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July 3, 2019 | Vol. 6 No. 27
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Sunday, July 7, 10 a.m.
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Rev. Justin Schroeder |
"In the Middle of It"
Worship Leaders: Rev. Justin Schroeder and our Asylum Support Team
A core spiritual practice at First Universalist is to "listen deeply to where love is calling us next." Since early January, a group of congregants and ministers have been following this call, working toward sponsoring a detained (imprisoned) asylum seeker. Dozens of congregants are part of this effort, and at the end of May, a young, indigenous, Guatemalan woman arrived in Minneapolis, sponsored by congregants. This Sunday, members of the core Asylum Support Team will share reflections on this journey, describe how our faith calls us to this ministry, and invite congregants to support this effort in whatever ways they can. We will also welcome Nicaraguan youth who are visiting as part of the church's Youth Cultural Exchange program. The service will be in English and Spanish.
Please join us for worship at 10 a.m.!
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Sunday, July 14, 10 a.m.
Worship Leader: Lauren Wyeth
Sunday, July 21, 10 a.m.
Worship Leader: Rev. Karen Hutt
First Universalist Summer Choir
Sunday, July 28, 10 a.m.
Worship Leader: Rev. Karen Hutt
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June 30, 2019
"The Work We Need to Do"
Rev. Ruth MacKenzie and Isha Caldwell
June 23, 2019
"Who Is Afraid of Power?"
Lena K. Gardner
June 16, 2019
"Our Second Sound"
Rev. Justin Schroeder & Rev. Karen Hutt
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| On the Podcast: "The Work We Need to Do" |
Sermon recap by First U staff member Liz Farmer:
First Universalist is a church that values every expression of being human and having a body. As Daryn Woodson, Isha Caldwell, and Rev. Ruth MacKenzie explore what it might look and feel like to prioritize the mental and spiritual health of black people and people of color, think about how we - collectively - can take care of each other on this journey to becoming whole, integrated humans, no matter our expressions or experiences. In a system and culture that prioritizes independence and individual actions, can we talk and act together in an effort to de-stigmatize our mental or emotional unwellness? Listen to their ideas in the podcast here.
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| Summer Worship Theme: "Yes, And" |
We live in a society of either/or, us or them, this or that, winning or losing, success or failure. Yet, what we are beginning to understand in our sciences of living systems, physics, and metaphysics is that this world was created, creates, and recreates in the mysterious dance of relationship. Interactions upon interactions are the creating drivers of this world. Wisdom teachers from Lao Tzu, to adrienne maree brown, to indigenous peoples around the globe have said as much: This world is more "Yes and..." than "either/or." In the months of summer, when creativity and emerging life is hard to miss, we will explore the spiritual imperative of
Yes, and. How do we engender curiosity and listening as our default response? What kind of spiritual practices might buoy our hearts, and create our capacity for joy? How might this community of faith make our shoulders strong, keep our hearts open, and join together as an island of sanity and solidarity? Join us in the
Yes, and...
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Racial Justice & Our UU Faith Workshop
Sundays, July 7 & 14, 11:30 a.m.-2 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. We offer this workshop several times each year and encourage every member of our community to participate. This is a two-part workshop, led by Channing McKinley and Shannon Puechner. To sign up, contact Sandy DiNanni at
sandy@firstuniv.org
or 612-825-1701.
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Newcomer Circle
Tuesdays, July 9, 16, 23 & 30, 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 get to know Unitarian Universalism, reflect on our spiritual journeys, and connect with other folks who are new to church. To register, contact Sandy DiNanni at sandy@firstuniv.org or 612-825-1701.
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Worship and Potluck at Lake Harriet:
Sunday, Aug. 18 at 10 a.m.
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Join us for an energizing worship service and potluck picnic at the Lake Harriet Bandshell on Sunday, Aug. 18 at 10 a.m.!
We'll enjoy music, an inspiring message, and a delicious potluck picnic together afterwards.
Please bring a dish and/or beverage to share, as well as chairs or blankets to sit on. Bring plates, cups and eating utensils for everyone in your party.
This is part of an annual outdoor worship series at the Lake Harriet bandshell with about 15 neighborhood congregations participating.
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2019 Congregational Survey
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Every few years the First Universalist Church Board of Trustees takes a survey of the congregation to determine how well the church and the ministers are making progress towards our visionary goals.
If you have been involved at First Universalist during the past two years and have
not yet filled out the survey, please do. The survey data provides important information that helps church leadership assess and work to improve our progress toward our goals. Thoughtful comments and feedback about your recent experiences are encouraged! Please take a few minutes of your time to
respond to the survey if you haven't yet done so.
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Working Together to Demand Reunification of Immigrant Families
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Submitted by Denise Konen
There is an "acute and worsening crisis" at the U.S. Mexican border, according to U.S. Government auditors who released a report on Tuesday, July 2. Brian Stevenson says, "There's a history of untold cruelty that hides in silence in this country." We have seen that cruelty exposed, yet again. Because of the Muslim ban, families are separated from their loved ones: parents, grandparents, children, brothers and sisters. Parents who come with their children seeking asylum from desperate circumstances in Central and Latin America are not welcomed - they and their children are put in cages without enough food to eat, no clean clothes and no water to wash with. These children are not given the love and care they need and will be traumatized for life. Mari Hernandez, with MIRAC, said that over the last four years there were over 4,000 claims of sexual abuse in immigrant detention centers. An eight-year old boy told a lawyer, "They took us away from our grandmother, and now we are all alone. They have not given us to our mother. We have been here for a long time. I have to take care of my little sister. She is very sad because she misses our mother and grandmother very much ... We sleep on a cement bench. There are two mats in the room, but the big kids sleep on the mats, so we have to sleep on the cement bench." A 15-year-old girl told one of the lawyers that there's nothing to do but cry. These stories are a snapshot of the terrible tragedy and injustice taking place daily in our country.
 We must all rise up and work together to get children and every human being out of these horrific places! MIRAC (Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee) and CAIR-MN (Council on American Islamic Relations) asked First Universalist to be a rallying place and destination for the Protest and March: Stop Separating Families on Sunday, June 30, because they know we have made a commitment to use our space for justice efforts. Though it was delayed by a thunderstorm, there was an outpouring of people marching with an amazing spirit of solidarity and resistance, shouting, "Free the children!" and "This is what democracy looks like." Twenty-eight First Universalist volunteers from age 13 to age 84 opened doors, passed out water, and directed hundreds of marchers to the bathrooms and the sanctuary where Rev. Ruth MacKenzie welcomed them with the words:
"Today we stand in solidarity and resistance together as we submerge ourselves in the work of justice to fight the racist policies that are hurting families and traumatizing communities."
View video from the march (live coverage from Unicorn Riot) here and video from the rally
here. Photos by Brad Sigal from MIRAC can be seen
here, and a photo gallery and article were published by the
Star Tribune
here.
Want to do more for people seeking asylum?
MIRAC recently sent a delegation to the border, where they went to a community center in Mexico that takes in over 900 women and children a month being illegally denied entry into the U.S. Find out more about the border at MIRAC en la Frontera. And, consider donating to HEPAC
(Hogar de Esperanza y Paz), a non-profit community center located in Bella Vista in Nogales, Sonora. The center provides an array of everyday necessities such as food, lodging, and activities for children. HEPAC opens its doors to local children by hosting educational workshops that aim to recover from trauma. In 2018, HEPAC began to take in asylum seekers - people seeking asylum have been illegally denied entry into the U.S. and HEPAC gives them temporary shelter while they wait for a critical fear interview. Their mission is to provide as much support as possible so that migrants stay away from the deadly heat in the desert and if so choose to settle in Mexico instead of the U.S.. HEPAC is privately funded, mainly through online donations.
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 Submitted by Ray Dillon
The weeds never knew what hit them. On Saturday morning, 15 volunteers (or maybe 14 volunteers and 1 husband) gathered en masse to weed and mulch the east and north sides of the church grounds. The crew was led by Roxanne Stuhr, a long-time landscape designer, and Dick Rueter, who is in his third year of organizing the grounds volunteers. An amazingly generous member anonymously donated two truckloads of mulch.
It was a very satisfying morning, full of camaraderie and accomplishment. If you would like to be part of a future gathering, you can contact Dick at 612-280-4186.
Keeping our grounds looking trim and beautiful shows our neighbors that our commitment to them is real, not just lip-service. A big thank-you to Keith Washington, Mike Thompson, Tom Saterstrom, Gary Melom, Gordon Loery, Mary Kelley, Jane Jordan, Roberta Haskin, Ginny Halloran, Pat Gottschalk, Ray Dillon, Betty DeMars, and Brad Brown for donating their energy, sweat, and humor!
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Final Day of Photography Exhibit is this Sunday, July 7
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 This Sunday, July 7, is the final day to view the exhibit "Three Generations Capturing the Moment," which has been on view in our social hall since early May. The exhibit explores the natural world and is an ode to Preben Mosborg who had the only exhibit in his lifetime in our social hall in 2006. It includes many of Preben's photos and poems along with photos and artwork by son, Steven, and granddaughter, Amanda Grace.
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In July and August, office open hours will temporarily be shortened on two days per week. The office will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays, and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. This change will not affect any currently scheduled meetings or events. Building doors and phones will not be monitored outside of office hours, however, so please plan accordingly.
July & August Office Open Hours
Mondays & Thursdays: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Tuesdays & Wednesdays: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Fridays: CLOSED
Wednesday, July 3: 9 a.m.-noon (early closure)
Thursday, July 4: Closed in observance of Independence Day
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First Universalist to Host Midwest Mixed Conference
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 From July 12 - 14, 2019 at First Universalist Church, artists and community organizers from the Twin Cities will host the MidWest Mixed Conference, to explore themes connected to multiracial identities with art at the center.
The conference will provide spaces to explore mixed and multiracial experiences through art, activities, presentations, and conversations hosted by local presenters and community members who have developed content around mixed identity.
While many conversations and events around mixed and multiracial experiences happen in East Coast and West Coast cities, little attention has been paid to the unique experiences and histories of multiracial people and/or transracial adoptees across the Midwest.
MidWest Mixed works to bring thoughtful programming for mixed race people and families to the Twin Cities community, and works to expand our understanding of race and identity through courageous conversations, arts engagement, educational outreach, and a biennial conference.
2019 Midwest Mixed Conference Registration
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Registration for 2019-2020 Religious Education is Now Open
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Registration for Sunday morning childcare and Religious Education in the 2019-2020 church year is now open. Register online today!
- The church year starts Sept. 8, 2019 and runs through May 17, 2020
- All families - new or returning - with children and youth in Nursery through High School must register
- There is no fee for Religious Education or childcare
- Programs for children, youth and families are an essential ministry of First Universalist, funded by the annual gifts of the members and friends of the congregation
- Our model is a cooperative one, with families learning and growing in religious community together.
- Visit the Class Descriptions page to review curriculum for each age and grade level.
- Childcare and RE class sizes are limited and are filled on a first-come first-served basis - the safety of our kids, the capacity of our volunteer teams, and the quality of the church experience for everyone guide our enrollment policies.
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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.
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here.
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Summer Church Office Hours
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Sundays 9
a.m.-1 p.m.
Mondays & Thursdays
10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Tuesdays & Wednesdays 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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