February 7-13, 2024

Annual Community FUN!draising Auction

Our annual online silent auction raises funds while providing the opportunity for connection through JUCer hosted parties, events, and other fun social activities throughout the year.

This year, bidding will be open Saturday, March 2 through Saturday, March 9. All JUCers are encouraged to participate as donors, bidders, or both! Donations will be accepted through Sunday, February 25.

Learn more about the auction and get donation inspiration on our auction webpage. Ready to donate? Click the button below to access our online donation form or visit the auction table Sunday to speak with a donations specialist.

Dads Retreat Lottery Now Open

• JUC Dads will gather for a weekend to connect, rest, grow and learn together at YMCA of the Rockies, Snow Mountain Ranch May 3-5, 2024 ($100/person, scholarships available). Space is limited. Lottery registration is open February 7 - February 28. Attendees will be notified Friday, March 1. Registration Link

Thursday, February 8

• Yoga As You Are: A Spiritual Practice // 2 - 3 pm // 2nd & 4th 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

Friday, February 9

• CUUPS: New Moon Magic // 6 - 7:30 pm // We gather to celebrate the New Moon and to look at upcoming CUUPs sabbats. We will have a time of learning and then a time for planning. You are welcome to come to just the education or both! All are welcome and encouraged. Bring snacks to share if you would like. Sign Up Link

Saturday, February 10

• Memorial Service: Ernie Werren // 11 am // sanctuary // Celebrate Ernie's life with family and friends. Watch Link

• Affinity Group: Union of Unitarian Universalist Gamers // 5 - 9 pm // Saturdays, bi-weekly // This group uses the medium of tabletop roleplaying games (Dungeons and Dragons) to foster a space where people can build community, exercise creativity, and celebrate their unique voice. No prior roleplaying game experience is necessary and feel free to drop in and out as you see fit. Contact: Zack Schreiner

Sunday, February 11

• Child Dedication (rescheduled) // 9 am // JUC member families with new babies or young children are invited to participate in our annual child dedication ceremony. Child dedication provides an opportunity to both formally welcome children into our congregation, and for the congregation to make promises to support your family's spiritual growth in the years ahead. Registration Link Contact: Sarah Billerbeck

• 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



• Multi-generational Valentine's Crafternoon // 12:30 - 2:30 pm // commons // We will spend the afternoon making fun valentine crafts, enjoying snacks and drinks and making time to connect with each other across the generations. ALL are welcome! Crafty volunteers needed! If you are crafty and want to host a table or help with general set up or clean up please sign up. Sign Up Link

• Nature's Keepers // 12:30 - 3:30 pm // 2nd Sundays // 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. Parent volunteers are also needed. Participants must be registered through our regular FE program. Sign Up Link Contact: Heather DeCaluwe 

• Mindfulness Meditation Spiritual Practice Group // 5 - 6:15 pm // Online // The Mindfulness Meditation group is meeting every Sunday to meditate together and discuss a mindfulness-related theme. Meeting Link Contact: Tina Voelker

Monday, February 12

• Affinity Group: Great Books Discussion // 7:30 - 9 pm // 2nd & 4th Mondays // M3/4 // Great Books is based on the idea that by reading from the great books of our civilization and discussing them with other people – sharing your insights and questions you can reach a fuller understanding of these works than you could on your own. This week's selections are "On Self-Respect” and “Holy Water” by Joan Didion. Dona Chilcoat is the Shared Inquiry Leader, 303-989-6945

Tuesday, February 13

• We Are Parents (+kids!) // 5:30 - 7:30 pm // 2nd Tuesdays // We will share a meal together, then the kids will go to childcare. This month we will talk about sex and sexuality. Our amazing OWL (Our Whole Lives human sexuality curriculum) team leader, DeDe Cross will be with us to share a mini version of adult OWL. Sign Up Link

• Children’s Music Service Rehearsal // 6:15 - 7 pm // Priestley rm. // Rehearsals begin for our Children’s Music Service in April. Go to We are Parents and grab some food, connect with other parents, then send your kids off with Laura to make some music and act! Sign Up

Thursday, February 15

• Family Ministry Team Meeting // 6:30 - 8 pm // All are welcome to attend! We will debrief the mini-retreat, start planning the Dads retreat, Self Care Saturday for moms, and more!

• Affinity Group: Drumming Circle // 6:30 pm // 3rd Thursdays // south commons // Join fellow JUCers for an evening of ecstatic drumming, and possibly dancing. No drumming experience required, no age or physical limits, beyond the ability to stay up til 8 pm. Bring a hand drum if you have one, but we also have extra drums and other instruments to share. Dancers are always welcome! Contact: Bill Barr

Saturday, February 17

• Social Justice Challenge Kickoff Extravaganza // 5:30 - 7:30 pm // commons // The Social Justice Challenge February 18 - March 31. Our Justice Council has planned six weeks of opportunities fro all-ages for us to Serve Respectfully together. Kick off this exciting time with a delicious pasta dinner and trivia (for all ages) with your JUC friends. There will be prizes! Sign Up Link

Tuesday, February 20

• Green Task Force: Green Gardening in Dry Colorado // 7 pm // sanctuary // Simple gardening strategies lead to impactful, environmental solutions for your home and landscape. Learn about many options for creative green gardening from Mike Moore, the owner of a local landscaping design company.

Sunday, February 25

• Speak Up - Your Voice Matters // 12:30 - 2 pm // Learn how to be a better advocate. We'll provide details about housing and the unhoused in Jefferson County, along with ideas on how to communicate your thoughts. We'll provide the paper, envelope, stamps and addresses for city and county officials and help you craft a letter that we will mail. It can be a concern or a thank you for something that is working. Make your voice and your values heard. Sign Up Link

Tuesday, February 27

• Theme Thing: Community Organizing Speed Dating // 6:30 - 8 pm // Have you ever wondered how to organize around the needs of your community? During this month of justice and equity, we'll gather to learn principles of community organizing with Rev. Ruth Rinehart and Rev. Jen, and then we'll practice what we learn with a few rounds of speed "dating," with questions ranging from the silly to the sacred. Sign Up Link

Monday, March 4

• Love at the Center // 6:30 pm // Additional dates: Mondays, March 18, April 1 and 14 // As Unitarian Universalism wrestles with placing our values at the center of our faith, rather than our principles and sources, it is incumbent on all of us to consider the proposals. In four sessions, we will look at what it might mean to put love at the center, growing into a shared covenant, and immersing ourselves in the values of Interdependence, Justice, Equity, Generosity, Pluralism, and Transformation. Sign Up Link

Saturday, March 9

• Under the Stars: First Annual JUC Prom // 6:30 pm // This all-ages evening of dancing and delights promises to be THE social event of the year!

We're doing prom JUC style which means come as you feel best! Looking for an excuse to get gussied up, or do you feel more comfortable in casual wear? Want to hire a babysitter or have a family dance party? Have a date in mind or prefer to fly solo? We're here for all of it! Ticket Link

Help make our first annual prom a success by sharing your time and talents! We have a variety of opportunities for you to help before, during, and after the event. Sign Up Link

Endowment and Memorial Gift Trust (EMGT) Preliminary Call for Grant Applications 

Do you have an idea for a new or existing project that requires funding to achieve the goals of the project?

The EMGT Directors approve and monitor selected grant requests from congregants and staff that support JUC’s goals and mission statement. We will begin accepting applications in mid-March. All applications must be submitted with the support of a JUC standing committee and must be received by Friday, April 15.

Funding for EMGT projects was originated with donations to the fund from members. Each year we establish available dollar amounts for funding based on the interest earned on the principal in the previous 12 months.

To learn more, visit our EMGT table in the south commons on Sunday, February 11.

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

Saturday, February 10

• You are not Alone: Ancestors and Activities for Resilience in 2024 // 10 am - 1 pm // online // This virtual-retreat for BIPOC identified folks is hosted by Bay Area DRUUMM and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley (UUCB). In the midst of life's challenges, this retreat offers a sacred space for connection and healing. We will bring forth and delve into the wisdom of our ancestors as we explore timeless practices that cultivate resilience. Through guided discussions, reflective activities, and shared experiences, you'll find solace in the company of like-minded individuals. This retreat is a sanctuary for fostering a sense of community, providing support, and discovering the strength that lies within each of us. Come and embrace the power of shared stories, ancestral wisdom, and resilient activities to navigate the uncertainties of 2024 together. You are not alone; join us on this journey of healing and empowerment. Please RSVP to [email protected] to receive the Zoom link.

Mondays, February 12 - March 11

• Justice in Israel and Palestine: An Introductory Course // 7 - 9 pm // First Unitarian, Denver (1400 Lafayette St, Denver // This five-part community course aims to give participants an introduction to Palestine, Israel, and the current crisis in Gaza. Each session will center around a different topic critical to understanding the region. Registration Link