Dear Ones,

“When will it snow again, Mama?” asked my 5 year-old daughter this morning. She has asked me about snow several times this week as the temperatures and humidity have skyrocketed. Some of us wilt in July (even when it’s not apocalyptically hot!). 

I responded that now is the time to store up the wet heat in our bones so we can remember how it feels come February, when 97 degrees feels impossible. Now is the time to slow down, to move at a mosey while the air is the only thick blanket we need. In the words of poet Aimee Nezhukumatathil, “I love the silence of sweat in these slow days of summer. All the mysterious sounds in the trees — like a sack of watches — while I tend to tomato plants…”

This season's spiritual "task" is to tend and taste the lush abundance around us. Go slow. Listen. Ross Gay, another poet and student of summer’s joy, puts it this way:

Some days I catch glimpse of the hurdy-gurdy path I make

through this garden: ooh! the gooseberries aglow,

ooh! the lemon balm tufting up, ooh! wasps swilling the golden florets

of bolted kale, and Good Lord the strawberry flowers

are the pursed lips of ghosts

I want to know. Yes, today I am on my belly

for that scant perfume, this invisible parade

of dying and bloom.

In this last week of July, we tilt (and maybe wilt) into the halfway mark of summer. Soon enough, the dying will outpace the blooming here in Minnesota. Let’s savor these days. Welcome their wonders. Learn from the leaves. Play in the puddles with naked toes. This, too, is a spiritual practice — or can be. The snow will be here soon enough... 

In peace,

Rev. Ashley

P.S. It’s not too late to formally join our collective church practices of joyspotting and nature sitting (check it out below or send me an email to learn more!)

Intro

Summer's Abundance

Sunday Worship

Sunday, July 30, 10 a.m.

Sunday, July 23 Recordings

Cycle of Life

News & Features

Art News

Summer Spiritual Practices

Calendar

Membership Classes

RE Registration

Rivoli Bluff Bash

Liberation Book Group

Community Events & Affiliated Organizations:

AUW, 12-Step Spirituality

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Sunday, July 30 — 10 a.m.

"Art & Soul" with Paolo Dubuque

In worship this Sunday, July 30, Paolo Dubuque and Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout will talk about re-imagining musical ensembles and using collaborative music to change the world. We’ll make music together for a finale of sorts we're calling We are the ones, after June Jordan’s famous end to her poem “Poem for South African Women.” Together, we will make music as a community (that’s right–the featured artist is you! But shhhhh…it’s a surprise.), we explore the rich relationships and stories of American singing over centuries, across cultures. You’ll hear reflections on the Music Listening Session results. And we’ll embrace the calling of this new day–for communities of justice to know the power of their own voice, and to build up beauty in the world starting from within.

IN PERSON AT 10 A.M.

This Sunday, we worship in person at 10 a.m. Masks are welcome but not required in the sanctuary; please review our Covid-19 Gathering Guidelines. 

ONLINE AT 10 A.M.

This service is live-streamed at 10 a.m. Watch the livestream here. 

CHILDREN & YOUTH

Childcare is available in the nursery starting at 9:45 for babies through preeschoolers. Children ages 5-12 attend the first part of worship and are released partway through worship for crafts, games, and playing outside. Learn more here.

July 23 Worship Recap:

"Art & Soul" with Ellis Delaney

Each Sunday in July, worship features artists and musicians sharing their craft and some reflections on how their art is connected to their spirituality. This past Sunday, musician Ellis Delaney and Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout talked about identity as a musician, gender expression, and the excitement and doldrums of the human experience.



Listen to the entire July 23 worship here

*New* Each week, the "sermon" or "message" recording is posted separately from the podcast of the entire service. If you weren't able to stay for Ellis and Dr. Glen Thomas' extended conversation, you can listen to their conversation here.

Watch the July 23 service on YouTube here

Podcast Archive | Recording Archive 

As we announced recently in worship, the church has formally received the pledged anonymous gift of $100K we announced at our annual meeting. We celebrate and we give thanks for such incredible generosity!

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. Ashley Harness at ashley@firstuniv.org or 612-825-1701.

A healthy bit of news to share from the community of artists right here at home. 

This Sunday marks the end of Art & Soul, First Universalist’s inaugural worship series of concerts and conversations. I’ve been so blessed by your words of encouragement and support as we learned together what this experience might mean for us in community practice. My thanks to our featured artists for leaving us with so many beautiful moments and memories. Thank you, Aimee, and Dean, and Davu, and Martha, and Ellis, and Sally, and Laura, and Paolo, and you–you brought love and energy and prayer and singing into our summer and our spiritual home. 

The chamber music collective newly-hatched, Homespun, is working to build a better world “by creating musical spaces that prioritize empathy, openness, and joy. This happens best when done on a grassroots level, through authentic connections to people, communities, and places.” 

I’ve invited Homespun to have their start here at First Universalist, rehearsing in our space, and giving their first concert here next Friday, August 4 at 7 p.m. I invite each of you to an eclectic mix of music presented by an ensemble of ten professional musicians: a vocal quintet, a string quartet, and a keyboardist. Come, witness the birth of this musical force for good in the world happening right here at home. 

This Sunday, July 30, co-founder Paolo Dubuque and I will talk more about re-imagining musical ensembles, and using collaborative music to change the world. And we’ll make music together for a finale of sorts I’m calling We are the ones, after June Jordan’s famous end to her poem “Poem for South African Women.” Together, we make music as a community (that’s right–the featured artist is you! But shhhhh…it’s a surprise.), we explore the rich relationships and stories of American singing over centuries, across cultures. You’ll hear a beginning to my reflections on the Music Listening Session results. And we’ll embrace the calling of this new day–for communities of justice to know the power of their own voice, and to build up beauty in the world starting from within.

It will also be our last Sunday hosting A World Beyond, the sanctuary installation of sculptural basketry by our own Martha Bird. Congratulations are in order for a beautiful season of art gracing the sanctuary. They’re also due to Martha for having just been accepted into the State Fair Fine Arts Center. Her At the Helm, one of the pieces on view in the sanctuary, was selected from more than 3000 entries. If you needed a reason to get to the fair, I say, here it is! We’re so proud of and with you, Martha!

Finally, I’d like to thank our own Marion Dane Bauer, a Newberry Honor winner. Marion wrote the text for what may very well be the most beautiful story book I’ve ever encountered. The Stuff of Stars, which you may have heard and seen in worship last summer, is a gorgeous work of art and craft which tells the wondrous tale of the birth of all things– the universe, hippopotami, even you and me! I’m honored that Marion has agreed to allow me to share her book with the annual assembly of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), the association of the leaders of congregations of Catholic women religious in the United States. The conference has about 1350 members, who represent approximately 67 percent of the nearly 39,000 women religious in the United States. I’ll travel to Dallas in August to lead worship and music with the attendees, and to bring Marion’s stunning, very-much-needed story to more of the world.

Thank you for the many ways you each make this community a vibrant one in which to practice art and sing and play in the name of love! 

Invitations to Summer Spiritual Practice

Practicing and Connecting from Wherever We Are

We're over halfway through our Summer Spiritual Practices: joyspotting and daily nature sits, and there is still time to sign up! Folks have shared sunsets, bugs, ice cream, and family gatherings. Our shared spiritual practices will help us stay connected over the next several weeks. Join us as we share in spiritual practice together this summer!

1. Register for one of the practices: Nature Sit Spot or Joyspotting
2. Pay attention, again and again
3. Receive regular reflection prompts and steady encouragement to your inbox along the way.
4. Tell about and connect over your experiences on Facebook and/or Instagram with #FirstUnivPractice
5. Gather at the potluck after the Lake Harriet service on August 20 to share about how we’ve been challenged and changed by our practices

Membership Classes

Sundays, August 6 & 13, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at church; lunch provided. (Registration closes Aug. 2 at noon.)

Joining First Universalist is a symbolic, spiritual act of saying “yes” to growing your soul in this place, with these people, within our free faith tradition. Our membership class offers a chance to inform yourself about the ministry areas of the church, be in community with other new members, and officially join the church. Learn about First Universalist at your own pace through online videos before meeting, then attend class on zoom or in person.



Facilitated by Ginny McAninch, First U member, and Liz Farmer, Membership Coordinator

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

2023-24 Religious Education Registration

Religious education runs from Sept. 10, 2023-May 19, 2024. Learn more and register your family today.

In RE, and in all stages of life, we seek to expand our hearts and minds, make a difference in the world, mark important milestones, and explore big questions in the context of a supportive, anti-racist, anti-oppressive, radically welcoming religious community.

We are a church dedicated to racial justice, and we honor all kinds of families, recognizing our interdependence and our common foundation of love.

Rivoli Bluff Bash

Saturday, July 29, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Rivoli Bluff Farm and Resotration Site

749 Arkwright St., St.Paul



Join a group from church attending this free, family-friendly community event at Urban Roots’ largest organic produce-growing site. Music, kids’ activities, children’s garden, and tours.

RSVP to Stan Sattinger at 412-208-5593.

Dreaming Liberation Book Group

No More Police

Tuesday, August 1, 4-6 p.m. on Zoom  

Learn from and integrate the wisdom of beloved authors and movement leaders, Mariame Kaba and Andrea Ritchie, with others who are interested in diving into their new book, No More Police, which passionately synthesizes the experiences and expertise necessary for building a new world with less violence. The book is readily available for purchase online or at local libraries. First U can provide a copy upon request.



Co-facilitated by Denise Kohnen and Rev. Ashley Harness

REGISTRATION REQUESTED

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

AUW Summer Potluck – Saturday, July 29 at the home of Carol Gilbert and Liz Permar, 7340 Fremont Ave. S., Richfield (map). We will gather at 5 p.m., or whenever you can make it, rain or shine. Bring a dish to share and bug spray. Weather permitting, we will be outside enjoying nature and yard games, but we can take refuge inside if need be. Come for great conversations!

Hiking Group: Meets most Saturdays at a park or trailhead at

10 a.m. Bring sun protection, sunscreen, and bug spray. For questions, contact Marie Sorenson, 612-419-3620 or Lynn Richardson, 612-323-2776.

CANCELLED July 29 MN River Valley Wildlife Center.

August 5 Westwood Nature Center. 8300 West Franklin, St Louis Park, MN 

August 12 MN River Valley Wildlife Center. 3875 American Blvd, Bloomington, MN.

August 19 Wood Lake Nature Center, 6710 Lake Shore Drive , Richfield, MN.  

August 26 Normandale Lake. 84th and Chalet Road. Bloomington, MN.

Game Group: Meets at the church on the second Thursday of each month to play board games and socialize. CORRECTION: The next game night is August 10. You are welcome to bring snacks to share and a game you would enjoy teaching others. To receive email updates, contact Anne Frenchick. If no one responds to Anne that they are coming, the Game Night will be canceled early that day. Please let Anne know if you plan to attend.

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 invitation to our next meeting and be added to our email list by sending your contact info to Abbie Finger. The next meeting will be Monday, September 25. We will be discussing Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan. In Person Potluck at 6:30 pm; discussion at 7:30 pm.

Zoom Discussion at 7:00 pm.

Give and Take a Book! *new!*

To share books we love and build more literary connections, we are starting a new project. If interested, please bring 1 or 2 books (no more!) to give at the monthly book club. If interested, pick a book to take home. To help make connections, put a post-it note on the book with your name and a reason you liked the book. If a book you brought is left over, please take it home or it will be donated to a Free Little Library. Any questions or ideas, contact Nora Whiteman cell 612-250–1661.

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.



Based on ongoing monitoring of COVID levels in Hennepin County, our current COVID Community Care Policies are:

• Masking is welcome, but not required, inside the building—including the sanctuary—when Covid community/hospital admission levels in Hennepin County are Low or Medium. Masks will be required inside the building when levels are High.
• High quality KN95/N95 masks are available free of charge for anyone who wishes to use one when in the building.
• Creating an intentionally inclusive space where masking is respected and welcomed without question is all of our responsibility.
• We continue to encourage all who can be vaccinated against Covid-19 to receive the initial vaccination and subsequent boosters to reduce the impact of Covid 19 for each person individually and for our wider community, collectively.
• We continue to ask people to stay home if they are feeling sick. 
• We continue to offer online and multi-platform opportunities for spiritual growth and focus resources on strengthening our online and multi-platform community. 
• We will work with congregants and families on an individual basis to address health and accessibility concerns, and to find creative ways to care for each other and connect. Please reach out to Rev. Ashley Harness to brainstorm together. 

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.