A Quote to Ponder: 



“I dreamed about a culture of belonging. I still dream that dream. I contemplate what our lives would be like if we knew how to cultivate awareness, to live mindfully, peacefully; if we learned habits of being that would bring us closer together, that would help us build beloved community.”

— bell hooks

Questions to Consider: 

How can I help cultivate “belonging” at First Universalist? 

What does being a member of First Universalist mean to me? 

We are thrilled to share the latest membership numbers for First Universalist Church of Denver! Over the past year, our congregation has experienced steady growth, welcoming new members with open arms and embracing diversity in all its forms.

With a spirit of inclusivity and compassion, our church continues to be a beacon of hope and understanding in our local community. Through meaningful engagement, inspiring services, and transformative programming, we are proud to see our membership numbers reflect the vibrant and thriving community that we are.

2023 Numbers:

54 New Members

382 Total Members

Around 400 visitors from May-December 

Pathways to Membership Class

Location: First Universalist (Colvin Commons) 

Date: Saturday, May 18th

Time: TBD

Are you searching for a community where your beliefs are respected, your questions welcomed, and your journey celebrated? Look no further than our Pathways to Membership Class at First Universalist Church of Denver!

Join us for an enriching exploration of what it means to be part of our inclusive and compassionate community. In this interactive class, you'll discover:

• The rich history and values of Unitarian Universalism
• Opportunities for spiritual growth and personal development
• Ways to get involved and make a meaningful difference
• Connections with fellow seekers on a similar path

Whether you're new to Unitarian Universalism or have been attending services for years, this class is designed to help you deepen your connection and find your place within our vibrant community. Email Natalie Bostow to learn more and reserve your spot in the class.

Meet Katie Martin!

Katie is a quirky caring individual. She loves to laugh, have fun and finds the beauty in everything around her. She fancies herself an artist and creates when ever possible. Katie finds great joy being around animals and children, as she tends to relate best with them. 

What brought you to First Universalist? From the time I was young I have been searching for a spiritual home. I have questioned everything since I was a child; in Catholicism and most places there is no room for questioning. In my search, I came across UU and the 8 principles. Wow, did the 8 principles hit home for me! I knew right away that I needed to check out UU. I went to three different UU churches before deciding on First Universalist Denver. I would sit and listen to Reverend Eric speak of hope, community, acceptance and my most favorite message, I matter! 

What does being a member mean to you? Being a member of First Universalist means I have a home to go back to whenever I feel lost. That I will always know where to find smiling faces that enjoy me being around. Being a member makes me feel like I have purpose, even if it is just setting up an event with Naomi or making coffee with Barbra so our congregation can enjoy themselves with our community. 

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why? I have always loved swimming and being in the water. If I could have one superpower it would be the ability to breathe and live underwater. Kind of like Aquaman but cooler and way less fighting.

If you had a day free from all obligations, how would you enjoy it? On a day free of obligation I love going to the Botanical Gardens. More specifically, in May and June. Irises are one of my favorite flowers, I can spend hours admiring their beauty and smelling all the wonderful unique aromas they have to offer.

What is one fun fact about you that most people at church would not know? Most people don't know how much I love animals. In my childhood I always felt a special bond with animals. To this day I feel endless love for them and they seem to like me too. I have a cat that will be nineteen this year. He has been with me for the past 17 years and still runs around like a kitten every night. 

Meet Bill Connors!

If you’ve walked through our church’s front doors, you’ve almost certainly been greeted by our fantastic ambassador, Bill Connors. His warm smile and enthusiastic fist bumps start every Sunday service off right, but many of us know little about him.

For starters, Bill is a 5th generation Coloradan; he has been married to Terri for 44 years; they have three sons and four grandchildren; he’s been a member of First Universalist since 2007; and he has worked as a financial planner with the same Denver firm for 38 years. We recently asked him a few questions and here’s what we learned. 

What motivates you to be an Ambassador at First Universalist? I love meeting and speaking with people, both new and ones I already know, so I get a real kick out of working the front doors on Sunday. I believe people and families who join any church or community can enjoy many, many benefits.

What does being a member of First Universalist mean to you? First Universalist offers me an opportunity to balance my life in a noncompetitive environment where the main goal is to help people. It allows me the freedom to become my best self. 

If you could have any superpower, what would it be? I would catch and rehabilitate all the miscreants, and everyone would be better off.

If you had a day free from all obligations, how would you enjoy it? I’d spend it outside doing whatever my heart desired. 

What is one fun fact about you that most people at church would not know? I started tap dancing when I was 8 and continued for years until my basketball teammates made fun of me.

The Buddy Program intentionally pairs our new members with longer-time members to help them get connected to the many fun and stimulating experiences our church offers. We hope these informal, short-term connections help form valuable and long lasting relationships for both our new and seasoned members. All new members will be provided with a buddy unless they wish to opt out of this opportunity. 

In order to make the Buddy Program a success, we need the help of existing members who are willing to connect with new members in this way. If you’ve been looking for a way to use your energy and enthusiasm in service of others and are interested in learning more details, please reach out to Mary Emlen 

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