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Sunday Worship,
August 3rd, 2025
at 10:30 am
The Perils of Simplicity
Rev. Mike Morran
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Join us on August 3rd at 10:30 am. A pervasive theme in modern America, and even the world, is the bifurcation of political identities, red and blue, liberal and conservative, progressive and traditional, etc. Despite the temptation to buy into and invest in these identities, they are almost always wrong.
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Giving in Action – Hunger Free Colorado
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Our Giving in Action recipient this Sunday is Hunger Free Colorado.
Our mission is to connect people to food resources to meet existing needs and drive policy, systems and social change to end hunger.
To meet existing needs, we make it easier for people to access and afford food with dignity. Through caring, knowledgeable staff and partners, we connect people to SNAP and other programs that provide money for groceries, healthy meals for kids year-round and consistent access to fresh, local foods.
Accomplishments Short-term:
– During FY 2024 (7/1/23 – 6/30/24), Hunger Free Colorado (HFC) provided food navigation services to 37,000+ Coloradans, helping them access resources such as detailed information about food pantries and meals programs, and helping eligible households apply for SNAP. External data from CDHS indicates that HFC has a 76% success rate in enrolling families in SNAP, securing nearly $30 million in benefits for Colorado families
– HFC continued contracting with six Regional Food Coordinators throughout Colorado. In addition to facilitating purchasing between local food producers and pantries, the Coordinators have expanded their focus to include farm-to-school purchasing. With the passage of the Healthy School Meals for All (HSMA) program, participating schools are encouraged to purchase foods from local producers. The Regional Food Coordinators are using their expertise and connections to assist schools in connecting with local producers and facilitating purchase agreements.
– HSMA served more than 600,000 meals a day during the 2023-24 school year.
For longer term accomplishments, see our 15 Year Impact Report being sent via email.
Societal Problem Addressed Hunger Free Colorado is working to help people experiencing food insecurity and hunger to access healthy, culturally-appropriate food. We also work to address systemic inequities based in historic racism and oppression that lead to food insecurity and hunger.
Population Served By definition, nearly all of the people Hunger Free Colorado serves are experiencing hunger and food insecurity. Due to ongoing and historic racism and inequity, they are disproportionately BIPOC and LGBTQ+. Families with children, and older adults, are also more likely to experience hunger and food insecurity. We serve people throughout Colorado, with the majority in the metro Denver area. We have emphasized outreach to Spanish speaking immigrant families.
Number of Clients Served Annually ~37,000
Annual Operating Budget $4,922,866
Percentage of Budget Allocated to Services ~78%
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Whole Souul Studio – Sunday, August 3rd at noon
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Whole SoUUl Studio will be a monthly, faithful, educational, communal gathering with a focus on religion and community. We will gather in the sanctuary at 12:00 on the first (or occasionally second) Sunday of each month, after Sunday service, to learn, explore, share, and grow together for about 45 minutes. Facilitated by Rev. Mike and occasionally others, Whole SoUUl Studio is intended to be connective and nourishing for all our members and friends!
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Children’s Religious Exploration Programming
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(Thanks to Leslie Harvey for the post)
All ages are welcome to join Ms. Leslie in the chapel after Time For All Ages (TFAA) August 3-August 31 for card games, legos, crafts, and fun!
Our Annual Backpack Blessing will take place during TFAA on August 17th. Bring your backpack to church that morning for a beautiful UU tradition!
September 7th will be an Intergenerational Service and on September 14th RE Classes will resume.
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First Unitarian Events Coming Soon
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Free Concert, Monday, August 4th
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(Thanks to Lia Davis for the post)
The Moon Davis family (Lia Davis, Eric Moon, Cora Davis & Eben Moon) will perform a free family band concert on Monday, August 4th at the downtown Whole Foods Market (near Union Station) from 11:30 – 1:30. All are warmly invited! Whole Foods is at 1701 Wewatta St, Denver, CO 80202. The outdoor stage is just outside the main entrance. The Whole Foods parking lot entrance is on Wewatta between 17th & 18th. Whole Foods will validate parking in this lot with a small purchase.
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Last Chance for Two August Auction Event!
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(Thanks to Helen Berkman for the post)
Here is your last, and only, chance to sign up for two auction events in August! Contact Helen Berkman at h.berkman1@gmail.com, OR stop at the auction table this Sunday August 3rd ONLY.
- Magnetic Fields House Concert on August 23, 2025 at 6:00 pm at Chris and Katherine Hahn’s house. Featuring Lia Davis, Christopher Belanger, Nellie Stagg, Kimberly Urish, Dani Sandoval and Seth Titus who will bring to life selections from the band’s classic album 69 Love Songs. With homemade treats by Kathy Cranmer and Cindy Robertson.
- Board of Trustees Annual Gathering on August 30, 2025 at 4:30 pm at Tess and Ed Dieringer’s place. Share in good food, drink, and discussion with Reverend Mike and your 2025-26 Board of Trustees.
Only a few spots available so grab a seat right away!
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Lunch Bunch – Friday, August 8th at Noon
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Everyone is invited to our monthly potluck, Lunch Bunch, on the second Friday of the month. This month we meet on Friday August 8th! We gather at First Unitarian Society of Denver around 11:45 a.m. to set up, and we generally ring the lunch bell at noon. If you don’t have more than an hour, just come at noon and join us. The food is always delicious, and the company is stimulating.
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Sing Anyway: Finding Courage Through Song Workshop
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You don’t have to be a “good” singer to be a powerful one. Join us for Sing Anyway (on Thursday, September 11th from 6-8 pm): Finding Courage Through Song, a 2-hour singing workshop for anyone who feels the call to sing—especially those who’ve been told they shouldn’t. Together, we’ll explore the deep spiritual roots of song as a tool for healing and courage.
This workshop is for people who sing in the shower, hum when they’re heartbroken, or long to lift their voice but have been silenced by shame or fear. No experience necessary. Your facilitator will lead you in guided vocal exercises, heart-centered group singing, and time for reflection. We’ll remember what our ancestors knew: that singing doesn’t have to be perfect to be holy. You’ll leave with more singing confidence and at least 3 simple songs to carry with you into the world.
Whether your voice is loud, quiet, wobbly, or wild—it belongs here. Bring your voice and your willingness to be moved. Let’s sing our way back to courage—together.
About Your Facilitator: Rev. Cindy Pincus started singing – with a very shaky voice! – 7 years ago as a last ditch effort to heal recurring strep throat infections. Since then she’s learned dozens of songs by heart, sung in front of small and large groups, and found a partner who sings perfect high harmonies to her melodies. Rev. Cindy teaches people to sing by helping them drop into their heart, the place where all songs truly come from. She loves to teach with humor, permission to learn through mistakes, and plenty of amusement! And she hasn’t had strep throat since.
Cost: $25 for general public, $12 for FUSD members; payable in cash or Venmo day of the event or can pay ahead on the website events page
Website Events Page: https://www.clairvoyantcounseling.com/events/sing-anyway-fusd
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/share/16wbc6SJzS/
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(Thanks to Cindy Robertson for the post)
The memorial for Sue Mitchell is August 9th, at 2:00 pm at First Unitarian. The Caring Committee is soliciting finger food donations for the reception after the service. If you can provide something for the reception, please email Cindy Robertson at cindyrobertson5@gmail.com. Thank-you.
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Interim Position on the Personnel Committee
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(Thanks to Tess Dieringer for the post)
Due to a recent vacancy, the Personnel Committee is seeking an interim member. Experience in human resources or non-profit personnel management is preferred but not mandatory. The Personnel Committee is tasked with research and advisory roles in several areas of employment policies and procedures, employee benefits, employee evaluations, and grievance resolution involving staff. Join a dedicated team with impressive experience and legal expertise in these areas. The candidate will serve until the next annual business meeting when the remainder of the three-year term will be filled by election. Please consider serving First Unitarian in this vital capacity! Please contact Tess Dieringer (tsdieringer@gmail.com), Leadership Development Committee. Thank you!
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Stewardship Council Elected Position Filled
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(Thanks to Tess Dieringer for the post)
The Leadership Development Committee and the Stewardship Council are very happy to announce that Kathy Aguirre will be joining the Stewardship Council as its second elected member to fill a recent vacancy. Thank you, Kathy! Your wisdom, energy, and dedication to FUSD are ideal additions to the team. Please join us in welcoming and supporting Kathy in this role.
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(Thanks to Carol Ruckel for the post)
There is a large (4’x6’) sheet of aluminum in the table closet in the community room. A sign on it says, “Visitor Information Box has been moved to the office-book shelf to the left when you enter office.” Any idea what the metal piece is for or from? Let Carol R or Tim know!
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(Thanks to Colleen Bryan, Caring Committee for the post)
CHRISTMAS IN JULY!
Looking for your next way to connect in love with fellow congregants? The Caring Committee has a couple of opportunities for your consideration:
- Monthly dispatchers receive requests for help from community members and direct the time and energy of FUSD volunteers to address those needs. All months in 2025 have a dispatcher except for December. If you’re planning to be in town that month, able to check the website each day, and might enjoy rallying your fellow congregants to aid each other during difficult transitions, message Colleen Bryan for more information.
Meanwhile, thanks to Kenna Bonner for stepping up to understudy the Card Captain role with Sally Madsen, with a goal of taking on the role in the new year.
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Local Unitarian Universalists and Community News
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(Thanks to Diane Page for the post)
2nd floor 2-bedroom, 1 community room, private apartment in a house with spacious bathroom, office alcove, and shared renovated kitchen. The kitchen is shared with the landlord, a First Unitarian member, who lives downstairs. Everything new. House has front and back yards, both with gardens. Within walking distance of First Unitarian. $1500 a month for one person; $1800 for two. Plus a security deposit. Contact Diane Page at: dianemcknightpage@gmail.com, Diane is a member of First Unitarian.
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The Larger Unitarian Universalist Community
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