Dear Jenn,

Learning how to say goodbye is essential and unavoidable spiritual work. We share in this spiritual practice again and again in our church community, and in all aspects of our lives. In this season at church, four of our staff members are departing, and we are learning again how to say goodbye. 

Just as the absence of physical presence after death does not negate all that happened before, so, too, space and distance and changes in the nature of our relationships does not mean that the love and commitment, the experiences, the depth of connection and care and shared growth are gone. These things cannot be taken away, though the pang of longing for more time together and for the comfort of shared history may continue. As the poet, ee cummins wrote:

i carry your heart, i carry it in my heart. 

Earlier this week, I found myself crying as “One Last Time” from the musical, Hamilton, came on. In this moment in the show, the fictionalized characters of Alexander Hamilton and George Washington are having a conversation, and Washington has called Hamilton in for help in writing a final address to the nation. Despite his ongoing popularity, Washington names the moment for what it is, time to depart, and time to continue leading in a new way. “If I say goodbye, the nation learns to move on,” he sings. “It outlives me when I’m gone.” Washington goes on to ask Hamilton to help share this with the nation: 

I wanna talk about neutrality…

I want to warn against partisan fighting…

I wanna talk about what I have learned

The hard-won wisdom I have earned…

The people will hear from me

One last time

And if we get this right

We’re gonna teach ‘em how to say

Goodbye …

As a community, we are learning how to say goodbye again and again. This Sunday, Lauren Wyeth, our Director of Spiritual Growth for All Ages, will be sharing the hard-won wisdom she has earned through stories and reflections in worship. The message, titled “Freedom to Move,” is not to be missed. I hope you’ll join us in person or online as we make time and space for this intentional time of learning and goodbye.

As we say goodbye to Lauren, Emma, Lóre, and Jenn Stromberg, it’s important to name and notice what they are doing next, and what our relationships with them will be like going forward. Lóre will begin her position as Contract Minister at the Foothills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Maryville, Tennessee this summer. Lauren will be beginning a new job with the UUA MidAmerica Regional Staff Team in August, Emma will be turning even more of her attention and time to care for the generations in her family, and Jenn will be doing the hard work of grieving and resetting after a difficult and unwanted end to her employment with our congregation. Each of these experiences is different, and each of them require time and space and the emotional and spiritual practices that transition takes. 

While there are no set rules about the boundaries around our relationships with each of these departing staff members going forward, there are some helpful guidelines we’ve learned together through experience. As Washington sang about, taking some time away for well-earned rest and reflection, focusing on all that has been learned, making way for the future of our congregation to outlive us when we are gone are all helpful guides. There’s also room for individual and collective discernment and flexibility.

Lóre, Emma, and Jenn may choose to continue connections with church members and friends, but their roles will change and they will do so in a new way. While these folks may have been people you talked to about what is going on and what you hope for First Universalist, or pastoral care for you or your family, this will no longer be the case. Conversations about family, faith, hobbies, spiritual practice, and more, are wide open lanes. Temptations to speak negatively of others or to share comments about the church should be redirected to the people concerned. 

As Lauren prepares to leave, a different boundary is in order: a common and healthy practice when a senior staff member leaves a congregation. For the last 11 years, Lauren has served as a staff leader, supervisor, program director, and pastor to many of us. Her relationships and care for this congregation run deep, and she is about to take on a BIG new job. We are also preparing to welcome an Interim Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries who will be listening and learning with us, building on the present strengths of our programs and bringing change, too. They will need time and space to build relationships with the congregation and staff and the flexibility to make changes in our programming as needed. With all of these shifts, Lauren and I agreed together that even though it is hard, it would be best for the congregation, for her, and for our incoming Interim Director of Children, Youth and Family Ministries, if we observed a firmer boundary. During the interim period in our Children, Youth and Family Ministries, the congregation and Lauren will not be in contact with each other. We will reopen that conversation and discern together what’s next after that time. 

As we practice saying goodbye, we give thanks for the ways we continue to carry each other in our hearts, always.

In gratitude,

Rev. Jen

Rev. Jen Crow

Senior Minister

First Universalist Church of Minneapolis

Intro

How to Say Goodbye

Sunday Worship

Sunday, June 18, 10 a.m.: "Freedom to Move"

Happening After Worship

Sunday, June 11 Recording

June 11 Cycle of Life

News & Features

GA Delegates

Summer Spiritual Growth

Joyce Food Shelf

Calendar

REP Skill Share: Podmapping

June Board Meeting

Potluck with EJ Team

Newcomers Circle

Young Adults at Pride

Community Events & Affiliated Organizations:

AUW, 12-Step Spirituality

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Sunday, June 18 — 10 a.m.

"Freedom to Move"

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

On and on, the circle of love, welcome, learning and inclusion expands. What spiritual practices, orientations of the heart, imagination and shared work is needed if we are to move with and continue to stretch that circle? Join us as Lauren Wyeth, Director of Spiritual Growth for All Ages, shares stories and reflections on her learning, and her charge, for us as she prepares to depart. 

Worship leaders: Lauren Wyeth, Rev. Jen Crow, Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Rev. Arif Mamdani, Aimee K. Bryant, 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. Elementary age kids begin their morning with their families in the sanctuary before being dismissed for crafts, games, and play. All ages are always welcome in the sanctuary. Learn more here.

A Place to Start

11–11:45 a.m., in the Chancel Room

A brief, casual orientation to Unitarian Universalism and First Universalist Church for visitors and newcomers. Come learn about our faith tradition and opportunities to get involved. 

June 11 Recap: Every Sunday is Pride Sunday

Every Sunday is Pride Sunday here. We celebrate and support our queer and trans beloveds.

We remember Pride began as a riot. This celebration you can now commemorate by picking up a t-shirt at Target began with a riot, with resistance, by those with the most to lose and the most to gain saying "no" to harassment and harm at the hands of the state.

You are whole and holy. In this year when legal protections of our trans and queer siblings are rolling back faster than we can keep count and as homegrown terrorists like the Proud Boys threaten to attack Pride festivals around the country, we will keep showing up in love and solidarity. Because we are all made whole and holy.

In these days when the circle of who has autonomy over their body and what history we can teach in our classrooms grows smaller and smaller, we are called to remember that freedom is not freedom if it is for the individual, alone. Universalism invites us to draw the circle wide, and draw it wider still. What does our faith require of us when the circle of freedom is shrinking in our society?



Watch the June 11 service here

Listen to the June 11 podcast here

Podcast Archive | Recording Archive 

We celebrate with Kelly Prosen and David Feldmann as they prepare to get married on Friday, June 23. We wish them all joy and happiness on their wedding day and in all the days beyond.

We bid a fond farewell to Amy Bligh who recently moved to Nashville. Amy first connected with the church during the pandemic when we were online and was here just about every Sunday after we returned to worship in person. We’ll miss her warmth and deep care for those around her.

We’re sending our love and wishes for a smooth and easy move with Tom and Julie Rochat who are moving to Cincinnati on June 15th. They’re moving to be close to their daughter, son-in-law, and 4 grandchildren. We’ll miss them and are grateful to have shared 37 years of life and church membership with them.

Our hearts are with Rich, Jennifer, Ben and Elliot Jaeger on the death of Rich’s Mom, Elise, this past week. Elise was a holocaust survivor, a musician, a mother and a regular volunteer at the Dorothy Day Hospitality House. A bringer of joy and love, Elise’s memorial service was held yesterday at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Danbury, Connecticut. 

Our love and care is with Jeanne Guignon, who, with Tom Allen and his family, are grieving the death of Tom's mother, Betty Allen. Betty died on June 4th in Milwaukee at age 96. She lived her life with dignity and love, and died in that same way.

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.

Interested in being a delegate from our congregation at UUA General Assembly 2023? General Assembly is next week, June 21-25 in Pittsburgh, PA and online. Delegates are church members who play an important role in the annual business meeting of the UUA, which this year includes voting on the the budget, the Proposed Revision to Article II, and the presidential election. You may participate as a delegate if you're already registered for GA, or, you may attend for free as a "business only registrant," which does not include access to GA programming.

Our church voted on 12 delegates at the Annual Meeting, and we can still send 10 more!  

Contact Membership Coordinator Liz Farmer if you would like to be a delegate, or if you have any questions about it.

Submitted by Velma Wagner

Part of my ministry at church is to deliver donations to the Joyce Food Shelf which serves our neighbors who have food insecurity. Please drop off nonperishable food on the shelves at the Dupont entry. Right now they especially need toothbrushes/paste, ramen, wipes, canned goods and paper grocery bags with handles.

On a monthly basis Joyce Food Shelf serves around 900 households with 60,000 pounds of food. The shoppers come from all over the city, but the majority are from zip codes 55408 and 55407. About 40% speak Spanish as a native language, and another 10% are from West Africa. Here is their annual report with detailed information on the organization.

Invitations to Summer Spiritual Practice

Practicing and Connecting from Wherever We Are 

As summer blooms, the natural world’s web of interconnection ripens for our participation through all kinds of practices of body and spirit. Let’s pay attention, notice what happens when we commit to regular spiritual practice, and tell about it.

1. Register for one (or more) of the practices: Body Prayer, Nature Sit Spot, and Joyspotting
2. Pay attention, again and again
3. Starting the week of June 19, receive regular reflection prompts and steady encouragement to your inbox along the way.
4. Tell about and connect over your experiences on Facebook and/or Instagram with #FirstUnivPractice
5. Gather at the potluck after the Lake Harriet service on August 20 to share about how we’ve been challenged and changed by our practices

Last Chance: Newcomers Circle

Wednesdays, June 21, 28, July 12, 19, 6:15–7:45 p.m. at church

REGISTER HERE by Friday, June 16 at 5 p.m.

Newcomers Circle creates a rich, supportive environment in which to share and grapple with our emerging UU values, theology, identity, and sense of belonging. This 4-session gathering is a caring and structured group to dig deeper into Unitarian Universalism. Newcomers Circle is intended for our newest members and those who are discerning if they will commit to and continue their spiritual journey at First Universalist. 

Facilitated by First U members Jane Jordan and CT Neal-Herman.

Thursday, June 15, 6:30–9 p.m.

Board Packet

Tuesday, June 20, 6:30–7:30 p.m. on Zoom

Join First Universalist's Care Companion Team for a Zoom Skill Share from Relationships Evolving Possibilities [REP] on podmapping for care companions and others interested in building communities of care and support. 

The skill of podmapping helps us think about how to loop together a community of care for times of crisis, mutual support, and connection. This is helpful for those who provide care professionally, for family, or other community members, because in order to offer care to others we need a strong network ourselves for support. Podmapping is also a skill we can share with colleagues, family members, and friends to help them link up the networks of care and support that they need as well.

Join here. You do not need to be a member of the First U Care Team to attend the virtual skill share event. 

Summertime Vegan Potluck!

Wednesday, June 21, 6-8 p.m., Fuller Park, 4802 Grand Ave. S.

The Environmental Justice Team’s Food Solutions group invites the congregation to continue the tradition of gathering for a meal and connections! EJ Team will provide a vegan main dish. Bring a vegan side dish to share! Water provided, or bring your own beverage, plus dishes and utensils. Families with kids encouraged to attend!

Please RSVP by Monday, June 19 at noon to Stan Sattinger at 412-208-5593. 

Young Adults go to Twin Cities Pride

Saturday, June 24, 12 p.m.-4 p.m., Loring Park

Volunteer by sharing info and answering questions at the MUUSJA (Minnesota Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Alliance) PRIDE fest booth. Enjoy Pride festivities together in the afternoon.

Hosted by Kaden Colton, First U member

RSVP REQUIRED

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. June 17, 10 a.m. Richardson Nature Center. 8737 East Bush Lake Rd. Bloomington. Nice asphalt trail. There is out and back trail. Also a longer loop option. Visitor Center at end of trail has toilets. June 24, 10 a.m. Minnehaha Falls. 5000 West River Parkway. Mpls. Meet at the falls. We’ll be taking an easy route from the falls.

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: July 13, 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. (Note: no virtual meeting in June.) Request an invitation to our next meeting and be added to our email list by sending your name and email address to Abbie Finger. We will be meeting next on Monday, June 26 to select our books for the rest of this year and the beginning of next year. There will be NO Zoom meeting in June. Please submit up to four recommendations of books with women authors that you have already read and think would be good for our book group. Please include the following: Name of Book, Author Name, Number of Pages, Number of Copies Available at the Library, If the book is fiction, non-fiction or memoir, Short Description. Recommendations will not be accepted after June 15 so please submit them now. Here is the form to submit. Please email Abbie with any questions. Abbie Finger. June Meeting: We are starting 30 min earlier than usual. Please do not bring any red wine or anything with red sauce. 6-7pm Potluck, 7pm-Sharing of book recommendations, NO Zoom meeting in June 7500 York Ave S, Edina, MN 55435, Social Room

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

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.