Our Fellowship Team has reserved what is, for most of us, an undiscovered jewel of a regional park to the west of Colorado Springs.

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1 Page 1 High Plains News Building a liberal spiritual community that welcomes all to lives of wholeness June 2013 High Plains Church - Unitarian-Universalist Vol 20, No 6 Summer Fun Day - June 15th Columns Minister s Musings 3 Faith Formation 5 President s Post 6 CFO Report 7 By Heather Ashbee It is time to celebrate our first year with interim minister, Rev. Beatrice Hitchcock. With Rev. Beatrice at our helm, our Board, teams and members have worked hard to build upon our beloved community and to prepare for a fantastic future with HPCUU. It is time to let loose and have some fun! Features Fellowship 8 Articles 9 Our Fellowship Team has reserved what is, for most of us, an undiscovered jewel of a regional park to the west of Colorado Springs. A special thanks goes to Mark Fesgen for suggesting Homestead Ranch Regional Park. The park has two covered pavilions with picnic tables and barbecue grills, and clean restrooms with running water. There is a fantastic playground for the youngsters, a large grassy playing field for those interested in sports, and even a stocked fishing pond! There are up to three miles of groomed hiking trails through wooded grounds. And there is plenty of parking for all of us. So, on Saturday, June 15, pack up the kids, dogs (they must be on leash), a picnic lunch for your group, and whatever else you need to just have fun with your friends at High Plains Church. Fellowship will provide charcoal for those who wish to grill their own meat. We have a few activities planned for the day including a make-your-own mandala craft, a photo scavenger hunt, and a fishing derby. And, of course, there will be plenty of time for conversation, field sports, and friendship! While the park pavilions are reserved for us from 5:00 am to 11:00 pm, your Fellowship Team is planning to be there from 11:00 am High Plains Church - Unitarian-Universalist 1825 Dominion Way onward. We'll have the grills fired up and ready to go by noon. We hope you will all plan to be there for whatever time you can spare for a day of FUN with your HPCUU friends. What to Bring? A picnic lunch plus all the drinks and snacks you will need for the day. If you would like to stay into the evening, then bring dinner supplies too (note alcoholic beverages are not permitted); Plates and utensils; Sunscreen and sun hats; Lawn chairs; Sports and play equipment e.g. a Frisbee, soccer ball, football, softball equipment, volleyball/badminton equipment, kites, board games; Fishing rods - a valid Colorado fishing license is required for all persons over 16 years of age who wish to use the fishing pond; Camera; Comfortable walking shoes; Marshmallow forks/sticks; and Musical instruments. Directions to Homestead Ranch Park: Take Woodmen east until it dead ends in Hwy 24. Turn left at that light and continue to Elbert Rd/CO 217. Turn slight left onto Elbert & continue about 5.1 miles to Sweet Road. Turn sharp Right onto Sweet Rd. & continue to Gollihar Rd. Turn left onto Gollihar Rd. Continue about.8 mile to the park at Gollihar Rd. The trip takes about 30 minutes and the park is worth it. Colorado Springs, CO 80918

2 Page 2 Calendar & Services Events Calendar June 2013 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 New to UU 11:30 am - 12:00 pm Farewell Celebration 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm 3 4 Meals on Wheels Support 11:30 am - 1:00 pm Stitchers/Hands 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Parent/ Child U & I 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm 8 9 Foster Family Support 11:30 am - 1:00 pm Annual Meeting 11: Meals on Wheels Support 11:30 am - 1:00 pm Parent & Child Group 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm HiPS- High Plain Sisters 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm YRUU Movie Overnight 15 Issues on Aging 10:30 am - 12:00 pm YRUU Movie Overnight 16 Finance Team Meeting 11:30 am - 2:00 pm Meals on Wheels Support 11:30 am - 1:00 pm 19 Board Meeting 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm Stitchers/Hands 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Hip Parents Group 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Meals on Wheels Support 11:30 am - 1:00 pm Be sure to check the Events Tag on the website at for additions and corrections to the calendar. Upcoming Services June 2: Nurturing Your Inheritance with the Rev. Beatrice Hitchcock June 9: The Evolution of Unitarian Universalism: A Liberal Inheritance with the Rev. Beatrice Hitchcock June 16: My Father Called Him Papa: A Father s Day Message with the Rev. Beatrice Hitchcock June 23: "Our Religious Inheritance with Brent Dubach, Alcira Estevez, Jennifer Centric who will speak about the heritage they bring with them into Unitarian Universalism. June 30: Music Sunday! Enjoy the music of Gordon Lightfoot with the HPC House Band. Homily by the Rev. Beatrice Hitchcock on Musical Inheritance. If you would like to cancel your printed newsletter subscription or otherwise wish to be removed from the mailing list, please send street, , phone, and address corrections to Mandy Morrow. The pdf newsletter can be downloaded from or received in an by subscribing to the newsletter mailing list. To subscribe to the mailing list, contact Mandy Morrow at office@hpcuu.org or newsletters-subscribe@hpcuu.org

3 Minister s Musings by Rev Beatrice Hitchcock Minister s Musings Page 3 e are launching themed worship and the Soul W Matters program this month with the theme of INHERITANCE. This month s worship services will focus on Inheritance, in a variety of its aspects. Over the summer, the monthly materials will be available for you to read and think about. Starting in September, we will be forming Soul Matters groups to consider these issues together. The purpose of Soul Matters is to do more than just get you to think about the themes; rather, it is to provide opportunities for you to act, change, and grow with the themes. INHERITANCE Only about 10% of Unitarian Universalists were raised in this faith. In the past, most UU s came out of some other religion. (Today we see more and more young people who were raised without any religion.) The Unitarian Universalist come-outers often talk about the religious baggage with which they were brought up. We think of ourselves as progressive, forward-looking people. And yet... We all stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us. The interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part includes the past (and future) as well as the present. Those who came before us made choices that influence us today. We have been inspired by their work and passions. The choices we make today will impact future generations. Our churches are part of something larger than ourselves. How can we take part in that something larger without acknowledging and honoring all that we ve inherited? So this month we are invited to take seriously all that we ve been given, all that has been passed on to us the good and the bad. Simply put, real spiritual freedom comes not from breaking with our pasts but from actively and consciously choosing what we want to keep and what we need to give up from our pasts. It s about being in control of our inheritance rather than our inheritance controlling us. This month we will consider the inheritance you have in High Plains Church, our Unitarian Universalist heritage, your own family histories, and a cultural musical inheritance. It s also worth thinking about the origin of the word heirloom. Loom was the old English word for tool. This offers a new light on those things we inherit. What if we saw our inheritance as tools given to us to build something, create something, fix something, heal something. Would we treat our inheritance differently? Would we learn to use it better? Would we pull our inheritance out of our spiritual toolbox more often? Soul Matters packets will be available in the brochure rack, on a table in the social room, by request from minister@hpcuu.org, and on the website. Yours with curiosity and hope, Beatrice We do Unitarian Universalism a disservice when we speak of it as a community of individualists who have broken free of our pasts. Indeed, we do ourselves--our deepest selves--a disservice when we talk and think this way. Are you New to UU? Do you have questions about Unitarian Universalism? Do you want to know more about us? Join Reverend Beatrice Hancock for a short get together on the first Sunday of each month. Childcare will be provided. Questions? Contact Reverend Beatrice or Gail Ballare at gailballare@gmail.com.

4 Page 4 Minister s Schedule Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, the Rev. Beatrice Hitchcock keeps regular office hours from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, and is available for meetings and private appointments at other times. Friday and Saturday are sermon preparation days and she usually works from home, but is available for meetings as needed. Monday is her day off. Italics indicate off-site meetings. June 2 June 4 June 5 June 6 June 9 June 11 June 12 June 13 June 15 June 16 June June 25 June 26 June 27 June 30 Sunday Service Board & Congregation Discussion Small Group Social Change - 6:00 pm Sunday Service Annual meeting Summer Fun Day, Homestead Ranch Regional Park Sunday Service Ministry Days & UUA General Assembly, Louisville, Kentucky Sunday Service What s Happening in Faith Formation? By Jessica Laike Please note that this is not meant to be a comprehensive list of everything that has happened in the church in regard to Faith Formation, but instead to serve as a highlight reel of the last month and a look at what is coming up in the next month. May: May 4: High Plains hosted the first annual May Day Carnival with over 250 people in attendance! May 12: Colorado Springs YRUU youth group presented the Sunday worship service with a bridging ceremony to welcome in Riley Adams and Vas Vlcek as rising freshman and say good bye to Elizabeth Effie Hitchcock as she moves on to join the Young Adult community. We also recognized all of our wonderful Sunday school teachers and youth advisors: Kaitlin Miller, Andrea Joiner, Amy Plapp, Frank Vlcek, Kyle Adams, Anna Fry, Rick Helvey, Michelle Bull, Cindy Fesgen, Denise Kafeyan, Kelly Adams, Gail Ballare, Cindy Bosch, Austin Herdt, David Lacey and Sheree Blue Rehema. May 18: The middle school class took a field trip to Serenity Springs Wildlife Sanctuary. May 31: Middle school overnight at High Plains. Upcoming in June: All Month: Children s Sunday school classes begin for all ages Share Your Passion summer workshop series June 2: Palm Reading workshop with Elaine Wolf June 7-9: Jessica and selected youth attend chaplaincy training in Denver June 9: Music workshop with Eddy Lieberman June 14-15: YRUU Movie Overnight June 16: Game Day June 18-24: Jessica, Beatrice and youth attend General Assembly in Louisville, KY June 23: Gardening workshop with Gail Ballare June 30: Poetry workshop with Cindy Fesgen

5 Faith Formation May Day Carnival Update and Thank You's by Jessica Laike O ur first ever May Day Carnival took place on May 4, 2013 and was a huge success!! We had over 250 people in attendance, approximately 190 of whom were NOT members of High Plains! Our goal of out-reach and bringing new people through our doors was definitely achieved! The event was staffed by over 35 church and community volunteers without whom this event could not have happened. This event was a true testament to what can be achieved when we all pull together and I hope will serve as an inspiration and model for future events. We had live entertainment from various performance groups throughout the day happening Donations: Ken Lowry & Mike Del Duca Ed & Kathy Kortman Michelle Wine & Lee Linnenburger Gretchen Hein Heather Ashbee Christina Burdick Alcira Estevez Ann Harris Susan Sproul Kelly Miller Meg Powell Bobbi Forester Karen Clemmensen Jean Muller John Pegler Beatrice Hitchcock Judy Sargent Elizabeth Hitchcock Cindy Landsberg Pat Bryan Barbara Kohlhaas Pearle Silvernale Linda Reihl Various Anonymous donors Volunteers: Ken Lowry Mike Del Duca Beatrice Hitchcock Alcira Estevez Judy Sargent Janet Oliver Tim Oliver Elizabeth Hitchcock Sue Sproul Justin Cowles John Pegler Brandon Balliett Chris Easton Andi Hammond Karen Clemmensen Sue Bennett Richard Williams Michelle Wine Ellie Linnenburger Andrea Joiner Tracy Silloway Damaris Guerin Helen Guerin Kyle Adams Jennifer Centric Cindy Fesgen Alicia Fesgen Mark Fesgen Sam Stephens Christina Burdick Kendra Burdick David Lacey Cindy Landsberg Ariel Sanchez Page 5 inside while outside there were carnival games, a bounce house, a chalk art contest, face painting, palm reading and henna tattoos. We were also lucky enough to have one of the most in-demand firebreathers and performers in Colorado Springs, Wally Burkholder, donate his time to perform for us throughout the day. The Colorado Springs YRUU youth group also ran a used book/ game/media sale which raised over $600 for their trip to General Assembly in Louisville, KY. It was truly a magical day full of fun and laughter, but it could not have happened without the following people. Please take a moment and read through all of the names of the people who made this event possible. (Listed in no particular order) Austin Herdt Elaine Wolf Eddy Lieberman Michael Arsenault Hannah Coker Performers: Wally Burkholder Joe Uveges & High Plains House Band Eddy Lieberman 3 Wheel Wonder Bus Artistry in Motion Colorado Academy of Music & Dance ItsReaLight Love Andrew Drewdat Ziegler Other Supporters/Sponsors: Academy Mini Golf Joe Catalano Luke Cissell Spice Island Grill Mountain Mama Natural Foods Chalk Art Contest Winners: Kids Contest (under 16 years old) 1st Place: Wyvern by Maegan Frost Adult Contest (16 and up) 1st Place: Labyrinth by Nathan Graham 2nd Place: Rocky Mountain Spring by ItsReaLight Love

6 Page 6 The President s Post by Danielle Heimer President s Post s my tenure as the President of the High Plains A Board of Trustees draws to a close, my emotions are mixed and mostly positive. I am deeply proud of High Plains our perseverance, our commitment to one another and our liberal faith, and our accomplishments over the last two years. As my presidency began, the church faced ambiguity and frankly, a sense of unease about our ministerial partnership with Reverend Roger. With guidance from the district and Rev Roger s insight, we were able to reach a mutual agreement to end our time together. A committed task force began the process of searching for a qualified interim minister and were successful in finding Rev. Beatrice. We hired a new Director of Faith Formation and a new office assistant. In the midst of these profound changes, the day to day operations of the church were carried on by the teams of the church and the Board. Is everything perfect? No, but that wouldn t be a reasonable expectation. Change is unsettling and takes time, but I feel like our congregation is healthy and definitely possesses the skills, energy and determination to continue moving forward. Difficult questions about our financial situation are still ahead of us and with that in mind, the board has asked that Rev Beatrice help guide and prepare us for the likely possibility of less than full-time ministry in the year after she leaves. The idea of downsizing in this way can be painful and maybe even discouraging, but with our current debt load, operating expenses, and income from pledges and scrip*, in the fiscal year we anticipate being unable to fund full-time ministry while continuing to make payments on the mortgage. Church leadership will continue to discuss options with the congregation as we proceed. A fruitful conversation took place on Tuesday May 21, with board members, congregants, Rev Beatrice and Rev Nancy Bowen (our district executive), during which realities and ideas were discussed. Promising ideas require action in order to be helpful and the Board will be looking for members willing to serve on some task forces to more fully understand options like renting our space to another congregation, efforts to increase our scrip program, etc. I encourage members to share ideas, to attend the budget sessions hosted by Jack McElroy to ensure your understanding of the proposed budget for church year, and to attend the congregational meeting on June 9. The annual meeting will include voting on new members of the Board including a new President and the Leadership Development Team, voting on the proposed mission statement, voting on the budget and discussion of the question of growth the service on June 2 will be about growth with an opportunity for discussion after the service. Great change and opportunity are ahead of us and I remain convinced that we will continue to meet the challenges of congregational life. As Henry David Thoreau said, I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by conscious endeavor. So it is with us, we can elevate our church life by being mindful and purposeful and aware. I want to thank all of you for your support, encouragement, kind words and the trust you have shown me. I am deeply grateful. *Scrip is free money for the church. We are able to purchase gift cards at a discount (ranging from 3-12%) and then sell the cards to our members at face value. These are for local merchants groceries, dining, and shopping. An even more exciting option are reloadable cards from King Soopers or Safeway. The cards have a small initial value and then you are able to add funds to the card and use it to pay for your groceries, gas, prescriptions, etc. at the stores. Adding funds can be done at customer service desk in advance (it takes minutes for funds to be added to the card if you do it at the service desk) or immediately at the checkout stand, allowing you to use your rewards credit cards AND help High Plains. We receive 5% of all the funds added to these reloadable cards. If you have questions, please chat with a Board member or with Joe Catalano or Tim Oliver. Danielle Heimer, President of the Board of Trustees

7 Dollars & Sense by Jack W. McElroy CFO Report Money has everything to do with religion, with the choices that we make about how to be in relationship with ourselves, our neighbors, and with the divine. Religion is about life, and life, it seems, has a whole lot to do with money. Lynn Ungar Page 7 Thoughts on the FY2013/14 Church Operating Budget: On June 9, the HPCUU congregation will vote on the Church Operating Budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The Board of Trustees has approved the budget that will be presented. This is not the budget that we would have preferred to present to you. Several expense line items were reduced from the first draft to the final. Others were removed entirely. There are no pay increases (again) for staff and money for program teams was reduced. The board and finance team members were able to create a balanced budget only by using the remaining balance of the Capital Fund to supplement debt payments. There seems to be a concern by some that this year s stewardship campaign was not as successful as it should have been, the result being our current financial difficulties. The perception by some is that the campaign was not a success because it was different. On the first point I would characterize the success level of the campaign as typical for HPCUU. I ve been through five stewardship campaigns here and I would say the results in any given campaign have been predictable. Moreover, the current financial difficulties have been building over that same period. As to a different approach this year, I m reminded that if you keep on doing what you ve always done, you ll keep on getting what you ve always got. The Stewardship Chair spent hours upon hours reviewing ideas on how to conduct a stewardship campaign. I would expect next year to be different again. Thoughts on Ministerial Options after Interim Minister: For many of the thirty or so members who attended the pot-luck on May 21, the discussion on prospects for a future minister must have been difficult and perhaps even shocking. However, on the positive side there were many ideas presented for adding future sources of revenue. What is now needed is for members to step forward and champion the implementation of these (and other) revenue raising ideas. It s time for members to come forward without being asked. The Board rarely says no to a good idea by someone willing to implement it. I don t see a silver bullet that will guarantee immediate financial health. What may be possible is to implement enough new revenue raising programs to demonstrate that we will be able to afford a part-time minister after Rev. Hitchcock leaves in mid Cash Position: At April 30, High Plains had a cash balance of $42,216, a decrease of $7,529 from June 30, The April 30 cash balance included $940 of unrestricted cash, an improvement over the March 31 negative balance. However most of the unrestricted amount was cash held by AMG, therefore not money in the bank for paying church bills. Temporarily Restricted Cash at April 30, 2013 includes the following: Capital Fund Drive 36,181 (1) This fund is expected to be fully depleted by June Youth Travel Fund 1,477 Playground 57 Aesthetics 1,561 Boiler Fund 2,000 (2) Fund to provide for major property repairs/renovations. Total Restricted 41,276 ===== All questions or comments regarding HPCUU financial issues may be directed to cfo@hpcc.org. If you are a member in good standing and would like to receive a copy of the most recent financial schedules (April), you may request by . Statements shall be provided via . Portions of this column are taken from the Financial Report to the Board of Trustees, prepared May 18. Upon request, again by , any member in good standing may receive the full report.

8 Page 8 Meet Rosemary Ellenburg By Judy Sargent New Members & Fellowship osemary became a member at HPCUU in January, She had attended services in R town with friends but never clicked with the churches. She decided that it was time to seek her own church. When she saw our sign on Academy Boulevard, she became curious and decided to check us out. She felt very welcomed and liked the sense of community. Our message about the dignity of all people resonated deeply with her. Rosemary is originally from Tennessee but traveled with her Air Force husband until he retired and they moved to Colorado Springs. She is a widow who lives in the Erindale house that she and her husband purchased in Her daughter lives near Longmont and her son and grandson live in Arizona. Rosemary is a retired social worker. She works with Steve Hanifen of Marion House as a mentor to some of the clients and is passionate about helping the disadvantaged. At HPCUU, Rosemary volunteers for the Fellowship Team and attends the monthly Issues on Aging classes. Fellowship Forget-Me-Nots Please mark your calendars for these upcoming Fellowship events Thu, June 6 Fellowship Team Meeting, 7:00 pm at 9150 Chetwood Drive. We will gather for an end-of-churchyear social and begin making plans for FY The Fellowship Team is seeking a new Team Lead and Team Members to help organize social activities and events at High Plains Church. Contact fellowship@hpcuu.org for further information. Sat, June 15 HPCUU All-Church FUNDAY at Homestead Ranch Regional Park, 11:00 am. Bring a picnic lunch (grills available) and stay for a fun day of games and activities in the park (see accompanying newsletter article for further details). Sun, June 30 Potluck Picnic Lunch. Bring a dish to share and let s do lunch! Rain or shine, following the Sunday service. Do you enjoy planning parties and events? The Fellowship Team is always looking for new members. Please contact Amy Plapp or Heather Ashbee at fellowship@hpcuu.org. O ur regular 3rd Sunday coffee maker is taking a leave of absence for health reasons. Can you fill in for about a year, beginning in June? Making coffee is truly one of the easiest and most appreciated jobs at High Plains! All you need to do is get to church early one day a month, get the coffee started, and set out supplies on the coffee counter. Contact: fellowship@hpcuu.org.

9 Articles Page 9 Issues on Aging - June Meeting By Sue Nuefield ue Neufeld will facilitate a discussion of The Perils S of Aging Alone at the 15 June meeting of the Issues on Aging group. There are a rapidly increasing number of people living alone 31.2 million, a jump of 350% from Among those of us who are age 65 or older, 45% live alone and this development will have significant repercussions for retirement planning and long term care. All are welcome to share in these monthly discussions. We meet in the High School classroom behind HPCUU from 10:30 AM-12:00 PM. For more information, please call Sue Neufeld at Small Group Social Change Ministry By Beatrice Hitchcock mall Group Social Change Ministry is a new way of S doing social justice work. It includes spiritual practices, to support group members in their work, and partnering with community organizations allowing them to take the lead in social change work. The group will meet on Wednesday, June 5, at 6:00 pm. Please bring information about a possible partner organization and, after conversation with that group, how we might be of service to them. A snack to share is always welcome. Contact Rev. Beatrice Hitchcock for more information: minister@hpcuu.org or Worship Associates Team By Beatrice Hitchcock very year, some of the worship associates will rotate E off the team, and new ones will come on. If you are interested in applying to serve as a worship associate, please fill out an application, located in the brochure rack, or available online from minister@hpcuu.org. There will be a required training offered on two different dates (same training) for all ongoing and new worship associates: Saturday, August 3 rd, and Saturday, September 7 th. Make your Monthly Payments Electronically f you don t already participate in the electronic funds transfer program for monthly pledge payments at church, I please consider doing so. Under this program, you authorize the church to transfer funds for your pledge payment each month from your bank account to the church s account. High Plains has offered this payment option for seven years, and about a third of church members take advantage of it. The program is great for the church because it helps to make revenues constant and predictable, like many of our expenses. It s great for you because you don t have to remember to write a check every month you just fill out a form one time, and the treasurer does the rest. If you are interested in participating, or if you have questions, please talk to the church treasurers, Janet Oliver or Meighan Powell, or just look in the finance procedures binder on the church secretary s desk and find a blank form, fill it out, and give it to Janet or Meighan or leave it in the treasurer s mailbox at church. The forms are entitled Direct Answers to Questions about Electronic Contribution and are located in one of the inside cover pockets of the notebook. Any time that you wish to change an existing payment amount or discontinue payments, High Plains Stitchers Bring your stitching project (or any easily transportable craft) and join us at La Tartine at 1420 Kelly Johnson Blvd, This location has a full lunch menu as well as beverages and yummy pastry items. We meet on the 1st and 3rd Fridays from 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm. And if you don't have any stitching or crafting, come anyway and just "hang out" with us! Questions? Contact Janet at stitchers@hpcuu.org

10 Page 10 HPCUU 1825 Dominion Way Colorado Springs CO Member of Unitarian Universalist Association Sunday Services at 10:00 AM Come Join Us! Inside: Summer Fun Day President's Report Send Comments to: Send Articles to: CFO Report May Day Festival Update Please submit your articles for the July newsletter by June 25, 2013 Re ReVISIONS by Jonathan Specializing in Creative Home Improvements - Where ideas Become Reality Do you need something in your world - fixed, added, or removed? Projects include: Carpentry, Electrical, Plumbing, Painting, Plastering, Dry walling, Tiling, and many more... Decks, Kitchens, Basements, Bathrooms, Windows, etc. Jonathan Herdt - Cell Licensed & Insured jgherdt@yahoo.com