I don’t know about you, but for me, in these pandemic days I sometimes find it hard to open the “keeping you updated emails” and newsletters I receive even when they are from institutions I love and support. It’s overwhelming to be reminded of what I miss and can’t yet imagine getting back. So instead of reading more emails, join us this Sunday at 11:30 a.m. for our annual State of the Church Meeting. We’ll share the good things that are happening in our community, update everyone on our strong financial position, review the second phase of our building renovations, and continue to prepare ourselves for a Good Goodbye with Rev. Justin. We’ll also share a recording of the meeting next week for those who want to watch it at a later time. 

And whether you are able to join us on Sunday or not, I invite you to tend thoughtfully to yourself and those around you in these February days. For many of us, the cumulative effects of the winter, of the pandemic, of loss and grief, and of more isolation and limitation than most of us have ever experienced are adding up. There is a sense of hope and relief for some of us as the vaccine reaches more people. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, and yet for many folks there is still a long way to go through very dangerous times. Somehow, this 28 day month of February can feel for many like the longest month of the year. 

So I encourage you to keep checking in with yourself and others, and to start with the basics. Maybe you can pause, or HALT and ask: are you Hungry Angry Lonely or Tired? If the answer is yes to any of these, what can you do right now to change things? Can you grab a snack, let off some steam, text a friend, or take a break? Is there some small thing you can do to care for yourself or another? Can you make a cup of tea, refill your water, ask for help with something, or go outside long enough to feel the fresh air on your face? Is it time for a prayer or three purposeful breaths?

When the world or our lives feel overwhelming, it’s easy to forget that small things can help. Small pleasures, small check ins, small shifts, small gratitudes. When things are hard, it’s amazing to me how much these seemingly small things mean. Let’s keep offering these small bits of grace and gratitude to ourselves and each other. 

In gratitude,

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).

First Step is a brief, casual orientation to Unitarian Universalism and First Universalist Church. Join the Zoom gathering here (Meeting ID: 881 2661 8139; Passcode: 396179)

Drop-in group for UUs in 12-step based recovery from all kinds of addiction and family dysfunction. Participation is confidential. Join the Zoom gathering here (Meeting ID: 922 6965 4151; Passcode: 839388).

Join the Zoom gathering here (Webinar ID: 844 7686 9954).

Religious Education classes for children and youth in Kindergarten through 9th grade 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 about 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 14 Worship: "Following the Thread"

If there’s one thing I’ve learned about Unitarian Universalists during my time on staff here and during my time writing sermon summaries, it’s that UUs are really good at holding multiple and seemingly opposing truths at the same time. What is true is that however you hold, process, and metabolize the mixture of feelings, thoughts, and reactions you're having with hearing the news of Rev. Justin’s departure, you do so in community. While Rev. Justin speaks to his decision to leave ministry at First Universalist in June, he emphasizes that this move is not just about him: it’s about you, the community at First Universalist. It’s a desire for you to continue to listen for, recognize, and follow your innermost knowings down a life-giving path, even when the destination is unclear. It’s about continuing to be a faith community that lives your values and deep truths.

Through story, song, and spoken word, we explore the February worship theme of Truth-Telling in our Feb. 14 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.

Over 150 years later, Michael Eric Dyson, in his book, Tears We Cannot Stop: A Sermon to White America, writes something similar: “To be blunt, you (white people) are emotionally immature about race...We are forced to be gentle with you, which is another way of saying we are forced to lie to you. We must let you down easy, you, the powerful partner in our fraught relationship...You get upset when we tell you that whiteness has often been damaging and toxic. You get angry when we tell you how badly whiteness has behaved throughout history.” Dyson’s writing makes one wonder: How long can the truth be told slant? What is the collective moral cost of half truths and indirect truths being told?

Join us for our annual State of the Church meeting, which will include updates from the board and staff on the upcoming ministerial transition, finances, and Phase 2 of the capital campaign and building renovation. Our State of the Church meeting this year will be held via Zoom. You can join us live, or watch the recording, which will be made available within a few days. Join the Zoom gathering here (Webinar ID: 844 7686 9954). To join via phone (audio only), dial 1-312-626-6799 and enter the webinar ID.

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, and Ray Dillon. 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 Rides

Though we’re not currently driving folks to medical appointments and the like, church is happy to help with an Uber or Taxi ride. As a member recently said, “I broke my foot last year, and wouldn’t you know it, it was my right one and my doctor wouldn’t let me drive with my left! Thank goodness the rides ministry at church was there to help.”

Contact arif@firstuniv.org to get set up with a ride or to access any of our caring resources.

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

The First Universalist Board of Trustees meets the third Thursday of most months at 6:30 p.m. The Board is currently meeting on Zoom. Information about the February Board meeting, including the agenda and Zoom information, is available here.

Tuesdays, Feb. 23, March 23, April 27, May 25, 6–8 p.m.

Faith like a River will meet the last Tuesday of the month for four sessions, starting Tuesday, Feb. 23. More info and registration is available here. This module of Faith Like a River will be led by Troy Behnke and Rev. Arif Mamdani.

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

First Universalist Accessibility and Inclusion group is designed for people with all types of physical disabilities, hearing disabilities, and visual disabilities. This is a place to support each other, foster discussions about lived experiences, accessibility, and find ways to promote inclusion within the church. Ages 13 and older are welcome. Caretakers and interpreters are welcome to join, but not to be active members of the group.

Our next meeting will be on Thursday, March 4. Following meetings will occur on the first and third Thursday of every month from 6:30–8 p.m. We will meet on Zoom until further notice.

For more information please contact BOTH Lauren Wyeth at lauren@firstuniv.org and Birch Cappetta at birch.cappetta@gmail.com.

Sponsored by the Minnesota Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Alliance (MUUSJA)

Join our friends at MUUSJA for "Reflection & Readiness: MUUSJA UU Racial Justice Summit," an opportunity to reflect, convene, and connect across UU congregations in Minnesota and North & South Dakota. Gather with UUs from other congregations for a Summit grounded in worship and covenant. Each day will include racial identity caucus spaces in which white people will practice calling each other in, process their privilege, and practice ways of being that will help mitigate harm as they interact with BIPOC UUs and community members. BIPOC will similarly explore racial and UU identities, and find strength, inspiration, and healing with one another.

This Summit is open to all UUs who are committed to answering the call to do racial justice work. Attendance at all sessions is encouraged, though not required. The conversations and connections begun at the Summit will continue long afterwards, encouraging collaborative UU racial justice work across congregations.

Find more information and register here at the MUUSJA website.

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.