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October 27, 2016 | Vol. 3 No. 43
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Interfaith Partners for Peace
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Rev. Justin Schroeder |
Over the past 5 years, I have built a strong collegial relationship and friendship with Rabbi Michael Latz of Shir Tikvah Synagogue. (As many of you know, Shir Tikvah is the former home of First Universalist; at our current location, at 3400 Dupont, we host Shir Tikvah every year for their High Holy Days). Our two faith communities share a unique and special bond and relationship.
Earlier this spring, Rabbi Latz invited me to join him as a participant in an
"Interfaith Partners for Peace"
trip to Israel and Palestine, from October 30 to November 8, 2016.
Interfaith Partners for Peace pairs rabbis and non-Jewish clergy from across the country; these partners are committed to peace and reconciliation and to two thriving states for Israelis and Palestinians, and are interested in true interfaith dialogue without tearing down the narratives of either group.
Without hesitation, I said "yes" to Rabbi Latz' invitation, and I'm very much looking forward to this experience! Though our days are quite full, I'll do my best to share photos and brief reflections via First Universalist's Facebook page. I hope you'll follow along.
Wishing you every blessing,
Justin
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| SUNDAY WORSHIP AT FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH |
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Sunday, Oct. 30, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
"Memory, Amnesia, and Hope"
Rev. Elaine Aron Tenbrink
"Memory produces hope in the same way that amnesia produces despair," says the theologian Walter Brueggeman. When we find ourselves at a crossroads -- in our personal world, as a greater society -- how can memory help us nurture an authentic hope? What tempts us into the too-much-remembering of nostalgia? The too-little-remembering of amnesia? Join us for an exploration of the deep roots of hope that we can all access through individual and collective remembering.
Music: First Universalist Choir
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Sunday, Nov. 6, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Sharing Sunday, Child Dedication
"
Transforming or Transmitting Pain"
Rev. Ruth MacKenzie
Recent Sermon Podcasts
October 23, 2016
"Stories We Don't Want to Tell"
Rev. Justin Schroeder
October 16, 2016
"The Reasonableness of Hope"
Rev. Jen Crow
October 9, 2016
"The Story of Place"
Rev. Justin Schroeder
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Final Capital Campaign Focus Groups This Weekend
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All First Universalist members and friends are invited and strongly encouraged to attend one of the remaining 45-minute Focus Groups:
Saturday, Oct. 29, 11 a.m. Cummins Room
Sunday, Oct. 30, 10:45 a.m. Arches Room
Sunday, Oct. 30, 12:30 p.m. Sanctuary
In the Capital Campaign Focus Groups, which nearly 200 members and friends have now attended, we're laying out some of the urgent needs we face as a church, and sharing a vision for how we might address those needs.
Each Focus Group includes a 20-minute presentation, followed by an opportunity for you to ask questions and share your ideas.
No advance sign up is necessary - please join us and let your voice be heard!
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Young Families Halloween Party
Saturday, Oct. 29, 9-11 a.m., Social Hall
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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"A Good Time for the Truth: Race in Minnesota" Book Discussion
Thursday, Nov. 3, 7-8:30 p.m., Cummins Rm.
This program, originally scheduled for Oct. 20, has been rescheduled for Nov. 3.
Please join us at one or both of the next two book discussion sessions (Nov. 3 and Dec. 1) which are a drop-in format and don't require attendance at a previous session. This book is a terrific read with its sixteen essays by accomplished writers about their experiences as people of color living in Minnesota. It's highly readable, a poignant and sometimes painful insight into their perspective on Minnesota Nice and just how cold Minnesota can be. It is available online, at most book stores, and the Minnesota History Center.
For the discussion on Nov. 3, please prepare by reading essays 6 - 11 (pages 81-155).
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Barbara Harman Artist Talk:
"Still Working, a Journey"
Sunday, Nov. 6, 1-2 p.m., Cummins Room
Barbara Harman will give an artist talk about her series
Stitch by Stitch
, on exhibit in the Social Hall Oct. 23-Nov. 27. Barbara's talk (with props and treats) will focus on how art practice changes over the life of an artist, often including issues of aging and physical challenges but also the need to enliven the practice. Read more about the exhibit here.
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Racial Justice and Our UU Faith Workshop
Saturdays, Nov. 12 & 19, 9-11:30 a.m.
Cummins Room
Join us for a workshop exploring a framework and tools for understanding race, racism, and whiteness and the spiritual imperative that drives our racial justice work. This is a distilled experience of the 24-hour training offered by Dr. Heather Hackman.
This workshop will be led by Channing McKinley, Clemma Muller, and Bryana French, and is offered in two parts: Saturdays, Nov. 12 & 19, 9-11:30 a.m. To register, contact Sandy at
Sandy@firstuniv.org or 612-825-1701.
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This Sunday: Get to Know Our Faithful Action Partner Augsburg Fairview Academy
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First Universalist is beginning its 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 high school that prepares them for college, career, and life.
AFA is congruent with First Universalist's racial justice focus: of the 125 students, 90% are from racially diverse backgrounds, most are living in poverty, 60% are homeless or marginally housed, most do not have adequate adult support, and most experience a high number of developmental risk factors placing them at great risk for academic failure and poor developmental trajectories.
The focus of AFA staff and their methods is to mitigate these risks and provide instruction and support that will contribute to academic and life success. Staff are committed to equity and countering institutional and racial bias that too often permeate the lives of their students. About 20 - 25 students graduate each year and continue on to college or additional career training.
First Universalist is the primary contributor to the Hope Food and Clothing Closets, which were developed by AFA students in a class on leadership and organizational development. They chose this project to meet their needs and to provide hope. You can
see list of items needed here
. In addition, the Sunday plate contributions twice a year (this Sunday and in the spring) allow us to purchase additional food, toiletries, and basic clothing items. Thank you for your generosity!
On Sunday, you will hear Keisha's story of the difference AFA is making in her life, including how First Universalist has helped her. There are several volunteer opportunities for First Universalist members at AFA. You will learn more about these opportunities this Sunday. Come and visit us in the Social Hall!
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| Parking Lot Project Featured on MWMO Blog |
The Mississippi Watershed Management Organization, from which we received a generous grant to make possible the environmentally friendly improvements to our parking lot, featured our project on their blog this week. It includes a number of photos and good information about how the new features help protect our environment.
We are so grateful to the
Mississippi Watershed Management Organization
for their support!
Church's Values Shine Through in New Eco-Friendly Parking Lot Design
"For congregants at First Universalist Church of Minneapolis, being good stewards of the environment is part of their faith. So when the time came to rebuild the church's crumbling parking lot, they wanted more than just a makeover. They decided to create a sustainable, eco-friendly new landscape that would give something back to the community.
"'Environmental values are a strong part of our church,' said Bree Mattson, the church's operations manager. 'We want the values of the whole community to be reflected in everything we do.'
"Earlier this month, the church put the finishing touches on its new parking lot, which is ringed with a series of landscape features that capture and treat stormwater runoff. The pavement slopes toward a bioswale and five separate raingardens designed to absorb rainwater and snow-melt, filtering out pollutants that would otherwise drain to the Mississippi River. Beneath a group of newly planted shade trees, a series of
silva cells serve as underground raingardens, absorbing water, reducing soil compaction and providing ample room for the tree roots to grow."
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The Board of Trustees meets regularly on the third
Thursday
of each month. If we want to meet at another time, our bylaws require that we provide the congregation with notice. The BOT will meet
Sunday, Nov. 6
, at
12:30 p.m.
, in Room 203. The purpose of this additional meeting is to discuss Skip Schlafer's report on the Comprehensive Stewardship Campaign (CSC) focus groups.
- Christa Anders, Board Secretary
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| Lend Us A Hand Next Thursday! |
Lend-A-Hand is an opportunity to help care for our building and grounds as part of a volunteer team, meeting on first Thursdays, July through December 2016. In coordination with our facilities staff, this team undertakes various projects to keep our church clean, orderly and attractive.
Cleaning activities might include dusting, mopping, or vacuuming. Volunteers might help tidy the sanctuary, social hall, or other spaces, or help fix things: replace light bulbs, patch/paint walls, etc.
Lend-A-Hand will meet next on Thursday, Nov. 3.
Volunteers gather at 8:30 a.m. for bagels, juice and coffee and end their activities by noon. Each Lend-A-Hand activity has slots for 12 volunteers. If you would like to participate, please email Sandy at
sandy@firstuniv.org
to sign up. Thank you!
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 This past Sunday, our Environmental Justice team led
a rededication of our Peace Pole between services. We believe that climate change and world peace are inextricably linked and that justice in all forms - racial, economic, environmental - will be threatened by the destabilizing forces of climate change. We understand, as Black Lives Matter states, "No Justice, No Peace." To attain a peaceful world we must become protectors of our earth while we challenge the systemic forces that benefit from war and injustice. Thank you to all who joined us for this rededication in memory of Lynn Elling. Photos by Rick Gravrok.
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| First Universalist Trivia Challenge |
Is your head filled with facts, data, and other bits of information that most people would consider useless?
This is your opportunity to shine! There is still room to participate in the First Universalist
Trivia Challenge, hosted by Rev. Elaine and Jason Tenbrink. This was originally offered as a Great Gathering at last year's fundraiser; all proceeds go to the operating budget of First Universalist Church.
When and Where: Friday, Nov. 11, from 6:30 - 9 p.m. in the Chalice Room. Appetizers, registration, and socializing from 6:30 - 7 p.m. Game begins at 7 p.m.
Who and What: Teams of 6 players will compete, answering 4 rounds of 10 trivia questions. You and 5 other people can register as a team, or you can register as an individual and be assigned to a team at the event. Feel free to bring family and friends!
Requested Donation: $20 per ticket.
Please bring
light appetizer to share.
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| Sign Up for Child Dedication by this Sunday 10/30 |
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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Order Your Winter Wreaths and Garlands:
Proceeds Benefit Augsburg Fairview Academy |
Submitted by: Kris Hoffwomyn
Once again, we are selling beautiful wreaths, swags, garlands, and centerpieces for your winter celebrations. This year the proceeds will be donated to Augsburg Fairview Academy as part of their drive to fund equity in education. Their Go Fund Me goal is to raise $10 K. We will be taking orders for the next three Sundays, through Nov. 13, in the social hall between services. Kris is also able take orders via email.
Delivery will be to the church on Nov. 27 or Dec. 3. Checks are the preferred method of payment. Thanks in advance for your continued support of our fundraising goals. Kris, Lilly, and Kate hope to raise $600 for the teachers and students at AFA!
Contact Kris Hoffwomyn with questions:
hoffgal@gmail.com
or
612-719-4374.
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Greetings to all the knitters and crocheters at First Universalist! 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 last year.
There is a donation basket near the elevator where you can drop off your hat donations. If for some reason you don't see it, give your donation to Sandy at The Hub. For more information, visit: www.hats4thehomeless.blogspot.com.
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| Final Open Ritual of the Women's Ritual Circle |
Self-identified women who are interested in earth-based and pagan spirituality are welcome to attend the final open ritual - for this year - of the Under Northern Skies Women's Ritual Circle. The circle is open to newcomers on Sunday, Oct. 30 in the Cummins Room. For women who choose to join, there will be a commitment ritual on Monday, Nov. 14, after which the circle will close to new members until next fall. Ritual begins promptly at 7:30 p.m. Contact Beth at belovedporcupine@gmail.com for more information.
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Cycle of Life and Pastoral Care
We hold Justin Schroeder and Juliana Keen and their family in our prayers. Juliana's mother, who lives in North Carolina, has been diagnosed with kidney cancer.
Cards of care and support can be sent to the church, 3400 Dupont Ave S.
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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Congregational Care: Comfort Shawls
Do you like to knit? Contact Pat Foulkes, pfoulkes@hotmail.com, for directions for the comfort shawls that we distribute to congregants in times of need. Or perhaps you know somebody who is in need of a Comfort Shawl; contact Congregational Care co-chairs Kathy Urberg at kathyurberg@gmail.com or Kathy Coskran at 612-202-9322 or kac1122@aol.com.
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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 on our website.
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| RESOURCES & CONTACT INFORMATION |
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Join Our Mailing List
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here.
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here.
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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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Weekly Liberal Submissions
We encourage you to submit news!
Do you have an announcement that you'd like published in
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
website
.
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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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