Dear Jenn,

I’ve been trying to figure it out for days now, why last week felt so different to me. The change from summer to fall has always been among my favorite turns in the year. I’ve watched decades of years pivot with the wind and paint the ground with autumn leaves sometimes so slowly I barely saw the turning. 

On the first day of this fall though, temperatures dipped twenty degrees from the previous day’s heat. The greenly leafing trees turned oranges and reds in a blink. You might have thought someone had flicked a light switch overnight, and there the world around us came to fall in a snap.

Walking Dupont this afternoon, I discovered what felt so noticeable about this turning was its straightforwardness, its black-and-white simplicity. Lately, the world around us hasn’t felt nearly so predictable. The American political landscape seems to make it harder every day to grasp an understanding of what’s true; though we continue to gain encouraging ground in keeping each other safe amidst COVID-19, still the pandemic doesn’t come with a clean expiration date; the more we work for justice and love in the world, the more tenacious injustice seems to get, and the more and more love calls. 

As we journey in spiritual community together through a world which so likes to be unpredictable, how can our relationships with one another keep us stable, healthy, and whole? Of all the unexpected, in what can we anchor our days? As our love’s call grows and changes by the day, and our community grows and changes to answer, what are the foundations which anchor our lives and hold us together? 

This coming month in worship, we explore the theme “You can count on this” and resources to keep us as we take our unique journeys of spirit together and as one. Then, how do we enter into trusting, listening, guiding relationships with our hearts, our bodies, our minds, with the space between and around us, and with our spiritual practices? What do they have to tell us? And how do we listen? 

Join us for a month to explore these questions together in shared story, song, meditation, and prayer.

In faith,

Glen Thomas

Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout

Director of Worship Arts Ministries

First Universalist Church of Minneapolis

Sunday Worship

Sunday, Oct. 2, 9 & 11 a.m.

After Worship Happenings

9/25 Recording: "A Topography of Belonging" 

Sept. 25 Cycle of Life

News & Features

New Directory & Giving App

Input Requested: Proposed Masking Policy Update

Welcoming Rev. Ashley Harness

Livestream & A/V Tech Opening

Donations for Joyce Food shelf

Nov. 5 Habitat Work Day

Calendar

Fall Sign Up Sunday

Wednesday Night Dinner

Celebration Concert

Poetry Lovers Reading Circle

Caregivers Group

Affiliates

AUW

Women's Ritual Circle 

12-Step Spirituality

Sunday, Oct. 2 — 9 & 11 a.m.

"The Heart Left Open Will Heal Itself"

As we begin our exploration of October's worship theme, “You Can Count On This,” we’ll start with our hearts. What do our hearts tell us, and how do we listen? Where and with whom do we place our hearts? And what do we do with the inevitable heartbreak that comes? We’ll explore all of these questions and more through stories, songs, meditation and prayer together.

Please join us for worship this Sunday at 9 or 11 a.m.!

Worship leaders (pictured above, left to right): Rev. Jen Crow, Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Rev. Ashley Harness, and Franco Holder

ORDER OF SERVICE

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

This Sunday, we worship in person at 9 and 11 a.m. Masks are currently required indoors for ages 2+. 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

Religious Education classes are now in session for the 2022–2023 church year! Children and youth begin their morning in the sanctuary with their families. Childcare is available for Nursery-PreK kids, starting at 8:45/10:45 a.m. All ages are always welcome in the sanctuary! Learn more here.

Please be aware that Twin Cities Marathon-related road closures may impact your travel to church this coming Sunday, Oct. 2. Please check the route map and plan ahead for any detours so you're not late to church!

Fall Sign Up Sunday - after both services in the Social Hall

Learn about the variety of ways to get involved and get connected at church through volunteering, justice teams, and other opportunities for fellowship and spiritual growth.

New Congregant Giving & Member Directory App: Get Help

Get help downloading and learning to navigate our new app! Look for the table in the social hall as part of Sign Up Sunday.

First Step - after both services in the Chancel Room

First Step is a brief, casual orientation to Unitarian Universalism and First Universalist Church for newcomers. Meets in the front of the sanctuary after each service. 

Recording: "A Topography of Belonging"

Sunday, Sept. 25: Rumi and Jung agree on at least one thing: paradox is our greatest spiritual gift. As Rumi notes: Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing,

there is a field. I’ll meet you there.

When the soul lies down in that grass,

the world is too full to talk about.

Ideas, language, even the phrase each other

doesn’t make any sense.

And isn't that what we long for—that space of paradox, out beyond rightdoing and wrongdoing, beyond belonging where even the phrase each other doesn't make any sense? Come and explore the topography of belonging and the paths that may or may not get us where we long to be.

"A Topography of Belonging"

Watch here

Listen to the podcast here

Podcast Archive | Recording Archive 

We hold Zoe Beck in our hearts this morning. Zoe is in the hospital recovering from a fall and appreciates our prayers and well wishes.

Our care surrounds Mary Sorensen this morning. Mary suffered a stroke earlier this weekend and is in the hospital recovering. We’re grateful to hear that she did not suffer any cognitive damage as a result, and our love is with her as she begins the process of recovery. Mary gratefully receives our prayers and messages of care and support.

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.

Many of you know that we have recently undergone a database transition. Perhaps you’ve noticed evidence of this when you give to the offering plate via your cell phone, or what it looks like to set up your annual giving online. Perhaps you have also noticed that the app with member contact information that we were previously using, called “Church Life” is no longer updated. This is because, after an extensive search that began in 2019, and using our Vendor Policy, a team of staff and members helped select and transition our church database from ACS, which housed Church Life, to Blackbaud. 

Blackbaud’s app, called “MobileMission,” features a searchable, member-only directory and allows all congregants who’ve previously given through the giving portal to manage their giving to the church. The directory includes contact information, and will ask folks to log in and update their profiles.

With the MobileMission app on your phone:

• Members can access the searchable member directory, choose which information is included in the directory, or opt out altogether.
• To request to opt out of the member directory without downloading the app, email Membership Coordinator Liz Farmer. 
• Anyone may give one-time or recurring gifts using a debit or credit card, or drafted from your banking account, and:
• Save payment methods to avoid entering your information each time you give
• View your giving history
• Anyone may update their contact information for the church’s records
• Anyone may upload their photo to their profile. Member photos will be visible in the member directory.

We invite you to download and start using this new member app now! Step-by-step instructions on downloading and using the MobileMission app are available here.

If you'd like in-person help downloading and learning how to use the app, please stop by the table in the social hall this coming Sunday, Oct. 2 after services, or the following Sunday, Oct. 9. 

Questions? Please reach out to Membership Coordinator Liz Farmer at liz@firstuniv.org. 

Thank you to the 132 community members who have thus far shared their feedback regarding a possible update to our masking policy by filling out this survey.

Whether you have strong feelings either way or not, your voice is important. Please take a few minutes to fill out the survey if you haven't already done so. The staff leadership team will be looking at data and comments early next week to aid in making a decision.

As we shared last week:

As the COVID-19 pandemic and recommendations from public health authorities continue to evolve, and policies in schools and our communities shift, the church is currently reevaluating our Covid-19 policy, specifically regarding masking. We had previously shared that we anticipated reevaluating our masking policy after those aged 6 months to 5 years were eligible for Covid vaccines and enough time had passed for them to be fully vaccinated—and that time is approaching.

Before moving forward with an updated policy, we recognize the importance of inviting input from the congregation, and appreciate you considering the proposed changes to our masking policy and providing feedback using this form.

The proposed updated policy regarding masking is as follows:

When the community risk level for Covid in Hennepin County, according to Covid Act Now, is Low or Medium, masks would be optional in the church building, including on Sunday mornings. In small groups, any participant/member may request that masks be worn by the whole group.

We may designate an accessible section of the sanctuary as a space where masks are required, depending on interest.

When the community risk level for Covid in Hennepin County, according to Covid Act Now, is High, masks would be required in the church building for ages 2+ at all times, except for worship leaders when speaking at the pulpit or singing into a microphone.

Please share your thoughts and feedback with us here.

Please join us in welcoming Rev. Ashley Harness to the First Universalist staff team! Though we announced her hire back in August, Rev. Ashley has now officially started in her role with us as of this past Monday. She'll be on the chancel this Sunday in worship, and is looking forward to meeting the congregation!

Rev. Ashley will be serving as Assistant Minister in a part-time capacity (20 hours/week), and her portfolio will focus on digital ministry and supporting pastoral care and worship with a core focus on strengthening and expanding our connections online and in person. 

She has recently served as co-lead minister at Lyndale United Church of Christ, and if you have been part of justice work in the Twin Cities over the last ten years you have most certainly seen her at rallies, protests, and marches supporting Black Lives Matter, marriage equality, immigration justice, and environmental justice. Rev. Ashley is a Christian Universalist ordained in the United Church of Christ, as well as a communications strategist with over 15 years of experience working at the intersection of religion, media, and social change. She also consults through the New York-based Auburn Seminary, providing confidential training and counsel to progressive religious leaders across the country. Ashley received her Masters of Divinity at Union Theological Seminary in 2012. She lives in southwest Minneapolis with her wife and two toddlers.

First Universalist is currently seeking to hire a Livestream & A/V Technician to run the live-steam and projection systems during our Sunday worship services and for occasional memorial services and special events. While it is the church's policy to not hire members of our church community, we greatly appreciate your help in spreading the word and helping to ensure that we have a qualified and diverse candidate pool.

Know someone who'd be a good fit? Please pass it on! The position description and application instructions can be found here on our website.

You may have noticed since our return to the building that many members are sporting new name tags! If you are a member and would like to order a new name tag with larger text and your pronouns, please order here by Tuesday, Oct. 25. If you’d like to order a name tag, but aren’t sure if you’re a member, contact Membership Coordinator Liz Farmer.

Order your new name tag here!

Submitted by Velma Wagner

The need for donations to Joyce Food Shelf is high. The demand increased during the pandemic, and again once inflation became an issue. They are unable to take any more ongoing clients other than on an emergency basis. Please leave your contributions on the shelves by the Dupont Ave. entrance. They especially need diapers and wet wipes, in addition to non-perishable food items.

Submitted by Chuck Coskran

On Saturday, Nov. 5, five of our high school youth will volunteer to spend the day working on a Habitat home at 3042 18th Ave South, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. There are four remaining openings for others to join our youth for this work day. We are pleased to have this intergenerational opportunity. Sign up here.

Sunday, Oct. 2, 10–11 a.m. and 12–1 p.m. in the Social Hall

Learn about the variety of ways to get involved and get connected at church through volunteering, justice teams, and other opportunities for fellowship and spiritual growth. Members from various teams will be excited to chat with you about what they’ve got going on and how you can join.

Wednesday, Oct. 5, 6 p.m. in the Social Hall

Dinner RSVP Requested

Swing by church for a delicious home-cooked meal at 6 p.m.! All are welcome and there is no charge.

Menu: plant-based spaghetti, salad, and bread (with a gluten-free pasta option) planned and prepared by the Environmental Justice Team’s Food Solutions working group. 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.

Breakout Group Options (6:45–8 p.m.)

• Environmental Justice Team Are recent climate crisis headlines weighing heavily on your heart? Join the Climate Action team for an evening of understanding and hope, including conversation about the range of personal responses to climate crisis, renewable energy opportunities, healthy soils and regenerative agriculture initiatives, and the sacredness of water. We will also be launching a new Climate Conversations initiative, in which participants in a small group setting will share personal climate concerns and explore possible solutions.
• Young Adults Get connected and give input on gatherings for Young Adults (20s and 30s) in the season ahead.
• Adults at Midlife Let’s talk about the spiritual work of midlife (our 40s and 50s) and opportunities for spiritual growth and community at church.
• LGBT Spirituality Group The LGBT Spirituality Group is a space for LGBT folks to deepen our connections with each other and to our own spiritualities. 

Sunday, Oct. 9, 4 p.m. 

Join us for a community celebration concert to commission our new Steinway Grand Piano, a significant move along our journey to becoming a community resource for the artistic growth and nourishment of all people. The thank-you concert and celebration will feature leaders of our music ministry—Franco Holder, pianist; Aimee K. Bryant, singer and song leader; and Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, singer and pianist. Here’s our chance to formally celebrate the great story of support that has helped make this dream take shape, and to enjoy the treat of our music leaders singing and playing their favorite music, with the help of one of the best instruments in the world.

Thursday, Oct. 6, 7–8:30 p.m., Room 209

Reacquaint yourself with poets you love and discover poets who are new to you. Most meetings are devoted to reading aloud and discussing works by one poet, selected by the group ahead of time. Join us in person in October; subsequent first Thursday meetings will be on Zoom. Facilitators: Carol Flint, Valerie Garber and Patty Park, First U members

REGISTER HERE

Sunday, Oct. 2, 1–2:30 p.m. on Zoom

Sign up here

Caring for a family member who needs special care is a demanding and often unseen or unacknowledged role. Whether you’re caring for an aging parent or a child with a chronic health condition, join the Caregivers group for mutual support, connection, and community building. When we gather, we’ll light a chalice, have time for introductions, and share a reading, then move into deeper sharing, support, and reflection. 

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. To get on the mailing list, send your name and email address to Linda Hammersten. Upcoming dates: Oct. 1, 10 a.m.; Oct. 16, 1 p.m. (Sunday); Oct. 29, 12:30 p.m.

Game Group: Meets monthly 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 dates: Oct. 13, 7 p.m.; Nov. 10, 7 p.m.; 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 dates: Oct. 24

Women (cis and trans) as well as non-binary folks who find their home in women-centric spaces who are interested in earth-based and pagan spirituality are invited to upcoming open rituals of the Under Northern Skies Women’s Ritual Circle. We will meet in room 209 in the First Universalist building on the following dates:

Sunday, Oct. 9 | Tuesday, Oct. 25

We gather at 7:15 pm and promptly begin an hour-long ritual at 7:30 p.m., with time for questions and socializing to follow. For members who choose to commit to the circle, the commitment ritual for this cycle will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 8, after which the circle will close to new members until September 2023.

Please contact Ann Hobbs at g.annhobbs@gmail.com with any questions.

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.

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.

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.