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January 3, 2019 | Vol. 6 No. 1
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Rev. Justin Schroeder |
Many centuries ago, the Hebrew poet, Judah Halevi, wrote these words in his poem, "For Those Who Have Died:"
'Tis a fearful thing
To love
What death can touch.
To love, to hope, to dream,
And oh, to lose.
A thing for fools, this,
Love,
But a holy thing,
To love what death can touch.
For your life has lived in me;
Your laugh once lifted me;
Your word was a gift to me.
To remember this brings painful joy.
'Tis a human thing, love,
A holy thing,
To love
What death can touch.
On the first Sunday of every year, we hold a "Remembrance Sunday" service, a time to pause - in community - to name and remember loved ones we've lost in the past year. This service can also be a time to mark other significant losses in the life of your family, such as a separation or divorce, saying goodbye to friends who've moved away, or any number of other losses you've experienced. This Sunday, we create a sacred space to name, remember, and love "what death (and what endings) can touch." In this service, we touch the fullness of what it means to be human, letting grief, gratitude and love fill our hearts and bodies.
You're invited to bring a photo or memento of a loved one(s) you are remembering to the sanctuary for our shared altar of memory this Sunday.
I'm grateful for this ritual Sunday, and grateful to be entering 2019 with all of you. I'll see you in church.
In faith,
Justin
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| SUNDAY WORSHIP AT FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH |
Sunday, Jan. 6, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m. Remembrance Sunday
Rev. Justin Schroeder
Remembrance Sunday is an annual service that is a time to remember and reflect on our losses over the past year and to honor those we love who have died. This service can also be a time to mark other significant losses in the life of your family. You're invited to bring a photo or memento of a loved one(s) you are remembering to the sanctuary for our shared altar.
Please note: this is a Sharing Sunday for all ages. Children and youth in PreK-12th grade attend the first part of the service with their families. PreK-5th graders are in the sanctuary for about 15 minutes of the service, while 6th-12th graders remain in the sanctuary for about half the hour, at which times they are excused to their Religious Education classes.
January Worship Theme: Our Beautiful Bodies
In one of the most beautiful biblical passages, the psalmist writes: "For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well." (Ps 139: 13-14) This month we recognize, accept and cherish that we have our being in a body, fearfully and wonderfully made. We grow. We age. We have gifts. We have limitations. We experience one another and ourselves in bodies that are beautiful and wondrous no matter their particular characteristics. This month we explore our being in a beautiful body.
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Sunday, Jan. 13, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Lead Minister: Rev. Ruth MacKenzie
Music: First Universalist Choir
Sunday, Jan. 20, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Lead Minister: Rev. Jen Crow
Youth-friendly worship (Dr. King Sunday)
Sunday, Jan. 27, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Lead Minister: Rev. Karen Hutt
Music: First Universalist Choir
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December 30, 2018
"Watch Night"
Rev. Karen Hutt
December 23, 2018
"Spiritual Survival"
Rev. Jen Crow
December 16, 2018
Vivaldi's Gloria
First Universalist Choir
"Stories of Sanctuary"
Rev. Ruth MacKenzie
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One Heart, One Mind:
A powerful conversation among diverse advocates to strengthen solidarity
Saturday, Jan. 5, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Social Hall
Diverse advocates and proponents of climate change and environmental and racial justice, water protection and like-minded initiatives: is it time for us to imagine strengthening our solidarity - intentionally? How can we manifest one heart and one mind? Join us in a powerful conversation led by Native American elder, Lemoine Lapoint, and his sons, Wakinyan and Thorne. Lunch included. Sign up by January 2 with John Saxhaug at john_saxhaug@yahoo.com.
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Common Ground Meditation Center + First Universalist Connection Meeting
Sunday, Jan. 6, 12:30-1:30 p.m.
If you attend both First Universalist Church and Common Ground Meditation Center please join us for a connection meeting this Sunday, including a 15 minute sit and introductions. Meet the Meditation Room at 12:30 p.m. (if church goes later, we will adapt).
If you have any questions contact Chuck LeGros at Chuck@LeGrosScientific.com.
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Open Labyrinth Walk
Thursday, Jan. 10, 6:30-8 p.m., Social Hall
The labyrinth is a spiritual tool. It is a form of walking meditation that is a multicultural, ancient pattern.
First Universalist's labyrinth is located in the social hall. Each month from September through May, we offer an Open Labyrinth Walk on the second Thursday of the month. Walk at your own pace, and stay as long or short as you like. Allow at least 15 minutes minimum for a full fast walk.
A member of the Labyrinth Circle will be available to answer questions and offer guidance. For more information, contact: Ann Hobbs, 763-546-3337 or
g.annhobbs@gmail.com.
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An Introduction to the Mayan Calendar
Saturday, Jan. 12, 1-3 p.m., Cummins Room
Presenter Gina Kanbalam Miranda will share an overview of Mayan history and the Mayan calendar in this workshop sponsored by our Sanctuary and Resistance Team. Gina will explain the components of the calendar, how it foretells events about our lives and the life of our planet, and share wisdom about this ancient Mayan philosophy.
Gina Kanbalam Miranda trained with a Mayan elder for three years and has worked as a Mayan day keeper Ajkin for the last 30 years. She is the author of several books on the Mayan calendar and her life-long journey to become a Mayan time keeper.
Gina's early life was spent in Honduras and Guatemala, and she recently presented at two First Universalist Sanctuary and Resistance events on immigration and the U.S. border crisis.
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Daytime Connections: Turning Points
Thursday, Jan. 17, 11 a.m., Social Hall
What are your turning points? Hear from members of the Peace and Social Justice Writers Group at The Loft Literary Center, who reveal riveting accounts of a generation touched by the turbulent winds of mid-century America. They found purpose, meaning, and ultimately, creative ways to transform society. We will share our own turning points and turbulent times. Lunch is served at 1 p.m. following the program; a sliding scale donation of $5-15 is suggested.
Through
Daytime Connections
, older adults at First Universalist empower each other to live intentional, joyful, purposeful, and spiritually fulfilled lives.
To register,
contact Sandy DiNanni at
sandy@firstuniv.org
or 612-825-1701.
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12-Step Spirituality
Saturday, Jan. 19, 9 a.m.-noon
These drop-in sessions, offered monthly October through May, are designed for those actively working a 12 Step program, as well as those wanting to explore & deepen their spirituality through meditation.
Each session includes Centering Prayer meditation instruction, two 20-minute Centering Prayer sessions, reading from 12 Step literature, and presenters sharing personal experiences and sharing on selected topics.
The topics for Saturday, Jan. 19 are: Steps 4 and 5, self-compassion.
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Immigrant Moral Witness, Moral Action: A Conversation with Local Leaders
Thursday, Jan. 24, 7-9 p.m.
Our Sanctuary & Resistance Team is pleased to welcome two local leaders to our series about ways to understand and provide effective support to local immigrants and refugees, their families, and communities:
Gerardo Guerrero Gomez, Mexico Consul General of the St. Paul Office, and
Michele Rivero, Director of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs, City of Minneapolis.
These leaders
will describe the work of their offices, offer suggestions about additional effective actions we can take, and answer questions. The need for this forum came from the experience of participants in the Immigration Court Observers program, which will also be described.
T
he event is free, but please RSVP here.
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Racial Justice & Our UU Faith Workshop
Saturday, Jan. 26, 1-5 p.m.
Join us for an interactive, reflective workshop exploring a framework and tools for understanding race, racism, and whiteness and the spiritual imperative that drives our racial justice work. We offer this workshop several times each year and encourage every member of our community to participate. If you haven't taken this workshop yet, this is a great time to do so if a single-day workshop suits your schedule better! (Most-often, this is offered as a two-part workshop.) January's workshop will be led by Jared Cruz and Susan Schultz. To sign up, contact Sandy DiNanni at sandy@firstuniv.org or 612-825-1701.
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New Exhibit: "Adrift" by Chris Willcox
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A new art exhibit opens this Sunday, Jan. 6: church member Chris Willcox will be exhibiting her Adrift artwork in the social hall through Feb. 10.
Chris's Adrift paintings deal with human migration and, in particular, the global refugee and migrant crisis. She felt morally obligated to create work that might add to the compassionate and sympathetic viewpoint supporting refugees seeking asylum and safety. Media sources have provided a steady stream of now-familiar imagery showing groups of people kept behind chain link fencing, incarcerated children in detention centers or figures in life jackets crowded into flimsy, inflatable rafts. Chris has used media photographs as inspiration and in some cases, actually fixed them directly to the canvas, allowing her to work within the conversation that already exists. The large painting of the sea is meant to disrupt the picturesque ideal of ocean panoramas where the viewer is in the water as if swimming (or drowning.)
Chris was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario. She earned degrees from the Ontario College of Art and Design, a BFA from the University of Guelph and an MFA from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University in New Jersey. She moved to the Twin Cities in 2000 to accept a position at Macalester College where she is a tenured professor and chair in the Art and Art History department.
Chris's exhibit will be on display January 6 - February 10. She will be available to discuss her work with you after the 11:15 service on Sunday, Jan. 13 at an Artist's Reception.
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First Universalist Foundation Accepting Grant Nominations
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The First Universalist Foundation Board is beginning its 2019 granting season and wants to hear from congregants about which organizations would be good candidates for a grant. At this time, the Foundation is particularly interested in organizations that address human rights at risk. The Foundation is also interested in organizations whose leadership includes people of color, women and other underrepresented groups. Historically, most grants have been in the $5,000 range, with a few larger ones.
If you know of an organization you would like to nominate, please fill out the
nomination form.
We are accepting nominations until January 31, so please nominate away! If you have questions, email the First Universalist Foundation Board at
foundation@firstuniv.org or call Channing McKinley at 651-204-0245.
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Winter/Spring Circle Sign Up Opens January 10
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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. Each gathering offers an opportunity for connection: with ourselves, with others, and with something greater than ourselves.
Registration for Winter/Spring 2019 Circles will be open January 10-29, and most circles will begin in early February.
Watch next week's Liberal for information about our Winter 2019 adult programming offerings and how to sign up!
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Habitat for Humanity 2019 Winter Work Days
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First Universalist has three Habitat for Humanity work days coming up in early 2019, and we'd love to have you on the crew! The dates are Thursdays, Jan. 10, Feb. 14 and March 14.
Volunteers must be at least 16, and sixteen- and seventeen-year-olds must be accompanied by an adult. The work day is from 8:15 a.m. until 4 p.m., and lunch will be provided.
Worried that you don't know much about building and using tools? No worries! Your fellow volunteers and the Habitat site supervisor are there to help you.
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Thanks for Donations for Augsburg Fairview Academy!
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Thanks to the many congregants who have generously donated food and winter clothing to the students of Augsburg Fairview Academy (AFA) - you make a difference!
First Universalist is the primary sponsor of Food and Clothing Closets at Augsburg Fairview Academy, a public charter high school located within two miles of church. The 100+ high school students come from diverse backgrounds including African American, Somali, and Native American. Many are homeless or marginally housed during the school year. We are experiencing a higher than typical need for food this year and your contributions of the following are gratefully received:
- Microwavable single serving dinners
- Snacks: granola bars, fruit cups, small packages of nuts or raisins, crackers
- Winter teen clothing: winter jackets, scarves, gloves and hats; hoodies, jeans (clothing in good repair, clean, and teen appropriate)
- Winter toiletries: chapstick and lotions, men's and women's deodorant, toothbrushes and toothpaste, ethnic hair products, sanitary products, condoms
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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| RESOURCES & CONTACT INFORMATION |
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Cycle of Life and Pastoral Care
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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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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 9
a.m.-1 p.m.
Mondays-Thursdays 9
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? 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, 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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