Winter Solstice is Coming!
"Mending the Web" Solstice Ritual Returns... Online
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Greetings!
Because of the global pandemic, this has been a year of adapting, trying new things, and experimenting.
As many of you know, the Winter Solstice ritual is one of the most important rituals we do as a faith community. Bob Friedman has been involved in this ritual for the past 20 years and earlier this year, he and I began exploring what a Zoom version of the Winter Solstice ritual might look like. However, as we dived into that possibility, we realized that this Winter Solstice ritual was nearly impossible to translate into a Zoom service. How could we recreate, online, the extended time of silence, the power of 600 people sitting together in darkness, and the returning of the light, as candles are illuminated? We didn’t think we could honor this ritual in the ways we wanted to if we did something on Zoom.
So instead, in a labor of love, we’re working on a document to use at home, for your own Winter Solstice ritual. There will be readings, mediations, chants, links to Winter Solstice YouTube videos, and much more. In next week’s Liberal, we’ll be sharing an article with more information about this, as well as a link to the Winter Solstice ritual. I’m grateful for the hours of effort Bob Friedman and Debbie Cash have put into this, and we’re excited to share it with you next week.
With care,
Rev. Justin
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Additional Update on Phase 2 Renovations |
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In last week’s Liberal, we shared a video tour of the completed Phase 1 of our building renovations and announced that our Board of Trustees has approved moving ahead with Phase 2.
We know that many of you have already had a chance to watch the video tour of Phase 1 construction, which has transformed our education and admin wing. In addition to her ministerial abilities, Rev. Jen Crow is a darn good tour guide! If you missed it, you can watch the video here.
While the Board has approved Phase 2 construction and funding, it's important to note that we are first entering into a second planning process and that the actual construction won’t start until April 2021. There are some components of this work that are “starting immediately,” including hiring an architect, identifying funding, securing our contractor, and going back into design development for Phase 2, but the actual renovation and construction won't start for some time.
Rev. Jen Crow, along with the architect and Building Committee, will meet with the congregation once Rev. Jen is back from sabbatical (she returns on Jan. 15, 2021). During these meetings, the team will share ideas and solicit more feedback before going forward. We've heard loud and clear from the congregation about the desire to contain noise in the Social Hall and will incorporate that into the new design.
This is an exciting time in the life of our faith community. We've adjusted and responded to the realities of a global pandemic, have completed Phase 1 of this project, and are moving with strength and clarity into Phase 2. Thank you for your support and engagement in this process. Together, we are creating a more welcoming and inclusive space!
And if you missed last week's update and video tour, you can watch that here.
Rev. Justin Schroeder, Co-Senior Minister
Bryana French, President of the Congregation
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MULTIGENERATIONAL WORSHIP
Sunday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m.
"Question Box Sunday"
Julica Hermann de la Fuente
Seeking Your Questions about Social Justice!
Inquiring Director wants to know your questions about social justice! This Sunday, Julica Hermann de la Fuente, our Director of Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Ministries, will offer a Question Box Sermon.
Do you have a burning inquiry about anti-racism and anti-oppression work, especially as it applies to our congregation? We create the message together when you provide the questions for the sermon part of our worship service. Julica will do her best to answer as many questions as possible during that part of the service. She reserves the right to choose which questions to address, and will try to group similar questions into topics.
WATCH
Connect to our live streamed worship between 9:55 and 10 a.m.:
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Enter the Zoom worship webinar here (webinar ID: 861-805-984). To join by phone (audio only), dial 1-312-626-6799 and enter the webinar ID.
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Or watch on YouTube Live
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Please note: due to licensing requirements (which can be different for live streaming versus recording), the on-demand recording of this Sunday's service will not be available immediately after the service as it usually is. We expect to have the recording of this service posted no later than Tuesday afternoon.
ORDER OF SERVICE
- Details about elements of the service
- Zoom info for post-worship gatherings
- extra resources
- and more!
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HOLIDAY GIVING: MAKING OUR GIFT THIS SUNDAY |
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During the winter holiday season, we invite you and your family to join us in rethinking the meaning of gift-giving by making a gift to our selected Holiday Giving recipient. By redirecting a portion of our holiday spending to a local nonprofit that advances racial equity, we can each strengthen our community ties and rekindle the season’s true spirit.
Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism (BLUU) is our Holiday Giving Recipient this year. We invite you, as you are able, to reduce your holiday spending and give what you save to BLUU. BLUU was formed in 2015, and strives to be a dynamic, nimble and responsive group of loving and fierce Black Unitarian Universalists, committed to supporting Black UUs, increasing power and capacity as Black UUs, and working for justice-making and liberation through our faith. We are in year two of a five year commitment to BLUU. You can make your gift here now or on December 13 during the worship service.
In worship on Sunday, Nov. 15, we heard from Lena K. Gardner, Executive Director of BLUU and a member of First Universalist Church, Rev. Justin Schroeder, and members of our intergenerational Holiday Giving Team. If you missed it, you can learn more about BLUU and this year’s Holiday Giving project by watching that service here!
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POST-WORSHIP HAPPENINGS (DEC. 13)
~11 a.m. Care Companions Space
If you find yourself wanting to talk with someone about what is stirring for you on a Sunday morning, please speak with one of our care companions in a confidential breakout room after the service. You can join here.
11:15 a.m. Sunday Small Groups and Fellowship Hour
Small groups and fellowship hours now funnel through one zoom space. Join here.
Breakout room options are:
- Six-Week Sunday Small Groups (pre-registration required)
- BIPOC-Multiracial Fellowship Hour
- All-Identities Fellowship Hour
Religious Education this Sunday
Religious Education classes for children and youth in Kindergarten through 9th grade meet at 11:15 a.m. Senior high youth groups meet at varying times in the afternoon. Advance registration required. More information.
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WEDNESDAY EVENING WORSHIP
Wednesday, Dec. 16, 7 p.m.
***Please note: there will be NO Wednesday worship on Dec. 23 or 30; this service will resume in the new year on Jan. 6.***
This midweek worship experience for adults and older youth is a brief time (20-30 minutes) of connection, centering, and reflection, to help us find and keep our balance during this time of pandemic and physical distancing.
Connect to our live streamed worship between 6:55 and 7 p.m.:
Post-service Care Companions space (opens at about 7:30 p.m.): enter here
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Sunday Service Recording & Podcast |
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Sunday, Dec. 6: "In the Interim Time"
Reflections & summary by Liz Farmer:
When dawn supplies only slow light, days are gray, and isolation persists, this year, the idea of the “hap, happiest season of all” dangles in front us as a trite, almost cruel suggestion. (Even the Christmas decorations newly bedazzling my home seem a little out of place.) Who is merry these days? Where is the brightness - let alone light - in this year of seemingly endless slogging through? We have longed for national leadership to take the virus seriously, watched for a final downward curve on the graph as evidence of our distancing and masking efforts, wondered when we will be able to safely gather with friends and family again in person, and are on the cusp of waiting our turn in line for a vaccine. There are layers, too, within the waiting: grief, loneliness, boredom, newness, and the anxiety of the unknown. This we know to be true. Why is waiting so hard? What changes occur while we wait? What happens in that murky, shadowy, interim time between night and day?
In this darkest time of the year, when many religious and cultural traditions call our attention to light, we must resist the urge to perform, achieve, or script joy and happiness. We cannot - it turns out - pull the sun up over the horizon any faster than it will. And even if we could, we would lose valuable waiting time! This is the season when, as Dutch Catholic priest Henri Nouwen wrote, “those who are waiting are waiting very actively. They know that what they are waiting for is growing from the very ground on which they are standing.” What delight has been planted there, right where you are?
In this Sunday service, storyteller Aimee K. Bryant, the First Universalist Choir, and Rev. Justin Schroeder invite us to wait with them with story, song, and sermon.
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If you are experiencing a crisis or transition, or celebrating a joy, please let us know. To be included in our Cycle of Life each Sunday in worship, or if you would like support, contact Rev. Arif Mamdani at arif@firstuniv.org or 612-825-1701.
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An invitation to the Memorial Service for Cecelia Newton
This Sunday, Dec. 13 at 4 p.m., we’ll be gathering to say goodbye to member Cecelia Newton. Cecelia died on Nov. 8, 2020. Due to COVID and limitations on gathering, a very small service was held at Lakewood Cemetery, and this Sunday we’ll be gathering as a larger group virtually, in community, to celebrate her life and mourn her passing.
You are invited to attend the service as well as a post-service gathering, also on Zoom, where we’ll break into smaller groups to share stories and memories. If we were in person at church, this is what we’d gather around tables in the Social Hall to do after the service, and we hope you’ll join us on Sunday for our online version of this space to share and remember.
Join on Zoom
Join the Memorial Service for Cecelia at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 13 here (Zoom).
Meeting ID: 971 8345 0116 Passcode: 248607
Dial in for audio only: 1-312-626-6799
Environmental Justice Team Tribute
The First Universalist Environmental Justice Team has put together a beautiful tribute honoring Cecelia and her environmental justice work. The EJ team's goal in sharing Cecelia's Remembrance is to help the First Universalist community appreciate Cecelia's passion and compassion for taking care of our Earth.
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Holiday Services: Christmas Pageant and Christmas Eve Candlelight Service |
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Christmas Pageant
Sunday, Dec. 20 at 10 a.m.
Thursday, Dec. 24 at 4 p.m.
Our children and youth and their families, worship leaders, musicians, staff and volunteers are hard at work putting together a virtual Christmas Pageant experience that you’ll love!
Our Christmas Pageant will be shared virtually as our Sunday worship service at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 20, and will be rebroadcast at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 24.
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 wise one, a wanderer.
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Thursday, Dec. 24 at 9:30 p.m.
This year, please join us virtually for our annual Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, traditionally a time of mindfulness, music, and candlelight. This service is a weaving of scripture readings, poems, musical offerings, silence, and lighting our hearts and spirit with candlelight and hope.
Zoom information will be shared in next week's Liberal.
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Sunday Small Group Registration Open |
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Six Week Sunday Small Groups are a chance to gather (virtually) with others to share what's stirring for you on a Sunday morning, to listen generously to each others' stories and reflections, and to find ourselves, our questions—and perhaps an invitation—within the sacred texts. No fixing, no saving, no advising, no setting each other straight, just the simple act of offering care when others are speaking, and receiving care when it’s our turn to talk. Most of all, they are a chance to create and build together a space where all can be authentic in community.
The next round of small groups will begin meeting on zoom on Sunday, Jan. 17 after the worship service. Groups meet weekly on Sundays, 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., for six weeks (through Feb. 21). Registration for this round of small groups will be open until Jan. 3. Find more information, details, FAQs and answers on our website.
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Newcomer Circle Registration Open |
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Newcomer Circles are four-session gatherings of 6–8 participants who are new-ish to First Universalist. If you’ve been joining us for worship, participating in small groups or other gatherings for a few months and would like to deepen your connection to the church and meet others who are also early in their journey with the congregation, this is a great way to do so. The next Newcomers Circle will take place on Zoom on four Mondays, starting January 4, from 7–8:30 p.m. (If you’re brand new to us or testing the waters, we invite you to first attend First Step—a brief orientation offered every first and third Sunday of the month—drop into our post-worship fellowship hours, or sign up for a Sunday Small Group.)
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Thanks for the Choir in this Season of Giving Thanks |
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Submitted by Pat Gottschalk
In the midst of so many cancellations and disappointments, it feels good to focus on the amazingly steadfast work that our own First Universalist Choir has done since March when the church officially shut down in person services.
Dr. Randy Buikema convened over 40 members on Zoom to launch the choir’s work together. There was a lot to learn. Lots of techniques and electronics to discover and training of members to become skilled in participation. Don’t ask about how bad Happy Birthday sounds when everyone just ‘sings it together’ on Zoom!
There were uncertainties, but Randy’s strong, inspiring leadership and the bond of the choir kept people on track to produce musical recordings from last March through the summer and autumn into Christmas season.
Have you heard their music in the Sunday morning Zoom services? Would you like to hear more? Are you curious about how they made this work? Would you like to know the names of the intrepid volunteers who brought each recording together? Would you enjoy hearing about some of the more dramatic challenges?
Watch this space for future snippets answering those questions about our incredible, intrepid First Universalist CHOIR and Director Randy!
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Mental Health Connect News:
Helpful Hints to Manage Holiday Stress
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Submitted by Janet Houck
Did you know that December is National Stress-Free Family Holidays Month? Is a stress-free holiday possible? Mental Health Connect’s education team put together a holiday toolkit for our Ambassadors and churches. Below are a few summarized bullet points from one of these resources to help us stay mentally healthy during the holidays! Read the full article here.
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Recognize that the people in your life are who they are. It is not new information who will be the Scrooge, who will drink too much, who will have unrealistic expectations or who will be generous to a fault. Put your energy and time into those who know how to love and whose presence makes you happy.
- Give yourself permission to let some things go.
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Take care of yourself. We should do this all the time but it’s especially important to get enough sleep, to eat right, and to get some exercise every day when stressed.
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Do random acts of kindness. Get into the season of giving. Let someone else have that parking space near the store. Compliment the harried store clerk. Let the mom who is shopping with kids go ahead of you in line. Be generous with street musicians. Doing good will make you feel good — or at least better.
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Be grateful. Research has shown that taking the time to be grateful every day has enormous physical and mental health benefits.
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Sign Up by December 11: Take One Small Step
with First Universalist and Masjid An-Nur - Mosque of Light
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StoryCorps’ One Small Step provides a framework for people who hold different viewpoints to explore what they have in common and calls to Americans to take, “One Small step” towards fostering a culture of listening.
First Universalist's Peace Action Circle, in partnership with Masjid An-Nur Mosque, is collaborating with StoryCorps. We invite you to participate in a virtual, recorded and facilitated conversation with another person in our community who you might not otherwise have the opportunity to talk with. We challenge you to engage in these crucial connections and to learn what we have in common that outweighs our differences. The partnership with Masjid An-Nur provides a unique opportunity to engage in an interfaith discussion about the stories that have impacted our lives.
In December, StoryCorps will begin thoughtfully matching community members for conversations that will take place in January. To sign up to participate, complete the online screening questionnaire by December 11.
Take, “One Small Step” towards fostering a culture of listening. We challenge you to engage in these crucial connections and to learn what we have in common that outweighs our differences.
Please indicate your congregation when filling out the survey and email TCPeaceLiteracyEduc@yahoo.com when you have completed it. We will be sending out individual invitations and encourage referrals to friends and associates outside our First Universalist community. Our goal is to recruit a diverse group.
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Virtual Meetings & Gatherings |
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Pathway to Membership Class |
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If you’re ready to officially become a member of the church, please sign up for the next Pathway to Membership session happening via Zoom on Saturday, Dec. 12, 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Don’t worry, we won’t spend the whole time in front of the screen! Through a combination of individual, small, and large group activities, we’ll help you understand membership at church and what it means to join the river of faith that is our collective religious life. This session will be led by Rev. Arif Mamdani with support from Liz Farmer. Reach out to either of them with any questions (arif@firstuniv.org or liz@firstuniv.org).
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Ongoing Meetings for Adults |
Every other Sunday, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. (Dec. 13 & 27)
Every other Tuesday, 7–8 p.m. (Dec. 8 & 24)
Do you identify as someone in 12-Step recovery? Would you like to build community at church and add a layer of support for yourself and others as we head into the winter? Join us for this weekly drop-in group for UUs in 12-step based recovery from all kinds of addiction and family dysfunction. We'll join in a time of silent meditation, explore a topic, and share our experience, strength and hope with each other. Participation in the meeting is confidential. Join us via Zoom here. (Meeting ID: 922 6965 4151 Passcode: 839388) For more information reach out to Dick Young (dickyoung1@comcast.net)
First Sunday Meditation Group
First Sunday of the month, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join this monthly congregant-led group for silent meditation on Zoom. After 20 minutes of sitting together in silence we will share how our practices are helping us through these difficult times. We will begin our gathering at 11:15 a.m. to provide time to share our lives with one another. Meditation will start at 11:30 a.m. Join via Zoom here. Meeting ID: 932 5053 7134 Passcode: 459991
Weekly Meditation Group
Tuesdays, 9–10:15 a.m.
The Weekly Meditation Group is meeting by Zoom Tuesdays from 9-10:15 with an extended learning session once a month. Our time together contains seated meditation, walking meditation and sharing. Reach out to Martha Easter-Wells at mm3second@aol.com to sign up and for Zoom information.
Third Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.
Connect with fellow First U young adults (20s & 30s) as we gather monthly via zoom on the third Thursday of the month from 7:30-8:30 p.m. Please note the change in day. We'll have a different activity or theme planned for each gathering, starting with theology conversations with Rev. Arif Mamdani on November 19! We hope you can join us as we talk about some of the "big questions" of life. Join via Zoom here. (Meeting ID: 992 3538 3974; Passcode: 125529)
Thursdays, 10–11:30 a.m. (check in begins at 9:30 a.m.)
Led by congregant Pat Gottschalk, Chi-Gung meets via Zoom on Thursdays through 12/19 (except Thanksgiving). Meeting ID: 872 9181 2732
Thursdays, 5-6:30 p.m. (weekly)
AUW members are staying connected via a weekly Zoom "Happy Hour."
Meeting ID: 834 7301 7986. Password: 557571
Saturdays, 9:30 a.m., weekly through the end of December
All people in or interested in 12 steps are welcome, this includes Al-Anon, Adult Children of Alcoholics, CODA, etc. The workshop includes meditation, Centering Prayer meditation instructions, a short talk and small groups. Meeting details available at 12stepspirituality.org
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Ongoing Meetings for Children, Youth & Parents/Families |
Single Parents Gathering
Tuesdays at 8 p.m.
Single Parents Gathering with Rev. Sara Smalley - Parents/guardians who are single and/or co-parenting gather for mutual support and spiritual sustenance. Email Sara to be connected to the group at smalley.sara@gmail.com.
Parents of Babies and Preschoolers (ages 0-4 years)
Parents/guardians of little ones gather with Lauren for mutual support and spiritual sustenance. Email Lauren at lauren@firstuniv.org to be connected to the group.
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Spiritual Care - Your ministers and program staff are here for one-on-one confidential conversations of support. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to any of us to connect.
Counseling - The Walk In Counseling Center offers free counseling by phone or computer. Find out how to “walk in” here.
Cycle of Life - Every Sunday we name the challenges and joys that we are experiencing. If you have experienced a loss, are living with a new or ongoing health concern, are celebrating a transition, or would like us to name your joy or sorrow in worship on Sunday, please let Rev. Arif know (arif@firstuniv.org)
Grief Kits - Have you or someone else you know in our congregation lost a loved one? Please let Rev. Karen (revkarenhutt@gmail.com) know so that a package full of love and support can be delivered to your home.
Love Kits - Are you or someone you love ill? Is your family struggling? Do you live alone or feel isolated? Do you know someone else from church who might answer yes to any of these questions? If so, please let Rev. Karen (revkarenhutt@gmail.com) know so that a package full of love and support can be delivered to your home.
Meal Trains - Sometimes receiving a meal one time or over the course of a couple of weeks can be just the thing to lighten the load and remind us that we are loved. If you or someone you know at church would welcome a meal to help them through a difficult time, or if you or your family have experienced a loss or are living with an illness or injury and having someone else do the cooking for a bit would help, please let us know. You can contact Rev. Jen or Rev. Karen, or contact our Congregational Care Coordinators, Nick (nicholasnier@gmail.com) and Julia (jskow@fastmail.com) directly.
Minister’s Emergency Fund - For many of us, these are difficult financial times. If you need help with a car repair bill, making rent, a doctor’s bill, groceries, gas, a mortgage payment, affording your medication, a bus card, or any other financial situation - please be in touch with any staff member. We have financial resources available, and we can get a confidential check to you quickly. Please contact any of the ministers on staff.
Winter Buddies - Would it help to get a regular phone call from someone who cares? What about a check-in over zoom or phone once a month, or once a week? Our Pastoral Visitors are a group of congregants who provide confidential companionship and support to fellow members and friends of the church. They offer compassionate presence through a one-time call or an on-going relationship. Please contact Rev. Karen (revkarenhutt@gmail.com) if you’d like to be connected with a companion.
Mental Health Connect - www.mhconnect.org - Need help finding a therapist? Want to learn more about particular mental health conditions and resources? Check out Mental Health Connect, a local organization supported by congregations like ours, that provides community-based resources, support and education to improve access to mental health services and connect individuals and families with the services they need.
Mental Health Navigators - If you are trying to access therapy or counseling services, navigate the insurance system, speak to a financial counselor, connect with housing services, or support loved ones with mental illness, a Mental Health Navigator can help. They journey alongside you to help remove barriers and complexity so that you can gain access to the right providers and resources for your unique situation. Navigation and follow-up services are free, confidential, and tailored to your individual situation. Learn more here: What Is a Mental Health Navigator? And get started here.
UUs in 12-Step Recovery - Want to build community and share support with other Unitarian Universalists in 12-Step recovery? Connect with Dick Young (dickyoung1@comcast.net) to learn more and join in.
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