 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| |
May 17, 2018 | Vol. 5 No. 20
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
|
Rev. Jen Crow |
So many things have broken my heart this week. It started with the killings in Gaza, and was quickly followed up by our president referring to immigrants as animals. A few days later I was sitting with a Jewish friend as he described people calling him a Nazi and sending him pictures of himself burning in an oven after he made the radical public statement that both Palestinians and Jews are worthy of basic human rights. Coming from a place of fear, we do so much harm to one another.
What would it be like if we could embody our Universalist faith that reminds us that all people are born whole and holy and worthy of basic human rights and care? What would it be like if we could embody the three practices of Revolutionary Love that the Sikh activist and author Valerie Kaur outlines for us? Love of others, love of our opponents, and love of ourselves.
To love others, we have to wonder about others. We have to move past your animal response of putting people into one group or another, of feeling afraid of those who are different than us, and instead move into wondering. Wonder what they are making for dinner tonight, she says. Wonder what they hope for for their children. Wonder how they met their beloved, or what makes them laugh. If we are going to practice loving others, then we need to move toward relationships that span differences.
Loving our opponents can be incredibly difficult. When we remember that we are all born whole and holy and worthy, then we know that our opponent's participation in oppression hurts them, too. And we remember that while oppression hurts everyone, it does not harm everyone equally, so sometimes we need one another to practice loving our opponents. Sometimes we need to take turns, asking others in our community to love our opponents for us when we cannot.
The practice of loving ourselves may not be as straightforward as it sounds. I love some yoga and lattes, Valerie Kaur says, but that is not all that loving ourselves is about. Love of ourselves sometimes means being called back to ourselves by our spiritual practices and by each other. And sometimes, when the pain is too great with us, we cannot love ourselves all on our own and we need to let others help us with it. When we are grieving, or hurting, or in the process of creating something new, we need others to tend to us. When someone is giving birth or dying, you don't tell them, good luck loving yourself and getting your own water - you tend to them, bringing water and clean clothes, easing their pain, breathing with them, and when the time comes for them to do something really hard, you look them in the eye or whisper in their ear - you are brave, you can do this, I am with you. This practice of loving ourselves asks us to let other people in, allowing them to love us when we need this kind of care the most.
These three ways of being: loving others, loving our opponents, and loving ourselves can move us into deeper alignment with our faith as we labor together for the birth of revolutionary love - as we live from love instead of fear, healing our hearts, our homes and our world.
In faith,
Jen
|
|
|
| SUNDAY WORSHIP AT FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH |
|
|
|
| May Worship Theme: Creativity |
Worship this Sunday
Sunday, May 20, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Youth-friendly Worship*
Worship led by Senior High Youth
Y
outh Sunday is a service in which our youth lead us in worship, with special music, homilies, and this year, movement. Our youth will be exploring the theme of creativity and how we might inspire our justice work with imagination. Youth Sunday is not to be missed!
*Youth in grades 6-12 attend worship.
|
|
|
|
|
Sunday, May 27, 10 a.m.
"What Are We Remembering?"
Rev. Justin Schroeder
Summer Sundays begin May 27!
During the summer, we invite everyone to our single 10 a.m. service.
Childcare and Religious Education classes are available for children 6 months through entering 6th grade in the fall.
Recent Sermon Podcasts
May 13, 2018
"Laboring for Love"
Rev. Jen Crow
May 6, 2018
"Open to New Life"
Rev. Elaine Aron Tenbrink
April 29, 2018
"Invocation and Dance"
Rev. Ruth MacKenzie
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| May Worship Theme: Creativity |
Creation creates. This is the nature of being alive and a part of this world. To be human is to be a creator. To be an artist, you get conscious about creativity. An artist understands that everything is creating all the time. Artists purposefully stare at the blank page, stand before the empty canvas, or enter the quiet before a note is sounded. They consciously enter the flow of creation hoping something new, or inspiring, or healing will transpire. Artists consciously shape creation creating. To be a person of faith is to get conscious about creativity as well. We sit with open hearts, listening to where love is calling us next. We consciously enter the creating world, creating justice, creating community, creating islands of sanity in an insane world. The religious life is an artistic life. In this time when everything is in bud, when so much is becoming, we explore the nature of creativity and what it is to be alive.
|
|
|
|
Refugees & U.S. Asylum Seekers: Uncertain Shelter in the Age of Trump
Sunday, May 20, 1-2:30 p.m.
Every day, policies of President Trump, coupled with an atmosphere of unchecked xenophobia, are making life harder for refugees and asylum seekers, many of whom are also survivors of torture (as many as 44%).
Join us for a presentation by Curt Goering, Executive Director of the Center for Victims of Torture, including a briefing about what life is like for the survivors they work with and a discussion on the current political policies impacting them. Learn what you can do to support torture survivors, refugees and asylees in our community.
|
|
|
|
|
Artist's Reception with Bri Moses
Sunday, May 20, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Photographer Bri Moses will be in the Social Hall after both services on Sunday, May 20 to talk about her work and to offer additional photographs for sale. A selection of her photographs are currently on display in the social hall in an exhibit called "Macro Nature," through 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Music Workshop with Give Get Sistet
Wednesday, May 23, 7-8:15 p.m. in the Sanctuary
 Have you ever wondered how the musical group, Give Get Sistet, sings in such beautiful and rockin' harmonies without a scrap of music in front of them? Have you ever wondered how they improvise and respond to the themes in the sermon with such skill and wisdom? These gifts are at the center of Afrocentric music making and indicative of the incredible artistry of Give Get Sistet.
Join the choir and others to learn, to sing, to create together as Give Get Sistet leads us in a workshop on a cappella singing and Afrocentric music making. We will learn together, sing together and create a song for Flower Communion. If you are a singer, come. If you have no musical talent whatsoever and are just curious, come. Invite your friends. This workshop is for everybody!
|
|
|
Seniors Hike with Daytime Connections
Thursday, May 24, 10 a.m.
Join us for a spring hike with fellow seniors!
Meet at 10 a.m. at the home of Roxy Knuttila and Frank Janezich, who have
again invited the group to their home to begin and end the hike. If you would like to stay after for lunch and conversation, please bring your own bag lunch.
Roxy and Frank live near the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, and we will walk a 3-4 mile section of the woodland trail.
RSVP to Tom Saterstrom:
saterstromtom@yahoo.com
or 952-239-3629. Meeting location address and more details available here.
|
|
|
|
|
Wellspring Info Session
Thursday, May 31, 7:30-8:15 p.m.
Join us for an informational session to learn about Wellspring at First Universalist Church! 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 kicks off with a retreat on Saturday, Aug. 25, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Join us for one of four upcoming info sessions to learn more! The first info session will be offered on Thursday, May 31 in the Cummins Room. Three more will be offered on: Wednesday, June 13, Sunday, July 1 and Sunday, July 8. Attendance at one info session is required if you wish to participate in Wellspring 2018-2019.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Flower Communion Sunday
Sunday, June 3, single service at 10 a.m.
Flower Communion is an annual ritual that celebrates beauty, human uniqueness, diversity, and community. Please join us on Sunday, June 3 at 10 a.m. for this special worship service!
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Meeting of the Membership
Sunday, June 3, 11:30 a.m.
Please plan to attend our Annual Meeting on Sunday, June 3, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. This year our church business includes approval of the annual budget and the election of members to the Board of Trustees, the Foundation Board, and the Nominating Committee, as well as approving revised bylaws. This is a time when we celebrate a successful year and conduct the business of this church that only members can do. We need a quorum to conduct the meeting - please give us the gift of your time so we may complete this work!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Art for Action
Saturday, June 9, 1-5 p.m.
Have fun while raising funds for the First U Sanctuary and Resistance Immigrant Fund! Create a painted-looking landscape with unique printed and textured fabrics and fibers at this class on Saturday, June 9, 1-5 p.m. with Rev. Laurie Bushbaum and Denise Konen. Suggested donation: $50. Funds raised will support immigrant families facing detention and deportation. Register with Denise Konen at denise@netgains.net.
|
|
|
|
|
Racial Justice and Our UU Faith Workshop
Tuesdays, June 12 & 19, 6:30-9 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. This is a two-part workshop held on Tuesdays, June 12 & 19, 6:30-9 p.m., led by Clemma Muller and Susan Schultz. To register, contact Sandy at
Sandy@firstuniv.org
or 612-825-1701.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
2018 Habitat for Humanity Summer Work Week
|
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. S
ee you this summer!
|
Minnesota Poor People's Campaign:
A National Call for Moral Revival |
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
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.
Each week, there are opportunities to gather at the State Capitol to call attention to and demand action to address the issues that impact the lives of so many people of every race, sex, age, religion, or sexual orientation.
|
Summer Circle Registration Deadline is May 20
|
Set some time aside to engage with life's deeper themes at church this summer: join a circle! These gatherings of 8-10 people are a great way to get connected and stay spiritually grounded.
Summer Soul Matters Circles
In these small groups, we create a clearing where we slow down, listen deeply to each other and our own inner wisdom, and we invite the spirit to grow. These six-session circles will delve into our summer worship theme of Emergence, and will be divided into the following sessions: emergence, intention, courage, risk, awakening, and emergence revisited.
Summer Spiritual Deepening Circles
This summer, we're offering four Spiritual Deepening Circles:
Find descriptions, schedules and registration here.
Please register by Sunday, May 20!
|
| May 24 Submission Deadline for 5/31 & 6/7 Liberals |
Planning to submit an article for inclusion in The Weekly Liberal on May 31 or June 7? Due to staff vacation schedules, the submission deadline for both the May 31 and June 7 issues is Thursday, May 24. Please make sure to email Jenn at jenns@firstuniv.org with anything you wish to have included in these issues by this date. The regular submission deadline of Tuesday at 10 a.m. the week of publication will resume for the June 14 issue.
|
Annual Giving Update: 85% IN and Counting
|
This year, our goal is to achieve
100% participation/response
- All In! -
in our Annual Giving Campaign. Annual giving funds more than 80% of our work, and it's important that we hear from everyone so that we can budget and plan for the coming year!
As of May 16, we've heard from 85% of the congregation about their plans for giving during the 2018-19 fiscal year. Thank you so much to those who are "in" thus far!
If we haven't heard from you yet, please let 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!
|
| Worship Associate Applications Due May 18 |
Do you love worship? Do you have a flair for writing? Please consider applying to be a Worship Associate this year! 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.
Worship Associates speak 2 or 3 times during the year in worship, and gather with Rev. Ruth MacKenzie throughout 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 by w
riting a 300-500 word story about
forgiveness and s
ubmitting your manuscript to Rev. Ruth MacKenzie at:
ruth@firstuniv.org.
The d
eadline for submissions is May 18, 2018.
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.
You must be able to attend the Worship Retreat in order to be considered.
|
| Calling All Members, Bylaws Wonks & Proofreaders! |
At the Annual Meeting on June 3, 2018, the Board of Trustees will ask the membership to approve substantially revised bylaws of the Church. Our existing bylaws are outdated, sometimes confusing, and lacking in the flexibility that is needed to operate our vibrant Church.
The most recent draft of the new bylaws can be found
here. A narrative comparison of the old and new bylaws, with notes about any substantive changes, will be posted on our website
here soon. If you're really into this, you can find our current bylaws
here.
At the Board of Trustees meeting on May 24, 2018, the Trustees will approve a final draft of the bylaws for presentation to the congregation at the annual meeting. The Trustees are interested in your thoughts and comments, from policy considerations right down to ferreting out typos or sentences that may not seem completely clear.
So have at it! Written comments may be sent to
boardchair@firstuniv.org.
An informal meeting with President Eric Cooperstein and other Trustees will be held on Wednesday, May 30, 2018, at 6:30 p.m. to answer questions and consider input regarding the proposed bylaws.
|
| Robin DiAngelo and Resmaa Menakem: Experiencing the Racial Body and Mind |
First Universalist is co-sponsoring a rare opportunity to address both sides of the "dance" of racism: "
Robin DiAngelo and Resmaa Menakem:
Experiencing the Racial Body and Mind" on
Friday, June 15 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday, June 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at
Unity Church Unitarian in St Paul. More event details are available here.
 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, explain what makes racism so hard for White people to see, and identify common White racial patterns that prevent us from moving towards greater racial equity.
Together Resmaa and Robin will connect the mind and the body within the system of white supremacy and offer a map for healing.
|
| May Board Meeting Scheduled for May 24 |
The Board of Trustees generally meets the third Thursday of every month (except July). However, the May board meeting will take place on the fourth Thursday of the month: Thursday, May 24 at 6:30 p.m. Board meeting materials may be found on our website. Meeting materials are generally available online two days prior to each board meeting.
|
|
Welcome New Child Team: Get in Touch with Us!
|
Are you planning to adopt a child or expecting a new baby?
DON'T WAIT! Get in touch with the Welcome New Child Team!
Our ministry is to support you during the joyous and tender time of your new child/ baby's arrival. However, we are finding that sometimes once the new child/baby arrives, parents forget all about contacting the church via Sandy DiNanni to make an official announcement. Routines get thrown out the window, sleep deprivation creeps in and you put it off. Before you know it the baby is 8 months old! (This has really happened.)
We have a solution: contact our team in advance. We want to be there for you!
When you feel ready, a friendly volunteer from our team will offer to visit you. According to your wishes the volunteer will do any multitude of things that you may appreciate help with: dishes, holding the baby while you spend time with an older sibling, or simply providing a friendly presence. If you are adopting - we have two special volunteers who have adopted children and who will support you while you cocoon with your new child.
We partner with Congregational Care to set up a meal train if your family would like that.
Sara McMullen saramcminneapolis@gmail.com 612-805-5059
|
|
Rummage Sale Canceled; You Can Still Support Abdi!
|
Unfortunately, the rummage sale originally planned for June 1st-2nd will no longer be happening. However, you can still support Abdulkadir Sharif Abdi Mohamed (Abdi) through the GoFundMe set up by his wife Rhoda! Abdi is an immigrant and beloved mentor of many in the recovery community, and he is currently working to avoid deportation to Somalia. Rhoda has set up a GoFundMe for Abdi's legal costs here.
|
| 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.
|
| 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.
|
|
|
Join Our Mailing List
Subscribe to
The Weekly Liberal
here.
Sign up to receive our weekly Children Youth & Family Ministries news
here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Universalist Church of Minneapolis
3400 Dupont Avenue S.
Minneapolis, MN 55408
612-825-1701
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
