Dear Jenn,

Today marks the third anniversary of the killing of George Floyd. As the memories of that day and the nights that followed flow through me, grief and anger, sadness and disappointment rise up. I also remember the power of community, the network of connections that were strengthened and tended, and clarity of purpose I—and so many of us—felt in the days that followed. We mark this time by making room for memory, lament, grief, anger, exhaustion and so many other feelings, and we make room, too, for the power we felt in collective action in the days that followed. If being together in community feels right, I encourage you to attend the George Floyd Global Memorial Rise and Remember events this weekend.

On this particular anniversary, and in this year that marks the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states that “All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law,” I find myself taking stock of what has and has not changed in my life, in our church, and in our society at large in these last three years. 

This is not a process of shaming. Taking stock by naming our values, hopes and aspirations - and then by telling the truth about how things really are—including what we are doing well and where we are falling short—is an essential practice of spiritual living. Perhaps more than any other faith tradition, Unitarian Universalism grounds itself in the realm of action. “Deeds not creeds,” is a generations old way that many UUs have encapsulated our tradition. I like to go a bit farther, and claim that the practice of aligning our actions with our values is the lifelong spiritual practice of Unitarian Universalism. 

Recently, our Creating Beloved Community team listened deeply to our congregation, and has reflected back to us the behaviors or ways of being that each of us can cultivate in our lives and in this community to live into our spiritual values. As a faith tradition committed to journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community, accountably dismantling racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions, we can practice:

• Welcoming all people and greeting them with intention, openness, and acceptance; 
• Worshiping, singing, and playing together; 
• Listening deeply with open minds and hearts;  
• Learning from each other’s experiences; 
• Committing our time and money to the Church and the wider community to achieve together what we cannot do alone; 
• Being present for and bringing joy and love to our interactions and relationships;  
• Expressing humility about how our own needs relate to those of our community; 
• Making space for pain, lament, despair, and hard truths; and  
• Staying at the table in times of conflict, seeking and offering forgiveness.

As you make space to let the memories and feelings sparked by this anniversary flow, I hope that you will find comfort in community and collective care, and I hope that you—and we—will be inspired to continue to close the tragic gap between our collectively stated ideals and actions. Beginning with love for ourselves and each other is an excellent place to start. Leaning into the ways of being that our church community has named as embodiments of our shared values is a great way to continue the lifelong spiritual practice of Unitarian Universalism. 

In gratitude,

Rev. Jen

Rev. Jen Crow

Senior Minister

First Universalist Church of Minneapolis

Intro

Living Our Values

Sunday Worship

Sunday, May 28, 10 a.m.: "Hear the Earth Call: A New American Humanism"

Sunday, May 21 Recording: "Youth Sunday"

Cycle of Life

News & Features

Save the Date: Annual Meeting

Summer Programs

Inviting Worship Associate Applications

Summer Sundays for Kids

Soup Cook-Off Postponed

Calendar

May Board Meeting

BIPOC Dinner Church

"No More Police" Book Group

Young Adults Board Games

Sanctuary Mural Image Ideas Brainstorm Session

Community Events & Affiliated Organizations:

AUW, MUUSJA, 12-Step Spirituality

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Sunday, May 28 — 10 a.m.

"Hear the Earth Call:

A New American Humanism"

Summer Sundays have begun! Join us for a single worship service—in-person and online—at 10 a.m.

Our humanist roots encourage us to believe in “the common good” as reliably universal—a value that, deep down inside, we all share. What do we do when our experiences of life challenge this idea? The humanist influences of our faith date back centuries to African, Chinese, South Asian and European philosophers. But what kind of humanism do we need in America today? 

Worship leaders: Rev. Karen Hutt, Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Lóre Stevens, and Franco Holder



ORDER OF SERVICE

IN PERSON AT 10 A.M. (masks welcome but not required)

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

ONLINE AT 10 A.M.

This service is live-streamed at 10 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 for Nursery through Pre-K starts at 9:45 a.m. This is a multigenerational service; Kindergarteners and up join their families in the sanctuary for the whole service. All ages are always welcome in the sanctuary. Learn more here.

Sunday, May 21: Youth Sunday

In our annual beloved Youth Sunday worship, our senior high youth offer a story, music, and reflections on our worship theme of "Carry the Flame." The service includes a Bridging Ritual to honor our graduating seniors, marking the end of their time as First Universalist youth and welcoming them into young adulthood in our church. Youth Sunday is a moving expression of our vibrant multigenerational religious community that you won't want to miss.



Watch the May 21 service here

Podcast Archive | Recording Archive 

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.

Save the date for our Annual Meeting of the Membership, which will be held on Sunday, June 11 from noon to 1:30 p.m. We encourage members to join us in person, but a meeting-mode Zoom option will also be available for those who need or prefer it.

Please watch for details and registration information next week.

As a reminder, to be considered a "voting member" (a member in good standing) you must have officially joined the church and either have made a gift to the church's annual operating fund during the current fiscal year (July 1, 2022–June 30, 2023) or have a pledge on record for the 2023–24 fiscal year. If you haven't yet let us know your giving plans for the coming year, please help us out by doing so now! Learn more here.

If you are unsure of your status as a voting member, please reach out to Liz Farmer, Coordinator of Membership and Congregational Connections, at liz@firstuniv.org.

Deepen your connections at church as well as your spiritual practices this summer! Our Summer Program Guide [pdf] with all of our newly-announced programs is now available online! You can also pick up a printed copy at church, or view the information as plain text on our website here.

Here's an overview of our summer program offerings:

FELLOWSHIP & COMMUNITY

Summer Sunday Kickoff, Blessing of the Wheels, Community Cookouts, Open Eye Theatre Driveway Tour, and more!

DREAMING LIBERATION BOOK GROUPS

"No More Police" (for adults) and "Rust in the Root" (for teens & young adults)

SPIRITUAL PRACTICE

Daily nature sit, body prayer practices, and joy-spotting

CHILDREN & YOUTH

Summer Camp!

YOUNG ADULTS

A variety of social activities and ways to be involved

VISUAL ARTS

Mural brainstorming with Melodee Strong

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE TEAM OFFERINGS

A variety of outdoor activities and events hosted at places across the Twin Cities

VISITORS & NEWCOMERS/NEW-ISH FOLKS

A Place to Start, Newcomers Circle, and Membership Classes

A note from Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout:

I’m excited to invite you to consider applying to become a worship associate here at First Universalist, as we at once re-start a once vibrant program here and create its new place in our community from the ground up.

Worship associates are members of our community who serve as worship leaders with our current worship team. Associates participate in selecting worship themes throughout the year. They each contribute to the planning of worship services, having a voice in shaping what the community experiences together on Sunday mornings. Associates prepare words for different elements of worship and lead the congregation in service 2–4 times a year. They join the worship team in reflecting on what’s going well in our services and what ought to be improved. 

The term "worship associates" was developed at Oakland. The program was begun by Rev. Robert Eller-Isaacs, who was later joined by his wife Janne in co-ministry. The church formally adopted the program in 1988. 

"The sharing of power by the clergy and sharing the benefits of participation in the active ministry of the church is the real gift Unitarian Universalism has to offer its people," said Eller-Isaacs.

Here’s what former worship associates at First Universalist have said about the program:

“I have been speaking in public since I was 12 years old. I do it professionally. But it was always about someone or something else. Being a Worship Associate has given me a chance to speak my truth, to be vulnerable, and to share my heart.” – Ginger Murphrey

“More than anything else I’ve done at First Universalist, being part of the Worship Associates team made me feel a part of this church.” – Marion Dane Bauer

“The worship associate circle expanded my soul in ways that I could not have imagined. Gathering with such a wonderful group has made me feel more connected to the church.” – Benjamin Miles

Before the beginning of the church year, worship associates come together to get to know the worship planning and leadership process here at First Universalist, and to train in important skills like what makes a great worship theme, speaking in public, and writing for worship. Along the way of their terms of service, worship associates will work closely with me (as well as with our ministers leading worship), receiving feedback to encourage and strengthen their worship leading technique and help them to become steadily more comfortable and proficient on the chancel. 

Worship associates are a vital part of how the community helps to build its own worship experience. Associates are valued members of the worship team and leaders in the community. They represent our community’s diversity of age, race, socio-economic background, spiritual perspective, culture. Still, the team will be united by a common love for our community, an investment in its worship, and an earnest desire to help build it up. 

If you’re interested in becoming a worship associate here, I invite your application to the program for the coming year. Applications are being accepted now through June 14, 2023, with our initial gathering to happen in July. 

No need to register for summer in advance—join us! 

Teens and babies under 6 months attend the worship service with their families. Younger kids are always welcome in the sanctuary, too, if they'd prefer to stay with their grownups.

Childcare for younger kids opens at 9:45 a.m. Drop off younger children in their classrooms on the lower level of the Religious Education wing before the service. Pick up from 11-11:10 a.m.

• Room 104: Nursery–Preschool, ages 6 months through 3 years, are cared for by attentive, loving youth and adult staff in a safe, bright and cheerful space.
• Room 102: Young Children, ages 3–7 years, gather for story time and creative play. Families of 5–7 year olds may choose to place them in the older age grouping, according to their child's interests and needs.

Elementary-Age Kids, ages 5–12 years, begin their Sunday morning in the sanctuary with their families. Sign them in at the table in the atrium on your way to worship. They will be excused partway through the service and staff will meet them by the doors as they exit the sanctuary. We’ll head out for crafts, games and active play on the playground and in the Cummins Room. Pick them up after the service, by 11:15 a.m. at the latest.

EXCEPTIONS: Five Sundays this summer are multigenerational worship services. On those Sundays, childcare is available for nursery through preschool (6 months to 3 years) only, while all other ages join their families in the sanctuary for worship. Those Sundays are: Memorial Day weekend (May 28), Flower Communion (June 4), Fourth of July weekend (July 2), Backpack Blessing (Aug. 27), and Labor Day weekend (Sept. 3).

You've got extra time to perfect your secret soup recipe! Due to volunteer availability and program schedules, the soup cook off, which had been scheduled for June 4, has been postponed. We'll look forward to enjoying the flavors, community, and prizes this fall. 

- the Soup Cook Off Team: Jennifer Hains, Carol Jackson, Maria Kaefer, and Liz Farmer 

Thursday, May 25, 6:30–9 p.m. in person & on Zoom

The First Universalist Board of Trustees will meet on Thursday, May 25, in person and on Zoom. The board's meeting packet, which includes zoom information, is available here.

Saturday, June 3, 1–3 p.m. at Powderhorn Park,

Tuesday, July 11, 4–6 p.m. under the First U tent,

and/or Tuesday, Aug. 1, 4–6 p.m. on Zoom  

REGISTER HERE



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. Join for as many as you can! Co-facilitated by Denise Konen and Rev. Ashley Harness 

Sunday, June 4, noon–2 p.m. at church

RSVP requested

Young adults are invited to gather for an afternoon of games and friendly competition after worship. We’ll have some games to get us started. Bring a favorite game to teach if you’d like, and a lunch item or snack to share. Hosted by Libby Crawford, First U community member

Young Adults are folks in their 20s and 30s in varying social/cultural life stages. We are in school, job-searching and working, single, married, partnered and dating, with kids and without, newly moved to the area and longtime residents. We gather about twice a month for structured and unstructured conversation, spiritual practice, and activities.

Saturday, June 10, 10 a.m.–noon in the Cummins Room

Mural artist Melodee Strong has lots of experience listening to ideas and expanding them into images. You're invited to an image brainstorming session with the artist on Saturday, June 10 at church. After meeting with us, Melodee will provide approval sketches before actually painting the two vertical canvas murals. Those murals will hang in the sanctuary each Sunday for several months, so it’s important for us to create something which represents our congregation and we’re proud to display.

Join us with your ideas…Everyone is welcome! Unable to attend the session? Send ideas by June 1 to Bette DeMars jbdemars2@gmail.com

The colorful mural pictured above, located in Tartan High School in Oakdale, Minn., is one of many collaborative murals that artist Melodee Strong has created.

Thursday, May 25

Board of Trustees Meeting

Sunday, May 28

Grief Group

Wednesday, May 31

BIPOC Dinner Church

Saturday, June 3

"No More Police" Book Group (session 1 meets at Powderhorn Park)

Sunday, June 4

Flower Communion worship

A Place to Start

Young Adults Board Games Afternoon

Sunday, June 11

Summer Sunday Kickoff

Annual Meeting of the Membership

Sunday, June 18

A Place to Start

Wednesday, June 21

Newcomers Circle Begins

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. For questions, contact Marie Sorenson. May 27, 10 a.m. Normandale Lake. Bloomington. 84th and Chalet Road. There is a big parking area if you continue down Chalet Road. Meet by Normandale Lake sign by Lake. There are some office buildings part of way around lake, but also a small waterfall. 1.9 mile loop, you can’t get lost. June 3: Plan to attend 2023 AUW Annual Meeting at First U from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. We could take a hike if anyone wants to at 2 p.m. after the Annual Meeting. Marie will be going to the meeting first. June 10, 10 a.m. Bredesen Park. 5901 Olinger Blvd, Edina. Parking lot at south end of park. Nice trail through some trees. 

Game Group: Meets at the church on the second Thursday of the month to play board games and socialize. Request an invitation to our next meeting and be added to our email list by sending your name and email to Anne Frenchick. Next date: June 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 invitation to our next meeting and be added to our email list by sending your name and email address to Abbie Finger.

MN UU Social Justice Alliance News & Resources: Remembering George Floyd, Gathering at the Headwaters, & Meeting with the MN Queer Caucus Legislators. View details here.

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.



After careful consideration of local and national health guidelines, which have continued to evolve over the past year, and ongoing monitoring of COVID levels in Hennepin County, we have updated our COVID Community Care Policies, as of Sunday, May 21:

• Masking will be welcome, but not required, inside the church 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 those levels are High.
• High quality KN95/N95 masks will be 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 will continue to offer online and multi-platform opportunities for spiritual growth, and will continue to focus resources on further 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. 

We welcome your feedback as we continue to navigate new times and circumstances together, committed to caring for each other and our larger community with love.

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.