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October 10, 2019 | Vol. 6 No. 41
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Keeping Faith & Holding Tight in the Storm of this Moment
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Rev. Jen Crow |
This week, the Supreme Court considered whether discrimination based on sexual orientation should continue to be legal in our land, and again, members of the GLBTQ community circled around each other, reflecting back the humanity that is always there, reminding each other of their worth and dignity. Tonight, the president of the United States is making his way to our city, hoping to fire up his supporters with hateful words and intentions so far from the ideals we hold dear as Universalists. Many of us will be there, pushing back on this hurtful rhetoric and destructive leadership. Many of us will be working in other ways today and every day, to keep faith with the larger web of life, creating an unbroken circle where all are loved, where all are seen and known as the whole and holy and worthy people that they are. The words of James Baldwin are sustaining me today - and I hope they might inspire you, too, to keep faith with one another, holding on tightly in the storm of this moment.
For nothing is fixed,
Forever, forever, forever,
It is not fixed;
The earth is always shifting,
The light is always changing,
The sea does not cease to grind down rock.
Generations do not cease to be born,
And we are responsible to them
Because we are the only witnesses they have.
The sea rises, the light fails,
Lovers cling to each other,
And children cling to us.
The moment we cease to hold each other,
The moment we break faith with one another,
The sea engulfs us and the light goes out.
- James Baldwin
Let's keep the light on for each other and those we do not yet know. Let's keep on holding each other. Let's keep faith with the demands of our Universalist heritage - a circle wide enough to welcome and love us all.
In faith,
Rev. Jen
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Sunday, Oct. 13, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
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October Worship Theme:
The Edges of Belonging |
"Living Beyond the Binary"
Rev. Jen Crow
One of the most important and powerful longings of the human heart is for belonging. Perhaps more important even than food or shelter, belonging can offer us a sense of purpose, meaning, and connection that can sustain us no matter what ups and downs life may throw our way. Come explore what it might mean to honor that human longing for belonging, for ourselves and each other. Join us for worship at 9:30 or 11:15 a.m.
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On the Podcast: Mental Health Sunday
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Sermon summary & reflections by Liz Farmer:
With humor, vulnerability, and wisdom, three fellow congregants share about their experiences with depression, anxiety, OCD, and more. They share about the spiritual work of reimagining their identity that includes a diagnosis, the impulse to "fix," and the importance of asking how someone is doing. In an effort to de-stigmatize mental illness and emotional distress, their stories are a gift. Listen to their reflections on the Oct. 6 podcast.
Mental Health Connect, of which we are a member congregation, is a consortium of faith-based organizations that provides community-based resources, support, and education to improve access to mental health services and to connect individuals and families with the services they need.
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Sunday, Oct. 20, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Arif Mamdani
Music: First Universalist Choir
Sunday, Oct. 27, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Rev. Karen Hutt
Sunday, Nov. 3, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Rev. Justin Schroeder
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Oct. 6, 2019
Mental Health Sunday
Listen to the podcast
Sept. 29, 2019
"An Open Door" -
Rev. Karen Hutt
Sept. 22, 2019
"Transmogrify(ing) Church" -
Arif Mamdani
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"Brave Connections: Interrupting Systemic Bias & Racism" Spiritual Deepening Circle
Tuesdays, Oct. 15 - Nov. 19, 7-8:30 p.m.
This six-week practice and reflection circle is designed to help you learn how to listen closely and respond clearly to relatives, friends, neighbors and co-workers who say or do something that is biased. Good people can do things that have harmful impacts and perpetuate a racist system. We will share an open-hearted approach for speaking up with directness and respect, and focus on impact, not intent; compassion, not calling out. Facilitated by Denise Konen and Jeff Sylvestre.
Register here.
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Daytime Connections: When the Time Comes - Who Gets What?
Thursday, Oct. 17, 11 a.m. (lunch at 1 p.m.)
Third Thursday programming for older adults starts up again this month! We'll discuss strategies families can use to decide how personal items, such as wedding photographs, get passed on. Often it is the non-titled possessions that cause rifts in families. Having plans in place can help maintain family relations. The University of Minnesota developed a workbook called "Who Gets Grandma's Yellow Pie Plate?" that we will use as our guide.
A $5-15 donation for lunch is encouraged. Please register
HERE
or by calling 612-825-1701 by Monday, Oct. 14.
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Saturday, Oct. 19, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
This fall, the Peace Circle is hosting three "Skill Building for Peacemakers" workshops to help equip folks with strong, usable skills to be active daily as peacemakers.
The first of these will focus on
Alternatives to Violence
(AVP) and will be led by Terry Kayser.
Alternatives to Violence, developed by Quakers to help offenders, helps people turn their conflicts into opportunities for personal growth using methods used by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Mohandas Gandhi, and Jesus.
Register here.
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Artist's Reception with Barbara Kellogg
Sunday, Oct. 20, following both services
Meet photographer and author Barb Kellogg after either service on Sunday, Oct. 20.
In the exhibit
If You Only Knew, Barb has created an authentic and powerful collection of interviews and photographs that relay the humanity of mental illness... and subtly reveal the importance of being seen and heard. The exhibit creates a bridge of understanding between those living with and without mental illness, increases awareness about the experience of mental illness, and ultimately, humanizes it.
Read more about the exhibit and the artist.
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Film Screening & Discussion: "Get Out"
Thursday, Oct. 24, 6:30-9 p.m.
or Sunday, Oct. 27, 1-3:30 p.m.
Just in time for Halloween, don't miss this brilliantly provocative film, described by critics as one of the best and most refreshingly original horror movies in the last decade. Rather than having in-your-face predictable jump scares and cheesy music, "Get Out" dwells on the mind and relies on the fear of the unknown while conveying subtle messages on racism and what it's like to be black in America.
Film screenings are drop-in events facilitated by members of our Racial Justice Education Team. Light snacks will be provided.
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Young Families Halloween Party
Saturday, Oct. 26, 9-11 a.m.
Come celebrate Halloween and the joys of the season with the littlest members of our church community.
All families with children in 1st grade and younger are invited to attend. Older siblings are welcome, too! We'll have games, music, crafts, and a Halloween costume parade. Enjoy a light breakfast and some coffee or cider, as well as seasonal treats.
This is a wonderful way to connect with other families with young children, while your kids make memories and deepen their ties to their church community! Please
RSVP here.
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Celebrating Sandy with an Aloha Luau on Oct. 27
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 Sandy DiNanni invites you to celebrate her 18 wonderful years with you here at church! (If you missed it, read her retirement announcement
here.)
Join us in the social hall on Sunday, Oct. 27 after the second service for an Aloha Luau (honoring Sandy's Hawaiian heritage)! Please bring a simple food item/dish to share. Beverages will be provided.
If you have any Hawaiian garb - shirts or muu muus, for instance - you're invited to wear them on October 27.
Many of you have asked about cards and gifts.
Cards for Sandy can be placed in the special keepsake box that is available in the Social Hall on Sundays and in the office during the week (please do not enclose cash/gift cards/checks). Those wishing to make a contribution to a gift fund for Sandy's retirement may do so here or by delivering/mailing a check to the church office made out to First Universalist Church with "Sandy Gift" in the memo line.
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A Note from Arif Mamdani,
Director of Membership & Adult Ministries
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Arif Mamdani, Director of Membership & Adult Ministries |
Greetings!
As we enter the month of October and our theme "The Edges of Belonging," I've been thinking a lot about church and what does and doesn't foster a sense of belonging. One of the things that I think is true is that relationships help to foster a sense of belonging and to that end, I want to get to know you! The only challenge is that there's one of me and about 1,000 of you - SO, I want to invite you to join me on one of the following dates for coffee or lunch.
Morning Coffee (we'll provide coffee/tea and pastries): Thursday, Oct. 24, 10-11:30 a.m. at First Universalist
RSVP here
Lunch (bring your own bag lunch; we'll provide beverages and cookies for dessert): Wednesday, Oct. 30, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. at First Universalist
RSVP here
I know those dates won't work for everyone, so if they don't work for you and you'd like to connect with me, please don't hesitate to reach out -
arif@firstuniv.org.
Thanks!
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Hiring Welcome Attendant & Building Host
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While members of First Universalist are not eligible to apply for staff positions, we would love your help spreading the word about a staff position we are currently trying to fill in the wake of Sandy DiNanni's retirement at the end of October.
This is a 14 hour/week temporary position through the end of May 2020. Regular hours are 5:30-8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Sundays, with occasional additional weekend hours available for special events.
The Building Host and Welcome Attendant is responsible for ensuring a radically welcoming and informed presence at the greeter/information station during weekday evenings (Monday through Thursday) and on Sunday mornings before, during, and after worship services. On weekday evenings, the church building is host to a variety of classes, committee and staff meetings, choir rehearsals, special events, and more. The Building Host and Welcome Attendant serves as a resource to these groups when any questions, issues or needs arise, working with the facilities staff person on duty to address them. On Sundays, this person coordinates the welcome and hospitality that we provide as attendees enter the building and seek information before and after worship services. They are also responsible for administrative tasks as assigned, including but not limited to corresponding with visitors, members and volunteers via phone and email, data entry, and support for our visitor hospitality and membership ministries.
Find the job posting with complete details and application instructions here. If you know of anyone who would make an excellent candidate, please pass this along to them!
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Seniors Hike with Daytime Connections
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Cleary Lake Regional Park is one of many parks that make up the Twin Cities metro Three Rivers Park District system. We will be hiking on wide, grassy and gently rolling trails which serve as cross country ski trails in winter. The hike would be classified as easy, with only a few short hills to climb. The route passes many small lakes and wetlands with great views. We will hike for up to two hours; however, there are several cutoff opportunities that could shorten the hike to as little as 45 minutes should that distance be preferred.
For those interested, we will gather for lunch following the hike at the Hy-Vee Market Grill Restaurant at 6150 Egan Drive, Savage, MN 55378.
Should anyone prefer to carpool for this hike, contact Tom Saterstrom by Monday, Oct. 21.
RSVPs requested: If you plan to participate in this hike please RSVP to Tom Saterstrom:
saterstromtom@yahoo.com or (cell) 952-239-3629.
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Are you in your 20s or 30s? Join the First Universalist Young Adults group on Sunday, Oct. 20 for the first group lunch of the new church year! Join us for lunch and conversation after the 11:15 a.m. service. Going forward, we will gather on the 3rd Sunday of every month. This is a casual "come when you can" social opportunity- no sign up required! Meet at 12:45 p.m. at the info desk in the Social Hall before heading out. Email Gordon Loery at gloery945@gmail.com with questions.
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Radical Hospitality Sanctuary and Resistance
Community Fun(d)raiser
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This fundraising event will be a night to join together in community with homemade food, an artisan table with donated art and jewelry, and performances by local poets, an ensemble of the Calliope Women's Chorus, acoustic music and DJ Mixie.
We will join together on October 26, 6-9 p.m., with a goal to raise $7,500 which will be 10 stipends ($750) that can be given out to families experiencing the hardships of detention and deportation. Since June of 2018 this fund has helped 18 families and we continue together to resist immigration system injustices. We will be taking goodwill donations at the door, and are asking people to register so we know numbers of attendees for food and drink. All donations raised will go directly to people affected.
If you cannot attend please donate online: tinyurl.com/1U-immigrantfund. Checks made out to First Universalist Church, 3400 Dupont Ave. S with S & R Fund written in the memo line.
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by Sandy DiNanni
How would you like to be called "the loving face of First Universalist?" It could happen, if you'd volunteer to be a member of our fabulous Welcome Teams on Sunday morning. It's a ministry of radical hospitality, greeting members, friends, and visitors to the church, and chatting with newcomers at coffee. It's not hard... you only serve once a month (except for a one-time 5th Sunday of the month during the year). You volunteer with the nicest people each time, acquiring your Welcome Team colleagues as special new friends... and your job is to show the world the welcoming face of Love's People at First Universalist Church!
Here's a note from former church Trustee Jill Braithwaite:
"Being part of a Welcome Team is definitely one of my favorite ways to volunteer at church. It's super simple to do - you just show up 45 minutes before the service, check in with your team and choose your post, and then you get to be the warm, friendly face of First Universalist. It takes courage to visit a church for the first time, and we all know how bad it feels to be in a new place that is not friendly. So it's a great privilege to be part of helping create a positive experience for visitors."
If the concept of exhibiting the welcoming spirit of First Universalist Church appeals to you, please email
Arif@firstuniv.org
to be put on a Welcome Team. We know you'll love it!
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Sixth Grade Environmental Justice Team
Seeking Fabric Donations
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In their Taking Our Places curriculum this Fall, 6th graders select a team to serve on over the course of four Sundays at church. Service introduces them to the "behind the scenes" work of congregational life, connects them with others of all ages who share similar interests, and gives them a chance to contribute their time and talents to our community.
If you were at church last week, you may have noticed 6th graders volunteering with younger kids' classes or serving as ushers in worship. If you were mentioned in the Cycle of Life, you may receive a handmade card from a 6th grader in the mail this week. And if you're at church this coming Sunday, you'll notice posters soliciting fabric donations for
Boomerang Bags, a local project congregant Velma Wagner introduced to 6th graders who opted to work on environmental justice efforts.
Donated fabrics diverted from landfills are sewn by volunteers into beautiful and unique reusable bags. These bags are placed in bins in stores and people are encouraged to "borrow and bring back" or reuse over and over. Boomerang Bags cut down on the need for single-use plastic and paper bags that are uneconomical and wasteful options for our communities, while also creating connection and community for our volunteers. As one 6th grader's sign reminds us, "Save Your Own World!"
To support Boomerang Bags, please bring your donations to Room 201 by Sunday, Nov. 3. They are collecting lightweight cotton fabric (minimum 1 yard in length), thread, and even unwanted sewing machines. Thanks for your help!
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Submitted by Colleen Cavell
"Sharing a meal in someone's home on a Saturday evening...I can't think of a better way to get to know people in our Church...We've been doing this for 20 years!"
If you would like more information about this First Universalist tradition contact Colleen Cavell at cavell.colleen@gmail.com or 612-323-4486.
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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.
There will be a collection basket near the elevator at the end of October.
For patterns and more information about the project, check out our blog:
First Universalist has a knitting group that meets the 3rd Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m.
Pack up your needles and yarn and join us...all are welcome.
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Be Alert: Email Phishing Scams Targeting Churches
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In recent months, churches across the country have been targets of email phishing scams, in which scammers pretending to be ministers ask congregants (via email) to purchase gift cards for a worthy cause. A handful of First Universalist staff and members have received such phishing emails as recently as this past weekend. We can assure you that nothing has been hacked, but please be aware of this trend and don't fall for a phishing scam! If you receive an email that looks like it's from one of our ministers but seems suspicious, it probably is.
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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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