Month: September 2021 (Page 1 of 2)

What’s the big deal?

September 30, 2021 /

Sunday was a big deal. After 18 months of Sundays only online, we followed up our Water Communion Sunday by re-starting in-person services at 8:30 in the Sanctuary and 10:00 in the park, all while continuing full force with our online services at 9 and 11. All four services were perfect. And of course, by “perfect” I don’t mean we didn’t make mistakes or stumble along the way. I mean, perfect as in human. There were tears, laughter, learning, stillness, and celebration. 
 
Sunday was a big deal, but it wasn’t the biggest deal. Because the bigger deal is what happens next. The most important Sunday is not the first Sunday, it’s the Sundays that come next. That’s what makes church work, after all. Not that we gather once. It’s that we keep gathering. It’s the Sunday-after-Sunday that translates into years and decades of memories and becoming, together.  
 
And so if you were present for one of our services this past Sunday, I want to invite you to come again this Sunday!! To the same service, or try another one. And if you missed this past Sunday, don’t worry, you get to come for the even bigger deal of the next Sunday. All of our services have space for you. 

Save your place for Sunday

With love, and in partnership

Rev. Gretchen

P.S. After you find your place on Sundays, the next step is to join a small group! Small groups are where we build lasting relationships and receive set aside time for spiritual grounding. This fall, we have three ways to join a small group. Wherever you are in your life, there’s a group for you.

Find Your Small Group

The Building Bulletin September 2021

September 29, 2021 /

The long and winding road… 

The process of getting a building permit is much more complicated than you might think.  If you want a shed in your backyard, you submit a request, and the building department gives you your permit. The process we are going through with this building is another ball game entirely.

As it turns out, the building permit is the final step in a long process of getting City approval for a project. The beginning of the process is a review by the City Planning Department, not the Building Department. This review looks at the entire site, not only the building.  The process works as follows:

  1. The architects and engineers submit the plans to the planning department.
  2. The City reviewers make comments.
  3. Everyone meets to discuss the comments.
  4. Repeat as necessary.

Each cycle takes 3 to 4 weeks.  We have completed two cycles and submitted our third set of changes on 9/15. Our architects and engineers haven’t experienced this type of process in other communities, so the length of time this is taking has surprised us all.  

The comments we have received include items such as access for fire trucks and utilities, provision of sewer lines, rainwater detention from added roof surface, sidewalks, site grading, spacing of water, electrical and gas lines serving the site. All of these items must meet city code and requirements.   

Once we have approval from the Planning Department, we must hold a public hearing.  We expect this to take place sometime in October. The Hearing Officer will issue a decision, and then we can submit a final plan to address any issues that came up at the hearing.  Again, we will go through rounds of comment/revision/resubmit. At our last review meeting, we were told that no project has been approved on the first round of review, but we are hoping to be the first!

When all this is completed, we can finally apply for our building permit. The building permit approval process takes two to three months, but we are still hoping to break ground in early March.

Meanwhile…

The architects are working on construction documents. The contractor is working on pricing and identifying subcontractors. We have hired the commissioning agent and attended a kickoff meeting with that firm. We have contracted for asbestos removal planning. All of the consultants, the architects, contractor and members of the BET have been addressing the many comments we have received during the review rounds.  

We are in the process of submitting our final energy model as required by the City’s Integrated Design Assistance Program (IDAP). When that is complete, we will receive our first incentive payment, which will be approximately $7000.

The financial situation…

Many of the issues we’ve had to address during the review process have added to the expense of the project, not to mention the additional time spent by our consultants. We have also been looking into AV products and have received recommendations from an acoustical engineer for the placement and quantity of acoustic panels to enhance the sound in the sanctuary.

We will receive a new estimate after construction documents are complete, but at this point it looks like we are still within budget. Our contingency fund is lower than we would like, and anyone who has done a home improvement project knows that you have to plan for the unexpected. If any of you are able to increase your pledge or make a one-time donation, the project will benefit from your support.

Looking forward… 

We expect more of the same for at least the next month. Once we have approval to proceed and a date for the public hearing, we will be able to provide a better-estimated timeline and budget status. If all goes well, we can confirm our start date of early March.

If you have any questions or comments, please e-mail buildingexpansionteam@foothillsuu.org

The Power of Being Together

September 24, 2021 /

It’s happening! This fall (can you believe it’s already here?!) is going to be one of the most memorable in recent Foothills’ history. We hope you’ll join us in our collective commitment to remembering – and experiencing – the power of being together in community. Here’s how to get started:

First, pick your Sunday service if you haven’t already! We have FOUR options every Sunday. Two in-person (registration required) and two online. If you haven’t already registered for a Sunday service, consider committing to our 10 am outdoor experience, a totally new idea that will create space for deeper connections.

Second, register for the live auction happening this Saturday night! There will be a delicious dinner, live auctioneer, and awesome items. And we get to enjoy it all while supporting Foothills’ Unitarian’s mission to unleash Courageous Love! If you can’t make it in person, you can still take part in the fun! Bidding for the Online Auction is already open, so pop over to foothillsuu.org/auction2021 to check out all the wonderful items up for auction and start bidding!

Third, find your small group! Small groups are where we get those deeper connections and relationships we long for. This fall, we have three ways to join a small group. Wherever you are in your life, there’s a  group for you.

Upcoming Events

This Week's Online Service!

Join us online.

What it means to gather (Find your small group!)

September 23, 2021 /

One thing we kept hearing at Water Communion was how much people had missed the power of gathering in community. 

Gathering – whether in-person or online – is an essential part of our faith. In gathering, we each are seen, heard, and held. We are reminded that we are never alone. Which is why we are so excited to be re-starting our in-person options this Sunday. 

If you haven’t already registered for a Sunday service, consider committing to our 10 am experience. It’s a totally new idea we’re trying this fall….

  • It’s outdoors through October!
  • It’s centered around what we call your “Church Family Pod,” a group of 3-4 households, which will keep your physical interactions limited both for safety and for the chance to make deeper connections.  
  • About half the time is kid/adult combined, and about half is age-specific. For adults, there will still be a sermon, some centering time, and time to connect with other adults. And for kids, it’ll still have some good age/stage-specific exploration.
  • It’ll shift as we go. We’re taking specific planning about five weeks at a time so that we can respond to the COVID numbers, and hopefully, soon, the news of the vaccine for younger children!

For this and the 8:30 Service, registration is required and space is limited, so click the button below to learn more and sign up!

Save your place for Sunday.

After you find your place on Sundays, your next step is to find your small group for the fall.

Small groups are where we get those deeper connections and relationships we long for. This fall, we have three ways to join a small group, each geared towards a different stage of relationship with Foothills and phase of your life.

Wherever you are in your life, there’s a small group for you this fall. Learn more below or visit foothillsuu.org/smallgroups.

For newcomers: A blend of deepening understanding, personal practice, and small group discussion, BaseCamp is the perfect place to begin (or restart) your journey with Foothills. Basecamp is a 90-120 minute per week commitment. Click here to learn more and register.

For those looking for a next step: Small groups of ten that connect to explore the Sunday series themes more fully and build real community together. Journey groups meet twice a month, October – December. Click here to learn more and register.

For those ready to go deeper: Wellspring invites you to take an intentional year of soul-deepening practices, this year focused on healing racialized trauma. Wellspring is for those who already have a deep relationship with Unitarian Universalism and Foothills. Click here to learn more and apply.

Find your small group.

One last note! All these incredible programs we’re kicking off this fall, just like all we do – from justice work to children’s programs to our caring ministry and so much more – are supported through our shared giving. 

One of our most essential fundraisers, the Annual Auction – is happening this week! Bidding for the Online Auction is open (so scope out the items and start bidding HERE), and the Live Auction is this Saturday, September 25th! I’d love to see you there, so if you’re able to attend, please CLICK HERE to register now! We need to give the caterer a meal count, so registering today would really help out our auction team! (If you aren’t able to register by then, please still RSVP when you are able and come! We would love to have you!)
 
Hope to see many of you this weekend!!  

With love, and in partnership

Rev. Gretchen

5 Things Happening at Foothills

September 21, 2021 /

1. In-person services at 8:30 am and 10 am!

CLICK HERE to learn about both in-person options! And find the one that works for you! Be sure to sign up as soon as you decide what service you’ll attend, as space is limited.

If you’re a parent of kids who will join you on Sundays, please go directly to sign up for our 10 AM intergenerational service, which will offer children’s programming (as well as alone time for parents with other adults while kids are with their peers and trusted leaders.)

If you’d prefer to stay online, please visit foothillsuu.org/online to learn more!

2. The Annual Auction!

Bidding for the Online Auction is open! View all the wonderful experiences and items up for auction and start your bidding HERE.

Register for the Live Auction happening this Saturday, September 25th! There will be a delicious dinner, live auctioneer, and awesome items. And we get to enjoy it all while support Foothills’ Unitarian’s mission to unleash Courageous Love! CLICK HERE to RSVP!

3. Small Groups are launching!

Human need community – real community with deep listening and belonging – now more than ever. Which is why this October, we’re excited to launch three small group opportunities. Wherever you are on your journey, there is a place for you at Foothills. Pick your small group at foothillsuu.org/smallgroups.

4. Fall Harvest Festival!

Join us for a Harvest Festival, using food grown this summer in the Foothills garden. We will connect and celebrate those volunteers who helped tend the garden and grow the food. Seating and activities are planned to be outdoors. Potluck contributions graciously accepted and encouraged, but not required. Please RSVP HERE.

5. Climate Cafe!

Climate change can be difficult to talk about, but talking can help us acknowledge the reality of our current situation, decrease our feelings of isolation, and come together as a community. Climate Cafes are a way for us to compassionately and lovingly hold space for each other in this difficult and confusing time!

Climate cafes will be the first Sunday of every month (starting Oct. 3rd) from 3-5:30 PM on Zoom. Please RSVP HERE.

See Foothills' Unitarians full events calendar!
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