The Pagosa Unitarian Universalist (UU) Fellowship offers programming and Sunday worship services relevant to our times and continues to be a spiritually liberal voice in our community. The Fellowship has been part of the Pagosa Springs community since 1987, originally meeting in member’s homes. Although our membership numbers have fluctuated through the years, we are on a path for growth and renewal. As a lay-led congregation we engage community participation in offering a wide variety of topics and ways to get involved in doing good, along with growing our spirits and making friends.
Find the upcoming programs below and join us as we build beloved community.
Sunday, March 23 will be the weekly Meditation Practice & Dharma Talk at 9:00-10:15am. This Buddhist practice, led by Dan Dempster, an authorized Dharma teacher and certified meditation instructor, will offer a Dharma talk along with meditation time. The theme will be Altruism Through Emotion. Dempster describes it this way; Ever felt angry about getting angry? Emotions such as desire and anger by themselves are not the problem. It is our rejection of or clinging to anger or desire and acting out that’s the problem. Through meditation, learn to acknowledge your feelings in a healthy way and to use them to better empathize with others.
This contemplative practice is a wonderful place to start for beginning a meditation practice and for experienced meditators to participate in a Sangha, a Buddhist community. We offer weekly practice each Sunday beginning at 9:00am. Plan to arrive a few minutes before the hour to settle in. This is a no-cost practice, and a Dana basket is available for donations.
Also, this week is Action Sunday! begins at 10:30am, just after the meditation practice. We have the pleasure to hear about the Pagosa Community Initiative (PCI), which will also receive our Share-the-Plate offering to help support this important cause. Each month, the Pagosa UU Fellowship shares half of its offertory and donations to support our values in the world.
Rebecca Tenpenny, Director of PCI, will be in house to share about the work of PCI, a local non-profit dedicated to fostering wellness, engagement, and opportunity for Archuleta County residents through a range of vital community services. PCI operates a Family Resource Center located on Hot Springs Blvd. across from the Community Center, which provides individualized support to families facing economic hardship, including case management, resource navigation, and connections to essential services. Including direct financial assistance helping families stabilize during times of need. Additionally, PCI provides free after-school programming, a summer camp, and continued outdoor exploration. Come to hear more about these important programs in our community that ensures children have access to safe, enriching environments.
On March 30, a 5th Sunday this month, there will be no programming. Consider this an invitation to rest. Rest is a spiritual practice when done mindfully. You may choose to meditate, take a walk in the woods or forest bathe, connect with friends and family or simply enjoy the silence. Whatever you may decide to do, let it be a balm for your soul.
Pagosa UU Fellowship is located at Unit B-15 of the Greenbriar Plaza, 301 N. Pagosa Blvd. on the north side facing the Pagosa Peak. We also offer Zoom services the first and third Sundays of the month. Find our current newsletter at PagosaUU.org for the link to join, and to find our current programs.