The GVIN membership regularly throughout the year participates in local community projects and celebrations. Explore the projects, links, and event announcements below to see what we’ve been up to… what is planned ahead… and join us when you can.
2024 Announcements
OCTOBER 14, 2024 – “Defending Democracy”
The Mesa County League of Women Voters will host a program about “Defending Democracy” on Monday evening, October 14 at 7:00 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 536 Ouray Avenue in Grand Junction. The event is open to all members of our community who are interested in defending our democracy. A social with light fare and refreshments will precede the program at 6:30 p.m.
The speaker will be Dr. Holly Ann Oberle, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Colorado Mesa University. Uniquely qualified to speak on the subject, Dr. Oberle completed her B.A. in political science at Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois in 2004; her M.A. in International Relations, Global Governance and Social Theory at Jacobs University and Universitat Bremen in Bremen, Germany in 2009; and her Ph.D. in Transnational Studies at the Freie Universitat in Berlin, Germany in 2015.
Before coming to Mesa in 20212, Dr. Oberle had academic positions teaching political science and other courses at universities in Germany, Bangladesh, Egypt and China. She also lived and worked in Hungary, Spain and Israel. This past summer, she led a CMU Study Abroad trip to El Salvador to study democratic backsliding in the developing world. While there, she challenged the students to apply the lessons of how and when democracy begins to fail in their own communities.
This address will explore the evolution of democracy across time and across countries in an effort to appreciate the value of democracy. Threats to democracy will be examined from both internal divisions and external pressures. Strategies for reinforcing civic engagement, protecting electoral integrity and fostering a culture of dialogue and respect will also be discussed. Additionally, Dr. Oberle will delve into how to compare democratization across different countries, analyzing varying paths to democracy, the challenges unique to each nation, and the indicators of democratic health and progress, with an emphasis on what the United States can learn from the experiences of other threatened democracies.
A question and answer session from 8-8:30 p.m. will follow the speaker’s prepared remarks.
Unitarian Congregation celebrates 10 years
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Grand Valley will celebrate 10 years in its faith home, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 24, at the church (536 Ouray Ave.).
Formerly a credit union and a library, it is now the home of a vibrant faith community. The celebration will include a bump ‘n jump, a dunk tank, and a barbecue.
Call 970-257-0775 for additional information.
August 22 – Church of the Nativity – Deconstruct U class begins
Church of the Nativity will present the Fall 2024 term of Deconstruct U: “The (Dis)Obedient Life of Christ,” starting Thursday, August 22. The series will go from 6:00-7:30 p.m. on Thursdays, through September 26, at the church (2175 Broadway, across from Redlands Middle School). Participants will read and discuss the writings of Dorothee Solle and consider how Jesus disrupted traditional conceptions of obedience. Zoom option is available on request.
Go to tinyurl.com/24948dcz for information and registration.
April Foods Day is April 27
Grand Valley Interfaith Network will host its “April Foods Day” on April 27, collecting non-perishable food and other items to fill the pantries of five local charities that feed people throughout the valley.
Spiritual communities, non-faith based organizations, and individuals are invited to participate. GVIN provides customized shopping lists attached to empty grocery bags, a news release said.
“Each list is unique to a specific food bank and helps ensure the agency receives their most needed items.”
Food banks supported are La Plaza (formerly Child and Migrant Services), Clifton Christian Church Food Pantry, Community Food Bank, Grand Valley Catholic Outreach, and Grand Valley Peace & Justice.
Pick up grocery bags in advance from 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, at the Grand Valley Peace & Justice resource desk at the Office Suites entrance of The Center for Independence, 740 Gunnison Ave.
Fill the grocery bags with the requested items (or as many as you’re able) and drop-off the bag(s) from 9:00–11:30 a.m. on April 27 in the east parking lot of the Downtown Vineyard Church, at the northwest corner of Fifth Street and Grand Avenue.
The food bank agencies will be present at the drop-off location “to accept your generous donations and provide information about how they serve in the community,” the release said. Monetary donations, noted as an “April Foods Day” donation, can be made directly to each agency through their websites or checks can be mailed to the agency.
Email Sherry Cole at [email protected] or call 970-261-7695 for information.
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2023 Announcements & Follow-up
- November 15-21, 2023 – Interfaith Awareness Week (IAW)… culminating in our annual ThanksGVIN Interfaith service on November 21, 2023. The service was hosted by the Episcopal Church of the Nativity located at 2175 Broadway, Grand Junction, CO. CLICK HERE to visit their Facebook page or CLICK HERE to go to their website.
- A recording of the “Loving & Learning” Interfaith service can be found on GVIN’s YouTube channel. CLICK HERE to view the one-hour video.
- The organization to benefit from the donations received at this service will be The Gift of Love Inc. HERE is a link to their Facebook page… and find out how you can make a donation.
- GVIN has also created an Interfaith “Took Kit 2023” to assist you in your exploration of other religious beliefs. CLICK HERE to learn more about Interfaith Awareness Week (IAW) and ways you can expand your own religious understanding and participate in a growing spiritual awareness in the world.
For EVENT items to be updated or placed on this website, or any other site corrections, please send an email to [email protected].
Event postings may also be found on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GrandValleyInterfaithNetwork
Recordings of past events are posted to our YouTube account: https://www.youtube.com/@grandvalleyinterfaithnetwo1857
Past Events
November 15, 2023 – City of Grand Junction presented their Proclamation to GVIN for Interfaith Awareness Week. There’s a link to the AGENDA (CLICK HERE) from the City Council meeting… or you can read the Proclamation HERE.
November 7, 2023 – Proclamation for Interfaith Awareness Week received from the City of Fruita. CLICK HERE to see the 6th annual Proclamation. And to read the acceptance speech by Carlene Goldthwaite, CLICK HERE.
October 7, 2023 – Religious Freedom Conference (see BLOG page for PDF presentation by Dave Edwards) held at CMU campus and hosted by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
October 14, 2023 – GVIN’s Fall Food Drive. Photo below by Bill Hoffmann. (L to R): Dave Edwards, Sherry Cole, Betty Martinez, James Hall.
September 9, 2023 – Pride in the Park. A “People Parade” starts at 2:00p on Saturday at the corner of 12th & Gunnison. Other festivity details below.
Oct. 16, 2021 (Sat.) – Food Drive
On Saturday, October 16, 2021 (9:00a-Noon), Grand Valley Interfaith Network (GVIN) is hosting its “Fall Foods Day,” which is a food drive to benefit six local food banks that feed people from Palisade to Fruita. All spiritual communities, non-faith based organizations, and individuals are invited to participate!
Grocery bags are provided that have specific food lists attached so that the foods most needed are provided. The food banks being served by this event are: Child and Migrant Services, Community Food Bank, Clifton Christian Church Food Pantry, Grand Valley Catholic Outreach, Kids Aide, and Grand Valley Peace & Justice.These agencies will be present at the drop-off location to accept and load your generous donations into their respective vehicles and provide information about how they serve in the community.
You can pick up grocery bags (with shopping lists attached) Monday through Thursday (9:00a to 2:00p) at the Grand Valley Peace & Justice resource desk, at the Office Suites entrance of 740 Gunnison of The Center for Independence. The P&J contact is Sherry Cole at [email protected] or 970.261.7695.
Drop-off on Oct. 16, 2021 will be in the east parking lot of the Downtown Vineyard Church (northwest corner of 5th and Grand Ave.). All are welcome to participate so that all may receive! The desired food/lists follow.
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Sept. 12, 2021 (Sunday) – Pride Parade
GVIN will have a presence at the annual Grand Junction Pride Parade on Sunday morning, September 12. Members and Friends will join with the group from Unitarian Universalists of the Grand Valley to display banners and ribbons and other positive messages in support of the LGBTQIA community. Be part of this welcoming group of individuals; show community support at this year’s event.
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June 19, 2021 (Saturday) 4-7p – Juneteenth Celebration
Visit GVIN members at their canopy/booth on Saturday at Lincoln Park (southeast corner of 12th and North) as we lend our spirit to the Juneteenth Celebration in Grand Junction. Find out about GVIN’s projects in the community and pick up a brochure that describes its Interfaith focus. We look forward to meeting you! This event is hosted by Black Citizens and Friends. Guest speakers begin at 5:30p.
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May 15, 2021 (Saturday) –
May Day Food Day…
Join GVIN in a food drive to benefit five local food banks that feed people from Palisade to Fruita. All spiritual communities, non-faith based organizations, and individuals are invited to participate!
- Print a grocery shopping list (or save the image to your device). Each list is unique to each of the organizations.
- Fill a box or bag with the items on the list(s).
- Bring the box or bag of food items to the drop-off location on Saturday, May 15 between 9:00a.m. and Noon.
Drop-off at Downtown Vineyard Church – east parking lot / northwest corner of 5th and Grand Avenue