Dear Jenn,

When you’re used to seeing all the characters in your likeness, it can be difficult to understand the shade of excitement on my face, the extra heft I gave the words “two tickets for Wakanda Forever, please.” 

Rarely is brown skin uneventful in American film; still, there was more to my happiness than the ebony hues themselves. Everything that I loved about the movie (the tech, the turns of phrase, the fashion, the lips, the rounds of noses, the landscapes, the kindness, the free flow of limbs dancing on rhythms which could only come from my people) reminded me afresh how in love I am with being black. 

I imagined for myself what it might feel like to not be used to being the lone person of color in a room. I wondered what I might be like with my black pride unfatigued. My mind roamed free in that world. This was deeper than a mythical ebony make-believe. In the dark, there was, for me, an awakening. 

As December invites more of the shade to cool and still our days, we are “Dreaming in the Dark.” What happens when we imagine beyond the limits we once thought were there? How do we unshackle from the worn-in ways and weighted expectations in love’s way? What does it take to free ourselves of our distractions, to set our sights on the vision of justice and beauty in our world? 

Join us for worship. Let’s conjure beloved community together in song, by word, in prayer and fellowship. The most incredible possibilities glow in the dark, if we dare imagine. 

Peace, dear ones,

Dr. Glen Thomas

Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout

Director of Worship Arts Ministries

First Universalist Church of Minneapolis

Sunday Worship

Sunday, Dec. 4, 9 & 11 a.m.

Nov. 27 Recording: One in Gratitude

Nov. 27 Cycle of Life

News & Features

Holiday Service Schedule

Sanctuary Decorations

Habitat for Humanity 2023

Updated COVID Community Care Policies

Calendar

Families with Babies & Preschoolers Meetup

First U Substance Abuse Recovery Community

Community Dinner

REP Info Session

Daytime Connections

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Sunday, Dec. 4 — 9 & 11 a.m.

"Waiting for the Coming Dreams"

Winter is a time of turning inward, a time where the nights are longer and so too is our time for dreaming. December is a month in which we experience ever shorter days, the longest night, and then the turning toward the long days of summer again. It is also a month in which some amongst us share stories about a light that held out against hope and others tell of the coming of a singular light to the world. As we begin this time of beginnings, as we enter this month of waiting, of dreaming, of telling stories and remembering in our bones the turning of the earth, the turning of the seasons, and the turning of our tradition, we gather on Sunday to start at the beginning. We’ll revisit beginnings, wonder about what came before the beginning, where we’re situated in the line of beginnings and endings, and incline our hearts toward what we hear when we’re dreaming in the dark. Join us for worship this Sunday at 9 or 11 a.m.!

Worship leaders: Rev. Arif Mamdani, Rev. Jen Crow, Lauren Wyeth, and Franco Holder

ORDER OF SERVICE

IN PERSON AT 9 & 11 A.M. (masks required in sanctuary)

This Sunday, we worship in person at 9 and 11 a.m. Masks are required in the sanctuary for ages 2 and up; please review our updated Covid-19 Gathering Guidelines. Can you usher or greet? Sign up here!.

ONLINE AT 11 A.M.

This service is live-streamed at 11 a.m. Join the Zoom livestream here (Webinar ID: 861 805 984) or watch on YouTube. The recording will be available here after worship.

CHILDREN & YOUTH

Childcare is available for Nursery-PreK kids, starting at 8:45/10:45 a.m. Religious Education classes for K–12th grade are in session; registered children and youth begin their morning in the sanctuary with their families before being dismissed to their classes. All ages are always welcome in the sanctuary! Learn more here.

A Place to Start

After both services in the Chancel Room; online after the second service

A Place to Start is a brief, casual orientation to Unitarian Universalism and First Universalist Church for those who are new. During this 40-minute class, participants will learn about the foundations of our faith tradition and opportunities to get involved.

Join online at noon here.

BLUU Table in the Social Hall

After both services in the Social Hall

Come learn more about our holiday giving recipient BLUU (Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism), BLUU's Housing Project, and housing justice at a table in the social hall after both services this Sunday and the following two Sundays.

Families with Babies & Preschoolers Meetup

12:30–2 p.m. in Rooms 102–104

See details in the Calendar section

First U Recovery Community

1–2 p.m. in Room 207

See details in the Calendar section

From Sunday, Nov. 27: "One in Gratitude"

In this multigenerational service, we turn our shared attention to the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address, a practice created and shared by the Indigenous people of the Turtle Clan, Wolf Clan, and Mohawk tribe. This practice invites us to begin and end our days with gratitude, and together we will experiment and wonder about how we might choose to begin and end our days, and how we and our relationships might be changed by our practices. 



Watch the Nov. 27 service here

Listen to the podcast here

Podcast Archive | Recording Archive 

We hold Doug Gordon, his mother, and their whole family in our care as they accompany Doug’s mother who entered hospice unexpectedly earlier this week. May our love and care surround them during this tender time. 

If you are experiencing a crisis or transition, celebrating a joy­ or marking a sorrow, please let us know. To be included in our Cycle of Life on Sunday in worship, or if you would like support, contact Rev. Arif Mamdani at arif@firstuniv.org or 612-825-1701.

December is here, which means our winter holiday services are just around the corner! All of the following will be offered in person as well as live-streamed. Full details will be available in the Calendar section of next week's newsletter, as well as on our website.

Blue Holidays Service

Wednesday, Dec. 14, 6:30 p.m.

If you're feeling blue this holiday season and would appreciate a space to hold those feelings in community, join us for this service of poetry, reflection, shared song, and a ritual of lighting candles to help bring the warmth of community to our grief and sadness. 

Christmas Pageant

Sunday, Dec. 18, 4 p.m. & Saturday, Dec. 24, 4 p.m.

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.

Winter Solstice Ritual

Wednesday, Dec. 21, 7:30 p.m. 

Celebrate the longest night of the year and rejoice in the returning of the sun at our annual Winter Solstice Ritual. The celebration is one we build together as a community with earth-honoring traditions, music, shared moments in the darkness, and the bringing of warmth and firelight.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Saturday, Dec. 24, 9:30 p.m. 

The Candlelight Service at First Universalist is a time of mindfulness, meaning making and music. This service is a weaving of scripture readings, poems, musical offerings, silence, and lighting our hearts and spirit with the candlelight and hope.

Sunday Worship

Sundays, Dec. 25 & Jan. 1, 10 a.m.

Christmas Day and New Year’s Day fall on Sundays this year. On both days, we’ll offer a single Sunday worship service, in person and online, at 10 a.m. No childcare on Dec. 25; childcare for 6 months through pre-k available on Jan. 1.

The Visual Arts Committee hopes that you enjoy our version of the Northern Lights in the Sanctuary. The display includes a dark night sky backdrop to highlight the sweeping, sparkling fabric representing the northern lights. Snowflakes of all sizes appear to be dropping from the sky with a forest of trees in a bed of snow. A snow fort is included for young children in the congregation to leave their stuffed animals for hibernation for the month of December. This is our gift to the congregation for the holiday season!

Members of Visual Arts spent the day decorating for the winter holidays at church. Watch for a photo of the beautiful northern lights chancel scene in next week's Liberal—or see it at church this Sunday! Photos by Janet Mills.

Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity is a long-standing Faithful Action Partner of First Universalist, and the First U Habitat Crew is excited to announce that we have our first three work days scheduled for 2023. They are:

• Thursday, Jan. 5 at 3330 Oliver Ave N, Mpls
• Thursday, Feb. 2 at 3042 18th Ave S, Mpls
• Saturday, March 4 at 3330 Oliver Ave N, Mpls

The work day typically runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with lunch provided. Due to continuing concerns with Covid and working inside, each work day is limited to 10 volunteers. There will be heat in the building but it is often uneven. Layered, warm clothes are your best bet.

Sign up to volunteer here.

Want to get to know some of our Habitat crew and learn more before signing up? Come to the December 7 Community Dinner and join the Habitat breakout group after dinner for an info session about this important community partnership.

In our Nov. 17 newsletter, we shared our updated Covid Community Care Policy, which went into effect on Monday, Nov. 21.

Our full updated Covid policies are available here. A summary of updates to our masking policy is as follows:

Highlighted Updates: 

• Masks continue to be required in the sanctuary on Sunday mornings and for special services for everyone ages 2 and up 
• Masks are optional in the rest of the building outside of the sanctuary on Sunday mornings/for special services, and at all other times and for all other church activities, when Covid community levels are Low or Medium, with the following exception:
• Masking will be required in classrooms and small groups when a participant reaches out to Lauren Wyeth, Director of Spiritual Growth for All Ages, in advance to make that request. Lauren will hold the name of the person making the request confidential, and will alert the group leader and participants that masks are required for that in person small group or class. 
• When Covid community levels are High, masks are required throughout the whole church building.

Sunday, Dec. 4, 12:30–2 p.m. in Rooms 102-104

RSVP requested

Join us for a holiday-themed meet up after church on Sunday, Dec. 4. There will be snacks, a craft, and plenty of opportunities to chat with other parents/caregivers while little ones play. Families with babies through preschoolers are invited; older siblings are welcome. Hosted by Hirut Hedge, Spiritual Growth Programs Assistant

Sunday, Dec. 4, 1–2 p.m. in Room 207

In October, a small group of folks from the congregation who are in recovery from substance abuse gathered for a conversation about how the church could support their recovery. The group listed the following possibilities, and will meet again this Sunday for further conversation so that as a community, we can determine what’s next and where love is calling us. If you’re in recovery from substance abuse and would like to be part of shaping how this community gathers, take a look at the list below and join us:

Ideas and possibilities:

• Spiritual community
• Support for relationships with our personal conceptions of a higher power, consistent with the 4th Principle: a free and responsible search for truth & meaning
• Increase wider community’s understanding of addiction & recovery, reduce stigma
• Develop a space for building community, connection, and fellowship
• There’s potential interest in church hosting recovery meetings
• Recovery focused small groups
• UUs in recovery book group/book study
• Do a service project together
• Connect with other UUs in recovery
• Develop and help to lead a retreat for other UUs in recovery
• Email list so that congregants in recovery can better be in touch with each other

If these sound interesting or inspire you to imagine other ways the church could support your recovery, please join the next conversation. Also, please note that these gatherings observe anonymity and confidentiality, and that anyone in recovery or interested in recovery from substance abuse addiction is welcome to attend.

Wednesday, Dec. 7, 6 p.m. | RSVP Requested

Swing by church for a delicious home-cooked meal at 6 p.m. in the Social Hall. All are welcome and there is no charge. We always offer vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, nut free and kid-friendly options. All church events are alcohol-free.

Following dinner, stick around and join a breakout group to learn more about one of the many opportunities for deeper engagement at church. Dinner sponsored by the Food Solutions group, part of First U’s Environmental Justice Team.

Breakout Groups (6:45–8 p.m.)

• Holiday Crafting Extravaganza All ages are welcome to make use of our wide variety of arts and crafts materials to create holiday decorations and gifts to give. Bring your creative spirit and come play!
• Senior Conversation Join a conversation with others ages 65 and up. We’ll explore the tasks of this period of life, with a particular focus on moving toward spiritual maturity and wisdom.
• Get to Know Habitat for Humanity Church has had a long relationship with Habitat for Humanity, from countless build days to the funding the “House That Love Built” in 2014. Our partnership has helped us live out our faith in the world and has been a vehicle through which we’ve built relationships and friendships. Join the Habitat for Humanity team to learn about how you can participate
• Get to Know Relationships Evolving Possibilities Join us for an introductory gathering to hear more about Relationships Evolving Possibilities (REP) and how we can partner to build a faith community of care to support each other in moments of crisis or urgency.
• Christmas Pageant Leads/Singers Rehearsals Pageant sign up will open in November; watch the Family ENews for the announcement and link.

Saturday, Dec. 10, 10 a.m.–noon in person at church

Dive deeper into the origins of Relationships Evolving Possibilities (REP), a network of dedicated abolitionists showing up to support others in moments of crisis or urgency, with care and respect for the full dignity and autonomy of the people in crisis. We’ll engage in open learning and dialogue around the following;

• Connection with the core values of REP: Black love and liberation, radical consent, and ancestral wisdom
• Naming revolutionary ancestors and elders on whose shoulders we stand
• Beginning to map the abolitionist possibilities within our personal circles and communities
• Workshopping responses to community safety scenarios

Thursday, Dec. 15, 10 a.m. program, noon lunch

Sign up here

Daytime Connections fosters spiritual growth, learning, and community building for seniors, meeting on the third Thursday of each month. Join us on December 15 for a panel discussion about cannabis. The panelists will explore various aspects of cannabis use, including physiologic effects, therapeutic uses, types and forms of cannabis, and over the counter products.

Rahul Kane is a tenured biology faculty member at Century College and also teaches at the University of Saint Thomas and Metro State. Dr. Kane holds a Ph.D. in instructional technology and education as well as a masters degree in cell and molecular biology.

Sarah Overby, a Licensed Practical Nurse, is the Director of Medical Education at Green Goods. Her experience includes the retail sales of Cannabis — what is for sale, what are the uses of those products, what dangers there might be.

Bring your questions and curiosity!

Sign in and coffee is at 9:45 a.m. Program starts at 10 a.m. Soup & salad lunch at 12 p.m.: $5-15 sliding scale (more if you can; less if you can’t; no one will be turned away for lack of funds). Registration is requested a minimum of four days in advance in order to plan for lunch. Sign up to attend here.

MUUSJA Annual Convening with Paula Cole Jones

Tuesday, Dec. 6, 6:30 p.m. on Zoom

Paula Cole Jones will keynote MUUSJA's annual convening on Dec. 6 about our "community of communities," 8th Principle, Article II, & building a culture of inclusion. Details. Register here.

AUW sponsors activities for people who identify as women, non-binary and/or gender fluid.

Hiking Group:  Meets most Saturdays at a park or trailhead. Upcoming date: Saturday, Dec. 3, 2 p.m., meet at the bandshell at Normandale Lake Park at W. 84th St. and Chalet Rd. in Bloomington. The park is on your right if you head south on Hwy. 100 and just south of 494. Take the first right turn at the traffic light after the highway ends. The park will be on your left AFTER you turn. This is a 1.9 mile loop. There are no other scheduled hikes during the month of December. For questions, contact Marie Sorenson.

Game Group: Meets at the church on the second Thursday of the month to play board games and socialize. Request an email invitation to our next meeting and be added to our email list by sending your name and email address to Anne Frenchick. Upcoming date: Dec. 8, 7 p.m.

Weekly Happy Hour: This online Zoom gathering is a way to stay connected with AUW friends. We meet at 7 p.m. every Thursday. Hosts are Liz and Carol. Here is the Zoom info to tune in: Evening Happy Hour

Women Who Read: We read books written by women. We host an in-person and a virtual meeting on the fourth Monday of each month. Request an email invitation to our next meeting and be added to our email list by sending your name and email address to Abbie Finger. Upcoming date: Dec. 26

First Saturdays, 9:30 a.m.–noon in person at church

12 Step Spirituality meetings will gather in our church on the 1st Saturday of each month beginning on Oct. 1, 2022 and ending on May 6, 2023. The meeting focuses on people who are actively working a 12 step program. It is focused on the 11 step to the practice of Centering Prayer Meditation. Meeting details are available at 12stepspirituality.org.

Saturdays, 9:30–10:45 a.m. online via Zoom

This weekly online meeting focuses on people who are actively working in any of 12 Step programs. It is focused on the 11th step through the practice of Centering Prayer Meditation. Meeting details are available at 12stepspirituality.org.

Church Office & Building Access

The church office is open on Wednesdays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The door bells are not monitored outside of this time. Access to the building at times on other days can be arranged by contacting Jim Poulter, Building & Office Manager, at jim@firstuniv.org.