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May 18, 2017 | Vol. 4 No. 20
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| Capital Campaign is Looking for You! |
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Sofi Ali and Dan Berg |
A note from Capital Campaign Co-Chairs Sofi Ali and Dan Berg
If you have been visited already, thank you for participating. If you have been contacted to set up a visit and haven't yet returned that call or email, please do so right away. We have a dedicated group of volunteer visitors who are trying very hard to connect with all members of the church to share information about this exciting campaign. Show them your love... please call back!
If you haven't yet been contacted, please get signed up for a visit here: Schedule a Visit.
We hope to complete as many visits as possible in the next few weeks so we can move forward with our exciting plans. Visits are quick and painless. Just a reminder that the campaign pledge spans five years, so, if your family pledges $10,000 you can pay all at once or $2,000 a year for five years or $166.66 a month, or 1/3 cent a minute. No gift is too small (or too big). Like our annual fund (and public radio) all gifts in any amount matter and get us closer to our vision. And every visit gets us closer to our goal of connecting with each of you.
We have already received 237 gifts totaling $4,870,947 (as of May 17). With your help we can create a more welcoming, inclusive and influential First Universalist Church.
Sofi Ali and Dan Berg, Capital Campaign Co-Chairs
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| SUNDAY WORSHIP AT FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH |
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Sunday, May 21, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Youth-Friendly Worship*
Youth Sunday
"Indigo - Insist on Peace, Freedom, and Justice for All"
Worship Led by Senior High Youth
In our religious education classes, children are taught the seven Unitarian Universalist principles by associating each principle with a color from the rainbow. We call it the Rainbow Path.
Red: Respect all beings
Orange: Offer fair and kind treatment to all
Yellow: Yearn to learn
Green: Grow in spirit and mind
Blue: Believe in my ideas and act on them
Indigo: Insist on peace, freedom and justice
Violet: Value the connections in creation
This Sunday, our high school youth engage the theme of transformation using the color Indigo. Join us for a powerful Sunday of music, and message, all presented by our wonderful youth.
*Youth-friendly Worship: youth in grades 6-12 attend the entire worship service.
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Sunday, May 28, 10 a.m.
Memorial Day Weekend
Switch to a single service at 10 a.m.
through Labor Day
Recent Sermon Podcasts
May 14, 2017
"Love Is the Thing"
Rev. Ruth MacKenzie
May 7, 2017
"Embodied God"
Rev. Ruth MacKenzie
April 30, 2017
"Resisting White Supremacy: A Teach-In"
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Sunday, May 21, 1-2 p.m., Cummins Room
Wellspring offers spiritual deepening within our UU tradition and is an opportunity to learn more about ourselves and our faith through a year-long small group experience. You're invited to join us at an upcoming info session to learn more! After an opening retreat on Aug. 26, Wellspring will meet every other week through May 2018. Attendance at an info session is required if you wish to participate. Learn more.
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Backyard Composting & Organics Workshop
Sunday, May 21, 12:45-1:45 p.m.,
Chalice Room
Learn how to compost food scraps and yard waste in your backyard. This workshop will also cover residential organics collection.
Participants will be entered into a drawing to win a free compost bin and refreshments will be provided. Presentation by Kira Berglund from Hennepin County. Workshop sponsored by the Environmental Justice Team.
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Seniors Hike with Daytime Connections
Thursday, May 25, 10 a.m.
Meet at: Moir Park in Bloomington, MN
Join us for our next seniors hike with Daytime Connections! Our May hike will take us along the banks of Nine Mile Creek in Bloomington. The hike is within the creek gorge - you will forget you are in the city! We will hike for an hour out and an hour back with one cut off point to shorten the route by 1/3, or you can turn around at any time and backtrack on the same route to the starting point. The trail is flat and a combination of asphalt and packed aggregate surfaces. M
eet at Moir Park Central Picnic Area at 10 a.m. on May 25.
RSVP to Tom Saterstrom (952-239-3629 or saterstromtom@yahoo.com). Get complete details here.
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Legacy Challenge Workshop
Saturday, June 3, 10 a.m.-noon
Learn how you can make a difference for the UU organizations and congregations you care about through legacy giving! Join us on Saturday, June 3 for a Wake Now Our Vision UU Collaborative Campaign (WNOV): Legacy Challenge workshop presented by Rev. Laura Randall, Legacy Campaign Director, and members of the WNOV partners. The UU Congregation at Shelter Rock has offered a $5 million matching grant to incentivize new planned gifts through this Legacy Challenge. A light breakfast will be served at 9:30 a.m. RSVP (617-948-6511, lrandall@uua.org) by May 24. Learn more.
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Sunday, June 4, 10 a.m.
Flower Communion is an annual ritual that celebrates beauty, human uniqueness, diversity, and community. Please bring a flower from your garden or from a bouquet to this multigenerational worship service on Sunday, June 4 at 10 a.m.
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Annual Meeting of the Membership
Following worship on Sunday, June 4, t
he 2017
Annual Meeting of the Membership
will take place at 11:30 a.m.
We will present the Annual Report, elect church leadership and approve the budget for the 2017-2018 church year.
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Save the Date: Lake Harriet Bandshell Worship Service & Potluck
Mark your calendar for Sunday, Aug. 20 at 10 a.m. and join us for our annual outdoor worship service and potluck picnic at the Lake Harriet Bandshell! This will be our only service on this Sunday.
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Families Moving Forward: More Volunteers Needed!
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We are a just one week out from hosting Families Moving Forward and we are so excited to see so many individuals and families volunteering with Families Moving Forward this year!
For our first week, Sunday, May 28 through Saturday, June 3, we have over 90 volunteers on board. However, we still need 24 volunteers for the following:
- Meal preparation (6)
- Overnight hosts (8)
- Evening activities (5) -- a great family activity!
- Memorial Day Breakfast and Picnic (5) -- another great family activity!
We are currently planning on hosting three families, all moms, with children ranging from ages 4 - 10. This could change in the next 10 days but the current configuration especially welcomes volunteer families with both teenaged and younger children.
You can go directly to SignUp Genius to register or stop by the Beacon Families Moving Forward table in the social hall after either service this Sunday.
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New Exhibit in the Social Hall: Work by Beth Andrews
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Beginning this Sunday, May 21, a new exhibit of work by artist Beth Andrews will be in the gallery space in the Social Hall. The exhibit will be on view through mid-August.
The artist writes: "As humans, we tend to think of ourselves as fundamentally different from other components of our vast and ancient universe. Yet the truth is that we are made up of recycled cosmic dust. Old atoms never die-they simply get reused in all forms of life, passed down through the ages. In the second half of my own life, I have become increasingly and more immediately aware of my personal connection to the earth, to other living beings, and to the ancient ones who have gone before me. It is this thread of connection that drives the visual decisions in my art. The artwork in this exhibit represents my exploration of these connections."
The medium used in Beth Andrews' paintings is called "Encaustic." It is a mixture of beeswax and resin. The process involves layering and scraping back, hiding and revealing. The finished product has the look and feel of an archeological finding. The framed pieces in this exhibit are part of a series called "Rhapsody."
Andrews writes: "I paint to explore that mystical place where structure and spontaneity collide, where the art is guided by my hand but not controlled by my will. In that place, time falls away, and physicality fades. In that place, I feel profoundly connected."
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Join a Circle This Summer - Sign Up by May 22!
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Set some time aside to engage with life's deeper themes: Join a circle this summer!
These gatherings of 8-10 people are a great way to get connected at First Universalist and to stay spiritually grounded throughout the summer.
Offerings this summer include: four Community Circles, Newcomer Circles, and four Spiritual Deepening Circles including Meditation for Teachers, Chi-Gung, Living Our UU Principles in Today's World, and Lectio Divina.
View descriptions and schedules here.
R
egistration
for summer circles is open through Monday, May 22. You may register online or in the Social Hall this Sunday, May 21. For more information, contact Rev. Elaine Aron Tenbrink at
elaine@firstuniv.org
or
612-825-1701 x124.
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Attend UUA General Assembly In Person or Online
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 The Fifth Principle of the Unitarian Universalist Association states we agree on "the use of the democratic process within our congregations." Here's an opportunity to act on that principle: Represent our church at the UUA General Assembly (GA) meeting the weekend of June 24 in New Orleans.
While part of what happens at GA is important association business - this year is a UUA President election year - by no means is GA all about work. It's also a UUA exhibition and conference. There are hundreds of inspiring workshops, worship services, vendors, and social events crowded into the schedule.
Full conference information is available at
www.uua.org/ga. Conference registration and travel expenses are not sponsored by the church, but note that there is an option to attend online as an "off-site" delegate or participant.
Anyone can attend GA, but if you want to be able to vote on UUA business you need to be a delegate. Our delegation must be approved by a vote at our annual meeting on June 4.
If you wish to nominate yourself to be a delegate, please contact Nominating Committee Chair Doug Smalley as soon as possible at 651-955-8899 or
douglas.smalley@gmail.com
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| Resistance & Resilience: Sustaining Faithful Action |
How are we -- progressive people of faith -- called to respond to the urgent needs of this political moment? Why does it matter that we approach our work as religious people, and as members of congregations and faith communities? And how do we sustain our spirits, our energy, our communities when there is so much to drain us and fill us with despair?
Join MUUSJA, in partnership with the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, for Resistance & Resilience: Sustaining Faithful Action for Justice & Solidarity in a Hurting World, hosted at First Universalist on May 19 and 20. The program will include moving interfaith worship, plenary discussions with religious leaders and political visionaries about the spiritual-political times we are in, collaborative strategizing for action and impact, a wide variety of workshops led by experienced justice leaders, and opportunities to build relationships with one another through reflection and discussion.
This event is open to all people of faith who are interested in building skills, relationships, theological grounding, and power to transform the world for justice. Learn more at
www.muusja.org
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Cycle of Life and Pastoral Care
We celebrate with Rev. Elaine Aron Tenbrink, her husband, Jason, and their daughter, Sarah, as they plan to welcome another child into their family in early November.
The Tenbrink Family, c/o First Universalist Church, 3400 Dupont Ave. S., Mpls. 55408
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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Info Session: Moms Demand Action for Sensible Gun Laws
Are you concerned that proposed Minnesota gun laws will make it easier for people to carry loaded guns into more places including schools? Or that another piece of legislation would allow adults to carry loaded guns with no permit or safety training?
If you would like to know what is being done in our state and what you might be able to do, come to an informational session and hear from representatives from Moms Demand Action for Sensible Gun Laws on Tuesday, June 6 at 7 p.m. at 3701 Garfield in Minneapolis.
To reserve a spot or for more information, call Barb Sindelar at
612 824 3677
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| RESOURCES & CONTACT INFORMATION |
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Join Our Mailing List
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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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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
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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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