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Sunday Worship,
February 16th, 2025
at 10:30 am
Can Love Save Us?
Rev. Mike Morran
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Join us on February 9th at 10:30 am. By request, (and because of Valentine’s Day) this Sunday we will take a hard look at human love, its manifestations, longings, and complications.
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Giving in Action – Grow Food Grow People
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Grow Food Feed People (GFFP) is a coalition of 15 organizations working to increase food resiliency and urban greening across the Denver Metro area. By growing produce locally, supporting community-based agriculture, and increasing grow-to-give models, GFFP seeks to mitigate the harmful shock waves of inconsistent food supply and create a robust urban ecosystem of food-focused organizations.
[Our 15 Member Organizations are: Denver Children’s Home, Denver Urban Gardens, Ekar Farm, Fresh Food Connect, Gardens & Solid Waste Diversion at DPS, Grow Local Colorado, Kaizen Food Rescue, Metro Caring, Montbello Organization Committee, Re:Vision, Slow Food Denver, Steam Academy, The Table Denver, The Urban Farm, and Village Exchange Center]
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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)
Our Youth Program will begin on March 2nd, thanks to the incredible volunteers who have signed up to assist us: CJ Witlaw, Kate and Mitch Mazzotta, Robin Keith, Coral Cosway, LK Wilhelms, Ellory Boyd, Eric Kollwitz, Michelle Boyer, August Sharp, Kenna Bonner.
Click here learn more about and register for QUUest Summer Camp for Middle and High Schoolers July 6-12, 2025 in Casper, WY.
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First Unitarian Events Coming Soon
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Lunch Bunch Potluck – Friday, February 14!
Everyone is invited to our monthly potluck, Lunch Bunch, on the second Friday of the month. This month we meet on Friday, February 14! We gather at First Unitarian Society of Denver around 11:45 a.m. to set up, and we generally ring the lunch bell at 12. 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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Join Us in a Discussion on Immigration and First Unitarian
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(Thanks to Julie Meyers for the post)
There is a crisis going on in our community that involves immigrants who live among us. FUSD has had an Immigration Committee in the past. Some of us have been discussing whether it is time for FUSD to become actively involved once again. What would that involvement look like? Please join us on Sunday, February 16th from 12:00-1:30 in the chapel for a discussion. Anyone interested in the topic is welcome and any ideas are appreciated. Pizza will be served. Any questions, please contact Elisabeth Arenales.
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Thank-you Piano Recital;!
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(Thanks to the Lia Davis for the post)
Lia Davis, FUSD’s Music Director, will perform a short piano recital on our new Schimmel grand piano on Sunday, February 23rd. The recital will begin about 20 minutes after the service ends (12 or 12:15 pm, after coffee hour) and last about 30 minutes. This “thank you” recital is an offering of gratitude to our FUSD community who supported and contributed to the purchase of the piano last year.
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Reproductive Justice Movie – February 20th.
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(Thanks to Jane Ashley for the post)
“Grandma”. – Movie starring Lily Tomlinson
The 2015 movie “Grandma” will be shown on Thursday, Feb. 20 at 6 pm. Starring Lily Tomlin and Julia Garner. Grandma helps her teenage granddaughter when she gets pregnant. Please RSVP to jane.ashley52@ gmail.com. Then I’ll send my new address and information.
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Middle East Justice Upcoming Events
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(Thanks to Ann Sabbah for the post)
There are three more free community events in February and March put together by our own Middle East Justice Project. Please join us! Note: the final event is a potluck and discussion of the latest Ta-Nehisi Coates book The Message, so check with Miriam’s Book Table to get a copy.
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Faith in Action Book Talk!
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(Thanks to Peggy Ulrich-Nims for the post)
Your Faith in Action Council is sponsoring a Book Talk on Yale professor Timothy Snyder’s 2017 book On Tyranny which describes 20 steps from democracy to tyranny. Two Sunday afternoon opportunities are scheduled: take your pick: Sunday March 9 or Sunday March 23 at noon in the lower level TV room. Trudy Glidden and Peggy Ulrich-Nims will facilitate. Books will be available in the Community Room after Sunday service starting Sunday. Contact Peggy with questions.
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Family Promise – Volunteers Needed!
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(Thanks to Kate Jones for the post)
Next Rotation is March 16 – 23. We need your help supporting families experiencing homelessness as we host them at our church. Many volunteer opportunities: moving beds, room setup & takedown, hosting, cooking, and transportation. Sign up today to live our values and strengthen community as we volunteer together. Sign up right away here.
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Spring 2025 Call for Social Justice Projects
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(Thanks to Peggy Ulrich-Nims for the post)
The FUSD Faith in Action Council is calling upon active, interested, motivated members and friends to consider developing plans for a social justice project (funded) or action circle ( unfunded) for the coming 2025-26 church year. The Project application can be found on the First Unitarian website or here. You should download the application and return to Peggy at ulrichnims@gmail.com or in person. This should be returned by mid-March. Members of the Social Justice Council are happy to discuss your ideas and the process. Please contact Peggy Ulrich-Nims as soon as possible.
An initial discussion of immigration topics is scheduled on Sunday Feb 16 at noon in the Chapel.
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(Thanks to the Helen Berkman for the post)
Yes, the 2025 Auction is going live! “Sailing Together in our Blue Boat
Home!” will be Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 4:30 pm. Mark your calendar and
enjoy supper from a great food truck, a wine bar, silent auction tables, and
dessert. Music to lure you into the Sanctuary for a live auction will be
provided by Nichole Albertsmeier and friends. On-line bidding will be
available in April but only if your donations start pouring in!
SO, right now we need your donations! Help fill our catalog with exciting
items, experiences, events, and services. Get your creative juices flowing
and drop off your donation at the auction table beginning February 9th , or
access the donation form right here.
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Activism Resources for Immigration Justice
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(Thanks to the Mike Morran for the post)
There are two protests/vigils this coming weekend.
- Aurora Unidos — Rally against Buckley AFB collaboration with ICE – Saturday Feb 8, 10 am, at Buckley AFB at intersection of E. Mississippi and Aspen St.
- Love Knows No Borders, No Walls! A vigil organized by the American Friends Service Committee at the ICE Detention Center, Monday, February 10th at 6:00 pm. 3130 Oakland in Aurora, CO
Opportunities to contribute, get involved, and information about knowing your rights are available from:
Short, informative videos can be found here: https://www.wehaverights.us/
A fine Faith Leaders statement from the Colorado Council of Churches can be found at: https://cochurches.org/christian-leaders-in-colorado-voice-strong-opposition-to-trump-immigration-policies-urge-reform/
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Rev. Mike Vlog – Stained Glass Window
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A message from Rev. Mike Morran
Ever wonder about the beautiful stained glass window of the Good Samaritan in our church foyer? Rev. Mike Morran shares its incredible journey from our second building at 19th and Broadway to its place of honor here at 14th and Lafayette. This piece of First Unitarian Denver history has been preserved through moves, a fire, and renovations—now greeting us every time we enter.
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Local Unitarian Universalists News
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Presentation: All Men Created Equal?
Jefferson Unitarian Church invites members of First Unitarian to attend a special presentation, both in person at JUC and via livestream, on Sunday, February 23 at 12:30 pm. The talk, titled “All Men Created Equal”? Thomas Jefferson’s Views on Race and Slavery in Historical Context, will be given by historian Jane Calvert. This event is part of JUC’s ongoing discussion about selecting a new name for the church, but believe it may also be of interest to other Unitarian Universalists. Livestream link.
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The Larger Unitarian Universalist Community
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Unitarian Universalist – February Newsletter
The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) has joined with a multifaith coalition and the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection to bring a lawsuit challenging Immigration and Custom Enforcement’s (ICE) “sensitive locations policy.” Read more in the link to the February newsletter below.
The Unitarian Unitarian Association February Newsletter click here.
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Pacific Western Region – Responding to NOW
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The Pacific Western Region of the Unitarian Universalists.
Responding to Now: A PWR Series will have one session each month on a topic responding to the challenges of our current times. Save the Time and Dates, March 6th and April 3rd via Zoom. Register here.
In this political climate, we need one another more than ever. This series of three workshops offer leaders of UU congregations and covenanting communities the opportunity to receive, and give, moral and practical support for facing the challenges of religious leadership in 2025. Topics will include leading strategically in anxious times, dealing with conflict and difficult behavior, and creating meaningful connections for people of all ages, all in the context of a spiritual community that is called to uphold human rights and dignity.
Register here.
March 6th: Emergent Strategy and Liminal Times
Revs. Sunshine Jeremiah Wolfe and Tania Márquez
April 3rd: Young Children and Families
Dr. Melissa James, Sam K. Pearl, and Mylo Way
Location: Online (Zoom)
Time: 08:00 PM to 09:30 PM – AZ and Mountain times.
*The gatherings will be at 5:00 Hawaii, 6:00 Alaska, 7:00 Pacific, and 8:00 Arizona and Mountain times.
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UU World – Fall/Winter 2024
Read the Fall/Winter 2024 Issue – “Seeds of Change” of the UU World by clicking here.
The UU World is the magazine of the Unitarian Universalist Association, it celebrates liberal religion and the people it inspires.
You can view the UU World online presence here.
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First Unitarian Society of Denver Information
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Supplies for Community Coffee Hour
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We hope you’re enjoying our Community Coffee Hour as much as we do! To keep this cherished time vibrant and welcoming, we invite you to contribute your favorite beverage additions (we do not need coffee at this time) or snacks. Whether it’s creamer, plant-based options, sweet treats, teas, or even some healthy veggies, your contributions help make our gatherings special.
Regular contributions from members like you ensure that our Coffee Hour remains a delightful experience for everyone. Thank you for your generosity and for being such an integral part of our community.
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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
This form should also be used for all Social Media and Website Requests.
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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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