Lakewood UCC

All Church Day Retreat at La Foret
2022-10-08
Join the entire Lakewood UCC church community at La Foret on Saturday, October 8 for a day retreat. This (no cost*) retreat for all ages day will
include Worship, Games, Labyrinth, Free time (for a hike, nap, La Foret exploration, etc), and Lunch!
Sign-ups HERE or at the Welcome Center.
Carpooling will be available, more information soon. We can’t wait to experience La Foret with the whole church community

**Funding for this retreat comes from the Sabbatical Lilly Grant of 2021
More information about La Foret can be found HERE.

Lakewood UCC Book Group
2022-10-09 11:30 - 12:30 (America/Denver)
The Lakewood UCC Book Group will meet Sunday, October 9th at 11:30 am in the Conference Room. We will discuss Anxious People, by Fredrick Backman.
“It captures the messy essence of being human…It’s clever and effecting, as likely to make you laugh out loud as it is to make you cry” – The Washington Post. All are welcome!

CFCU Presentation on ERPO Law
2022-10-16 11:30 - 13:00
Colorado Faith Communities United to End Gun Violence (CFCU) Presentation on ERPO law, an important tool in the Gun Violence and Suicide Prevention Toolkit

The Mission, Outreach and Evangelism Board (soon to be Faith in Action) in partnership with CFCU will sponsor a presentation on ERPOs. ERPOs are an important tool in the gun violence and suicide prevention “toolkit”. With the support of Colorado Faith Communities United to End Gun Violence (CFCU) and Colorado Ceasefire, the Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) became law in Colorado in 2020. (Lakewood United Church of Christ is a participating member of CFCU.)

Colorado’s ERPO law allows family members and law enforcement to petition the courts for temporary removal of firearms from individuals who are at risk to themselves and/or others. ERPOs help to reduce the daily loss of life due to firearm violence, including gun suicide, but the law is not widely understood. Learn more on Sunday October 16 at 11:30am when Lakewood UCC will host a presentation about ERPO to the congregation and the community. Join in person in the sanctuary or online through Zoom. Registration for the Zoom meeting is required and can be done HERE.

Micah 6:8 Presentation
2022-10-23 11:30 - 12:30
The Micah 6:8 Project is a ministry of Lakewood UCC that makes grant funding available for projects that promote social justice and lead to more just, diverse, inclusive, and equitable communities. Our first grant recipient, Campbell Preston, will be making a presentation after worship on Sunday, October 23. We hope you will join us to hear about Campbell’s trip to Costa Rica and see how it inspired her to work for justice and equity here at home.

Trunk or Treat!
2022-10-30 11:30 - 12:30
All are welcome to our Trunk or Treat, following worship on October 30. Wear your costume to worship, then join us in the parking lot as we trick or treat from car to car (trunk to trunk). No sign up is required! There will also be a few crafts. We hope everyone can enjoy this intergenerational event!
We also need trunks and humans in costumes! Trunk or treating is when people gather in a parking lot, decorate the trunks of their cars and hand out goodies as kids “trick or treat” from car to car. We will be spread out and encourage contactless ways of handing out treats. This will be a real treat for our families. We invite you to dress up, decorate your trunk, and contactless-ly pass out goodies to the kids! If you are interested in participating with your vehicle, please sign up here.

Braiding Sweetgrass Discussions
2022-11-06 11:30 - 12:30, 2022-11-13 11:30 - 12:30
In cooperation with Care For Creation (C4C) Paul Michalec will lead a two part discussion on Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. In these troubled social, ecological, and economic times we need new ways of thinking, feeling, and being in relationship with self, others, and the natural world. Kimmerer weaves her indigenous wisdom, scientific training, and emerging sense of self into a series of stories that offer numerous ways to address the challenges of our time of distress. The whole book is worth reading, but for this two-part series we will focus on particular chapters. The materials, as well as reflection questions/prompts will be provided prior to each session. The November 6th and 13th sessions will occur after church, 11:30-12:30. For additional information or questions contact Paul at, Paul.Michalec@du.edu

Service Celebrating Indigenous Wisdom
2022-11-20 10:15 - 11:30
Please join us on Sunday November 20 for a service celebrating Indigenous Wisdom and healing. The service will be a Taize-style service with a series of readings, prayers, song, and silence.

Lakewood UCC Book Group
2022-11-20 11:30 - 12:30
The Lakewood UCC Book Group will next meet, Sunday, November 20th at 11:30 am in the Conference Room. We will discuss A Woman Is No Man by Etauf Rum.
“A Woman is No Man is a devastating, heart-wrenching but also, hopeful, novel about a Palestinian-American family.” Book Club Chat

Advent Decorating
2022-11-20 11:30 - 13:30
Come one and all! We will be decorating our Church for Advent on Sunday, November 20.
The fun will start after our service.
This year we are asking folks to bring an ornament that has special meaning for you, or if you prefer something you have made.
We will be adding them to the tree in the Sanctuary.

Simple Advent Event
2022-11-27 11:30 - 12:30
Join the Faith Formation Board and Fellowship in the Fellowship Hall after worship on Nov. 27 for a start to Advent. Decorate a nativity ornament, frost (and eat!) some cookies, try on the instant pageant costumes and get excited to tell the story of the birth of Jesus. We’ll have simple Advent calendars too, so you can engage the time of waiting and preparation with others from the congregation throughout Advent . We hope you’ll join us!

Alternative Gift Market 2022
2022-12-04 11:30 - 13:00, 2022-12-11 11:30 - 13:00
December 4, 11 11:15-1 pm Alternative Gift Market (Fellowship Hall)

All welcome-invite a friend or relative. A great way to give gifts and give back to the larger community

Women’s Bean Project is a social enterprise that hires women experiencing chronic unemployment. Participants develop job skills, discover their talents, and break the cycle of poverty. In addition to their signature bean and lentil soups, you’ll find trail mixes, dog treats, spice mixes, corn breads, chocolate covered espresso beans and more!

International Library Project sells jewelry and craft items from international crafts people from over 15 countries. Part of the proceeds from their sales goes to the Colorado Association of Libraries Cultural Interest Group exchange which promotes cultural understanding and respect and facilities library partnerships.

Friendship Bridge is a non-profit based in Lakewood, Colorado working to empower Guatemalan women artisans. Their microcredit program gives access to small loans so they can start a business and Handmade by Friendship Bridge provides markets and training for artisans to sell their products. Colorful and decorative home items, beaded jewelry, woven baskets, linens, ornaments and so much more.

African Community Center (ACC) welcomes refugees from all over the globe and conducts educational and social service programs that help newcomers rebuild their lives in their new community, navigate U.S. systems and cultures, gain confidence and economic self-sufficiency, and become productive, contributing, thriving members of society. “We Made this” is a program where women create home/lifestyle items for sale .(12/4 only).

Heifer International is a global nonprofit working to eradicate poverty and hunger through sustainable, values-based holistic community development. Shoppers will have the choice of gifting in someone’s name a goat, flock of chicks ,heifer and other farm animals to help families in need in 21 countries. Checks or cash only.

Earthlinks- For 25 years, EarthLinks has been cultivating personal transformation and self-worth with people experiencing homelessness and poverty. They sell Earth-friendly products that they make/assemble including lotion bars, soaps, lip balms, salt scrubs, bookmarks, cards, recycled earrings, candles, honey, teas, and coffee and reusable bags. (12/11 only).

Sheri’s Silverware Art and Randy’s Ecofriendly Pens and Pencils- beautiful jewelry from vintage silverware and wood turned pens and pencils. Care for creation by purchasing these items that foster reduce, reuse and recycle. Just replace the cartridges and reduce landfill. Ask Randy about his pens and pencils made from tobacco sticks. (12/11 only)

Incredible Edibles Favorite family holiday treats and baked goods for sale. Proceeds benefit the Jeffco Action Center serving over 20,000 people a year and providing immediate response to those facing hardship or experiencing homelessness. Cash/checks preferred. If you bring a holiday treat to donate, we request all items be Nut Free due to concerns about cross contamination.

Blue Christmas Service
2022-12-13 19:00 - 20:30
The holidays in general, and Christmas in particular, can be a difficult time of year to find the

space to feel emotions other than joy & cheer. Grief and pain know no season. Join us for the

Blue Christmas Service on Tuesday, December 13 at 7:00 pm. We will gather in the sanctuary

to hold space for grief, uncertainty, and the fullness of what we may be carrying this season.

We will also be live streaming the service in such a way that people can view it from home, but

people in the sanctuary will not be on camera. Please have a candle with you. Click here for a bulletin and order of service.

Sandy Hook Vigil of Remembrance
2022-12-14 17:30 - 18:30
Sandy Hook Vigil of Remembrance: Wednesday, December 14, 5:30 pm

Join us for a vigil of remembrance as we mark the 10th anniversary of the Sandy Hook school

shooting. We will gather together for lament and healing, outside of the front of the church

for prayer, candlelight, and honoring the victims of Sandy Hook and other school shootings.

We offer this vigil in collaboration with Colorado Faith Communities United to End Gun Violence

and other congregations offering such vigils, as we work toward a world without gun violence.

Lakewood UCC Book Group
2022-12-18 11:30 - 12:30
We will meet in the Conference Room at 11:30 am Sunday, December 18th to discuss Dewey the Small Town Cat that Touched the World, by Vicki Myron and Brett Witter. For questions, contact Linda Andreen at 720-257-4275.
An abandoned kitten from the heartland transforms a sleepy library, inspires a classic American town, and captures the hearts of animal lovers. Readmore Books.com.

Christmas Caroling
2022-12-18 12:00 - 15:00
Christmas Caroling: Sunday, December 18, 12:00 pm

A-caroling we will go! Join us after worship as we visit our folks who are sick or shut-in. Help

spread Christmas cheer to those who cannot make it to church. It should be great family fun

for all. Christmas caroling will happen on December 18, from 12:00-3:00 pm. Lunch will be

provided. Sign up here, on the Welcome Center, or contact Allyson Koplen for more information.

Instant Pageant Family Christmas Eve Service
2022-12-24 16:00 - 17:00
The service will be less than an hour long and is designed to be a casual, welcoming, and
meaningful worship experience particularly geared toward families with younger children.
We include lessons, carols, candlelight, a children’s sermon, and an “instant pageant” where
children and adults can become part of the Christmas Story.

Christmas Eve Candlelit Service
2022-12-24 19:00 - 20:30
Join us as we celebrate the birth of Christ with a traditional evening candlelight service and
carols. We’ll start with a medley of Christmas songs at 7:00 pm, move into the service proper
at 7:30 pm, and conclude with a candlelit Silent Night. Plan to arrive early!
This service will be live-streamed – Click HERE to join online – Click HERE for the bulletin.

Epiphany Un-Decorating
2023-01-08 11:30 - 12:30
Many hands make light work! Let’s gather together after worship and take down the Advent decorating as we move into the new year!

Open and Affirming Statement Conversations Zoom Meeting
2023-01-08 19:00 - 20:00
In June, our congregation voted to update and expand our Open and Affirming Statement. We also agreed to host conversations about the statement and what it might look like to fully live into the updated version. We offered a session back in September and canceled the October Zoom session due to a lack of participation. We will be hosting another session on Sunday, January 8, 2023, at 7:00 pm via zoom. This session will cover the same content as the September in-person session. If you have questions, please see Pastor Curt or Tamara Boynton. Join the Zoom meeting HERE.

Lakewood UCC “Soup-R” Bowl Potluck and Canned Food Drive
2023-01-15 11:30 - 13:00
Welcome 2023, and something new for LUCC! We are going to have a “SOUP-R” BOWL potluck after the service for Fellowship on January 15th! We thought this was a great way to bring in the New Year. The Fellowship Committee is partnering with MOE to enjoy delicious soup, have a fun day AND collect canned soups or other canned goods for The Action Center to share with our neighbors.

SO—dust off your family’s favorite soup recipe, bring a pot or crockpot full of it to share during Fellowship. Everyone should be able to try more than one soup. AND make a copy of the recipe. We will scan the recipes and make an online LUCC Soup Recipe Book. We will all have new recipes to cook this winter. ALSO bring a can or cans of soup or other canned goods for The Action Center. It is helpful to buy cans that don’t need a can opener to open them. If making soup is not your thing, then please bring bread or dessert. And a reminder for all potlucks, please include the ingredients of your dish to avoid any allergic reactions, put your name on your containers and serving spoons and LUCC is a nut free zone!

Delores Meal Project
2023-01-19 18:00 - 19:30
Happy New Year Lakewood UCC! It’s time to plan for this month’s Delores Project meal. Our Lakewood UCC meal will be Thursday dinner, 6:00-8:00 pm. We would love to see new faces as servers.
The menu is as follows:
-Spicy Chicken and Sweet Potato Stew
(Click HERE for the Recipe)
-Crusty Bread

Dessert options:
-Favorite Pudding or Fruit Crisp
-Whipped Topping

Please sign up to contribute food and/or volunteer to be a server HERE
Thank you for your support of this ministry. Any questions, please contact Pauline Nunez at paulinenunez40@gmail.com or Joan Campbell at joanvilshofen@gmail.com. Peace and blessings for the new year.

YACaritos Return
2023-01-29 11:30 - 12:00
Fill your belly and support the youth’s Summer 2023 Service Learning Trip by purchasing a YACarito (breakfast burrito) before the Annual Meeting on January 29. The youth will be selling each burrito for $5, with all proceeds supporting the youth on their Service Learning Trip to Albuquerque NM in June of 2023. Thank you for your generous support!

Save the Date: Congregational Meeting
2023-01-29 11:30 - 12:30
All are invited to attend our congregational meeting following worship on Sunday, January 29, 2023. The purpose of this meeting is to vote on the proposed 2023 budget as well as review and vote on the proposed bylaws changes. This meeting will be a hybrid meeting. This means that people can attend by being physically present in the sanctuary as well as attending virtually via Zoom. Virtual participants will be able to ask questions, vote, and speak on the various agenda items up for discussion. Please keep an eye out for the email sent on Tuesday, January 17, and the email to be sent on the Saturday before the meeting (Saturday, January 28) for the information needed to review before the meeting, as well as the Zoom link to join.

Congregations Alive: Climate Justice!
2023-01-31
Congregations Alive, the biennial conference of the Rocky Mountain UCC, is happening Thursday, February 23 through Saturday, February 25, 2023, at First Plymouth UCC in Englewood. The theme this year is Climate Justice. The conference will feature keynote talks by the Rev. Dr. Jim Antal, climate advisor to the UCC President, and the Rev. Peter Sawtell, retired Executive Director of Eco-Justice Ministries. Both speakers will focus on the church’s calling to address the climate crisis theologically, pastorally, and practically. There will also be 15 diverse workshops around the theme of climate justice. Pre-registration is required and is open until February 16. As we have more than four persons attending from Lakewood UCC, you can register at a reduced rate. Please click HERE for more! Early bird registration ends on January 31. If you are interested in attending, and the cost is a concern, please contact Rev. Curt, as scholarships are available.

Brewatitudes is BACK!
2023-02-12 15:00 - 16:30
Let’s get together and talk about faith, theology, and current life and events. February-May we’ll use a different podcast episode as our entry point into our conversation. February’s conversation will use the episode: “The Ocean is a Queer Place of Possibility” from Outside/In. You can find the podcast HERE, or wherever you like to listen to podcasts. We’ll meet at Landlocked Ales (3225 S. Wadsworth Blvd. Lakewood) from 3-4:30 pm and see where the conversation takes us. See Rev. Mollie for more info.

*We know Feb. 12 is the Super Bowl and will meet from 3-4, longer if folks want to continue the conversation until 4:30

Pancake Supper
2023-02-21 17:00 - 19:00
Join us for a celebration of revelry and abundance on Tuesday, February 21 from 5-7. Sometimes called Fat or Shrove Tuesday, sometimes known as Mardi Gras, this is traditionally the time to eat all of the fat and sugar in your home and be merry before the Lenten time of fasting of some sort. At Lakewood UCC, we’ll celebrate with pancakes (thank you Fellowship!) and community. Faith Formation Board will offer a craft that can be used throughout Lent to support Spiritual Practice(s). We’ll also have ashes and a simple liturgy available to take home, for folks who want to engage in that ritual at home on Ash Wednesday, February 22.

Ash Wednesday Special Service
2023-02-22 19:00 - 20:00
Join us in person or online for our Ash Wednesday service with Communion and the Imposition of Ashes. Ash Wednesday is the start of Lent, with the physical reminder that we have come from ash and to ash we will return. Join us for this meaningful service. Communion elements will be provided for this service, childcare will be available

Ashes-2-Go: 11:00 am-1:00 pm: Swing by the westside church parking lot to receive your ashes. They will be available to take home with you or you can receive the imposition of ashes on your forehead or hand. Ash Wednesday is the start of Lent, with the physical reminder that we have come from ash and to ash we will return. Please be in touch with Rev. Mollie if you’d like to receive ashes at another time.

Lenten Drives
2023-02-26 - 2023-03-05
Last year, we asked our Lakewood UCC congregation to donate each week in Lent to a selected group of organizations. This Lenten season, we are focused on the theme of “Displacement.” A person or family that is displaced means they have been expelled, deported, or impelled to flee from their country of nationality or habitual residence by the forces or consequences of war or oppression.
We are kicking off our Lenten Drives on Sunday, February 26, with Casa De Paz. For two weeks, we will be collecting shoelaces and men’s new underwear for the organization.
On Sunday, March 5, Alondra Flores, a Casa de Paz Representative will speak about Casa de Paz and their mission
