First Unitarian Society of Denver Podcast

In this new year, Mike Morran will kick off an eight part series on the Principles of Unitarian Universalism. The first principle is The Inherent Worth and Dignity of Every Person.Support the show (http://www.fusden.org/giving)

First Unitarian welcomes speaker Theo E. J. Wilson to share his thoughts on "hacking the human", inspired by the year that has passed.Support the show (http://www.fusden.org/giving)

Words like racism and classism are euphemistic abstractions. What happens in real life, on the street, in schools, in prisons, in the workplace, etc., happens to bodies of living flesh, bone, and blood. These abstractions are bad politics and bad theology.Support the show (http://www.fusden.org/giving)

The dictionary defines victimism as: “A tendency to play the victim; the adoption of a victimized persona.” Whether it’s the president, a white woman in Central Park, or the imaginary war on Christmas, victimism is a surprisingly effective social strategy! Rev. Mike Morran takes a close look at some common, and some uncommon examples.Support the show (http://www.fusden.org/giving)

Three of our members share their experience of learning about white supremacy culture. Kathryn Wiley, Julie Meyers, and David Alley have been involved in racial justice work both within and without First Unitarian Denver, and each brings a unique and valuable perspective to this work.Support the show (http://www.fusden.org/giving)

First Unitarian Music Director Lia Davis helps us to connect with and draw strength from the ever strong and solid Mother Earth. Together, we will listen deeply, sing together, and honor our home, one of our most tangible sources of wisdom, love, and beauty.Support the show (http://www.fusden.org/giving)

What makes a person greedy beyond all reason? What does having wealth do to a person's psychology? How do you tell if you're already wealthy? Featuring Rev. Mike Morran and Erin KenworthySupport the show (http://www.fusden.org/giving)

No matter what the outcome of the election, there will be deep wounds in our country. There is much that needs mourning and there are reason for hope. Rev. Mike Morran with Rev. Tawana Davis.Support the show (http://www.fusden.org/giving)

Both sides of the political spectrum are making a lot of noise about the threats to democracy itself if the other side is elected. So, let's take a deeper look at democracy itself. Where did it come from? What does it really mean? Is it true that democracy is the worst form of government ever invented, except for all the others? Featuring Rev. Mike Morran, Lia Davis, and Erin Kenworthy.Support the show (http://www.fusden.org/giving)

Day of remembrance. Our ancestors brought us here, and someday we'll join them. How shall we remember them and what they taught us? How do we hope to be remembered? Life is a cycle. We'll build an altar, and remember our place in the cycle. Led by Erin Kenworthy, and featuring members of the First Unitarian community: Ingrid Porter, Bonnie-Jean Jenkins, Keri Hobert, Erica Trisler, Jessica Byler, Furman Brown, Sue Mitchell, and Kathy Mitchell-Garton.Support the show (http://www.fusden.org/giving)

As he does every four years, Rev. Mike Morran will declare his candidacy for President of the United States and describe a Unitarian Universalist platform.Support the show (http://www.fusden.org/giving)

Pandemics, elections, threats to democracy, uncertainty about the future, it's no wonder so many people are feeling depressed, exhausted, anxious, and stressed. We'll look specifically at depression, what it is, what it isn't, and the costs of ignoring it. Homily by Rev. Mike Morran.Support the show (http://www.fusden.org/giving)

We consider the body as a source of wisdom and knowledge. Homily by Rev. Mike Morran.Support the show (http://www.fusden.org/giving)

Is it really easier to ask for forgiveness than permission? What are we so afraid of when it come to consent? We’ll explore the tension around consent in a free society and what Grover has to say about it. Homily by Erin Kenworthy, First Unitarian Director of Religious Exploration.Support the show (http://www.fusden.org/giving)

The courage to consider, explore, and be ruthlessly honest with ourselves and religion will conclude our series on the types of courage. What does spiritual/religious courage look like? Featuring Rev. Mike Morran.Support the show (http://www.fusden.org/giving)

Continuing our series on courage, this Sunday will explore social courage. What does it take to go against the flow, stick our (proverbial) necks out, or risk being a fool for love? Featuring Rev. Mike Morran.Support the show (http://www.fusden.org/giving)

For In-Gathering Sunday, we will contemplate, wonder about, and celebrate the Earth’s water as we attempt our first ever virtual Water Communion. Featuring Rev. Mike Morran and Erin Kenworthy.Support the show (http://www.fusden.org/giving)

Much has been made recently about "cancel culture" - the exclusion or boycott of people from a community for beliefs that are considered harmful or not sufficiently informed. How do we as a congregation and as a nation balance protecting the vulnerable, and allowing for education and growth? Jen Simon provides the homily.Support the show (http://www.fusden.org/giving)

Our faith invites us into a “free and responsible search for truth and meaning.” In today’s world, this remains deeply important. As Unitarian Universalists, our faith calls us to be ceaseless in our quest for liberation and interrogating the foundations upon which our country was built. Featuring Rev. Alicia Forde, Director of the International Office of the Unitarian Universalist Association.Support the show (http://www.fusden.org/giving)

As we continue to consider the new proposed covenant, we've invited members and friends of First Unitarian Denver to reflect on their experience of the community and the text. We thank Alton Dillard and Charlotte Braud-Kern for sharing their thoughts with us this morning.Support the show (http://www.fusden.org/giving)

Continuing our series on courage, today we will explore and consider the emotional courage needed to become whole human beings; brave, prophetic, connected, strong, vulnerable, intimate, afraid, ecstatic, tearful, more. "This being human is a guest house..." Homily by Rev. Mike MorranSupport the show (http://www.fusden.org/giving)

This Sunday's service led by Rev. Tawana Davis is rooted in the imperative “lift every voice and sing.” Lift up your countenance and sing until justice rolls down, sing until light dispels darkness, sing until we put people over profits.Support the show (http://www.fusden.org/giving)