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January 2, 2020 | Vol. 7 No. 1
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Sabbatical Blessings: We've Got This, Together
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Rev. Jen Crow |
This week, our Co-Senior Minister, Rev. Justin, left on a six month sabbatical. Sabbaticals are a normal part of a healthy long-term ministry, and this time away will offer Justin time for deep and uninterrupted rest and reflection. He will come back to us on July 1, 2020, rested and renewed and ready for the next chapter of his ministry at First Universalist.
In the meantime, our Board has asked the congregation to remember a few things:
- Step forward in leadership, step back in new initiatives.
- Co-Senior Minister Rev. Jen is our lead minister and is in charge of the staff and the ministry of the church during this time - her focus will be on Sunday worship and co-leadership with the Board and staff.
- Many on the staff will be wearing different hats during this sabbatical, picking up pieces that Justin might have done, or things Jen did to take them off of her plate, so please be patient during this transition.
- Despite these changes, the ministers and staff are here for you in times of crisis and life transitions. Keep calling on them for spiritual care and accompaniment.
- Our congregation is healthy and strong, and we've got each other!
During this sabbatical time, I'd also like to ask something of us. I'd like to suggest that we watch out for one particular phrase: "I've got this." Now, I'm all for affirmations and confidence, so I'm not saying we should doubt ourselves. What I am saying is that whenever we start to think that we have to do something all on our own, that we are the only ones who can handle whatever it is that is in front of us or inside of us, then we are in a dangerous place. The territory of our lives and of this world is far too tricky to navigate alone. We are more creative together, stronger together, and we have each other. Past, present, future stretching back through the generations and into the future full of times we will never see. We have each other.
So, if you find yourself tempted during Justin's time away - or ever, really - to say "oh no, I can't reach out now. Everyone is far too busy. I should just handle this life crisis or this big question or this heart's desire on my own" - I want you to check yourself. To see who you might reach out to in this sea of beautiful people. To trade out that warning phrase of "I've got this," for "we've got this." This sabbatical time can be a time when we practice greater interdependence and collectivism. We've got this, together.
In faith,
Rev. Jen Crow
Co-Senior Minister
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Sunday, Jan. 5, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Remembrance Sunday: "The Cure for Sorrow"
Rev. Jen Crow
Remembrance Sunday is an annual service that is a time to remember and reflect on our losses over the past year and to honor those we love who have died. This service can also be a time to mark other significant losses in the life of your family, such as a separation or divorce, saying goodbye to friends who've moved away, or any number of other things.
You're invited to bring a photo or memento of a loved one(s) you are remembering
to the sanctuary for our shared altar this Sunday. Please join us for worship at 9:30 or 11:15 a.m.
All-ages Sharing Sunday
This Sunday is an all-ages Sharing Sunday! Children and youth in K-12th grade attend the first part of the service with their families. K-5th graders are in the sanctuary for about 15 minutes of the service, while 6th-7th and 9th-12th graders remain in the sanctuary for about half the hour, at which times they are excused to their Religious Education classes. 8th graders stay for the whole service.
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Sunday, Jan. 12, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Arif Mamdani
Sunday, Jan. 19, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Rev. Jen Crow
Sunday, Jan. 26, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Rev. Ruth MacKenzie
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"Ending a Decade"
- Rev. Karen Hutt
"Home: Blessing and Belonging"
- Rev. Justin Schroeder
Choir-led worship:
Fantasia on Christmas Carols by Ralph Vaughan Williams
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On the Sunday Podcast:
"Ending a Decade" - Rev. Karen Hutt, Dec. 29
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Rev. Karen Hutt,
Adjunct Minister
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Sermon Summary & Reflections by Liz Farmer
The impulse to look back is a compelling pastime. Nostalgia can be so charming! The last decade included such reveries as viral Harlem Shake videos,
Hamilton,
and two royal weddings. Looking back even further - a hundred years to 1919 - there was fear mongering in the news, the lynching of black folks just for living their lives, and the machinery of late-stage capitalism was truckin' along nicely. Liberal democracy, which seemed unassailable, was profoundly... in doubt.... Wait, which century are we talking about here?!
There is a reason that the 5th Principle of Unitarian Universalism includes the phrase, "the use of the democratic process within society at large." It is a spiritual imperative! Rev. Karen quotes William H. Hastie, who said, "democracy is becoming rather than being; Its essence is eternal struggle." Democracy has been and will always be a work in and for progress, and it's as if our country's leaders are daring us to do that hard work. What if this is the moment to give birth to a truly progressive era? Giving birth can be a long, painful process, but at the end, there is new life. Similarly, in democracy, our work is to humanize. With and for each other, we are to create conditions for life. Both require us to push and breathe. It's hard work. While it is tempting (and sometimes fun) to look back, Rev. Karen Hutt proclaims in her sermon that ending this decade must mean looking forward.
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UPCOMING EVENTS & HAPPENINGS
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Daytime Connections: The Aging Brain
Thursday, Jan. 16, 10:45 a.m.
Why should you thank your aging brain? Harvard Medical School's studies are beginning to answer this question. Did you know that older adults are more likely than younger folks to make the right decision based on available information? Local experts will cover what happens to our brains as we age, when to be concerned and where to go if we are concerned.
Through Daytime Connections, older adults empower each other to live intentional, joyful, purposeful, and spiritually fulfilled lives. Program begins at 11 a.m. and is followed by lunch ($5-15 donation encouraged) at 1 p.m. Please register here
by Jan. 13 or by calling 612-825-1701.
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Film Screening: "Black Panther"
Sunday, Jan. 26, 1-3:30 p.m. or
Thursday, Jan. 30, 6:30-9 p.m.
"Black Panther" elevates superhero cinema to thrilling new heights. The movie follows T'Challa who, after the events of "Captain America: Civil War," returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to take his place as King. With superb acting by a star studded cast of African American actors, the movie breaks stereotypes about African culture and demonstrates that any society can benefit from qualities such as innovation, originality, compassion, and understanding.
Please join our Racial Justice Education Team for one of two screenings/discussions in late January.
Light snacks will be provided.
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Email Phishing Scam Targeting Churches;
Some First Universalist Members Affected
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Recently, churches across the country have been targets of email phishing scams, in which scammers pretending to be ministers ask congregants to purchase gift cards for a worthy cause.
We've received reports that several of our community members have received such phishing emails within this past week. We can assure you that nothing has been hacked, but please be aware of this trend and don't fall for a phishing scam! If you receive an email that looks like it's from one of our ministers but seems suspicious, it probably is.
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Reserve Your Date to Donate Sunday Flowers
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Did you know that members of our Visual Arts Committee arrange flowers for services every Sunday, and that we welcome donations for flowers to be arranged in honor of an individual/occasion of the donor's choice?
If you have a special occasion or individual you would like to honor, consider donating a Sunday flower arrangement this year! A Visual Arts Member will consult with you, arrange your flowers, and the flowers will be yours after second service.
Check your 2020 calendar and contact Ruthann Wood at
woodruthann@gmail.com
or 612-759-1793 for more info and to reserve your date.
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Foundation Grant Nominations Accepted though Jan. 28
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The First Universalist Foundation Board is beginning its 2020 granting season and wants to hear from congregants about which organizations would be good candidates for a grant. The Foundation Board is particularly interested in organizations that address human rights at risk, racial justice and climate justice. The Foundation seeks organizations whose leadership includes people of color, women and other underrepresented groups. Historically, most grants have ranged from $5,000 to $20,000.
Please give some thought to which organization(s) you might nominate for a Foundation grant, and watch for the nomination form to be made available no later than next week (on our website and in the next issue of the Weekly Liberal).
Nominations will be accepted until January 28. This is a great opportunity to support groups working on social justice issues. Last year the Board received 24 nominations from congregants and awarded $100,000 in grants to 11 great organizations.
If you have questions, email the First Universalist Foundation Board at
foundation@firstuniv.org.
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Please Check the Lost & Found
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Are you missing something that you might have left at church? Our lost and found cabinet is located in one of the two coat closets off of the lower narthex. Right now it contains water bottles, travel mugs/thermoses, winter wear, and more. Please stop by and take a look next time you're at church to claim anything that is yours.
Small/valuable items like jewelry, eyeglasses, keys, and electronics are usually placed in a separate lost & found bin in the office - feel free to call the church office or stop by during open hours to inquire about anything you might have left at church.
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Donations for Augsburg Fairview Academy
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 During the school year, we collect donations for Augsburg Fairview Academy, one of our six Faithful Action partners.
Most needed items for Hope Clothing Closet: warm gloves and texting gloves for men and women, warm socks for men and women, teen appropriate winter jackets (dark colors preferred). Clothing should appeal to teens, be appropriate for the season (please, no summer clothes now) and be in good repair: clean, no broken zippers, no tears.
Most needed items for Hope Food Closet: winter toiletries such as chapstick and lotion; single serve microwavable meals like chili and stew.
Please bring items to the Info Center in the Social Hall on Sunday or leave on the shelves for AFA by the 34th St. entrance.
Thank you for your generosity!
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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 Rev. Ruth MacKenzie at
ruth@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. If you call outside of office open hours, follow the prompts for pastoral care on the recording.
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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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Join Our Mailing List
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The Weekly Liberal
here.
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here.
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Church Office Hours
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Sundays 9
a.m.-1 p.m.
Monday - Thursday
9 a.m.-8 p.m.
Closed Fridays and Saturdays
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Weekly Liberal Submissions
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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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