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April 16, 2020 | Vol. 7 No. 16
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Greetings from Rev. Justin!
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This week, we bring to you a short greeting from Co-Senior Minister Rev. Justin Schroeder, who is currently on sabbatical January through June 2020. Watch here:
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Sunday, April 19 at 10 a.m.
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Rev. Ruth MacKenzie
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MULTIGENERATIONAL WORSHIP
"Wisdom from a Compost Heap"
Rev. Ruth MacKenzie
In the midst of a pandemic, is there room for hope? What can a compost heap teach us about sitting in the muck of it all, watering our spirits, turning things over, and radical transformation? On the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, what can we learn from this COVID crisis, and how might we as Unitarian Universalists recognize that:
"this place, it is us and home always
and even though we are overstimulated and tired
and there is no way to do what needs to be done
we have done it, and taken deep breaths, and done it again
and so we will do it, by which i mean
give ourselves to it, fully, and faltering, and then a bit more
only ever able to carry our part
learning slowly it is enough, just enough
it only seems impossible
it only needs a million hands"
- adrienne maree brown
Our worship services are live-streamed via Zoom on Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. You can also call in to listen to the audio of the service. This is a multigenerational service that can be found at the same place every week:
To join by phone (audio only), dial 1-312-626-6799 and enter the webinar ID when prompted.
Wednesday, April 22 at 7 p.m.
WORSHIP
As we continue to move together through this time of pandemic and physical distancing, we know that faith communities can help us find and keep our balance. Our Wednesday evening worship offers a brief time of connection, centering, and reflection mid-week. This is a shorter and simpler 20-30 minute service led by one of our worship leaders via Zoom, and geared towards adults and older youth. Same place every week going forward until further notice!
7 p.m. Wednesday Worship geared toward adults & older youth (webinar ID: 117-312-320)
To join by phone (audio only), dial 1-312-626-6799 and enter the webinar ID when prompted.
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Sunday Zoom Help & Virtual Social Time
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9 a.m. Pre-Worship Zoom Practice & Hang Out Space
Get help with zoom, or just hang out and chat before the Sunday service:
pre-worship zoom practice and hang out space (
Meeting ID: 595 180 815)
or dial: 1-312-626-6799 and enter the meeting ID when prompted. Same place every week.
~11 a.m. Virtual Coffee Hour
After Sunday worship, join us for
virtual social time (
Meeting ID: 212 168 092)
or dial: 1-312-626-6799 and enter the meeting ID when prompted. Same place every week.
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This Week: Virtual Gatherings for Adults
Tuesday, April 21 at 8 a.m.
Begin your week with spiritual grounding and sustenance with Rev. Ruth, taking time to connect with your breath, your heart, your woundedness and your joy, in this half hour interactive session in which we will check in with others, and engage with a spiritual practice. You will be able to see and interact with other circle participants.
Wednesday, April 22 at 7:30 p.m. after Wednesday Worship
After Wednesday worship, you're invited to join a Calming Circle hosted by Rev. Ruth MacKenzie and Pastor Stephanie Vos. In the Calming Circle, we will check in with one another, engage in a somatic experience of spiritual practice (stretching our bodies, and our spirits) and then gather in prayer and spiritual practice, holding one another in compassion and kindness. The Calming Circle will be held in meeting format, meaning that - unlike worship - you will be joining with your video and audio and able to see and interact with other circle participants.
Wednesday, April 22 at 7:30 p.m.
The Young Adults group (for those in their 20s and 30s) is now gathering virtually on a weekly basis. Connect with fellow First U young adults after Wednesday worship for conversation and fun. The group meets weekly on Wednesdays from 7:30-8:30 p.m.
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Weekly Gatherings for Children, Youth & Families
SUNDAY
9 a.m. Coming of Age
(9th grade) with Emma, Ruth, and advisors -
Taking religious education online as we prepare for our milestone celebration. Register in advance (required)
11:30 a.m. Sunday Play Date (2nd-7th grade) with Lauren - Half an hour of games and service/social justice activities, expanding on themes from the 10 a.m. worship. Bring paper and crayons or markers. Register in advance (required)
New meeting - starts April 19!
12:30 p.m. Young Family Story Time (Families with babies to 1st grade)
with Seth - Stories, songs and rituals to keep little ones (and their grownups!) connected to familiar rhythms and relationships.
Register in advance
(required)
12:30 p.m. BIPOC/Multiracial Youth Group* with Daryn, Sarah and youth leaders, for those who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color and/or multiracial; email Lauren (lauren@firstuniv.org) to be connected to the group.
TUESDAY
8 p.m.
Single Parents Gathering with Rev. Sara Smalley - Parents/guardians who are single and/or co-parenting gather for mutual support and spiritual sustenance. (Meeting ID:
984 9990 9070;
Password: connection)
WEDNESDAY
10 a.m. Multigenerational Sing-along
with Seth - Enjoy beloved songs of our UU faith. This event will be held webinar style so you can attend in your jammies and dance like no one's watching. (Webinar ID: 441-072-399)
8 p.m. Gathering for Grownups parenting kids in K-12th grade, with Lauren - Parents/guardians gather every other Wednesday for mutual support and spiritual sustenance. Meets April 29, May 13 & May 27 (Meeting ID: 235-861-667; Password: 757737)
THURSDAY
8 p.m.
Parents of Babies and Preschoolers (ages 0-4 years) with Lauren - Parents/guardians of little ones gather for mutual support and spiritual sustenance. (Meeting ID: 273-644-536
; Password: 446240)
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| Elementary school kids shared objects that remind them of people they love. |
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Rev. Ruth MacKenzie, with assistance from "Chester" the raccoon, shared a sweet story for all ages during worship on Sunday, April 12. Watch the recording here.
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Reflections by Liz Farmer, Administrative and Adult Ministries Assistant
Easter is a holiday that teaches us that love endures, even when we can't physically see or touch its evidence. Jesus is an important healer and teacher for Unitarian Universalists. His message of love and right relationship, especially with those on the margins, was dangerous to those in power - just like Unitarian Universalists' message today. Jesus' life is an example of how spiritual beings with physical forms are an embodiment of the love that transcends physical distance. We all have different symbols, phrases, or rituals that connect us to loved ones near and far. When we partake in these simple actions, we ourselves become symbols of God's gracious and enduring love.
View all worship recordings from past Sundays on our YouTube channel.
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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; contact Rev. Ruth MacKenzie at
ruth@firstuniv.org. If you would like support, call the office at 612-825-1701 and follow the prompts for pastoral care on the recording.
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Make Your Money Work for the Climate
Saturday, April 18, 9:30 a.m.-noon
The Environmental Justice Team invites you to join them in finding new ways to undertake the spiritual act of protecting the Earth.
Now is the time to divest from companies that are working against lowering carbon emissions. Learn from the experts about how to safely divest from fossil fuel-related funds and deforestation-heavy funds, and companies that have large carbon footprints, and how to invest in funds and companies that are consistent with a new green order. Register to receive instructions for joining the workshop on Saturday at 8:30 a.m. More details.
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Active Hope Workshop
Saturday, April 25, 9:30 a.m.-noon
Facilitated by Environmental Justice team members Betsy Allis and Roberta Haskin Feeling overwhelmed, distressed about climate change? Feeling the need to connect with other people in spiritual practices that build resilience and hope? Spend a morning via Zoom sharing gratitude and pain for the state of the planet and opening our awareness to new perspectives, to go forth in community with active hope and intention. The workshop is based on the content of the book, "Active Hope, how to face the mess we're in without going crazy" by Joanna Macy and Chris Johnstone. This is not a book study; rather, we will be engaged in activities for spiritual growth and climate resilience, both individually and in community. Details to come.
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Board Meeting Information
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First Universalist Board meetings are still open to the public and are held every third Thursday of the month. We are meeting using the Zoom platform until we return to in-person meetings and you can find board member bios, materials, and instructions for observing board meetings
HERE on the First Universalist website.
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Congregational Budget Meetings
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The Board of Trustees will share a draft budget at two Congregational Budget Meetings: Sunday, May 3 at 11:30 a.m. and Wednesday, May 6 at 7:00 p.m. Meetings will be held via Zoom (details to come).
After a presentation of the budget and its rationale, there will be an opportunity for questions. The board will prepare a final version of the budget for the Annual Meeting, which will be held Sunday, May 31.
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Supporting the Church Financially
If you are able, please continue to honor your annual gifts and make your capital campaign contributions. If you are not a sustainer and have not yet let us know your intentions for our 2020-2021 fiscal year, or if you're a sustainer and would like to make a change to your commitment,
please get directly in touch with Finance Assistant Chelsea Bertsch at
chelsea@firstuniv.org
instead of filling out the giving card.
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We offer several options for making donations online, whether it's a contribution toward the offering plate, your annual or capital gift, or for a specific project for which we're raising funds.
Text to Give
To make a donation via credit card, use your smartphone to text "
firstuniv" (without quotes) to the number
73256. You'll receive a link to a secure form where you can enter your information. Select the appropriate fund from the dropdown menu.
Square Cash
Make a contribution using a debit card via the Square Cash app. Download this free app (
iPhone or
Android) and set up your account - you'll need your debit card and a $cashtag (user name). Then:
- Enter the amount you want to donate
- Click "pay"
- In the $cashtag space, enter $FirstUniv
- In the For space, let us know what it's for - the Sunday offering plate? Your annual gift?
- Click "pay"
ACS (our online giving system)
Make a one-time gift using the secure form located on our website
here. Make sure that you've selected the correct fund (such as offering plate) if it's not an annual gift.
It's also okay to mail checks to the church, even though the office is closed. We are still receiving mail, though we are only collecting it once per week. It will likely take us longer than normal to process check payments, but you are welcome to send checks if you prefer!
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To request a time slot in one of the church's zoom rooms for your church sponsored meeting or event, email Lucia Webb at lucia@firstuniv.org.
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A Quick Guide on Where to Direct Commonly Asked Questions:
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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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The church office is closed until further notice.
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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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