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Sunday Worship,
November 2nd, 2025
at 10:30 am
Fear Not!
Michael DeSantis
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Join us on November 2nd at 10:30 am. Our spiritual theme for November is Generosity. But it is hard—if not impossible—to live generously and share what we have with others if we are afraid that we don’t have enough for ourselves. This Sunday, we’ll explore what our UU faith has to teach us about getting over that fear.
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Giving in Action this Sunday – Education Through Music
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Education Through Music-Colorado (ETM-CO) partners with under-resourced schools to ensure that every child has access to high-quality music education as part of their regular school day. By building and sustaining comprehensive music programs, ETM-CO supports students’ musical development while also strengthening their academic achievement and social-emotional growth. Music becomes a powerful tool for self-expression, confidence, and connection within the school community.
This school year, ETM-CO is serving nearly 3,000 students across the Denver metro area. We provide instruments, training for teachers, and work closely with principals and educators to ensure programs are effective and sustainable. ETM-CO music teachers are initially employed by our organization to establish and strengthen the program, with the long-term goal of transitioning them onto school staff—ensuring that music education remains a permanent and integrated part of the school’s culture. Through this model, ETM-CO is helping transform schools into places where every child can experience the joy and lifelong benefits of music.
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Whole SoUUl Studio – Sunday, November 2nd at noon
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Join us this Sunday at 12:00 pm for Whole SoUUl Studio, a communal gathering after the Sunday service where we will reflect on and discuss conversion experiences broadly defined. Together, we’ll explore those moments — sometimes religious, often not — when our lives are suddenly, profoundly transformed for the better. This monthly event, facilitated during Rev. Mike’s sabbatical by our Ministerial Resident Michael DeSantis, aims to foster connections and nourishment for all our members and friends. See you there!
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As most of you know, I will be on sabbatical for the five months of November through March. First, please know that the congregation will be in good hands. We have an excellent staff, excellent lay leadership from the Board, Finance Council, Property Management, Stewardship Council, Personnel Committee, Connections Ministry, and more. Michael DiSantis, our Ministerial Resident will be handling most of our Sunday worship, pastoral care, coordinating with our social justice efforts, and working with the staff and lay leadership. I am confident in their abilities and faithfulness, and urge you to get to know them!
Second, please know that I look forward to returning in April, hopefully rested and renewed. It continues to be one of the great honors of my life to be able to serve this extraordinary urban church. I am grateful for this opportunity, and I will miss you!
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From the Board of Trustees:
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At the congregational meeting of October 19th, the congregation voted to approve the Board’s motion to add a second Sunday service beginning in April, 2026. The vote was 81 (84%) for, 15 (16%) against. Over the next five months, there will be many opportunities for further input from the congregation as we decide on specific times for two services, how Religious Education will be structured, how we will integrate the choir into the new format, and many other details. The Board will also be publishing some of the specific attendance data that was requested at the meeting. Stay tuned and stay involved.
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Children’s Religious Exploration Programming
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(Thanks to Leslie Harvey for the post)
The month of November will be spent making holiday cards for our Gold and Silver Members and preparing for the next Intergenerational service, which will be held on November 23rd. Families, we encourage you to practice this song at home with your children as we will sing it on that day. Youth are encouraged to come and hang out in the teen space on November 2 and 9. We hope to see you there!
RE Food and Hygiene Drive!
November SNAP benefits are on hold by the federal government and the USDA, impacting approximately 600,000 Coloradans. Let’s live our UU SHARED VALUE OF GENEROSITY and help local families by donating food and hygiene products to Metro Caring. Please bring your donations to the wagon near the front door.
Food & Product Suggestions:
We recommend choosing healthy foods that are low in sodium and sugar.
*Fruits and vegetables: low-sodium canned veggies, canned fruit in water, sauces (curry, enchilada sauce, pasta sauce), unsweetened applesauce
*Proteins: canned chicken and tuna, nuts and nut butters, fresh cheeses, meat
*Grains: paste, flour, masa, rice, oats, whole wheat bread
*Healthy snacks: popcorn, protein bars, rice cakes
*Condiments and spices: soy sauce, dried chilis, cooking oil, spices, herbs
*Hygiene products: toothpaste, toothbrushes, bar soap, body wash, shampoo & conditioner, razors, combs, period products, baby products
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First Unitarian Events Coming Soon
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Finding Yourself at First Unitarian
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Join us on Saturday, November 1 from 9am-12pm for a time for seekers, the curious, and those wishing to connect with the First Unitarian community! This participatory class — facilitated by our Ministerial Resident Michael DeSantis — will provide an introduction to Unitarian Universalism and First Unitarian. An added bonus is that you will meet some wonderful people.
All are welcome, but you must pre-register here. Can’t make it? Don’t fret! We will offer the same class again in January.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Michael at michael@fusden.org.
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Join Us for Capitol Hill Concerts
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(Thanks to Lia Davis for the post)
Capitol Hill Concerts, hosted at First Unitarian Denver, kicks off its 2025-2026 season on Saturday November 1st at 7 pm with the Annie Booth Trio. In 2026, we’ll welcome three more wonderful ensembles to our sanctuary: the Baroque Chamber Orchestra (January 17), Road Pony (February 28), and Wild Earth Ensemble (April 4). All concerts begin at 7 pm. Attend all four concerts for only $70 with Season Tickets, or become a Sponsor and receive a free CD from one of this season’s artists plus an invitation to our Sponsor Soirée. We hope you will join us for this fantastic season of music!
A portion of the proceeds from this concert will benefit The Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts. If you would like to donate a refreshment for intermission to support this organization, please sign up here.
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Resonance: Contemplative Evening Service & Potluck Dinner
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(Thanks to Lia Davis for the post)
Resonance is a monthly contemplative worship service at First Unitarian Denver. Our next Resonance service is Wednesday November 5th at 6 pm. 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! Even if you are unable to bring a dish, please join us. Would you like to volunteer to help at one of our potlucks? Sign up to sponsor a Resonance potluck this year:
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Contemplative Practices for Contemporary People
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(Thanks to Michael DeSantis for the post)
We live in frenzied times. There are so many competing demands on our time and attention. How might we be able to find grounding amidst it all? This 5-session class —led by our Ministerial Resident Michael DeSantis—will explore several contemplative spiritual practices that generations of practitioners have used to cultivate grounding, wholeness, and meaning.
Practices covered will include centering prayer, lectio divina, and metta/loving-kindness meditation. Each session will introduce participants to a contemplative practice and how it might fit into a UU worldview. Participants will also be encouraged to regularly engage with each practice between meetings. All are welcome, from meditators with decades of experience to newcomers who have never heard of contemplative spirituality, but you must pre-register here by Wednesday, November 5th.
Class will be on Thursdays from 7-9 pm on November 6, 13, 20, December 4 and 11th in the Chapel.
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New Options in End-of-Life Care Workshop
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(Thanks to Elisa Erickson for the post)
In November, the Caring Committee will host a special free presentation about “New Options in End-of-Life Care.” Everyone is invited to attend. The multi-platform event will take place on Sunday, November 9 from 12-1 in the Sanctuary at First Unitarian and online. A simple lunch will be offered in the Community Room after the presentation. We will try to offer rides as needed.
Vanessa Johnston, an experienced End-of-Life Doula, presents an overview of the Death Positive Movement and the many new options available to those who wish to approach life’s final milestone with more love and meaning and less fear and anxiety. She will talk about things like death doulas, Medical Aid in Dying (MAID), Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy, as well as more ecological options for final disposition like natural organic reduction. Whether for yourself, a family member, or friend, our community welcomes you to join us at the informative session. Please RSVP here so we have enough handouts and food. Email or call Elisa Erickson 720.341.2298 with questions. Hope to see you there!.
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Leadership Development Workshop – DATE CHANGE!
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(Thanks to Tess Dieringer for the post)
Leadership Development Workshop
Making Sense of Our Sensitivities
November 23 from noon to 1:30 pm in the Rose Chapel
In this 90-minute workshop, we will examine common self beliefs (based on the work of Aaron T. Beck, MD), and their direct, but often unconscious, impact on communication. Self beliefs affect our interactions and relationships, often causing us to automatically react rather than to thoughtfully respond. We explore why certain behaviors of others “trigger” us, often derailing productive exchanges. We will present proven strategies on how to rise above self-defeating reactions to enhance our abilities to work collaboratively and respectfully. Facilitated by Tess Dieringer, MSW, LCSW, Care Manager Certified. Kindly RSVP by Thursday, November 20, so we can plan accordingly at https://forms.gle/iGf1arXAchRduJPr5 . All are welcome as we learn and grow together in support of our beloved community! Refreshments provided.
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(Thanks to Leslie Harvey for the post)
Did you know you can become a member at any time? You can reach out to our Ministerial Resident Michael DeSantis to set a time to meet with them and sign the book. Or you can join during our next New Member Sunday on November 16th where you will be recognized with others who are becoming members during the service.
It is encouraged to attend a Finding Yourself at First Unitarian class (if you haven’t already) before committing to membership. The next class is offered on Saturday November 1st from 9:00am to 12:00pm. See post about Finding Yourself at First Unitarian Denver to learn more. Register with this link.
If you would like to become a member on November 16th, or privately with Michael, please email Leslie Harvey at msleslie@fusden.org.
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Democracy Action Team Sponsored Training CANCELLED
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(Thanks to the Tyler Watlington for the post)
Many of you will have received an email from your Democracy Action Team announcing a training called One Million Rising created by the organization called Indivisible. The training was to have occurred in 2 sessions on Monday, November 3rd and Thursday, November 20th. However, we have had to cancel the training for now. We will be in touch about either rescheduling this or offering additional training opportunities. Thank you for your understanding.
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(Thanks to the Leslie Harvey for the post)
Friends, our sacred time of caffeine and community — otherwise known as coffee hour — needs volunteers! Did you know that Randle Loeb, who dutifully took care of our caffeination on Sunday mornings for years, now works for the church as our custodian?
This means, we will now rely on volunteers to help us host our Sunday morning coffee hour. We are currently recruiting volunteers! You will decide and sign up for what works with your schedule- choose to work once a month, once a quarter, or whatever you can with a team of 2-4 volunteers.
*No theological degree required. Just a desire to prep, serve, and load the dishwasher.
*Think of it as small-scale community organizing… but with better snacks.
*Click here to let us know you are interested in helping- and keep the spirit (and the coffee) flowing for all!
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Books You’d Like To See On Book Table
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(Thanks to the Jayne James for the post)
We’re doing a new order and want to include books you’ve been wanting to read yourself, as well as those you’ve read and would love to share with others ( maybe as holiday gifts?). Tell Jayne James (jaynejames3@gmail.com) or whoever is at the book table, and we’ll do our best to get them for you.
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National Estate Planning Month
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(Thanks to the Stewardship Council for the post)
October is National Estate Planning Month, a time to think about the importance of estate planning and leaving a lasting legacy for the people and organizations you love and believe in. See this FAQ sheet for information about leaving a legacy gift to First Unitarian. When you name our beloved church in your estate plan, even as a contingent beneficiary, you will become a member of the First Unitarian Legacy Society.
If you’ve provided for FUSD in your estate plan but haven’t yet notified us, please let us know by contacting us at: stewardship@fusden.org
And if you one of those folks who has already included FUSD – We thank you!
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Opportunity: Volunteer for Family Promise
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Volunteer for Family Promise to help us live our values by providing support for families who are experiencing homelessness. MANY volunteers needed – drive the van, setup bedrooms, cook a meal, host families in our church, and more! Early sign ups strongly encouraged.
Next Rotation: Nov 30 – Dec 7. Sign Up here.
Contact Kate Jones with questions.
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Film Screening for Palestine Cinema Days
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FROM GROUND ZERO – Film screening for Palestine Cinema Days
Sunday, November 2nd, 7-9pm in the sanctuary
First Unitarian Society of Denver, 1400 Lafayette St.
Join us for a free screening of From Ground Zero (2024), a compilation of short films from 22 Palestinian filmmakers living through war who capture their lives in Gaza under incessant bombardment. Including animation, documentary and fiction, these 22 films create a powerful testament to the steadfastness of the human spirit and the power of art in the darkest of times. From Executive Producer Michael Moore and Palestine’s Official Submission for the 2025 Academy Awards.
Sponsored by the Middle East Justice group. mejfusd@gmail.com
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Reproductive Justice Movie Series: “Dirty Dancing”
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Yes, we’re showing this fun (mostly) 1987 movie in our often dark and depressing film series! The Colorado Doula Project’s deputy director says this romantic drama/dance movie showed her as an adolescent how a supportive and caring friend could be a great help and even save the life of a young girl who needs an abortion.
That’s what doulas do.
Please join us for this movie!
Place: Jane Ashley’s home
Date: Thursday, Oct. 30
Time: 6:30-9:30 pm
RSVP required: Jane will contact you with address and information
(703) 328-5891
jane.ashley52@gmail.com
Trailer Below:
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(Thanks to Arnie Carter for the post)
Javier is from Cuba and has been in GEO for months. He has dementia and dentition is a difficult place for him. Funds raised will go for legal costs. He is a very kind gentle man and is completely lost in this madness
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Freedom of Speech Community Painting – Weekly Update
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(Thanks to Nina Nadeau for the post)
The canvas has returned to Nina’s studio. Here is this week’s progress.
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.
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Local Holiday Marketplace
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(Thanks to Karen Derrick-Davis for the post)
Thursday, November 6th from Noon-5pm
Lowry Conference Center
1061 Akron Way, Denver 80230
You can make a real difference this holiday season by supporting locally-owned small businesses! NOW more than ever! Make your dollars make a difference!
www.shopbipoc.com
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Support Social Justice when Ordering Foods for Events!
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The Larger Unitarian Universalist Community
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