First Universalist Church of Minneapolis
Weekly Family eNews

This is a Sharing Sunday!
On the first Sunday of each month, children ages 4 years through 5th grade sign in at their classrooms, then attend the first 15-20 minutes of worship with their families before being excused to their Religious Education classes. If your child is new to church, please exit the sanctuary with them and ensure they get connected up with their teacher, just outside the sanctuary doors; they will walk to their room as a class.

Special Note to 2nd-5th grade families: 
We've prepared a special song in Children's Chapel these past two weeks. Please remind your "Chalice Singer" that we'll have a chance to sing Keep Your Eyes Wide Open with our song leader, Beth Kinderman, in church this Sunday!

Worship this Sunday
October 2, 9:30 and 11:15am 

One Bed, Please
Rev. Ruth MacKenzie, Minister of Worship & Coming of Age

What does a whole story sound like? Is it even possible? Is there a way to claim a more complex and generative narrative about ourselves, about our families, about our community that will foster health? Stories of health are stories of wholeness. How do we tell more? What role can church play in whole story telling?

Learn more about the upcoming service online. 
Missed a Sunday? Find the podcast online.

  • Want more information about what's happening in Religious Education classes this Sunday?
  • Need to learn more about volunteering in Religious Education?
  • Want to know about overnight events coming up for 8th-12th graders?
All your questions are answered in this edition of the weekly Family Enews. Read on!

What's up in RE this Sunday?

Preschool, Chalice Children
We learn about our church and play a First Universalist Memory Match game.
PreK, Spirit Stories
We hear the story, The Flaming Chalice, and make felt chalices to take home.
Kindergarten, Rainbow Path
We hear the story of The Rainbow Crow who helped his community with an act of selfless bravery.
1st grade, Love Surrounds Us 
We talk about the importance of forgiveness in relationships with people we love.
2nd grade, Moral Tales
We make prayer bead necklaces and learn a simple prayer practice.
3rd grade, Love Will Guide Us
We consider what Jesus' example might teach us about creating a class covenant based on love for all people.
4th grade, Toolbox of Faith
We learn that UUs value integrity, and play a game that demonstrates how an internal compass might guide us.
5th grade, Love Conencts Us
We learn about how our UU heritage of love connects us with everyone in our congregation, across generations.
6th grade, Taking Our Places
We prepare for our hospitality project by practicing conversing, then talk with people in the Social Hall after the service -- please plan to stay 15-20 minutes after class if you can!
7th grade, Neighboring Faiths
We have an Extended Sunday, with both classes meeting in the Cummins Room from 9:30am-12:15pm. We'll learn about being good guests, and will welcome an interfaith young adult panel. Email Emily@firstuniv.org if you can bring a snack for the reception.
8th grade, Our Whole Lives (OWL)
We explore markers of unhealthy relationships.
9th grade, Coming of Age
We talk with a panel of Coming of Age grads.
10th-12th grade, Senior High Youth Group
We will be at church for our Fall Retreat on Saturday night, and will close by attending the first church service Sunday morning. RSVPs due by midnight Friday; see email from Emma for link to sign up.



Attention valued 

Religious Education 
Classroom Volunteers!

There are holes in many class' volunteer sign ups!
If you are a Classroom Volunteer, you should have been in the classroom on a September Sunday  already, or be signed up for this Sunday or next. 
Relgious Education just can't happen without all of us sharing the work and the joy of "doing church" with our kids. 

Are you unsure of what you'll be doing, how to sign up, or how to get on board? Never fear! You can find lots of information, links to session plans, and a place to sign up for your Sundays on the Volunteer Resources page of our website. The password to view session plans is "peace."
8th-12th grade 
Youth Overnights

Saturday, October 1, 5pm-10:30am
Senior Hight Fall Retreat, 10th-12th grade - overnight at church. Sign up at the link Emma@firstuniv.org emailed by Friday midnight.
Friday-Sunday, October 7-9
Coming of Age Fall Retreat, 9th grade - at Camp Friendship. All the info you need at 1stUCOA.weebly.com.
Saturday-Sunday, October 8-9
Night OWLs Retreat, 8th grade - overnight at church with OWL lessons, worship, fun and friends. Sign up at the link Andrea@firstuniv.org emailed to families.

Sustenance for the Parenting Journey

Parenting is an intense emotional and spiritual journey that shapes us on a soul level. We need not undertake it alone. Community Circles offer an opportunity to rediscover your center and tend to your spirit in a supportive community of other parents.  This fall, we offer  Community Circles  tha t are specifically for:

* Fathers

* Mothers of Small Children

* Parents of Kids in Middle School or High School

 

We also offer a monthly  Soul Matters group for parents that meets monthly.

Learn more about all our offerings at  http://firstucircles.weebly.com/

Registration runs through  this Sunday. Circles are filled on a first come, first served basis and group sizes are limited.  Please contact Rev. Elaine Aron Tenbrink with any questions at  Elaine@firstuniv.org  or  612-825-1701 x124.


2016-2017 Religious Education Registration Open
Children, youth and families are at the heart of the ministry of First Universalist, and our Religious Education program for children and youth is one of the largest among bricks and mortar UU churches worldwide. We continue to align Religious Education with the values and mission of the larger church so that children and youth are actively engaged in a spiritual journey with the whole congregation. E ach class offers a variety of activities  on Sunday  mornings, including stories, singing, sharing joys and concerns, spiritual practices such as prayer and meditation, games, crafts and hands-on projects.

for the 2016-2017 church year. Read through the class descriptions for each age/grade level and find the registration form on our Religious Education website. Please keep in mind that some classes are now full, and bring a spirit of flexibility. We will find a spot for every family at one of the two service times. The safety of our kids, the capacity of our volunteer staff, and the quality of the church experience for everyone informs our enrollment policies. 
for Religious Education and learn more about our Sunday morning programs for children and youth
First Universalist Church of Minneapolis
Lauren Wyeth, Director of Children, Youth & Family Ministries
3400 Dupont Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55407
(612) 825-1701 x111