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May 21, 2020 | Vol. 7 No. 21
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Rev. Jen Crow |
As our time staying physically apart extends into an unknown timeline, I want to take a moment to say thank you to all of you. As we've made the quick turn to all online ministry together, I have felt lucky to say that we have been kind to each other, extending grace wherever we can to acknowledge how hard this time is for each of us and how diligently your church staff and lay leaders are working. When last Sunday's service took an unexpected turn and Zoom failures across the country and around the world made it impossible for us to show the videos our youth had created or worship in the new way we have become accustomed to - you sent your love and support to our youth and to Rev. Ruth and Lauren as they pivoted on the spot and did their best to offer a meaningful time together full of the familiar elements of prayer and song that bring so many of us comfort. You have been kind to each other and to our church staff as we have made big changes in a hurry together - and this kindness is something to be celebrated.
Your kindness has had me remembering the first week after my family's house fire almost four years ago. We'd lost almost everything and grief was a constant companion, and each day brought both the sadness of our loss and the joyful realization that we had survived a terrible event when it could have been otherwise. This daily remembering of the preciousness of our lives and the love we shared as a family drew us closer, and I noticed then a kindness between us that I hoped would extend beyond the immediacy of those moments. Perhaps you've known this type of kindness in recent months, or after the death or recovery of a loved one. The realization of our and our loved ones' mortality has a way of bringing the important things in life into sharp relief, and we can find our hearts softening toward each other in unexpected but welcome ways.
When my mentors in ministry taught me how to talk with couples preparing to be married, they told me that love was about how wide a swath we could cut for each other. How much room could you give the other person to be who they are, instead of who you want or wish for them to be? How much space can you make for their feelings and needs alongside your own? How wide a swath could you cut for each other?
As the grief continues to pile up for so many of us in this pandemic time, I am grateful for your kindness to each other and to all of us at church. I'm grateful for the softening of our hearts, and the precious daily realization of our losses right next to our gifts. May we continue to name our gratitudes, offer all the kindness we have, and be gentle with ourselves and each other.
With love,
Rev. Jen
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Sunday, May 24 at 10 a.m.
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Our high schoolers have planned a deep and engaging Youth Sunday service. |
Youth Sunday*
MULTIGENERATIONAL WORSHIP
This Sunday, members of our Senior High youth group lead worship with music, movement, and messages for all ages. There will be a special slideshow and ritual honoring our graduating seniors.
*Originally scheduled for last Sunday, our Youth Sunday service has been moved to this coming Sunday because of Zoom outages across the country that prevented us from streaming worship last week.
Connect to our live streamed worship online or by phone:
To join by phone (audio only), dial 1-312-626-6799 and enter the webinar ID.
~11 a.m. Virtual Coffee Hour
After Sunday worship, join us for
virtual coffee hour (
Meeting ID: 212 168 092)
or dial: 1-312-626-6799 and enter the meeting ID when prompted.
Wednesday, May 27 at 7 p.m.
WORSHIP
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.
To join by phone (audio only), dial 1-312-626-6799 and enter the webinar ID.
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Special Request in Advance of Flower Communion Sunday on May 31
 In next Sunday's Flower Communion live streamed worship service, we'd like to include a photo slideshow of members of our community with flowers - you could be posing next to a flowering tree or shrub, holding a flower(s) you've picked from your yard or garden, or perhaps by a bouquet of flowers you have indoors. We'd love a variety of photos of families and individuals of all ages!
Please take your photo(s) horizontally and send them to Communications Manager Jenn Stromberg at communications@firstuniv.org no later than next Thursday, May 28.
Thank you!
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Sunday, May 10, 2020
Full of wisdom and inspiration,
worship on Sunday, May 10
featured statements of faith by three of our Coming of Age youth, a message from Rev. Jen Crow, and music by Ann Reed.
Liz Farmer, Administrative & Adult Ministries Assistant, shares some reflections:
You will hear over a century's worth of wisdom in this week's service. Alongside Rev. Jen Crow, the Coming of Age class of 2020 reminds us that "there is no such thing as other people's children." We are connected through the stars, nature, and the roots of community. Discerning and learning from the multitude of beliefs, doubts, questions, and journeys - that's the beauty of this being human. We learn how a UU ancestor, Julia Ward Howe, planted the seeds for what is now Mother's Day. And we are reminded that while the decisions in front of us are difficult and our hearts are heavy, our hearts are tethered to each other, to a love that won't let us go, and to great wisdom that spans generations.
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CYCLE OF LIFE & CONGREGATIONAL CARE
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Cycle of Life from Sunday, May 17
We mourn the death and celebrate the life of Meredith Falley, long time member of the church, who died March 23.
And we grieve with Lesley Hauser as she mourns the death of her beloved mother, Nora Hendrickson, who died at the age of 100.
Our hearts are with Kay Ulrich on the death of her beloved mother-in-law Cecelia Sandstede who died at the age of 87.
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; contact Rev. Ruth MacKenzie at
ruth@firstuniv.org. If you would like support, call the office at 612-825-1701 and follow the prompts for pastoral care on the recording.
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Annual Meeting of the Membership Is May 31
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Members: Please mark your calendar and plan to attend our virtual Annual Meeting, scheduled for Sunday, May 31, 2020, at 11:30 a.m., following our 10 a.m. worship service.
This year our church business includes approval of the annual budget and the election of members to the Board of Trustees and the Nominating Committee, as well as a proposal to approve Rev. MacKenzie as a Minister Emerita.
The annual meeting is a time when we celebrate a successful year and conduct the business of this church that only church members can do. We need a quorum to conduct the meeting - please give us the gift of your time so that we may complete this work!
An official announcement with complete details will be emailed separately this weekend.
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Gathering for Healthcare Workers with Rev. Karen
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Recently, we offered two Zoom gatherings with health care workers to check in and provide a safe space for folks who are providing care on the front lines.
An assortment of nurses, therapists, medical and mental health worker support staff, doctors and holistic care providers and chaplains showed up.
Together we shared, vented, cried, and laughed together about things that are hard to share outside of our professional groups. Many found it useful and expressed an interest in having two standing meeting times for this drop in group. If you are interested or know others who are, please send an email to communications@firstuniv.org. We will attempt to start this group again soon. Facilitated by Rev. Karen Hutt, former hospital chaplain UMMC.
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This Week: Virtual Gatherings for Adults
Tuesday, May 26 at 8 a.m.
Begin your week with spiritual grounding and sustenance with Rev. Ruth, taking time to connect with your breath, your heart, your woundedness and your joy, in this half hour interactive session in which we will check in with others, and engage with a spiritual practice.
Wednesday, May 27 at 7:30 p.m. after Wednesday Worship
In the Calming Circle, hosted by Rev. Ruth MacKenzie and Pastor Stephanie Vos, we check in with one another, engage in a somatic experience of spiritual practice (stretching our bodies, and our spirits) and then gather in prayer and spiritual practice, holding one another in compassion and kindness.
Wednesday, May 27 at 7:30 p.m.
The Young Adults group (for those in their 20s and 30s) is now gathering on a weekly basis. Connect with fellow First U young adults after Wednesday worship for conversation and fun.
Thursday, May 28 at 9:30 a.m.
The Chi Gung spiritual practice circle led by Pat Gottschalk is now available online Thursday mornings through June 4. This is a great opportunity to explore gentle movements with a focus on our personal energies. Wear comfortable clothing. You can adapt any movements to your own needs, including sitting if that's what your body needs. All are welcome.
Join here (Meeting ID: 898 0699 8491, Password: 693625)
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Gatherings for Children, Youth & Families
SUNDAY
1:30 p.m. BIPOC/Multiracial Youth Group with Daryn, Sarah, and youth leaders, for those who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color and/or multiracial; email Lauren (
lauren@firstuniv.org) to be connected to the group.
TUESDAY
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. (Meeting ID:
984 9990 9070;
Password: connection)
THURSDAY
8:15 p.m.
Parents of Babies and Preschoolers (ages 0-4 years) with Lauren - Parents/guardians of little ones gather for mutual support and spiritual sustenance. (Meeting ID: 273-644-536
; Password: 446240)
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Tackling Food Waste to Help the Planet
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Join the Environmental Justice Team for a virtual presentation on
Thursday, May 28,
7-8:30 p.m.
Register here
by May 26. A Zoom invite will be provided to those registered.
What impact does food waste have on our environment and how can you help prevent it? Reducing food waste is ranked as the #3 solution in
Drawdown - The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming
. Join us for an engaging online presentation and discussion to discover ways to reduce food waste and handle non-edible food scraps (like fruit peels and pits), from composting to organics recycling.
Presenter: Kira Berglund, Recycling Specialist.
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12 Step Spirituality Workshops, which had been hosted at First Universalist one Saturday per month, continue every Saturday (weekly!) on Zoom. The workshop begins at 9:30 a.m. and will run on this weekly basis - now extended through October 2020. All people in or interested in the 12 steps are welcome. The workshop includes meditation, centering prayer meditation instructions, short talks, small groups and more. Join here at 9:30 a.m. on Saturdays. The meeting ID number is 392-510-399. Visit www.12stepspirituality.org for more details instructions on how to join. If you have any questions call Dick Y. at 952-893-1188.
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Request for Delegates to the UUA General Assembly
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Please consider volunteering to serve as a
Delegate
to vote on behalf of First Universalist at the UUA General Assembly (GA). It's a great opportunity to get involved in UUA processes and even easier to participate this year given the that the GA is 100% virtual. Given our church size, we can have up to 20 delegates and we rarely meet that number. Let's try to increase that this year! This year's
General Assembly is held June 24-28, 2020.
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Open Board of Trustees Meeting
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Thank You for Supporting Augsburg Fairview Academy
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Thanks to all congregants who donated food for community partner Augsburg Fairview Academy (AFA) students and their families this spring. Some of you dropped off bags of groceries and many donated food through Amazon Prime.
Our contributions supplement the government allotted meals that are delivered to students by AFA staff. Donations are not needed after May 26 and will resume again in the fall.
Thank you for your generosity! Know that you made a difference for students and families experiencing economic, housing and food insecurity.
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Join the Healthy Congregations Task Force!
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The Board of Trustees has established a "Healthy Congregations Task Force" to explore the ways in which congregants interact with each other and with church staff. The task force will be led by Board Members Dan Moriarty and Eric Cooperstein with support from Arif Mamdani, Director of Membership and Adult Ministries.
The task force is also seeking four to six church members to join the task force and to help make recommendations to the Board of Trustees.
The work of this task force flows directly out of our mission to welcome, affirm, and protect the light in each human heart. How we relate to each other is a direct expression of that mission, and so we are particularly interested in making sure that BIPOC and/or LGBTQ members of the congregation are part of this task force.
The charge of the task force is to:
- Study how the congregation interacts with each other and with staff and identify any deficiencies or concerns;
- Evaluate the role of other church-related outlets such as the CyberCoffee Hour listserv and the Church Facebook page, in congregant interactions;
- Consider how congregant relationships and communications may reinforce white supremacy within the congregation;
- Determine whether First Universalist Church would benefit from adopting a Congregational Covenant or Code of Conduct, and, if so, draft language for consideration by the Board of Trustees for presentation to the congregation at a meeting of the membership;
- Consider mechanisms for interrupting congregant conduct that may be inconsistent with the congregation's covenants for being in relationship with each other and with staff; and
- Make other recommendations to the Board of Trustees as the task force deems appropriate.
The Task Force has been asked to report back to the Board regarding its progress in the fall of 2020, with a goal of presenting final recommendations to the Board by March 2021.
If you think you might be interested in joining the Task Force, please send an email to
ericcooperstein@mac.com by June 1, 2020, and share your responses to these questions:
1.
How have you been involved at First Universalist Church?
2.
What do you think are the common characteristics in healthy relationships in a community?
3.
On a scale of 1 to 5, how healthy are congregant-to-congregant and congregant-staff relationships at First U now and why did you pick that number?
If you're interested, please be prepared to participate in virtual meetings using Zoom or other video communications software.
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Mental Health Connect's Virtual Breakfast of Hope
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First Universalist Church is a member of Mental Health Connect, a faith cooperative that provides Mental Health Resources and information to members on a call in basis. On Tuesday, June 2, the Cooperative is having a virtual breakfast to raise funds for the next year:
Virtual Breakfast of Hope
Mental Health Connect
Tuesday, June 2, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. via YouTube Livestream
Learn about what Mental Health Connect is doing in the Twin Cities for people with Mental Health concerns, and leave with resources to help you, your friends and loved ones.
Special Guest Michael Maddaus will speak about resiliency. We will learn critical habits that lead to optimal physical, mental and emotional performance.
Funds raised from this event will support the mission of Mental Health Connect, providing community-based resources, support and education to improve access to mental health services and to connect individuals and families with the services they need. Register:
https://bit.ly/2yXGRKs
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Environmental Justice Team Encourages You to Join the Hennepin County Zero Waste Challenge
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SLASH YOUR TRASH AND LIVE A LOWER WASTE LIFESTYLE
Hennepin County Zero Waste Online Challenge
May 17-June 27
An initiative promoted by your First U Environmental Justice Team
Join the Environmental Justice team as we engage in the Hennepin County Zero Waste Challenge. Take an in-depth look at the goods we buy and waste we create. Put into action practical solutions to recycle more, prevent waste, and practice more thoughtful consumption.
Ever wonder how you create so much trash at home? Many people are interested in taking steps to prevent waste and recycle more, but aren't sure where to start.Hennepin County's Zero Waste Challenge will help you learn more, connect you with resources to help you reach your goals, and provide support and motivation along the way.
Seeking a little competition to motivate you and your family? Sign up here to participate in the First Universalist competition to see who can amass the most points in the Zero Waste Challenge. The winning First U family will receive their very own countertop organic waste bin.
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Supporting the Church Financially
If you are able, please continue to honor your annual gifts and make your capital campaign contributions. If you are not a sustainer and have not yet let us know your intentions for our 2020-2021 fiscal year, or if you're a sustainer and would like to make a change to your commitment,
please get directly in touch with Finance Assistant Chelsea Bertsch at
chelsea@firstuniv.org
instead of filling out the giving card.
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We offer several options for making donations online, whether it's a contribution toward the offering plate, your annual or capital gift, or for a specific project for which we're raising funds.
Text to Give
To make a donation via credit card, use your smartphone to text "
firstuniv" (without quotes) to the number
73256. You'll receive a link to a secure form where you can enter your information. Select the appropriate fund from the dropdown menu.
Square Cash
Make a contribution using a debit card via the Square Cash app. Download this free app (
iPhone or
Android) and set up your account - you'll need your debit card and a $cashtag (user name). Then:
- Enter the amount you want to donate
- Click "pay"
- In the $cashtag space, enter $FirstUniv
- In the For space, let us know what it's for - the Sunday offering plate? Your annual gift?
- Click "pay"
ACS (our online giving system)
Make a one-time gift using the secure form located on our website
here. Make sure that you've selected the correct fund (such as offering plate) if it's not an annual gift.
It's also okay to mail checks to the church, even though the office is closed. We are still receiving mail, though we are only collecting it once per week. It will likely take us longer than normal to process check payments, but you are welcome to send checks if you prefer!
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A Quick Guide on Where to Direct Commonly Asked Questions:
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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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The church office is closed until further notice.
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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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