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May 7, 2020 | Vol. 7 No. 19
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2020 Coming of Age Graduates
Share their Statements of Faith this Saturday
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Rev. Ruth MacKenzie |
One of the favorite parts of my ministry is working with the Coming of Age youth. Every year this beloved group of people dedicate their Sunday mornings, and some serious daydreaming/wondering time, to the big questions of faith: What is God? Is there God? What is the nature of being human? What is spiritual? What is significant about this life? What is death? What is community?
As Unitarian Universalists we hold to the principle that in order for faith to be vital and real, you have to be free to question and wonder. And in order for faith to have meaning, we have to be responsible with our search and the answers we hold true. This is not a faith in which you can believe anything you want. It's a faith tradition in which we ask what are the truths that will grow our souls, enliven our communities, and make our world better.
This coming Saturday, May 9, at 3 p.m., 20 youth will be sharing this culmination of time, discernment and digging deep by reading their statements of faith. Although COVID-19 has made this year's class more challenging and stressful, their statements of faith are heart opening, and truthful. A faith statement or credo is so much more than simply stating your spiritual or religious beliefs, your agreement with this or that. A credo is coming to terms with where you place your trust. What do you trust? The Latin word Credo means: to set your heart. So, instead of saying, "This I believe," I think it's more accurate to say: "This I believe. These are the truths to which I set my heart, the compass I will use to guide my living and loving."
Do your heart some good and join us on Saturday at 3 p.m. Support our youth in this major threshold of sharing their credos, and give your thirsty spirit a big gulp of hope.
In faith,
Rev. Ruth
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Sunday, May 10 at 10 a.m.
MULTIGENERATIONAL WORSHIP
With a message by Rev. Jen Crow and featuring Coming of Age youth
Our worship services are live-streamed via Zoom on Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. You can also call in to listen to the audio of the service.
To join by phone (audio only), dial 1-312-626-6799 and enter the webinar ID.
~11 a.m. Virtual Coffee Hour
After Sunday worship, join us for
virtual coffee hour (
Meeting ID: 212 168 092)
or dial: 1-312-626-6799 and enter the meeting ID when prompted.
Wednesday, May 13 at 7 p.m.
WORSHIP
Wednesday evening worship offers a brief time (20-30 minutes) of connection, centering, and reflection mid-week, and is geared towards adults and older youth.
7 p.m. Wednesday Worship geared toward adults & older youth (webinar ID: 117-312-320)
To join by phone (audio only), dial 1-312-626-6799 and enter the webinar ID.
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Watch the Worship Recording from Sunday, May 3
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Worship on Sunday, May 3 featured a message by Rev. Karen Hutt and a story (with a surprise!) by Lauren Wyeth, and guest musician Dean Magraw treated us to live performances of two songs. Watch our Sunday, May 3 worship service here.
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Dean Magraw joined us live on Zoom for worship on Sunday, May 3!
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Reflections on Sunday worship by Liz Farmer, Administrative and Adult Ministries Assistant
Amidst the overarching themes of togetherness and solidarity of late is a persistent fear and anxiety: a fear that someone else's decisions will increase my or my loved ones' level of risk. We choose every day, as we face our own fear, whether to wear a mask, whether to self-quarantine, whether to order delivery or venture out for essentials. How long can the world hold on like this? What tools do I use to make my decisions now? How do my faith, class status, and beliefs affect my decision-making process? As our minds race, writer and poet Arundhati Roy describes the pandemic as an "opportunity to rethink the doomsday machine we have built for ourselves." When we make it to the other side of the pandemic, or "portal" as she names it, what choices and ways of coping will we have brought with us? What choices are we making now that will affect what is "normal" in the future? The pandemic is a paradigm-shifting event that will divide our lives into a before and after. We will emerge changed. Simply asking these questions affirms our humanity, our humility, and our responsibility to one another.
View all worship recordings from past Sundays on our YouTube channel.
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CYCLE OF LIFE & CONGREGATIONAL CARE
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Cycle of Life from Sunday, May 3
We hold
Mary Helmin
and her family as they mourn the death of Mary's beloved mother
Dorothy Helmin
who died on Friday night due to complications with COVID. Dorothy was a lover of jazz piano, long walks, and a wonderful caregiver for her family.
We hold
Erin Salinas and her daughter Lucia
as they navigate some very difficult and stressful times.
We pray for Maria Kaefer as she goes in for a procedure at Mayo clinic on Monday, following lung surgery earlier this month.
Let Us Keep You in Our Thoughts and Prayers
If you are experiencing a crisis or transition, or celebrating a joy, please let us know; contact Rev. Ruth MacKenzie at
ruth@firstuniv.org. If you would like support, call the office at 612-825-1701 and follow the prompts for pastoral care on the recording.
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Join the Healthy Congregations Task Force!
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The Board of Trustees has established a "Healthy Congregations Task Force" to explore the ways in which congregants interact with each other and with church staff. The task force will be led by Board Members Dan Moriarty and Eric Cooperstein with support from Arif Mamdani, Director of Membership and Adult Ministries.
The task force is also seeking four to six church members to join the task force and to help make recommendations to the Board of Trustees.
The work of this task force flows directly out of our mission to welcome, affirm, and protect the light in each human heart. How we relate to each other is a direct expression of that mission, and so we are particularly interested in making sure that BIPOC and/or LGBTQ members of the congregation are part of this task force.
The charge of the task force is to:
- Study how the congregation interacts with each other and with staff and identify any deficiencies or concerns;
- Evaluate the role of other church-related outlets such as the CyberCoffee Hour listserv and the Church Facebook page, in congregant interactions;
- Consider how congregant relationships and communications may reinforce white supremacy within the congregation;
- Determine whether First Universalist Church would benefit from adopting a Congregational Covenant or Code of Conduct, and, if so, draft language for consideration by the Board of Trustees for presentation to the congregation at a meeting of the membership;
- Consider mechanisms for interrupting congregant conduct that may be inconsistent with the congregation's covenants for being in relationship with each other and with staff; and
- Make other recommendations to the Board of Trustees as the task force deems appropriate.
The Task Force has been asked to report back to the Board regarding its progress in the fall of 2020, with a goal of presenting final recommendations to the Board by March 2021.
If you think you might be interested in joining the Task Force, please send an email to
ericcooperstein@mac.com by June 1, 2020, and share your responses to these questions:
1.
How have you been involved at First Universalist Church?
2.
What do you think are the common characteristics in healthy relationships in a community?
3.
On a scale of 1 to 5, how healthy are congregant-to-congregant and congregant-staff relationships at First U now and why did you pick that number?
If you're interested, please be prepared to participate in virtual meetings using Zoom or other video communications software.
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Building Renovation Plans:
Recording of Congregational Meeting
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Preparations Underway for Education Wing Renovations, Scheduled to Begin in Mid-May
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In 2017, we raised more than $4.5 million in our Capital Campaign, Not for Ourselves Alone: Building an Inclusive Future, for renovations that will improve our church's accessibility, hospitality, welcoming presence, and education & meeting spaces, allow us to address deferred maintenance, and improve the worship experience through enhancements to the sanctuary.
After a careful and thoughtful planning process, grounded in the priorities identified during our capital campaign and gathered from the congregation in focus groups and listening sessions, we are proceeding with Phase 1 of the project, which includes renovations to the Education Wing, Chalice Room (which will become the new Cummins Room) and Atrium, this summer.
As we prepare for renovations of the education wing to begin in mid-May, staff have been hard at work packing classrooms and offices and moving everything to the social hall/sanctuary side of the church. We've included a couple of photos from earlier this evening below, and you can see more on our Facebook page here.
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Coming of Age Ceremony 2016
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Coming of Age Ceremony
Saturday, May 9, 3 p.m.
In our Coming of Age service this Saturday at 3 p.m., courageous 9th graders close out a year of exploration and reflection by sharing what lives in the depths of their hearts, what nourishes their spirits, and what questions captivate their imaginations.
This year promises to be an especially inspiring service - and your presence will be even more meaningful than usual; the gathered congregation serves as loving witnesses as our young people mark this spiritual milestone.
Join via telephone: Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 312 626 6799 or +1 929 205 6099 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 669 900 6833 or +1 253 215 8782
If you're calling in via
telephone (audio only) or using the Zoom app on a
mobile device, the
webinar ID is
858 4827 5225 and the password is 371167.
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This Week: Virtual Gatherings for Adults
Tuesday, May 12 at 8 a.m.
Begin your week with spiritual grounding and sustenance with Rev. Ruth, taking time to connect with your breath, your heart, your woundedness and your joy, in this half hour interactive session in which we will check in with others, and engage with a spiritual practice.
Wednesday, May 13 at 7:30 p.m. after Wednesday Worship
In the Calming Circle, hosted by Rev. Ruth MacKenzie and Pastor Stephanie Vos, we check in with one another, engage in a somatic experience of spiritual practice (stretching our bodies, and our spirits) and then gather in prayer and spiritual practice, holding one another in compassion and kindness.
Wednesday, May 13 at 7:30 p.m.
The Young Adults group (for those in their 20s and 30s) is now gathering on a weekly basis. Connect with fellow First U young adults after Wednesday worship for conversation and fun.
Thursday, May 14 at 9:30 a.m.
The Chi Gung spiritual practice circle led by Pat Gottschalk is now available online Thursday mornings through June 4. This is a great opportunity to explore gentle movements with a focus on our personal energies. Wear comfortable clothing. You can adapt any movements to your own needs, including sitting if that's what your body needs. All are welcome.
Join here (Meeting ID: 898 0699 8491, Password: 693625)
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Weekly Gatherings for Children, Youth & Families
SUNDAY
11:30 a.m. Sunday Play Date (2nd-7th grade) with Lauren - Half an hour of games and service/social justice activities, expanding on themes from the 10 a.m. worship. This Sunday, we hope the whole family will come! Bring paper and crayons or markers. Register in advance
12:30 p.m. Young Family Story Time (Families with babies to 1st grade)
with Seth - Stories, songs and rituals to keep little ones (and their grownups!) connected to familiar rhythms and relationships.
Register in advance
1:30 p.m. BIPOC/Multiracial Youth Group* with Daryn, Sarah and youth leaders, for those who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color and/or multiracial; email Lauren (
lauren@firstuniv.org
) to be connected to the group.
(meeting at 1:30 p.m. this Sunday only)
SPECIAL SUNDAY PLAY DATE!
On this Mother's Day Sunday, in honor of all the caregivers in our families, 2nd-7th graders are encouraged to bring their grownups along for a Sunday *FAMILY* Play Date from 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Not just for moms - this one's for adults of all genders who are raising kids in our community.
We'll be hosting 45 minutes of family fun and games, celebrating all kinds of families. Let's amp up the joy and make the most of our day!
If your 2nd-7th grader isn't already registered for our Sunday Play Dates, sign up by 11 a.m. Sunday
here.
TUESDAY
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. (Meeting ID:
984 9990 9070;
Password: connection)
WEDNESDAY
8 p.m. Gathering for Grownups parenting kids in K-12th grade, with Lauren - Parents/guardians gather every other Wednesday for mutual support and spiritual sustenance. Meets April 29, May 13 & May 27 (Meeting ID: 235-861-667; Password: 757737)
THURSDAY
8:15 p.m.
Parents of Babies and Preschoolers (ages 0-4 years) with Lauren - Parents/guardians of little ones gather for mutual support and spiritual sustenance. (Meeting ID: 273-644-536
; Password: 446240)
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12 Step Spirituality Workshops, which had been hosted at First Universalist one Saturday per month, continue every Saturday (weekly!) on Zoom. The workshop begins at 9:30 a.m. and will run on this weekly basis through May 16, 2020. All people in or interested in the 12 steps are welcome. The workshop includes meditation, centering prayer meditation instructions, short talks, small groups and more. Join here at 9:30 a.m. on Saturdays. The meeting ID number is 392-510-399. Visit www.12stepspirituality.org for more details instructions on how to join. If you have any questions call Dick Y. at 952-893-1188.
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Opportunity to Support Augsburg Fairview Academy
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Augsburg Fairview Academy (AFA) is a First Universalist Church Faithful Action Community Partner that we have supported for the past seven years. AFA is a public charter high school serving low-income and marginally housed youth. AFA staff are delivering meals to AFA students during the public school closure, while providing online learning and other learning opportunities delivered directly to students. Needs include:
- Used laptops or Chromebooks: AFA can get them in working order if they need software upgrades, batteries, or chargers.
- Food items: non-perishable items like pasta and sauce, canned soups, canned veggies, etc. as well as our usual items like single serve microwavable mac and cheese, soups, stews, and chilis; fruit cups; granola bars; nuts and trail mix; crackers and cheese.
Donations can be dropped off at the home (porch or front steps) of Cindy Marsh and Wendell Vandersluis: 2588 Upton Ave. S., Minneapolis, 55405. Or call Cindy at 612.377.6789 to make a connection. Some have ordered food items that were delivered to us through Amazon Prime - just another option when so many of us struggle to safely get our own groceries.
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Sanctuary & Resistance Immigrant Fund
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This is an extremely difficult time for all of us, but it is especially so for immigrants who are affected by the broken U.S. immigration system, and who are ineligible for unemployment benefits and health care insurance as they lose jobs and housing. The detention and deportation machine continues to imprison and separate families, despite the COVID pandemic and the grave health risks to all.
The Sanctuary and Resistance Immigrant Fund is a low gate-keeping fund, which means the $750 stipends are received quickly and without the barriers that many other emergency funds put up. Since the Fund began in June 2018, 27 families have received stipends in times of crisis. For many recipients, this is a lifeline that alleviates the terrible decisions that families would otherwise be forced to make, allowing them to stay in their homes AND pay rent, buy both groceries AND medicine, pay utilities AND buy clothes for their kids, and so on.
The need is greater than ever right now, and currently we will be able to assist only a few more families until the Fund is empty. We are in relationship with and connected to all families who receive stipends, and giving to the Fund is a direct way to support immigrant families at this crucial time.
If you are able to donate to the Sanctuary and Resistance Immigrant fund,
you can do so here.
Checks can be made out to First Universalist Church, with S & R Fund clearly written in the subject line.
Mail checks to:
First Universalist Church,
3400 Dupont Ave. S,
Minneapolis, MN 55408
In gratitude. . . .the struggle continues.
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Supporting the Church Financially
If you are able, please continue to honor your annual gifts and make your capital campaign contributions. If you are not a sustainer and have not yet let us know your intentions for our 2020-2021 fiscal year, or if you're a sustainer and would like to make a change to your commitment,
please get directly in touch with Finance Assistant Chelsea Bertsch at
chelsea@firstuniv.org
instead of filling out the giving card.
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We offer several options for making donations online, whether it's a contribution toward the offering plate, your annual or capital gift, or for a specific project for which we're raising funds.
Text to Give
To make a donation via credit card, use your smartphone to text "
firstuniv" (without quotes) to the number
73256. You'll receive a link to a secure form where you can enter your information. Select the appropriate fund from the dropdown menu.
Square Cash
Make a contribution using a debit card via the Square Cash app. Download this free app (
iPhone or
Android) and set up your account - you'll need your debit card and a $cashtag (user name). Then:
- Enter the amount you want to donate
- Click "pay"
- In the $cashtag space, enter $FirstUniv
- In the For space, let us know what it's for - the Sunday offering plate? Your annual gift?
- Click "pay"
ACS (our online giving system)
Make a one-time gift using the secure form located on our website
here. Make sure that you've selected the correct fund (such as offering plate) if it's not an annual gift.
It's also okay to mail checks to the church, even though the office is closed. We are still receiving mail, though we are only collecting it once per week. It will likely take us longer than normal to process check payments, but you are welcome to send checks if you prefer!
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A Quick Guide on Where to Direct Commonly Asked Questions:
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Join Our Mailing List
Subscribe to
The Weekly Liberal
here.
Sign up to receive our weekly Children Youth & Family Ministries news
here.
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Church Office Hours
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The church office is closed until further notice.
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Weekly Liberal Submissions
We encourage you to submit news!
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Contact Us
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First Universalist Church of Minneapolis
3400 Dupont Ave. S.,
Minneapolis, MN 55408
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First Universalist Church of Minneapolis
3400 Dupont Avenue S.
Minneapolis, MN 55408
612-825-1701
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