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July 16, 2020 | Vol. 7 No. 29
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Rev. Justin Schroeder |
In addition to everything else that's happening right now, we are in the midst of an uprising against police and state brutality against Black, indigenous, and people or color - that calls us to do deep theological reflection, and to respond from that place. Our Unitarian Universalist theology offers a framework for making sense of the time we're in, and points us toward actions that bring our values alive in the world.
Theology
is defined as the study of religious belief, or the study of the nature of the Divine/God/Spirit of Life. If you've ever experienced yourself or another as broken, and thought about what helps you "heal" and feel "whole" again after you've been hurt or harmed, you're doing theology. If you've thought about what evil is, and how it shows up in the world, you're doing theology. If you've thought about what good is, and how that is present in the world, you're doing theology. In fact, you're really doing
theological reflection,
which is reflecting on your experiences in light of your faith, in light of the
Principles of Unitarian Universalism
, including the proposed
8th Principle
, which calls us to "spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions."
Unitarian Universalism has a "big tent" under which people with many different beliefs can gather. We do not have to adhere to a statement of belief in order to be accepted in this faith. Instead, Unitarianism points to an underlying unity at the heart of creation. Unitarianism posits that we all come from the same source, call it the big bang, God, the Cosmos, or the Spirit of Life. Universalism suggests that we all share a common destiny. Universalism - the claim that everyone is created whole and holy and is worthy of love, and that we all ultimately return to love - demolishes notions of saved and unsaved, worthy and unworthy. Universalism claims no one is disposable; we are all connected and dependent on one another.
How then, does this framework inform our racial justice and anti-oppression efforts? There are many responses. One response is that any hierarchy that suggests one group of people (based on race, gender, ability, class, or anything else) is better than another group of people is in direct opposition to our faith. In fact, racism (and any of these other false hierarchies), distort the underlying truth of our oneness, and compromise our faith. Using this theological framework, we naturally begin to reimagine policing, because policing as it currently exists treats some people as having less worth, value and dignity than others, which is in direct opposition to our faith.
The value of theological reflection is that it can invite us to begin to find deeper alignment between our faith and our actions. In doing this, we move closer to living an undivided life, which can be a source of joy and delight.
How is your faith shaping your response to these times we are living in?
I'll see you in virtual church!
With care,
Rev. Justin
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Sunday, July 19 at 10 a.m.
MULTIGENERATIONAL WORSHIP
"The Languages We Speak"
Arif Mamdani, Rev. Justin Schroeder, Isabel Alvarez, Seth Matz, Andrew Tralle
This Sunday, through story, song, prayer, and word, we'll open up this question of what it means to exist in and between multiple worlds, cultures, and realities as we continue to explore our worship theme of "Here we Are." Rev. Justin and Arif will be joined on the virtual chancel by Isabel Alvarez, with music from Seth Matz and Andrew Tralle.
Connect to our live streamed worship between 9:55 and 10 a.m.:
ORDER OF SERVICE:
Welcome
Chalice Lighting
Story: "Alma and How She Got Her Name" told by Isabel Alvarez
Music: "We Shall Be Known" Seth Matz
Prayer: Rev. Justin Schroeder
Music: "Spirit of Life," Andrew Tralle
Message: Arif Mamdani, "The Languages We Speak"
Offertory
Closing Words
Go Now in Peace
AFTER WORSHIP:
~11 a.m. First Step:
Are you new? Join us after worship for a brief orientation to First Universalist Church and Unitarian Universalism. Info about accessing this meeting will be available
here Sunday.
~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.
11:30 a.m. "Defund Police: What Comes After?" video viewing & discussion. Details are further down under "Virtual Gatherings"
Wednesday, July 22 at 7 p.m.
WORSHIP
Rev. Karen Hutt
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, July 12: "Practice of Humility"
Sermon summary and reflections by Liz Farmer:
The practice of humility is one of the first things people learn about Unitarian Universalists. At the beginning of each service, worship leaders proclaim that First Universalist is a faith community that, "with humility, courage, and compassion," acts to create a more just world. It can be tough to act or speak with humility, as it is so very counter to white supremacy culture, which teaches us to value fast answers and efficient solutions. For white folks especially, that typically means white peoples' answers and solutions. Rev. Justin shares the story of Onesimus, an enslaved black man who shared the wisdom of variolation (a precursor to vaccination) during a 1700s smallpox epidemic. The root of the word humility is humus, which means earth. Soil. Ash. Ground. It's time to dig into that dirt - to cultivate humility as regenerative and vitamin-rich sustenance. In your sustained anti-racism work, strip away what you think you know and get wildly curious about the wisdom, voices, and experiences that we have systemically marginalized.
Watch our Sunday, July 12 worship service, with a sermon by Rev. Justin, story by two of our youth, Zoe M. and Katelyn B., prayer with church member Stephanie Vos, and music by Seth Matz. You can also listen to the story and sermon as a
podcast.
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CYCLE OF LIFE & CONGREGATIONAL CARE
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Cycle of Life from Sunday, July 12
We hold Kayci Rush's step mom in our prayers. She is 91 years old and has tested positive for Covid 19. She is in the hospital in Phoenix Arizona.
Our prayers are with long time member Carolyn Moe; she is struggling with short term memory loss and shortness of breath. She welcomes notes and cards. For her address, refer to the directory in your ChurchLife app or contact the church office (communications@firstuniv.org).
Zoe Beck was admitted Southdale with two pulmonary embolisms and we are holding her with love and care.
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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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How Can We Keep From Singing?
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Submitted by Shelley des Islets (she/her)
Singing in a choir is one of the most heartening, soothing, loving things I do. It also has been described as a fantastic vector for an airborne virus (droplets or vapor) - imagine taking great, deep breaths and then sending it forth for several notes, sharing everything you've got - literally, in this case - with all those standing shoulder to shoulder with, in front of, and behind you. However much I miss it, there is no way I'm going to risk that many of my beloved choirmates (and myself) by returning to rehearsal or performance before it's safe to do so.
However, that doesn't mean we have to stop singing!!! Moreover, it is a FANTASTIC time for you to join us! It fits within your schedule: rehearse with Randy and others in your voice section once a week for 20-25 minutes, and then every 3 weeks or so record yourself on a phone or computer while hearing your voice part in your earbuds or headphones. Boom! Just like that, your voice becomes part of our collective voices, sharing messages of faith, unity, hope, and love with the rest of the congregation.
For me, being able to send in my contribution keeps the connection alive and allows me to continue doing something I enjoy that is also a spiritual practice. It's true that we can't sing together - we will again, to be sure. But until then, there's something magical about sending in one, lone, rather quiet recording and seeing it become a great collective voice in the final assemblage. It is a manifestation of our connection, and a reassurance that the thread that connects us is strong even when separated physically.
Join us! Start with sitting in and submitting a recording for just one song. See how you like it. You don't have to rearrange much of your schedule, and you don't even need to be in town. In fact, we have folks from all over the country participating in choir. To get a list of upcoming songs and to receive rehearsal and music emails, just send a request to our choir director, Randy Buikema, at
randy@firstuniv.org. *See* you soon!
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More Photos from Rev. Ruth's Good Goodbye
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 Church member Janet Mills captured some beautiful moments from Rev. Ruth's Good Goodbye in front of the church on Sunday, June 28. View more photos here!
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What Does It Mean to "Defund the Police"? Let's Find Out Together this Sunday!
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You're invited (folks of all racial identities) to a virtual viewing and discussion of the video, "Defund Police: What comes after?" by Reclaim the Block and Black Visions Collective this Sunday, July 19, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., facilitated by First Universalist members, Bianca Zick and Denise Konen, white, anti-racist, facilitators and activists.
Join here between 11:15 and 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 19.
(Please come early if you want help with Zoom technology so we can make sure everything works. We will be online 15 minutes before the meeting to be ready at 11:30 a.m. Facilitator phone numbers are below.)
One of the ways our Unitarian Universalist faith asks us to build the beloved community is to listen deeply to the people most impacted by systemic racism and then pay attention to what Parker Palmer describes as "the still, small voice within" that draws on our inner wisdom to give us direction on where love is calling us next.
Together, with open hearts and minds, we will listen to leaders from Reclaim the Block and Black Visions Collective (some who came out of the original, Minneapolis based, Black Lives Matter group that church member, Lena K. Gardner, helped establish).
Let's grow together in our understanding of what "defunding the police," means as we center the voices of leaders who represent those most harmed by the system of policing we have today. Following is a key value expressed by Black Visions Collective and Reclaim the Block. "There's a difference between police reform and police abolition. We're not here to recreate the police by another name or agency. We're here to build the systems that will make sure our communities, especially Black communities, feel safe and affirmed."
We will also be offering a four-week circle this summer to examine where our ideas about policing come from and discuss how we can support the movement to build systems for community-based safety and belonging. Look for next week's Liberal for more information on dates and times! Hope to see you on Sunday at 11:30 a.m.!
Questions?
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Virtual Gatherings for Adults
Tuesday, July 21 at 8 a.m.
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 22 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. Email Sara to be connected to the group at
smalley.sara@gmail.com.
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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