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Join Us For Solstice Eve!
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(Thanks to Lia Davis for the post)
Gather with the First Unitarian Denver community on Friday December 20th for Solstice Eve! Everyone is warmly invited to this free community event, which includes a potluck dinner, face painting, and crafts at 5:30 (EVERYONE is welcome even if unable to bring an item to the potluck), lively carol singing with a jazz band at 6:30 in the sanctuary, and a light spiral ritual with live music at 7:15 in the upstairs chapel. Please RSVP by December 16. We hope to see you there!
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Please join us for Christmas Eve services at 5pm and 7 pm. We will be exploring Hope in Our Time.
The Giving in Action collection will be 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 FUSD. 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.
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December 25th Potluck Gathering
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(Thanks to Karen Ray for the post)
Get ready for some Christmas magic! Join us on December 25th at First Unitarian for a festive gathering filled with good cheer, delicious food, and tons of fun.
We’re kicking things off at 11:00 am when the doors swing open, and the potluck buffet extravaganza begins at 11:30 am. We’ll be indulging in the holiday spirit until around 2:00 pm. Can’t wait to celebrate the joy of the season with you!
Contacts for this event are Karen Ray and Lynn Palma.
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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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Buy a Homemade Cake – Help a Venezuelan Family!
(Thanks to Julie Meyers for the post)
Almost two years ago, FUSD housed Venezuelan families who were bussed to Denver from El Paso. I have stayed in touch with a few of the families. Daniela is trying to earn money and she happens to be an excellent cook. She gave David and me a chocolate flan cake and it was amazing. She is selling them for $30 ($35 decorated). She can deliver them to your home. If you’re interested, let me know and I will make the arrangements. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by holiday planning, consider buying a cake and helping a lovely family!
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(Thanks to Kathy Glatz and the Middle East Justice Circle)
Take Action: Demand that the House Reject H.R. 9495
This bill authorizes broad powers to the executive branch. It grants the Secretary of the Treasury virtually unfettered discretion to designate a U.S. nonprofit as a “terrorist supporting organization” and to strip it of its tax-exempt status if the Secretary claims that the organization has provided material support to a terrorist group. The legislation does not require disclosure of the reasons or evidence for the decision, nor would the government be required to provide any evidence in its possession that might undermine its decision. This leaves nonprofits entirely in the dark about what conduct the government believes qualifies as material support, preventing them from defending themselves in any way from what likely will be baseless accusations.
ADC National Government Affairs and Advocacy Director Chris Habiby said, “By threatening the tax-exempt status of advocacy organizations, the House of Representatives is arming the White House with a powerful tool to suppress freedom of speech and undermine the health of our civil society. Organizations advocating for Palestinian rights may be the first targeted, but they will not be the last. This bill threatens the tax-exempt status of universities, media organizations, and even religious institutions like churches. Congress must protect the fundamental freedoms that uphold our democracy, and reject this blatant attempt to demonize and silence voices that challenge or discomfort them, ”
Members of the House must vote NO on H.R. 9495 to protect the rights of all Americans. Both House and Senate members need to hear from constituents that this effort is a clear tactic from the authoritarian playbook, aimed at suppressing critical voices and political dissent. Now, more than ever, the work of organizations like ADC is essential.
Demand that members of the House vote NO on H.R. 9495 to ensure that the rights of all Americans are protected.
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Lighting the FUSE! (First Unitarians Seeking Engagement)
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(Thanks to Rev. Mike Morran)
The Board of Trustees (BOT) has approved the FUSE Taskforce with the goal of visioning/revisioning how First Unitarian facilitates meaningful engagement of new members and visitors/friends, especially families with school-age children, focusing on the first two years of membership/involvement.
The FUSE Taskforce presented the BOT with various plans of implementation and developed the following recommendations.
Planning
- Research ideas, methods, or processes for new member/family connection/inclusion. What works? What might be doable at FUSD?
- Consider who we are trying to reach, i.e. families, Denver/Capitol Hill demographics, millennials, NPR listeners, people of color, etc.
- Build off existing strengths of the community/congregation.
Collaboration
- This effort will need to work with and build off existing ministries, i.e. Connections Ministry, Faith Formation. including Minister, Stewardship and Finance Councils, and Leadership Development Committee. The goal is an overall vision/process that is complementary with existing efforts and seamless from the perspective of new members and friends.
- A BOT liaison is expected to be an active participant to facilitate BOT’s support.
- An Administrative Staff person(s) is expected to participate to assist as needed.
FUSE Taskforce is seeking additional members, especially Young Adults and families with children. Reach out to Rev. Mike, Revmorran@gmail.com for more information.
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FirstAnnounce Can Be Accessed from the Website
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(Thanks to Rhonda Williamson for the post)
If you have missed a FirstAnnounce email or are trying to locate an old one, you can access the archive from our website www.fusden.org. Scroll to the bottom of any page and you will see a heading in yellow titled ‘Useful links’. The fourth option down is ‘FirstAnnounce Archive. It you click on that link a display will appear listing each of the FirstAnnounce issues by month. You can click on the one you would like to view and see the entire newsletter!
Any questions, email office@fusden.org.
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Local Unitarian Universalist News
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Social Justice Film Night at First Universalist
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(Thanks to Dan Moen for the post)
First Universalist of Denver will be showing the movie ‘Origin’ in the Hospitality Center on Friday, December 6th at 6:30 pm.
Origin is a 2023 American biographical drama film written and directed by Ava DuVernay. It is based on the life of Isabel Wilkerson, played by Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, as she writes the book Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents. Over the course of the film, Wilkerson travels throughout Germany, India, and the United States to research the caste systems in each country’s history. Arrive at 6:30 and the film will begin at 7pm. Discussion after film showing. Bring snacks to share
Click here to view the trailer.
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The Larger Unitarian Universalist Community
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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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Unitarian Universalist Message After Election
We Are A Sanctuary People
In the message, shared the day after the U.S. national election, UUA President the Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt reminds Unitarian Universalists of their long history providing sanctuary to those in need. Rev. Dr. Betancourt affirms, “These are times that will be defined by the continued and increased need for organizing, and a faithful commitment to mutual aid.”
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Pacific Western Region – November Newsletter
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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 November newsletter.
Additionally, you can visit the Unitarian Universalist Association web site at https://www.uua.org/ for information at the association level.
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