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1 Nov. 3, 2014 • office@jeffersonunitarian.org • www.jeffersonunitarian.org • Volume 2014, Issue 19 The JUC Crier The Newsletter of the Jefferson Unitarian Church 14350 W. 32nd Avenue • Golden, Colorado 80401 • 303-279-5282 • Fax: 303-279-2535 Sunday, November 9 9:15 & 11 a.m. Infant/toddler care provided. True to Gravity and Grace presented by Rev. Wendy Williams, Senior Minister Our tradion proudly honors both science and the transcendence of the direct experience of mystery and wonder. How do we live it? Music: JUC Choir; Adam Revell, piano. Sunday, November 16 9:15 & 11 a.m. Infant/toddler care provided. The Choice of Saying Grace presented by Rev. Wendy Williams, Senior Minister Unexamined, gratude may strike us as a feeling. Something we either feel or we don’t. Yet, what would shiſt in us and our world if we recognized gratude as a choice detached from any emoon we may or may not be having? Gratude creates the passage from suspicion to trust, indifference to wonder, isolaon to engagement. Could it be that in the pracce of gratude other possibilies emerge for us and our world? Music: Pair-a-Bellas; Rev. Keith Arnold, piano. Looking ahead to… Sunday, Nov. 23: Helen of Joy presented by Rev. Eric Banner, Assistant Minister. Long before grace came to be understood in the context of Chrisanity, a grace was one of the sisters of Splendor, Mirth & Good Cheer. What grace will it take for your to hold onto your mirth and good cheer as we head into a season of holidays and holy days, where many of us are called to do and be many things we manage to avoid the rest of the year? Music: JUC Choir; Adam Revell, piano. Evergreen Campus Sunday, Nov. 16 • 4 p.m. New Locaon! 2981 Bergen Peak Dr. The Choice of Saying Grace presented by Rev. Wendy Williams, Senior Minister See sermon descripon above. Worship Associate: Pa Stone. Worship services held on first and third Sundays at 4 p.m. 2981 Bergen Peak Dr. (Congregaon Beth Evergreen) If you wish to be informed about news regarding our Evergreen campus, please contact Sue Parilla, Director of Congregaonal Engagement (sueparilla@jeffersonunitarian.org). Let the Good Times Roll! JUC’s Annual Aucon: Saturday, Nov. 8 5:30 p.m. It’s almost here! Generous donaons have poured in and the catalog is published. Now’s the me to buy ckets to aend! Get your ckets online (jeffersonunitarian.org/aucon), at the JUC ofice this week, or at the door. If you can’t aend the aucon, use the pre-purchase form on the back of the catalog to purchase those items you can’t live without! Toy donaons for the children’s aucon are sll being accepted. Bring gently used or new toys to the donaon bin at JUC. If you have donated a tangible item that someone will be taking home on aucon night, please bring it to JUC on Friday, Nov. 7 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. or Sat., Nov. 8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Contacts: Debbie Klisis ([email protected]), Darcy Stanton ([email protected]).

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Page 1: JUC Crier 11 3 14

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Nov. 3, 2014 • [email protected] • www.jeffersonunitarian.org • Volume 2014, Issue 19

The JUC CrierThe Newsletter of the Jefferson Unitarian Church

14350 W. 32nd Avenue • Golden, Colorado 80401 • 303-279-5282 • Fax: 303-279-2535

Sunday, November 9 • 9:15 & 11 a.m. • Infant/toddler care provided.

True to Gravity and Gracepresented by Rev. Wendy Williams, Senior Minister

Our tradition proudly honors both science and the transcendence of the direct experience of mystery and wonder. How do we live it? Music: JUC Choir; Adam Revell, piano.

Sunday, November 16 • 9:15 & 11 a.m. • Infant/toddler care provided.

The Choice of Saying Gracepresented by Rev. Wendy Williams, Senior Minister

Unexamined, gratitude may strike us as a feeling. Something we either feel or we don’t. Yet, what would shift in us and our world if we recognized gratitude as a choice detached from any emotion we may or may not be having? Gratitude creates the passage from suspicion to trust, indifference to wonder, isolation to engagement. Could it be that in the

practice of gratitude other possibilities emerge for us and our world? Music: Pair-a-Bellas; Rev. Keith Arnold, piano.

☛ Looking ahead to… Sunday, Nov. 23: Helen of Joy presented by Rev. Eric Banner, Assistant Minister. Long before grace came to be understood in the context of Christianity, a grace was one of the sisters of Splendor, Mirth & Good Cheer. What grace will it take for your to hold onto your mirth and good cheer as we head into a season of holidays and holy days, where many of us are called to do and be many things we manage to avoid the rest of the year? Music: JUC Choir; Adam Revell, piano.

Evergreen Campus

Sunday, Nov. 16 • 4 p.m.New Location! 2981 Bergen Peak Dr.

The Choice of Saying Gracepresented by Rev. Wendy Williams, Senior Minister

See sermon description above. Worship Associate: Patti Stone.

Worship services held on first and third Sundays at 4 p.m.

2981 Bergen Peak Dr. (Congregation Beth Evergreen)

If you wish to be informed about news regarding our Evergreen campus, please contact Sue Parilla, Director of Congregational Engagement ([email protected]).

Let the Good Times Roll! JUC’s Annual Auction:

Saturday, Nov. 85:30 p.m.

It’s almost here! Generous donations have poured in and the catalog is published. Now’s the time to buy tickets to attend! Get your tickets online (jeffersonunitarian.org/auction), at the JUC ofice this week, or at the door. If you can’t attend the auction, use the pre-purchase form on the back of the catalog to purchase those items you can’t live without!

Toy donations for the children’s auction are still being accepted. Bring gently used or new toys to the donation bin at JUC. If you have donated a tangible item that someone will be taking home on auction night, please bring it to JUC on Friday, Nov. 7 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. or Sat., Nov. 8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Contacts: Debbie Klisis ([email protected]), Darcy Stanton ([email protected]).

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1 Visitors' Circle • 2nd & 4th Sundays 5 minutes after each service (Meet @ the Welcome Table)

For newcomers: an informal discussion to answer your questions about Unitarian Universalism and JUC.

Next session: November 9.

1 Path to MembershipSaturday, December 13 • 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (chapel)

Designed to familiarize those considering joining JUC with some of our staff, our diverse programs and activities, UU history and the responsibilities and benefits of membership. Sessions include child care and a light lunch. You may RSVP at the Sign Up Site or call the JUC office (303-279-5282). Please call Annie Hedberg, Membership Coordinator (303-279-7451), for more information on the joining process.

✪ SOUPS ✪

(Support of UU Parents) 2nd & 4th Mondays • 9 to 11:30 a.m. (chapel)

For parents of pre- and school-aged kids, daily living is always full of adventures. Take a break with us! Nov. 10: Our first ever Women’s Health Fair will focus on a wide range of women’s physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being, with two seminars and a chance to visit with booth presenters. As women and moms, we are integrated beings requiring nurturing and love in all realms. All parents are welcome! Child care begins at 8:45 a.m. for babies to kindergartners, or older kids willing to be mentors. For more information, contact Debby Bower ([email protected]; 303-748 9890).

2nd TuesdaysLight Dinner • 6 p.m.

(commons)Worship • 6:30 p.m. (chapel)

If your small group meets on this night, you’ll be able to

attend dinner, the worship service and your group meeting. Worship will be led by one of our ministers; soup and bread will be available for a modest donation. Sign up at the Sign Up Site or online (tinyurl.com/ToGatherTuesday) to donate a crock pot of soup/stew or bread. Cooks can be reimbursed up to $25 for ingredients if requested. Next ToGather Tuesday: Nov. 11.

JUC’s Choirs for Children and Youth Rehearsals for Calling All Dawns begin Tuesday, Nov. 4

An exciting opportunity for our young musicians to sing with the adult choir and instrumentalists for the December 13 & 14 music services and Christmas Eve. The music services will feature Calling All Dawns by Christopher Tin. Originally written as a sound

track to a video game, this work takes singers on a musical journey around the world.

Rehearsal times (every Tuesday): Children’s Choir (K – 3rd grade) 6:30-7:10 p.m.; Radiance Choir (4th – 8th grade) 7:15-8 p.m. To register, or for more information, please email Sarah Billerbeck, Director of Music for Children & Youth ([email protected]).

In Faith,

Eric

It’s said that thirteenth century German monk Meister Eckhart said, “If the only prayer you ever say in your whole life is ‘Thank you,’ that will be enough.” And this saying comes to mind for me as we enter into a month focused on grace, not coincidentally the same month when Thanksgiving comes along.

For many people it’s one of the few times a year that they sit down at a table at the same time and share a meal together. Just the other week one of our members, a former teacher, was telling me about the way she would poll her students at the beginning of the year about their home lives, part of her attempts to get to know them better. And one of the things she noticed was that the kids who reported that they rarely, or never, sat down to eat a meal with their family, were often the ones who struggled the most.

But just because it’s important doesn’t always mean it is easy. Perhaps, like me, you sometimes find yourself in one of those awkward and even uncomfortable situations where a group has gathered around a table to share a meal when someone says, “Now who’s gonna say grace?” And perhaps, like the former

preacher, Casey, in John Steinbeck’s novel The Grapes of Wrath, you find yourself begging off.

“I got to tell you, I ainta preacher no more. If me just bein’ glad to be here, an bein’ thankful for people that’s kind an’ generous, if that’s enough, why I’ll say that kinda grace. But I ainta preacher no more.”

So if you find yourself struggling at a Thanksgiving table where people seem to know you go to a church, but aren’t really clear about what that means for you, and you get asked to say grace, here’s something you can try. We do it at my home every evening.

We sit down with the food before us, and we stop whatever else we’re doing, and we hold hands. And then we each share something we are thankful for that day. It isn’t a lot, but it’s a reminder that even in days when we’ve been handed hardship we can look for what has been good. Even if it’s just the food before us, with nothing else to be thankful for. And hopefully, most days, it’s much more than that. I hope that in your days you find much to be thankful for, and if you haven’t found it yet, maybe you can just say, “thank you for all those who made it possible for me to see another day.” May you find grace and gratitude in your week.

Rev. Eric Banner, Assistant Minister (303-279-5282 ext. 28; [email protected])

On Fire

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Family SpotlightAshley Johnson, Director of Religious Education ([email protected]; 303-279-5282, x18)

Developing the Unitarian Universalist Faith in Children and Youth

In November, our church focuses on grace. The etymology of the word gives a meaning of a favor, or help from God, or being thankful. Our congregation provides a great deal of grace in the process of teaching and nurturing our children through religious education. It truly takes a village to raise our young and to achieve our goals for religious education at JUC, and only through the grace of our teachers and volunteers can we turn our vision into reality.

What does that vision look like? First, we would like our children to be part of an extended community where they feel welcome and are valued for who they are. We want our children to be respected and treated kindly and lovingly no matter where they are physically, emotionally or spiritually. We want them to expand their pool of friends to children and adults who are UUs, and to connect with people for whom this faith is meaningful.

Religious education at JUC is a lifelong endeavor, beginning with our littlest JUCers. Each classroom has specific goals which build upon experiences from the classroom before and prepare for the classroom that follows. In the early childhood classrooms our goals are for the children to feel safe and secure (nursery); begin to use UU language, experience being a UU and begin to understand our place in the world (toddlers); feel safe enough to share and reflect upon religious ideas, continue to explore how we are together as UUs, begin to explore ideas of self and others and finally, to notice and learn concrete UU ideas and symbols (pre-k/kindergarten).

Walk with Our Children...We believe children are capable of handling complexity if we

are willing to walk with them into it. Our youngest classes have children with varied experience learning in a classroom setting, which means they have the greatest need for loving adults to guide them. Consider pitching in and sharing your talents. Help us live our values by giving your time to our next generation.

Current Volunteer NeedsFor more info and to claim your position, contact Ashley

Johnson, Director of Religious Education ([email protected]; 303-279-5282 x18).

Because our youngest children need the most guidance with projects, there is an immediate need for helpers in these classes. We are in need of permanent Nursery, Sprouts and Adventurer assistants, two 1st-3rd grade teachers and three 4th-5th grade teachers. We’re also looking for Our Whole Lives facilitators for K-1st and 4th-5th grades.

Early Childhood Education ProgramCheck out what our littlest JUCers did this month!

Sprouts (2- and 3-year-old children), from Leah ReedThis year has been great so far. We’ve explored ideas around

friendship and creativity and the kiddos are having a blast getting to know each other. One of the things the kids think is most important in a friend is sharing, so we are striving to teach

them how to share and kindly ask for something when someone isn’t sharing. We’ve also read several books about creativity and have been working with the kids to create their very own crafts, to show them that whatever their minds create is amazing. Thank you so much for everything you do and letting me teach your children and watch them flourish.

Adventurers (3- and 4-year-old children), from Barb BaileyThe 4-6 year old Adventurers are amazing. Many of the

youngest already know how to do some printing and reading. When we have story time, they comment on the books they see on our library shelves and often what we read is what has been read to them. You parents are taking good care of them.

Karen Miller has now joined the team, and the children love her. We have been focused on the children getting to know one another, to feel that they are all special and important even though they look different, dress differently, and have individual needs. We start our time together saying that we are Unitarian Universalists, and are beginning to talk about and practice cooperation and helping others. It is truly important for children to attend on a regular basis. You parents have sent us wonderful children!

Thanks to These JUCers! Thank you for sharing your skills and interests with our

teens! We’ve had Yoga with Martha Eastman, Sugar Skulls with Andrea Aikin, Worship with Kelly Thomas, and we’re looking forward to Seed Balls with Peggy Gates and Nature Walks with Mike Foster. If you have a passion you’d like to share with our teens, please contact Kelly Thomas ([email protected]).

And thanks to the following individuals who spent time helping in the Nursery and Sprouts room: Jenny Fischer, David Fleck, Lorian Bartle, Brenna Vaughn. Sign-up to help online (http://tinyurl.com/JUCGoldenSharedMinistry).

First Sunday Children’s Worship Sunday, December 7: Wonder

1st-5th Grade Sunday School News

1st-3rd Grade: On November 9 & 16 our 1st-3rd graders will be using our 5th UU principle, We believe that all people should have a vote, to explore voting and decision making. We will learn about how Susan B. Anthony, a famous Unitarian, felt so strongly about women having the right to vote.

4-5th Grade: On November 9 & 16 our 4th-5th graders will explore the topic, Service Is The Rent We Pay For Living. “Service is the rent we pay to be living. It is the very purpose of life and not something you do in your spare time.” - Marian Wright Edelman

We will especially look at our 1st and 7th Unitarian Universalist principles as they relate to our own service and the service of others.

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Board BlogLisa Bickford, Financial Officer 303-420-0429; [email protected]

JUC Board of TrusteesNext meeting: Thursday, Nov. 13, 7 p.m.jeffersonunitarian.org/Board-of-Trustees

Communication and Change I have a confession to make. For the first few

years I was a member of JUC, I was one of those people that didn’t read the The JUC Crier. When I was

on the Social Responsibility Council and I regularly heard task force leaders ask, “How are we supposed to get the word out if people don’t read the Crier?”

I guiltily became a more regular reader. And, of course, after joining the board in July I became one of those wondering, “How can we communicate with more of our community?” So here I am, writing a blog that will appear in the Crier – which not everyone will read.

The Board, as well as other church organizations, regularly struggle with this conundrum. How can we reach the greatest number of members with the information we’d like them to have? We are addressing this by improving content and delivery of the website; using other media, such as Facebook, to reach non-readers; and hosting Board communication sessions (see the announcement below).

Why is communication so critical? As regular readers of the Board Blog and those who attended the Fall Congregational Meeting know, we are on a journey of change. In 2012 we developed some big dreams in our Gathered Here exercises, but also discovered that we had roadblocks on the path to those dreams. In 2013 we partnered with a church twice our

Board’s Buzz (with a Bite)Sunday, Nov. 16 • 12:30 p.m.

As Judy Gangloff and Rev. Wendy Williams said at the fall congregational meeting, we are on a journey of change at JUC. In November 2012, Mark Baker promised in his Board Blog that the board will communicate throughout the process. There will be different types of opportunities to provide feedback.

Please join us for some soup and conversation. We’ll start by providing some definitions and descriptions, and then provide a chance for small group conversations with members of the board. Please sign up at the Sign Up Site. Contact: Lisa Bickford (303-420-0429; [email protected]).

size to learn about governance structures that support growth and larger visions. In 2014 we have been working on developing our own path to a new governance structure that will support those big dreams.

But the new structure will require change. And change is hard. Change is especially hard when it comes as a surprise. The Board is committed to transparency and to engaging the congregation throughout this process. Our wish is that no one will be surprised by the changes that we make. Which brings me back to communication. The Board will continue to find new avenues to communicate. In September and October, we conducted an Explorations! session and two values exercises, and on November 16, we’re hosting Board’s Buzz. Please look for these and other opportunities to find out what is going on. To those of you reading, thank you for taking the time to inform yourself about our community. I’ll ask two more things: 1) spread the word and 2) ask your questions. Spread the word to those who might not have time to read the Crier, to those who might be affected by change and not be aware. Talk about our big dreams and the changes we need to make to be able to achieve them. And, if you don’t know what’s going on, ask us. Board members’ email addresses are available online (http://jeffersonunitarian.org/Board-of-Trustees) and we are in the directory. We want to ensure that our community is growing in trust and love as we move on this journey of change.

Save These Dates for Summer Camping Sponsored by CURK

- Sat, May 23 - Mon., May 25 (Memorial Day weekend) @ Pickle Gulch group campground near Black Hawk- Fri., July 24 - Sun., July 26, Angel of Shavano group campground, near Poncha Springs

For more information, contact Christine Leahy ([email protected]).

Theology on Tap Friday, Nov. 21 • 7 p.m.

Mountain Toad (900 Washington Ave., Golden)Hosted by the 20s & 30s Group

Join our Assistant Minister, Rev. Eric Banner, to dig deeper on the theme of grace. RSVP online (http://goo.gl/forms/myyfBsaaVF).

UU Brew – A Digital Theological Mosh PitOnline Discussion • 1st Mondays • 8 to 9:15 p.m.

Sponsored by the Pacific Western Region of the UUAHosts, Rev. Eric Kaminetzky and Rev. Lois Van Leer, take you

into the hot theological mess of our lives. Lois and Eric bring the moment – you bring your brain and brew. Jump in and make it live. These discussions are geared for young adults age 18 – 35. Sign up online (http://pwruua.org/uu-brew-join-us/).

Volunteers Needed for 19th Annual Holiday Craft FaireIt’s hard to believe, but the holidays are just around the

corner, and it’s time to prepare for the JUC Holiday Craft Faire on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 5 - 6. This annual event is an opportunity to support local artists and crafters while supporting JUC, as 20% of sales are given to the church. We’re looking for volunteers to help run the Faire: cashiers, packers, greeters, food preparation and sales, bakers, and assistants for our popular Children’s Market. If you’d like to volunteer, please stop by the Craft Faire table in the south commons any Sunday in November.

Also, the Craft Faire Committee is looking for new coordinators. If you’d like to know more about what’s involved in running this fundraising, community building event, please contact Martin Garnar ([email protected]; 720-560-6004).

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. . . Housing & Poverty Task Force (H&P TF) . . .

Visit jeffersonunitarian.org/src for general information on SRC Task Forces and their goals.

. . . Green Task Force . . .

JUC’s last host week for Family Promise was another success. We have been hosting up to four families quarterly since the 1990s and our last week at the end of September was as rewarding as the first. Family Promise can be an inconvenience: arranging meeting room changes, displacing staff, endless volunteer requests. Then the moment comes to meet our families and we find each adult and child to be worth everything we can and do give.

The week always begins with an awesome team who empty a moving van full of beds and luggage arriving from the previous host church. Next, they empty the Family Promise shed. Beds are quickly made complete with colorful quilts from the JUC Piecemakers Quilting Group; toiletries and towels are distributed, and toys piled into the bookcase.

At 5 p.m. each day we are ready to welcome guests as they return from the Family Promise day site or work/school locations. We serve dinner each evening and are truly blessed with JUC’s best chefs – too many to name, but Joan Gosink’s sausage casserole was not to be forgotten and Linda Boettcher’s homemade chicken noodle soup put a smile on the face of every child.

We receive a report card back from our guests after they leave. Our guests always report that the nutritious dinners and healthy food choices for breakfast and lunch are deeply appreciated and inspire many folks to do more cooking when they find housing. One of our guests, Audrey, was eating for two with a baby just weeks away. She expressed her gratitude for healthy food and also to be indoors and not sleeping in her car on rainy nights.

During the evening hours there are two or more JUC people around to stay with the families. The hosts are the backbone of our experience – offering casual conversation full of support and admiration for the hard work the families are doing to get on with their lives. Sheila got up at 5 a.m. every morning to catch the earliest bus available and get her two daughters to their school in North Denver. From there she took another bus

Annual Food Drive to Benefit Family Tree’s Homeless Services Programs

Sunday, November 23 • before both services

Each year, we collect non perishable and nutritious foods for our neighbors in Family Tree’s programs to recover from

homelessness. - Traditional holiday foods suitable for holiday food baskets. - High protein/nutritious food for the food bank.

Foods can be placed in the JUC donation cabinet at any time.Info and volunteers contact: Judy Douglass ([email protected]; 303-232-1142).

Movie Night: Dirt!Sun, Nov. 9 • 7 p.m. • at Peggy Gates’ home

Dirt! takes you inside the wonders of the soil. It tells the story of Earth’s most valuable and under-appreciated source of fertility – from its miraculous beginning to its crippling degradation. Dirt is very much alive. Drought, climate change, even war are all directly related to the way we are treating dirt. More at dirtthemovie.org; Contact Peggy Gates to RSVP and for directions (303-668-3761; [email protected]).

to work and reversed the route each evening. She appreciated getting positive feedback for her outstanding parenting skills. Debbie was thankful for words of kindness from Joan Schultz and for some alone time while volunteers stood in line to rock her three-month-old daughter Lillian. Jessica Yost’s daughter and 8 year old Ignacio hit if off with an hour of Clue, while we all watched for the outcome. On Tuesday, Tim Rogols handed out gift bags to each child as he dropped them off from the van. Nayeli and Noemi literally jumped up and down with excitement and dutifully put the bags aside until after their homework was done. Later in the week Ken May and Joe Kraus tried unsuccessfully to wear out four children on the playground.

During the evening hours, our guests become JUC family – each evening contains a bit of miracle. Each story is unique. The only consistencies are low wages, lack of affordable housing, and factors that most of us are blessed not to face. Our next host week will be during the week of Christmas. We hope everyone who is in town and has some uncommitted time will consider giving a few hours. The families we help do get back on their feet and some of the credit goes to the loving warmth, solid values and compassion that JUC volunteers hand out.

JUC: Promising Families a Better Tomorrow

Thank You!A grateful thank you to all the JUC volunteers and pumpkin

buyers at the Jeffco Partners/Metro Denver Habitat for Humanity Pumpkin Patches. For the first time in 15 years, sales were over $100,000 as result of having 4 semi-truck loads of pumpkins and many generous, repeat pumpkin buyers and donors.

GRAND TOTAL SALES = $103,574.52 DONATIONS = $5,984.45

-John Bunting

. . . Housing & Poverty Task Force (H&P TF) . . .

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Pastoral CareHow JUCers Care for Each Other

We Hold in Our Hearts…❦ Bill Mangham & Bev LaDuke, as Bill recovers from extensive and successful surgery for pancreatic cancer;

❦ Jeff Cox & Sandy Sugerman, as Jeff recovers from a mini-stroke;

❦ Pam Bond, as she grieves the death of her aunt, Gene Hawkins Tolton, who passed away Oct. 29;

❦ Bette Carcano, as she awaits results of a bilateral biopsy to determine the extent of Giant Cell Arteritis;

❦ Charlotte Wytias’s sister Betty Wytias, as she will have her hip replaced for a second time on Nov. 4;

❦ The family and friends of former JUC intern minister Rev. Lee Devoe Greiner, as she died October 18.

We Celebrate with…❦ Alastair Huber, as he passed his citizenship test last week;

❦ Steven & Rebecca Brentin as they welcomed their second child, Eliana Sierra Brentin, on October 16.

;.,

2 Ongoing Group: Spiritual Healing CircleNext meeting: November 8 • 10 a.m. November’s meeting will be facilitated by a guest who has both Lakota and Judaism heritages. The agenda for this session will include a Lakota blessing song, a Kabbalah soul connection ritual to heal body and life, and a prayer comprised of a Lakota thank you song. See group details on p. 7.

College Care PackagesRemember the stress of finals? How good it felt to get a

package from home? Each semester the Young Adult Ministry Team sends Care Packages to college-age UUs (even those living at home) to show that we are thinking about them and wishing them well.

Each Sunday in November, we will have a table in the commons to collect addresses and donations for care packages for college-age UUs. We gladly accept goodies, gift cards, quarters, or encouraging notes. Drop by to:1. provide names, addresses of students with JUC connections;2. donate a healthy treat or fun item (we usually assemble about 40 packages);3. donate change or money for postage;4. write a note to a student; or5. volunteer to assemble the care packages at 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30.

You can also e-mail addresses to Jill Armstrong ([email protected]). Thanks so much for helping us show that JUC cares.

2-CONS: Conversation and Connoisseurs

Join the fun at our intimate adult pot-luck dinner parties! You’ll meet other JUCers and share good food and great conversation. Our next event is Saturday, Dec. 6. Visit our table

in the commons Sundays in November. For more info, contact: Bette & Charlie Carcano (303-670-1527; [email protected]), Carol & Bob Drew (303-422-5977; [email protected]).

From a Pagan Perspective...by Mari Cowley (303-420-4139; [email protected])

We’ve recently celebrated Mabon, and the Wheel of the Year turns once more. While the last few days have seemed more like mid-summer, fall is in the air; leaves are changing color and there’s a crispness in the early morning hours telling us winter’s deep cold is not far off.

It seems that this time of year causes us to pause and count our blessings, and gratitude blooms within us. Gratitude has been held in high esteem by virtually everyone, at all times and in all places. From ancient religious writings to modern social science research, gratitude is advanced as a desirable human characteristic for making life better for ourselves and for others.

I know it’s easy to feel gratitude for winning the lottery or a big bet at the casino, but gratitude is certainly not an easy or automatic response to life situations that are unexpected

or unpleasant. Resentment and feelings of entitlement often come easier than feelings of gratitude. The very

idea that gratitude is a virtue suggests that it must be deliberately cultivated. Like any virtue, it must be taught and practiced regularly until it becomes a

habit of character.Gratitude is a value that we sometimes have to look

deeply within to find. When was the last time you looked within? How do you define gratitude? How do you express your gratitude for your good health, your socio-economic status or the fact that you simply woke up this morning?

Gratitude is a social phenomenon that has evolved over millennia as part of humanity’s web of interdependence, and that web extends well beyond humanity without any clear limit. So take a couple of minutes before life gets any busier and find those things within that make you feel grateful.

Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner at JUC: Thursday, Nov. 27Gather at 3 p.m. • Dinner at 4 p.m.

Families and friends are welcome to gather for a festive holiday meal. Coffee and cold drinks will be provided. The Belonging & Connection Team will provide turkeys, but cooks are needed to get them roasted and ready for dinner. If you’d like, bring wine to share. All who plan to attend are asked to be sure to sign up at the Sign Up Site or online (tinyurl.com/JUCThanksgiving14). The event will be facilitated by those attending.

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Ongoing Affinity GroupsGroups on this page meet on a regular basis and welcome new members. Meeting locations are posted in the common

areas of both church buildings.

✻ Ongoing Group: Issues in Aging • 4th Mondays • 7 p.m.Valerie Stone ([email protected]) We meet once a month to discuss a wide variety of issues related to aging. So far, we have covered getting an accurate diagnosis when dementia is suspected, resources for families dealing with dementia, caregiver issues, wisdom and exercise. Mon., Feb. 24: Dr. Michelle Winston presents The 6 Pillars of Brain Fitness and Brain Health, covering memory and attention exercises for healthy aging. Then she will lead us in some neurobics exercises!

Blue Mountain Meditation Group: 1st & 3rd Thursdays, 7:30 p.m. • Annie & John Hedberg (303-279-7451) For those practicing Eknath Easwaran’s Eight-Point Program for living a spiritual life in the everyday world. If you wish to join without the introductory course, read Passage Meditation by Easwaran and meditate 30 minutes daily for a month.

Buddhist Sangha: 1st & 3rd Sundays, 5 p.m. • Doug Anderson ([email protected]; 720-474-6723) The Buddha was a highly unorthodox person. His teachings are not sets of dogma but rather propositions for people to investigate and validate for themselves. No experience necessary. Child care provided.

Charla! 1st & 3rd Sundays, 5 p.m. • Carol Drew (303-422-5977)Discuss important topics in Spanish. Intermediate level recommended.

Covenant of UU Pagans (CUUPS) • Mari Cowley (303-420-4139)

Dream Study: 2nd and 4th Mondays, 9:15 a.m. • Marie Schottler (303-278-8035; [email protected]) Based on the writings of Jeremy Taylor, in this gentle group process questions are asked of the dreamer leading to an aha! about his or her own dream. Please call before attending.

Great Books Discussion Group: 2nd & 4th Mondays, 7:30 p.m. Dona Chilcoat (303-989-6945) Based on the idea that by reading from the great books of our civilization and discussing them with others, sharing insights and questions, you can reach a fuller understanding of these works than you could on your own.Nov. 10: The Illiad, Book 10-15 (Homer, trans. Fagles)Nov. 24: The Illiad, Book 16-22 (Homer, trans. Fagles)

Issues in Aging: 4th Mondays, 7 p.m. • Valerie Stone ([email protected]; 303-669-8528), Jim Mayer (303-431-1740; [email protected]) Information and education on issues related to healthy aging and dementia, to include lectures, panels, and discussion. Next mtg: Jan. 26.

JUC Knitters: 3rd Fridays, 7 p.m. in members' homes • Jean Decker (303-274-9872; [email protected]) All knitters and crocheters are invited to join in making hats and blankets for Denver Health.

Memoirs: 3rd Sundays, 7 p.m. • Len Wheeler (303-467-3342; [email protected]) We’re gentle, we laugh, and we’re serious about commenting on ways to improve our non-fiction writing. No prior experience is needed.

Non-Violent Communication: 2nd & 4th Thursdays, 7 p.m. Dindy Fuller (720-402-4099)Anyone who has previously taken NVC training is eligible to participate. A great way to practice and improve your skills.

Origins: 1st Wednesdays, 1 p.m. • Lisa Rountree ([email protected]; 720-273-7511) Discuss literature exploring the origins of our religious traditions.

Poetry Group: 1st & 3rd Thursdays, 7 p.m. • Julie Excell ([email protected]; 541-778-4724) Explore poetry as an art form and a spiritual practice through appreciation of the work of master poets, and through writing and sharing your own poetry.

Quuilters' Group: 1st Saturdays, 9 a.m. to noon • Jean Decker (303-274-9872; [email protected]) Call for meeting details.

Retirees' Brown Bag Lunch: 1st Fridays, 11:30 a.m. • Betty Halladay (303-274-9144) Next meeting: Nov. 7.

Roving Readers: 4th Sundays, 12:30 p.m. • Mike Foster (303-456-2647) Open to anyone who reads the monthly selection. Books selected by group participants. Nov. 23: Spoon River Anthology (Masters)

Science and Spirit: 4th Sundays, 12:30 p.m. • Joe Kraus ([email protected]) Discuss recent discoveries and wonder together. More info at http://jucscienceandspirit.wordpress.com

Slow Soup Group: 4th Sundays, 12:30 p.m. • Gilla Lachnitt (303-216-9674; [email protected]), Carol Kolesnikoff (303-588-9198; [email protected]) We’ll prepare soups together to take home and to donate. Ingredients provided; cost is $10/person.

Spiritual Healing Circle: 2nd Saturdays, 10 a.m. (6620 Quitman Ct., Arvada) Joyce Thiessen-Barrett ([email protected]), Emily Townsend ([email protected]) Weaving together practices from shamanism, energy healing, and music healing to create sacred space, offer prayers, and send/receive healing energy. RSVP requested. Next mtg.: Nov. 8.

Story Circle: 3rd Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m. • Lev Ropes (303-278-0177; [email protected]) A gathering to foster the traditional art of storytelling for adults. Tell a polished story for fun, or a story that you’d like to polish up in front of a forgiving and friendly audience. Receive help from other tellers, or come to listen. All are welcome.

Thin Air: Tuesdays, 1 p.m. • Margaret Bakker (303-986-0769)An informal group of folks who wish to keep up their musical skills as well as have fun. Repertoire consists of traditional, folk, instrumental and vocal music. Please call for more details.

Understanding the Heart of Buddhism: 2nd & 4th Thursdays, 7 p.m. • Doug Anderson ([email protected]; 720-474-6723) Meditation and discussion presented online by Rodney Smith, author of Lessons from the Dying, Stepping Out of Self-Deception and Awakening; founder of the Seattle Insight Meditation Society.

UU Liberal Christians: 1st & 3rd Tuesdays, 7 p.m. • Sara Lohaus ([email protected]; 303-432-3149) Connect with Christianity from a fresh, open-minded perspective. Nov. 4 & 18: The Gospels: Origins and 21st Century Reflections.

UU Piecemakers: 3rd Fridays, 9:30 a.m. in members' homesEdna Mae Miller (303-989-4793) Work on personal projects as well as quilts donated to charities selected by the group.

VAGUE: Visual Artists Group of Unitarians Extraordinaire! 3rd Fridays, 2 p.m. • Emily Townsend ([email protected])Work on visual journals and learn some new techniques; bring a blank book and all other materials will be provided. Please RSVP to Emily so we have supplies for everyone.

Walking Together: 2nd Mondays, 7 p.m. (Crown Hill Park) • Tim Brungardt (call JUC office for info) Take a leisurely walk near JUC to learn about fellow JUCers and have friendly conversation without the distractions we encounter during coffee hour. All generations and abilities are welcome.

WomenSpirit: 2nd Fridays, 7 p.m. • Kalin Baker ([email protected]; 720-253-6561) A lively community of women 18+ who playfully reflect and share interactive programs based on participants’ interests.

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Tuesday, Nov. 4 1:00pm MMG: Thin Air (Priestley rm.) 6:30pm MMG: Children’s Choir (Priestley rm.) 7:00pm LEAP: Non-Violent Communication (R6/7) 7:00pm LEAP: UU Liberal Christians (M1/2) 7:00pm SRC: Housing & Poverty TF mtg. (M3/4) 7:15pm MMG: Radiance Choir (Priestley rm.)Wed., Nov. 5 1:00pm LEAP: Origins Book Group (M3/4) 6:15pm JUC Ringers (Priestley rm.) 7:30pm JUC Choir (sanc.)Thursday, Nov. 6 7:00pm LEAP: JUC Poetry Group (M3/4) 7:30pm LEAP: Blue Mountain Meditation Group (chapel)Friday, Nov. 7 11:30am LEAP: Retirees’ Brown Bag Lunch (M3/4)Sat., Nov. 8 5:30pm Annual Auction (entire campus)

Sunday, Nov. 9 9:15/11am True to Gravity and Grace w/Wendy Williams 9:15am LEAP: How to talk so kids will listen (R6) 10:15am MMG: Teen Vocal Ensemble (Priestley rm.) 12:30pm Small Groups (M1/2, Priestley rm.)Monday, Nov. 10 9:00am CURK: SOUPS (sanc., chapel, R1/2, R3/4, R6/7, R8) 9:15am LEAP: Dream Study (M1/2) 3:00pm Newsletter Deadline 6:00pm RE Ministry Team mtg. (R3/4) 6:00pm MMG: Golden Bells rehearsal (Priestley rm.) 6:30pm TIA-CO Public Policy in Education panel (sanc.) 6:30pm Small Group - Beal (M1/2) 7:00pm MMG: Bell Ensemble rehearsal (Priestley rm.) 7:30pm LEAP: Great Books Discussion Group (M3/4)Tuesday, Nov. 11 Office Closed (Veterans Day Holiday) 1:00pm MMG: Thin Air (Priestley rm.) 2:00pm Small Group - Rountree (M1/2) 6:00pm B&C: ToGather Meal (south commons, kit) 6:30pm MMG: Children’s Choir (Priestley rm.) 6:30pm WG: ToGather Worship (chapel) 7:00pm EETF: Foodies Book Group (M3) 7:00pm LEAP: Men’s Group w/Bishop (Mitchell rm.) 7:00pm Membership Team mtg. (M4) 7:00pm SRC: UUSC TF mtg. (M1/2) 7:00pm Small Groups (R3/4, R6/7, chapel, M5) 7:15pm MMG: Radiance Choir (Priestley rm.)Wed., Nov. 12 6:15pm JUC Ringers (Priestley rm.) 7:00pm Small Group - Swahnberg (M1/2) 7:30pm JUC Choir (sanc.)Thursday, Nov. 13 Castle Clay Pottery Sale (all commons/kit., R8) 9:00am Pastoral Care Group mtg. (M1/2) 1:00pm Green TF: Citizen’s Climate Lobby (M1/2) 6:30pm Board of Trustees mtg. (M3/4) 7:00pm LEAP: Undertanding the Heart of Buddhism (chapel)Friday, Nov. 14 Castle Clay Pottery Sale (all commons/kit., R8) 7:00pm LEAP: Bridge Group (MGR, M3/4) 7:00pm LEAP: WomenSpirit (chapel)Saturday, Nov. 15 Castle Clay Pottery Sale (all commons/kit., R8) 10:00am India Learning Circle (R3/4) 2:00pm LEAP: 20’s & 30’s cooking (M1/2, Mills kit.) 5:00pm OWL Overnight (Mills bldg.)

Sunday, Nov. 16 9:15/11am The Choice of Saying Grace w/Wendy Williams

• Rev. Wendy Williams, Senior MinisterMon., Tues., Thurs., Fri. • 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

• Rev. Keith Arnold, Minister of MusicTuesday–Friday • 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

• Rev. Eric Banner, Assistant MinisterTuesday–Friday • 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

• Ashley Johnson, Director of Religious Education

Monday–Thursday • 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Staff will generally be available according to the schedule above, but it is always wise to call ahead!

Office Hours Monday – Friday • 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tuesday – Thursday • 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.Sunday • 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The JUC CrierThis newsletter of the Jefferson Unitarian

Church is delivered electronically to all members and pledging friends. First class mail delivery is available upon request to the church office (303-279-5282; [email protected]).

Upon request, visitors may be added to the email list or receive four (4) complimentary issues, after which they may continue receiving the newsletter by notifying the church office. E-mail [email protected] to submit an article.

Editor: Rona BradleyNext deadline: 3 p.m., Mon., Nov. 10Next publication date: Mon., Nov. 17

Sunday Morning AnnouncementsIf you would like your JUC event to

be announced via our order of service or weekly email notice, please submit 75 words or less to Rona Bradley ([email protected]) by Wednesday at 9 a.m. on the week you’d like your announcement to appear.

Calendar Highlights(full calendar available online at jeffersonunitarian.org)

Weekly Attendance

Oct. 26 9:15 147 RE: 42 (13 adults) 11 215 RE: 80 (23 adults)

Nov. 2 9:15 227 RE: 52 (8 adults) 11 258 RE: 65 (16 adults) Evergreen 4p 30 RE: 8 (2 adults)