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January 19, 2017 | Vol. 4 No. 3
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Rev. Justin Schroeder |
Every Sunday, in the Universalist Spirit of Love and Hope, we remind ourselves that we are a faith community dedicated to "welcoming, affirming, and protecting the light in each human heart, listening deeply to where love is calling us next, and, with humility, bravery, and compassion, acting for justice in the world. We do all of these things with a deep commitment to racial justice."
In the next few weeks, we have a number of opportunities to put our faith into action. These events will have a strong presence of First Universalist members and friends:
- On Saturday, Jan. 21, join us at the St. Paul College Parking Lot E at 10:30 a.m. for the Women's March at the Capitol. All are welcome, as we march in spirit with many loved ones who are marching in Washington, D.C. Look for our "We Believe that Black Lives Matter" banner.
- On Sunday, Jan. 22, from 1-4 p.m., our 1st-5th grade Religious Education volunteers and parents/guardians are invited to a training on delivering diversity and racial justice lessons to kids, presented by AMAZE. Learn more and register here.
- On Sunday, Jan. 22, from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., local faith leaders are hosting a workshop called, "Disrupting Hate: Tools of Resistance and Liberation," at Calvary Lutheran Church, 3901 Chicago Ave. S. A worship service follows at 5 p.m. I'll be participating in this service.
- On Saturday, Jan. 28, ISAIAH is hosting a "Prophetic Resistance" workshop from 1-4 p.m. at Shiloh Temple, 1201 West Broadway Ave. At this event, "We will call on our Governor, legislative and national representatives to resist with us and to declare Sanctuary, safety and healthy communities for all people in Minnesota." I will be at this event, and hope you will join me.
Whatever it is you do, I hope you will do something to raise your voice, to become more spiritually grounded, to meet this moment! Together, we can discover our power, build new relationships, and help create a community that works for all.
I'll see you in Church,
Justin
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| SUNDAY WORSHIP AT FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH |
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Sunday, Jan. 22, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
"Finding Our Way"
Rev. Elaine Aron Tenbrink
Two days after the inauguration, one day after the women's marches, we look to the terrain ahead. How will we find our way? What maps have our ancestors left for us? What will anchor us? One thing is for sure: we can't go it alone. Join us for worship this Sunday at 9:30 or 11:15 a.m.!
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Sunday, Jan. 29, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Rev. Justin Schroeder
Recent Sermon Podcasts
January 15, 2017
"A Living Sanctuary"
Rev. Justin Schroeder
January 8, 2017
Remembrance Sunday
Rev. Jen Crow
January 1, 2017
Singing Sunday
Rev. Elaine Aron Tenbrink
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| January Worship Theme: Cloud of Witnesses |
"Do you see what this means- surrounded by such a cloud of witnesses, such a community of ancestors that have paved the way, cheering us on? It means we better get on with it. Strip down. Throw off every burden. No extra spiritual fat, that keeps us from moving (Hebrews 12:1)." Ancestors bless and burden us with legacy. They tell us why we are here and why being here right now matters. In this month, we explore where we come from, whose are we, and where we find ourselves in the sacred arc of history.
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| Winter Warm Up Dance Party is this Saturday! |
Bowie! Prince! Beatles! Elvis! The Ronettes! .... Come dance!!!
Join us for our third annual Winter Warm-up Dance Party this Saturday, Jan. 21, from 7:30 - 10 p.m.! This is a live-music event perfect for dancing the night way. Beverages will be available for purchase; light snacks are included in the ticket price.
Come out and help warm-up the social hall at our first fundraiser of the year. Admission is $15 but no one will be turned away based on ability to pay, and if your budget allows it, consider paying more to support others. Tickets can be purchased in advance through Friday, and will also be available at the door.
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Senior Hike with Daytime Connections
Thursday, Jan. 26, 10 a.m.
Meet at: Longfellow Grill (map)
Join us on the next Senior Nature Hike for an opportunity to catch some great winter views of the Mississippi River canyon. We'll hike for approximately two hours along West and East River Parkways and over both the Marshall Avenue and Ford Avenue bridges. This will be more of an urban rather than our usual woodsy hike this month as we seek less icy conditions under foot.
For those
so inclined we will meet at the Longfellow Grill
for warmth, hydration, sustenance, and convivial conversation
after we hike. T
o participate, RSVP to Tom Saterstrom:
saterstromtom@yahoo.com or
952-239-3629.
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A Good Time for the Truth: 3 Minnesotans of Color Share Their Stories
Friday, Jan. 27, 6:45 p.m.
Despite Minnesota's reputation as a national leader in progressive policies, it has some of the worst racial disparities in the country.
Contributing authors of
"
A Good Time for the Truth: Race in Minnesota
" Taiyon J. Coleman, Bao Phi, and Rodrigo Sanchez-Chavarria will read from their personal essays and engage with audience members in a Q&A period. First Universalist member Lena K. Gardner is our host for the evening and will moderate the panel discussion.
This event is free and childcare is provided with a minimum of seven days' notice. Request childcare here. Find complete event details on our website.
Co-sponsored by White Bear Unitarian Universalist Church, First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis, MUUSJA, and the Kaleo Center.
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Pathway to Membership
Sundays, Jan. 29 & Feb. 5, 1-3 p.m.
If First Universalist is feeling like your spiritual home, then we hope you'll take part in the Pathway to Membership! This new member class is a great chance to build community, explore Unitarian Universalism and our church's history, and learn how to get involved. In the final session, participants are invited to officially join the congregation. Our next class is offered on Sundays, Jan. 29 and Feb. 5. Sign up with Sandy in the Social Hall or by emailing sandy@firstuniv.org.
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Making More of the Women's March on Washington: Debrief Meeting
Monday, Feb. 6, 7-9 p.m.
We strongly encourage UU marchers to attend the Post-March De-brief and Mobilization Meeting at First Universalist on Monday, Feb. 6 from 7 to 9 p.m. This meeting will help us extend our efforts beyond the march and challenge us to continue to lean into our racial justice work. The debrief will be hosted by Lena K. Gardner and Ashley Horan (Executive Director of MUUSJA).
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| Save the Date: Capital Campaign Kick Off Party! |
You're invited to celebrate the launch of First Universalist Church's capital campaign with a party for all ages! Please save the date - Saturday, March 11 from 5 to 11 p.m. - and plan to join us at Minneapolis Event Centers (212 2nd St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414) as we gather to celebrate all we've accomplished in the past and all that we envision for the future. This event is FREE and for everyone in our community. We want you with us! More details will be announced in the coming weeks.
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| Circles: Make Sure to Register by Tuesday 1/24! |
Have you signed up for a Circle yet?
This winter, we invite you to grow your soul and find your community within the larger community here at church by joining a circle. Whether you're ready to engage in a spiritual practice or deepen your racial justice work, there is something for you!
Circles are groups of 8-10 committed participants who come together with a trained leader to nurture spiritual growth in community. These groups are grounded in the spiritual practices of deep listening and open-hearted reflection.
Don't miss your chance to sign up! Registration is open through this Tuesday, Jan. 24 online at
firstucircles.weebly.com and on Sunday, Jan. 22 in the Social Hall.
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| Donations for AFA Hope Food & Clothing Closets |
Your generous Sunday offering for Augsburg Fairview Academy (AFA) supported the purchase of warm winter coats for AFA students which were distributed prior to the holiday break. Joan Patterson and Cathy Manning shopped thrift stores for good buys. Several of you also donated new coats - thank you!
Your continued food and clothing donations are essential to help supply the Hope Food and Clothing Closets. Here is what is most needed right now (school supplies are not needed):
- Donations for Hope Clothing Closet: Men's underwear (t-shirts and briefs) - size medium and large, men's socks, and warm weather clothing for men and women including scarves, hats, and gloves. Always desired: hoodies; jeans for men and women (all sizes). Clothing should be clean, teen appropriate and in good repair. Dark colors preferred.
- Donations for the Hope Food Closet: single serving microwavable soups, mac and cheese, stews, and snacks like fruit cups, granola bars, nuts or cracker and cheese packages. Ethnic hair products are particularly desired (go to the ethnic products aisles at Target, Walmart, CVS, etc. Brands include Jam and Edge Control). Other needed toiletries include lotions, chapstick, men's and women's deodorant, and condoms (note: we don't need travel size items).
Bring items to the Hub on Sundays or drop off during the week at the shelves labeled for AFA by the 34th Street entrance. Thank you for your generosity!
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| Habitat Build Dates for Winter 2017 |
Join a Habitat build and see how rewarding it is to help a family find the stability of home!
Upcoming build dates are: February 9 and March 9.
You can sign up at the Information Kiosk in the social hall after any service or
online
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First Universalist Foundation
Seeks Nominations for Grant Requests
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The First Universalist Foundation Board is currently accepting nominations from congregants and senior high youth. If you are engaged with a non-profit doing work that fits our mission, we hope you will consider leading up a nomination! At this time, we are particularly interested in proposals that address human rights at risk. We are also interested in organizations whose leadership includes people of color, women, or other underrepresented groups.
Mission Statement: First Universalist Foundation acts as a catalyst for social change by promoting and supporting the development of emerging leaders, youth, young adults, and/or disenfranchised communities through monetary grants to nonprofits working in those communities.
Giving Criteria: The Foundation will place a high priority on projects that :
1) demonstrate the potential to ameliorate one or more causes of injustice,
2) work to engage emerging leaders, youth, young adults, and / or disenfranchised communities in the work of social change, 3) have goals, a plan to achieve them, and a commitment to measure success for the purpose of improvement, and 4) are focused on the Twin Cities community.
Learn more about the foundation.
To submit a nomination, please fill out the online Nomination Form.
The nomination deadline is January 31, 2017.
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Cycle of Life and Pastoral Care
Our thoughts are with Rita Langteau on the death of her brother, Tom Langteau. A memorial service for Tom will be held at the St. Paul College Club at noon on January 21.
Our thoughts are with Allan Steinhauer as he prepares for surgery on 1/31 to repair his rotator cuff.
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: Pastoral Care Team
The Pastoral Care Team is a group of congregants, led by Rev. Jen Crow, who provide confidential pastoral care to friends and members of our congregation in need of support. We visit people at homes, hospitals, and hospice or at the corner coffee shop. Our goal is to offer compassionate presence to our fellow congregants in the knowledge that this too is a spiritual practice. If you are in need of a Pastoral Care team visit, contact Rev. Jen Crow at jen@firstuniv.org. Learn more 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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Resistance, Renewal, and the River of Love:
An Interfaith Prayer Service
Sunday, Jan. 22 at 5 p.m.
Calvary Lutheran Church Minneapolis
(
3901 Chicago Ave. S., Minneapolis MN 55407)
Now more than ever, we need to craft a narrative and practice of resistance and resilience. We do so by being in community, bringing our full selves to the table, and calling on the wisdom and stories of our diverse faith traditions.
Join us for an evening of reflection, ritual, song, and community to cultivate the sustenance we need to respond powerfully in the year ahead. More information.
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Heart to Heart Couples Enrichment Weekend Spring 2017
March 24-26, 2017
It's time for the annual Heart to Heart spring weekend! This year Heart to Heart is convening from March 24-26 at Koinonia Retreat Center in South Haven, MN.
Heart to Heart couples' enrichment weekends offer a unique approach to strengthening relationships. Three volunteer lead couples share aspects of their own personal journeys with depth, humor, revelation, and heartfelt honesty. Participating couples are offered opportunities for personal reflection and communication with their partners on an array of topics key to long-term committed relationships. All couples are invited to join an ongoing group after the weekend. Participants are not asked to do any personal sharing with the group during the weekend.
This powerful and enriching experience is open to all committed couples - married or unmarried, straight or queer, regardless of age or number of years together. The only requirement is a desire to deepen and enrich their relationship.
To learn more about Heart to Heart, visit www.hearttoheartmn.org or contact Jane Rauenhorst at 651-757-0708 or jane.rauenhorst@gmail.com.
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| RESOURCES & CONTACT INFORMATION |
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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 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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