Year: 2019 (Page 10 of 20)

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Do Unitarian Universalists believe in God?

Some do—and some don’t. But what do we mean by “God” anyway?

This Sunday we’re launching our worship series No Stupid Questions. For the next six weeks, our worship will unpack some of the history and theology of Unitarian Universalism and explore the Sources of our Living Tradition—including science, poetry, scripture and personal experience.

Watch our No Stupid Question series trailer below and continue reading to get a sneak peek at the series, including our new theme song.

In partnership,

Your Foothills Worship Team
Rev. Sean, Kristen, Melissa, Eleanor

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcGTtZNhNds” align=”center” title=”Series Trailer”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]“We are the certain and the seeking, the lifers and the newcomers, the beloved and the broken hearted, the insiders and the rejected, all of whom have found a home in the extraordinary, yet intimate communities of Unitarian Universalism.” —Melissa Harris-Perry

The first time I (Kristen) entered a UU church, I couldn’t quite figure out what was going on. Am I at a Christian church? Did they just say the word “sex” from the pulpit? Flipping through the order of service looking for the phrase that would decode the whole situation—I only left with more questions.

“We welcome all who welcome all,” you might hear us say to communicate the values that hold our widening circle of faith.

As Unitarian Universalists, we are rooted in a liberal religious lineage—a long history of liberal Christians doing this work of widening the circle of faith by valuing our lived experience as sacred text, by uplifting science and reason as faithful sources of truth, and by choosing Love—over and over again.

The worship series for July 7 through August 11 is No Stupid Questions. For the next six weeks, our worship will unpack some of the  history and theology of Unitarian Universalism and explore the Sources of our Living Tradition, including science, poetry, scripture, and personal experience.

But what is your question? What do you want to know about Unitarian Universalism? The very last Sunday in our series—August 11th—is our “Question Box” Sunday. Sean and Kristen will be randomly pulling questions out of a box that you submit at the beginning of the  service. What questions do you have about Unitarian Universalism?

Truly, there are no stupid questions.

I did go back to that first UU Church—each new question like kindling on a fire—fueling me on a path toward more meaning and community.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xkwf3z3wsf4″ align=”center” title=”Guiding Music”][vc_column_text]We always choose one song for each of our worship series that we sing or perform in every Sunday in the series.  It’s usually something you’ll find yourself singing later in the day, without even realizing it.  Because music connects in the deepest parts of our brains, the idea is that we’ll connect more fully with theme, and bring it into our everyday lives.

For this series, check out this song from Rising Appalachia, “Wider Circles.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][vc_column_text]

Go Deeper – Resources for further reflection on the theme

1. The Sources of our Living Tradition (Member Jane Everham’s series on the Sources here.) 2. “We Are Unitarian Universalists” video created by the Unitarian Universalist Association. 3. Rev. Sean’s The Pamphlet Podcast

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On a sunny afternoon on Labor Day weekend, a group of Foothills friends are gathered on a mountain
hillside at the Buckhorn Camp for nature journaling. We choose some colored pencils and wander to find a particular plant, pinecone or vista to draw. I can hear the distant laughter and shouts of kids playing at the gaga pit and I feel the sun and the air on my skin and breathe in the spicy smell of mountain sage.

I soak in the beauty of the view of the valley and the mountains that takes my breath away. Time slows and everything falls away except the particular wildflower that I have chosen to draw. Later that evening we gather in the lodge for a very silly game show that features the unique and varied stories of all of the people at the retreat – long time members, children, elders and brand new friends. These are some of the reasons that I love the Buckhorn Retreat. It offers a unique chance to gather with Foothills members and friends to rejuvinate, to grow in faith and to connect in shared stories and experience. So many people have told me that the Buckhorn Retreat was where they began to feel a deep sense of connection and belonging and where they “found their people” at Foothills!

The Buckhorn Retreat is coming up again on Labor Day weekend, Friday August 30th through Monday September 2nd. The Retreat is located at the beautiful Buckhorn camp, just a one hour drive away up Rist Canyon.

Registration for the retreat is now open! REGISTER HERE!

You can stay in rustic cabins or tent camp and three delicious meals per day are included in the retreat fee.The retreat includes a variety of fun and immersive experiences, all designed to deepen your relationships with other Foothills folks and to rest, rejuvenate and form deep relationships that matter. Foothills Ministers and Staff will be in attendance. The weekend includes workshops, small groups, spiritual practices, outdoor games, campfires, singing and beautiful outdoor worship services.  Judy Fjell will return as our retreat musician in residence. Judy has led music for numerous UU conferences, churches and retreats and has a well-earned reputation as a multi-level “Musical Activist,” having empowered thousands over her performing and teaching career to discover their own voices and play their own music.

Scholarships for the retreat are available – APPLY HERE

Deadline to complete the scholarship application is August 1^st, 2019. After this deadline we will divide the available funds equally among the people requesting financial assistance. We will notify you about your scholarship by Monday, August 19th.

Questions about lodging or food? Contact Heidi Schaub, Retreat Registrar at buckhorn@foothillsuu.org
Questions about Scholarships or have an idea for a workshop or activity you could offer at the retreat? Contact Eleanor VanDeusen, Director of Family Ministry at eleanorv@foothillsuu.org

Come join us at the Foothills Buckhorn Retreat. Because relationships matter!

 

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by Sue Taylor, B&B Program Coordinator

Do you know that Foothills has a Bed and Breakfast Program?

Several generous Foothills families host traveling UUs at reasonable rates, ranging from $50 to $75 (depending on number in party), with all proceeds going into our congregation’s coffers.

Our B&B homes are located throughout Fort Collins and in Windsor—some locations are even on lakes with hosts’ canoes and kayaks available for guest use. Potential UU guests find us through our ad in the UU World, online at UU’re Home, and through YOUR referrals.

The good news for you is that we are here for your guests too!

Are you having a family reunion or graduation celebration, or perhaps friends coming in for a concert or sporting event, and you don’t have room for everyone at your house—refer those you can’t house to Foothills BandB Program! We will offer each of them a warm UU welcome, and you will be contributing to our church as well.

As one of our hosts recently said, “We thoroughly enjoy hosting overnight guests, even though we don’t yet know them, because hearing people’s stories is just so interesting, and enriches our lives. If we can help them have a successful and pleasant visit to Fort Collins, all the better!”

We generally offer hospitality for two or three nights, with continental breakfast included. Some homes have room for accompanying children, but none take pets and smoking is a no-no. All the usual amenities like WiFi and TV are included. You and your family and friends can peruse photos and descriptions of our housing options on the B&B page of the Foothills website. Options range from a cozy apartment with kitchenette, to private bedrooms and baths in charming homes set in gardens. All hosts will happily provide information on Ft. Collins’ many charms, nature trails, transportation and more.

For more information, check out our web page or contact Sue Taylor, our B&B Coordinator, at bandb@foothillsuu.org or 410-960-1019.

Image credit: Citycommunications at English Wikipedia, CC BY 3.0.

 

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One large queen-bedded room on 2^nd floor, with private bath, and baby grand piano! Full flight of stairs. Queen blow-up mattress for children.

Room for cars and small camper adjacent to condo in development parking lot.

Wi-Fi, no TV in bedroom but one in TV room.

Continental breakfast available. Limited access to kitchen and laundry.

Cozy front porch.

Near biking/hiking trails, grocery store, 10 minutes by car to Old Town.

 

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