Flower Communion & Annual Meeting this Sunday, Plus Summer at Church! |
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Dear ones,
Congregation: this Sunday, June 5 marks a very special day. You might be thinking it’s National Veggie Burger Day, and you’d be right, but that’s not what we’re writing to you about. You might be thinking, oh, right, it must be Frozen Yogurt Day! And you’d be right about that too, but again, that’s not quite why we’re excited about Sunday. And no, it isn’t because it's National Gingerbread Day either. While June 5 is all those things (and more), here at First Universalist we’re excited because this Sunday marks our celebration of Flower Communion, a Unitarian Universalist ritual of beauty and community.
Sunday also marks our Annual Meeting, when the congregation votes on a number of items important to the life of the congregation, including our annual budget and nominees for leadership of the board and the foundation board. At this annual meeting, members of the congregation will be invited to say yes to formally adopting our 8th Principle, and voting to formally call Rev. Arif Mamdani as our Associate Minister. All of these, in different ways, reflect our commitments and values to affirm and protect the light in each human heart, to ask where love is calling us next, and to work with humility, bravery, and compassion to make real in this world the beloved community we hold in our hearts. This year, our annual meeting will be multi-platform – members can participate online or in-person – and to help make the membership verification and credentialing process run more smoothly, the staff would really appreciate it if you’d register in advance, even if you plan to attend in person.
Lunch will be available starting at 11 a.m. outside under the tent between worship and the annual meeting this Sunday, June 5. We'll be serving hotdogs, vegan/vegetarian hotdogs, and chips, and there will be gluten-free buns available.
This Sunday also marks the end of what we think of as the normal “church year” and the start of summer, and this summer there’s a lot happening at church! These last few years have been hard on us all and the summer months, with their warmer temperatures and ease of gathering outside, are a prime time to gather together in community and get back into the habit of church. Early next week, you should receive in your mailbox our summer program guide (copies will be available at church too!). We invite you to take a few minutes to decide which of the many opportunities for small groups, faith in action, and fellowship in community you’ll be part of. Our hope is that you make (re)connecting to church your spiritual practice this summer – taking full advantage of the warmer weather, ease of gathering outdoors, and our fabulous new tent. Come on a Sunday, hang out with friends old and new after the service, and join a reconnection circle, pastoral care group, or program for children, youth, and families.
Finally, we’d be remiss if we didn’t say this: as we close this fiscal year and look forward to the next, we ask you to please fulfill any outstanding pledges you may have with the church, make a gift to the annual campaign if you haven’t, and perhaps most importantly—if you’re able, add a bit extra to help us close the gap. As Rev. Jen shared at budget preview meetings earlier this year, the church is looking at a leaner budgetary year as the impact of the pandemic catches up to us. We will need your help to close the gap in our budget. With your generous support, we’ll be able to do that. Thank you for everything you do to make this church the vibrant community it is. See you on Sunday!
In faith,
Your church leadership team
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Worship
Sunday, June 5, 10 a.m.
Summer Sundays for Children & Youth
Sunday Recordings
Cycle of Life
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News & Features
Volunteers Needed Friday & Sunday
Annual Meeting is June 5
Invitation from the Sanctuary & Resistance Team
Lost & Found
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Happenings
Electric Saturday
Summer Sign Up Sunday
Abortion & Reproductive Healthcare Small Group
Ongoing Gatherings
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Sunday, June 5 — 10 a.m.
Flower Communion: A Story Big Enough to Hold Us All
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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.
This Sunday, join us in person or online for our Flower Communion ritual. Each person is asked to bring a flower to share, and if you’re online, we have a special invitation for how you’ll share your “flowers” with those gathered in the sanctuary. We’ll have music from Dean Magraw and his band, and a special guest vocalist, Thomasina Petrus. Stay for lunch after the service, and then come back to the sanctuary or join us online for our Annual Meeting at noon.
We're also in need of greeters and ushers this Sunday - can you help? Sign up here!
Worship leaders: Rev. Jen Crow, Rev. Arif Mamdani, Lauren Wyeth, Franco Holder, Dean Magraw, and Thomasina Petrus
The Order of Service will be available on our website on Friday afternoon.
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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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May 29: "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.” On Sunday, May 29, we shared a recently released recorded worship service on covenant and repair, with a message by UUA President Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray and hosted (in person) by Rev. Jen Crow. W atch the recording.
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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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Jump into June:
Volunteers Needed Friday & Sunday!
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It's a busy week and weekend at church, and we could use some help!
Tomorrow (Friday) morning, we'll be assembling our summer programs mailing to go out to the whole congregation, and we're in need of some willing volunteers.
On Sunday, we could use some extra help greeting and ushering—which includes assisting with the giving and receiving of flowers during the Flower Communion ritual. Please sign up and help be part of this beautiful service. Additionally, we'd love to have a few more folks to help serve lunch and clean up after lunch.
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Annual Meeting of the Membership |
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Members: please plan to attend our multi-platform Annual Meeting of the Membership, this Sunday, June 5 from noon to 1:30 p.m. Interested non-members are welcome to observe the meeting. The 10 a.m. Flower Communion worship service that morning will end at 11 a.m. and lunch will be served outside under the tent immediately afterwards.
This is an important meeting that requires 25% of our voting members to attend in order for us to successfully call Rev. Arif as our Associate Minister. We will also be voting to adopt the 8th Principle, an important affirmation of our faith commitment to racial justice.
Per our bylaws, only members in good standing (“voting members”) can vote at the annual meeting. To be considered a voting member, you need to have officially joined the church and have made a pledge/gift in any amount to the current or upcoming annual operating fund or have a ministerial waiver. Please contact Rev. Arif Mamdani at 612-825-1701 ext. 124 or arif@firstuniv.org to inquire about a waiver.
You can view the Annual Meeting Agenda here. Please note: we've updated the order of some items since sending out the official announcement last weekend.
Complete annual meeting materials (the annual report, which includes the budget and other items to be voted on) will be posted online here by Friday or Saturday.
Registration & Participation Information
We will meet in person in the Sanctuary and will live stream the meeting on Zoom for members and YouTube for non-members. Advance registration and membership verification is required to join the Zoom webinar. Those joining us in person will need to check in and verify their active membership status in order to vote.
Online
Register in advance here. If you are uncertain whether you will attend online or in person, you are encouraged to register for the Zoom webinar. Please make sure you are registered no later than 11:15 a.m. on Sunday, June 5. We cannot guarantee access to the webinar for registrations received after 11:15 a.m.
We will count attendees based on who is logged in and vote using the Poll feature in Zoom. Therefore, each member attending online needs to register and be logged into the webinar on their own device, even if in the same household.
After registering and once your membership has been verified by staff, you will receive a confirmation email from Zoom. Please save this, as you’ll need your personalized credentials to access the webinar on June 5. Non-members will be able to view the meeting on YouTube live but will not be able to ask questions or vote.
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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, 7:30–8:30 a.m.
You're also invited to join the 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, 6–8 p.m.
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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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Saturday, June 4, 9 a.m.–noon
Church members show off their electric cars! The Environmental Justice Team invites you to Electric Saturday, showcasing over 15 Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Plug in Hybrid Electric Vehicles. Owners will be available throughout the morning to answer questions. Electric bike 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 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.
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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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Abortion & Reproductive Healthcare Experiences
Small Group
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Abortion & Reproductive Healthcare Experiences Small Group
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.
We're using a structured model for engaging the spiritual practice of deep listening. You'll be invited to listen to group members’ stories of abortion and/or reproductive healthcare access, and to share your own story. Your story may be recent 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 often find that this kind of group experience does two things: help us understand our stories in the context of our lives, and help us to hear more clearly the movement in our lives of god/spirit/that which is greater than us.
This small group will meet for three sessions at church in June. Participants must commit to attending all sessions. If you are interested or have questions, reach out to facilitator 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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