way to commit things change and we can’t meet in person that day to how we are in relationship because of state guidelines or bad weather, we will Heather Southard with each other. This is what switch over to Plan B, which is a movie screening on Faith Formation we do when we connect our line (just like we did in January). Coordinator hearts with one another in beloved community, and in how we work on projects We now have two different groups of Travelers together that spread love and kindness. making their way through our community. Let us make a commitment to each other to help spread Our Faith Formation monthly activity for love and kindness. Traveling Tours: Or Bee and February was learning about homelessness and Beads of Kindness are on a tour in the North Acad- helping local youth who are experiencing it. We part- emy Neighborhood group and will be moving on to nered with The Place, the local youth shelter, and we their next neighborhood soon. Another group called will be buying them some much-needed supplies. the Traveling Gnomes of Kindness have also started During March we will be purchasing these supplies a synchronous journey, with Reverend Julia’s house with the generous donations we received from the as a starting point. 2/21/21 plate offering of over $500. Thank you so much for your help. This project helped us build beloved community around us and now we can keep In love and support, our commitment to helping The Place, by support- Heather Southard ing the youth in their life-enriching programs.

7 Adult Faith Formation

INVITATION: March 6th, 9:30 am – 11 am

Covenant groups are small groups of church Join Rev. Lisa Ward and Rev. Julia and a growing members and friends who meet monthly to discuss band of playmates the first Saturday of each month the Soul Matters theme for the month. This theme from 9:30 – 11:00 am for this fun and empowering is also used for the worship service and religious gathering. Playshop is a time for embodying our education. Led by a volunteer facilitator, the monthly themes. Using the tools of Interplay (inter- groups share with each other and discuss the topic. play.org), we improvise with story-telling, movement, The friends made in these groups are often very singing, and stillness — all based in play — to bring supportive and long-lasting. more ease to our lives and integrate body, mind and spirit. Our monthly theme for March is Commitment. For more information on being a part of a small group please contact the co-leaders Barbara Rev. Lisa Ward from First Parish Milton will help facili- Mitchell and Beth Blakney of the Small Group tate while Rev. Lydia is on sabbatical. Ministry team at [email protected] Meeting online has offered Rev. Julia the capacity We look forward to getting to know you in the to collaborate with her colleague Rev. Lisa, who is Covenant Groups. Connection is really needed! the minister at Boulder Valley UU Fellowship and has been leading a Playshop there for a while. We are also both certified InterPlay leaders, and recently both attended the International Interplay Leaders Gathering in July (on Zoom) which gave us great ideas for lots of fun new ways to interact online!

As we progress in building this online community, we are also committed to regularly including some RET ‘play’ — Racial Equity and Transformation — into our time together. (Trust me, it really is possible, and even freeing, to bring ease and embodied story-telling into the topic of racial equity!)

We will continue to meet in Rev. Lydia’s Zoom Room. Password: Chalice

8 9 Adult Faith Formation

Join Us for Journaling! Bereaved Parents USA March 13th, 9:30 am March 24th, 6:30 pm

Exploring Gratitude Together we celebrate the lives of our children, Journaling helps us to see and know ourselves. Our siblings, and grandchildren, sharing the joys and March class will be exploring the practice of grati- the heartbreaks as well as the love that will never tude. Journaling can be a tool for self-exploration fade. Together, strengthened by the bonds we as well as a safety valve for emotions. It can also create, we offer what we have learned from one be a place to find clarification, resolution, spiritu- another to every bereaved family, no matter how al resources, and the self-affirmation needed for recent or long ago the death. Please register by courage. That is why we will be offering a Journal- contacting Sonya Bergeron. ing Workshop every month on a Saturday morning. Please pre-register for the Journaling Workshop classes by emailing Sonya Bergeron.

The Artist’s Way Book Study 2nd and 4th Thursdays, 7:00 pm Jan. 14 - March 2021

Are you looking for a way to renew your creativity and your spirit? Join an informal group working on developing new habits or revisiting habits to grow and create.

We will meet on the second and fourth Thursdays at 7-8:30 pm from January 14, 2021, through March in the church zoom room. Please try to have a copy of The Artist’s Way. You might also like to have a notebook or journal to use for morning pages.

If you have questions, contact Cindy Fesgen or call her at 719-491-4482.

9 Upcoming Events

CLICK HERE to purchase your ticket! Concert Zoom ID & pwd will be emailed to concertgoers on Friday, March 12th. Questions? Contact [email protected].

Pssst... Peter will also be the guest speaker & musician at HPCUU's service on Sunday, March 14th at 3:30 pm (MST). Please join us!

Worship Service Zoom ID: 719 260 1080 | pwd: 25Years!

Coffee Mornings Every 1st & 3rd Tuesday, 9-10 am

Join us on Zoom for morning coffee and a visit every 1st and 3rd TUESDAY of the month from 9-10 am. This is a casual time to chat and kick back with your HiP pals. All welcome! Join us in the HPCUU Zoom Room. ID: 719 260 1080, Password: 25Years!

FRIDAY NIGHT HAPPY HOURS Fridays, 5:00 pm

Grab your favorite adult beverage and join us for Happy Hour EVERY Friday evening from 5-6 pm. This is a lively, fun, and purely social time to get together over Zoom. See you then! Join us in the HPCUU Zoom Room. ID: 719 260 1080, Password: 25Years!

10 Upcoming Events

Your purchases in the New To YUU Shoppe benefit High Plains Church UU. Thank you for your generous support!

11 Stay Connected!

Join Us On Zoom Join the Conversation!

Sundays at 3:30pm join our live Online Service! Facebook.com/HighPlainsCUU

HPCUU Zoom Room https://zoom.us/j/7192601080, Meeting ID: 719 260 1080, Pass- word: 25Years! Instagram.com/hpchurchuu/ (Password is case sensitive)

Or by phone: +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) Soul Matters March Meeting ID: 719 260 1080

Once you are in our Zoom personal meeting room, there will be a message about waiting to enter. Our admin will let you out of the waiting room when Facebook.com/HipDiscussionGroup the service starts. We will record services for later play on YOUTUBE with the link sent by email distribution.

Rev. Julia’s Schedule Office Hours Rev. J will generally be working the first Dawn Bergacker, our office administrator. three weeks of the month, and taking the Dawn is working weekdays from 1-3pm, last week of the month as a non-working Sundays from 2:30-5pm. You can email her week. This will vary a bit during holiday at [email protected]. Requests received on season. Please watch the weekly eblast for Saturday will be responded to on Sunday current schedules and information. mornings. She also answers the church phone, 719-260-1080. If she doesn’t pick Please feel free to contact Rev. Julia via up please leave a voicemail and she’ll cell phone 720-975-6235, or email get back to you. If you need to reach her [email protected] anytime. She will quickly she will also respond to texts to get back to you as soon as possible! her personal phone, 719-337-9529.

12 HPCUU HiP Board 1945 Mesa Road Gretchen Hein, President Colorado Springs, CO 80904 [email protected]

Jill Forney, Past President Join the Conversation! Member of Unitarian Universalist Association [email protected] Sunday Services at 3:30 pm Rick Carpenter, President-Elect Come Join us! [email protected]

Danielle Jernigan, Secretary [email protected]

Sam Waller, Church Financial Officer [email protected]

Office: 719.260.1080 www.hpcuu.org All submissions for the newsletter Facebook.com/highplainscuu must be received by the 23rd of each Instagram.com/hpchurchuu month. Please send to [email protected].

Office Hours: Bookkeeper’s Hours Rev. Julia’s Hours Sunday: 3pm–5pm Mondays, 10 am – 2 pm Tuesdays – Thursdays, Noon – 9pm Phone calls and emails answered during week day hours.

In an effort to live more deeply into the reality of beloved community, we will be offering a small space in the newsletter each month for members and friends to share important milestones in their lives. If you have something important happening personally that you would like the congregation to know about, please submit a small 2– 3 sentence note about it by the 23th of each month to [email protected].

Interested in placing an ad in next month’s newsletter? Email: [email protected]