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Sunday Worship, February 11th, 2024
at 10:30 am
Songs of Freedom, Sorrow, and Resilience
Lia Davis and Brian Stone
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Join us on Sunday, February 11th at 10:30 am for an immersive music service featuring songs by eclectic folk musician Rhiannon Giddens. Giddens has centered her work around the mission of lifting up people whose contributions to American musical history have previously been overlooked or erased, and advocating for a more accurate understanding of the country’s musical origins through art. American Songwriter has called her “one of the most important musical minds currently walking the planet.” Giddens is an opera-trained, Grammy Award-winning singer; a MacArthur “Genius” grant recipient; the artistic director of Silkroad Ensemble; and a prize-winning composer of opera, ballet, and film. First Unitarian Denver’s musicians and choir will be joined by special guest vocalist Rajdulari.
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First Unitarian Stewardship Campaign Needs You!
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It’s that time of the year again – our annual stewardship campaign is getting underway. This year’s theme is “Growing Together, Giving Together.” This theme expresses what we are all about.
After several years of dealing with the many challenges that occurred due to the COVID pandemic, our church community has come back together stronger and more prepared for our future. Church programs are up and running, and the sanctuary chairs are filling up each Sunday. This is the perfect time for all of us to renew our commitment to this shared community, through our willingness to contribute time and financial resources so it can thrive.
The annual stewardship campaign is the primary funding source that supports our amazing staff, building, programming and everything else that happens at First Unitarian. It’s what enables us to carry out our congregational vision – for our Church community and the critical justice work we do to support the greater Denver community.
Stewardship Sunday is scheduled for February 25th. I am asking you to think about what your volunteer and financial commitment to First Unitarian will look like for the coming year before that date. When your stewardship ambassador reaches out in late February, please connect with them. They not only want to help you through the stewardship process, they also want your feedback about First Unitarian and how we can make this community an even better source of connection, spirituality and belonging.
Let’s create a future the way our congregation always has – growing together and giving together.
If you have questions about this year’s stewardship campaign, feel free to ask your stewardship ambassador or reach out to the Stewardship Council at stewardship@fusden.org.
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Looking for a notary to notarize Reproductive Freedom Ballot Initiative
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(Thanks to Julie Meyers for the post)
Through our Reproductive Justice group at FUSD, about a dozen of us are collecting signatures for a ballot initiative that would codify the right to abortion in the state Constitution. Each signature page we fill needs to be notarized. It would be great if we had a church member who is a notary who could bring their stamp to church on Sundays and notarize our petitions. If this is something that interests those of you who are notaries, please let me know!
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First Unitarian Craft Circle
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(Thanks to Julie Meyers for the post)
Calling all crafters – beginners or experienced or anywhere in between. We meet twice a month at FUSD. We have one evening meeting (the second Wednesday of the month at 7-8:30) which this month will be February 14th (there may be candy!) and one afternoon meeting (the third Wednesday of the month at 3:00-4:30) which will be on February 21. No RSVP needed unless you need me to bring you supplies to get started.
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Thanks for Filling the FUSD Foyer’s Red Wagon
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(Thanks to Peggy Ulrich-Nims for the post)
Thanks to all who have been depositing non-perishable food items and empty egg cartons in the Red Wagon. You help FUSD help the Metrocaring Food Bank to serve Denver’s people in need. And a mighty THANK YOU to Patrick Whorton who has been faithfully delivering your donations to Metrocaring each week. And to all: Please keep your donations coming each Sunday.
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First Unitarian Events Coming Soon
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Climate Justice Project – Book Discussion – Save the Dates
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(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.
The next date is Sunday, February 11 at noon in the First Unitarian Library.
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Rajdulari Tickets Now On Sale!
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(Thanks to Lia Davis for the post)
Join us for Capitol Hill Concerts’ next show, vocalist Rajdulari (original contemporary jazz) performing with Peter Stoltzman (piano), Gonzalo Teppa (bass), and Josh Beyers (drums) on Saturday February 24th at 7 pm. (Catch a preview of Rajdulari’s amazing singing in our February 11th service!) Tickets are now on sale. A portion of the proceeds from this concert will benefit The Kaleidoscope Project. This organization assists forward thinking organizations by training and dispatching people of color who represent underserved populations to go back into their communities to do advocacy work on behalf of those organizations. Through training and education, this project seeks to arm and equip hubs of organizers within marginalized communities opportunities to partner with groups and begin working on behalf of their own village.
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Justice in Israel and Palestine: An Introductory Course
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This five-part community course aims to give participants an introduction to Palestine, Israel, and the current crisis in Gaza. Our sessions will include small group discussions, critical examination of text and media, short lectures, and creative ways to reflect and internalize our learnings. Through learning together, we aim to build a community capable of deep conversations and informed decision making around the current crisis in Gaza.
Class will be held at First Unitarian, Denver (1400 Lafayette St, Denver, CO 80218) on Monday nights from 7-9pm on Feb 12th, 19th, 26th, March 4th, and March 11th. Please expect an additional hour of reading, watching, and reflection to prepare for each session.
Register for the class at: https://forms.gle/emxEts5wyYZ6SuD37
Instructors include professors of Middle East Studies, activists, and community members.
Contact Eric Kollwitz at kollwitz.professional.solutions@gmail.com for more information.
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Racial Justice Project – Spring Read
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(Thanks to Patrick Whorton for the post)
The Racial Justice Project’s spring book read will be Black on Black, written by Daniel Black, an author and professor of African American studies at Clark Atlanta University. This book, in fourteen short chapters, offers a queer, intersectional perspective on racial justice issues; each chapter examines a different issue. We have organized the reading around three discussions, once a month: Intro-page 88 on February 28; pages 89-158 on March 27; pages 159-end April 24. All discussions will be via zoom from 7:00-8:30 p.m. Participants must register to participate by emailing Patrick Whorton at pwhorton@gmail.com. I will then send you a zoom link and some discussion guidelines.
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Learn About the Dialysis Profit Machine
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(Thanks to Chris Schwab for the post)
Chris Schwab has been an activist for justice in the dialysis industry for twenty years. Stop by his table in the Community Room on February 11th to learn about this issue, watch a short video, and enter to win a copy of Tom Mueller’s recent book, ‘How to Make a Killing.’ Who knows, you may be inspired to write your Federal reps with the simple question: “Are there any reasons left the huge kidney dialysis company DaVita shouldn’t be broken up!”. This is more than about kidney dialysis, this is about monopoly power abuse. More info at the dialysisethics2.org site.
The winning number on February 4th for the Tom Mueller’s book ‘How to Make a Killing’ was: 238506
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Registration Open for Pacific Western Regional Assembly – April 19th and 20th
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t’s time to get together!
Registration is open for our Pacific Western Regional Assembly this April 19th and 20th!
People can attend either in person, at First Universalist in Denver, or remotely. We are planning a family friendly event and children are welcome. This is a great chance to connect with our larger faith and connect with new and old friends.
Stay up to date on all the PWR RA Plans here.
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Helping Migrants in Denver
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(Thanks to Julie Meyers for the post)
It’s hard to ignore the migrants who are newly arriving in Denver. Most have had arduous journeys, but, of course, their difficulties don’t magically disappear just because they have arrived in Denver, a Sanctuary City. They desperately want to work so they can provide for themselves and their families. They need housing, warm clothes, food, health care and much more.
Denverite had a helpful article on January 9th. The full article is here, but I’ve highlighted a few ideas. https://denverite.com/2024/01/09/how-to-help-denver-migrants/
Monetary Donations: “One of the best ways your average person can support the effort is by donating to the Newcomer’s Fund, which to date has already provided more than $1.6 million in funding toward housing, fees associated with applying for work authorization and more,” said Jon Ewing, a spokesperson for the Department of Human Services. https://rcfdenver.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=4267
Employ Migrants. They desperately want to work! Groups like Centro de los Trabajadores are working to help migrants navigate work and offering other resources. https://centrodelostrabajadores.org/. Chamba is an app connecting migrants with people looking to hire, too. https://www.lachamba.app/
Donate Clothing. The City of Denver has identified some items migrants need and places to drop them off. https://www.denvergov.org/Community/Assistance-Programs/Migrant-Support
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2024 General Assembly Registration is Now Open!
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Represent us at the UUA General Assembly! The Unitarian Universalist Association’s (UUA) national meeting of UU congregations is an all-virtual event this year. You can participate from the comfort of your own couch from June 20-23, 2024.
As a member congregation of the UUA, First Unitarian Society of Denver (FUSD) sends “delegates” to this event, which includes worship, workshops, lectures and the annual UUA business meeting. FUSD delegates will participate in the business meeting and vote on items that impact all member congregations. If you are interested in serving as an FUSD delegate at the 2024 General Assembly, please reach out to Coral Cosway at President@fusden.org.
Adult registration is $280 and includes access to the live sessions, on-demand programming, featured speakers and major worships. There is also an option to register for only the annual business meeting portion of the event for free (or a donation amount of your choice). You can review the program and schedule and visit the UUA’s General Assembly webpage for more information.
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Pacific Western Region – January 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 January 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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First Unitarian Information
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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
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!
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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
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!
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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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