Month: January 2021 (Page 1 of 2)

Heart Broken Open

January 28, 2021 /

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] This past Sunday’s service was called “Heart Broken Open”. Share a positive attribute or strength that was the result of an experience of heartbreak, either for you or someone close to you. 

  • Became more in touch with my body and emotions after experiencing severe panic attacks in my early 20s.
  • Having more empathy for women experiencing a miscarriage after I had one myself
  • Husband died unexpectedly – had to learn how to successfully do tasks he had always done.
  • I had a heartbreak but then realized it was something out of my control. It helped me stay the course to focus on my own trail of self-improvement
  • I learned how to forgive and it changed my life
  • I learned to make my own choices re: my life based on my wants, needs, goals etc after my parents died when I was in my 20’s. Hard but good lessons without their input.
  • I lost my daughter to a drug overdose but have learned so much about unconditional love from her recovery friends who have taken me in as one of their family.
  • I think a heartbreak reminds us how deeply we can love. The ferocity of giving our heart completely. I never knew how much I truly loved my dogs until they were gone. I try to keep that in mind with our current dogs- to love them as much as I can while I have time with them.
  • Knowing that I could survive and find love again.
  • Losing a job I’d held for twenty years, and realizing that it wasn’t about the job, it was about me, and I had the ultimate say in what lay ahead.
  • More confident about being able to do things on my own.
  • My wife of 27 years died 10 years ago. Through that tragic experience I found my spiritual self and began to re-attend churches and read about spiritual growth.  Found Fr. Richard Rohr and recently the Eannaegram.
  • The heartbreak of my husband’s 10yr journey through Alzheimer’s taught me that I could be completely responsible for another person’s life and do it with courage, commitment and creativity. My WORST of worst fears, and the main reason I chose it to have children, was absolute terror of holding another person’s life in my hands. What if I missed something critical? What if I didn’t know what to do? What if, what if, what if?! I cared for John with love and competence that came with reading, going to seminars, eventually, taking enough university courses in dementia to earn a masters in gerontology (short of an 8wk internship, which I did not need to further my goals). I was able to do what I had believed my entire life that I could not do.
  • The understanding of the value of maintaining good boundaries to protect my own mental health.
  • With it being difficult to work we are learning how to use zoom to present our workshops about children. We also appreciate the Sunday services online. You guys are doing amazing job with zoom! It feels like we are all together 🙂

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Vaccine Update (as of January 27, 2021)

January 27, 2021 /
Click here for the most recent vaccine update!

Miraculously, less than a year into this pandemic, the vaccine is here. Also, good news: Colorado, in comparison to other states, has been generally successful at distributing our supply as it comes in. Be sure to check out the Colorado vaccine dashboard for details!  
 
In early January, as Colorado began moving into Phase 1B, we were so grateful to receive a call from Foothills member Doug Whitman, a physician at Salud community health clinic. Salud was trying to get numerous people into their clinic in just a few days, and he wondered if we could help. A team of volunteers headed by our Program Coordinator, Amy Gage, reached out to as many of you over age 70 as possible to see if you were interested. Within a few days, we had a list of nearly 200.  
 
In the meantime, Salud started preparing their systems for a big push. Another Salud staff member, Courtney Butnor (who is also a Foothills member and the Lead for our Food Bank!) started making her way through scheduling our list. However, Governor Polis then got news the Trump administration lied about the supplies available. As a result, Salud put a hold on scheduling until things got sorted.
 
In the last week, Courtney started working through the list again, getting over 100 people scheduled to be vaccinated! She had trouble reaching about 30 on her list, so if you expected a call but didn’t connect, and you still need a vaccine, please contact Amy as soon as possible. You can reach Amy at amy@foothillsuu.org or our main church line, 970-493-5906.
 
At this same time, many other options to receive the vaccine came online. I’m hearing about many who have received a first shot. Every single one brings me to tears of joy and relief. Despite everything, human goodwill and the scientific process have triumphed.  
 
Still, there’s a long way to go. The most important priority at this point is getting everyone eligible scheduled to receive a vaccine. If you or someone you know hasn’t been scheduled, we’ve listed the options of which we are aware below.

If you or someone you know has tech challenges or might otherwise struggle to get this figured out on their own, please do not hesitate to reach out. We will connect you with resources! We are truly, literally, all in this together.
 

  • UC Health – Established patients with UC Health (if you’ve ever been to any UC Health clinic ever!) are receiving random invitations through the online portal to schedule their vaccine. The invitations are extremely time-limited, though. So if you miss the window, you go back in the cue. Don’t panic if this happens to you! There are many other options. If you aren’t a UC Health patient, you can still get your name on this list by setting up an account at this site.  
  • Banner Health – Banner is distributing vaccines using a form on their website, here.  I have heard less about the wait time on this, but I do know some who have gotten their vaccine through Banner, so go for it. 
  • Salud – Now that Salud is getting a steady stream of people in for the vaccine, they’ve moved exclusively to an online form that you can find here. In other words, if you didn’t get on our original list, simply fill out this form.  Courtney will still be calling you asap! 
  • King Soopers Pharmacies – We’ve heard that the pharmacies on College and Drake, in Loveland on 29th, and in Windsor and Greeley are starting to schedule COVID vaccines. Go to the website or call 1-866-211-5320 to schedule. Don’t call the pharmacies directly as they are already overwhelmed! 

 
Another note: whether or not you qualify for phase 1B or one of the next phases, be sure to fill out the County’s Tracking Form indicating your interest in receiving the vaccine. We’re not sure how they’ll use this data, but it seems it can’t hurt them in their planning process.  
 
The state has set a goal to get everyone over age 70 their first dose by the end of February. Larimer County estimates this will mean over 40,000 people. I know some wonder if they should step aside for those who may “need it more.” This is a case where the faster we can move through this phase, the better for everyone. So please accept a vaccine as soon as it is offered, and let’s keep going!
 
Speaking of, in terms of next steps, we are working with Courtney and others to set up a mobile vaccination site at Foothills. We are considering offering the mobile site at an overlapping time with our Food Bank, especially as we are mindful of the need to more actively reach out to those who may not otherwise have access. We have begun to collect volunteer names to help with our mobile vaccination site, as well as with other Salud efforts. Thank you to those who have already volunteered! If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Amy Gage at amy@foothillsuu.org to get on the list. 
 
Without sufficient leadership or planning at the national level, local communities need to step up to get this vaccine distributed. We will need to rely on our informal networks and the basic human impulse towards kindness and care to bring this pandemic – and all that comes with it – to an end. It’s a time when we all need to consider this as our shared work and our shared responsibility. While it is on the Governor (and in turn the Federal government) to get the vaccines to our community, it is on us to get these vaccines into arms. 
 
This is why we’ve taken our role in this process so seriously and will continue to do whatever we can to allocate and organize resources, get the word out, and mobilize volunteers throughout the next few months. Because when we talk about unleashing courageous love, sometimes what we mean is simply harnessing the power of human kindness for our common good. Despite all we may see in the headlines, kindness remains an inexhaustible and renewable resource. As the KINDemic demonstrated so well, all we need to do is keep passing it on.
 
As Rev. Elaine said on Sunday, hang in there. You’re doing a good job. We’re getting through this together.
 
With love, and in partnership,
Rev. Gretchen 

Your own tiny shifts….

January 21, 2021 /

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]What is a small shift or change that you have made at some point that had a beneficial impact on your life?

 

  • A keen awareness of surrender to what is. It gets tiring swimming upstream. Just learning to lean into the moment and appreciate all the attendant feelings.
  • Adding tai chi chih to my life.
  • Attending Foothills service.
  • Taking painting and exercise classes on zoom.
  • Being with grandson in 5 grade zoom. Strong bond established with him.”
  • Attitude of gratitude- shifted focus from what I didn’t have to what I did have. Also, changing from “have to” to “get to” mindset. Big difference for sure!
  • Being vegetarian for 5 days
  • Change to a plant-based diet
  • Changed jobs
  • Changing the phrase “I have to” to “I get to.”
  • Connecting breath with movement.
  • Fitness competition where I started to see going up and down stairs in my house as extra fitness steps vs an imposition.
  • Getting more organized
  • Getting outside for walks, short and long.
  • Gratitude app
  • I am working on putting myself in the place of others.
  • I bought a better vacuum cleaner that isn’t too heavy to lug around my house enabling me to feed my obsessive need for tidiness. Makes me feel calm. Also I just buy salad all put together in bags so I eat more of it. I put my vitamins on my home office desk in the hope that I will actually take them. I hired a snow shoveling squad so I can just let that chore go.
  • I decided to work on my health. Cut out sugar from diet. Have lost over 30 lbs since September.
  • I decided, just as I am, is enough. Expecting, striving for perfection, or at least exemplary performance, is not necessary to be worthy.
  • I’ve posted 2 of the tiny shifts where I can see them daily to remind me to continue to focus on making these shifts. I especially like the Defenses Down as that can apply to so many facets of interpersonal relationships.
  • Less FB! Setting my phone down in another room for increasing amounts of time.
  • Making a point to share when I’m feeling joy or grateful. Name it. Share it.
  • Moving from NYC to Fort Collins. Best decision ever
  • My decision, on 10/12/78 to begin writing a daily journal, which has now continued for 15,435 days. Who knew, when I began with that small act, where it would lead to?
  • Not drinking soda or eating candy
  • Patience
  • Regular trips to gym for exercise
  • Remembering that, as someone with adult ADD, I will never be completely organized. I just need to be organized *enough* to accomplish what I want to accomplish
  • Spending 24 hours at my apartment for respite. So good for me.  Swimming again although the city does not make it easy.
  • Started Transcendental Meditation way back when introduced to us is San Francisco in 1967. I continue it today.
  • Starting the day with a gratitude practice.
  • Thanks to Zoom and other video platforms, I’ve been keeping in touch with family and friends more regularly. This has also deepened some of my relationships with people locally.
  • Though always active, I started a regular and persistent exercise program and was able to eliminate blood pressure medication at age 73. Not so small, but great impact on my overall well-being.
  • I’m smiling.
  • To try and say 5 positives for every 1 negative statement. The goal ratio is 10-1 but have to start somewhere!!
  • Took up yoga
  • Trying to live one day at a time, one moment at a time.
  • Trying to stay more in the moment
  • Walking away from an unhealthy relationship.
  • Whenever I am unsure about the tone of someone else’s comments, particularly by text or email or otherwise not in person, I “assume positive intent.” This gives them the benefit of the doubt and allows me to not ruminate over whether or not they were being snarky.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Acknowledging 2020

January 20, 2021 /

 
As we crossed from one year to the next, we also sought to encourage this kind of acknowledgment. The first week of January we prepared a message to recognize the challenges of 2020, and we engaged in some of the most meaningful experiences of community, creativity, and connection I’ve ever experienced.  
 
But then, January 6th happened, and suddenly it didn’t seem possible to speak about anything further in the past than the last 24 hours. It’s a perfect example of what it’s felt like to live through 2020. A constant barrage of unprecedented events that has made it hard to find our bearings. Like one too-true joke I saw on social media, “Welcome to the 38th day of December 2020.”
 
Yet, as we said in our Fire Communion service, this is exactly why we need to carve out space to bear witness and allow ourselves to feel the passing of time in these moments and transitions, and in all the experiences we have felt and known and come through this year. Especially given the big impact we had for and with our community in 2020.  
 
So, let this be your invitation to pause and to feel all that 2020 brought. Remember the full journey. The ignorance in which we lived for the first few months of the year. The shock and confusion as we moved into quarantine. The realization that this was not ending any time soon. The persistence of political polarization even amid a pandemic. The infuriating injustice of George Floyd’s death, then Breonna Taylor’s death. The systemic racism that remains at the root of our country. The ash falling from the sky as our beloved forests burned. The impossibility of online schooling while also full time working from home. The long stretches of time without seeing those we love. The absence of hugs, and handshakes, and singing together.  
 
Acknowledge the whole journey. And then, as you peruse the graphic Kelsey created below, remember all of the ways that we have met this struggle, not with bitterness or despair (though we’ve had our moments), but with generosity, creativity, kindness, and courageous love. (And know that for all the things we’ve listed here, there are 100 things we couldn’t fit into this one image!) 
 
Honor all of the learning we’ve done, all the things we know and understand now that a year ago we might’ve thought impossible. It is awesome what we have survived and how. 
 
We know all too well that not everything changes just by moving into a new year. But actually, that’s such good news. Because I don’t want to forget about 2020 or leave it entirely behind us. We need to bring 2020 with us as we move into the year ahead and beyond. 
 
Everything we’ve learned and experienced this year offers us a beautiful foundation for whatever the future holds and a reminder that however life shifts and whatever challenges we face, in community and in faith, we can – and will – respond with love.  
 
In partnership and with gratitude,
 
Rev. Gretchen 

Click here to view "Foothills Looks Back at 2020"

Caring and Circles Update

January 15, 2021 /

When colleagues ask me what I love most about Foothills, I always respond, “I love how they embrace learning and experimentation as a core part of who they are.” Over the past nine months, we’ve been doing a lot of experimentation. And I’m excited to give you an update on the culmination of nearly six months of intentional work regarding our Community Circles and our Caring Ministry. 

When we launched Community Circles, we didn’t know what to expect. What happened far exceeded what we thought possible. We witnessed people caring for each other neighbor-to-neighbor, meeting their fellow Foothills members who they never knew lived so close, and working together to transplant rituals once firmly rooted in the sanctuary into the soil of our local communities. 

In close consultation and dialogue with Circle Leaders and other congregation members, we have decided to move away from circles as the primary way we gather and operate during these strange pandemic times. Some circles will continue to meet in various configurations. You can find details about those continuing circles at foothillsuu.org/circles.  

Our circles were the way we cared for each other during the past nine months. As Rev. Elaine explains in her update below, we hope to take what we learned and create a more sustainable system that still leverages our geographic connections.  

With love,

Rev. Sean

Caring Update from Rev. Elaine

At Foothills, we are dedicated to caring for each other during times of hardship and life transition. Our Caring Network offers support in many ways, including:

  • Compassionate listening from our team of trained Caring Listeners (formerly known as “Parish Visitors”)
  • Meal delivery
  • Caring kits containing items of comfort and ritual for challenging times
  • Prayer and blessing
  • Spiritual support, including counseling and rites of passage
  • Financial support in times of hardship

Reaching out for support or recognition can be difficult, so we have re-organized our Caring Network to make it as easy as possible. Each of our members now belongs to one of five Caring Network Geographic Regions: 

  • Northern NoCo
  • East Fort Collins
  • West Fort Collins
  • South Fort Collins
  • Southern NoCo. 

Each of our Caring Listeners is assigned to a particular region to foster deeper connection and relationship.

Click HERE to identify your geographic region.

We all experience heartache, hard times, and significant transitions. Please reach let us know what’s going on in your life by heading to foothillsuu.org/caring and filling out the “Request for Care, Prayers, or Support” form. A member of our Caring Network will get in touch with you soon.

With care,

Rev. Elaine

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