Dear Jenn,

Almost every week you’ll hear me saying from our pulpit that Universalism declares us all as whole, holy and worthy, welcome and wanted, just as we are. You’ll hear me talk about a circle so wide that everyone is included and a love so strong that it will not let any of us go. Dr. Mark Hicks, professor at my alma mater, Meadville Lombard Theological School, takes this one step further. Universalism, he says, is about “a love that will not let us go, let us down, or let us off.” If we take our Universalist faith seriously, we are held not only in a love that will not let us go—but by a love that will not let us off the hook, too. We belong to each other, and how we are together is an expression of this all-embracing, life-giving love. 

Martin Luther King, Jr. talked about agape love as the one power great enough to ground us in Beloved Community. Love that can change opposers into friends, reconciliation and repair that lead to justice in our actions and in our laws, goodwill that can move us out of the “deep gloom of the old age into the exuberant gladness of the new age.” This kind of love, he said, can bring about miracles. (“Facing the Challenge of a New Age,” 1956)

But this Beloved Community, grounded in an all-embracing love, has to be more than an ideal. It has to become a practice. “Our goal,” Dr. King preached, “is to create a beloved community and this will require a qualitative change in our souls as well as a quantitative change in our lives.” If we are to build and belong to Beloved Community together, qualitative changes in our souls and quantitative changes in our lives and in our church will be required. And for most of us, change is hard even when we know it is necessary and unavoidable. For most of us, letting go of the familiar and getting comfortable with conflict in a community that requires us to remain loving in our words and actions is a challenge. 

Author and activist, Grace Lee Boggs, says that “Community building is to the collective what spiritual practice is to the individual.” Here at First Universalist, we engage in the individual spiritual practices that ground us in our faith, and we engage in the collective spiritual practices of building and belonging to Beloved Community. 

And here’s the thing, if we want to be part of a Beloved Community—if we want to create it—then none of us are off the hook. We have to choose to actively be a part of it. In Beloved Community, all of us are unique, one-time, never-before and never-again events, each with our own contribution to make, as our Minister Emeritus Rev. John Cummins wrote, and all of us are one part of the human story, the universal story, the story of this beloved community that continues to come into being. Each of us is special, and none of us has special powers or privileges, none of us are exempt from the promises we make and the agreements we share. We are all on the hook for how our story turns out. 

As we return to ourselves and each other again and again, let us be about the task of building and belonging to Beloved Community together, putting our faith in a love that will not let us go and will not let us off the hook—a community where each and all might be welcomed with joy, where justice, mutual accountability, and wholeness are our shared practice. May this be our work and our joy.

In gratitude, 

Jen

Rev. Jen Crow

Senior Minister

First Universalist Church of Minneapolis

Sunday Worship

Sunday, Sept. 25, 9 & 11 a.m.

After Worship Happenings

"Belonging to Beloved Community" 9/18 Recording

Sept. 18 Cycle of Life

News & Features

Input Requested: Proposed Masking Policy Update

Note About Aimee

AFA Donations

9/13 Whipple Building Vigil

Join the Habitat Crew

Calendar

Fall Sign Up Sunday

Wednesday Night Dinner

Celebration Concert

Grief Group

Affiliates

AUW

Women's Ritual Circle 

12-Step Spirituality

Sunday, Sept. 25 — 9 & 11 a.m.

"A Topography of Belonging"

Rumi and Jung agree on at least one thing: paradox is our greatest spiritual gift.

As Rumi notes: 

Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing,

there is a field. I’ll meet you there.

When the soul lies down in that grass,

the world is too full to talk about.

Ideas, language, even the phrase each other

doesn’t make any sense.

And isn't that what we long for—that space of paradox, out beyond rightdoing and wrongdoing, beyond belonging where even the phrase each other doesn't make any sense? 

This Sunday, come and explore the topography of belonging and the paths that may or may not get us where we long to be.

Worship leaders (pictured above, left to right): Rev. Arif Mamdani, Lóre Stevens, Rev. Jen Crow, and Franco Holder

ORDER OF SERVICE

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

This Sunday, we worship in person at 9 and 11 a.m. Masks are currently required indoors for ages 2+. Can you usher or greet? Sign up here!.

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

Religious Education classes are now in session for the 2022–2023 church year! Children and youth begin their morning in the sanctuary with their families. Childcare is available for Nursery-PreK kids, starting at 8:45/10:45 a.m. All ages are always welcome in the sanctuary! Learn more here.

Youth Fundraiser: Donuts in the Social Hall!

After a two year Covid hiatus, our youth are heading to Boston in October for our pilgrimage to learn about Unitarian Universalist history. Our youth will be selling donuts in the Social Hall after both services this Sunday to help fund our trip. The suggested donation is $2/donut. We look forward to seeing you all this Sunday!

First Step

First Step is a brief, casual orientation to Unitarian Universalism and First Universalist Church for newcomers. During this 40-minute class, participants will learn about the foundations of our faith tradition and opportunities to get involved in our congregation. Meets in the front of the sanctuary after each service. 

Meet the Artist

Textile artist Jane Bassuk will be in the social hall Universal Gallery after both services. Her small art quilts are currently on display, and Jane looks forward to talking with you about her exhibit, Looking In. 

Donations for Augsburg Fairview Academy Food & Clothing Closets

We'll be accepting donations for AFA in the Social Hall this Sunday. Details are below.

Recording: "Belonging to Beloved Community"

Sunday, Sept. 18: The dream has been alive for years - Beloved Community. A place, a people, a moment in time when we might truly be, as our Visionary Goal proclaims, “a multi-racial, multicultural, and intergenerational faith community of mutual caring and support where people bring all of who they are and welcome each other with joy. Our sense of who we are as a community of faith is ever expanding.” What does it mean to belong to that Beloved Community, and what will be required of us as we unlearn soul-killing patterns of oppression and practice liberating, life-sustaining ways? What does it mean to belong to this Beloved Community?

"Belonging to Beloved Community"

Watch here

Listen to the podcast here

Podcast Archive | Recording Archive 

We hold in care all those grieving the loss of Rev. Rob Eller-Isaacs whose life was celebrated yesterday at Unity Church-Unitarian across the river. We hold the Eller-Isaacs family in our love as they journey with Janne Eller-Isaacs who recently shared news of her own cancer diagnosis. We pray for healing. We pray for ease. Our hearts are with you.

We join in celebration with Howard and Ann Hobbs who will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary on Sept. 23.

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.

As the COVID-19 pandemic and recommendations from public health authorities continue to evolve, and policies in schools and our communities shift, the church is currently reevaluating our Covid-19 policy, specifically regarding masking. We had previously shared that we anticipated reevaluating our masking policy after those aged 6 months to 5 years were eligible for Covid vaccines and enough time had passed for them to be fully vaccinated—and that time is approaching.

Before moving forward with an updated policy, we recognize the importance of inviting input from the congregation, and appreciate you considering the proposed changes to our masking policy and providing feedback using this form.

The staff leadership team has developed a proposed new policy regarding masking in the church building that would likely take effect some time later this fall, with opportunity for adjustments based on feedback we receive. 

The proposed new Covid-19 policy regarding masking is as follows:

When the community risk level for Covid in Hennepin County, according to Covid Act Now, is Low or Medium, masks would be optional in the church building, including on Sunday mornings. In small groups, any participant/member may request that masks be worn by the whole group.

We may designate an accessible section of the sanctuary as a space where masks are required, depending on interest.

When the community risk level for Covid in Hennepin County, according to Covid Act Now, is High, masks would be required in the church building for ages 2+ at all times, except for worship leaders when speaking at the pulpit or singing into a microphone.

Please share your thoughts and feedback with us in this six-question survey.

With fall’s coming also comes the beauty of our community coming back together from places near and far to which our lives have taken us each. In that spirit, our dear artist-in-residence Aimee K. Bryant has asked me to share that she will need to be away for a while yet as she tends to a family medical situation. Aimee will be back a few times in the fall (including the October 9 Steinway Concert here at First U), and more regularly this winter. 

Until then, Aimee, we miss you, pray your whole family’s wellbeing, and look forward to each time we can be together. 

-- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout

This Sunday, Sept. 25, we'll be collecting donations for Augsburg Fairview Academy (AFA) Food and Clothing Closets. At this time we are collecting hygiene products including toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, sanitary products (tampons and pads). Socks and underwear for women and men (all sizes, small to extra large) are also wanted. Please bring items to the Social Hall on Sunday, Sept. 25.

AFA is a public charter high school located near church and a long term First Universalist Community Partner. Many of the students face housing and economic insecurity. We have served as the primary contributor to the Food and Clothing Closets for 10 years.

A Note from First Universalist's  Sanctuary & Resistance Team:

The UU 7th principle "Respect for the Interdependent Web" was the theme of the Immigration Justice Vigil, co-sponsored by First Universalist Sanctuary & Resistance Team, ICOM and MUUSJA on Sept. 13, 2022 at the Whipple Building. This was an opportunity for us to 'witness our faith in the public arena' for our immigrant neighbors in a meaningful and connecting way. Thank you to all who participated, with planning, presenting, and attending, in person and online. We had more than 40 people join us on that beautiful Tuesday morning! Attended by many 1st Universalists including congregants and Rev. Jen Crow, along with friends from other local UU and interfaith congregations. Engaging music was led by Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, powerful reflections were shared by Rev. Arif Mamdani, heart-felt words from S&R team members Heidi Romanish, Joan Naymark, Karen Wills, Sara Adams, and Jeanne Guignon, a fun and connecting yarn toss/word activity, and a closing benediction from Lóre Stevens made for an energizing event.

Thank you to all for making the vigil so meaningful. This was a way to honor connections to our faith and to our interconnected web of humanity, and to recognize how we came to stand where we stood together at the federal building, for all those we have worked with and for all we have done over the years for immigration justice at First U and as the Sanctuary and Resistance Team.

We were moved grateful, renewed ... and look forward to continuing on this journey together.

Submitted by Tom Saterstrom

Our First U Habitat for Humanity Team is now scheduled for two build days this fall. Maybe you were thinking about signing up but the October date filled too quickly? No worries! We've just added a build day on Saturday, Nov. 5!

As a long time First U Habitat Team volunteer, I'd like to offer up a few more reasons to consider participating in this worthwhile endeavor. When we engage in social justice work there is an inherent satisfaction that comes with our engagement and effort—we have contributed to the betterment of our community and society as a whole. However, we should also expect to receive some personal benefit from the investment of our time and effort:

• Working side-by-side and lunching with fellow First U Team members affords the opportunity to broaden the base of friendships within our church community.
• New construction skills are acquired. We are taught how to use power and hand tools effectively and safely; how to measure, cut and attach drywall; install flooring and the list goes on!
• A unique volunteer opportunity with clear lines of commitment and closure – show up on a specific day at 8:30 a.m.; work; eat a provided lunch; help clean up the job site; done at 3:30 p.m.; look back on the piece of the home that you helped construct for a deserving family and smile!

Interested in being part of the First Universalist Habitat Build volunteer team on November 5? Sign up here!

Sunday, Oct. 2, 10–11 a.m. and 12–1 p.m. in the Social Hall

Learn about the variety of ways to get involved and get connected at church through volunteering, justice teams, and other opportunities for fellowship and spiritual growth. Members from various teams will be excited to chat with you about what they’ve got going on and how you can join.

Wednesday, Oct. 5, 6 p.m. in the Social Hall

Dinner RSVP Requested

Swing by church for a delicious home-cooked meal at 6 p.m.! All are welcome and there is no charge.

The Oct. 5 dinner will be a plant-based dinner planned and prepared by the Environmental Justice Team’s Food Solutions working group. The menu will be 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. 

Following dinner, stick around and join a breakout group to learn more about one of the many opportunities for deeper engagement at church.

Breakout Group Options (6:45–8 p.m.)

• Environmental Justice Team Are recent climate crisis headlines weighing heavily on your heart? Join the Climate Action team for an evening of understanding and hope, including conversation about the range of personal responses to climate crisis, renewable energy opportunities, healthy soils and regenerative agriculture initiatives, and the sacredness of water. We will also be launching a new Climate Conversations initiative, in which participants in a small group setting will share personal climate concerns and explore possible solutions.
• Young Adults Get connected and give input on gatherings for Young Adults (20s and 30s) in the season ahead.
• Adults at Midlife Let’s talk about the spiritual work of midlife (our 40s and 50s) and opportunities for spiritual growth and community at church.
• LGBT Spirituality Group The LGBT Spirituality Group is a space for LGBT folks to deepen our connections with each other and to our own spiritualities. 

Sunday, Oct. 9, 4 p.m. 

Join us for a community celebration concert to commission our new Steinway Grand Piano, a significant move along our journey to becoming a community resource for the artistic growth and nourishment of all people. The thank-you concert and celebration will feature leaders of our music ministry—Franco Holder, pianist; Aimee K. Bryant, singer and song leader; and Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, singer and pianist. Here’s our chance to formally celebrate the great story of support that has helped make this dream take shape, and to enjoy the treat of our music leaders singing and playing their favorite music, with the help of one of the best instruments in the world.

Sundays, Sept. 25 & Oct. 9, 4–5:30 p.m. on Zoom

Sign up here

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. Facilitator: Rev. Stephanie Vos, Community Minister and First Universalist member

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

Hiking Group: Meets most Saturdays at a park or trailhead. To get on the mailing list, send your name and email address to Linda Hammersten. Upcoming dates: Sept. 24, 10 a.m.; Oct. 1, 10 a.m.

Game Group: Meets monthly on the second Thursday of the month to play board games and socialize. Request an email invitation to our next meeting and be added to our email list by sending your name and email address to Anne Frenchick. Upcoming dates: Oct. 13, 7 p.m.; Nov. 10, 7 p.m.; Dec. 8, 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. Upcoming dates: Sept. 26, Oct. 24

Women (cis and trans) as well as non-binary folks who find their home in women-centric spaces who are interested in earth-based and pagan spirituality are invited to upcoming open rituals of the Under Northern Skies Women’s Ritual Circle. We will meet in room 209 in the First Universalist building on the following dates:

Sunday, Sept. 25  | Sunday, Oct. 9  | Tuesday, Oct. 25

We gather at 7:15 pm and promptly begin an hour-long ritual at 7:30 p.m., with time for questions and socializing to follow. For members who choose to commit to the circle, the commitment ritual for this cycle will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 8, after which the circle will close to new members until September 2023.

Please contact Ann Hobbs at g.annhobbs@gmail.com with any questions.

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.

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.

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.