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May 24, 2018 | Vol. 5 No. 21
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Rev. Justin Schroeder |
This morning, I woke up thinking about this quote from E. B. White: "I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve (or save) the world and a desire to enjoy (or savor) the world. This makes it hard to plan the day."
Indeed it does.
There is so much that is broken, so much that needs improving, so much in our world that needs our attention and love: the earth, poor people who are being criminalized and punished for being poor, immigrants that are being torn from their families, detained and deported, the ongoing disparities that impact indigenous people and people of color, and elected leaders that seem to have lost their moral compass.
And at the same time, there is so much to savor: the lilac and lily of the valley, the irises about to bloom, the red cardinals amidst the neon green leaves, the beauty of new relationships being formed across race, class, and culture as the Poor People's Campaign gathers momentum, and the hope so many of us experience when we hear our youth speak at their recent Youth Sunday service.
Do we save or savor the world? Can we do both? Must we do both? Can we dance with joy, knowing tears of grief, and incredible sorrow, or the call to show up in a new way, might be our next dance partner? Can we give ourselves fully to the world, knowing there will be days when we say "No," so we can tend to our own wellbeing?
How do you juggle this tension being saving and savoring? Between giving and receiving? How do you find a third way, a path that weaves between joy and a vision of what might be, that sustains you, and brings your gifts to bear in the world?
Together, in community, may we wrestle with these questions.
Together, may we find ways to savor and save this beautiful and fragile world.
I'll see you in church,
Justin
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| SUNDAY WORSHIP AT FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH |
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| May Worship Theme: Creativity |
Worship this Sunday
Sunday, May 27,
10 a.m.
"What Are We Remembering?"
Rev. Justin Schroeder
Most likely, Memorial Day means something different to each of us, depending our age, our connection to someone who died while serving our country, and how our families have historically observed (or not observed) this holiday. I wonder: Is there something else in this holiday that can speak to each of us, no matter who we are or what our experiences are? This Sunday, we'll explore these questions as well as the deeper meaning of Memorial Day.
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"What Is Lighting Us Up?"
Rev. Justin Schroeder
Summer Sundays begin May 27!
During the summer, we invite everyone to our single 10 a.m. service.
Childcare and Religious Education classes are available for children 6 months through entering 6th grade in the fall.
Recent Sermon Podcasts
May 13, 2018
"Laboring for Love"
Rev. Jen Crow
May 6, 2018
"Open to New Life"
Rev. Elaine Aron Tenbrink
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Bylaws Meeting with the Board President
Wednesday, May 30, 6:30 p.m.
At the Annual Meeting on June 3, the Board of Trustees will ask the membership to approve substantially revised bylaws of the Church. Our existing bylaws are outdated, sometimes confusing, and lacking in the flexibility that is needed to operate our vibrant Church.
At the Board of Trustees meeting on May 24, the Trustees will approve a final draft of the bylaws for presentation to the congregation at the annual meeting.
An informal meeting with President Eric Cooperstein and other Trustees will be held on Wednesday, May 30 at 6:30 p.m. to answer questions and consider input regarding the proposed bylaws.
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Wellspring Info Session
Thursday, May 31, 7:30-8:15 p.m.
Join us for an informational session to learn about Wellspring at First Universalist Church! UU Wellspring is a program of distinctly Unitarian Universalist spiritual development, offering the opportunity to learn more about ourselves and our faith through a year-long small group experience. The program kicks off with a retreat on Saturday, Aug. 25, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Join us for one of four upcoming info sessions to learn more! The first info session will be offered on Thursday, May 31 in the Cummins Room. Three more will be offered on: Wednesday, June 13, Sunday, July 1 and Sunday, July 8. Attendance at one info session is required if you wish to participate in Wellspring 2018-2019.
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Flower Communion Sunday
Sunday, June 3, single service at 10 a.m.
Flower Communion is an annual ritual that celebrates beauty, human uniqueness, diversity, and community. Please join us on Sunday, June 3 at 10 a.m. for this special worship service!
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Annual Meeting of the Membership
Sunday, June 3, 11:30 a.m.
Please plan to attend our Annual Meeting on Sunday, June 3, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. This year our church business includes approval of the annual budget and the election of members to the Board of Trustees, the Foundation Board, and the Nominating Committee, as well as approving revised bylaws and ratifying a transition to a senior co-ministry model. This is a time when we celebrate a successful year and conduct the business of this church that only members can do.
We need a quorum to conduct the meeting - please give us the gift of your time so we may complete this work! The meeting agenda, proposed budget, FAQs, and more are available
here.
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Art for Action
Saturday, June 9, 1-5 p.m.
Have fun while raising funds for the First U Sanctuary and Resistance Immigrant Fund! Create a painted-looking landscape with unique printed and textured fabrics and fibers at this class on Saturday, June 9, 1-5 p.m. with Rev. Laurie Bushbaum and Denise Konen. Suggested donation: $50. Funds raised will support immigrant families facing detention and deportation. Register with Denise Konen at denise@netgains.net.
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Racial Justice and Our UU Faith Workshop
Tuesdays, June 12 & 19, 6:30-9 p.m.
Join us for an interactive, reflective 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 two-part workshop held on Tuesdays, June 12 & 19, 6:30-9 p.m., led by Clemma Muller and Susan Schultz. To register, contact Sandy at
Sandy@firstuniv.org
or 612-825-1701.
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Brave Conversations: Interrupting Systemic Bias and Racism
Sunday, June 24, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Do you know how to respond when a relative at the dinner table or a neighbor at a block party says something that you think is biased? At this workshop you will learn strategies for approaching people you are in relationship with such as family, neighbors, realtors, friends, coaches, and teachers. You will have an opportunity to learn with others who are facing the challenges of speaking up and knowing what to say. There will be time to practice responding with directness and respect. Register with S
andy at
Sandy@firstuniv.org
or 612-825-1701.
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Give Get Sistet Music Workshop Continues 5/30
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Our 2017-18 Artists in Residence, the women's vocal ensemble Give Get Sistet, led a powerful music workshop with our choir and community members yesterday, on May 23.
They return for part two next Wednesday, May 30 at 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary.
Join the choir and others to learn, to sing, to create together as Give Get Sistet leads us in a workshop on a cappella singing and Afrocentric music making. We will learn together, sing together and create a song for Flower Communion.
All are welcome to join us - even if you didn't attend yesterday's session!
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Augsburg Fairview Academy - Last Day for Donations is 5/27
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Sunday, May 27
is the last day we will accept food and clothing donations for Augsburg Fairview Academy, as the summer break begins in early June. There is no summer school at AFA. We will resume collecting donations toward the end of August. Thank you for your generosity throughout the school year - AFA students and staff are greatly appreciative of our support!
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2018 Habitat for Humanity Summer Work Week
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Please join in First Universalist's Habitat for Humanity Summer Work Week, and help a hardworking family in our community achieve the joy and stability of homeownership. The dates are
Monday, July 30 through Friday, August 3
. Our build
site is in North Minneapolis in the Jordan neighborhood.
We need 65 volunteers in all (13 per day). Volunteers must be over sixteen years of age, and sixteen- and seventeen-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.
Concerned that you don't know much about building or how to use tools? No worries! Your fellow volunteers and our Habitat site supervisor, Jake, will help you. S
ee you this summer!
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| Summer Ushers Needed - Sign Up Now! |
Summer ushers, you'll have a blast!
Summer services, happen so fast!
Five ushers each Sunday
Four downstairs, one in the balcony
Smile, pass baskets, watch the clock
The service starts at 10:00!
Well-a, well-a, well-a, uh!
Tell you more? tell you more?
email: karentischlerlarson@gmail.com
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Minnesota Poor People's Campaign:
A National Call for Moral Revival |
On May 14
, the Minnesota Poor People's Campaign launched, joining poor people, activists, clergy and moral leaders in more than 30 states and Washington, D.C., for 40 days of moral action to prick the conscious of our nation's leaders to address
to address systemic racism, poverty, ecological devastation, and the war economy. The campaign seeks nothing less than to reclaim the moral narrative in this nation by building what Dr. King called a "new and unsettling force" committed to collective action to
transform the political, economic, and moral structures of our nation.
Each week, there are opportunities to gather at the State Capitol to call attention to and demand action to address the issues that impact the lives of so many people of every race, sex, age, religion, or sexual orientation.
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Annual Giving Update: 91% IN and Counting
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This year, our goal is to achieve
100% participation/response
- All In! -
in our Annual Giving Campaign. Annual giving funds more than 80% of our work, and it's important that we hear from everyone so that we can budget and plan for the coming year!
As of May 23, we've heard from 91% of the congregation about their plans for giving during the 2018-19 fiscal year. Thank you so much to those who are "in" thus far!
If we haven't heard from you yet, please let us know your plans as soon as possible.
- 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!
Thank you for your support and for being
All In!
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| Robin DiAngelo and Resmaa Menakem: Experiencing the Racial Body and Mind |
First Universalist is co-sponsoring a rare opportunity to address both sides of the "dance" of racism: "
Robin DiAngelo and Resmaa Menakem:
Experiencing the Racial Body and Mind" on
Friday, June 15 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday, June 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at
Unity Church Unitarian in St Paul. More event details are available here.
 Resmaa Menakem, a social worker specializing in trauma, will explore the inherited trauma of white supremacy that affects all of us.
Dr. DiAngelo will describe the way race shapes the lives of White people, explain what makes racism so hard for White people to see, and identify common White racial patterns that prevent us from moving towards greater racial equity.
Together Resmaa and Robin will connect the mind and the body within the system of white supremacy and offer a map for healing.
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Welcome New Child Team: Get in Touch with Us!
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Are you planning to adopt a child or expecting a new baby?
DON'T WAIT! Get in touch with the Welcome New Child Team!
Our ministry is to support you during the joyous and tender time of your new child/ baby's arrival. However, we are finding that sometimes once the new child/baby arrives, parents forget all about contacting the church via Sandy DiNanni to make an official announcement. Routines get thrown out the window, sleep deprivation creeps in and you put it off. Before you know it the baby is 8 months old! (This has really happened.)
We have a solution: contact our team in advance. We want to be there for you!
When you feel ready, a friendly volunteer from our team will offer to visit you. According to your wishes the volunteer will do any multitude of things that you may appreciate help with: dishes, holding the baby while you spend time with an older sibling, or simply providing a friendly presence. If you are adopting - we have two special volunteers who have adopted children and who will support you while you cocoon with your new child.
We partner with Congregational Care to set up a meal train if your family would like that.
Sara McMullen saramcminneapolis@gmail.com 612-805-5059
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Mde Maka Ska Four Sacred Directions Water Walk
Friday, May 25, 6:15-8 a.m.
You are cordially invited to join Mde Maka Ska Community Conversations upon the south shore of Mde Maka Ska (White Earth Lake), at South Thomas Beach, as we gather to walk for the health, vitality, and spirit of Mni Wakan (Sacred Water).
The clockwise route around Mde Maka Ska will be in honor of and prayer for the sustainability and increasing recovery of clean, fresh water. The Four Directions Water Walk will respectfully embrace the fluid heart of the most populous community in Mni Sota (Land of Misty Water).
The water walk will precede and connect with the opening ceremony for the 10th Annual Mde Maka Ska Canoe Nations Gathering. Your participation will emit a resounding message to the world regarding our resurgent relationship with the sacredness of water now and for generations to come. For questions, email: wakinyan.lapointe@gmail.com
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| RESOURCES & CONTACT INFORMATION |
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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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