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Sunday Worship,
December 29th, 2024
at 10:30 am
Stories of Winter
Members of First Unitarian Community
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Join us on December 29th at 10:30 am. Join us as members of the community will share stories of winters they have experienced.
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Children’s Religious Exploration Programming
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Religious Exploration News
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(Thanks to the Leslie Harvey for the post)
There will be no RE children’s program on December 29th; families are invited to join us for an intergenerational service that morning.
Mark your calendars: Family Friendly Fun: Spontaneous Talent Show and potluck on February 1st 5:30-7:30 pm.
Do you know any middle schoolers who would be interested in our Youth Program? You can enroll them in Breeze with this form. Unfortunately, we do not have enough volunteers to start in January. Current projected start date for the Youth Program (6th-8th graders) is March 2nd. This will be updated as we recruit more volunteers.
Currently seeking volunteers who are interested in serving in our Youth classrooms! We are looking for folks to facilitate lessons on world religions and to facilitate student-led fun. If you are interested in investing in the future of FUSD by serving in our Youth program, please contact Leslie at msleslie@fusden.org or complete this form in Breeze to get the process started.
Shout Out to this week’s Volunteer Superhero, Tammy Carpenter. Tammy is such an asset to our team as a veteran teacher. We are grateful for her dedication and willingness to share her expertise with others. She is patient and warm and builds relationships with our children in the K/1 classroom. Thanks for all you do to support RE, Tammy!
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First Unitarian Events Coming Soon
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Save the Date – 1/12/25 – Congregational Meeting
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(Thanks to Coral Cosway for the post)
Ordination of Lia Davis as Minister of Music!
First Unitarian will hold a special congregational meeting on Sunday, January 12, 2025 at noon in the Sanctuary. At this meeting, our congregation will vote on whether to ordain Lia Davis as our Minister of Music.
In the Unitarian Universalist tradition, the right of ordination, that is, the authority to ordain someone to the ministry, is reserved exclusively for local congregations. The Board of Trustees has authorized a special meeting to consider Lia’s ordination.
Lia has been doing extraordinary music ministry with us for nearly seventeen and a half years. Her musical gifts are obvious and deeply appreciated. She has also demonstrated personal gifts of presence and service far beyond the music she plans and performs. Lia has visited members who were homebound or in nursing homes to play for them. She has nurtured many relationships in the congregation. Also, during the pandemic she broadcast weekly musical improvisational meditations. The congregation has grown to love and trust her for the extraordinary ministry that her presence and music provides.
If the congregation votes to approve Lia’s ordination, it would be a powerful affirmation of her work with our church, changing her job title from Director of Music to Minister of Music. Her ordination would take place in the Spring.
Please plan to attend this special meeting on January 12. Similar to our annual meetings, we need a quorum of First Unitarian members at the meeting in order to vote. This meeting will be streamed with a Zoom link available so that those who wish to vote remotely will be able to do so.
Questions about the special meeting and the proposal to ordain Lia can be directed to Coral Cosway at President@fusden.org or 720-413-6298.
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FUSE Task Force Wants to Hear From You!
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(Thanks to Leslie Harvey for the post)
The First Unitarian Seeking Engagement (FUSE) Task Force is working towards creating a more engaging culture for welcoming new members and visitors to FUSD. We are reaching out to all congregants for your feedback and ideas. If you have suggestions, please click on this form. You do not need to answer all of the questions; simply choose a few that resonate with you. Thank you!
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Hiring – Maintenance/Custodian
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First Unitarian Society of Denver is seeking a part-time Building Custodian (15 hours per week) to join our team starting in January 2025. Please click here to view the full job description.
To apply, submit cover letter and your resume to Rhonda Williamson at office@fusden.org.
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Hiring – Interim Choir Director/Song Leader
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(Thanks to Rev. Mike Morran for the post)
First Unitarian Society of Denver, an urban congregation of over 300 members, is looking to hire a part-time Interim Choir Director/Song Leader for the period of January through May, 2025. Our choir of 20-25 members rehearses weekly, and performs twice each month at Sunday morning services. Experience conducting choirs, and the ability to work collaboratively with a small staff team is essential. This position is approximately 14 hours per week and includes Sunday mornings. Applicants are encouraged to respond as soon as possible. Please send a resume and brief cover letter to Revmorran@gmail.com. A full job description is available HERE
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Leadership Development – Committee Training
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(Thanks to Patrick Whorton and Tess Dieringer for the post)
At the Interconnected Committee meeting last October, we surveyed participants about their interest in leadership development training, and we’re excited to share the next steps!
Church Google Drive Training
Many committees have already been working individually with Rhonda to organize and migrate documents to the church drive, set up access, and understand the basics. This one-on-one approach has proven to be the most effective.
If your committee is interested in learning more, please contact Rhonda directly at office@fusden.org to schedule a convenient session. Ideally, one to three people from your committee should attend. Plan for about one hour, and bring a laptop if possible.
Breeze Training
Rhonda will record and publish two targeted training courses:
- For members at large
- For leadership and committee members
The member-focused training will be ready first, with committee training following in the new year. We’ll keep you updated on publication dates. Huge thanks to Rhonda for her invaluable support!
Upcoming Leadership Training Sessions
The other top interests identified were:
- Running an Effective Meeting
- Managing Conflict
- Team Building
We’ve partnered with Rich Hogeboom, who was introduced at the ICC meeting, to lead these trainings in two interactive sessions:
- Sunday, January 26
- Sunday, February 9
- Both sessions will be held in the Rose Chapel from noon to 2:00–2:30 PM, with light refreshments provided.
Please note: These sessions are interactive and designed for in-person participation, so they won’t be recorded or available virtually.
We hope this advance notice helps all interested committee members attend. Calendar invites will be sent soon, where you can RSVP with the number of attendees from your committee to help us plan accordingly.
Looking Ahead
The Leadership Development Committee is working hard to provide meaningful training and support. We hope these efforts will build committee confidence, foster participation, and support our shared ministry philosophy.
Thank you for your dedication to this community and for being part of this journey with us!
In the spirit of shared ministry,
Patrick and Tess
Co-Chairs, Leadership Development Committee
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Labyrinth
(Thanks to Coral Cosway for the post)
Dennis Grogan and Tina Proctor have generously donated their large labyrinth to our community. Members, friends and visitors of FUSD have experienced walking the labyrinth, as well as expert guidance from Dennis and Tina, during many services and events. We are honored to give this beautiful labyrinth a new home. If you are interested in using it for your event at FUSD, please contact Rhonda Williamson at office@fusden.org. Thank you Dennis and Tina! [photo attached – this is in the sanctuary prior to the renovation]
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Local Unitarian Universalist Community
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Jefferson Humanists New Year’s Day Open House
(Thanks to Kathy Glatz for the post)
Come join fellow humanists to celebrate the beginning of the New Year at the Jefferson Humanists’ New Year’s Day Open House.
We will have adult beverages, soft drinks, and a New Year’s appropriate potluck. Please bring an appetizer or dessert to share. Our JH president will speak briefly about our successful year and our exciting plans and expanded activities in 2025. We encourage you to bring family, friends, and others who you think might like to learn more about humanism and our chapter. The more the merrier.
If you plan on attending, please email RSVP@jeffersonhumanists.org along with the number in your party. That will ensure we have enough wine, beer, and soft drinks for everyone.
What: JH New Year’s Day Open House
When: 3 – 5 pm, January 1, 2025
Where: Jefferson Unitarian Church, 14350 W 32nd Ave, Golden
Why: To enjoy friends, fellowship, and shared food
Questions? Email president@jeffersonhumanists.org. This event is hosted by Jefferson Humanists, a chapter of the American Humanist Association.
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- Jane Wasson, a beloved member of First Unitary passed away on November 28. Jane’s husband Ed, passed away in February this year. There will be a joint memorial for Jane and Ed on Saturday, January 25th at 1:00 pm here at First Unitarian of Denver.
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The Larger Unitarian Universalist Community
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Unitarian Universalist Holiday Message
The Unitarian Unitarian Association December Newsletter click here.
We Gather With Love: A Holiday Message From UUA President Sofía Betancourt
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Pacific Western Region – Happy Holidays
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The Pacific Western Region of the Unitarian Universalists, Holiday Blog.
The Pacific Western Region staff wish you, your family, and communities a very Happy Holidays! Your presence in our world is a blessing! May the season be a blessing to you!
The UUA will be closed December 20th-January 5th- we will be back at work on January 6th. If there is an emergency, please send an email to your primary contact which will give you who to contact during the holiday or complete our Partnership Activation Request form.
If you would like to start thinking about 2025 consider checking out our Community Resilience Hub. It has great resources, tools, and general support for your congregation and community.
We will bring more opportunities for connection and support in the new year with our spring program: Responding to Now: A PWR Series which will have one session each month on a topic responding to the challenges of our current times.
May you find love and connection this holiday season!
Sunshine, Hara, Melanie, Mylo, Melissa, Sam, Sarah, Summer, and Tania
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UUCW Trip to NYC
(Thanks to Kathy Glatz for the post)
UN Spring Seminar During Commission on Status of Women (CSW). March 15-16, 2025 in NYC
Led by International Convocation of UU Women (ICUUW) deadline registration:1/15/25.
Zoom session on Friday, Dec 6, 10 am EST which will give you more information and offer a chance to ask questions about the seminar, CSW, and registration.
Email questions to springseminar2025@icuuw.
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First Unitarian Society of Denver Information
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First Unitarian – Hearing Assistance in Sanctuary
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Our Sanctuary has a hearing loop. This allows us to better serve the people in our community who have trouble hearing. If you are hearing impaired, you will be able to hear what is said at the worship services and other events with better clarity.
What is a hearing loop and how does it work? Hearing Loops allow people who wear hearing aids to directly receive the sound from the PA system to their own hearing aids, much like Wi-Fi for laptops. To hear better, you will no longer have to pick up a separate listening device!
Do my hearing aids work in a loop?If you wear hearing instruments you will need to find out if they have this wireless receiver, called a T-coil or Telecoil, built in to benefit from the hearing loop. The T-coil program is accessed by pushing a button on your hearing aid. This T-coil setting has to be activated before use. Please consult your audiologist if you have a push button on your hearing aids. If your hearing aid is not equipped with a T-coil, or you do not have a hearing aid: we have listening devices available, simply ask a member of our staff.
For more information: www.hearingloop.org. For questions about your hearing aids, please visit your audiologist. For questions about our hearing loop system, please email: Assist2Hear. Inc at: info@assist2hear.com.
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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
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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
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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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