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Get Connected

We are a sanctuary for spiritual growth, community, and connections, building the world we dream about together.

 

Explore ways to get involved at First Universalist.

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This group category is currently under construction. You must have a member login to join groups in Church Center. Contact a group leader for more information using the Contact button within the group listing.

Groups for Members at First Universalist:

Interested in joining a group at church? Click the Contact button on the group page to reach out to leaders for more information. Requests to join are managed by group leaders.

Filter your search using tags in the Details dropdown:

  • Care and Support
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  • Operations
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  • Spiritual Small Groups
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Explore Get Connected Groups

Leadership

Each group in this category is a Contact page.

Elected Committees

  • Board of Trustees
  • Committee on Shared Ministry
  • Nominations Committee

Standing Committees

  • Standing Committee on Archives
  • Standing Committee on the Endowment
  • Standing Committee on Finance
  • Standing Committee on Governance
  • Standing Committee on Human Resources

Care and Support

We support each other through major life transitions and in times of both sorrow and joy. Contact the Care Leaders in our church to share your care needs.

  • Care and Support Council
  • Caregiver Support Group
  • Grief Support Group
  • Senior Happy Hour
  • Senior Support Group
  • Support Group for Parents of Adult Children with Mental Health and Addiction Challenges

Link to Group Contact Page

The Care Council provides meaningful, compassionate care and support for congregants. It oversees the Care Associates, available every Sunday to simply listen and support, and the Care Stewards, who support all of the members within their ZIP code through various gatherings, calls, and even the occasional casserole.

We support each other through major life transitions and in times of both sorrow and joy.

  • Contact: Group Leader(s)
  • Meets: 1st Thursdays (In-Person)

Link to Group Contact Page

If you are caring for a friend or family member, you may be needing some support and care yourself. This group is for you. We'll meet the second Wednesday of each month August through December.

  • Meets: Monthly / 2nd Wednesday (August–December)

Link to Group Contact Page

The Grief Support Group is a small group of 8-10 people usually. Meets monthly, in-person with Rev. Emeritus Stephan Papa leading. The group's sole purpose is the support each other and share experiences and lessons from grief.

  • Contact: Group Leader
  • Meets: Monthly / 1st Tuesdays, 11:30am–1:00pm

Link to Group Contact Page

Join the Zoom meeting by clicking the link in the weekly Senior Happy Hour email. To be added to the email list, contact the group leader. This group meets every Friday welcomes new attendees.

  • Contact: Group Leader(s)
  • Meets: Fridays at 4:30pm (Zoom)

Link to Group Contact Page

We are a group of 55+ year old members who get together to share experiences and support each other. If you are going through changes or want to talk to someone about an issue in your life this is a safe place to receive support. Linda Servey is the facilatator of the group.

  • Contact: Group Leader(s)
  • Meets: 1st and 3rd Fridays at 1:00–2:30pm

Link to Group Contact Page

This is a support group for parents of adult children with primarily mental health and/or addiction issues. Our goal is to provide an opportunity for everyone to share their story with an understanding and sympathetic group of other parents facing similar issues. We do not assume to "fix" the adult children's issues, but rather to help the parents to cope in a way that makes them stronger and, thus, better able to be helpmates to their adult children. We prioritize a policy of privacy. Contact group leaders to be added to the email list for communications and updates.

  • Contact: Group Leader(s)
  • Meets: See Calendar
Contact Care Leaders

Membership

Our goal is to attract new members to our congregation by welcoming visitors who come to our church, and to facilitate
commitment to formal membership status and meaningful connections to the church community.

Membership Team

Are you interested in learning more about the meaning of membership in our congregation? Would you like to be part of the team that helps welcome the newcomer and build connection? Would you like to become a member? The Membership Council would love to hear from you.

Sign Up for Coffee Hour
  • Membership Committee
  • Coffee Hosts
  • Sunday Ambassadors
  • Sunday Ushers
  • Welcome Desk

Link to Group Contact Page

Our goal is to attract new members to our congregation by welcoming visitors who come to our church, and to facilitate commitment to formal membership status and meaningful connections to the church community. The Membership Committee leads Sunday Ambassadors and Welcome Desk volunteers.

  • Contact: Group Leader(s)

We all love having coffee and tea together on Sunday mornings—but coffee hour doesn’t happen without you! One of the best things about our coffee hour is that it's a multi-generational opportunity—kids, teens, parents, and elders all working side by side to serve our beloved community. We’d love to see you there—sign up today and help keep the coffee (and connection) flowing! 

  • What to Expect: Arrive at church about 30 minutes before the worship service to set-up the coffee station and make coffee and hot water for tea. Stay after the service to continue making coffee as needed and clean-up. We need two volunteers per service.

Our goal is to be the most Welcoming Church on the Front Range. Ambassadors enthusiastically greet everyone who comes through our front doors, with special attention to Newcomers. To You need be knowledgeable about the Missions of First Universalist and prepared to answer questions, or know the Staff or Members who may have the answers. When appropriate, direct Guests to the Welcome Desk for temporary nametags and / or to complete the Invitation to Connect form.

Need at least two Ambassadors per service. Please arrive 30 minutes prior. All must complete a 30-minute Orientation prior to serving. Our goal is to attract new members to our congregation by welcoming visitors who come to our church, and to facilitate commitment to formal membership status and meaningful connections to the church community. The Membership Council leads Sunday Ambassadors and Welcome Desk volunteers.

  • Contact: Group Leader
  • Meets: Weekly / Sundays at 9:30am

Ushers are needed every Sunday at 9:30am and stay approximately until 11:20am. Arrive at church about 30 minutes before the worship service to hand out the Order of Service and help people find seats, if needed. During the service, count the number of people attending. Pass the offering baskets to receive the offering. Following service, organize offering money into envelopes. We need two volunteers per service.

  • Contact: Group Leader
  • Meets: Weekly / Sundays at 9:30am

Be ready to assist Ambassadors to be the most Welcoming Church on the Front Range. Help Guests get temporary nametags, bookmarks or brochure(s) with Church Information. If appropriate help complete an Invitation to Connect Form online or use a physical Form. Very important: Return to the Desk after the service. Consider directing Newcomers to and joining the Membership ‘Visitor Table‘ in the Hospitality Center.

Need two Welcome Desk Volunteers per service. Please arrive 30 minutes prior. All must complete a 30 minute Orientation prior to serving.

The Membership Council leads Sunday Ambassadors and Welcome Desk volunteers.

  • Contact: Group Leader(s)
  • Meets: Weekly / Sundays at 9:30am
Contact Membership Team

Operations Council

Our operations team of staff and volunteers works together to align resources, provide operations support, integrate church systems, support decision making, foster communications, and enhance transparency and accountability.

  • Auction Committee
  • All Gardens Guild
  • Safety and Security Committee
  • Stewardship Committee

Link to Group Contact Page

Annual fundraising event that includes a silent auction, a live auction and a party held annually usually in the fall. This is the largest fundraiser for the church. See the latest.

  • Contact: Auction Committee
  • Meets: Committees form in late summer and agree on meeting times/dates/responsibilities all working toward the big event in November. There is a steering committee of all committee heads.

Link to Group Contact Page

Our goal is to make this guild a life-enriching social group that provides skilled care and stewardship to all the green spaces surrounding the building.

  • Contact: N/A (Seeking group leadership and new members)
  • Meets: Currently Inactive

For many months now a Safety and Security Committee has been at work developing a Safety and Security Plan for our congregation. Their missions is to "Create, Implement and Oversee a safety and security plan for the church."

Link to Group Contact Page

A pledge is a promise to make a financial contribution over the fiscal year to support our church. The pledges of our members, the payments that are made in carrying out those pledges, make up about 80% of the church’s income – the heart of our finances and what will help our community thrive. The Stewardship Committee meets annually to plan, launch, and coordinate the Stewardship campaign for the next fiscal year at First Universalist.

  • Contact: Group Leader
  • Meets: Annually in the Spring

Social Justice

Our work for justice is based on the principles of equality and solidarity. We honor the inherent worth and dignity of every person, and honor all life. Our goals are to provide opportunities to grow and be transformed through action and service, to educate others, invite the wider community to join us in living our Eight Principles, and to be a community leader in social justice through active participation and in partnership with other justice-seeking organizations.

We work with community partners to build a Beloved Community with justice, equity, and compassion for all.

  • Social Justice Council
  • Act With Love
  • Compassion in Action Committee
  • Ethical Eating Task Force
  • Green First Task Force
  • Housing Justice / Habitat Task Force
  • Integrated Family Community Services (IFCS) Task Force
  • LGBTQIA+ Task Force
  • Racial Justice Task Force
  • Unhoused Support Task Force
  • World Gift Market

Link to Group Contact Page

The mission of the Social Justice Council is to provide First Universalist members with opportunities to grow and be transformed through action and service, living into our Eight UU Principles. We seek to be a community leader in social justice through active participation and in coalition with other justice-seeking community organizations.

  • Contact: Group Leader(s)
  • Meets: Monthly / 1st Wednesday at 7:00pm (see calendar)

Link to Group Contact Page

Act With Love is a UU Immigrant Ally Social Justice Team. As Unitarian Universalists we embrace our Principles of Interdependence, Equity, Transformation, Pluralism and Justice to build greater understanding of the immigrant experience in our community. Love is the power at the center of our shared values. Our purpose is to act with love to honor and support the thriving, self-reliant immigrant including both long-term residents and newcomers, regardless of legal status.

  • Contact: Group Leader(s)
  • Meets: 3rd Sunday / 11:25am–12:15pm

Link to Group Contact Page

Most weeks out of year, the congregation gives 100% of the donations collected during the Sunday Offering to organizations doing work for social justice and equity in the local and global community. Compassion in Action is our congregational tithe shared to improve our world. The other Sundays (approximately one Sunday a month) the collection stays within our congregation to support our church and the work of its ministries.

Participating Compassion in Action organizations are nominated by members of the church and approved by the Social Justice Council.

To nominate an organization for Compassion in Action, click this link to go to our simple online form.

Link to Group Contact Page

Formed in response to the Unitarian Universalist Association’s 2011 Statement of Conscience on Ethical Eating, we work to raise awareness of where our food comes from and its true cost, not just what we pay at the market. We are not all vegan or vegetarian, but encourage eating less meat because of its negative impact on the environment, marginalized communities and animal welfare. We work to ensure all church sponsored meals offer a vegetarian option. The task force is also a chapter of the Unitarian Universalist Animal Ministry.

Our group meets on the Second Sunday of each month at a local restaurant offering vegan and vegetarian options. The location varies, as does the time, which can be anywhere between 11:30am and Noon (dependent upon when the restaurant opens). Interested persons are notified via email a few days before the meeting and flyers are placed in the Hospitality Center on the day of the meeting. In addition, we co-host two vegan dinners a year, one around Earth Day (April) and the other around International Vegetarian Day (October). 

  • Contact: Group Leader
  • Group Meets: Monthly / 2nd Sundays at 12:00pm

Link to Group Contact Page

Green First has been working toward climate justice within our congregation and the wider community since 2008. We engage in a wide variety of actions to encourage and inspire people to honor the UUA 7th Principle “Respect for the interdependent web of life.” Green First promotes sustainable earth-friendly practices and encourages community action and collaboration. We achieved certification as a UUA Green Sanctuary Congregation in 2010, and played a key role in incorporating sustainability elements and a renewable energy system, with solar panels and geothermal heating, in our current building. Green First created and tends vegetable and pollinator gardens at First Universalist, and provides educational workshops, films, events, brochures, advocacy, community organizing, and technical expertise to support our commitment to the earth. We have something for everyone! If you are interested in learning more, please email or drop in to one of our monthly meetings. All are welcome!

  • Contact: Group Leader(s)
  • Meets: Monthly / 2nd Tuesday, 7:00–8:30pm (Zoom)

Link to Group Contact Page

One of our longest-running social justice projects at First Universalist, our Habitat Task Force has led our work over the last two decades to help build 24 homes in the Denver Metro area. Through Habitat, we continue to:

- Share leadership in the Habitat Interfaith Alliance, with whom we build a new home every year.

- Partner with Habitat for Humanity Metro Denver to address the affordable-housing shortage in our area.

- Strengthen interfaith ties so that we continue to become a recognized force for justice by the various faith groups in our community.

- Provide opportunities to participate in activities which increase the availability of decent, affordable housing.

  • Contact: Group Leader
  • Meets: Join the Happenings email list to be notified about upcoming events.

Link to Group Contact Page

Integrated Family and Community Services (IFCS) has been meeting the basic needs of families and seniors for over 50 years. First Universalist has participated in a partnership with this non-profit for over three decades.

Food insecurity is a national crisis. We are in concert with IFCS in the devotion to their mission to prevent the downward spiral of poverty, hunger and homelessness. We act out this commitment through donations of food, clothing and financial assistance. We also encourage volunteering and awareness of the need to sustain and interact with our local communities in this endeavor.

  • Contact: Group Leader
  • Meets: Regular Donations/Collections throughout the year. Join the Happenings email list to be notified about ongoing events.

Link to Group Contact Page

Each of us has worth and dignity, and that worth includes the abundant diversity of our gender and sexual identities. Our LQBTQIA+ Task Force, in cooperation with our wider Social Justice Council, strives to ensure that our church is a spiritual sanctuary that welcomes and includes people of all identities. Our task force gathers monthly to focus on advancing the justice and equity of all LGBTQIA+ people in our church and in our community of communities.

  • Contact: Group Leader(s)
  • Meets: Monthly / 3rd Thursday at 7:00pm (Zoom)

Link to Group Contact Page

Creating opportunities for education and advocacy in our congregation. Regular events and partnerships geared toward sharing experience, gathering insight, and identifying and overcoming racial injustice.

  • Meets: Monthly / 1st Tuesday, 5:15–6:45pm (Zoom)

Link to Group Contact Page

Unhoused Support Task Force members need only be willing to help carry out the work of the stated Task Force Mission.

The First Universalist Church of Denver Unhoused Support Task Force is to engage members of the First Universalist Church of Denver to assist people experiencing homelessness by:

  • Raising awareness and educating members about homelessness
  • Recruiting volunteers for direct service
  • Establishing partnerships with like-minded organizations

Contact: Group Leader

Meets: Monthly / 3rd Thursdays at 7:00pm (Online)

 

Link to Group Contact Page

The annual World Gift Market, which our congregation has been hosting for over 20 years the weekend before Thanksgiving, embodies many of our UU principles. We offer space in our church to small non-profit organizations selling their fair-trade and earth-friendly handcrafted goods which support individuals in our Denver community as well as throughout the world. Long-time participant, local non-profit Earthlinks helps homeless individuals learn job skills through gardening. Many of the groups help the individuals they serve develop the skills and confidence to participate in the economic and social/political life of their communities. We are so thankful for the many individuals who have volunteered to help over the past years—and we will have many opportunities to do so again this year. We hope you will join us, either by volunteering or coming to shop and meeting our artisans and vendors—find lovely gifts that give twice.

  • Annual Event (before Thanksgiving) – Saturday 9:00am–4:00pm, Sunday 9:00am–2:00pm
Contact Social Justice Council

Worship and Arts

  • Worship Committee
  • Children's Music Program
  • Concert Series
  • First Universalist Singers
  • First Universalist Band
  • The Art Committee

A collaborative team that generates ideas and plans for Sunday worship. Worship Associates contribute through leading the congregation in readings and other parts of the service.

Link to Group Contact Page

A weekly choir for children 5 years old and up.

  • Contact: Assistant Music Director
  • Meets: Weekly / Wednesdays at 6:15pm

Concert Series Page

First Universalist regularly hosts musicians and musical groups to perform in the church sanctuary. Upcoming concerts are posted to the church calendar.

Link to Group Contact Page

The First Universalist Singers are an un-auditioned choir of 50+ singers of all ages and interests. We sing repertoire from the many different periods of classical music as well as musical theatre, music from other cultures, and vocal jazz. We like to prepare large works and incorporate them into our Sunday morning service twice a year (August–May).

We are a delightful group of people and welcome all regardless of ability level.

  • Contact: Music Director
  • Meets: Weekly / Wednesdays at 7:15pm (August–May) in the Sanctuary.

Link to Group Contact Page

The First Universalist Band performs once a month in Sunday services. We do a wide variety of music, and have rotating instrumentalists and singers. 

  • Contact: Music Director
  • Meets: Monthly / 2nd Tuesdays at 6:30pm (September–May)

Link to Group Contact Page

The mission of the First Universalist Church of Denver Art Committee is to display art that reflects our church values, social justice and environmental issues. Our focus is to introduce to our church community those who do not usually have a voice.

  • Contact: Group Leader(s)
  • Meets: Monthly / 2nd Mondays (see calendar)
Contact Worship Team

Affinity & Interest Groups

Our goal is to attract new members to our congregation by welcoming visitors who come to our church, and to facilitate
commitment to formal membership status and meaningful connections to the church community.

  • Adult Education Committee
  • Art Journal Community
  • Bricolage
  • Bridge, Anyone?
  • RE Committee
  • Friday Morning Discussion Group
  • Pagan Circle
  • Spiritual Small Groups
  • UU Camping
  • Women and Nonbinary Connection Planning Group
  • Women's Rummikub Society
  • Women's Virtual Book Club

We teach and learn from each other, from the youngest to the oldest among us. We encourage, support and nourish each other on our personal paths to understanding.

Adult Education supports the mission of First Universalist Church by promoting growth and transformation through experiences designed for spiritual, faith, religious, and intellectual exploration, connection, and renewal. Program offerings are coordinated by the Adult Education Committee and supported by the Lifespan Learning Council. Classes, workshops, retreats, lectures, small groups, discussion groups, and other programs are led by congregation members, ministers, staff, or, occasionally, outside experts. Programs are offered in both daytime and evening hours, and vary in length from single session to multi–week events.

  • Contact: N/A
  • Meets: Currently Inactive

Link to Group Contact Page

We gather in community and arrange words and images on pages of our art journals. This practice allows us to uncover and care for our authentic selves. Art journaling can encourage creativity and spiritual growth as well as strengthen art skills and the ability to be present. Our practice can become a process to help sift through thoughts and emotions around joyful moments as well as difficult topics. Participants need a small, unlined journal or may use supplies that we have available. We explore a variety of art materials, including watercolor and collage supplies. Creating in community is powerful, and playing with art is fun!

  • Contact: Group Leader
  • Meets: Monthly / 2nd Mondays, 6:00–8:00pm (time and location varies; see calendar)

Link to Group Contact Page

BRICOLAGE is a women's book club. Meets every other Monday, in-person mostly to discuss engaging works, usually non-fiction. New members welcome. The 2nd Monday is usually focused n a specific book and the 4th Monday's focus is on a topic.

  • Meets: 2nd and 4th Monday

Link to Group Contact Page

Duplicate Bridge meets 2nd Monday of the month at 7:00pm. Let the leader know if you are interested and if you have a partner or if you need one.

  • Contact: Group Leader(s)
  • Meets: Monthly / 2nd Monday at 7:00pm

Link to Group Contact Page

The purpose of the FFRE Committee is to support the Director of Religious Education at First Universalist Church by nurturing the growth, inclusion, and spiritual development of children, youth, and families. The committee works in partnership with the DRE to strengthen and expand our faith formation programs, foster a welcoming and diverse learning environment, and encourage a shared commitment to Unitarian Universalist values across our congregation.

  • Contact: Director of Religious Education (DRE)
  • Meets: 1st and 3rd Monday, 6:00–7:00pm (Zoom)

Link to Group Contact Page

FRIDAY MORNING DISCUSSION GROUP Offering a wide variety of discussion topics to all who are interested in stimulating engagement at the close of each week. Meets Virtually: links available on the Church Calendar.

  • Meets: Weekly / Fridays at 10:00am (Zoom)
  • Contact: Group Leaders

Link to Group Contact Page

Our Mission: We are a circle for pagan and earth-centered spiritual growth, celebration, and community. Honoring the cycles of nature and the diversity of our traditions, we gather to deepen connections—with spirit, with one another, and with the living world—building together the more just and compassionate future we dream of.

Our Vision: As Unitarian Universalists walking Pagan and earth-centered paths, we envision a welcoming community where seekers of many traditions can bring their whole selves—past, present, and becoming. Through ritual, learning, and service, we nurture spiritual exploration, ecological reverence, and justice. In partnership with our congregation and wider community, we cultivate wonder, belonging, and possibility for all who share the journey.

  • Contact: Group Leader(s)
  • Meets: Join the Happenings email lis ts for meetings/events announcements

These groups are designed to help you deepen connections and actively engage in your search for truth and meaning. Each group will be led by a facilitator and host up to 12 participants. Most groups will use discussion guides created by Soul Matters, UU Curriculum used in over 100 churches nationwide. Some will focus on recent sermons, and others will rely on participants to guide the discussion.

Additionally, some groups have a target membership, listed in the sign up. If the identities described don't match your own, please sign up for an open group.

  • Meets: Contact your group leader for schedule.
  • Spiritual Small Group Signup (2025–26): REGISTRATION CLOSED

Our UU campouts are multigenerational gatherings in the beautiful Colorado Mountains. They offer a unique opportunity to unplug from our hectic lives and enjoy the outdoors with fellow UUs of all ages.

  • Contact: Group Leader
  • Meets: Annually / Fourth of July and Labor Day Weekends

Link to Group Contact Page

Women and Nonbinary Events Planning Team A collaborative team that generates ideas and plans for quarterly gatherings for women and non-binary folks. Three of the events are informal gatherings focused on fun and connection. The fall event is the annual women and non-binary retreat, focusing on renewal and spiritual exploration and deepening. The team meets online 4–5 times a year.

  • Contact: Group Leaders
  • Meets: Quarterly (4–5 times a year)

    Link to Group Contact Page

    The Women’s Rummikub Society meets on the second and fourth Thursday of each month in Education Hall. This is a drop-in group and is open to all women. No RSVP required.

    • Meets: Twice monthly / 2nd and 4th Thursday at 1:30pm (see calendar)
    • Contact: Currently Inactive

    Link to Group Contact Page

    The Women's Online Book group enjoys reading and discussing a wide variety of books, including fiction and non fiction. Our group is open to anyone identifying as female.

    • Contact: Group Leader
    • Meets: Monthly / 3rd Tuesday at 7:00pm (Online)

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    First Universalist Church
    PO Box 22151
    Denver, CO 80222

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    First Universalist Church
    4101 E Hampden Ave
    Denver, CO 80222

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