It feels like a lifetime ago (but it was just last Sunday!) that many of us gathered in the parking lot of First Universalist, for our Gathering in Gratitude Event, as our Annual Giving Campaign moves toward a close. It was wonderful to see one other, from head to toe [and not just a headshot in a box on Zoom!]. This gathering was so good for my spirit, especially since I am leaving my position on June 6 and haven’t seen many of you in over a year! This gathering also reminded me what I love about this community: every day, every week, we seek to live more deeply into our faith, to deepen the life long journey of getting ourselves free from the tentacles of white supremacy culture, and working in solidarity with others to build beloved community. Our church, our state, and our country have a long way to go, but this commitment is the glowing heart of our faith and I felt its power and promise as we gathered there in the parking lot.  

Given all that has been happening this month (and year), it’s no surprise that many of the annual gifts we are anticipating haven’t yet come in. If you’ve already made your annual gift, thank you! If you haven’t yet, please do so today. We’re a congregation of about 1,100 adults, and an average gift of $100 a month per adult will allow us to create a budget designed to help us successfully return to our newly renovated building in the fall, as well as maintain our online ministry which has been so important over this past year. You can easily make your gift online here. If you have questions about anything annual giving related, or would like to make a change to your current sustaining gift, please contact our Finance Assistant, Chelsea Bertsch, at chelsea@firstuniv.org.

In a time when so much feels broken and difficult to change, I am grateful for First Universalist, this community that calls us to resist injustice, that invites us into the transformative cycle of giving, receiving, and growing, and that reminds us that a new way is possible. If you haven’t yet, please make your annual gift for the 2021-2022 church year, as our collective annual gifts help fuel this faith community, and allow our ministry to radiate far beyond our walls. 

I’ll see you in church,

Co-Senior Minister

Join Rev. Justin for a midweek worship experience for adults and older youth. This 30-minute service is a brief time of connection, centering, and reflection to help us find and keep our balance.

Enter the Wednesday Zoom webinar here. (webinar ID: 117-312-320). To join by phone (audio only), dial 1-312-626-6799 and enter the webinar ID.

Post-service Care Companions space (7:30 p.m.): Join the Zoom gathering here.

We hold Margaret Manderfeld and her family in our hearts. Her mother Rosemary Manderfeld died peacefully on April 7 surrounded by her seven living children and many grandchildren.

Last week, we incorrectly named Ron Parker as Ron Houck. Ron Parker had hip surgery last Monday and is recovering well. He and his wife Janet Houck appreciate our well wishes for a smooth recovery.

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.

In the Recovery Community (those in 12-Step recovery from addiction and dysfunction) there is a Step Zero before Step One. Step Zero acknowledges that things as they currently are have to change: those in recovery admit to themselves that "even though I don’t know what happens next, whatever it is, it must be better than this." Nearly two Easters ago, Board of Trustees Vice President Daryn Woodson described racism and anti-Blackness as an addiction. She says that the addiction won’t ever be totally gone, but rather our transformation from it will be a lifelong spiritual practice. As people living with addiction, we must journey on a path that is foggy and unfamiliar. And yet, this path appears more clearly each time we move forward. We may not know everything about the path we're on, but we do know that we’re going to need each other. We must believe that we can create something better than the current system of structures based on white supremacy culture. We are at Step Zero. Even if we don’t yet know what that "better" always includes, we can commit to moving towards what Rebecca Solnit calls a Paradise of Unbroken Solidarities with our bodies, words, and actions. Our individual liberation is tied up in our collective liberation. We are accountable to each other. What does a better world — that paradise with yourself, others, earth, and God — look like, feel like, and sound like? Tell somebody about what a better world means to you, listen to what a better world means to them, and then together, take action to realize that world.

Listen to the podcast from Sunday's worship on Podbean or Spotify or watch the service on YouTube. Sign up to participate in abolition circles at First Universalist here.You can find more material for reflection in the Reflection and Listening guide from our April 18 Order of Service.

It’s been suggested that the spiritual practice of accountability is being answerable to someone who helps you stay on target for your spiritual goals and your other life endeavors. In this frame, accountability is something that happens between two people (or a small group of people) who are open, honest, and transparent with each other about what is really happening in their lives, the struggles they are facing, and how they are responding. Together, they check in on each other, encourage each other, and remind each other of the promises and commitments they’ve made. Who are you accountable to in your life?

Please join Rev. Jen and Keven Ambrus, Board Treasurer, on Sunday, April 25 from 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., or on Tuesday, May 4 from 7–8 p.m., to learn about the proposed operating budget for the 2021–2022 church year starting on July 1. This budget focuses on continuing our progress toward becoming an anti-racist community and supporting our BIPOC members and children, youth and families, while re-opening to in-person ministries in September. Several new staff members will join us over the summer as we live into these commitments, including a Minister of Worship Arts, Office & Building Manager, and Program Assistant for Children, Youth and Family Ministries. We look forward to your feedback as we prepare to present the finalized operating budget to the congregation for approval at the June 6th Annual Meeting of the congregation.

Join the April 25 congregational budget meeting here. (Meeting ID: 889 8040 6616; Passcode: 335055)

Join the May 4 congregational budget meeting here. (Meeting ID: 893 9360 5739;

Passcode: 939860)

In this sweet video of Gus and Angela, Gus shares what he likes about church, from the Wonder Bags our Religious Education program provided to families this year, to singing songs on Zoom.

There are touching stories from congregants hundreds of miles away from Minneapolis, from families, from people who joined us this year, virtually, and from many others. Take a few minutes to watch and listen to these stories and to know that you are part of a community making a real and tangible difference in people’s lives.

Please fill out this short survey to support our planning process as we look towards our return to in-person worship, while also continuing to offer online worship and programming. Like you, we desperately want to return to being together in-person. And what remains true is that our top-level commitments are to safety for all and broad inclusion. As we plan for returning to the church building, we are following guidelines from the MN Department of Health and consulting with the public health experts in our congregation. We also believe that it's important to gather information from you, our First Universalist congregation, as we look forward to what Fall 2021 and beyond will hold for us. We appreciate your honest feedback in this survey as we gather data in advance of re-opening the church building. Take the survey here.

By Cindy Marsh. Cindy and her husband, Wendell Vandersluis, joined First Universalist Church in 2006. Cindy served on the Search Committee that choose Justin 12 years ago and served two terms on the Board (2013-2019) and is a past President. She is currently Co-Chair of the Faithful Action Council.

Dear Justin,

As a member of the Search Committee that presented you to First Universalist, we had listened deeply to what our congregants most wanted in their next Senior Minister. Foremost among many valued capabilities was an overarching desire for a visionary leader who would lead and inspire us in spiritual deepening and new directions. We saw that potential in you, and you did not disappoint.

From the start you brought a vision of radical hospitality and inclusion to First Universalist and moved us in new directions in nearly all aspects of church life, while celebrating our strong foundation. You focused our mission on racial justice and equity. You encouraged us to examine our whiteness and privilege, individually and collectively, and to do our part to dismantle white supremacy. You helped us understand and live into racial justice as a spiritual imperative and embrace the aspirational goal of becoming a multicultural church. This was not an easy path, yet you never wavered—and modeled leading with humility, bravery and compassion. You acknowledged that we would make mistakes, and you did, and we did. We are changed, individually and collectively; we understand this work is never done and remain committed to our mission.

Your presence has been a gift to me personally. I have received spiritual wisdom, pastoral counseling, shared leadership, and friendship. You were an enormous source of comfort and support to my husband, Wendell, and me when we faced the nearly unbearable loss of our niece, Hannah, who was like a daughter to us when she was killed in a tragic automobile accident. You helped me heal from this unimaginable loss. I’ve had the privilege and joy to work closely with you as a member of the Board, the Capital Campaign Committee and Faithful Action Council. I will miss you.

I wish you well, Justin, on this new journey where love calls you. I hope you have a very special time and space with Juliana, Tucker, and Jesse and that these bonds always run strong and deep. I believe that someday love will call you again to visionary leadership and I wish you well on that future journey.

In faith and love,

Cindy Marsh

By Martha Bird. Martha, a member since 2001, came to First Universalist Church in 1996. She’s been involved as an exhibiting artist in the social hall, an OWL teacher and on the Foundation and AUW Boards. It was her personal advocacy with Justin, that birthed the Mental Health Service that is now an integral part of the church year every October.

I reached out to Justin just days after informing my biological family that I would be taking a trial year for myself. I was stepping back from family connection born of obligation and loyalty to focus on my own life for a year, to see if the absence of familial dynamics might impact the level of internal suffering I experienced. I felt untethered. I wanted to anchor in— at church, with a minister, with Justin. I had healing work to do around white, maleness. I had been deeply injured by my father and the trauma lens for me was that white men were not safe. I was very upfront with Justin, saying that I wanted to see if it was possible for me to experience a connection with a white male that felt safe. When asked if he was in, he answered with a resounding “Yes.” That was back in 2013.

That year I experienced solid joy. At the end of it, I had a 50th Birthday Bash with over 100 people from all walks of my life. I shared my love of dancing by doing a demo and read my Ethical Will (see it all here).

Justin and I have met 1-3 times a year since then. I felt safe. I felt cared about. We have a connection. Even after he leaves, I carry that connection and healing within me.

Thank you Justin for saying yes, to walking with me and taking an active part in my healing journey.

Martha

There are multiple opportunities to give and share with Rev. Justin — including offering a financial gift, making a video message, or sending a card — as we prepare for his Good Goodbye. Learn more about these opportunities on our website.

Join the Environmental Justice team for a discussion of the film "Kiss the Ground" this Sunday, April 25 as we celebrate Earth Day.

"Kiss the Ground" tells the story of (and need for) regenerative agriculture. You can watch a trailer for the film here. You can sign up here to either view the full-length 90 minute documentary or view an abbreviated 45 minute version geared for school audiences.

The First U Kiss the Ground discussion is scheduled for April 25 at noon. Sign up here to get the Zoom info for the discussion with EJ Healthy Soil leaders Stephen Merrill (former soil scientist for Dept. of Agriculture in North Dakota who worked with some of the people who are prominent in the film) and Susan Keller (Master Gardener and Healthy Soil team lead). You can find more information about the film and the First U discussion here.

This circle will provide an opportunity to meet in a small group and be open, honest and transparent with each other about what is really happening with money in our individual and collective lives. With our current worship theme of "accountability," now seems like a good time to take a look at money and how it works to support white supremacy, undermine equality and separate us from each other. The group has space for eight to ten members. Each week, group members will receive a reading or video and questions for reflection. The group format will include a grounding, time to respond to reading and reflections, body settling, one or two stories, open interaction and closing. This circle will meet for six weeks beginning May 11 and will touch on both personal and collective experiences. On a personal level, members will have the opportunity to tell stories of their own experiences with money. On a collective level, members will read short articles or watch videos that examine the creation of racialized consciousness and extractive economies which promote accumulation of wealth for a few through the exploitation of many and of our Earth.

If you are interested in joining this group, please reach out to facilitators Karen Heegaard (kfheeg@aol.com) or Susan Hoffman (susanjean57@gmail.com) for more information. You can learn more about this circle here.

Join the Zoom gathering here.

Meeting ID: 814 6743 2711; Passcode: 772008

Join this Zoom call to wish Rev. Justin a Good Goodbye! It is a drop in opportunities for chatting with Justin. For Audio-Only, dial in: 312-626-6799

On Sunday, June 6, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Rev. Justin and his family will be on the steps of the church for congregations to say a socially distanced goodbye. You may drive by, walk by, or roll by, as long as you’re six feet away!

Julie Neraas, spiritual director and author of several books, is leading a series of workshops on hope: what it is, how to cultivate it, and how to sustain it. As she writes, “Hope is a stupendous human quality, and in this challenging time in our complicated world, it may be our greatest need, its viability our greatest question."

Co-sponsored by the Association of Universalist Women (AUW) and the Young Adult group. To help defray costs, we invite you to contribute as you’re able: no one will be turned away due to lack of funds. Recordings of the sessions will be made available to those who register. Hope might be one of the most important spiritual disciplines we can cultivate right now, so please do sign-up for this series here.

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 or participating in small groups or other gatherings for a few months, we invite you to consider signing up for a Newcomer Circle. This is a great way to deepen your connection to the church and to meet others who are also early in their journey with the congregation. The next Newcomers Circle will take place on Thursdays, May 6, 13, 20, and 27 from 5–6:30 p.m. Register here. If you’re brand new to us or simply testing the waters, we invite you to start by attending First Step, a brief orientation offered every first and third Sunday of the month, or by dropping into our post-worship fellowship hours.

Tangled Blessings is a weekly grief group where participants are invited to bring their whole selves and whatever grief they may be carrying. Through sharing, silence, ritual, and reflection, we will offer each other support and companionship. You are welcome to attend one or all of the sessions. Registration is requested. You can register here.

You can find ways to get involved with our Faithful Action Partners in our April Faithful Action Newsletter. The newsletter contains opportunities to connect through volunteering, donating, advocating, and learning. Our Faithful Action Partners are community organizations that share our vision of love and justice. We work through Faithful Action Partnerships in order to leverage our energy, commitment and expertise. You can find more information about our Faithful Action Partnerships on our website.

From our Faithful Action Community Partner, Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light (MNIPL), submitted by our First Universalist MNIPL Faithful Action Community Partner team:

Join MNIPL on Sunday, April 25 at 2 p.m. for "Coffee and Kulan: Interfaith Perspectives on Climate Justice." MNIPL is excited to partner with Rep. Ilhan Omar for this virtual event that will offer wide perspectives about the critical connection between climate justice and our faith and spirituality. Rep. Omar will also share details about upcoming federal legislation focused on protecting our planet and addressing the climate crisis, and ways we can engage our own communities in values-based climate action. This event will be live-streamed on social media including on the MNIPL Facebook page. RSVP here.

The care team at First Universalist is here to help in a whole lot of ways—from phone calls to say we’re thinking about you to a listening ear when you need someone to accompany you through whatever’s happening in your life. COVID-19 has changed some of the ways we provide care, but there is a lot we’re still doing. Here is one of the ways we’re here to provide support:

We Care Zoom Room

Sometimes after a service you might find yourself stirred up and wanting to talk. Care companions are present after services to meet with you one on one. You can find Care Companions in a Zoom room after most Sunday and Wednesday services — Zoom information for the Care Companions space is in the Sunday Order of Service and the Wednesday Worship email.

If you would like to access any of our other caring resources, contact Rev. Arif Mamdani at arif@firstuniv.org 

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. 

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 be? 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 - If you or someone you know at church would welcome a meal to help them through a difficult time, loss, illness or injury — and having someone else do the cooking for a bit would help —please let us know. Contact Rev. Arif Mamdani at arif@firstuniv.org.

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. We have financial resources available. Please contact a minister/staff member. 

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. 

Counseling - The Walk In Counseling Center offers free counseling by phone or computer. Find out how to “walk in” on their website.