|
Sunday Worship,
May 11th, 2025
at 10:30 am
Music Sunday:
Such Singing in the Wild Branches
Rev. Lia Davis and Wyatt Smith
|
Join us on May 11th at 10:30 am. Join us for Music Sunday and our annual Flower Communion! Through music, poetry, and visual art, we’ll explore birds and the hope, joy, beauty, and freedom they symbolize. This service features First Unitarian Denver’s Chalice Singers and violinist Sandra Wong.
This Sunday, we will also hold our annual Flower Communion, especially relevant to the times we are living in. Please bring a single flower with you to participate (we will also have extras). All are sacred and worthy, and all will be able to participate!
|
Annual Flower Communion This Sunday!
This Sunday, Mother’s Day, First Unitarian will hold our annual Flower Communion, especially relevant to the times we are living in.
Everyone attending this Sunday should plan to bring a single flower with them to participate in the Flower Communion. All are sacred and worthy, and all will be able to participate!
|
Children’s Religious Exploration Programming
|
(Thanks to Leslie Harvey for the post)
Youth Program class this Sunday. Please encourage your teens to join us!
On May 18, First Unitarian will hold a Bridging Ceremony—a meaningful ritual that honors the important life transitions of our young people.
Whether a child is moving from preschool to kindergarten, kindergarten to first grade, middle school to high school, or graduating from high school into college or adulthood, this ceremony provides a special opportunity to mark the moment with reflection, celebration, and community support.
If there’s a young person in your life experiencing one of these transitions, we warmly invite them to take part in this tradition that recognizes both the excitement and challenges of growing up.
Last day of RE Classes will be held on June 1st before we break for the summer. RE summer opportunities for June and July will be announced soon.
Mark your calendars! Saturday, June 14th 11:00-1:30 Intergenerational Picnic at Great Lawn Park in Lowry. We will play Field Day style games, BBQ, and have some good old fashioned summer fun together. Fun for the whole family! Please RSVP at this form.
|
First Unitarian Events Coming Soon
|
|
First Unitarian Blood Drive
|
(Thanks to Danica Larson for the post)
This Mother’s Day, give the perfect gift in honor of your mother or parent. Donate the Gift of Life at the second annual First Unitarian Blood Drive on Sunday May 11, 9-1. Sign up now with QR code or link.
|
|
Slice of Hope – Interdependence and Justice Workshops
|
Sponsored by Middle East Justice, Saturday, May 17, 1-7pm at First Unitarian Society of Denver
Slice of Hope will be leading community workshops on self- and collective-sufficiency in an ethos of mutual aid while fundraising and raising awareness for Gaza and Sudan. Join us as we learn crafts and skills and have discussions about racial equity, justice, interdependence, generosity, community love and inclusion with an eye toward our global, interconnected community.
|
|
Reproductive Justice Movie: “Aftershock”
|
(Thanks to Jane Ashley for the post)
Black women die in complications from childbirth at 4 times the rate of white women in the USA. The documentary “Aftershock” explores this by focusing on two women, bringing to light the disrupted families and shared grief that engulfs whole communities.
Date: Thursday, May 29
Time: 6:30-9:30 pm
Place: Jane Ashley’s living room.
RSVP Required: Jane will send location and information after receiving this.
|
|
First Unitarian Bike to Church Day and Bike Repair Clinic
|
|
Slate of Nominees for 2025-2026 Church Year
|
(Thanks to Tess Dieringer and Patrick Whorton for the post)
Please click here to review the slate of nominees for elected positions for the upcoming 2025-2026 church year published in accordance with FUSD’s bylaws. These nominees will be approved at our annual congregational meeting on Sunday, June 1. The Leadership Development Committee is very enthusiastic about the skills, accomplishments, diversity, and commitment represented here, with the majority being first-time to-be-elected members. Please join us in warmly welcoming them.
Please note an update to the slate due to a recent vacancy.
|
|
Faith in Action Annual Report
|
(Thanks to Peggy Ulrich-Nims for the post)
Please click here to review the annual report for Faith in Action for 2024-2025 (FIAC).
Toward the end of the report you will see a reference to the new Immigration Project. You can view their application here. They will be seeking approval at the June 1, 2025 Annual Meeting.
Please plan to attend the June 1 annual meeting to learn more, to meet the people who make this work possible, and to vote on the Immigration Project.
|
Create a Legacy in Love and Justice
(Thanks to Nancy Crow, Stewardship Council for the post)
Make a legacy gift to First Unitarian to sustain and nourish our transformational community for future generations! To be a Founding Member of First Unitarian’s Legacy Society, you must have your legacy gift in place and let the Legacy Working Group know that you have included First Unitarian in your estate plan no later than June 30, 2025. It may take some time to finalize your documents, so don’t delay! You can name First Unitarian in your will or trust or as a beneficiary of your retirement plan or life insurance. For more information about making a legacy gift, see this FAQ . When you have completed your estate plan, please advise Kate Raabe .
In community,
From the Stewardship Council’s Legacy Working Group, Kathy Aguirre, Nancy Crow, Mike Cranmer, Lynn Garman and Kate Raabe
|
|
Spring Showers Hygiene Drive
|
(Thanks to Bonnie-Jean Jenkins for the post)
Hello First Unitarians! I am here to tell you about an easy way for you to positively impact close to 4000 individuals and families in need this coming year. The Denver Human Services GIVE Center holds an annual Spring Showers Hygiene Drive in April. Get it, Spring Showers, April Showers. The DHS Give Center is a free resource providing emergency goods and services with a trauma-informed, person-centered, and holistic approach. Last year the GIVE team served over 3900 customers and distributed 30,000+ emergency hygiene items – all thanks to donors – LIKE YOU! I will be placing 2 bins at the church to collect hygiene items for the GIVE Center. Their collection runs from April 14 – May 16. I or one of my co workers at DHS will collect the bins. You don’t have to do anything but bring in some soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc.. You know what to do! And thank you for everything you do! –
bonnie-jean
p.s. if you would like to look at their website – here is the link: website
|
|
Represent First Unitarian at the UUA General Assembly
|
(Thanks to Coral Cosway for the post)
Represent us at the UUA General Assembly! The Unitarian Universalist Association’s (UUA) national meeting of UU congregations is happening in Baltimore, Maryland and virtually this year from June 18-22, 2025.
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 2025 General Assembly, please reach out to Coral Cosway at President@fusden.org.
Registration amounts depend on how much access you want to the event. More information about registration can be found here. You can review the program and schedule and visit the UUA’s General Assembly webpage for more information.
|
(Thanks to Lia Davis for the post)
We are seeking help watching our dog Heidi when we travel – we have a couple of week-long trips planned this summer. Heidi is 9.5 years old, an Australian Shepherd / Border Collie mix. Some of you have met Heidi as she belonged to our former custodian Rich Stephen and was frequently at FUSD. She is crate trained and will do best in a home without other pets. Please contact Lia at ldavis@fusden.org if you might be interested in helping out. Thank you!
|
In Loving Memory of Sue Mitchell
(With a heavy heart, we note the passing of Sue Mitchell this past Tuesday, April 30th. Sue and George were long-time members of 1st Unitarian Denver, extraordinarily generous and kind human beings who contributed enormous time intelligence, and other resources to the ministry of our church. She will be greatly missed. A memorial service will be scheduled in June or July
|
Local Unitarian Universalists and Community News
|
|
Volunteer with Guns to Gardens
|
(Thanks to Julie Meyers for the post)
Guns to Gardens is an amazing organization that lets people drop off their unwanted firearms which are then converted to garden tools. There are 2 events coming up – May 10 and July 19. You can help in two ways. Circulate this poster anywhere you hang out. Volunteer on May 10 and/or July 19. I have done it before and it is well organized and very gratifying. If you’re interested in volunteering or want more information, email me at julie.meyers.md@gmail.com.
|
|
Lay Ministry Training Opportunity
|
(Thanks to Rev. Cindy Pincus for the post)
I’m writing because this summer from July-September I’m offering a three month lay ministry training program at my ‘congregation’ Mountain Vista Senior Living in Wheatridge.
Volunteers will be working with ~200 elders at my facility ranging including folks in memory care, skilled nursing, and assisted/independent living. The program is appropriate for folks aged 16 and up.
We’re providing robust onboarding training and ongoing monthly interdisciplinary trainings (hospice, social services, dementia/alzheimers, etc.). Volunteers will have a chance to give direct care ministry to residents, participate in group spiritual activities like Bible Study and Worship, and receive one-on-one mentorship with me. At the end of the program volunteers will have the opportunity to continue volunteering with us if it’s been a good experience.
If you know any folks in thecongregation who might be a good fit for this work, or if you’d be willing to add it to your announcements or bulletin, I’ll be hosting an info session and trainings in June. Info below and attached.
Info Session: June 8th 4-5pm MT on Zoom at this link – https://us06web.zoom.us/j/4028312198?omn=84366065013
In-person Trainings at Mountain Vista Senior Living
June 15th 2-5pm
June 16th 5-8pm
June 19th 11-2pm
Application for Program: https://forms.gle/8iFF3TbjfmHyq3ik6
|
The Larger Unitarian Universalist Community
|
|
|
|
