Dear ones,
My morning practice brought to me words that seemed to speak to this day and the condition we find ourselves in, so I offer them here:
Wake up early, before the lights come on
in the houses on a street that was once
a farmer’s field at the edge of a marsh.
Wander from room to room, hoping to find
words that could be enough to keep the soul
alive, words that might be useful or kind
in a world that is more wasteful and cruel
every day. Remind us that we are
like grass that fades, fleeting clouds in the sky,
and then give us just one of those moments
when we were paying attention, when we gave
up everything to see the world in
a grain of sand or to behold
a rainbow in the sky, the heart
leaping up.
("What to Do" by Joyce Sutphen)
These words that remind us of the fleetingness of life and a world more “wasteful and cruel every day” struck me as speaking right into my heart this morning, days after yet another horrifying and unthinkable tragedy, a mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, an unthinkable horror that has become all too common in our country.
The poet’s direction: that we search for ways to keep the soul alive, that we seek just enough presence to remember the implausible audacity and wonder of our lives and the beauty of this world, even in the face of the violence, waste, and cruelty—that injunction struck me as not unlike the reason I pray. As I noted in an introduction to prayer some weeks ago, we pray not to change the world, but rather to steady and reaffirm who we are in the face of this paradoxical life. Waste and cruelty, breathtaking beauty and radiance, both present.
Congregation, it is true that no amount of beauty or noticing of beauty will change what has happened this week, or what happened in the weeks before. Our country, and in truth our world, much of it, is deep in a politics and culture of waste and cruelty, domination and control. As religious people, our faith calls us to not look away, to fully perceive the reality of the world, and to then engage the world with the simple affirmation of our minister emeritus Rev. Cummins, who said “I am here, I will do what I can.”
So dear ones, I invite you to join me this day in prayer that we might steady ourselves and find together the radiance and love that animates our lives, and centered in that fierce love of the world and its possibility, lend what strength we have to bending the moral arc of this world toward more love, more justice, more truth, more care.
Each of us will find a different way here. In truth, there are more ways to bend the arc toward justice than there are stars in the sky. Every moment of our lives can be an affirmation of what we value most. But if you’re looking for a next step in the face of ever-present gun violence, let me suggest this:
Make some calls to your elected officials, today, and every day. Make this a spiritual practice and a sacrament of your commitment. When I worked in the world of organizing and politics, I learned that “hard contacts” like an in-person visit or a phone call (or letter for that matter), mean more to our elected officials than almost any other kind of contact. So pick up the phone and let your senators and representatives know what you think. You can look up their numbers here.
And if you need it, here’s a simple process and practice for making these calls:
- Take 3 deep breaths as we do on Sunday mornings, and with each breath, remind yourself what you are making these calls for, hold in your heart a vision of the world you’re working to create.
- Pick up the phone and place your call. Tell the staffer that answers why you’re calling. You might want to encourage your representative to ban assault weapons, or pass legislation requiring strict background checks. You might want to express your outrage and heartbreak at the recent mass shootings. You might want to thank them for their past efforts and ask how you can help them to do more. Allow your vision and commitment to flow through you. You will find the right words. Also, you might feel awkward doing this. That’s ok. Remember that the person who answers the phone wants to hear from you, as do your elected officials.
- After your calls to your senators and representatives, take 3 more deep breaths. See if you’re called to do more, and what that more might be.
As a church, we are continuing to build our capacity for rapid response, so please stay in touch with us and your circles in the congregation. Above all else, may we be centered in our vision of the world that could be. A world where the light in each human heart is protected, nurtured, and loved, a world where the politics of domination and control is a story we tell about the past, a world where our sense of who and whose we are is ever expanding.
In faith,
Rev. Arif
Rev. Arif Mamdani
Associate Minister
First Universalist Church of Minneapolis
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Learning to say good goodbyes and welcome each other in with warm hellos are fundamental spiritual practices in our Universalist faith of love and hope. Just as we know the cycles of life and death, birth and renewal, hello and goodbye in our individual and interconnected larger life—so we know these rhythms in our church community. As our church year began, our congregation welcomed Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout as our Director of Worship Life, and as this church year closes, we will say goodbye to Julica Hermann de la Fuente as our Director of Liberation and Transformation Ministries.
For the last two years, First Universalist and Julica have been engaged in an experiment together. Would it be possible for Julica to be employed by First Universalist—offering her gifts to our congregational life while continuing to coach and consult with us—while continuing her coaching and consulting work with other clergy and congregations in the larger Unitarian Universalist Association? We hoped the answer would be yes, and for the last two years, we’ve worked together to make this hope a reality.
Over the last several months, it has become clear that despite all of our best efforts, our shared experiment was not working. It’s hard (and maybe impossible) to split your time and attention between internal congregational work and external coaching and consulting work—especially if part of this external work involves generating your own business. It’s hard (and maybe impossible) to coach and provide consulting to an organization that you are a part of. It’s hard (and I hope not impossible) to run a financially sustainable coaching and consulting ministry to clergy and congregations that are struggling financially post-pandemic. And amidst all of these challenges, another truth was emerging, too: even with all of her love for us and her dedication to our congregation’s mission, Julica’s calling is not to ministry in a congregation.
With all of this learning and information, we made the decision to end the experiment that has been Julica’s position at First Universalist for the last two years. We are sad and disappointed, and we wish things had turned out differently. And we are forever grateful for Julica’s ministry among us: supporting our Board and Change Team, our staff and Faithful Action Council, our Environmental Justice and Sanctuary and Resistance Teams. We’ve all learned from Julica’s teaching and preaching and facilitation, and we are changed by her time with us. That’s the thing about relationships of depth—even when the person is gone, the love and the learning remain.
Julica will be wrapping up her congregational work at First Universalist over the next week and a half, and we’ll say goodbye to her as a congregation on Sunday, June 5. In the months of June, July, and August, Julica will complete a few remaining projects for First Universalist and will continue her coaching and consulting work with other clergy and congregations. Her employment with us at First Universalist will end on August 31, or sooner if another position emerges as the right next thing prior to that time.
Our hope—and our commitment—is that the joy and effort of transformation and liberation will continue as we say a good goodbye to Julica, and that each of us will take time to name and share our gratitude for her time with us.
In faith,
Rev. Jen
Rev. Jen Crow
Senior Minister
First Universalist Church of Minneapolis
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Worship
Sunday, May 29, 10 a.m.
Recent Podcasts & Recordings
May 22 Cycle of Life
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News & Features
Invitation from the Sanctuary & Resistance Team
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Happenings
May Board Meeting
Annual Meeting
Electric Saturday
Summer Sign Up Sunday
Abortion & Reproductive Healthcare Small Group
Ongoing Gatherings
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Sunday, May 29 — 10 a.m.
"Woven in a Single Garment of Destiny"
We’re all connected: an interdependent whole. Therefore, says Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray, “covenant is our religious response to our fundamental interdependence.” We make promises about how to be together, and how to be in the world. We also fall short of honoring those promises, inviting us to repair and strengthen the strands of community. The choice to mend broken strands of the web is an act of faithfulness.
Join us Sunday, May 29, as we gather for one service at 10 a.m., in person and online, and welcome UUA President Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray and others as they lead worship through a recently released recorded worship service on covenant and repair. Rev. Jen Crow will gather with those who would like to be in the sanctuary; the worship service will be shown in the sanctuary at 10 a.m., and live streamed then as well.
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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.
ONLINE AT 10 A.M.
CHILDREN & YOUTH
Religious Education classes are on summer break. This Sunday there is childcare available for ages 6 months through 3 years.
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May 22: Youth Sunday
In our beloved annual Youth Sunday worship, our senior high youth offer a story, music, and reflections on our worship theme of "Who tells your story?" 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. W atch the recording.
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We hold Earl Stanhope in our hearts as he recovers from a car accident last Friday. He appreciates our prayers and messages of care and support.
We hold Christine Taylor-Rodgers and her family as their grieve the death of Christine’s son Samuel. Samuel’s death was unexpected and we hold the family in our love during this complicated and tender time.
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Invitation from the Sanctuary & Resistance Team |
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The immigration system in the United States is inhumane as it criminalizes migration, separates families, and incarcerates people in the detention jails. Save the date and join ICOM (Interfaith Coalition on Immigration), First Universalist Church Sanctuary and Resistance, MUUSJA and other partners, to continue to build the interconnected web and movement to choose the path to resist against the injustice of this destructive system.
Vigil at the Whipple Building
Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022
7:30 – 8:30 a.m.
You are also invited to join the emerging planning group for this vigil that will grow our interconnected web among UU congregations, impacted immigrant partners and organizations.
Vigil Organizing Meeting
Tuesday, June 7, 2022
6 – 8 p.m.
Join Zoom Meeting:
Meeting ID: 896 2871 0471
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Programs, Classes, Events, and Meetings |
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Thursday, May 26, 6:30 p.m. on Zoom
The May meeting of the First Universalist Church Board of Trustees took place this evening, Thursday, May 26. The Board usually meets the third Thursday of most months at 6:30 p.m. Information about the May Board meeting, including the Board packet, is available here. |
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Annual Meeting of the Membership |
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Sunday, June 5, noon–1:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary & on Zoom
The Annual Meeting of the Membership will take place on Sunday, June 5 at noon. Please mark your calendar and watch for the formal announcement with complete details by email this weekend!
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Saturday, June 4, 9 a.m.–noon
Church members show off their electric cars! The First Universalist Environmental Justice Team invites you to Electric Saturday, showcasing over 15 Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Plug in Hybrid Electric Vehicles, most owned by members of our church community. Owners will be available throughout the morning to answer all of your questions about owning electric cars.
Electric bikes owners will also be displaying their e-bikes and answering questions.
Check out e-mowers and snow blowers too!
Information from Xcel Energy on their EV charging programs will be available. Climate organizations will also be sharing renewable energy resources and advocacy opportunities. Brian Anderson from Let’s Go Zero Carbon, will make presentations throughout the morning about buying, charging, and living with electric vehicles.
Curious about electric vehicles? Stop by anytime between 9am and noon on Saturday, June 4. If you have questions, or to show your EV or e-bike, contact Lane Ayres at lanebfa@gmail.com
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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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Sharing Stories of Abortion & Reproductive Healthcare |
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Abortion & Reproductive Healthcare Experiences Small Group Spiritual Direction
Sundays, June 12, 19 & 26, 11:15 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. in person at church
The recent news leak of SCOTUS overturning Roe and Casey rulings has, for many, come with a sense of loss, grief, anger, feeling dismissed and other complex emotions. As we anticipate the formal ruling from the high court coming sometime this Summer, 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.
Small group spiritual direction is a structured model for engaging the spiritual practice of deep listening. Participants will be invited to listen to group members’ stories of abortion and/or reproductive healthcare access, and to share their own story. Your story may be a recent one or years old. Participating in the offering and receiving of spiritual care through deep listening can be a vital part of holding our life experiences in a sustainable way. Participants in spiritual direction groups often find that the group experience does two things: hearing our stories can help us understand our stories in the context of our lives, and sharing our stories in spiritual direction can help us to hear more clearly the movement in our lives of god/spirit/that which is greater than us. In other words, the group is a space where we experience more clearly what the little acorn told us: we are that.
This newly formed Abortion and Reproductive Healthcare Experiences spiritual direction small group will meet for three sessions on Sundays, June 12, 19, and 26 after church service from 11:15 a.m.–12:45 p.m. This group will meet at church in person. Participants must commit to attending all sessions.
If you are interested or have questions, please reach out to Katherine Harrell at 214-683-7035 or KAHarrell08@gmail.com.
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Grief Group
Every other Sunday, 4–5:30 p.m. on Zoom (May 22...)
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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