Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Silver City

09/12/2026

Thank you to our Copper Pride Sponsors!!

09/12/2026

Don't forget to bring your flower!

September 13, at 10:00 am, 3845 North Swan Street – "Unitarian Universalist Flower Ceremony”

"In 1923, over one hundred years ago, Norbert Čapek developed the flower ceremony. He asked his congregants to bring a flower to church—from their gardens, the field, or the roadside. Following the service, each person could take a flower from the vase—a different one than they had brought."

Today this ceremony is observed at many UU congregations worldwide. Besides celebrating the beauty of nature, the combination of many different flowers represents for us the beauty found in diversity. In many ways, flowers are like another symbol we have adopted, the rainbow colors.

Besides the giving and receiving of flowers, there will be a short talk by Lynda Aiman-Smith on what scientists are learning about plants. Plants have an array of strategies to sense the world around them. They use this awareness to respond to threats in creative ways.

“UU’s 7th principle affirms a belief that we are part of an interdependent web of life. Plants and flowers are an integral part of this web. Without them, most other life on earth would not exist. We will be reflecting on the meaning that being part of this community of beings brings to our life in these times,” Johnson said.

Before he was put to death by the Germans in Dachau, Dr. Capek wrote these lines. reflecting on his own life and spirit: It is worthwhile to live and fight courageously for sacred ideals. I have lived amidst eternity. Be grateful, my soul, My life has been worth living. "The N***s killed Norbert Čapek. But his spirit, courage, and commitment live on, today. Those qualities have passed, now, to us, to make them real." (uua.org)

There are speakers on the patio for anyone who would like to sit outside.

All ages are welcome to attend the Sunday program.

UUFSC Safety Protocol as pursuant to our most recent UUA Guidelines:
Masks are now optional, but their use is encouraged. We will continue to serve refreshments on the patio and in the building. Visitors are always welcome.

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Silver City is a diverse group of religious independents seeking knowledge, spiritual sustenance, fellowship and opportunities for service to others. Our programs encompass Humanism, liberal Christianity, earth-based spirituality, Buddhism and many other traditions. If you’d like to find out more, email [email protected], visit our website at www.uufsc.com or visit us on Facebook at Unitarian-Universalist-Fellowship-of-Silver-City.

08/29/2026

August 30, at 10:00 am, 3845 North Swan Street – “Multigeneration Program”

Recently, the Unitarian Universalist Association has transitioned from the seven principles that formerly guided UU congregations to a set of Shared Values centered in Love. This week will be a multigenerational program exploring the shared value of Pluralism. We will use story, sharing, and playful interaction to discern how our different histories and beliefs comingle to create one vibrant, pluralistic UU community.

This program is designed to be meaningful for participants of all ages. UUFSC is presenting multigenerational programs on fifth Sundays in 2026. After August 30, the final program will be on November 29th.

Zoey Cronin will lead the multigenerational program with the help of her daughters Layna, age seven, and Mairi, age six. Zoey is a parent, teacher, and newspaper subscriber in Silver City. She has been involved in Unitarian Universalism for about 15 years through prison ministry, board leadership, and childrens' programming.
All ages are welcome to attend the Sunday program.

UUFSC Safety Protocol as pursuant to our most recent UUA Guidelines:

Masks are now optional, but their use is encouraged. We will continue to serve refreshments on the patio and in the building. Visitors are always welcome.

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Silver City is a diverse group of religious independents seeking knowledge, spiritual sustenance, fellowship and opportunities for service to others. Our programs encompass Humanism, liberal Christianity, earth-based spirituality, Buddhism and many other traditions. If you’d like to find out more, email [email protected], visit our website at www.uufsc.com or visit us on Facebook at Unitarian-Universalist-Fellowship-of-Silver-City.

08/22/2026

August 23, at 10 am, 3845 North Swan Street – “Preparing for Pride”

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Silver City will present a video program titled “Preparing for Pride,” addressing how love and showing up and fostering community can deflect anti-democratic attacks on LGBTQIA+ rights and threats to supportive religious groups as we look forward to the Pride in the Gila Festival next month.

Unitarian Universalist ministers Byron Tyler Coles, Ashley Horan, and Megan Foley discuss
some of the patterns of threats and impacts to the LGBTQ+ community and how to respond to
promote safety, consistent with Unitarian Universalist values.

Janine Gelsinger, executive director of Unitarian Universalist Justice Arizona, offers a case study on how creating a welcoming space and showing up in numbers to send a positive message can help create safety in community for Pride events.

Adrian Ballou, the LGBTQ and Gender Justice Coordinator in Office of LGBTQ and Multicultural Ministries at the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), discusses how threats
are affecting LGBTQ+ people in Unitarian Universalist congregations and the broader
community and ways we can help and show up and provide practical support. The video is part
of the UUA’s religious education series.

All ages are welcome to attend the Sunday program.

UUFSC Safety Protocol as pursuant to our most recent UUA Guidelines:
Masks are now optional, but their use is encouraged. We will continue to serve refreshments on the patio and in the building. Visitors are always welcome.

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Silver City is a diverse group of religious independents seeking knowledge, spiritual sustenance, fellowship and opportunities for service to others. Our programs encompass Humanism, liberal Christianity, earth-based spirituality, Buddhism and many other traditions. If you’d like to find out more, email [email protected], visit our website at www.uufsc.com or visit us on Facebook at Unitarian-Universalist-Fellowship-of-Silver-City.

Join us for inspiring journeys through talks and programs that celebrate diversity, inclusivity, and the spirit of community at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Silver City.

08/15/2026

August 16, at 10:00 am, 3845 North Swan Street – “Beginning Years”

Beginning Years is Grant County’s evidence-based home visiting program, dedicated to supporting families from pregnancy through early childhood by promoting healthy development, strengthening parent-child relationships, and empowering parents with the tools and resources they need to thrive.

This program provides voluntary, family-centered services through trained home visitors who partner with families to promote positive parenting, support healthy child development, encourage school readiness, and connect families with healthcare and community resources.

“Using a trauma-informed, relationship-based approach, we meet families where they are and build on their strengths to help create lasting positive outcomes for children,” Jenny Ferranti said.

"As the Director of Beginning Years, I have the privilege of leading a dedicated team committed to serving families throughout Grant County. My role focuses on providing strategic leadership, supporting staff development, fostering community partnerships, ensuring program quality, and advancing evidence-based practices that strengthen children and families. I am passionate about creating a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and compassionate service that allows both our staff and the families we serve to succeed,” she added.

Beginning Years is built on the belief that supporting parents during the earliest years of a child’s life has a lasting impact on lifelong health, learning, and well-being. Through collaboration with healthcare providers, schools, community organizations, and local partners, they strive to ensure every family has access to the support they need to build a strong foundation for the future.

Jenny Ferranti is the Program Director and part of a team at Beginning Years working with Grant County families to help and support them. The programs cover pregnancy through age 5. It is free and voluntary with no income requirements.

All ages are welcome to attend the Sunday program.

There are speakers on the patio for anyone who would like to sit outside.

UUFSC Safety Protocol as pursuant to our most recent UUA Guidelines:
Masks are now optional, but their use is encouraged. We will continue to serve refreshments on the patio and in the building. Visitors are always welcome.

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Silver City is a diverse group of religious independents seeking knowledge, spiritual sustenance, fellowship and opportunities for service to others. Our programs encompass Humanism, liberal Christianity, earth-based spirituality, Buddhism and many other traditions. If you’d like to find out more, email [email protected], visit our website at www.uufsc.com or visit us on Facebook at Unitarian-Universalist-Fellowship-of-Silver-City.

Join Us for Inspiring Journeys: Explore Talks and Programs that Celebrate Diversity, Inclusivity, and the Spirit of Community at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Silver City

08/08/2026

August 9, at 10:00 am, 3845 North Swan Street – "Tending Our Tradition”

Throughout Unitarian Universalist history, there have been times when UUs courageously lived our values, and times when UUs betrayed our values. How can we learn from both the high points and the low points of our history as we seek to make our values real in the world today?

Rev. Erica Baron’s video will focus on some of these questions. Nancy Stephens will lead a discussion after the video.

Rev. Erica Baron joined the New England region staff in 2019, focusing on helping congregations live into their missions and develop their gifts for spiritual leadership. Before joining the Congregational Life staff, she served as parish minister for the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Catskills in Kingston, NY, as well as the congregations in Rutland and Bennington, VT. She is a graduate of Andover Newton Theological School.
There are speakers on the patio for anyone who would like to sit outside.

All ages are welcome to attend the Sunday program.

UUFSC Safety Protocol as pursuant to our most recent UUA Guidelines:
Masks are now optional, but their use is encouraged. We will continue to serve refreshments on the patio and in the building. Visitors are always welcome.

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Silver City is a diverse group of religious independents seeking knowledge, spiritual sustenance, fellowship and opportunities for service to others. Our programs encompass Humanism, liberal Christianity, earth-based spirituality, Buddhism and many other traditions. If you’d like to find out more, email [email protected], visit our website at www.uufsc.com or visit us on Facebook at Unitarian-Universalist-Fellowship-of-Silver-City.

08/01/2026

August 2, at 10:00 am, 3845 North Swan Street – "When Your Ship Won't Come In"

Heidi Ogas, resident of Silver City for 40 plus years and longtime Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Silver City member, will present one of her favorite services written by her stepfather, UU minister Joe Willis.

"When Your Ship Won't Come In" was written in 1992 but still has meaning in these current times of uncertainty, confusion and disappointment. “When we have hoped for something different, but it doesn't happen, how do we know it would have been better if it did. We don't know, so we move forward in Grace and live the best we can with what we have,” Ogas said.

There are speakers on the patio for anyone who would like to sit outside.

All ages are welcome to attend the Sunday program.

UUFSC Safety Protocol as pursuant to our most recent UUA Guidelines:
Masks are now optional, but their use is encouraged. We will continue to serve refreshments on the patio and in the building. Visitors are always welcome.

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Silver City is a diverse group of religious independents seeking knowledge, spiritual sustenance, fellowship and opportunities for service to others. Our programs encompass Humanism, liberal Christianity, earth-based spirituality, Buddhism and many other traditions. If you’d like to find out more, email [email protected], visit our website at www.uufsc.com or visit us on Facebook at Unitarian-Universalist-Fellowship-of-Silver-City.

07/25/2026

July 26, at 10 am, 3845 North Swan Street – “Firewise”

Every year, devastating wildfires burn across the United States. At the same time, a growing
number of people are living where wildfires are a real risk. On Thursday, June 12, 2025, the
Trout Fire was first reported in the Trout Creek area of the Gila National Forest. Started by
lightning and driven by hot, dry weather, the fire quickly grew and crossed NM-15 in the
afternoon. It was only 12 miles north of Silver City and grew to over 47,000 acres before being
96% contained, nearly a month later, on July 9. Due to the amazing wildfire mitigation and
suppression efforts of multiple local, state, and national agencies, there was no loss of life and
minimal property damage. Homeowners also played a critical role in these mitigation efforts.

While wildfires will continue to happen, there are many things property owners can do to protect their homes and neighborhoods as well as the safety of their families. This presentation will provide information and resources about the National Fire Prevention Association’s (NFPA) Firewise USA ® program and how you can get involved.

The Firewise program provides a collaborative framework to help neighbors in a geographic area get organized, find direction, and take action to increase the ignition resistance of their homes and community and to reduce wildfire risks at the local level.

While the NFPA administers the Firewise program, individuals and communities participate on a voluntary basis. Becoming a Firewise Community is a wonderful opportunity to join your
neighbors and work together to accomplish a shared goal of increasing community safety and
your home’s chance of survival during a wildfire, leading to a continued quality of life in
beautiful Grant County.

Vicki Barnitt will provide a brief look at local resources, including the Grant County Community Wildfire Protection Plan. An overview of NFPA recommended property mitigation and home hardening strategies will be discussed, along with other print and web-based resources to help homeowners prepare for wildfires.

Vicki Barnitt moved from Florida to Silver City in 2017. As a retired special educator and administrator, she understands the value of collaboration and coordination to achieve important goals. Trading the threat of hurricanes for wildfires led her to get involved in the Firewise program and community advocacy efforts in Grant County. Barnitt also serves on the Board of Directors for the Grant County Community Partnership for Children and is happy to call

All ages are welcome to attend the Sunday program.

UUFSC Safety Protocol as pursuant to our most recent UUA Guidelines:
Masks are now optional, but their use is encouraged. We will continue to serve refreshments on the patio and in the building. Visitors are always welcome.

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Silver City is a diverse group of religious independents seeking knowledge, spiritual sustenance, fellowship and opportunities for service to others. Our programs encompass Humanism, liberal Christianity, earth-based spirituality, Buddhism and many other traditions. If you’d like to find out more, email [email protected], visit our website at www.uufsc.com or visit us on Facebook at Unitarian-Universalist-Fellowship-of-Silver-City.

07/18/2026

July 19, at 10:00 am, 3845 North Swan Street – “Economic Development and the Arts”

Jim Charleston and Wendy Spurgeon will speak about the arts and economies related to community theater in Silver City.

Wendy Spurgeon is an actor, director, producer, theatre educator, and founder of TheActrix Studio LLC. A graduate of Southern Oregon University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Arts, she has worked professionally on stage for more than twenty years in Oregon, California, and New Mexico. Since making Silver City her home, Spurgeon has become a driving force in the region's performing arts community, creating sustainable opportunities for artists through youth education, immersive theatre, community productions, festivals, and creative partnerships.

Her recent projects include founding TheActrix Studio, producing school break drama camps, DitchSpeare, The Va**na Monologues, and Interactive Murder Mystery fund-raising productions for GRMC, developing the inaugural Silver City Theatre One Act Festival, and leading theatre and storytelling programs through the Bayard Public Library. As Executive Director of Silver City Theatre, Wendy Spurgeon is passionate about building a thriving local theatre economy through collaboration, education, and community engagement.

Jim Charleston has acted in over forty films and several stage plays. His most notable performance being that of Father in Pirandello’s "6 Characters in Search of an Author". Aside from acting Charleston is also a screenwriter having written over twenty screenplays. His screenplays have placed in numerous festivals and have won several awards. His most recent project Soul Mates looks at romance from entirely different perspective.

Jim Charleston has a Masters in Social Work from the University of Denver, a Masters in Divinity from the Iliff School of Theology and a Screenwriting Certificate from the Community College of Aurora. He is the President of the Silver City Community.

All ages are welcome to attend the Sunday program.

There are speakers on the patio for anyone who would like to sit outside.

UUFSC Safety Protocol as pursuant to our most recent UUA Guidelines:
Masks are now optional, but their use is encouraged. We will continue to serve refreshments on the patio and in the building. Visitors are always welcome.

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Silver City is a diverse group of religious independents seeking knowledge, spiritual sustenance, fellowship and opportunities for service to others. Our programs encompass Humanism, liberal Christianity, earth-based spirituality, Buddhism and many other traditions. If you’d like to find out more, email [email protected], visit our website at www.uufsc.com or visit us on Facebook at Unitarian-Universalist-Fellowship-of-Silver-City.

07/11/2026

July 12, at 10:00 am, 3845 North Swan Street – "Financial Literacy”

Vladimir Gnilozubov, a local financial advisor, will talk about savings, investing, retirement distributions, planning for the unexpected, and estate planning. He will be answering questions about these topics and others during the program.

Vladimir Gnilozubov was born and raised in Kazakhstan. He came to the Silver City community back in 2014.

“I started my journey as a student athlete, playing tennis for Western New Mexico University. My goal was to be involved in the community as much as possible. For this main reason, I held several key employee work-study positions on campus and was president of two different clubs, Delta Mu Delta International Business Society and Rotaract Club, as well as the vice president of the WNMU Marketing Club,”
He and his wife, Jazmin, who grew up in Silver City have four sons.

He graduated with business degrees in accounting and marketing, and had an opportunity to participate in the training program for financial advisors with Edward Jones in Tempe, AZ.

“By living in the community for a good amount of time, I saw a need to help people make wise financial decisions for their future, such as preparing for retirement, living in retirement, savings for kids' education, preparing for the unexpected and/or leaving a legacy gift,” he said.

Vladimir Gnilozubov was named to the 2025 Forbes Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors Best-in-State in New Mexico.

“It is my pleasure to serve people and help them achieve their financial goals while they focus on what is most important to them. I continue being involved in the community and support local events. Currently, I serve as an active member of the Silver City Rotary Club, GRMC Foundation Board, Grant County Prospectors, Gila Community Foundation and WNMU Alumni Board,” Gnilozubov said.

There are speakers on the patio for anyone who would like to sit outside.

All ages are welcome to attend the Sunday program.

UUFSC Safety Protocol as pursuant to our most recent UUA Guidelines:
Masks are now optional, but their use is encouraged. We will continue to serve refreshments on the patio and in the building. Visitors are always welcome.

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Silver City is a diverse group of religious independents seeking knowledge, spiritual sustenance, fellowship and opportunities for service to others. Our programs encompass Humanism, liberal Christianity, earth-based spirituality, Buddhism and many other traditions. If you’d like to find out more, email [email protected], visit our website at www.uufsc.com or visit us on Facebook at Unitarian-Universalist-Fellowship-of-Silver-City.