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July 2, 2020 | Vol. 7 No. 27
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Earlier this week, as I was moving back into our home (we had a renter in our house through the end of June, so I had been staying solo in an apartment in St. Paul; my family is still in New Zealand, set to return in a month or so), I saw a neighbor I haven't seen in six months, and asked, "How are you?" As soon as I asked the question, we both felt its inadequacy. There are so many layers to that question, such nuance. And there probably always has been, but we are in a time where the old ways of answering that question simply fail us. "How are you?" "How are we?" We are anxious, grateful, depressed, and delighted (by gardens, blossoms, berries, and early morning walks); we are fearful, teary, energized, raw, and vulnerable; we are activated, waking up, seeing more clearly the actual history of this country, its policing, and its racist policies and practices. We are impossibly stretched between jobs and parenting. We are living alone. We are clearer about priorities than we've ever been before.
Here we are, in this present moment, holding lightly to the future because so much is unknown, and holding fiercely to values and justice commitments that anchor our lives. Here we are. We may wish to be somewhere else, or desire something other than what is (because what is, is so painful, in so many ways), or long to return to "normal," or "the before," but here we are. We are here, in this moment, with our breath, and all that is. Here we are, ready to discern our next right move, our next step.
"Here We Are" is our summer worship theme, a theme which acknowledges the full complexities of the time we are in. Here we are, for each other, but at a distance. Here we are for the movement for Black lives, leaning into the question, "How can we reimagine the police? What does abolition and defunding look like and mean?" Here we are, holding tightly to spiritual practices that anchor us, that guide us, that don't diminish the waves, the emotions, the discomfort and the uncertainty we feel, but allow us to live
with
them, to feel them, to say, "Here I am." And, "Here we are," with what is.
I'll be preaching this Sunday. It's weird to not be able to "see" so many of you! But it sharpens my imagination to picture those of you in worship, on the other side of your phone, or the other side of your screen. I imagine your smiles, your tears, your laughter, your voice, as you say, with many of us, the words for the lighting of the chalice. Though I cannot see you, across time and space, I feel your presence, I hold your spirit, and I am with you.
It's good to be back from sabbatical.
With love and care,
Justin
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Sunday, July 5 at 10 a.m.
MULTIGENERATIONAL WORSHIP
with Rev. Justin Schroeder, Arif Mamdani, Lauren Wyeth, Seth Matz, Franco Holder, Randy Buikema, and the First Universalist Choir.
This Sunday, we'll enjoy a story told by Lauren, music by Seth, and a sermon by Rev. Justin. Please join us online for worship!
Connect to our live streamed worship:
To join by phone (audio only), dial 1-312-626-6799 and enter the webinar ID.
AFTER WORSHIP:
~11 a.m. Virtual Coffee Hour
After Sunday worship, join us for
virtual coffee hour for all identities (
Meeting ID: 212 168 092)
or dial: 1-312-626-6799 and enter the meeting ID when prompted.
~11 a.m. BIPOC Virtual Coffee Hour for those who are Black, Indigenous, Multiracial, POC
Join here (
Meeting ID: 825 3313 5300; Password: 982432
) or dial: 1-312-626-6799 and enter the meeting ID and password when prompted.
Wednesday, July 8 at 7 p.m.
WORSHIP
This midweek worship experience for adults and older youth is a brief time (20-30 minutes) of connection, centering, and reflection, to help us find and keep our balance during this time of pandemic and physical distancing.
To join by phone (audio only), dial 1-312-626-6799 and enter the webinar ID.
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Sunday, June 28: A Good Goodbye
Reflections by Liz Farmer, Adult Ministries & Admin Assistant:
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Through the reflections, music, and stories of staff, congregants, and the choir, it is clear the impact that Rev. Ruth MacKenzie has had on First Universalist Church. Those who participated as worship leaders this past Sunday clearly take on her last week's charge to the congregation: her energy is evident in their reflections rich with thoughtfulness, humor, grace, truth, and beauty. In their stories, patterns emerge. Ruth brought the congregation along with her as she lived and breathed her commitment to dismantling racism and anti-blackness. They share stories of singing! Singing in the sanctuary, in public squares in the middle of Boston, and in hearts! They speak tenderly about the way she listened in hospital rooms, on walks, and over tea, and in so doing, made people feel seen and loved in their wholeness and complexity. Rev. Ruth is very loved, and will be dearly missed. Listen to this special service on the podcast or YouTube in which we say a good goodbye to Rev. Ruth as she retires from First Universalist.
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CYCLE OF LIFE & CONGREGATIONAL CARE
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Cycle of Life from Sunday, June 28
We hold in our hearts Karen Warren, who has just gone into hospice. May her transition come with peace and love.
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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. Karen Hutt at
revkarenhutt@gmail.com. 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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Wishing Rev. Ruth a Good Goodbye
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 Thank you to all who were able to stop by church this past Sunday to wish Rev. Ruth well upon her retirement! Ruth spent about two hours in front of church after worship, waving and saying goodbye to all who stopped by to see her, one household at a time. View more photos here.
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Virtual Gatherings for Adults
Sunday, July 5 at 11:30 a.m.
Join this monthly congregant-led group for silent meditation on Zoom. After the silence we will share how our practices are helping us through these difficult times.
Audio only via phone: 312 626 6799
NO gathering on Tuesday, July 7; resumes Tuesday, July 15
Begin your week with spiritual grounding and sustenance, taking time to connect with your breath, your heart, your woundedness and your joy, in this half hour interactive session in which we check in and engage with a spiritual practice.
Wednesday, July 8 at 7:30 p.m.
The Young Adults group (for those in their 20s and 30s) is gathering on a weekly basis. Connect with fellow First U young adults after Wednesday worship for conversation and fun.
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Virtual Gatherings for Children, Youth & Families
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)
THURSDAY
8:15 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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Association of Universalist Women Social Hour
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AUW members are staying connected via a weekly Zoom Happy Hour.
Meeting ID: 834 7301 7986
Password: 557571
Phone number: 312-626-6799
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12 Step Spirituality Workshops, which had been hosted at First Universalist one Saturday per month, continue every Saturday on Zoom through October. All people interested in the 12 steps are welcome. The workshop includes meditation, centering prayer meditation instructions, short talks, small groups and more. Join here at 9:30 a.m. on Saturdays. The meeting ID is 392-510-399. Visit www.12stepspirituality.org for more details. If you have questions call Dick Y. at 952-893-1188.
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We offer several options for making donations online, whether it's a contribution toward the offering plate or your annual or capital gift.
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).
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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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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