Sundays ~ Frequently Asked Questions
If you are visiting with us for the first time, we recommend that you arrive no later than 15 minutes prior to the service so you can stop at our Greeters Desk and be warmly welcomed.
Visitors who complete our Visitor Information card are given access to our Member Pages for 60 days.
What time do your worship services begin?
We hold two Sunday services at 9:15 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. during September through May. We change to a single service during the summer.What goes on during the worship service?
Each service lasts about one hour. We open by the ringing the bell, which is followed by greetings and welcome by one of the members of the First Unitarian Denver Board of Trustees. This is usually followed by a reading and a chalice lighting. The flaming chalice is a symbol for the Unitarian Universalist faith, signifying the unity of our members in worship and the spirit of our work.Once the chalice is lit, the service continues with a Time for All Ages (children's teaching time), a collection of the offering, a brief sermon or homily from the minister or visiting speaker, and a moment of meditation/ reflection/ prayer by the congregation.
All of these activities are punctuated with musical interludes by the choir (The Chalice Singers), or our staff musicians, including beautiful piano or organ renditions of popular music or spiritual songs chosen to reflect the message of the sermon, or by guest musicians.
Each service is followed by Coffee Hour in the Community Room, where you can expect to be personally greeted and welcomed by members of the congregation.
What should my family wear to this church?
We are an informal congregation, and you are encouraged to wear whatever makes you feel comfortable. On any given Sunday you will see attendees wearing anything from suits to T-shirts and jeans or shorts. Unitarians are generally more concerned with what's in your heart and on your mind than with what's on your back.Is there childcare/Sunday school during the service?
Yes, First Unitarian Denver provides Religious Education and child care during both services. We usually "sing out the children" about 15-20 into the servise.My child does not separate well; can s/he child stay with me during the service? Yes, your child is welcome to stay with you during the service. We do ask that if your child becomes vocal that you take them to the Community Room where you are still able to hear the service through our public address system.
Are there people of [insert race/ethnicity] in this congregation?
One of our guiding principles is that we believe in the inherent worth and dignity of each person and that we have an acceptance of one another and encourage spiritual growth in each other. You will find a diverse group of people attending First Unitarian Denver because we are an open and welcoming congregation to people of all races, creeds, sexual orientations, and socio-economic backgrounds. We embrace diversity and pride ourselves as a congregation that is welcoming to all who seek a connection to the greater whole.Are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer people (LGBTIQ) welcomed at this church?
Yes, people of all sexual orientations and gender expressions are welcome here at First Unitarian Denver. This congregation voted unanimously to adopt as its congregational project for 2005-07 to fight against an anti-marriage equality amendment that appeared on the state ballot in November 2006. Although the amendment was not defeated, we continue to believe in putting our words into action. Through education, planned actions, and other strategies, First Unitarian actively supports and defends LGBTIQ issues.Are there any LGBTIQ people in this congregation?
Yes, there are people of all sexual orientations and gender expressions at First Unitarian Denver, many of whom serve in active leadership roles in the First Unitarian community. As stated above, we embrace diversity and pride ourselves in being a Welcoming Congregation.Are there people in the congregation who believe [insert belief here]?
Yes, attendees at First Unitarian Denver congregation are quite diverse in their beliefs. They come from many spiritual backgrounds and their beliefs range from Humanism and Paganism to Christianity and Judaism. At the core of this diversity is a foundational belief that we are bound to one another and share a common respect for diverse thought.
