Month: July 2024

Wildfire Response: An Opportunity to Offer and Receive Support in Our Foothills Community

July 31, 2024 / Caitlin Seifert

Dear friends,

**UPDATE Friday, August 2nd**

Two websites for monetary donations are now up and running:

The Northern Colorado Disaster Fund and Serve6.8.org

House of Neighborly Service is open to provide resources including food, toiletries, clothing, gas vouchers, prescription assistance, and community resource referrals at both locations listed below. Normal verifications are waived for those experienceing hardships due to the fires. Services are provided regardless of where county residence is located in.

In Loveland: 15 11th Street – open 8/2-8/3 from 9am-12pm and then back to regular hours: Monday-Wednesdays from 9am to 4pm and Thursdays from 9am to 6pm. Phone#:970-667-4969

In Berthoud: 375 Meadowlark Dr, Berthoud (hosted in Grace Place) = open Tuesday & Thursday 9am-5pm. Phone#: 970-532-0161

In-Kind and Financial donations are accepted.

We will continue to share updates here as they become available.

With Love,

Jenn Powell, on behalf of the Foothills Unitarian Staff Team

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Show options…House of Neighborly Service is open to provide resources inlcuding food, toiletries, clothing, gas vouchers, prescription assistance, and community resource referrals at both locations listed below. Normal verifications are waived for those experiencing hardships due to the fires. Services are provided regardless of county residence is located in.In Loveland: 1511 E 11th StreetIn Loveland: Open 8/2-8/3 from 9 am to 12 pm and then back to regular hours: Monday-Wednesdays from 9 am to 4 pm and Thursdays from 9 am to 6 pmLoveland: 1511 E 11th StreetLoveland: 1511 E 11th Street Community members intersted in volunteering can email at larimer@voacolorado.org for general volunteer opportunities.We will continue to share updates here as we learn them.

July 31, 2024

There is smoke in the air again. This time, from fires much closer to home: The Alexander Mountain Fire here in Larimer County, west of Loveland, and the smaller Stone Canyon Fire in Boulder County, north of Lyons.

We know that the sensory experiences of these wildfires – the smell of smoke, the sight of floating ash in the air, and the orange hue of daylight – bring up memories and fears from past experiences. Those memories live not only in our psyches but in our bodies.

In this time of so much uncertainty and concern, we send our love.

We also begin building a network to help each other.

We have created an Emergency Support Coordination Team to help pair those who can offer various types of support with those who are impacted by local wildfires (or may soon be).

Could you offer support to a member of our Foothills community impacted by wildfire? Whether it’s a guest room in your home, support with evacuation planning, the ability to take in a dog or cat, or another generous gesture, let us know by filling out this Offer of Support Form.

If you are interested in offering financial support, our Ministerial Discretionary Fund is always receiving donations to offer a boost to Foothills folks in times of financial hardship. You can donate online here – be sure to click on “Donate to Foothills” to activate the drop-down menu and scroll to the bottom to select “Ministerial Discretionary Fund.”

Are you in need of support? Whether it’s evacuation planning, housing, transportation, or pet/animal care, let us know by filling out this Request for Support Form.

As we reflect on what we can offer and what we need, and as we cope with the devastation of wildfire, it is important to utilize tools to calm our nervous system and ground our spirit. Our friends at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Concord, New Hampshire have created this wonderful Contemplative Practices Audio Library. Try out the body scan, metta (lovingkindness) meditation, or another grounding practice that calls to you.

With love,

Rev. Elaine, on behalf of the Foothills Unitarian staff team

Caitlin Seifert

Caitlin grew up in Aurora, CO and moved to Fort Collins first in 2018, and again in 2022. They were raised in the UU church at first Universalist in Denver and were highly involved in the MDD YRUU program as a youth. At that time, they served as part of the youth leadership team as well as the District Peer Chaplain, so when they came to Foothills in 2023, they received the opportunity to join our staff and found it to be a perfect fit. Their love of the UU faith and value for the religious education they received makes their role in our family ministry program feel like giving forward a gift they once held. Their career has spanned from cooking in kitchens to administrative work for local businesses. In their spare time, they find joy in hiking, knitting, and spending time with their two kids and partners.

What’s Next for Music at Foothills?

July 30, 2024 / Caitlin Seifert

While our music programs typically take a break during the summer, this summer has been different.

There have been a lot of amazing music-related things happening both visibly, and in the background that we’d love to catch you up on…

BENJAMIN HANSON PREPARES FOR HIS FUTURE

Earlier this year, we shared that our Music Director, Benjamin Hanson, decided to take some personal leave to reflect and evaluate his priorities. After his time away, Benjamin confirmed that he is not interested in a full-time music director position, and so will not be returning in any permanent capacity with us. Instead, he wants to pursue other opportunities, including additional higher education, that better fit his skills and passions.

We are excited to announce, however, that Benjamin will join us to provide music leadership during much of September while we finish up our search for his replacement. This will allow us to have a few extra weeks to process the transition and prepare for what’s next. Benjamin will be leading music on most Sundays in September, starting September 8th and through September 29th!

On September 29th, we will have a celebration after the service for those who wish to recognize his contributions and wish him well. More details to come.

Benjamin will also be leading choir rehearsals on most of the Wednesdays during September, ensuring that the choir will be able to stay consistent through the fall.

MUSIC THROUGH THE TRANSITION

We have been so lucky to have had Sophia Miller, our Summer Musician-in-Residence to anchor our music ministries since her arrival in late June. Through her creative leadership on Sundays, energizing open calls for singing on Wednesday evenings, and her generous collaboration with staff and lay leaders, Sophia has brought amazing energy to our music programs since she arrived at the end of June. We are grateful that she will remain in this role through September 5th, including a gathering with the choir on Wednesday the 4th.

Sophia came to our congregation after working with Adam Podd, a talented musician, composer, arranger, and pianist who serves as the Director of Music for First Unitarian Society of Brooklyn. We are delighted to share that Adam, who also arranged our commissioned musical piece (Spirit of Truth) for the Ribbon Cutting, will be joining Sophia in song leadership and to offer singing workshops and musical opportunities in the first half of August.

Please be sure to join Adam and Sophia on August 17th for singing and community building, and on both Sunday, August 11th (at 10 am) and Sunday, August 18th when we return to our two service schedule, now at 9 and 11 am.

MUSIC DIRECTOR POSITION POSTING & HIRING

In late June, we advertised our position of Music Director on several UUA and music-specific forums, and have received many qualified applications. We have put together a small team of members and staff who will be helping to make our selection: Juley Sobson, Katie Stieber, Cheryl Hazlitt, Neil DiMont, Hsin Hsuan Lin, Rev. Sean, and myself.

We hope to have 1-2 candidates who will join us for a Sunday in September, and who will meet with the choir and other parts of our congregation to get a chance to provide feedback as well. We hope to have an offer to our selected candidate by the end of September, and a new staff person in place no later than mid-October.

Not only do you get to sing in a community with amazing choir directors and accompanists, but you will also have a chance to meet directly with our potential future music director candidate(s). We’ll meet on August 7th to prepare for Water Communion, and all Wednesdays in September – all are welcome, more info and sign up HERE!