A Celebration of Life for Richard Friedman

September 7th, 2024 at 4:00 p.m.

First Universalist Church of Denver

4101 E HAMPDEN AVE, DENVER, CO 80222

🎶 BEATLES CONCERT! Sgt. Pepper and the Magical Mystery Piano

Sunday, August 18th 2024, 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.

Come experience an outrageously fun musical journey! The Beatles’ classic album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band is reimagined as a virtuoso performance for solo piano. Chappell Kingsland, a lifelong Beatles superfan, explores the music in exciting new ways by drawing inspiration from different genres for each song, such as Ragtime (“When I’m 64”), Salsa (“Fixing a Hole”), and French Impressionism (“Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”). The audience is invited to choose the setlist for the second half of the concert by requesting any of the 200+ songs in the band’s catalog. A splendid time is guaranteed for all!

Discover Your Pathway to Membership

Sunday, August 18th, 11:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

Hosted in Colvin Commons

Have you been attending First Universalist Church of Denver and are curious about becoming a member? We invite you to explore what membership means by joining our upcoming Pathways to Membership class! This class is a wonderful opportunity to:

• Learn about our Unitarian Universalist principles and the values that guide our community.
• Hear from current members about their journeys and experiences with the church.
• Explore the various ways you can get involved in our vibrant and dynamic congregation.
• Ask any questions you may have about what it means to be a member.

The Pathways to Membership class will be held on Sunday, August 18th at 11:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m. in Colvin Commons. Whether you’re ready to take the next step or simply want to learn more, we encourage you to join us. It’s a great way to connect with others and see if membership is right for you. To RSVP or for more information, please contact Natalie Bostow (Membership Coordinator).

🏠 First Universalist Builds Another Habitat Home!

Deadline to Register: August 24th

10 Volunteers Needed for September 7th

Construction will soon begin on the twenty-third home! We have built in partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver and our interfaith partners in HIA. Our congregation has been given September 7th for a build-day, and we need to fill our 10 slots right away! Anyone 16 and older is invited to join the fun as we live our values by directly addressing the housing crisis and build another affordable home for a family in our community... Questions? Please contact Molly Frank. Thank You!

🗓️ Introducing the Women’s Rummikub Society

Thursday, September 12th, 1:30–3:30 p.m.

Hosted in Colvin Commons

We are excited to announce the Women's Rummikub Society, dedicated to bringing women together through the engaging game of Rummikub. Seasoned players and newcomers are welcome to this tile-based game, which combines rummy and mahjong. Visit this link for videos and rules. Our group offers a welcoming environment to meet new friends. Our non-competitive atmosphere ensures everyone enjoys the game and each other's company. We invite all women in our church to join us for fellowship and fun. We will meet the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month from 1:30–3:30 p.m., beginning September 12th. Please bring a game if you have one! To gauge interest, please RSVP here to the first meeting. Contact Arlene Alldredge or Anne Gross with questions.

Social Justice Film Series is Back!

Friday, September 6th, 6:30 p.m.

The Film Series is a collaborative effort between First Plymouth and First Universalist Church. September through December, the film series will be held at First Universalist. In 2025 The Film Series moves to First Plymouth from January to June. Our First Film, is the award-winning Io Capitano. Longing for a brighter future, two Senegalese teenagers journey from West Africa to Italy. However, between their dreams and reality lies a labyrinth of checkpoints, the Sahara Desert, and the vast waters of the Mediterranean. Bring a snack or beverage to share if you wish. After the film, we will have a 20-minute discussion or reflection. Reach out to Dan Moen for more information.

🍵 Coffee Hour Hosts Needed!

Hosting coffee hour is a great way to meet people and serve our community! We need your help and support! Sign up using the link below...training is available, just email Barbara Snook. If we don't have coffee hosts we won't have coffee!

🍽️ Food and Friends!

Bring a Dish to Share with Our Safe Parkers

Come join us on Tuesday nights at 6:00 p.m., and bring a favorite dish to enjoy with other volunteers and our guests in the Safe Parking Program. The conversation is always interesting, and the sense of supportive, shared community is palpable. You will be glad you came! Please sign up via the Signup Genius link so that we know what delicious dish you are bringing! Contact Cheryl Stearns or Molly Frank for more information about how you can help.

🎒 BACK TO SCHOOL!

IFCS will be providing school supplies to many deserving students for the coming school year. A few suggested supply donations: crayons, spiral notebooks, glue sticks, colored markers, computer paper, scissors, no. 2 pencils, tissues, pens. Donations may be placed in the bin in the front foyer entry. Contact Jean James for more information.

Calling All Gardeners

Collecting Extra Produce this Sunday, August 18th

If you have extra produce you would like to donate to SAME Café (So All May Eat) there will be a collection box in the entrance way on Sunday. So far, through your generosity, the Ethical Eating & Animal Welfare Task Force has been able to deliver over 100 pounds of fresh vegetables. SAME Café provides nutritious meals to those facing food insecurity, regardless of their ability to pay. For more information contact Roland Halpern.

P.S. Thanks to those of you who have donated pet food and supplies that go to the Colorado Pet Pantry.

🔎Invitation to Participate in Research

Participation Deadline: September 15th, 2024

Hello, church family. My name is Bryant Moore. I’m a psychology student at Antioch University New England and have been a UU since 2017. I am working on my dissertation and need adult participants to fill out a short survey at the link below. I am doing this study to develop a measure of wellbeing based on existential theory. You will be asked questions about physical, social, and psychological health, including your thoughts about mortality, isolation, and purpose, as well as depression and anxiety. It should take approximately 10-15 minutes. Your answers are kept confidential. There is no compensation for participation, but I would greatly appreciate your help.

If you have any questions about this study or participation, please contact Bryant Moore. This study is being supervised by Dr. Kathi Borden.

Church Governance Changes

New Policies Available for Congregational Review

The Standing Committee on Governance has drafted Section 5 of the Policy Book: Care for Material Resources. This section highlights our financial controls and our building use policies. The Board of Directors is reviewing the policies for adoption this Fall and welcomes your feedback.

Please email comments to board@firstuniveralist.org or attend the Conversations with a Board session on Sunday, September 8, 2024, following service in the Conference Room.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (FFRE)

Time to Register Kids for the New School Year!

Our RE program needs volunteers for Sunday childcare. Help engage our kids with fun activities. Check the Summer Schedule for details. Sign up to support our community while teachers take a break!

Contact Naomi Blackwood (DRE) or Letitia Henderson with questions.

Communications

📰 Submit to Happenings:

To submit an announcement for the weekly congregational newsletter, complete the Happenings Submission Form. Articles and announcements should fall under one of the listed categories to qualify for the weekly newsletter. Visit this page for full submission guidelines.

Contact Kailey Capuano with questions.

MUSIC PROGRAMS

🎶 First Universalist Singers

Do you enjoy singing? Have you ever considered joining the choir? The First Universalist Singers will start rehearsals for our 2024–2025 season on August 14th. Our rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings from 7:15–8:45 pm. Please contact Music Director Sarah Libert for more information.

MEMBERSHIP

📌 Reserving Tables

If your group would like to setup in the Hospitality Center following Sunday Service to recruit newcomers or volunteers for your group or committee, or you'd like to share information in the HC following service, please remember to reserve a table in advance!

Email Natalie Bostow to reserve space.

Join Our Email Lists

First Universalist sends a number of email newsletters on a weekly or monthly basis. To subscribe to receive updates from the Care Council, Social Justice Council, or our weekly Congregational newsletter Happenings, add your name and email in the appropriate fields below to join an email list.

If you’ve already subscribed to an email list and suddenly stopped receiving updates, get in touch with our Strategic Communications Coordinator for assistance.

FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH

4101 E HAMPDEN AVE

DENVER, CO 80222