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April 26, 2018 | Vol. 5 No. 17
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Rev. Justin Schroeder |
What's our culture?
This is a question that we've been wrestling with at staff meetings for nearly a month, as we seek to identify and better understand First Universalist Church. Culture, as a reminder, is a set of understandings, assumptions, patterns, attitudes, roles, and behaviors that are created over time and shared by a group of people. They are the unspoken "norms." Every family and institution has a particular culture, a way they understand time, a way of handling conflict, of managing emotions, of expressing disappointment, of mourning, celebrating, and engaging difference. It's the same with First Universalist Church.
The intention of these staff conversations is to first name and understand the culture of First Universalist. Then, secondly, we are beginning to dig into what "
white supremacy culture
" is and how it operates in our lives and institutions, seeking to discover where "white supremacy culture" is alive at First Universalist, in our cultural habits and patterns of being. The end goal, aligned with the racial justice work we've already begun, is to create a more culturally just and inclusive set of patterns and practices, as we strive to become an authentic multi-cultural, multi-racial congregation.
I'm curious: How would you describe the culture of First Universalist? Asked another way: What struck you the first time you attended First Universalist? What did you notice about the worship, the Social Hall, the way you were greeted and treated? Were there moments you bumped into a cultural norm, but didn't know it was a norm?
So far, our staff conversation has been rich, deep, joyful, and painful as well. I'd love to hear your thoughts about the "culture" of First Universalist Church. You can send me a note at
justin@firstuniv.org
.
I'll see you in church,
Justin
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| SUNDAY WORSHIP AT FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH |
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| April Worship Theme: Forgiveness |
Worship this Sunday
Sunday, April 29, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
"Invocation and Dance"
Choir-led Worship
Rev. Ruth MacKenzie
Soon after the death of President Abraham Lincoln, Walt Whitman penned an elegy called, "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd." This Sunday, the choir will lead us in worship, presenting David Conte's, "Invocation and Dance," based on Whitman's poem, as we explore the relationship between death and new life.
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Sunday, May 6, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
"Open to New Life"
Rev. Elaine Aron Tenbrink
Recent Sermon Podcasts
April 8, 2018
"Your Soul is Intact"
Rev. Karen Hutt, Rev. Justin Schroeder
April 1, 2018
"Resurrecting A Community"
Rev. Justin Schroeder
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| April Worship Theme: Forgiveness |
Chief Seattle writes: "We are all children of the Great Spirit, we all belong to Mother Earth. Our planet is in great trouble and if we keep carrying old grudges and do not work together, we will all die." Forgiveness is a tricky business. It's about letting go of the past, and beginning again in love. It is not about forgetting the past, but more akin to infusing past wrongdoings, or wounds, with spiritual heat so that they transform into wisdom and have less control over our lives and our way forward. Forgiveness begins in discomfort but always leads to awakening. This is why forgiveness is addressed in every religious tradition. Forgiveness is a saving grace for us as individuals, for our communities, and our world.
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ART for Action
Friday, April 27, 7-9 p.m., Chalice Room
Join Rev. Laurie Bushbaum and Denise Konen for a joyful evening of art making, creating greeting cards or small art pieces.
Angelina is a very fine, unique fiber that is light reflective, as well as light refractive and incredibly luminescent, resulting in beautiful artwork when yarn, lace, beads, or embossing are added.
Suggested donation: $30. Funds raised will support immigrant families facing detention and deportation. Contact Denise Konen to register:
denise@netgains.net
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Boston-Bound Bake Sale
Sunday, April 29, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Stop by the social hall this Sunday and purchase some home-baked goodies to support our youth! Each fall, our most recent "graduates" of the Coming of Age program are invited on a Pilgrimage to the Boston area to learn more about the roots of the Unitarian Universalist faith tradition. Proceeds from the bake sale
will support the youth who will be traveling to Boston this fall.
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Congregational Budget Meetings
Sunday, April 29 at 12:45 p.m.
& Tuesday, May 1 at 6:30 p.m.
The Board of Trustees will share a draft budget at Congregational Budget Meetings on Sunday, April 29 at 12:45 p.m. and Tuesday, May 1 at 6:30 p.m. in the Cummins Room. After a presentation of the budget and its rationale, there will be an opportunity for questions. The board will prepare a final version of the budget for presentation to the Congregation at our Annual Meeting on Sunday, June 3 at 11:30 a.m.
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YCE Media Sale
Sunday, April 29, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Support Youth Cultural Exchange by purchasing gently-used books, CDs, and DVDs at this Sunday's sale in the social hall. Proceeds are used to help cover scholarships for First U YCE youth and to pay for the Nicaraguan youth to fly here this summer. Through Youth Cultural Exchange, twelve youth from our church and twelve youth from Nicaragua stay in one another's homes for two weeks during alternating years, learning about one another's world.
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Spring Forum on Immigration
Sunday, April 29, 6:30-8 p.m., Social Hall
RESCHEDULED: First Universalist's Sanctuary & Resistance team and Project Minnesota/León (PML) are hosting a Forum on Immigration and Sanctuary Churches & Cities. Join us for coffee, dessert and dialogue! We will host two speakers: Alison Griffith (pictured), an immigration attorney at the Advocates for Human Rights, and Jim Erlandson, ISAIAH founder/senior pastor at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in St. Paul. This event is free and open to the public, but donations to support PML's work will be accepted.
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Legislative Action Gathering
Sunday, April 29, 4-5 p.m., Social Hall
RESCHEDULED: First Universalist will host one of three Legislative Action gatherings on Sunday, April 29, 4-5 p.m., where we will: Meet with local legislators to tell them that affordable housing is a priority for us; voice our support for the push by the MN Homes for All Coalition to get $140 million in the state bonding bill (specifically designated for 4,600 affordable homes in MN); and put our collective energy and faith into action to help ensure all people have a home. This event is held in partnership with Beacon. If you were signed up for the original date that was cancelled, re-registration is required. Register here.
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Thursdays, May 3, 10, 24 & 31, 7-8:30 p.m.
Get to know the church and a group of fellow newcomers better! Recent visitors and new members are invited to join a Newcomer Circle! These 4-session gatherings of 6-10 newcomers offer a chance to explore core Unitarian Universalist values, reflect on their spiritual journeys, and connect with other folks who are new to church.
Sign up by emailing
Sandy@firstuniv.org
. We look forward to meeting you!
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"Mental Health and Addiction"
Sunday, May 6, 1 p.m., Cummins Room
May is National Mental Health month, and members of the Pastoral Visitors team invite you to join us for an informal talk and discussion about Mental Health and Addiction. This conversation will be led by Dede Armstrong, Coordinator of Non-Residential services and Facilitator of the 55-plus non-residential program at the Retreat, a 12-Step-based residential recovery program. As a daughter, mother and individual, she has experienced mental health and addiction issues and has come to believe that "living the solution to addiction is far more important than defining the problem." Please come with your questions, thoughts and curiosity. You will also find an information table in the social hall with resources available through Mental Health Connect.
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Annual Giving Update: 67% IN and Counting
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The goal of our annual giving campaign this year is
100% participation/response
- All In!
Annual giving funds more than 80% of the church budget, and it's important that we hear from everyone who's involved at church so that we can budget and plan for the coming year!
As of April 25, we're now at 67%, meaning we've heard from just over 450 individuals and families about their plans for giving during our 2018-19 fiscal year. Thank you so much to those who are "in" thus far!
If we haven't heard from you yet, please help us by letting us know your plans as soon as possible.
- give us a call at 612-825-1701,
- email Andrea at andrea@firstuniv.org,
- set up your giving online (you must have a MyFirstU account set up),
- or mail in/bring in/fill out a giving card in church!
Thank you for your support and for being
All In!
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"
Macro Nature" Photography Exhibit by Bri Moses
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On exhibit in the Social Hall beginning this Sunday is the photography exhibit "Macro Nature
" by Bri Moses. The
exhibit will be on display April 29 - June 24.
Bri's images reflect the process and patterns of nature, in addition to how it is changing.
By examining the subjects from a different point of view, she gains a deeper understanding of the relationship we share with our ecosystem and the delicate balance we rely on.
Bri will be in the Social Hall after both services on Sunday, May 20 to talk about her work and to sell additional items. See more of her work here.
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| Getting Connected: "What's In It for Me?" |
Submitted by Hal Schroer
 As a church, we attempt to help our members and friends experience four key benefits from participation. While we may not need or want all of them at each stage in our life, it's important to know that our church strives to help us to:
- Receive Support & Comfort
- Deepen our Personal Spirituality
- Experience a Sense of Community
- Work for Social Justice
In a large church like ours where we may not know everyone personally, we all benefit from being "Connected" online. Increasingly in all parts of our life, we use the internet and social media to quickly and easily purchase items, schedule events, answer questions, and influence others. Members of First Universalist now have the ability to be "Connected" online, and we can expect to:
- Access contact information of other congregants (individual photos included)
- Find information on upcoming church events
- Track our own church involvement history (pledges, leadership, group participation)
- Share our unique passions, skills, and interests
- Connect with others who have similar passions and interests
- Do all of these things via a "Church Life" app from our smartphone!
If you're not yet connected, go to My First U on our website and request a User ID and password at the prompt. If you need help connecting, we will have a help desk in the social hall on Sunday, May 6 for assistance.
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| Common Ground & First U Connection Meeting |
 Rescheduled for Sunday, April 29: Common Ground Meditation Center + First Universalist Connection Meeting
If you attend both First Universalist and Common Ground Meditation Center, please join us for a second informal gathering. Meet in room 204 at 12:30 p.m. (if church goes late, we will adapt). We will start with a 15 minute sit, do introductions and talk about how our meditation practice influences our Unitarian Faith and visa versa. In addition, let's address how we might continue these meetings in the future.
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| Racial Justice Potluck Dinner |
Want to break bread with other church folks leaning into our racial justice work? Curious about the work we are doing and how you could get involved? The Racial Justice Education Team (RJET) invites you to a potluck dinner on
Friday, May 4 from 6-8pm in the church social hall. Bring a dish to share.
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| Sunday, May 13 Child Dedication Sign Up Open |
 Unitarian Universalists believe every child brings new light and new hope into the world.
During the Child Dedication ritual, the congregation pledges itself to partner with and support parents and families in the religious upbringing of the child. Child Dedications take place during Sunday worship services twice a year.
Learn more and sign your family up to participate in the May 13 Child Dedication
here.
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| Call for 2018-19 Worship Associate Applications |
Worship Associates open our worship services every Sunday with stories that move us. Each associate seats the worship theme in the particular of their own life, grounding each service in the reality of lived experience. Our worship services are rich with stories: a cowardly lion finding courage in community, a truth left unsaid, a mother who hears the most tender words from her adult son from his hospital bed.
Do you love worship? Do you have a flair for writing? Does your heart open when you're telling a story about your own spiritual journey? Please consider applying to be a Worship Associate this year.
Worship Associates speak 2 or 3 times during the church year in our worship services, September through May. Associates and Rev. Ruth MacKenzie gather during the year to discuss themes for upcoming months, talk about writing for oration, review how to layout a manuscript and practice public speaking.
If this interests you, please apply:
We will hold a Worship Retreat on
Sunday, Aug. 26 from 11:30-3:30 p.m.
Then the group will decide on a monthly meeting date to form a Soul Matters group for our Worship Associates. We will discuss upcoming worship themes, spiritual deepening, and support one another.
You must be able to attend the Worship Retreat on August 26 in order to be considered.
The Worship Team will be choosing applicants that represent the multi-generational, multi-cultural, multi-racial congregation we are becoming.
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| Seeking Delegates to UUA General Assembly 2018 |
General Assembly
(GA) is the annual meeting of our Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA).
Part liberal religious meet-up, part UUA business meeting, GA is a jam-packed few days with amazing people, seminars, worship services, Robert's Rules, and even a dance or two.
Attendees worship, witness, learn, connect, and make policy for the Association through democratic process.
This year's conference is
Wednesday, June 20 to Sunday, June 24, in Kansas City, Mo
. Registration info and more is available here.
Anyone may attend GA. To attend as one of First Universalist Church's official 20 delegates, please talk to someone on the Nominating Committee or email
(
nomination@firstuniv.org
)
before June 1st.
You must be an active member. Delegates need to be officially approved by the congregation at our annual meeting.
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Memorial Service for Barbara Gudmundson
Submitted by Pat Gottschalk
Pat writes: "Barb Gudmundson was a well known UU in the Twin Cities and active in the past at First Universalist Church. Many older members would remember her."
From the obituary: Gudmundson, Barbara Jane Rohrke age 90, died peacefully Nov. 7, 2017 at Jones-Harrison Residence in Mpls.
A Memorial/Celebration of Life service
will be held on Saturday, April 28 at 11 a.m. at
First Unitarian Society, 900 Mt. Curve Ave, Mpls., MN 55403.
Luncheon reception to follow service.
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| RESOURCES & CONTACT INFORMATION |
Building & Renovations
In 2017, we raised more than $5.5 million in our Capital Campaign, Not for Ourselves Alone: Building an Inclusive Future
, for renovations and new construction that will improve our church's accessibility, hospitality, and welcoming presence, add much-needed space for education and meetings, allow us to address deferred maintenance, and improve the worship experience through enhancements to the sanctuary.
Our architectural team from Miller Dunwiddie presented
Schematic Design
(preliminary) drawings to the congregation in a meeting on March 25, 2018. You can read more, get the latest updates, and view the schematic design drawings on our website.
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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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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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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.
Mondays-Thursdays
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? 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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