April 24-30, 2024

Spring Congregational Meeting

Our Spring Congregational Meeting will take place Sunday, May 19 at 12:30 pm. Light snacks and childcare will be provided. The agenda will include:

• Vote on candidates for leadership positions
• Overview of proposed 2024-25 budget and vote
• 8th Principle presentation and vote.

The meeting will be streamed live and there will be online voting options open past the meeting date. Look for more information about candidates and the proposed budget next week.

Special Plate Applications Due May 5

The Justice Council is accepting applications for special plate recipients for our next church year. Justice Council will carefully select recipients from this pool. Application Link Organizations must be a 501(c)(3) tax exempt entity. They are more likely to be approved if they:

• Operate in Jefferson County or Colorado generally
• Are small enough that $2-4,000 would make a meaningful difference in their budget
• Help larger numbers of people
• Have ties to the members of Jefferson Unitarian Church, particularly if our members are, or are able to be, actively involved in their work
• Align with our Unitarian Universalist values and traditions

Family Camping Trip Lottery Now Open

The family camping trip 2024 is at Pickle Gulch group campground, June 28-30.

Pickle Gulch is a group picnic and camping facility located just off the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway/Highway 119. Visitors enjoy the area for its scenic and off-road driving, and nearby hiking and fishing opportunities. The lottery is open through May 8. Lottery Link

Thursday, April 25

• 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

• WOMBATS Dads Group // 5:30 pm // The WOMBATS are here to create a community of people who identify as dads to connect authentically. Meetings consist of time to connect socially, share a meal, and a formal program based on listening and reflection. Contact: Erik Greensfelder

• 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 a 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 Watch Link

Friday, April 26

• Community Game Night // 5 - 9 pm // 4th Fridays // commons // Let's play some board games together! Adults and kids welcome. This is a great time to meet other JUCers and maybe learn a new game. We will have a great assortment of games and we will have people there to teach in case you don't know how to play. Bring your favorite snack to share! Sign Up Link

Saturday, April 27

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

Sunday, April 28

• 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

• Spiritual Practice Group: Mindfulness Meditation // 5 - 6:15 p.m. // 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 29

• Moms Group // 6:30 - 8:30 pm // 4th Mondays // chapel // The Moms Group is for people who identify as moms to share time and space. There will be a mix of faith-exploration activities and socialization time. To be added to the Moms Group email list, please email Laura Lizut. Sign Up Link

Thursday, May 2

• CUUPS: Beltane // 6 - 8 :30 pm // Join us as we celebrate Beltane! We will have a hearth fire and welcome in the spirits and deities close to us during this season. Wiccan and other pagan traditions honoring rituals. Drums and musical instruments welcome. Bring snacks for the "cakes and ale" time. (No alcohol) Sign Up Link

Friday, May 3

• First Friday Open Mic // 6 pm dinner, 7pm show (performers arrive by 6:50 pm) // sanctuary // First Friday Open Mic is the perfect way for both veteran AND budding performers of all ages to get in front of an audience. Singers, dancers, instrumentalists, comics, poets, and storytellers of all skill levels are welcome. Kid performances are encouraged. Whether you want to take the stage – or just be a happy audience member – we need you! Please sign up to attend the community pizza dinner ($5/person; $20/family suggested donation) so we know how much food to provide. During the show, wine, beer and soda are available for a modest donation, and there’s always chocolate! Sign Up Link Contact: Sarah Billerbeck

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

• Affinity Group: 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



• 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

• Theme Thing: Composting // 12:30 pm // patio // Concerned about climate change? Want to do something that benefits the planet and our local ecosystems? Come learn about the easiest and most impactful climate solution at our fingertips! Join Compost Colorado for an interactive session on the power of composting, and the do's and don'ts of this essential practice. Learn from expert facilitators about how a simple shift in our choices at the trash bin can have resounding benefits for our communities and the planet! Sign Up Link

• Nature’s Keepers: Compost Presentation // 12:30 pm // patio // Nature's Keepers is an outdoor focused, extra-curricular Faith Exploration class for 8-12 year olds. 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. Sign Up Link

Tuesday, May 7

• Ideas in Process: UU Liberal Christians // 7 p.m. // M1/2 // Steve Hansen will lead as we take a closer look at what Process/Evolutionary thinking looks like when specifically applied to Christianity. UU Liberal Christians meet on first Tuesdays to discover progressive Christianity through discussion, book study, presentations and occasional worship. Contact: Karen Custer

Friday, May 10 - Tuesday, May 14

• Plant and Goodie Sale // Friday, Monday , and Tuesday 1 - 6 pm, Saturday 11 am - 6 pm // Gilla's Garden, 1017 20th St, Golden // Support Earthlinks while choosing from over 1,000 tomato and pepper varieties, herbs, flowers, veggies, groundcovers, berry shrubs, house plants, and of course, goodies! 

Support this fundraiser by donating baked goodies and extra plants you may have in your garden. Please bring your donations during sales hours or contact Gilla Lachnitt to make an appointment.

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

Sunday, May 12

• New Here // 12:30 pm // Are you curious about Unitarian Universalism? Are you interested in becoming a member of JUC? In our New Here class, we will talk about our history, our covenants, our principles, and what it means to be a member. We will also cover what you need to know about our church programs, from worship to social justice, faith exploration, and caring for our people. 

To become a member, we ask that you attend the New here class. Lunch will be provided, as well as childcare for your little ones. We hope to see you there! Sign Up Link

Sunday, May 19

• Auction Event: Jude Markel in Concert // 4 pm // Classical! Gershwin! Popular! A concert for everyone! You’ve delighted in hearing our talented pianist play at Sunday services. Enjoy a fabulous afternoon concert showcasing Jude’s multi-faceted repertoire. Musical delights from the ivories will abound! Ticket Link

Sunday Commons Tables

• Are you part of a JUC group looking for members or participants? Hosting a table in the south commons on Sundays is a great way to engage with fellow JUCers, letting them know what you're all about! Tables (space permitting) are available to any established JUC groups. Email Emily Bonadore to be added to the schedule.

Adopt-A-Plot

• Spring is here! Do you like to garden? Can you spare some time over the "weed season" here at JUC? You can have your own slice of heaven (AKA small outside area at JUC) to care for. We can provide tools, encouragement, advice and gratitude! Sign up here or contact Carol Wilsey by email or call her at 303-279-5282.

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

-- ONLINE MEETINGS USE PASSWORD JUC UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED --

Sunday, April 28

• Existential Climate Change: The Future of Humankind // 4 pm // Presented by Jonathan Stickel, Ph.D. He is Director of R&D at Carbon America, a startup company developing and deploying carbon-capture technology. Human-caused climate change poses a serious threat to humanity and Earth as we know it. For several decades, the accepted approach for mitigating climate change has focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. What we need to do, climate activists claim, is to avoid using energy where we can, use existing energy more efficiently, and convert energy sources from fossil fuels to renewables. These conservation and technical solutions are not being implemented nearly fast enough. Stickel will examine the likely outcomes of climate change, why so little progress is being made to mitigate it, and what it means if we ultimately do not succeed. The program will be held at Jefferson Unitarian Church and is hosted by Jefferson Humanists, a chapter of the American Humanist Association. At 4 pm we have social time with light appetizers and wine (for a donation), followed by the program at 4:30 pm. Visit jeffersonhumanists.org to learn of coming programs and activities.