Welcome to Conversation
SENIOR MINISTER
REV. CHRIS BRAUDAWAY-BAUMAN
Dear First Congregational Church, This fall we walk together in worship, learning, music, and shared life, listening again for God’s call to live with courage, trust, and hope.
Our worship series, The Exodus Journey, carries us from September through November, tracing Israel’s story from slavery to freedom, a story of resistance and resilience rooted in covenant community. A four-week Forum Series on Faith and Immigration opens conversation around welcome and belonging today. Our all-church book read, Civil Resistance by Erica Chenoweth, prepares us for the MacKenzie Lecture weekend next February during which Dr. Chenoweth will be our guest speaker.
We’re grateful for the art exhibit All the Way to Heaven is Heaven by Rev. Martie McMane, inviting us to see the world with new eyes so that we might discover the sacred woven through the ordinary. Music enlivens our days with weekly noontime concerts, new bell choirs, and our annual Sawyer Organ Concert. Children and youth return with expanded programming that nourishes faith and supports families.
Our fall calendar includes treasured traditions: September’s All-Church Picnic, October’s Open and Affirming Anniversary, and November’s All Saints and Gratitude Sundays. Each gathering reminds us that community itself is an act of hope – an embodiment of the world we long for. As we journey together this season, may we discover God’s presence and calling in every story, song, and act of service.
With gratitude for our shared journey,
Rev. Chris Braudaway-Bauman Senior Minister
Erica Chenoweth
Forum Series
Simon Jocobs, Sawyer Organist
Rev. Martie McMane
Rev. Chris Braudaway-Bauman
Cover art: Radiant Passage by Martie McMane
Faith for the Road Ahead
The Exodus Journey A Fall Worship Series
September 14 – November 16, 2025
The story of the Exodus is the foundational narrative of liberation that continues to shape communities of faith today. This fall, we’ll walk together through the transformative journey from slavery to freedom, from trauma to trust, from scattered individuals to covenant community.
Beginning with the Hebrew midwives’ courageous civil disobedience and Moses’ reluctant calling, we’ll explore how authentic resistance begins with divine encounter. We’ll witness God’s attention to suffering and call to confront oppression, even when we feel unprepared.
Through the wilderness, we’ll discover that resilience requires daily dependence and sustainable change needs shared leadership. We’ll stand at Sinai to receive the covenant that makes us an alternative community with countercultural values, including how Sabbath rest becomes resistance to empire’s dehumanizing demands.
We’ll face the reality of broken covenants and golden calves, learning that resilience includes the capacity to fail, repent, and be restored. We’ll remember Moses on the threshold of the promised land and saints who glimpsed promises they would never see, trusting in God’s faithfulness across generations.
The Exodus journey reveals a profound truth: when people catch God’s vision, scarcity transforms into abundance, fear gives way to faith, and shared community becomes our strength.
This Exodus series is the first chapter in a yearlong journey through Scripture’s stories of counter-cultural resistance and sustaining
resilience. Throughout the coming year, we’ll discover how God’s people have always been called to live as an alternative community.
So this fall, let us journey together from wilderness to worship, discovering that the God who heard the cries of the oppressed in Egypt still calls us to be agents of liberation today.
Bible Study on the Exodus Journey
Tuesdays, September 23 – November 11, 5:00-6:30 p.m. Conference Room on the Upper Level, Faith Center
Exodus is the heartbeat of the Hebrew Bible, the defining story that shaped Israel’s identity and faith. As our Sunday sermons trace this wilderness road, a small group will gather to dive deeper into the story. Guided by video dialogues with Yale Divinity School professors Joel Baden and John Collins, we’ll explore themes of liberation, covenant, and God’s presence on the journey. Come for as many of the eight weeks as your schedule allows. No biblical background required. Hearty snacks will be provided to sustain you over the dinner hour.
Facilitators: Chris and Phil Braudaway-Bauman. Email Chris (chris@firstcong.net) to sign up.
Moses and the Burning Bush by Wesley Frank
Faith & Immigration
Listening, Learning, Living the Welcome
Explore the biblical roots of hospitality, learn the realities of immigration today, hear stories from immigrant neighbors, and discover ways to act with love and justice right now.
Part 1
God of the Journey:
A Biblical Theology of Immigration
September 14, 9:00 a.m., Plymouth Hall
From Abraham to Jesus, the story of God is a story of people on the move. We’ll explore the biblical and theological foundations for welcoming the immigrant, refugee, and stranger. What does Scripture say? How does God call us to reimagine borders and belonging?
Part 2
Immigration 101: Understanding the Landscape
September 21, 11:45 to 1:30 p.m., Plymouth Hall
How does immigration really work? What are the myths and what are the facts? This session led by Gina McAfee offers a crash course on current U.S. immigration policy— its complexities, categories, and challenges. Lunch from Chipotle will be available with vegan and gluten free options. Donations will be accepted at the event to help cover the cost, but an accurate count will help us plan.
Register with the QR code
Part 3
Crossing Paths: Stories from Our Immigrant Neighbors
September 28, 9:00 a.m., Standish Room
Behind every policy are people who bear the impact. In this session, we’ll listen to the lived experiences of immigrants in our own community.
Part 4
Love in the Neighborhood: Local Advocacy and Action
October 5, 9:00 a.m., Plymouth Hall
What can we do? This final session explores concrete ways we can be engaged in immigrant justice and welcome, from local partnerships to national advocacy. Whether you’re passionate about accompaniment, policy reform, or offering other kinds of support, there’s a place for you.
September | October | November Fall Events at First Cong
We return to a full Sunday morning schedule on September 14...
Chapel Worship at 8:15 a.m. Note the new time! Forum at 9:00 a.m.
Worship in the Sanctuary and Online at 10:30 a.m.
Celebration Sunday Sunday, September 7
Worship at 10:30 a.m., Sanctuary and Online
Followed by an All-Church Picnic, from 11:45 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Foothills Community Park, 800 Cherry Avenue, Boulder
All are welcome and warmly encouraged to join us for food, fellowship, lawn games, balloon animals, face painting, and a playground for the kids.
Join a Small Group
In a congregation our size, small groups are the heartbeat of connection and spiritual growth. They are spaces where faith deepens, friendships form, and life’s journey is shared. In gathering intentionally with others, we reflect the very nature of our relational God – revealed in Jesus, who promised to be present wherever two or three are gathered. We invite you to explore our Fall 2025 Small Groups Booklet and see which group or groups you might join! https://tinyurl.com/5dfh3b97
Congregational Communication Needs Focus Sessions
Sundays, September 7, 9:00 a.m. and September 14, 11:45 a.m., Plymouth Hall
You’re invited to participate in one of our upcoming Communication Needs Focus Sessions as we seek to strengthen how we stay connected and informed as a church family. We encourage you to attend one of these important gatherings facilitated by our Communications Committee. Your input will help us better understand how we can meet the communication needs of our diverse congregation. Your voice matters in shaping a more connected community.
Book Discussion Group:
The Metaphysical Club
Starting Monday, September 8, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Heritage Room/Zoom (hybrid)
This fall a book discussion group is reading and discussing the 2002 Pulitzer Prize winning book The Metaphysical Club: A Story of Ideas in America by Louis Menand. Given our current political and societal conflicts in this country, a review of the story of ideas in America would be especially helpful for us all! Meets weekly, beginning on Monday evenings 6:30-8:00 p.m. For more info contact Kevin Pettit (kevin.pettit@ comcast.net).
Bible Sunday and Teacher Blessing
Sunday, September 14
In the UCC, we say that God Is Still Speaking, and one way God speaks is through the Bible. On Sunday, September 14, we will bless and present Bibles to our kindergarteners and third graders, welcoming them into the joy of God’s Living Word. We will also honor our devoted teachers, thanking them for the love, care, and dedication they bring to our children and youth. All teachers are invited to join worship, even if you’re not teaching that day. It’s a wonderful opportunity for our whole congregation to celebrate the start of the Sunday school year together with gratitude and joy!
Upcoming Fall Forums
Join us this fall for a series of engaging and meaningful Forums covering important topics for our community. Watch your Weekly Email and the Bulletin for specific dates, times, and locations.
Upcoming Forum Topics:
Summer House Meeting Report and Next Steps
A report on our Summer House Meeting outcomes and discussion of our path forward as a community.
Ministry of Last Things Follow-Up
A check-in opportunity following our August Planning Sessions, providing space for continued reflection and planning.
Fort Chambers Plan: Healing Path Development
Learn about Boulder’s developing plan to create a healing path that honors the site’s Indigenous history and acknowledges the role Fort Chambers played in the Sand Creek Massacre.
Solar Investment Information Session
Discover how our church is investing in renewable energy through our partnership with PIVOT Energy’s solar field project.
Together Colorado Mission Partner Update
An overview of the current work and initiatives of our mission partner Together Colorado and how we can continue to support their efforts.
Moms Demand Action Response
A timely discussion on gun violence prevention efforts in light of recent school shootings, featuring the important work of Moms Demand Action.
These Forums provide valuable opportunities for learning, discussion, and community engagement on issues that matter to our congregation and wider community. We encourage all members to participate in these important conversations.
CROP Walk
September | October | November Fall Events at First Cong
Sunday, October 12
Boulder Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship 1241 Ceres Drive, Lafayette
Registration Opens: 1:00 p.m.
Walk Begins: 2:00 p.m.
This year, Boulder County celebrates its 40th CROP Walk, an annual walk to support hunger relief programs locally and globally. Come join the First Cong youth and be a part of our church’s team! We’re looking for folks to come to the walk, help fundraise, and/or donate. Starting September 21st, stop by the CROP Walk Table at coffee hour in the Link or in Plymouth Hall and see how you can help make a lasting difference in the fight against hunger.
Open and Affirming Anniversary Sunday, October 19
On Sunday, October 19, we celebrate our 38th Anniversary of being an Open and Affirming Church (ONA). In 1987, First Congregational UCC, Boulder became the 16th congregation in the United Church of Christ and the first in Colorado to declare our welcome and affirmation of all LGBTQ+ persons in the life and leadership of the church.
After the worship service, we also invite you to stay for a light lunch and to view the film 1946: The Mistranslation that Shifted Culture. This film reveals that a mistranslation during the 1946 creation of the Revised Standard Version of the Christian Bible, resulting from a misinterpretation of Ancient Greek, led to prevailing cultural and religious perceptions of LGBTQ+ people in the United States. Join us as we learn together. Watch your bulletin and weekly email for more information.
2025 Women’s Retreat: A Sacred Spiral
Friday, October 24 to Sunday, October 26
All women are invited to a transformative weekend retreat, a sacred journey from gratitude through grief to active hope. Following Joanna Macy’s Active Hope spiral, we’ll celebrate God’s creation, honor our pain for the world, discover new ways of seeing, and discern our call to respond. Through reflection, small groups, playful activities, community, and worship, discover how faith shapes us as agents of healing and hope. We are delighted to welcome Monica Mueller, a philosopher of ethics and social transformation from Naropa University, to facilitate our time together on Saturday morning.
The weekend at the Highlands Retreat Center in the beautiful mountains of Allenspark begins with dinner on Friday at 6:00 p.m. and concludes after worship on Sunday morning, before lunch. Carpools are available. Scan the QR code to register by Tuesday, October 7, for the full weekend or for Saturday only.
Halloween Party and Concert
Sunday, October 26
4:30 p.m. – Youth Games
5:00 p.m. – Pizza Dinner
6:00 p.m. – Halloween Concert
“There’s something strange in the neighborhood… Who you gonna call?”
It’s that time of year again – when front yards turn spooky, porches glow with eerie lights, and little goblins roam the streets for trick or treat. At First Congregational Church, we’ve embraced the Halloween spirit with our annual Halloween Party and Concert, a fun and slightly spooky tradition for all ages!
Join us on Sunday, October 26, for an evening of games, food, and frightfully fun music. After games and pizza, a concert in the Sanctuary features scary organ music, haunting poetry, and spine-tingling visuals projected on the walls. Costumes are encouraged! Come dressed up and you might just get a treat (or two) at the door. Whether you’re a ghost, ghoul, or something less spooky, all are welcome to this family-friendly Halloween celebration. Contact Lianna (lianna@ firstcong.net) or Kajsa (kajsa@firstcong.net) for more information.
All Saints’ Sunday
November 2
Our worship on All Saints’ Sunday is an invitation to name and remember those we have known and loved, who abide now in God’s everlasting care, to give thanks and reflect on those whose lives have shaped our paths by their wisdom and their ways, and to recognize a true communion in which all the saints – living, dead, absent, present – are made one. Surrounded by the great cloud of witnesses, we will gather around the table of grace to share communion.
Fall Congregational Meeting
Sunday, November 16
11:45 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Plymouth Hall
Join us after the 10:30 a.m. worship service for the Fall Congregational Meeting. Agenda items include a review of the 2026 Target Budget. Everyone is welcome. Church members are strongly urged to attend. Childcare is available.
Gratitude Sunday and Neighbors in Need Offering
Sunday, November 23
Each year on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, we gather for a special service of gratitude – hearing testimonies from church members, singing songs of praise, and lifting prayers of thanksgiving for all God has given us.
This morning we will also receive the Neighbors in Need offering, a UCC special mission that supports justice initiatives, advocacy, and direct service across the country. Two-thirds of the offering funds ministries of justice and local grants; one-third supports the Council for American Indian Ministries, a vital witness in the UCC since 1971.
Children and Youth Sunday School Launches
on September 14th
Childcare for Infants and Toddlers
Our nursery is open on Sundays all year long for children aged 0-3 from 8;15 to 11:45 a.m. and or special events. With our experienced childcare professionals, children play inside and outside, hear stories, explore their creativity, and have allergen-conscious snacks. The space is designed especially for our little ones with developmentally appropriate toys, kiddie sized furniture, and a fenced playpark. For the safety of our youngest, children are signed in and out by their adults and our staff keep their cell phones on to quickly communicate with parents/guardians. Our nursery is open Sunday mornings 8:15-11:45 a.m. and during special church events.
Sunday School launches on September 14th for all children and youth in preschool through twelfth grade. Classes meet on the lower level of the Faith Center.
We currently offer three Sunday school classes, all of which take place during worship:
Early Schoolers: This class is for children in preschool and kindergarten. In this class, we learn about prayer and Bible stories through lessons, songs, art, and playing.
Elementary: This class is for children in grades 1-5. Lessons are based on stories and discussions. We also check in with each other and do a variety of hands-on activities! On 2nd Sundays, the focus is on a service activity.
Middle and High School: This class is for youth grades 6-12. On 2nd Sundays, the youth are engaged in a service activity. 3rd and 4th Sundays are for Music and Art.
Please register your children and youth for Sunday School using this QR code or link...
https://firstcong.net/children-youth-registration
Paper forms are also available at church.
Contacts:
Lianna Campos – lianna@firstcong.net
Anne Martinez – anne @firstcong.net
Starting at 10:20, children meet in the classroom for Sunday School. Children can be picked up in their classroom immediately following worship.
1st
Starting at 10:20, children meet in the classroom for Sunday School. Children can be picked up in their classroom immediately following worship.
2nd
Starting at 10:20, children aged 4 through kindergarten meet in the classroom for Sunday School. Children can be picked up in their classroom immediately following worship.
3rd
Starting at 10:20, children meet in the classroom for Sunday School. Children can be picked up in their classroom immediately following worship.
4th
All Church Worship: Children may sit up front with Anne and Lianna, where activity tables and coloring pages are provided. The Joyful Noise choir sings and children help lead worship by reading scripture or prayers, serving communion, and leading songs.
Serve Sunday: Begin in worship, then join teachers for a service project—past projects include downtown trash pickup and assembling care kits. Project details will be shared in the bulletin and weekly emails. Children can be picked up from their classroom after worship.
Start in worship and then go with their teachers to their classroom for Sunday School.
11:45 a.m. -12:45 p.m.
Elementary children are invited to Grace Gallery for lunch and Joyful Noise choir rehearsal.
Start in worship and then go with their teachers to their classroom for Sunday School.
11:45 a.m. -12:45 p.m.
Elementary children are invited to Grace Gallery for lunch and Joyful Noise choir rehearsal.
All Church Worship: Youth may sit up front with Anne and Lianna, with quiet activities like coloring and origami available. The Faith Singers choir performs, and youth help lead worship by reading scripture or prayers, serving communion, and leading songs.
Serve Sunday: Begin in worship then join teachers for a service project—past projects include downtown trash pickup and assembling care kits. After worship, Youth meet families at coffee hour, then enjoy Lunch’n Chat in the Faith Cave (11:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m.).
Start in worship and then go with Anne and Christine to the Grace Gallery for Music and Arts Class.
11:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m.
Youth meet families at coffee hour, then enjoy Lunch’n Chat in the Faith Cave .
Start in worship and then go with Anne and Christine to the Grace Gallery for Music and Arts Class.
11:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m.
Youth meet families at coffee hour, then enjoy Lunch’n Chat in the Faith Cave .
EARLY SCHOOLERS
New Music Opportunities at First Congregational
WSilver Bells
e’re excited to introduce two new handbell choirs starting this fall –open to all, regardless of musical experience!
Tuesdays, 12:30-1:15 p.m., Sanctuary
A welcoming, daytime handbell choir for adults of all ages – no experience necessary! This group is especially ideal for those who prefer not to drive at night. Come enjoy music-making and community in a relaxed and supportive environment.
Youth Bell Choir
Tuesdays, 4:30-5:15 p.m., Sanctuary
Open to all middle and high school students, this fun and energetic group requires no prior handbell or music experience. Snacks will be provided before rehearsal. Bring a friend and come ready to ring!
In addition to these exciting new ensembles, our regular music programs will resume in September as part of our fall programming. There are so many ways to get involved, including:
Congregational Bells
Chancel Choir
Faith Singers and Joyful Noise youth choirs
Joyful Littles, our baby and toddler music program
FCC String Ensemble
Solo and Small Group opportunities
Whether you sing, play an instrument, or are curious about trying something new, we welcome your participation. The opportunities are many – and there’s a place for everyone in our music ministry. Questions?
Contact Kajsa Teitelbaum, Director of Music (kajsa@firstcong.net)
Lunch Concerts
Beginning September 10, join us for a new eries of weekly Lunch Concerts in the Sanctuary, presented by our Director of Music, Kajsa Teitelbaum.
Every Wednesday at 12:00 p.m., you’re invited to bring your lunch and enjoy a midweek musical break in a peaceful setting. Each month will feature a seasonal theme, offering a fresh and reflective musical experience
September – Musical Favorites
October – Greet the Fall November – Gratitude December – Advent and Christmas
Come as you are, bring a friend, and nourish your spirit through music and community.
With New Eyes Spirituality and the Visual Arts
MARTIE MCMANE
When Bonney Forbes and Rev. Chris BraudawayBauman asked if I would be willing to present a one-woman show of my art this fall, I felt both joy and trepidation. It is a privilege to share this work, and I am deeply grateful to Bonney and the Arts Ministry for their encouragement and hands-on support in bringing the exhibition to life.
My journey into visual art began at First Congregational Church. In 2006, the church granted me a sabbatical and helped secure a Lilly Grant that allowed me to spend a month in Italy. There, I took my very first art workshop. I didn’t even know how to set up an easel! But from the start, I was hooked. After my sabbatical, my husband Alan helped me create a studio space in our home so I could keep painting. In those days, still working full-time as a pastor, I often painted late into the night, losing myself in the joy of discovery. The path of an artist had begun, slowly but steadily.
The title of my sabbatical proposal was With New Eyes: Spirituality and the Visual Arts. At the time, I had no idea how prophetic that title would become. For nearly twenty years now, art has helped me to see differently, to notice what captivates me, to stay present, to receive beauty as a form of grace.
Since retiring in 2016, I’ve been able to devote more time to learning and growing as an artist, a word I hesitated to use for myself for many years. Over time, I have come to believe more deeply that we are all created to be creative. If we are made in the Divine Image, then creativity is woven into who we are. Like many, I once doubted my own gifts, but I have learned the importance of affirming them. That shift has freed me to keep exploring, to stop comparing, and to delight in the process itself.
One of my teachers, Alain Picard, often tells us: “When people see beauty, they have hope. So put your work into the world.” His words continue to inspire me. I think of myself as a “harbinger of hope,” learning to trust that what I offer might become a source of light for someone else. God knows, the world needs hope!
This exhibition is, for me, an offering of gratitude, a witness to the creative Spirit, and a celebration of the joy of art-making. I look forward to sharing my work with you, and to exploring together the connections between art, spirit, and the gift of creativity that lives in each of us.
Above all, thank you, First Congregational Church, for giving me the courage to begin, and the joy of sharing this journey with you.
All the Way to Heaven is Heaven: Events
Experience the vibrant and contemplative work of Rev. Martie McMane.
Sunday, September 28, 11:45 a.m.
Reception for the Congregation
Join us in the Link for a warm gathering with Martie McMane. Enjoy light refreshments, and view the art.
Friday, October 3, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
NoBo First Friday Reception
The wider community is invited to explore the exhibit during this Open House.
Sunday, November 2, 11:45 a.m.Artist Talk with Rev. Martie McMane
Hear from Martie as she shares the creative journey, inspirations, and spiritual insights that shaped this exhibit. This is a chance to go deeper into the meaning and stories behind each piece.
Holy Waiting: Holding Hope
Wow!
Embracing
2025 Sawyer Memorial Organ Concert
Friday, November 21, 7:00 p.m., Sanctuary
Announcing Our 2025 Organist: Simon Jacobs We are thrilled to welcome Simon Jacobs as our 2025 organist. Originally from Great Britain, Simon now resides in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Simon Jacob’s musical journey began as a boy chorister at Truro Cathedral, UK, where he studied with distinguished organists including Andrew Nethsingha, Simon Morley, and Christopher Gray. He later served as an Organ Scholar at Christ’s College, Cambridge, followed by appointments at Salisbury Cathedral and Westminster Abbey.
After moving to the U.S. in 2007, Simon held positions at several prominent churches, most recently as Organist and Choirmaster at Grace and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Colorado Springs. In 2017, he returned briefly to Truro as Acting Assistant Director of Music at the cathedral, directing and accompanying its world-famous choir.
Simon has performed at renowned venues across the UK and US, including Westminster Cathedral, Washington National Cathedral, Saint Thomas Church (NYC), Trinity Church (Boston), and the Aspen Music Festival. He has also played three organ concertos with the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs.
Simon is highly regarded as a choral accompanist, having performed at St. Paul’s Cathedral (London), Hereford Cathedral, Grace Cathedral (San Francisco), and St. John’s Cathedral (Denver). His recordings include collaborations with Christ’s College, Salisbury Cathedral, and the Yale Schola Cantorum.
With a repertoire of over 300 organ works, Simon is also an accomplished improviser. He is an Associate of the Royal College of Organists.
Please join us for Simon’s debut performance at First Congregational Church on Friday, November 21, at 7:00 p.m. We look forward to a memorable evening –and many more to come.
Learn more at: www.simonrjacobs.com
The Sawyer Memorial Organ Concert was established in 2012 in memory of Jane Sawyer, former Director of Music at First Congregational Church. At the time of her passing, Jane generously left a gift to the church dedicated to the care of our beautiful organ and to bringing exceptional organists to share their artistry with our community. Since then, the concert series has featured outstanding musicians from across the United States and from Sweden – celebrating Jane’s legacy through music of the highest caliber.
The 2026 MacKenzie Lecture, Feb 13 & 14 with Erica Chenoweth
We are honored to welcome Dr. Erica Chenoweth as our 2026 MacKenzie Lecturer. At a time when democracy faces unprecedented challenges and civil rights are under threat, Dr. Chenoweth’s research offers vital insight into how ordinary people can create extraordinary change through nonviolent action.
Dr. Chenoweth serves as Academic Dean for Faculty Development and Frank Stanton Professor of the First Amendment at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. During their graduate years at the University of Colorado, where they earned both a Master’s and Ph.D. in Political Science, Erica was actively engaged at First Congregational Church.
Event Details
Public Lecture in the Sanctuary and Online
Friday, February 13, 7:00 p.m.
Dr. Chenoweth will invite us to consider the role of nonviolent resistance in building a more just and compassionate world, and how communities of faith can participate in that sacred work.
Coffee & Conversation
Saturday, February 14, 9:00 a.m. in Plymouth Hall
An opportunity for dialogue and questions with Dr. Chenoweth
About the MacKenzie Lecture
The MacKenzie Lecture is made possible by the MacKenzie Endowment Fund of First Congregational Church, established in 2000 to honor the Rev. Bruce MacKenzie and his wife Jeanette upon Bruce’s retirement as Senior Minister. This lectureship celebrates their extraordinary service to the Boulder community during Bruce’s 27-year tenure (1970–1997) and his continued ministry as minister emeritus until his death in 2017.
All-Church Read: Civil Resistance
Discussion Groups & Film Series
In preparation for Dr. Chenoweth’s visit, the congregation is invited to read their book, Civil Resistance: What Everyone Needs to Know. Drawing on more than 300 global campaigns, Chenoweth demonstrates how nonviolent movements – through strikes, protests, boycotts, and civil disobedience – have transformed societies and advanced justice.
Our shared reading will include three-session discusion groups beginning late October.
Books are available for purchase at the Boulder Book Store under “First Congregational Church” on the Book Group shelves (11th Street entrance).
Sign up to receive more details about discussion groups as they become available.
Stories of Resistance and Resilience: A Film Series
Join us for a powerful exploration of nonviolent resistance through cinema.
This November, we are launching a monthly film series that will take us on a journey through some of history’s most inspiring movements for justice and change. In the U.S. and worldwide, from the civil rights movement in America to contemporary grassroots organizing, these films will illuminate the power of ordinary people to create extraordinary change.
This film series serves as an accompaniment to our February visit with Erica Chenoweth, acclaimed author of Civil Resistance: What Everyone Needs to Know and supports our church’s year-long focus on inspiring stories of resistance and resilience, both in Scripture and throughout history.
The series begins this November and will continue monthly through the spring. Specific dates, times, and film selections are still being finalized. Watch for updates in the Weekly Email and the Sunday Bulletin. Whether you’re passionate about social justice, curious about history, or simply love great storytelling, this series promises to inspire, challenge, and equip us for faithful engagement with our world.
