Dear Ones,

Have you ever seen a bouquet of flowers that meant nothing? Yeah, I didn’t think so. Every collection holds an intention, some story of care or companionship. They tell of a love striking enough to symbolize the love of living, and our grief of being apart. They tell everyone around them about the special holiness, the celebration worthy of any day. They remind us when we feel lonely, that we aren’t alone. 

Each week, just beside the pulpit, sits a weekly arrangement—an example of the work First Universalist’s Visual Arts Committee members are doing to transform the space for worship. If you’ve only experienced the flowers as beautiful so far, I want you to look again. 

It may surprise you that those flowers come from a volunteer artist, who often will think on the theme for the day and the present season. They craft the bouquets carefully, choosing the flowers by intuition, experience, and inspiration from this process. Their beauty means to attract you, to help you notice and stay with them while they open the door to your spirit’s deepening and delight.

To take for granted this gift, think the aesthetic a discipline of whimsy, a hobby whose end is itself, is to fall short of understanding. What’s actually available there is something more like a portal to thoughtful appreciation and wonder; a reminder that your community cares for you enough to render beauty for the whole experience of your body; an opportunity to deepen your connection with spirit through more than your ability to hear, remember big words (we don’t always experience the world in English, or life, after all); it’s a way the community ministers to your spiritual health. This is not just the job of hired leaders in a church of the people. In one of countless ways, the flowers are the people doing the job we each bear–to change our lives and others’ to change the world.

The essence of any art is meditation. Art is the practice of looking for grace in new configurations and weird sources. It’s staying with a glob of paint, or a pencil and an idea, a nearly-too-high note, an aria three centuries-old until, letting them speak their meaning to, then through the open channel of your body until they realize. Artt is a listening, a frustration, a patience, a consistent returning—a relationship with things, and the meaning of things. And it’s allowing this relationship to show up in you and change you, for others to see and know. 

Artist transform what’s real into what was once beyond belief. They make a living with persistent urge to think beyond the common and its limits. They imagine wildly, daydream with destiny, satisfy on the knowing themselves as channels for streams of beautiful, unreal realities. They’re showing us this possibility within every body. 

July’s worship series is “Art and Soul.” I’m inviting conversations with artists in

talking with some of the finest practitioners of artistic meditation are gurus, pastors, mystic intercessors between hope and the limits of reason, champions of stubborn persistence in the name of love and beauty. Aimee K. Bryant’s career on the theatre and concert stage has been teaching me about what empathy looks like to consciously practice. She’s become an expert identifying with unknown characters enough to speak for them! 

Dean Magraw and I have been investigating our surprising shared love of French impressionists, reminding ourselves of the deep French connections to the black art of jazz, and what they both have to teach both of us about how to be in relationship with ourselves as we age.

Davu Seru, the celebrated improvisational drummer, composer and I have wondered together about how our anger and complex emotions speak their loudest when we’re in the musical zone. 

And still, there are more conversations to be had! 

There is an art to this life we’re living, to building a community with love. And, we’ll have to be faithful beyond fickleness and frustration. We have to be convinced enough to see the message deeper than our initial estimations and delight. We have to be stubborn, in love enough with the work of creation that we keep at it. We have to wait with weary hands still open, knowing our work will come to life. We’ll to risk a love of earth and of every life so fierce that heads turn at the expression of it. And with turned heads, suddenly minds loose from their limits, experience the unconventional miracles happening every day with real people and ordinary things, the prophecy of peace whose impossibility will someday be no more. 

Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout

Director of Worship Arts Ministries

Intro

Art and Soul

Sunday Worship

Sunday, July 9, 10 a.m.

Sunday, July 2 Recording

July 2 Cycle of Life

News & Features

Blessing of the Wheels

GA Reflection

Summer Spiritual Practice

Calendar

Book Groups

Young Adults Gatherings

Visit to Bdote

Community Events & Affiliated Organizations:

AUW, 12-Step Spirituality

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Sunday, July 9 — 10 a.m.

Art and Soul

Each Sunday in July, worship will feature a different artist and musician sharing their music and some reflections on how their art is connected to their spirituality. Join us for worship this Sunday, July 9 as we continue this worship series with Dean Magraw. Dean is a consummate guitarist, playing with wit and soulful abandon. A performer like no other, he is part-comedian, part-philosopher and all-around musical genius. Transcending genre, he has performed with a cornucopia of collaborators from jazz organist Jack McDuff to folk icon Greg Brown, traditional Irish supergroup Altan, to classical violinist Nigel Kennedy.

Worship leaders: Dean Magraw, Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Rev. Ashley Harness

IN PERSON AT 10 A.M.

This Sunday, we worship in person at 10 a.m. Masks are welcome but not required in the sanctuary; please review our Covid-19 Gathering Guidelines. 

ONLINE AT 10 A.M.

This service is live-streamed at 10 a.m. Watch the livestream here. 

CHILDREN & YOUTH

Childcare is available in the nursery for babies through preeschoolers. All other children and youth attend the multigenerational worship service. Learn more here.

AFTER WORSHIP

A Place to Start- in person and on zoom immediately after the service.

Join us for this brief, casual orientation to Unitarian Universalism and First Universalist Church for those who are new/new-ish. During this 40-minute class, participants will learn about the foundations of our faith tradition and opportunities to get involved. Participants are encouraged to come to the worship service at 10 a.m. and join us for A Place to Start afterwards. We look forward to welcoming you!

July 2 Worship Recap:

"An Actor's Craft, An Art for Living"

Each Sunday in July, worship will feature a different local musician sharing their music and some reflections on how their art is connected to their spirituality. Our beloved Artist-in-Residence, embodied an absolutely spectacular set to kick off our "Art & Soul" Worship Series for July. Her artistry is a blessing to experience for all of us.



Listen to the July 2 podcast here

Watch the July 2 service here

Podcast Archive | Recording Archive 

We celebrate new life! The family living in our church apartment —Daibelys Galindo, Gustavo Contreras, and 3-yr old brother Matheo— welcomed baby Elijah Aaron, born Tuesday, June 27. Mom and infant son are doing well, and they are all settling back home here in their apartment. To support them at this time, Wal-Mart, or generic Visa/MC gift cards are appreciated. Or, donations can be made to the First Universalist Sanctuary & Resistance Fund, with a notation "for the Contreras Family."

We hold Michelle Boyer, Melissa Conway, and their kids Evan and Ritu in our hearts as they grieve the loss of Michelle’s mom, Colleen Boyer who died last week from Alzheimers. May our love and care surround them in this tender time. 

Please hold Karen Wills in your prayers. She journeyed with her sister-in-law Barbara through Barbara's last days of life this past week. Prayers for loving memories and gentleness for Karen in this liminal time.

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. Ashley Harness at ashley@firstuniv.org or 612-825-1701.

After the service on Sunday, July 16, we’ll gather under the tent in the parking lot for a cookout at 11:15 and a short Blessing of the Wheels at 11:45 a.m. Together, we’ll celebrate summer – with its sunshine, ice-free sidewalks and open paths – and the bikes, trikes, strollers, scooters, wheelchairs, skateboards and all-things-wheeled we depend on and enjoy. Bring your wheels for a blessing, and leave with a smile on your face and a blessing card in your spokes.

Two optional group bike rides will head out from the parking lot around noon-- 5 blocks and 5 miles. Choose which ride is best for you and your family. No one will be left behind!

Submitted by Rev. Dr. Andrea Johnson, a member and one of our GA delegates

One of the highlights from GA 2023 was celebrating the successful presidency of Susan Frederick-Gray, our first woman president, who helped our denomination through the pandemic, racial reckoning, and the fall of Roe v. Wade. We will now pass the baton to president-elect Dr. Sofia Bettancourt, who presented an inspiring vision to the gathered assembly and stressed the importance of working together to answer the call of our faith.  

I was very encouraged by the discussions delgates had surrounding Article 2 (our new by-laws) and its accompanying amendments. The debates were thoughtful, passionate, and in my opinion, civil and respectful. I was delighted that the delegates voted to continue the process for another year and I look forward to the inspirational new language that places love at the center of our faith. I feel excited to continue working to dismantle racism and all forms of systemic oppression. It was a historic general assembly and I was glad to be in Pittsburg to participate!

Invitations to Summer Spiritual Practice

Practicing and Connecting from Wherever We Are

Recently, Rev. Jen shared: Summer is upon us, and with it comes new rhythms and practices to help us slow down, stay connected, and start up some shared spiritual practices. Join me in joyspotting, daily nature sits, or body prayer practices as we share in spiritual practice together this summer. I’m looking forward to receiving reflection prompts and encouragement throughout the summer as I combine two of the spiritual practices into one daily action - a walk or time to sit outside spotting joy. Knowing that so many of you will also be joining in our shared spiritual practices will help me feel connected to you, even as I travel and take time off in July. I hope these practices will do the same for you. Sign up for the shared Summer Spiritual Practice possibilities here. May the slower pace allow for the deepening of connection to ourselves, each other, and the spirit that moves within, among, and beyond us.

1. Register for one of the practices: Body Prayer, Nature Sit Spot, and Joyspotting
2. Pay attention, again and again
3. Receive regular reflection prompts and steady encouragement to your inbox along the way.
4. Tell about and connect over your experiences on Facebook and/or Instagram with #FirstUnivPractice
5. Gather at the potluck after the Lake Harriet service on August 20 to share about how we’ve been challenged and changed by our practices

Young Adults Lunch and "Crafternoon"

There are several opportunites to connect as Young Adults in July! This Sunday, after worship on July 9, we'll gather for lunch at Lake and Bryant Cafe (821 W. Lake St.) 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! Hosted by Nick Nier, First U member

RSVP Requested

Coming Up: July 16th bike ride after the Blessing of the Wheels; July 23 Rust in the Root book group; July 30 walk/roll/stroll near Lake of the Isles. RSVP Requested

Dreaming Liberation Book Groups

No More Police

Tuesday, July 11, 4-6 p.m. under the First U tent

Tuesday, August 1, 4-6 p.m. on Zoom  

Join for as many as you can!

Learn from and integrate the wisdom of beloved authors and movement leaders, Mariame Kaba and Andrea Ritchie, with others who are interested in diving into their new book, No More Police, which passionately synthesizes the experiences and expertise necessary for building a new world with less violence. The book is readily available for purchase online or at local libraries. First U can provide a copy upon request.

Co-facilitated by Denise Kohnen and Rev. Ashley Harness

REGISTRATION REQUESTED

Rust in the Root, for Teens and Young Adults

Sunday, July 23rd; 12-2pm at church (with lunch)

Read the novel Rust in the Root by Justina Ireland and then come together for good food and good conversation. This book is a young adult historical fantasy set at the crossroads of race and power in America that we’ll enjoy as a springboard to envision a world beyond the confines of white supremacy culture. The book is readily available for purchase online or at local libraries. First U can provide a copy upon request.

Co-facilitated by Rasana Mamdani and Rev. Ashley Harness.

REGISTRATION REQUESTED

Explore the Biodiversity of

Bdote/Fort Snelling State Park

Saturday, July 15, 1:30-3 p.m.

Join EJ Team member Cathy Geist and a Conservation Corps member as we hike by the Mississippi River at Bdote (known by the settler colonial name, Fort Snelling State Park.) Together, in the context of this area's indigenous history, we'll learn about the diversity of plants, animals, and other organisms there. Meet in the parking lot near the Bdote/Fort Snelling State Park Visitor Center, where the park road ends. (Stop at the building at the bottom of the hill near the entrance to purchase a 1-day park pass if you need one.) RSVP to Cathy at 612-384-2723.

This fall, we'll also be exploring the indigenous sacred story of creation and colonial war history of Bdote in partnership with Healing MN Stories and hope you will join us.

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

Hiking Group: Meets most Saturdays at a park or trailhead at 10 a.m. Bring sun protection, sunscreen, and bug spray. For questions, contact Marie Sorenson or Lynn Richardson.

July 8, 10 a.m. Wood Lake Nature Center. 6710 Lake Shore Drive. Richfield

July 15, 10 a.m. Eloise Butler Flower Garden. 1 Theodore Wirth Parkway. Mpls.

July 22, 10 a.m. Roseville Central Park. 2540 Lexington Ave N, Roseville. Beautiful Garden. 

July 29, 10 a.m. MN River Valley Wildlife Center. 3875 American Blvd, Bloomington. Steps at beginning and end. Marie will be there.

Game Group: Meets at the church on the second Thursday of each month to play board games and socialize. The next game night is July 13. You are welcome to bring snacks to share and a game you would enjoy teaching others. To receive email updates, contact Anne Frenchick. If no one responds to Anne that they are coming, the Game Night will be canceled early that day. Please let Anne know if you plan to attend.

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 contact info to Abbie Finger. 

We will be meeting next on Monday, July 24 to discuss Today a Woman Went Mad in the Supermarket by Hilma Wolitzer. In Person Potluck at 6:30 pm; discussion at 7:30 pm.

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.



After careful consideration of local and national health guidelines, which have continued to evolve over the past year, and ongoing monitoring of COVID levels in Hennepin County, we have updated our COVID Community Care Policies, as of Sunday, May 21:

• Masking is welcome, but not required, inside the building—including the sanctuary—when Covid community/hospital admission levels in Hennepin County are Low or Medium. Masks will be required inside the building when levels are High.
• High quality KN95/N95 masks are available free of charge for anyone who wishes to use one when in the building.
• Creating an intentionally inclusive space where masking is respected and welcomed without question is all of our responsibility.
• We continue to encourage all who can be vaccinated against Covid-19 to receive the initial vaccination and subsequent boosters to reduce the impact of Covid 19 for each person individually and for our wider community, collectively.
• We continue to ask people to stay home if they are feeling sick. 
• We continue to offer online and multi-platform opportunities for spiritual growth and focus resources on strengthening our online and multi-platform community. 
• We will work with congregants and families on an individual basis to address health and accessibility concerns, and to find creative ways to care for each other and connect. Please reach out to Rev. Ashley Harness to brainstorm together. 

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.