Dear Jenn,

I’m starting to notice a trend in the poems and songs that keep coming to mind these days. The theme’s been there for several weeks now, as my body tires of needing to be wrapped in layer after layer before I venture outside for even the briefest walk. It grew noticeably stronger this week though, just as I’d thought we might be done with the chill and sleet, just as someone at church casually mentioned this week’s weather forecast included yet another winter storm. 

I’ve been hearing Bette Midler remind: ​​”It's the heart, afraid of breaking that never learns to dance/ It's the dream, afraid of waking that never takes the chance/ It's the one who won't be taken who cannot seem to give/ and the soul, afraid of dying that never learns to live. 

When the night has been too lonely and the road has been too long/ and you think that love is only for the lucky and the strong/ just remember in the winter far beneath the bitter snows/ lies the seed that with the sun's love in the spring becomes the rose.” 

Dolly, of course: “I've been looking for the sunshine, you know I ain't seen it in so long/ But everything's gonna work out just fine and everything's gonna be all right that's been all wrong 'Cause I can see the light of a clear blue morning/ I can see the light of a brand new day.”

I’ve been hearing Dr. Angelou: “Just like moons and like suns,/ With the certainty of tides,/ Just like hopes springing high,/ Still I’ll rise./ Did you want to see me broken?/ Bowed head and lowered eyes?/ Shoulders falling down like teardrops,/ Weakened by my soulful cries?/ Leaving behind nights of terror and fear/ I rise/ Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear/ I rise/ Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,/ I am the dream and the hope of the slave./ I rise/ I rise/ I rise.”

All this confident resilience springing in my mind, building the quenching hopefulness my dry skin craves, kindling words into a warmth from my favorite verses, a day breaking in my soul as I wait out winter’s patient crawl. 

And this resilient rising, calling up the wellsprings of hope again, remembering ourselves back to warmth from within—isn’t this why we come to church?  

In worship at First Universalist, April’s theme is Relentless Resurrection. We honor, notice, and work to strengthen the parts of our spirits and the connections between us that give us back to abundant living. We reflect on what things need to end to make room for a season of emergence. We take the spiritual quest together in story, song, words, and shared time in community together. And from this grows hope and sprouts our dreams to life. 

May you be warm, dear ones, and very well.

Peace,

Dr. Glen Thomas

Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout

Director of Worship Arts Ministries

First Universalist Church of Minneapolis

“If we prioritized the joy and liberation of the most marginalized, what could our collective future be like?”

Hebrew scripture asks the question “am I my brother’s keeper?” and the resounding answer is yes. Christian scripture tells the story of the good Samaritan, caring for a man who was mugged and left at the side of a road, as a lesson in caring for others as we would care for ourselves. Islam embeds this commitment as one of the five pillars of the faith, requiring that Muslims make zakat - charitable contributions equal to at least 2.5% of their total wealth. And this direction to care for others is found in other major religions as well.

As Unitarian Universalists who take the teaching of the major religions of the world as sources of our religious and spiritual wisdom, we too turn our attention to the care and support of others—and especially to those whom Jesus referred to as the “least amongst you.” 

This is the theological underpinnings of the powerful question that is the motive energy of our Visionary Goals work this year, asking “If we prioritized the joy and liberation of the most marginalized, what could our collective future be like?”

As do the sacred texts that our faith draws wisdom from, the powerful question does not direct us toward a specific definition of “most marginalized” as much as it asks us to engage the question from our own point of view, aware that “marginalized” is mediated by all manner of identity and circumstances and is therefore fluid, mutable, and will be different in different contexts and times in our lives. 

Like the parable of the good Samaritan, our powerful question and the visionary goals process asks us to meditate on who our neighbor is, and what we are called to when we imagine placing our neighbor’s joy and liberation at the center of our lives. Like our capital campaign theme several years back of “Not For Ourselves Alone,” our powerful question says we are here for others, within the walls of the church and beyond, and asks, if this were true, what could that mean for our collective future?

In other words, it is a deeply faithful question that asks us to imagine being deeply faithful in return.

There is still time to participate in these visionary goals workshops. We are more than halfway to our goal of having approximately 25% of our membership participate. If you haven’t participated yet, we really need you to add your voice to the process. You might love the question that’s posed. You might hate it. Either way, we need to hear from you so that the process can faithfully reflect the vision and horizon of the congregation as it is today.

Additional workshops are being offered:

• Monday, April 10, 6:30–8:30 p.m. on Zoom
• Tuesday, April 11, 6:30–8:30 p.m. at church
• Wednesday, April 19, 6:30–8:30 p.m. at church (after the community dinner)

Free childcare during in-person workshops is available by request when you fill out the request form a minimum of seven days in advance.

Be in touch with Rev. Arif Mamdani with any questions or concerns you might have, and sign up for a workshop here.

Intro

Relentless Resurrection

Visionary Goals Workshops

Sunday Worship

Sunday, April 2, 9 & 11 a.m.: "Trusting Life"

Sunday, March 26 Recording & Podcast: "This Isn't a Crisis, This Is Your Life"

Cycle of Life

News & Features

The Seeds We Plant: Annual Giving 2023–24

Shelley des Islets on Why She Supports First U with a Sustaining Gift

Call for Chalice Pillow Volunteers

Chili or Pie? Soup or Bread? Cook-Off Voting Continues!

Member Name Tags

Calendar

Barn Dance & Social

Drawdown Challenge

BIPOC Book Group

Young Adults Lunch and

"Crafternoon"

"Kiss the Ground" Film

Young Families Spring Celebration

Climate Resilience & Faith

Online Membership Class

April Events

Community Events & Affiliated Organizations:

Rally for Trans Youth March 31

AUW, 12-Step Spirituality

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Sunday, April 2 — 9 & 11 a.m.

"Trusting Life"

As we make the sometimes slow and halting turn toward spring and the emergence of new life, we continue our journey of pausing to pay attention. Together, we pick up the practice of noticing and naming the changes and losses among us and tentatively begin to trust again the turning and motion that life offers. Join us for story and song, and for the collective practice of letting go as we do our part to make room for all that is about to emerge.

Worship leaders: Rev. Jen Crow, Rev. Ashley Harness, Aimee K. Bryant, and Franco Holder



ORDER OF SERVICE

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

This Sunday, we worship in person at 9 and 11 a.m. Masks are required in the sanctuary for ages 2 and up; please review our Covid-19 Gathering Guidelines. Can you usher or greet? Sign up here!.

ONLINE AT 11 A.M.

This service is live-streamed 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

Childcare is available for Nursery-5th grade; Religious Education classes are on break. Childcare for Nursery through Pre-K starts at 8:45/10:45 a.m. Registered children in K through 5th grade begin in the sanctuary with their families before being dismissed to optional childcare. All ages are always welcome in the sanctuary! Learn more here.

A Place to Start

10 a.m. & noon in the Chancel room, Zoom option at noon (join here)

In this casual, 45-minute class, you'll learn some of the basics of Unitarian Universalism, as well as how to get connected to what you’re seeking here at church. Meet at the front of the sanctuary immediately after the service on a first or third Sunday.

BIPOC Book Group: "Being Black"

1–2:30 p.m. at church

This book group for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) members and friends meets monthly on the first Sunday. You are welcome whether or not you have a copy of the book/have begun reading it. Details.

Drawdown Challenge Info Table

After both services in the Social Hall, with a program at 12:30 p.m.

The Environmental Justice Team invites the congregation to participate in a Drawdown Challenge during the month of April. Additional info is in the calendar section below.

Sunday, March 26:

"This isn't a crisis, this is your life."

This isn’t a crisis, this is your life. These wise words arrived at my mental doorstep a few weeks back, and they stopped me in my tracks, shares Rev. Jen. How might I—and we—make space to breathe and reflect, to name and collectively acknowledge the losses and changes that have impacted us all in different ways over the last three years? Through story and song, meditation and prayer, we engage in the collective spiritual practices of naming what is and what has been, as we prepare our spirits to claim their place in what is emerging.

Watch the March 26 service here

Listen to the March 26 podcast here

Podcast Archive | Recording Archive 

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.

Each of us harvests some of what we plant in this congregation, but if we’re honest, much of what any of us harvest is the work of the past. In so many ways, we are like gardeners at church, planting and tending gardens that will feed and bring joy to people we do not know. With that spirit in our hearts, we invite you to think about your gift to the church’s annual fund as one way you plant seeds here—one of the ways you tend the garden of this congregation.

This is an important year for us. We are growing and changing in many ways. That is always true, but this year, it feels like we are turning a corner. Since the fall, we’ve worked together to rise above heartbreak and engage conflict in new ways—ways that are bringing us closer to each other. We’ve received help and support from the Unitarian Universalist Association, and their support has pointed us toward new avenues of exploring how we structure our shared ministry. These plants are still growing, still being tended, but their growth is strong—evidence that even now, new life is calling us on. 

This spring during our Annual Giving Campaign, we are asking everyone to make a financial commitment—and to consider an increase to your current giving of the equivalent of one month’s giving (a baker’s dozen, if you will)—so that we might build on the important work we’re doing together.

We welcome two different methods of setting up an annual gift at church: you can make a pledge (communicate a commitment) now and fulfill it with your preferred payment method in the 2023–2024 fiscal year (July 1–June 30), or set up (or update) a recurring electronic gift.

If you have a current gift/pledge, or if you’ve recently given to the annual fund, you should have received a packet, either at church or in your mailbox. In your packet, you should find a commitment card and a piece of wildflower seed paper in the shape of a heart or butterfly. We invite you to write on your seed paper a dream you want to plant for our community. Please bring/send your commitment card and seed paper to church on or before April 16, and we’ll bless them in worship on Sunday, April 16. You’ll be given another congregant’s seed paper in exchange for yours so that we can practice planting and tending each other’s dreams. If you are unable to join us in person on April 16, please mail back your commitment card and seed paper; we will send you another seed paper dream to plant and nourish.

If you didn’t receive an annual giving packet and would like one, let us know! Email Jie Wronski-Riley to request a packet and/or with any questions about your annual giving.

You can also set up a new recurring electronic gift here, or download a pledge card to print and fill out here.

“First Universalist has been many things to me since I first attended some 15 years ago. It’s been a place where I could wander through the spiritual state of my soul with curiosity and not judgment, where I learned to settle myself and listen deeply. It has been a vessel for my great joy and for my deepest sorrow. It has been a home of music, learning, friendship, and love. But none of these reasons are why I support First U with a sustaining pledge. I give because I have hope for how First U will work on those who gather within and those in the greater community in the years ahead. My pledge is my hope made tangible.”

Shelley shared her testimony in worship this past Sunday; you can watch/listen here.

This year's Youth Sunday worship service will be on Sunday, May 21. During the service, our graduating seniors receive their beautiful chalice pillows as we send them out into the next phase of their lives with love. If you would like to be on the chalice pillow team, please contact Carolyn Liebler (liebler@umn.edu or 612-716-0665). It is great if you have sewing experience, but it is not required.

Let the cook-off voting continue!

A few weeks ago, we asked you to suggest foods that would be judged at a First Universalist Cook-off. After determining the top five suggestions—soup, bread, pie, chili, and hotdish—we launched Round 1 voting last week.

Round 1 results are in and chili just barely won out over hotdish!

This week in the semifinal round, it's up to you to decide: chili or pie? And soup or bread? Vote here!

This week, two options will be eliminated and two will move on to the final round for voting next week. We’ll announce the winner at the April 16 barn dance & social (rsvp here and let us know you’re coming). 

Details on the cook-off will be available as we get closer to June’s Annual Meeting.

Questions? Contact Rev. Arif - arif@firstuniv.org or 612-405-5482.

You may have noticed that many members are sporting new name tags! If you are a member and would like to order a new name tag with larger text and your pronouns, please order here by Tuesday, April 11. If you’d like to order a name tag, but aren’t sure if you’re a member, contact Membership Coordinator Liz Farmer.

Sunday, April 16, 2 to 5:30 p.m. in the Social Hall

RSVP here

Join the First Universalist Community for a Barn Dance & Social at church. No square dancing experience necessary at all—just come have fun! There will be potluck snacks, live music, and a square dance caller—and, a chance to hang out and enjoy the company of old friends and new.

This is a multigenerational event and childcare will be provided (kids are most welcome to join in the fun, but we know sometimes that's not quite what the kids would enjoy; when you RSVP, make sure to also fill out the childcare form). Masks are optional.

Let us know you're coming, and tell your friends to join us. RSVP here.

Saturday, April 1, 11 a.m. via zoom 

Sunday, April 2, 12:30 p.m. at church

Register here

Join the Environmental Justice Climate Action team for a one hour presentation about how you can participate in our Drawdown Challenge and take actions today to help drawdown global warming gases. We are taking our lead from Project Drawdown EcoChallenge but making our action steps more locally grown. (We have a goal of 200 participants and 350 points earned by the congregation each week.)

The Drawdown Challenge will be running at First U throughout the month of April. There will be Wednesday events each week and ways to participate available at the Drawdown Challenge table in the social hall throughout April. An online zoom room will also be available after the 11 a.m. service for engaging in the challenge.

Sundays, April 2 & May 7, 1–2:30 p.m. at church

RSVP REQUESTED

Written by a woman who grew up facing the challenges that confront African-Americans every day, Being Black teaches us how a “warrior spirit” of truth and responsibility can be developed into the foundation for real happiness and personal transformation. Author Rev. angel Kyodo Williams combines the universal wisdom of Buddhism with an inspirational call for self-acceptance and community empowerment.

BIPOC church members and friends are invited to talk about the ideas and concepts in this book and what they mean for our lives as Unitarian Universalists. Even if you haven’t opened the book or don’t have a copy (request it from Glen Thomas or Arif), you are welcome.

Facilitated by Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Director of Worship Arts Ministries, and Rev. Arif Mamdani, Associate Minister

Sunday, April 2, 12:45–3 p.m. at Sister's Sludge

RSVP REQUESTED

Meet for one or both: a post-worship lunch at Sister’s Sludge (3746 23rd Ave. S.) and an afternoon of crafting and casual conversation. Bring your materials for whatever creative project you’re working on! We’ll have some cross-stitch starter kits available, too!

Young Adults are folks in their 20s and 30s in varying social/cultural life stages. We are in school, job-searching, and working, single, married, partnered and dating, with kids and without, newly moved to the area and longtime residents.

Hosted by Nick Nier, First U member

Wednesday, April 5, 7–8:30 p.m. in the Cummins Room and online

Register here

To significantly mitigate the climate crisis, there are a lot of problems humans need to solve — and one of the biggest problems is right under our feet: the soil. Kiss the Ground is a 90 minute documentary narrated by Woody Harrelson that sheds light on an alternative approach to farming called “regenerative agriculture” that has the potential to balance our climate, replenish our vast water supplies, and feed the world. 

View the trailer for "Kiss the Ground" here. 

Here’s what one of our EJ team members had to say about the film:

"IT WAS AWESOME!!!!!!! Everyone on the planet needs to see this!!!!! We need to do everything in our power to show this to the whole congregation. This information is a huge part of saving this planet and becoming healthier ourselves." - Susan Keller

This is part of the EJ Climate Action team’s April Earth Month. Keep your eyes peeled for EJ events each Wednesday this month.

Saturday, April 8, 9–11 a.m. in the Social Hall

RSVP REQUESTED

Families with babies through 1st graders gather to celebrate new life and all things spring with the youngest members of our church community. Join us for egg dying, an egg hunt, games, seasonal crafts, and a chance to connect with other young families at First Universalist Church. We’ll enjoy bagels, muffins, fruit and boiled eggs for a light brunch. Older siblings are welcome.

Hosted by Hirut Hedge, Spiritual Growth Programs Assistant, & Lauren Wyeth, Director of Spiritual Growth for All Ages

Tuesdays, April 11, 18, 25, May 2, 9 & 16, 6:30–8 p.m. at church

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

As Earth has ceased to tolerate the pretense of human mastery over it, how can humanity across national boundaries confront climate change as a collective crisis? What political theology is emerging to affirm the diversity of peoples and move collective action within the current political climate? What approaches are faith leaders taking to move collective attention to the intersections of climate catastrophe? What is the prophetic imperative for ministers, congregations, and interfaith coalitions to respond to help bring about collective commitments for social and ecological justice?

Facilitated by Rev. Jen Crow, Senior Minister

Tuesday, April 11, 6:30–9 p.m. on Zoom

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Joining First Universalist is a symbolic, spiritual act of saying “yes” to growing your soul in this place, with these people, within our free faith tradition. Our membership class offers a chance to learn about the ministry areas of the church, be in community with other new members, and officially join.

Sunday, April 2

BIPOC Book Group

Young Adults Lunch & Crafternoon

Saturday, April 8

Young Families Spring Celebration

Sunday, April 9

Grief Group

LGBT Spirituality

Tuesday, April 11

Climate Resilience & Faith Circle Begins

Membership Class

Sunday, April 16

Church Square Dance

Sunday Afternoon with the EJ Team

Wednesday, April 19

Community Dinner

Thursday, April 20

Daytime Connections

April Board Meeting

Sunday, April 23

Grief Group

Caregivers Group

Wednesday, April 26

BIPOC Dinner Church

AUW sponsors activities for people who identify as women, non-binary and/or gender fluid.

AUW Spring Retreat – April 28-30, 2023

The theme is Badass Women; it will be held at Camp Courage near Annandale. Registration is open and fees are reduced this year! Go here for more info and to register.

Hiking Group:  Meets most Saturdays at a park or trailhead. For questions, contact Marie Sorenson. April 1, 2 p.m. Westwood Nature Center, 8300 West Franklin Ave S, St Louis Park. Meet in parking lot. Lynn will be there. April 8, 2 p.m. Minnehaha Falls, 5000 West River Parkway, Minneapolis. We will not be going on narrow path down by Minnehaha Creek, or down any steps. Meet at falls or bridge over falls. Marie will be there. April 15, 2 p.m. Lake Harriet, meet at bandshell. There is pay lot (money goes to Park Board). Or park on Lake Harriet Parkway. Lynn will be there.

Game Group: Meets at the church on the second Thursday of the month to play board games and socialize. Request an invitation to our next meeting and be added to our email list by sending your name and email to Anne Frenchick. Next date: April 13, 7 p.m.

Weekly Happy Hour: This online Zoom gathering is a way to stay connected with AUW friends. We meet at 7 p.m. every Thursday. Hosts are Liz and Carol. Here is the Zoom info to tune in: Evening Happy Hour

Women Who Read: We read books written by women. We host an in-person and a virtual meeting on the fourth Monday of each month. Request an invitation to our next meeting and be added to our email list by sending your name and email address to Abbie Finger.

First Saturdays, 9:30 a.m.–noon in person at church

12 Step Spirituality meetings will gather in our church on the 1st Saturday of each month beginning on Oct. 1, 2022 and ending on May 6, 2023. The meeting focuses on people who are actively working a 12 step program. It is focused on the 11 step to the practice of Centering Prayer Meditation. Meeting details are available at 12stepspirituality.org.

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.

Our full updated Covid policies are available here. A summary of updates (as of November 2022) to our masking policy is as follows:

Highlighted Updates: 

• Masks continue to be required in the sanctuary on Sunday mornings and for special services for everyone ages 2 and up 
• Masks are optional in the rest of the building outside of the sanctuary on Sunday mornings/for special services, and at all other times and for all other church activities, when Covid community levels are Low or Medium, with the following exception:
• Masking will be required in classrooms and small groups when a participant reaches out to Lauren Wyeth, Director of Spiritual Growth for All Ages, in advance to make that request. Lauren will hold the name of the person making the request confidential, and will alert the group leader and participants that masks are required for that in person small group or class. 
• When Covid community levels are High, masks are required throughout the whole church building.

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.