This Sunday at Common Flame (10 am ONLY): Mind, Meet Heart | Rev. Jen Simon

Unitarian Universalists can be a heady bunch. What in our history and theology calls us to center love and empathy, even when it seems to defy reason?

Featured events you don't want to miss!

New Name Tags!

This Sunday at Common Flame, you will see that your name tag has been replaced with a new one. If your name tag is missing or needs to be changed, please fill out a name tag change form (you'll find the box on the enCounter, above the Social Justice Library), or let someone at the welcome desk know.

New Here

Sunday, September 6 | 11:30 am | Discover the welcoming spirit of Common Flame! This class helps you understand the heart and soul of our community. New Here is required for becoming a member. Childcare is available during class this month.

Register for Going Deeper!

Deadline: Sunday, September 13 | Embark on a journey of spiritual deepening & connection: join a group of 8-10 individuals to explore our UU values together. Meetings twice a month until May 2027. Groups will start the week of September 20.

Muffins with the Ministry Team

Thursday, October 1 | 10 am - 12 pm | Common Flame members 70 or better are invited by the ministry team for connection & conversation. Get to know each other, discuss the monthly theme, and break into small groups for deeper conversations. Bring muffins to share! 

Register for Mom's Retreat!

Friday - Sunday, October 2 - 4 | YMCA Snow Mountain Ranch (Granby) | Moms, sign up now for a weekend away in the beautiful Rockies! We have space for 26 moms to attend; should we exceed 26 sign ups, we'll use a lottery system to determine who attends.

Faith Exploration Class Registration is Now Open!

Register your youth and children now for our 2026-27 Faith Exploration classes. There are opportunities for infants all the way up to 12th grade. Classes begin Sunday, September 13.

Announcing: Common Flame Merch!

Yes, you read that right! We now have Common Flame merch for sale. Browse our collection of t-shirts, tank tops, and more!

Deepen in relationship with people of all ages.

Community Board Game Night & Potluck

Friday, September 11 | 5 - 8 pm | All are welcome to the Community Game Night and Potluck! Bring your favorite board games, share your favorite card games, and bring a dish to share! See you there!

UnplUgged: Acoustic Artistry & Picnics on the Patio

Friday, September 11 | 6 - 9 pm | Calling all artists! The acoustic stage at UnplUgged is open to musicians, poets, comedians & storytellers of all kinds to showcase their talent. Pack a picnic, bring the crew & enjoy a summer evening under the stars from our patio. 

Vespers

Wednesday, September 16 | 6:30 - 7:30 pm | Mid-week worship is returning soon! This is a time to be together that centers music, silence, poetry, and ritual. You’re welcome & encouraged to come an hour early for our first BondFire dinner, where we’ll share a meal together.

Serve faithfully in our community and beyond.

Common Flame CAN Meeting

Sunday, September 13 | 5 - 7 pm | online | We will discuss the upcoming election, with focus on ballot issues and candidate forums. We will begin work on Vote Your UU Values.

UUSC/Guatemala Partners Meeting

Monday, September 21 | 5 - 6:15 pm | Online meeting link | We work with our Guatemala partners, ADIVIMA, to support a scholarship program for Guatemalan children impoverished by the civil war. Our fundraising helps keep youth in school by providing for school fees, uniforms, transportation and a full time tutor.

Queer Social Justice Group

Monday, September 28 | 6:30 - 8 pm | We're a group of queer people & allies committed to raising awareness of issues that affect the queer community. We will be turning that awareness and education into action, including but not limited to, helping our unhoused find refuge and helping our queer youth find safety and community.

UUCAN Solidarity Summit

Saturday, October 3 | 9 am - 5 pm | All Souls UU Church, Colorado Springs | Join us for solidarity, community, action & skill-building with community & faith partners. As a starting point, we will be focused on defeating the two anti-trans ballot measures in Colorado, along with skill building that will translate into supporting all of our actions in the public square.

Abundant Harvest Table

11 am | Donations benefit our homeless ministries. Sign up here to volunteer this Sunday, September 6. | Sign up here to volunteer on or after Sunday, September 13.

Faithful Resistance

Upcoming actions, resources, podcast episodes, and more. Visit our website.

UUSC Support for the Vulnerable

Learn how to help support immigrants in our community. Contact Gretchen May for info about these meetings.

Learn about the candidates & initiatives on this year's ballot. All forums are free & open to the public.

CD7 (Congressional District 7) Candidate Forum

Thursday, September 10 | 6 - 8 pm | Spanish interpretation available | Learn directly from candidates for Congressional District 7 as you prepare to vote in November. Candidates will answer questions presented by the League of Women Voters and Common Flame CAN.

School Funding Ballot Issues Forum

Thursday, September 17 | 6 - 8 pm | School funding in Jefferson County is at a critical place. Learn about the ballot issues that determine how our schools will be funded and what are the possible outcomes of our votes on these ballot issues.

Jefferson County Candidate Forum

Thursday, October 1 | 6 - 8 pm | Spanish interpretation available | Learn from candidates for Jefferson County offices this year. Candidates will answer questions from the League of Women Voters & Common Flame CAN. If time permits, we'll take audience questions. This is an opportunity to speak directly to our candidates.

Jefferson County Ballot Issues Forum

Thursday, October 8 | 6 - 8 pm | An explanation of this year's ballot issues, along with the positions that the League of Women Voters and Common Flame CAN take on the ballot issues. 

Answer the question of what it means to be UU.

Creative Writer's Circle

Saturday, September 5 | 10 am - 12 pm | Whether you’re beginning your writing journey or have written for years, this group is for you! Everyone is welcome to join our friendly, nonjudgmental space. Not ready to share your work? Come anyway, we can’t wait to get to know you! Contact: Sharon Groten

Women's Group

Monday, September 14 | 6 - 7:30 pm | This inclusive space welcomes individuals who identify as women to share experiences & pursue personal growth. This week, we will be creating Vision Boards that will support a goal or dream. Please bring a glue stick & pair of scissors. Contact: Lyn Snow

Drumming Circle

Thursday, September 17 | 2:30 - 4 pm | An afternoon of ecstatic drumming and dancing. No experience required, no age or physical limits. Bring a drum, or we have drums and instruments to share. Dancers are always welcome! Contact: Bill Barr

Braver Conversations

Sunday, September 20 | 12:30 pm - 2 pm | Deepen your spiritual practice and peacemaking: through practicing Nonviolent Communication together, we will nurture heart-to-heart connection, speaking your truth with compassion, and fostering belonging across differences. Contact: Holly Storm

Mental Health Caregivers Support Group

Monday, September 21 | 4 - 5:30 pm | Third Mondays every month | New support group for those with family struggling with mental illness. This is a safe place to gain insight from others facing similar challenges. Following NAMI confidentiality guidelines, there's no sign up. Questions? Contact Jan Dunn

Being an Elder

Thursday, October 8 | 10 am - 12 pm | A support group for members and friends of Common Flame who are in their 70s and beyond. This is a supportive environment to help each other deal with the very real challenges of life as we age, and to seek to grow into Elders. Contact: Barry Bloom & Betty Lynn Ferguson

Faith Exploration Class Registration is now open!

Register your youth and children now for our 2026-27 Faith Exploration classes. There are opportunities for infants all the way up to 12th grade. Classes begin Sunday, September 13, 2026.

Click on each box to explore group events.

Common Care: If you need to speak with a minister, email cares@commonflameuu.org or call 720-CHURCH9 (720-248-7249). Learn more here.

Scams and Spam: Please ignore any "church" emails asking for information, money or gift cards. If you ever have a question about an email, call Carol at 303-279-5282 x 708.

Publicity notice: Photos and videos taken at church events may be posted on our website and social media channels. Contact ray@commonflameuu.org with concerns and questions.

IGNITE October Deadline:

Monday, September 21 | 11 am | Submit an article by replying to this email, or emailing Ray Grosser.

Overflow Parking at Maple Grove Park: Please don't block our fire lanes & dumpsters! You can park at Maple Grove Park (about a half-block west) when our lot is full.

"My Omaha" Film Screening

Friday, September 11 | 6:30 pm | 4101 E Hampden Ave, Denver, CO 80222 | "My Omaha" is a documentary about family, race, politics, and the difficult work of staying in relationship across deep divides. Hosted by the Racial Justice Task Force at First Universalist Church of Denver.

UP2US Golden Community Meeting

Wednesday, September 16 | 6 - 7:30 pm | Calvary Church (1320 Arapahoe Street) | UP2US Golden is a group dedicated to helping community members engage with the democratic process to protect vulnerable residents, democracy, and the rights of all people. The focus will be on upcoming election activities & updates from each Action Team. No RSVP needed.

AfterGlow

Saturday, September 26 | 6 - 9:30 pm | 3770 Walnut St, Denver, CO | An immersive fashion-forward celebration honoring the bold self-expression, creativity & cultural influence of LGBTQ+ communities. Hosted by The Center on Colfax, this gala fuses style, storytelling & community to spotlight local talent and the future of queer fashion.

Telling Stories of Nature in Times of Darkness

Wednesday, September 30 | 6 pm | Bunker Auditorium, Green Center (924 16th St) | Bestselling science writer Ed Yong explores the power & limits of storytelling in protecting a threatened natural world. He shares techniques for crafting compelling, hope-filled narratives about nature, followed by a fireside chat with Q&A.

Job Opening at First Universalist Church of Denver

First Universalist is looking for a 30-hour/week Community Connector. This position will support the Senior Minister, coordinating engagement in the congregation, recruiting volunteers for roles across the church, and keeping a finger on the pulse of the community. Full job description here. To apply, send a cover letter & resume to applications@firstuniversalist.org by Sunday, September 20.