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February 27, 2020 | Vol. 7 No. 9
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A Home Base for the Summer
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Arif Mamdani
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Conventional wisdom says that moving and home renovations are two of the most stressful things for us humans. Having just completed a major basement renovation at home, where my wife and I did all but the plumbing and electric, I can attest to this. There were most definitely challenging moments we needed to weather while we couldn't do laundry, and while the house and garage were filled with boxes of stuff from the basement. In retrospect, I can't help but wonder if life would have been easier if we'd had somewhere else to go to to get away from the mess, the debris, and the ongoing reminders of the as-yet-unfinished project.
That's part of why I was so happy to hear that Shir Tikvah has graciously agreed to let us use their space as our "home base" this summer for worship, while our spaces are undergoing renovation. I was happy because I knew that with our different worship schedules, we wouldn't be asking them to go too far out of their way for us. And I'm happy that our congregation will have a nearby place where we can feel anchored during this summer of change.
What's more is that we'll be going back to a place that used to be home, a building this congregation built in 1948 and worshiped in from 1949 until 1993. Even though many of us have never spent time in what is now Shir Tikvah, in the midst of significant change, it will be nice to be in a space that some of us know and remember.
That said, I'm also looking forward to this summer as a time of creativity. Things will be different. In fact, we don't actually know right now all the ways things will be different, but a time of transition like this can be a wonderful opportunity for experimentation and trying new things.
What I do know is that this summer will be a time when we're both stretched and when we stay connected. We'll be stretched by being in a different physical environment. Some of us will stretch this summer by visiting other faith communities and continuing our work to build relationships beyond the comfortable boundaries of Unitarian Universalism. And on Sundays, when we gather, we'll experience the simple stretch of worshiping in a different space.
And within that stretching, we'll also stay connected. Connected to each other, connected to this community we love and to this faith that sustains us, and connected to this religious tradition whose roots hold us close even while its wings set us free.
Stretching and connecting, we'll make our way through a summer of displacement, change, and creative adaptation to shifting circumstances. I can't wait to see the ways that we grow together in the new places we'll be, and I can't wait to see the creativity that emerges.
See you at church!
Arif
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Sunday, March 1, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
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Rev. Karen Hutt
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"Mine, Mine, Mine"
Rev. Karen Hutt
As soon as a toddler starts to learn to grasp, they also learn to claim objects as theirs, but what happens when we hold on to this behavior in daily lives as adults? What ideas and stories are we holding on to? When does sharing cease to be a natural instinct? The culture of MINE limits our ability to grow and evolve authentically with others. At 9:30 or 11:15, come and explore what might happen as we practice creating a culture of sharing in our families, our communities and our earth.
Sharing Sunday: Children from PreK through 5th grade attend the first 15-20 minutes of worship with their families this Sharing Sunday, and are then excused to their Religious Education classes.
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Sunday, March 8, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Rev. Jen Crow
Sunday, March 15, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Rev. Rob Eller-Isaacs
Sunday, March 22, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Rev. Jen Crow and the LaPointe family
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"Building Hope"
- Rev. Meg Riley, Rev. Kate Tucker, & Keven Ambrus
"When Things Fall Apart"
- Rev. Ruth MacKenzie
"Got Idolatry?"
- Arif Mamdani
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On the Sunday Service Podcast: "Building Hope" with Rev. Kate Tucker, Rev. Meg Riley, and Keven Ambrus
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Sermon summary and reflections by Liz Farmer:
Who can resist a good love story? A robust encounter, meeting and struggle, renewal and commitment! At this particular moment, First Universalist is producer and cast of such a tale. There's no single writer, however, as any real-life love story is improv. As Rev. Kate Tucker attests, in love stories, we long to see connection found, suffered for, and won... and how deep is that thirst within us? That thirst to connect, struggle, grow, and emerge into an awesome unknown, albeit together? For the launch of our annual giving campaign, a collage of voices from church chapters past and present converge to affirm the thirst for a diverse and supportive community, a heart-centered home where we can nurture and be nurtured, and for a building that can be a resource for many- expressive of who First Universalist is, collectively. No matter your membership status or level of engagement, you are invited to be a part of, and commit (financially) to, this church's ongoing spirit and story of Love. Listen to the podcast here.
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Radical Healing in Revolting Times
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UPCOMING EVENTS & HAPPENINGS
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Gender: Beyond the Binary (class)
Saturday, Feb. 29, 10 a.m.-noon,
Cummins Room
Some people fit into their assigned female or male role easily, others struggle, and a courageous few refuse the assignment. There are two choices at birth, female or male. But could there be more, possibly a constellation of gender options? What might a gender continuum look like?
In this class, led by Forrest Mainville, we'll gather to define gender and discuss ways our birth assignment has impacted us. There will be opportunities to ask questions and share personal stories.
Register here by Friday, Feb. 28 at 4 p.m.
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The Condor & The Eagle (film)
Sunday, March 1, 1-2:30 p.m.,
Cummins Room
Four Indigenous environmental leaders embark on an extraordinary trans-continental adventure from the Boreal forest to deep into the heart of the Amazonian jungle to unite the peoples of North and South America and deepen the meaning of "Climate Justice." The film offers a glimpse into a developing spiritual renaissance as the four learn from each other's long legacy of resistance to colonialism. Co-sponsored by the Environmental Justice Team and Racial Justice Education Team.
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Change Your Kitchen to Help the Climate
Saturday, March 7, 9:30 a.m.-noon
The Environmental Justice Team (EJT) invites you to join them in finding new ways to undertake the spiritual act of protecting the Earth. In this workshop, learn about r
educing your carbon footprint by adopting a plant rich diet and reducing food waste (smart planning to organics recycling).
Leaders:
Suzanne Sorensen (RD, nutrition counselor with training in plant-based diets), Angela Wyatt (climate activist who has lived on a plant-based diet for 14 years), and EJT members Betsy Allis and Susan Keller. Register here.
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Better Angels Skills Workshop
Saturday, March 14, 9 a.m.-noon
In our current polarized political environment, many people avoid or dread political conversations with friends or family whose politics differ from their own. In this Better Angels workshop, you will learn skills for having respectful conversations that clarify differences, search for common ground, and affirm the importance of the relationship.
Better Angels
is a national nonprofit that has developed and pioneered concrete, structured practices for dialogue across political divides. Sponsored by the First Universalist Church Peace Circle.
Register here.
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Congregational Meeting: Presentation of Renovation Plans
Sunday, March 22, 12:45 p.m.
Please join us on Sunday, March 22 after the second service for an opportunity to view renovation plans, learn about what work will be completed in our building over the summer, and ask questions. The upcoming building renovations are being funded by our 2017 capital campaign Not for Ourselves Alone: Building an Inclusive Future, which raised $4.5 million to 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. We hope that as many members and friends as possible will be able to attend this important meeting. If you need childcare, please submit a request no later than March 15: firstuniversalistchurch.org/childcare/
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Meet Your Board of Trustees!
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Beloved congregants and guests:
We've heard your Ask for more Board presence in the Social Hall. Starting the first Sunday in March, and every 1st Sunday thereafter, there will be a Board of Trustees member available for questions and discussion at the Information Booth in the Social Hall after the first and second services. Stop by and say hi!
- Bryana French, Board President
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Building Hope: Annual Giving 2020-2021
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Our annual giving drive - Feb. 23 through March 22 - is how we check in with the more than 800 households that financially support the church in order to aid our planning and budgeting for the fiscal year beginning July 1.
This spring, we are asking our community, including our sustaining givers, to consider an increase to their giving as we head into a year of significant and exciting changes. Current supporters received information in the mail last week. Anyone who didn't receive a packet in the mail can pick one up in the narthex just outside of the sanctuary. Thank you - the work of this church would not be possible without the financial support of members and friends!
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Spring Cleaning: Please Help Us Re-Home Items
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As we prepare to pack up most of the building in preparation for renovations, we're embarking on a clean out effort to make more space in our storage areas and to reduce the amount of offsite storage we'll need this summer.
Our
Visual Arts Committee will be in Remove/Reduce/Recycle mode this coming weekend, and they expect to have a table full of items for the taking in the Social Hall this Sunday. Please stop by and see what you might be able to take home with you and use!
We plan to have a giveaway table in the social hall from now until May, as we clean out various areas. If you can volunteer to staff the table after services and/or help us by bringing leftover items to a thrift store to donate, please let us know! To volunteer, email Jenn Stromberg at
jenns@firstuniv.org.
Please note: the giveaway table is only for items from church that are no longer needed; we will not be accepting items from outside.
Thank you for helping us to "re-home" items responsibly!
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Environmental Justice Team Honors Stan Sattinger
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On Tuesday Feb. 4, the Environmental Justice team had a celebratory potluck dinner to honor Stan Sattinger for his leadership of the team over the last five years or so. They say: "
This photo was just too fun to keep to ourselves. Thanks to Paul Thompson for taking the picture."
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Habitat for Humanity Partnership Update
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 Advocacy:
Habitat for Humanity's "Habitat on the Hill" event is around the corner.
On Tuesday, April 21,
Habitat supporters from across Minnesota will join together at the State Capitol to advocate for affordable housing.
Please consider joining in!
Register for this event
here
. For more information, contact Joan Naymark (
jnaymark@gmail.com
).
Building:
First Universalist will not be participating in a work week with Habitat for Humanity this summer. Our regular monthly Habitat work days will resume in October as usual, and a summer work week is planned for next summer.
This summer, please consider volunteering at
our house - our beloved church - during the renovation process. All you carpenters, painters, installers of woodwork and lovers of demo: your skills and energy will be needed as we make long-held plans for our church a reality. Watch for volunteer opportunities to be announced as we get closer to summer!
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Leadership Position Applications Due Tuesday, March 17
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 The Nominating Committee is recruiting candidates for leadership positions on the Board of Trustees and the Nominating Committee for the 2020-2021 church year.
If you would consider serving on either of these bodies beginning in July 2020, please submit an
application
by Tuesday, March 17.
Member of the Board of Trustees: Trustees partner with the congregation and professional staff in shaping the vision and long-term goals of the church. They articulate these aspirations through policy and collaborate with the Senior Co-ministers to see they are fulfilled. A fuller description of the position is
here.
Member of Nominating Committee: Committee members screen and recommend candidates to the congregation for vacant positions on the Board of Trustees, the Foundation Board, and the Nominating Committee. A fuller description of the position is
here.
Requirements: You must be a member in good standing of the church. Elections occur at the Annual Meeting on May 31.
Please consider applying or encouraging a fellow church member to apply for this important work.
Fill out the application form
here.
Applications are due by Tuesday, March 17, 2020.
If you have questions or would like more information, please ema
il
nomination@firstuniv.org or contact any Nominating Committee member: Janet Avery (Chair), Pat Gottschalk, Greg Hoelzer, Cathy Manning, Sharon Ramirez, or Jim Ramnaraine.
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A group of congregants meets for meditation time from 12:40 - 1:30 p.m. every first Sunday. They invite others to join them for a time of silent meditation on this Sunday, March 1 in the meditation room up the south stairs from the sanctuary. They welcome all forms of practice. For more information, call Beth Toso at 612-382-2621 (or email at bctoso@yahoo.com) or Carolyn Young at 952-893-0673.
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Peace Action Circle Tutorial
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The Peace Action Circle invites you to join them for a tutorial on Wednesday, March 4, 1:30 - 3 p.m. They
have the director of the State office of Better Angels, Pat Devries, coming to train them in recruiting Reds for the Better Angels workshops.
This will require those who identify as Blues to open their thinking, prejudice and feelings to reach out in new ways and to go beyond their own polarization.
Anyone interested is welcome to join.
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"My Indigenous Expressions" Exhibit by Gordon Coons
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A new exhibit of artwork by Gordon Coons is on view in the social hall now through March 29. There will be an artist's reception on Sunday, March 8 after both services.
Gordon Coons is a painter and printmaker who is largely self-taught. He paints in the Ojibwa Woodland style and creates fumage (smoke art) by burning cedar which he embellishes with 24-karat gold leaf. Gordon also prints with linoleum block.
Gordon draws inspiration from his Anishinaabe heritage. His bright color palette comes from his natural surrounds in the Great Lakes region. He also enjoys incorporating playfulness in his images, telling stories of relationships between Western and Native cultures, and the connection we have to our shared historical events.
Gordon exhibits nationally and his work is in permanent collections across the country. More of his artwork can be seen online at gordoncoons.com.
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Camp Unistar Registration Open
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BELONGING at Camp...CHERISHING the Island...INSPIRING ACTION IN THE WORLD
Camp UniStar, in its 59th year, is for UU individuals, families and other like-minded people who would enjoy the magic of a week on an island in a pristine northern Minnesota lake. The lake provides abundant water activities; the forest trails attract wildlife, birds and hikers; sunrises and sunsets invite meditation.
For more info come visit the table in the Social Hall, or visit www.CampUniStar.org to see photos and register online. ALL ARE WELCOME!
There are daily programs for adults; staff led children's programming; healthy and hearty meals included. Whether it be quiet evenings by a fire with a book, jigsaw puzzling or awesome star gazing, a week at Camp UniStar will provide new friendships and lifelong memories. It's time to relax on Star Island.
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YCE Needs Your Old Media and Games
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Youth Cultural Exchange will be hosting a media sale on March 8 & 16. Until then, we will be collecting used books, CDs, DVDs, Blu-Ray discs, vinyl LPs, complete jigsaw puzzles, and board games. We especially like kids' books and games that your family has grown out of. Remember: your trash may be someone else's treasure! To donate items, please bring them to the YCE table in the social hall on upcoming Sundays.
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RJET Offers White Privilege Conference Scholarships
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 Several members of RJET, our Racial Justice Education Team, will attend the White Privilege Conference this year in Tempe, Arizona, April 2-4.
WPC is a conference designed to examine issues of privilege beyond skin color. WPC is open to everyone and invites diverse perspectives to provide a comprehensive look at issues of privilege including: race, gender, sexuality, class, disability, etc. - the ways we all experience some form of privilege, and how we're all affected by that privilege. WPC strives to offer solutions and team building strategies to work toward a more equitable world.
Conference attendees come from various backgrounds including students, teachers, education professionals, staff and volunteers at non-profits including churches, community leaders, and other professionals.
The scholarship covers
tuition only. Lodging and transportation are not covered by the scholarships; some food is provided at the conference. Several scholarships are available. To learn more and to apply please contact Eric Richard
erichard_hr@yahoo.com and Jeff Sylvestre at
jeff@bluemoonpro.com from RJET.
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Cycle of Life and Pastoral Care
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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. To be included in our Cycle of Life each Sunday in worship, contact Rev. Ruth MacKenzie at
ruth@firstuniv.org or 612-825-1701. If you would like support, call the office at 612-825-1701 or contact any member of our
Pastoral Visitors Team. If you call outside of office open hours, follow the prompts for pastoral care on the recording.
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Space Reservations for Meetings and Events
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Are you responsible for reserving meeting space for a church committee you serve on? Are you a volunteer planning a church-sponsored event?
Spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and requests must be communicated to Events Coordinator Lucia Webb.
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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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Sundays 9
a.m.-1 p.m.
Monday - Thursday
9 a.m.-8 p.m.
Closed Fridays and Saturdays
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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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