January 2018 Sunday ProgramsJanuary 21 & 28 "Letter from Birmingham Jail" - MLK's Gift of Prophecy with Pastor Dean Cerny Fifty-five years ago, the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.

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We are a caring, inclusive Fellowship dedicated to spiritual growth, justice

and serving the needs of our larger community.

As a Welcoming Congregation, we invite everyone to share in our faith community. We cherish diversity and foster a safe environment for all.

January 7 New Endings with Merlin Wheeler Many people choose January 1st as a time for New Year’s resolutions, a time to introduce something new into their lives. This theme of newness starts with the winter solstice, when the days begin to lengthen and the darkness of winter begins to brighten. When a new year beckons. However, every beginning is also an ending; an ending of what came before. On this Sunday we will explore attitudes and the resultant behaviors in our lives that no longer serve us. We will offer up a new ending. Merlin Wheeler will lead this service, and address his own New Ending. We ask each attendee to examine their lives and see if there are behaviors that no longer serve them, and that they are willing to end, and choose to end. We’ve asked selected individuals to speak for a few minutes; to set the mood as it were. Please give thought to whether there can be a New Ending in your life; whether something as simple as no longer using cream in your morning coffee, to ending a destructive relationship. As time permits, you will have an opportunity to share your New Ending with the Fellowship. We look forward to you joining us on this first Sunday in January 2018.

January 2018 Sunday Programs

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Merlin has been a member of the Pagosa UU Fellowship since moving here in 2006 from New Mexico where he’d lived for 33 years (now that was a New Ending). He has been an occasional Service Leader and/or speaker at our Fellowship. He currently serves on the Worship Committee. His other interests include whitewater canoeing, hiking, and mountain biking. He spends a good deal of time each year in his woodworking shop. January 14 Let’s Talk with Anna Ramirez This Sunday we will explore the idea of solving conflict with the use of conversation. The service is inspired by the NPR TED talk series called Dialogue and Exchange. Anna Ramirez heard the program and was motivated to share the ideas with our PUUF Fellowship. We will look at what keeps us from engaging in conversations with people who have opposing views, the power of dialogue to resolve conflict, and ways to improve our own ability to converse with others who have ideas we do not agree with. The service connects with all 7 of the UU principles and is dedicated to the memory of Martin Luther King, Jr. Anna Ramirez is a local PUUF member. She is the mother of 3 boys who keep her busy most of the time. Anna just opened a Dog and Cat Grooming Business and can be found on facebook.com at DoggroominginPagosa. Anna loves to talk to anybody and believes in the power of conversatio to resolve conflict. January 21 & 28 "Letter from Birmingham Jail" - MLK's Gift of Prophecy

with Pastor Dean Cerny

Fifty-five years ago, the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. penned what has now become known simply as the “Letter From Birmingham Jail.” In honor of the life of Reverend King, this document will be the focus of our services on Sunday, January 21 & 28. Using the actual text of this document with sidebar commentary, we will explore the timeless insight of MLK’s words as they express the historical hypocrisy and hope of the Christian faith in dealing with issues of race, social justice, non-violence, and peace.

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Coming from a long lineage of religious prophets, Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. speaks truth from the experience of his heart; truly a prophet for all times.

Dean lives with his partner of thirty-nine years, John Ehlert, and their three dogs in an off-grid home in rural Kanab, Utah. Pastor Dean serves as part-time pastor at the Pagosa UU Fellowship, leading services twice each month and is now a part-time resident of Pagosa Springs.

Pastor’s Invitation

From Pastor Dean Cerny [email protected]

As an advocate of religious pluralism and interreligious theology, I am always sensitive to how the multitude of religions in the world can be used to divide the human race, often with hate and fear of one another’s differences. The Parliament of World Religion’s “was created to cultivate harmony among the world’s religious and spiritual communities and foster their engagement with the world and their guiding institutions in order to achieve a just, peaceful and sustainable world.” In the reprinted message that follows, the Chair of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Robert P. Sellers, and the Executive Director, Dr. Larry Greenfield, called out the President of the United States for using religion and culture to generate fear and hatred. I invite you to read it and then contemplate ways in which we in the Pagosa UU community can promote a more creative understanding of those whose religion and culture differ from our own.

Pastor Cerny's interest in religious concepts has always been motivated by his passion to question religious orthodoxy. This reasoned approach led him to obtain an undergraduate degree in Religious Studies from Arizona State University and a Master of Art's Degree in Religion and Theology from United Theological Seminary in Minnesota. Of prime interest to Cerny is the relationship between religion and spirituality wherein religion serves as a language to articulate spiritual experience.

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“In these times of extraordinary tension and danger, leaders—whether political, socio-cultural, or religious and whatever their nation, tradition, or spiritual path--have a special obligation to be unquestionably truthful, intentionally civil and respectful, and particularly careful to avoid being inflammatory and polarizing in any way. Instead, they need to be relentless in seeking a common good for their nation and its diverse peoples. The Parliament of the World's Religions is committed to holding leaders to such standards, because the religions and spiritual communities of our world expect this of their own leaders and those in power in other spheres of human society. It is out of this commitment that we condemn the irresponsible retransmission of false and racist videos against the great religious tradition of Islam by the President of the United States, as well as his entirely inappropriate words to demean a political opponent at an event meant to honor Native Americans who served the United States with the deepest of commitments. We invite other religious and civic leaders to join together in condemnation of the dangerous and disrespectful behavior by the President, who should apologize and exercise the discipline required of his office, his nation, and his position on the world's stage. Now is exactly the time for religious and spiritual leaders, especially in the United States, to use the power entrusted to us and to empower our colleagues in religious service to take persistent actions that reveal to the wider public our deep solidarity for truth-speaking and peace-seeking, justice-advancing, and compassion-sharing.” Soup & Bread Fellowship In an attempt to brighten the darkest recesses of winter, a simple meal of soup and bread will be offered for the Fellowship and friends on Wednesday evening, January 24, at 5:15 p.m. This gathering will be an opportunity to “warm” one another’s hearts with the communion of food. We will have sign-ups for two soup entrees and two bread offerings. All are welcome to bring something sweet to share for dessert. Coffee and tea will be provided. As always, you are welcome and encouraged to bring a friend along to this gathering. Pastor Availability-Coffee at Higher Grounds I invite everyone and anyone (bring a friend) for casual conversation and fellowship at "Higher Grounds" on Tuesday, January 23, 10:30 – 12 noon. Stay as long as you wish or just stop by to say hello. If you desire to meet with me one on one, please call or text me at 435-819-0206 or e-mail me at [email protected] in order to set up a time to visit. I will be in Pagosa January 20-28. In an emergency, feel free to call me at the same number listed above.

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Notes From The Treasurer – Joan Ward

• Our income for November was $2497.28 and year-to-date is $13,765 (36% of budgeted for the year, which goes through next June, 2018).

• Our expenses for November were $2407.64 (Dean's pay, Sunday hospitality, Bookkeeping, Insurance, Building costs), plus $1073 for the Growth Fund (our commitment of 10% of pledge and Sunday service collection to date. This brings the total expenses to $14,918 (39% of budgeted for the year).

• So right now we are in the negative by $1153. We have the funds in checking to cover this for now. Our income is always a little low at this time of the year, while expenses aren't lower. I expect that when more people are back in town and attending, our income then will make up the difference.

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In December, the kids continued their exploration into the relationship between the "seen" and "unseen." They colored body maps and attached images of the spine and internal organs that we can't see, but know exist. They felt the bones in their own spines, shared the experience of feeling their stomachs growl with hunger, listened to their own hearts with a real stethoscope, heard themselves talk using their vocal cords, and acknowledged their awareness of the thoughts in their heads. This month, we'll discuss the ancient Hindu energy system associated with those physical areas of the body: the chakras. The kids will learn the color and positive characteristic of each chakra (safety, creativity, will, love, honesty, understanding and Oneness) and choose an image of an "animal companion" to help open and protect each energy center. Our third UU Principle affirms and promotes spiritual growth within our congregations. Looking within and learning about the world of the "unseen" as well as the "seen" encourages the youngest among us to consider the meaning and existence of spirit. Kids RE is offered on the third Sunday of the month, September - May, for youth ages 5-12. For further information, contact Avalon at [email protected].

Kid’s Religious Exploration

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AmazonSmile Do you shop on Amazon? PUUF is now a registered organization with AmazonSmile. Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible purchases to PUUF whenever you shop on AmazonSmile.

In order to take advantage of the contribution, you must begin shopping from smile.amazon.com.

Here is the direct link: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/ 45-0705720 You may also go to smile.amazon.com and enter “Pagosah Unitarian Universalist Fellowship” to designate the organization.

Announcements

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So long and good luck, Nathan. Love be with you till we meet again.

Last Month at PUUF

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Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

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Life of the Fellowship

All are invited to participate in the following learning, sharing and caring opportunities

**Unless otherwise noted, all events are held in the Fellowship Hall at Greenbriar Plaza**

Full Moon Program – Jan 30

Meditation Sangha – Jan 13, 27

A Course in Miracles – Jan 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

PUUF offers group meditations on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month. A donation is appreciated, but not mandatory, to support the Fellowship. For more info, contact Merlin Wheeler at 970-903-1931.

There are ~1500 ACIM study groups meeting across 65 countries and we’re one of them! Join us for study and conversation. Reclaim the truth of your eternal self, forever joined in Oneness with all that is. It is only our dreams of separation that obscure this reality from us. Experience the power of forgiveness and love’s ability to dispel fear. A miracle is a shift of perception, from fear to love, and the recognition that there are only two forms of expression: love or calls for love. Contact Bob or Karen LeCour at 264-0111 for more information.

Julie Loar leads this program each month on the evening before the full moon. Typically she speaks for 20-30 minutes on the planetary cycles of the month and the time and the astrological nature of the Full Moon chart. There is music to set a tone and sometimes people share as they are led. For more information, contact Julie at 731-4744.

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January2018

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 31 10:30 am - 12 pm Sunday Service

January 1 New Year's Day

2 3 11 am - 12:30 pm Course in Miracles

4 5:30 pm - 6:45 pm Restorative Yoga

5 6

7 10:30 am - 12 pm Sunday Service

8 9 10 11 am - 12:30 pm Course in Miracles

11 2 pm - 4 pm Conscious Aging

5:30 pm - 6:45 pm Restorative Yoga

12 13 10 am - 12 pm Buddhist Sangha Meditation

14 10:30 am - 12 pm Sunday Service

15 Martin Luther King Jr. Day

16 17 11 am - 12:30 pm Course in Miracles

18 5:30 pm - 6:45 pm Restorative Yoga

19 20

21 10:30 am - 12 pm Sunday Service

12:15 pm - 2:15 pm Steering Committee Meeting

22 23 10:30 am - 12 pm Pastor Dean at Higher Grounds

24 11 am - 12:30 pm Course in Miracles

2 pm - 4 pm Worship Committee Meeting

25 2 pm - 4 pm Conscious Aging

5:30 pm - 6:45 pm Restorative Yoga

26 27 10 am - 12 pm Buddhist Sangha Meditation

28 10:30 am - 12 pm Sunday Service

29 30 7 pm - 9 pm Full Moon Meditation

31 11 am - 12:30 pm Course in Miracles

1 2 Groundhog Day

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PUUF Leadership Teams:

Worship Committee Merlin Wheeler Pauline Benetti Phyl Daleske Bob LeCour Diane Davis Bonni DeMarco MembershipCommitteePhylDaleskeKathySchultz

SteeringCommittee JulieLoar,PresidentMaryWillcox,VicePresidentJoanWard,TreasurerLeahBallard,SecretarySherylScheller,atlargeJudyJames,atlargeChildren’sReligiousExplorationAvalonHaykusJenBanks

CaringCommitteePhylDaleskeJoanWardStephanieHazenSherylSchellerNewsletterEditorKarenLeCourWebMistressBarbaraAsprey

301N.PagosaBlvd,GreenbriarPlaza,UnitB15 VoiceMail:970-731-7900P.O.Box5984,PagosaSprings,CO81147 www.pagosauu.org