There's Nothing Like Being Together

Dear Ones,

What a joy it’s been to see so many of you on Sunday mornings, in person and on-line. I know that for me, I hope to never again take for granted the feeling of simply being in each others’ presence. Singing, praying, holding silence…smiling, crying, catching each others’ gaze or stopping for a hug, I leave our time together filled up, questioning, thinking, and wondering. If you haven’t joined us in awhile, or if you’ve gotten in the habit of only coming to church occasionally, I invite you to tune in and come in person on Sunday mornings. The time together is powerful.

September has been a month of exploring the theme of Welcoming all people and greeting them with intention, openness, and acceptance. We’ve learned from the natural world as we’ve explored the ways that spider webs collect water from thin air. We’ve traveled back in time to understand the roots of the concept of Beloved Community, learning from philosopher Josiah Royce, and the writers, preachers, and civil rights leaders, Howard Thurman, and Martin Luther King, Jr. We’ve been inspired by the poet Wendell Berry, and strengthened and centered by the music of Melanie DeMore. 



And we’ve remembered that welcoming all people does not mean welcoming all behaviors. and that the practice of building Beloved Community will require both a tough mind and a tender heart. Our hope, always, is that the ideas, poetry, music, stories and experiences of connection we experience on Sundays (or whenever we tune in) continue to encourage, inspire, and strengthen us throughout the week - and throughout the years.

As we turn toward October, we’ll dig into a new monthly worship theme: Learning from Each Other’s Experiences. We’ll continue to welcome our new Worship Associates and Chalice Lighters to lead us (come help us bless the new Chalice lighters at 10:45am this Sunday!), and together we’ll keep on growing in the spiritual practices that help us build Beloved Community at church and in the wider world. Join us - there’s nothing like being together.

In gratitude,

Rev. Jen 

Intro

There's Nothing Like

Being Together

Sunday Worship

This Sunday, Oct. 1, 9 & 11 a.m.

Sunday, Sep. 24 Recording

Cycle of Life

"All In Sundays"

Fall Programs

Soup Cookoff Dinner

dem Blessings for Parents

Env. Justice Book Study

Young Adults Board Games

Art Exhibit

Kate Tucker Circles

News

Welcoming New Staff

UU & Flame

Employee Handbook

Faithful Action

AFA Clothing Drive

Env. Justice Team

Habitat for Humanity

Community Events & Affiliated Organizations:

Hats for Unhoused People, MUUSJA, Women's Ritual Circle, AUW, 12-Step Spirituality

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Sunday, October 1

In-person at 9 a.m.; In-person & Online at 11 a.m.



"Loosen, Loosen, Baby. Let Go."

A single cylinder of interlaced bamboo strips seems delicate around two pointers–at least at first. But soon, they’ll want out. Without thinking, the digits back away from their closeness and find themselves stuck in place. Neither force nor frenzy will help; not twisting, not waiting, not pulling apart. The mind will need to calm to think of something beyond what’s worked before. The hands will need a wiser, more elegant idea to get free from the finger trap. 

Hubris would teach us to limit our trust to the ideas we already know. Panic for the problems around us will tighten our grip on what’s familiar. Living from fear for the future will only make it harder to remember the wisdom in the generations. To make space for what we’ve not imagined, we’ll need to release some of what we have. To get free will mean to decenter a lot of what we think we can control, what’s common, what’s cozy, what’s currently clear. 

To grasp what love needs from us now, how can we relieve the tensions that trap us? To get to freedom, what would happen if we found ways to loosen up and let go?

Join us for worship this Sunday, Oct. 1, in person at 9 and in person and livestreamed at 11 a.m.

IN PERSON AT 9 & 11 A.M.

This Sunday, we worship in person at 9 & 11 a.m. Masks are welcome but not required in the sanctuary; please review our Covid-19 Gathering Guidelines. 

ONLINE AT 11 A.M.

This service is live-streamed at 11 a.m. Watch the livestream here. 

CHILDREN & YOUTH

Religious Education for children in pre-K through 12th grade continues this Sunday. Please check your child/ren's classroom assignments and drop-off/pick-up times here. Drop-off and pick-up times vary by age group. For all ages except Senior High, parents and caregivers must sign in their children and youth prior to worship. 

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.

AFTER WORSHIP

Coffee Hour in the Social Hall

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

A Place to Start (Visitor Class)

Takes place in person only at 10 a.m. and hybrid (in-person and via zoom) at noon

Drop in for a brief (40 minutes), casual orientation to Unitarian Universalism and First Universalist Church for those who are new/new-ish. The facilitator will be holding a green sign at the front of the sanctuary after worship.

More details here.

"Tough Love"

• Watch the Sept. 24 service on YouTube
• Rev. Jen's Sept. 24 sermon only
• Sept. 24 full podcast will be available next week

Podcast Archive | Recording Archive | Sermon Archive

Our hearts are with Marion Dane Bauer and her whole family. Marion’s grandson, Connor, has recently transitioned to hospice care. He was diagnosed with Lewey Body Dementia when he was 18, the same disease that his father, Marion’s son Peter, died of. We send our love to surround them all, and our hopes for tender care and moments of joy and connection.

Our hearts are with Mary Sorenson and her whole family. Mary’s son, Christopher, suffered a stroke and he died last weekend.

Our love and care is with Steve Oakley and his family as they grieve the death of Steve’s father, Roger, who passed away last week, at home, at the age of 95. 

We hold the family of Linda McNary in gentleness now, in particular her daughter Carrie. Linda died last week of complications from Parkinson’s disease.

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.

For Your Calendar: "All In" Sundays at 10 a.m.

Welcome Back, Welcome In!

Get connected as we begin the new church year! In this early fall season, we remember and reweave our connections with this congregation and each other. There are a myriad of entry points for all ages. Find registration forms and more details on our website.

Soup Cook Off & Community Dinner

Parent Nourishment on September 30

Join a two-hour event for parents modeling ways that small creative practices can cultivate joyful resilience. Nationally acclaimed Black and queer playwright, Sharon Bridgforth, will lead this unique experience, joined by Twin Cities artist, Miré Regulus, actor and teaching artist, Aimee Bryant, and parent facilitator (and First U RE parent), Erin Walsh. The event, titled “dem Blessings for Parents: A Morning of Creative Nourishment,” will take place on September 30, 2023, starting at 10:00 AM at our own First Universalist Church of Minneapolis. This event is free for First U parents! Enter the code "FIRSTU" when you register here.

Book Study & Discussion

Young Adults Board Games Afternoon

Sunday, Oct. 8; 12:45-2:45 at church

Young adults are invited to gather for an afternoon of games and friendly competition after church. We’ll provide some lunch and games to get us started. Bring a favorite game to teach if you’d like, and a lunch item or snack to share.

Hosted by Maria Heath, First U community member

RSVP Requested

Young Adults are folks in their 20s and 30s in varying social/cultural life stages. We are in school, job-searching and working, single, married, partnered and dating, with kids and without, newly moved to the area and longtime residents. We gather about twice a month for structured and unstructured conversation, spiritual practice, and activities.

Kate Tucker Sermons Circles

You are invited to five sessions to dive deeply into five Kate Tucker sermons, usually meeting every other week. Before each session, the audio file and the discussion questions for the session's chosen sermon will be provided. Participants listen ahead of time and come prepared to relate the sermon to their own lives. This circle is open to ages twenty-somethings to seniors, whether or not you have personally experienced our beloved Minister Emerita’s sermons before. Rev. Tucker’s sermons have aged well because they delve into timeless yearnings and wisdom. Please join us in a commitment to personal and communal spiritual growth.

Sundays, Oct. 15, 29, Nov. 12, 26, Dec. 10; 7-8:45 p.m. on zoom

facilitated by Kim Kammeier and Ray Dillon

Thursdays, Oct. 19, Nov. 2, 16, 30, Dec. 14; 7-8:45 p.m. on zoom

Thursday sessions full - waitlist only

facilitated by Marion Dane Bauer and Ray Dillon

When you register, you will be asked whether you prefer the Sunday evenings, the Thursday evenings, or are open to either. Enrollment in each section is limited to ten. Register here.

Addition to The Cummins Room

Put the HUMAN in HR

Did you know that the church's employee handbook was written *years* before online/remote work became a normal part of how we do things? It's true. And as we all know, *a lot* has changed since then!

We're looking for some help updating our staff policies to be aligned with who the church is and how we are working today. If you're someone who puts the human in HR and you're up for helping with this project, please reach out to Rev. Arif Mamdani - arif@firstuniv.org.

Bring Some Basics

for Augsburg Fairview Academy

Clothing is needed for all sizes and genders for AFA Students. Please new socks, underwear, and leggings, as well as new or gently used t-shirts to the Social Hall on Sundays Oct. 1, and Oct. 8.

AFA is a public charter high school serving students in the Phillips neighborhood; many experience housing and food insecurity. AFA is a long standing Faithful Action Community Partner and First Universalist congregants have generously supported a Food and Clothing Closet for AFA students for over 10 years. Contact Cindy Marsh with questions.

First U Water Protectors:

Pipeline Updates and What's Next

Sunday, Oct. 1, 12:45 p.m. in person at church 

or Thursday, Oct. 5, 5-6 p.m. on zoom



Line 3 may be complete and oil may now be flowing, but the environmental construction damage continues to be documented. Join the Environmental Justice (EJ) team’s Keep it in the Ground working group to hear first hand from our indigenous allies about ongoing aquifer breaches along Line 3 in Northern Minnesota. Video will be shared from the MNIPL Indigenous Gathering at the Headwaters this past June.

EJ’s working group will also share updates on Line 5 in Wisconsin and Michigan, as well as the Willow Project in Alaska and the Mountain Valley Pipeline in West Virginia and Virginia. What do these pipelines all have in common? 

Join us to explore this question and actions we can take to promote “keeping it in the ground.” For more information contact Roberta Haskin, lead for Keep it in the Ground Working Group. Register here to receive the zoom link for Thursday, Oct 5, 5 p.m. session.

Habitat for Humanity Build Day

November 11, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. in SE Minneapolis

Thank you for filling our October crew already! Come join our crew at the same site. All you need is a willingness to work – no experience necessary. We will be working on a new home doing whatever the site supervisor asks of us; putting up siding, hanging sheetrock, painting…whatever needs doing with on-the-job training. Lunch will be provided. Registration required.

Hats for Unhoused People

Think big, warm, and wooly! Are you a fiber artist who knits/crochets/weaves/felts? Donate your handmade hats at First Universalist, October through January. Donated hats will be distributed to local schools, shelters, and community service agencies that serve people in need.

Sizes requested: Large and XL

Time frame: October - January

Drop-off site: Basket by the elevator

Contact Barb Melom • More Info

Book Launch and Conversation

with Rev. Karen Van Fossan

Tuesday, Oct. 3, 6:30-8 p.m. CST on zoom

Join the Minnesota Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Alliance (MUUSJA) in conversation with Rev. Karen Van Fossan, an abolitionist, minister, professional counselor, street chaplain, and former defendant in the Line 3 pipeline resistance. This special program will celebrate the release of her new book, A Fire at the Center: Solidarity, Whiteness, & Becoming a Water Protector. The book takes readers from behind the scenes of the Dakota Access Pipeline conflict, to penitentiaries where prisoners of war have carried the movement onward, to the jail cell where Karen was held for protesting Line 3, to a reimagining of decolonized family constellations, and to moments of collective hope and strength. For more info about MUUSJA, visit www.muusja.org.

Under Northern Skies Women's Ritual Circle

Under Northern Skies Women's Ritual Circle is a spiritual practice group in which

self-identified women with many different life experiences, backgrounds, and belief systems come together to change, grow, and celebrate the Divine in each other through earth centered ritual. The gathering dates are every new and full moon. There is not a permanent group leader. Volunteers take turns to design, guide, and direct the new and full moon rituals. The date's astrological aspects may guide the topics and themes rituals explore. Rituals also draw inspiration and meaning found in many other earth centered practices and beliefs. One does not have to espouse any particular religion or philosophy or believe in any particular deity or deities to participate in the group and derive meaning from its activities. All one needs is a desire to live in a way that acknowledges the cycles of life and nature, and to grow spiritually and personally alongside a mutually supportive group of other self-identified women. Contact Ann Hobbs with questions.

Attend one or more of the open group gatherings to learn if this experience is for you.

Gathering time 7:00 p.m. Ritual begins at 7:30p.m. in Room 209.

• Fri, Sept. 29 Full Moon in Aries
• Sat, Oct. 15 New Moon in Libra (please note date change from previous)
• Sat, Oct. 28 Full Moon in Taurus

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

Save the Date! Saturday, Nov. 18 is the annual AUW Fall Retreat!

Our focus is health resilience--how to plan for it and how to achieve it when you need it the most. Lunch and our speaker will lead us off, followed by a set of breakout sessions on health resilience topics, including resources for now and in the future. Late morning registration with mid-afternoon wrap-up. Hope to see you there!

Hiking Group: Meets most Saturdays at a park or trail head at 10 a.m. For questions or to get on the hiking group mailing list, contact Marie Sorensen, 612-419-3620 or Lynn Richardson, 612-323-2776.

Sept. 23 at Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden. 1 Theodore Wirth Parkway. Led by Marie.

Sept. 30 Not specified. Contact leaders.

Oct. 7 Nine Mile Creek. Morgan Avenue South and 104th Street. Moir Park, Bloomington , MN. Stairs beginning and end of trail. Beautiful creek walk. Asphalt then crushed rock. Meet at Park Building.

Oct. 14 Wood Lake Nature Center. 6710 Lake Shore Drive, Richfield, MN. No

designated leader for this hike. Let Marie know by Friday morning if you are going so she can cancel if no one wants to go.

Oct. 21 Richardson Nature Center. 8737 East Bush Lake Road, Bloomington, MN. Meet by Trailhead sign on parking lot. Nice asphalt trail, some easy hills. Colors by then?

Oct. 28 Wood Lake Nature Center. 6710 Lake Shore Drive, Richfield, MN. No

designated leader for this hike. Let Marie know by Friday morning if you are going so she can cancel if no one wants to go.

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 October 10. 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, September 25 when we will be discussing Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan. Location of the in-person meeting is available to those on the mailing list. The Zoom version of the meeting convenes online at 7 p.m.

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. If interested, pick a book to take home. To help make connections, please put a post-it note on the book with your name and the reason you liked the book. Leftover books will be donated to a Free Little Library. Any questions or ideas contact Nora Whiteman at 612-250-1661.

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 will gather in the church on the 1st Saturday of each month beginning Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023 and 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.