Dear Jenn,

There’s a tenderness we know for each other at times of birth and death, a holding back of the world around us, a letting go of time and appearance, of status and expectation. In those moments, we lean in to love and care, to tending our bodies and the bodies of our beloveds, careful and quiet in how we speak and move. The tenderness of those times can be intense—and it comes, too, when we’ve almost lost something—like our health or a precious relationship—and had it return. 

Recently I returned from a visit with a dear friend. She is dying, we all know it, but somehow in this time she is here—vibrantly, fully, sarcastically, tenderly here. After a five-week stint in the hospital when we all expected to lose her, she is home and going about the daily tasks of living. On her first trip back to the grocery store after her coma, she greeted every employee there with the same enthusiasm: “I almost died and I’m here! I’m here shopping!” We laughed together about what they must have thought of this strange woman wheeling her way around Trader Joe’s, and I think of her now every time I go to the co-op. “I’m here. I’m here shopping!,” I think and smile. 

I used to experience a similar sense of gratitude and awe first thing on Sunday mornings when I’d enter the church and see choir members and musicians making their way into the building. I’d drop off my things in my office, print out my notes for the morning and get ready. As I made my way through the building, I’d hear the choir warming up. Scales and breathing exercises would make way to full on song. Careful preparation, listening, and mutual corrections lovingly offered would begin to blend those voices into something larger. Often, I’d sit in the pews listening or fill the chalice and tidy up the chancel as they rehearsed. I’d feel the tenderness and the gratitude that all of us would then turn and offer to the congregation just a few moments later. All of us setting the space together—warming up and making way so that hopefully, when the sanctuary filled online or in person—everyone who arrived could feel something like the tenderness of our care or the delight of gratitude for being here and alive. 

I miss those moments. They come differently now, and I continue to cultivate an awareness of the tenderness and care we all need, the gratitude that can transform everyday tasks into an acknowledgement of the miracle we are. There is a poem by Rolf Jacobson, translated by Olav Grinde, that I hold close these days. I hope it will be a blessing for you and for us as we head into a season of holidays together.

"When We Sleep" by Rolf Jacobson (translation by Olav Grinde)

We are all children when we sleep.

There’s no war in us then.

We open our hands and breathe

in that calm rhythm heaven has given us.

We all let go of our lips like small children

and open our hands halfway,

soldiers and statesmen, servants and masters.

The stars stand guard

and form a haze across the vaults

—a few hours when none shall do each other harm.

If we could only speak to each other then

when our hearts are like half-open flowers.

Words like golden bees

would slip through

–God, teach me the language of sleep.

In gratitude,

Rev. Jen

Rev. Jen Crow

Senior Minister

First Universalist Church of Minneapolis

Sunday Worship

Sunday, Nov. 27, 9 & 11 a.m.

Nov. 20 Recording: Child Dedication Sunday

Nov. 20 Cycle of Life

News & Features

Updated COVID Community Care Policies

First U Substance Abuse Recovery Community

Calendar

Dinner Church for BIPOC

Families with Babies & Preschoolers Meetup

Community Dinner

Affiliated Organizations

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Sunday, Nov. 27 — 9 & 11 a.m.

"One in Gratitude"

On this multigenerational Sunday, our shared attention will turn to the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address, a practice created and shared by the Indigenous people of the Turtle Clan, Wolf Clan, and Mohawk tribe. This practice invites us to begin and end our days with gratitude, and together we will experiment and wonder about how we might choose to begin and end our days, and how we and our relationships might be changed by our practices. 

Please join us for worship this Sunday at 9 or 11 a.m.

Worship leaders: Rev. Jen Crow, Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Rev. Ashley Harness, 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 updated Covid-19 Gathering Guidelines. 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

Childcare is available for Nursery-PreK kids, starting at 8:45/10:45 a.m. Religious Education classes for K–12th grade are on break for Thanksgiving weekend. All ages are always welcome in the sanctuary! Learn more here.

From Sunday, Nov. 20:

"Becoming Together: Child Dedication Sunday"

In our Sunday, Nov. 20 service, we celebrate the miracle that is at the center of our larger story and the cycle of life. We welcome, name, and dedicate ourselves to the care of children in our congregation through the Child Dedication Ritual. Together we discern and practice the spiritual work of committing ourselves to the care of our youngest and making room for the people they will become over the course their lives. 



Watch the Nov. 20 service here

Listen to the podcast here

Podcast Archive | Recording Archive 

Our hearts are with Cindy Marsh and Wendell Vandersluis as they mourn the death of Cindy’s mother, Elaine Johnson, age 103, who passed away very peacefully on November 14. She was a kind and gracious lady, beloved by all who knew her, who was proud to have lived independently in her own home until entering hospice. Memorial Services will be held at Woodlake Lutheran Church in Richfield on December 5. 

Our love and care surrounds Stacy Kaditus and family on the death of Stacy’s father, Cas Kaditus. Cas died yesterday evening after life sustaining measures were removed earlier in the day. We hold Cas in warmth and light, as he transitions to whatever is next. He often said that he just wanted to travel eternity with his Yorkie, and we join our hearts to this wish too.

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.

In last week's newsletter, we shared our updated Covid Community Care Policy, which went into effect on Monday, Nov. 21. Please read Rev. Jen's lead column in last week's newsletter for more details and background about how we arrived at this decision.

First Universalist Covid Community Care Policies & Information

Updated November 21, 2022:



• Masks are required in the sanctuary on Sunday mornings and for special services for everyone ages 2 and up (accommodation will be made for those unable to tolerate a face covering due to health condition, disability, or behavioral or developmental condition.)
• 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. 
• If you are joining us in person, we expect that everyone who is able/eligible has been vaccinated against COVID-19.
• If you are not feeling well or experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, or if you have been notified of a recent exposure to a confirmed positive case of COVID, we ask that you please stay home—and join us for worship online (or participate in your group/class/event online if that option is available).
• We ask that you do your best to maintain a distance of at least 3 feet between you and those who are not in your household.
• Staff and key volunteers are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
• Worship is streamed to the Social Hall or Cummins Room for those who desire to be in a space with fewer people and/or unmasked.
• We are singing during services (masked)
• When Covid community levels are High, masks are required throughout the whole church building.

On October 30, a small group of folks from the congregation who’re in recovery from substance abuse gathered for a conversation about how the church could support their recovery. The group listed the following possibilities, and on Sunday, Dec. 4, will meet again for further conversation and development of these ideas so that as a community, we can determine what’s next and where love is calling us. If you’re in recovery from substance abuse and would like to be part of shaping how this community gathers and is supported by the congregation, please take a look at the list below, and join the next gathering of the group on Sunday, Dec. 4, from 1–2 p.m., in Room 207.

Ideas and possibilities from October 30th conversation:

• Spiritual community
• Support for relationships with our personal conceptions of a higher power, consistent with UU’s Fourth Principle: a free and responsible search for truth and meaning
• Increase the wider community’s understanding of addiction and recovery - reduce stigma
• Develop a space for building community, connection, and fellowship
• There’s potential interest in church hosting recovery meetings
• Recovery focused small groups
• UUs in recovery book group/book study
• Do a service project together
• Connect with other UUs in recovery
• Develop and help to lead a retreat for other UUs in recovery
• Start an email list so that congregants in recovery can be in better touch with each other

If these sound interesting or inspire you to imagine other ways the church could support your recovery, please join the next conversation. Also, please note that these gatherings observe anonymity and confidentiality, and that anyone in recovery or interested in recovery from substance abuse addiction is welcome to attend.

Wednesday, Nov. 30, 6–8 p.m. in the Cummins Room

Registration required

What’s Dinner Church? Pretty much what it sounds like—we’ll have a meal together while creating a worshipful experience together with music, words, and opportunities to share what’s on our hearts and minds. You’ll be fed in body and spirit while helping to create and sustain the community we all need. We gather on the last Wednesday of each month, November through May (no meeting in December). BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) members and friends of the church are invited. Kids are welcome and encouraged to attend, and childcare staff will be available to support parents and caregivers. Hosted by Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Director of Worship Arts Ministries, Lóre Stevens, Cummins Ministerial Intern, and Rev. Arif Mamdani, Associate Minister

Sunday, Dec. 4, 12:30–2 p.m. in Rooms 102-104

RSVP requested

Join us for a holiday-themed meet up after church on Sunday, Dec. 4. There will be snacks, a craft, and plenty of opportunities to chat with other parents/caregivers while little ones play. Families with babies through preschoolers are invited; older siblings are welcome. Hosted by Hirut Hedge, Spiritual Growth Programs Assistant

Wednesday, Dec. 7, 6 p.m. | 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. Menu available on our website, a 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. Dinner sponsored by the Food Solutions group, part of First U’s Environmental Justice Team.

Breakout Groups (6:45–8 p.m.)

• Holiday Crafting Extravaganza All ages are welcome to make use of our wide variety of arts and crafts materials to create holiday decorations and gifts to give. Bring your creative spirit and come play!
• Senior Conversation Join a conversation with others ages 65 and up. We’ll explore the tasks of this period of life, with a particular focus on moving toward spiritual maturity and wisdom.
• Wellspring Info Meeting  UU Wellspring is a year-long spiritual deepening course—a unique combination of spiritual practices, spiritual companionship, readings, and heart-opening sessions—that will start in January 2023. Groups gather in person twice a month for two hours of deep listening and spiritual reflection and there are assignments between gatherings. This meeting is meant to help you decide if you’d like to sign up.
• Get to Know Habitat for Humanity  Church has had a long relationship with Habitat for Humanity, from countless build days to the funding the “House That Love Built” in 2014. Our partnership has helped us live out our faith in the world and has been a vehicle through which we’ve built relationships and friendships. Join the Habitat for Humanity team to learn about how you can become part of these opportunities.
• Get to Know Relationships Evolving Possibilities Join us for an introductory gathering to hear more about Relationships Evolving Possibilities (REP) and how we can partner to build a faith community of care to support each other in moments of crisis or urgency.
• Christmas Pageant Leads/Singers Rehearsals Pageant sign up will open in November; watch the Family ENews for the announcement and link.

MUUSJA Annual Convening with Paula Cole Jones

Tuesday, Dec. 6, 6:30 p.m. on Zoom

Paula Cole Jones will keynote MUUSJA's annual convening on Dec. 6 about our "community of communities," 8th Principle, Article II, & building a culture of inclusion. Details. Register here.

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: Nov. 26, 2 p.m.

Game Group: Meets at the church 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 date: 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 date: Nov. 28 – The Crooked Branch by Jeanine Cummins

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.

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.