Dear Ones,

I was mesmerized this past Sunday by our guest artists Davu Seru and Martha Bird sharing their spiritual wisdom. It’s worth watching every minute here if you weren’t there. Our own beloved Martha Bird shared about her practice of creating the sculptural baskets that hang in our sanctuary: “When you have a stray piece of willow, it’s very fragile. But when you weave them together, that’s when the strength emerges.” Her weaving is a spiritual practice of love and wholeness that is a model for all of us.

I began working part-time with you last September. Most of my time so far has been about weaving my relationships with staff. This is often how working in a large church begins. As I start full time now and look forward to my second program year here, my task is to weave myself and be woven by you into the strength of the larger congregation. Also like Martha’s weaving, pastoring is a spiritual practice of love. It is a practice of discovering how we fit together to make our world a bit more whole - co-creating healing and justice and joy. 

Yet I have been in multiple meetings now during which people have told me they didn’t reach out to a pastor for fear we were too busy. I want to tell you that (despite appearances on a Sunday morning!) I am never too busy for a phone call or a visit when death is near, when a diagnosis is looming, when the floor has fallen out from under your dreams. I am never too busy to listen for where Love is leading you, where joy is emerging within sorrow, where justice might be born next. None of your pastors are ever too busy for these liminal and pivotal conversations - really. They are, in fact, why we became pastors. 

So please weave me into your story. Find a time to connect this summer via my Calendly here. Or if that technology is overwhelming, email me [ashley at firstuniv dot org]. It might take me a minute to respond because capitalism has a way of consuming time faster than I can keep up. But then let’s take a walk. Let’s linger over a cup of coffee (even over zoom!). Because strong ministry emerges like a basket as we slowly, persistently braid our lives and our dreams together. 

In peace,

Rev. Ashley

Intro

Woven Together, Strength Emerges

Sunday Worship

Sunday, July 23, 10 a.m.

Sunday, July 16 Recording

Cycle of Life

News & Features

Summer Spiritual Practice

Calendar

Membership Classes

Rivoli Bluff Bash

Liberation Book Group

Community Events & Affiliated Organizations:

AUW, 12-Step Spirituality

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Sunday, July 23 — 10 a.m.

"Art & Soul" with Ellis Delaney

Each Sunday in July, worship features artists and musicians sharing their craft and some reflections on how their art is connected to their spirituality. We continue this worship series with musician, composer, and First U Member, Ellis Delaney. Ellis is at once funny and wise, thoughtful and uninhibited, with a captivating voice that is matched by tender, sometimes funny, uplifting lyrics. Their music is transformational; leaving audiences feeling better, with softened edges & opened hearts.

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 starting at 9:45 for babies through preeschoolers. Children ages 5-12 attend the first part of worship and are released partway through worship for crafts, games, and playing outside. Learn more here.

AFTER WORSHIP

A Place to Start - 11:15 a.m. or right after worship

Facilitated by one of our members, A Place to Start is a brief, casual orientation to Unitarian Universalism and First Universalist Church. During this 40-minute class, participants will learn about the foundations of our faith tradition and opportunities to get involved. The facilitator will be holding a green “Here is A Place to Start” sign at the front of the sanctuary after the worship services. We look forward to welcoming you!

July 16 Worship Recap:

"Art & Soul" with Davu Seru and Martha Bird

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. This past Sunday, Martha Bird and Davu Seru, with Dr. Glen Thomas, talked about how their bodies are involved in their craft, spirals and circles, and the lineages that their art has traveled through to reach them today.



Listen to the entire July 16 worship here

Listen to just the July 16 "Message" here *new*

Watch the July 16 service on YouTube here

Podcast Archive | Recording Archive 

We celebrate with Kira Berglund and Tony Morris who were married last weekend in a ceremony at Thomas Lowry Park officiated by Rev. Arif. We wish Kira and Tony joy and happiness in their marriage and celebrate with parents Eric and Lisa, as well as the many members and friends of the church present for the ceremony and reception. Truly an expression of our summer #joyspotting practice.

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.

Invitations to Summer Spiritual Practice

Practicing and Connecting from Wherever We Are

We're about halfway through our Summer Spiritual Practices: joyspotting and daily nature sits, and there is still time to sign up! Folks have shared sunsets, bugs, ice cream, and family gatherings. Our shared spiritual practices will help us stay connected over the next several weeks. Join us as we share in spiritual practice together this summer!

1. Register for one of the practices: Nature Sit Spot or 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

Membership Classes

Wednesday, July 26, 6:30-9 p.m. on zoom (registration closes Sunday, July 23 at 10 a.m.)

or

Sundays, August 6 & 13, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at church

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 inform yourself about the ministry areas of the church, be in community with other new members, and officially join the church. Learn about First Universalist at your own pace through online videos before meeting, then attend class on zoom or in person.



Facilitated by Ginny McAninch, First U member, and Liz Farmer, Membership Coordinator

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Rivoli Bluff Bash

Saturday, July 29, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Rivoli Bluff Farm and Resotration Site

749 Arkwright St., St.Paul



Join a group from church attending this free, family-friendly community event at Urban Roots’ largest organic produce-growing site. Music, kids’ activities, children’s garden, and tours.

RSVP to Stan Sattinger at 412-208-5593.

Dreaming Liberation Book Group

No More Police

Tuesday, August 1, 4-6 p.m. on Zoom  

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

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, 612-419-3620 or Lynn Richardson, 612-323-2776.



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 August 17. 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.

A separete conversation on zoom is the same eveing at 7 p.m.

AUW Summer Potluck – Saturday, July 29 at the home of Carol Gilbert and Liz Permar, 7340 Fremont Avenue South, Richfield. We will gather at 5 pm, or whenever you can make it, rain or shine. Bring a dish to share and bug spray. Weather permitting, we will be outside enjoying nature and yard games, but we can take refuge inside if need be. Come for great conversations!

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.