Beloveds,
Here we are.
Here we are again.
Here we are
grieving the death of Amir Locke,
a young Black man
killed
by a Minneapolis police officer yesterday morning
Here we are,
remembering
Winston Smith,
George Floyd,
Philando Castile,
Jamar Clark,
and Terrence Franklin.
The losses stretch back through time.
Black men, Black women, trans Black people
targeted and killed by police and
self-appointed guardians of white supremacy every day.
This is how it has been for generations,
and this is how it is today.
Here we are.
Here we are celebrating Black survival, Black brilliance, Black history and Black presence.
Here we are, creating communities of belonging, joy, and liberation.
Here we are, proclaiming a love that will not let us go.
A circle wide enough to hold us all.
Love and hope worth living into.
A faith that holds the promise of healing the world.
Bring it all.
All of the sadness, heartache and lament
All of the hope, resilience and determination
All of the grace
All of the joy
All of the practices that heal.
Bring it all,
because here we are.
Here we are.
Join us on Sunday in person at 9 a.m. and in person and online at 11 a.m., for a service of prayer and renewal led by Rev. Jen Crow, Rev. Arif Mamdani, Rev. Karen Hutt, Lauren Wyeth, and Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout. For those who would feel safe and sustained singing together, we will close each service with 10 minutes of in person community singing. We will offer the opportunity for those who would feel more comfortable not singing together to exit the sanctuary before community singing begins.
Rev. Jen
Rev. Jen Crow
Senior Minister
First Universalist Church of Minneapolis
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Worship
Sunday, Feb. 6, 9 & 11am
Wednesday, Feb. 9 Meditation, 7pm
Sunday, Jan. 30 Recording
Cycle of Life
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News & Features
Ann Reed Concert
Recognizing Jenn Stromberg & Welcoming Steven Lane
February Faithful Action Newsletter
Faith Like a River Registration Open
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Happenings
First Sunday Meditation
Caregivers Group
Grief Group
Daytime Connections
Humanism Class
AUW events
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MULTIGENERATIONAL SUNDAY WORSHIP |
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Sunday, Feb. 6 — 9 & 11 a.m.
"Here We Are"
Join us this Sunday for a service of prayer and renewal led by Rev. Jen Crow, Rev. Arif Mamdani, Rev. Karen Hutt, Lauren Wyeth, and Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout. For those who would feel safe and sustained singing together, we will close each service with 10 minutes of in person community singing. We will offer the opportunity for those who would feel more comfortable not singing together to exit the sanctuary before community singing begins.
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Worship leaders: Rev. Jen Crow, Rev. Karen Hutt, Rev. Arif Mamdani, Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Lauren Wyeth, and Franco Holder
JOIN US IN PERSON AT 9 OR 11 A.M.:
In person worship is offered twice, at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. If you are choosing to join us in person at this time, we expect that you are feeling well and that you are vaccinated against COVID-19 if eligible/able. Masks are required. Read our COVID-19 Policies.
JOIN US ONLINE AT 11 A.M.:
CHILDCARE & RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
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Wednesday, Feb. 9, 7 p.m.
Three Breaths: An Open-Door Midweek Meditation
Meditation leader: Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout
During the month of February, Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout will be leading meditative reflections inspired by Black art.
JOIN US ONLINE:
Wednesday Meditation is live-streamed on Zoom. Join here (Webinar ID: 117 312 320).
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Mental Health Sunday
Sunday, Jan. 30
with Rev. Jen Crow, Rev. Karen Hutt, Vicki Elliott (Director of Mental Health Connect), Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Aimee K. Bryant, and Franco Holder
At First Universalist, we embrace the reality that in the course of our lives, it is likely that all of us will experience some challenge with our own mental health or that of a loved one. In our annual Mental Health Sunday worship service on January 30, guest speaker Vicki Elliott, Director of Mental Health Connect, joined our team of worship leaders to talk about her own journey with mental health, how it’s impacted her family, and why it matters that faith communities work to destigmatize mental illness and ensure that everyone has access to the mental health care resources they need.
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Image description: a still image of Rev. Jen Crow from the Jan. 30 worship recording. |
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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.
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Ann Reed & Joan Griffith in Concert |
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We are looking forward to hosting a concert by Ann Reed and Joan Griffith in our newly renovated sanctuary on Sunday, Feb. 20 at 2 p.m.
Songwriter, singer, and guitarist Ann Reed has been a performing artist for more than 40 years—story-telling from the human experience, and sharing songs that find a permanent place in the heart. Joan Griffith has toured and recorded extensively as a classical and jazz guitarist, bassist, and mandolinist.
This event is a fundraiser for the church, and tickets (for online and in-person attendance) are $25. If cost is a barrier and you’d like to attend, please reach out to Rev. Arif.
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Recognizing Jenn Stromberg;
Welcoming New AV Tech Steven Lane
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This past Sunday, we celebrated Jenn Stromberg, Communications Manager, for her unending dedication, creativity, and ingenuity in keeping us connected through online worship over the nearly two years we've been living through this pandemic. Jenn quickly pivoted us to online worship and online church in March of 2020, and she has been a steady presence behind the computer and the cameras on so many Sundays and Wednesdays. Jenn has kept us connected, and she has done it with grace and care. We are excited to announce that now that our live streaming equipment in the sanctuary is fully installed and our new AV Tech has been hired, Jenn will be able to return to her original communications responsibilities with her full attention. We'll miss having Jenn with us on Sundays, but we are grateful she'll be with us throughout the week. Please take a moment to thank Jenn (jenns@firstuniv.org), and to welcome Steven Lane in his role as AV Technician this Sunday.
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February Faithful Action Newsletter |
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Our Unitarian Universalist faith calls us to act for justice in the world. Our Faithful Action Ministry at First Universalist helps connect us to ways to act for justice in our community.
Read our February Faithful Action newsletter for the latest information about volunteer opportunities, advocacy and learning opportunities, and news from our Faithful Action partner organizations.
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Registration Now Open for Faith Like a River |
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Faith Like a River explores Unitarian Universalist history as one current in the stream of human history, with its own themes of thought and action that swirl, eddy, and bubble to prominence at different points in time. A selection of stories from our faith heritage offers not only a grounding of knowledge, but also insights into contemporary issues, practices, challenges, and trends in our faith movement.
This round of Faith Like a River covers the “Unitarian Universalist Identity” module of the curriculum, and includes sessions on: Reason as a Religious Source, the meaning of Covenants in the congregation and in your life, and an examination of differences between the Unitarian and Universalist Polity traditions and an identification of sources that have influenced our current governance practices.
Each round of Faith Like a River is an independent series of classes, and you need not have participated in a previous round to join this one. That said, this round will complete the entire Faith Like a River series we began at First Universalist in February 2020.
Faith Like a River meets once a month via zoom February thru May. Dates are as follows: Sundays, Feb. 27, March 20, April 24, and May 22, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
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Programs, Classes, Events, and Meetings |
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First Sunday Meditation Group |
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Sunday, Feb. 6, 12:30–1:30 p.m.
Join this monthly congregant-led group for silent meditation on Zoom or in person. After 20 minutes of sitting together in silence we take time to discuss our practices. Join via Zoom here or meet in the Meditation Room after worship.
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Sundays, Feb. 6, March 6, April 3, May 1 & June 5, 1–2:30 p.m. on Zoom
Caring for a family member who needs special care is a demanding and sometimes 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. This group meets on Zoom and is facilitated by Rev. Arif Mamdani. Contact Rev. Arif with questions and for more information.
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Grief Group with Rev. Karen Hutt |
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Sunday, Feb. 13, 4–5:30 p.m. on Zoom (date change and schedule update)
Tending and Mending is a grief group led by Rev. Karen Hutt in which participants are invited to bring their whole selves and whatever grief and loss they're carrying. Join the Zoom room here. Normally a monthly group, this group will meet twice monthly through the remainder of the winter months: Sundays, Feb. 13 and 27, March 13 and 27.
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Daytime Connections:
Honoring Earth and the Food We Love
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Thursday, Feb. 17 at 10 a.m.
Why are growing numbers of people making shifts in the food we eat and the waste we create? Join us in learning and reflecting on the changes and their potential to dramatically improve climate, human, and animal health. Includes mini-presentations and workshops, video clips, a cooking demo, and small group discussion. Led by Betsy Allis, Stan Sattinger, and Velma Wagner from the Environmental Justice Committee’s Food Solutions Team.
An optional soup & salad lunch will be served following the program ($5–$15 sliding scale donation—more if you can; less if you can’t. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.)
Register here and let us know if you'd like to attend in person (and if so, if you plan to stay for lunch) or online.
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Humanism Through Multiple Lenses Class |
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Thursdays, Feb. 24, March 31, April 28, May 26, June 30, and July 28, 6:30–8 p.m.
While UUs often claim a humanist world view, we rarely dive deeply into the histories of humanist thought and vantage points.
In this class, facilitated by Rev. Karen Hutt, we will explore humanist geographies and intellectual histories from Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. We will examine the cultural production of humanism in sports, film, literature and music. Finally, we will analyze humanism in the public arena, private life and in social issues.
This is a survey course that will take a broad view. Future classes will dive deeply into one area of humanism. There will be an expectation that you complete all readings and view videos prior to class to deepen our discussion.
This class meets monthly on the last Thursday of the month, Feb. 24 through July 28, 6:30-8 p.m. on Zoom. Please register to receive the Zoom information. Registration is on a rolling basis. The Zoom info is always the same, so register once and come when you’re able.
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Habitat for Humanity Work Days:
February Cancelled; Sign Up Open for March
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Like our January Habitat for Humanity winter work day, our scheduled February work day has also been cancelled. Our work day scheduled for March 10 in Minneapolis is expected to happen as planned.
Please consider joining in! We’re allowed a maximum of 8 volunteers on site. Volunteers must be at least 16, and 16- and 17-year-olds must be accompanied by an adult. The work day is 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., and we ask that you bring your own sack lunch.
Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity’s current COVID safety protocols require that all volunteers indicate that they have either been vaccinated or have tested negative for COVID-19 within 48 hours of volunteering on site. Masks are required indoors regardless of vaccination status.
Sign up to volunteer by filling out this form.
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Association of Universalist Women Winter Event |
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February Fete with Peg Meier
Saturday, Feb. 26, 1–3 p.m.
Peg Meier, former journalist for the Star Tribune and author of Bring Warm Clothes, will share stories she collected about the women who settled Minnesota.There will be refreshments and the warmth of friendship!
No need to pre-register; just show up at church, or join via Zoom. Attending is FREE for AUW members, $10 for non-members. All people who identify as women, non-binary or gender fluid are welcome.
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Association of Universalist Women Spring Retreat |
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THEME: Resilience, Community and Creativity
WHEN: April 22–25, 2022 (Friday - Monday). There is an option to register for Saturday only and an option to stay over Sunday night.
WHERE: Camp Courage near Annandale – a new venue for us!
WHO: Keynote and ceremonies by Rev. Kelli Clement
Breakout Sessions and Activities: Sky Watch; Stretching; Nature Walk; Meditation; Pilates; Writing; Sexuality Discussion; Sound Healing; Book Discussion; Gender Fluid/Expansive Discussion; Board Games; Movies; Talent Show; Dance Party; Labyrinth; Indoor Pool; Healing Sessions and Massage (extra fee); Crafts.
FOR MORE INFORMATION and REGISTRATION: visit the AUW website
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UUs in 12-Step Recovery
Updated schedule: Sundays at 7 p.m.
Weekly drop-in group for UUs in 12-step based recovery from all kinds of addiction and family dysfunction. Participation is confidential. Join us via Zoom here. (Meeting ID: 922 6965 4151 Passcode: 839388)
12 Step Spirituality - Zoom
Saturdays, 9:30 a.m.
Designed for those actively working a 12-Step program and who want to explore and deepen their spirituality through Centering Prayer. Meeting details available at 12stepspirituality.org
Tending and Mending: Grief Group
Schedule update: Sundays, Feb. 13 & 27, 4–5:30 p.m. on Zoom
Tending and Mending is a grief group led by Rev. Karen Hutt in which participants are invited to bring their whole selves and whatever grief and loss they're carrying. Join the Zoom room here. Normally a monthly group, this group will meet twice monthly through the winter months: Sundays, Feb. 13 and 27, March 13 and 27. Also offered: Sundays, April 17 and May 15.
First Sunday Meditation Group
First Sunday of the month, 12:30–1:30 p.m.
Join this monthly congregant-led group for silent meditation on Zoom or in person. After 20 minutes of sitting together in silence we take time to discuss our practices. Whether or not you have meditated before, you will be welcomed. Join via Zoom here or meet in the Meditation Room after worship.
Weekly Meditation Group
Tuesdays, 9–10:15 a.m. on Zoom
This group plans to begin a multi-platform gathering model when the church reopens. Contact Sara McMullen at saramcminneapolis@gmail.com for Zoom and in-person meeting information.
Chi Gung
Thursday mornings 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Pat,Gottschalk has been leading Chi Gung at First U for over 20 years. Pat leads gentle movements with a focus on harmonizing our personal energies — internal development and peace of mind, not martial arts. Creaky joints, stiff muscles and anxious minds are all welcome. We meet via Zoom until we can meet in person. Contact Judy Broad at jab679@gmail.com for Zoom information.
Poetry Lovers Group
First Thursdays, 7–8:30 p.m.
Reacquaint yourself with poets you love and discover other poets who are new to you while connecting with fellow Poetry Lovers at church. More information.
Association of Universalist Women Happy Hour(s)
Thursdays at 5 and 7 p.m.
Join the 5 p.m. Happy Hour here (Meeting ID: 834 7301 7986; Password: 557571).
Join the 7 p.m. Happy Hour here (Meeting ID: 817 4022 5684; Password: 675052).
Single and Solo Parents and Caregivers Gathering
1st & 3rd Thursdays at 8 p.m.
Parents/guardians who are single and/or co-parenting gather for mutual support and spiritual sustenance. Contact Christy at christine.hd1@gmail.com for more information.
Parents & Caregivers of Babies and Preschoolers
Thursdays, 8:30–9:30 p.m.
Parents/guardians of little ones gather for mutual support and spiritual sustenance. Email Lauren at lauren@firstuniv.org to be connected to the group.
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COVID-19 Safety Measures & Policies |
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Updated December 12, 2021
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Masks are required in the church building for everyone ages 2 and up (accommodation will be made for those unable to tolerate a face covering due to health condition, disability, or behavioral or developmental condition.)
- We ask that you do your best to maintain a distance of at least 3 feet between you and those who are not in your household.
- If you are joining us in person, we expect that everyone who is able/eligible has been vaccinated against COVID-19.
- Staff and volunteers are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
- If you are not feeling well or experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, or if you have been notified of a recent exposure to a confirmed positive case of COVID, we ask that you please stay home—and join us for worship online (or participate in your group/class/event online if that option is available).
- We are asking everyone to sign in when entering the building on Sundays; in the event we are notified of a confirmed case of COVID-19, we will contact those we believe to have been in proximity to the person who tested positive.
- We will not be serving food or beverages indoors on Sunday mornings.
- For now, we will not be singing together in the sanctuary; worship leaders and masked choir members will sing at some services.
- Both services will be streamed to the Cummins Room or Social Hall for those seeking more space, or in case the sanctuary fills.
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We are offering optional Sunday childcare or classes for babies, toddlers and preschoolers, effective Sunday, Dec. 12 (advance registration required).
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Care Resources
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.
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. They call and check-in on folks in the congregation and are here to accompany you longer term if you could use some ongoing support. To connect with a Care Companion (or to become one), contact karen@firstuniv.org
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.
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.
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Weekly Liberal Submissions
We encourage you to submit news!
To do so, fill out our online submission form. Edits for length and/or content may occur. The deadline for submissions is noon on Wednesday the week of publication. The Weekly Liberal is compiled and edited by Communications Manager Jenn Stromberg. Past issues and policies can be found on our website.
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Contact Us
First Universalist Church of Minneapolis
3400 Dupont Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55408
612-825 1701
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