Image text reads: "Building community is to the collective as spiritual practice is to the individual.”
- Grace Lee Boggs
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Build Community & Tend to Your Spirit
at Church this Summer
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Dear ones,
Welcome to summer at First Universalist! In the months to come, you (yes, you!) are invited into the collective practice of building community. Spiritual growth and healing don’t happen in isolation. Our spirits are soothed, stretched and strengthened through our interactions with one another.
Perhaps your spirit is tender and you’re feeling fragile. There is a gentle community for you here. Consider one of the pastoral/community care offerings, a reconnection circle, or another invitation that might soothe your sore spots.
Maybe you crave a dose of joy and energy. There are opportunities here at church to gather in larger groups, to sing together, to break bread, to find others in a similar stage of life seeking connections, just as you are.
Maybe your body needs to move, your hands want to help, or your mind seeks stimulation. There are all kinds of ways to expand and grow, to explore your church and transform yourself, to join with others to be the change you wish to seed in the world.
You can find details about all of our summer offerings here. And, I'd like to highlight a few opportunities that are coming up very soon:
This is why we gather in religious community: to bind ourselves back together, to mend, connect and build, to transform and liberate and be liberated. We cannot do it alone. Come, build community and tend to your spirit with us at church this summer.
In faith,
Lauren
Lauren Wyeth
Director of Spiritual Growth for All Ages
First Universalist Church of Minneapolis
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Worship
Sunday, June 12, 10 a.m.
Summer Sundays for Children & Youth
Sunday Recordings
Cycle of Life
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News & Features
Blessing of the Wheels & Group Ride
Summer Sign Up Sunday
New Photo Exhibit
Foundation Grants
Joyce Food Shelf
Lost & Found
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Happenings
Food & Fellowship for BIPOC Folks & Multiracial Families
Community Sing
Moving, Breathing & Writing Through Grief
Abortion & Reproductive Healthcare Small Group
Chalice & Adventure Camps
Ongoing Gatherings
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Sunday, June 12 — 10 a.m.
"The Bigger Story: A Celebration in Song and Poetry"
Choir-led Worship this Sunday
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On Sunday, June 12, our choir and orchestra will take us on a journey that’s both deep and wide. We’ll celebrate the human spirit as it moves through struggle and sadness to healing and hope. It’s a journey of discovery, it’s a story of resilience, and it’s an offering to (and from) our community of faith. Please join us!
Worship leaders: Rev. Kate Tucker, Franco Holder, Dr. Randy Buikema, and the First Universalist Choir & Orchestra
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IN PERSON AT 10 A.M.
In person worship over the summer months is offered as a single service at 10 a.m. You can review our current COVID-19 policies for gathering here.
ONLINE AT 10 A.M.
CHILDREN & YOUTH
You can find information about Summer Sundays for children and youth here. |
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Summer Sundays for Children & Youth |
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Summer Sundays are a time for fun for the younger ones at church! No need to register for summer in advance—please join us! The worship service starts at 10 a.m. and people of all ages are welcome every Sunday. Plan to arrive at 9:45 a.m. to sign children into childcare and classrooms.
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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.
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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.
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Elementary-Age Kids, ages 5-12 years, gather for crafts, games and active outdoor play on the playground and under the big tent.
Teens and babies under 6 months are invited to attend the worship service with their families. Younger kids are always welcome in the sanctuary, too.
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June 5: Flower Communion
99 years ago, almost to the day, Rev. Norbert Capek led the first Flower Communion ritual. He developed it then, and we observe it today, as a ritual of giving and receiving, of connecting with the beauty in each of us, and the bigger story of that beauty when we come together in community, in fellowship, and in the spirit of love that is this church. For our Flower Communion ritual, those who joined us in person brought a flower to share, and there's a special invitation for those who join us online. Enjoy music from Dean Magraw and his band, and special guest vocalist, Thomasina Petrus. Watch the recording.
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Sunday, June 5 Cycle of Life |
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We hold Peter Elwell in our hearts as he and his family mourn the death of Peter’s Uncle, John Becher, who passed earlier this year. He was a gentle spirit and Peter has fond memories of sitting at his grandfather’s dining room table playing board games with him for hours. May this and other memories be a blessing and may they help to ease the grief that always accompanies loss.
We hold John DeMars in our hearts as he and his family mourn the death of John’s father, Joseph who died May 26 in Battle Lake, MN after 99 years of a full and well lived life. Joe began his career as a teacher and then became a psychologist. He nurtured and gave guidance to many young individuals with an open and liberal spirit. We hold John and Bette in our hearts as well as all those whose lives Joseph touched.
Our thoughts are with Jessy and Amy Conners and their children, Maya, Ben and Leo, on the death of Jessy's sister, Danni Toth yesterday. Loving mother, friend, daughter, sister, and aunt - Danni's resilience and strength shifted cycles of hardship in her early life into a family filled with love and care. Our thoughts are with her children and the whole family as they grieve.
And we celebrate with Jeff Narr and Jessica Lyons and big sister Jules the birth of one more redeemer! Josephine Claire was born on May 26. All are healthy and doing well.
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.
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Blessing of the Wheels & Group Bike Ride
this Sunday, June 12
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After the service this Sunday, June 12, we’ll gather under the tent in the parking lot for a short Blessing of the Wheels at 11:30 a.m.
Together, we’ll celebrate summer – with its sunshine, ice-free sidewalks and open paths – and the bikes, trikes, scooters, wheelchairs, skateboards and all-things-wheeled we depend on and enjoy. Bring your wheels for a blessing, and leave with a smile on your face and a blessing card in your spokes.
An optional, family-friendly group bike ride (with snacks!) heads out from the parking lot at noon.
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Sunday, June 12, 11 a.m. – 12 noon
What are you longing for? Friendship? Service? Direct Action?
Come learn about the many church groups and teams meeting at First U this summer. Members from each group will be excited to chat with you about what they’ve got going on and how you can join them. Whether you are seeking connection with congregants in small groups, wanting to volunteer in the church, or be active on the housing, environmental, immigration, or racial justice teams, there is something for everyone! Join us in the social hall after the service on Sunday, June 12.
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"Connections to the Natural World" Photo Exhibit |
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Our Social Hall is now filled with a variety of nature images which congregants submitted to the Environmental Justice Team. Be sure to stop by to see the photos that will be on display in the gallery throughout the summer. You might also want to consider purchasing one of the photos since profits will help support Environmental Justice work of our church |
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First Universalist Foundation Grants Awarded |
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Submitted by Janet Merrill, 2021-22 Foundation Board Chair
The Foundation Board is pleased to announce the 2022 grants as follows:
1. $15,000 Latino Youth Development Collaborative
2. $15,000 MN Immigrant rights Actions Committee
3. $15,000 MN Renewable Now
4. $5,000 Exposed Brick Theater
5. $5,000 Relationships Evolving
6. $5,000 Oyate Avenue Project
7. $7,500 Closeknit
8. $7,500 Hopewell Music Cooperative Project
9. $15,000 DuNord Foundation Community Market
The First Universalist Foundation uses an endowment made possible from the sale of the Unity Settlement House, which held programs going back to 1901. The Foundation strives to continue serving disenfranchised communities through money grants to support emerging leaders, youth, and other communities working on unmet needs.
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Collecting Items for Joyce Food Shelf |
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We are retuning to the ministry of donating food to Joyce Food Shelf. They are right here in Uptown, and their mission is: to distribute food to those in need, with respect and dignity. We stand with everyone seeking to root out the injustices within our current systems and support full equity for all people.
Please bring nonperishable food and household supplies to the shelves in the church lobby near the large Dupont doors. The greatest need right now is for diapers, wipes and ramen.
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Lost & Found: Are You Missing Something? |
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The lost and found cabinet in the lower narthex coat closet has recently been emptied and items will be donated or discarded after June 15. If you think you might have lost something, contact Jim Poulter before June 15!
We have a separate lost and found bin in the church office for smaller and more valuable items such as jewelry and electronics. If you're missing something smaller/more valuable that you might have left at church, please call the church office with a description of the item you lost: 612-825-1701.
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Programs, Classes, Events, and Meetings |
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Abortion & Reproductive Healthcare Experiences Group |
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Sundays, June 12, 19 & 26, 11:15 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. at church
The recent news leak of SCOTUS overturning Roe and Casey rulings has, for many, come with a sense of grief, anger, and other complex emotions. As we anticipate the formal ruling from the high court, we know that drawing deeper into community can support our practice of staying compassionate in the midst of suffering and injustice. If you have a personal experience of abortion or reproductive healthcare, and would like to gather with the intention to listen to truth unveil and to speak your story in community, we hope you will join us in this small group.
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Food & Fellowship for BIPOC Folks and Multiracial Families |
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Wednesdays, June 15 & Aug. 10, 5–7 p.m., Cummins Room
BIPOC congregants of all ages—and our household family members of all racial identities—are invited for a time of joy and fellowship. We’ll light a chalice, break bread, lift our voices in song, and build our connections and community. Everyone, from the newest to the eldest, is joyfully welcomed, and all dietary needs can be accommodated.
Facilitators: Rev. Arif Mamdani, Associate Minister and Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Director of Worship Arts Ministries
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Wednesday, June 15, 7–8 p.m. in the Social Hall
Join in an hour of summer singing with Glen Thomas! We’re getting together for the joy of making music in community, and your voice couldn’t be more welcome. No experience or preparation needed. Masks are required. Facilitator: Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Director of Worship Arts Ministries
This is the first of three Community Sing opportunities at church this summer.
Sign-ups are helpful, but not required.
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Moving, Breathing, and Writing Through Grief |
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Wednesdays, June 15, 22, 29 & July 6, 5:30–7 p.m. at church
In this series of four 90-minute sessions, we’ll care for our bodies with gentle movement* and breath work followed by a period of writing from a prompt focused on an aspect of grief. Facilitated by Dallas Rising, a yoga instructor who specializes in somatic grief work and a First Universalist church member. Participants should plan to bring a yoga mat, a journal or notebook, and a pen. If you do not have a yoga mat, please let us know and we will arrange to have one available for you. This experience will be best suited for people who are grieving the death of a loved one, though it doesn’t matter if the loss is recent or not. *Movement is standing, seated in a chair or on the floor, and reclining on the floor. If you would like to participate and mobility is a concern, please be in touch.
Registration is required and space is limited.
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Chalice Camp & Adventure Camp! |
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Tuesday, July 5–Friday, July 8, 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m. at church.
Chalice Campers (1st–5th graders) have a full morning, with active games, a children’s chapel with stories and singing, and small group activities. After lunch, Chalice Campers play outside or head to a local park, then return for a closing meeting and choice activities at church.
Adventure Campers (6th–8th graders) spend the morning in team building activities including games and cooking. They might share lunch at church or out in the world. Their week will include three fun field trips, such as heading to a lake, water park, or movie for the afternoon.
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Grief Group
Every other Sunday, 4–5:30 p.m. on Zoom (June 19, July 10, July 24...)
Participants are invited to bring their whole selves and whatever grief they may be carrying. Through sharing, silence, ritual, and reflection, we offer each other support and companionship. Join via Zoom here.
UUs in 12-Step Recovery
Sundays at 7 p.m.
Weekly confidential drop-in group for UUs in 12-step based recovery from all kinds of addiction & family dysfunction. Join via Zoom. (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: 12stepspirituality.org
Weekly Meditation Group (multi-platform)
Tuesdays, 9–10:15 a.m. on Zoom and in Room 209 at church
Chi Gung
Thursday mornings 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Zoom
Pat,Gottschalk leads gentle movements with a focus on harmonizing our personal energies. Contact Judy Broad at jab679@gmail.com for Zoom information.
Association of Universalist Women Happy Hour
Thursdays at 7 p.m.
Join the 7 p.m. Happy Hour here (Meeting ID: 817 4022 5684; Password: 675052).
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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Our COVID policies were last updated on May 9, 2022. You can read the latest policies here.
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Church Office Open Hours
The church office is open on Wednesdays, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. and by appointment on other days of the week.
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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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