Many came to the Ministry of Last Things (MLT) forums in August to give “The Gift of Planning” to your loved ones. Did you follow through? Do you need more help or a “nudge? MLT invites you to show us what you have done, share ideas of what you could do, and together we will walk through the hard parts, answer questions, and more. Bring your notebooks and “earn your wings” as you complete each section. First time joiners are welcome to get a notebook and get to work!

Hear from Martie as she shares the creative journey, inspirations, and spiritual insights that shaped her art in the current exhibit, “All the Way to Heaven is Heaven.” This is a chance to go deeper into the meaning and stories behind several of her art works.

In support of the Boulder Nablus Sister City Project, the Racial Justice Ministry is hosting a free screening of the documentary film A State of Passion. British-Palestinian surgeon Dr. Ghassan Abu Sittah spent 43 days under Gaza’s bombardment, treating the wounded without rest. World-class musician Jesse Manno will perform before the show! Admission is free, but you must register ahead of time. 

Who doesn’t love handmade pies for Thanksgiving from Mindful Works Bakers! Please visit the Mindful Works Bakers table at Coffee Hour this Sunday, 11/2, for samples and to place your order. They accept cash, card, check, or Venmo upon order pick up. Mindful Works is a social enterprise providing empowering work to individuals striving to overcome obstacles due to mental health challenges. For more information go to https://mindful-works.org

Fall Grace Gifts were assembled by the Board of Community Life and are ready for delivery! Grace Gifts Bags will be available to pick up in the Link this Sunday, 11/2. Simply take a bag or two or three and then deliver them on Sunday or Monday. When you deliver them check in with the person(s) and share a little extra love this month. If you have questions, please contact Linda or text 615-485-6126. Thank you for delivering Grace Gifts!

Intercambio, one of our Mission Partners, is hosting Community Conversations – a one-time, casual opportunity to connect with English learners and help build a more inclusive community through language and connection. Openings are currently available in Longmont on November 6 at either 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. or 6:30-8:00 p.m. Volunteers have a short 20-minute orientation followed by four 15-minute conversations with English learners. Contact Irene Donhowe to register. This is a wonderful experience!

Our November Food Drive collection begins Friday 11/7. Pick up your free grocery bag at church on Sunday and fill it with groceries to help your neighbors in need; see this list for suggested items. Bring your donations to the little red wagon in church next Sunday or to your local neighborhood leader: Bob Matthias, SE Boulder; Roy McCutchen, North Boulder; Kristen Aldretti, Gunbarrel/Heatherwood; and Phil Braudaway-Bauman, Longmont/Niwot. Donations are distributed by the pantries of Boulder County AIDS Project (BCAP) and Emergency Family Assistance Association (EFAA). Questions? Contact Don Reed, Drive Leader.

FOG is short for Fellowship of the Grape, a casual evening of conversation and food. All adults over 21 are warmly invited to attend. November’s FOG will be hosted by Erik and Susan Wilkinson in their new home. The theme is blended wines. Couples are asked to bring an appetizer and a bottle of wine. Singles may bring either an appetizer or a bottle of wine. Contact Marj Fowler (262-786-3609) or Susan Wilkinson (303-775-4642).

A Service of Thanksgiving for the Life of Rev. Gail McDougle will be held on Saturday, November 8 in the Sanctuary at 10:00 a.m. followed by a reception in Plymouth Hall. Gail’s generous spirit and steadfast faith blessed our congregation and the wider United Church of Christ, where she served with wisdom and grace for many years. Join her family and the congregation as we place Gail in God's eternal care.

Make sure you stretch because we’re goin’ bouncin’! All youth grades

6-12 are invited to meet at Bounce Empire in Lafayette for an afternoon of fun. This indoor amusement park has inflatables, obstacle courses, and much more. Bring a friend and see you there!

Join representatives from Right Relationship Boulder to explore the city’s emerging plan for a healing path that honors the Indigenous history of the site and acknowledges Fort Chambers’ connection to the Sand Creek Massacre. This is an opportunity to learn, ask questions, and engage with the process of remembering and reconciliation.

Do you know where the nearest exits are from the sanctuary? In the event of an emergency, we want everyone to feel calm and prepared. On Sunday, November 9, at the end of the 10:30 a.m. service, our Safety Team will guide us through a short evacuation drill – much like those fire drills we once practiced in school. We’ll end our morning together with a festive coffee hour – because even safety practice can be a moment of community and care. More information is available here.

Join us for Young Adults night at the Theatre. We will see the play

The Olive Tree at the CU-Boulder Loft Theatre. We may meet for dinner somewhere in Boulder before the show. If you are interested, contact

Jill von Trebra or Bob von Trebra to get tickets or for more information.

Does your family have preschool or elementary aged kids? The whole family is invited to join us at ABC Kids Climbing in Boulder for some athletic fun! Climbing is open to children (and adults) ages 2.5 and older and there are climbing walls, slides, bouldering, a zip line, and more. It’ll be a great time of family fellowship and fun!

The Gun Violence Prevention Ministry and the Mental Health A2A Ministry invite youth, parents and all concerned to a forum dealing with the current state of violence causing our youth to struggle with their mental health. Dr. Tina Pittman Wagers, a Clinical Professor of Psychology at CU and Ginny Mack, a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner will lead this discussion Sunday, November 16th at 9 a.m. with light snacks at 8:45 a.m. in the Standish Room. Childcare will be provided. For more information contact Carol Young.

Join us after the 10:30 a.m. worship service for the Fall Congregational Meeting. Come participate in our long and proud tradition of congregational government. Agenda items include a review of the 2026 Target Budget and the future use of the Carriage House. Everyone is welcome, and church members, in particular, are urged to attend. Hearty snacks will be served, and childcare is available.

First Cong’s Social Justice Coalition invites you to attend Together Colorado’s 2025 People’s Assembly & Gubernatorial Forum at Augustan Lutheran Church, Denver. The Assembly will reflect on our work this year, help shape our People’s Agenda for the next 18 months and hear directly from Colorado’s gubernatorial candidates about the issues that matter most to our communities. RSVP to attend. Laura Riihimaki, Jean Nelson, and Linda Kowatch will organize carpools from First Cong leaving immediately following our congregational meeting 11/16. Please email Linda to carpool to this very important meeting.

If you would like to join our Social Justice Coalition and be updated on opportunities to advocate for justice, click here to view the most recent Collective Action Email from 10/27/25. You can also click here to sign-up to start receiving our Collective Action Email.

As the holiday season approaches, we want to remind you that this is a time when phishing scams tend to increase. You may even have received a suspicious message recently from someone pretending to be Chris Braudaway-Bauman. Unfortunately, churches are frequent targets, and scammers can be convincing. Please remember: no member of the church staff will ever use a Gmail address to contact you. If an email isn’t from a firstcong.net address, it isn’t from us. And we will never ask you to purchase gift cards. If you receive an email that seems strange, but you’re not sure, don’t respond. You can reach out to the church office (303-442-1787) directly if you have questions.

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