Worship
Sunday, June 19, 10 a.m.
Recordings & Podcasts
June 12 Cycle of Life
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News & Features
Ushers & Greeters Needed
An Update About Masks
Electric Saturday
UUs at Twin Cities Pride
New Photo Exhibit
Joyce Food Shelf
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Happenings
Summer 2022 at Church
June Board Meeting
Chalice & Adventure Camps
Ongoing Gatherings
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Sunday, June 19 — 10 a.m.
"BOGO Worth & Dignity"
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This Sunday, we'll welcome guest preacher Nico Van Ostrand, who will lead worship along with Rev. Kate Tucker, Lauren Wyeth, Aimee K. Bryant, and pianist Barb Brooks.
About their message this Sunday, Nico shares: "The equation for calculating price per unit is a simple one, handy for finding the best value at a store. Yet trying to fit our values and Principles into that equation complicates it quite a bit. In this time of rainbow capitalism, performative activism, and faltering progress, let us double check our trajectory. Are we on our way to the heaven on earth Universalists dreamed of, or do we need a new equation?"
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About this week's guest preacher, Nico van Ostrand:
Nico (they/them) is a religious educator at White Bear Unitarian Universalist Church, where they particularly love sharing UU theology with all ages through story. They have been active with local racial justice organizations including MUUSJA and Filipinx for Immigrant Rights & Racial Justice MN (FIRM), and began their seminary journey last year with a focus on BIPOC-centered UU ministry. Nico feels most grounded while practicing tai chi with others by the water. Between it all, Nico squeezes in time to play piano, take long walks, and pet their two large cats.
Worship leaders: Nico Van Ostrand, Rev. Kate Tucker, Lauren Wyeth, Aimee K. Bryant, and Barb Brooks
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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. Please review our current COVID-19 policies for gathering.
ONLINE AT 10 A.M.
CHILDREN & YOUTH
You can find information about Summer Sundays for children and youth ages 6 months through 12 years here. |
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June 12: "The Bigger Story: A Celebration in Song and Poetry" (Choir Sunday)
In this service, our choir and orchestra take us on a journey that’s both deep and wide. We 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. Watch the recording.
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Sunday, June 12 Cycle of Life |
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We celebrate with member Meleah Houseknecht on attaining Aspirant Status with the Ministerial Fellowship Committee. Aspirant status is the first of several formal steps toward being welcomed into fellowship with our association. We are overjoyed for Meleah and wish her joy and success and growth in the stages to come.
We celebrate with long time church members Janet and Jim Chandler who are celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary this weekend.
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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Sign Up to Greet and/or Usher on Sunday! |
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Please consider taking a turn ushering and/or greeting this Sunday or another Sunday soon! We're still in need of a few more folks to help out; you can sign up here.
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"Can We Take Our Masks Off Yet?" |
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For a brief moment last week, the CDC’s COVID Act Now website said that we’d dropped into the “Low” category of community spread/risk. It didn’t last long. Church staff didn’t even have time to write the notification to the congregation about our masking practices when levels are low before the levels had gone back up to “Medium.”
Still, that little blip made us think it would be useful to share with you all the pathway that we’re envisioning toward a mask-optional church. Here’s what we’re looking at.
Right now, we’re still masked on Sunday mornings (and throughout the week as well). There are two reasons for that. First is that in Hennepin County we’re still in the “medium” level for COVID community spread/risk and the CDC recommends masking indoors in those circumstances. Second, and perhaps more important for us, younger kids at church cannot be vaccinated and many of their households have chosen to continue masking as a precaution in both directions. If our younger kids need to be masked, it is only right that we adults do too.
And, as you may know, that vaccination situation will soon change. News reports say that we can expect vaccines to be available for kids 6 months through 5 years old later this summer. Once those vaccines are available and a sufficient period of time has passed for households with young children to have had their kids fully vaccinated, we believe we’ll be in a different place with respect to COVID. At that point, and when the CDC COVID Act Now website says that community risk levels are low in Hennepin County, our intent is to have masks be optional in church on Sundays in the sanctuary and for programming during the week. When rates rise to medium or above, we’ll return to requiring masks indoors.
These plans are subject to change as the situation develops, and we’ll be sure to update you as our plans evolve. But, the bottom line is that we’re hopeful that soon we’ll be gathering with the option to leave our masks behind.
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A Successful Electric Saturday |
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Submitted by Todd Pierson
Did you miss the Environmental Justice Electric Saturday on June 4? Here's your chance to catch a little of the excitement through photos of the event. Look for our 2nd annual Electric Saturday coming Earth Day 2023!
Image description: an aerial view of the church parking lot showing more than a dozen electric vehicles and people talking and viewing the cars.
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Submitted by Karen Wills, MUUSJA Executive Director and First U member
June 25-26: See you at Twin Cities Pride! Everyone waits till now to sign up with the Side With Love brigade here.
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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.
Image description: a hanging display on the social hall wall with eight photos of pink flowers.
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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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Programs, Classes, Events, and Meetings |
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Get Connected at Church this Summer |
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There are so many ways to connect at church this summer! We've compiled all the opportunities and details here on our Summer 2022 web page. From Sunday community gatherings like our upcoming Blessing of the Animals in July to pastoral and community care groups, faithful action opportunities, and more - there's something beyond Sunday morning worship for everyone at church this summer! |
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The First Universalist Board of Trustees met this evening, June 16, at 6:30 p.m. You can find meeting materials here.
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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
Third Thursdays, 8:30–9:30 p.m.
Parents/guardians of little ones gather for mutual support and spiritual sustenance. Register here.
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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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