Dear Jenn,

As we turn our attention toward spring and the end of the fiscal year in June, I’m writing to share some contextual information so that, as a congregation, we’re aware of the fundraising schedule through the rest of the fiscal year.

I shared this information at our State of the Church meeting and several members suggested I excerpt it and make it available more generally, so here goes. I know that some of you will likely glaze over and skip to the next article in the Liberal, so here’s my TLDR; version: 

• We’ve raised half of the ambitious $200K fundraising goal we set for this church year – we’ve raised just over $100k, and still have about $100K to raise. PS - You can make a gift toward closing our revenue gap at any time. Please note on that donation form that you’re contributing toward “Close the Gap.” Your generosity is greatly appreciated! 
• Between mid-March and mid-April, we’ll ask you to make a pledge toward the annual operating budget for next year (2023-2024)
• In May and June, we’ll ask you to contribute toward the closing the gap in the current fiscal year (2022-2023)
• Staff are always happy to talk in greater depth about church finances

Fiscal Year at First Universalist:

First Universalist’s fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30. That means that our current fiscal year started July 1, 2022 and will end on June 30, 2023. Every dollar we receive and spend for general operating purposes during that time period is counted within that fiscal year. Note though, that this is a very high-level description. If you’re interested in knowing more details, let me know and I’ll connect you.

The timing of our fiscal year impacts the timing of our fundraising and budget process as follows:

In the spring of each year, we conduct our Annual Giving Campaign, where we ask the congregation to reflect on the place that church has in your life and in the life of the community, and from that place of attention and intention, we invite you to make a gift to the congregation’s general operating fund. This financial contribution supports all of the work of the church: from crayons for our kids to matches to light our chalice, to everything in between (including staffing). If it isn’t a physical object related to the building, or the building itself, it is supported by the generosity of the congregation through gifts to the general operating fund.

This annual campaign happens around March each year and lasts for about a month, and during that time, in a normal year, the staff and lay-leaders of the congregation will hold one to one conversations with a portion of the congregation. We hold these conversations for several reasons: 1) they are an opportunity to invite a portion of the congregation to consider more deeply the place of church in their lives and the impact it has, and 2) from that, consider an increase in their financial commitment to church, and most importantly 3) they are an important community building and connecting opportunity for the congregation. 

We are a large church and these conversations provide a chance for members of the congregation to have spiritually grounded conversations about what matters in their lives with other members of the church. In having these conversations, existing relationships deepen and are strengthened, and new relationships are formed. It is a literal weaving together of the fabric of relationship that makes a congregation whole.

At the conclusion of the annual campaign, the staff works to prepare a budget that advances our mission and goals within the confines of the funds we’ve raised. This creates the church’s revenue and expense projection for the coming fiscal year, which begins July 1. The staff brings a draft budget to the board, and the board and staff then collaborate on refining the budget and readying it to bring to the congregation in May. In May, the board and staff hold Q&A sessions with the congregation where the draft budget is presented for congregational review, questions, and answers. This results in a final budget and budget narrative that describes the financial picture of the year ahead. This final budget and narrative is what the congregation votes on at our Annual Meeting in June, and that budget goes into effect in July.

Fundraising this year:

As you might know, the congregation approved a budget with an ambitious fundraising commitment for this fiscal year. We committed to raise an additional $200K above pledge revenue. As of this month, the congregations’ generosity has been incredible - you’ve raised over half that amount. And, we do have that other half to raise still. Given that, and given that we’re near the spring, I want to provide you with a schedule of fundraising so that you know what to expect and when.

• Feb: No fundraising
• Mid-Mar through mid-April: Invitation to make a pledge toward the annual operating budget of the church for the coming fiscal year (July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024)
• May-June: Fundraising to close any remaining revenue gap in the current fiscal year (July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023)

A note about the word “pledge:”

Over the last several years, the church has encouraged congregants to set up automated, or recurring, gifts through a checking account or credit card, At this point, almost half of our giving happens this way. This is wonderful because it means that the church’s cash flow is more predictable month to month. It also means that when we get to our annual campaign, things are a bit confusing because some of you make an annual pledge and pay it in installments through various means (check, cash, manual credit card transactions, donor advised funds, stock transfers, etc.), while others affirm their current automatic giving or elect to change it in some way. As you can imagine, this complicates messaging significantly! Suffice to say that when you hear us talk about “pledge” in a financial context, we are referring to your annual financial commitment to the congregation, which you might make by actually writing down a pledge on a card, along with how you plan to honor that commitment – but you are just as likely to make that commitment by letting us know we should continue to process your monthly automatic gift. If none of this makes sense, please reach out to me and I’ll connect you with the folks who can answer your questions.

One final note:

We welcome your help and participation in any of these fundraising efforts. If you’d like to make calls or visits to members of the congregation to talk with them about their support of the congregation – we’ve got a great team of people signed up already and your participation would be amazing. We’re providing training and an outline for the conversation, and these conversations are always a connecting and enjoyable experience for all who participate. Let me know if you’d like to be part of this team: arif@firstuniv.org or 612-405-5482.

In faith,

Rev. Arif

Rev. Arif Mamdani

Associate Minister

First Universalist Church of Minneapolis

Intro

Fundraising at First Universalist

Sunday Worship

Sunday, Feb. 26, 9 & 11 a.m.

Happening After Worship

Sunday, Feb. 19 Recording: "Universal-ish"

Cycle of Life

News & Features

Visionary Goals Workshops

Nominating Committee Recruiting for Leadership Positions

New Art Exhibit, "Milestones" by Melodee Strong

Calendar

Young Adults Lunch & Loop

Families of Babies & Preschoolers Meetup

Caregivers Group

Grief Group

Intro to the IDI

BIPOC Book Group

Affiliated Organizations

Some email programs truncate long emails; watch for "message clipped; view entire message" or similar at the bottom of this email if you don't see all contents listed.

Sunday, Feb. 26 — 9 & 11 a.m.

Embodying Belovedness

This Sunday, we close our February worship series on “Commitment” with a focus on what our bodies have to teach us. We will commit to practicing embodying our original Belovedness and also sit with the inevitable vulnerability of bodies– our own and each others’. As a part of these practices, we will also honor the anniversary of Trayvon Martin’s death and the founding of the Movement for Black Lives.

Worship leaders: Rev. Ashley Harness, Rev. Arif Mamdani, and Franco Holder

ORDER OF SERVICE

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

This Sunday, we worship in person at 9 and 11 a.m. Masks are required in the sanctuary for ages 2 and up; please review our Covid-19 Gathering Guidelines. Can you usher or greet? Sign up here!. Please note that Winter Parking Restrictions (single sided parking) are currently in place in Minneapolis.

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

Childcare for Nursery through Pre-K starts at 8:45/10:45 a.m. Registered children and youth in K through 12th grade begin their morning in the sanctuary with their families before being dismissed to Religious Education Classes. All ages are always welcome in the sanctuary! Learn more here.

Young Adults Lunch & Loop

12:15 p.m. meet in the Social Hall then head to Gigi's Cafe

Meet up for social time with other First U young adults. Details & RSVP.

Families of Babies & Preschoolers Meetup

12:30 p.m. in Room 102

Join families of little ones for a casual meet up and playdate. Details & RSVP.

From Sunday, Feb. 19:

"Universal-ish"

You may or may not know that there have been multiple flavors of Universalism, some with caveats or some that were questionable. We can learn a lot about our own flavors of Universalism through the stories from our spiritual ancestors. As First U decides who we become next, it can be helpful to reflect on who we have been. Join us this Sunday for a taste test of vintage Universalisms.



Watch the Feb. 19 service here

Listen to the Feb. 19 podcast 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.

The church's Board of Trustees welcomes the whole church community into the important process of Visionary Goals Planning, charting the future of the church for the next five years and beyond, via a series of upcoming workshops.

Visionary Goals Workshops are an invitation to listen together, not only for who we are as a faith community, but who we are becoming. As a congregation we are in a tender place. Envisioning our future is extremely important communal work that asks us to ground ourselves in our values, open our hearts, call upon our wisest selves, and turn our attention to what is moving within, between and beyond us. The Visionary Goals that come out of this process will guide all the work of the church for at least the next five years.

There are fourteen workshops—11 in person and three on zoom—scheduled now through Thursday, March 16. Please give us the gift of your time and attention as we do this work together.

Sign up for a workshop here.

Free childcare is available when requested a minimum of one week in advance by filling out the form here.

Learn more and watch an Introduction to the Visionary Goals Process here.

At February's Community Dinner, we took time to share and celebrate the variety of ways we volunteer at church. We noticed that at each table, nearly everyone had done something to support this Beloved Community—from leading groups to lending books, from cooking dinners for sick folks to crafting decorations for our sanctuary, from taking care of little ones to making sure everyone receives a warm welcome on a Sunday morning, and so much more. Enjoy these lovely photos of some of the volunteers for whom we gave thanks, and know that the time and talent you've given to your church community is deeply appreciated, too. Together, we give, receive, and grow.

You can see the whole album of photos here.

Submitted by Ray Dillon

The Nominating Committee is now recruiting candidates for leadership positions on the Board of Trustees, the Foundation Board, and the Nominating Committee for the 2023-2024 church year. We invite and encourage members to nominate themselves to serve in one of these roles. Serving on one of these bodies enables you to represent other church members to ensure that the church moves forward in alignment with its visionary goals. Members have unique opportunities to collaborate with our ministers and other lay leaders to advance the church’s mission! Positions are for a three-year term. Below are brief descriptions of the different positions:

Member of the Board of Trustees: Trustees partner with the congregation and professional staff in shaping the vision and long-term goals of the church. They articulate these aspirations through policy and collaborate with the Senior Minister to see they are fulfilled. A fuller description of the position can be found here. 

Member of First Universalist Foundation Board: Board members serve as stewards of the Foundation endowment. They solicit grant applications, review applications, and select grantees to be awarded funding. A fuller description of the position can be found here.

Member of Nominating Committee: Committee members screen and recommend candidates to the congregation for vacant positions on the Board of Trustees, the Foundation Board, and the Nominating Committee. A fuller description of the position can be found here.

Requirements: You must be a member in good standing of the church. Elections occur at the Annual Meeting on Sunday, June 4. Please consider either nominating yourself or encouraging a fellow church member to apply for this important work. 

Applications are due by Friday, March 17, and the application form can be filled out here.

If you have questions or would like more information, please contact Ray Dillon, the Nominating Committee chair, at dillonrueter@usinternet.com 612-759-5295, or contact members of the Nominating Committee: Jim Ramnaraine, Valerie Garber, Evelyn Browne, and Chad Anderson.

Submitted by Bette DeMars

The Visual Arts Team is pleased to provide an exhibit by award-winning artist Melodee Strong. Included in her exhibit are original illustrations from her children’s books which inform children that they are beautiful, brave, creative, friendly, healthy and helpful. Also in Melodee’s exhibit are pieces from the Social Justice Billboard Project at George Floyd Memorial and paintings from her Lineas de Sangre exhibit which examine and reflect her upbringing in Minnesota as a Latina.

Melodee received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design in Illustration and her Masters in Arts Education from the University of Minnesota. Her multifaceted practice as an artist allows her to create using a wide range of materials and techniques, including book illustration, portraiture, community outreach projects, giving attention to diverse cultures, feminism, and social justice. She has completed over 70 mural and large-scale projects in the Twin Cities and Jamaica AND we’re fortunate that she will soon be working with us to create two murals for our sanctuary.

Melodee is currently teaching visual art at Franklin Middle School in Minneapolis and is an adjunct instructor at MCAD, Augsburg, Metro State. She has recently earned The Minneapolis Educator Leadership Award from the Graves Foundation in 2020 and 2022. 



Melodee’s exhibit will be in the Social Hall Universal Gallery February 26–April 9. On March 19, Melodee will be at church from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. This will be an opportunity for you to talk with her about her art and also a chance to purchase additional pieces of her artwork, including her children’s books.

Deepen your connections at church through one or more of the wide variety of opportunities we're offering now through May. Get details about all of our Winter/Spring Programs and register today!

Sunday, Feb. 26, 12:30–2:30 p.m.

RSVP REQUESTED

Meet for one or both: Meet Kelly and David in the social hall after the second service and then head to Gigi’s Cafe together (824 W. 36th St.). After lunch, we’ll go for an outdoor loop (weather dependent) in the neighborhood around church and near Bde Maka Ska.

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 at church and in the community for structured and unstructured conversation, spiritual practice, and activities. Hosted by Kelly Prosen and David Feldmann, First U members

Sunday, Feb. 26, 12:30–2 p.m. in Room 102

RSVP REQUESTED

Join us for a casual meet up and playdate after church. There will be snacks, a craft, and plenty of opportunities to chat with other parents/caregivers while little ones play. Families with babies through preschoolers are invited; older siblings are welcome. Hosted by Hirut Hedge, Spiritual Growth Programs Assistant

Sunday, Feb. 26, 1–2:30 p.m. on Zoom 

REGISTRATION REQUIRED 

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. Facilitated by Rev. Arif Mamdani, Associate Minister

Sunday, Feb. 26, 4–5:30 p.m. on Zoom

REGISTER HERE

A twice-monthly gathering for those who are grappling with the web of feelings associated with loss. A group of souls who share, listen and care. A community interested in exploring new life invitations. Come as you are, when you feel moved to attend. We will be here for you. Facilitator: Rev. Karen Hutt, Community Minister

Sunday, March 5, 7–8 p.m. on Zoom 

(or join the breakout group after the church dinner on March 16)

REGISTRATION REQUIRED FOR MARCH 5

Join us to learn more about the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) as a way for our congregation to engage in deep self-reflection as individuals and within our groups, and understand our capacity to experience and bridge cultural patterns with increasing complexity. 



Facilitated by Martha Moriarty, First U member and IDI Qualified Administrator.

Sundays, March 5, April 2, & May 7, 1–2:30 p.m. at church

RSVP REQUESTED

In this elegant, practical book, Rev. angel Kyodo Williams combines the universal wisdom of Buddhism with an inspirational call for self-acceptance and community empowerment. Written by a woman who grew up facing the challenges that confront African-Americans every day, Being Black teaches us how a “warrior spirit” of truth and responsibility can be developed into the foundation for real happiness and personal transformation. BIPOC church members and friends are invited to join us to talk about the ideas and concepts within, how they do or don’t speak to us, and what they mean for our lives and practices as Unitarian Universalists individually, in the community, and here at church too. The group that met about this book in November decided to keep working with the book, AND to invite more folks to join the conversation. So even if you haven’t opened the book at all, even if you don’t have a copy yet (just request it from Dr. Glen Thomas or Rev. Arif), sign up, and join us on the first Sunday of each month.



Facilitated by Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Director of Worship Arts Ministries, and Rev. Arif Mamdani, Associate Minister

Karen Hering’s new book, Trusting Change: Finding Our Way through Personal and Global Change, has been referenced in our summer services and our recent congregational retreat where Karen spoke. For those interested in this book or the topic of living with change, Karen’s online newsletter, Threshold Times, offers an additional resource. Her monthly reflections on threshold living are posted at karenhering.substack.com, or you can sign up to have them delivered to your email inbox. This month’s reflection is posted here.

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

AUW Spring Retreat – April 28-30, 2023

The theme is Badass Women; it will be held at Camp Courage near Annandale. Registration is open and fees are reduced this year! Go here for more info and to register.

Hiking Group:  Meets most Saturdays at a park or trailhead. For questions, contact Marie Sorenson. February 25, 2pm; previously announced hike at Fort Snelling State Park is cancelled; meet instead at Lake Harriet by the bandshell. There is a pay parking lot, or park on the Parkway. Boots, boot grips or poles all helpful. March 4, 2pm: Roseville Central Park, 2540 Lexington Ave N, Roseville. Be sure to park in the parking lot on Lexington. Meet in parking lot. March 11, 2pm: Veterans Memorial Park. March 18, 2pm: Nine Mile Creek starting at Moir Park. 

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 address to Anne Frenchick. Next date: March 9, 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. This month's book is Search by Michelle Huneven with a meeting on Feb. 27 in person and on Zoom. 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.

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.

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.

Our full updated Covid policies are available here. A summary of updates (as of November 2022) to our masking policy is as follows:

Highlighted Updates: 

• Masks continue to be required in the sanctuary on Sunday mornings and for special services for everyone ages 2 and up 
• Masks are optional in the rest of the building outside of the sanctuary on Sunday mornings/for special services, and at all other times and for all other church activities, when Covid community levels are Low or Medium, with the following exception:
• Masking will be required in classrooms and small groups when a participant reaches out to Lauren Wyeth, Director of Spiritual Growth for All Ages, in advance to make that request. Lauren will hold the name of the person making the request confidential, and will alert the group leader and participants that masks are required for that in person small group or class. 
• When Covid community levels are High, masks are required throughout the whole church building.

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.