Dear Jenn,

“Well then say that. Exactly that. Because that is exactly what needs to be heard.”

That’s what my 14-year-old kid said to me last night when we were talking about the horrifying attack on a trans woman that happened at the Lake Street light rail station in Minneapolis this week. 

Earlier that day, she’d posted the MPR story to her Instagram stories, and when I asked about the social post, she told me I should go see for myself. I did. She’d shared the MPR story, adding the question “why do we live in a world where this happens?”

That question is not a new one to me. Not a new one from her, nor from other First Universalist youth. In the time that I’ve served this church, I’ve been blessed to work with our middle and high school students, and to a one, they are deeply thoughtful, wrestling with questions in heart-full, faithful, and deeply relational ways. They love each other in ways that inspire me, and when they ask questions, I take them seriously. 

So I sat with my daughter’s question in my heart over the course of the day. Later that night, as we talked more about the attack, I wondered if there was anything that she’d want to hear from church about all this. We talked about how there’s been more violence recently in the school system she’s at. We talked about how she was feeling. 

I said that I wanted more than anything to be able to tell our youth that this is awful. That this is not the world as it should be, and that we love them and will do everything that we can to protect them and create a world where this does not happen.

To which she replied “Well then say that. Exactly that. Because that is exactly what needs to be heard.”

So I’m writing this message to you all today. Encouraged by my kid, sharpened by the team of faith leaders at church, I’m writing to you to say clearly that as people of faith we not only reject transphobia and the violence that it provokes, but that our faith teaches us that trans lives are sacred. That in the midst of anti-trans legislation and what feels like a rising tide of targeting trans people, especially trans youth, we will do everything that we’re able to fight back against politics of hate and the culture(s) that allow prejudice and fear and hatred to continue to exist. That each of you matters deeply to us and that you are not alone.

And, I’m inviting you to come to church this Sunday. As part of Sunday’s service, we’ll be creating a space of blessing for our trans community. Come be part of creating that blessing. Come if that space of blessing is what you need to receive. Join us as we affirm our faith and show up on the side of love.

In faith,

Rev. Arif

Rev. Arif Mamdani

Associate Minister

First Universalist Church of Minneapolis

Intro

Trans Lives Are Sacred

A Video Message Especially to Our Trans Beloveds

Sunday Worship

Sunday, March 5, 9 & 11 a.m.

Happening After Worship

Sunday, Feb. 26 Recording: "Embodying Belovedness"

Feb. 26 Cycle of Life

News & Features

Visionary Goals Workshops

Art Exhibit Circle Update

Announcing a Square Dance

Young Adults Group

Nominating Committee Recruiting Leadership

Art Exhibit, "Milestones" by Melodee Strong

Calendar

Membership Classes

Intro to the IDI

BIPOC Book Group

Community Dinner

Daytime Connections



Affiliated Organizations & Community Events

"Becoming Visible" Exhibit

Association of Universalist Women

12-Step Spirituality

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Sunday, March 5 — 9 & 11 a.m.

"Persisting with Love"

Join us this Sunday as we begin our March worship theme, Persistence, with a focus on advocacy. Congregants leading some of our legislative advocacy ministries will share their stories along with guest speaker Rev. Terri Burnor, Senior Movement Builder with Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light. We’ll also share a special blessing with and for our trans* beloveds and families who have been under recent attack by legislative measures.  

Worship leaders: Rev. Ashley Harness, Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Rev. Terri Burnor, Rev. Arif Mamdani, Lauren Wyeth, and Franco Holder



ORDER OF SERVICE

IN PERSON AT 9 & 11 A.M. (masks required in sanctuary)

This Sunday, we worship in person at 9 and 11 a.m. Masks are required in the sanctuary for ages 2 and up; please review our Covid-19 Gathering Guidelines. Can you usher or greet? Sign up here!. Please note that Winter Parking Restrictions (single sided parking) are currently in place in Minneapolis.

ONLINE AT 11 A.M.

This service is live-streamed at 11 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 8:45/10:45 a.m. Registered children and youth in K through 12th grade begin their morning in the sanctuary with their families before being dismissed to Religious Education Classes. All ages are always welcome in the sanctuary! Learn more here.

A Place to Start

10 a.m. & noon in the Chancel room, Zoom option at noon (join here)

In this casual, 45-minute class, you'll learn some of the basics of Unitarian Universalism, as well as how to get connected to what you’re seeking here at church. Meet at the front of the sanctuary immediately after the service on a first or third Sunday.

BIPOC Gook Group: "Being Black: Zen and the Art of Living with Fearlessness and Grace"

1–2:30 p.m. at church

This book group for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) members and friends meets monthly on the first Sunday. You are welcome whether or not you have a copy of the book/have begun reading it. Details.

From Sunday, Feb. 26: "Embodying Belovedness"

In this service, we close our February worship series on “Commitment” with a focus on what our bodies have to teach us. We commit to practicing embodying our original Belovedness and we sit with the inevitable vulnerability of bodies—our own and each others’. As a part of these practices, we also honor the anniversary of Trayvon Martin’s death and the founding of the Movement for Black Lives.



Watch the Feb. 26 service here

Listen to the Feb. 26 podcast here

Podcast Archive | Recording Archive 

We rejoice with Nancy Browne on her 90th birthday. Nancy, we wish you all happiness and joy as you embark on another voyage around the sun, and we’re grateful to be counted amongst your traveling companions.

Our love and care surround Nick Nier who’s recovering from recent surgery that was extensive and includes significant healing time. He appreciates our well wishes and care.

Our prayers and healing energy surround Joan Naymark who recently underwent surgery to repair a broken knee. The surgery went well, and she appreciates our care and healing thoughts.

Dallas Rising welcomed a new family member on February 19. Skittles is a six-year-old hound who loves toast, playing in fresh snow, and napping on the sofa. And while the new family all get to know one another, they are holding Skittles' former family in their hearts with gratitude and tenderness, especially the 13-year-old who loved him very much. May both families be held in Love as their families adjust to their new constellations.

We hold Tony and Sarah Meysenburg and their kids in our hearts today as they grieve the death of the kid’s uncle, Tony and Sarah’s brother in law who died in a car accident earlier this week. May Tony, Sarah, Odin, Isla, and Ada know that our love surrounds them in this tender and difficult time.

We hold Alison McGhee in our hearts today as she mourns the death of her larger-than-life father who she adored. He was larger than life in every way imaginable, from his stories to his hugs, to his ability to work harder and laugh louder than anyone. Don McGhee died in his sleep Wednesday night and we hold Alison in these early days of grieving and feeling so acutely the absence of a treasured parent.

We celebrate with Rev. Andrea Johnson as she defends her dissertation on Monday afternoon. Her dissertation, for her Doctor of Ministry from United Theological Seminary is entitled: Human Liberation, Sacred Nature, and the Inescapable Network of Mutuality: Theologically Grounding Unitarian Universalism’s Quest to Dismantle White Supremacy

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.

The church's Board of Trustees welcomes the whole church community into the important process of Visionary Goals Planning, charting the future of the church for the next five years and beyond, via a series of upcoming workshops.

Visionary Goals Workshops are an invitation to listen together, not only for who we are as a faith community, but who we are becoming. As a congregation we are in a tender place. Envisioning our future is extremely important communal work that asks us to ground ourselves in our values, open our hearts, call upon our wisest selves, and turn our attention to what is moving within, between and beyond us. The Visionary Goals that come out of this process will guide all the work of the church for at least the next five years.

There are just FIVE more workshops—three in person, two on Zoom—scheduled between now and Thursday, March 16. Please give us the gift of your time and attention as we do this work together.

• Monday, March 6, 6:30–8:30 p.m. on Zoom
• Thursday, March 9, 6:30–8:30 p.m. at church
• Monday, March 13, 6:30–8:30 p.m. on Zoom
• Wednesday, March 15, 6:45–8:45 p.m. at church (after the Community Dinner)
• Thursday, March 16, 6:30–8:30 p.m. at church

Sign up for a workshop here.

Free childcare is available when requested a minimum of one week in advance by filling out the form here.

Learn more and watch an Introduction to the Visionary Goals Process here.

Ministerial and leadership staff, Board Members, and Visual Arts Committee members have been meeting over the past few months to deeply listen and lean into the complexities of a recent art exhibit within a circle of conversation. Members of the group have journeyed together, taking time to understand what happened and the impact on individuals and groups within the church.  

Members of the group recognize the profound impact the series of events surrounding Fawzia Khan’s art exhibit had on individuals and groups within our church community. We seek healing by acknowledging the ways that our differences can bring about conflict and struggle. Through this, we desire to build a stronger community seeking justice and love in the world together. 

For BIPOC members and staff, the Visual Arts Committee members involved send our deepest apologies for not immediately recognizing the harm and trauma that many felt when viewing the piece. For staff and ministerial leadership of the church, committee members recognize the anguish that was felt in making difficult decisions around the exhibit and acknowledges pain and damage caused when decisions were questioned. For both of these groups, we share your pain, seek forgiveness, and hope in rebuilding our relationships we will together contribute to a vibrant church community.

We share pain and sadness with Fawzia Khan. Her beautiful and meaningful artwork engendered something unintended within our gallery. We embrace her creativity and hope she will continue to produce works of art that connect us to our humanity, our community and the beauty in our world. Fawzia is currently showing Becoming Visible at the Soo Visual Arts Center. Please see the information in the Community Events section below for details on the exhibit.

Lastly, as a group, we reaffirmed our shared commitment to visual arts within our church community and see the arts as a vital part of how our community celebrates and understands the world around us. We recognize the Arts committee was dramatically impacted by the events and as we continue to meet we recognize our time together is transitioning from engaging in conversation to community building, deepening trust, and clarifying processes. We seek to continue to lift diverse artists in the Universal Gallery and desire to engage more members in the exhibition selection process.

With respect to immediate next steps, the group agreed to build a more inclusive review process for future exhibits. This team of staff and congregants will consider many “lenses of inclusion” when evaluating artists and their work for exhibition in the church. Together we acknowledge that we cannot eliminate the possibility of causing harm, but through intentional efforts to consider lenses of inclusion in alignment with our mission, vision, and values, we significantly increase the likelihood of avoiding surprises and unintended harm. 

Our shared goal is a process through which shared leadership and critical engagement can increase the likelihood that we’re reducing the possibility of harm while building relationships and community within the team, among the communities within our church, and beyond the congregation in the wider world.

On Sunday, April 16, from 2 to 5:30 p.m., join the First Universalist Community for a Square Dance at church. There will be potluck snacks, live music, and a square dance caller—and, a chance to hang out and enjoy the company of old friends and new!

This is a multigenerational event and childcare will be provided (kids are most welcome to join in the fun, but we know sometimes that's not quite what the kids would enjoy; when you RSVP, make sure to also fill out the childcare form). Masks are optional.

Let us know you're coming, and tell your friends to join us. RSVP here.

Last Sunday, our Young Adults group gathered for a post-worship lunch at Gigi's Cafe and a loop in the neighborhood. Young adults gather next at the March 15 Community Dinner and throughout the season for structured and unstructured gatherings. 

First U 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 at church and in the community for conversation, spiritual practice, and activities.

The Nominating Committee is now recruiting candidates for leadership positions on the Board of Trustees, the Foundation Board, and the Nominating Committee for the 2023-2024 church year. We invite and encourage members to nominate themselves to serve in one of these roles. Serving on one of these bodies enables you to represent other church members to ensure that the church moves forward in alignment with its visionary goals. Members have unique opportunities to collaborate with our ministers and other lay leaders to advance the church’s mission! Positions are for a three-year term. Below are brief descriptions of the different positions:

Member of the Board of Trustees: Trustees partner with the congregation and professional staff in shaping the vision and long-term goals of the church. They articulate these aspirations through policy and collaborate with the Senior Minister to see they are fulfilled. A fuller description of the position can be found here. 

Member of First Universalist Foundation Board: Board members serve as stewards of the Foundation endowment. They solicit grant applications, review applications, and select grantees to be awarded funding. A fuller description of the position can be found here.

Member of Nominating Committee: Committee members screen and recommend candidates to the congregation for vacant positions on the Board of Trustees, the Foundation Board, and the Nominating Committee. A fuller description of the position can be found here.

Requirements: You must be a member in good standing of the church. Elections occur at the Annual Meeting on Sunday, June 4. Please consider either nominating yourself or encouraging a fellow church member to apply for this important work. 

Applications are due Friday, March 17; the application form can be filled out here.

If you have questions or would like more information, contact Nominating Committee Chair Ray Dillon at dillonrueter@usinternet.com 612-759-5295, or committee members: Jim Ramnaraine, Valerie Garber, Evelyn Browne, and Chad Anderson.

The Visual Arts Team is pleased to provide an exhibit by award-winning artist Melodee Strong. Included in her exhibit are original illustrations from her children’s books which inform children that they are beautiful, brave, creative, friendly, healthy and helpful. Also in Melodee’s exhibit are pieces from the Social Justice Billboard Project at George Floyd Memorial and paintings from her Lineas de Sangre exhibit which examine and reflect her upbringing in Minnesota as a Latina.

Melodee's multifaceted practice as an artist allows her to create using a wide range of materials and techniques, including book illustration, portraiture, community outreach projects, giving attention to diverse cultures, feminism, and social justice. She has completed over 70 mural and large-scale projects in the Twin Cities and Jamaica AND we’re fortunate that she will soon be working with us to create two murals for our sanctuary.



Melodee’s exhibit will be in the Social Hall Universal Gallery through April 9. On March 19, Melodee will be at church from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. This will be an opportunity for you to talk with her about her art and also a chance to purchase additional pieces of her artwork, including her children’s books.

Joining First Universalist is a symbolic, spiritual act of saying “yes” to growing your soul in this place, with these people, within our free faith tradition. Our membership class offers a chance to inform yourself about the ministry areas of the church, be in community with other new members, and officially join the church. Learn about First Universalist at your own pace through online videos before meeting, then choose a class meeting experience below that meets your needs.

The following membership class options are offered this spring:

1) Attend a two-session class in person: Sundays, March 19 & 26, 1–3 p.m. (lunch provided at 1 p.m.; class begins at 1:15 p.m.)

2) Attend a one-session class on Zoom: choose either Thursday, March 30 OR Tuesday, April 11, 6:30–9 p.m. 

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Facilitated by Liz Farmer, Coordinator of Membership and Congregational Connections, & Ginny McAninch, First U member

Sunday, March 5, 7–8 p.m. on Zoom 

(or join the breakout group after the church dinner on March 15)

REGISTRATION REQUIRED FOR MARCH 5

Join us to learn more about the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) as a way for our congregation to engage in deep self-reflection as individuals and within our groups, and understand our capacity to experience and bridge cultural patterns with increasing complexity. 



Facilitated by Martha Moriarty, First U member and IDI Qualified Administrator.

Sundays, March 5, April 2, & May 7, 1–2:30 p.m. at church

RSVP REQUESTED

Written by a woman who grew up facing the challenges that confront African-Americans every day, Being Black teaches us how a “warrior spirit” of truth and responsibility can be developed into the foundation for real happiness and personal transformation. Author Rev. angel Kyodo Williams combines the universal wisdom of Buddhism with an inspirational call for self-acceptance and community empowerment.

BIPOC church members and friends are invited; let's talk about the ideas and concepts in this book, how they do or don’t speak to us, and what they mean for our lives and practices as Unitarian Universalists. Even if you haven’t opened the book at all, even if you don’t have a copy yet (just request it from Dr. Glen Thomas or Rev. Arif), you are welcome to join us.

Facilitated by Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Director of Worship Arts Ministries, and Rev. Arif Mamdani, Associate Minister

Wednesday, March 15, 6–8 p.m. in the Social Hall (5 p.m. Family Pre-Party)

RSVP REQUESTED

Swing by church for a delicious home-cooked meal at 6 p.m. All are welcome and there is no charge. In March, we’ll celebrate an un-Birthday Party with an invitation to join others who share your birth month for a bit of birthday cake! Following dinner, join a breakout group to learn more about one of many opportunities for deeper engagement at church.

Menu available on our website one week in advance. We always offer vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, nut free, and kid-friendly options. All church events are alcohol-free.

Family Pre-Party, 5-6 p.m.: We’ll host space for play and socializing for families with babies through 1st graders in the Library, and set out board games and coloring for families with 2nd-5th graders in the Social Hall.

Visionary Goals Workshop, 6:45–8:45 p.m. (see details above)

Breakout Group Options, 6:45–8 p.m.:

• Creating a Spiritually Grounded and Just Relationship to Money Join us for a time of spiritual practice around our personal relationship to money in this world of capitalist injustice. Together we hope to draw out our own call to right relationship with our resources in our individual and collective lives. Led by Rev. Ashley Harness.
• Intro to the IDI Join us to learn more about the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) as a way for our congregation to engage in deep self-reflection as individuals and within our groups, and understand our capacity to experience and bridge cultural patterns with increasing complexity.
• Navigating Masculinity Do you identify as a cis-male? Let’s talk about what it takes to live with integrity when the dominant culture has such a limited imagination about what our gender must be and how it should influence our relationships with others. Maybe this becomes an ongoing conversation? If you think this group is for you, it probably is; come find out. Facilitated by Rev. Arif Mamdani.
• Young Adults Conversation with a Minister What’s on your heart and mind as you navigate your 20s and 30s as spiritual beings having a human experience? Bring your burning questions and let’s “geek out” on religion, spirituality, and theology with Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout and ministerial intern Lóre Stevens.
• The Spiritual Practice of Art Making We’ll make birthday cards, of course, as a way of expressing our care for those around us, and our gratitude for their lives.

Thursday, March 16, 10 a.m. program in the Social Hall or on Zoom

Salad & Soup Lunch begins at 12 p.m.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Daytime Connections programs begin at 10 a.m. on the third Thursday of each month, from October through May. They include fabulous presenters about fascinating topics, a delicious lunch, and an opportunity to meet new people and rekindle old friendships. On Thursday, March 16, we’ll explore the topic of Housing Options for Seniors.



Sign in and coffee at 9:45 a.m. Soup & salad lunch follows program at 12 p.m.: $5-15 sliding scale (more if you can; less if you can’t; no one will be turned away for lack of funds). Registration is requested a minimum of four days in advance.

Church member and artist Fawzia Khan's exhibit "Becoming Visible” is on view at the Soo Visual Arts Center, 2909 Bryant Avenue South #101, Minneapolis, MN 55408, until March 25 as part of their juried show Untitled 17.

Fawzia shares: “I had a conversation with the staff at SooVAC about the church’s decision to remove the installation due to the perception by some that the dishtowels resembled Klan hoods. It goes without saying that that was not my intent. Originally, they had asked for three towels, but they took all twelve because they felt it was important that these women’s stories be told. Once it was pointed out, they did get some feedback about the display possibly resembling Klan hoods, so we decided together, and they worked with me, to display them on straight towel bars so they look more like dishtowels."

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

AUW Spring Retreat – April 28-30, 2023

The theme is Badass Women; it will be held at Camp Courage near Annandale. Registration is open and fees are reduced this year! Go here for more info and to register.

Hiking Group:  Meets most Saturdays at a park or trailhead. For questions, contact Marie Sorenson. March 4, 2pm: Roseville Central Park, 2540 Lexington Ave N, Roseville. Be sure to park in the parking lot on Lexington. Meet in parking lot. March 11, 2pm: Veterans Memorial Park, 6335 Portland Ave., Richfield. Meet in parking lot. March 18, 2pm: Nine Mile Creek starting at Moir Park. Intersection of Penn Ave S and 104th Ave, Bloomington. If going south on Penn, turn right onto 104th and go to west end of park where there is a parking lot. Meet in parking lot.

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 address to Anne Frenchick. Next date: March 9, 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. 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.

First Saturdays, 9:30 a.m.–noon in person at church

12 Step Spirituality meetings will gather in our church on the 1st Saturday of each month beginning on Oct. 1, 2022 and ending on May 6, 2023. The meeting focuses on people who are actively working a 12 step program. It is focused on the 11 step to the practice of Centering Prayer Meditation. Meeting details are available at 12stepspirituality.org.

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.

Our full updated Covid policies are available here. A summary of updates (as of November 2022) to our masking policy is as follows:

Highlighted Updates: 

• Masks continue to be required in the sanctuary on Sunday mornings and for special services for everyone ages 2 and up 
• Masks are optional in the rest of the building outside of the sanctuary on Sunday mornings/for special services, and at all other times and for all other church activities, when Covid community levels are Low or Medium, with the following exception:
• Masking will be required in classrooms and small groups when a participant reaches out to Lauren Wyeth, Director of Spiritual Growth for All Ages, in advance to make that request. Lauren will hold the name of the person making the request confidential, and will alert the group leader and participants that masks are required for that in person small group or class. 
• When Covid community levels are High, masks are required throughout the whole church building.

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.