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by Elizabeth Mount, Ministerial Intern
In the New Year, it has been a family tradition to take time to consider the direction of our lives and how we are doing in attaining our goals. As a child, it was like writing a second Christmas wish list, but one that I could fulfill on my own instead of waiting for Santa. I loved writing down ways I was going to shape up my life, make the world a better place, or set an exciting goal for the whole family for the year to come.
Many of you may be making commitments for the New Year as well, whether to eat better, get involved in justice work, exercise, practice kindness, or play music more often. Maybe you're doing all of these or something entirely different. Last year, I began my internship with the First Universalist Church of Denver, so in the New Year, I am considering my commitment to you and how this fits into the course of my life as a minister in formation.
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 From the Board of Trustees
Winter Congregational Meeting on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2017
We hope you will be able to attend our Winter Congregational Meeting on Sunday, February 12, 2017 immediately following the service at Hamilton Middle School.
A potluck will follow the meeting in the cafeteria.
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Building for the Future
As we announced on December 18, thanks to your generosity and commitment to our inspiring building project, we have raised or secured pledges for the entire amount we had budgeted for the building project! Read more.
Now we return with another exciting announcement and video tour of the construction progress. Watch the video below to see the status of the interior demolition and plans for recycling & reusing materials.
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| BFF construction update, January 2017 |
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Remember to Bring to Hamilton on Sunday, January 8
- Your nametag!
- A dish for the potluck
- Reusable mug and place setting for the potluck
- Donations for Social Justice Sunday (see below)
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Serve with Us
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Social Justice Sunday and
K-5 "Blessing Bags"
Sunday, Jan. 8
This Sunday, our children will compile "Blessing Bags" to distribute to people experiencing homelessness.
We are in need of some crucial items to include in these bags. See the list of needed items.
As we do on the second Sunday of every month, we will also collect non-perishable food donations for Integrated Family Community Services and items for the Women's Homeless Initiative (view list).
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Needlepoint Stitchers Wanted!
Sunday, Jan. 8, 1:00 p.m., RSVP for location
We are planning to needlepoint the backs of four chairs that will be on the dais in the new sanctuary. Please come to the informational meeting at Carri Currier's home (RSVP for address). You do not need to be a Master Needle point Stitcher to help with project. RSVP to carricurrier@gmail.com or 303-908-4166.
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Visit and Support Ingrid Encalada de la Torre
Visit Ingrid and Her Sons
Working through and with First Universalist's partners at Metro Denver
Sanctuary
Coalition (MDSC), we have welcomed Ingrid Encalda de la Torre into
Sanctuary. Ingrid and Anibal, her 1-year-old, welcome visits and overnights at Mountain View Friends Meeting. Right now Bryant, her 8-year-old, is also staying there over break and loves to play board games and cards with other kids. Sign up
here to drop by. Please provide your phone number or email so MDSC can connect!
Make a Phone Call on January 9 Day of Prayer & Action
January 9 will mark 6 weeks that Ingrid has been in Sanctuary. Though we appreciate phone calls on Ingrid's behalf every day-- this day of prayer and action is an opportunity to share this widely and amplify Ingrid's voice. On Jan. 9, please
call I.C.E. to ask that Ingrid's request for a stay of deportation be approved and share your action with your social network.
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Helpers and Guests Needed for Habitat Soup Dinner
Saturday, Jan. 28, 6:30 p.m., Christ the King Catholic Church
It is time for gathering with our Habitat Interfaith Alliance partners to share a meal, build more houses, and to strengthen our interfaith community. There will be prizes for the best Soups and fun activities for kids. Our own First Universalist band, Freestyle, will provide great music and Rev. Jeannie Shero will be a judge!
We need volunteers to help before, during, and after the dinner and cooks to provide at least 6 delicious SOUPS (vegetarian or meat based). If you are interested helping, please contact Crystal Reser (
crystalreser@me.com) or Molly Frank (
mollysfrank@gmail.com) right away!
Thank you for helping make our next Habitat home possible.
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Second Sunday Potluck: Ring in the New Year with Us!
Sunday, Jan. 8, following the service
All are welcome for a potluck held on the second Sunday of each month following the 10:00 a.m. service. We encourage everyone to "bring your own place setting" with your own coffee cup, plate, bowl, and silverware as well as a main dish or side dish to serve 6-8 people. Thank you for helping us reduce our use of disposables and be good stewards of the Earth.
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Community Forum:
The Renewable Energy Revolution
Sunday, Jan. 8, 12:30 p.m.,
First Plymouth Church, Rm. 212
The Renewable Energy Revolution - with our own Jonathan Ormes, Ph.D.
The long struggle to convert from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources like wind and solar is arguably at a tipping point globally. Come join us for a talk led by Jonathan Ormes, a member of First Universalist and Research Professor in the Department of Physics & Astronomy at the University of Denver. We will briefly review the warming climate problem and discuss the situation with the international climate treaties that attempt to control the total temperature increase. We will discuss the status of ongoing energy conversions.
Learn more about this Forum.
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January is Membership Month!
If you've been considering membership, or would like information about how to become a member at First Universalist, please stop by the Membership Table after the service any Sunday this month near the entry way at Hamilton Middle School.
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Next Chapter:
Understanding End of Life Options
Friday, Jan. 13, 1:00-2:30 p.m., First Plymouth Church
Now that Governor Hickenlooper has signed the End of Life Options initiative into law, Compassion & Choices is launching the Colorado Access Campaign to ensure that dying people who are suffering have access to and understand the law. This presentation will inform us about necessary actions the dying person and their family must take to ensure their wishes are honored. All are welcome. For more information, contact Ilene Kasper,
ileneKK@msn.com, 303-887-6688 or
Ardis Westwood,
,
303-952-
9700
.
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Resistance & Relief
Saturday Jan. 14, 1:00-6:00 p.m. & Saturday, Jan. 15, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Build capacity as part of the Metro Denver Sanctuary Coalition Resistance DocuTeam or Relief Workershops in partnership with the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition and AFSC. Ingrid came to our Sanctuary Coalition through the DocuTeam as have a dozen other folks we've accompanied this past year. You can choose from two tracks.
Learn more.
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Meet Rev. Stephan Papa
Sunday, Jan. 15,
10:00 a.m.
Hamilton Middle School
Join us to hear Rev. Stephan Papa preach alongside our Senior Minister, Rev. Jeannie Shero, in the worship service on January 15. Following the service, Rev. Papa would like to meet members and friends and share a hot beverage in the cafeteria. We will be considering Rev. Papa as Minister Emeritus at our Feb. 12
Congregational Meeting.
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Doctrine of Discovery:
Unmasking the Domination Code
Sunday, Jan. 15,
11:30 a.m.
First Plymouth Church
Please join us for our new Racial Justice Film Series. We open the series with a special meeting time on Sunday, January 15 at 11:30 a.m. with a showing of
The Doctrine of Discovery. A discussion will follow. Beginning in February, the film series will meet on the second Monday evening each month.
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Community Forum: Homelessness in Denver
January 15, 12:30 p.m.
First Plymouth Church, Rm. 212
Our Homeless Task Force and the Community Forum invite you to join the discussion: Homelessness in Denver...What is it? What can be done about it? This forum will feature two perspectives: Randall Loeb, a Homelessness grassroots Advocate, and Chris Conner, a Denver Dept. of Human Services program manager for Denver's Road Home, will discuss the complexities of the Homelessness Issue. During our church's time of displacement from our own home, let's discuss what it means to face homelessness as individuals and families in our community.
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Theology on Tap
Monday, Jan. 16, 7:00 p.m., Lowdown Brewery (
map)
If you haven't joined this welcoming group for stimulating conversation and a beverage of your choice, come find out what it is all about. We love to have newcomers and guests add fresh perspectives. We meet at a different location every month.
Learn more.
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Police Accountability:
A Discussion with City Officials
Tuesday, Jan. 17, 6:30 p.m., Shorter A.M.E. Church (
map
)
The Racial Justice Task Force of First Universalist Church urges members to attend this event. We thank you for showing up and listening. More details to come.
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Marching in Solidarity for Human Rights
Sponsored by Women, for Everyone!
Saturday, Jan. 21 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Civic Center Park, Denver
(UUs gather 8:30 a.m. on Capitol Steps)
All who want to attend or support the Women's March in Denver are invited to a brief gathering for fellowship and sign-making at First Unitarian Society (1400 Lafayette St, Denver) on
Friday, Jan. 20, 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m
.
Also, please join us
Saturday,
Jan. 21 at 8:30 on Lincoln St. at the west steps of the Capitol - between 14th Ave. and Colfax - to march with your fellow UUs! We will be together in spirit with those in our community who are traveling to Washington D.C. to march that day. Bring your friends! Bring your family! See you there!
We encourage attendees to try to carpool or use public transportation.
Many in our congregation plan to participate. Sarah Bates is a good contact for questions:
sarah
@dbradley.com
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Art Journal Workshop
Friday, Jan. 27, 7:00 p.m. - 9 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 28, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
$20;
RSVP for location
We will gather on Friday at 7:00 p.m. and share snacks, drinks and ideas as we get started on our box project. We resume Saturday morning to continue creating and have a potluck lunch and sharing.
Learn more.
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Save the Date
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SpiritCon 2017
SpiritCon Interfaith Gathering
Saturday, Feb. 4
Park Hill United Methodist Church
5209 Montview Blvd., Denver, CO
Join Park Hill United Methodist Church, Temple Micah, and Masjid Taqwa (Northeast Denver Islamic Center) for a fun, spirit-filled day of panel discussions, lectures, and spiritual encounters. At Spirit-Con, you can expect to find exciting and in-depth discussion on topics as diverse as the common roots of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, and the intersection of faith and social justice. Our keynote speaker will be Bishop Karen Oliveto, and sessions will include: Lingering Effects of Ethnic and Religious Hatred, Mystic Traditions of the Abrahamic Faiths, M
asculine and Feminine Spirituality, and
more
.
Early registration tickets: $15 per person, $25 per family
Childcare provided upon request at pre-registration
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The Road Home:
The First
Universalist
Singers
in Concert!
February 11, 2017, 7:00 p.m.
at Calvary Baptist Church
6500 E. Girard Ave., Denver (
map)
Come and support our church and our talented choir led by John Hubert and Sarah Libert in a
concert
of choral favorites. Tickets will be $10 in advance and $15 at the door and can be purchased after church, by following the link, or by contacting John Hubert:
john@firstuniversalist.org
or 303-759-2770 ext. 35.
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UU Prom at Calvary Baptist
Saturday, March 4, 2017
Will you come to prom with us? Save the date for an unforgettable night of dancing, games, and amazing musical talents. Yes, we'll even have a photo booth!
Watch for more details.
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Rise UUp Middle School Con
7:00 pm March 3, 2017 - 7:00 pm March 4, 2017
at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Boulder (map)
$35 early registration / $40 after February 4
Adults needed to drive/chaperone:
Please contact Vanessa Johnston at vanessa@firstuniversalist.org if you are interested in driving a carpool to/from Boulder or attending as a chaperone.
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Senior Minister Installation
Sunday, March 19, 2017, 4:00 p.m.
at First Plymouth Church
Please mark your calendars for this momentous occasion for our congregation and our community. All are invited to celebrate the installation of our Senior Minister, Rev. Jeannie Shero.
More details to come.
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Men's Renewal Weekend in April
(Date TBD) in Alan's Park
Hi! It's time to start planning the Men's Renewal Weekend for April in the mountains at Alan's Park. Any one interested in joining the planning committee, let us know and we'll invite you to the next planning meeting-- just send an email Tom Pritchard at
hellopritchard@yahoo.com. More details to come!
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Our mission is to offer community for connection, renewal, and transformation.
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