 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| |
December 26, 2019 | Vol. 6 No. 52
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
Rev. Karen Hutt, Adjunct Minister
|
Sunday, Dec. 29, 10 a.m.
"Ending a Decade"
Rev. Karen Hutt
Ten more years of the century have passed. What have we learned about ourselves, our church, and our country? Join us at 10 a.m. for a multi-generational service that includes songs and stories!
Please note: there is no Religious Education this Sunday. There is optional childcare available for ages 6 months to 3 years.
|
|
Sunday, Jan. 5, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Remembrance Sunday
Sunday, Jan. 12, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Arif Mamdani
Sunday, Jan. 19, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Rev. Jen Crow
|
|
|
|
|
"Home: Blessing and Belonging"
- Rev. Justin Schroeder
Choir-led worship:
Fantasia on Christmas Carols by Ralph Vaughan Williams
"Home: A Philosophical Problem"
- Rev. Karen Hutt
|
|
|
|
|
|
On the Sunday Service Podcast: Sabbatical Blessings for Rev. Justin, Rev. Jen & the Congregation
|
 In this season of darkness, we are invited to rest and be at home in the stillness and winter quiet, trusting that the light, birdsong, and blossoms will return. As the season turns, the darkness at this threshold moment holds both blessing and belonging. On Sunday, Dec. 22, we welcomed our guests from Families Moving Forward, and offered blessings for Rev. Justin, Rev. Jen, and the entire congregation as we collectively prepare for Justin's 6-month sabbatical. We readied ourselves for love to be born again in the world, and to be surprised and delighted by what the New Year brings. Listen to the podcast here.
|
|
UPCOMING EVENTS & HAPPENINGS
|
|
Daytime Connections: The Aging Brain
Thursday, Jan. 16, 10:45 a.m.
Why should you thank your aging brain? Harvard Medical School's studies are beginning to answer this question. Did you know that older adults are more likely than younger folks to make the right decision based on available information? Local experts will cover what happens to our brains as we age, when to be concerned and where to go if we are concerned.
Through Daytime Connections, older adults empower each other to live intentional, joyful, purposeful, and spiritually fulfilled lives. Program begins at 11 a.m. and is followed by lunch ($5-15 donation encouraged) at 1 p.m. Please register here
by Jan. 13 or by calling 612-825-1701.
|
|
|
|
|
Film Screening: "Black Panther"
Sunday, Jan. 26, 1-3:30 p.m. or
Thursday, Jan. 30, 6:30-9 p.m.
"Black Panther" elevates superhero cinema to thrilling new heights. The movie follows T'Challa who, after the events of "Captain America: Civil War," returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to take his place as King. With superb acting by a star studded cast of African American actors, the movie breaks stereotypes about African culture and demonstrates that any society can benefit from qualities such as innovation, originality, compassion, and understanding.
Please join our Racial Justice Education Team for one of two screenings/discussions in late January.
Light snacks will be provided.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Holiday Office Hours & Pastoral Care
|
The church office is
closed Tuesday, Dec. 24 through Wednesday, Jan. 1
. Doors and phones will not be monitored during this time, and staff will be working limited hours between Christmas and New Year's.
In case of a pastoral emergency during this time
, you may call the church office at 612-825-1701 and follow the prompts for "pastoral care" to be connected with a minister.
|
Calendar year 2019 is quickly coming to an end. If you would like to make a financial gift prior to the end of the year, donations must be transferred, postmarked, made online, or dropped off at church no later than December 31. Because the office is closed over the holidays, this Sunday is your only opportunity to drop off contributions in person; you may give them to a staff member at the information desk in the social hall after worship on Sunday, Dec. 29. If you have questions about giving, contact Chelsea Bertsch at 612-825-1701 ext. 107 or chelsea@firstuniv.org. Thank you to all for your ongoing support and generosity to First Universalist Church!
|
|
Habitat for Humanity January 2020 Work Day
|
First Universalist has just one Habitat for Humanity work day coming up this spring, and we'd love to have you on the crew!
Our next Habitat work day will take place:
Thursday, January 9 in Bloomington.
Volunteers must be over 16 years of age, and 16- and 17-year-olds must be accompanied by an adult. The work day is
from 8:15 a.m. until 4 p.m.
, and lunch will be provided.
For more information contact Ingrid Young (
ingrina99@yahoo.com
).
|
|
In Case You Missed It: Introducing Aj Williams
|
 Please help us give a warm welcome to Aj Williams (she/they), who joined the First Universalist
staff in late November as our new Evening and Sunday Host!
Aj is responsible for staffing the office
reception desk on weekday evenings, Monday through Thursday 5:30 to 8 p.m. Beginning in mid-January, Aj will be at the Hub in the Social Hall on Sundays to greet visitors and answer questions. They are also providing some administrative support for membership, adult ministries, and hospitality.
Aj is originally from Evanston, IL, and most recently called Holden Village, Washington, home before moving to Minneapolis. She graduated from Lawrence University in 2017, and had the opportunity to study film and earth sciences. Outside of First Universalist Church, Aj works for Twin Cities Public Television as a videographer and freelances as a documentary artist. The things most near and dear to their heart include family, focaccia, live music, and her long-term foster cat, Nairuz.
|
|
A Note About Staffing Changes
|
With any staff transition comes the opportunity to evaluate and reassess systems and how responsibilities are allocated and shared between staff (and volunteers). In the wake of Sandy DiNanni's retirement, we have been working to do just this. As you can likely imagine, after 18 years at First Universalist, Sandy had collected a wide variety of responsibilities!
A fair amount of the adult ministries administrative work that Sandy was responsible for is now being done by Liz Farmer, our fabulous and super capable Administrative & Adult Ministries Assistant. Our new staff member Aj is focused on providing a welcoming presence in the office and social hall on weekday evenings and Sundays. Other tasks have been spread out between operations and facilities staff and Arif Mamdani, Director of Membership and Adult Ministries.
Please keep this in mind as we all adjust to modified roles and new systems!
|
|
Please Check the Lost & Found
|
Are you missing something that you might have left at church? Our lost and found cabinet is located in one of the two coat closets off of the lower narthex. Right now it contains water bottles, travel mugs/thermoses, winter wear, and more - even a library book! Please stop by and take a look next time you're at church to claim anything that is yours.
Small/valuable items like jewelry, eyeglasses, keys, and electronics are usually placed in a separate lost & found bin in the office - feel free to call the church office or stop by during open hours to inquire about anything you might have left at church.
|
|
Reminder: No Parking in Handicapped Transfer Zones
|
Earlier this year, at our request, the city added a second Handicapped Transfer Zone for us, in front of the 34th Street Entrance, which is a Sunday-only entrance. This is in addition to the Transfer Zone located in front of the Dupont Avenue atrium main entrance.
Please be aware that both Handicapped Transfer Zones are strictly No Parking zones at all times, and are to be used for drop off and pick up only.
If you have a handicapped parking permit, please park in one of the designated parking spots in our parking lot or - on Sundays - in the on-street handicapped parking zone located behind the Transfer Zone on 34th Street.
|
Winter in Minnesota has gotten off to an icy start this year! As always, our Facilities staff are working hard to keep our sidewalks and parking lot as clear and safe as possible. Even so, please allow yourself extra time to safely navigate your way into the church building! If you use traction cleats such as Yaktrax, remember that they are extremely dangerous to wear indoors on our smooth floors. There are benches just inside almost every entrance to the church (except for the parking lot door) - please have a seat and remove your traction cleats before venturing further into the building. We wish everyone a safe winter season!
|
|
Donations Needed for Augsburg Fairview Academy
|
 During the school year, we collect donations for the Food and Clothing Closets at Augsburg Fairview Academy, one of our six Faithful Action partners.
Most needed items for Hope Clothing Closet: warm gloves and texting gloves for men and women, warm socks for men and women, teen appropriate winter jackets (dark colors preferred). Clothing should appeal to teens, be appropriate for the season (please, no summer clothes now) and be in good repair: clean, no broken zippers, no tears.
Most needed items for Hope Food Closet: winter toiletries such as chapstick and lotion; single serve microwavable meals like chili and stew.
Please bring items to the Info Center in the Social Hall on Sunday or leave on the shelves for AFA by the 34th St. entrance.
Thank you for your generosity!
|
|
Cycle of Life and Pastoral Care
|
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.
|
|
Space Reservations for Meetings and Events
|
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.
|
|
|
Join Our Mailing List
Subscribe to
The Weekly Liberal
here.
Sign up to receive our weekly Children Youth & Family Ministries news
here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Church Office Hours
|
Sundays 9
a.m.-1 p.m.
Monday - Thursday
9 a.m.-8 p.m.
Closed Fridays and Saturdays
Closed Dec. 24 - Jan. 1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weekly Liberal Submissions
We encourage you to submit news!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contact Us
|
First Universalist Church of Minneapolis
3400 Dupont Ave. S.,
Minneapolis, MN 55408
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Universalist Church of Minneapolis
3400 Dupont Avenue S.
Minneapolis, MN 55408
612-825-1701
|
|
| |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
