November 2020 295 N. Lena Street, Ridgway, Phone: 970.626.5803 Volume 17, Issue 11

Worship Remembering the Saints

Sundays at 10 and 11 AM 2020 has been an

Mailing Address: incredibly difficult year P.O. Box 295 for everyone, there’s no Ridgway, CO 81432 doubt. But for those of us

Email: [email protected] who have lost loved ones this year, the pain is Website: www.ucsjridgway.org particularly acute. Not Facebook: being able to be at the www.facebook.com/ucsjridgway bedside of our loved ones ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ at the end of their lives, UCSJ Staff Photo credit: Hakan Erenler; (from a free site—Pexels) not being able to gather Rev. Pamela Stofferahn— Pastor in large groups to memorialize the ones that we loved as we had hoped, not Rev. Dick Engdahl — Pastor Emeritus feeling safe to be present at the funerals of those we have lost . . . or having had Deacon Bob Larson — Minister of Missional Outreach to attend memorial services on Facebook or Zoom instead of in person . . . all of Deacon Kathy Graff— Minister of Spiritual these things have left us feeling bereft and have exacerbated our grief. Formation Perhaps that’s why, more than ever this year, remembering together the Nicole Lovesky — Administrative Assistant Katy Kristoffersen — Director of Music saints we have loved and lost will give us comfort and balm in the healing of our Sue Stern — Treasurer broken hearts. On November 1st, we’ll commemorate the saints we have lost this Laura Hagert — Custodian year at The United Church of the San Juans; and we’ll each have an opportunity

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ to remember the saints in our own lives who have died. I invite you to come to

UCSJ Council worship (at 10 or 11 o’clock) to light a candle in remembrance of your beloved

Pastor Pam Stofferahn who have died. You might also want to bring a photograph of the one(s) you are Rob Datsko remembering to help you bring them to mind more clearly as we honor their Floyd Day memory among us. Dennis Eliason Alice Goertz As scripture tells us, “To everything there is a season, and a time for every Linda Ingo matter under heaven.” All Saints Sunday will invite us into a time of mourning and Joan Moyer (Secretary) a time of rejoicing for the gift that these saints have been in our lives. Their Jen Parker (Vice Chair) witness is a part of our family heritage, and for that, we will give God thanks. As Carolyn Snowbarger (Chair) you remember your loved ones, you may also want to take time to reflect on the Donna Whiskeman Dave Young particular gifts that were bestowed as you shared life with them. Part of the work of grieving is to acknowledge the blessings we’ve been given, for grief is simply ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ the burden we bear out of having loved and been loved. Newsletter Editor— Barb Eliason Newslink Editor — Administrative This is my All Saints Day prayer for all of us who are grieving. Assistant ([email protected]) Lord, External Publicity — Kate Kellogg As we remember the saints who have gone before us, may we find comfort ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ in the gathering of your living saints and in your living word. Sustain in us UCSJ Office Hours the promise that we will one day see you face to face . . . and on that day, Tuesday — Friday be reunited with all our loved ones. Let us cling to that promise, that it 8:30 AM — 1:30 PM may give us hope for the future. Comfort our hurting hearts with the glow of light from our candles that reminds us of how brightly each one shined as a reflection of your light and love in this world. Let us also be bearers of your loving light as we honor the memory of our beloved. Amen.

Pastor Pam Page 2 Volume 17, Issue 11 — November 2020 Calendar for November What’s Coming in Worship at UCSJ (For more information, see page #s)

Sunday, November 1 Sunday, November 1 — All Saints Day Turn Your Clocks Back One Hour Bring a photo to remember your beloved saint(s) who All Saints Day (pg. 2) has(have) died as we commemorate the saints who have

Tuesday, November 10 — 10 AM gone before us in a candle-lighting ceremony. UCSJ Coed Book Club (pg. 5) Note: Daylight Savings Time Ends. Be sure to

Wednesday, November 11 turn your clocks back.

Sunday, November 22 — Thanksgiving Worship Come and give thanks for all of God’s blessings in your life and receive a special gift in honor of our thankfulness for you.

Thursday, November 12 — 4 PM Council Meeting Saturday, November 28 — Hanging of the Greens

Friday, November 20 — Noon Starting at9 AM, we’ll begin hanging the greens and decking the December Newsletter Deadline (pg. 7) halls for the Advent and Christmas seasons. Join us and be treated

Sunday, November 22 with Pastor Pam and Ken’s “walking tacos” when the work is done. Thanksgiving Worship (pg. 2)

Sunday, November 29 — The First Sunday of Advent Thursday, November 26 We begin the season of anticipation and waiting with the lighting of the first Advent candle.

Thursday, December 24 — Christmas Eve Worship services at 4, 6 and 8 o’clock, with outdoor caroling and candle-lighting. Saturday, November 28 — 9 AM Hanging of the Greens (pg. 2)

Sunday, November 29 Worshiping With us Live on Facebook? The First Sunday of Advent (pg. 2) If you would like to participate in communion with us during livestreamed worship, please stop by the church office to pick up ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ communion cups to use at home. Weekly Activities Council Chair Report

UCSJ Council met on October 8 via Zoom with nine members present. Sue Stern shared our financial report and noted that contributions are lower than a year ago. She and Floyd Day will continue to closely monitor our budget over the next few months. Pastor Pam updated council on the Habitat for Humanity Ridgway project on SUNDAYS — 10 AM and 11 AM Laura Street. A crew from Americorps may be arriving soon to work on the Worship Services project. Due to limited seating please sign up here or call the church office. Council unanimously voted to approve a new contract for Pastor Pam.

Sunday worship is also LIVE-STREAMED Dave Young shared that the Powers are vacating the trailer on the church’s on Facebook here, for you to worship at property. Council will be discussing next steps at our November meeting. home, or through our website here. Linda Ingo asked if people are regularly reading Newslink since it’s quite long WEDNESDAYS — 7 PM (Via Zoom) now. Pastor Pam has scheduled a communications meeting. Community Learning (pg. 5) Jen Parker reported that we have 20 callers who will be reaching out to our THURSDAYS — 10:30 AM (Via Zoom) church family monthly. Women’s Bible Study (pg. 5) Dave Young is creating a new schedule for snow shoveling this winter. SATURDAYS — 8:30 AM (Via Zoom) Next meeting isThursday, November 12 at 4 PM. Men’s Bible Study (pg. 5) Carolyn Snowbarger, Council Chair The United Church of the San Juans Page 3 Treasurer’s Report Sunday Worship is Live-streamed at If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact me by phone 970.626.4397 or email [email protected]. Thank you all for your continued 10 AM on Facebook support of our church and missions.

Month End Report — As of September 30, 2020 YTD Actual Year-to-Date Income BELOW Annual ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Goal Goal Budget Prayer Requests or Income $ 46,822 $ 53,250 <$ 6,428> $213,000 Announcements Expenses $ 48,060 for the Sunday bulletin Net LOSS <$ 1,238> (deadline is Wednesday at noon). Remember: If you plan to make a stock or cash donation from a brokerage Address, Phone, Email Changes account, PLEASE notify me or have your broker send a contribution letter to UCSJ. Please email These transactions rarely include the name of the account holder making it [email protected] or leave a difficult to determine who sentthe donation. Thank you! detailed message on the church

Sue Stern, Treasurer phone 970.626.5803.

Have You Ever Been on Top of the World’s Largest Flat Top Mountain

On Friday, September 25 our Congregational Life Ministry (CLM) sponsored a fall colors road trip to tour the Scenic Byway. Unlike previous road trips, this one was a 2WD adventure and many of the friends who joined in were different from the gang who typically participate in our 4X4 adventures. We titled this trip a “Deluxe” road trip, because 95% of the driving was on paved road surfaces; the remainder (4- 5 miles) were on a hard-packed dirt road, but suitable for 2WD. We were joined by 8 vehicles and 16 participants, who rendezvoused at the Starbucks coffee shop in Montrose for an 8:30 AM departure. Our destination: the Grand Mesa and the Grand Mesa National Forest; traveling S to N through Cedaredge then following the Grand Mesa Scenic Byway—The Grand Mesa National Forest encompasses 541 square miles, covers most of the Grand Mesa, contains 300+ lakes, and has elevation that varies between 5,000 and 11,000 feet. We stopped for lunch at Land’s End Observatory, a decommissioned USFS Ranger Station, perched on the south rim of the Mesa (built by the CCC 85 years ago). The views from this spot, on a clear day, are spectacular: The Gunnison and Grand River Valleys, 5,300 feet below; the Uncompahgre Plateau, to the SW; and the San Juan and La Sal Mountains, both 75 air miles away. Unfortunately, the smoke from the California fires denied us this opportunity. This drive up to the Mesa from Cedaredge and the time on top of the Grand Mesa was like the gradual buildup of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture for fall color viewing; the higher we drove the more fabulous colors presented. The grand finale, after lunch, came as we dropped off the north rim, down into Plateau Valley, to Powderhorn Mountain Recreation Area; this was the fall colors cannonade grand finale of this Overture adventure = WOW! Our group travel terminated at Powderhorn and from here we were on our own. We individually retraced our drive south to Cedaredge; located on the lush western slope of the Mesa, which is an agricultural oasis containing hundreds of orchards, vineyards, and 20+ Grand Valley Wineries; to explore the area and visit an orchard outlet and stores before making our way home. We got lucky, enjoyed and shared a great day, and took in some excellent fall colors. Page 4 Volume 17, Issue 11 — November 2020 Tasty Morsels from “PLUM” Corner

PRESBYTERIANS — How should the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) address the need for racial reconciliation and reparations? That was the heated topic of an October virtual meeting of the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board. Dianne Moffett, president and executive director of that board, told board members that when the PC(U.S.A.) declared a week of action in August in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, the organization received significant pushback on social media from white Presbyterians. “Racism is in the water that we swim in,” Moffett told the board. To truly affirm that Black lives matter—through action and not just public statements—is “going to be a big challenge that is going to cost us if we will be liberated,” Moffett said. You can read the full report of this meeting here.

LUTHERANS — American Lutheran Church in Grand Junction has dedicated and lifted up a 12’ x 4' banner that proclaims: “We confess, repudiate, and repent of the times when this church has been silent in the face of racial injustice. ELCA declaration to People of African Descent. BLACK LIVES MATTER, learn more here.” More than 75 people gathered (masked and socially distant) to celebrate, Pastor Valerie Carlson told the Rocky Mountain Synod newsletter, eConnection. “It was beautiful…..Some told me through their tears that they have waited 80 years for the church to follow Jesus and they are so thankful to get to be the church doing that now,” she said. To add to the joy, she said, a local 8-year old black boy who is being raised in a white family has started Love One Another Project to buy Crayola Multicultural crayons and markers for all elementary schools in the Grand Valley “because everyone should be able to color themselves as they are!” American made a $400 donation to his project and he and his family attended the banner dedication.

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST — Plymouth Congregational UCC in Fort Collins invites all clergy and laity, to join together as Rev. Eric Elnes, Ph.D., leads a provocative and inspiring journey “designed for anyone who feels awkward in their search for God, who seeks to find holiness amidst their holy-mess, who desires real, concrete reasons for hope in a Christian landscape that often seems bleak or barren,” as described in the Rocky Mountain Conference newsletter. Entitled “Exploring Gifts of the Dark Wood,” this virtual seminar for challenging times will be Saturday, November 14, 9 AM—3 PM. The RMC recommends the event as an opportunity to deepen our faith and connections. The Zoom webinar is free but requires registration. Click here to register and find information about Rev. Elnes, an author and Biblical Studies scholar educated at Princeton Theological Seminary.

METHODISTS — Our Mountain Sky Area Conference will offer a special memorial service on All Saints Day, November 1, to honor and remember the lives of those who have passed on due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with special recognition of clergy members and their spouses who succumbed to the disease. This memorial service will be streamed on the Mountain Sky Conference Facebook page on November 1 at 7 PM. The memorial service planning team includes: Joe Mazza, Sharon Langfeldt, Leah Coleman, Charmaine Robledo, Annie Arnoldy, and Bishop Karen Oliveto. The team’s invitation includes words of comfort that Jesus offered: “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even though they die. Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” Kate Kellogg

Many, many thanks to all of our UCSJ friends who have been so kind and thoughtful during my year-long cancer treatment. Your cards, notes, phone calls, visits (pre COVID), L-R: Kim Lundgren,flowers Katy —Kristoffersen,even a lovely handmade Sue & Dave “prayer Conrad, shawl ”—Michaelhave been and very Dee much Moore, appreciated! YourMargaret love and Fredericks, caring are surelyKay & also Jack valued Sibold by the too-many other UCSJ members and friends who are dealing with challenges and sorrow. This summer a team at the University of Colorado Health Center, Aurora, re- evaluated my test results, tweaked my diagnosis, and proposed a new treatment regimen. After a rugged first month on very potent new meds, there is some welcome shrinkage of the culprit lymph nodes. Here’s hoping! Our best to all of you! Ann and Roland Glandorf The United Church of the San Juans Page 5 Education

Please join us for a little learning along with fellowship.

UCSJ Coed Book Club – Tuesday, November 10 at 10 AM The Library Book by Susan Orlean On the morning of April 28, 1986, a fire alarm sounded in the Los Angeles Public Library. The fire was disastrous: it reached two thousand degrees and burned for more than seven hours. By the time it was extinguished, it had consumed four hundred thousand books and damaged seven hundred thousand more. Investigators descended on the scene, but more than thirty years later, the mystery remains: Did someone purposefully set fire to the library—and if so, who? Art Dodd, Jr., will be leading us as we explore who, why, and how someone could set a fire at the L.A. Library. Books are available at church ($16—or you may wish to order your own). Please join us for our book discussion on Zoom here.

Weekly Bible Studies Thursdays at 10:30 AM — Women’s Group, led by Donna Whiskeman—Join through this link. If you have questions, contact Donna Whiskeman at 970.729.0273. Saturdays at 8:30 AM — Men’s Group, led by Bob Larson—Join through this link. If you have questions, contact Bob Larson at 970.325.4600

Community Learning — Wednesdays at 7 PM It’s not too late to join one of these online discussions. White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo Join Zoom meeting here Geoff Tischbein—[email protected]

Renovation of the Heart by Dallas Willard Join Zoom meeting here Kathy Graff—[email protected]

The New Monasticism by Adam Bucko Join Zoom meeting here Mick Graff—[email protected]

Carolyn Snowbarger, Education Chair

Congregational Life Ministry

The Congregational Life team met on the grounds of UCSJ on a glorious fall morning. While the day was beautiful, we recognize that the shorter days and colder weather are nipping at our heels. Knowing that, we have enlisted the help of five other caring callers to check in with each UCSJ family and friends about once a month. We hope to find you doing well but if you need anything be sure to tell them. While we think this is a great idea you may not want us to call. Please be honest and open with your caller. We also generated a list of Zoom and “in-person” activities to get us through the winter. I will list them here and we are always ready to listen to other suggestions. Watch the NewsLink for dates and times of each of these and also watch for the Zoom link in these notices.

Monthly wine tasting (Zoom) Gentle Yoga (Zoom) Occasional happy hour (Zoom) Snowshoe Joke night (Zoom) Watch for These Fun Activities! Cross country ski Mandalas coloring supplies (on request) Bonfire Knitting lessons (Zoom)

Jen Parker, Congregational Life Chair Page 6 Volume 17, Issue 11 — November 2020 Fall Colors in the San Juan’s

On October 1 the final fall colors road trip, sponsored by the Congregational Life Ministry, rolled through the . Three vehicles and seven adventurers joined for a full clear day of unbelievable vistas and fall colors. For six hours, with a lunch stop in Ilium Valley, we took in fall colors, which got better the farther we drove. We rolled through Ironton Park, stopping at Crystal Lake (with all the photographers), and the mining overlook; over Red Mountain Pass (11,075), down to Chattanooga; up to Ophir Pass (11,789). The views; west, across the south facing slope of Silver Mountain, above Ophir Town, and against Sunshine Mountain (12,930), at the west end of Ophir Valley; were magnificent. We drove down into Ophir Valley, to Ophir Town (sadly, the lemonade stand was closed for the season). We crossed over CO 145 into Ilium Valley, where we had lunch. After lunch our fall colors experience exploded as we followed the South Fork San Miguel River along the east facing flank of Sunshine Mesa, and drove north on South Fork Road to the north end of the valley where it intersects with CO 145. On to Last Dollar Road and the climb up between Last Dollar (11,129) and Whipple (11,922) Mountains, toward Wilderness Area, where we took in the fabulous southern panoramic fall colors spread over Wilson Mesa and the San Miguel Mountains; backdropped by Mt. Wilson (14,246), Lizardhead (13,113) and (14,017). We were fortunate to have enjoyed an almost crystal-clear day for this adventure. One thought, for you photographers, if anyone plans to drive this route to view fall colors in the future, we recommend you reverse the direction of travel, the lighting is more favorable traveling in the opposite direction. It was a great day shared with a great group of friends. Sorry all you 4X4 aficionados had to miss this adventure, but know that we were thinking of you, and you were missed.

Membership Development Ministry

New Members We are so grateful for our new members and invite you to check out their photos on the bulletin board by the office. Many of them have already become involved in church activities, some are here for only part of the year, and some are needing to isolate due to potential susceptibility to COVID-19. To our new members—we look forward to your involvement in church activities as you are able and available. Please let Pastor Pam or me know if there is an area in which you would like to serve!

Greeters A hearty thank you to those who made themselves available to be greeters and/or symptom checkers for our worship services at Hartwell Park! Hopefully you found it to be an enjoyable way of meeting new people as well as welcoming folks into the Sunday morning service. As we have moved inside the church building for the cold weather seasons the greeters and ushers are combining responsibilities to limit the number of people needed to perform these duties for the present time during our smaller- sized two services format. Alice Goertz, Membership Development Ministry Chair The United Church of the San Juans Page 7 November Birthdays HEART AND HANDS 6 – David Dealy Mission & Outreach News 6 – Aline McDaniel

A Tragic Fire—An Opportunity to Help 6 – David Young 7 – Diana Schreiber 9 – Margaret Fredericks A Message from Haven House: 9 – Alicia Sheppard Haven House needs your help! Sadly, our Olathe storage caught on fire 18 – Reed Kramer and all units were destroyed. We send out a note of gratitude to our local 18 – Pam Stofferahn firefighters for containing this fire and keeping our community safe. 18 – Brian Wood HOWEVER, this has been a GREAT LOSS for Haven House as we had units at 21 – Bob Larson 26 – Michael Moore the location and unfortunately suffered a complete loss of ALL of the items 28 – Dennis Eliason stored there. 29 – Larry Harley The tragedy is that these units housed ALL of our CHRISTMAS and 29 – Ian Snapp

DAYCARE items that were integral to our annual Shepard’s Shopping Spree November Anniversaries and our new daycare program. We are reaching out to you, the community 2 – Pete & Donna Whiskeman and our supporters to help us recover from this tragic loss and to help enable us to give the children and families who reside here a wonderful Christmas Please let the church office and daycare program despite this HEARTBREAKING situation. ([email protected] or 970.626.5803) know if we’re missing your birthday and/ To bring these wonderful kids and families who have come from a or anniversary. Thank you. situation already of loss and who often haven’t known a Christmas of joy, ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Haven House works all year long to collect new and like new toys, clothing and household items that are given to the kids on Christmas Day and also placed in December Newsletter our annual Shepard’s Shopping Spree; our most anticipated event of the season. During the months preceding the holidays, participants are allowed to earn “tickets” by completing extra chores around Haven House. Then on the event day, Haven House gathers up all the items that we’ve stored up for the DEADLINE is NOON year and allow the children and parents to go in and use their tickets to trade for gifts for their entire family. This event always draws many volunteers from Friday, November 20 the community who delight in helping our young kiddos shop for their family Please submit items to: members and help wrap the gifts they’ve selected. It’s an opportunity for all to Barbara Eliason at give their family a traditional Christmas which for many they have never had. [email protected]. New and gently used toys are wrapped and given to the children from Santa and in Christmas stockings. Sadly, all these toys and donations are now gone and Christmas is soon upon us. Haven House is also in the process of building a brand-new certified daycare and preschool. We have been collecting up the furniture, supplies and educational materials to create the best learning environment for our young children. This loss has been an extreme setback for Haven House and this program. However, we won’t allow this to take Christmas and our dream daycare away from our children and families and with the help of our supportive community we will recover from this tragedy.

P.S. The Mission & Outreach Committee has allocated all of our local giving this cycle to Haven House to help restore what was lost. You can help by purchasing any item on their Needs List here or by making a financial Blessings to Teya and Ina Dow contribution. If you choose to contribute financially please make your check who were baptized on payable to UCSJ and mark it for Haven House. We will see it gets to them September 27. With joyful immediately. The list is also posted on the church bulletin board or you can hearts, let us continue to pray for contact Donna. and support them on their God Bless You, Donna Whiskeman, Mission & Outreach Chair journey of faith as newly baptized Christians.

Thank you for your generous support during this time of social distancing. Your gifts enable our ministry to continue even while we’re taking extra precautions because of COVID-19. To contribute online just click the donate button below. You can also send your offerings to church at P.O. Box 295, Ridgway, CO 81432.

Click Here to Donate Today

Please remember that pictures of members and their children may be posted around the church and on the internet (website and Facebook). If you do not want your picture used, please contact the church office. Thank you!

Connect with UCSJ! www.ucsjridgway.org

For up-to-date information, including council highlights, newsletters (in color), And like us! calendar, etc. www.facebook.com/ucsjridgway

We are affiliated with: ~ Presbyterian Church (USA) ~ Evangelical Lutheran Church in America ~ United Church of Christ ~ United Methodist Church

PO Box 295 — Ridgway, CO 81432