Columbine Unitarian Universalist Church March 2018 Volume 25, Issue 8 Columbine Connection

Inside this issue

Worship ...... 2 Rev. Julia ...... 3 Balance Pres. Column ...... 5 I arise in the morning Tres. Column ...... 6 JustACT ...... 9-10 torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.

~E.B. White

Worship for March Monthly Theme: Balance

March 4, 10am — Giving our Gifts with Play and Celebration! Taking some inspiration from the colorful Hindu holiday of Holi, join Rev Julia and the Stewardship Team for a short worship celebration, brunch, and then a morning of games and revelry together. On Stewardship Sunday, the intention is to collect as many pledges for the 2018-19 church year in a single day as possible. (This really reduces the number of volunteer hours needed to collect pledges!) Anyone who turns their pledge in TODAY is eligible for the special prize drawing. You must be present to win! This is a potluck brunch so please sign up to bring your desired dish to share. Contact your Treasurer, Pauline Hopkins if you have questions. paul- [email protected]

March 11, 10am — The Paradox of Polarity Sociologist, Brené Brown says we are more sorted into ideological groups in this country than we have ever been. How do we balance the kind of polarization in this country where everything is either right or everything wrong? How do we break the spell of this polarity? Sometimes we think of balance as that perfect sta- tic state where all is in alignment and peaceful, but in reality it is trickier than that. Come explore. Rev Julia speaks.

March 18, 10 am — Auction Sermon: The Devils and Angels of Religion Whether it’s “the better angels of our nature” or “the devil made me do it,” these two characters have been part of many religious traditions throughout the ages. But, do these symbolic creatures have any bearing on the Unitarian Universalist faith? The inquiring minds of Sue Zloth, Sue Stein, Judy Kary, and Carol Steele want to know! (They purchased the sermon at the auction and offered the topic for to- day.) Rev Julia speaks.

March 25, 10am — How much is too much? With almost anything there can be too much of it. Too much love can be suffocat- ing and cloistering. Too much freedom can be lonely and isolating. We have to be able to have both. In order to be whole, we must be able to turn toward our positivity and our inner resources, but also be able to say, “I am a flawed human being,” Rev Julia speaks.

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Rev. Julia McKay, MA, M.Div. Dear Columbine Family, We have spent the first half of this fiscal year curating our history a bit, look- It is interesting to me that ing back on where we have come from our topic for this month is and the lives ministered to along the way! balance. I have re- What a glorious trip it has been— with all turned from my leave of its joys and struggles that equal the just as we are celebrating our 25th. I went whole of who we are. from being apart from you for a while right into a big celebration. And what a It is the goal of the second half of great month we have had! Everything this fiscal year to set ourselves up for the from the Chili Cook-off and Congrega- future. Just as Habitat for Humanity has its tional Meeting to the Auction and the An- version of a vision: “A world where every- niversary Worship Service were fabulous. one has a decent place to live.” We, too, Kudos to all the volunteers that made need a vision that drives everything we these events happen!! do and let’s people know what we are about. This past Sunday we celebrated our newest members joining us. One of the Strong visions are usually single sen- things we say when we welcome new tences. Then the work of the organization people is that “we know we will be is organically driven by the vision of who changed by your presence among us.” we are and how we identify in the larger So I have a question for you: Do we really community. eagerly anticipate the contributions and the transformations that new people will So, please think about our identity. bring? Or are we satisfied with the status What are we most deeply about? What quo and the way we have been doing makes Columbine unique? Who are we things for 25 years? serving? Why? How do we describe who we are in such a bold way that people On the flip side of that coin is won- can’t help but join the party?! dering if the new members also value the lineage of what has come before them Please join us for the ALL- and the wisdom of the elders in the con- CONGREGATION vision retreat on March gregation? I am guessing that effective 17, from 9am-1pm in the sanctuary. You congregations are about striking a bal- will not be disappointed. ance between these two poles — honor- ing our history, at the same time welcom- Onward with much appreciation ing new directions that are more about and gratitude, the now. Rev J

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The Wisdom of Vision An All-Congregation Retreat

March 17th, 9am-1pm Columbine UU Church Sanctuary

Please join us for this exciting and necessary all-congregation engagement of VISION!

We always have two choices: to create what we have always created, or create something new. Considering the current state of our society and larger Littleton com- munity, come join us as we explore this im- portant question: If Columbine UU Church did not currently exist, what would we cre- ate?”

This retreat is intended as a follow-up to Mark Ewert’s bold challenge to our congregation regarding our necessary next steps: Develop a compelling vision that is the driver for all the work that we do — know our reason for being, who we are serving, and be able to articulate it to the world!

This retreat is a “down and dirty” process that will yield an articulated vision by the end of the day. Make sure that you are part of the conversation!

Our Retreat Facilitator is Rev. Sarah Gibb Millspaugh, member of the Pacific Western Region's Congregational Life staff. She serves as the primary contact for congregations in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and someTexas/Southern Cali- fornia counties. A graduate of Harvard Divinity School, Sarah has previously served as co-minister of the Winchester (Massachusetts) Unitarian Society, as well as the UUA as Outreach Associate for Digital Ministries, Adult Programs Director, Outreach Coordinator for Our Whole Lives, and Youth Programs Specialist. She has extensive experience resourcing our congregations for effective outreach, worship, and faith development.

Brunch munchies will be served. Childcare is available. 4

President’s Column Carol Steele First of all, I want One of the ways that evolution is to thank all of the peo- taking place now is that our congrega- ple who made our 25th tion is invited to a workshop with Rev. Sa- Anniversary Funky Black rah Gibb Millspaugh, who joined the Tie Soiree such a fun UUA’s Pacific Western Region's Congre- time and financial suc- gational Life staff in July 2016. She serves cess. The dinner was as our Primary Contact with the UUA. She great, the decorations beautiful, and the will lead us in an exercise that will devel- bar well stocked. The Country Store had op our vision of ourselves as a congrega- several things that I just couldn’t let go of, tion. Please put March 17, from 9:00 a.m. the live and silent auctions had fun items to 1:00 p.m. on your calendars – and join to share, and the kid’s auction was quite us, and join in with us – as we determine the success. Our background music and what that vision will be! We’ll provide visuals during the auction, and the enter- snacks throughout the morning (you tainment thoroughly added to the even- can’t create a congregational vision on ing. The auctioneer virtually pulled money an empty stomach, although some out of people’s pockets and the MC was would surely see fasting to do this as a the glue in keeping us all focused. The spiritual experience!). background workers took care of the fi- Finally, thinking of that good and nancial aspects of the evening including filled-up feeling, please join us on Sunday, introducing “The Square.” They obtained March 4 for Stewardship Sunday, which auction gifts and organized all of them will include our service, and then a pot- for the evening. This just touches the tip of luck lunch and games. You have an invi- the iceberg in naming the activities to tation in your Inbox, both to attend the create the Soiree. Please accept my event and to volunteer to bring food apologies if I have not mentioned your and/or games. If you bring in your pledge contribution personally! This is a complex before or on March 4, your name will be project, and we are most appreciative of submitted for a secret and special draw- all of you. Last but certainly not least, we ing! Thank you very much to Pauline Hop- very much appreciate Scott Stanley’s kins and Gabrielle Hottinger for heading work to herd all of us cats to the finish up the Stewardship Campaign. They, line! along with the Finance Team and Board, On Sunday, there was a lovely ser- work diligently to create our budget that vice. It was wonderful having Rev. Julia will be presented to the congregation back in the pulpit. It was also delightful to when we meet at the end of April. see former ministers amongst us and to Carol hear from those who could not be with us in person. Rev. Stephan Papa gave a wonderful reflection of our church’s pro- gress – progress that is still evolving.

Treasurer’s Note Pauline Hopkins Happy March! It’s snowing UUA website and I’d like to share a few excerpts as I write this after being al- with you. most 70° yesterday! I love “Many of us, if we were honest, find finan- life in Colorado! cial conversations to be somewhat awk- What a great auction and 25th anniver- ward. Which conditions us to avoid telemarket- sary celebration! I agree with Reverend Julia ers soliciting donations. To refrain from walking when she said this congregation likes to party! down streets where we know people have their We are still waiting for the results of the auction hat out. To give an extra wide berth when go- and will advise as soon as we finalize the num- ing into the supermarket to avoid that enthusias- bers. tic Girl Scout hawking her cookies. And, of course, if we can manage, to skip church on the Update on the UUA and MDD dues: we morning when the canvass sermon is being have collected $3,083 so far toward our UUA preached. But there is also a good reason why and MDD dues. This, combined with the $851 we should talk about money. Especially at we have in the budget will allow us to pay 49% church. Because there is a crossroads where of the $7,912 total. We will prorate so each as- our spiritual decisions and our financial decisions sociation will receive a prorated amount. If you intersect – and it’s at that intersection we often are still thinking about paying these dues, you find the true cornerstone of our relation- still have time. We are paying monthly as we ships. Now, some may defer to the wisdom of receive your checks and we have until June saints Lennon and McCartney who famously 2018 to make our final payment. So, please proclaimed: ‘money can’t buy you love.’ And continue to think about paying these dues and we may argue that although money is certainly forward your checks when you can. An im- necessary and useful, love and relationship portant note is there are three ways we benefit clearly deserve the greater ranking in our value from participating in the UUA and MDD. system. • The dues allow the UUA to equip congrega- This great and noble quest for Love calls tions with best practice us to our best selves. And, with our best selves, • The UUA can do what no individual congre- the subject of money comes up again and gation can do again. Money often decides the size of the ta- ble we build and the number of people who get • Contributing to the UUA is part of our con- to sit at it. But the conversation at that table is ventional relationship about how the love that will be passed back • Our Annual Stewardship Campaign starts on and forth. It is not about judgment or fear or March 4, 2018 and will end on April 8,2018 shame. In the end it’s about family, feeling part of it, and knowing it connects us to something We have already received quite a few larger ‐ the common good. It’s about paying pledges and they will be entered in the raffle the price to discover that who we are and the drawing on Stewardship Game Sunday. Please family we’re part of, is priceless. “ remember, you must be present to win! See you in church! I recently read an award-winning stew- ardship sermon by Reverend Greg Ward on the Pauline 6

New Members

Mollie Lancaster Katie McClammer: and daughter Emma Lancaster Katie’s family roots are in Iowa farming

though she grew up mostly in Pennsylva- Mollie was born and raised in Buffalo, nia. She has been married to Patrick for New York. She has a BA in history from almost 10 years with two sons, Gavin the State University of New York and a (5.5) and Ryan (4). They moved from masters in Library Science from SUNY Maryland to Colorado 2.5 years Buffalo. In 2010, she moved to Dallas, TX ago. Katie works for McCormick, the with her husband, Frank. They lived and spice company, doing eCommerce worked there for six years, during which and Patrick us a software engineer. We time their daughter, Emma, was live down Wadsworth toward Chatfield born. Almost two years ago, Mollie Reservoir. Katie is proud of helping moved to Colorado to pursue her pas- found Friends of Great Kids Farm, a non- sion for early childhood literacy with a profit supporting Baltimore City Schools' local library system. At CUUC, Mollie 33 acre farm to teach students about feels that she has found what was miss- healthy eating and give them access to ing from her life: a community to help real food. She has really enjoyed the her and Emma grow! Chalice Circle experience here, and become a Chalice Circle facilita- tor. The things that bring her joy are: family, friends, music, hiking, travel, yoga, cooking/baking/good food. 7

JustACT News Call Now! HB18-1206 Live and Let Live ACT is one of the most harmful anti-LGBTQ exemp- tion bills to have been introduced in Colora- do. It would allow discrimination against les- bian, gay, transgender and queer Coloradans in all areas of their lives. Call members of the House Judiciary Committee and tell them to Vote NO on this bill. The hearing date is March 6th, 1:30 pm in House Committee Room 112. Colorado House Judiciary Committee: Pete Lee (D) 303-866-2932 [email protected] Joe Salazar (D) 303-866-2918 [email protected] (D) 303-866-2964 [email protected] (R) 303-866-2191 [email protected] Mike Foote (D) 303-866-2920 [email protected] (D) 303-866-2959 [email protected] Paul Lundeen (R) 303-866-2924 [email protected] Jovan Melton (D) 303-866-2919 [email protected] (D) 303-866-2942 [email protected] Yeulin Willett (R) 303-866-2583 [email protected] Cole Wist (R) 303-866-5510 [email protected]

Share the Plate Sunday, March 18th Urban Peak Urban Peak is the only non-profit organization in Denver that provides a full con- vergence of services for youth ages 15 through 24 experiencing homelessness or at im- minent risk of becoming homeless. Their goal is to help these youth overcome real life challenges and become self-sufficient adults. They do this by providing five essential services at little or no cost to the youth: an overnight shelter, a daytime Drop-In Center, Street Outreach, Education & Employment programming and Supportive Housing. Urban Peak strives to meet youth where they are and to provide them with the assistance and support they need to become self-sufficient or obtain the necessary services they need to exit a life on the streets. They envision a Colorado where all youth have safe housing, supportive relationships, and the opportunity for self-sufficiency and success. If you are unable to attend the service on March 18th but would like to give, please mail or deliver your cash or a check with the notation, “STP” in the memo line. Pledge payments will not be shared.

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JustACT News

March for Our Lives Colorado Not one more. We cannot allow one more child to be shot at school. We must make it our top priority to save these lives. March For Our Lives is created by, inspired by, and led by students across the country who will no longer risk their lives waiting for someone else to take action to stop the epidem- ic of mass school shootings that has become all too familiar.

On March 24, the kids and families of March For Our Lives will take to the streets across the country and here in Colorado demanding that their lives and safety become a priority. The collective voices of the March For Our Lives movement will be heard. The mission and focus of March For Our Lives is to demand that a comprehen- sive and effective bill be immediately brought before Congress to address gun issues. Change is coming. And it starts now, inspired by and led by the kids who are our hope for the future. Their young voices will be heard. Stand with us on March 24. Refuse to allow one more needless death. www.facebook.com/ events/1586606621427065/ Where: Colorado State Capitol, 200 E. Colfax, Denver, 80203 When: Saturday, March 24th from 2 to 5 pm

Please support the MDSC

at www.metrodenversanctuary.org. There are many ways to help. Contact Maureen Flanigan at [email protected] if you have questions.

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JustACT News

Upcoming Action Center Activities

Columbine will be joining the Action Center at their Warehouse to help pack boxes of food for those who need it. Plan now and watch for upcoming information regarding this opportunity. Put the following dates onto your calendar.

June 2, 9:00 AM July 7, 9:00 AM August 4, 9:00 AM

Location: 8035 W. Colfax Ave Lakewood, Co 80214

For more Information Contact: David Banning Telephone: 720-530-9124; Email: [email protected]

Bit of History from the newsletter from February 28, 1993: Minister’s Column by Joel Miller “…The word “ministry” comes from the Latin Word “to serve” or “to attend,” and this is also a root meaning of Unitarian Universalist ministry. A UU minister serves a congregation, entrusted with its voice to the larger community, en- trusted as a living voice of our history [we traditionally have influence far be- yond our numbers, for example], and entrusted to share in the care of a con- gregation itself…My service as a Unitarian Universalist minister begins with the ministry that all of us create together. Ministry cannot be the work of one per- son, for no one person can create what we together will create as the Colum- bine Unitarian Universalist Church…”

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Columbine Unitarian Universalist Church Staff Rev. Julia McKay, Minister [email protected] Ashley Johnson, [email protected] Acting Director of Faith Development Matthew Frisk, Music Director [email protected] Administrator [email protected] Columbine Unitarian Universalist Church Officers President Carol Steele Vice-President/Secretary Marie Hodges Treasurer Pauline Hopkins Trustee Greg Bradt Trustee Scott Stanley Newsletter Editors — Submissions Due the 20th of Each Month Sarah Chandler & Sylvia Burnside [email protected]

Columbine Unitarian Universalist Church 6724 S. Webster Street Littleton, CO 80128

Phone: 303-972-1716 [email protected] www.columbineuuchurch.org