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November 21, 2019 | Vol. 6 No. 47
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International Transgender Day of Remembrance
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Rev. Jen Crow, Co-Senior Minister |
Yesterday, November 20th, marked the International Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day set aside to memorialize those who have been killed in the past year because they don't fit squarely into the categories of male or female, or more precisely, because they don't fit into somebody else's idea of what an either/or gender should look like. Transgender Day of Remembrance began in November of 1999 as part of an effort called, "Remembering Our Dead," created by Gwendolyn Ann Smith. "I am no stranger to the need to fight for our rights, and the right to simply exist is first and foremost," Smith said. "With so many seeking to erase transgender people - sometimes in the most brutal ways possible - it is vitally important that those we lose are remembered, and that we continue to fight for justice."
This year, 331 lives were lost in documentable ways because of someone else's brutality and intolerance of transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary people. The majority of those killed were transgender women of color - people who experience the impact of multiple oppressions and land squarely at the bottom of our soul-crushing systems of patriarchy, sexism, racism, and transphobia.
All over the world yesterday, people spoke the names of those who have been killed this year, and so many more names went unspoken. We know that people who experience oppression, let alone multiple oppressions, experience higher rates of addiction, depression, health issues, and trauma. We know that many of our trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming siblings have died because they feared seeking medical treatment, could not find care, or completed suicide. We remember them all.
And we remember this truth: all of us are whole and holy and worthy. We don't have to earn it. We are born this way. Worthy of love and affection, worthy of safety and basic human rights, worthy of a place in this world to grow and shine with all of our uniquenesses and particularities. We arrive here worthy of unconditional love and we remain worthy of that love our whole lives long, even and especially when we live into the beautiful, multiple expressions of our own particular lives.
In faith,
Rev. Jen
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Sunday, Nov. 24, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
"Radical Welcome"
Rev. Jen Crow
When have you felt like you truly belonged somewhere? What did it feel like? If you've rarely or never had that feeling of belonging, what made you keep showing up in places that didn't feel comfortable? We claim that Universalism is grounded in a love big enough to hold us all, no exceptions - but how are we doing living into that core belief, and what might we do to become even more radically welcoming? Please join us for worship at 9:30 or 11:15!
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On the Podcast
Holiday Giving: Reimagining Joy & Justice
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Sermon summary & reflections by Liz Farmer:
As we transition into the holiday season, have you considered how giving will take shape for you and your family? Will you give material things? Experiences? Lots of things? A couple things? In this past Sunday's service, adults and youth of the Holiday Giving Team ask us to reflect on and reimagine why, how, and how much you spend on gifts during the holidays, and what you might do with the money that you don't. Our Holiday Giving Team joyfully announces their decision to support the work and ministry of Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism, and wants you to join them! The heart of this work involves dismantling white supremacist cultural conditioning around trust, money, generosity, and leadership. It is Soul Work. It is the Work of the Spirit and the Season. Learn more about the Holiday Giving Project, and how you can reimagine joy and justice, on the podcast here.
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Sunday, Dec. 1, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Arif Mamdani
Sunday, Dec. 8, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Rev. Karen Hutt
Sunday, Dec. 15, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Choir-led Worship
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"Holiday Giving: Reimagining Joy & Justice "
- Rev. Justin Schroeder and the Holiday Giving Team
"Doin' Church"
- Rev. Ruth MacKenzie
"You Reading this, Be Ready"
- Rev. Justin Schroeder
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Volunteers Needed: Families Moving Forward
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We are overwhelmed and filled with gratitude at the generosity of time that is being committed to support our guest families for the weeks of December 22 - January 4. So many individuals and families have signed up for 1, 2, or 3 days. As our congregation is working toward "Reimagining Joy and Justice" this holiday season, we are witnessing that reimagining in the direct action of many of you. We have never been in such great shape by this time in the recruiting process!
There are still many volunteer spots to fill, so please visit our
volunteer sign up page to see if you can fill any of the available needs.
As of today, we especially need people for both New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. These are two days when we will have the families with us all day, so we have three meals and lots of activity time.
During a usual hosting period, we only have families here at night. This year, because of the holidays, we have the families here for six full days - both Saturdays, Christmas Eve and Day, and New Year's Eve and Day.
We are also still in need of overnight hosts. They arrive at church at 9:45 p.m. and leave the next morning at 6:45 a.m., after putting out a grab and go breakfast for our guests that was prepared by volunteers the night before. Hosts have their own bedroom. We still need host volunteers on the following dates, 12/29, 12/31, 1/1, 1/2, 1/3 and 1/4.
Interested in volunteering but can't make the available times work? You might be interested in making cookie dough for Christmas cookies, donating your leftover Christmas cookie decorations, or making gingerbread pieces for constructing gingerbread houses. We also welcome someone who wants to oversee meal preparation. This doesn't require actually preparing meals but helping coordinate with the more than 25 volunteers who have committed to specific meals. Please contact Peg Mitchell, 612-280-6119 or
pegmitch16@gmail.com and we can make arrangements to suit your schedule.
Learn more about Beacon's Families Moving Forward program
here.
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UPCOMING EVENTS & HAPPENINGS
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"Inviting the Truth to Join You at Your Thanksgiving Table" Workshop
Saturday, Nov. 23, 9 a.m.-noon
We all know the story we were taught about the first Thanksgiving. If it was ever true, it was certainly an exception to what our white forebears did to the Indigenous people. Join Pastor Jim Bear Jacobs and First U member Patrick Dougherty to explore how we can become more grounded and embodied so that we can hold these difficult truths not just in our heads, but in our hearts and everyday lives. As we build our capacity to hold these truths, we increase our ability to work with the natural feelings of overwhelm that come up when we try to live in and create a society with a more just relationship to the land and Indigenous people. More info. | Register here.
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Coffee & Theology for Young Adults
Sunday, Nov. 24, 1-2:30 p.m.
Young Adults (20s and 30s) are invited to Coffee and Theology with Rev. Ruth MacKenzie at the nearby Five Watt on 34th and Lyndale. Meet at the coffee shop, or meet in the social hall at 12:45 to walk over together.
Rev. Ruth will facilitate a conversation about Congregational Care and Young Adults.
Some of the topics we will explore together are: what is congregational care ministry, and what does it currently do? What needs do you think are unique to this age group - and what needs are universal among generations? What does it mean to you to be part of a faith community, and how could the church be supporting you better? How might this group support one another more fully? We hope you can make it out to enjoy some coffee and good conversation with your pastor and peers.
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Film Screening: "Climate Change - The Facts"
Sunday, Nov. 24, 1-2 p.m., Room 200
Join the Environmental Justice Team for a screening of "Climate Change: The Facts." After one of the hottest years on record, Sir David Attenborough looks at the science of climate change and potential solutions to this global threat. Interviews with some of the world's leading climate scientists explore recent extreme weather conditions and reveal what dangerous levels of climate change could mean for both human populations and the natural world in the future. Light refreshments will be available.
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Sunday, Dec. 1, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
The Alternative Gift Fair will be held in the Social Hall on Sunday, Dec. 1 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This year's vendors include: Under on Roof (Self- Sufficiency program of SAYFSM), Mano a Mano, Frybread Love/Project Offstreets, Tibet Arts@the Midtown Global Market, Sanctuary and Resistance Team, Enchanted World Gallery, Books for Bassodawish, Honor the Earth, and Winter Warm-up for Lovely. Read about each of these vendors here.
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You are joyfully invited to attend the ordination of Sara Smalley into the Unitarian Universalist ministry on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 2 p.m.
RSVP:
tinyurl.com/sarasordination
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Reimagining Joy & Justice Toy Swap and Workshop
Sunday, Dec. 8 after both services
Based on last Sunday's response in Kindergarten through 5th grade, our kids are primed to focus on Joy and Justice this holiday season! They were excited to dream up non-material gifts for their Alternative Gift Wish Lists, make paper chains to count down to their families' winter holiday celebrations, and craft photo books to archive precious memories. Our focus on reducing waste, enjoying time with loved ones, and doing what we can to brighten the holidays for all was easy for them to understand, and they brought their hearts, minds and hands to the work.
Would you like to continue exploring how your family might focus on what matters most this holiday season? Here are two special opportunities for families, coming up after both services on Sunday, December 8:
Re-imagining Joy & Justice Workshop
Explore a variety of stations in the social hall to help your family identify your most treasured traditions and the values you want to put at the center of your seasonal celebrations. Hands-on activities for all ages will spark fruitful family conversations!
Toy Swap
Do you have nice toys, books and games your children no longer use - that still look new? Don't fret about how much you spent and how quickly they grew - pass it on!
Reduce spending and consumption, experience community and generosity, save money to give to Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism (BLUU, our Holiday Giving Project partner) and/or let others help bring the holidays to your family!
In the spirit of keeping the swap simple, please read and follow these guidelines:
- Bring your items to donate to the Chalice Room between 8 a.m.-12 p.m. on December 1 or 8. No items delivered earlier or later or on any other day; no exceptions please.
- All donations should be appropriate for children ages 0-18 years.
- Only bring toys, games and books that you would feel good about wrapping and giving your own child for the holidays. Please - nothing dirty, worn-looking, or damaged.
- Self-serve "shopping" will be open on December 8 only, from 9 a.m.-1:15 p.m.
- The Chalice Room will be a strictly Parents-Only Zone all morning and until all leftover items have been cleared away.
- All items left at 1:15 p.m. will be donated to thrift stores that afternoon. Again, please help reduce what's left to haul away by bringing items in excellent condition only.
- Please donate if you are able, and take whatever you need.
- Please bring your own bags, and bags to share!
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Seeking Christmas Pageant Performers
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Our annual Christmas Pageant is a beautiful telling of an ancient story. It is a tale of hope and hospitality, a reminder that every child is born a redeemer, a story that speaks to us all of what it means to be a seeker, a star, a singer, a wonderer, a wanderer, a wise one.
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Senior High Youth Overnight
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 Senior High youth worked into the night last Saturday in order to present us with celebratory pie on Sunday, Nov. 17, honoring Rev. Jen and Rev. Justin's ordination anniversaries and the 160th anniversary of First Universalist Church. Whole pie sales raised funds for future youth trips and activities - thank you to everyone who supported our youth in this way!
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Donations Needed for Augsburg Fairview Academy
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 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).
Most needed items for Hope Food Closet: winter toiletries such as chapstick and lotion; single serve microwavable meals like chili and stew.
Note: clothing donations 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.
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!
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 Whether you have been at First Universalist for many years or are new to the church, consider joining the usher team! There is a great need for people to help usher Sunday services and upcoming holiday services. If you're good at making people feel welcome and would enjoy helping our worship services run smoothly, consider joining us!
Need convincing? Watch the recently-retired Sandy DiNanni make a pitch for ushers and greeters at her retirement party here. (That's Sandy for you... looking out for this community that she loves so much, even on her last day!)
For information on what exactly an usher does and how you can help, please contact Karen Larson at karentischlerlarson@gmail.com or sign up in the social hall. You can even test-drive being an usher if you'd like. We'd love to show you what we do!
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Hats for the Homeless: Give the Gift of Warmth
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Now in its 11th year, the The Hats for the Homeless project calls on First Universalist knitters to knit beautiful hats to sustain our tradition of bringing warmth and love to our neighbors experiencing homelessness. We need hats for school aged children, women, and men. Donated hats, scarves, and mittens will be distributed to schools, shelters, and community resources. If you are not a knitter, purchased items are appreciated too.
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Interfaith Thanksgiving Service at St. Mark's
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Annual Downtown Interfaith Thanksgiving Worship Service
Thursday, Nov. 28, 10 a.m.
St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral, 519 Oak Grove Street, Minneapolis
Preacher: Imam Makram El-Amin of Masjid An-Nur in North Minneapolis
Join in solidarity with the Twin Cities Interfaith Community to celebrate God's generosity and to express our gratitude in story and song. This annual event is shared among the downtown Jewish, Christian, and Islamic faith communities of Minneapolis, whose clergy gather throughout the year for shared learning, mutual support, and common mission. This is an opportunity to bring those communities together in recognition of the many ways we're bound together in life, work, and witness. This year's event will be hosted by Saint Mark's Episcopal Cathedral and our preacher will be Imam Makram El-Amin of Masjid An-Nur in North Minneapolis. Doors open at 9 a.m.
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Heart to Heart Couples Enrichment Weekend
January 10, 2020
Heart to Heart is a retreat for committed couples, married or unmarried, straight or queer. It is designed to enrich intimacy in your relationship by emphasizing personal reflection and communication.
A team of three experienced Heart to Heart volunteer couples lead the retreat. These couples give a series of presentations describing their own couple's journey, offering insight into long-term committed relationships. Participating couples are offered opportunities for personal reflection and communication with their partner on an array of subjects key to relationships. Participants are not asked to do any sharing with the larger group.
Past participants have praised the Heart to Heart weekend for offering them a deeper understanding that affirmed the value of their relationship and the importance of their love for one another.
The retreat is held at Koinonia Retreat Center in South Haven, Minn. The cost for the weekend, including housing and meals, is $425 per couple. Limited partial scholarships are available.
To register, or for more information on scholarships, meals or accommodations, visit our web site at
hearttoheartmn.org
or contact us by email at
h2hretreat@gmail.com
. Space is limited to 15 couples.
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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 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.
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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
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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
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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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