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June 11, 2020 | Vol. 7 No. 24
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Staff Transitions in the New Fiscal Year
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With the annual meeting and the end of our fiscal year approaching, I wanted to share some of the ways that things will be changing at church in July. You already know that our beloved Rev. Ruth MacKenzie will be retiring soon. She'll be preaching her final sermon on Sunday, June 21, and we will say goodbye to her with a special worship service on Sunday, June 28. Please take the time to send a note, write an email, or show up for one of Rev. Ruth's open zoom hours (details below) to say thank you and goodbye. Ruth's ministry has changed us for the better and we are so grateful for her time here with us.
On July 1, we'll begin our new fiscal year and with our new operating budget, we will feel the impact of the global pandemic and the economic downturn on our congregation's staffing. We continue to plan for our building to be closed for the foreseeable future, though we stand ready to re-open should circumstances change for the better. With the anticipated loss of all rental income and an expected decrease in giving, we are adjusting to the reality of more than $200,000 in lost income for the 2020-21 church year. Significant changes in income and significant changes in the needs of the church as we've moved to all on-line ministries mean that we need to make significant changes in staffing.
Beginning on July 1, we are instituting a reduction in our work force on staff. We are saying goodbye to Phyllis Stenerson as our part-time child care staff person, Lucia Webb, our Events Coordinator, and Richard Thomas, our Custodian. All three of these staff members have finished work with us and are being paid through the end of June. Richard and Lucia have both been laid off with severance. Each of these staff members are beloved and have served our congregation well. We are incredibly sad to see them go. I hope you will take a minute to write them a note or send an email of thanks to let them know what they have meant to you and say goodbye. Notes can be mailed to the church, care of Jenn Stromberg, or emailed to Jenn at
jenns@firstuniv.org
, and we will pass them on to Phyllis, Lucia, and Richard. In addition to these changes, with Rev. Ruth's retirement we have decided to replace her full-time position with a half-time staff member, beginning on August 1. We hope that this position will grow to be full-time as we recover from the impact of this pandemic.
Even with these losses, we are optimistic about the year ahead and steadfast in our commitments as a church. We are thrilled to be welcoming Julica Hermann de la Fuente to our staff on August 1 as our new Director of Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Ministries. Julica is known across the country as a leading anti-racism and anti-oppression consultant within Unitarian Universalism. In her role with us, she will provide dynamic leadership and oversight to First Universalist's racial justice initiatives and she will continue to serve as a coach, consultant, and curriculum developer for our broader Unitarian Universalist faith. In this first year of work together, Julica and her family will remain based out of their home in Michigan, with Julica traveling to be with us regularly once we are able to meet again in person. We are thrilled that Julica will join us and you can read more about her below.
These changes bring both sadness and anticipation. Let's take the time to be gentle with ourselves and each other, to recognize and celebrate the gifts that have been given, to say goodbye well - and then begin again in love.
Rev. Jen
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Introducing Julica Hermann de la Fuente
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Hello First U! I am so excited to be joining your ministerial staff and community and to bring my passion for justice and education to our collective efforts.
I come to you in the last steps of the journey towards ordination as a Unitarian Universalist minister, having recently completed an internship at the UU Ministers Association.
I was born and raised in Mexico City, and found my commitment to anti-racism and anti-oppression when I came to college at the University of Michigan, and then stayed. In addition to a Lay Community Ministry degree from Meadville Lombard Theological School, I also hold a Master's in Social Work and all-but-dissertation doctorate in Sociology from the University of Michigan, and am certified as a master life coach. When not on shift for the resistance, you will find me making costumes for my two daughters Aliana and Sofia, enjoying the company of my husband Michael, looking for more excuses to frost fancy cakes, and reading optimistic sci-fi and fantasy possibilities of a just and equitable universe. I look forward to sharing more stories about my family and how my vocational path has helped me hone my commitment to justice and change, and to get to know your stories as well. I'm thrilled about the good work we will be doing together!
If you'd like to hear Julica talking about her perspectives on anti-racism and accountability, you can listen to this episode of the VUU (a weekly UU talk show hosted by the Church of the Larger Fellowship) from early 2018.
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Sunday, June 14 at 10 a.m.
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Rev. Karen Hutt |
MULTIGENERATIONAL WORSHIP
"Red Light Stop Green Light Go"
Rev. Karen Hutt
This Sunday's worship service includes a message by Rev. Karen Hutt, a story by Sue Searing, and New Member Ceremony.
Connect to our live streamed worship online or by phone:
To join by phone (audio only), dial 1-312-626-6799 and enter the webinar ID.
AFTER WORSHIP:
~11 a.m. Virtual Coffee Hour
After Sunday worship, join us for
virtual coffee hour (
Meeting ID: 212 168 092)
or dial: 1-312-626-6799 and enter the meeting ID when prompted.
~11 a.m. BIPOC Virtual Coffee Hour for those who are Black, Indigenous, Multiracial, POC
Join here (
Meeting ID: 825 3313 5300; Password: 982432
) or dial: 1-312-626-6799 and enter the meeting ID and password when prompted.
Wednesday, June 17 at 7 p.m.
WORSHIP
This midweek worship experience for adults and older youth is a brief time (20-30 minutes) of connection, centering, and reflection, to help us find and keep our balance during this time of pandemic and physical distancing.
To join by phone (audio only), dial 1-312-626-6799 and enter the webinar ID.
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Sunday, June 7: Child Dedication Sunday and Sermon by Rev. Jen Crow
Reflections by Liz Farmer, Adult Ministries & Admin Assistant:
The popular turn of phrase - a mutation of the original cliche - "don't just do something, stand there!" comes to mind after hearing Rev. Jen's sermon this week. In the wake of George Floyd's death, many have been asking what the church is doing and what they can do, too. The urgency is real. To be clear, we should do something in the wake of the George Floyd murder. To know what that thing is, we must listen closely, for neither Rev. Jen, nor the UU faith, is going to tell us one right way or one right response. If we listen carefully to black leaders, artists, and visionaries in the community, we will hear what they've been saying for generations: don't just do something, stand there. Stand where? Stand behind black leaders in solidarity: we've got your backs. Learn from UU theologian James Luther Adams what a "prophethood of believers" can look like. Stand within community. Listen. Listen deeply. Listen more. Be willing to be changed by what you hear. Listen to the podcast or watch Rev. Jen's sermon here.
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CYCLE OF LIFE & CONGREGATIONAL 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; contact Rev. Ruth MacKenzie at
ruth@firstuniv.org. If you would like support, call the office at 612-825-1701 and follow the prompts for pastoral care on the recording.
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Saying Goodbye to Rev. Ruth: Zoom Gatherings
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Beloved Friends of First Universalist Church,
In a couple of weeks, I will be retiring from my position at the church, and parish ministry. My last day at First Universalist will be Sunday, June 28. I would love to stand in a receiving line after our worship service, look at each one of your faces, give and receive a hug of deep gratitude, and say goodbye, but that is not the way of things. We are living in unprecedented times, full of protest, creativity, face masks, quarantine, marching, kneeling, zoom meetings, more zoom meetings, and the glimmer of change. Mark Nepo writes, "When the old life is burning, everything will smell like ash for a while. So trust your heart, not your nose."
Our old life is burning away. There are many new things afoot for me, for the church, and I pray, for our country. So I'm going to trust my heart. My heart says: "Connect with folks in whatever meaningful way you can, and make space for the tenderness of leave taking."
In that spirit, I will be hosting three, 2-hour zoom sessions, where people can drop in for a few minutes, or more, to talk with me, and whoever shows up, about our time together. You can drop in at the beginning of the session or right smack dab in the middle, whatever fits your schedule and your needs.
I will start each session with a poem, a chalice lighting, and we will hold sacred space together as we say goodbye. Here are some questions that might guide our time together.
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What is a memory about our time together at church, or an important time for you and the church at large?
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What gratitude(s) do you have?
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What is emerging from this time we are living through that you don't want to forget?
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Is there a promise you are making to yourself or others?
"Saying Goodbye to Rev. Ruth" - Zoom Meetings
I look forward to being with you and saying a good goodbye.
In faith, hope and love, and the greatest of these is love,
Rev. Ruth
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Celebrating Rev. Ruth MacKenzie
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As has been announced, the Rev. Ruth Mackenzie will be retiring from her ministry at First Universalist on June 30th. Ruth's varied and dynamic ministry has been a profound gift to the entire congregation. Now it is time to celebrate her launch into a new life with all the energy and love she has brought to us over the last 10 years.
We don't want Ruth to leave without a truly good goodbye, and there are many ways you can participate:
SPECIAL DONATION:
Consider making a special financial donation to a retirement gift fund for Ruth. We have a *surprise* gift idea for Ruth, but no church budget, so we need one-time, specially designated donations.
These are free will, as the spirit moves you, and not tax deductible as they are separate from ongoing church support. Electronic gifts can be made here. Checks may be sent to the church with "Ruth's Gift" in the memo line.
LETTERS/NOTES/CARDS: Ruth would love to have letters, notes, and cards from congregants, actual items she can hold and re-read. Mail notes to the church marked Attn: Celebrating Ruth.
SHORT VIDEOS: You can record a short video on a phone or your computer with your own personal goodbye to Ruth. We will edit the videos together into a longer piece so she can view it many times. Please send your video (no more than 30 seconds long) to
emma@firstuniv.org by Friday, June 26.
**SAVE THE DATE FOR TWO EVENTS**
CHALK ART FOR REV. RUTH:
"In art as in love, instinct is enough" - Anatole France. Prepare to share your love for Rev. Ruth on Saturday, June 27 through chalk art! Follow your instinct and speak from your heart by leaving words, phrases, or drawings for Rev. Ruth on the stairs and sidewalks surrounding First Universalist. More details to come. See you on Saturday, June 27!
WAVE GOODBYE TO REV. RUTH: After Rev. Ruth's final worship service with us on Sunday, June 28, she'll be on the front steps of the church from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Congregants are welcome to drive, walk, or ride by and wave goodbye to Rev. Ruth as we send her off into retirement with love and gratitude. There will also be a box on the curb for you to drop off a card or a favorite poem that you'd like to share with Ruth.
With gratitude for all Ruth has given us,
The Celebrating Ruth Team:
Daryn Woodson, Michael Dotson, Adrian Ali-Caccamo, Janet Merrill, Marion Dane Bauer, Eric Cooperstein, and Emma Paskewitz
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Rev. Justin Schroeder
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Dear Ones,
What a time this has been in our community and in the world. As I begin reentry into the life of First Universalist, I want to share with you how I plan do that. I will go slowly, setting up 1 x 1's with staff and congregants alike to really listen deeply to the stories and experiences you have had over these past months, in the wake of Covid 19 and its ongoing impact, as well as the murder of George Floyd, and so much more. We are both the same church and a very different church than we were 6 months ago. While our core values and commitments remain, so much has changed. I will take time to understand these changes and the new systems that are in place, so that I can add my heart and energy in supporting them. Moving slowly, listening deeply, and then listening some more, is the work of the next few weeks. I look forward to connecting with you.
With love and care,
Rev. Justin
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Annual Meeting of the Membership Is June 14
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Members: Please plan to attend our virtual Annual Meeting, which has been rescheduled for this Sunday, June 14, at 11:30 a.m.
This year our church business includes approval of the annual budget and the election of members to the Board of Trustees and the Nominating Committee, as well as a proposal to approve Rev. MacKenzie as a Minister Emerita.
We need a quorum to conduct the meeting - please give us the gift of your time so that we may complete this work!
We will be meeting virtually via Zoom, and therefore
it is really important that you register ahead of time
. We will vote using the Poll feature in Zoom, so each member needs to have their own device for voting - you can use a desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone. If you live in a household with multiple members, please have each member register separately, and attend the meeting from their own device.
To be a voting member, you need to have officially joined the church and have made a pledge in any amount to the current or upcoming annual operating fund or have a ministerial waiver. Please contact Arif Mamdani at 612 825-1701 ext 124 or
arif@firstuniv.org if you would like to have a waiver from this requirement.
Members: Register to attend the annual meeting of the membership
here before Sunday, June 14.
(We will do our best to approve registrations day of, but cannot guarantee same day registration approval in cases where membership status may be in question.) After registering and once your membership has been verified by staff, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Non-members: Those who wish to observe the meeting may do so via YouTube live; the meeting live stream will show up on our
YouTube Channel at 11:30 a.m.
Relevant Documents and Information
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General Assembly: You're Encouraged to Participate!
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From Martha Easter-Wells:
I go to Unitarian Universalist General Assembly almost every year and treasure being with so many UUs and participating in the programming. Over the years I have come to know a great number of people in our wider Unitarian Universalist world. This year General Assembly needs to be held virtually and while it will not at all be the same as going in person, I do look forward to participating as it is held from June 24-28 for there will be a wealth of workshops, presentations, discussions, music and worships. They always have so many opportunities that one can't possibly do them all.
There is usually a fair amount of expense to attending General Assembly for the travel, hotels, meals and registration. This year it is much more accessible for the registration fee is only $150 for full access to all programming and some great programming is available without registration. I would like to encourage members of this congregation to try GA out this year and sample the wealth of programming options.
Go here, then navigate to "
virtual participation" and you can learn what is available without registration and what additional programming is available to those who do. If you do register, take two additional steps. One, contact our Board President, Bryana French (
boardchair@firstuniv.org) and offer to be one of our 20 voting delegates. Two, tell Kit Ketchum (
kitketchum@hotmail.com) so she can connect us all up before the GA begins.
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Virtual Gatherings for Adults
Tuesday, June 16 at 8 a.m.
Begin your week with spiritual grounding and sustenance with Rev. Ruth, taking time to connect with your breath, your heart, your woundedness and your joy, in this half hour interactive session in which we will check in with others, and engage with a spiritual practice.
Wednesday, June 17 at 7:30 p.m.
In the Calming Circle, hosted by Rev. Ruth MacKenzie and Pastor Stephanie Vos, we check in with one another, engage in a somatic experience of spiritual practice (stretching our bodies, and our spirits) and then gather in prayer and spiritual practice, holding one another in compassion and kindness.
Wednesday, June 17 at 7:30 p.m.
The Young Adults group (for those in their 20s and 30s) is now gathering on a weekly basis. Connect with fellow First U young adults after Wednesday worship for conversation and fun.
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Virtual Gatherings for Children, Youth & Families
SUNDAY
1:30 p.m. BIPOC/Multiracial Youth Group with Daryn, Sarah, and youth leaders, for youth who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color and/or multiracial. Email Lauren at lauren@firstuniv.org to be connected to the group.
TUESDAY
8 p.m.
Single Parents Gathering with Rev. Sara Smalley - Parents/guardians who are single and/or co-parenting gather for mutual support and spiritual sustenance. (Meeting ID:
984 9990 9070;
Password: connection)
THURSDAY
8:15 p.m.
Parents of Babies and Preschoolers (ages 0-4 years) with Lauren - Parents/guardians of little ones gather for mutual support and spiritual sustenance. (Meeting ID: 273-644-536
; Password: 446240)
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Association of Universalist Women Social Hour
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AUW members are staying connected via a weekly Zoom Happy Hour.
Meeting ID: 834 7301 7986
Password: 557571
Phone number: 312-626-6799
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12 Step Spirituality Workshops, which had been hosted at First Universalist one Saturday per month, continue every Saturday (weekly!) on Zoom. The workshop begins at 9:30 a.m. and will run on this weekly basis - now extended through October 2020. All people in or interested in the 12 steps are welcome. The workshop includes meditation, centering prayer meditation instructions, short talks, small groups and more. Join here at 9:30 a.m. on Saturdays. The meeting ID number is 392-510-399. Visit www.12stepspirituality.org for more details instructions on how to join. If you have any questions call Dick Y. at 952-893-1188.
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Supporting the Church Financially
If you are able, please continue to honor your annual gifts and make your capital campaign contributions. If you are not a sustainer and have not yet let us know your intentions for our 2020-2021 fiscal year, or if you're a sustainer and would like to make a change to your commitment,
please get directly in touch with Finance Assistant Chelsea Bertsch at
chelsea@firstuniv.org
instead of filling out the giving card.
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We offer several options for making donations online, whether it's a contribution toward the offering plate, your annual or capital gift, or for a specific project for which we're raising funds.
Text to Give
To make a donation via credit card, use your smartphone to text "
firstuniv" (without quotes) to the number
73256. You'll receive a link to a secure form where you can enter your information. Select the appropriate fund from the dropdown menu.
Square Cash
Make a contribution using a debit card via the Square Cash app. Download this free app (
iPhone or
Android) and set up your account - you'll need your debit card and a $cashtag (user name). Then:
- Enter the amount you want to donate
- Click "pay"
- In the $cashtag space, enter $FirstUniv
- In the For space, let us know what it's for - the Sunday offering plate? Your annual gift?
- Click "pay"
ACS (our online giving system)
Make a one-time gift using the secure form located on our website
here. Make sure that you've selected the correct fund (such as offering plate) if it's not an annual gift.
It's also okay to mail checks to the church, even though the office is closed. We are still receiving mail, though we are only collecting it once per week. It will likely take us longer than normal to process check payments, but you are welcome to send checks if you prefer!
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A Quick Guide on Where to Direct Commonly Asked Questions:
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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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The church office is closed until further notice.
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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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