The truth is, I’ve never been thrilled with my name. No offense to ALL the other Jennifers out there… but that’s kind of the point. When I was in elementary school, there were always four or five of us just in my grade. And imagine my surprise - and hers! - when I learned during one morning assembly that there was, in fact, another Jennifer Simon in the grade just below mine!

My name, I’m told by my mother (who wanted me to be a Melissa), was chosen by my father, who liked a model by that name. I’m told it comes from the Welsh ‘Guinevere’ and means either “white witch” or “fair lady.” (I’ll leave you to guess which one I far prefer!) But names - labels - carry meaning, history…expectation. I never have been able to get comfortable with ‘Jennifer’; I have reached a somewhat uncomfortable truce with ‘Jen.’ But…I was never going to be spotted on a billboard in Times Square or on the runways of Milan. As a child, I was supremely uninterested in fashion; I much preferred jeans and a t-shirt - better for sports and tree climbing. And to this day, I don’t know which Jennifer it was that my father was enamored of. The person I was basically named for is a stranger to me. I know nothing about who they were, what they were like, what actually mattered to them. For this reason, I suspect at some point, I will want to change my first name to something that fits my perception of myself and who I am in the world. But I’ve got some learning to do before that happens. 

And it seems not to match my last name at all - a name that I chose to reclaim after my divorce because it holds so much of my identity and my father’s family history. ‘Simon’ speaks of French ancestry (family lore is that the first Simon(e) in the Caribbean was forced to flee France as a horse thief!), of French colonizers who intermingled with the Black enslaved people and Indigenous Kalinago in what was the French territory of Dominica. It speaks to the change in culture and language that happened when the island was transferred from France to Great Britain after the Seven Years’ War and my great-grandfather’s strivings to be part of a British colonial system that would never really accept him as a Black man, even at the top of his class. While not all this history is positive or pretty, it speaks to the survival of my Black and Indigenous ancestors in systems designed to kill them. It speaks of success in places where we were never expected to succeed. As such, I feel a connection to it - and through it, a connection to them.

What I’m pointing to here is, names have the potential to do a lot of work; they can carry our histories, ancestors, struggles, celebrations. And they can also carry our ideas, hopes, and expectations for who we are or want to be in the world. What does your name mean? What story or history, if any, does it carry? What expectations, if any, does it carry? How has that shaped the course of your life? What would you like it to carry?

As I write this article we have just experienced the surprise, “unplugged” service that happened when the power went out (again). While I am sure that the lack of electricity that helps us amplify the voices of our speakers and musicians did negatively affect the experience for some, I have to say that the electric feeling in the room made up for the lack of power by far. There was something very special about all of us needing to make do with what we had that day - that being together, however imperfectly, was enough.   

During that service, I was able to hear the congregation sing in a way that I usually miss - the song leaders' voices are usually amplified - and for good reason - we need those leaders to help us learn our songs. But our congregation is not afraid to sing and when I listened to the congregation sing the chalice lighting song with no amplified accompaniment, I felt like I was hearing them sing for the first time.  

This experience highlights to me that there is something special about attending church in person. I understand that the livestream is useful and helps make our services more accessible, and that we try to make sure we are making our online folks feel included as much as possible in the service. However, if you want to feel like you are part of the JUC community, there really is no substitute for being in person. I recently had someone reach out after the Spring Celebration Service to let me know that they were sad that they missed the chance to place their fingerprint on the Bridging Senior picture frame. Often, experiences that happen at church can’t be replicated. We can’t replicate the feeling of sitting in the sanctuary together, experiencing the rituals, the music, the message not only as individuals concerned about our own growth, but also in solidarity with and in support of those around us.  

Feeling the strength and conviction of the congregation as they filled the sanctuary with beautiful singing could not have been captured and delivered to someone’s computer. As I listened, I felt connected to every person in a way that, for a few moments, transcended the stress of the lack of power, and the worry about how everything would work out. I felt part of something bigger than myself. This is one of the goals of church and you never know when it is going to happen. I hope that in the business of summer, you will remember the power of our community!

Case Collard

This month I completed six years as a member of our Board of Trustees, including two as President.  So much has happened in the last six years—at JUC and in the world. At JUC we completed the Making Room process (deciding to stay at our current location), we refreshed our values, mission, and ends statements, and just this last May we adopted the 8th Principle. Along the way we navigated the pandemic and continued to oversee our budget and set policies for operations.

I want to lift up two aspects of our board work:  

First, our work on the values, mission, and ends felt like magic. I’m so grateful that I was a part of the process, collecting input from our entire congregation and staff about what this church is and can become. The “group-editing” process to refine the specific words of the mission and ends was challenging but rewarding work. We clarified and re-affirmed why we come to this church and why we choose to be together. Making that choice anew, left me refreshed and thankful for this community.

Second, I gained a new appreciation for the staff and my fellow trustees. Each board was unique, with newer members and some wrapping up, led by a President that brought their unique style. Without exception, all the board members shared a willingness to engage and work for the improvement of our church. Working closely with our staff has confirmed how lucky we are to have such talented, kind, and hard-working staff members.

I’ve learned that we, as a congregation, are only limited by our imagination. I’ve seen up close the talent, creativity, and dedication that we share. Together, we can do whatever we set out to do. So let’s be bold and, as Wendy says, love the hell out of this world.

When Alec and I adopted our first cat together around six years ago, we picked out a grey and white tuxedo kitty who, at the time, was 21 pounds and 8 years old.

“This is Boss,” the Humane Society volunteer said as she handed the massive cat to us.

As soon as the volunteer left the room, Alec and I talked about how he couldn’t possibly be a “Boss.” “This is an old grumpy man,” Alec said. “He needs an old man's name.”

I can’t remember how many days we spent testing names for him, including names like Archibald, Harrison, Gerald, Herbert, Charles, and countless others. We landed on Leonard, as a subtle reference to the composer Leonard Bernstein.

Leonard the cat, now 14 years old (and a much slimmer 12 pounds) has fully embraced this new era of his life as Leonard the Retired Kitty, spending much of his time napping in the sun and watching TV and waiting for his snacks. Like most other pet parents, of course I’m projecting this personality onto my cat, but we did name him for the life we wanted him to live, one of calm and rest. After living in his previous home with two other cats that likely weren’t being cared for the way they should have been, all I wanted was for Leonard to feel safe enough to truly relax, and the name “Boss” didn’t feel right for this next stage of his life.

Naming isn’t just about labeling, it’s a piece of each of our stories. For our cat, the new name “Leonard” marked a transformation, in his life and in ours. A person that changes their last name after marriage might mark the moment that multiple families become one. The renaming of Mt. Blue Sky marked a decision to end the immortalization of the brutal governor for which the mountain was previously named, and to honor and learn about the Cheyenne and Arapaho people. The names we choose, whether for ourselves, our children, our businesses, or our communities can contextualize histories, help us live into more accurate identities, and shape futures. They carry our values and dreams, reflecting who we are or who we aspire to be.

As we explore “The Power of Naming” this summer, let us reflect on the significance of the names around us and consider how they influence our perceptions, our connections, and our legacies.

Keep Up the Momentum: More Affordable Housing in Jeffco and Social Justice in Colorado

JUC CAN

As the housing crisis in Colorado continues, our JUC CAN (Community Action Network) members continue to advocate with city, county and state leaders to make system changes, and to educate community members. A couple of shoutouts and opportunities for the caring members of our congregation:

• Colorado Gives Foundation (formerly Community First Foundation) has taken on the challenge of increasing affordable housing (AH) in Jefferson County. They started a “Bring it Home” fund for supporting projects for AH. They created a Jeffco Housing Advocacy Steering Committee comprised of city and county officials, and contracted with the Bell Policy Center to create webinars and educational tools – one great resource (personal stories, fact sheets) is at Bell Policy Jeffco Housing.

• The Jeffco Advocacy Network (JAN) was initiated by CO Gives Foundation to be a “non-partisan coalition of engaged residents and influential civic leaders advocating for impactful solutions for our community’s essential needs… In 2024 the Network is focused on practical, meaningful, and immediate housing solutions.” JAN trains residents to speak up and educate others about the needs for AH in Jeffco. Recently, JAN advocated for the Golden Urban Renewal Authority (GURA) to vote “yes” to contribute funds to an AH project in Golden. Several of our JUC CAN members have joined the JAN, and we hope to soon have them join us for a congregation-wide discussion about the needs for affordable housing in Jefferson County. Stay tuned! 

Colorado Legislative Updates – Two Bills Supported by JUC CAN have passed! 



• One is HB24-1098 (Cause Required for Eviction of Residential Tenant), which was signed into law on April 19. Under this new law, Colorado landlords need to have a specific reason to evict a tenant or decline to renew a rental lease. This law serves as a crucial tenant protection measure aimed at curbing discriminatory or retaliatory evictions and non-renewals. Notably, landlords retain the right to evict tenants at any time for nonpayment of rent, property damage, or significant lease violations. Under the provisions of this new law, landlords may still opt not to renew a lease for reasons such as property sale, demolition, extensive renovation, conversion to short-term rental, or relocation of a family member, provided they give the tenant a 90-day notice.

• Another significant bill was, SB24-053 (Racial Equity Study). This legislation establishes the Black Coloradan Racial Equity Commission, tasked with conducting a comprehensive study and providing recommendations regarding the historical and ongoing impacts of systemic racism on Black Coloradans, specifically through the lens of state policies and systems. Importantly, the expenses associated with this study will be covered by private gifts, grants, and donations, thereby incurring no costs for the State. The bill passed the state legislature along party lines, was signed by the Governor, and will become effective on August 7, 2024. Please read this Op Ed to learn more.

To be added to the JUC CAN Action Alert list to receive occasional important alerts and updates about housing issues and legislation, please send an email, including your city of residence, to communityaction@jeffersonunitarian.org.

CUUPS Update

Piper Perry

As our Earth Honoring Traditions program and the Wheel of the Year rolls through the Summer and into Fall, we want to thank everyone who has come to participate, learn and grow. Both Reverend Valerie and Emily, our Membership Coordinator, have worked very hard on this program. If you see them, thank them! 

We will be having our regular meeting on Friday, July 5 at 6 pm, when we will be talking about the various Druidic traditions and why we include them in Earth Honoring traditions. 

Marked by barbecues and summer camps, swimming and exploring, July is an open month in our wheel. We have holy days in June, and holy days in August, but July is the wickedly hot month in the middle. 

Much of our Earth Honoring tradition is built on the Wheel of the Year as the reconstruction of an agricultural calendar, and while that is a wonderful way to honor our ancestors, it doesn’t reflect the lives of most of us in current time. Nor does it reflect many Earth Honoring traditions practiced by our siblings of color. 

So I challenge you this month, what would your Wheel of the Year look like? What parts of the natural world would you want to honor? When would you and yours celebrate the beginning of the year? The end of the year? What time of year would you celebrate your honored dead? What time of year would you celebrate your spirits of place? 

Our next holy day/holy tide is Thursday, August 1, which will be a Druidic Lughnasadh! Lughnasadh is a holy day in honor of the Irish/Celtic god Lugh. 

Blessings of joy and abundance in this and all seasons