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Rise and shine, sleepyheads—Daylight Savings Time begins at 2 AM on Sunday, March 9! Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead one hour, or you might show up just in time for coffee hour instead of the service.
We’ll be bright-eyed (or at least caffeinated) and ready to see you at our regular 10:30 AM service time!
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Sunday Worship,
March 9th, 2025
at 10:30 am
Hearing Voices
Rev. Mike Morran
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Join us on March 9th at 10:30 am. One of the things (probably) every human has in common are the voices in our heads. The ones we know so very, very well. The ones who tell all the reasons we aren’t good enough, why we can’t change, can’t win, can’t be whole, ad nauseum… How much control do we have over these voices? What are some other possibilities? What might spiritual growth actually look like? Feel like? Sound like?
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2025-2026 Stewardship Campaign: Better Together, Now More Than Ever
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Thank you to our staff, stewardship council and speakers who helped put on an amazing Stewardship Sunday on February 23rd! If you didn’t get your pledge packet that day, you should have received one in the mail. The Stewardship Campaign theme for this year is Better Together: Now More Than Ever. Our campaign goal is ambitious because we have exciting plans and needs for the congregation. We ask you to return your pledge form via mail, online here or via email to stewardship@fusden.org. By making a commitment to this organization, we will be in a better position to plan our budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, and do more to be a stronger congregation. You also will be hearing from (or have already heard from) your Ambassador via email or phone. We encourage you to return the call/email and connect with these awesome members of our community. This is the most important part – connecting and sharing our lives together.
We appreciate the 66 members and friends who have pledged so far! This year’s ambitious goal will require everyone’s participation. We really need the remaining 250 members to pledge—at any amount that works for you! If you have yet to pledge, please submit yours today!
If you have any questions or want to provide feedback, please don’t hesitate to contact stewardship@fusden.org. Thank you!!
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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)
Shout Out to Coral Cosway, Ellory Boyd, and Michelle Boyer for serving in our Youth Program in our first two weeks with middle school students! They have been trained and are ready to have fun with youth in our teen space downstairs. Thanks for being the first Youth Advisors to serve as we relaunch our program. We appreciate you!
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First Unitarian Events Coming Soon
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The Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra-THIS Saturday
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(Thanks to Lia Davis for the post)
Join us THIS 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. Mont Alto will accompany two fils 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 MaxFund, whose mission is to shelter, care for and find homes for pets in our community, and welcome into our care even those pets with the most critical need. Sign up to donate a snack for the concert intermission; all proceeds collected at intermission benefit MaxFund. Visit www.capitolhillconcerts.com for more information and tickets.
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Lunch Bunch Potluck – Friday, March 14!
Everyone is invited to our monthly potluck, Lunch Bunch, on the second Friday of the month. This month we meet on Friday, March 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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Memorial for Jason Marsden
(Thanks to Rev. Mike for the post)
It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Jason Marsden, our staff Stewardship Coordinator. Those of us who knew Jason well are heartbroken and in shock. He was a kind, gentle, and thoughtful soul with a wonderful sense of humor, and he will be deeply missed by so many in the First Unitarian community.
A memorial service to honor Jason’s life will be held on Saturday, March 15, at 1:00 PM at Salida United Methodist Church, 228 E 4th St., Salida, CO 81201.
Our hearts go out to all who knew and loved him.
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How to Conduct an Effective Meeting
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(Thanks to Tess Dieringer for the post)
The Leadership Development Committee invites you to our final training this year on March 16 in the Rose Chapel from noon to 2 pm. Paul Riederer will be sharing his extensive expertise in this practical, nuts-and-bolts workshop on Facilitating an Effective Meeting. Certified as a Master Facilitator, Paul has led management retreats with scores of teams to assess communication problems, set goals, and create work plans to address problems and achieve goals.
Kindly RSVP to tsdieringer@gmail.com so we can plan accordingly. Light refreshments will be served. All are welcome!
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Middle East Justice March Events
(Thanks to Ann Sabbah for the post)
TUESDAY, MARCH 18
We’ll gather for a community potluck and facilitated discussion of the new Ta-Nehisi Coates book, The Message.
Potluck and discussion of The Message
Tuesday, March 18
6:30-8:30pm
First Unitarian Society of Denver, 1400 Lafayette St
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Reproductive Justice Film Series
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(Thanks to Jane Ashley for the post)
The movie “Small Things Like These” will be shown in the Reproductive Justice series on Thursday, March 20. This film won the best picture, best actor (Cillian Murphy), and best script awards in the 2025 Irish Film and TV Awards. It’s based on the novel by Claire Keegan, a story about the Magdalene laundries where Catholic nuns kept unmarried pregnant girls captive and gave up their babies for adoption. These practices continued in Ireland until they were finally shut down in the 1990’s. Please join us for this beautiful and heart-wrenching but ultimately uplifting movie.
When: Thursday, March 20
Where: Jane Ashley’s living room
RSVP required: jane.ashley52@gmail.com
Time: 6-9 pm
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Faith in Action Book Talk! – DATE CHANGE
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(Thanks to Peggy Ulrich-Nims for the post)
The 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. Please join Trudy Glidden and Peggy Ulrich-Nims on either Sunday March 23 or Sunday March 30 ( or both if you choose) at noon in the lower level TV room. PLEASE NOTE THE DATE CHANGE. Books will be available for free in the Community Room after church on Sunday March 2 and March 9. 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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2025 AUCTION is Coming! Donations Needed!!
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(Thanks to the Helen Berkman for the post)
Yes, the 2025 Auction is getting closer! “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! Don’t delay!
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Do You Have a Getaway to Give (Away) to the Auction?
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(Thanks to Tess Dieringer for the post)
Do you, a family member, or a generous friend, neighbor, or business colleague who owes you a big favor have a hideaway, haven, escape, retreat, sanctuary, house on a lake, cabin in the woods, or other sweet spot to donate to Auction 2025?? Getaways are popular, big-ticket items that help us reach our goals every year. You determine the dates, terms, and number of occupants. Please be creative and dig deep! I’d love to explore any ideas with you at tsdieringer@gmail.com.
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Endowment Grant Application Now Open!
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(Thanks to Ingrid Porter for the post)
Applications for FUSD’s 2025 endowment grant are being accepted through April 15.
The endowment grant is for projects that enhance the permanent facilities and capabilities of FUSD. Selection criteria includes projects:
– that are visible to the congregation
– that will impact the work of the church for more than one year
– that will further the mission of our congregation
– that cannot be funded through FUSD’s normal operating budget
Please email endowment@fusden.org to receive an application, or with any 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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Calling First Unitarian Men!
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(Thanks to Mike Morran for the post)
. 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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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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Activism Resources for Immigration Justice
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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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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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Jefferson Humanists – Monthly Program
(Thanks to the Kathy Glatz for the post)
Our Culture is Our Resistance, Repression, Refuge and Healing in Guatemala is the next program sponsored by Jefferson Humanists. Photographer and activist Johnathan Moller shares his Human Rights work in Guatemala via slideshow and talk.
View the flyer here.
This program in Sunday, March 23, 2025 at 4pm. Jefferson Unitarian Church, 14350 W 32nd Ave., Golden
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The Larger Unitarian Universalist Community
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