 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| |
June 18, 2020 | Vol. 7 No. 25
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Reflections from the Annual Meeting
|
Thank you to so many of you who attended our 161st Annual Meeting of the Congregation this past Sunday. Together, we approved the operating budget, thanked outgoing Board and Nominating Committee members, elected new Board, Foundation, and Nominating Committee members, affirmed our current slate of officers, and conferred Minister Emerita status on Rev. Ruth as she retires. We celebrated the work we've done together and oriented ourselves for the year ahead, renewing our shared commitment to racial justice and becoming a church that welcomes and affirms people and all of their identities. Please take some time to read the Annual Report and reflect on this momentous year we've shared together. Here's a bit of what I shared in my annual report, with an update to include the rebirth of a revolution here in Minneapolis.
As this church year comes to a close, I've been remembering the day in December when Rev. Justin and I and Board President, Dr. Bryana French, all shared the pulpit. We were saying our temporary goodbyes and offering our blessings on Rev. Justin and the congregation as he prepared to leave on a much deserved six-month sabbatical. We talked about how we hoped this sabbatical time would create a clearing for Rev. Justin and for the congregation. A time and space when we could do some resting and reflecting, listening deeply to where love was calling us next as we said no to new projects and learned to lean into our interdependence with each other. We've got this, together, was the phrase we ended that day with.
I've been laughing remembering that "no new projects this spring" intention. Of course, it would have been enough to move through these six months of sabbatical, strong and steady without one of our senior ministers. It would have been enough to prepare to say goodbye to our beloved Rev. Ruth MacKenzie as she prepares for retirement. It would have been enough to launch our long-awaited renovation project and be displaced from our building for a few months. All of that would have been more than enough change for any church and any people for any season. And of course, there was so much more that would happen, too.
I've been laughing remembering that "no new projects" intention for this church year, and I've been holding on to that phrase we ended our service in December with more and more - We've got this, together.
While this winter and spring has been a roller coaster ride, we are holding on to each other and holding tight to what matters most. When the global pandemic arrived in March, we closed our building and took our ministry online, offering Sunday services and a new weekly Wednesday service via Zoom, reaching out to church members and friends through our Congregational Connectors, and starting up several small groups to serve those most impacted by the pandemic. We've leaned into all aspects of our 3rd visionary goal, as we've moved to multigenerational worship every Sunday and tended to the growth of our "community of communities," including our
young adults, choir, BIPOC/multiracial youth, single parents, parents of babies and preschoolers, families with young children, 6th graders, Coming of Age youth, senior high, elementary age kids, middle schoolers, and people working in health care. We've seen an increase in worship attendance and a robust response to our online offerings for children, youth and families
.
While our building remains closed, our church is more open than ever - serving members and visitors, adults and children, from as far away as Ireland, India, Alaska, countries in Africa, and even across the river.
Throughout this time of great loss, uncertainty, and change, we have kept our vision and mission clear. We are a church where all people are welcome, wanted, whole, holy and worthy. Though the impact of this pandemic and the resulting economic downturn affects us all, it is affecting Black, Indigenous, and all People of Color disproportionately. Our commitment to racial justice and to building the Beloved Community is more important than ever. This summer, we look forward to welcoming new staff members to our leadership team. Barrington Walker, who some of you met in January, will become our first ministerial intern in our internship program designed specifically to support Black, Indigenous, and People of Color as they move into Unitarian Universalist ministry. In August, we will welcome Julica Hermann de la Fuente to our staff team on a half-time basis. A candidate for the ministry, Julica brings a deep commitment to Unitarian Universalism and extensive experience accompanying congregations on their journey toward racial justice. Her work on the Beloved Conversations curriculum and her coaching of religious professionals as they seek to lead racially just, multicultural, multi-racial communities of faith has made her well-known around the country, and we are delighted to have her join our team.
Over the last few weeks, we have witnessed the murder of George Floyd, a Black man, at the hands of the Minneapolis police. George Floyd's murder comes right on the heels of the killing of several other Black people at the hands of the police and other white vigilantes. In the wake of this loss, Minneapolis and the world have erupted in an uprising that will not be stopped as we work together for an end to the killing of Black people and the systemic racism that perpetuates it. The year ahead brings a recommitment to our racial justice mission and listening to and supporting Black leadership.
In the midst of so much change and loss, we are holding on to each other and what matters most. We are proclaiming the Universalist vision of love and hope that names each and every person as part of one human family - all of us wanted and welcome, whole and holy and worthy - and together, we are living into the truth of our interconnection and interdependence. May we remember who we are and what matters most. May we lean in to the love that will not let us go, and may we remember that whatever comes our way - we've got this, together.
Rev. Jen
|
If you were unable to join us for the annual meeting on Sunday, June 14 - because of difficulties with the registration process, the technical difficulties we experienced broadcasting to YouTube Live for non-members, or your schedule - we do have a recording of the meeting that can be made available. If you'd like access to the recording, please reach out to Communications Manager Jenn Stromberg at
jenns@firstuniv.org to request it.
|
|
|
Sunday, June 21 at 10 a.m.
 |
|
|
Rev. Ruth MacKenzie |
MULTIGENERATIONAL WORSHIP
Rev. Ruth MacKenzie
Please join us for worship this Sunday at 10 a.m. as Rev. Ruth MacKenzie preaches her final sermon in her role as Minister at First Universalist Church before retiring at the end of this month.
Connect to our live streamed worship:
To join by phone (audio only), dial 1-312-626-6799 and enter the webinar ID.
AFTER WORSHIP:
~11 a.m. Virtual Coffee Hour
After Sunday worship, join us for
virtual coffee hour for all identities (
Meeting ID: 212 168 092)
or dial: 1-312-626-6799 and enter the meeting ID when prompted.
~11 a.m. BIPOC Virtual Coffee Hour for those who are Black, Indigenous, Multiracial, POC
Join here (
Meeting ID: 825 3313 5300; Password: 982432
) or dial: 1-312-626-6799 and enter the meeting ID and password when prompted.
Wednesday, June 24 at 7 p.m.
WORSHIP
This midweek worship experience for adults and older youth is a brief time (20-30 minutes) of connection, centering, and reflection, to help us find and keep our balance during this time of pandemic and physical distancing.
To join by phone (audio only), dial 1-312-626-6799 and enter the webinar ID.
|
Sunday, June 14: "Red Light Stop, Green Light Go" by Rev. Karen Hutt
|
|
|
Rev. Karen Hutt |
Reflections by Liz Farmer, Adult Ministries & Admin Assistant:
In the words of Rev. Karen's great granddaddy at a Juneteenth bar-b-que, "don't celebrate too much... emancipation was just a coffee break," and liberation for black folks a traumatic game of Red Light, Green Light ever since.
The fact remains that slavery still exists - reformed, as it were - and black sovereignty (or even the possibility of it) the subject vigilant suppression, regulation, and violence. Just weeks after the murder of George Floyd, outcry and links to donate take up less space on social media news feeds; city leaders' commitments to reform are under scrutiny and deliberation; the book groups are pacing their anti-racism studies. Red light. Who gets to decide when we push pause on justice? Whose fatigue dictates when we all "take a break" from the work of radical change? Who times those green, yellow, and red lights- in our communities, and in ourselves? The starting, stopping, and waiting can wear a person out- one who believes that "reform and restoration" of our neoliberal norms is possible. Was Rev. Karen's great granddaddy right? Listen to the June 14 service on the podcast or watch it on YouTube.
|
|
|
|
CYCLE OF LIFE & CONGREGATIONAL CARE
|
|
Cycle of Life from Sunday, June 14
We hold
Phil Burke,
who had a heart attack on June 12. He is recovering at United Hospital and expects to be home soon. We are grateful for church members and friends George Dow, Bill Kirkpatrick, and Bonnie Hill for their quick action to get help which saved Phil's life.
And we hold
Sydney Dunitz
and her family as they mourn the death of their mother,
Mary Irwin
, who was born in Irvington, N.Y. in 1922 and died in Nokomis, Florida. Mary was a mother of five. She was smart and had a huge heart.
|
|
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; contact Rev. Karen Hutt at
revkarenhutt@gmail.com. If you would like support, call the office at 612-825-1701 and follow the prompts for pastoral care on the recording.
|
|
Antiracism Resources and Updates from RJET
|
From the Racial Justice Education Team:
No doubt each of us is hearing and seeing a great deal of content to read or view about racial injustice, anti-racism, anti-blackness, abolishing/defunding/reforming the police, white supremacy culture, systemic racism and more. In a country bound by white supremacy culture that values and centers whiteness and has since its founding there is a lot to learn and a lot to unlearn.
As we understand from the many questions and comments we have received, we are all on a path toward racial justice with varying touchpoints on our learning path:
-
Some have been leaning in for a long time or have the lived experience of being othered because of race.
-
Some began the journey in earnest when our church committed itself to racial justice seven years ago.
-
Some are deepening their realization of how this issue affects us - whether we have paid direct attention or not.
-
Some are surprised to learn how enraged many in the black community feel toward police and the entire criminal justice system
-
Some think that the Twin Cities was devoid of racism because they are immersed in white environments at home, school, and the workplace
-
Some want to believe that our community leaders are naming and solving the racial disparities they have have heard or read about
We encourage you to accept exactly where you are at this moment and invite you to continue the journey from exactly that point. Those of us who have had the opportunity to be doing this work for several consecutive years have found the greatest obstacle to our progress has been fear of acknowledging our own racism and racist thinking. Admitting to ourselves and those we trust, that by virtue of growing up in this country we are racist in our thinking and actions has been an incredible source of liberation - for breaking through the narratives, allowing the depth of the reality to sink in and building a willingness to commit to anti-racist attitudes, behaviors, and actions.
The Racial Justice Education Team will be sending out periodic updates and resources primarily designed to speak to the white folks in our congregation and their antiracism efforts. Our next update comes out on Friday, June 19. Please sign up here to be sure you're on our list and receiving updates from the RJET.
|
|
Staying Engaged:
Spotlight on Augsburg Fairview Academy
|
|
|
|
Photo by Joseph Morrison. |
Submitted by Cindy Marsh
Augsburg Fairview Academy (AFA) is a public charter high school serving at-risk students and is a long term First Universalist Church Community Partner. AFA students face numerous challenges at the intersection of poverty and systemic racism. COVID-19 increased these challenges. Now they face one more: students are dangerously close to the epicenter of the George Floyd killing by police and its aftermath.
Many of the African Americans, Somali, and American Indian students live in neighborhoods where destruction of stores and businesses occurred. The school building at 25
th
and Columbus is just four blocks from Lake Street and three blocks from burned businesses. Long term, students must wrestle with the impact of the violence that culminated in George Floyd's death. A recent study suggests killings by police officers even harm students' performance in local high schools; the closer they lived to an incident the more their GPAs deteriorated and the more lasting the effect (
The Economist, June 15, 2020
).
AFA students possess courage, persistence and grit and AFA staff are dedicated and compassionate. Ten students met requirements for graduation from high school this spring. "The last week of school was a whirlwind," commented Heidi Anderson, Executive Director. "We completed seven mini-ceremonies for graduates and their families. We are hoping to schedule more later this summer when students feel the neighborhood is safer."
First Universalist donations of food, toiletries, clothing and financial offerings are the primary support for Food and Clothing Closets within the school. Since the closure of the Minneapolis Public Schools due to COVOD-19, AFA staff moved to online learning where possible and also delivered lessons, homework, and meals directly to students at their homes. Through the end of the school year, First U congregants continued to make donations of food to supplement the food delivered by staff.
To meet the immediate needs of AFA families affected by sudden store closures in their neighborhood, staff opened a free store on June 17. It is open Wednesdays and by appointment; deliveries will also be made to families.
Donations of goods and supplies or financial donations to continue to support the specific needs of students and their families continue to be needed. Financial donations through GiveMN are also welcome. Details about goods needed, how to sign up, and/or how to make a financial donation are available here.
|
|
From the Southwest Journal:
"Faith Groups Respond to George Floyd's Death"
|
|
|
|
Led by African American clergy, a group of demonstrators walked down 38th Street on June 2 as part of a silent Clergy March. Photo by Becca Most
|
by Becca Most
Southwest Journal, June 11, 2020
Excerpts:
"Led by African American clergy, including Stacey Smith of African Methodist Episcopal Church in St. Paul, hundreds of people, from a variety of faith congregations in Southwest and the metro area, walked silently to the site of George Floyd's death on June 2."
"Jen Crow, a minister at First Universalist Church in Lyndale, said her congregation has been focused on listening to black leaders in the community and offering support in the ways they are asked to."
"Often white supremacy culture shows up in behavior as a sense of urgency, or the desire to do something immediately to relieve one's own sense of racial discomfort, she said. Listening and educating yourself on the history of racism and white supremacy in America is essential groundwork for making change, Crow said."
|
|
Saying Goodbye to Rev. Ruth: Last Zoom Gathering
|
 Beloved Friends,
I will be retiring soon, and my last day at First Universalist will be Sunday, June 28. I would love to stand in a receiving line after our worship service, look at each one of your faces, give and receive a hug of deep gratitude, and say goodbye - but that is not the way of things in this unprecedented time.
I'll be hosting one final two-hour
zoom session, where people can drop in for a few minutes, or more, to talk with me and whoever shows up about our time together. You can drop in at the beginning of the session or right smack dab in the middle, whatever fits your schedule and your needs.
We'll start with a poem and a chalice lighting, and we will hold sacred space together as we say goodbye. Here are some questions that might guide our time together.
- What is a memory about our time together at church, or an important time for you and the church at large?
- What gratitude(s) do you have?
- What is emerging from this time we are living through that you don't want to forget?
- Is there a promise you are making to yourself or others?
I look forward to being with you and saying a good goodbye.
Rev. Ruth
|
|
Celebrating Rev. Ruth MacKenzie
|
Rev. Ruth MacKenzie's varied and dynamic ministry has been a profound gift to the entire congregation. Now, as she prepares to retire, it is time to celebrate her launch into a new life with all the energy and love she has brought to us over the last 10 years.
We don't want Ruth to leave without a truly good goodbye. Here's how you can participate:
SPECIAL DONATION:
Consider making a special financial donation to a retirement gift fund for Ruth. We have a *surprise* gift idea for Ruth, but no church budget, so we need one-time, specially designated donations.
These are free will, as the spirit moves you, and not tax deductible as they are separate from ongoing church support. Electronic gifts can be made here. Checks may be sent to the church with "Ruth's Gift" in the memo line.
LETTERS/NOTES/CARDS: Ruth would love to have letters and cards from congregants, actual items she can hold and re-read. Mail notes to the church marked Attn: Celebrating Ruth.
SHORT VIDEOS: You can record a short video on a phone or your computer with your own personal goodbye to Ruth. We will edit the videos together into a longer piece for her. Please send your video (no more than 30 seconds long) to
emma@firstuniv.org by Friday, June 26.
**SAVE THE DATE FOR TWO EVENTS**
CHALK ART FOR REV. RUTH:
"In art as in love, instinct is enough" - Anatole France. Prepare to share your love for Rev. Ruth on Saturday, June 27 through chalk art
! Follow your instinct, bring a mask and speak from your heart by leaving words, phrases, or drawings for Rev. Ruth on the stairs and sidewalks surrounding First Universalist. Please be mindful and practice social distancing. Come on out to First Universalist Saturday, June 27 any time between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. and share your love and well wishes for Rev. Ruth! Chalk will be provided.
WAVE GOODBYE TO REV. RUTH: After Rev. Ruth's final worship service with us on
Sunday, June 28, she'll be on the front steps of the church from
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Congregants are welcome to drive, walk, or ride by and wave goodbye to Rev. Ruth as we send her off into retirement with love and gratitude. There will also be a box on the curb for you to drop off a card or a favorite poem that you'd like to share with Ruth.
With gratitude for all Ruth has given us,
The Celebrating Ruth Team:
Daryn Woodson, Michael Dotson, Adrian Ali-Caccamo, Janet Merrill, Marion Dane Bauer, Eric Cooperstein, and Emma Paskewitz
|
|
|
Virtual Gatherings for Adults
Tuesday, June 23 at 8 a.m.
Begin your week with spiritual grounding and sustenance with Rev. Ruth, taking time to connect with your breath, your heart, your woundedness and your joy, in this half hour interactive session in which we will check in with others, and engage with a spiritual practice.
Wednesday, June 24 at 7:30 p.m.
In the Calming Circle, hosted by Rev. Ruth MacKenzie and Pastor Stephanie Vos, we check in with one another, engage in a somatic experience of spiritual practice (stretching our bodies, and our spirits) and then gather in prayer and spiritual practice, holding one another in compassion and kindness.
Wednesday, June 24 at 7:30 p.m.
The Young Adults group (for those in their 20s and 30s) is now gathering on a weekly basis. Connect with fellow First U young adults after Wednesday worship for conversation and fun.
|
Virtual Gatherings for Children, Youth & Families
SUNDAY
1:30 p.m. BIPOC/Multiracial Youth Group with Daryn, Sarah, and youth leaders, for youth who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color and/or multiracial. Email Lauren at lauren@firstuniv.org to be connected to the group.
TUESDAY
8 p.m.
Single Parents Gathering with Rev. Sara Smalley - Parents/guardians who are single and/or co-parenting gather for mutual support and spiritual sustenance. (Meeting ID:
984 9990 9070;
Password: connection)
THURSDAY
8:15 p.m.
Parents of Babies and Preschoolers (ages 0-4 years) with Lauren - Parents/guardians of little ones gather for mutual support and spiritual sustenance. (Meeting ID: 273-644-536
; Password: 446240)
|
|
Association of Universalist Women Social Hour
|
AUW members are staying connected via a weekly Zoom Happy Hour.
Meeting ID: 834 7301 7986
Password: 557571
Phone number: 312-626-6799
|
12 Step Spirituality Workshops, which had been hosted at First Universalist one Saturday per month, continue every Saturday on Zoom through October. All people interested in the 12 steps are welcome. The workshop includes meditation, centering prayer meditation instructions, short talks, small groups and more. Join here at 9:30 a.m. on Saturdays. The meeting ID is 392-510-399. Visit www.12stepspirituality.org for more details. If you have questions call Dick Y. at 952-893-1188.
|
|
|
|
We offer several options for making donations online, whether it's a contribution toward the offering plate or your annual or capital gift.
Text to Give
To make a donation via credit card, use your smartphone to text "
firstuniv" (without quotes) to the number
73256. You'll receive a link to a secure form where you can enter your information. Select the appropriate fund from the dropdown menu.
Square Cash
Make a contribution using a debit card via the Square Cash app. Download this free app (
iPhone or
Android) and set up your account - you'll need your debit card and a $cashtag (user name). Then:
- Enter the amount you want to donate
- Click "pay"
- In the $cashtag space, enter $FirstUniv
- In the For space, let us know what it's for - the Sunday offering plate? Your annual gift?
- Click "pay"
ACS (our online giving system)
Make a one-time gift using the secure form located on our website
here. Make sure that you've selected the correct fund (such as offering plate) if it's not an annual gift.
It's also okay to mail checks to the church, even though the office is closed. We are still receiving mail, though we are only collecting it once per week. It will likely take us longer than normal to process check payments, but you are welcome to send checks if you prefer!
|
A Quick Guide on Where to Direct Commonly Asked Questions:
|
|
|
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
|
The church office is closed until further notice.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weekly Liberal Submissions
We encourage you to submit news!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contact Us
|
First Universalist Church of Minneapolis
3400 Dupont Ave. S.,
Minneapolis, MN 55408
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Universalist Church of Minneapolis
3400 Dupont Avenue S.
Minneapolis, MN 55408
612-825-1701
|
|
| |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
