Winter always signals me it is time to go within and review what has occurred in the past year to give rise to that beautiful bud that will emerge in spring. The bear hibernates in the winter because his body is called to renew his strength. I think we are called to go within in order to renew our spiritual strength. It is a time to return to the vision for our lives and the guiding principles we believe in.

This process has already begun with your C.O.R.E. Council. We have returned to the original values we determined in that very first meeting when we came together almost 3 years ago and asked ourselves whether those values are current and still apply. We believe they do. As I have talked to people over these last 3 years, almost everyone has expressed an appreciation for our focus on practical spirituality. Our fellowship strengthens the bonds of our community as we play together and pray together. Humor and fun have continued to be an important value we at the Oasis share as we dig into the spiritual work we are doing. In all things, we strive to maintain a balance in our lives, creating a happier, more joyful experience for all who come through our doors. And, it is our sense of caring, compassion and love that we are noted for in many areas of the church. The article appearing in the Rocky Mountain News last year on October 21st about our Animal Kinship Ministry was a perfect example of how we have taken these particular values into the community and expressed it. And of course, personal development is key in all of our activities. The people of Oasis are committed to their own spiritual growth above all else.

Our vision for a community of people who are learning, growing and expressing creatively has certainly manifested in all those who we call family and friends of Oasis. Just as Ernest Holmes suggests, our commitment to listening continues as the Infinite urges us forward, bidding us to keep pace with the fresh ideas emerging from the Divine Mind.

In keeping with this spirit, we have decided to make January a month where we celebrate renewal and recommitment to this purpose and vision for Oasis Center For Spiritual Living. This will culminate in a celebration Sunday that coincides with the 4th Anniversary of our first official service, January 25, 2004. Anyone who has ever attended Oasis as a visitor or has stayed as a member or friend of Oasis has contributed to the success and vision of our community. We would love to have you come celebrate with us on this very special day. Come one, come all and see what we have built together!

Yours in service,

Rev. S. Tucker

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Reverend Lynn, Associate Minister

What are you committed to? Do you have a list or do you have just a couple of things that are most important to you? For some of us, these questions are pretty hard to answer. However, one thing I do know is that whatever we commit to requires constant review. Here at the Oasis, we are actively looking into what we stand for, what we do, and how do we express our vision into our community and into the world.

In the spirit of our community and the new year, we are re-committing to the vision and the ideals that inspired the foundation of this church. I know that as time passes and we get into the day to day routine, we become focused on the little details and the bigger picture takes a back seat to just getting things done. This is normal. So, we use reminders to review where we have been, where we are at, and where we are going. New year observances are very handy for this, don't you agree? We can set aside some time to consciously compare our actions with our vision and get re-aligned.

For 2004, our re-commitment will, in part, take the form of enhancing the visual appeal and feeling of our sanctuary. Although this may seem like window dressing (literally), I prefer to see it as a declaration of place and purpose. Any home reflects the inhabitant and I believe the inspired consciousness of our church should be reflected in our place of celebration and prayer.

Energetically yours,

Rev. Lynn Tucker

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Janice Coulter, RScP, Deceased

We lost our precious Jan Coulter this year. She was part of our church from the very beginning, waiting to complete her commitment to Mile Hi Church before she could completely commit to ours. I honor that memory of her, because it speaks about her integrity and commitment to following through on her word. She was a large part of the process of preparing this facility, moving us in and creating the consciousness of our church home. She always told people she loved my sermons because I “was so darned practical.” This was one of the highest compliments I have ever received.

One day, I was thinking we needed someone to be our Treasurer and her visitor card fell off my desk about three times. I finally got the message and called her. I didn’t know she was an accountant until I called. God truly called her into this service. Later, in 2002, she became a Licensed Practitioner of our church and served until she passed into the continuum of life on June 28, 2007. Those of you who have turned in prayer requests over the last 5 years should know that she lovingly continued to serve on our prayer team even after her Graves disease kept her from being able to attend church and serve as Practitioner of the Day.

Jan Coulter was the C.O.R.E. Council Treasurer and Licensed Practitioner here at Oasis, but mostly Jan was my friend. When her Graves disease flared up last time, she offered me her resignation, but I wouldn’t take it. Up until May 31st, when she moved to her daughter’s house in Lancaster, CA, I held the vision for her return. I am all at once happy that she no longer is bound by a body that keeps her from her full expression and sad that she will not be physically part of our church family any longer.

She was such a big part of our family since 2000. The quarterly potlucks were held at her house and we would laugh until we cried when we played Pictionary. At first, I was resistant to playing Pictionary, because I don’t draw well, but she insisted I would come to love it and she was right. Many of the council meetings were at her house as well. The council all had palm pilots, so we would take notes and beam them to each other, laughing about the unique way we chose to do the meetings. We would smoke chocolate cigars and beam to-do-lists and memos to each other and most of all, laugh. I don’t know if any minister could have as much fun at Board meetings as I did.

She loved to laugh and play, no matter what the purpose of a visit was. I used to love sitting in her backyard by the fish pond. Many times after the Sunday service, Jan, her daughter, Kim, and I would sit back there and just enjoy her fish and garden. After her diagnosis, I was privileged to spend some time with her praying and playing. We sat one last time in her yard, remembering all the good times we spent there. I will remember Jan as this wonderful, pragmatic and funny woman who gave so much to everyone around her.

She is survived by her daughters, Kim and Kelly, her son-in-law, Sam, her grandchildren, Christy, Tyler, Michael, Blaine, Samantha and Grace, her great grandchildren, Gavin and Alice, her brother Craig, and her mother Adair. They used to call her affectionately, Crabby Granny. But, this was just an affectionate nickname. Although she had her crabby moments, they will also remember the fun times, they laughter and the love she always provided. She is also survived by many friends, the lives of whom she touched greatly. She will be deeply missed by us all.

A standing ovation for a life-well lived Jan!

Rev. S. Tucker

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Bob "OZ" Osswald, RScP

The I Ching speaks of the Winter season as a time of reflection, a time of renewal. It is the time when we turn our attention inward -- assessing the year just past, and formulating plans for the year just ahead. It is a time of completion preceding a time of new activity.

Nature is ever vigilant in her course of tearing down and rebuilding. The leaves of fall render themselves ever into the loam which feeds the buds of spring. We can harmonize ourselves with this process.

Take the time this season to assess your life in the past. What things have worked well, and need to continue? Likewise, assess which things are no longer serving your needs…are you willing to let these things go? Also, is there some new goal you want to pursue in the coming year, some new direction you intend to take in your life? Does room need to be made to allow this new dream to prosper?

I know that Divine Order permeates all of creation. It expresses Itself in all things, including each of us. Its Power is ours to use as we grow into the now, leaving the past behind and looking towards the future. The blessings of Life fill us with joy and gratitude, as we know the rightness that they should be so.

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Becky Monteith, Jr. Church Director

Becky is the 3rd Grade Teacher at Beacon Country Day School since September 2000 and was Phys Ed instructor from 1994-2000. In addition, she is the Drama and Music Director and taught Computer Science to grades 7-8 at Beacon.

She has experience at Accelerated Schools teaching behaviorally disturbed children grades 1-6. For 12 years, she owned her own dance studio and developed five youth dance programs at recreational centers. She has also taken and assisted in Love and Logic trainings.

We are proud and excited to have her as a member of our team.

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