As a running theme this month at the Pagosa Unitarian Universalist (UU) Fellowship, our programming is focused on social change and action, which UU’s have deep roots in. We hold love at the center, along with Justice, Equity, Transformation, Pluralism, Interdependence, and Generosity as our Shared Values, in a covenantal faith tradition. See below for a brief outline of our March services, and we welcome all to this community of open minds, loving hearts and helping hands. We offer Sunday worship services the first and third Sundays beginning at 10:30am, and a Zoom option is available. Find us online at PagosaUU.org for current newsletter and programs along with information about how to join us online.
Join us this week on Sunday, March 1, as our presenter, Dr. David Smith, shares his experience and reflections titled ‘So Children May Thrive’. Research shows that children are more likely to succeed in life when they have well-developed social, emotional, and academic skills. Research also shows that these essential skills are learned most effectively by children in the first five years of life. Although some parents have the skills and time required to prepare their children for success in K-12 and beyond, most parents must rely on high quality early childhood care and education programs available at licensed childcare centers. Dr. Smith will review some of this research and discuss challenges faced by our local childcare centers.
Dr. David Smith retired from the University of Nebraska in 2002 and moved to Pagosa with his wife, Jean. Both are Emeritus Professors of Chemistry. In 2015, he helped to prepare a report for Seeds of Learning on the value and cost of preschool. This led to his appointment to the Early Care and Education Workgroup established by the Town and County to determine the need for early childhood care and education in Archuleta County. He is a member of the group that founded Wings Early Childhood Center and currently serves on its Board of Directors.
March 8 – Going Deeper Sharing Circle – 10:30am-12:00 noon
A small-group setting where we practice deep listening and sharing from our hearts. The final session for the series on hope from the On Being podcast, poet Ross Gay will be featured.
March 15 – Sunday Service, Rooted in Solidarity — 10:30am
This service, offered from the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA.org) and the Side With Love Minnesota Resource Kit, we will hear stories from our Unitarian, Universalist, and UU histories: stories about how ordinary people showed up, in very different ways and in particular contexts, to side with love and show up for justice.
March 22 – Action Sunday! 10:30am
Join us the 4th Sunday to continue the UUA Common Read Book – Social Change Now: A Guide for Reflection and Connection by Deepa Iyer.
March 29 – Rest Sunday – We take 5th Sundays to practice rest as an act of joy and resistance to a cultural norm that continually tells us not to.
The Fellowship is located at 301 N. Pagosa Blvd. Unit B-15 in Greenbriar Plaza, on the north side facing the Pagosa Peak.