August 2, 2018  |  Vol. 5 No. 31
SUNDAY WORSHIP AT FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH
Worship this Sunday, Aug. 5 at 10 a.m. 
Arif Mamdani
Sunday, August 5 at 10 a.m.
"Centering De-centering"
Arif Mamdani
Our racial justice commitments lead us to know that in the face of white supremacy, we should "de-center whiteness," but what then? This service will explore the dynamics of centering and de-centering and what they might mean for us as a church and denomination.

Please join us for worship at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 5!

This Sunday's guest speaker, Arif Mamdani, is preparing for Unitarian Universalist Ministry and recently completed his ministerial internship at Unity Church-Unitarian in St. Paul. Arif is currently serving on a team providing interim ministry services at the UU Church of Minnetonka while also finishing his Master of Divinity degree at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities.



Summer Worship Theme: Emergence
We humans look at a flock of birds flying overhead, sketching awe-inspiring designs in the sky, and think the birds must be following a leader. But leadership alone has never been the full measure of history nor the full inspiration of the beauty and patterns that emerge from a community of birds in flight. In fact, the patterns we see in the sky are made by each individual bird bringing to the group its own creativity and reacting to the movement of two or three of its neighbors. It is a dance between freedom and faithful followship. Our work in community, our efforts in justice making, and patterns of right relationship emerge in the same dance between freedom (our own creativity) and faithful following (our commitment to our neighbors, community). Together we create patterns of love and justice. This summer we ask: what makes something emerge? How and when do we lead? How and when do we follow? Where and how do we place our attention? What is emerging?
A Look Ahead
Sunday, Aug. 12, 10 a.m.
Worship at the Lake Harriet Bandshell
Rev. Elaine Aron Tenbrink


Summer Sundays at Church
During the summer, we invite everyone to our single 10 a.m. service each Sunday.
Childcare and Religious Education classes are available for children 6 months through entering 6th grade in the fall.

Recent Sermon Podcasts
July 29, 2018
"Next Gen: Helping and Hoping"
Lauren Wyeth

July 22, 2018
"In the Boat Together"
Rev. Ruth MacKenzie

July 15, 2018
"No Going Back"
Rev. Elaine Aron Tenbrink

July 8, 2018
"Awakenings"
Jack Gaede

CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS
Soil, Food, and Climate: What's the Connection?
Wednesday, Aug. 8, 6-9 p.m., Social Hall
Can the soil save us? First Universalist's Environmental Justice team invites you to a  panel discussion on regenerative agriculture - a set of enlightened farming and gardening practices that hold promise of not only slowing but also reducing present-day and future atmospheric carbon concentrations.  Co-sponsors include Citizens' Climate Lobby, North Wind Region, and the MN350 Climate Solutions Team. Locally grown food will be available; a donation of $5 is recommended. Registration (free!) and more details are available at: soilfoodclimate.eventbrite.com
Lake Harriet Worship Service and Potluck
Sunday, Aug. 12, 10 a.m.
Lake Harriet Bandshell
Join us for an energizing worship service and potluck picnic at the Lake Harriet Bandshell!
We'll enjoy music, an inspiring message from Rev. Elaine Aron Tenbrink, and a delicious potluck picnic together afterwards. For the picnic, p lease bring a dish and/or beverage to share, as well as chairs or blankets to sit on, and plates, cups and eating utensils for everyone in your party.  This is part of an annual outdoor worship series at the Lake Harriet bandshell with about 15 neighborhood congregations participating.

Immigration Court Observer Info Session
Sunday, Aug. 19, 11 a.m., Chancel Room
The Advocates for Human Rights and the Immigrant Law Center at the University of Minnesota are seeking volunteers. Their Immigration Court Observer program adds transparency and tracks trends of those detained by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). The detainees sit before Immigration Judges at the Whipple Federal Building four days a week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Join us as we grow the First Universalist Court Observers program. There are four "shifts" each court date lasting 1.5 hours, with two observers at each shift. You can volunteer to attend once, or weekly, or on a flexible basis. No immigration or legal experience is required. To learn more, join us for one of two information sessions following church services on Aug. 19 and Sept. 9. 
Pathway to Membership
Sundays, Aug. 19 & 26, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
If First Universalist is feeling like your spiritual home, 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. Register for this two-session class with Sandy at [email protected] or 612-825-1701.


NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Families Moving Forward: Volunteers Needed! 
Our times call for radical hospitality. Join us to welcome families experiencing homelessness.

For the fourteen days of August 26 through September 9, we welcome families experiencing homelessness into our church through Families Moving Forward. We provide physical necessities, like comfortable sleeping spaces and plentiful food, allowing families to concentrate their energies on finding affordable housing and employment that will sustain them. The set-up team transforms the Religious Education classrooms into bedrooms, complete with matching sheets, toiletry items, soft lighting and flowers on the table. Families of all configurations arrive at our congregation around 5:45 p.m. each evening, share a meal with us prepared by volunteers, and engage in activities ranging from family games to age specific activities for children. As our guests prepare to depart at 6:30 a.m. each day, they are greeted by our overnight hosts and offered breakfast.  

We welcome all people interested to visit the table in the Social Hall following each service on Sundays, Aug. 5 and Aug. 19. Volunteers can sign up at:  https://tinyurl.com/fmf2018 

Questions and comments can be directed to site coordinators: [email protected] or [email protected]
Volunteers Needed: Lake Harriet Worship & Picnic 
Too hot! Let's go to the lake Aug. 12! 

We're seeking volunteers to serve as ushers, greeters and picnic helpers as we make final plans to take our First Universalist worshipping community to Lake Harriet, to the band shell and picnic grounds, on Sunday morning,  Aug. 12. Service begins at  10 a.m., but helpers are needed by  9:15 a.m. to greet, usher, and set up the potluck picnic area on the hill across from the band shell.  

It's our favorite First U get-together each year. There will be grand camaraderie for adults, and games and fun for the kids. Bring food to share, plus plates, cups, and eating utensils for everyone in your group. Bring chairs for those who have trouble sitting on (and getting up from) the grass....and Everybody Come!

If you can volunteer, please email  [email protected].
Lost & Found Winter Items: Last Chance to Claim 
Winter clothing from the church's Lost and Found has been removed from the coat closets. There are adult and children's coats, leggings, shirts, scarves, hats, and gloves. 

Items not claimed will be washed and donated after August 12. If you are missing something, please call the church office (612-825-1701 Monday through Thursday) before August 12 and ask to speak with Chelsea, or email Sandy at [email protected]. Provide a description of the item you are missing and we will look for it.
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD
Sarah Greer CD Release Party
Sunday, Aug. 6, 6:30 p.m.
Dunsmore Room at  Crooner's Lounge & Supper Club,  6161 Hwy 65 NE,  Mpls
Tickets: $15  |  Purchase tickets here

Sarah M. Greer is a Minneapolis-based jazz vocalist and composer known for her song inventions, scat singing and improvising. Praised by other musicians for her sense of time and vocal dexterity, audiences appreciate Greer's infectious humor, joy and passion for singing. 

First Universalist community members will know Greer from her work with the a cappella improv ensemble Give Get Sistet, our 2017-18 artists in residence.

In 2017, Greer received an Artist Initiative Award from the MN State Arts Board to complete a solo album. Tasked with writing and recording an album in a year, Greer composed "What the Music Says Do" - a collection of songs about her love for family and friends, expressing one's true self, and living as a woman of color.
RESOURCES & CONTACT INFORMATION
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 [email protected] 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.
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
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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Church Office Hours
Sundays 9  a.m.-1 p.m.
Mondays-Thursdays  8:30 a.m.-8 p.m.
Closed Fridays and Saturdays
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Contact Us
First Universalist Church of Minneapolis
3400 Dupont Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55408
612-825-1701
For staff contact information, please visit our Ministers and Staff page.
First Universalist Church of Minneapolis
3400 Dupont Avenue S.
Minneapolis, MN 55408

612-825-1701

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