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Sunday Worship,
May 18th, 2025
at 10:30 am
The Nature of Spiritual Growth
Rev. Mike Morran
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Join us on May 18th at 10:30 am. This morning we will consider Nature as Scripture, hopefully deepen our relationship to Nature, and wonder if a spirituality divorced from Nature is a spirituality worth having.
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Giving in Action this Sunday – Second Wind
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The mission of Second Wind Fund (SWF) is to decrease the incidence of suicide in children and youth by removing the financial and social barriers to treatment. We do this by working with children and youth, ages 19 and under, who are at risk for suicide and facing barriers to accessing mental health treatment, connecting them with providers in our network and covering the costs for 12 – 20 sessions of therapy.
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Miriam’s Book Table is Proud to Feature…
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(Thanks to Nan Wigington for the post)
Undue Burden by Shefali Luthra. In her new book, Luthra explores the life-threatening consequences that occur when reproductive freedom is denied. Come check out the book at Miriam’s Table during coffee hour.
If the book table shut down for good would that be an undue burden to you? Stop by the book table and learn how to keep it open.
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Children’s Religious Exploration Programming
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(Thanks to Leslie Harvey for the post)
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 (South Pavilion). 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.
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First Unitarian Events Coming Soon
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Slice of Hope – Interdependence and Justice Workshops
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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.
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Reproductive Justice Movie: “Aftershock”
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(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.
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First Unitarian Bike to Church Day and Bike Repair Clinic
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Single/Divorced Parent CORE Circle
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(Thanks to Leslie Harvey for the post)
Formerly known as the Parents of Teens CORE Circle, we are expanding to include single parents and divorced parents of kids, teens, even grown children! Parenting can be challenging and doing it alone or coparenting post-divorce can add additional layers. By expanding our CORE Circle description, we are hoping to bring in range of folks from newly single to those with years of experience to share. Our next meeting will be held in the Community Room on June 12th 6:00-7:30. Please contact Leslie Harvey to RSVP.
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Exploring Possibility of Two Services at First Unitarian
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As our community continues to grow, we’re thoughtfully exploring the possibility of moving to two Sunday services. This change could create more space, flexibility, and opportunity for deeper connection — but your voice is essential in shaping the path forward.
We invite you to watch this short video, which outlines the reasons we’re considering this shift and what it could mean for our congregation.
After watching, please take a moment to complete the survey and share your thoughts. Your input will help guide our next steps.
[Click here to take the survey.]
Thank you for being a vital part of our community.
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Slate of Nominees for 2025-2026 Church Year
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(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.
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Faith in Action Annual Report
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(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.
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(Thanks to Helen Berkman for the post)
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON SATURDAY, MAY 3, 2025 FOR A DELIGHTFUL EVENING!
Bidding is now CLOSED and recorded. Please review your emailed statement and pay by self check-out – credit card or check – within 20 days. If you send a check, PLEASE mail your check to First Unitarian or bring it to church IN AN ENVELOPE AND CLEARLY MARKED.
DONORS: To see who won your event or item, just click on the Catalog link, find your item, and click on “More Details”. Click here for the Auction link.
SPECIAL CALL DONATIONS: Special Call donations came in at $18,615 from an amazing and generous group. If you wish, you may still donate to the Special Call on BREEZE through end of May, Go to the Giving page and find “Give to Auction – Special Call” in the drop-down menu.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: We still need chefs and sous chefs for two events – one in August and one in September. Please contact Helen Berkman if you’re interested – you’ll get a free concert! and reimbursed expenses if needed.
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Represent First Unitarian at the UUA General Assembly
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(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.
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(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!
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Local Unitarian Universalists and Community News
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Volunteer Opportunity for Food Distribution Driver
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(Thanks to Beth Fischer for the post)
Hope Communities is a nonprofit organization that provides affordable housing and vital support services to under-resourced communities across Denver and is one of our Giving in Action recipients. They are seeking one or more volunteers to be collect food for their bi-weekly food distribution program. A description follows:
We’re looking for a volunteer to assist with food distribution starting June 11. This role involves:
- Meeting a Hope Communities staff member every other Wednesday at 9:00 AM at Restaurant Depot (1740 W 13th Ave, Denver, CO 80204)
- Helping shop for food and loading it into your own vehicle (ideally an SUV or truck)
- Driving the food to Hidden Brook Apartments (1313 Xenia St, Denver, CO 80220)
The total time commitment is approximately 90 minutes.
If you are interested in this opportunity please contact:
Elfi Mandefro
Volunteer Coordinator &
Youth Program Specialist
Hope Communities
2543 California St
Denver, CO 80205
Cell (720) 645-6064
Elfaz@hopecommunities.org
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Lay Ministry Training Opportunity
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(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
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Volunteer with Guns to Gardens
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(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 ia one remaining event coming up – 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.
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The Larger Unitarian Universalist Community
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