Back in January of this year (which actually feels like 6 ½ subjective years ago), I shared a video with you about a tool called the Change Cycle. This tool, created and taught by Martha Beck in my life coach training, helps me and my clients understand how to engage change more effectively. My original intention was to preach a series of three reflections in January to build on this model during Wednesday vespers. Instead, we had an insurrection.

Here we are, half a year later, and I am looking forward to delivering on that original intention this Sunday during worship. Please join me to inquire into the nature of change, the possibilities and challenges of change, and the ways that change will continue to be with us personally and congregationally. I am excited to share my optimistic view of what is possible when we all harness the power and energy of change collectively.

And for a refresher and deeper understanding of that model, here is the 8-minute video about the Change Cycle that I shared with you in January.

See you Sunday!

Julica Hermann de la Fuente

Director of Liberation and Transformation Ministries

Join First U member Jill Braithwaite for a midweek worship experience for adults and older youth. This 30-minute service is a brief time of connection, centering, and reflection to help us find and keep our balance.

About Jill: Jill Braithwaite has been a member of First Universalist Church since 2004. She has taught religious education and First Step classes and has served on the Board of Trustees, Welcome Team, and Strategic Planning Team. Jill has an M.A. in theology and the arts from United Theological Seminary and is currently studying there in the Master of Divinity program with a concentration in UU Studies. She has worked in book publishing for more than 25 years. Jill loves tennis, art, novels, Unitarian Universalism, the North Shore, and her little dog, Betsy.

Connect to the live stream on Wednesday, August 4 between 6:55 and 7 p.m.: Enter the Wednesday Zoom webinar here. (webinar ID: 117-312-320). To join by phone (audio only), dial 1-312-626-6799 and enter the webinar ID.

Post-service Care Companions space (7:30 p.m.): Join the Zoom gathering here.

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, or if you would like support, contact Rev. Arif Mamdani at arif@firstuniv.org or 612-825-1701.

Continuing a sermon series on the sources of Unitarian Universalism, Rev. Karen preaches on the fifth source: Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit. How are we to reconcile “humanist teachings” with “idolatries of the mind and spirit?” As in the story of the spider Anansi, no one being, tradition, or system can hold all the wisdom, answers, or “right” ways of doing things. The wisdom is spread out among us, in the specifics of our stories. We ourselves, together, are sources of faith. Even in the schisms of Unitarian Universalism, Humanism exists, inviting us to “look at the here and now, who, and what of life to make ethical, thoughtful, and caring choices that serve the common good.” And in this way, all UUs are all humanists. Find the human(ist) in you, Rev. Karen invites. Discover, explore, and play with it. The job of a faithful humanist is to reconcile — in the way only humans can with the conscience we have — all of the stories, wisdom, and perspectives we encounter in ourselves and others so that we may remain clear about what’s happening, show courage in our actions, and respond at our best.

You can listen to Sunday's service in our worship podcast on Spotify or Podbean, and you can watch Sunday's service on our YouTube channel. Follow along, find questions for reflection, and learn about upcoming events in the Order of Service.

It is not too late to register for our August Newcomer Circle! Newcomer Circles are four-session gatherings of six to eight participants who are new-ish to First Universalist who intend to deepen their connection with the church and want to meet others who are also early in their journey with the congregation. This Circle will be facilitated by members Emily Wallace and Channing McKinley. Learn more on our website and register here by Monday, Aug. 2.

Find ways to get involved with our Faithful Action Partners in our August Faithful Action Newsletter. This newsletter contains opportunities to connect through volunteering, donating, advocating, and learning. Our Faithful Action Partners are community organizations that share our vision of love and justice. We work through Faithful Action Partnerships in order to leverage our energy, commitment and expertise. You can find more information about our Faithful Action Community Partnerships on our website.

Summer is for fun and building community! There are many groups meeting and programs happening at First U this summer, including gatherings for children, youth, and families, a Newcomers Circle, small groups, racial justice programming, a senior hiking group, and meditation and grief groups. As we navigate a summer of thresholds together, our commitment is to be as widely inclusive as possible! Learn more in our Summer 2021 Programs Flyer.

After a long hiatus, First Universalist Church will have its first in-person work day with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity on August 27th. We'll be working on a new single-family home in North Minneapolis. The work day will run from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., and volunteers are asked to adhere to Habitat's safety protocols, which you can read about here on the Habitat website.

There will be a maximum of 12 volunteers allowed on site. Volunteers must be over sixteen years of age, and sixteen- and seventeen-year-olds must be accompanied by an adult. Sign up through this form to volunteer!

Join this monthly congregant-led group for a silent meditation meeting on zoom. After 20 minutes of sitting together in silence, we will share experiences from our practices. We will begin our gathering at 11:15 a.m. to provide time to share our lives with one another. Meditation will start at 11:30 a.m. Join the Zoom meeting here (Meeting ID: 811 5515 5500; Passcode: 244512).

It is not too late to sign up for Anti-Racism in the Park!

Please join us at the Amphitheater at Lyndale Gardens for a series about anti-racism and the challenges we encounter as we work and learn to get free. Each session will begin with Julica Hermann de la Fuente sharing one of her favorite tools or frameworks to assess/make change, followed by guided small group conversations.

Please sign up here. You can sign up for one, several or all sessions. Sign up is required to attend.

The Amphitheater is located at 6400 Lyndale Ave S, Richfield, MN 55423. It is accessible via bus routes 4L and 515. Please park on the street or in the vacant lot east of the Amphitheater. Parking is not allowed in the Lakewinds Co-op parking lot. If parking is full, please use city streets for parking.

If you have them, please bring a lawn chair for yourself and one to share with someone else. There is seating in the Amphitheater itself, but lawn chairs will make it possible for us to gather under the canopy in the shade.

The Amphitheater is accessible to wheelchair users. Julica will be using a microphone and speaker for amplification; please be in touch (julica@firstuniv.org) if you need other accommodations for hearing accessibility.

This is a multi-racial, multi-generational offering for high school youth and adults. Small group conversations will occur in racial/ethnic caucuses.

The topics for our upcoming Monday conversations are:

We also look forward to worshipping with many of you in person, outside at the Lake Harriet Bandshell (4135 W Lake Harriet Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55409), at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 15. Read the Liberal on the Thursday before this service for details!

The care team at First Universalist is here to help in a whole lot of ways—from phone calls to say we’re thinking about you to a listening ear when you need someone to accompany you through whatever’s happening in your life. COVID-19 has changed some of the ways we provide care, but there is a lot we’re still doing. Here is one of the ways we’re here to provide support:

We Care Companions

Care companions are members of the congregation who’ve been oriented toward the art and practice listening with a caring and confidential ear, and a loving and kind heart. We call and check-in on folks in the congregation and are here to accompany you longer term if you’re living with a chronic illness or could use some ongoing support. To connect with a Care Companion (or to become one), contact karen@firstuniv.org. To access any of our other caring resources, contact Rev. Arif Mamdani at arif@firstuniv.org 

Spiritual Care - Your ministers and program staff are here for one-on-one confidential conversations of support. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to any of us to connect. 

Love Kits - Are you or someone you love ill? Is your family struggling? Do you live alone or feel isolated? Do you know someone else from church who might be? If so, please let Rev. Karen (revkarenhutt@gmail.com) know so that a package full of love and support can be delivered to your home.

Meal Trains - If you or someone you know at church would welcome a meal to help them through a difficult time, loss, illness or injury — and having someone else do the cooking for a bit would help —please let us know. Contact Rev. Arif Mamdani at arif@firstuniv.org.

Minister’s Emergency Fund - For many of us, these are difficult financial times. If you need help with a car repair bill, making rent, a doctor’s bill, groceries, gas, a mortgage payment, affording your medication, a bus card, or any other financial situation - please be in touch. We have financial resources available. Please contact a minister/staff member. 

Mental Health Connect - www.mhconnect.org - Need help finding a therapist? Want to learn more about particular mental health conditions and resources? Check out Mental Health Connect, a local organization supported by congregations like ours, that provides community-based resources, support and education to improve access to mental health services and connect individuals and families with the services they need. 

Counseling - The Walk In Counseling Center offers free counseling by phone or computer. Find out how to “walk in” on their website.