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September 5, 2019 | Vol. 6 No. 36
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Rev. Justin Schroeder |
This Sunday is Water Communion Sunday, a "Homecoming Sunday" of sorts, as we return to two services at 9:30 and 11:15 a.m., welcoming adults, children, youth, and visitors into our sanctuary. You are invited to bring a small vial or glass of water from a place that is sacred or special to you. In our service, we will combine these waters, reminding ourselves that at church, we flow together into one body, rich with stories and experiences and histories.
If you've been away for part of the summer, welcome back to church! If you've been visiting us this summer, we're delighted you're with us! If your heart is broken at the state of the world, come, and let us hold your broken heart with you. If you yearn for "something deeper" in your life, come, be with others who yearn as you do, and discover life's fullness together. If you long for a more racially just, sustainable world, come, and join your longing with the longing of others.
Why come to church? The poet, Anne Hillman, writes this:
We look with uncertainty
Beyond the old choices
for clear-cut answers
To a softer, more permeable aliveness
Which is every moment
At the brink of death;
For something new is being born in us
If we but let it.
We stand at a new doorway,
Awaiting that which comes...
Daring to be human creatures.
Vulnerable to the beauty of existence.
Learning to love.
We come to church to be human. To feel our vulnerability. To let something new be born in us. To learn to love as best we can for the time we have.
I can't wait to be with you this Sunday, as we continue our journey together.
With care,
Rev. Justin
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Letter from Leadership of First Universalist & Shir Tikvah:
Discontinuing Exploration of Co-Location
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Over the past year, Shir Tikvah and First Universalist have been working closely to explore the possibility of sharing a campus in a renovated space at 3400 Dupont - a vision that stems from relationships and conversations going back a number of years and a hope that co-location could be mutually beneficial to our growing congregations.
We've envisioned co-location as a bold, innovative, and values-aligned way to move into the future, reducing our environmental footprints and operating costs, amplifying our justice work, and helping each congregation meet facilities needs that wouldn't be possible alone.
We are writing, however, to share that the discernment period around potential co-location has now come to an end. After completing a feasibility study with our architects, which involved a thorough exploration of each congregation's needs and provided us with detailed actual cost estimates, we have reached the conclusion that the cost of renovations and construction to meet both congregations' space needs and priorities at 3400 Dupont would greatly exceed what we are able to spend. While this news was disappointing, it is not unusual for cost estimates to be much larger and more accurate once a contractor is engaged for estimating. We have therefore made the difficult, mutual, decision to discontinue exploration of co-location.
We are closing our exploration of co-location, mourning a brave and exciting vision for our congregations' future, while also understanding the financial realities. We are incredibly grateful for the process of discernment that we've been through, the learning we've done, and the relationships we've developed and strengthened. So many people from both of our congregations have generously given their time, talent, and expertise to faithfully explore the possibility of co-location, and we are forever grateful for their skillful work.
While we are disappointed that the outcome we hoped for is not achievable in this moment, we are grateful to now have clarity and better information as each congregation moves forward and addresses its space needs separately.
We look forward to continuing to strengthen the relationship between our congregations, supporting and enlivening each other's missions, and working more closely together as progressive forces seeking justice and healing in the world and in our communities.
We will share more information about what's next this fall as leadership in each congregation work to reassess and determine next steps.
With gratitude,
Rabbi Michael Latz
, Bruce Manning (Shir Tikvah Board President), Jeremy Perotti (Co-location Steering Committee)
,
Rev. Jen Crow, Rev. Justin Schroeder, Bryana French
(First Universalist Board President), Nancy Gaschott (Co-Location Steering Committee), Cindy Marsh (Co-Location Steering Committee), Kristin Siegesmund (First Universalist Board Representative on Co-Location Steering Committee)
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Return to two services this Sunday!
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Sunday, Sept. 8, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
"Daring to Be Human Together"
Homily: Rev. Justin Schroeder
Why Church? With so many options on a Sunday morning, why come to church? Why be in human community? Why wrestle with meaning and purpose? Why be unsettled and provoked and calmed and steadied? What are we doing here, anyway? Why are we at church?
This Sunday is Water Communion Sunday, an annual service at which we celebrate the many rivers, eddies and waterways of our life experiences, converging in our sanctuary every Sunday forming a river of faith. We embody this truth by bringing water from our homes, our travels, our walks, and our bike paths-and combine them during the service in a ritual called Water Communion.
You're invited to bring a small jar or vial of water from a place that is sacred or special to you. Join us for worship at 9:30 or 11:15 a.m.!
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September Worship Theme: Why Church?
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Is it possible to be religious alone? For many liberal people of faith, the church has come to represent an overreach of power, abuse of communities deemed outside the circle of care, and soul-destroying theological threats. The church is not to be trusted and so many resort to a religion of one. Yet we know that at our core, we are relational creatures, that life is hard, and going it alone is a fallacy. Unitarian Universalist theologian Rebecca Parker asks us to revisit the history of progressive ecclesiology (from the Greek
ekklesia meaning "called together") in our "quest for liberal and liberating community life." Why Church? Because communities of faith could be communities of resistance, counter-cultural havens where people learn how to thrive and work together to transform oppressive structures. Why Church? Because we need to practice what it is to covenant and commit to one another, to a larger community, and to what is holy and whole. Why Church? Come to church. Find out.
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Sunday, Sept. 15, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Rev. Justin Schroeder
First Day of Religious Education
Sunday, Sept. 22, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Rev. Karen Hutt
Music: First Universalist Choir
Sunday, Sept. 29, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Rev. Ruth MacKenzie
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Aug. 25, 2019
Backpack Blessing Sunday
Lauren Wyeth, Rev. Jen Crow
Aug. 11, 2019
"Is Your Breath Happy Here?"
Arif Mamdani
August 4, 2019
"Yes, And: A Theology of Improv"
Rev. Ashley Horan
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Wellspring 2019-2020 Info Sessions
Online session: Monday, Sept. 9 at noon via Zoom: tinyurl.com/WellspringZoom
In person: Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 6 p.m. or Sunday, Sept. 22 at 1:30 p.m. in Room 203
It's not too late to participate in Wellspring this church year! Wellspring is a uniquely Unitarian Universalist program of spiritual deepening that offers the opportunity to learn more about ourselves and our faith through a year-long small group experience. The 2019-2020 Wellspring group will meet twice monthly, 6:30-8:30 p.m. on a weekday evening that will be determined based on participants' availability. To participate in Wellspring this year, attendance at one of the three drop-in info sessions listed above is required.
Questions? Contact Arif Mamdani, Director of Membership and Adult Ministries, at
arif@firstuniv.org
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"Jim Crow of the North" Film Screening
Sunday, Sept. 22, 1-3 p.m.
or Thursday, Sept. 26, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Why does Minnesota suffer some of the worst racial disparities in the nation? One answer is the spread of racist, restrictive real estate covenants in the early 20th century. This TPT production charts the progression of amazingly racist policies and practices from the advent of restrictive covenants after the turn of the last century to their final elimination in the late 1960s. Join us to learn more about this local history and the work of the
Mapping Prejudice project. This is a drop-in screening and discussion facilitated by members of the Racial Justice Education Team. Light snacks will be provided.
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Fall Circle Registration Opens this Sunday!
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One of the core spiritual practices of this community takes place in circles: groups of 8-10 committed participants who gather to reflect on their lives and contemplate our worship themes. Circle offerings this fall include 3-month and year-long Soul Matters Circles, Newcomer Circles, and a variety of Spiritual Deepening Circles, classes, and workshops.
Descriptions, schedules, and registration will be available online beginning this Sunday, Sept. 8 and registration will be open through Monday, Sept. 23.
Pick up a Fall Program Guide at church this Sunday!
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Seniors Hike with Daytime Connections
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 The next Seniors Hike with Daytime Connections will be on
Thursday, Sept. 26, at 10 a.m. at
Lake Hiawatha Park. (map to the park)
Meet at 10 a.m. between the playground and basketball courts on 28th Ave S, south of East 44th St, where there is plentiful on-street parking.
Lake Hiawatha Park is highly accessible, healthy and affordable recreation but struggles to overcome the challenges of sometimes contaminated stormwater runoff from adjacent streets. And neighbors disagree about continual pumping to dry a small golf course constructed on a wetland, versus letting it revert to a more natural state.
The hike, on gentle hills around the lake & golf course and partly on neighborhood streets, is about 2 hours in length, but folks can turn back at any point.
If weather permits, there is an opportunity for a simple picnic lunch at tables adjacent to the on-street parking. Perhaps just bring something extra to share.
In case weather does not cooperate, of if folks prefer a restaurant, please recommend your favorites on nearby East 42nd St, or East 38th St.
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Association of Universalist Women Fall Kick-Off Event
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Fall is around the corner and the Association of Universalist Women's (AUW) Fall Kickoff will be on Saturday, Sept. 28 in the Social Hall at First Universalist. The AUW Board has planned a tasty, fun, social, and energizing evening for you.
Gather at 5 p.m. to check in, reconnect, and pay annual membership dues. There will be a catered meal, a preview of fall activities, and dancing led by Kairos Alive! dance organization.
Dinner is complimentary for those who pay AUW membership dues on or before 9/28. Cost for dinner is $10 for non-members. You can pay your membership dues at the Fall Kickoff or online with a credit card on the AUW website after 9/15.
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Women's Ritual Circle: Open Rituals this Fall
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Women (cis, trans, or otherwise) interested in earth-based and pagan spirituality are invited to the upcoming open rituals of the Under Northern Skies Women's Ritual Circle. The circle is open to newcomers on Friday, Sept. 13 (Classroom 202); Saturday, Sept. 28 (Cummins Room); Sunday, Oct.13 (Cummins Room); and Sunday, Oct. 27 (Cummins Room). For women who choose to join, there will be a commitment ritual on Tuesday, Nov. 12 in Classroom 202, after which the circle will close to new members until next fall. Ritual begins promptly at 7:30 p.m. Contact Beth at belovedporcupine@gmail.com for more information.
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Habitat for Humanity Fall Build Dates: Sign Up Open
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 First Universalist has three Habitat for Humanity work days coming up this fall, and we'd love to have you on the crew!
Thursday, Oct. 10 - Richfield
Thursday, Nov. 14 - Bloomington
Thursday, Dec. 12 - Minneapolis
Volunteers must be at least 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.
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Augsburg Fairview Academy Donations
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 We're collecting donations of school supplies, backpacks, and new or gently-used, clean, teen-
appropriate clothing for students at Augsburg Fairview Academy.
Bring items to the Info Center in the Social Hall on Sunday or leave on the shelves for AFA by the 34th St. entrance.
Desired items include: backpacks; spiral notebooks, pens, pencils, and pocket folders; men and women's underwear, socks, fall jackets, hoodies, jeans and tops (all sizes including L and XL).
Augsburg Fairview Academy (AFA) is a public charter high school which serves a diverse student body; most come from low income backgrounds and many have been homeless or marginally housed. AFA is a long-standing First Universalist community partner; we stock the Hope Clothing and Food Closets to provide support to these determined students. AFA is our neighbor, located on 25th and Columbus Ave. South, just two miles from Church.
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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. 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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