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.

October 7 Are You In Your Right Mind? with Karen LeCour “Deep internal peace is accessible to anyone at anytime. The experience of Nirvana exists in our right hemisphere and at any moment we can choose to hook into that part of our brain. Peace is only a thought away, and all we have to do to access it is silence the voice of our dominating left mind.” So claims Jill Bolte Taylor, PhD, brain neuroanatomist and author of the book “My Stroke of Insight.” Jill lost function of her left hemisphere and experienced, as few of us ever will, the stark difference between the two hemisphere’s disposition towards the world; the right being one of care of the whole, the left one of use of the parts. Join us as we explore the differences between the hemispheres and what it may mean in our individual lives and for our societies at large.

October 2018 Sunday Programs

Karen was raised Episcopalian and was active in college in Campus Crusade for Christ until she had a mystical experience of union with all that is. Although the experience was transitory, it ignited a search for truth and a desire to understand where our sense of separation comes from, what we think we're gaining by it, and how we can restore ourselves to oneness which she believes is the true nature of reality. October 14 Living Daily Life from a Buddhist Perspective with Debra Quayle In this talk, Debra Quayle will speak about why looking at and living life from the view of Vajrayana Buddhism adds depth, richness, and sacredness to the ordinary moments and events of our existence. This is a perspective that encourages the individual to go beyond the ego and to recognize the ultimate nature of reality and allows one to find and walk the middle way between attachment and aversion as one follows the Noble Eight Fold Path of the Buddha.

Karen LeCour was educated as a biologist, but spent her career in computer science as a software development project manager and technical writer. Derailed by a back injury in the early 90's, Karen had the opportunity to explore many creative avenues which accommodated her new physical limitations: stained glass artist, personal chef, dog trainer, goat breeder and artisan cheese maker among them. Karen has always been drawn to spirituality and has studied A Course in Miracles since 2000 and facilitated study groups in Utah as well as Pagosa Springs. She lives with her husband Bob, Border Collie-mix Cadbury, and two Nigerian dwarf goats. Karen is a member of the Steering Committee and regularly exercises her right brain as PUUF’s newsletter editor and piano accompanist.

Debra Quayle has been on the Buddhist path for over 35 years and has taught meditation and Buddhist philosophy to people from many different walks of life. Her work as a psychotherapist is highly influenced by this path and she takes great pleasure in sharing the benefits and blessings of Buddhist thought and practices with her clients.

October 21, 28

The services on October 21 and 28 will be led by Pastor Dean. Please check the Preview section of the Pagosa Sun or on-line at pagosadailypost.com under the Community tab the week prior to the Sunday service for details.

Pastor’s Invitation From Pastor Dean Cerny

dean.cerny@gmail.com

Spiritual Inquiry Update The “dance card” for PUUF is rather full the week of October 22-26. Therefore, in the interest of making the most of our time together, the Spiritual Inquiry discussion is being moved to the month of November. We will meet on Wednesday, November 14, early evening, 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. (bring your supper if you like). Our discussion will center around Miguel A. De La Torre’s brief and scathing history of white Christianity in America as perceived from the indigenous and people of color perspective. Copies of the three-page essay will be made available to participants in late October. In his essay entitled Rejecting US Christianity in Hopes of Saving the Soul of the Nation, De La Torre speaks with blunt honesty as to the role of white Christian supremacy in the brutal takeover of that which belonged to others. His writing reveals how we got to where we are today. He writes: “The election of Trump is not an aberration for he represents the fullest manifestation of the white Christianity feared by those relegated to the underside of US history. Trump is the prophetic fulfillment of an exceptionalism which is but the latest manifestation of white Christian supremacy that ensures the vast majority of the world’s resources flow to support six percent of the global population.” Miguel De La Torre is a scholar who has authored over one hundred articles and published thirty-three books (five of which won national awards). Currently he is professor of social ethics and LatinX studies at the Iliff School of Theology in Denver. Prof. De La Torre spoke at the 2015 UU General Assembly where, in typical honest fashion, he noted that many UU’s expect people of color to join their congregations simply because they are welcome. In response to this expectation he said, “After centuries of exclusion, why should I come running to help you prove your congregations aren’t racist?” Why indeed. This remains a pivotal unanswered question for many UU fellowships and congregations. Do we here at PUUF have any idea how to answer this question? Hope to see you there, and, as always, bring a friend to witness how UU faith and social justice intersect at PUUF. Pastor’s Invitation(s): Having grown up in the upper Midwest inclines me to state that Fall is a turn toward the introspective. Autumn is a time of transition from the outer world to the inner world. Fall is the season for the shuttering of summer pleasures and time to begin preparations for the cold, dark winter months ahead. Nature manifests this “shuttering” process by assuming the magnificent vestment of Fall colors. These are signs of decline, decay and the end of growth. Nature knows the appropriate time to “go within.”

Coerced by nature through degrees of diminishing daylight and declining temperatures, we too take a turn to the “inside.” There will be much time for contemplation in the long darkness of the coming winter months. So, it is the turn, the transition which should occupy our mind and soul for the moment. Like geese and other migratory fowl, we should begin to navigate ourselves toward the truth of our outward decline and decay. Now is the season to turn toward the inner truths of our spiritual nature. I invite you to do so. In that effort I offer Mary Oliver’s poem “Song of Autumn.”

In the deep fall don’t you imagine the leaves think how

comfortable it will be to touch the earth instead of the

nothingness of air and the endless freshets of wind? And don’t you think

the trees themselves, especially those with mossy, warm caves, begin to think

of the birds that will come — six, a dozen — to sleep

inside their bodies? And don’t you hear the goldenrod whispering goodbye,

the everlasting being crowned with the first tuffets of snow? The pond

vanishes, and the white field over which the fox runs so quickly brings out

its blue shadows. And the wind pumps its bellows. And at evening especially,

the piled firewood shifts a little, longing to be on its way.

Wednesday Sandwich/Soup Social Due to PUUF’s ambitious decision to participate in Loaves and Fishes on October 25, there will be no Wednesday event. This is a good thing. A few hands are needed on Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. to slice and dice in preparation for cooking, and many more are needed on Thursday starting at 11:00 a.m. to serve the meal and clean up afterwards. Pastor Availability I invite everyone and anyone for casual conversation and fellowship over lunch at the Pagosa Senior Center (450 Hot Springs Boulevard) on Tuesday, October 23. Let’s plan to meet there around 11:30 a.m. Please call the Senior Center (264-2167) on the day before (leave a message), or by 9 a.m. on Tuesday to let them know who you are and that you will be there for lunch on Tuesday. Lunch is $4 for folks over 60. If you desire to meet with me one on one, please call (971) 731-7900 and leave a message, or e-mail me at dean.cerny@gmail.com in order to set up a time to visit. In an emergency, please text me at (435) 819-0206 (be certain to identify yourself in the text message).

Loaves and Fishes – Oct 25

Welcome to the World!

Announcements

This month PUUF is the sponsoring organization for Loaves and Fishes. Volunteers are needed from 11:00 to 1:30 on the 25th. A few folks are needed in the kitchen the day before (Wed, 10/24 at 9:00 AM) to help prepare the meal. Please contact Joan Ward (970.382.1925) to volunteer. There will be a sign-up sheet in the coffee area at PUUF. Location: Parish Hall, 499 Lewis St

Lydia Alexandrea Heber came into the world on Friday, September 7 at 7:52 pm. She weighed 9 lb. 4 oz. and was 21" long. Aliya and Lydia are both doing well! Aliya may be contacted at ahaykus@gmail.com.

Social Action Committee

We are doing well with income from pledges and Sunday cash collection. I want to especially note that we just received a check from City Market Community Rewards for about $90. If you haven't designated the fellowship for the reward program, please do so! We also had a recent check from Upscale Resale for things we took there after the rummage sale. If you have anything appropriate for Upscale, please take it there for the fellowship, or bring on Sunday and I'll get it there. Joan Y. Ward 970.382.1925 joanyward@gmail.com

Notes From The Treasurer – Joan Ward

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Rise for Climate walk and talk. I will be sending out an email to the group about meeting right after a Sunday service in October to discuss what we want to focus on next. If you want to join the group, please let me know. joanyward@gmail.com or 970.382.1925

Last Month at PUUF

PUUFisoneofthesponsorsofthe“RiseforClimate”walkandtalk

KirstenSkeehan,friendofPUUFandmemberoftheLPEAboard,preparestoaddressparticipantsafterthewalk

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 – October 23

Meditation Sangha – October 13, 27

A Course in Miracles – October 3, 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 Loar at 731-4744.

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October2018

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

October 1 2 3 9 am - 10:30 am Course in Miracles

4 5 6

7 10:30 am - 12 pm Sunday Service

8 Columbus Day

9 10 11 12 13 10 am - 12 pm Buddhist Sangha Meditation

14 10:30 am - 12 pm Sunday Service

15 16 17 9 am - 10:30 am Course in Miracles

18 19 20 Sweetest Day

21 10:30 am - 12 pm Sunday Service

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

22 23 11:30 am - 12:30 pm Senior Center Lunch

2 pm - 4 pm Worship Committee Meeting

7 pm - 9 pm Full Moon Meditation

24 9 am - 10:30 am Course in Miracles

9 am - 10 am Loaves & Fishes Food Prep

25 11 am - 1:30 pm Loaves & Fishes

26 27 10 am - 12 pm Buddhist Sangha Meditation

28 10:30 am - 12 pm Sunday Service

29 30 31 Halloween

9 am - 10:30 am Course in Miracles

1 2 3

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PUUF Leadership Teams:

Worship Committee Merlin Wheeler Pauline Benetti Phyl Daleske Bob LeCour Diane Davis Bonni DeMarco Membership Committee Phyl Daleske Kathy Schultz Children’s Religious Exploration Anna Ramirez

Steering Committee Julie Loar, President Joan Ward, Treasurer Judy James, Vice President Leah Ballard, Secretary Dave Pettus, at large Karen LeCour, at large Pauline Benetti, advisory Music Karen LeCour, Music Director John Ehlert Dave Pettus

Caring Committee Phyl Daleske Joan Ward Sheryl Scheller Newsletter Editor Karen LeCour Web Mistress Barbara Asprey

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

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Nothing this month!

WELCOME TO THE MEMBER’S MARKETPLACE! This is a service for all PUUF members and pledging friends. Do you have something to sell, something you want to buy, a service to offer or a service you’re in need of? This online bulletin board will allow your ad to be seen by over 130 people on PUUF’s proprietary mailing list. Ads will run for 60 days and can re-run after a 30-day period. Send your ad content, including photos, to the newsletter editor, Karen LeCour, at k2whatisis@yahoo.com. Ads will be accepted on a space-available basis and editor reserves the right to judge the appropriateness of content.