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April 19, 2018 | Vol. 5 No. 16
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60% IN on the 18th: Your Help is Needed to Be
All In!
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60% in by the end of the evening on April 18! |
Thank you so much to everyone who joined us yesterday at our Gathering in Gratitude community dinner and thank you event for all who have made their annual giving commitments for 2018-2019 thus far!
By the end of the evening, we had reached 60% participation!
The goal this year is
100% participation/response - and that means there are more than 250 families and individuals who are members of and/or involved at First Universalist Church that we still need to hear from.
We are so grateful to all those who are "IN" - and also want to emphasize that it's really important we hear from *everyone* as soon as possible!
The people we have not yet heard from this spring regarding their annual giving plans have a huge impact on our budgeting for 2018-2019. Our Board of Trustees meets this evening to work on the budget, which needs to be finalized in just a few weeks.
Please help us by letting us know your plans for giving from July 2018 through June 2019 as soon as possible.
To be "All In" and set up your annual giving for 2018-2019 now...
- give us a call at 612-825-1701,
- email Andrea at andrea@firstuniv.org,
- set up your giving online (you must have a MyFirstU account set up)
- or mail in/bring in/fill out a giving card in church this Sunday!
Last night's gathering and dinner was so much fun! Check out a handful of
photos from the event on our Facebook page. And - l
ast but not least, - the winners of last night's prize drawing are: Jenelle Masterson, Rick Gravrok, Carol Cochran, Jean Staneslow, and Sara Olson. Congratulations!
Thank you for your support and for being
All In!
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| SUNDAY WORSHIP AT FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH |
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| April Worship Theme: Forgiveness |
Worship this Sunday
Sunday, April 22, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
"Earth Day:
Can the Earth Forgive Us?"
Rev. Justin Schroeder
If you read the headlines, it seems clear: the news isn't good for Planet Earth and the many species that populate it. I just heard a term, "ecological grief," that captures a feeling I've been experiencing more often. Is it too late? Or might we make amends for the planetary harm and havoc we've caused? And who is the "we" that needs to make amends? We'll explore these questions on this Earth Day Sunday.
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Sunday, April 29, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Choir-led Worship
Rev. Ruth MacKenzie
Recent Sermon Podcasts
April 8, 2018
"Your Soul is Intact"
Rev. Karen Hutt, Rev. Justin Schroeder
April 1, 2018
"Resurrecting A Community"
Rev. Justin Schroeder
March 18, 2018
"Wrestling the Angel"
Rev. Jen Crow
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| April Worship Theme: Forgiveness |
Chief Seattle writes: "We are all children of the Great Spirit, we all belong to Mother Earth. Our planet is in great trouble and if we keep carrying old grudges and do not work together, we will all die." Forgiveness is a tricky business. It's about letting go of the past, and beginning again in love. It is not about forgetting the past, but more akin to infusing past wrongdoings, or wounds, with spiritual heat so that they transform into wisdom and have less control over our lives and our way forward. Forgiveness begins in discomfort but always leads to awakening. This is why forgiveness is addressed in every religious tradition. Forgiveness is a saving grace for us as individuals, for our communities, and our world.
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Earth Day Celebration
Sunday, April 22, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
The Environmental Justice Team invites you to join them in the social hall after services on April 22 for a celebration of Earth Day!
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YCE Media Sale
Sundays, April 22 & 29, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Come support Youth Cultural Exchange by purchasing gently-used Books, CDs, and DVDs at our sale in the social hall on Sundays, April 22 and 29. Proceeds are used to help cover scholarships for First U YCE youth and to pay for the Nicaraguan youth to fly here this summer.
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Habitat on the Hill
Thursday, April 26, 8:30 a.m.
Join Rev. Justin and other First U Housing advocates at the MN State Capitol to speak out for affordable housing in Minnesota at Habitat for Humanity's annual Day on the Hill, Thursday, April 26 from 8:30 a.m. until early afternoon. Advocacy training, materials, and lunch provided. RSVP: Contact Joan Naymark (jnaymark@gmail.com) to indicate that you'll be part of our church group, and and please register with Habitat here.
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Seniors Hike with Daytime Connections
Thursday, April 26, 10 a.m.
Join Daytime Connections for a hike beginning at the home of Roxy Knuttila and Frank Janezich in Bloomington near the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. We will walk a section of the trail in the river valley. This is a woodland trail so be prepared for some wet spots and a small creek to ford. The out and back route is approximately 3-4 miles so we will hike for up to 2 hours. If you would like to stay after the hike for lunch and convivial conversation, please bring your own bag lunch. Roxy and Frank will provide beverages. Complete details here. Please RSVP to Roxy at rknuttila@gmail.com.
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Spring Forum on Immigration
Sunday, April 29, 6:30-8 p.m., Social Hall
RESCHEDULED: First Universalist's Sanctuary & Resistance team and Project Minnesota/León (PML) are hosting a Forum on Immigration and Sanctuary Churches & Cities. Join us for coffee, dessert and dialogue! We will host two speakers: Alison Griffith (pictured), an immigration attorney at the Advocates for Human Rights, and Tammi Thompson, ISAIAH Sanctuary Church organizer. This event is free and open to the public, but donations to support PML's work will be accepted.
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Legislative Action Gathering
Sunday, April 29, 4-5 p.m., Social Hall
RESCHEDULED: First Universalist will host one of three Legislative Action gatherings on Sunday, April 29, 4-5 p.m., where we will: Meet with local legislators to tell them that affordable housing is a priority for us; voice our support for the push by the MN Homes for All Coalition to get $140 million in the state bonding bill (specifically designated for 4,600 affordable homes in MN); and put our collective energy and faith into action to help ensure all people have a home. This event is held in partnership with Beacon. If you were signed up for the original date that was cancelled, re-registration is required. Register here.
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Congregational Budget Meetings
Sunday, April 29 at 12:45 p.m. & Tuesday, May 1 at 6:30 p.m.
The Board of Trustees will share a draft budget at Congregational Budget Meetings on Sunday, April 29 at 12:45 p.m. and Tuesday, May 1 at 6:30 p.m. in the Cummins Room. After a presentation of the budget and its rationale, there will be an opportunity for questions. The board will prepare a final version of the budget for presentation to the Congregation at our Annual Meeting on Sunday, June 3 at 11:30 a.m.
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Newcomer Circle
Thursdays, May 3, 10, 24, and 31, 7-8:30 p.m.
Recent visitors and new members are invited to join a Newcomer Circle! These 4-session gatherings of 6-10 newcomers offer a chance to explore core Unitarian Universalist values, reflect on their spiritual journeys, and connect with other folks who are new to church.
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| Racial Justice Potluck Dinner |
Want to break bread with other church folks leaning into our racial justice work? Curious about the work we are doing and how you could get involved? The Racial Justice Education Team (RJET) invites you to a potluck dinner on
Friday, May 4 from 6-8pm in the church social hall. Bring a dish to share.
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| Sunday, May 13 Child Dedication Sign Up Open |
 Unitarian Universalists believe every child brings new light and new hope into the world.
During the Child Dedication ritual, the congregation pledges itself to partner with and support parents and families in the religious upbringing of the child. Child Dedications take place during Sunday worship services twice a year.
Learn more and sign your family up to participate in the May 13 Child Dedication
here.
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| Support Antonia Alvarez on Her Two-Week Fast |
Submitted by Denise Konen of First Universalist's Sanctuary & Resistance Team
Hopefully, you have read the story in last week's Liberal of Antonia Alvarez, with Asamblea de Derechos Civiles, and the fast she is undertaking to bring attention to critical issues that immigrants are dealing with beginning with a ten hour Emancipation Procession on Monday, April 23 at 7:30 a.m. The First Universalist Sanctuary and Resistance team has committed to help her in important and meaningful ways. We ask you to please join us in supporting this courageous and inspiring immigrant leader!
Please email Mary McCann and let her know how you will participate so we can develop a list and a schedule of ways we will show up to support Antonia: maryandalice@gmail.com
1. Join us for the ten hour peaceful Emancipation Procession - or any part of the day. There will be a bus nearby available for the entire day for food, bathrooms and a place to rest.
2. Become a Safety Marshal for the procession (approved by the police in all the cities we will be going through). This involves:
- Attending a one-hour Marshal Training Session on Saturday, April 21 at 10 a.m.
- Ability to attend the entire procession, prepared to walk or bike the entire route (you'll get breaks, water, and snacks)
- Readiness to communicate the route to others, administer basic first aid if needed, and generally look out and help out
3. Sign up to provide rides to immigrants joining the march throughout the day and to the Capitol.
4. Antonia does not want to be alone during this long fast at the State Capitol where she will be staying in a tent by the Leif Erickson statue. She has asked for spiritual companions to be with her each day. Can you schedule a day or a few hours, April 24 to May 7 at 7 p.m. to give her your time and loving presence?
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| ART for Action: Create Beautiful "Angelina Fiber" Art |
 Have fun while raising funds for the First Universalist Sanctuary and Resistance Immigrant Fund!
Join Rev. Laurie Bushbaum and Denise Konen on Friday, April 27, 7-9 p.m. in the Chalice Room, in a joyful evening of art making. Come create greeting cards or small art pieces.
Angelina is a very fine, unique fiber that is light reflective, as well as light refractive and incredibly luminescent, resulting in beautiful artwork when yarn, lace, beads, or embossing are added. Look for samples at the AUW table and on the wall next to the bulletin board, across from the welcome desk in the Social Hall.
Suggested donation: $30. Funds raised will support immigrant families facing detention and deportation. Space is limited. Contact Denise Konen to register:
denise@netgains.net.
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| Call for 2018-19 Worship Associate Applications |
Worship Associates open our worship services every Sunday with stories that move us. Each associate seats the worship theme in the particular of their own life, grounding each service in the reality of lived experience. Our worship services are rich with stories: a cowardly lion finding courage in community, a truth left unsaid, a mother who hears the most tender words from her adult son from his hospital bed.
Do you love worship? Do you have a flair for writing? Does your heart open when you're telling a story about your own spiritual journey? Please consider applying to be a Worship Associate this year.
Worship Associates speak 2 or 3 times during the church year in our worship services, September through May. Associates and Rev. Ruth MacKenzie gather during the year to discuss themes for upcoming months, talk about writing for oration, review how to layout a manuscript and practice public speaking.
If this interests you, please apply:
We will hold a Worship Retreat on
Sunday, Aug. 26 from 11:30-3:30 p.m.
Then the group will decide on a monthly meeting date to form a Soul Matters group for our Worship Associates. We will discuss upcoming worship themes, spiritual deepening, and support one another.
You must be able to attend the Worship Retreat on August 26 in order to be considered.
The Worship Team will be choosing applicants that represent the multi-generational, multi-cultural, multi-racial congregation we are becoming.
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| Donations Needed for AFA Prom - 4/22 or 4/28 |
Augsburg Fairview Academy (AFA) will hold their Prom in our Social Hall on Saturday, April 28, 7-10 p.m. We are pleased to offer our space again to AFA as one of our community partners and as part of our mission to make our building available to the community. Here's how you can help:
Donate teen appropriate prom dresses and men's suits
(small, medium, and large sizes). Please bring donations to the Hub this Sunday, April 22.
Donate home baked goodies (cookies and bars).
A dozen or two items will be fine so we get a variety. Bring items to the social hall on April 28. Please let Cindy Marsh know what you will bring and she will confirm timing for drop off:
cindy.marsh2588@gmail.com
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AFA is a public charter high school for students who have not been successful in the public schools. Many are homeless or marginally housed. First U has supported AFA in various ways for the last five years including hosting last year's AFA prom which students said was the "best ever"!
Many thanks for your ongoing generosity and support!
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| Volunteers Needed for Boston-Bound Bake Sale! |
An EPIC church bake sale is in the works to help
raise funds for First U youth traveling to Boston - it's the Boston Bound Bake Sale on Sunday, April 29! Volunteers are needed to bake and help sell... and buy, of course!
Can you help bake? The bake sale will be held on Sunday, April 29 between and after services.
Bring your portioned and plated baked goods to the Social Hall by 10:30 a.m on 4/29.
Baking sugar free and/or gluten-free and/or vegan is encouraged if you're so inclined.
Don't bake?
No problem, ask your favorite baker to do you a solid OR buy something - cheese sticks, fruit, etc. for those who need to skip the sugar.
You can also volunteer to staff the table with organizer Jane Baudelaire. And, of course, you can contribute to the effort by buying baked goods that day!
Please contact Jane Baudelaire at
jane.baudelaire@gmail.com
or 414-550-5869 (call or text is fine) to volunteer to bake or staff the event.
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| Seeking Delegates to UUA General Assembly 2018 |
General Assembly
(GA) is the annual meeting of our Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA).
Part liberal religious meet-up, part UUA business meeting, GA is a jam-packed few days with amazing people, seminars, worship services, Robert's Rules, and even a dance or two.
Attendees worship, witness, learn, connect, and make policy for the Association through democratic process.
This year's conference is
Wednesday, June 20 to Sunday, June 24, in Kansas City, Mo
. Registration info and more is available here.
Anyone may attend GA. To attend as one of First Universalist Church's official 20 delegates, please talk to someone on the Nominating Committee or email
(
nomination@firstuniv.org
)
before June 1st.
You must be an active member. Delegates need to be officially approved by the congregation at our annual meeting.
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| April Board of Trustees Meeting |
The Board of Trustees generally meets the third Thursday of every month (except July). The next meeting of the Board will take place tonight, Thursday, April 19 at 6:30 p.m. Board meeting materials may be found on our website. Meeting materials are generally made available online two days prior to each board meeting.
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Memorial Service for Barbara Gudmundson
Submitted by Pat Gottschalk
Pat writes: "Barb Gudmundson was a well known UU in the Twin Cities and active in the past at First Universalist Church. Many older members would remember her."
From the obituary: Gudmundson, Barbara Jane Rohrke age 90, died peacefully Nov. 7, 2017 at Jones-Harrison Residence in Mpls.
A Memorial/Celebration of Life service
will be held on Saturday, April 28 at 11 a.m. at
First Unitarian Society, 900 Mt. Curve Ave, Mpls., MN 55403.
Luncheon reception to follow service.
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| RESOURCES & CONTACT INFORMATION |
Building & Renovations
In 2017, we raised more than $5.5 million in our Capital Campaign, Not for Ourselves Alone: Building an Inclusive Future
, for renovations and new construction that will improve our church's accessibility, hospitality, and welcoming presence, add much-needed space for education and meetings, allow us to address deferred maintenance, and improve the worship experience through enhancements to the sanctuary.
Our architectural team from Miller Dunwiddie presented
Schematic Design
(preliminary) drawings to the congregation in a meeting on March 25, 2018. You can read more, get the latest updates, and view the schematic design drawings on our website.
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Congregational Care: Caring Corner
Write a note to a congregant who could use support! There are cards available in the library, which is located off of the Social Hall. You are welcome to stop by and write a card at any time. Just leave it in the basket and the church will mail it for you. Learn more about congregational care on our website.
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Planned Giving & the Heritage Circle
Please let us know
when you designate First Universalist Church as a beneficiary in your will or estate plan so we can thank you for your generous commitment and welcome you to the Heritage Circle. The church office and the Planned Giving Committee can help you. Learn more on our website.
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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 Sandy DiNanni at
sandy@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.
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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
8 a.m.-1 p.m.
Mondays-Thursdays
8:30 a.m.-8 p.m.
Closed Fridays and Saturdays
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Weekly Liberal Submissions
We encourage you to submit news!
Do you have an announcement that you'd like published in
The Weekly Liberal? Fill out our
online submission form. Edits for length and/or content may occur.
The Weekly Liberal
is compiled and edited by Communications Manager Jenn Stromberg. Past issues, deadlines, and policies can be found on our
website
.
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Contact Us
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First Universalist Church of Minneapolis
3400 Dupont Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55408
612-825-1701
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First Universalist Church of Minneapolis
3400 Dupont Avenue S.
Minneapolis, MN 55408
612-825-1701
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