April 12, 2018  |  Vol. 5 No. 15
All In By the 18th!
Rev. Justin Schroeder
Humor me.

No, really! When I am feeling uncertain, scared, or not sure what to do, humor me. As in, bring humor to me. Make me laugh! Take what feels hard or impossible, and with a joke or a deep belly laugh, open it up so I can see it in a different light.

I don't know what your experience was last Sunday in worship; the topic, "Forgiveness," was a serious one, but Rev. Hutt's authenticity, transparency, and humor cracked us open. We were given permission, through truth telling and laughter, to hold the complexities of forgiveness. Humor and deep compassion were brought to that sacred hour of worship.

It is good to laugh together, to be "All In" with laughter and learning, as we honor the nuances and growing edges of our own lives, and the lives of those around us.

Laughter can be a medicine and a healing balm. There's plenty of seriousness in the world calling for our attention. Laughter can reset and recenter us.

Several of us on staff laughed harder than we have in a while, when we made this "All In" Annual Giving Campaign video. Take a look. Humor me. Humor yourself! Then, if you're not already "All In," get "All In" by the 18th of April as we conclude our Annual Giving Campaign for 2018-2019.

If you can't join us on the 18th for our Gathering in Gratitude meal and celebration of the conclusion of the campaign, call us (612-825-1701) during the day. We'll be standing by!

Thank you for your generosity and your support. Together, we help our shared ministry flourish. We laugh, cry, and begin again in love.  

With care,
Justin
SUNDAY WORSHIP AT FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH

April Worship Theme: Forgiveness
Worship this Sunday
Sunday, April 15, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
"Forgiveness:
Not for Ourselves Alone"
Rev. Jen Crow
Our Universalist ancestors proclaimed a radical faith. They declared that there are no chosen people, but that each of us is a part of one body, that each of us is whole and holy and worthy. In this faith, no one is outside the circle of God's love, and it is our job to bring that faith alive in this world. But we are human beings, not gods, and this loving and believing in all people is one tall order. How can we forgive ourselves and each other as we move closer to embodying our Universalist faith?
A Look Ahead
Sunday, April 22, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Earth Day Sunday
Rev. Justin Schroeder


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

March 18, 2018
"Wrestling the Angel"
Rev. Jen Crow

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.
CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS
Spring Forum on Immigration
Saturday, April 14, 6:30-8 p.m., Social Hall
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 Tammi Thompson, ISAIAH Sanctuary Church organizer. This event is free and open to the public, but donations to support PML's work will be accepted. Learn more here.
Legislative Action Gathering
Sunday, April 15, 3-4 p.m., Social Hall
First Universalist will host one of three Legislative Action gatherings on Sunday, April 15, 3-4 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. Register here.

All In: Gathering in Gratitude
Dinner & Community Event
Wednesday, April 18, 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Join us for a community enchilada dinner, fellowship, and family-friendly fun to celebrate being  All In together - in gratitude for your generosity and your timely response to our annual giving campaign!  This event is a great way to meet and connect with other members of our community.  A bouncy house and snacks begin at 4:30 p.m., and dinner will be served from 5:30-7 p.m.: chicken enchiladas (vegetarian and vegan options available) accompanied by rice, beans, salad, and dessert! E veryone who has responded regarding annual giving for 2018-19 will be entered into a drawing for cash gift cards at the end of the evening. We hope you'll be "All In" with us! And - a few volunteer openings remain; can you help? Sign up here!
Daytime Connections:
Less Clutter, More Life!
Thursday, April 19, 11 a.m., Social Hall
What can we do at the end of our one wild and crazy life to attend to our deepest longings? If reducing clutter comes to mind, you'd be right! It turns out that creating a serene space is an unexpected and powerful enabler of change. Learn the how-tos from Jill Freeman of Gentle Transitions, while enjoying funny stories and lessons from First U declutterers. Please bring a special object you may be ready to let go of. Register by April 15 with Sandy at 612-825-1701 or sandy@firstuniv.org . $5-10 suggested donation for lunch. Through Daytime Connections, older adults empower each other to live intentional, joyful, purposeful, and spiritually fulfilled lives.

Earth Day Celebration
Sunday, April 22, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
The Environmental Justice Team invites you to join them in the social hall after services on Sunday, April 22 for a celebration of Earth Day! For more information, contact Ray Goebel, r.goebel@hotmail.com.
Seniors Hike with Daytime Connections
Thursday, April 26, 10 a.m.
Join Daytime Connections for a hike beginning at the home of Roxy Knuttila and Frank Janezich in Bloomington near the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Complete details here. Please RSVP to Roxy at rknuttila@gmail.com. 

Newcomer Circle
Thursdays, May 3, 10, 24, and 31, 7-8:30 p.m.
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!
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
All In: Sharing Why We Give
Kait & Bee L'aurantier write:  "First Universalist is a place where church home was found. It has been and remains a pillar of support as we grapple with life. It's a place where questions are welcome and togetherness is palpable. (Plus the music & service programming is great!) We give because we feel hope and inspiration here. As facilitators of Our Whole Lives (8th grade) and Coming of Age (9th grade) we bear witness to the positive impact RE programming has on youth lives. This, in turn, leaves us feeling more optimistic about this world and the future. We believe the work being done here is important and are grateful to be a part of something that feels bigger than ourselves." 
Spotlight on EMERGE this Sunday
EMERGE, one of our six Faithful Action community partners, is a Minneapolis-based workforce development organization with service centers in North Minneapolis and Cedar-Riverside, and social enterprise businesses in NE and SE Minneapolis. EMERGE's mission is to reveal the potential in people and communities through skill building, employment, and economic opportunity. This reflects both a commitment to facilitate life change for individuals facing significant obstacles, and a commitment to create broader, systemic change at the community level. EMERGE works in neighborhoods where unemployment is 2-3 times the state average and poverty is 39-57%, compared to 23% metro-wide. They offer adult and youth workforce services, transitional employment and career training opportunities. Their social enterprise businesses create and support more than 350 jobs annually and generate more than $1 million in wages for low-income communities. EMERGE serves 3,000 people per year. About one-third of participants are overcoming a criminal background; 26% have no high school diploma/GED; 21% speak a primary language other than English, and 13% are immigrants or refugees. 

Will Wallace of EMERGE
Learn more in worship this Sunday! Representing EMERGE in services this Sunday is  Will Wallace, Manager of North 4 and Special Projects, and a 20+ year veteran of youth and community work in North Minneapolis. He has been a voice for engagement between police and community during times of crisis, such as the police shooting of Mr. Jamar Clark. Will has also consulted with the Minneapolis Public Schools for many years working with K-8 students promoting healing from the traumas of poverty, racism, and community violence. 
Benefit Concert Proceeds Help Fund
Vatican Trip for Indigenous Youth
The benefit concert and silent auction held at First Universalist on March 18 raised close to $9,500, enabling 14 members of the  Indigenous Youth Ceremonial Mentoring Society of St. Paul to attend a May 7 meeting with officials of the Vatican. This trip will provide  First-Nation youth and elders an opportunity   to describe the historical and inter-generational trauma that has been endured by millions of people for centuries as a consequence of the release of the Doctrine of Discovery by Pope Alexander VI in 1493.
 
Indigenous youth at the benefit concert. Photo by Sharon Ramirez.
The amount raised, combined with previously generated funds, will cover airfare and lodging costs. Any additional contributions will go toward meals.  If you are interested in contributing, checks should be made out to "Guadalupe Alternative Programs - Trip to Rome" and sent to:
Guadalupe Alternative Programs
381 East Robie Street
St. Paul, MN 55107
 
Folk singer  Mitch Walking Elk, coordinator of the Society, is grateful to First U's Environmental and Racial Justice Teams and Chapter 27 of Veterans for Peace, sponsors of the event, for helping to make this trip possible.
Nearly 7,000 Pounds of Electronics Collected by Tech Dump
On Saturday, March 17, we partnered with Tech Dump for an electronics collection and recycling event in our parking lot. We also collected smaller items the week leading up to that day, and Tech Dump was the recipient of the offering plate on Sunday, March 18.  We were delighted by the turnout and results! 

We had a steady stream of cars though the lot the morning of the event. About 8-10 volunteers from the Environmental Justice team helped out in various ways including asking for donations, which totaled just over $1,000. Offering plate contributions from Sunday, March 18 totaled just over $900.  Tech Dump weighed all of the electronics that we collected for recycling -- and the total was 6,840 pounds!  Thank you to all who donated and dropped off your unwanted electronics for Tech Dump to dispose of in an environmentally responsible way.  Tech Dump is a local nonprofit which provides job training and practical experience for adults facing barriers to employment. Tech Dump reuses and recycles, offering a "green" alternative to throwing away old electronics.
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.
First Universalist Joins Antonia Alvarez in Solidarity
Submitted by Denise Konen of First Universalist's Sanctuary & Resistance Team

Looking at Antonia Alvarez's face you can see the love for her people and her commitment to liberation. I first met her at the 4th precinct occupation where she was working to shift the dominant story of immigrants as criminals to an understanding of their humanity - people with worth and dignity. As one of the founders of Asamblea de Derechos Civiles, Antonia has been working for immigrant justice for over seventeen years.  She has four children; one is a citizen and the other three are undocumented. Antonia went to Washington, D.C., in December 2017 in support of Dreamers legislation. There she fasted for 12 days hoping that legislators would listen to her concerns for immigrants.

On Monday, April 23, Antonia will be leading a ten hour emancipation procession with several faith and community partners including First Univeralist Church. We will start at 7:30 a.m. at St. Alphonsus Church in Brooklyn Center (98 people who attended the church have been deported), and head to Brooklyn Center City Hall at 8:30 a.m. The march will move on to St. Anthony Village City Office at 11:30 a.m., then to what remains of Lowry Grove Mobile Home Park, where Antonia and many others were forced out of their homes. The group will process to Minneapolis City Hall at 2 p.m. and then arrive at the State Capitol by 6 p.m. There, Antonia will undertake a two-week fast to bring attention to issues that she wants lawmakers to address: 1) affordable and safe housing, 2) driver's licenses for all, 3) immigrant rights, and 4) mass incarceration.  Here is how you can help:
  1. Join Antonia and others in the march for immigrant rights on Monday, April 23. 
  2. Give rides on April 23 to immigrants wanting to participate in portions of the march. Contact Mary McCann: maryandalice@gmail.com or 612-723-5845.
  3. Join Antonia at the Capitol by the Leif Erickson statue, April 24-May 6, at 7:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. for prayer and companionship to sustain her as she fasts.  
  4. When you visit Antonia at the Capitol, set up a time to meet with your senator or representative about immigrant rights and the issues listed above. 
  5. Plan and/or participate in civil disobedience actions during the two week fast.
When I asked Antonia what she thinks about people who say she entered this country illegally, she responded, "It is not a crime to cross the border. Illegal is a name that some people use hoping to take away my dignity just like the term regularly used for black people in the days before and during the civil rights movement. I am not illegal - we are not 'illegals'. We have dignity and deserve respect."
ART for Action: Create Beautiful "Angelina Fiber" Art
Have fun while raising funds for the First Universalist Sanctuary and Resistance Immigrant Fund!  Join Rev. Laurie Bushbaum and Denise Konen on Friday, April 27, 7-9 p.m. in the Chalice Room, in a joyful evening of art making. Come create 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. Look for samples at the AUW table and on the wall next to the bulletin board, across from the welcome desk in the Social Hall.
 
Suggested donation: $30. Funds raised will support immigrant families facing detention and deportation. Space is limited. Contact Denise Konen to register: denise@netgains.net.
Common Ground  + First U Connection Meeting
If you attend both First Universalist and Common Ground Meditation Center please join us for a second informal gathering on Sunday, April 15. Meet in room 202 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 vice versa. In addition, let's address how we might continue these meetings in the future.
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.
Art4Shelter: Support Simpson Housing Services
The 8th annual Art4Shelter fundraiser will be held on  Wednesday, May 9 . Proceeds from this event benefit Simpson Housing Services, one of our church's Faithful Action Partners. This year Art4Shelter will be held at the Minneapolis Institute of Art.
 
All artists who would like to exhibit and donate their 5 x 7 inch work for a great cause are welcome to participate. This fun, high profile, high energy event at the  Minneapolis Institute of Art  will bring together hundreds of artists and collectors for a special evening of music, wine, conversation, and art buying!
 
Not an artist, but like viewing and perhaps purchasing art at a very affordable price? Art4Shelter is a free event with refreshments and appetizers. The art preview time is 6 - 7 p.m., with the sale from 7 - 9 p.m. All the 5" x 7" artworks sell for $35 apiece. All proceeds go to Simpson Housing Services.  More information is available at  art4shelter.org.
Donations Needed for AFA Prom at First U
Augsburg Fairview Academy (AFA) will hold their Prom in our Social Hall on Saturday, April 28, 7-10 p.m. We are pleased to offer our space again to AFA as one of our community partners and as part of our mission to make our building available to the community. Here's how you can help:
 
Donate teen appropriate prom dresses and men's suits (small, medium, and large sizes). Please bring donations to the Hub on Sunday, April 15 or Sunday, April 22.
 
Donate home baked goodies (cookies and bars).  A dozen or two items will be fine so we get a variety. Bring items to the social hall on April 28. Please let Cindy Marsh know what you will bring and she will confirm timing for drop off:  cindy.marsh2588@gmail.com .
 
AFA is a public charter high school for students who have not been successful in the public schools. Many are homeless or marginally housed. First U has supported AFA in various ways for the last five years including hosting last year's AFA prom which students said was the "best ever"!  Many thanks for your ongoing generosity and support!  
Volunteers Needed for Boston-Bound Bake Sale!
An EPIC church bake sale is in the works to help  raise funds for First U youth traveling to Boston - it's the Boston Bound Bake Sale on Sunday, April 29! Volunteers are needed to bake and help sell... and buy, of course!
 
Can you help bake? The bake sale will be held on Sunday, April 29 between and after services.  Bring your portioned and plated baked goods to the Social Hall by 10:30 a.m on 4/29.  Baking sugar free and/or gluten-free and/or vegan is encouraged if you're so inclined.  Don't bake? No problem, ask your favorite baker to do you a solid OR buy something - cheese sticks, fruit, etc. for those who need to skip the sugar.
 
You can also volunteer to staff the table with organizer Jane Baudelaire. And, of course, you can contribute to the effort by buying baked goods that day!  Please contact Jane Baudelaire at jane.baudelaire@gmail.com or 414-550-5869 (call or text is fine) to volunteer to bake or staff the event.
Book, CD and DVD Sale - Seeking Donations!


Please consider supporting the Youth Cultural Exchange (YCE) program by donating your used media items. Drop off your donations of gently-used books, CDs, and DVDs in the social hall on April 15. The sale will be the last two Sundays in April. P roceeds are used to help cover scholarships for First U YCE youth and to pay for the Nicaraguan youth to fly here this summer. For their part, the Nicaraguan youth commit to working 100 hours in their community.  Have a large number of items to donate and would like to arrange a time for pick-up?  Contact Eric Schaefer at 612-414-7515 or eschaefer1@yahoo.com . 
Habitat on the Hill: April 26
Join Rev. Justin Schroeder and other First U Housing advocates at the Capitol to speak out for affordable housing in Minnesota at Habitat for Humanity's Day on the Hill. 

When : Thursday, April 26, 8:30 a.m. until early afternoon. 
What: Come show your support for housing! Advocacy training, materials, and lunch provided. 
Where: MN State Capitol (map) 
Who: All Habitat Advocates who want to disrupt the systemic racial bias in affordable housing. That's us!
RSVP: Contact Joan Naymark (jnaymark@gmail.com)  to indicate that you'll be part of our church group and please r egister online with Habitat for Humanity here.
April Board of Trustees Meeting
The Board of Trustees generally meets the third Thursday of every month (except July). The next meeting of the Board will take place next Thursday, April 19 at 6:30 p.m. Board meeting materials may be found on our website. Meeting materials are generally made available online two days prior to each board meeting.
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD      
Anti-War Protest: Stop Endless U.S. Wars
Sunday, April 15, 1:30 p.m.  gather at Hennepin and Lagoon Avenues, Minneapolis
2 p.m.  march (the march will conclude at or near the starting point)
2018 National Spring Anti-War Actions: Spring anti-war actions will be held April 14-15 in U.S. cities to say enough of endless wars. On the weekend before Tax Day, speak out against U.S. wars. Join us to say "Stop Endless War!" Initiated by Minnesota Peace Action Coalition. View the Facebook event for complete details.
Minneapolis Solid Waste and Recycling Survey
Submitted by Cecelia Newton, Environmental Justice Subcommittee on Recycling/Composting
Give input if you live in Minneapolis. Take a survey that will help shape future of City Solid Waste and Recycling Services. It only takes 10 minutes and if you do the survey by  April 20th  you will be entered in a random drawing for 20 $10 gift cards or 20 packs of 50 compostable plastic bags. Take the survey at  www.minneapolismn.gov/solid-waste
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.
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.
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 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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Church Office Hours
Sundays  8 a.m.-1 p.m.
Mondays-Thursdays  8:30 a.m.-8 p.m.
Closed Fridays and Saturdays
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 . 
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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