Month: October 2020 (Page 2 of 2)

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Last week we asked you the following question:

“Where are the places in your life where you can show up exactly as you are and be embraced? What makes that possible?”

Here are the answers we received:

• “A friend is not a fella who is taken in by sham, a friend is one who knows your faults and doesn’t give a damn.❤”
• At home with my family & with friends. Valuing honesty, authenticity, & mutual respect.
• At home with Tim. He’s very calm and accepting.
• At home, at Foothills, at my sister’s house.
• Being with a group of friends.
• Church. My daughter’s. They are places I can be myself and know that I am loved unconditionally”Home
• Facebook lol, those who don’t embrace me can unfriend. Jk, (not really) but yes thankful for all the loving friends and family.
• Family in its broadest sense / “definition”.
• Family, good friends.
• Foothills UU. Foothills is an accepting community for all including GLBTQ individuals.
• Home.
• Home because home is where I deeply feel unconditional love and acceptance.
• Home, loving daughter and husband. They know me well. Doesn’t mean it is always easy:)
• Home…consistent love.
• I’m fortunate because I feel this way about my immediate family at home and in my work team.
• My family & my best friend. Our relationship & unconditional love for each other make that possible.
• My nuclear family (the one I grew up in), Conjunction Junction ‘young adult’ group that was formed in 1994; also writing in my journal to connect my past, present and future selves with each other 🙂
• Only with my dogs can I truly be myself. They don’t judge and I don’t have to be anything but me. Everywhere else I show up in a role of some sort. Man, bread winner, employee, father, husband, tall guy. You get the picture.
• Only with very close friends and family.
• Our home. Also, When I gather with my sisters no matter where that is. It used to be at our childhood home.
• Our Gather Group Meeting virtual or real.
• Love makes this possible.
• Phone calls to long time friends and relations.
• Pretty much everywhere at Foothills but especially in my small groups (sisterhood, wellspring, community). With my family and friends. I guess most everywhere; at this age I’m not interested in pretense or hiding 😊
• What makes it possible? I have a kind therapist who is working pro bono.
• There are very few places I feel unconditional acceptance. It’s probably my own insecurity. Foothills Unitarian Church.
• When amongst members of my family…primarily my sisters. My husband and daughter & son, as well.  They love me no matter how I look and I love them.
• With family.
• With my best friend, my family, and my wellspring group! Care, openness, patience, commitment.
• With my dogs they love me just as I am. And my Husband as well so if I am having a shitty day they love and accept me as I am
• With my family and close friends. Made possible by unconditional love and respect.
• With my family, at work, and at church. I am lucky!
• With my friends and my middle child. They make it easy to be myself.
• With my neighbors Al and Abigale and their kids– also in group texts/Zoom meetings with a circle of 5 friends from TX days. All made possible by open loving hearts and no judgment if your shirt still has mustard on it….

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Katie Watkins

Katie believes the best things in life are the result of collaboration and diverse perspectives coming together to produce something greater than any individual could. She is passionate about systems, efficiency and collaboration for better community outcomes. She loves dreaming up the big picture and drafting the roadmap to make it happen. She has a background in operations, fundraising, communications and program development, as well as over a decade of nonprofit management experience in Northern Colorado.

Her greatest joy in life comes from her family. Her husband, Steven, a principal at Wellington Middle School, and daughters Emmaline and Esmae are the lights of her life. Together they love mountains, music and all kinds of food. She is passionate about women supporting other women in all stages of life and especially through the critical moments that make or break us. She believes that one of the most important things in life is to be kind.

Being outdoors makes her soul come alive. It always roots her in gratitude and is one of the reasons she loves living in Fort Collins.

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As my kids have gotten older, we’ve learned to accept that whatever they want to watch on the internet, they are going to watch. It’s a little like when I was younger and my friends who didn’t have TVs would come over and want to watch TV the whole time. You just can’t stop teenage curiosity and ingenuity.

So instead of trying to lock down devices entirely, we have reminded them to ask themselves, “Is this really something you want to see? Because you can’t unsee it once you’ve seen it.”

Now, after they’ve made a choice to watch something they regret, they’ll say to me, Oh no, now I can’t unsee it!

And in this moment I feel both a twinge of parental pride, as well as a deep compassion and sympathy. Especially lately. Because lately, there have been many, many things I wish I could unsee.

The challenge in times like we’re in – overwhelming times, anxious times – however, is not to try to “unfollow” the painful or difficult realities around us. Because checking out would mean missing out on being a part of the healing and the transforming – in ourselves, and in the world.

Instead, times like these ask us to build the habits, and develop the inner fortitude to manage the anxiety and stress that arise when we stay present, honestly with reality, as it actually is: Heartbreaking. Overwhelming. Breathtakingly beautiful. Generous. Surprising. Still unfolding.

In our corner of reality this week, we got some news that I wish I could unsee…. Tanner Linden let us know that he has accepted a full-time position with the Church of the Larger Fellowship, the largest UU congregation, and the organization he’s been with for the last few years.

We are all really disappointed to be cut short on our time with Tanner – and also, after we all took those orienting deep breaths we’ve been practicing, we also are so glad for him and for Unitarian Universalism that he has this chance to do such important work. You can read more about his news in his letter here. And look for information on what’s next for the Foothills staff team in the coming weeks.

Whatever reality you’re trying to meet today, and whatever you’re wishing you could unsee – I hope you’ll join us this Sunday so we can keep practicing together. Alongside a few special guests from around Fort Collins, we will be exploring what happens when our reality comes into contact with another’s vastly different reality. I hope you’ll join us, at 9 or 11 – details below.

With love, and in partnership.

Rev. Gretchen[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Rev. Gretchen Haley

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

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Dear Foothills Community,

I want to start this letter with my most sincere gratitude and praise. I have only been a part of this community for a few months, but I’ve learned so much from all of you. I’ve seen immeasurable graciousness, love, support, and care, not only to me but to each other. This type of fierce and unwavering compassion is rare and awe-inspiring.

All of this is why it is so hard to say goodbye. I have accepted a full-time position with the Church of the Larger Fellowship, a congregation I have been working with in a very part-time role for the past few years, to lead their outreach program. This position came quickly and unexpectedly. 

As I type this, I’m having trouble finding the words to express how much these last few months have meant to me. The decision I made is not a reflection of this congregation’s hospitality, which has been nothing short of extraordinary, but was based on where I think my skills can best support Unitarian Universalism and Unitarian Universalists on the margins.

I am being called to support thousands of Unitarian Universalists who are geographically isolated from UU congregations and support our Prison Ministry Network that serves over 1,200 incarcerated Unitarian Universalists. This work is centered around inviting people on both sides of prison walls into beloved community. We declare that all people are worthy of love, respect, and justice — not at some future time when we are better people — but as we are right now.

My time at Foothills has been incredible. I feel our time has ended prematurely, but I need to listen to my heart and my gut and follow my call of loving loudly and making the life-saving power of Unitarian Universalism accessible for as many people as possible, especially for those who are on the margins.

There is an old Taoist story of a farmer who had worked his crops for many years.
One day his horse ran away. Upon hearing the news, his neighbors came to visit. “Such bad luck,” they said sympathetically.

“Maybe,” the farmer replied.

The next morning the horse returned, bringing with it three other wild horses. “How wonderful,” the neighbors exclaimed.

“Maybe,” replied the old man.

The following day, his son tried to ride one of the untamed horses, was thrown, and broke his leg. The neighbors again came to offer their sympathy for what they called his “misfortune.”

“Maybe,” answered the farmer.

The day after, military officials came to the village to draft young men into the army. Seeing that the son’s leg was broken, they passed him by. The neighbors congratulated the farmer on how well things had turned out.

“Maybe,” said the farmer.

We never really know the full impact of our decision until it is made. No event in and of itself can truly be judged as good or bad, lucky or unlucky, fortunate or unfortunate. Only time can tell us the whole story. We all live in the “maybe” together. I genuinely hope you all understand that I am following my heart and that although my relationship with this congregation is changing, I will always feel connected to our mission of unleashing Courageous Love onto the world, and I will take this with me on my journey.

My last day as your Marketing Manager will be on November 6th. However, to support a smooth process, I will be assisting with worship production on Sunday mornings throughout this transition.

From the Profound Place of “Maybe,”

Tanner Linden[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Katie Watkins

Katie believes the best things in life are the result of collaboration and diverse perspectives coming together to produce something greater than any individual could. She is passionate about systems, efficiency and collaboration for better community outcomes. She loves dreaming up the big picture and drafting the roadmap to make it happen. She has a background in operations, fundraising, communications and program development, as well as over a decade of nonprofit management experience in Northern Colorado.

Her greatest joy in life comes from her family. Her husband, Steven, a principal at Wellington Middle School, and daughters Emmaline and Esmae are the lights of her life. Together they love mountains, music and all kinds of food. She is passionate about women supporting other women in all stages of life and especially through the critical moments that make or break us. She believes that one of the most important things in life is to be kind.

Being outdoors makes her soul come alive. It always roots her in gratitude and is one of the reasons she loves living in Fort Collins.

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Thank you to those who shared their spiritual practices with us last week. Here are your responses:

Do you engage in anything that you would consider a spiritual practice? What does it look like? What obstacles get in your way?

• Beach walks!
• Being outdoors. Smoke has been a problem….
• Being outside walking and riding.
• Daily reading before meditation. Zoom with UU.
• “Daily: Meditative Journaling
• Daily Photo: Something each day that makes that day stand out from the rest.”
• Exercising and meditating. The exercising may consist of one or more of these: walking; time on the elliptical; cardio, floor and weight workout, kayaking, paddle boarding. The meditation looks like an inconsistent 10 minutes which I like but allow to be misplaced by other things.
• Getting in my infrared sauna and reading or meditating. Since it’s in the same room as the kids homeschooling now, it makes it a little harder to concentrate. LOL
• I do not. I am not religious, when in-church services were happening, that was my only practice.
• I do some yoga and am working on breathing as a response to stress.
• “I get and read a daily contemplation from Fr. Richard Rohr. I am reading and working on improving myself from what I am learning through the Enneagram.  Through Wellspring I have been introduced to Parker Palmer and he is really speaking to my condition.  And I try to spend some time before bed meditating.
• Distractions and a difficulty focusing are obstacles.”
• I have numerous Buddhist spiritual empowerment’s and training in an assortment of meditation practices. I also walk, bicycle and cook. The main obstacle is distraction. Distraction comes in so many forms, it can be a constant struggle.
• I meditate daily
• I read different devotionals
• I try to do a gratitude journal every day. Life gets in the way.
• Journaling, gardening mostly. Journaling-not much, I’m pretty consistent. Gardening-winter is kind of an impediment…
• Meditated for 15 min. Wish I did this early every morning.
• Meditation, prayer, journaling,  inspirational reading …. routine is important to maintaining these habits.
• My ‘monkey’ mind always gets in the way, but I still use the beads I was given at church. They hang from my reading lamp which I turn on each morning. I push all the beads down to the bottom and move them up one by one as I sit with intentionality in sending healing thoughts or whatever the person’s needs may be. There is sometimes follow up, like a call, donation to a cause, a card or a visit. It’s a wonderfully simple practice that gets my mind and heart moving in those ever larger circles.
• My stretching routine. My left brain is occupied with counting out the seconds and moving from one position to the next, and my right brain is free to contemplate, dream, and listen for the still, small voice
• No
• Not really right now. Music has always been my go to for relieving stress and connecting. I made a meditative playlist on Spotify the other day- “Calm the $#@& down” I called it. It truly does help me relax as I work or wind down at the end of the day😁
• Nothing specific to report. I like to focus on gratitude I feel For the support of friends and community, And particularly How much my membership in the foothills Community has enriched that.
• Reading Richard Rohr Blog every day. Painting. Writing. Being outdoors.
• Simple living/conscious management of finances
• Stretching exercises twice a day. It is my calm, breathing, feeling my body, me time.
• The closest I get to a spiritual practice is just getting away from anything man-made. Time, daily obligations, and just plain old energy levels are my obstacles.
• Trying hard to improve my family relationships, by fixing myself and my inner spirit. Frustrations and anger impede this …
• Yes meditating at least once today
• “Yes! Yoga, breath/ centering, gardening, cooking.
• Family and work demands can get in there way if I don’t prioritize time for self care.”
• Yes, yoga, time and network downtime
• I practice Buddism with sangha in FoCo.
• Yoga
• “Yoga is great for me. Lack of time sometimes interferes.
• Riding my bike is another.”

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Katie Watkins

Katie believes the best things in life are the result of collaboration and diverse perspectives coming together to produce something greater than any individual could. She is passionate about systems, efficiency and collaboration for better community outcomes. She loves dreaming up the big picture and drafting the roadmap to make it happen. She has a background in operations, fundraising, communications and program development, as well as over a decade of nonprofit management experience in Northern Colorado.

Her greatest joy in life comes from her family. Her husband, Steven, a principal at Wellington Middle School, and daughters Emmaline and Esmae are the lights of her life. Together they love mountains, music and all kinds of food. She is passionate about women supporting other women in all stages of life and especially through the critical moments that make or break us. She believes that one of the most important things in life is to be kind.

Being outdoors makes her soul come alive. It always roots her in gratitude and is one of the reasons she loves living in Fort Collins.

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]I don’t know about you, but my social media feed this Wednesday was filled with regret. I mean – regrets from those who’d chosen to watch the debate! And, who, even 24 hours later, were left with a sense of anxiety and destabilization they couldn’t quite shake.

Whether you chose to watch the debate or not, you might still be finding yourself dealing with a general state of anxiety or hyper-vigilance, disorientation, or grief given the state of the world these days. It can leave us all under-resourced – aka a little testy – and not necesarily all that fun to be around.

This Sunday we’re offering to deal with this common state, in a service called “Whelmed.” It’s inspired by the funny fact that while you can be “underwhelmed,” or “overwhelmed,” being simply “whelmed” still implies being overcome by an emotional state…aka “overwhelmed!” There is no middle ground to claim, at least linguistically speaking. So if this is resonating for you, join us this Sunday! And invite a friend who is feeling “whelmed.” More info below.

Speaking of friends, there’s a lot going on in our church as we imagine the next iteration of how we do community, spiritual growth, and justice together. Check out the update from Rev. Sean in the short video below.

See you Sunday – with love,
Rev. Gretchen[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/WSLFT3grjV8″ align=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/N9c2XtYSOCA” align=”right”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Rev. Gretchen Haley

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