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Sunday Worship,
February 23rd, 2025
at 10:30 am
Better Together, Now More Than Ever
Rev. Mike Morran
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Join us on February 23rd at 10:30 am. Join us for Stewardship Sunday when we celebrate our love for our church community and launch our annual pledge campaign for support of the next financial year. We are Better Together, Now More Than Ever!
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Announcing the Stewardship Campaign
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Are you inspired by Mike’s sermons, motivated by our beloved church community’s social justice initiatives, uplifted by Lia’s music, gladdened by Leslie’s leadership of our religious education program, and nourished by the Lunch Bunch? Then join us for a very special service on Sunday, February 23rd. Stewardship Sunday is a time when we celebrate your support of our amazing ministry and ask you to make or renew your financial pledge for next fiscal year. Your contributions support the programs and operations of First Unitarian Society of Denver. The theme of this year’s campaign is Better Together – Now More Than Ever. We have ambitious plans to fund a new ministerial intern and provide Mike with a well deserved sabbatical. Support of our ministerial work will increase our outreach, provide the congregation with even more support, help build programs to be better and stronger. As you know, this is needed now more than ever. To accomplish this goal, we encourage contributors who are able to increase their giving by 15%. Please be on the lookout for one of our Stewardship Ambassadors who will reach out to you to hear your feedback about the church and encourage you to make your pledge of financial support.
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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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Miriam’s Book Table is Proud to Feature…
(Thanks to the Nan Wigington for the post)
Democracy and the Soul of America.
You should read this collection of Howard Thurman’s sermons to discover the mystic who influenced Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights Movement. Thurman wasn’t afraid to talk politics. His spiritual quest was a quest for liberation and societal transformation. Stop by the book table during coffee and check him out.
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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)
We start programming for Middle Schoolers on March 2nd, which will be offered the first two weeks of each month. We will meet downstairs in the teen space after a Time For All Ages. Please make sure to enroll your teen using this Breeze form in order to help us plan appropriately. Additionally, have your teen stop by the family check-in table on Sunday morning to sign in before the service!
Shout Out to our Volunteer Superhero, Skot Davis! He is not only Xander’s father, but he also finds the time to help us out by serving in the K/1 classroom on Sundays. It’s wonderful for our children to see their family contributing to their RE classroom in a meaningful way. They love to show their parents and guardians what they do in class! Thanks for your support, Skot! We appreciate you.
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First Unitarian Events Coming Soon
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Resonance Evening Service & Potluck Dinner
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(Thanks to the Lia Davis for the post)
Resonance is a new monthly contemplative evening service at First Unitarian Denver. Held on the last Wednesday evening of the month at 6 pm in the sanctuary, Resonance will offer quiet music, guided meditation, readings / poems, and time for shared silent reflection. Our next service will be Wednesday February 26th. Please bring a dish to share for a potluck supper following the service at 6:30 in the community room. All are welcome, and child care will be provided during the service.
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Middle East Justice Additional February Event
(Thanks to Ann Sabbah for the post)
Please join us next Tuesday, February 25 for a talk and Q&A with Dr. Mohamed Kuziez. He’ll share with us his recent experience in Gaza on a medical mission with Doctors Against Genocide and Rahma Worldwide. He was one of eleven American health care workers who were stuck in northern Gaza for nearly a week after Israeli government officials delayed their departure.
Conversation with Dr. Mohamed Kuziez
Tuesday, February 25, 6:30-8:30pm
First Unitarian Society of Denver
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Jewish Voice for Peace – Shabbat on Friday, February 28th
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(Thank you to Michael Kengmana for the post)
Jewish Voice for Peace’s (JVP) Denver/Boulder chapter will be hosting a second monthly Shabbat on Friday, February 28th at 6:30pm.
Our first Shabbat in January was amazing and we hope to continue the trend this month. As we continue through these tumultuous times, we hope we can come together on Shabbat as a way to build community and the spiritual foundation for our collective solidarity for Palestine and a better world.
This event is open to all faith backgrounds and no knowledge of Hebrew or Jewish ritual is necessary. We will be teaching and explaining as we go. If you would like to attend please register with the link below. We hope to see you there!
Click here to register to attend.
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Capitol Hill Concerts Presents: The Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra
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(Thanks to Lia Davis for the post)
Join us Saturday March 8th at 7 pm for a unique Capitol Hill Concerts experience. The Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra is a five piece chamber ensemble (piano, violin, cello, clarinet, and cornet) that revives the repertoire of silent film orchestras. Using historic libraries of music, and selecting and fitting a piece of music for each scene in the film, Mont Alto compiles vibrant and emotional scores using the original techniques of silent film orchestras. Mont Alto will accompany two films on March 8th: Dog Shy (1926) directed by Leo McCarey, featuring Charley Chase; and Steamboat Bill Jr. (1928) directed by Charles Reisner, featuring Buster Keaton. A portion of the proceeds from this concert will benefit Colorado Puppy Rescue, a no-kill rescue dedicated to saving young puppies and their mamas. Visit this link for more information and tickets.
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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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(Thanks to Susan Robertson for the post)
Please join us for a celebration of life for Beverly Bridges, a long-time member of First Unitarian. We will gather at Evans Chapel on the DU Campus on Saturday, March 15 at 11:30 a.m.; an open house/reception will follow at Bev’s home in University Park.
For further details, please contact Susan Robertson (Bev’s youngest daughter) at 303.815.7571 or Bridges.robertson@gmail.com
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Calling First Unitarian Men!
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(Thanks to Mike Morran for the post)
SoUUlful Men at First Unitarian is open to new members. We meet the first and third Monday evening of each month to support personal and spiritual growth among our members. We do this through sharing, friendship, accountability, and mutual commitment. We recognize that every man comes with different intentions, gifts, strengths, wounds, and life experience. We recognize that men are often shaped into the weapons of culture, just as often become the wounded, and are usually both. We recognize that enculturation for men has both light and shadow sides, nobility and toxicity, heroism and deep denial. Together we will seek to unpack some of this toxicity, and this nobility. Please reach out to Rev. Mike at revmorran@gmail.com if you are interested, or would like more information.
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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. 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.
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The 2025 AUCTION is Coming!
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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 now, and stop by the auction table at coffee hour to pick up a donation form and chat with us about how and what you can donate!
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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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Social Justice Film Series at First Plymouth
(Thanks to Dan Moen, First Universalist Social Justice, for the post)
The Social Justice Film series continues on March 7th with a viewing of Bedlam. Through intimate stories of patients, families, and medical providers, Bedlam is a feature-length documentary that immerses us in the national crisis surrounding care for people with severe mental illness. Filmed over five years, it brings us inside one of America’s busiest psychiatric emergency rooms, into jails where psychiatric patients are warehoused, and to the homes – and homeless encampments – of members of our communities with mental illness, where silence and shame often compound personal suffering. The story is told in part by director Kenneth Paul Rosenberg, MD, whose own life journey has been profoundly impacted by a family member with severe mental illness.
March 7, 2025
First Plymouth Church, Room 212
3501 S. Colorado Blvd.
Bring a snack to share. Social gathering begins at 6:30. We’ll start the movie at 7:00.
View the trailer below:
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Jefferson Humanists – Upcoming Programs
(Thanks to Kathy Glatz for the post)
Saturday, February 22, 4:30 to 7:00 pm, Secular Hub, 254 N. Knox Court, Denver. This will be a moderated Town Hall where questions for Fish will be submitted in writing before the Town Hall begins, and our moderators will select and read the questions of greatest interest. Following the moderated questions, Fish will take any questions or comments from the floor. We invite you to stay after the Town Hall for a BYOB “happy hour” mix and mingle where you can speak 1:1 with Fish in an informal setting. Doors will open at 4:30 where we will begin taking questions for Fish on paper submission forms. The Town Hall will start at 5:00 and end at 6:00 with the Happy Hour mix and mingle lasting until 7:00 p.m. Please RSVP to RSVP@jeffersonhumanists.org.
Sunday, February 23, 4 – 6:30 pm. Jefferson Humanists will sponsor AHA Executive Director Fish Stark at the Jefferson Unitarian Church, 14350 W 32nd Ave, Golden, CO 80401.
Fish will speak on Humanists Move America: How & Why Humanist Ideas Power America Now. How has Humanism helped shape America in the past and how can it in the future? What will Fish and the AHA do to help protect our separation of church and state and help fight for the rights of all? How can we work with AHA and other organizations to help? We will gather at 4pm, with the presentation at 4:30, followed by open Q&A. Join us for beverages (donation suggested) and bring a dessert for all to share following the presentation. Please RSVP to RSVP@jeffersonhumanists.org.
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Jefferson Humanists – Class: What is Humanism?
(Thanks to Kathy Glatz for the post)
Humanist Education Program, beginning Wednesday, February 26, 7-8:30 pm.
Registration is Free, bur required. Email Programchair@JeffersonHumanists.org with your name, email, and zip code.
There are four Zoom sessions, Wednesday, Feb 26, March 5, 12, and 19. Topics: History of Humanism; Just what is Humanism anyway; Free will, morality, and Humanism; Living a Humanist Life.
Facilitators Carole Hughes and Nancy Bolt will provide short readings and thought-provoking questions and facilitate discussion. The course is free, registration is required and limited to the first 20 people who register. An in-person similar course will follow the Zoom course.
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Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund Gala – March 15
(Thanks to the Arnie Carter for the post)
We all know the dire need and the horrific conditions in Palestine. The need is huge beyond words. So on March 15th at 6 pm at The Inverness, 200 Inverness Dr W, Englewood, CO 80112, the Denver chapter of PCRF is having a Gala to raise funds for the Children of Gaza, the West Bank and for children refugees though the Middle East.
Register here.
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The Larger Unitarian Universalist Community
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