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April 23, 2020 | Vol. 7 No. 17
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Moving Out and Moving Forward
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Rev. Jen Crow
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It's hard to believe that it was only six weeks ago that we closed our church building and moved our operations online. These have been weeks that have felt like years, and for some of us, days that have felt like weeks. So much has changed in such a short time. A month ago, our Board of Trustees met to consider how this global pandemic and the resulting economic uncertainty might impact our building renovation plans. They thought carefully about the financial pledges that are still outstanding to our capital campaign, the costs of extending our plans further into the future, and our deep desire to move forward. At the end of that meeting on March 26, the Board decided to split our building renovation into two phases: phase one taking place this summer using the gifts already received and phase two taking place once the remaining financial commitments to the capital campaign have been received. In essence, the Board decided that this was not the time for a loan, and we would proceed carefully with our shared dreams and resources.
While the overall scope of the renovations had already been determined, splitting the building project into two phases was a significant change in course. Over the last 3 weeks your Building Committee, project manager, and our contractor and architects have been working hard to determine the most cost-effective, impactful, and practical way to stage our renovations. On Monday night, the Building Committee met and unanimously agreed that we will split the project into the following phases:
Phase One: (Mid-May 2020 - Fall 2020)
Extensive remodeling of the Education Wing, Chalice Room, Atrium, Offices, and some Exterior Work
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We will create a more welcoming and accessible central entrance with a dedicated in-person greeting station when you enter the building.
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We will complete critical repairs including roofing, electrical, and HVAC upgrades.
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Our education wing will include religious education and adult meeting spaces that better meet our needs, two banks of gender-neutral restrooms (one on each floor), and a multi-use room that can accommodate a family living with us for an extended period of time.
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Offices will move to the first floor next to the atrium, creating more efficient and welcoming workspaces for staff and congregants.
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The Chalice Room will become the new Cummins Room - an accessible, welcoming space for the community and the congregation.
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We will be building and renovating with a focus on environmental and racial justice - finding ways to reduce the environmental impact of our building and putting our vendor policy to work in the hiring of all contractors and subcontractors.
Phase Two: (Summer 2021)
Renovation of the Sanctuary and Social Hall, and Additional Exterior Work
Our sanctuary and sanctuary will be refreshed - including new paint, flooring, lighting, electrical work, audio visual equipment, ceiling repair, the creation of an accessible chancel, and installation of a hearing loop.
The Building Committee considered several factors as we made our decision about these phases:
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We kept the original intent of our capital campaign,
Not for Ourselves Alone: Building an Inclusive Future,
at the forefront of our conversation, looking for ways we could most effectively improve accessibility and hospitality, improve our worship and religious education spaces, and secure our financial future.
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We looked at what renovations would be most impactful for the most people in our congregation and community at this time.
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We considered the many interlocking pieces of any renovation project, and what pieces of the project would be most cost-effective to complete together.
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We looked at our economic reality as a congregation, and the desire to be able to rent spaces in our building in the near future.
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We looked at our unfolding physical reality, and the truth that we will be gathering together in small groups much sooner than we will be gathering together in large groups for some time.
We are excited about this decision, and look forward to sharing more with you. Please join me this Sunday, April 26, at 1 p.m. for a Zoom meeting where, along with Officers of the Board and the Building Committee, I will share images, details, and excitement for what is to come. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we have worked hard to make our shared dreams into a responsible reality, and a big thank you to those of you who have accelerated your capital campaign gifts, allowing us to include more of our work in Phase One of our renovation. Your generosity of spirit and resources is greatly appreciated.
In faith,
Rev. Jen Crow
Co-Senior Minister
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Sunday, April 26 at 10 a.m.
MULTIGENERATIONAL WORSHIP
With a message by Rev. Jen Crow, story by Seth Matz, prayer with Rev. Ruth MacKenzie, and musical contributions from the First Universalist Choir, as well as Rev. Ruth and Franco Holder.
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Members of the choir have put together a special contribution for worship this Sunday.
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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. This is a multigenerational service that can be found at the
same place every week
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To join by phone (audio only), dial 1-312-626-6799 and enter the webinar ID when prompted.
~11 a.m. Virtual Coffee Hour
After Sunday worship, join us for
virtual social time (
Meeting ID: 212 168 092)
or dial: 1-312-626-6799 and enter the meeting ID when prompted. Same place every week.
Wednesday, April 29 at 7 p.m.
WORSHIP
As we continue to move together through this time of pandemic and physical distancing, we know that faith communities can help us find and keep our balance. Our Wednesday evening worship offers a brief time of connection, centering, and reflection mid-week. This is a shorter and simpler 20-30 minute service led by one of our worship leaders via Zoom, and geared towards adults and older youth. Same place every week going forward until further notice!
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 when prompted.
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On Sunday, April 19, Rev. Ruth MacKenzie preached about compost - yes, compost! (of course it was full of wisdom and about more than just compost) - Lauren Wyeth shared a story called "Bloom," and we welcomed special musical guest Ellis Delaney, among other things. If you missed virtual worship this past Sunday, or if you've been wanting to share it or view it again, you can now watch the recording here.
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| Musical guest Ellis Delaney moved us with live performances of two songs during worship. |
Reflections by Liz Farmer, Administrative and Adult Ministries Assistant
In these strange circumstances we find ourselves in, imagine yourself- for just a moment- as a compost heap. Layers of banana peels, tea bags, and vegetable scraps are piled on thick between dead leaves. Slop and leaves, slop and leaves. Now, imagine that someone has come over to your heap and started to mix you up: a compost kaleidoscope. The wisdom of compost tells us that our "old ways" of being food scraps need to be mixed up to be useful to living things. In other words, old, (pre-coronavirus) norms of oppression, hate, consumerism, and greed need to be upended so that a richer, more sustainable soil can provide all with life-giving nutrients. In a blend of science, artistry, and spirituality, our compost heap of "normal" is being radically shifted. It is a scary, topsy-turvy time, and one of limitless possibility. Are we, with science and the divine, co-creating a world like that of the past that is shallow and heavy, where only some are allowed to thrive? We have an opportunity to contribute to a creative reorganization that can yield a rich, complex, sustainable world. The ingredients can be found within us right now, if we allow ourselves to be transformed by the moment, and in turn, transform "normal."
View all worship recordings from past Sundays on our YouTube channel.
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This Week: Virtual Gatherings for Adults
Tuesday, April 28 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. You will be able to see and interact with other circle participants.
Wednesday, April 29 at 7:30 p.m. after Wednesday Worship
After Wednesday worship, you're invited to join a Calming Circle hosted by Rev. Ruth MacKenzie and Pastor Stephanie Vos. In the Calming Circle, we will 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. The Calming Circle will be held in meeting format, meaning that - unlike worship - you will be joining with your video and audio and able to see and interact with other circle participants.
Wednesday, April 29 at 7:30 p.m.
The Young Adults group (for those in their 20s and 30s) is now gathering virtually on a weekly basis. Connect with fellow First U young adults after Wednesday worship for conversation and fun. The group meets weekly on Wednesdays from 7:30-8:30 p.m.
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Weekly Gatherings for Children, Youth & Families
SUNDAY
9 a.m. Coming of Age
(9th grade) with Emma, Ruth, and advisors -
Taking religious education online as we prepare for our milestone celebration. Register in advance (required)
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. Bring paper and crayons or markers. Register in advance (required)
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
(required)
12:30 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.
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
10 a.m. Multigenerational Sing-along
with Seth - Enjoy beloved songs of our UU faith. This event will be held webinar style so you can attend in your jammies and dance like no one's watching. (Webinar ID: 441-072-399)
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 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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| A sampling of the signs 2nd-7th graders made in honor of Earth Day at our Sunday Play Date. |
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Sunday Play Date for 2nd - 7th Graders
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A note from Lauren Wyeth, Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries
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The Masterson family decorated their windows with rainbows.
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Last, we chose to draw a picture illustrating either why we should "Protect Our Air" or "Protect Our Water" and discussed where we might hang our signs so our neighbors could see them.
This coming Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to noon, we'll learn about the worldwide rainbow explosion and think about how we might encourage our communities during the global pandemic. After listening to Kacey Musgrave singing "Rainbow" for the recent OneWorld: Together at Home concert, we'll make our own inspirational rainbow artwork.
Thanks for supporting your kids in staying connected with church, and doing good in the world!
Warmly,
Lauren
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Cycle of Life from Sunday, April 19
We hold in our prayers
Carol Jackson and her husband Tom. Tom was hospitalized last week for heart issues. It was very hard to be apart during that time. Now, Tom is home and they ask for prayers of resilience and strength as they manage their new normal and continuing health issues.
We hold
Parker Holmboe and her family as they mourn the death of Parker's grandfather,
Alfred
Neufeld who died on April 17th. Parker was not able to be with her grandfather during his final days nor will she be able to attend the memorial which will be held in Kansas. She asks for prayers to buoy her heavy heart.
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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Active Hope Workshop
Saturday, April 25, 9:30 a.m.-noon
Facilitated by Environmental Justice team members Betsy Allis and Roberta Haskin
Feeling overwhelmed, distressed about climate change? Feeling the need to connect with other people in spiritual practices that build resilience and hope? Spend a morning via Zoom sharing gratitude and pain for the state of the planet and opening our awareness to new perspectives, to go forth in community with active hope and intention. The workshop is based on the content of the book, "Active Hope, how to face the mess we're in without going crazy" by Joanna Macy and Chris Johnstone. This is not a book study; rather, we will be engaged in activities for spiritual growth and climate resilience, both individually and in community. Register here to receive information about how to join via Zoom.
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"The Biggest Little Farm" Film Discussion
Tuesday, April 28, 7-8 p.m.
Please view "The Biggest Little Farm" before joining our virtual discussion.
Here are options for viewing the film. This film
chronicles the 8-year quest of John and Molly Chester as they trade city living for 200 acres of barren farmland and a dream to harvest in harmony with nature. Through dogged perseverance and embracing the opportunity provided by nature's conflicts, the Chesters unlock and uncover a biodiverse design for living that exists far beyond their farm, its seasons, and our wildest imagination. D
iscussion facilitated by members of the Environmental Justice Team via Zoom. Join the meeting at 7 p.m. on April 28 here. (Meeting ID: 922 2939 4420, Password: 498468; dial-in option: 312-626-6799)
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Congregational Budget Meetings
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The Board of Trustees will share a draft budget at two Congregational Budget Meetings: Sunday, May 3 at 11:30 a.m. and Wednesday, May 6 at 7:30 p.m. Meetings will be held via Zoom - details will be included in next week's Liberal and will be made available on our website.
After a presentation of the budget and its rationale, there will be an opportunity for questions. The board will prepare a final version of the budget for the Annual Meeting, which will be held Sunday, May 31.
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Virtual AUW Spring Retreat
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The Association of Universalist Women is holding its Spring Retreat virtually on Zoom this
Saturday, April 25, 4 - 6:30 p.m., with
optional Zoom check-in at 3:30 p.m.
Special guest for the Retreat is the Rev. Karen Hutt. There will be music, poetry, time to talk, shared artwork to do, and Dance Like Nobody Is Watching!
The Zoom Retreat is open to the first 100 participants.
For best experience join by computer, tablet, or smartphone (audio/visual) or from any pushbutton phone (for audio only.)
One tap mobile to join, audio only, from a smartphone:
+13126266799,,92779463586#
Dial from any pushbutton phone, 1-312-626-6799 then enter the Meeting ID: 927 7946 3586.
Questions or need help with Zoom? Contact Karen, 612-270-6559.
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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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Board Meeting Information
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The First Universalist Board of Trustees will have an additional meeting this month to serve as a working meeting and split the amount of time on Zoom at once. Keeping meetings to 90 minutes or less helps maintain engagement and prevents all of us from getting "Zoomed Out." So the board will meet again next Thursday, April 30 at 6:30 p.m. See the information to join below:
Telephone: (646) 876 9923 (Meeting ID 830886549)
First Universalist Board meetings are still open to the public and are held at a minimum every third Thursday of the month. We are meeting using the Zoom platform until we return to in-person meetings and you can find board member bios, materials, and instructions for observing board meetings
HERE on the First Universalist website.
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Donations Still Needed for Augsburg Fairview Academy
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Here is an opportunity to continue to support Augsburg Fairview Academy (AFA), a First Universalist Church Faithful Action Community Partner 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 opportunities. The meals and snacks First Universalist typically provides are welcome supplements to the food allotments provided by the government. Desired food items are: 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. So., Minneapolis, MN 55405.
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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 of 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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First Universalist is part of Bethlehem Lutheran's Mental Health Connect (MHC) program, which assists individuals and families in accessing and navigating mental health services. Each member church has Ambassadors dedicated to spreading awareness of the MHC program, starting conversations about mental health, bringing events and resources to the community, and more. Here are some of the latest offerings:
Mental Health Connect Director Vicki Elliott writes in the latest newsletter:
"Fatigue, mixed up sleep cycles, food aversion, sorrow, guilt, anger, fear, loss of safety, difficult to focus, and detachment. Any of these symptoms can be a sign you're grieving. At this point in our social isolation and the changes we've experienced over the past month, you may be experiencing grief."
continue reading
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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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