Correction: The newsletter that we sent out earlier today had the Board's budget meeting listed as June 21, but the date for that meeting is Sunday, April 21. We thank you for your grace and patience with us.

"Our Website Is A Spiritual Experience"

Dear Ones,

“Our website is a spiritual experience,” Rev. Arif likes to say. “It slows us down into the moment by moving at the speed of church!” 

While I appreciate this generous reframe of our website experience, we are now in the development stage of our new website design process. I like to think of this as the remodel of our online space that is the equivalent of what we did with our building several years ago. It is an exciting leap of faith! And it requires partnership. So we are working with the team at our local, BIPOC-run company, Software for Good.

Software for Good envisions, “a world where all communities can use the power of data and technology to cultivate shared abundance and liberation. To bring this world into being, we build software with love.” This is about as close to our Universalist values as we can imagine… from the tech world!

We also have the brilliant website user experience professional and First U board member Emily Bijnagte co-leading the process of redesign with me. This is a huge gift of time, energy and profound skill for which we give tremendous thanks and honor. And when you see her around with her green board member nametag on, give her some thanks yourself, please!

We anticipate a new website launch by annual meeting in June. We give thanks to all of you who have contributed to various communications surveys along the way to now. We ask your generosity of patience and kindness with us as we endure our current website as a spiritual practice for a bit longer. 

We have just received a preview of some possible new design directions and, in the words of Rev. Arif again, ”I love the new site designs. Want. Now.” 

It’s going to be a brave and bold new world of website joy soon, beloveds. I promise! In the meantime. In the meantime, we are building community and connection online through our social media. Click the Facebook and Instagram icons below to join us there.

Rev. Ashley Harness-Jimenez

P.S. Please mark your calendar for Sunday, April 21 at 1:00 p.m. The Board of Trustees is hosting a congregational budget meeting to introduce the proposed operating budget for the 2024-2025 church year. Please take advantage of this opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback to the board before it meets in May to finalize the budget that will be presented for approval at the Annual Meeting on June 2. The meeting will be in person and on Zoom--we'll provide a Zoom link next week.

Intro

"Our Website Is A Spiritual Experience"



Sunday Worship

This Sunday, April 14,

9 & 11 a.m. services

Choir info

Worship Info

RE info

Service Recordings

Cycle of Life

Programs Calendar

Winter / Spring Programs

High School Seniors

Mindfulness & Grief

Community Dinner

Daytime Connections

Family Overnight

Quilting

Coffee & Conversation

Saturday Sprouts

Meditation

Cultivating Joy

Parent Groups

Meditation Group

Pastoral & Community Care

Grief Group

Caregivers Group

Estrangement from

Adult Children

Faithful Action

Resources - Middle East

First Fridays Film

Common Ground

Ceasefire Choir

Immigrant Solidarity

News

Board Meeting

Breeze

Community Events & Affiliated Orgs:

Solar Co-op, Support Teachers, AUW, 12-Step Spirituality

Some email programs truncate long emails; watch for "message clipped; view entire message" or similar at the bottom of this email if you don't see all contents listed.

Investing Together: The Seed Is Waiting

Join us this Sunday, April 14 at 9 & 11 a.m., as we explore our April theme, "Investing Together."

This Sunday marks a special journey led by our high school youth group, as they invite us into an exploration of abundance and collective growth. They've crafted an interactive service that promises not just to engage but to weave our vibrant community energies into a living tapestry of action and shared dreams. With each of us contributing to a communal symbol of unity, we'll reflect, give thanks, and envision a humanity grown in the spring of our collective efforts. Under the inspired guidance of our youth, we are sowing seeds of hope to nurture the garden of our gathered dreams.

Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout

Director of Worship Arts Ministries

Religious Education continues as usual this Sunday for children in 5th grade and younger and youth in 8th grade OWL. 

Youth in 6th, 7th, and 9th grades, and in Senior High Youth Group will attend our special Youth Sunday youth-led worship service with their classes. Youth will sit together with their peers and leaders on the left side of the Sanctuary in front of the sound booth. Youth Sunday is an exciting, engaging worship service designed by our Senior High Youth Group, and it's important to our program and to the spiritual development of our younger youth to experience youth-led worship. Please do what you can to support our 6th, 7th, and 9th grade youth in attending Youth Sunday with their peers this Sunday.

Choir: There's A Place for You

Rehearsal Schedule for the May 12 service: 

Thursdays, April 25, May 2, May 9; 7-9 p.m.

Sing in Sunday Worship:

May 12 at 9 and 11 a.m. services; 8 a.m. call/arrival

Please fill out the Choir Interest Form here.

Visit the Choir's web page to see the rehearsal and Sunday service schedule.

Worship Info

IN PERSON AND ONLINE

In person at 9 a.m.

In person and and livestreamed at 11 a.m. Watch the livestream here. 

Our digital order of service is available here.

Masks are welcome but not required in the sanctuary; please review our Covid-19 Gathering Guidelines. 

CHILDREN & YOUTH 

If you have not yet registered your family for this year of Religious Education, please register your family today. All families — new and returning, with babies through high schoolers — must register each church year.

LOW-SENSORY SPACE

This space is for children in K-5 who are overstimulated or overwhelmed by the sensory input of the sanctuary, including noise, light, and movement. All children who are in the low-sensory space must be accompanied by one of their grown-ups at all times. 

The entrance to this space is through Room 104 on the lower level of the education wing close to the parking lot. There is a small room inside of the 104 classroom where we are trying out the low-sensory space.

AFTER WORSHIP

Coffee Hour in the Social Hall

Visit with old friends and meet new ones over coffee and cookies in our social hall. 

Environmental Justice Film Showing: Common Ground at 1 p.m. in the Cummins Room (scroll down to Faithful Justice for details and trailer).

From Last Sunday's Service:

"I spoke up [about ableism in the OWL curriculum] because I was not okay with teaching youth that disabled folks are non sexual beings.



I typically presume that at least one person in the room may have an invisible disability.

For anyone right now doubting the impact they can possibly have, I would say that what you do does make a difference—even if only a few people see it. Your impact ripples out from there." - Kaden Colton, Worship Associate at First U

Podcast Archive | Recording Archive | Sermon Archive

The Caring Corner in the library has cards for those who want to send well wishes to people suffering or celebrating. Stop by the library to share a message of love and care.

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.

Community Dinner

Wednesday, April 17, Family Pre-Party 5-6 p.m.; Dinner 6-7 p.m. in the Social Hall; Breakout Groups 7-8:15 p.m. 

Menu: build-your-own pasta bar, salad, bread, dessert

RSVP REQUESTED 

Swing by church for a delicious home-cooked meal at 6 p.m. in the Social Hall. All are welcome and there is no charge. We always offer vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, nut free and kid-friendly options. All church events are alcohol-free. Following dinner, stick around and join a breakout group to learn more about one of the many opportunities for deeper engagement at church.

Breakouts: Home Buying Help through Habitat for Humanity, Drop-in Parent Support, Board Listening Session, Art Project: Chalice Decorating, Youth Hangout Space (ages 11-19), and Climate Justice Game, and maybe more to come!

Celebrating High School Seniors

Sign up by April 13

We are looking to connect with families who have a current high school senior who has been involved with First Universalist Church sometime in the past several years. Whether or not these seniors have been involved in our programming this year (or even since COVID), we would love to celebrate them at church this May.

We have several opportunities to celebrate your youth over the next few months, include joining a small group with peers that would meet a few times in April and/or May, attending a celebratory dinner for parents and youth on Wednesday, May 15, and youth being recognized in our 10 a.m. worship service on Sunday, May 19.

If you have a youth who is a current high school senior, please fill out this form by Saturday, April 13, letting us know how you and your youth would like to participate in these celebrations. If you do not have a current student who is a senior but know others in our congregation who do, whether or not they have been involved this year, please share this information with them so we can celebrate their young people in May.

We are so, so proud of your young folks, and we are cheering them and their families on all the way.

With care,

Allison

Mindfulness during Times of Grief and/or Loss

Tuesdays, April 16, 23, 30; May 7; 6:30-8 p.m. on zoom

Registration Required

Facilitated by Pam Berry on zoom 

This mindfulness course is for folks who are experiencing or have experienced loss and or grief in their lives. Topics will include mindfulness of breath, body, thoughts and emotions. Each session will include a talk, guided meditation and a question and answer session.  Due to the sensitive topics being discussed, participants are requested to make every effort to attend all four sessions. Pam is a social worker and student in the Insight Meditation tradition. Her experience with ongoing chronic pain, and the untimely death of her sister, inform her practice and her life. This course is part of Pam’s Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification training program through Insight Meditation. Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield are the guiding teachers. 

Daytime Connections

Thursday, April 18, 9:45 a.m. coffee, 10-noon program, Noon lunch

Registration Requested by the Monday prior for lunch planning purposes. (Attendees are also welcome to bring their own lunch.)

Organized and hosted by the Daytime Connections Planning Team

Daytime Connections empowers older adults to live intentional, joyful, purposeful and spiritually fulfilled lives, by building a vibrant community and providing engaging programing that promotes conscious aging and fosters personal and spiritual growth. 

AI for Creativity or Fakery

Since the release of ChatGPT by OpenAI in 2022, Artificial Intelligence has been in the news a lot, with opinions that range from ecstatic to apocalyptic. In reality, computers that “intelligently” handle our day-to-day tasks have been creeping into our lives for at least a decade, ranging from driving and navigation assistance to medical diagnosis. What has changed? What are the new opportunities and risks? For this presentation Bill McTeer and David Leppik will attempt to de-mythologize Artificial Intelligence.

Grades 2-5 Family Overnight!

Saturday, April 20 - Sunday, April 21

RSVP Here

This highly-anticipated annual overnight is for families with children in 2nd-5th grade along with siblings in-person at the church. We'll have lots of fun cooking together, playing games, exploring the church via a scavenger hunt, putting on a talent show for each other, and more.



Check-in is at 4 p.m. on Saturday and we will wrap-up at 9 a.m. on Sunday in time for worship. You can find the full schedule and packing list here.

Please contact Hirut Hedge at hirut@firstuniv.org with any questions, concerns, or for more information.

Quilting

Sunday, April 21; 3-5 p.m. In person

Registration Required - attend one or more!

Facilitated by Chris Chiros 

Chris writes: Quilting is a spiritual practice for me in multiple ways. The creativity fills my cup and thus is an act of self-care. And, it connects me to the greater community. Many of the quilts I make are donated either to the individuals I know (or know of) who are struggling and perhaps don't have a loved one who can make a quilt for them to cocoon into like a warm hug, or to organizations that are asking for quilts. I appreciate that my spiritual practice may bring comfort to another.

Coffee & Conversation Series

Saturday, April 27, coffee at 9:45, conversation from 10-11:15 a.m. Room 209 at church

Registration Requested

Listen to the podcast: "How to Not Go It Alone" 

We say in church, “you are not alone; we are holding it, together,” but how do we let folks in enough to help us hold it? Being a part of a church is essentially about being a part of a community that cares for one another. We know the support is there, but cultural voices of individualism have us saying to ourselves: I’m a helper- not one who needs help; My life’s a mess- I can’t let others in!; or I don’t want to be a burden. Come to this conversation to explore with others how we can, in a large and loving congregation, not go it alone. These workshops, based on three different episodes from the podcast How to Talk to People, are meant to open us up to possibilities in moving toward deeper relationships through talking and listening, and to brainstorm about ways that church gatherings and infrastructure could facilitate these kinds of interactions and relationships. Register for one, two, or all three. We encourage listening to at least part of the podcast episode (or reading the transcript) before attending. 

Facilitated by member Nancy Nyquist Potter and Membership Coordinator Liz Farmer.

Saturday Sprouts

Saturday, April 27, 10 a.m.-noon

RSVP Here

Saturday Sprouts is an opportunity for families to be nourished in community, deepen relationships, and grow together in our First U values and faith. We include time for family worship, parent & caregiver support; and play, formation, and creative time for our kids and youth. These gatherings are for children in grades 5 and younger, and for folks parenting kids and youth of all ages. Both parent and kid programming will connect with our monthly worship themes. Light snacks and beverages are provided for all ages. 

Meditation

Sunday, April 28; 1-2:30 p.m. in person at church, attend one or all sessions

Registration Required - single-session attendees welcome!

facilitated by Nancy Nyquist Potter

The meditation practices we will explore draw on a variety of resources including Sharon Salzberg, Tara Brach, insight meditation, Thich Nhat Hahn, Christina Feldman, and ourselves. Along the way, we will explore virtues such as lovingkindness, self-compassion, joy, generosity, forgiveness, and other ideas that will move us in our spiritual paths. All levels of experience welcome.

Cultivating Joy 

Monday, April 29, 7-8:30 p.m. Room 209 at church

Registration Required - single-session attendees welcome!

facilitated by Bee Harrison

"May you have joy and peace in the temple of your senses," writes John O'Donohue. Through a variety of heart-centered practices like storytelling, (gentle) movement, meditation, music, mindfulness, and more, we will explore how we might invite, reveal, and experience greater joy in our lives by connecting deeply to our inner worlds. In these monthly meetings, we'll share our own practices and support one another in cultivating joy.

Parent Groups: Elementary & Tweens/Teens

Based on your input, we are hosting parent peer groups this Spring! These are opportunities for you to offer and receive support and build and deepen relationships with other parents and caregivers. Please see more information below and register for the groups.

Note: these groups are different in several ways, including date/time of meeting and whether or not food and childcare are involved. If you have a child/ren in both age groups, please feel free to attend one or both, whatever works for your schedule.

Parents of Elementary-Aged Children at First Universalist Church are invited to a six-week small group and family dinner on Monday evenings from 6-7:30 p.m. beginning April 15 and ending May 20 in-person at the church.

We will begin with a potluck with kids and adults all together - please bring a dish to share - and then move into separate spaces. We will hire youth staff to provide childcare for the kids while the adults have time to build relationships, share, and learn together.

These gatherings will be co-led by Allison Connelly-Vetter, Hirut Hedge, and parents of First Universalist Church.

Please RSVP here so we know who to expect, and reach out to Allison Connelly-Vetter with questions, suggestions, or for more information at allison@firstuniv.org.

Parents of Teens and Tweens at First Universalist Church are invited to a six-week small group focused on building community with kindred parents and sharing the joys and challenges of this unique season of parenting.

This group will meet in-person at the church on Tuesday evenings from 7-8:30 p.m. beginning Tuesday, April 16 and ending Tuesday, May 21. Together we will deepen peer relationships, make space for ritual and sharing, and dig deeper into our current and multifaceted roles and identities.

This group will be led by Rev. Arif, with support from Allison Connelly-Vetter and other congregants.

Please RSVP here so we know who to expect, and reach out to Allison Connelly-Vetter with questions, suggestions, or for more information at allison@firstuniv.org.

Tuesday Meditation Group

Weekly Practice: 8:45-10:15 a.m. online and in-person

You are invited to meditate with our lay-led practice group. None of us are experts. Our practices come out of our own experiences, and we share inspiration from many sources including Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, Pema Chodron, Thich Nhat Hanh, Tara Brach, Tai Chi, Loving Kindness, poetry and more. We don't follow one method or another, but we do share what we learn with each other. After meditation we practice deep listening to hear from each person, if they choose. No registration required. Email Sara McMullen for Zoom details.

Grief Group (online)

Sundays, April 21, May 5, 19, 4-5:30 p.m. on Zoom

Registration Required

The Grief Group meets second and fourth Sundays on Zoom. It is a gathering for those who are grappling with the web of feelings associated with loss. A group of souls who share, listen and care. A community interested in exploring new life invitations. Come as you are, when you feel moved to attend. We will be here for you.

Facilitated by Mark Caswell, church member and Ministerial Aspirant

Caregivers group (online)

Sundays, April 14, May and June TBD by group; 1-2:30 p.m. on Zoom

Registration Required

Caring for a family member who needs special care is a demanding and often unseen or unacknowledged role. Whether you’re caring for an aging parent or a child with a chronic health condition, join the Caregivers group for mutual support, connection, and community building. When we gather, we’ll light a chalice, have time for introductions, and share a reading, then move into deeper sharing, support, and reflection. 

Facilitated by Rev. Arif Mamdani, Associate Minister

Estrangement from Adult Children

Thursdays, April 18, May 2; 6:30-8:00 p.m. in person at church Registration Suggested - Come as you are able

Some adult children, for various reasons, view independence as distancing themselves or cutting themselves off from their parents. This estrangement from one's adult children can be very painful and often isolating. Join others with similar challenges and find support and ideas for resilience and spiritual healing.

Earth Day at First U - Electrify Sunday

Eco Film Screening and Discussion:

Common Ground

In anticipation of Earth Day at First U, April 21 2024, the EJ team invites you to a screening of Common Ground, from the creators of Kiss the Ground, a favorite film of the EJ team, which emphasized the need to move away from industrial agriculture to regenerative practices that will preserve our soil and our environment. Sobering yet hopeful, Common Ground exposes the toxic interconnections of American farming policy, politics, and health, by sharing stories of destruction and healing, and how regenerative agriculture and soil health plays a vitally important role in changing these systems for the better. At its root, the film explores how people from different walks of life, different political backgrounds, and different places share one thing in common – the very soil beneath their feet.

Ceasefire Choir Rehearsal

Sunday April 14 4-6pm in the Sanctuary

Co-hosted with SURJ-TC

Join us! We are a group of practicing and non-practicing Christian-heritage people, getting ourselves educated and organized because the horrific violence in Israel and Palestine is rooted in the actions of Christian people and institutions, particularly white Christians, historically and presently. We thank you for opening your space to us and invite you to join us and SURJ Education into Action members for this rehearsal! We will engage in political and theological education focused around antisemitism and practice protest songs together for our upcoming actions.

We welcome all, regardless of race, religion, etc..., who resonate with this project and with our values! We especially encourage those of us who are white Christian-heritage people to participate, because of the ways that the combination of white supremacy and Christianity has contributed directly to oppression in the US, Palestine, and around the world. IMPORTANT: We'd love to sing with you even if you're still gathering information and are unsure about calls for ceasefire.

Solidarity with MN Immigrants

Register for the zoom link for small group meeting Sunday, April 28; 7-8 p.m. on zoom.

In 2024, some folks will use anti-immigrant rhetoric to divide the people and gain power, but we will build solidarity. The North Star Act will stop Minnesota police from detaining or reporting immigrants to the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for minor infractions, such as traffic violations. Join members of First U’s Sanctuary & Resistance Team for small group Zoom meetings for First U (and area UUs), advocating to help inform policy-makers and public awareness. 

Small group facilitated by First U member Karen Wills and Heidi Romanish.

First Fridays: Democracy on Film

Friday, May 3; 6:30-9 p.m. Online only. Register for the zoom link to join the watch party from home.

Every organizer needs relaxation, and some may enjoy some (virtual) company, community, and inspiration from classic pro-democracy films to help us get through 2024. At First Friday Films, we will light a chalice and check in using Zoom at 6:30, then watch a movie together from our own devices, starting at 7:00pm. As participants watch together online, we build a sense of shared community. We’ll start with Mr. Smith Goes to Washington on Friday, Feb. 2, then choose other films by group vote. Register on the zoom link to be in the loop about the group’s future film showings! Other films could include A Face in the Crowd, Strong Female Lead, All the President's Men, Malcolm X, The Candidate, Election, Lincoln, Primary, Shouting Down Midnight, and Milk. Online gathering hosted by First U member Karen Wills. 

Resources for UUs Engaging on Israel/Palestine

Last Sunday, April 7, some of you attended a recorded Side with Love webinar, “Why We Cannot Turn Away: Resources for UU Leaders Engaging Palestine & Israel.”

Thanks to First U member, Rebecca Donley, and Pamela McInnes, member of Unity Unitarian and UUs for Justice in the Middle East (UUJME) board member, for hosting a viewing of this webinar and discussion.

If you would like to view the webinar at home or engage with the resources from the UUA, click here.

About the November recorded webinar:

Sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Association and hosted by Muslim and Jewish UU professionals, the webinar features experts sharing about UU engagement on these issues over the past 40 years, reflecting on the many-layered history of the region, exploring the complexities of Islamophobia and antisemitism, and faithful responses to the ongoing violence. In this time of collective fear and grief, let us form a community willing to learn, struggle, and heal together.

First U Board Meeting

The First U Board of Trustees will meet on April 18. You can view their current agenda here.

Congregational Budget Meeting

Sunday, April 21, 1:00 p.m. in-person & on Zoom (mark your calendar and we'll send a Zoom link out next week)

The Board of Trustees invites you to a congregational budget meeting to introduce the proposed operating budget for the 2024-2025 church year. Please take advantage of this opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback to the board before it meets in May to finalize the budget that will be presented for approval at the Annual Meeting on June 2.

Breeze Directory Update

Turns out migrating databases and launching a new directory is more complicated than you'd think! We're experiencing technical difficulties getting the Breeze directory up and running. We'll spread the word far and wide when it's ready. Thank you for your patience. Continue to contact Liz for members' contact info in the meantime.

Solar Co-op with MNIPL

Now is a perfect time to go solar, and you don't have to figure it out by yourself. Two organizations that care about the planet are working together to make solar for homeowners easy and low cost.

MN Interfaith Power & Light and Solar United Neighbors have created buyers' groups (aka Solar Co-ops) that offer free education and guidance and more competitive pricing from installers.

You can join a Solar Co-op for free, find out if solar is a good fit for your home, and get a discounted price from a vetted, trusted installer.

Installing solar on your home dramatically reduces the greenhouse gasses you create. It cuts your utility bills, and it raises your home's value. Through tax credits, the federal government will pay for 30% of the cost of your solar system, and you may qualify for utility and municipal incentives as well.

Going solar is the right choice for the earth and future generations. You don't have to go it alone. Let MNIPL and Solar United Neighbors help.

Click here to join or learn more about the Twin Cities Solar United Co-op!

Click here to join or learn more about the Duluth – Arrowhead Solar Co-op!

Support Teachers!

Minneapolis Federation of Teachers 59 is actively negotiating their contract with Minneapolis Public Schools. Teachers and Education Support Professionals (ESPs) are campaigning towards competitive pay, sustainable workloads, academic supports, and retaining educators. Families are welcome to join the contract campaign by filling out the Google Form at the end. Questions/comments: Please contact First U member and MFT59 Educator Amelia Marquez at Amelia.d.marquez@gmail.com.

Sign on now.

AUW sponsors activities for people who identify as women, non-binary and/or gender fluid.

AUW Spring Retreat

April 26-28, 2024

Igniting Change

The Light We Carry in a Barbie World

The last day to sign up is April 12. Register HERE.

There will be great workshops, swimming, hiking, massage, rest, tasty meals, and wonderful community.



If you have already signed up, start getting your talent show ideas ready! We will be having a talent show Saturday night (4/27).

Register HERE! Registration closes April 12.

Hiking Group: Meets most Saturdays at a park or trail head. Hikes begin at 2 p.m. For questions or to get on the hiking group mailing list, contact: Marie Sorensen, phone / email, or Lynn Richardson phone / email. Kalelynn19@gmail.com   Note: Hikes begin at 2 pm.

April 13 2pm. Normandale Lake. 8416 Chalet Road, Bloomington, MN. 84th and Chalet Rd. Large parking lot on right. Cross Chalet Rd and meet at Lake sign lakeside, 1.9 miles. Lynn will lead.

April 20 2pm. Richardson Nature Center. 8737 East Bush Lake Road, Bloomington, MN. Meet by large trailhead sign in parking lot. Asphalt trail. Some easy hills. Marie will lead.

April 27 2pm. Wood Lake Nature Center. 6710 Lake Shore Drive, Mpls. (This is AUW Retreat weekend so Marie and many others will be at retreat. Lynn may lead. Let her know if you are coming to the hike.

May 4 Minnesota River Valley Wildlife Center. 3875 American Blvd, Bloomington, MN. Bring a hat, not much shade. Maybe eagle, frogs, turtles. Steps at beginning and end. Meet in front of Center.

Game Group: Meets at the church on the second Thursday of each month to play board games and socialize. You are welcome to bring snacks to share and a game you would enjoy teaching others. To receive email updates, contact Anne Frenchick. The next game night is May 9. If no one responds to Anne that they are coming, the Game Night will be canceled early that day. Please let Anne know if you plan to attend.

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. Request an email invitation to our next meeting and be added to our email list by sending your name and email address to Abbie Finger. The next meeting will be Monday, April 22. We will be discussing Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan. Location of the in-person meeting is available to those on the mailing list. The Zoom version of the meeting convenes online at 7:00 pm.

Give or Take a Book!

To share books we love and build more literary connections, we are going to start a new project. If interested please bring 1-2 books (no more!) to share with someone at the monthly book club. Pick a book to take home. To help make connections pls put a post-it note on the book with your name and the reason you liked the book. (Post-it notes will be available). If a book you brought is left over please take it home or it will be donated to a Free Little Library. Any questions or ideas contact Nora Whiteman.

These meetings are intended for people who are actively working any 12-step program. The program is focused on the 11th step and the practice of Centering Prayer Meditation. 

Weekly on Zoom

and

First Saturdays of each month, 9:30 a.m. to noon, in person at First Universalist

In-person 12-step spirituality meetings gather in the church on the 1st Saturday of each month, ending on May 4, 2024.

In-person and Zoom meeting details are available here.



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.

Based on ongoing monitoring of COVID levels in Hennepin County, masking is welcome, but not required, inside the building—including the sanctuary. Learn more about our Covid and Community safety policies on our website.