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June 14, 2018 | Vol. 5 No. 24
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Wake Now Our Vision Collaborative Campaign:
Make a Planned Gift Today to Secure Matching Money for First Universalist Now!
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Rev. Justin Schroeder
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Did you know you can create a legacy gift without making a will? It is as simple as changing the beneficiary on a 401K or other investment. Of course, you can also name First Universalist in your will, as well. Every legacy gift - no matter the amount, or where it's from - supports the church for "times we shall never see."
If you haven't already, now is the time to make your Legacy Giving Intentions known! Perhaps you have gotten an email or a mailing from the Unitarian Universalist Association, and you know that Wake Now Our Vision is a national Legacy Challenge Campaign designed to strengthen Unitarian Universalism. Thanks to a generous grant from the UU Congregation of Shelter Rock in New York, you can have an immediate impact on First Universalist,
as all new legacy gift intentions are eligible for a 10% matching gift (based on the current value of the legacy gift), with a maximum match of $10,000 per gift.
Life income gifts, such as charitable gift annuities, are eligible for a $1,000 match. Legacy gifts without an estimated value are also eligible for a $1,000 match.
New legacy gifts made to First Universalist by June 2020 will be matched and First Universalist will benefit immediately!
Visit
wakenowourvision.org
to download your Legacy Challenge form today or reach out to Rev. Justin Schroeder (
justin@firstuniv.org
) with any questions you have about making a Legacy Gift. The Planned Giving Team and I will be reaching out to church members as well, to encourage legacy giving, and answer questions about this process.
In faith,
Rev. Justin Schroeder and the Planned Giving Team
P.S. Wake Now Our Vision is a joint endeavor of the following six organizations acting as one: Church of the Larger Fellowship, Unitarian Universalist Association, Meadville Lombard Theological School, Starr King School for the Ministry, Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association, and the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee. Please consider supporting one or more of these other Unitarian Universalist organizations, in addition to First Universalist, with a legacy gift.
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| SUNDAY WORSHIP AT FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH |
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| Summer Worship Theme: Emergence |
Worship this Sunday
Rev. Karen Hutt
Why should we remember criminals? What role can liberals play inside the prison? Is there space in your heart for the unlovable? This Sunday, Rev. Karen Hutt will take you to prison with her and help you unlock the challenges of the heart for those inside and outside the wall.
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Sunday, June 24, 10 a.m.
Eric Cooperstein
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
June 10, 2018
"Endless Emergence"
Lena K. Gardner
June 3, 2018
"What Is Lighting Us Up?"
Rev. Jen Crow and Rev. Justin Schroeder
May 27, 2018
"What Are We Remembering?"
Rev. Justin Schroeder
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"Experiencing the Racial Body and Mind"
Friday, June 15 & Saturday, June 16
at Unity Church-Unitarian in St. Paul
First Universalist is co-sponsoring this rare opportunity to address both sides of the "dance" of racism
in a workshop
at
Unity Church Unitarian. Resmaa Menakem, a social worker specializing in trauma, will explore the inherited trauma of white supremacy that affects all of us. Dr. DiAngelo will describe the way race shapes the lives of white people and explain what makes racism so hard for white people to see. Together Resmaa and Robin will connect the mind and the body within the system of white supremacy and offer a map for healing.
Event details and registration are available
here
.
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Brave Conversations:
Interrupting Systemic Bias and Racism
Sunday, June 24, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Do you know how to respond when a relative at the dinner table or a neighbor at a block party says something that you think is biased? At this workshop you will learn strategies for approaching people you are in relationship with such as family, neighbors, realtors, friends, coaches, and teachers. You will have an opportunity to learn with others who are facing the challenges of speaking up and knowing what to say. There will be time to practice responding with directness and respect. Register with S
andy at
Sandy@firstuniv.org
or 612-825-1701.
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Wellspring Info Sessions
Sundays, July 1 or 8, 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Join us for an informational session to learn about Wellspring at First Universalist! UU Wellspring is a program of distinctly Unitarian Universalist spiritual development, offering the opportunity to learn more about ourselves and our faith through a year-long small group experience. The program will begin with a retreat for all participants on Saturday, Aug. 25, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Join us for an upcoming info session to learn more! The final two info sessions will be offered on Sunday, July 1 and Sunday, July 8 at 11:30 a.m. Come early at 11:15 a.m. for snacks and socializing!
Attendance at one session is required if you wish to participate for the first time in Wellspring in 2018-2019.
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Newcomer Circle
Tuesdays, July 24, 31, Aug. 7 & 14, 7-8:30 p.m.
Are you new to First Universalist? Whether you are a recent visitor or a new member, you're invited to join a Newcomer Circle. These four-session gatherings of 6-10 newcomers offer a chance to explore core Unitarian Universalist values, reflect on our spiritual journeys, and connect with other folks who are new to church. As with all of our Circles, this group is grounded in attentive listening and open-hearted reflection. Register with Sandy at sandy@firstuniv.org or 612-825-1701.
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Save the Date: Lake Harriet Bandshell Worship Service & Potluck
Mark your calendar for Sunday, Aug. 12 at 10 a.m. and join us for our annual outdoor worship service and potluck picnic at the Lake Harriet Bandshell! This will be our only service on this Sunday.
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Family Friendly Enhancements to the Social Hall
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 Do you have a little one with you at church? Would you like to enjoy a cup of coffee and chat with other parents, knowing your toddler is safely corralled and enjoying themselves, too?
This summer,
we are experimenting with ways to make the Social Hall more welcoming and comfortable for people of all ages - c
heck out our new addition to the Social Hall!
Please contact Lauren Wyeth, Director of Children, Youth & Family Ministries, if you have other suggestions for making First Universalist a fun and easy place to be together as a family. She can be reached at lauren@firstuniv.org.
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Our Database Helps Mulch!
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Submitted by Ray Dillon
 Gardeners know that mulching helps protect plants from too much sun, and it also discourages weeds without using herbicides. So a dozen garden-loving members gathered last Saturday to spread a huge pile of mulch around the swales, hedges, and garden spots on our church grounds. Several of the members dedicated themselves to removing weeds and trash items to make everything look spic and span. Many hands made light work, and the crew finished in two hours, just before the rain!
Some of the credit has to go to our new use of the database to empower volunteer leads to send out invites to members who have indicated an interest on our church's skills and interests survey. In this case, the volunteer lead sent out about fifty invites, and twelve people found they were free to help on that particular morning. Quite a few others responded, "I have a conflict this time, but please keep inviting me."
As our church grows in size, there is a natural evolution away from minister- and staff-directed activities toward a participant model that draws on the expanding pool of volunteer leads and energized members. Our database can facilitate the process.
Everyone likes to feel appreciated, so please make positive comments about how nice the church grounds are looking, and, who knows, someone you least suspect might proudly say, "I helped with that!"
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Caregiver Support Group at First Universalist
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Are you or someone you know a caregiver? First Universalist has a Caregiver Support Group for members and friends of the church. The group meets once a month to hear each others' experiences, share practical knowledge, and feel less alone. The group has a facilitator who has over 20 years experience leading caregiver groups. If you would like more information, contact Anne Frenchick tedanne@pro-ns.net.
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MN Poor People's Campaign: Final Action on 6/18
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On May 14
, the Minnesota Poor People's Campaign launched, joining poor people, activists, clergy and moral leaders in more than 30 states and Washington, D.C., for 40 days of moral action to prick the conscious of our nation's leaders
to address systemic racism, poverty, ecological devastation, and the war economy. The campaign seeks nothing less than to reclaim the moral narrative in this nation by building what Dr. King called a "new and unsettling force" committed to collective action to
transform the political, economic, and moral structures of our nation
On Monday, June 18,
people will come together for the final action in the 40-day Minnesota launch of the Poor People's Campaign.
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Illustration by Ricardo Levins Morales |
Event organizers share background on Monday's action (view the event with more details on Facebook here):
"One of our most distorted cultural narratives is that police = safety. But we know that police have a history of targeting our most vulnerable communities, not protecting them. In August, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey will propose his budget for 2019, and he has indicated that he will add more funding for the Minneapolis Police Department to add more cops.
"We will come together for the final action in the 40-day Minnesota launch of the Poor People's Campaign to tell Mayor Frey and the Minneapolis City Council that we want them to invest in creative alternatives that truly protect our beloved community - and this is not a militarized police force rooted in white supremacy.
"Join us for a rally where we'll hear from clergy, representatives of communities most impacted by militarized policing, and advocates for more humane and loving alternatives.
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2018 Habitat for Humanity Summer Work Week
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Please join in First Universalist's Habitat for Humanity Summer Work Week, and help a hardworking family in our community achieve the joy and stability of homeownership. The dates are
Monday, July 30 through Friday, August 3
. Our build
site is in North Minneapolis in the Jordan neighborhood.
We need 65 volunteers in all (13 per day). Volunteers must be over sixteen years of age, 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.
Concerned that you don't know much about building or how to use tools? No worries! Your fellow volunteers and our Habitat site supervisor, Jake, will help you.
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| RESOURCES & CONTACT INFORMATION |
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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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We hold in our thoughts and prayers the family of member Lyle Johnson, who passed away in December 2017. A memorial service for Lyle will be held at First Universalist Church on Friday, June 29 at 4 p.m.
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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
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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