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October 31, 2019 | Vol. 6 No. 44
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Rest, Renewal, and Reflection:
The Purpose of a Sabbatical
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Rev. Justin Schroeder, Co-Senior Minister |
I can hardly believe I've served First Universalist Church for ten years. It feels like it was just yesterday that I was finding my way around the building. The years have flown by and I am grateful to serve a congregation that supports its ministers with sabbatical time, time designed for renewal, rejuvenation, and reflection. For full-time ministers, after each year of service at the church, we accrue a month of sabbatical time, with a maximum accrual of 6 months. Over a year ago, the Board of Trustees approved a six-month sabbatical beginning in January 2020. During this sabbatical time, I will be away from church, focusing on personal development, spiritual growth, time with my children and wife, and time listening to where love is calling me next in my ministry with you. During sabbatical, through work with a spiritual director and others, I am excited to explore what the 2nd chapter of my ministry might look like with our beloved First Universalist community.
Rev. Jen Crow and I have been working closely together to ensure a smooth transition into this sabbatical time. Staff and church leaders are stepping forward to hold pieces of my work while I am away. Ministry, like many professions, is both wonderful and demanding. As much as I will miss you, and the day-to-day moments of ministry that I love, I am grateful for this time of renewal and reconnection with my family and my calling. I wish that every job offered sabbatical, this time of stepping back, taking stock, and then returning, recharged and rejuvenated. I know that my ministry will be enriched and deepened by this time away, and that this will benefit my ministry, our congregation, and our broader community.
I'll see you in church,
Justin
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Sunday, Nov. 3, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
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Daylight Saving Time ends this Sunday - don't forget to set your clocks back by one hour Saturday night. |
"You Reading This, Be Ready"
Rev. Justin Schroeder
Our theme this month is "Taking our Place, and Making Room." Both of these practices require noticing our ego and its movement in our lives. Are we willing to step back, make room, and let other voices, experiences, and realities hold center stage? Are we willing to step forward when that feels dangerous, uncertain, and vulnerable? So often, deep spiritual work involves navigating and understanding our egos. But what about when we have an encounter in which our ego totally disappears? What place do we take up then?
This Sunday is a Sharing Sunday; children in Kindergarten through sixth grade join their families in worship for the first part of the service.
Daylight Saving Time ends this Sunday, Nov. 3 at 2 a.m. Don't forget to set your clocks back by one hour before bed on Saturday!
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November Worship Theme:
Taking Our Place and Making Room
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 "What needs to happen right now?" What would it be like to pause and risk asking ourselves this question instead of following the same old patterns, leading us to the same old place again and again? What would it be like to evoke a sense of "stepping back"- or perhaps stepping more fully and consciously in - attentively observing our own reactions and the dynamics of a situation or group? What would it be like to be open to an answer? Asking ourselves this question, paying attention to our bodies, the constrictions or the ease, making room for the still small voice within - and beyond - is part of our work as a faith community committed to racial justice. Sometimes, we need to take our place and speak up when we've been culturally conditioned to remain silent. Sometimes we need to make room instead of reflexively taking up space. Taking our place and making room is always dynamic. Your place may be at the back of the room, or at the front of the line. As people of faith we are called to hold the spiritual question: What needs to happen right now?
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On the Podcast: Rev. Karen Hutt's Oct. 27 Sermon, "History Is What We Make"
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Sermon summary & reflections by Liz Farmer:
If Unitarian Universalism was against the law, would there be enough evidence to convict you? Rev. Karen Hutt tells us that, "taking your Unitarian Universalism seriously means it should be visible. People around you should see your religion." In a meeting that I was in this week with fellow staff and a couple of congregants, someone remarked, "Rev. Karen's sermon this weekend - besides its general awesomeness - reminded me that, because our faith is inconvenient, our solution to this project will probably be so, as well." And, if that's what it takes to live into our values, then what a small price to pay. It is a demanding and disquieting life-long journey to be a person of deep faith. Belonging to a faith tradition that is often perceived as wishy-washy, easy, and a religion in which "you can believe whatever you want," it is necessary to take the steps to fulfill clearly and loudly the religious principles of Unitarian Universalism. Listen to Rev. Karen Hutt's Oct. 27 sermon here.
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Sunday, Nov. 10, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Rev. Ruth MacKenzie
Sunday, Nov. 17, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Rev. Justin Schroeder
Sunday, Nov. 24, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Rev. Jen Crow
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Oct. 27, 2019
"History Is What We Make" - Rev. Karen Hutt
Oct. 20, 2019
"Where the Sky Meets the Sea"
- Arif Mamdani
Oct. 13, 2019
"Living Beyond the Binary"
- Rev. Jen Crow
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Worshiping Together in Multigenerational Community
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Chalice Lighter Commissioning 2012 |
In the photo at right, Monroe Chumklang, third from left, celebrated his commissioning as a Chalice Lighter as a fourth grader in 2012.
Last Sunday, there he was on the chancel again, delivering the call to worship before Rev. Karen's sermon.
Most of us spend our days in age-segregated spaces. How beautiful to be in the sanctuary together on a Sunday morning - people of all ages gathered in one body. The more variety of experience we invite in and recognize, the richer the worship for all.
That's why we've moved to having Sharing Sundays twice a month, on the first and third Sundays, so we can more regularly experience the wild beauty of every age and stage of life, reconstituted in our sanctuary. We let stories unite our imaginations and songs unite our voices. We greet one another with love and recognize that we are all on a journey, carried by the same river. This week, while the children are in Sharing Sunday, we'll share in the hope-filled ritual of UU Child Dedication.
There is wisdom to be gained from paying attention at every age. Want to hear more from our Youth Worship Associates? You can listen to
worship service podcasts online. Monroe was up October 27. And Satya Mamdani, fourth from right in the photo above, delivered the call to worship on October 13. Come, let us worship together.
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A Holiday Blessing: Hosting Families Moving Forward
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 We feel truly blessed to welcome Families Moving Forward families to First Universalist over the holidays - December 22 through January 5. We will provide housing to four families who are in transition, seeking a permanent home. We will convert our classrooms to bedrooms and strive to provide radical hospitality during a season which is challenging for so many - even those of us who have a comfortable home.
This year we are encouraging families (any age) or individuals to sign up for an entire evening - from preparing dinner through an overnight stay - and then consider repeating that experience the following week. Why? It gives both our guests and our volunteers an opportunity for real connection. This is just a suggestion, so please know we welcome
whatever commitment
you can make to bringing hospitality and the spirit of the season to those who are waiting to call a permanent place of living, "Home."
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Youth Honored for March for Our Lives Leadership
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Lauren Wyeth speaks about our youth leaders at the MUUSJA Justice Awards.
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On Friday, Oct. 25, Lauren Wyeth, Director of Children, Youth & Family Ministries, was proud to accept a Minnesota UU Social Justice Alliance (MUUSJA) award on behalf of First Universalist youth who led the March for Our Lives, including Ben Jaeger, Adrian Ali-Caccamo, Molly Sheehan and Zoe Christiansen. (They would have been happy to be there but they're scattered now, having graduated high school and off learning and doing good work all over the world.)
Our First Universalist youth came together at church, and worked with peers at their schools, across the state and at a national level to help adults understand the severity of the impact of gun violence in our communities and in their lives. They worked to organize people at multiple levels (taking to the streets, organizing young people and adults who had never participated in political action before, and lobbying at the legislature). They were interviewed by local journalists, they spoke with our representatives, and they brought people to the steps of our Capitol. They were focused and tireless; passionate, wise and visionary.
We taught them the Rainbow Path promises at church and at home. They took them into the world. They know in their bones that it's true - that it's people who are responsible for creating heaven or hell here on earth, that it's on us to create safe, just, compassionate communities.
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Saturday, Nov. 2, 9 a.m.-noon
12-Step Spirituality meets one Saturday per month (Oct.-May) in the Social Hall 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 and sessions, reading from 12 Step literature, and presentations. No registration necessary.
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Sunday, Nov. 3, 1-2 p.m., Cummins Room
The vision of Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative is that all people have a home. More than 90 congregations are building a power collaborative to advance equity in housing and create more affordable homes.
Come visit with folks who share this vision - including Rev. Karen Hutt, Autumn Huiras, Peg Mitchell, and Sara McMullen - and hear from Beacon organizer Rev. Emily Goldthwaite Fries. Snacks will be available.
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Young Adults Board Game Night
Friday, Nov. 8, 6:30 p.m., LynLake Brewery
The First U Young Adult group is hosting a board game night at LynLake Brewery! This event will be co-hosted with a Minnesota humanist group, HumanistsMN. If you are in your 20s or 30s, come by the brewery for an evening of board games and socializing! Contact Claire Nyquist at clairenyquist@gmail.com for more info.
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Racial Justice & Our UU Faith Workshop
Saturdays, Nov. 9 & 16, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Join us for an interactive, reflective two-part workshop exploring a framework and tools for understanding race, racism, and whiteness and the spiritual imperative that drives our racial justice work.
This is a regularly offered workshop that this month will be led by Channing McKinley and Emily Wallace. Register here.
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Thursday, Nov. 14, 4-5:30 p.m.
The path of caregiving is a journey in which we learn to love and how to be loved and nurtured in order to sustain our spirits and our bodies. It is profoundly spiritual.
Rev. Ruth MacKenzie leads this monthly drop-in group
for caregivers where we can bring the joys, the hurts, the challenges and discoveries of what it is to walk a path of caring for a loved one, and to hold our tears and laughter as we learn to be loved.
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"Depolarizing Within: Becoming a Better Angel in Your Own World" Workshop
Saturday, Nov. 16, 9 a.m.-noon
Much of today's epidemic of toxic polarization is driven by how we talk with like-minded people about those on the 'other side'. This workshop, led by Carol Marchel, will: help you become more aware of polarization inside you and between us, teach you skill for being critical without demonizing or dismissing, and help you learn how to intervene in constructive ways in social conversations that veer into contempt and ridicule.
Learn more and register here.
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"Icebox" Film Screening & Discussion
Sunday, Nov. 17, 1-3:30 p.m. or
Thursday, Nov. 21, 6:30-9 p.m.
A 12-year old Honduran boy is forced to flee home and seek asylum in the U.S., only to find himself trapped in a child detention center. While this powerful movie is a fictionalized account, the narrative and characters were inspired by personal stories told to its writer during years of research and outreach. In Spanish (primarily) w/ English subtitles.
Film screenings are drop-in events facilitated by members of our Racial Justice Education Team. Light snacks provided.
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Daytime Connections: Caregivers
Thursday, Nov. 21, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Are you a caregiver? Calling all present and future caregivers to a supportive program that explores the burdens and blessings of caregiving. Draw on our panel's experiences and your own to learn and share about caregiving challenges and rewards. Panel will include Rev. Ruth MacKenzie and members Rick Naymark, author of
Alzheimer's Gifts, and Pam Sanchez.
Through Daytime Connections, older adults empower each other to live intentional, joyful, purposeful, and spiritually fulfilled lives. Lunch follows the program at 1 p.m. ($5-15 donation encouraged). Please register
by Monday, Nov. 18
here
or by calling 612-825-1701.
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Sunday, Dec. 1, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Social Hall
The Alternative Gift Fair will be held in the Social Hall on Sunday, Dec. 1 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This year's vendors include:
Under on Roof (Self- Sufficiency program of SAYFSM),
Mano a Mano,
Frybread Love/Project Offstreets,
Tibet Arts@the Midtown Global Market,
Sanctuary and Resistance Team,
Enchanted World Gallery,
Books for Bassodawish,
Honor the Earth, and
Winter Warm-up for Lovely. Read about each of these vendors here.
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An Aloha Luau Honoring Sandy DiNanni
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Thank you to everyone who turned out to celebrate Sandy DiNanni this past Sunday, Oct. 27! Her Aloha Luau, marking her move into retirement, was filled with love, laughter, and gratitude for her 18 wonderful years with First Universalist Church. To close the heartfelt program honoring her, all gathered sang: "We love you Sandy, Oh yes we do, For loving things you say, And all you do, We all should try to be like you, Oh Sandy, we love you..."
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Annual Giving Numbers Update
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In a practice of transparency, First Universalist Church's Annual Giving team has decided to regularly share updates on our annual giving numbers. In this chart, we've included total gifts received as of September 30, 2019 - the end of our first quarter - in comparison to our adjusted year to date budget. You can see that as of the end of the first quarter, gifts are below where we should be for the year. Our total annual giving budget is $1,165,000.
The financial support of members and friends makes up more than 80% of our annual operating budget.
Your financial support
allows us to offer inspirational weekly worship, innovative Religious Education for children and youth, and thousands of hours of programming for church and community members. It allows us to partner with and support organizations in the community working for justice. It pays minister and staff salaries, and allows us to keep the lights and heat on and the spaces clean and welcoming so our building can serve as meeting space for hundreds of church and community events every year.
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Association of Universalist Women Fall Mini-Retreat
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All women are welcome to the Association of Universalist Women's Fall Mini-Retreat: "Sharing Stories in the Search for Meaning," on Saturday, Nov. 9, at First Universalist Church.
Drawing inspiration from Rev. Karen Hutt's leadership at our spring retreat, the Association of Universalist Women (AUW) will host a day of community, reflection, and storytelling led by Rev. Karen Hutt and storyteller Sue Searing.
Karen and Sue will lead participatory activities around the theme of storytelling, exploring both traditional stories (folk tales, fairy tales, myths, fables) and true stories (personal, family, historical). Both types of story can lead to individual and communal spiritual growth.
9:30 a.m. Registration and light refreshments;
10 a.m.-3 p.m Program (lunch will be provided).
The cost of the day is $25 for AUW members, $40 for non-members. No need to pre-register. Please bring cash or checks for payment at the event. You can pay AUW member dues
online here
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Questions? Email auw.firstuniv@gmail.com
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Hats for the Homeless: Give the Gift of Warmth
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Submitted by Barb Melom
Now in our 11th year, First Universalist knitters are asked to knit a beautiful hat for The Hats for the Homeless project to sustain our tradition of bringing warmth and love to our neighbors experiencing homelessness. We need hats for school aged children, women, and men. Donated hats, scarves, and mittens will be distributed to schools, shelters, and community resources. If you are not a knitter, purchased items are appreciated too.
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Allies for Racial Equity Event this Saturday, Nov. 2
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White Anti-Racists: An Opportunity for Deepening and Reflection
Saturday, Nov. 2, 1:30-5:30 p.m.
Unity Church-Unitarian, 733 Portland Ave., St. Paul
Allies for Racial Equity (ARE), a national group of white Unitarian Universalists committed to dismantling white supremacy, invites all UU white allies for an afternoon of learning and relationship-building. What are white UUs called to do - what work is uniquely ours? How do we make it happen? How do we build a coalition of white anti-racists? This gathering will build on the Black Lives of UU symposium being held earlier in the week, but it's open to both symposium attendees and non-attendees. ARE hopes you'll come and renew your commitment to the work of dismantling white supremacy culture. There is no cost to attend.
Register here.
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How Do the Arts Help Us on Our Life Journey?
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The Unitarian Universalist Church of Minnetonka invites you to their 2019 UUCM Men's Workshop on Saturday, Nov. 23.
Bring your stories; share how the arts help guide your journey.
Helping explore this topic will be two experienced practitioners and teachers in the creative arts:
J.P. (Jay) White, poet, author and educator, "
Daily Practice & Creative Flow"
Paul Winchester, composer, performer, conductor, educator, "
Composing One's Thoughts"
Coffee will be served at 8:30 a.m. and there will be interactive presentations from 9 a.m. to noon. This event is open to all
those over 18 who identify as men, and will be held at
the Unitarian Universalist Church of Minnetonka.
A suggested registration of $10 will be collected at the event.
Sign up here
or by e
mailing
gcharles.mn@gmail.com
to reserve your spot.
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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
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.
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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