SPECIAL ISSUE 1                                                                                                                                                              SEPTEMBER 2016
It's auction time again!
 
Our annual auction is second only to our pledge drive in terms of money raised in support of JUC's ministries that encourage us to Deepen to our truest selves, Connect authentically with others, and Engage with needs greater than our own. Unlike our pledges which we reflect upon and make privately, the auction invites us to enter the fray. Come for an evening of fun.  There will be costumes, good food, and energy aplenty.

This year the church will be transformed with the theme "JUC in Wonderland." Indeed, there may be ways in which you will think you have fallen through the looking glass and ended up in a whole new world. It's not just the costumes and the decorations, this year it is a whole new auction.  And there's an app for that!
 
Seriously, JUC will have its own auction application for your cell phone. You can view the catalog of donated items, services, and gatherings on it, as well as enter your bid.
 
It is a strange and wonderful world. And of course, we know it will take some acclimation. Rest assured your hard working auction team led by Carolyn Thomas has kept us all in mind as they have worked to minimize the drain on volunteers and the functionality of the evening. Tickets for the auction will be sold on Sundays from now through October, as well as onlineThere will be training on how to use the app (see below for sessions). And if cell phones and computers just aren't your thing, there will be people with iPads at the ready on the night of the auction to help you enter your bids early and often.
 
Change is exciting. Change is hard. Both are true and often in the same moment.  This is an opportunity to practice sacred flexibility.
 
So mark your calendars for November 12. Figure out a costume or come as yourself. Let yourself connect in a spirit of fun and generosity.
 
See you there.
 
Blessings,
Wendy

Be Part of Our Success
This all-church event is the biggest and best party of the year, and it raises over $50,000 for JUC's annual budget.
 
The auction doesn't just make money for JUC, it offers bidders a chance to make new friends and share new experiences by attending dinners and other events throughout the year. Bidders can also purchase vacation getaways, lessons offered by experts, fabulous homemade desserts, and much more.

Each year, the auction committee works hard to put this all together, but none of it could happen without you!
 
What can you do to make this the best auction ever?
  • Visit the auction table Sundays, September 25 - November 6
  • Donate at least one auction item or event by Sunday, October 16
  • Volunteer to help with the party!
  • Help solicit donations from businesses
  • Bring gently-used toys for the children's auction
  • Purchase items in advance at a guaranteed price
  • Purchase admission and come to the auction
  • Wear a costume
  • Invite your friends!
What can you donate? Think about asking friends to offer an event with you! You can get help with donation ideas at the auction table on Sunday mornings.

Thank you,
Carolyn Thomas, Auction Chair

The Auction Has Gone Mobile!
We are excited to tell you that our auction has gone mobile this year!

We will be using HANDBID, a mobile silent auction platform that allows you to bid from your smartphone.

Save time at check-in by getting set up and bidding BEFORE YOU ARRIVE!

STEP 1:  DOWNLOAD THE HANDBID APP

If you have an iPhone or Android, you can download the Handbid app from the Apple iTunes App Store  or the  Google Play Store. From your phone you can also go to  http://mobile.handbid.com and follow the link to "Get the App."

Please note we strongly recommend you "Enable Notifications" when you open it. This will allow you to get push notifications for "Outbid" messages during the auction.

STEP 2:  SIGN UP

Next you can create an account. From the App home screen, tap on "GET STARTED" button and complete the information (please use your cell phone as the phone number). Tap NEXT

Handbid will text you a 5 digit code. Enter this code to log in.

Once you are logged in, select JUC IN WONDERLAND from the list of auctions and START BIDDING!

No smartphone? No problem.

You will be able to access the auction  online on your computer before the event and we will have iPads available at the event to get you signed up and bidding!


Handbid Training

In order to help JUC members learn how to use Handbid software, JUC member, Steven DeCaluwe, will hold two information/training sessions, leading up to the auction.

The first will be a one-hour, in-depth training for those wanting greater assistance, which will take place on the evening of Wednesday, October 26, 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. Steven will cover how to download the app and create an account with Handbid, and will conduct a "test run" where you can practice bidding on items.

The second training session will be more brief. On Sunday, November 6 at 10:15 a.m. (between services) Steven will help attendees download the Handbid app and sign up for an account, and will demonstrate how to bid on an item.


JUC in Wonderland
Imagine falling down the rabbit hole headfirst into the world of Alice. What will you find there? A wonderful adventure or dinner with new friends? Items and experiences for children (and adults) of all ages?

Our auction theme this year is JUC IN WONDERLAND! Come in costume for extra fun. How many Mad Hatters will there be? The White Rabbit, Queen of Hearts, Cheshire cat, and don't forget the Dormouse and the Mock Turtle! Costume options abound!

Volunteers are needed to help transform JUC. Are you a creative, crafty type? Join the decorations team!

The decorations team is also looking for the following donated items:
  • Used decks of cards (can be incomplete)
  • Cloth/linen round table cloths in solid red, black or white
Please contact  Julie Duhegraham , Decorations Chair if you have these items to donate.

Children and Youth at the Auction!
We have a long tradition of planning extra-special fun for our kids during the auction, and this year will be different, but the same!

Our youngest babes and tots (birth-4) will be cared for and played with in the church nursery with carefully screened adult and youth caregivers. 

Elementary kids will will enjoy their very own Mad Hatters Tea Party with kid-friendly fare, use "Wonderland" bucks to bid on donated toys, games, and books at their very own live auction, be entertained by talented live performers, then wind down with Alice and the Cheshire Cat (and of course the Mad Hatter!).

Middle schoolers will create their own revelry with their own special programming, and high school youth are encouraged to join the fun with the adults. Stay tuned for more information!   

Please contact  Kristi Reeves   if you'd like to get involved!





14350 W 32nd Avenue
Golden, CO 80401
303-279-5282
www.jeffersonunitarian.org