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October 13, 2016 | Vol. 3 No. 41
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I Want to Love the Things...
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Rev. Justin Schroeder |
On Sunday, I shared this poem from Rilke, from the Book of Hours (excerpted):
...Just give me a little more time!
I want to love the things
as no one has thought to love them.
To my ears, this poem ends with an invitation to show up and be present to what is, to let love and attentiveness help take down the "walls we've built," to help repair the damage we've caused.
It's curious how a poem can work on you. During the second presidential debate, at the very end, when the two candidates were asked to name something they admired about each other, the posturing and the attacks disappeared. Two flawed, vulnerable human beings honestly named something they respected about one another. I was shocked. Hearing this exchange, something in me shifted. The debate ended, but I found myself thinking,
Just give me (us) a little more time!
I (we) want to love the things
as no one has thought to love them.
Perhaps, in these challenging and troubling times, this is our true calling: while we have breath, our task is to love the hell out of this world and one another.
I'll see you in church,
Justin
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| SUNDAY WORSHIP AT FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH |
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Sunday, Oct. 16, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
"The Reasonableness of Hope"
Rev. Jen Crow
When we look back over the whole story of history, we know that hope is not only necessary, but reasonable. The whole story is complex, holding good and bad, hope and despair. How might we hold fast to hope together?
Guest Musician: spoken word artist
Bro. Heru (William Harris) a.k.a
Truth Maze
Sunday, Oct. 16, 5:30 p.m.
Contemplative Evening Worship
Kinds of Light: GLOW
Rev. Ruth MacKenzie, Dr. Jerrod Wendland, and Dean Heller (principal trumpet, Civic Orchestra of Minneapolis). Details below.
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Sunday, Oct. 23, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Youth-friendly worship
"Stories We Don't Want to Tell"
Rev. Justin Schroeder
Recent Sermon Podcasts
October 9, 2016
"The Story of Place"
Rev. Justin Schroeder
October 2, 2016
"One Bed, Please"
Rev. Ruth MacKenzie
September 25, 2016
"Invited In"
Rev. Jen Crow
September 18, 2016
"Invited In"
Rev. Justin Schroeder
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 October Worship Theme: The Whole Story
Our lives are not just made up of stories; they are also made by stories. Indeed, who of us hasn't felt controlled by a story? Stuck in a story? Hopeless about the way our story will end up?
A friend tells me that her family "clings to the story about how I'm the clumsy one." I've never seen my friend trip, not once. Or drop a thing, ever. And yet, somehow, when she goes home, she spills coffee on at least one outfit, stubs at least one toe and stumbles down at least one step. The power of story! This month, we endeavor to tell whole stories, the stories that shape us, the stories that stand in our way, the stories that create openings for something new whether in our racial justice work or in our personal lives! Whole stories matter.
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Kinds of Light: GLOW
Contemplative Evening Worship
Sunday, Oct. 16, 5:30 p.m.
We feel the sun's warmth and see its light, but what about the light we can't see - rocks glowing deep within the Earth, or the warmth of the human heart? During this first contemplative evening worship service in our new series, "Kinds of Light" - this Sunday at 5:30 p.m. - this inner light will be expressed through the bright, ringing tones of the trumpet and the warm harmonies of the piano, played by Dean Heller (principal trumpet, Civic Orchestra of Minneapolis) and worship leader Jerrod Wendland. Rev. Ruth MacKenzie will deepen our understanding of the world and ourselves through poems and readings, and lead us in silent meditation.
Listen to one of the musical pieces that will be part of the service here.
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The Pathway to Membership
Mondays, Oct. 17 & 24, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Feeling like First Universalist could be your spiritual home? Join us for The Pathway to Membership, a class exploring Unitarian Universalism, the history and mission of this congregation, and the experience of membership. Participants are invited to share and reflect on their own spiritual journeys and values. We ask that all those who wish to become members take this class. We'd love to welcome you as a new member!
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Daytime Connections: "Beyond Politics... What Holds Us Together?"
Thursday, Oct. 20, 11 a.m.
Join us to hear a panel of church millennials and elders share their perspectives, challenges, and hopes for the future as we confront this "raging river of change" that has engulfed us during this electoral season. Rev. Ashley Horan will facilitate the discussion.
Program begins at 11 a.m., followed by lunch at 1 p.m. A $5 donation is encouraged.
Registration is requested for lunch planning: contact Sandy DiNanni at sandy@firstuniv.org or 612-825-1701.
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"Mirrors of Privilege" Film Showing & Discussion (part 2)
Thursday, Oct. 20, 7-8:30 p.m.
This groundbreaking film features stories from white men and women on overcoming unconscious racism and entitlement. Join us for a viewing of the film followed by a discussion facilitated by Susan Schultz and Susan Hoffman.
This is the second part of a drop-in, two-part showing. Another opportunity to view and discuss the film will be offered on Monday, Nov. 14 and Tuesday, Nov. 22.
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"A Good Time for the Truth: Race in Minnesota" Book Discussion
Thursday, Oct. 20, 7-8:30 p.m.
In this provocative book, sixteen of Minnesota's best writers provide a range of perspectives on what it is like to live as a person of color in Minnesota. They give readers the gift of touching another human being's inner reality, behind masks and politeness. In preparation, please read pages 81-155. (An opportunity to discuss the final portion of the book will be offered on Nov. 3.) RSVPs are appreciated to Sandy at sandy@firstuniv.org, but drop-ins are welcome! Learn more.
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Young Families Halloween Party
Saturday, Oct. 29, 9-11 a.m.
Come celebrate Halloween and autumn with the littlest members of our church community. All families with children up through 1st grade are invited to attend. Older siblings are welcome, too. We will play together, do Halloween crafts, and march in a Halloween costume parade. Enjoy crispy apples, bagels, buttery popcorn and hot cider. This is a wonderful way to connect with other families with young children, while kids make memories and deepen their ties to their church community. Don't miss it!
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New Parking Lot is Nearly Complete!
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 Earlier this year, First Universalist Church was awarded a $50,000 grant from the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization to make environmentally sustainable improvements to our parking lot in addition to an already-planned resurfacing project.
We are excited to announce that the project is nearly complete and the parking lot is usable again! The new parking lot is not only an improvement to the safety and beauty of our church grounds, it is also helping us to be good stewards of our local environment. Our new rain gardens, trees and drains will capture the majority of water runoff when it rains and will filter out pollutants to keep them from ending up in the Mississippi River. Check the Liberal in the coming weeks and keep an eye out for interpretive signs in the parking lot to learn more about the stormwater management that we have installed.
We'd also like to remind you that while you can park in our lot again on Sundays, if you are able, please park on the street and walk. This leaves our parking lot open for people with lower mobility and helps ensure that everyone has access to join our community.
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| A Successful End to the 2015-2016 Budget Year |
By Rev. Jen Crow, Executive Minister
I'm happy to report that 2015-16 was a successful budget year. Thanks to your timeliness and generosity in paying your pledges, and to our staff for keeping expenses down, we ended the year with a surplus of $640 after paying both the mortgage principal and the line of credit principal out of our operating budget. For those of you who follow our financial status and health closely, you know that this is a big moment. We are excited that our new financial systems and staffing pattern are working, and to be in such a strong financial position. To learn more about the details, you can check out the
End of Year Budget Narrative provided to the Board of Trustees.
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| Meet Artist Chanti Tacoronte-Perez this Sunday |
 This Sunday, Oct. 16, is your last chance to see "Meditative Art: Yantras," featuring the work of artist Chanti Tacoronte-Perez.
You can also meet the artist this Sunday! Chanti will be in the Social Hall after both services to talk about her work. She'll also have additional pieces with her, including labyrinths.
The word yantra in Sanskrit means tool, machine or instrument. Yantras are usually geometric diagrams, made of a small dot (bindu) surrounded by circles, triangles, and squares, each having symbolic meaning. These shapes come together to form the pattern of the divine.
Chanti's passion is to inspire students to rediscover their creative self through personal inquiry, ritual, sangha and sadhana. She has been studying and teaching yoga in the Sri Viddya linage since 2005. Chanti believes that creativity is one of the most essential tools in guiding students towards living a joyous and purposeful life.
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| Help Shape the Future of First Universalist Church! |
This month, we're holding more than a dozen Focus Groups, laying out some of the urgent needs we face as a church, and sharing a vision for how we might address those needs. You may recall that at our Annual Meeting in June, we spoke about a comprehensive stewardship campaign as a way to move forward, address some of these needs, and truly make 3400 Dupont our home. The Board of Trustees and the Senior Ministry Team agree: now is the time to dream about how we can best achieve the future that our Strategic Plan calls us into!
In these 45 minute long Focus Groups, we hope to hear from every person in this congregation. We want you, grounded in a shared love of our faith community, to help us create the strongest vision possible for our church as we seek to address these urgent needs. This is our future we are crafting and we can't do this without you.
No sign up is necessary, and attending more than one focus group is encouraged! Childcare is available at most focus groups, and must be requested at least seven days in advance by filling out this form.
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Greetings to all the knitters and crocheters at First Universalist Church! It's time to get out your knitting needles/crochet hooks and yarn and start making hats. Eight years ago a small group started making hats to be distributed to Simpson Shelter as a holiday gift. The project has continued to grow and about 20 agencies received donations from this project last year. Starting in mid-October there will be a donation basket placed near the elevator. If for some reason you don't see it...give your donation to Sandy at The Hub. For more detailed information about the project, visit: www.hats4thehomeless.blogspot.com.
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Cycle of Life and Pastoral Care
A memorial service for Mary Djerf will be held at church on Saturday, Oct. 22 at 2 p.m.
Let Us Keep You in Our Thoughts and Prayers
If you are experiencing a crisis or transition, or celebrating a joy, please let us know. To be included in our Cycle of Life each Sunday in worship, contact Sandy DiNanni at
sandy@firstuniv.org or 612-825-1701. If you would like support, call the office at 612-825-1701 or contact any member of our
Pastoral Care Team.
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Child Dedication is Nov. 6
The next Child Dedication will take place on Sunday, Nov. 6 at both services. During the Child Dedication ritual, the congregation pledges itself to partner with and support parents and families in the religious upbringing of the child.
Infants and children of members and those on the path to membership at First Universalist may be dedicated. If your family would like to participate, please sign up by filling out and submitting the
Child Dedication Form
. Forms are due by Sunday, Oct. 30.
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Donations for Augsburg Fairview Academy Hope Food & Clothing Closets
First Universalist is beginning our fifth year of partnership with
Augsburg Fairview Academy
(AFA). Young adults from diverse communities who face educational barriers to achievement in traditional schools are welcomed into AFA, a charter school that prepares them for college, career and life. The Hope Food and Clothing Closets were developed by AFA students in a class on leadership and organization development; they chose this project to meet their needs and to provide hope. First Universalist is the primary contributor. A list of items needed can be found on our website.
Thank you for your generosity!
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Congregational Care: Chore Team
Do you need help with simple household tasks, such as removing an air conditioner, changing lightbulbs, or window washing? These are chores that most of us do easily until we can't. Chore Team helpers are also needed! Contact Bob Friedman at rmarcf@usfamily.net or 612-722-4705 if you need help, or if you'd like to join the chore team.
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Planned Giving & the Heritage Circle
Please let us know
when you designate First Universalist Church as a beneficiary in your will or estate plan so we can thank you for your generous commitment and welcome you to the Heritage Circle. The church office and the Planned Giving Committee can help you. Learn more about Planned Giving on our website.
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2016 UU Convocation and Bus Tour
October 27-30, 2016 in the Twin Cities
There is still an opportunity to register for the UU Convo (10/27-30) and bus tour of Twin Cities UU sites (10/27). This is part of the "Beyond Boundaries: Controversies, Frontiers, and Growth in Unitarian Universalism" UU Convocation being held in the Twin Cities. Registration and costs:
uuconvo.org
Sponsored by the UUHHS and UU Collegium. For more information, contact Carol Jackson at
952-829-0287 or
jacks096@tc.umn.edu.
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| RESOURCES & CONTACT INFORMATION |
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Join Our Mailing List
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Church Office Hours
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Sundays
8 a.m.-1 p.m.
Monday-Thursday
8:30 a.m.-8 p.m.
Closed Fridays and Saturdays
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The Weekly Liberal? Please fill out our
online submission form. Edits for length and/or content may occur.
The Weekly Liberal is compiled and edited by Communications Manager Jenn Stromberg. Past issues, publication deadlines, and policies can be found on our
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Contact Us
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First Universalist Church of Minneapolis
3400 Dupont Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55408
612-825-1701
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First Universalist Church of Minneapolis
3400 Dupont Avenue S.
Minneapolis, MN 55408
612-825-1701
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