Dear Jenn,

If you missed church last Sunday, I strongly recommend that you go back and catch the recording. You can do that here.

Now, I have to tell you that I am not recommending that you go and catch the recording because I was the one preaching. I am the last person who will ever suggest that anyone revisit a sermon that I preached. I recommend that you listen to last week's service because on Sunday, March 12, we launched our Annual Giving Campaign. And on that Sunday, in that sanctuary with those of you who were with us in person, and with those of you who joined us online, and with those of you who joined us at some other time via podcast or YouTube, in all of the ways that we made up the gathered congregation, I was reminded of why we do church.

I was reminded of why we do church in the music we sang together and in the story that Glen Thomas shared about the cracked pot. I was reminded of why we do church in the prayer that Rev. Ashley prayed and the call to offering that Meleah Houseknecht shared. I was reminded of why we do church by the couple who brought their baby to the church for the first time ever, and by the folks in the back rows who sit with arms crossed looking grumpy and sometimes nod off (yes, we see you). I was reminded by the people who gathered after the service over coffee, and by the folks who ran out the door just as we sang the last notes of “your divine my divine…”

It is in that spirit that I want to invite you now, reading this whenever it is that you're reading it, to take a minute and remind yourself why you do church. 

Last Sunday, we heard from Meleah about why she does church. And in the coming Sundays we will hear from more members of the congregation about why they do church. You will hear people speak of church as a place that challenges them. You will hear people speak about church as a place that invites them to grow, that invites them into giving and receiving in ways that they may not have imagined they were capable of or sometimes even ways that they aren’t quite sure they want to. 

Some people will speak of struggling with church. Others will speak of church as a place where they are connected to the intergenerational arc of change by which this world becomes more like the world we imagine. 

What you'll hear, in other words, is a staggering diversity of reasons that people do church. It is not for just one reason. And none of the reasons that people do church are the same. Whatever your reasons are, what I want you to know is all of those reasons are needed in this faith community.

In addition to thinking about why you do church, we need you to make a financial gift to support the work of the church. Last Sunday, we launched the annual giving campaign through which we support the many ministries of First Universalist, and if you haven’t received this invitation yet, I invite you right now to consider a gift to support the annual campaign of this congregation. If you're curious about how much to give, you can check out the fair share guide from the Unitarian Universalist Association. If you’d like more information about this year’s campaign or making a pledge, let us know and we’ll get a packet out to you.

Your reasons for being part of this community matter. Your financial support makes a difference. Thank you for helping to make this church what it is.

In faith,

Rev. Arif

Rev. Arif Mamdani

Associate Minister

First Universalist Church of Minneapolis

Intro

"Why Do You Do Church?"

Sunday Worship

Sunday, March 19, 9 & 11 a.m.: "A Covenant with Mystery"

Happening After Worship

Sunday, March 12 Recording: "The Seeds We Plant"

March 12 Cycle of Life

News & Features

Meleah Houseknecht on Why She Supports First U

Visionary Goals Workshops: Dates Added

Your Input Needed: Beloved Community Behaviors

Member Name Tags

Cook-Off Voting

Leadership Applications Due March 17

UUA Presidential Forums

Calendar

March Board Meeting

Artist Reception

Sunday with the EJ Team

ReMembering: Singing Water

2nd-5th Grade RE Overnight

BIPOC Dinner Church

Membership Classes

Grief Group

Caregivers Group

April Events

Affiliated Organizations:

AUW, 12-Step Spirituality

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Sunday, March 19 — 9 & 11 a.m.

"A Covenant with Mystery"

As Unitarian Universalists, we make covenants all the time. Our relational faith is built on covenant. We make horizontal and vertical promises to each other and to the oneness of mystery. A relationship with the unknown opens the mind and frees the creative spirit.

Join us this Sunday as we welcome guest preacher Rev. James Galasinski.

The Rev. James Galasinski has served the UU Church of Canton, NY since 2016. Earlier, he served congregations in Wisconsin and New Mexico. He notices that everything is in process, everything is related, and that nature is all. James and his wife, Ulrike, love hiking in the Adirondacks with their two children Miles and Oskar.

Worship leaders: Rev. James Galasinski, Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Rev. Jen Crow, 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 (meet at front of Sanctuary)

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.

Pick Up Your Annual Giving Packet

Outside the Sanctuary before & after services

This Sunday, please take a moment to stop at the tables just outside the sanctuary and pick up the envelope addressed to your household! Packets will be available for pick up this Sunday and next; packets that are not picked up will be mailed on Monday, March 20.

Soup in the Social Hall

10 a.m. & noon after both worship services

A group of volunteers will be serving three different kinds of homemade soups! Donations welcome but not required.

Artist Reception with Melodee Strong

10 a.m.–3 p.m. in the Social Hall; book readings for kids at 10:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.

Meet Artist Melodee Strong, whose work is currently on view in the Social Hall Universal Gallery. Additional details in the Calendar section below.

From Sunday, March 12: "The Seeds We Plant"

Robin Wall Kimmerer says that our deepest longing is to belong to each other and to the larger community of life. She says this longing is expressed in the idea of tending a garden, which is itself an expression of belonging on many different scales. There is a persistence in this belonging—one that speaks to us of our lives here, together at church, and of the audacity to plant seeds that will nourish the generations that come after us, knowing that we have been fed by work of the generations that came before. This too is tending a garden, and is itself an expression of belonging and extending belonging. As we continue with this month’s theme of persistence, we’ll journey with stories of planting and harvesting, wondering about which part of this collective garden we tend, and what seeds we’re planting for our future.

Watch the March 12 service here

The March 12 podcast will be available next week.

From last week:

Listen to the March 5 podcast here

Podcast Archive | Recording Archive 

We hold Deborah Talen in our hearts, as she grieves the recent death of her father. He was 98 years old and died after a bout of pneumonia. He is one of a diminishing population, a veteran of the US Army of WWII. We hold Deborah and family in our care and love.

We mourn the death of Cal Belden who died peacefully on March 3 at the age of 95. Cal was father to member Ginny Belden-Charles, grandfather to member Ellen Guettler, and great-grandfather to Odin and Emil Pofahl. Cal’s spirit was so very light-filled. He brought an almost child-like wonder to everything and everyone throughout his life. His mark is indelible on all he touched. We hold Cal’s family in our hearts in this tender time.

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.

“Seth and I moved to Minnesota in 2011 for work. We were in our 30s, and as anyone who didn’t grow up here can attest, Minnesota can be a hard place to make friends and form a community as an adult. As a life-long UU, I knew that First Universalist would be a place where we could find a community of shared values, a spiritual home as an interfaith couple, and a supportive village in which to raise our children.

"We joined at the start of 2018 and continue to give as generously as we can in time and money to make sure First Universalist thrives. We have found rewarding intergenerational relationships, parent friends with whom to move through the joys and challenges of raising children in times of pandemic and protest, and Sunday mornings full of both comfort and challenge to live out our values in every aspect of our lives. I no longer see church as a place that I go to, but a place that I belong and continue to become. That means that it’s up to me, as a part of the greater “we,” to make sure that I contribute what I can to the collective resources we need to be—and become—the community we want to be.”

Meleah shared her testimony in worship this past Sunday; you can watch/listen here.

The Board of Trustees invites 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.

It is important that a significant percentage of the church membership participate in this process, and we are aiming for a minimum of 250 participants. We need just under 100 more people to sign up and attend, so please give us the gift of your time and attention by signing up for one of the following workshops which have just been added:

• Monday, March 20, 6:30–8:30 p.m. at church
• Wednesday, March 22, 6:30–8:30 p.m. at church
• For BIPOC: Wednesday, March 29, 6:30–8:30 p.m. at church

Sign up for a workshop here.

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.

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

Our First Universalist vision includes becoming a multiracial, multigenerational and multicultural community. This is the Beloved Community that we want to build together. A Community of many communities—that are multigenerational, multicultural, and multiracial. This beloved community will not be given to us—we have to build it and tend it. We are the people who will create this Beloved Community, through our actions and behaviors. So what we choose to do, what we commit to, really matters!   

Commissioned by the Board, a small group, The Commitment to Beloved Community team, has been meeting to help our community move toward the commitments we want to make for beloved community. Take five minutes to think of one behavior that you or someone you know at church does that builds beloved community. Please document your answer in the survey below.

Thank you on behalf of the Commitment to Beloved Community Staff Team,

Eric Cooperstein, Shelley des Islets, Rev. Andrea Johnson, Ginny McAninch, Janet Merrill, Velma Wagner, Meg Riley, Lóre Stevens with support from Rev. Arif Mamdani and Sara Hedge  

You may have noticed that many members are sporting new name tags! If you are a member and would like to order a new name tag with larger text and your pronouns, please order here by Tuesday, April 11. If you’d like to order a name tag, but aren’t sure if you’re a member, contact Membership Coordinator Liz Farmer.

As Rev. Arif shared in his lead Liberal column last week, there's a First U Cookoff in the works! Voting is in progress now.

Chili, Hotdish, Soup, and Pie are in the lead, but Bread, Dessert, and Burgers are close behind. There's still time to choose what makes it to the finals. Vote now.

The Nominating Committee is recruiting candidates for leadership positions on the Board of Trustees, Foundation Board, and 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.

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, Foundation Board, and Nominating Committee. A position description 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.

This election year there is a single candidate for UUA (Unitarian Universalist Association) President, the Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt. Minister, educator, scholar, vocalist, poet, fiber artist and change-maker, Rev. Dr. Betancourt has served Unitarian Universalism for more than twenty years in a wide range of volunteer and professional roles. Her work in the world and practice of Unitarian Universalism are informed by the belief that building mutual, accountable relationships with one another allows us to live our values more fully every day. 

UUA Presidential Forums, held in March through June this year, are an opportunity to meet and get to know candidate Rev. Dr. Betancourt, who will join events in congregations in Arlington, VA, Evanston, IL, Santa Barbara, CA, and Dallas, TX.

Each UUA Presidential Forum is multi-platform, taking place in person and online, and the first is coming up this Saturday. We encourage you to consider attending one of the four forums that are being offered! Learn more here. Schedule & sign up below.

Saturday, March 18, 12 p.m. CT, UU Church of Arlington (VA) & online

Register to attend

Saturday, April 29, 1 p.m. CT, Unitarian Church of Evanston (IL) & online

Register to attend

Saturday, May 20, 3 p.m. CT, Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara (CA) & online

Register to attend

Saturday, June 3, 1 p.m. CT, First Unitarian Church of Dallas (TX) & online

Register to attend

Thursday, March 16, 6:30 p.m. at church and on Zoom

The First Universalist Board of Trustees meets this evening, Thursday, March 16, from 6:30–9 p.m. Meeting materials, including Zoom info, are available here.

Sunday, March 19, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. in the Social Hall; book readings at 10:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.

Artist Melodee Strong will be in the Social Hall Universal Gallery this Sunday, March 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This will be a chance for you to talk with her about her artwork and also an opportunity to purchase additional pieces of her art and her award winning children’s books.

She will also be doing a book reading at 10:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. for kids.

Melodee is also a well-known mural artist. She will return to church Saturday, June 10 from 10 a.m.–noon for an image brainstorming session. You’re invited to come share your ideas about images to be included in the two murals she’ll be creating for our sanctuary.

Sunday, March 19, 3 p.m. at church

Join the Environmental Justice (EJ) team, and like-minded congregants, on the third Sunday of the month for environmental justice movies to open a window into the world of the climate crisis and possible solutions and actions you can take now.

Wednesday, March 22, 7–8:45 p.m. in the Cummins Room at Church

RSVP REQUESTED

First Universalist Church is a Water Protector Congregation. We will celebrate World Water Day 2023 with this special presentation.

ReMembering: Singing Water is an original choral film that explores Minnesota as a place of both home and exile for Indigenous people, LGBTQ people, and immigrants. Interconnected stories are brought to life through choral music, spoken word, animation, and life-size puppets. ReMembering Singing Water was filmed outdoors by the Mississippi River and Minnehaha Creek.

Presented by First U’s Environmental Justice Team, this event will be moderated by Cathy Geist, an EJ team member, trustee of First Universalist, and a member of the One Voice Mixed Chorus.

Saturday, March 25 at 4 p.m. through Sunday, March 26 at 9 a.m., at church

Registration Required

First Universalist's annual Family Overnight is just around the corner!

A scavenger hunt, family dinner, talent show, ice cream sundaes, and active games make the evening fly by. (Don't let your kid get a single year older without learning how to play that 1st U favorite—sardines!) The thrill of exploring the church by flashlight at night and waking up in a classroom on Sunday morning is something they will never forget.

Space is limited. Learn more and sign up online here today.

Wednesday, March 29, 6–8 p.m. in the Cummins Room

RSVP REQUESTED

What’s Dinner Church? Pretty much what it sounds like-—we’ll have a meal together while creating a worshipful experience 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. BIPOC 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 

Thursday, March 30 OR Tuesday, April 11, 6:30–9 p.m. on Zoom

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

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.

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

Sundays, March 26, April 23 & May 21, 1–2:30 p.m. on Zoom

REGISTER HERE

Caring for a family member who needs special care is a demanding and often unseen or unacknowledged role. Whether you’re caring for an aging parent or a child with a chronic health condition, join the Caregivers group for mutual support, connection, and community building. Facilitator: Rev. Arif Mamdani, Associate Minister

Sundays, March 26, April 9, 23, May 14 & 28, 4–5:30 p.m. on Zoom

REGISTER 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. Karen Hutt, Community Minister

Sunday, April 2

BIPOC Book Group

Young Adults Lunch & Crafternoon

Saturday, April 8

Young Families Spring Celebration

Sunday, April 9

Grief Group

LGBT Spirituality

Tuesday, April 11

Climate Resilience & Faith Circle Begins

Membership Class

Sunday, April 16

Church Square Dance

Sunday Afternoon with the EJ Team

Wednesday, April 19

Community Dinner

Thursday, April 20

Daytime Connections

Sunday, April 23

Grief Group

Caregivers Group

Wednesday, April 26

BIPOC Dinner Church

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 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 to Anne Frenchick. Next date: April 13, 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. This month's book is The Seed Keeper by Diane Wilson with a meeting on March 27. Sara McMullen will host this month. Please email or call her and let her know if you are able to attend. RSVP at 612-805-5059 or saramcminneapolis@gmail.com

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.