Sunday Worship, August 25th, 2024 at 10:30 am
Reflections on Teaching
Gifted, Experienced Educators
from our Community
Join us on Sunday, August 25th at 10:30 am. This Sunday, three of our professional teachers will reflect on their profession, the highs, lows, complexities, and spirituality of educating young people.
We extend a warm invitation to you to join us in person, or if you prefer, you can also participate online. Our service streams to Youtube and Zoom (meeting ID is 466-677-668 and the password is 454623).
Join us for coffee in the Community Room after the service.
Miriam’s Book Table is Proud to Feature
Thanks to Nan Wigington for the post
Invisible String, written by Patrice Karst and illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff
Would you worry or hate or be afraid if you knew there was an invisible string that connected you to those you love? Patrice Karst’s brilliant picture book tells the story of a brother and sister waking one night to a furious storm. They call their mother to their bedroom because they don’t want to be alone. The mother tells her children that they never will be alone, that there is an invisible string that connects us all with love and makes even the scariest situations bearable. The invisible string never disappears, not when someone makes you mad or even when someone dies.
Come to the book table during coffee hour, pick up the book, and learn about the ties that bind.
Children’s Religious Exploration Programming
Religious Exploration News
Thanks to Leslie Harvey for the post
In the first phase of rebuilding our Religious Exploration Program, we plan to start with Children’s Programming (Nursery-5th grade). In order to have a successful start on Sunday, September 15th we need families to register using this enrollment form as soon as possible.
We also need volunteers for all age groups. If you are interested in volunteering and helping us get the Children’s Program off to a strong start please fill out this interest form. We will hold an orientation and training on Sunday, September 8th before the church service to set you and our children up for success! Each week, every volunteer will be provided a lesson plan, all the materials needed, and a binder full of resources. We will even train you by teaching alongside you until you feel comfortable. Additionally, the RE Team would like your feedback as we embark on this exciting new journey together as a church. If you have ideas or suggestions, please use this form. A hard copy will also be available at the Family Table in the lobby on Sundays.
First Unitarian Events Coming Soon
Friday Night at the Movies – A Civil Rights Journey
Thanks to Colleen Bryan for the post
Join us Friday, August 23rd from 6-8pm for the second movie in our series that will be screened in the Sanctuary. This movie is Freedom Riders – Could You Get on the Bus?
The evening is FREE! We will supply free popcorn and drinks! Anyone interested in working toward civil and human rights is invited! Youth age 12+ are invited to attend with a parent or with a parent’s agreement.
After each movie, we’ll discuss what we learned and imagine how to apply that learning to current struggles for freedom.
The third movie, Selma, will be on Friday, August 23rd.
Celebrate Community at ReUUnion!
Thanks to Lia Davis for the post
Let’s kick off First Unitarian Denver’s Ingathering weekend with a party! Join us for ReUUnion – a fun, free, fabulous, all-ages community celebration at First Unitarian Denver. We’ll gather in the community room at 4 pm for drinks, snacks, a Beatles singalong, face painting, and more. Around 5:00, we’ll move to the sanctuary to enjoy Family ReUUnion – a high energy, participatory music show featuring our amazing FUSD musicians backed by a rockin’ band. Dinner will be provided! Around 6 we’ll enjoy a taco bar with options for various dietary needs, followed by ice cream sundaes. Please RSVP by Wednesday, September 4th so we have a head count for dinner, and please consider signing up for a short volunteer slot. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!
Sunday, September 8th- Ice Cream and Cake instead of Picnic in Cheesman Park!
Thanks to Charlotte Braud-Kern
Due to the (too) many wonderful celebrations during ingathering weekend, the congregational picnic planned at Cheesman Park after the service has been canceled. But, we will still have a wonderful celebration to welcome our new RE director Leslie Harvey with cake and ice cream in the Community Room right after the service. The Board of Trustees and the RE committee highly encourage you to come to the fun ReUUnion celebration on Saturday, Sept 7! Questions? Ask Charlotte Braud.
Let’s Talk About Sex (and reproductive justice) Baby!
Thanks to the Jane Ashley
“Vera Drake” is the next movie in the Reproductive Justice movie series, being shown at Jane Ashley’s house on Tuesday, Sept. 3. We hope you’ll join us for this fine 2004 film written and directed by Mike Leigh, starring Imelda Staunton, and winner of the Best Movie award at the Venice Film Festival. It’s the story of a housekeeper, devoted wife and mother in 1950s England. Unbeknownst to friends and family, she also provides abortions to local women with unwanted pregnancies.
Time: 6:30-9:30 pm
Please RSVP to: jane.ashley52@gmail.com, or (703) 328-5891
Trailer: Click here
Silver and Gold Luncheon – Friday, September 13th
Thanks to Chris Collins for the post
Every 2 years FUSD takes the opportunity to recognize and honor our longest standing members and friends of the church. These individuals are truly the pillars of our spiritual community as they have provided steadfast leadership, loyalty and often hard work to support and ensure the success of our First Unitarian Society. The community we experience today stands on the shoulders of their years of countless contributions.
The 2024 luncheon is scheduled for Friday, September 13 at 11:00am in the Community Room. Invitations have been mailed to 55 people who are at least 80 years old. If you have not received an invite or know of someone who should be included please let Cindy or Chris know.
Volunteers needed: Set-up, side dish donations, drivers, and clean-up.
RSVP and drivers contact: Cindy Robertson, (303) 863-8019 or cindyrobertson5@gmail.com
All other volunteer tasks and questions: Chris Collins, (303) 589-6793 or guemesgirl@gmail.com
Announcements
Opportunity to Volunteer!
Thanks to Karen Ray for the post
We need a little help with welcoming members and guests before and after services on Sundays in September. More than half of our volunteer slots are filled, but we do need a few more people to sign up. We have opportunities before & after the 10:30 service. If interested, just check in with the people you see at the welcome table – they will have a list of time slots available and can answer any questions you may have.
Reproductive Justice Initiative – Calls to Action This Fall
Thanks to Kimberly Urish for the post
FUSD Reproductive Justice Initiative has MANY ways to support our Ballot Initiative and GOTV activities this fall. Here is a summary:
- Field Squad Training: Sign up for training to be involved in local events. Held on Zoom on Wednesdays at 6 pm or Saturdays at 10:30 am. Click here.
- Weekly Virtual Phone Banks: Starting Thursdays, August 8th from 5:30-8 pm. Reach out to voters across the state. Click here.
- Swing Voters Letter/Postcard Writing Party: Sunday, August 25th from 3-5 pm at 17th and Monaco, home of Shareen. Contact Shareen at (720) 329-5673 or ShareenSoul@yahoo.com.
- Letter Writing Opportunities: September 22nd and 29th from 1:30-5:30 pm at FUSD Community Room. Supporting CO Ballot Initiative and Vote Forward for Caraveo in Colorado District 8.
- UU the Vote 2024 Denver Activation: Friday, November 1, 2024. Click here.
- Women’s March: November 2nd in DC and elsewhere. Click here.
New CORE Circle Forming – Families with Children
Thanks to Beverly Bravo for the post
First Unitarian Church is excited to announce the formation of a new CORE Circle just for families with children! CORE Circles, also known as Chalice Circles, are intentional monthly groups that bring people together to foster connection, friendship, and engaging discussions on a variety of topics. We’d love to hear your thoughts and see if you’re interested in joining. Please reach out to Beverly Bravo at bravodenver@gmail.com. We look forward to connecting with you!
Community
Social Justice Film Series – First Universalist and First Plymouth – Friday, September 6th at 6:30 pm
Thanks to Dan Moen for the post
The Social Justice Film Series is back with Io Capitano. Friday, September 6th at 6:30 pm.
The film series is a collaborative effort between First Plymouth and First Universalist Church. The series begins at First Universalist on the first Friday of each month from September through December. In 2025, the Film Series moves to First Plymouth from January to June of 2025.
Our first film is the award-winning Io Capitano. “Longing for a brighter future, two Senegalese teenagers journey from West Africa to Italy. However, between their dreams and reality lies a labyrinth of checkpoints, the Sahara Desert, and the vast waters of the Mediterranean.”
Bring a snack or beverage to share if you wish. After the film, we will have a 20-minute discussion or reflection.
Location: First Universalist Church of Denver, 1401 E Hampden Ave., Denver, CO.
Humanist’s Picnic – August 25th
Thanks to Kathy Glatz for the post
On Sunday, August 25th from 4-6 pm on the Jefferson Unitarian Church Patio, please join the Jefferson Humanists for their annual summer picnic.
- Bring a friend who might like JH
- We provide burgers, hot dogs, and fixin’s (meat and plant-based)
- Lemonade, water, and beer/wine (for a donation)
- Bring a side dish to share
- Please RSVP so we are sure to have enough food
Find more information and RSVP: https://www.meetup.com/jeffcohumanists/events/302526347/
The Larger Unitarian Universalist Community
UUA Newsletter – August 2024
The Unitarian Universalist Association publishes a newsletter every one to two months. This newsletter will keep you up to date on all things UU that are happening in the Association. There are also resources available in the newsletter.
Click here to view the August newsletter.
UUA Newsletter – Social Justice and Climate Justice
The Unitarian Universalist for a Just Economic Community publishes a newsletter on occasion. This newsletter will keep you up to date on all things UU that are happening in several areas including Social Justice and Climate Justice. There are also resources and classes available in the newsletter.
Click here to view.
Additionally, you can visit the Unitarian Universalist Association website at https://www.uua.org/ for information at the association level.
Pacific Western Region – August Newsletter
The Pacific Western Region of the Unitarian Universalists publishes 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 August newsletter.
Additionally, you can visit the Unitarian Universalist Association website at https://www.uua.org/ for information at the association level.
UU the Vote – Newsletter
UU the Vote is a bold initiative created by the Unitarian Universalist Association’s Side With Love team, providing UUs a thoughtfully crafted “plug-and-play” opportunity to bring our democratic values to life in the crucial struggle to build a genuine multiracial democracy. UU the Vote engages people in voter registration, issue education, get-out-the-vote drives, voter protection, state leadership development, and more.
Now, in 2024, they have progressed to shift from just election-year organizing to year-round movement-building work toward building a truly inclusive democracy.
Click here to view the newsletter.