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January 23, 2020 | Vol. 7 No. 4
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A Visit from Our 2020-21 Ministerial Intern
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Rev. Jen Crow |
You know that feeling you have when something you've been working on for a long time finally starts moving? Maybe it's a change in a relationship, or a transformational tipping point in your own life or the life of the community you are trying to create. Maybe it's a place where you can see there's no turning back, the intentions you set and the actions you took are taking shape into something new. Something full of potential and possibility is emerging. The feelings that come with these experiences - excitement and anxiety and exhilaration and hope - are with me a whole lot at church these days.
This past weekend, Barrington Walker came to visit to meet with many of you and to begin to get to know the church. Barrington's visit felt good for many reasons, not the least of which is the fact that he is even more engaging and dynamic in person than he was over Zoom and on paper. It felt good to have him here with us because in so many ways, we have been waiting for him.
Several years ago, church members shared their financial resources, honoring our Minister Emeritus, The Reverend John Cummins and his wife, Dru, by creating the Cummins Internship Fund - a fund to support new Unitarian Universalist ministers in training at First Universalist. This fund has lain dormant for some time, but two years ago, your ministers and Board came up with an idea - What if we created a ministerial internship specifically for Unitarian Universalists who identify as Black, people of color, or indigenous? What resources might that internship need, and how might we prepare ourselves, as a congregation, to better support Black and POCI ministers in Unitarian Universalism? There was (and is) no other internship like this in Unitarian Universalism. Could we create one? Could this be one way that our congregation used our resources to build the world we dream about?
Last year, we resourced the internship and opened the position for applicants. But no Black or POCI ministers-in-training applied. We were disappointed, but we decided to keep the position open, holding close to our vision. This year, Rev. Karen and Arif and Rev. Justin got out there and recruited. They told their stories about First U and this new internship and people were intrigued, and the candidates arrived.
So when we welcomed Barrington this past Sunday in worship, as we showed him around town and began dreaming with him about what his ministry might look like with us - I felt my heart expand. We cast a vision. We gathered our resources, and we committed to continuous preparation and growth. We held close to our vision, trusting it even when we felt discouraged. We built relationships that matter. And something powerful is unfolding. We can create the change we long for in ourselves and in the world. And we can start right here.
Yours in gratitude and faith,
Rev. Jen
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Sunday, Jan. 26, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
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January worship theme:
Your Life As Sacred Text
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"Living in the Layers"
Rev. Ruth MacKenzie
Every Sunday, we are invited to bring our whole selves into worship, to bring our joys and our sorrows, giftedness and woundedness, the smooth and the rough edges. This is a profoundly counter-cultural invitation. So often we are asked to prove the text our lives - that is, to only focus on the passages, the feelings, and the events that prove a point or justify a particular framing of our theology or worldview. What if we actually took our faith community up on its invitation and sat with the whole of our lives in the company of faithful companions? What if we "live in the layers, not on the litter" of this precious life?
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Sunday, Feb. 2, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Eric Ward
Sunday, Feb. 9, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Arif Mamdani
Sunday, Feb. 16, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Rev. Ruth MacKenzie
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"Radical Imagination" -
Rev. Jen Crow
"Reading the Story of Your Life"
- Arif Mamdani
"Remembrance Sunday: The Cure for Sorrow"
- Rev. Jen Crow
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On the 1/19 Sunday Podcast:
"Radical Imagination" - Rev. Jen Crow
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Sermon Summary & Reflections by Liz Farmer
In our nation and congregation, much change is afoot. When we experience such periods of relative chaos, it can feel appealing to look for - and even expect - a single leader or answer, something to save us from the current misery of such an uncertain future. When we are learning when and where food grows, how to read, or navigating social cues, our refined ability to predict has generally served us pretty well as a species. But what if what could really save us - what could enable our survival - has yet to be imagined?
In Rev. Jen Crow's MLK Jr. Day sermon, she calls upon our dream spaces - those radically new places where our hearts know and behaviors show that we can truly rely on each other for our collective liberation. Author and activist adrienne maree brown writes, "Who did this? Who imagined this world as it is? Who imagined this absence of right relationship to the earth? Who imagined a violent addiction to dominating each other? Who imagined all these myths of superiority? Who imagined these cruel, man-made borders? Who imagined people that would tolerate this? We must fuel our imagination in the face of this world...we must counteract these systems by creating an abundance of interior freedom, and weaving collective freedom dreams, dreams that include all of us, dreams we can speak to each other plainly, or poetically." Listen to the Sunday Service podcast, including an original anthem by Anoka-Hennepin Community College students, here.
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UPCOMING EVENTS & HAPPENINGS
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Artist's Reception with Debbie Cash
Sunday, Jan. 26, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Meet artist Debbie Cash in the social hall between/after services on Sunday, Jan. 26.
Her mosaic and photography exhibit "Karibu Tanzania" is a collection of mosaic art pieces and photos featuring animals, people and landscapes encountered during two trips to Tanzania, in 2016 and 2018. The exhibit is on view in the social hall through Feb. 16.
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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. Join our Racial Justice Education Team in the Cummins Room for one of two drop-in screenings. Light snacks will be provided.
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Please join Shir Tikvah, Temple Israel, and First Universalist as we welcome Eric Ward to the Twin Cities for a series of programs on the relationship between antisemitism, white nationalism and how these forces will be at play in the upcoming presidential election.
On Sunday, Feb. 2, Eric Ward will offer a two-hour workshop for community organizers, justice organizations, and people of faith at First Universalist Church. A national expert on the relationship between hate, violence, and preserving democratic institutions, governance, and inclusive societies, Eric brings nearly 30 years of expertise in community organizing and philanthropy to his role as Western States Center's Executive Director.
This workshop will focus on the relationship between white supremacy, white nationalism and antisemitism with an emphasis on how the dynamics of antisemitism are likely to play out in the environment of the upcoming presidential election and its aftermath. We'll look at likely scenarios and how we might respond. We'll also make space for people to build relationships and a shared analysis of the ways that white nationalism and white supremacy use racism and antisemitism as tools to keep our movements divided. Given the rhetoric we have seen and will likely continue to see as the election draws nearer, it's imperative that we increase our capacity to recognize white nationalism and antisemitism when we see it, and learn tools to counter it.
A taco bar lunch for a $10 suggested donation will be available for workshop attendees prior to the workshop beginning at 12:15 p.m.; if you are interested in partaking, please indicate so when you register.
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Helping You Grow Your Spiritual Life and Live Your Values
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Arif Mamdani
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A note from Arif Mamdani, Director of Membership and Adult Ministries:
Sunday mornings are really pretty good here. If you're anything like me, you often leave church on Sunday being inspired and thinking about how to take home and into your life the message that inspired you, or that one little nugget of wisdom on living more aligned with your values that made you sit up straight and think "yeah! that's what I need to do!" Or perhaps you leave deep in thought, moved, challenged, and provoked by a question from the chancel or the conversation you had when we Welcomed Joy into our lives. Often, church services at First Universalist have exactly this impact, and that's why we keep coming back.
What's also true - and you've heard this from us again and again - is that none of us does this thing alone. Whether the thing you're trying to do is be more loving and less judgmental, or take action for justice grounded in your faith, or release the grip of addiction, or reach out for support in working with the many things that make life challenging - none of us can do this alone.
That's where our adult programs come in. The programs we offer are about meeting you where you're at and helping you go deeper into your values, grow your spiritual life, and otherwise help you live your faith in the world and find the community you need, the community we all need, to keep going.
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How We Care for One Another and Our Community
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Sometimes things can get mighty hard; a family member loses a job, a baby is born with complications, a hospital bill comes in unexpectedly high, or your car gets towed. We know that many in our community are just not able to make ends meet in any given month. Our Ministerial Emergency Fund helps us care for one another when times are tough. Through generous donations and offerings taken during the holiday season, ministers are able to help folks out with one time financial support for rent, hospital bills, or other necessities, helping members and families weather financial storms with greater ease.
For folks who are
not members or regular attendees of First Universalist, we have food, gas, and metro transit cards as a way to help out. If a member of our larger community should ask you for cash on a Sunday morning, we encourage you to connect them with a Pastoral Visitor or find a minister. Pastoral Visitors are the folks with the red ribbon attached to their name tag and stationed in our narthex most Sundays. The Pastoral Visitor or minister will take them to the Information Center where cards are available. There's also a very helpful Resource Brochure connecting folks to medical agencies, food shelves, and community resource centers. Many times Pastoral Visitors and ministers have not only offered the gift of a food card, but also the gift of their presence, and spiritual care.
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Handmade Truffles for Valentine's Day
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Handmade truffles will be available for purchase in the Social Hall on Sundays, Jan. 26, Feb. 2 and 9! The truffles are made with organic, fair-trade chocolate by the youth of the First Universalist Youth Cultural Exchange (YCE).
Twelve youth from our Church participate in this cultural exchange with twelve youth from Nicaragua. For two weeks, they stay in one another's homes and learn about one another's worlds. Last summer the Nicaraguan youth came to Minnesota, and this summer our youth will go to Nicaragua. All proceeds from the truffle sale (and from the weekly egg roll sales) pay for the Nicaraguan youth travel expenses.
The truffles are three dollars each, $12 for a box of four, and $24 for a box of eight. Flavors include Orange Chocolate, Mint Chocolate, Cappuccino and Sea Salt. Pick some up for yourself or a Valentine!
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Young Adults (20s & 30s) Potluck and Conversation
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Thursday, Feb. 6, 6 p.m. in the First Universalist library
Topic: So how do people make new friends in their 20s and 30s, anyway?
Most of us have heard it, and maybe you've even said it yourself: after the high school or college years, it can get more difficult to make new friends and keep them in our lives. Trying to balance friendships with families, relationships, jobs, and other obligations in a society that prizes individuality over community has proven a consistent challenge for many of us - so let's name it and talk about it as we try to get to know each other a little better. Join Reverend Ruth and other young adults at First U for food, conversations, and games. Bring a dish to share if you can. Sponsored by First Universalist Congregational Care Team.
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Foundation Grant Nominations Accepted though Jan. 28
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The 2019-2020 Foundation Board: front row: Ginny Halloran, Roberta Haskin, Anne McBean, Jill Anderson; back row: Jared Cruz, Suzan Klein (Chair), John Bringewatt, Rochelle Hammer. Not Pictured: Leila Ambrus |
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 local organization(s) that might be good candidates for a Foundation grant and nominate them by filling out the application form here!
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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Discussing Jon Meacham's "The Soul of America"
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 Congregants Pat Gottschalk, Jim Ramnaraine and Joan Patterson invite others from First Universalist to join them for a discussion of the book
The SOUL of AMERICA
by Jon Meacham on
Tuesday, Feb. 18
at 1 p.m. in the Church Library.
They write: "The three of us recently met to discuss Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari. We enjoyed our time together so much that we wanted to continue an informal discussion of other stimulating books. We have just chosen The Soul of America, and we want to invite others at First Universalist to join us for a discussion of this thoughtful and hopeful historical perspective on some of the challenging times in the past that we have overcome. Maybe this is just what you need right now - something to generate hope amidst so many discouraging events domestically and globally. We look forward to seeing you on the 18th. If you have questions, contact Joan at jasu@umn.edu."
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Flower Arranging Opportunity
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If you enjoy Sunday flower arrangements, have a bit of creativity, and would like an enjoyable way to contribute to our congregation, consider arranging Sunday flowers.
Visual Arts members will be happy to assist you the first time or two as you select and arrange flowers from places like Trader Joes, Bachman's, Lund's, or Koehler and Dramm (a floral wholesaler.)
If you're interested or would like more information contact Flower Chair
Ruthann Wood at
woodruthann@gmail.com
or 612-759-1793.
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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
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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