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April 25, 2019 | Vol. 6 No. 17
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| Sharing Stories from Our Faith Traditions |
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Rev. Jen Crow |
A few weeks ago, I attended the Judaism 101 workshop offered by Rabbis Latz and Lekach-Rosenberg from Shir Tikvah. In this hour together, the Rabbis chose to dive into the central story of Judaism - Passover. The story has twists and turns worthy of any high drama. There's death and suffering, brilliant trickery for the good, an intervening God, evil, escape, and all kinds of possibility. And in the end, at its simplest, the story of Passover is about an enslaved people longing for a better life and all of the challenges they go through on the road to freedom. The story is told every year, with food and family and ritual in each individual home so that no Jew will ever forget the pain of slavery or all it took to get free.
Last weekend, as I sat enjoying delicious food and incredible hospitality at the home of a Shir Tikvah member for Passover Seder dinner, a new friend turned and asked me: What does Easter mean to Unitarian Universalists?
Now, I've been asked this question before, and as a Unitarian Universalist minister you might think that I feel 100% confident when questions like this come my way - but the truth is that I panic a little bit inside whenever I'm asked questions like this, and I'm guessing some of you might, too. I've realized that I panic in these moments not because Unitarian Universalists have no opinion about what Easter means to us (there are roughly 100,000 opinions about what Easter means to us), but because the questions ask me to share not just one rote answer - but my own.
So I start at the beginning - Unitarians and Universalists both originally saw themselves as reformers of Christianity, but over time the two traditions merged and while some Unitarian Universalists consider themselves Christian, most of us don't. We consider Jesus to be a prophet, a teacher, a radical movement leader along the same lines as Ghandi or Martin Luther King, Jr. or Susan B. Anthony. At Easter, we tell the story of Jesus' torture and execution by the empire state and focus on the way that his message of love and inclusion can rise up in our lives. Each year, I am grateful for the old story of betrayal even though it hurts to hear it. I'm grateful for the time to remember the deaths and losses that have happened in my own life, to touch on that despair again and hold it right next to the resurrection that I know, too. I talk about my commitment to live in the both/and - acknowledging the depth of suffering we experience and the joy and hope we can feel, and how my church helps me to do that.
This week my son is working on his "elevator speech" for his 6th grade religious education class at church. How will he describe what Unitarian Universalism means to him in 2 minutes or less? How would you?
In gratitude,
Rev. Jen
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Sunday, April 28, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
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Dr. Randy Buikema, Director of Choral Arts |
Choir-led worship: Mozart's Requiem
Rev. Jen Crow
The
First Universalist Choir and Orchestra, directed by Dr. Randy Buikema, will lead worship this Sunday with a performance of Mozart's
Requiem, a piece shrouded in mystery
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Between movements, there will be hymns, readings, meditations, and a message from Rev. Jen Crow, "Ours to Complete."
Mozart's
Requiem Mass in D Minor
was anonymously commissioned in mid-1791 by Count von Walsegg for a service to commemorate his wife's death. Mozart spent a couple of months working on the piece but had not completed it at the time of his own death - just months later - in December 1791. In fact, with his declining health that fall, Mozart had come to believe that he was composing the Requiem for his own funeral. The
Requiem
was finished by one of Mozart's students, Franz Xaver Süssmayr, in March 1792, and has since been used in funerals and memorial services for numerous notable musicians, artists, and other figures, in addition to the woman for whom it was originally commissioned.
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Sunday, May 5, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Lead Minister: Rev. Justin Schroeder
Sharing Sunday
Sunday, May 12, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Lead Minister: Rev. Karen Hutt
Child Dedication
Sunday, May 19, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Worship led by Senior High Youth
Youth Sunday
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April 21, 2019
"Rise Up"
Rev. Ruth MacKenzie
April 14, 2019
"Asking the Right Questions"
Rev. Justin Schroeder
April 7, 2019
"The Third Body"
Rev. Elaine Aron Tenbrink
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| Rev. Ruth MacKenzie: "Rise Up" |
Sermon recap by First U staff member Liz Farmer
 When you look at the image at right, what do you see? And what do you see after you look at it for a while? No matter your answers, you are correct if you saw more than one thing. In the spirit of Easter, we can renew our stories about things again and again - as many times as we need! Are you are telling yourself stories that aren't true? Ones that are likely unhelpful for moving through the feelings associated with that story? Perhaps it's a story about strangers who are new to you, maybe it's about how racism makes you feel, or it could be about mistaking a metaphorical bunny for a bird. Listen to Rev. Ruth's April 21 sermon, as she reminds us that renewal and growth are possible in all of our thoughts, words, actions, and stories. Listen here.
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Co-Location Listening & Information Sessions
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As we explore whether co-location with Shir Tikvah at 3400 Dupont is the right path for us,
we ask that all members attend one of the following Co-location Information & Listening Sessions:
- Thursday, May 2, 10 a.m.-noon (rescheduled from April 11)
- Wednesday, May 8, 7:45-9 p.m. for the Choir
- Sunday, May 19, 1-2:30 p.m.
Please note: the session scheduled for May 5 has been canceled.
Ultimately, First Universalist members will be making the decision about co-locating or not, via congregational vote later in 2019, so it's important to be informed! This is your opportunity to learn about what either path will mean for the future of First Universalist Church, and to participate in the decision-making process.
At these sessions, you will have an opportunity to share hopes, concerns, questions, and ideas in small groups, and all of that input will be collected and compiled. You'll also be invited to share thoughts in writing at the end of the session.
Your feedback is incredibly valuable, and we want as many voices as possible to be part of this conversation!
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Final Sunday to View
Exhibit of Mosaics and Paper Quilling
Sunday, April 28, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
This Sunday is the last day to view the exhibit of quilling art by Fiona Payne and mosaic art by Janet Houck that is on display in the Social Hall. If you haven't had a chance to check it out yet, be sure to do so this Sunday!
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Wellspring Info Sessions
Sunday, April 28, 1 p.m., Chancel Room; Thursday, May 2, 7 p.m., Room 203
Wellspring is a uniquely Unitarian Universalist program of spiritual deepening that offers the opportunity to learn more about ourselves and our faith through a year-long small group experience. After a day-long opening retreat on August 24, Wellspring meets every other week through May 2020. Attendance at an info session is required if you wish to participate in Wellspring next year. Learn more.
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Congregational Budget Meetings
Sunday, April 28, 12:45 p.m. &
Tuesday, April 30, 6:30 p.m.
The Board of Trustees will share a draft budget at Congregational Budget Meetings on Sunday, April 28 at 12:45 p.m. and Tuesday, April 30 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 2 at 11:30 a.m.
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"The Human Element" Film Screening
Sunday, April 28, 1 p.m., Room 200
The Environmental Justice Team invites you to a showing of "The Human Element" at 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 28. This inspiring documentary follows environmental photographer James Balog on his quest to highlight Americans on the front lines of climate change. Be inspired to re-evaluate our relationship with the natural world!
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The Wisdom of Our Seniors
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Do you wish to find insight, mentoring, or support
for a challenging life transition?
Over the past three years, a group of volunteers led by Hal Schroer have assembled over 110 life stories of seniors as a way to share the wisdom from their life experiences.
As a framework, these stories focus on an individual's:
- Religious journey to First Universalist
- Life Experiences
- Involvement in First Universalist
- Core Values
- What they're most proud of
Stories have been organized around shared life experiences. For example, one can search for individuals who:
- Worked in 18 separate professional categories
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Survived the loss of a spouse or child
- Were pioneers in overcoming gender role expectations
- Survived a life-threatening illness, or are currently living with a chronic illness
- Experienced the Vietnam War as a formative step in their life
- Directly witnessed racism during the formative civil rights era
- Worked for women's equality during its early stages
Visit the church library
to learn more and read the stories!
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Join First U Members at Habitat on the Hill April 29
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Each year, a group from First Universalist advocates for affordable housing and to eliminate homelessness as part of Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity's annual Habitat on the Hill Day.
Join Rev. Justin and others from our congregation on Monday, April 29 starting at 9 a.m.! Minnesota has among the largest racial homeowner and wealth gaps in the nation. We can do something by asking that our state do its part to address decades of systemic racial bias by funding affordable housing and housing services across the state. Lunch is provided.
Twin Cities Habitat is one of our six Faithful Action partners. We build houses with Habitat, but we also play a meaningful role in legislative advocacy. Habitat on the Hill is a meaningful day on so many levels - learn, laugh, be inspired, and join a small group to tell your elected officials about why affordable housing makes a difference.
Questions? Contact Joan Naymark at jnaymark@gmail.com.
Register here
and send an email to Joan so we know who is attending from First Universalist. Car pooling can be arranged.
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Letter Writing Campaign: Support the Green New Deal
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Our state and local representatives need to hear from all of us. Currently, the Environmental Justice Team is sponsoring a letter writing campaign in support of The Green New Deal. Our input will be hand delivered to our representatives . Our youth have been actively participating and we encourage all to join this effort. Please stop by the Environmental Justice table in the social hall on Sunday, April 28 for more information.
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Child Dedication Ritual May 12: Sign Up by May 5
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 Unitarian Universalists believe that every child brings new life and 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. Infants and children of members and those on the path to membership at First Universalist Church may be dedicated.
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AUW Spring Fling is May 4
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 All women of the church are invited to the Association of Universalist Women's 2
019 Spring Fling, on May 4 from 5-7:30 p.m. in the Social Hall at church.
We'll celebrate the year, greet old and new friends, eat good food, elect our new leaders, and be entertained by our very own Ellis!
No RSVP is necessary, hope to see you all there!
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May is National Mental Health Month
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National Mental Health Month was established in 1949 to increase awareness of the importance of mental health and wellness. In honor of this, each issue of the Liberal in May will feature an article from NAMI (the National Alliance on Mental Illness ) to help enlighten us about mental health-related issues.
First Universalist Church partners with more than ten other area churches as a member of Mental Health Connect. Our three Ambassadors, guided by Rev. Ruth MacKenzie, meet regularly with representatives from our sister churches to learn and share ideas about how we might fight the stigma of mental health challenges. You'll find posters on bulletin boards and in rest rooms throughout our building with the telephone number to connect you with a navigator who can guide you toward help for any mental health issues you, your family members or friends might be experiencing.
The following article is from NAMI's blog:
"How Stigma Can Lead to Isolation"
By Ashley Virnan | Feb. 21, 2019
Isolation acts as both a cause and an effect on a person's level of distress. When a person feels distressed, they are more likely to isolate, and the loneliness can lead to even more distress. This cruel cycle relegates many people with mental illness to a life of isolation. But what is the leading cause of isolation? Is it purely symptomatic? Or is it something else? While many assume that isolation comes from symptoms, I believe that stigma also plays a big role. continue reading
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Apply to Serve on the Holiday Giving Team
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The 2019 Holiday Giving Team is currently accepting applications for new team members. Do you like giving away money to local organizations doing work aligned with our Unitarian Universalist values? Are you interested in living in the intersection of generosity and spiritual growth? If so, please apply to serve on the Holiday Giving Team! Families and youth are particularly encouraged to apply.
The team, working closely with Rev. Justin Schroeder and our Faithful Action Council, will select a local organization to be our 2019 Holiday Giving Recipient.
For information about how to apply,
please visit our website
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Please apply by April 30, 2019.
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Donations for Augsburg Fairview Academy (AFA) Prom
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The AFA Prom will be held in our Social Hall on Saturday, May 18. Donations of dresses (long and short, all sizes including large sizes) and men's suits and dress shirts (all sizes) are welcome.
Bring items to the Information Desk on Sundays. You may drop off clothing during the week; bring clothing on hangers to the coat room at the right of the stairs or neatly folded on the shelves labeled for AFA by the 34th Street entrance. Thank you for your generosity!
First Universalist is the primary sponsor of Food and Clothing Closets at
Augsburg Fairview Academy
(AFA), 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, and many are homeless or marginally housed during the school year.
Items for the Food Closet and Clothing Closet continue to be needed through the end of May. Thanks to the many congregants who have generously donated food and clothing to AFA - you make a difference!
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You're Invited to the Ordination of Jack Gaede
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Former member Jack Gaede is about to be ordained and become Rev. Jack Gaede, and he's also being installed as an Assistant Minister at the White Bear Unitarian Universalist Church in Mahtomedi, MN, on Saturday, May 18 at 3 p.m. He would love to extend an invitation to all of you who have gotten to know him and who have supported him through his years in ministerial formation. Here's a note from him:
"Hello, dearest members of First Universalist! You are cordially invited to a special ceremony marking my ordination AND the installation of my colleague (Rev. Sara Goodman) and myself as Assistant Ministers at WBUUC. There will be a reception to follow. If you CAN make it to the reception, please RSVP to me at
jgaede@wbuuc.org. It would be so good to see you. We are hoping that we will be able to videotape the service for those of you who can't attend but who want to watch at a later date.
With warmth and gratitude,
jack gaede"
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Habitat for Humanity Summer Work Week: Sign Up Now!
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Deb, Shannon, Patsy and Leslie became friends in a circle group at church and decided to volunteer together at last year's summer work week. |
Please join in First Universalist's Habitat for Humanity Summer Work Week, June 24-28, and help a hardworking family in our community achieve the joy and stability of homeownership.
Volunteers must be at least 16, and 16- and 17-year-olds must be accompanied by an adult. The work day is from 8:15 a.m. until 4 p.m., in Richfield, and lunch will be provided.
Many hands make light work - and they make for a fun work site, too.
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Seeking Delegates to the UUA General Assembly 2019
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General Assembly (GA) is the annual meeting of our Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). Attendees worship, witness, learn, connect, and make policy for the Association through democratic process. Anyone may attend; congregations must certify annually to send voting delegates. General Assembly 2019 will take place in Spokane, WA, (and online) June 19-23.
If you wish 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 by May 27
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In order to be a delegate, you must be an active member of First Universalist Church.
Delegates need to be officially approved by the congregation at our annual meeting on June 2.
Registration info and more is available here.
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Space Reservations for Meetings and Events
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Are you responsible for reserving meeting space for a church committee you serve on? Are you a volunteer planning a church-sponsored event?
Spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and requests must be communicated to Events Coordinator Lucia Webb.
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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 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!
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Contact Us
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First Universalist Church of Minneapolis
3400 Dupont Ave. S.,
Minneapolis, MN 55408
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First Universalist Church of Minneapolis
3400 Dupont Avenue S.
Minneapolis, MN 55408
612-825-1701
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