Greetings!
My father has a very compromised immune system, and as result, both of my parents have restructured their lives to minimize their chances of catching Covid-19. I’m extremely grateful for the backyard physically distanced visits we’ve been able to have this summer. On a recent backyard visit, my father shared with me that he’s not really worrying too much about Covid-19, as he is retired and fortunately, can minimize his chances of any exposure. What he is most worried about, what keeps him up at night, he said, is the upcoming election. Like so many of us, he is deeply worried about our democracy, the right to vote, voter suppression, and the possible chaos and confusion this is ready present and will certainly emerge after the election.
Many of you feel the same way, and you want to put your faith to work - you want to “UU the Vote,” bringing your UU values to the sacred right to vote and to the election itself, probably the most important election of our lifetimes.
Thankfully, the Minnesota Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Alliance (MUUSJA), is supporting UUs across a multi-state region with a get out the vote effort. There are postcards to write and text banks and phone banks to support. You can learn more at the resource list here and here. In the Twin Cities, MUUSJA has distributed nonpartisan lawn signs from the League of Women Voters for congregations and individuals to post, and has shared huge nonpartisan banners for Overpass Banner Brigades to remind commuters to vote.
MUUSJA has a goal that 85% of individual UUs across our region will do #JustOneThing to get one other person to take action for voter engagement, whether they have 15 minutes to post a lawn sign or 15 hours to phone bank with one of our nonpartisan groups or with their favorite candidates. To learn more, and do #JustOneThing, go here.
And if you’re interested in doing “UU the Vote” efforts with others from First Universalist, you can contact me at justin@firstuniv.org. We’ll convene a team and get to work - the election is less than 60 days away! Come to a UU the Vote workshop for First U folks with Karen Wills and Denise Konen, which will be held via Zoom here on Monday, Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. to find out more.
I’ll see you in church,
Justin
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MULTIGENERATIONAL WORSHIP
Water Communion Sunday
Sunday, Sept. 13, 10 a.m.
"Riding the Waves"
Rev. Justin Schroeder, Rev. Jen Crow
I’ve nearly given up on asking, “How are you?” Now, I almost always ask, “How are you, today?” Because each day brings a new wave of feelings – chaos, uncertainty, joy, settledness, and wild uncertainty. As we gather for this virtual Water Communion Sunday, we remember that we are held in a larger community of care, a community that isn’t afraid of the complexity of this time, or the many swirling currents of this time, or the waves of feeling and emotion that crash into us on a daily basis. In the midst of all of this, we symbolically link arms, hold hands, and breathe together, riding the waves of our life, finding our way.
Connect to our live streamed worship between 9:55 and 10 a.m.:
ORDER OF SERVICE:
Welcome: Rev. Jen Crow
Chalice Lighting
Story: Lauren Wyeth
The Gathering of Waters
Prayer: Julica Hermann de la Fuente
Music: "Spirit of Life" with David Lauth
Homily in Three Parts: Rev. Justin Schroeder, Rev. Jen Crow,
and members of the Environmental Justice Team
The Merging of Waters and Blessing
Offertory: "Where You Go I Will Go" with Juliet Ali Caccamo and Adrian Ali Caccamo
Closing Words
"Go Now in Peace" Aimee K. Bryant and Franco Holder
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 Passcode: 383174) or dial: 1-312-626-6799 and enter the meeting ID and passcode when prompted.
~11 a.m. BIPOC Virtual Coffee Hour
For those who are Black, Indigenous, Multiracial, People of Color: Join here (Meeting ID: 825 3313 5300; Password: 982432) or dial: 1-312-626-6799 and enter the meeting ID and password when prompted.
~11 a.m. Pastoral Visitors Space
We know that worship can take us into deep and surprising places. If you find yourself needing to talk with someone about what is stirring for you on a Sunday morning, please speak with one of our pastoral visitors in a confidential breakout room after the service. You can join here. This is how we care for one another.
WEDNESDAY EVENING WORSHIP
Wednesday, Sept. 16, 7 p.m.
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.
Connect to our live streamed worship between 6:55 and 7 p.m.:
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We cannot look away. We cannot unsee these moments. We cannot put a filter on these images and events. BUT we can dig deep, let go, and express our despair, our hurt, our sadness and the pain that makes us human. On Sunday, Aug. 30, Rev. Karen Hutt invited us to find out how we can reclaim an ancient tradition that can guide us. Watch Here
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During the church's annual meeting in June 2019, First Universalist publicly committed to become a Water Protector Congregation dedicating ourselves to educating and activating our congregation in protecting all water resources from the dangers of pollution in all areas where they may appear. It is in that role that we embrace Relay for Our Water.
Relay For Our Water is focused on our commitment to the water through celebration, expression of gratitude, and actions to protect it. We are inspired by Anishinaabe leaders who face immediate threats of disruption from the Line 3 pipeline and whose traditional ways are deeply connected to the water, “Nibi.”
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Inspired by the “Mother Earth Water Walkers,” founded by Josephine Mandamin, and set in motion with a water ceremony at the Headwaters of the Mississippi, we will carry this sacred water throughout Minnesota, honoring the water all along the route.
- The water will be passed to and from water protector groups and individuals, along the proposed Line 3 route. Each group will celebrate their contributions to the protection of the water in their own tradition.
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First Universalist Church will receive and host the water on September 23, 24 & 25. Everyone is invited to walk the water from First Universalist to Bde Maka Ska on the morning of Friday, Sept 25. (Watch the next Liberal for details)
- The water is then carried to the next group by walking, running, biking, canoeing, horseback riding, or driving the water (with social distancing precautions in place)!
- The water will be returned to the Headwaters of the Mississippi during the end of wild rice harvest season (in October) with our gratitude and solidified commitment to protect our Minnesota water and stop the Line 3 pipeline.
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The Environmental Justice Team Invites You to Join Hennepin County's "Stop Food Waste Challenge" Sept. 14–Oct. 11 |
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We love food, which leaves us wondering: why do we waste so much of it? About 40% of food is wasted somewhere along the supply chain. That’s like leaving the grocery store with five bags of food and dropping two of them in the parking lot. It’s hard to believe, but we do it every day.
Making simple changes and working to adopt new habits can have a big impact. Hennepin County’s online food waste challenge will help you learn more about food waste, commit to taking action, and provide you support and resources along the way. Once the challenge starts, log in to report what actions you take, see the impact of your actions, and connect with others.
The Stop Food Waste Challenge has been officially endorsed by First Universalist’s Environmental Justice Team. Why? Because reducing food waste is one of the most powerful ways to reduce carbon emissions and global warming.
Stay connected about food waste! Please email Betsy at erallis8@gmail.com if you’ve registered for the challenge and want to stay connected to First U participants. We can decide together how we want to support each other.
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Update on Simpson Housing Services |
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Simpson Housing is an important Faithful Partner to First U. We have provided evening meals there for 14 years and financially supported the mission of supporting and advocating for people experiencing homelessness. Currently, volunteers are not able to be in the building, but we continue to financially support their meal program thanks to your generous donations.
Currently there are 50 residents and 20 more female spaces will be added on the second floor on Sept. 14. The residents have many tangible needs (personal care products, underwear etc) and there is an easy way to help. There is a list of urgently needed supplies and easy ways to donate. Monetary donations to purchase supplies is also an option.
In these difficult times, it is important and meaningful to provide the assistance that we can. Simpson, our longtime Faithful Partner is grateful for our support.
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Virtual Meetings & Gatherings |
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Board of Trustees Meeting
Thursday, Sept. 17, 6:30 p.m.
The First Universalist Board of Trustees meets via Zoom on the third Thursday of each month, except July. Materials and information about the September board meeting will be made available here next week.
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A Discussion: The Impact of Culture, Behavior, and Policy as they Relate to Anti-racism
Sunday, Sept. 20, 2–4 p.m.
The Peace Circle invites you to participate in a discussion based on the concepts described in the writings of Ibram X Kendi. Our challenge is to create a safe place for people to open up and talk about race. This is not a debate.
Given the current emotional environment of anger, hurt, fear, and prejudice, Kendi's definitions of anti-racism are presented with quotes and questions. Participants are then broken into small Zoom groups to give each person a chance to talk. Participants are them brought back to the whole group to share and discuss.
The hope is to allow individuals to develop an understanding of the difference between covert racism and anti-racism and how current policies promote specific behaviors.
Recommended pre-reading:
Books by Ibram X Kendi: Stamped from the Beginning and How to be An Antiracist
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information with the link about joining the day of meeting.
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Sharing Our Legacy Stories
About one hundred seniors in this congregation have written “legacy stories,” looking back over their lives with something of a focus on spiritual journeys and important values. This circle is for seniors who have already written their legacy stories or who are “legacy-curious” because they might be writing their own legacy story in the near future. In each session, we will discuss two participants’ legacy stories, with the opportunity to ask each other open-ended questions or to find similarities with one’s own experiences.
Co-leaders: June Sroufe, Anne McBean, and Ray Dillon
Zoom meetings every other Monday, Sept. 21 to Nov. 16, 10 to 11:30 (five sessions)
Limited to 12 people. Sign up soon, because this circle could fill quickly!
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Association of Universalist Women (AUW) Fall Kick-Off
Thursday, Sept. 24, 7–8:15 p.m.
The AUW Fall Kick-Off will be held via Zoom on Thursday, Sept. 24, at 7 p.m. This event will be a time for in-gathering and joy, giving us an opportunity to reconnect with our AUW sisterhood. We will have time for visiting, games (with prizes!), and breakout sessions, including brainstorming about ideas for activities during the coming year.
For the meeting, please have a pencil and paper ready for the game. Don’t worry if you’re on a phone, as you don’t need to see anything to play.
Learn more about this year’s events on AUW's website.
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A Circle About Money
Thursday, Oct. 1, 7–8:45 p.m.
Edgar Villanueva opens his book, Decolonizing Wealth, with a question, “what if money could heal us?” Congregant Karen Heegaard is looking for a group of folks who would like to talk about how money supports white supremacy (in our Individual lives, our church and our society) and to look at “what if money could heal us?” Let’s start with a one time exploratory conversation and if there is interest form a longer term circle.
To express interest or ask questions, contact: Karen Heegaard at kfheeg@aol.com or call 612-810-7349.
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Ongoing Meetings for Adults |
Sunday, Sept. 13 at 11:30 a.m.
(please note: the group is meeting on the *second* Sunday this month)
Join this monthly congregant-led group for silent meditation on Zoom. After the silence we will share how our practices are helping us through these difficult times. Join here.
(Meeting ID: 857 1493 2445; Password: 673643; Audio only via phone: 312 626 6799)
Third Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.
The Young Adults group (for those in their 20s and 30s) is now gathering on a monthly basis. Connect with fellow young adults after Wednesday worship on the third Wednesday of the month for conversation and fun. (Meeting ID: 137 172 572)
Thursdays, 5-6:30 p.m. (weekly)
AUW members are staying connected via a weekly Zoom "Happy Hour."
Meeting ID: 834 7301 7986. Password: 557571
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Ongoing Meetings for Children, Youth & Families |
Single Parents Gathering
Tuesdays at 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. Email Sara to be connected to the group at smalley.sara@gmail.com.
Parents of Babies and Preschoolers (ages 0-4 years)
Parents/guardians of little ones gather with Lauren for mutual support and spiritual sustenance. (Meeting ID: 273-644-536; Password: 446240)
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