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Sunday Worship,
December 7th, 2025
at 10:30 am
To Save or to Savor?
Michael DeSantis
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Join us on December 7th at 10:30 am. The writer E. B. White once remarked, “I arise in the morning torn between a desire to save the world and a desire to savor the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.” As we turn our attention to December’s spiritual theme of Salvation, we will reflect on how to tell which of these desires we are called to live out—and which ones we aren’t. If all goes well, we might even get some clarity on how to plan the day!
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Giving in Action this Sunday
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(Thanks to Beth Fischer for the post)
Giving in Action this Sunday is Rocky Mountain Welcome Center.
Rocky Mountain Welcome Center (RMWC) is honored to be this week’s featured community partner. Every day, immigrant and refugee families across the Denver metro area turn to RMWC for trusted guidance, safety, and a place to belong. Our CARES program offers crisis navigation, legal and resource support, and emergency assistance, while our mental health and youth programs help families rebuild stability and hope. In a moment when many of our neighbors are facing increased fear, enforcement, and uncertainty, RMWC continues to be a steady lifeline.
On Sunday, December 7 your generosity will help us meet urgent needs, from supporting families experiencing immigration detention and separation, to providing culturally appropriate mental health counseling in native languages, to ensuring children in transitional housing can learn and thrive through our Kindergarten Prep program. We are grateful for this community’s compassion and partnership, and we look forward to sharing more during the service. Thank you for standing with immigrant and refugee families and helping create a Colorado where everyone belongs.
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Whole SoUUl Studio – Sunday, December 7th at 12 pm
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(Thanks to Michael DeSantis for the post)
Join us in the Sanctuary this Sunday at 12:00 p.m. for Whole SoUUl Studio, a communal gathering and spiritual conversation. This monthly event — facilitated during Rev. Mike’s sabbatical by our Ministerial Resident Michael DeSantis — aims to foster connections and nourishment for all our members and friends. This week we will be reflecting on wintering and embracing the spiritual gifts of the winter months. See you there!
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Children’s Religious Exploration Programming
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(Thanks to Leslie Harvey for the post)
Youth group will meet in the teen space in the basement during the service on December 7th and 14th, so please send your middle and high schoolers our way!
Winter Solstice Eve will be held on Saturday December 20th from 4:00-7:00 this year. We will have a face painter, an all-ages coloring poster, and *new* a family friendly spiral lighting ceremony before the traditional spiral lighting. More details and link to RSVP coming soon.
Please join us for a festive Christmas pageant during our All Ages service on December 21st! This year’s interactive, no-rehearsal show invites everyone to relax, participate, and enjoy the fun. To make things extra comfy and cozy, we encourage everyone to come to church in your pajamas!
Think UU Know The Christmas Story? Experience the birth of Jesus as you’ve never seen it before—through the imaginative lens of UU storytelling. Come for a joyful, light-hearted, and participatory Christmas pageant filled with music, laughter, and plenty of audience cues. If you’re ready for a spirited service with a wink, join us on December 21st!
RE Food and Hygiene Drive! Let’s live our UU SHARED VALUE OF GENEROSITY and help local families by donating food and hygiene products to Metro Caring. Please bring your donations to the wagon near the front door.
No RE Classes will be held on Sunday December 28th.
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UU Children Singing Service Project
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(Thanks to Charlotte Braud-Kern for the post)
Your child is invited to lift their voice with other singers from the First Unitarian Society of Denver, Jefferson Unitarian and First Universalist to sing in a special performance of holiday music for the residents of Sunrise Senior Living in Denver!
Let’s share the joy of the season through song and community!
When: Saturday, December 13
● Rehearsal & Pizza Lunch: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
First Unitarian Society of Denver, 1400 Lafayette St., Denver
● Performance: 1:30 PM
Sunrise Senior Living, 251 S. Colorado Blvd., Denver, CO 80246
What to Bring: A snack and a water bottle
What to Wear: Festive holiday clothes—or anything that makes you feel cheerful and comfortable!
Parent Notes: Singers can be dropped off at FUSD at 11:00 AM. Parents are asked to accompany their children to the performance or help arrange a carpool for the 1:00 PM departure at performance at Sunrise.
Let’s make this a joyful afternoon of music, friendship, and community spirit!
Please RSVP with Charlotte Braud-Kern at charlottebraudkern@gmail.com
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First Unitarian Events Coming Soon
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(Thanks to Rev. Lia Davis for the post)
You are invited to our annual Blue Christmas service – a music-filled, contemplative worship service on Wednesday, December 10th at 6:00 pm. Led by Michael DeSantis, this service features musicians from our community, Rev. Lia Davis on piano, and guest cellist Phil Norman. Blue Christmas is for everyone, though especially for those whose memories or experience of the holidays has been incongruous with the typical, superficial expectations of the season.
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Lunch Bunch – Friday, December 12th 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 December 12th 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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(Thanks to Rev. Lia Davis for the post)
Gather with the First Unitarian Denver community on Saturday, December 20th from 4 – 7 pm for Solstice Eve! Everyone is warmly invited to this free community event, which includes face painting, an all-ages coloring poster, and warm drinks in the community room at 4 pm; lively carol singing with a jazz band at 4:30 in the sanctuary; a potluck dinner at 5:15 (EVERYONE is welcome, even if unable to bring an item to the potluck); and a family-friendly light spiral ritual in the upstairs chapel at 5:45, followed by a traditional light spiral at 6:15. Please RSVP by December 16. We hope to see you there! and consider signing up for a short volunteer slot to help the evening run smoothly.
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Annual Pageant – Think UU Know The Christmas Story?
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Experience the birth of Jesus as you’ve never seen it before—through the imaginative lens of UU storytelling. Come for a joyful, light-hearted, and participatory Christmas pageant filled with music, laughter, and plenty of audience cues. If you’re ready for a spirited service with a wink, join us on December 21st!
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Join us on December 24th for our traditional, candle-it Christmas Eve services at 5 PM and 7 PM as we reflect on Drawing Near to Humanity. (Details ➡️ click here)
🎁 This year’s Giving in Action collection supports Metro Caring.
🍪 Do you love the sweets that arrive in your home at Christmas but really don’t want too many hanging around after Christmas? Bring any extras or your favorite cookie or treat to the Christmas Eve services at First Unitarian. If you would like to bring fruit or something savory instead of sweet, all manner of edibles are welcome. Just drop them off in the kitchen before the service. We will eat and be merry after each service
📺 Our 5pm service will also have a livestream option via YouTube HERE (the 7pm service is in-person only).
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Talk about Home-Sharing and Share a Lunch
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(Thanks to Colleen Bryan for the post)
Let’s Talk Homesharing… and Share a Lunch! Sunday, January 4, 2026 11:45 am-2:00 pm at First Unitarian. Sign up here so we bring enough lunch..
Denver (and the country) face a housing crisis. Millions of bedrooms throughout the country sit empty every night. Meanwhile 3-5 times as many people cannot find affordable rooms to rent. And loneliness is reported across age and social class at epidemic levels. What do you imagine accounts for such gaps? How might they be reduced?
Would you consider having lunch and conversation to explore this with us?
Homeowners with one or more extra bedrooms are particularly invited to join us for a focus group conversation to explore the needs, concerns, and incentives that might make home-sharing viable. For more information, click here.
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Souulful Potluck Hosts for January 31rst
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(Thanks to Susan Riederer for the post)
Our next Souulful Potluck date is Saturday, January 31st. If you are able and interested in hosting a small group (5-7) in your home, please contact Susan Riederer at sjriederer@comcast.net. The potlucks are held throughout the day depending on the wish of the host.
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Leadership Development Comment – Seeking a New Member!
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(Thanks to Laura Mueller for the post)
The Leadership Development Committee is looking for an interim member to replace a member who had to leave the committee because of out-of-town employment. The term would only be until July 1, 2026. However, the candidate could stand for approval at the Congregational meeting in June to fill the remaining two-year term if desired. Key skills include the willingness to enthusiastically help identify, educate and recruit candidates for the elected committee slate, actively participate in monthly meetings, and assist with staffing the Opportunities Table on Sundays and with workshops hosted by LDC.
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Looking for a Sofa and a Queen Bed Frame
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(Thanks to Julie Meyers for the post)
One of the Venezuelan families we’ve been helping recently moved to a new apartment. They are looking for a few particular items – a sofa and a queen size bed frame and possibly a box spring. They have a mattress. If you have any of these items and you’re able to part with them, please send me a photo and their measurements. Thanks!
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Auditions Sign Up Open for SoUUl Stage!
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Get ready—the next big musical adventure is about to begin, and we want YOU to be part of it! “Anthem: Where the Light Gets In” – A musical about a group of ordinary people who stumble into an extraordinary awakening—one that reveals the light we carry, and the parts of ourselves we forgot.
Whether you love to perform, work behind the scenes, or just try something new, there’s a place for you on (or behind) the stage. Not into performing? Mark your calendars and come enjoy the show!
Everyone’s welcome—young or young-at-heart, families, first-timers, and theater veterans alike. Join us as we create something unforgettable together!
Learn about the show, sign up for an audition or join the crew now on our Souul Stage Webpage.
Make memories, friends, and magic with SoUUl Stage.
Important Dates
Auditions: January 11 (everyone gets a part)
Rehearsals: Start February 17, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays (not all participants attend every rehearsal)
Show: April 17–18, 2026 at First Unitarian Society of Denver
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(Thanks to the Connections Committee for the post)
If you would like to receive a weekly newsletter which is sent by email, please fill out this information for our records. The newsletter gives you information about the upcoming service and other events and activities at our church. Click here.
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(Thanks to the Leslie Harvey for the post)
Looking for a way to give back that doesn’t involve committees, spreadsheets, or public speaking? Click here to volunteer to keep our coffee hour up and running! You will sign up with a team of 2-4 others when it works with your schedule- you can serve once a month, once a quarter, or whatever you can.
It’s an easy, meaningful way to nourish community — and maybe sneak the first cookie!
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Reproductive Justice Film: “The Piano”
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“The Piano” tells the story of a mute Scottish woman sold into marriage by her father to a man in New Zealand. This gives a depiction of the lack of freedom faced by women in the 1800s, a brutal historical drama often described as a romance film. One critic challenged this notion, saying “it is about a disabled woman being used and mistreated by the men in power around her.” The film won three Academy Awards when it was released in 1993, for best actress (Holly Hunter), best supporting actress (Anna Paquin), and best original screenplay (Jane Campion, also the director). It is visually stunning and well worth watching again.
Date: Saturday, Dec. 6 (this week!)
Time: 6 pm
Place: Jane Ashley’s living room
Contact: (703) 328-5891
Please rsvp to Jane, who will send her address and instructions once you send her your name and phone number.
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Community Potluck and Open Mic – December 11
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As we approach a new year and the continued fight for justice we want to offer space for the comfort and rejuvenation that comes with being in community. Please join us on Thursday, December 11 for a meal, conversation, poetry, music and anything else you’d like to share.
COMMUNITY POTLUCK & OPEN MIC
Thursday, December 11
6-9pm in the community room
First Unitarian Society of Denver, 1400 Lafayette St
Please sign up here for the potluck and open mic. We hope you’ll join us and bring friends!
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Immigration Committee Meeting
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(Thanks to Elisabeth Arenales for the post)
Reminder that the next meeting of the Immigration Committee will be on Sunday, December 14 at noon in the Chapel. We will talk about work underway and look ahead to 2026. All are invited and welcome!
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Volunteer at a Firearms Safe Disposal Event
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(Thanks to Julie Meyers for the post)
Be a part of reducing the number of firearms in the greater Denver area! This is a well run event by two organizations – Guns to Gardens and Raw Tools. The firearms are surrendered and sawed into pieces on site, then later melted down to make garden tools. Details – Saturday, Dec 13th from 10-2:00 (volunteers arrive earlier to review roles) at St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Highlands Ranch. Sign up at mailto:https://www.givepulse.com/event/700329
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(Thanks to Randle Loeb for the post)
Each December, the Denver community comes together on the longest night of the year to honor those neighbors who passed away in the preceding year while experiencing homelessness. For 36 years, the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless has hosted this event in honor of those who have died. For many, this will be the only service to mark their death.
Please join us from 4:00 – 5:30 PM on Sunday, December 21st outside the Denver & City County building located at 1437 Bannock Street with the vigil program beginning at 4:30 PM, as the sun goes down. In addition to the program, luminary memorials will be placed outside the City & County building, each with the name of an unhoused neighbor who passed. Light refreshments will be provided.
For the 2025 Vigil, the Coalition is also proud to partner with the Homeless Remembrance Blanket Project, which is both an art installation and an opportunity for generous blanket makers to knit, crochet, and quilt a gift of warmth for neighbors far and wide who are experiencing homelessness. This year, hundreds of handmade blankets will be displayed near the Denver Vigil to raise awareness about homelessness. After the event, the blankets will be immediately distributed to people in need. Learn more about this partnership and how you can donate blankets here. Beginning at 1PM on Bannock Street near the City & County Building, visitors can come view the display of blankets representing acts of kindness and generosity from across the country.
RSVP your attendance here.
Sunday, December 21, 2025,
In front of the City & County Building of Denver,
4:00 PM – 5:30PM
4:30 PM Program
Blanket display beginning at 1:00 PM
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Climate Justice Book Talk
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(Thanks to Peggy Ulrich-Nims for the post)
The First Unitarian Denver Climate Justice Project is excited to announce a Sunday January 18, 2026 noon hour book discussion of Zak Podmore’s 2025 book LIFE AFTER DEAD POOL about the Colorado River and the declining water level in Lake Powell. We will likely schedule a duplicate evening zoom meeting, also in January.
Books will be available in the FUSD Community Room on Sundays in early December. Please obtain a copy of the book and begin your reading journey.
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Freedom of Speech – Community Art Project
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(Thanks to Nina Nadeau for the post)
Here is the weekly update of the Freedom of Speech Community Painting. It’s progress also can be viewed before and after Sunday Service.
Once finished, the painting will be displayed at the church and auctioned to support legal organizations defending Freedom of Speech. For more information, contact Nina Nadeau at ninanadeau01@gmail.com or visit www.galdarastudio.com.
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Support Social Justice when Ordering Foods for Events!
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The Larger Unitarian Universalist Community
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