now-end of October–Neighbors In Need Mission Offering
Our congregation is participating in the United Church of Christ’s annual Neighbors in Need special mission offering.
This year’s national theme is “Walk in Love,” a call to transform our faith into tangible actions of justice and compassion across the United States. By participating, we embody love in action. One-third of our gifts directly support the Council for American Indian Ministry (CAIM), honoring historic and contemporary commitments to Indigenous communities. The remaining two-thirds fund the UCC’s domestic justice initiatives, providing essential grants to local churches and organizations working to dismantle systemic poverty, advocate for civil rights, and protect our communities.
Please give generously as we seek to truly “Walk in Love” with our neighbors. You can give cash (indicate for NIN), check (put NIN in the memo), or give online. We will collect through September and October.

Growing our Endowment, A Gift for the Future
We are on our way with gifts and matching total of just over $11,400! You can be part of planting seeds for the future of First United Church of Arvada through the growth of the Endowment Fund! An anonymous $10,000 match has been committed to encourage donations to the Endowment Fund. Contributions to the Challenge Fund will be matched until the full $20,000 goal is reached. To participate, please indicate “Challenge Fund” with your gift. Watch the tree graphic at church grow with color in the coming weeks as gifts are made—a visible reminder that together, we are nurturing something that will continue to give life for generations.

Labyrinth-Open for Walking
The Labyrinth is open to the community for meditative walks. It’s a project our congregation completed in 2024.

New Recycling Programs at First United
We are starting three hard-to-recycle stream collections here at church (through a company called Ridwell):
• Bread tags – you know those little plastic clips that hold your bread bag together
• Plastic RX bottles – many curbside recycling programs do not take these, especially not the lids. So, you can bring yours here! We ask that you attach the lids and remove the labels.
• Batteries – alkaline and lithium. PLEASE no batteries that are corroding.
You can bring your items at any time and place them in the recycling receptacles that are in the Fireside Room. We will collect them on a regular basis and put them in our curbside pickups. Contact the Church Office with any questions.

Blessing Box (a.k.a. Little Free Food Pantry)
The Blessing Box (the free little pantry on a south corner of our parking lot) is open for use 24/7. If you’d like to bring items to stock it, here’s a list of what’s most used, though other items are also welcome:
Canned food (with pop top lids if possible)
-Protein sources (chili, soups, ravioli, chicken/tuna)
-Fruits & veggies (please NO canned beans such as black, kidney, etc.)
-Pasta sauce
Pasta or instant/boxed rice (preferably not bags of rice)
Peanut butter or other nut butters
Granola bars (higher protein ones are best)
Crackers with peanut butter or cheese filling
Water bottles (8oz), juice boxes or shelf-stable milk
Toiletries
-Travel sized toothpaste
-Toothbrushes
-Other travel sized toiletries and soap
-Sunscreen
-Toilet paper
-Feminine hygiene products
Socks, hats, gloves (for cold weather months)
Fill the box with a few items from time to time, or take items as you need them. Monetary donations are welcome through our website. Thank you!