I trust that many of you have heard the news that I am resigning my position as Co-Senior Minister on June 6, 2021. (If you missed the announcement that the church sent out on Wednesday morning, you can find it here).

This is a big change for me, and for our church community. It brings up lots of feelings. I am sad to leave this position, this staff team, and this congregation. I am sad to leave all of you. First Universalist holds a special place in my heart. This congregation ordained me, and at my ordination service, it was a youth, Grace Bishop, granddaughter of Search Committee Member, Dan Bishop (of blessed memory), who lit the chalice. My children were dedicated in the sanctuary. Our lives have woven together over our nearly 12 years together. 

At the same time, I feel such clarity that this is the right decision. I trust the thread I’m following. I trust the still small voices inside of me leading me into the next chapter of my life, including spending more time with my family. I feel grateful for all we’ve shared as a faith community, and all we will share in these coming months as we practice a good goodbye with each other. 

I hope you’ll join us in worship this Sunday, as I’ll speak to this decision and more importantly, reflect on what it means for all of us to follow the call of love.

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.

Small groups and the all-identities fellowship hour 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 and Youth Groups are on break for the holiday weekend and will return next week. 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: "Is the Truth Broken?"

The free and responsible search for truth and meaning is the 4th Principle of Unitarian Universalism. What may seem like an easy, even lax, principle that allows the truth to be anything one wants, is anything but. It is work to discern what is true!

This week, Rev. Karen asks us, “is the truth broken?” That is, is it in many parts? If we touch a single part of an elephant, do we know about the whole animal? What binds UUs together, like the gold in Kintsugi, is the common, responsible search for truth—not necessarily what that Truth is. Kintsugi actually emphasizes the break as beauty, and the fracture as an essential part in a vessel’s history. It can be spiritually nourishing to contemplate the Oneness, so how might UUs hold what is separate, that which seems completely different, evaluating it for responsibility and accountability long enough to discern whether they can create a new—yet still ultimately broken—piece? A typical UU experience is to look for the glimmer of light of the Star of Truth (as the hymn is named!) that is obstructed by clouds: constant and evolving, question and response, broken and whole. 

Through story, song, and spoken word, we explore the February worship theme of Truth-Telling in our Feb. 7 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.

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 first meeting will be on Thursday, Feb. 18. 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.

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 Meal Trains

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

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

Tuesdays, Feb. 23, Mar 23, Apr 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.

Register here to get the Zoom information.

Tuesdays and Thursdays, Feb. 16, 18, 20, 23, and 25, 6:30–8 p.m.

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.