Dear Jenn,

Oh, well my grandaddy marched, and my grandmomma too.

And I never thought it'd be something that I'd have to do.

But I'll march if I must. I'm on a mission, you see.

And I'll be damned if my children have to march for me.

I'm gonna sing out, I'm gonna march on.

Joshua Campbell’s “Sing Out/March On”

I’m a former smoker, a fact that tends to shock those who know only the classical singer part of my life. I remember the exact Saturday night my best friend Jeff and I bought a pack of cigarettes, shared them two-at-a-time on a long walk of my college campus, and talked to each other about how kool we must look to the world (I confess this sheepishly and with a nostalgic chuckle). 

I remember that night, but the seed of smoking had been planted long before. It certainly sprung up from the one summer my grandma and granddaddy smoked so many Winstons the Reynolds Tobacco Company sent us a thank-you grill. It certainly sprung from watching my dearest conducting teacher come into choir practice through a cough and a cloud. These were ones of many, countless elder examples come to surround me in rings. 

Cigarette smoking is notoriously destructive for the health of the voice, the lungs, the heart, the mouth, the teeth, the tongue, the throat… all of which are crucial pieces of a singer’s ‘instrument.’ When I was smoking, people would offer me this information as if merely the right education would unhook me from the spinning cycle. I wish it would have. 

If anything, the stress and anxiety of smoking yet another day contributed to the pressure I felt to keep the old habit alive. Nothing seemed to really help—not the peer pressure, the attempts at re-education, nor the coughing, nor the actual consequences I could eventually start to hear in my own singing and speaking (impressive though they were).

On an afternoon years later, I was smoking in a mall parking lot and a family with a young kid walked past that I hadn’t seen coming. The kid and I locked eyes for the briefest moment; I could swear I could see him file the memory. Oh no! Did I just give the habit to another generation, was the thought that flashed.

I decided to stop. But at the end of each pack, at each chance to keep doing what was comfortable for me and the moment, my sense of urgency to change dulled instead. The status quo didn’t feel as difficult to maintain when it seemed no one was watching. I kept waiting for some moment to change that felt right, intuitive, where I felt strong, and the change felt as obvious in my heart as it did in my breath. 

One morning I woke up to a revelation: the day to change my life has always been today. The revolution will not begin in my body until I begin it. I will not be changing the world in one day, but today, I can have a voice in changing mine, and those who live next. The possibility for revolution shows up every morning. The question is not so much when will the revolution finally show up, but when will I finally show up for the revolution. I quit smoking that morning, and every one since. 

Revolution, these countless chances life gives us to change worlds within, around, between us. Which revolutions are we willing to bring alive? Which dreams will wither in wasted time, habits that won’t seem to let their chokehold go? 

Join us for worship this month—our theme is “Revolution.” Let’s find the courage to change our own worlds together in song, by word, in prayer, in ritual, and fellowship. Let us dream a thousand revolutions for liberation, love, and abundant living. Then with a strong voice let’s work together, and sing them to life.

Peace,

Dr. Glen Thomas

Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout

Director of Worship Arts Ministries

First Universalist Church of Minneapolis

A note from Rev. Jen Crow:

This past Sunday, we took time to reflect as we rested on the cusp of the new year. We remembered that pausing—slowing down or stopping altogether—is the foundation of most spiritual practices. We remembered the poet, Mary Oliver’s, Instructions for Living a Life, that invite us to “Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.” We remembered that Rest is Resistance, as Tricia Hersey writes. We remembered that when we pause, perhaps settling our bodies with intentional breath, we make room to notice (to pay attention to) what is happening within us and outside of us, to name those feelings and experiences, and to actively choose what we will do—or not do—next. We remembered that as people of love and hope, compassion for ourselves and each other is important to bring to the pausing, noticing, naming, and choosing that we do. 

Heading into 2023, I took some time to pause, notice, and name some of the aspects of what I think we may be experiencing individually and collectively. I spent time listening to and wondering about a conversation about Disruptive Trends Impacting Churches in 2022 on the Igniting Imagination podcast series. You can find the conversation here by selecting the season’s bonus episode. It was a rich episode full of ideas and ways of understanding church life for some communities in 2022. For us, I honed in on the concept of the three marathons of the Covid-19 pandemic presented by Rev. Matt Rawle. 

As we consider any reflection on these pandemic times, it is important to remember that while we have all been in the same storm, we have been and continue to be in very different boats. For some, the pandemic times have been a time of rest, isolation, renewal, or insulation from the world. For some, the pandemic times have been a time of deep loss, of illness, of financial challenge, and risk. For some, it has been a time of exhaustion, heartbreak, and a reinforcing of the oppressive systems and painful experiences that disproportionately impact Black and Native folks, people of color, women and trans folks, and others with marginalized identities. For animals and the earth, we remember that the pandemic times were in many ways times of healing and renewal.

With all this in mind, I considered the “three marathons” of the pandemic that Rev. Matt Rawle described. I share them as one among many ways of understanding these times—and I welcome your complexifying of them. 

Marathon #1 - Traumatic Improvisation: The shut down, loss, improvisation and innovation of the earliest part of the pandemic experience. This time allowed for and created quick change to help us survive individually and collectively, and it was traumatic.

Marathon #2 - Existential Exhaustion: People are bone and soul weary. The Great Resignation, Quiet Quitting. It is hard for many people to do any more than they absolutely have to. People are asking important, big questions: is this the way I want to live? Is this the work I want to do or the relationship I want to be in? Do I want to stay a part of this community?

Marathon #3 - Nostalgic Scarcity: People believe that there are limited resources and these resources should be used to replicate the past. People are trying to relive the moments before everything fell apart, to recapture 2019. This is understandable and ok for moments—it’s human to seek comfort—but ultimately we are not the people we were in 2019, and the world is not the place it was in 2019. 

Thinking through these marathons, I began applying them not only to pandemic times, but to the racial reckoning sparked by George Floyd’s murder, and to events in history—from World War II to the Great Depression. Personally, I remembered my family’s house fire in 2016. When our house and most of our possessions were lost, my family moved into a time of traumatic improvisation. With the help of many others, we improvised—finding a new place to live and new rhythms as a family as we lived through the initial stages of loss and trauma. We experienced existential exhaustion, feeling the weight of grief and exhaustion that came with navigating life without our familiar comforts. We asked big questions about where and how we wanted to live and what was most important to us. And when it came time to move home, resources felt scarce and I longed for something, anything, that felt familiar to ground me. 

As we painted and furnished our now rebuilt and empty home, I was ok with all the changes we made—and I wanted something to be the same. I insisted that the basement family room, our communal hang out space, be the same as it was before the fire. Same paint color, same carpet color, a new version of the same old couch. This was great. It offered comfort and familiarity, but soon we ran into a problem. Our dog, who had experienced his own trauma and three marathons, had become more anxious. We soon found out when we moved home that any unattached pillow on any surface would quickly be destroyed. Within months, that new but familiar couch in the basement no longer had any pillows. There it was, a familiar frame and color, but now so very uncomfortable. As much as I longed for it, we couldn’t go back in time because we were not the same. We needed to change.

Listen to/watch Rev. Jen's January 1 message below.

From Sunday, Jan. 1: "Practicing Pause"

We invite you to watch this past Sunday's service, joining us for a time of contemplation and intention setting on the turning of the year. Together, we’ll engage in the spiritual practices of pausing, noticing, settling and resetting—practices that serve us well in living lives of love, purpose and meaning in all the moments of our lives—and enjoy music by Dean Magraw and Aimee K. Bryant.

Watch the Jan. 1 service here

Listen to the Jan. 1 podcast here

Podcast Archive | Recording Archive 

Intro

"Revolution"

"Pressing Pause"

Jan. 1 Worship Recording: "Practicing Pause"

Sunday Worship

Sunday, Jan. 8, 9 & 11 a.m.: Remembrance Sunday

Cycle of Life

News & Features

Foundation Accepting Nominations

Updated: Shaping the Future of Music Ministries at First U

"Return Again" Church Retreat

Help Plan a Square Dance

New Art Exhibit

Calendar

Community Dinner

Abolition 101

Daytime Connections

Grief Group

Habitat for Humanity Builds

Affiliated Organizations

Association of Universalist Women (AUW)

12-Step Spirituality

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Sunday, Jan. 8 — 9 & 11 a.m.

Remembrance Sunday

Remembrance Sunday is a yearly service in which we name and honor those we’ve lost in the congregation and the wider community. Through story, song, and ritual, this service invites us to name and make room for the loss, grief, and sadness in ourselves, within this community, and beyond in the wider world. This service includes an invitation to name with a neighbor, in-person or at home, any losses you’d like to hold in community, as well a candle lighting ritual in which we name and honor the deaths in our congregation this last year. Join us on Sunday to be and become the community of love and know that together, love can make every grief and suffering bearable for us all.

Worship leaders: Rev. Arif Mamdani, Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Rev. Jen Crow, Rev. Ashley Harness, 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!.

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 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.

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 First Universalist Foundation Board is accepting nominations through this form until Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, from First Universalist congregants (regardless of membership status) and senior high youth in the church. One (1) person must submit a nomination backed by two (2) co-signers. Nominee organizations that are selected will then be sent our grant application.

The Foundation is soliciting nominations of organizations that address racial justice, climate justice, and human rights. We are also interested in organizations whose leadership includes Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), women, or individuals from disenfranchised communities. This year we are particularly interested in supporting organizations with smaller budgets (for whom our grant may make a significant difference) and newer organizations or initiatives which are addressing the disparities that recent events have laid bare. Organizations that have not applied for a Foundation Board grant in the past are encouraged. Historically the Foundation Board has given out grants ranging from $5,000 - $20,000.

Please note our mission statement and giving criteria which heavily inform our decisions:

Mission Statement

First Universalist Foundation acts as a catalyst for social change by promoting and supporting the development of emerging leaders, youth, young adults, and/or disenfranchised communities through monetary grants to nonprofits working in those communities.

Giving Priorities and Criteria

1.  Demonstrate the potential to address one or more causes or forms of injustice.

2.  Work to engage youth, young adults, and/or disenfranchised communities in the work of social change.

3.  Have a commitment to measuring the impact or success of the funded program.

4.  Focus on the Twin Cities community.

5. Organizations with annual budgets of less than $1,000,000 will be given greater priority.

6. Organization leadership and/or board members reflect the community that the organization wishes to serve (BIPOC, women, individuals from disenfranchised communities).

7. Organizations that have been funded three times in the last five years may be considered lower priority.

Questions? Please email: foundation@firstuniv.org

Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout has been working with Shelley des Islets, Ann Kay, Shelley Thron, and Lou Quast to design and launch a community-wide creative brainstorming process about the music ministries here at First Universalist Church, and what they might become in the years to come.  

You're invited to one of multiple opportunities we are offering to gather your input on this important development. Please pick the one that works best for you and weigh in!:



• Wednesday, Jan. 11: listening sessions for both adults and children after the community dinner that evening;
• Thursday, Jan. 19; listening sessions at 9 a.m. prior to Daytime Connections;
• Sunday, Jan. 22: listening sessions at 1 p.m. in person at church;
• Wednesday, Jan. 25: Dr. Glen Thomas will be listening to BIPOC community members at Dinner Church (BIPOC-only space)
• Sunday, Jan. 29: online listening session via Zoom after the church service;
• OR, fill out this Online Survey, which will remain open through January 31.

We will be asking about aspects of music you have enjoyed here or elsewhere. We will be asking about things you would like to see here in the future. We will be asking about elements of our music ministry you would like to participate in, as well as those you would like to experience, both within the Sunday service and more broadly at First Universalist. Plan to provide your input in whichever means works best for you. We need your ideas!

Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023

8:30 a.m.–3 p.m. in person* OR 9:15 a.m.–12 p.m. online

Every January, we find ourselves on the threshold of another new year. A threshold inviting us to look back on where we have been and to look forward, imagining the year now emerging. A threshold offering us time and space to pause with others and with our own heart’s truth, and in the words of the song, “return to the home of your soul.”

You are invited to “Return Again,” First Universalist’s congregational retreat on Saturday, Jan. 21, offering a day of worship, fellowship and reflection, conversation and music, and of course, good food. We’ll honor the many thresholds we are on, personally and collectively—changes in relationships, identities, abilities, vocations and more—by pausing to consider both the gifts and losses that every change brings. There will be time together as a whole group as well as time in breakout groups with others who share common experiences or identities.



Led by guest speaker Rev. Karen Hering, author of “Trusting Change,” Lauren Wyeth, Director of Spiritual Growth for All Ages, Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Director of Worship Arts Ministries, Rev. Arif Mamdani, Associate Minister, Rev. Ashley Harness, Assistant Minister (facilitating the online experience), and Rev. Jen Crow, Senior Minister.

Retreat Schedule

IN PERSON 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m.* 

8:30 a.m. Check in and light breakfast

9:30 a.m. Opening worship 

10:45 a.m. Breakout groups, part 1

12 p.m. Lunch & fellowship/reflection

1 p.m. Breakout groups, part 2

2:30 p.m. Closing worship

ONLINE 9:15 a.m.–12 p.m.

9:15 a.m. Check in & prepare

9:30 a.m. Opening worship

10:45 a.m. Breakout groups

11:45 a.m. Closing ritual

Registration is free and open to all. Light breakfast, lunch and partial-day* childcare provided. Registration deadline is Saturday, Jan. 14 (early registration is appreciated and will help our planning). *Partial day in person option for families with children in childcare runs from breakfast through lunch.

If helping to plan a winter square dance sounds like fun to you, please send Rev. Arif an email and let him know. Members Bill McTeer and Karen Parson are in on the scheming, and you could be too. Current thinking is a Saturday afternoon in February, right about the time of year when we're all fed up with winter and need some energy, good company, and fun. You don't need to know anything about square dancing to help plan this event. Get in touch: arif@firstuniv.org

January 8–February 19

Meet the artist after services this Sunday, Jan. 8

Fawzia Khan, a long-time member of First Universalist, exhibits two installations she worked on during the year 2020. For “Becoming Visible: Stories of Extraordinary Minnesotan Women,” Fawzia interviewed 12 Minnesotan women from various walks of life—from the original inhabitants to our newest immigrants—about their contributions to community. Two participants were our own Kate Tucker and Suzann Willhite.

Using embroidery as a metaphor for the laborious nature of unacknowledged “women’s work,” she manipulated photos of them and digitally embroidered images of their eyes on flour sack dish towels, a symbol of traditional gender roles. The installation also incorporates the contributions of these women to Minnesota through written summaries and a video. There are longer videos on each woman available on her website.  

The second installation titled “Persevere” was created in response to the profound grief and paralysis Fawzia felt as a result of the pandemic and the murder of George Floyd. As an attempt to revive her creative juices, she challenged herself to draw one mandala a day on her iPad and post it to Instagram. Creating a mandala is a contemplative process, and a meditative way to center and rediscover joy in art making. It was a much needed escapist practice that helped her to refocus so that she could once again begin working on “Becoming Visible.”

The exhibit will be on view Sunday, Jan. 8 through Sunday, Feb. 19. Fawzia will be available to talk about her work after both services on Sunday, Jan. 8. She will also be presenting to Daytime Connections on Thursday, Jan.19. See more of her work at: www.fawziakhanart.com.

Wednesday, Jan. 11, 6–8 p.m. (some breakout groups begin at 5 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. Following dinner, stick around and join a breakout group.

MENU: Breakfast for Dinner! We'll serve up scrambled eggs, meat or plant-based sausage, and waffles with topping choices including syrup, whipped cream and fruit. Gluten-free and vegan waffles will be available. We always offer vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, nut free and kid-friendly options. All church events are alcohol-free.

Haven't joined us for a community dinner before? Check out these photos from November for a sense of what it's like!

Breakout groups:

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

Youth D&D Campaign, 5–8 p.m. (early start!) Join us for the first half of our Dungeons & Dungeons campaign from 5–6:15 p.m., break for dinner, and then return to finish the adventure from 6:45-8 p.m. Middle- and high-school youth who are experts or new to D&D are welcome to show up, learn, and play. Our Dungeon Masters are Ian and Dave Leppik.

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 questions and let’s “geek out” on religion, spirituality, and theology with Rev. Jen Crow.

Shaping the Future of Music Ministries Listening Session Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout and congregant volunteers are conducting a community-wide creative brainstorming process about our music ministries. Adults and children are welcome.

Mandala Making - Make use of all the materials we'll have on hand—from yarn to markers to craft sticks—to create your own mandala.

Ushers and Greeters Training Ushers and greeters provide a welcoming, informed, and non-anxious presence on Sunday mornings. Come learn the ropes and build skills for welcoming all to a multi-racial, multicultural faith community.

Thursdays, Jan. 12, 19, 26, Feb. 2 & 9, 7–8:30 p.m in person at church (masks will be worn if anyone requests them)

Register here

Have you heard the term abolition, but are unsure what it will really mean in practice, within the policing system we have? Join us at an in-person five-week circle, developed for white folks, to reflect on the wisdom and expertise of Black feminists and others who understand the impact of policing and the carceral system and are creating and imagining a world of care and transformative justice that brings safety and freedom for everyone.The purpose of this circle is to explore what abolition means beyond what we hear in the news in a small group where we can reflect on our personal experience, knowledge, and biases about how the criminal justice system operates. Each person's feelings and experiences will be honored. The purpose of this circle is not to change folks' minds about abolition, but to gain a deeper understanding in a listening and reflection circle while staying connected to our bodies. 

Facilitators: Denise Konen and Jeff Sylvestre, First U members

If you're not able to make these dates but would like to participate in a future circle, sign up online and we'll let you know when it's offered again (likely to be in March).

Thursday, Jan. 19, 10 a.m. in the Social Hall (Zoom option available)

January's Daytime Connections program will feature Dr. Fawzia Khan, a multi-disciplinary artist from Hopkins and long-time member of First Universalist Church. Dr. Khan will present—and provide a guided tour of—two of her projects, Becoming Visible and Persevere. Attendees will also be invited Into the Mind of the Artist, as Fawzia describes the artistic process she employed to develop these projects.

Becoming Visible examines and explores the contributions made by a diverse group of Minnesota women to community. Persevere presents an ancient art form, mandalas, created with a very modern tool, an iPad. Both are on display in the Social Hall through February 19.

Sign in and coffee is at 9:45 a.m. Program starts at 10 a.m. Soup & salad lunch 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 in order to plan for lunch. Sign up to attend here.

Sundays, Jan. 8 & 22, 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

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, 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. Registration for February is now open!

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! There is a discount for AUW members and an additional early bird discount until January 15. Go here for more information and to register.

Hiking Group:  Meets most Saturdays at a park or trailhead. For questions, contact Marie Sorenson. January 7: Wood Lake Nature Center, 2pm; 6710 Lake Shore Drive S, Richfield. Meet in parking lot at entrance. Marie will not be there. January 14: Central Park, 2pm; 2540 Lexington Ave N, Roseville. Parking lot off Lexington Ave. Be sure to go to Lexington Parking lot, not the other parking lot. Marie will be there. January 21: Westwood Nature Center, 2pm; 8300 West Franklin Ave, St. Louis Park. Meet by Nature Center door or go inside. You may need a mask inside. Marie will not be there. January 28: Lakewood Cemetery, 2pm; 3600 Hennepin Ave S, Minneapolis. Meet outside by the Chapel. Park on driveway there.

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. The group will read Hamnet in January and Search in February.

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.