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October 12, 2017 | Vol. 4 No. 41
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| Not for Ourselves Alone: Building an Inclusive Future |
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Sofi Ali and Dan Berg, co-chairs of our Capital Campaign Steering Committee |
Join us this Sunday, Oct. 15, as we wrap up our Capital Campaign!
Volunteers have connected with hundreds of members over the last year and we have millions of dollars pledged thus far.
These numbers are impressive, no doubt, but the real story is in the connections that have been made, the ideas that have been brought forth, the feeling that we are all part of something greater than ourselves.
Our campaign slogan challenges us as a faith community to think beyond our own needs. How can our building continue to be a place where those working for justice can meet? How do we offer shelter and assistance to people in transition? Having flexible spaces to gather will offer new opportunities to partner with allied organizations. There will be changes that enhance the worship experience, improve accessibility, provide more Religious Education spaces, and help us use our building in more efficient and creative ways.
So please join us on Sunday; it is going to be a celebration! Minister Emerita Rev. Kate Tucker is preaching, Ann Reed and Give Get Sistet will lead us in song, and there will be special treats from Breaking Bread Café and Ten Thousand Cakes after the services. We will announce our pledges to date, and pass the baton to those who will lead the exciting next phase, truly
building our inclusive future.
By the way, it's not too late to make your pledge! The total announced on Sunday will grow with new gifts this week and in the months ahead. So please bring any stray pledge cards on Sunday!
We're looking forward to the next phase of the project. There will be congregational meetings with the architects, planning discussions, and frequent progress reports in the months ahead.
THANK YOU! Your wonderful generosity has made this future possible. We can't wait to see our shared dreams become a reality over the next few years. Together, within and beyond our walls, we will give, receive and grow.
Sofia Ali and Dan Berg
Capital Campaign Co-Chairs
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| SUNDAY WORSHIP AT FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH |
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| Minister Emerita Rev. Kate Tucker |
Worship this Sunday
Sunday, Oct. 15, 9:30 & 11:15
a.m.
Rev. Kate Tucker
This Sunday, we honor our congregation's milestones, celebrate our liberal tradition, and reflect on the what and the why of our collective commitment. Minister Emerita Rev. Kate Tucker will be preaching, and we'll welcome musical guests Ann Reed and Give Get Sistet as we celebrate the successful wrap-up of our capital campaign, Not For Ourselves Alone: Building an Inclusive Future.
Join us for worship this Sunday, Oct. 15 at 9:30 or 11:15 a.m.!
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Sunday, Oct. 22, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Youth-friendly Worship
Rev. Jen Crow
Sunday, Oct. 29, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Challenging White Supremacy Teach-In
Recent Sermon Podcasts
October 8, 2017
"I'm That, Too"
Rev. Jen Crow
Listen to the podcast
October 1, 2017
"This Is Us"
Rev. Ruth MacKenzie
September 24, 2017
"Stories of Intention"
Worship Associates
September 17, 2017
"Strategic Intentions"
Rev. Jen Crow
Listen to the podcast
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Capital Campaign Wrap-Up Celebration
Sunday, Oct. 15, after services
Don't miss celebrating with us as we wrap up our capital campaign, Not for Ourselves Alone: Building an Inclusive Future this Sunday, Oct. 15! Minister Emerita Rev. Kate Tucker will preach in worship, and we'll enjoy music by special guests Ann Reed and Give Get Sistet. Please join us for a special reception in the social hall after both services.
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Let's Talk About White Fragility
Sunday, Oct. 15, 1-2:30 p.m.
or Wednesday, Nov. 1, 7-8:30 p.m.
When white people experience racial stress, we often withdraw, defend, cry, argue, minimize, ignore, and in other ways push back: a response known as white fragility. This limits our capacity to bridge cross-racial divides and harms people of color. Join us for a conversation about "White Fragility," an essay by Dr. Robin DiAngelo. Please read the essay in advance; you can read it here.
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Daytime Connections:
The Journey of the Hero & Heroine
Thursday, Oct. 19, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
How does your life story fit into the larger, mythic story of human experience? Join us in learning about the challenging, often dark journey of the mythical hero and heroine and reflecting and sharing about the parallels and "fit" in your own life. As awareness and insight deepen, you may be surprised by a sense of relief or even awe. Our presenter is The Rev. Barbara Kellett, Spiritual Director and First Universalist member who's had an abiding interest in this classic tale and powerful roadmap through difficult life phases. To register, contact Sandy at 612-825-1701 or sandy@firstuniv.org. Lunch follows the program ($5-10 donation requested).
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Peace Panel II: Climate Change as an Avenue for Finding Common Ground with Others
Sunday, Oct. 22, 12:45 p.m.
While Forum I dealt with opportunities for collaboration among nations, Forum II will address how climate change might inspire individuals to work together across differences in race, religion, culture, and belief and unite in the face of adversity. We may all find ourselves adopting new patterns of behavior, including the willingness to relinquish privilege and advantage, as we jointly strive to restore stability to our climate. Panelists are:
Mindy Ahler
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LeMoine LaPointe,
Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer
, and
Chante Wolf.
More information.
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Seniors Hike with Daytime Connections
Thursday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m.
Join other First U seniors for a hike in
Crosby Farm Regional Park! The group will m
eet at the park shelter just past Watergate Marina (see
map) at 10 a.m.
The hike route will take us along the north bank of the Mississippi River and a floodplain lake called Crosby Lake. The group will hike about two hours; there are cutoffs that will allow for shorter hikes, if preferred.
Following the hike, we will gather at the
Highland Grill
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RSVP to Tom Saterstrom (
saterstromtom@yahoo.com
or cell: 952-239-3629). Complete details.
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13th: A Documentary Screening in Two Parts
Sundays, Oct. 29 & Nov. 5, 1-3 p.m.
What does the passage of the 13th Amendment in 1865 have to do with today? Everything. The powerful documentary "13th" analyzes the criminalization of African Americans, the U.S. prison boom, and their relationship to the abolishment of slavery via the 13th Amendment. Join us for a two-part screening and conversation in community.
Sundays, Oct. 29 & Nov. 5, 1-3 p.m. in the Cummins Room:
Led by Jeff Sylvestre and Margaret Manderfeld.
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| New Hearing Assistance System in Sanctuary |
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24 portable wireless Hearing Assist packs now available for use in worship! |
We are pleased to announce our first purchase made with capital campaign funds; a brand new hearing assist system! These devices are designed to be fully integrated with our sound system to serve those who struggle with hearing while attending services and/or events in the sanctuary. To meet ADA compliance we now have 24 easy-to-use, rechargeable, wireless packs. Simply attach the ear piece on either ear lobe and turn the top dial until a green light turns on. From there, you can decide how much sound you would like coming from the device by turning the same slider dial.
In addition to the 24 packs, eight neck loops are also available which are compatible with T-coil technology in most modern hearing aids. This technology works similarly but instead operates by placing around your neck and connecting to the wireless device. Whether you have a hearing aid or not we've got your hearing needs covered!
The devices are available on a first come, first served basis in the narthex on either side of the stairs. If you need assistance finding them, you may ask an usher or Rob, our staff sound person. Please be sure to return the packs to the charging stations with the green lights turned off on the wireless packs. An usher will clean each ear piece before the beginning of each service and/or event. We are extremely excited about this new purchase and hope it will enhance the worship experience for those who use them.
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Commitment to Peace Ceremony
to Rededicate Peace Site |
The First Universalist Peace Site and garden will be rededicated in a Commitment to Peace Ceremony Sunday Oct. 22 at 10:45 a.m. between the two church services.
Please join our 15 minute ceremony in the garden by the Dupont middle doors, where the church choir will open the activity with a song. The event will include guest speakers, music, a responsive reading and the addition of four languages - Somali, Hmong, Arabic and Hindi - to the existing Peace Pole. Each language declares "May Peace Prevail on Earth."
The ceremony will celebrate and remember the legacy of church elders Lynn and Donna Elling, who founded World Citizen, Inc in 1982 and introduced the Peace Site Program to the United States.
First Universalist was designated as one of the world's early Peace Sites in 1988.
This event is sponsored by the First Universalist Peace Circle, which has defined Peace as the embodiment of Universal Love that calls us to cooperate, reconcile and work in harmony to promote the common good.
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| Child Dedication Sign Ups Now Open for Nov. 5 |
During the Child Dedication ritual, the congregation pledges itself to partner with and support parents and families in the religious upbringing of the child. Child Dedications take place during
Sunday
worship services twice a year. During the 2017-2018 church year, Child Dedication Rituals will be held on Sundays,
November 5
and
May 13
at both services. Infants and children of members and those on the path to membership at First Universalist Church may be dedicated. Learn more and
sign up online here
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| Racial Justice and Our UU Faith Workshops |
By Lark Weller and Brian Eshult
Have you wondered what First Universalist's racial justice work is about? Have you felt some sort of resistance to these conversations stirring in yourself? If so - perhaps
especially
if you are feeling resistant to engage - please join us as we build the just community our UU faith calls on us to make real.
"Racial Justice and our UU Faith" workshops are one way we put our commitment to anti-racism work into action together. These participatory workshops invite congregants to create a learning space together - with curiosity, compassion for ourselves and each other, and humility. Recognizing we have all been miseducated about race, we discuss the history and social creation of race in the USA, the power dynamics behind racism and privilege, and explore whiteness - all grounded in the fact that our Unitarian Universalist principles call on us to confront and redirect the trajectory of these histories directly.
As facilitators of these workshops, we have seen the power in creating a space for us to process and feel the impacts of white supremacy culture in a compassionate way - connected to others in community. We also know that creating a common foundation and language for our congregation's anti-racism work helps us build meaningful change more effectively.
We hope you will join us. We are each an essential part of this journey toward justice.
Upcoming Workshops this Fall:
Saturdays, Oct. 28 & Nov. 4, 9-11:30 a.m., led by Brian Eshult & Lark Weller
Sundays, Nov. 5 & 12, 12:30-3 p.m., led by Susan Schultz & Pam Berry
Saturdays, Dec. 2 & 9, 9-11:30 a.m., led by Channing McKinley, Jeff Sylvestre & Emma Paskewitz
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| Art for Action: Sanctuary and Resistance |
Children, adults, members and friends of all ages are welcome to make prayer bead bracelets with members of our Sanctuary and Resistance team on Saturday, Oct. 21 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Cummins Room.
RSVP for the event.
You can make a difference in the lives of families and children who have been impacted by our broken immigration system! Come help us create prayer bead bracelets to sell to raise money to support people harmed by our policies and deportation practices.
If you were at the August 27th service, you heard Celia's story, whose husband, Johny, was hired to remodel the home of a First Universalist congregant. He was approached by police for no reason, who then turned him over to (ICE) Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Their two young children were separated from their parents while Celia spent her time working extra hours and meeting with lawyers to get Johny out of detention. Their debts mounted to over $6,000, their family suffered in many heartbreaking ways and, after three months, Johny was deported to El Salvador. Now Celia is alone trying to care for her children. Your generous contributions gave them some help and hope and let them know they are not alone.
We know that raising money is not enough - we have to work on changing policies and electing people who believe in treating immigrants humanely - but it's something needed urgently in these difficult times. Tragedies like this are happening right now with other families in our community.
We are starting a fund to help the many families and individuals impacted by our country's harmful immigration and detention policies and practices. We'll be making beautiful Sanctuary and Resistance t-shirts, hoodies, lawn signs and other products to sell to raise money for the resistance fund in the coming months.
Join us on
Saturday, Oct. 21
to create together in community and share your ideas for supporting immigrant families!
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| Bidding a Fond Farewell to Jerrod Wendland |
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Dr. Jerrod Wendland has blessed us with his musicianship these past two and a half years. |
For the past two and a half years, Jerrod Wendland has blessed this congregation with his musicianship, his masterful performances, and his research, bringing to life all kinds of music from different contexts and cultures. Jerrod has truly opened doors in our hearts and minds through music. He has been a beloved worship leader and collaborator.
So it is with sadness that we bid Jerrod goodbye at the end of November. Jerrod and his beloved wife, Emily, have decided to move back to her home in Portland, ME, to care for family, and to return to the land and the craggy shorelines that they both love so dearly.
Jerrod's last Sunday will be November 26th, and we will honor him on that day during the service. Jerrod asks that you write him a letter or an email expressing your good goodbyes and gratitude.
Over the course of the next few months the worship team will work on filling the position of pianist starting at the beginning of December. Many things are in play and we will keep you abreast of our progress.
Dearest Jerrod, it is hard to see you go. You have been so important to us and our worship life. We will miss you, and we wish you blessing in your new home and your new ventures.
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| New Art Exhibit in the Social Hall |
A new exhibit featuring work by two artists is now on view in the social hall, through Nov. 26:
Textile Landscapes by Linda Johaneson and Figures of Imagination by Brenna Busse.
At first glance, Linda Johaneson's "Textile Landscapes" appear to be paintings. However, her artworks
are actually created with fabrics and fibers; she felts, fuses, and stitches wool, silk, cotton and synthetic fibers into
beautiful landscapes - from Minnesota lake country, to the plains and mountains of Montana.
In Brenna Busse's "Figures of Imagination," the artist explores the complexity and meaning of our human-ness. Her figures are mostly clay, accented with colorful acrylic paint, with sticks for limbs. The figures celebrate our connection to nature - to our
being nature.
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Ushers are needed for the 9:30 a.m. service on First and Fourth Sundays and the 11:15 a.m. service on First and Third Sundays. Ushering is a great way to meet others and help provide a welcoming Sunday morning experience once a month. If you're not free to make a monthly commitment, consider joining the team as a substitute usher. We can always use your help. If you'd like to know more or to volunteer, contact Karen Larson at karentischlerlarson@gmail.com.
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Environmental Justice Team Gathering to Honor Joy Throm
Saturday, Oct. 29, 2-5 p.m. in the Social Hall at church
The Environmental Justice Team is hosting a celebration for First U member Joy Throm on Sunday, Oct. 29 from 2 to 5 p.m. in the social hall. After decades of service to the church, the environment, and the arts, congregants and friends of
Joy will gather to w
ish her the best on her upcoming travel adventures! The hosts ask that you b
ring a light appetizer (finger foods) and/or beverage to share and c
onsider staying after the gathering to help with clean-up.
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Cycle of Life and Pastoral Care
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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 Visitors Team.
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Congregational Care: Caring Corner
Write a note to a congregant who could use support! There are cards available in the library, which is located off of the Social Hall. You are welcome to stop by and write a card at any time. Just leave it in the basket and the church will mail it for you. Learn more about congregational care on our website.
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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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Learn About Vail Place Over Breakfast
Thursday, Oct. 19, 8 a.m., Metropolitan Ballroom in Golden Valley
We had a wonderful service focused on mental illness/health, on October 1st. We heard a "collage of voices" and also learned about a neighborhood mental health resource called Vail Place. After participating in the "Collage of Voices," Martha Bird and Keith Washington, members of First Universalist and Vail Place, would like to invite you to a performance drawn from the real life stories of other Vail Place members, both before and after their recovery. "Recovery Superheroes - The Battle Continues" integrates the success and accomplishments of Vail Place members into an educational, funny and inspirational hour of entertainment. Held at the Metropolitan Ballroom in Golden Valley. From the "Collage of Voices" Keith, Martha and Chad will be at the breakfast. Register
here. Contact Martha with questions at
mbirdthatflies@gmail.com.
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UP CLOSE: Mental Health Artability Art Show & Sale
October 26-28, The Great Hall in St. Paul
People Incorporated's Artability program is an annual celebration of the creativity and contributions of people with mental illnesses to our community.
More than 100 artists from the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota participate. Artability is vital to the work of People Incorporated in helping individuals living with mental illnesses to work toward achieving their goals related to living independent and enriched lives. The show is a source of inspiration and pride for the area's mental health community, and encourages artists to explore their interests, share their love of art, and gain confidence in their skills. More information.
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House Concert with Patsy O'Brien and Dick Hensold
Saturday, Nov. 5 at 2 p.m. in St. Paul
You are invited to a house concert with Patsy O'Brien & Dick Hensold on Saint Paul's West Side on Sunday, Nov. 5th at 2 p.m. (doors open at 1:30 p.m.). Dick Hensold is the director of the First Universalist Folk Band. Patsy O'Brien, from County Cork, is a fine traditional singer of both Irish and Scottish songs, and a superb guitarist for traditional music, but with an eclectic technique that allows forays into many different styles. He is also an awarded songwriter. You can get more information, performer biographies, and reserve tickets here. The concert hosts are taking reservations via their online ticketing system, and seats are limited, so be sure to reserve early! More details about the concert and location will be sent to those who have made reservations. The suggested donation is $20 at the door.
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Quaker Songwriter/Activist Carrie Newcomer to Perform Concert
Saturday, Nov. 11 at Hamline Church United Methodist in St. Paul
Carrie Newcomer will be performing a very special concert at Hamline Church United Methodist in St. Paul, MN on Saturday, Nov. 11 at 7 p.m.
Carrie is a singer-songwriter and social justice advocate who weaves her progressive spirituality into her lyrics and music. Barbara Kingsolver wrote, "Carrie Newcomer is much more than a musician. She's a poet, storyteller, snake-charmer, good neighbor, friend and lover, minister of the wide-eyed gospel of hope and grace."
For more information about Carrie Newcomer, visit:
www.carrienewcomer.com
. Get info about the concert and purchase tickets 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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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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