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March 12, 2020 | Vol. 7 No. 11
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Rev. Jen Crow |
Dear ones,
Like so many of us, I've been carefully following the developing news about COVID-19.
There is so much I want to say to you - and the most important words we ever say to each other will always be this: I see you, and I love you.
I see you, worried and well and worried and sick. I see you struggling to decide if you should send your kids to school, attend that gathering of friends you've been looking forward to for weeks, or tell anyone about the underlying conditions you carry so close to your chest. I see you as you make your own decisions to stay home or head out. I see you as you calculate the cash, hoping you have enough to call in sick, make up for lost tips, and stock your fridge. I see you as you grieve the loss of visits as nursing homes limit your contact with loved ones. I see you as the things you hoped and planned for slip away with only a moment's notice. I see you as you search for information, not wanting to overreact or look back later wondering if you've done enough. I see you, all of you, and I love you.
And it is out of love for one another that, in light of the rapidly evolving situation with COVID-19, we are moving to virtual church - staying connected by phone, email, and online.
We have decided to close the church building starting tomorrow, Friday, March 13, through at least the end of March. This includes all in-person gatherings - from Sunday morning worship and religious education classes to small group meetings, choir rehearsal and congregational meetings. With the continued spread of illness caused by this novel coronavirus and the limited public health response, we are prioritizing our care for the community and each other over in-person gatherings. We will shift our shape - continuing to connect and care for each other in new and old ways.
Here's what we are doing in the coming days:
- Our first virtual gathering will be this Friday evening at 7 p.m. via Facebook Live, where Rev. Jen Crow will help us create space to hold all that we're carrying right now; go here to join us then (no Facebook account required)
- Staff and ministers will remain available by email and phone; we will work together to coordinate pastoral care, create online worship, and offer opportunities for virtual connections for all ages
- We will be reaching out directly to lay leaders, group leaders, and religious education volunteers to make plans to reimagine how we make church happen in this time of social distancing
Here's what you can do:
- Let us know if you are sick or need resources (whether you suspect you have COVID-19 or not); put the church's number (612-825-1701) in your phone to call if you have a pastoral emergency
- Let us know if you need help with technology, like learning how to attend Friday's Facebook Live event
- Take gentle care of your body, your loved ones, and others, as you are able
- Remember that small acts of self care and community care, when done with attention and intention, are a form of spiritual practice
- Stay connected with your church community by keeping an eye on your email and attending our online events
- Here are tips from the CDC and WHO - and here specifically for children - for coping with stress during COVID-19 pandemic
In the midst of these troubling times, it helps to remember who we are and how we promise to be. There is so much unknown right now. But we do know this: We are people who believe in the inherent worth and dignity of every person, each of us one shining gem on this interconnected web, each of us valued and valuable, whole, holy and worthy. Our faith calls us to care for the common good, to center the lives of those on the margins, and to care for one another.
This is who we are and this is what we do. This is the work of our church.
In gratitude,
Rev. Jen Crow, Co-Senior Minister
Bryana French, President of the Congregation
And your First Universalist staff leadership team:
Lauren Wyeth, Director of Children, Youth and Family Ministries
Rev. Ruth MacKenzie, Minister
Arif Mamdani, Director of Membership and Adult Ministries
Jenn Stromberg, Communications and Office Manager
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We are committed to staying connected with each other within our church community, even while we have temporarily suspended in person gatherings at church, including worship services.
Please watch your email inbox for information about upcoming virtual (online) worship, which is currently in the works!
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"Mine, Mine, Mine" - Rev. Karen Hutt
"Building Hope"
- Rev. Meg Riley, Rev. Kate Tucker, & Keven Ambrus
"When Things Fall Apart"
- Rev. Ruth MacKenzie
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On the March 8 Sunday Service Podcast:
"A Time for Everything" with Rev. Jen Crow
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Sermon summary and reflections by Liz Farmer:
As your church office admin assistant, I greet a lot of people. And often, when I ask folks how they are, I hear in response, "oh, ya know, hangin' in there..." or sometimes more directly, just "busy" or "tired." At this, I am tempted to offer them the fuzzy lime green office couch for a nap. While our culture encourages us to push on with our side hustles, notifications on several devices, and general addiction to busy-ness, have you found a chance to receive (or even ask for) help lately? Have you allowed yourself some rest? Though you may need to be subversive and inventive at times to find that rest, you do not have to earn it. Resting, as The Nap Ministry and Rev. Jen Crow tell us, is not just "self care," it is soul care. Hear more on the March 8 Sunday Service podcast.
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Effective March 13, and until at least the end of this month, we will not be holding in-person church gatherings - including worship, religious education, small groups, classes, workshops, events, and meetings. While some meetings and events may be canceled, others may be adapted and held in a virtual format. Please watch your email inbox and keep your eye on our website for more information as it becomes available.
Better Angels Workshop on Saturday, March 14 has been
canceled
Daytime Connections on Thursday, March 19 has been
canceled
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Building Hope: Why I Give
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By Tim Gluszak, First Universalist Member and Member of the 2020-21 Annual Giving Team
Almost four years ago, one of my close friends encouraged me to attend a service at First Universalist. I had grown up Catholic and was always questioning my Christian beliefs. I had spent many years exploring the concept of the universe, connectedness, positivity, energy, etc. and these were all beliefs that I discussed with a small circle of "safe" friends.
I distinctly remember attending that first service and hearing about the basic principles of Unitarian Universalism. I was in awe that there was a whole congregation and a religion that shared many of my beliefs. I felt like I had finally landed in a place that felt like a spiritual home. A place where I could be surrounded by like-minded, caring individuals.
I decided to dive in and become a member. I assisted with the capital campaign and participated in a circle. This led me to dive in further to facilitate a circle and participate as a worship associate. I most recently have been participating on the Annual Giving Team for the past three years.
I choose to be a Sustainer because I know that creating a welcoming and caring environment doesn't come free. In addition to the many volunteers that make things happen at First Universalist, it takes financial resources to keep the lights on. As a sustainer, I can help to relieve some of the yearly budget planning stress for church leadership, since they know the amount I will be giving.
First Universalist gave me a place that is my spiritual home and I want to give back. This is why I give as a Sustainer.
- Tim Gluszak
Our Annual Giving Drive - Feb. 23 through March 22 - is how the church checks in with the more than 800 households whose financial support accounts for about 80% of the church's annual budget of $1.6M.
This spring, we are asking our community, including our sustaining givers, to consider an increase to their giving as we head into a year of significant and exciting changes. Thank you - the work of this church would not be possible without the financial support of members and friends!
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Leadership Position Applications Due Tuesday, March 17
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 The Nominating Committee is recruiting candidates for leadership positions on the Board of Trustees and the Nominating Committee for the 2020-2021 church year.
If you would consider serving on either of these bodies beginning in July 2020, please submit an
application
by Tuesday, March 17.
Member of the Board of Trustees: Trustees partner with the congregation and professional staff in shaping the vision and long-term goals of the church. They articulate these aspirations through policy and collaborate with the Senior Co-ministers to see they are fulfilled. A fuller description of the position is
here.
Member of Nominating Committee: Committee members screen and recommend candidates to the congregation for vacant positions on the Board of Trustees, the Foundation Board, and the Nominating Committee. A fuller description of the position is
here.
Requirements: You must be a member in good standing of the church. Elections occur at the Annual Meeting on May 31.
Please consider applying or encouraging a fellow church member to apply for this important work.
Fill out the application form
here.
Applications are due by Tuesday, March 17, 2020.
If you have questions or would like more information, please ema
il
nomination@firstuniv.org or contact any Nominating Committee member: Janet Avery (Chair), Pat Gottschalk, Greg Hoelzer, Cathy Manning, Sharon Ramirez, or Jim Ramnaraine.
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An Invitation for New or Emerging Community Partners
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Have you been leading faithful action work in our community? Are you are interested in leveraging the resources of our congregational community in support of an initiative or organization working toward racial justice? We invite you to explore whether formalizing your faithful action work as a Community Partner would make sense at this time.
The Faithful Action Council at First Universalist Church works with congregants, organizations and church leaders to provide opportunities for church members and friends to act with humility, courage, and compassion as we work for justice. We act on our faith and our commitment to racial justice through partnerships with initiatives and organizations in our greater community, addressing systemic inequity and creating positive change through education, advocacy, direct service, and generosity.
A Community Partnership is a relationship between First Universalist and an organization in our broader community that shares our vision of love and justice. Each Community Partnership is led by a congregant at First Universalist. We work through Community Partnerships in order to share our resources, leverage energy, commitment, and expertise as we live out our commitment to racial justice.
First Universalist currently has six Community Partners: Augsburg Fairview Academy, Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative, ISAIAH, Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light, Simpson Housing Services, and Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity.
If you are interested in learning how your work might become a Faithful Action Community Partnership, reach out to Katrina Mitchell, co-chair of the Faithful Action Council by email at
faithfulaction@firstuniv.org
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Another Chance for Radical Hospitality
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Submitted by Peg Mitchell
It might seem that our guest families from Families Moving Forward, whom we hosted during the Christmas holidays just left. However, we have an annual commitment to Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative to host families two weeks each year. This year, our capital campaign renovations challenge the use of our building. Space. BUT - we are not willing to waiver in our commitment to Beacon, so we have been lucky enough to find a solution.
Solomon's Porch, a congregation on nearby 46th and Blaisdell, is willing to house the families we host this year. There are two big challenges: they have a very small congregation and have never hosted before. However, their hearts and space are really big so we can readily accommodate Beacon's usual number of families (4). We are counting on the incredible generosity so many of you demonstrated during our last hosting. There are several things that will make the upcoming hosting a bit easier: 1) we don't need to gather gifts, 2) we only have to fill volunteer opportunities for one week and 3) we now have over 200 experienced volunteers. Please don't assume that means we don't want or need YOU!
So will you and/or your family join us the week of April 5-12?
The
SignUp Genius allows you to go in and select times that work for you. We had such success during our last hosting period when families committed to the entire evening, giving themselves and the guests a chance to know each other. One of the families came twice, and on their first visit, detected that skateboards and ramps were a huge hit with the group, and returned with several boards and ramps a few days later.
If you have already attended an orientation, consider the orientation optional, though you might enjoy getting a tour of our temporary facility. We look so forward to working with you again. The volunteers in this congregation created the best Christmas I can remember. I feel joy at the thought of working with you again.
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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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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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Monday - Thursday
9 a.m.-8 p.m.
Closed Friday-Sunday
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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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