Author: Caitlin Seifert (Page 2 of 2)

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.

Transitions in Foothills Music Ministry

May 23, 2024 /

Dear Foothills Community,

We are writing to let you know that Benjamin Hanson has let us know that he will not be continuing in the role of Foothills’ Music Director. While he has deeply valued his time as our Music Director, he has realized that this position is just not the right long-term fit for him. 

Over the summer, Benjamin will be taking personal leave to discern his future both personally and professionally, beginning May 27th. During this time, both he and we will be considering if there may be another role for him at Foothills.  

Since beginning his work with us two years ago, Benjamin has brought immense joy and meaning through his leadership in worship and choir. His calming presence and generous spirit have deeply enriched our community, and he will be greatly missed. Before his leave begins, Benjamin will be available via email at benjamin@foothillsuu.org and we encourage you to reach out and express your appreciation for his time and work with us at Foothills. 

While we are discerning our own right next steps for the long term, we are extremely grateful that we have found a wonderful solution for music ministry at Foothills over the summer months in Sophia Miller, who will be joining us from mid-June through late August, as our Summer Musician-in-Residence.  

Recommended by Adam Podd, Music Director at First Unitarian Congregational Society in Brooklyn, NY (and composer of our new arrangement of Spirit of Truth), Sophia is a seasoned song leader and choral director, as well as a leader in the Association for Unitarian Universalist Musicians Ministries (AUUMM). We are excited for the energy and expertise she will bring to our summer services.

Read more about Sophia and her background!

As Sophia will be here on a short-term basis, we are hoping to help her find a housing solution. If you (or someone you know) has a “mother-in-law” apartment, or you will be out of town for a period of time over the summer and looking for a house sitter, or have any other ideas that may be a good fit for a single person from mid-June through mid-August (or a portion of that time), we’d love to hear from you.  

We are grateful to be able to both support Benjamin in his request for leave and time for discernment, as well as continue to support a strong music ministry at Foothills without interruption with Sophia’s leadership. 

As we talk through our next steps, we will both seek your feedback, and keep you informed.  Please send any of your immediate thoughts and questions to Rev. Gretchen at gretchen@foothillsuu.org. Thank you for your understanding and support during this time of transition. 

In partnership, and with gratitude,

The Foothills Executive Team
Rev. Gretchen Haley, Senior Minister
Rev. Sean Neil-Barron, Associate Minister
Katie Watkins, Director of Finance and Operations 

In consultation with Foothills’ Board of Trustees

Mary Klecan, President
Beth Adams, Vice President
Sue Bloomfield, Treasurer
Linda Kothera, Secretary
John Hill
Diana Hutchinson
Susan Williams 

The Nature of Being

May 10, 2024 /

Dear ones:

 

It is the time of year where being outside feels like sanctuary. When the trails call to us, and the rivers, and the garden. Even our new building can’t compare to the wisdom, healing, and renewal of the natural world (although our big windows looking out on the foothills do help!).


This has been a tension for Unitarian Universalists for a long time – from Transcendentalists to Pagans to Religious Naturalists – how to bring the spirituality we find in the natural world into the church. Church, as in the building, and also the institution.

Engaging this tension is at the heart of the Wild Church movement, which we have taken as a jumping off point for our new series, The Nature of Being, which starts this Sunday at 10 am (online and in person) and runs through most of June.

In these days where disconnection drags on us all – disconnection from ourselves, from one another, from a deeper sense of truth and love, let’s reconnect with our true nature. And most of all, let’s re-integrate our inside and outside spiritualities. Remembering that nature is not outside of us, and holiness is everywhere. With love, Rev. Gretchen

 

2024 Pacific Western Region Assembly Summary

May 2, 2024 /

The Pacific Western Region of the UUA held its Assembly this month in Denver, hosted by the First Universalist Church. Foothills was well represented at the two day event by twelve members and ministers. The Assembly was a wonderful opportunity to meet and “compare notes” with other UU’s from several Western states who attended from as far away as Washington and as close as Boulder.

The highlight of the Assembly  was the Friday night conversation between the UUA President, Rev. Dr. Sofia Betancourt and Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson, the President of the United Church of Christ.  These two brilliant and inspiring women addressed the challenging issues of 2024 America. Rev Betancourt underscored that UUs always show up, that UUs can be counted on to be there in numbers at marches, rallies and all types of justice events.  But she also challenged us to verbally express our liberal theology in those same spaces. She stressed that our country is greatly in need of a religious counterpoint to the Christian Nationalism that is now capturing the bulk of media attention. We need to be bold enough to express our progressive theology that is inclusive, welcoming, justice-oriented, and centered in love.

Rev. Thompson spoke of the commonalities we share as UUs and Congregationalists.  She spoke of the importance of liberal religions to be both action-oriented in pursuing justice and interior-focused with a wide array of spiritual practices which nurture and give meaning to our actions. These two leaders, so obviously caring and respectful of each other, were so inspirational.

On Saturday, along with networking opportunities, there were several breakout sessions. Some of the topics included UU camps (like the WUULF camp in New Mexico that many of our members have attended), turning guns into garden tools, and a communal service centered on spiritual resources.

Among the speakers were some quite familiar to Foothills members: Kelly Dignan and Sarah Millspaugh. The opportunity to connect with UU leaders from other congregations, especially those from along the Front Range,  made the event most worthwhile.

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