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February 28, 2019 | Vol. 6 No. 9
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| Where Is Love Calling You Next? |
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Rev. Jen Crow |
Where is love calling you next? That is the question I've been hearing so many of you answer lately.
You've been telling us about new commitments you've made in your work - at corporations, in classrooms, in therapy offices, and in the lunch room - inspired by the racial justice learning and activism we've taken on at church.
You've been telling us about the risks you've decided to take - changing jobs, telling a deeper truth in your relationships, reckoning with the reality of addiction and daring to try recovery - as you strive to live in closer alignment to your values.
You've been listening to us talk about using our resources in service to the larger community, and just as the church continues to open its building to serve those in need of a safe and welcoming space to be, some of you are considering opening your home to the most vulnerable among us.
You are listening to where love is calling you next, and it is making a difference in your lives and in the life of our community. And here's the thing about love, you never know what it might say or prod or urge you to try next. Love is a great unfolding. It's about making room for yourself or someone else to discover and live into exactly who they are - all in the presence of unconditional acceptance and encouragement and care.
When my wife and I were getting ready to have our first child, a dear friend told me that my job as a parent was to discover and love the exact, unique person my child would turn out to be. He also told me that my child would always be changing - so this discovering part of the equation would never be finished.
As we learn and change and grow in this ever-evolving community of faith, I wonder, who are you becoming? And where is love calling you next? I can't wait to hear all about it.
In gratitude,
Rev. Jen
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| SUNDAY WORSHIP AT FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH |
Sunday, March 3, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
"Stretching the Circle"
Rev. Jen Crow
This month, we consider what the theme of sacrifice might mean for us as Unitarian Universalists. In a world where sacrifice has so often meant the destruction of the less powerless for the pleasure or salvation of the powerful, what value can this concept possibly hold for us? Come join the conversation as we consider stretching the circle of "I" to include a much larger "we."
March Worship Theme: Sacrifice
The word sacrifice conjures a complicated response for many. For some it is the worst of religious dogma. For others whose life has handed them one hardship after the next, one more subtraction is one too many. Still, from Lao Tsu to Moses to Buddha to Jesus, the deepest among us have spoken about the spiritual imperative of paring down, of finding and adhering to what is essential - no more, no less. Writer Mark Nepo says it this way: "In truth, always needing to stay immediate by removing what is no longer real is the working inner definition of sacrifice - giving up with reverence and compassion what no longer works in order to stay close to what is sacred." This month, we explore the sacred and the meaning of sacrifice.
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Sunday, March 10, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Lead Minister: Rev. Karen Hutt
Music: First Universalist Choir
Sunday, March 17, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Lead Minister: Rev. Ruth MacKenzie
Music: Lynn O'Brien
Sunday, March 24, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Lead Minister: Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray, UUA President
Music: Soul Band
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February 24, 2019
"What We Build Together"
Rabbi Michael Latz
February 17, 2019
"The Purpose-Driven Church, Part 2"
Rev. Justin Schroeder
February 10, 2019
"Wake Now Our Vision"
Rev. Justin Schroeder
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| Important: Winter Parking Restrictions Now in Place |
On Wednesday, Feb. 27, Winter Parking Restrictions went into effect in Minneapolis. From now until April 1, parking is allowed on the ODD side of non-snow emergency routes only. This means no parking on the church's side of Dupont and nearby avenues, and no parking on the north side of 34th and nearby streets. Parking is allowed on both sides of snow emergency routes unless otherwise signed.
We strongly encourage you to carpool or use public transit, especially on Sundays and when large events are happening. If you do drive, plan for extra time to find parking on busy days.
For those with limited mobility, we have a relatively new designated handicapped drop-off zone and handicapped parking spots (Sundays only) on 34th Street that may be especially helpful during this time!
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Newcomer Circle
Thursdays, March 7, 14, 21 & 28, 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 explore core Unitarian Universalist values, reflect on our spiritual journeys, and connect with other folks who are new to church. As with all of our Circles, this group is grounded in attentive listening and open-hearted reflection. Registration is required; you can sign up by emailing Sandy@FirstUniv.org. We look forward to meeting you!
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Racial Justice & Our UU Faith Workshop
Saturdays, March 9 & 16, 9-11:30 a.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, offered on March 9 and 16, led by Channing McKinley and Jeff Sylvestre. To sign up, contact Sandy DiNanni at sandy@firstuniv.org or 612-825-1701.
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12-Step Spirituality:
Centering Prayer Meditation
Saturday, March 9, 9 a.m.-noon
12-Step Spirituality meets one Saturday per month in the Social Hall at First Universalist and is designed for those actively working a 12 Step program, as well as those wanting to explore & deepen their spirituality through meditation. Each session includes Centering Prayer meditation instruction, two 20-minute Centering Prayer sessions, reading from 12 Step literature, and presenters sharing personal experiences and on selected topics. No registration necessary.
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Gathering in Gratitude Dinner
Wednesday, March 13, 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Please join us for dinner (we'll be serving enchiladas prepared by El Norteño), and an evening of fun and fellowship!
This event has become a highlight of the church year - a fun opportunity to gather outside of Sunday services to enjoy a meal and connect with fellow members of our community.
It's also our way of saying THANK YOU for your generosity and for responding to our annual giving campaign (setting up your 2019-20 giving
online
or filling out and returning your yellow giving card) by March 13.
If you're a sustainer, we've already counted you "in" - please come and celebrate with us! RSVP by March 6
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Update on Co-location Conversations with Shir Tikvah
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At our State of the Church meeting on February 10, we shared that we have entered into a period of focused discernment regarding whether co-location with Shir Tikvah is the right direction for us as we continue in the planning process for our building project with funds raised by our recent capital campaign.
We will hold the next
Update Session on Co-location on
Sunday, March 10 following the second service, 12:45-2:15 p.m. in the sanctuary.
In addition, we are offering an opportunity specifically for
congregants with a Jewish background on
Sunday, March 17, 1-2:30 p.m., in Room 204. This will be a special opportunity
to share thoughts and feelings that may be prompted by the possible co-location with Shir Tikvah. All sharing is welcome including hopes, wishes, apprehensions, concerns and feelings. The focus will be listening rather than providing answers. The facilitator is Dr. Bonnie Gray, longtime member.
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Racial Justice in Action: How You Can Support
the Village Financial, a Black-Owned Credit Union
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by Rev. Justin Schroeder
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Me'Lea Connelly
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On March 6, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Cummins Room, you're invited to join Me'Lea Connelly, Director of Development for the
Village Financial Cooperative
, to learn more about this black-led Community Development Credit Union on the Northside of Minneapolis. Though the Credit Union is black-led, you don't have to be black to support or use the Credit Union.
The idea behind this meeting is to create First Universalist "ambassadors," folks who have met with Me'Lea, understand the project and why it fits with our racial justice commitment, and are willing to act as internal ambassadors for Village Financial in the Social Hall after Sunday services to invite other congregants to learn more and then pledge to move some of their money to Village Financial.
Me'Lea and Rev. Justin will be preaching together on Sunday, March 31, and during this service, we'll invite First Universalist folks to become members of the Village. Following each service on March 31, and then on subsequent Sundays until the launch of the Village in June, we'd like to have First Universalist "ambassadors" in the Social Hall after each service, inviting people to join the Village.
If you're interested in being an ambassador, please attend on March 6. And if you have five minutes, check out this great article: "The Co-Op That's Keeping Community Money Out of Big Banks."
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Become Part of Congregational Asylum Sponsorship
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In last week's Liberal, we invited you to imagine that we are the congregation, the village, that sponsors a transgender person of color who has fled to the United States seeking safety, seeking asylum, looking for a loving welcome. We invited you to imagine what the person may have experienced, the shape their journey has taken, the pain they have felt and what our hospitality could mean. If you missed last week's article, we encourage you to check back and read the online resources we included to learn a little bit more about what is driving us to ask for your help.
Karen Heegaard, Chuck LeGros, Ron and Laura Schlatter, and Mary McCann, along with our co-senior minister, Justin Schroeder (and co-senior minister Jen Crow supporting us), have been working for several months to make real this dream of truly radical hospitality. Now we are extending our arms to you, our community, our congregation, inviting you to join us in creating a team of strong, committed people who will support the person who dreams of joining us here. We need a host family willing to host for at least 4 months. We need at least one backup host family. We need people to provide transportation to English classes and social opportunities, we need a therapist, we need medical and dental care. We need financial support (you can donate here). We need someone to help with financial literacy. We believe this village is strong enough to do this. Read descriptions of the roles that need to be filled here. If you have a specialized skill you can offer (medical, dental, therapist, etc.) or a more generalized ability (driving, shopping, etc.) and you are willing to commit to this effort for a year, please contact Laura Schlatter at schlatter.L55@yahoo.com. Let her know what you are interested in. Laura will get back to you with more information.
The front cover of this month's UU World says this: "Nothing We Do Will Be Perfect. To work for Justice, Religious Liberals should let Perfectionism Go." Take this message to heart, open your arms with us.
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First Universalist / Common Ground Meditation Center MeetUp
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Those who attend both First Universalist and Common Ground Meditation Center meet occasionally after the second service. If you attend both, you're invited to join the group on Sunday, March 3, 12:30-1:30 p.m., for a 15 minute sit and a chance to discuss your experience at the intersection of these two spiritual practices. Meet in the Meditation Room at 12:30 p.m. (if church goes later, we will adapt). If you have any questions contact Chuck LeGros at Chuck@LeGrosScientific.com.
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Singers Needed for Leading Hymns
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 Do you have a strong voice? Do you sing in the choir? Have you had some musical training or sing in other settings? Our worship team is looking for 10 to 15 strong singers willing to lead the congregation in hymn singing two or three Sundays each month. This will be an auditioned group who will lead the congregation in small groups of three or four singers on any given Sunday. Each singer needs to have a strong sense of pitch, rhythm, and presence. A group audition will be held Sunday, March 17 at 1 p.m. in the sanctuary.
Our Hymn Singers will be trained in a workshop with Rev. Ruth on a Sunday afternoon to be decided. We hope to begin mid April. So if you're interested, and/or excited, and/or a little nervous, give it a shot. Please fill out this
Hymn Leading Application and you will be contacted for the audition.
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Space Reservations at Church: New Procedures!
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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?
Our Events Coordinator, Lucia Webb, has set up a new way to request rooms online, and with it, a few new policies to clarify how to best share our space.
The First Universalist facilities are an important resource for both the congregation and the wider community. Spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and setup requests must be communicated to Lucia in advance.
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All In 2019-2020: Why I Give
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I haven't been around First Universalist as much recently, because I'm now living in Duluth as a freshman education major at UMD. But I really grew up in the church's Religious Education program. I think the RE program is really unique...especially Coming of Age, where we figured out what we believe rather than being told what to believe. RE teaches you to be kind, respectful and loving. It gives you a community of friends who are nice to each other, who you can laugh with.
In 7th grade I decided to become a church camp counselor and it was fun to work on crafts and other activities with the kids. In 9th grade I was looking to do something different and I became a pre-school teacher. The kids would do funny, goofy things that would light up your day. The pre-school program brought me so much joy. I was involved in summer classes and the child care program, working with toddlers as well as young kids. I had done babysitting, but this was so much different.
I put the money I earned into the bank. Some of it did go toward this semester of college. I was thinking about business, but I chose education partly because I had a lot of fun teaching RE and I think it will be a career I will enjoy. Another thing that helped me decide was the practicum I did in a kindergarten and first grade classroom during my first semester at UMD. My experience as an RE teacher definitely helps me as an education major.
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A Chance to Get Connected
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Feeling overwhelmed by how huge the problems are in our world? Feeling a soul-ache to find other like-minded people to join forces with? We invite you to spend a few minutes telling us your passions, your skills, and your interests so we can plug you in to already-existing groups working on the things that align with your interests and experience.
If you didn't already fill out the paper survey distributed in worship on February 3, you can pick up a copy in the narthex. Completed surveys can be put in the Sunday offering basket, brought down to the Information Booth in the Social Hall, or dropped off at the church office.
You can also complete the information online. On the church website, go to My First U, sign in, and select the Serving tab to fill in how you'd like to get connected.
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AUW Women's Spring Retreat
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AUW Women's Spring Retreat:
Telling Our Stories Anew: What is needed now?
April 12-15, 2019 (Friday - Monday)
Last year's unexpected snow storm gave some of us the opportunity to stay a THIRD night, and we loved it. Therefore, this year there will be an option to stay over Sunday night.
WHO
: Keynote, ceremonies, and presentations by Rev. Kelli Clement and Rev. Karen Hutt
WHERE
: Koinonia Retreat Center, South Haven
WORKSHOPS
: Nature Hikes; Healing Touch; Writing Memoirs; Meditation; Poetry Out Loud; What Are You Reading; Creation Station; board games; lakeside sauna; and MORE!
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Celtic Musings: Meditations on the Midwinter Dream
Sunday, March 3, 2019, 6:51 p.m.
Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 1935 St Clair Ave in St. Paul
Tickets: $15, available
online and at the door.
Marc Anderson (percussion, poetry), Dick Hensold (Northumbrian smallpipes, reel pipes, low whistles, seljefløyte, recorder), and Michelle Kinney (cello) will weave their evocative, improvisatory magic with traditional tunes, new music, and their range of unique instruments.
Flutes and strings, pipes and drums, wistful words woven throughout. Embers of the fire we keep in our hearts, our collective memory that carries through the snowy white and delivers us back to the birth of fresh ideas in spring.
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| RESOURCES & CONTACT INFORMATION |
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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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Congregational Care: Caring Corner
Write a note to a congregant who could use support! There are cards available in the library, which is located off of the Social Hall. You are welcome to stop by and write a card at any time. Just leave it in the basket and the church will mail it for you. Learn more about congregational care on our website.
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Planned Giving & the Heritage Circle
Please let us know
when you designate First Universalist Church as a beneficiary in your will or estate plan so we can thank you for your generous commitment and welcome you to the Heritage Circle. The church office and the Planned Giving Committee can help you. Learn more on our website.
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Join Our Mailing List
Subscribe to
The Weekly Liberal
here.
Sign up to receive our weekly Children Youth & Family Ministries news
here.
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Church Office Hours
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Sundays 9
a.m.-1 p.m.
Mondays-Thursdays 9
a.m.-8 p.m.
Closed Fridays and Saturdays
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Weekly Liberal Submissions
We encourage you to submit news!
Do you have an announcement that you'd like published in
The Weekly Liberal? Fill out our
online submission form. Edits for length and/or content may occur.
The Weekly Liberal
is compiled and edited by Communications Manager Jenn Stromberg. Past issues, deadlines, and policies can be found on our
website
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Contact Us
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First Universalist Church of Minneapolis
3400 Dupont Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55408
612-825-1701
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First Universalist Church of Minneapolis
3400 Dupont Avenue S.
Minneapolis, MN 55408
612-825-1701
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