FirstAnnounce – May 3, 2026

Sunday Worship,

May 3rd, 2026

at 9:15 & 11 am

Dharma and Karma

Rev. Mike Morran

Join us on May 3rd at 9:15 and 11 am. Two pillars of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, together they form a cosmic and ethical framework for how to live a good life. This Sunday will be a Dharma-style introduction to how this works.

We warmly invite you to join us in person, or if you prefer, you can also participate online. We look forward to seeing you there! 

Our service streams at 9:15 am to Youtube and Zoom (meeting ID is 466-677-668 and the password is 454623).

Join us for coffee in the Community Room after each service. 

Giving in Action this Sunday

Giving in Action: Disability Law Colorado

Disability Law Colorado (DLC) works to ensure that Coloradans with disabilities have equal opportunities, can live independently and with dignity, and are empowered to advocate for themselves. As Colorado’s designated Protection and Advocacy system, the organization provides free legal services, education, and advocacy to protect civil and human rights and to dismantle systemic barriers that prevent full community participation. Founded in 1976, DLC has represented more than 35,000 individuals with disabilities and reached over 100,000 Coloradans through education, investigations, and advocacy.

Children’s Religious Exploration Programming

Religious Exploration News

(Thanks to Leslie Harvey, for the post) 

RE classes will be held during the first service, which will begin at 9:15. There will be no RE classes during the second service, which will begin at 11 am each week.

Families, please help us keep children on the carpet (out of the exit aisle) when they have toys out in the Peaceful Play Space. This is an important emergency exit that must stay clear at all times.

In the event of an emergency evacuation when children are in class, we will safely exit the building and reunite with families at the designated location: the parking lot on Lafayette, across the street and to the North. Please see Ms. Leslie with any questions you may have.

Mark your calendars! On May 17, 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. Please contact Leslie @ msleslie@fusden.org to let you know!

Please note: May 17 will be an Intergenerational Service, with no RE classes offered. It is New Member Sunday and we will hold our Bridging Ceremony.

Mark your calendars! May 31 will be our RE Volunteer Appreciation and our last day of RE classes before we break for the summer.

First Unitarian Events Coming Soon

GET READY for the Auction – Saturday, May 2 at 4 pm!

Thanks to the Helen Berkman for the post) 

GET READY FOR THE AUCTION…Make sure you’re registered on the Auctria website below if you want to bid and buy a dinner ticket. 

The on-line form and website HERE

The auction event is THIS Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 4:00 pm.

Resonance: Contemplative Evening Service & Potluck Dinner 

(Thanks to Rev. Lia Davis for the post) 

Resonance is a monthly contemplative worship service at First Unitarian Denver led by Rev. Lia Davis. Our next Resonance service is Wednesday May 6th at 6 pm; our theme will be grounding ourselves through our senses. Resonance offers quiet music, guided meditation, readings / poems, and time for shared silent reflection. Please bring a dish to share for a potluck supper following the service at 6:30 in the community room – all are welcome! This will be the final Resonance service for the church year – Resonance will resume in the fall.

Finding Yourself at First Unitarian Denver

(Thanks to Rev. Mike Morran for the post) 

A time for seekers, the curious, and those wishing to connect with the 1st Unitarian Denver community! This participatory class of three hours will provide an introduction to Unitarian Universalism and First Unitarian Church. An added bonus is that you will meet some wonderful people! Facilitated by Rev. Mike Morran, Saturday, May 9th, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. All are welcome, but you must pre-register HERE. Questions, please reach out to Rev. Mike at revmorran@gmail.com.

Annual Business Meeting

(Thanks to Ed Dieringer for the post) 

The First Unitarian Society of Denver’s annual business meeting is May 31st after the 9:15 service. There will not be a second service on that day. The Board of Trustees had hoped to have a vote on new church bylaws. However, that has been deferred to a special meeting that will occur at the beginning of the next church year (Sept-October). In the meantime, the new bylaws will be posted in First Announce and Order of Service. The BOT will hold Q&A sessions in preparation for the special meeting.

First Unitarian Blood drive

(Thanks to the Danica Larson for the post) 

Give life to the life givers. Donate Blood on May 24th, 11 am to 2pm! First Unitarian is coordinating again with Donate for Mothers, raising awareness of the 1 in 83 people delivering who require blood products. Sign up early for a convenient time right at the chapel at FUSD.

Announcements

Have you Pledged Yet?

Pledge online today here. Questions? Email stewardship@fusden.org.

 Slate of Nominees for 2026-2027 Church Year

(Thanks to Tess Dieringer for the post)

Please click here to review the slate of nominees for elected positions for the upcoming 2026-2027 church year published in accordance with FUSD’s bylaws. These nominees will be approved at our annual congregational meeting on Sunday, May 31 at the Congregational Meeting at 11:00 am.

The Leadership Development Committee

“Work that Reconnects” with Joanna Macy?

(Thanks to Jeanette for the post)

Looking for people who have worked with Joanna Macy’s “Work that Reconnects” and Spiral for possible monthly group. Please contact Jeanette if interested and for additional information thru text or phone at 303-880-9405. Thx!

Decade Birthday Party!

(Thanks to Cindy Robertson for the post)

What do Charlotte, Julie, Kimberly, Cindy, Marilee, Peggy and Trudy all have in common? They are celebrating decade birthdays and want you to join us!

Please put the information on your calendar.

When: Saturday June 6 12:30 – 2:30 Open house

Where: Cheeseman Park by the Children’s Play Area

What to bring: Lawn chair, outdoor lawn game that you would like to play, and good wishes. If you want to bring a food item to share, great, but please don’t feel obligated.

Looking for Cooks and Hosts for Summer House Concerts

If you’ve never cooked for or hosted a house concert, you’re missing a truly special—and fun—service opportunity.

Not only will you get to show off your beautiful yard or your latest recipe, you’ll also get to enjoy some wonderful live music. You’ll have a crew to help with cooking, setup, and cleanup, and together you’ll create a warm and memorable evening for your friends and guests.

We are always happy to have new cooks and new homes!

If this sounds like a fun and you’d like to be a chef, help a chef or host your house or yard, please fill out this form and we will get you set up with a great team.

Find Us Online

Stay connected with First Unitarian Denver beyond Sunday mornings. Follow us on social media for service updates, upcoming events, and community news. Every follow helps us grow our reach and spread our message. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and join the conversation. https://linktr.ee/FUSDENSOCIAL

Visitor Information Card

(Thanks to the Connections Committee for the post) 

If you would like to receive a weekly newsletter which is sent by email, please fill out this information for our records. The newsletter gives you information about the upcoming service and other events and activities at our church. Click here.

Social Justice Corner

Rapid Response Training

(Thanks to Arnie Carter for the post)

Come learn about becoming a Rapid Responder and help keep the community safe from ICE. This Training will be lead by First Unitarian Denver member and is open only to FUSD members and friends. Just use the QR code sign up. May 1rst 5-8pm Community Room.

More information at: https://coloradorapidresponsenetwork.com/

Know Your Rights Training with Denver Justice Project

(Thanks to Karen Derrick-Davis for the post)

We hope that everyone will join us for this training. As a congregation we must all be prepared no matter where we are (in the streets, our neighborhood, or at church) to understand our constitutional rights and know the actions to take to protect them.

The Denver Justice Project will provide a Know Your Rights Training workshop that is intended to arm the participants with the knowledge about how to navigate interactions with law-enforcement to their best ability in hopes of the safest possible outcome. This training is also geared to help community members understand their Constitutional Rights and assess interactions with police should their Rights be violated. This event is open to the community. Feel free to share with friends and family.

May 5th from 6-8pm in the Sanctuary (open to community, invite friends & family.

June 7th – after service (open to FUSD congregants only).

Middle East Justice – Uprooting Qahr

(Thanks to Middle East Justice for the post)

Join the Middle East Justice Project on May 12 and 19 for a two night event of music and film about collective strength and liberation! No registration or donation required. Donations benefit the Hebron International Resource Network and support the performers. Contact mejfusd@gmail.com for more info.

Freedom of Speech – Community Art Project

(Thanks to Nina Nadeau for the post)

Presented by the Democracy Action Team

Artist: Nina Nadeau

This week, the huggy holding the bay and the scrubs were worked on. The color was enriched and the depth and shadows were being brought out.

Once finished, the painting will be displayed at the church and auctioned to support legal organizations defending Freedom of Speech. For more information, contact Nina Nadeau at ninanadeau01@gmail.com or visit www.galdarastudio.com.

Support Social Justice when Ordering Foods for Events!

(Thanks to Karen Derrick-Davis for the post) 

If you are buying food or drink for an event-large or small-please consult this resource to find a local caterer of color who can provide you with yummy food that has been vetted and approved by the Center for Community Wealth!

https://www.communitywealth.org/get-involved/buy-local/caterers

Local Unitarian Universalist Churches and Community

Immigration, Refugees, Asylees

(Thanks to Kathy Glatz for the post) 

Join Jefferson Humanists for our monthly program.

Natalie Impraim is the Advocacy Coordinator for the Refugee Action Coalition of Colorado, and Oliver Fon is a refugee, speaker, and storyteller. Both are part of the Spring Institute for Intercultural Learning, whose mission is to build a thriving and intercultural community through learning, language access, and advocacy.

Natalie will facilitate the presentation, beginning with data and statistics about the status of immigrants, refugees, and asylees in Colorado and beyond. Oliver will bring home the realities of forced migration, identity, and survival in his personal story of the perilous journey from Cameroon to Metro Denver.

Important New Program Timing Information. Gather at 4pm:

The program starts at 4:15 with announcements. Speakers begin around 4:30

Bring food for a potluck at 5:30

STREAMING AVAILABLE

This is a hybrid event, both in-person at the JUC and online on our YouTube Channel. If you can’t make it in-person, you can watch the streaming broadcast at https://www.youtube.com/@jeffersonhumanists2779/streams. We will also record the program for later viewing on our YouTube Channel for those who may miss this event.

Apologies to those who tried to attend the April Program on streaming. We had technical problems. We are working to upload a recording of the program to our YouTube.

The Larger Unitarian Universalist Community

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