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Sunday Worship,
April 14th, 2024
at 10:30 am
The Second Longest Habit
Rev. Mike Morran
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Join us on
Sunday, April 714h at 10:30 am.
The great historian Will Durant once calculated that over the (roughly) 3,500 years since history has been reliably recorded, only 268 of those had no war going on somewhere in the world. This morning we will consider war, writ large. As a source of suffering, nobility, meaning, and change.
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Join us THIS Saturday for Jayme Stone’s Folklife
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(Thanks to
Lia Davis
for the post)
We’re thrilled to welcome Jayme Stone’s Folklife to our sanctuary THIS Saturday, April 13th at 7 pm. Jayme, hailed as “The Yo-Yo Ma of the banjo” by The Globe and Mail, will be joined by Enmanuel Alexander (bass, guitar), Greg Harris (synth, vibes, percussion), and Kevin Matthews (drums). This versatile gathering of musicians has cultivated vibrant Sea Island spirituals, Creole calypsos, and stomp-down Appalachian dance tunes for contemporary listeners. Their concerts are moving, inventive, and participatory experiences that prove folk songs are indeed perennials for the people.
Tickets are available online through Friday
, or at the door on Saturday evening.
A portion of the proceeds from this concert will benefit
Re:Vision
. If you would like to donate a refreshment for intermission to support this organization,
please sign up here
.
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Joining Hands for Social Justice Auction!
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BID
April 14- April 24
at noon..on this website:
https://fusden.org/annual-auction/
THE TOP 10 REASONS TO BID
10.
Be selfish …or selfless
-Bid on ANYTHING your heart desires, for yourself or someone else…get a basket of wines, of baked goods, a Rockies jersey, or win a special evening out!
9.
Be practical:
Join the Thrift Store shopper party, or buy yourself or someone else a Home Depot certificate, or get a job done for you, or just buy the great Kaladi coffee certificate!
8.
Enhance your heart with beautiful art
, from ceramics to wood to wool, artful quilts, amazing woodwork, paintings, watercolors, ceramics, tie dye tot shirts, and tiny turtle pets!
7.
Celebrate or commemorate WITH music.
…and there is SO much music in the air! Songs for the service selected by you…songs for a wonderful evening event! Stay tuned!
6.
Spice up your life, attend Events,
Zen birding walk,, Campfire Roast, game nights, Salmon and Scotch, or gather spice mixes together!
5.
Learn or DO something new or again
: Watch the Avalanche score, float away, see a play, do a puzzle, or read a whole basket of new books, play bridge, learn African American history.
4.
Put your money where your mouth is!
Please your friends and family with treats from sourdough to chocolate mud cakes, blueberry pie, a season of canned freshness, and MORE.
3.
Build social connections
, make a friend, put a spark in your life by joining others at these Auction events, and special meals, make a child’s birthday party special!
2.
Relax. Plan a get-away
with family or friends at one of the fabulous cabins, condos, and or homes offered! Go to lunch, let someone else solve your IT or weed problem!
1.
Keep our budget GREEN
and our church sparkling and alive with connections you make and donations you give, and the things and events that you buy. Keep a Spring in our Step!
DID I SAY REGISTER NOW? REGISTER NOW! And BUY your EVENT TICKET
for a delicious dinner and bid on special items auction night! See the whole
Auction Catalog
, here:
https://fusden.org/annual-auction/
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Slate of Nominees for Election for 2024/2025
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(Thanks to the
Leadership Development Committee
for the post)
The Leadership Development Committee has submitted a proposed slate of nominees for each of the Board and committee positions up for election for the 2024/2025 year, to be voted on at the annual meeting on
Sunday, June 2nd
. You can view the bios of the proposed slate of nominees
here
.
The First Unitarian bylaws require the slate of nominees be published at least 6 weeks before the date of the meeting.
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Miriam’s Book Table Has New Books
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(Thanks to
Nan Wigington
for the post)
And we’re already selling out of some. There is only one copy left of Peter Pauper’s end of life organizer,
I’m Dead, Now What?
We also have Heather McGhee’s
The Sum of Us
, as well as a nice stack of beautiful picture books. Come by during coffee hour and browse.
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Sunday Morning Coffee Hour
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(Thanks to
R
andle Loeb
for the post)
We kindly request your assistance in restocking our church kitchen with supplies for our services. It would be greatly appreciated if you could contribute basic food items such as coffee, tea, creamer, half and half, or anything else you’d like to share with our guests and congregation members.
Additionally, we’re organizing a list for each Sunday to identify volunteers who would like to serve as hosts.
Thank you sincerely for your generous contributions. Your gifts are invaluable to our community.
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(Thanks to
Rev. Mike Morran
for the post)
Calling all mystics! Mystic experiences are infinitely varied, but involve some form of transcending the self, the ego, or the intellect in a first-hand experience of Unity, God, the divine, the Oversoul, the cosmos, or whatever word might seem to fit. At the present time, there seems to be a critical mass for a CORE Circle dedicated to mystics at FUSD. If that’s you, and you are interested in being with other FUSD mystics, please contact Rev. Mike at:
Revmorran@gmail.com
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Endowment Application Open!
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(Thanks to
Nellie Stagg
for the post)
The endowment grant application is now open! Please consider projects and apply
before Monday, April 15th
. The goal of the endowment is to enhance the permanent facilities and capabilities of First Unitarian Society of Denver. Projects will be selected that are visible to the congregation, will impact the work of the church for more than one year, will further the mission of our congregation and cannot be funded through our normal operating budget. To receive the application or ask any questions, please email the committee at
endowment@fusden.org
.
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Sally Isaacson
A Memorial for Sally Isaacson will be held at the First Unitarian Society of Denver on
Saturday, April 20th, at 2:00 pm
. Sally, passed away on Saturday, March 23rd, She was a cherished member of First Unitarian. Sally will be dearly missed.
If you would like to send your condolences, you can send them to Sally’s daughter, Amy Isaacson, at 3575 Sharp Rd, Glenwood, MD 21738.
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First Unitarian Events Coming Soon
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Lunch Bunch – Friday, April 12th
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(Thanks to
Marty Dawley
for the post)
Mary Kay and Marty would like to invite you and anyone you’d like to have come with you to Lunch Bunch on
Friday, April 12th
in the Community Room here at FUSD. Bring a potluck dish or just come. We will be delighted to see you. Come around 11:45. We’ll start eating at 12. This month only, join us for a walk at the Botanic Gardens afterwards. We can even get you in to the Gardens for free.
Can’t come this month? Mark your calendar for the second Friday of each month. You’ll be glad you did.
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On The Path at 1st Unitarian – Spiritual Growth Class – Insight
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(Thanks to
Rev. Mike Morran
for the post)
In this class of five sessions we will explore the ancient idea that every human soul is a tiny spark of the Oversoul, of the divine, of God. From that basic assumption, or Insight, we will explore the possibilities of intuition, self-examination, and self-knowledge as a doorway or entry-point to divinity and spiritual growth. Facilitated by Rev. Mike Morran, Insight will mix experience with study, reflection, and sharing. Classes will be held in-person at First Unitarian Denver,
Wednesday evenings, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., April 24th through May 15th.
Open to all, but you must pre-register: Email Rev. Mike at:
revmorran@gmail.com
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Join Climate Justice Committee for a Community Trash Pick-up on April 20th!
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(Thanks to
Taylor Chang
for the post)
Join us for an Earth Month event with the Climate Justice Committee! We’re participating in a community trash pick-up at
Sand Creek Regional Greenway
, a 13-mile public trail in northeast Denver. The SCRG Partnership, a non-profit, works to protect and improve access to this area, particularly for historically marginalized communities.
We’re calling on FUSD volunteers to join us on
April 20th from 11AM-1PM
. The collected trash will be transformed into a public sculpture by the Greenway Guardians, a group of young stewards aged 10 to 17 from Commerce City. This initiative directly supports our mission of addressing climate change through a social justice lens.
All are welcome! For more information and to RSVP, please contact
Taylor Chang
or
Noelle Botti
. Let’s make a difference together!
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Racial Justice Project – Spring Read and Discussion
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(Thanks to
Patrick Whorton
for the post)
It’s not too late to join the discussion of the Racial Justice Project’s spring book read, Black on Black, written by Daniel Black, an author and professor of African American studies at Clark Atlanta University. This book, in fourteen short chapters, actually fourteen essays on different topics, offers a queer, intersectional perspective on racial justice issues. The third and final discussion, pages 159-end, will be on
Wednesday, April 24
, via
zoom from 7:00-8:30 p.m
. Participants must register to participate by emailing Patrick Whorton at
pwhorton@gmail.com
. I will then send you the zoom link and some discussion guidelines. As an added bonus the author, Dr. Daniel Black, will joining us for the last discussion.
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Documentary: Fracking the System – Friday, May 3, 2024 at 7pm
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Climate Justice Book Discussion
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(Thanks to
T
aylor Chang
for the post)
Please join Climate Justice Project in reading “The Water Knife” by Paolo Bacigalupi. The story is a dystopian thriller set in a future southwestern United States ravaged by water scarcity and revolves around Angel Velasquez, a water mercenary navigating a treacherous landscape of political intrigue and violence in a desperate quest for control over the region’s dwindling water supply.
Discussions will be facilitated by Peggy Ulrich-Nims on
Wednesday, May 15th at 7p.m. via Zoom and again Sunday, May 19th in the library after service
. Please contact Peggy at
ulrichnims@gmail.com
for the Zoom Meeting ID.
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Volunteer Work Day at Lincoln Hills
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(Thanks to
Julie Meyers
for the post)
Save the Date –
Saturday, May 18th
. One of the recipients of FUSD’s Reparative Grants, Lincoln Hills, has invited us to come visit their site in Gilpin County. We will help with a service project to get the site ready for their summer programs (outdoor and environmental educational opportunities for city kids). Our visit will include a tour of this historic site (the only leisure destination created in the 1920’s by and for African Americans West of the Mississippi). We will carpool from Denver,
leaving FUSD at 9am and returning by 4pm
(it’s about an hour’s drive each way). Bring your own lunch. This is a family friendly event. Let Julie know if you’re interested or if you have questions.
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Engaging, Resourceful; East High School Senior Needs Room to Rent
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(Thanks to
Mary Hilken
for the post)
Nathan is an immigrant from Haiti, an A student who speaks French and English. He plans to attend MSU in the fall. He needs a room until the end of the school year,
June 5
. He is happy to help with household chores or childcare.
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(Thanks to
Julie Meyers
for the post)
Guns to Gardens is a group of faith communities working to reduce gun violence in the Denver Metro area by dismantling guns and forging the parts into life-giving tools.
On Saturday, April 13
, Most Precious Blood will be hosting a gun surrender event in their parking lot. Gun owners bring their unwanted, unloaded firearms and turn them in. The guns are dismantled and forged into garden tools. Come join me in volunteering for this event. Happy to carpool. For more details and to register:
https://www.givepulse.com/event/440952
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A Columbine 25th Year Remembrance
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(Thanks to
Julie Meyers
for the post)
Join us in a vigil to honor and remember the lives lost and lives affected 25 years ago at Columbine High School. Organized by a coalition of gun violence prevention groups in Colorado, we will meet on the West steps of the CO Capitol at
7:30 pm on Friday, April 19
.
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The Larger Unitarian Universalist Community
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Pacific Western Regional Assembly – April 19th and 20th – Volunteers Needed!
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(Thanks to
Jo Hehnke
from First Universalist for the post)
This year’s Pacific Western Regional conference (
https://www.uua.org/pacific-western/calendar/pwr-uua/pwr-threads-connect-stories-inspire
) is being held at First Universalist Church of Denver,
April 19 (starting at 6 pm) and 20
th
(ending at 5 pm)
. I am part of a team recruiting volunteers for the event. The theme this year is “Connections”. In that spirit, we are hoping to connect with members from area churches through the various volunteer tasks entailed.
Volunteers are mostly needed for the Friday night reception and Saturday morning continental breakfast—contributing food, setting up and cleaning up afterward.
We need your help in recruiting volunteers from your congregation. Could you please provide one or more names of individuals who might be interested in coordinating volunteers from your congregation?
Please contact Jo Hehnke at
Jo@josephinehehnke.net
if you would like to volunteer.
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Registration Open for Pacific Western Regional Assembly – April 19th and 20th
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It’s time to get together!
Registration is open for our Pacific Western Regional Assembly this
April 19th and 20th!
People can attend either in person, at
First Universalist in Denver
, or remotely. We are planning a family friendly event and children are welcome. This is a great chance to connect with our larger faith and connect with new and old friends.
Stay up to date on all the PWR RA Plans
here
.
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2024 General Assembly Registration is Now Open!
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Represent us at the UUA General Assembly!
The Unitarian Universalist Association’s (UUA) national meeting of UU congregations is an all-virtual event this year. You can participate from the comfort of your own couch from
June 20-23, 2024
.
As a member congregation of the UUA, First Unitarian Society of Denver (FUSD) sends “delegates” to this event, which includes worship, workshops, lectures and the annual UUA business meeting. FUSD delegates will participate in the business meeting and vote on items that impact all member congregations.
If you are interested in serving as an FUSD delegate at the 2024 General Assembly, please reach out to Coral Cosway at
President@fusden.org
.
Adult registration is $280 and includes access to the live sessions, on-demand programming, featured speakers and major worships. There is also an option to register for only the annual business meeting portion of the event for free (or a donation amount of your choice). You can review the
program and schedule
and visit the UUA’s
General Assembly webpage
for more information.
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Pacific Western Region – April Newsletter
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The Pacific Western Region of the Unitarian Universalists, publish a newsletter every one to two months. This newsletter will keep you up to date on all things UU that are happening in our region.
Click
here
to view the April newsletter.
Additionally, you can visit the Unitarian Universalist Association web site at
https://www.uua.org/
for information at the association level.
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Side with Love
is a public advocacy campaign that seeks to harness love’s power to stop oppression. It is sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Association and all are welcome to join.
Subscribe
to get updates.
After closing out this year’s
30 Days of Love
, Side With Love is looking forward to exciting opportunities for faith-filled action this spring. Starting March 6, we have a range of offerings that we hope will ground you and help sustain your commitment to liberation, democracy, and justice. Please join us and share with your congregation!
The link for the March newsletter is
here
.
If you haven’t already heard,
we’re getting ready to activate every corner of our faith for UU the Vote 2024
. This year, we will mobilize our friends, our neighbors, and our fellow UUs to generate a groundswell of democratic action and leadership towards a thriving future beyond November 5. If you aren’t already subscribed to our UU the Vote newsletters,
you can sign up for updates here
.
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First Unitarian Information
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First Unitarian – Calendaring and Room Reservations
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(Thanks to
Rhonda Williamson
, Congregational Administrator, for the post)
To Request
an event addition to the First Unitarian calendar and to request a room reservation:
- To add a meeting or event to the Church Calendar and reserve a room:
- Check the church calendar on the website to see if there are any conflicts. There is a link on each page of the website in the black area at the bottom, under ‘Useful links’
- Complete the following form to request that your event be added to the calendar and to request a room reservation.
https://firstunitariandenver.breezechms.com/form/45698258
Click
here
to access the First Unitarian Committee Handbook.
Feel free to dive in and let us know if you have any questions or thoughts!
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First Unitarian – Communication Methods How To’s
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(Thanks to
Rhonda Williamson
, Congregational Administrator, for the post)
First Announce
: A weekly church newsletter sent out by blast email Thursday evenings. (Also found on the website.) Deadline for entries is Tuesday end of day.
Order of Service
: The handout given at each Sunday service – giving service details, and upcoming church events Request deadline is Thursday at 8:00 am.
Please complete the form at the link below to submit announcements for either or both First Announce and Order of Service
– select both options on the form.
https://firstunitariandenver.breezechms.com/form/e50206
Click
here
to access the First Unitarian Committee Handbook.
Feel free to dive in and let us know if you have any questions or thoughts!
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Finding a place to park when you come to visit our urban sanctuary can be a bit of a challenge! We recommend the following tactics/locations:
- Sundays 6a-1p:
3 blocks of the north side of 14th Avenue (Marion St. to just before Franklin St. – please abide by the street parking signs)
- Sundays 6a-1p:
The Center at Colfax and Lafayette
- Sundays 6a-1p: (42 parking spaces)
The Alta Court lot, across Lafayette from the church. Cars with a First Unitarian Church (FUSD) hangtag or paper parking pass on the dashboard, may park in the spaces farthest away from Colfax.
- Monday through Friday, 6 pm to 8 am
: (22 parking spaces) The Alta Court lot, across Lafayette from the church. Cars with a First Unitarian Church (FUSD) hangtag or paper parking pass on the dashboard, may park in the spaces farthest away from Colfax.
- Friday 6 pm to Monday 8 am
(22 parking spaces, except Sunday morning, see above. The Alta Court lot, across Lafayette from the church. Cars with a First Unitarian Church (FUSD) hangtag or paper parking pass on the dashboard, may park in the spaces farthest away from Colfax.
- If you have any questions or need a parking pass, contact Rhonda at office@fusden.org.
Parking passes can also be obtained from the Greeters on Sunday morning.
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