April 10-16, 2024

Endowment and Memorial Gift Trust (EMGT) Call for Grant Applications

NEWS FLASH!! Monday, April 15, is Tax Day. Plus it’s the deadline to submit EMGT project proposals for funding in the upcoming church year. Apply below now!

To learn more, read the EMGT Special Project Guidelines. For questions, email our EMGT Directors, Sherry Agard, Kathy Bassett, Lynn Gedvilas, Katie Wheeler, and Allison Windes.

Thursday, April 11

• Yoga As You Are: A Spiritual Practice // 2 - 3 pm // 2nd, 4th, & 5th Thursdays // chapel // This class is open to people of all abilities and levels of experience. There will be opportunities for people who aren’t able to get on and off the floor. Bring a yoga mat or a beach towel, plus any yoga props you already own. Contact: Martha Eastman

• Affinity Group: Drumming Circle // 6:30 pm // 3rd Thursdays // south commons // Join fellow JUCers for an evening of ecstatic drumming, and possibly dancing. No drumming experience required, no age or physical limits, beyond the ability to stay up til 8 pm. Bring a hand drum if you have one, but we also have extra drums and other instruments to share. Dancers are always welcome! Contact: Bill Barr

Sunday, April 14

• Abundant Harvest Table // 10 am and 12 pm // 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



• Nature's Keepers: Hawk Count at Dinosaur Ridge // 12:30 - 2:30 pm // Nature's Keepers is an outdoor focused, extra-curricular Faith Exploration class for 8-12 year olds. Meeting after church 2nd Sundays, participants will experience a variety of outdoor activities, both off-site and on-site that will help them nurture their spiritual connection with the earth. Parent volunteers are also needed. Participants must be registered through our regular FE program. Contact: Heather DeCaluwe Sign Up Link



• Mindfulness Meditation Spiritual Practice Group // 5 - 6:15 pm // Online // The Mindfulness Meditation group is meeting every Sunday to meditate together and discuss a mindfulness-related theme. Meeting Link Contact: Tina Voelker

Monday, April 15

• Affinity Group: Tai Chi Contemplatives // 5:30 - 6:45 pm // 2nd Mondays // chapel // Come join us for an hour of relaxing Tai chi, beginners always welcome. Tai chi is an excellent form of exercise that enhances Core strength, concentration, balance, coordination and mindfulness. Tai chi is an internal form of martial art, beautiful and accessible. Contact: Jan Jahner

Tuesday, April 16

• Sacred Earth // Tuesdays through May 21 // 6:30 pm // online // Combining the wisdom of indigenous understandings of reciprocity with the sacred earth, and with spiritual practices that connect our spirit to nature. The experiences, reflections and discussions strive to engage participants deeply in the web of life and our Unitarian Universalist faith. The work will be personal. As you and participants move through the reflections and practices, you may all find spiritual healing by creating a more intimate relationship with the natural world. We will rely on two books: Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer (please purchase or borrow prior to the first class) and The Sustainable Soul: Reflections and Practices by Rebecca James Hecking. (Note that excerpts for this book are provided and you do not need to purchase the book.) Sign Up Link Meeting Link

• Spiritual Practice Series: Movement // 6:30 - 8:30 pm // chapel // Our spiritual practice series provides an opportunity for JUCers to explore a spiritual practice that might be new to them or to which they want to commit at a deeper level. April’s class will focus on various forms of movement including Yoga, led by Martha Eastman, Qi Gong, led by Paige LeBlanc and Dance, led by Valerie Langston Brettillo. Sign Up Link

Thursday, April 18

• Family Ministry Team // 6:30 - 8:30 pm // All are welcome to attend. This month we will be focusing on planning summer events.

Friday, April 19

• Community Concert with Francisco Ruiz // 7 pm // sanctuary // Experience an unforgettable evening of uplifting music and community connection with our guest artist Francisco Ruiz, featuring Circle Singing. Join Francisco and the JUC choir as we weave together harmonies and melodies that inspire and uplift. Be part of the magic as our vocalist guides audience participation, creating a truly immersive and empowering experience. Watch Link

Saturday, April 20

• Singing Workshop with Francisco Ruiz // 9 am - 12 pm // sanctuary // This interactive workshop is open to any singers regardless of previous experience or choir membership. Participants in the workshop are invited to also sing with Francisco and the choir for the Sunday service the next morning.

Thursday, April 25

• Green Task Force: Monthly Speaker Series - How to Electrify Your Home and Why You'd Want To // 7 pm // sanctuary // Everyone needs power to heat, cool, and light their home and because of the climate crisis it makes sense to use electricity instead of fossil fuels for that. JUC member Eric Wilson, an electrification expert at NREL, has done this transformation for his own home and shares the Why and the How to inspire others to take this on. 2024 is the perfect year for such as project as the Federal Inflation Reduction Act offers massive tax incentives of 30% in addition to state and utility rebates. EVs also benefit. Sign Up Link

Saturday, April 27

• Memorial Service: Steve Sargent // 11 am // Celebrate Steve’s life with family and friends. Watch Link

Saturday, May 4

• Death with Love and Dignity // 10 am - 12 pm // Just as we try to live a good and loving life, we can at least attempt to prepare for a death that is peaceful and spiritually fulfilling - for ourselves and our loved ones. Come learn about supportive end-of-life options to aid in a spiritually fulfilling, ethical death that honors connection with loved ones and with values - hospice, death doula, and natural burial options. Sign Up Link



• Multi-Generational Self Care Saturday for Moms // 3 - 6:30 pm // Self Care Saturday is a day dedicated to practicing how we care for ourselves in the fellowship of our intergenerational community of motherhood. JUC’s Self Care Saturday is a volunteer-led mini-retreat. There will be time to gather in community for spiritual practice, participate in activities that are social, crafty, reflective, and fun. Then we will share a meal together. Folks who identify as mothers and/or women of every age and stage. Empty nesters, new-mothers, grand-mothers, second-mothers, aunts, and sisters. Child care will be provided. Suggested donation $20 to help cover the cost of food and childcare. Sign Up Link

Sunday, May 5

• 8th Principle Small Group Discussions // 10:10 - 10:55 am // Join members of your racial justice team for small group discussions about the 8th principle! This is your opportunity to take part in more intimate, meaning-making conversations about the value that the 8th principle can bring to JUC, ahead of our vote in May! (This discussion is for those who are not already part of Circles of Connection, as they will be having similar discussions through the month of April.) Sign Up Link

Saturday, May 11

• Auction Event: Springtime Staff Burrito Brunch // 10 am // patio // Join the JUC staff for a delightful Springtime Burrito Brunch on the JUC patio. We'll serve mouthwatering Santiago's breakfast burritos, fruit, coffee, and juice. All ages welcome for casual fun and fellowship. Ticket Link

• Auction Event: Boot Scootin’ Fun for Everyone // 3 pm // Wheat Ridge Active Adult Center (6363 W 35th Ave) // Yeehaw!! Grab that western wear hidin' in the back of your closet and learn yourself some good ol' country western line dancin'! A group of fun-lovin' JUC womenfolk has hired Deda Nelson's favorite line dancin' teacher to show us the boot scootin' dance floor ropes. We'll congregate for two-and-a-half hours of dancin', cavortin' and munchin'. All ages welcome. and kids are FREE! Yippee-oh-ki-yay! Ticket Link

General Assembly Delegates Needed

JUC is a member congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Association and eligible to assign up to 14 delegates to the annual General Assembly, Thursday, June 20 through Sunday, June 23, 2024. This year's assembly is virtual. Delegates will have a choice of attending in person or to serve remotely. Any JUC member in good standing is eligible to serve as a delegate. Nomination Form Link

2024 Pacific Northwest Region Assembly

Connect with other UUs in the Pacific Western Region. Our 4th Regional Assembly will be held in Denver on April 19 and 20, at First Universalist Church of Denver. You can attend either in person or online. The keynote address will feature a conversation between our UUA President Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt and the new President of the United Church of Christ, Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia A. Thompson. Information and Registration Link

The planning committee is looking for volunteers from all area congregations. If you are interested, contact Toni Nading (303-918-4865).

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After School Chess Club at JUC

PALS Chess Academy is proud to announce our new in-person Golden After School Chess Club (Fridays) at Jefferson Unitarian Church! PALS Chess Academy is Colorado’s premier chess instruction program and PALS’ students recently swept the 2024 Colorado State Scholastic Chess Championships, fielding state champions in every division! 

This unique chess club will provide your child a chance to meet new people, make friends, and have fun. Space is limited, so sign up now to get your spot! Registration Link For more information, call 720-504-8765.