[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]I am still feeling all the feelings from our water communion week!
It was so wonderful to see your faces in the videos – and some of you in person at the few sites I was able to get to! It reminded me of how powerful it can be to find ways to both experience the familiar traditions as we move into the fall, yet also make space for innovation and creativity. That way we’re not just experiencing a likely disappointing approximation of the thing we treasure – we’re getting to connect with that thing, while also feeling inspired by something new.
Moments like this feel – fittingly – like watering stops in the marathon. And over the next few months we’re going to be coming back to this sort of same yet different experience again, and again. It’s what we hope you’ll experience in the Virtual Buckhorn event we have planned on the 11th, in the upcoming “Conn-Auction” on Sept 19th/20th, and what we’re already thinking about for Pumpkin Carving and all the things we value at Foothills in the Fall. And all of this is possible because of your presence, and partnership – in the tradition and innovation.
So with that in mind – thank you so much, to everyone who showed up, to all of our site hosts, and a special shout out to those who collected water from those who couldn’t make it to a location. This video of longtime member Dick Pilmore in his front porch water communion (with Susan Williams) is such a boost of joy![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/yti3UUEiVFQ”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]If you missed it, be sure to check out the videos of both the individual sites and the coming together.
This Sunday we’ll continue our Re-Opening (Your Heart) series with a fun service for Labor Day where we’ll hear from members of our community of all ages as they imagine what it would look like if we all took a gap year. It’ll be a fun way in to the next tool for keeping your heart open – moving into the unknown space where possibility can really emerge.
Can’t wait to see you all this Sunday – all the details are below.
With love,
Rev. Gretchen
PS Big congratulations and shared sigh of relief to all the parents and kids and educators and school staff who are officially in the full stream of the school year! Sending you all love and solidarity![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”38050″ img_size=”large” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”foothillsuu.org/livestream”][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Rev. Gretchen Haley has an audacious ambition for the liberal church, believing in its capacity to transform lives and our world by way of hyper-local relationships and partnerships that inspire the unleashing of courageous love. She oversees worship, community resourcing and outreach, and the intersectional work of our justice teams. She also serves as chief of staff, and ministry lead to the Board. In all of these, she is inspired by the commitment of the countless people who show up to do the sometimes-messy work of the church, and who are leading us to live into our mission for Northern Colorado as it is growing and changing. Her ministry is infused with her relentless curiosity about most things, especially the big stuff of theology, the beauty of creation, the magic of collaboration, and the joy of pop culture. She’s all in on adrienne maree brown’s emergent strategy, and finds solace in the trails in and around Fort Collins. She moved to Colorado from Washington state over 20 years ago for grad school in theatre, and knew immediately that she would never leave. She and her amazing partner, Carri, have 2 teenagers, Gracie and Josef, who both relish and resent being PKs, and who keep her grounded, frustrated, inspired, and humbled, everyday. She is basically obsessed with her two dogs, both large mutts, Charlie and Archer.
Responsible for: Worship, Community Resourcing and Outreach, Justice Ministries, and Congregational Leadership
