Dear Jenn,

It is such a joy to share the news that Rev. Karen Hutt will be back among us beginning in January. As you’ll hear from Rev. Karen directly soon, we are all grateful that we were able to create space this past year for Rev. Karen to step away and care for herself and discern the next shape of her calling to ministry, and we are grateful, too, that her current ministerial calling will lead to some more time with us. Beginning in January, Rev. Karen will return to First Universalist as an Affiliated Community Minister, preaching every other month and leading our Grief Group this winter. Rev. Karen will join our other Affiliated Community Ministers, including Rev. Ashley Horan and Rev. Andrea Johnson, in offering support to the congregation as requested by the Leadership Team. We are thrilled to welcome Rev. Karen and her wisdom, theological depth, and humor back into our midst. 

Some of you may remember that when Rev. Karen joined us at First Universalist, her primary focus was on preaching and teaching, and this is the ministry she will return to. During Rev. Justin’s sabbatical, the early years of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd and subsequent racial justice uprisings. Rev. Karen served on our Leadership Team, led our Care Companions team, and offered pastoral care to many of you all while continuing to preach and teach regularly. Rev. Karen moved in to provide additional support to First Universalist in a time of deep need, and we will be forever grateful for her willingness to care for all of us and our community in those particularly difficult times. 

Rev. Karen’s impact on our congregation and our staff culture has been transformative. She was the first minister of color to serve at First Universalist, and I often imagine her as the icebreaker on the prow of a ship, opening a way for others to travel. As she returns, I pray that she will experience the warm welcome I know we can offer and that she might experience her living legacy here as we continue to do the life-giving spiritual work of becoming the multicultural, multiracial, intergenerational Beloved Community we long to be. Please join me in welcoming Rev. Karen back to the pulpit and our community on January 29th.

In gratitude,

Rev. Jen

Rev. Jen Crow

Senior Minister

First Universalist Church of Minneapolis

Sunday Worship

Sunday, Dec. 18, 9 & 11 a.m.

Dec. 11 Recording: "The Ocean in One Drop"

Cycle of Life

News & Features

Sanctuary Decorations

No December Board Meeting

Calendar

Christmas Pageant

Solstice Ritual

12/24 Candlelight Service

Habitat for Humanity Builds

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Sunday, Dec. 18 — 9 & 11 a.m.

"Dreaming in the Dark"

As we approach the longest nights of the year and the beginning of Hanukkah, we’ll explore the wonders that take place in the dark. Perhaps it is in our dreaming, in those times when the limitations that so often diminish our imagination drop away, that we can find healing and hope. Join us on Sunday as we claim our space in this darkest time of the year and trust in the generative power of our dreams.

Worship leaders: Rev. Jen Crow, Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Lóre Stevens, 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–5th grade are in session; registered children and youth begin their morning in the sanctuary with their families before being dismissed to their classes. All ages are always welcome in the sanctuary! Learn more here.

A Place to Start

After both services in the Chancel Room

A Place to Start is a brief, casual orientation to Unitarian Universalism and First Universalist Church for those who are new. During this 40-minute class, participants will learn about the foundations of our faith tradition and opportunities to get involved.

BLUU Table in the Social Hall

After both services in the Social Hall

Come learn more about our holiday giving recipient BLUU (Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism), BLUU's Housing Project, and housing justice at a table in the social hall after both services this Sunday.

Youth Fundraiser: Donuts in the Social Hall

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

From Sunday, Dec. 11:

"The Ocean in One Drop"

Photo of Lena K. Gardner by Bethany Birnie.

Make a gift for BLUU through our Holiday Giving project here.

The everyday work of world change takes trust, patience, and faith. The individual steps it takes to progress a vision can look mighty different, more complex, smaller, even frustrating at times. It can be hard to see sometimes how what we’re doing even makes a difference in the world. Yet, this diligent faith is the very dream in action. Lena K Gardner talks with Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout about the bold work of BLUU (Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism). Come to worship with your heart wide open to sing and to learn how our hands can help the dream.

Watch the Dec. 4 service here

Listen to the podcast here

Podcast Archive | Recording Archive 

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 Board of Trustees will not have a December meeting. However, the Board will be meeting on the Visionary Goals process as well as continued work with Rev. David Pyle on the tension that has risen between choir members and church leadership following Dr. Randy Buikema’s termination.

The Northern Lights theme adorning the sanctuary, created by our Visual Arts Committee, features an evergreen tree decorated by with snowflakes made by congregants.

Many small (stuffed toy) creatures have gone into the snow fort, but there's still more room for youngsters to add theirs!



Please note that masks are required in the Sanctuary for our Christmas Pageant, Solstice Ritual, and Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, just like on Sunday mornings. Masks are optional in the rest of the building as long as we are at a Low or Medium Covid community risk level. Please also note that we will be using real candles (a limited number of electric candles will available) and that at the designated time, attendees will be directed to remove their masks for a brief moment to blow out their candles. These services will also be available for viewing in the Social Hall or Cummins Room for those who wish to be in the building for the services, but not in the sanctuary.

Sunday, Dec. 18, 4 p.m. in the Sanctuary

RSVP & Share on Facebook

Watch on Zoom here

(Webinar ID: 848 9633 4522, Passcode: 016428)

Our annual Christmas Pageant is a beautiful telling of an ancient story. It is a tale of hope and hospitality, a reminder that every child is born a redeemer, a story that speaks to us all of what it means to be a seeker, a star, a singer, a wonderer, a wanderer, a wise one. Join us live in the sanctuary, watch the livestream via Zoom, or watch the recording on our YouTube channel.

A cocoa and cookie reception follows in the Social Hall. We invite you to bring a plate or package of cookies to share if you're able.

Wednesday, Dec. 21, 7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary

RSVP & Share on Facebook

Watch on Zoom here

(Webinar ID: 810 2930 1090, Passcode: 231313)

Celebrate the longest night of the year and rejoice in the returning of the sun at our annual Winter Solstice Celebration. The ritual celebration includes chants, solstice heritage and wisdom, a call to the directions, time spent in the darkness, music, and celebrating the returning of, and sharing of, light. Join us in person in the sanctuary or watch the livestream via Zoom.

Saturday, Dec. 24, 9:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary

RSVP & Share on Facebook

Watch on Zoom here

(Webinar ID: 819 0165 2851, Passcode: 320093)

The Candlelight Service at First Universalist is a time of mindfulness, meaning making and music. This service is a weaving of scripture readings, poems, musical offerings, silence, and lighting our hearts and spirit with the candlelight and hope. The candlelight service will be offered in person and on zoom.

Image: Warren Antiola CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity is a long-standing Faithful Action Partner of First Universalist, and the First U Habitat Crew is excited to have our first three work days scheduled for 2023. They are:

• Thursday, Jan. 5 at 3330 Oliver Ave N, Mpls
• Thursday, Feb. 2 at 3042 18th Ave S, Mpls
• Saturday, March 4 at 3330 Oliver Ave N, Mpls

The work day typically runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with lunch provided. Each work day is limited to 10 volunteers. There will be heat in the building but it is often uneven. Layered, warm clothes are your best bet.

Sign up to volunteer 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. There are no more organized hikes during the month of December; hikes will resume in January. For questions, contact Marie Sorenson.

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: Jan. 12, 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: Dec. 26

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.

In our Nov. 17 newsletter, we shared our updated Covid Community Care Policy, which went into effect on Monday, Nov. 21.

Our full updated Covid policies are available here. A summary of updates 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.