September 4 - 10, 2024

Going Deeper Starts in September

Join a Going Deeper Groups for a journey of spiritual growth and connection! In a group of 8-10, deepen and build YOUR UU identity through exploration of UU values, spiritual practices, history and monthly themes. Groups meet twice a month for 90 minutes from September to May. Don't miss this opportunity to deepen your faith together! Registration is now OPEN! Sign Up Link

The Social Justice Challenge Kicks Off Sunday, September 22

JUC's Social Justice Challenge is back, and it starts this month! If you weren't here for it last year, the Challenge is where JUCers together commit to joining our social justice teams to minister to the greater community. Tune in to find out our hours goal this year!

The Challenge starts on Sunday, September 22, and it will kick off with our UUSC team's Guatemala Fiesta! Come after the second service to learn about the team's experiences in Guatemala and the great work being done there. Also, the team really needs some volunteers to help with the Fiesta - and hours count toward the Challenge! So please sign up - to attend, to volunteer, or both!

Friday, September 6

• Union of Unitarian Universalist Gamers // 5 - 9 pm // chapel // This group uses the medium of tabletop roleplaying games (Dungeons and Dragons) to foster a space where people can build community, exercise creativity, and celebrate their unique voice. No prior roleplaying game experience is necessary and feel free to drop in and out as you see fit. Contact: Zack Schreiner

Saturday, September 7

• Creative Writers Circle // 10 am - 12 pm // 1st Saturdays // M1/2 (patio in good weather) // Whether you're beginning your writing journey or have written for years, the Creative Writers Circle is for you! Everyone is welcome to join our friendly, supportive group of folks eager to learn from, and laugh with, each other in a safe, nonjudgmental space. Not quite ready to share your work? Come anyway, we can't wait to get to know you! Sign Up Link Contact: Sharon Groten

Sunday, September 8

• Mindfulness Meditation // NEW TIME 8 am in person (M3/4) AND 5 - 6:15 pm online // The Mindfulness Meditation group is meeting every Sunday to meditate together. Sunday mornings: 30 minutes silent meditation. Come 5-10 minutes early for meditation instructions. Evening Meeting Link Contact: Tina Voelker

• Abundant Harvest Table // 11 am // south commons // Nourish your body after worship each Sunday with healthy, delicious food lovingly prepared by fellow JUCers. Donations collected benefit Arvada Rising's Homeless Ministry. Volunteers are always needed to prepare food and staff the table. Sign Up Link

• Memorial Service: Jeff Menten // 2 pm // Celebrate Jeff's life with family and friends. Watch Link

Monday, September 9

• Queer Connections // 7 - 8:30 pm // patio // Queer Connections is a compassionate safe space dedicated to adults of the LGBTQIA+ community. We welcome all ages 18+. It's a time to socialize, give input on future events, share stories, support each other's voices, approach spirituality from a queer lens, discuss current social and political issues affecting our community, and collaborate on ways to lift up queer folks young and elderly in and outside our congregation. Snacks are always welcome.

• Great Books Discussion // 7:30 - 9 pm // 2nd & 4th Mondays // M3/4 // Great Books is based on the idea that by reading from the great books of our civilization and discussing them with other people – sharing your insights and questions you can reach a fuller understanding of these works than you could on your own. This week's selection is “Prometheus Bound” by Aeschylus. Contact: Carol & Clint Flynn

Wednesday, September 11

• Golden Circle: Strawberry Social // 10 am - noon // This delightful gathering is a wonderful opportunity for our age 70+ community to connect, enjoy delicious brunch foods, and share their input on future Golden Circle events. Don’t miss this chance to mingle, make new friends, and have your voice heard in shaping our upcoming activities! Sign Up Link

Thursday, September 12

• We are Parents! // 5:30 - 7:30 pm // New Night! Take the night off from cooking! Bring the whole family and eat together. Then, while children go to choir or childcare, parents join Rev. Wendy and Sarah for deepening and connecting time together. Dinner: Pulled pork bbq sandwiches. Suggested donation for food is $20/family $5/individual. Sign up Link

• Children’s Choir // 6:15 - 7:00 pm // Priestley rm. // Children’s Choir is BACK on a NEW NIGHT! Thursdays! This fall session will focus on music we will sing at the service on Sunday, October 27 and for the Christmas Eve service! Email Laura if you have any questions. Registration Link

Monday, September 16

• Women's Mixer // 7 - 9pm // chapel // Join us to launch our Women's Identity Group! Embracing Unitarian Universalist values of authentic connection, joy, and generosity, this event is open to anyone who identifies as a woman. It’s a fantastic opportunity to build friendships, share experiences, and enjoy delicious snacks together. We want to hear your ideas for shaping the women's group at JUC, so come ready to connect and make your voice heard! All are welcome! Signup Link

Friday, September 20

• DRUUMM Denver Gathering // 6 - 9pm // This event is reserved for UU People of Color and People of Color interested in Unitarian Universalism // Come experience being in a Black, Indigenous, and People of Color community, deepening our relationships, energizing our spirit, and nurturing solidarity. This gathering centers our diverse experiences, offers healing through community, and encourages one another to spiritual growth. This gathering is co-hosted by DRUUMM Steering Committee and The Mountain Top BIPOC Ministry. We will have a potluck dinner (bringing a dish is optional) before a facilitated program with an opportunity to meet and share in this unique space. RSVP Link

Saturday, September 21

• Memorial Service for John Bradford // 11 am // Celebrate John's life with family and friends. Watch Link. Read his obituary here.

Sunday, September 22

• Social Justice Challenge Kickoff: Guatemala Fiesta // 12:30 on the patio // All ages welcome / Celebrate the scholarship students and the JUC donors who make it all possible! There will be food including tamales, music, activities, including kite-making and reflections by former teen travelers to Rabinal. Please sign up to let us know you are coming. Sign up as well as a volunteer if you can. We can use lots of help. Signup Link

• Christian Nationalism: What is it and why is it a threat? // 4 pm // A movement and ideology called Christian Nationalism is attempting to use the Christian faith to tear down the walls that have protected the separation of church and state in our country for almost 250 years. After a welcome by Rev. Wendy, Nicole-Shea Niebler will address the challenges and consequences of Christian Nationalism in the United States. Her presentation will explore how these ideologies and Project 2025 conflict with the foundational principles of church-state separation and the implications for both policy and society. A reception will follow.

Saturday and Sunday, September 28, 29

• Climate Justice Revival // Join us on the weekend of September 28, 29 as JUC, along with 300 other UU congregations, consider and discern how our talents can best serve toward a more just, healthier world. There will be afternoon workshops on Saturday, September 28, and an "organizing hour" at 12:30 pm on Sunday, September 29 where we will learn the basics of community organizing! Signup coming soon.

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