Dear Jenn,

If you’ve been around church recently, you may have heard mention of a “visionary goals” process that the board is preparing to lead. To help us all orient to what this process is and its intended outcomes, we thought it would help to set the stage a bit.

What are visionary goals?

At first blush, the notion of visionary goals seems pretty straightforward—they are an articulation of what we will do over a period of time long enough to be worthy of the name “visionary” right? 

Not so much.

To understand what we mean by visionary goals, it’s worth stepping back and looking at organizational purpose. Churches fulfill many purposes—from the provision of care, food, and sometimes money to people in need, to the religious education of youth, to the assembly of adults for the purposes of corporate spiritual practice, and so many more. Churches do a lot of things in the world. However, for the purposes of our visionary goals, the purpose of church is the transformation of people in a direction consistent with the faith’s orientation toward a vision for the world. 

Unitarian Universalism does not posit an eschatology as Christianity and other religions do. For us there is no cosmic apocalypse or ultimate judgment and reconciliation to god. As Unitarian Universalists, we don’t claim any special knowledge or truth about such matters, and instead turn our attention to what we can impact and influence in our lives right here and right now, with the knowledge that the actions we take today were shaped by the actions of our ancestors (the conditions we inherited), and that what we do here and now will ripple forward and impact our future and the future of generations to come (our legacy). In that way, what we do matters very much, and so we are concerned with acting in a way that brings about greater justice, equity, and compassion for all people now and in the future. It is also worth noting that this commitment also requires of us a concern for the earth and all its creatures because an inhabitable planet and sustainable relationship with it and our fellow earthlings is a necessary precondition of a future for humanity.

And so, broadly speaking, UU churches in general and First Universalist in particular exist to facilitate the transformation of us as a people and the world toward what we understand as the Beloved Community, not in some supernatural afterlife, but here in the world, each day a little bit more. 

With this as our broad purpose, we can then turn our attention to what guides our life together as a church, and this is where our visionary goals process comes in.

Unlike nonprofit or corporate goals that describe aims like increasing profits by X% over the next five years or providing meals to 75 more households by the end of the year or passing legislation in the next session that commits the city to a community benefits agreement for all new contracts, a church’s visionary goals guide who we will be. 

Our visionary goals are a theological statement of purpose for the congregation over the next five years. They articulate the congregation’s aspirations for who we are trying to become. The statements point us to qualities of being, they point toward ways of relating, they describe a theological purpose for our journey together over the next five years. Which is to say that they operate at a pretty high level. 

What this means for you:

Our invitation to you right now is to spend some time thinking about times when the church played a role in facilitating your becoming a person more deeply committed to where love is calling you. This might be in worship, it might be in small groups, it might be when you were involved in a service project, or teaching in a religious education classroom. Chances are good it is in many places. We invite you to think also about what the world needs of us right now as a congregation, and as individuals. 

The visionary goals process is about asking these questions of ourselves and each other, and listening together to the answers we hear. Where do we come from? What are we? Where are we going?

We'll be sharing more information about how you can participate in the visionary goals process in the coming months, and we hope you'll say "yes" to the invitation to help shape our future.

In faith, 

Arif

Rev. Arif Mamdani

Associate Minister

First Universalist Church of Minneaplis

Worship

Sunday, Sept. 18, 9 & 11 a.m.

Celebrating Rev. Jen's 10 Years at First Universalist

Recordings & Podcasts

Sept. 11 Cycle of Life

News & Features

Fall Chancel Refresh

Celebrating Rev. Jen Crow

Join the Habitat Crew

Racial Covenants

Art Exhibit

Calendar

Board of Trustees Meeting

#Jen10 Community Sing

Caregivers Group

Affiliates

Women's Ritual Circle 

12-Step Spirituality

Sunday, Sept. 18 — 9 & 11 a.m.

"Belonging to Beloved Community"

The dream has been alive for years - Beloved Community. A place, a people, a moment in time when we might truly be, as our Visionary Goal proclaims, “a multi-racial, multicultural, and intergenerational faith community of mutual caring and support where people bring all of who they are and welcome each other with joy. Our sense of who we are as a community of faith is ever expanding.” What does it mean to belong to that Beloved Community, and what will be required of us as we unlearn soul-killing patterns of oppression and practice liberating, life-sustaining ways? What does it mean to belong to this Beloved Community?

Worship leaders (pictured above, left to right): Rev. Jen Crow, Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Rev. Arif Mamdani, Lóre Stevens, and Franco Holder

ORDER OF SERVICE

IN PERSON AT 9 A.M. & 11 A.M. (masks required)

This Sunday, we return to two services, offered in person at both 9 and 11 a.m. Masks are currently required indoors for ages 2+. Can you usher or greet? Sign up here!.

ONLINE AT 11 A.M.

This service will live-streamed on Zoom and YouTube Live at 11 a.m. Join the Zoom livestream here (Webinar ID: 861 805 984) or watch on YouTube. The recording will be available here after worship.

CHILDREN & YOUTH

Today is the first day of Religious Education classes for the 2022–2023 church year! Learn more here.

Rev. Jen Crow has served our congregation for 10 years. So we're celebrating!

Join in the celebration this Sunday, Sept. 18, during either service and then with cake in the social hall after the service.

We encourage you to write messages of appreciation to Rev. Jen—or a fun story or perhaps a child's drawing and note—in honor of this occasion. Here are ways you can still provide your message:

• Bring your message to church this Sunday and place it in the special box in the social hall  
• Send a card to 3400 Dupont Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408 with “Jen’s celebration” on the envelope
• Email a message for Jen to member Bette DeMars at jbdemars2@gmail.com  
• Use one of the special phoenix cards to write a message this Sunday

We encourage you to continue reading the series of articles celebrating aspects of Jen's ministry. They have been appearing in the Liberal weekly since August 4, and are compiled in a single document here. 

Sunday, Sept. 11: "The Ocean Refuses No River" Water Communion Sunday

We are water. 60% give or take, and about as salty as the ocean. So at least metaphorically, each of us is a body of water. When we gather in community, it is as if each of us is a drop in a larger body of water, held by the vessel that is our church. Our Water Communion and in-gathering service invites us to experience the truth of our interconnection through ritual, word, and song. Watch here.

Podcast Archive | Recording Archive 

Our hearts are with Carri Mosborg and her daughter, Amanda, and their whole family on the death of Carri’s father in a car accident last Friday night in Florida. There are moments that change things forever, and we pray that love might surround Carri and her family as they grieve this sudden and complicated loss. 

And our love surrounds Lark, Vail, and Tali Weller and their whole family on the death of their mother, Jill Thomson, who died peacefully at home this week. Family and music surrounded her in her final days, and we trust that her song lives on in those who knew and loved her.

If you are experiencing a crisis or transition, celebrating a joy­ or marking a sorrow, please let us know. To be included in our Cycle of Life on Sunday in worship, or if you would like support, contact Rev. Arif Mamdani at arif@firstuniv.org or 612-825-1701.

A Seasonal Refresh for Our Chancel

Last week our Visual Arts Team gave the chancel a seasonal refresh just in time for this past Sunday’s Water Communion services! New fall-themed items will be added in the coming weeks - see if you can discover what they are each Sunday you’re here. Many thanks to the talented and creative folks on our visual arts team! Photo by Janet Mills.

The Story of a Church Rebuilt

with Generosity, Leadership, and Community

By George Dow

I recently sat down with Reverend Jen Crow to discuss the renovation of our church, beginning with the 2017 capital campaign. This article will highlight three things that made this project possible, and a success: generosity, leadership, and community. 

Generosity

Generosity fueled the renovation, with many groups and individuals offering considerable time, talent, and financial contributions. In our conversation, Jen shared several examples of church committees and individuals who came forward with great ideas before, during and after, the planning phase. Many changes to the original plan were suggested by committees and individuals, which enabled and enhanced the inclusiveness, accessibility and beauty of our space. 

Jen shared that, at the beginning of the project, a major financial contribution was retracted. When the congregation was told of this, many individuals stepped forward to help make up for this loss.

Leadership 

This article builds upon the recent Liberal article honoring the ten year legacy of Jen Crow, written by Cindy Marsh. Cindy offered us this quotation from Lau Tsu, “A leader is best when people barely know she exists…when her work is done, her aim fulfilled, they will all say, “We did it ourselves.” Jen says this quotation captures her belief that the emphasis should always be, “We did it ourselves.” 

Reverend Jen spoke at length about the many individuals and groups who led the remodel initiative, minimizing her own contributions as a leader. I told her how grateful we all are, that she was our chosen candidate for ministry ten years ago. Then, and now, we witness her as a leader with a big heart, strong mind, and powerful determination. These three leadership qualities have been on display throughout her ten years of ministry, especially so during the amazing transformation of our building. 

Community

“Not for Ourselves Alone: Building an Inclusive Future,” reflects our history. Not surprisingly, Jen explained, the first occupants of our “new” building were the Freedom School and our sanctuary guests. 

Over fifty percent of the contractors and construction companies we chose were minority or women owned businesses. This resulted in significant community financial impact.

These workers were invited to our project completion celebration, to see how their efforts will benefit our church and the community. They had never before been invited to such an event.

Thank you, Jen, for all of your generous contributions to our church and our community. You have led us with your big heart, strong mind and powerful determination. Because of you, we can say, “We did it ourselves!”

This Liberal article concludes the series 

honoring the ten-year legacy of Reverend Jen Crow.

Submitted by Lisa Sinclair

Have you assumed that our Habitat build teams are composed only of old, retired men already possessing all the skills needed to build a house? It turns out that that is not true! Around half of our volunteer crew members are women and/or people who have never swung a hammer. If you can pay attention and learn from our fabulous site supervisors (or each other), you can contribute to the construction of a new home for a deserving family. Besides supporting the work that Habitat does, you will be making friends with other members and friends from First Universalist. I have been building with First Universalist teams for about 20 years and it is one of my favorite church activities. Join us!

We still need more volunteers! Interested in being part of the next First Universalist Habitat Build volunteer team on October 3? Sign up here!

Submitted by Joan Naymark, Housing Justice Team

Join us at church on Wednesday, Sept. 21 at the Wednesday Night Dinner to learn how to be a citizen researcher to identify racial covenants in your community and if your house has a racial covenant, how to discharge it. Join us after church on Sunday, Oct. 2 at the Housing Justice table to search your address. 

What Are Racial Covenants?

In the past, discriminatory covenants were used to keep people of color from buying housing in certain Minnesota communities. These covenants resulted in segregated communities and had wide-ranging adverse effects on BIPOC communities, impacting the accumulation of generational wealth, community vitality, child and family well-being, and much more. In 1948, the Supreme Court ruled that covenants were unenforceable, and by 1953, the Minnesota Legislature prohibited the use of racial restrictions in warranty deeds. But covenants remained commonplace until 1968 when the federal Fair Housing Act made them explicitly illegal. There was no way to renounce the language from property titles for decades. This history led to reality today: “The Twin Cities has the highest gap between black and white homeownership rates for any major metropolitan area in the country. While 78 percent of White families own homes in the Twin Cities, only 25 percent of Black families are homeowners.” (mappingprejudice.umn.edu)  Minnesota law now allows property owners to discharge harmful and discriminatory language from property titles. How are these covenants discovered on individual deeds? How can you know if your property has a racial covenant? The Mapping Prejudice project at the University of Minnesota identifies housing units with racial covenants through the work of citizen volunteers. Their partner, Just Deeds, works with participating cities to discharge those covenants. They have identified 25,000 racial covenants in Hennepin and Ramsey Counties and have helped discharge hundreds of them.

How Can You Learn More and What Can You Do?

Minneapolis and many suburbs, Rochester, and Ramsey County are part of this program, and many will pay the discharge fees. Go here to find out whether your house has a racial covenant and learn how to discharge it. Research your neighborhood at the Mapping Prejudice website here. Become a citizen volunteer to identify houses with racial covenants by volunteering with Mapping Prejudice.

Understand the history and impact of racial covenants in Minnesota, and watch the TPT documentary, “Jim Crow of the North.” Learning about what caused today’s housing disparities is just one way to build a more equitable future for all. Take a first step to address an egregious part of Minnesota’s housing racial injustice!

Congregants Share

"We attended a workshop by the Mapping Prejudice Project (U of M) two years ago and were alarmed to learn about the high incidence of racial covenants in the Twin Cities. We came home and within minutes discovered that our house in SW Minneapolis had one. At first, I thought, “The covenants were made illegal in the early 60s, why bother now?” However, the disparity remains and anything we can do to eradicate that disparity is important. So, we discharged our covenant and now have a lawn sign to build awareness in our neighborhood." - Peg Mitchell and Polly Talen

"Our house in Kingfield does not have a covenant; our neighborhood was built just a bit early for this oppressive trend. But that does not mean it was not worth it to look it up, to see how extensive covenants were and to imagine what it would be like for a BIPOC person to be house hunting under those constraints. Not welcome here. Not welcome here. Not welcome here. It also prompted me to think about the participation of white people, church goers, in creating and standing by these covenants. It is worth checking out." - Karen Heegaard

"My home 35 years ago had a racial covenant, but there was nothing I could do about it. I recently discovered that my current home’s deed has no racial covenant – whew! I helped a citizen group to educate and engage city leaders to partner with Just Deeds to help renounce racial covenants." - Joan Naymark

Jane Bassuk’s textiles are on display in our Universal Gallery through Oct. 16. She will be available to talk about her work after services on September 25.

Much of Jane Bassuk’s work explores how energy and light are integral to natural and man-made architecture. In her art quilts, she has always created surreal landscapes that use organic shapes derived from the flora and fauna of the natural world. She uses different types of textures to develop the surface and experiment with color to create different light effects. Her works continually investigate the power of nature over man-made structures. She chooses fabrics because of the feelings they evoke and for their implied glimpses of land, sea, and man-made objects. She heavily embellishes each piece with embroidery and beads to enhance the surfaces. Jane also examines feminine sexuality and her Jewish heritage, exploring loss, spirituality, human mortality, and human connection to the infinite universe.

Jane Bassuk has a BFA in painting from the University of Michigan and an MA and MFA in painting from the University of Iowa. She taught at North Hennepin Community College and is now retired. For more information visit her website: www.janebassukartist.com

Thursday, Sept. 15, 6:30–9 p.m.

The First Universalist Board of Trustees meets Thursday, Sept. 15 at 6:30 p.m. The board packet with meeting information and more details is available here.

Saturday, Sept. 17, 10 a.m.–noon rehearsal in the Sanctuary

Sunday, Sept. 18, 11 a.m. service

Sign Up by Thursday, Sept. 15

We’ve got a big moment to celebrate as we mark Rev. Jen Crow’s 10 years as a leader at First Universalist during worship services on Sunday, Sept. 18. And one of the most beautiful ways a community celebrates is singing together. So, let’s make a community choir! Each one of our members, friends, friends of friends, families, newcomers, of all ages, courageous singers and timid, experienced and brand new, is invited to sing in a pop-up community choir led by Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout to honor Rev. Jen and this great decade together. There’s just a one-rehearsal commitment on Saturday, Sept. 17 from 10 a.m. to noon, and we’ll sing for service at 11 a.m. the next day, Sunday, Sept 18.

Sunday, Sept. 18, 2–3:30 p.m. & Sunday, Oct. 2, 1–2:30 p.m. on Zoom

Sign up here

Caring for a family member who needs special care is a demanding and often unseen or unacknowledged role. Whether you’re caring for an aging parent or a child with a chronic health condition, join the Caregivers group for mutual support, connection, and community building. When we gather, we’ll light a chalice, have time for introductions, and share a reading, then move into deeper sharing, support, and reflection. 

Wednesday, Sept. 21, 6 p.m. in the Social Hall

Dinner RSVP Requested

Swing by church for a delicious home-cooked meal at 6 p.m. All are welcome and there is no charge. We always offer vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, nut free, and kid-friendly options. All church events are alcohol-free. 

This Wednesday's dinner will be build your own burrito bowl, with chicken and tofu as protein options.

Following dinner, stick around and join a breakout group to learn more about one of the many opportunities for deeper engagement at church.

Breakout Group Options (6:45–8 p.m. except where noted):

• Younger Families Pre-Party from 5–6 p.m. We’ll host space for play and socializing for families with babies to 1st graders on the playground (or indoors, if weather requires) and families with 2nd–5th graders in the Cummins Room. At 6 p.m. we’ll move the party to the Social Hall and share dinner together.
• Board and Tabletop Games 6th–9th graders are invited to remain in the Social Hall after dinner for board and card games. If you love MTG or another card game, bring your deck!
• Discharging Racial Covenants in Twin Cities housing with 1st U’s Housing Justice Team What are racial covenants, where are they still in existence (maybe even on the property you live in), what are the wide-ranging adverse effects on BIPOC communities, and how can property owners discharge harmful language from property titles? Adults and families are invited to attend as we learn and take action together.
• Recently Divorced Gather with others who are in the process of going through a divorce, or have recently divorced, for a facilitated conversation about what’s sustaining (and what’s draining) your spirit.
• UU the Vote Join the UU the Vote team and help write letters to registered voters who don’t usually vote in mid-term elections encouraging them to do so. We have a lofty goal of becoming a “Good Trouble Congregation” and letter writing is a major component of this designation. The work is simple and goes quickly, plus you’ll get a chance to connect with other folks from church and put your UU values into action. Questions? Email Dallas (she/they) at dallasrising@gmail.com.
• Ushers/Greeters Workshop New and experienced greeters will regroup with an interactive workshop for warm, pre-emptive, radical hospitality as we welcome folks to church on Sunday mornings. 

Women (cis and trans) as well as non-binary folks who find their home in women-centric spaces who are interested in earth-based and pagan spirituality are invited to upcoming open rituals of the Under Northern Skies Women’s Ritual Circle. We will meet in room 209 in the First Universalist building on the following dates:

Sunday, Sept. 25  |  Sunday, Oct. 9. |  Tuesday, Oct. 25

We gather at 7:15 pm and promptly begin an hour-long ritual at 7:30 p.m., with time for questions and socializing to follow. For members who choose to commit to the circle, the commitment ritual for this cycle will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 8, after which the circle will close to new members until September 2023.

Please contact Ann Hobbs at g.annhobbs@gmail.com with any questions.

Saturdays, 9:30–10:45 a.m. online via Zoom

This weekly online meeting focuses on people who are actively working in any of 12 Step programs. It is focused on the 11th step through the practice of Centering Prayer Meditation. Meeting details are available at 12stepspirituality.org.

Church Office & Building Access

The church office is open on Wednesdays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The door bells are not monitored outside of this time. Access to the building at times on other days can be arranged by contacting Jim Poulter, Building & Office Manager, at jim@firstuniv.org.