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March 23, 2017 | Vol. 4 No. 12
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Not for Ourselves Alone: Building an Inclusive Future
Questions About Our Capital Campaign
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Capital Campaign Steering Committee Co-Chairs Sofi Ali and Dan Berg |
By Dan Berg and Sofi Ali,
Capital Campaign Co-Chairs
We are excited to be in the second phase of our Capital Campaign! This means it is time to visit with all members and friends of the congregation. These visits are deeply meaningful and it is such a pleasure to connect with one another. During a campaign visit, a volunteer from the church will call on you, and you will have a rich conversation about First Universalist and our future; you will be asked to consider a Capital Gift to be paid over five years. We don't know individual financial circumstances, and we don't make assumptions about commitment to other charities, or any unique financial challenges individuals may be anticipating. The volunteer visitor will respectfully ask you to consider a gift that assumes only that you love this church and wish to support it as generously as you can - whatever that amount turns out to be.
What do we hope you will contribute?
An amount that brings you joy and reflects the importance of First Universalist Church in your life.
This is a very personal, private financial decision. Here are some thoughts that might inform that decision...
The First Universalist membership is composed of individuals and families living in a wide range of economic circumstances. We are grateful to all who call this their spiritual home, and also those who support the church with an annual pledge of any amount. If you are like most UUs, you support other charitable organizations as well as the church. Many people give or aspire to give 10% of their income to charity - the traditional concept of "tithing." But however you measure your charitable giving, we hope that your support for the church is a priority in your charitable budget, as it is for many others.
If every member of the church gave five times what they currently give annually, we would nearly meet our capital campaign needs. For some members their annual pledge is already a real stretch, and a capital pledge that large equaling five times their annual pledge is difficult even if it can be paid over the next five years. On the other hand, some can, and some do much more. We have visited fewer than 70 members of the congregation so far, and received pledges of $3.5 million.
These visits, and the important conversations that happen in these meetings, are a critical part of how we help build our shared future together!
In faith and gratitude,
Dan and Sofi
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| SUNDAY WORSHIP AT FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH |
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Sunday, March 26, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
"Risking Hope"
Rev. Jen Crow
Rev. Jen Crow's sermon this Sunday is the final in our March worship series, "Risk."
Risk is a dance with danger. It is stepping into a moment, unsure of what lies ahead. We may enter risk of our own accord or be pushed into risk-taking by life circumstances. Risk stands on the precipice of a failed attempt, a generative opening, or maybe a little of both. Whether we are comfortable with risk-taking or not, it is central to a whole and thriving life. There is no way to avoid it.
In this month, we explore the nature of risk, and the spiritual muscles we need to develop in order to meet it.
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Sunday, April 2, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Sharing Sunday
Rev. Justin Schroeder
April Worship Theme: Transformation
Recent Sermon Podcasts
March 19, 2017
"The Space Between"
Rev. Margaret Weis
March 12, 2017
"Not for Ourselves Alone"
Rev. Justin Schroeder
March 5, 2017
"Risking a New Story"
Rev. Ruth MacKenzie
Listen to the podcast
February 26, 2017
"The Day of Religion"
Imam Makram El-Amin
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Sunday, March 26, 10:30 a.m. & 12:15 p.m.
The Library Committee invites you to join them on Sunday, March 26 after services at 10:30 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. for cake with your coffee. The library is located off the northwest corner off the Social Hall. Check out (pun intended) a book and review it for other readers. Try your hand at stress-reducing coloring (kids and adults alike). Expand your community and service by signing up to volunteer in the library. Recommend a book you would like to see in the library. There will be games, stickers and prizes for the kids.
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Kinds of Light: SKY
Contemplative Evening Worship
Sunday, March 26, 5:30 p.m., Sanctuary
Join Rev. Ruth MacKenzie and Dr. Jerrod Wendland for a meditative hour of music and poetry for opening the heart and deepening the spirit. "Kinds of Light: SKY" is the final service in our 2016-17 Contemplative Worship Series. Light divides our world into two hemispheres: land and sky. The one is where we live and work; the other represents our hopes, our aspirations, our dreams. The second illuminates the first, just as the dreams we have at night illuminate our waking life. What happens when we build a bridge between them? We'll explore these themes through the piano trio Ladders to the Sky, by Gwyneth Walker, and piano music by Gareth Farr and John Psathas, with the help of violinist Ginna Watson and cellist Corey Grossman.
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Moving with Heavy-Heartedness Circle
Tuesday, April 4, 7-8:30 p.m.
In periods when we experience heavy-heartedness we risk being overwhelmed and shutting down, or perhaps responding with anxiety, anger, and/or lashing out.
In February we held a powerful ritual to help us ground ourselves in a third way to be: one in which we feel what we feel, but remain conscious and connected.
Join us on April 4 to deepen and practice what was begun in February: being present, conscious, connected and moving forward despite heavy-heartedness. You're welcome even if you didn't attend the original ritual - a recording can be accessed
here
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The session will be led by Patrick Dougherty and Michael Dotson.
We will reconvene the larger ritual on April 13 to continue to access our heart/mind center, making promises for our faithful action moving forward.
RSVPs appreciated.
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Lend-A-Hand & Spring Clear Out Day
Thursday, April 6, 9 a.m.
In an effort to tidy up some of our storage areas, the April meeting of Lend A Hand will be dedicated to clearing things out.
If you are a group or committee that stores things here, please email Bree Mattson at bree@firstuniv.org
. We won't get rid of anything that you're still using and want to keep, but we'll need to know before April 6.
Everyone is welcome to join Lend A Hand and SPIFF on Thursday, April 6 at 9 a.m. to help with the clear out. The morning will start with bagels and coffee and then we'll get to work. Come help us keep our church clean, orderly and looking good! If you would like to participate, please email Sandy at sandy@firstuniv.org to sign up.
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| Save the Date: Pledge Day is April 26 |
Our Annual Campaign is happening alongside the Capital Campaign this year, and the Pledge Day tradition continues! Please join us on Wednesday, April 26, 4-8 p.m. here at church for a free celebration of our community, including dinner, games (bingo!), a bouncy house, prizes, and more. Our goal is to have all pledges made by Pledge Day so that the budget for the coming year can be finalized. Details to follow, but please save the date!
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 If you have a special occasion or individual you would like to honor, consider donating a Sunday flower arrangement.
A Visual Arts member will consult with you, arrange your flowers, and the flowers will be yours after the services.
Check your 2017 calendar and contact Visual Arts Flower Chair Dick Rueter at dick.rueter49@usinternet.com to reserve your date. |
| Association of Universalist Women 18th Annual Retreat |
All women in the church are invited to attend the 18th annual retreat of the Association of Universalist Women (AUW) from
Friday, April 21 at 4 p.m. to
Sunday, April 23 at
noon at the Koinonia Retreat Center in South Haven, MN, approximately 80 minutes northwest of Minneapolis. Carpools can be arranged.
The theme is "We Rise," with Rev. Ashley Horan as the keynote speaker
on Saturday morning. Rev. Horan is the Executive Director of MUUSJA - The Minnesota Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Alliance. A variety of workshops and activities are available, or you can retreat and enjoy free time in the lovely surroundings.
Basic registration is $180 for AUW members and $225 for non-members.
An alternative is to register and attend for only
Saturday
for $80. This will include all meals and activities but no bed. You can get more information and a registration form at the AUW table in the Social Hall
on Sunday or register through
Brown Paper Tickets
. Registration must be received by
April 9. For further information you may e-mail Phyllis Stenerson of the planning team at
phyllis@progressivevalues.org.
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| Church Leadership Position Applications Due April 2 |
The Nominating Committee is actively recruiting candidates for leadership positions on the Board of Trustees, the Foundation Board, and the Nominating Committee itself for the next church year. We believe the congregation is full of untapped talent and we encourage people to step forward and share their skills!
Board of Trustees: Trustees partner with the congregation and professional staff in shaping the vision and long-term goals of the church. They articulate these aspirations through policy and collaborate with the Senior Minister to see they are fulfilled.
Foundation Board: Board members serve as the stewards of our Foundation endowment. Members screen and select grant requests to non-profit organizations.
Nominating Committee: Committee members screen and recommend candidates to the congregation for vacant positions on the Board of Trustees, Foundation Board, and Nominating Committee.
Requirements: To qualify for any of these positions, you must be a member in good standing of the church. Elections occur at the Annual Meeting on June 4.
The application deadline is April 2, 2017. Applications should be submitted to nomination@firstuniv.org.
For position descriptions and to download the application form,
visit our website
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Donations Wanted for Book/CD/DVD/Video Game Sale
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Please consider supporting the Youth Cultural Exchange program by donating your used media items. Drop off your gently-used Books, CDs, DVDs and Video Games in the social hall March 26, April 2 or April 9. The sale will take place on Sundays, April 23 and 30.
This summer, twelve First Universalist 8th and 9th grade youth will travel to Nicaragua where they will live with local families to gain cultural understanding and forge lasting cross-cultural friendships. Your donations and purchases will help us bring the twelve Nicaraguan host siblings to Minnesota for two weeks in 2018.
Have a large number of items to donate and would like to arrange a time for pick-up? Questions?
Contact Eric Schaefer at
612-414-7515
or
eschaefer1@yahoo.com.
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Cycle of Life and Pastoral Care
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: 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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| RESOURCES & CONTACT INFORMATION |
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Join Our Mailing List
Subscribe to
The Weekly Liberal
here.
Sign up to receive our weekly Children Youth & Family Ministries news
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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