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April 2, 2020 | Vol. 7 No. 14
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Staffing Update: Good News to Share
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Rev. Jen Crow |
In the midst of so much hard news in our lives and our world, I'm thrilled to have some good news to share with you from church this week.
Rev. Ruth MacKenzie will stay with us through June 30 (about six weeks beyond her originally planned retirement date), and as soon as we can after that, we'll say goodbye to her in person with a dance party/retirement celebration. We are incredibly grateful that Rev. Ruth will continue to share her leadership and care with us for a little longer.
Arif Mamdani, our Director of Membership and Adult Ministries, was welcomed into fellowship last week by the Ministerial Fellowship Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Association. This means he has successfully completed all of the requirements for ministry, and now we just need to wait for his ordination before we can call him Rev. Mamdani. We're thrilled for Arif, and we are also thrilled that he has agreed to increase his time with us, effective April 1. Arif is now with us full-time.
We look forward to Rev. Justin's return from sabbatical on July 1, and we are grateful to continue to have Rev. Karen Hutt with us on a quarter-time basis.
As so many people all around us face the economic insecurity that comes with this global pandemic, we are glad to say that as an employer, the church will continue to keep all staff fully employed at pre-pandemic levels. No one is being laid off or having their hours reduced at this time, and we hope to be able to maintain full staffing throughout this crisis. The church is needed now more than ever, and we need our staff to help keep us connected.
Many of our staff are re-orienting their work right now to better serve our congregation and our community. For instance, our part-time front desk host, Aj Williams, is now our part-time video editor. John Steitz, who you used to see in the sound booth on Sunday mornings, is hosting our Sunday worship service on Zoom. Liz Farmer, our Administrative and Adult Ministries Assistant, who used to be responsible for office hospitality, creating the order of service, and administrative and program support, is now helping to support our move to virtual programming, including helping familiarize our lay leaders and congregants with Zoom. Lucia Webb, our Events Coordinator, who used to schedule your meetings in the building, is now scheduling your Zoom rooms and helping train the congregation in using Zoom. Jenn Stromberg, our Communications and Office Manager, has quickly turned into the coordinator of Sunday worship digital content and all things tech, keeping us connected as so many things change. Our facilities staff, Tracy Van Epps and Richard Thomas, have been deep cleaning the building and beginning renovation projects. Everyone is doing something new, and we are pulling together as a team to meet this moment.
I often say that a big part of my job as your co-senior minister is to ensure that the values of our church are being lived out within the institution itself. One of the most important ways we do that is by being a fair and equitable employer. I hope you will join with me in sharing your gratitude to our staff for all of their work in this trying time. I also hope that if you are able, you will let us know about your annual gift to the church for the upcoming fiscal year that begins on July 1. Your gifts are the primary source of income to the church, and our primary expense is our staff. Your annual gift, as well as any additional donations you can make, support the vital work of the church as we care for one another in these unprecedented times.
In gratitude,
Rev. Jen
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A Quick Guide on Where to Direct Some of Your Commonly Asked Questions:
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Sunday, April 5
MULTIGENERATIONAL WORSHIP
With Rev. Jen Crow, Lauren Wyeth, Rev. Ruth MacKenzie, Franco Holder, and Rev. Karen Hutt.
Our worship services are live-streamed via Zoom on Sunday mornings at 10 a.m.! This is a multigenerational service that can be found at the same place every week:
To join by phone (audio only), dial 1-312-626-6799 and enter the webinar ID when prompted.
Wednesday, April 8
WORSHIP
We've added a second opportunity to connect with us in a worship format during the week. This is a shorter and simpler 20-30 minute service led by one of our worship leaders via Zoom, and geared towards adults. Same place every week going forward until further notice!
7 p.m. Wednesday Worship geared toward adults & older youth (webinar ID: 117-312-320)
To join by phone (audio only), dial 1-312-626-6799 and enter the webinar ID when prompted.
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Sunday Zoom Help & Virtual Social Time
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9 a.m. Pre-Worship Zoom Practice & Hang Out Space
~11 a.m. Virtual Coffee Hour
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This Week: Virtual Gatherings for Pastoral and Spiritual Care
Tuesday, April 7 at 8:30 a.m.:
Beginning with Spiritual Practice
-
Begin your week with spiritual grounding and sustenance with Rev. Ruth, taking time to connect with your breath, your heart, your suffering and your compassion, and the larger circle of love and compassion of which we are a part.
Wednesday, April 8 at 5 p.m.:
Gathering is Caring
- For a
ll congregants who work in healthcare clinics, hospitals and long term care facilities. (That means doctors, transport workers, nurses, security officers, administrators, researchers, techs, EVERYONE.)
Meet with Rev. Karen,
a long time hospital chaplain. In an effort to provide the particular support to people in our congregation that work in health care, we would like to gather and listen to your needs and provide a space for you.
Wednesday, April 8 at 7:30 p.m.
after Wednesday worship: Calming Circle. Join Rev. Ruth and others as we check in with one another and gather in prayer and spiritual practice, holding one another in compassion and kindness.
Thursday, April 9 at 4 p.m.: Caregiver's Circle - Meet with Rev. Ruth and others in our community who are caring for loved ones, finding support and understanding during this particular time of COVID-19 which places extra burdens on those who are caring for loved ones in their homes, through virtual means, or as caregivers entering people's homes or care facilities. We will hold the complexity of this life journey, its heartaches and its gifts.
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New! Young Adults Virtual Group
The Young Adults group (for those in their 20s and 30s) is now gathering virtually on a weekly basis. Connect with fellow First U young adults after Wednesday worship for conversation and fun. The group meets weekly on Wednesdays from 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Join on Zoom here (Meeting ID: 137 172 572)
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New! Join Us on Wednesdays for a
Multigenerational Sing-Along with Seth!
Join us every Wednesday morning from 10-10:30 a.m. to sing along with Seth! Enjoy the tunes you know and love, or get acquainted with beloved songs of our UU faith. This event will be held webinar style, so feel free to attend in your jammies and dance like no one's watching. All are welcome!
Join us on Zoom here (Webinar ID 441 072 399)
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Weekly Gatherings for Children, Youth & Families
SUNDAYS
12:30 p.m. Young Family Story Time (Families with babies to 1st grade) with Seth - Stories, songs and rituals to keep little ones (and their grownups!), connected to familiar rhythms and relationships. Register here in advance (required).
12:30 p.m. BIPOC Youth Group* with Daryn and youth leaders, for those who identify as Black, Indigenous and/or People of Color - starts this Sunday, April 5; email Lauren (lauren@firstuniv.org) to be connected to the group.
TUESDAYS
8 p.m.
Single Parents Gathering with Lauren - Parents/guardians who are single and/or co-parenting gather for mutual support and spiritual sustenance. (Meeting ID: 485-851-263)
WEDNESDAYS
10 a.m. Multigenerational Sing-along
with Seth - Enjoy the tunes you know and love, or get acquainted with beloved songs of our UU faith. This event will be held webinar style, so feel free to attend in your jammies and dance like no one's watching. (Webinar ID: 441-072-399)
THURSDAYS
6:30 p.m.
Gathering for Grownups (K-6th grade) with Lauren - Parents/guardians of elementary-age kids gather for mutual support and spiritual sustenance. (Meeting ID: 235-861-667)
8 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)
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CONGREGATIONAL MEETING:
UPDATE ON BUILDING RENOVATION PLANS
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Board President Bryana French and Board Treasurer Keven Ambrus, along with other board members and Rev. Jen Crow, led an update meeting about building renovations this past Sunday, March 29. View the recording from Sunday's meeting here:
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We are working to get many different church functions up and running online, prioritizing the spaces that allow us to meet the spiritual needs of the congregation as a whole in this unprecedented time. We are in the process of connecting with various lay leaders to make decisions about meetings and programming that were previously scheduled. If you are needing to move a previously scheduled/planned church meeting online and would like to request a time slot in one of our zoom rooms, please email Lucia Webb at lucia@firstuniv.org. There will eventually be a google form for such requests, but for now you may contact Lucia directly. Please note that it may take her a few days to get back to you or schedule your meeting. She asks for your patience and flexibility during this time!
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Lower Your Household Carbon Footprint
Saturday, April 4, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
The Environmental Justice team at First Universalist invites you to join them as we get inspired to include climate change in home improvement plans this year!
Learn practical and surprising tips from the experts about how to create more energy efficiency, options to power your home through renewable energy, and make your next vehicle electric. Featuring Jukka Kukkonen from Shift2Electric and others!
Join us on
zoom
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Register here
to get follow-up resources after the session.
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Make Your Money Work for the Climate
Saturday, April 18, 9:30 a.m.-noon
The Environmental Justice Team invites you to join them in finding new ways to undertake the spiritual act of protecting the Earth.
Now is the time to divest from fossil fuel-related companies and fossil-fuel heavy funds, and invest in green companies and funds as well as alternative energy sources. Learn about online investment resources and new opportunities from experts and church members who have personal experience. Details about how to access this workshop online to come!
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Updates to Previously Scheduled Events
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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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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; 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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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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