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August 3, 2017 | Vol. 4 No. 31
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| SUNDAY WORSHIP AT FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH |
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Summer Worship Theme: Meeting the Moment
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Worship this Sunday
Sunday, Aug. 6,
10 a.m.
"Making Honey from Failure"
Rev. Elaine Aron Tenbrink
Poet Antonio Machado writes of this dream:
"I had a beehive
here inside my heart.
And the golden bees
were making white combs
and sweet honey
from my old failures."
Where do we turn when the failures are so clear, yet all we can taste is life's bitterness? Join us
this Sunday for an inquiry into holding on, letting go, and unexpected sweetness.
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Sunday, Aug. 13, 10 a.m.
"Song of My Song"
Rev. Ruth MacKenzie
Recent Sermon Podcasts
July 30, 2017
"Capturing the Moment"
Rev. Karen Gustafson
July 23, 2017
"Threads of Faith"
Arif Mamdani
July 16, 2017
"Getting Comfortable with Grief"
Rev. Ruth MacKenzie
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Next Pathway to Membership Class is Aug. 9 & 16
If First Universalist is feeling like your spiritual home, if our mission moves you, then we hope you'll take part in the
Pathway to Membership!
Joining First Universalist is a symbolic, spiritual act of saying "yes" to growing your soul in this place, with these people, within our free faith tradition. This new member class is a great chance to build community, explore Unitarian Universalism and our church's unique history, and learn how to get involved. In the final session, participants are invited to sign the membership book and officially join the congregation.
This class is offered as a two-part series, the next of which will be on
Wednesdays, Aug. 9 & 16, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
To register, contact Sandy at
Sandy@firstuniv.org
or 612-825-1701.
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Lake Harriet Bandshell Worship Service & Potluck
Join us for our annual outdoor worship service and potluck picnic at the Lake Harriet Bandshell on Sunday, Aug. 20 at 10 a.m.!
We're excited to announce a special musical guest! We'll enjoy music by Minneapolis-based hip hop artist Terrell Woods, a.k.a.
Carnage The Executioner, as well as an inspiring message from Rev. Justin and a delicious potluck picnic together after the service.
Please note: this will be our only worship service on Sunday, Aug. 20.
For the potluck, please bring a dish and/or beverage to share, as well as chairs or blankets to sit on. Bring plates, cups and eating utensils for everyone in your party.
The service will take place rain or shine. Sunglasses and/or hats are recommended for your comfort.
Get complete details, RSVP, and share on Facebook
here
!
Volunteers Needed!
Volunteers are needed to help with the picnic after the service. If you can help, please email Sandy at sandy@firstuniv.org. Thank you!
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Families Moving Forward: More Volunteers Needed
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We are two weeks out from hosting Families Moving Forward and we are excited to share that we have over 80 volunteers on board! Thank you for joining us to welcome families to First Universalist Church.
Through this act of hospitality, we'll open our doors, welcoming families experiencing homelessness into our church, our lives, and our hearts for two weeks from
August 20 through September 3.
Families of all configurations arrive at our congregation around 5:45 each evening.
This is where your presence matters! We still need about 40 volunteers to serve our families! Each night we ask for 3 volunteers to prepare the dinner meal, 3 volunteers to engage in evening activities with families and children, and 2 volunteers to be overnight hosts (This tends to be an easy job AND comfortable beds and the opportunity to sleep are provided). We need volunteers that are willing to break down the bedrooms and return them to classrooms at the end of the stay.
In addition, we are seeking an Evening Activities Coordinator to help set up the Evening Activities station for the two weeks and to help train volunteers during our Orientation evening on Thursday, August 17. If you're interested, we'd love to have you join us! Send Jess Lyons an email, jess@jessicaleighlyons.com.
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Holiday Giving: Applications Invited by Aug. 8
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This holiday season marks the return of First Universalist Church's Holiday Giving Program. The Holiday Giving Program is a bi-annual campaign in which funds are raised within our congregation throughout the holiday season. The program encourages the First Universalist congregation to lessen materialistic spending during the holidays and redirect the giving to a chosen non-profit to help further programs meant to advance racial equity.
The campaign encourages all members to consider cutting their holiday spending in half and to contribute these savings to the chosen recipient of the Holiday Giving Gift. Although funds raised during the campaign varies from year to year, the total gift for 2017 will likely reach approximately $60,000.
So ask yourself, what could a non-profit you love do with $60,000?
The Holiday Giving team is seeking non-profit organizations in the city of Minneapolis that are committed to advancing racial equity to apply to the Holiday Giving Program. Should you know of any non-profit organizations that are committed to advancing racial equity in the city of Minneapolis, please send them an invitation to apply to the Holiday Giving Program at the
link below
. The deadline for applications is August 8, 2017.
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| First Universalist Stories: Sara & Ian McLoone |
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Each week throughout the summer, we're featuring one or two stories submitted by members about what First Universalist means to them.
Sara and Ian McLoone share:
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Sara & Ian McLoone
and family |
"I love how we can bring our whole selves to First Universalist. We fit here as a family with small children, and as activists, skeptics, and seekers.
"What keeps us coming back is the knowledge that there is always something happening here that has deep meaning for one or more of our family members. Sometimes that means attending service, sometimes it means volunteering, sometimes it means exploring workshops or circles to meet us where we are at in the moment.
"I feel like I'm strengthened by the kids I advise in our Coming of Age class. They demonstrate so much courage and compassion each week that we come together. And our Racial Justice programming has strengthened my understanding and resolve to dismantle White supremacy. When current events leave me angry or disgusted, I find myself thinking what a Sunday message would say about where love would be leading me next. First Universalist helps me re-center and re-align my actions with my values in times of turmoil."
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| First Universalist Stories: Bill McTeer & Karen Parson |
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Bill McTeer & Karen Parson share:
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Bill McTeer & Karen Parson |
"We are deeply drawn to many friends at First Universalist. It is refreshing to be in relationship with people who are of like mind, who believe that loving everyone is not a luxury, but a necessity for a satisfying existence. We thoroughly enjoy working and playing with people who are insatiably curious, well-informed, and who take delight in the activity du jour even though they might be tired or frustrated.
"We also derive great satisfaction from many programs First U involves us in: Choir, AUW, Circle Supper, Visual Arts, Building and Grounds Stewardship, and Habitat for Humanity, to name a few. They feed our desire to serve, connect with others and fuel our hope that by small steps we can be involved in leaving the Earth in better condition than we found it.
"In summary, at First U, we feel fulfilled in the wholeness of our experience; in our belief that people, relationships, art, music, stewardship, social justice and even politics are all part of the community and our continued presence at First U.
"
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Cycle of Life and Pastoral Care
Our thoughts are with
Cindy Marsh and her husband, Wendell Vandersluis, as Cindy prepares to undergo surgery for a recurrence of breast cancer on Friday, Aug. 11.
Positively, it is a local recurrence that is highly treatable. She will need to undergo a rigorous regimen of chemotherapy and possible radiation later this fall after healing from surgery. Cindy and Wendell welcome your prayers, cards, and good wishes.
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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| RESOURCES & CONTACT INFORMATION |
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Join Our Mailing List
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here.
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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
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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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