Video Sermons
Make Me a Channel of Your Peace
October 22, 2023
St. Francis proclaimed the gospel of compassion and care for creation while living in solidarity with the poor. He also spent months in the mountainous forests of Italy, praying in deep contemplation, often in caves and abandoned places. Please join Rev. Jenny Amstutz in welcoming members of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Redeemer in downtown Denver to our sanctuary for a special collaborative worship service.
What Does It Mean to Be a Welcoming Congregation?
October 8, 2023
In the Spring of 1998, Columbine voted to become the second Welcoming Congregation in the Denver area, making a commitment to be "inclusive and expressive of the concerns of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons at every level of congregational life". Join Rev. Jenny Amstutz as we look towards fulfilling the requirements to renew our Welcoming Congregation status and as we reflect on what that means and how our understanding of being truly welcoming has evolved in the last 25 years."
Building the World We Dream About
September 24, 2023
As we wrap up our month’s theme of “The Gift of Welcome”, join Rev. Jenny Amstutz as we consider the power of beloved community and how our shared vision can reach out to support the work of justice and healing in the wider community.
Learning to Play Nice
August 27, 2023
"Covenant" is Latin for "come together" and means a "solemn agreement" or "promise from the heart" between two parties. At Columbine Church we have a Covenant of Right Relations that helps us navigate the inevitable conflicts that arise when people work together to create or build community. Join Rev. Jenny Amstutz as we conclude our monthly theme of “Play” and learn about how our covenant serves to help us stay anchored in our UU values.
Too Cool For School
July 23, 2023
In the 1930’s the word “cool” morphed from a description of temperature into an adjective used to describe someone who was attractive, fashionable, self-possessed, and a bit disengaged or quietly disdainful. Now, almost a century later, our mainstream culture still encourages us to be “cool”. As we explore this month’s theme of Caring, join Rev. Jenny Amstutz as we consider what it means when we are too “cool” to care about others and the world around us.
The Wisdom to Know the Difference
July 9, 2023
The Serenity Prayer, popularized by Alcoholics Anonymous in the 1940s reads, “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference”. Join Rev. Jenny Amstutz as we explore July’s theme of Caring and the spiritual practice of knowing when to take action and when to practice acceptance of difficult things we care deeply about.
The Arc of the Moral Universe
May 21, 2023
In 1853 abolitionist Unitarian minister Rev. Theodore Parker said, “I do not pretend to understand the moral universe. The arc is a long one. My eye reaches but little ways. I cannot calculate the curve and complete the figure by experience of sight. I can divine it by conscience. And from what I see I am sure it bends toward justice.” Join Rev. Jenny Amstutz as we examine how we find hope among the ashes.
Taking Care of Ourselves and Others
May 14, 2023
In Jewish and Christian scripture we find the words: “Above all else, guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life,” (Proverbs 4:23). Join Rev. Jenny Amstutz as we celebrate mothers and all caregivers this Sunday, as we will be considering how important caring for ourselves is when we are engaged in the work of caring for others.
Founder Sunday
April 23, 2023
On April 23, 1993, Columbine joined the Unitarian Universalist Association. Since then, Columbine folks have met in different places and faced all sorts of challenges and also times of bonding and building community together. Join Rev. Jenny Amstutz as we look back on the past three decades together and forward to our hopes and dreams for our little church. We will have a gathering and potluck after the service to celebrate!
Easter Sunday
April 9, 2023
The Vernal Equinox marking the first day of spring and the full Paschal Moon that follows have traditionally been holy days of observance and festivities for Jews, Christians and Pagans. Most of us have cultural and even religious roots in these traditions. Join Rev. Jenny as we celebrate the coming of spring, new life, and our own resurrection stories through the inclusive lens of our UU faith.
Healing from Religious Trauma
March 26, 2023
Over the course of history, religion has often been misused to oppress and marginalize people and has led to division and war. While ideally religious organizations should offer tools for self-discovery and spiritual guidance as well as the comfort and support of community, many times the patriarchal power structures and creedal dogma of religious groups cause hurt and harm to believers. We reclaim the word “religion” and explore ways that we can heal from harmful or oppressive theologies.
With Rev. Jenny Amstutz
The Power of Vulnerability
March 12, 2023
While the “power of vulnerability” may sound like an oxymoron, courageous vulnerability can actually be the key to self-awareness, trust building, and effective leadership. We consider ways to dismantle the patriarchy and White supremacy culture with our willingness to show up authentically and imperfectly.
With Rev. Jenny Amstutz
Taking the High Road
February 26, 2023
Join Rev. Jenny Amstutz in an exploration of Michelle Obama's famous quote, "When they go low, we go high" and the possibilities for creating a world of courageous love.
The Future of our Faith
February 12, 2023
Unitarian Universalism is a living tradition. We believe that revelation is not sealed and we must revisit our core values and beliefs and how we present ourselves to the world periodically. Join Rev. Jenny Amstutz as we learn about the Article Two Study Commission and how people are coming together to propose changes to our UUA covenants that will be voted on at the 2024 session of General Assembly.
Finding Our Center as a Spiritual Community
January 29, 2023
This month we have been focusing on the practice of finding our center as individuals, but we are also called to consider how we find our center as a spiritual community. We consider where our church and our denomination have come from and where we are going as we begin our 30th year as a UU congregation.
With Rev. Jenny Amstutz
The Wise Silence
January 9, 2023
Unitarian minister Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "Within us is the soul of the whole; the wise silence, the universal beauty, to which every part and particle is equally related, the eternal One". Join Rev. Jenny Amstutz in an exploration of our UU belief in the interconnected web of life and how we can tap into Sacred Mystery with regular spiritual practice.
Comforting the Afflicted and Afflicting the Comfortable
November 20, 2022
Though first used as a phrase to describe the work of journalists over a century ago, "comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable" has become a way of describing Unitarian Universalist ministry. We explore our role as change makers and our determination to battle complacency though our willingness to change.
With Rev. Jenny Amstutz
This Being Human is a
Guesthouse
November 13, 2022
Sufi poet and mystic Rumi uses the metaphor of humans as guesthouses, encouraging us to greet all of the emotions and tribulations of each day as honored guests, not knowing how each guest might change us.
With Laura Mirabito and Rev. Jenny Amstutz