One of my new favorite podcasts is “Poetry Unbound.” In one episode, the host, Pádraig Ó Tuama, says, “Poetry, for me, has become a scripture that is in partnership with my life. I trust that somebody around the world has written a poem that is going to be sufficient for the moments of my life where I need something that hasn’t been said to me before.”

As I move into a season of “Good Goodbyes” with you all, between now and my final day on June 6, I am finding this poem, "Sacrament," by Rev. Sean Parker Dennison, to be speaking deeply to me:

Even though I am leaving in less than four months, my intention is to be wholly present while I’m still here. Present to my heart and to yours. Present to joy. Present to grief. Present to gratitude. Present to the prayers and blessings offered and received. Present to all of it. 

The point of living and loving is not perfection. Perfection is an illusion and an impossible dream. The point, amidst the pandemic, the pain, the potential, the possible - is to be present. To see the in breath and the out breath as sacred - as sacraments. The point is to take in this day, that smile, the red cardinal singing, the sun rising earlier, and the waves of feeling that are simply a part of being alive. 

That’s my intention for these final months with you: to be open to the sacred in every interaction, in every moment, in everything. Will you join me in this practice?

I’ll “see” you in church,

If you find yourself wanting to talk with someone about what is stirring for you, please speak with one of our care companions in a confidential breakout room. You can join the Zoom gathering here.

All-identities fellowship hour (open) and small groups (pre-registration required) funnel through one Zoom space. Join the Zoom gathering here (Meeting ID: 914 2086 6900; Passcode: 197968).

This post-worship fellowship hour is for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. Join the Zoom gathering here (Meeting ID: 825 3313 5300; Passcode: 982432).

Religious Education classes for K through 9th grade children and youth meet at 11:15 a.m. Senior high youth groups meet at varying times in the afternoon. Advance registration required. More information can be found on our Religious Education website.

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 (opens at 7:30 p.m.): Join the Zoom gathering here.

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.

February 21 Worship: "Remember, You are Water"

The losses—both clear and ambiguous—over the last year are weighing on many of us. The losses over lifetimes and across generations are present with us, too. On Remembrance Sunday this year, Rev. Justin referenced a river of grief that shapes us as it flows through us and our lives. In her message this past Sunday, Rev. Jen invites us back to that river—to its ripples, rapids, and resources. Through a Lectio Divina practice with the words of adrienne maree brown, she reminds us that we are water, and just like water, we flow and cycle through stages and states in our grief. 

Through story, song, and spoken word, we explore the February worship theme of Truth-Telling in our Feb. 21 worship service. Listen to the podcast on Podbean or on Spotify, watch the entire service on YouTube, and find materials for further reflection in Sunday's Order of Service.

Image description: Still photo from the YouTube video showing Rev. Justin Schroeder.

What does it take to hear the truth? To tell the truth? What shifts and gets unlocked in our bodies, our families, our churches, our communities, the body of our country, when we start taking the risk of telling and hearing the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable, challenging, and dangerous? This month, we will explore the spiritual work of hearing and telling the truth in love. You can learn more about our February worship theme of truth-telling here on our website.

First Universalist's annual State of the Church meeting, with Rev. Jen Crow, Rev. Justin Schroeder, Board President Bryana French, and Board Treasurer Keven Ambrus, was held on Sunday, Feb. 21 at 11:30 a.m. The meeting included updates on the upcoming ministerial transition, finances, and phase 2 of the capital campaign and building renovations, as well as a question and answer session at the end. In case you missed the meeting, you can watch the video recording below.

Image description: still from Zoom recording of the State of the Church meeting. Rev. Jen Crow, Rev. Justin Schroeder, Board President Bryana French, and Board Treasurer Keven Ambrus are pictured in "gallery view" mode.

The Nominating Committee is now recruiting candidates for leadership positions on the Board of Trustees, the Foundation Board, and the Nominating Committee for the 2021-2022 church year. It’s an exciting and important time to serve as we move forward with our building project, navigate Rev. Justin’s departure, and live into new ways of being present to each other as the pandemic continues. Serving on one of these bodies enables you to represent other church members to ensure that the church moves forward in alignment with its visionary goals. Members have unique opportunities to collaborate with our ministers and other lay leaders to advance the church’s mission! Below are brief descriptions of the different positions:

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 executive leadership to see they are fulfilled. A fuller description of the position can be found here on our website. 

Member of First Universalist Foundation Board: Board members serve as stewards of the Foundation endowment. The solicit grant applications, review applications, and select grantees to be awarded funding. A fuller description of the position can be found here on our website.

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 can be found here on our website.

Requirements: You must be a member in good standing of the church. Elections occur at the Annual Meeting on Sunday, June 6. Please consider either nominating yourself or encouraging a fellow church member to apply for this important work.

Fill out the application form here. Applications are due by Friday, March 19, 2021. 

If you have questions or would like more information, please email nomination@firstuniv.org or contact any Nominating Committee member: Jim Ramnaraine (chair), Sharon Ramirez, Pat Gottschalk, Cathy Manning, Ray Dillon, and Valerie Garber. Thanks for your attention to this opportunity to serve this congregation!

First Universalist Church accepts nominations for upcoming Offering Plate contributions. The Community Investment Team reviews nominations and recommends charitable organizations that live out our shared commitment to justice and equity. We encourage nominations of smaller nonprofits in one or more of the following categories: racial justice, environmental justice, economic and social equity, and organizations responding to a timely and critical problem. Fill out the nomination form 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 Love Kits

We created Love Kits as a way to provide some resources and support to folks who were isolated or experiencing loss, to families having a difficult time with the reality of COVID, an to those experiencing hospitalization or illness in this time of enforced distance.

To receive a Love Kit or to access any of our caring resources, contact Rev. Arif Mamdani at arif@firstuniv.org 

Find instructions for creating, recording, and submitting your video on our website.

Advance registration is requested. Sign up using this form on our website.

Hennepin Healthcare provided a COVID-19 vaccine clinic at Simpson Housing’s shelter on February 8th.

An encouraging number of shelter guests and staff were able to receive the vaccine. This brings Simpson one step closer to having volunteers back in the building.

Simpson Housing’s shelter has the following current supply needs. You can purchase these items online via Simpson Housing’s wish list.

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” on their website.

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)

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, 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, and we can get a confidential check to you quickly. Please contact any of the ministers on staff. 

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 situation. Learn more here: What Is a Mental Health Navigator? And get started by completing this form.