FirstAnnounce – December 31, 2023

Norman Jain, who grew up at First Unitarian Denver, passed away on November 10th this year. Norman was the son of Marianne Jain, who was an active member about 65 years ago. The Jain family were lifelong friends with the Neilsen family (Olaf and Barbara), also active members for many years. There was a small memorial for Norman this week. He is survived by is son Christopher, and spouse Analyn.

Still Time to Give in 2023!

(Thanks to Jason Marsden, Stewardship Coordinator, for the post)

Seasons Greetings! As 2023 wraps up, you’re probably getting polite reminders from all your favorite charities that this is a great time to make a donation. So, here’s one from your FUSD community!

If you haven’t completed all your giving for the year, First Unitarian would be grateful for your consideration. We continue to stretch your generously-given dollars to deliver the programs and sense of community that you value. You can make a one-time or recurring gift here: https://fusden.org/giving/

And if you are new to the processes for completing a retirement distribution, securities transfer or other complex giving arrangement and need a hand — or want to check on your progress fulfilling your annual pledge — please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at stewardship@fusden.org and I will be delighted to help!

Finally, you can expect your 2023 giving summaries to be delivered (by email) beginning January 15. If you’d like a printed copy, let me know and I will be happy to provide it.

First Unitarian – Communication Methods How To’s – Part 1

(Thanks to Rhonda Williamson, Congregational Administrator, for the post)

Happy Holidays!

In September, Mary Sullivan and Kathy Aguirre hosted a Saturday meeting for the First Unitarian Interconnected Committee (chairs and leaders of each group). During this gathering and through subsequent emails, the shared a Handbook packed with valuable insights on Communication and other important details about First Unitarian. In Part 1 below, you’ll discover information about two of these methods.

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!

Searching for Assistant Treasurer

First Unitarian is on the lookout for a volunteer Assistant Treasurer to begin training with our very own Sally Isaacson. Sally has been doing an incredible job as the Assistant Treasurer for almost four years now. For more details about this role, swing by the Opportunities Table! If you’re interested, we’d love to hear from you! You can also contact Janet Kennedy or Kate Raabe for more information. To view the job description click here.

Giving in Action Generosity!

(Thanks to Carol Ruckel for the post)

Thanks to all of you! We raised almost $6400 for our six Giving in Action recipients in the first quarter of this fiscal year – July 1 – September 30. What wonderful support for nonprofits in our community whose work is compatible with our values.

A Movie Series for Grownups: Let’s Talk About Sex (and its consequences), Baby!

(Thanks to Jane Ashley for the post)

The Reproductive Justice Initiative will offer 10 movie screenings and discussions afterward that explore stories about pregnancy, families, teenagers, abortion, adoption, relationships, men and women, the full catastrophe. We’ll watch dramas and comedies, heart-breakers and uplifters, but all great films. The movies will be shown throughout 2024 at the home of Jane Ashley in Denver. There’s room for 12 people in her TV room, with a large screen for viewing.

The first movie will be a comedy: “Obvious Child.” Rated R, rotten tomatoes score 90%. The date is Tuesday, January 16 at 6 pm.

RSVP to jane.ashley52@gmail.com. She’ll send you her address. Dates will be announced and posted on First Announce a month before screenings.

Next month:

Tuesday, February 6 at 6 pm:

“Never Rarely Sometimes Always”

A pair of teenage girls in rural Pennsylvania travel to New York City to seek out medical help after an unintended pregnancy.

Rated PG-13, Rotten Tomatoes rating 99%

Climate Justice Project – Assist Park People

(Thanks to Ray Burdett for the post)

The Climate Justice Project of First Unitarian has committed to assisting the Park People in their tree planting mission by canvassing a low-resource Denver neighborhood to solicit interest from residents in getting a free or low cost tree. We have agreed upon Saturday morning, January 20th, from 9:00 AM to noon for the canvassing, but we have not yet been assigned a neighborhood. We will be walking the neighborhood in teams and placing door hangers on door knobs or other accessible areas, but we will not be knocking on doors. This is an easy way of “Thinking Globally but acting locally”. Please consider this volunteer opportunity, and thank you to those who have already volunteered. Contact Ray Burdett at rgb@pitt.edu if you are interested or have questions.

Make an Impact On Gun Violence

(Thanks to Julie Meyers for the post)

For many years, First Unitarian has participated with Colorado Faith Communities United to End Gun Violence in advocating for legislation to help prevent gun violence. Each legislative session, we send emails to interested congregants when it is time to contact the Colorado legislature to vote for or against gun related bills. If this is something that interests you, please email me and let me know and I will add you to FUSD’s Rapid Response Network. Julie Meyers at julie.meyers.md@gmail.com

Climate Justice Project – Book Discussion – Save the Dates

(Thanks to Peggy for the post)

The FUSD Climate Justice Project is holding a book discussion opportunity in February. We will be reading Where The Water Goes by David Owen about the Colorado River from its northern Colorado origins to its end at the sea…where it is dry. The book is both informative and accessible and lays an important foundation for our understanding of the River that is the lifeblood for much of the West. Books will soon be available in the Community Room.

Please put the dates on your 2024 calendar. The dates are Wednesday, February 7 at 7:00 pm and Sunday, February 11 at noon.

Racial Justice Project – Book Reading/Discussion

(Thanks to Steve Brainerd for the post)

We will offer a book reading and study sessions this Spring, using Daniel Black’s Black on Black — an intersectional, Black/queer perspective on racial issues. The discussions will be held on the 4th Wednesday of the month, at 7:00, via Zoom: February 28 (Intro – p. 88); March 27 (pp. 89 – 158); and April 24 (pp. 159 – End). Participants must register in advance, beginning in January. The Racial Justice Project will make 6 copies of the book available at a discounted rate at Miriam’s Book Table.

Pacific Western Region – January Newsletter

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 January newsletter.

Additionally, you can visit the Unitarian Universalist Association web site at https://www.uua.org/ for information at the association level.

White Antiracist Spirituality – Online Class

In January, I’ll be hosting a workshop series on White Antiracist Spirituality in U.S. History, which will include powerful examples of UU spirituality in action. It’s a great opportunity for congregants on the White antiracist path to start the New Year with grounding and inspiration! For more information or to register, click here.

Lynn Burnett

Creator of The White Antiracist Ancestry Project