Dear Jenn,

Season’s greetings to you, here at the close of the year! The Earth has reached the farthest point of its annual wobble. It’s exactly that wobble that gives us our seasons and makes life on this planet work the way it does. This time of year is my favorite, because for just a moment, the wobbling pauses and we can regain balance. Midwinter carries with it the spaciousness of deep, dark quiet in which we can reflect.

To externalize my own introspection, I turn to my hobby and spiritual practice of journaling. I use the mindfulness-centered “bullet journal method.” The magic of this method is a practice called “migration,” which happens at the end of each month and each year. I go through unfinished tasks and unrealized goals, then ask myself, “Is this vital? Does this matter?” If it is, I keep it and “migrate” it into the new month or year. If it is neither vital nor important, I can scratch it out with no guilt, keeping only that which aligns with my purpose, goals, and desires. This practice helps me find the meaningful by removing the meaningless. 

The year-end migration is extra special and so exciting! I close out this year’s notebook and begin a fresh one for the coming months. I conclude the current journal with some reflection questions, such as: “What can I let go of? What do I want more of? What new dreams emerged? When did fear hold me back? When did I work for liberation? Did anything happen that needs to be forgiven, in myself or others?” I reflect back on what I wrote at the beginning of the past year. I write forward, leaving a letter for next year’s self. 

Then I start a new journal! I gently break-in the notebook’s spine and write my name on the first page, remembering that many women and people of color throughout history have been forbidden to read and write anything, much less our own stories. I choose a word for the year (2022’s was “Tinkerer,” the nonviolent nomads from The Wheel of Time). I pull and write down 12 tarot cards, one for each month. I create goals and set intentions. Finally, I migrate the important aspirations I chose to keep from last year’s journal into the new one. 

Whatever method you use, I wish you the time and space in this dark season to choose what is vital and let go of what is not. To each and all, let us begin again in love.

Merry meet, and merry part, and merry meet again.

Lóre

Lóre Stevens

Harvard Divinity School, MDiv '22

Cummins Ministerial Intern

First Universalist Church of Minneapolis

Sunday Worship

Sunday, Jan. 1, 10 a.m.: "Practicing Pause"

Dec. 25 Recording: "Christmas Day at Church"

Dec. 25 Cycle of Life

News & Features

Shaping the Future of Music Ministries at First U

Remembering Loved Ones Lost this Year

Year End Giving & Holiday Office Hours

Calendar

"Return Again" Church Retreat

Community Dinner

Habitat for Humanity Builds

Affiliated Organizations

Association of Universalist Women (AUW)

12-Step Spirituality

Some email programs truncate long emails; watch for "message clipped; view entire message" or similar at the bottom of this email if you don't see all contents listed.

Sunday, Jan. 1 — 10 a.m.

"Practicing Pause"

Join us for a time of contemplation and intention setting as we gather on the turning of the year. Together, we’ll engage in the spiritual practices of pausing, noticing, settling and resetting—practices that serve us well in living lives of love, purpose and meaning in all the moments of our lives. 

Worship leaders: Rev. Jen Crow, Lóre Stevens, Dean Magraw, and Aimee K. Bryant

ORDER OF SERVICE

IN PERSON AT 10 A.M. (masks required in sanctuary)

This Sunday, we worship in person at 10 a.m. Masks are required in the sanctuary for ages 2 and up; please review our updated Covid-19 Gathering Guidelines. Can you usher or greet? Sign up here!.

ONLINE AT 10 A.M.

This service is live-streamed at 10 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

There is no childcare or Religious Education classes for children & youth this Sunday. All ages are always welcome in the sanctuary! Learn more here.

A Place to Start

After worship (about 11 a.m.) in the Chancel Room & on Zoom

A Place to Start is a brief, casual orientation to Unitarian Universalism and First Universalist Church for those who are new. During this 40-minute class, participants will learn about the foundations of our faith tradition and opportunities to get involved. Join on Zoom here.

From Sunday, Dec. 25: "Christmas Day at Church"

Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Cummins Ministerial Intern Lóre Stevens, and Rev. Arif Mamdani gather on Christmas morning to open presents together—presents we are gifting to ourselves and to the church as we work to bring the spirit of these winter holidays into the day-to-day of our lives all throughout the year. In this service, we share the gifts we’ve given, received, and how we hope to grow together in the year to come.

Watch the Dec. 25 service here

Podcast Archive | Recording Archive 

Our love and care surrounds Odin Meysenburg and his family as Odin recovers from jaw surgery on Friday. Surgery went well and he’s healing well too, and appreciates our healing thoughts and good energy. 

We celebrate with Emma Paskewitz and Ben Strasser on the birth of one more redeemer! Jack was born on December 15 and all are home, doing well, and settling into the new shape of their family. Emma and Ben are grateful for your well wishes and love.

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.

More information from the music re-visioning team

As we announced here in The Liberal a few weeks ago, Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout has been working with Shelley des Islets, Ann Kay, Shelley Thron, and Lou Quast to design and launch a community-wide creative brainstorming process about the music ministries here at First Universalist Church, and what they might become in the years to come.  

We want to let you know about multiple opportunities we are offering to gather your input on this important development during the month of January. Please pick one that works best for you:



• Wednesday, Jan. 11 we will conduct breakout listening sessions for both adults and children after the community dinner that evening;
• Thursday, Jan. 19 we will conduct listening sessions at 9 a.m. prior to the Daytime Connections gathering at 10 a.m.;
• Sunday, Jan. 22 we will conduct listening sessions at 1 p.m. in-person at church;
• Wednesday, Jan. 25 Dr. Glen Thomas will be listening to BIPOC community members at Dinner Church (BIPOC-only space)
• Sunday, Jan. 29 we will conduct an online listening session via Zoom after the church service;
• An Online Survey will be launched the first week of January, and remain open for about four weeks.

We will be asking about aspects of music you have enjoyed here or elsewhere. We will be asking about things you would like to see here in the future. We will be asking about elements of our music ministry you would like to participate in, as well as those you would like to experience, both within the Sunday service and more broadly here at First Universalist. Plan to provide your input in whichever means works best for you. We need your ideas!

This year’s Remembrance Sunday ritual will take place on January 8, 2023, at both services. In this service, we’ll have time to remember those we’ve lost this past year, in the congregation, in our lives, and in the wider community. 

Each year, we also recognize that the first year without a loved one can be particularly hard, and so on Remembrance Sunday we give a poinsettia plant to members of the congregation who have experienced loss. If you’ve lost a loved one this year and would like to be sure you’re included in our Remembrance Sunday recognition and receive a poinsettia, please let Rev. Arif know by sending an email to arif@firstuniv.org or calling or texting 612-405-5482 letting him know your name, and who you lost.

Calendar year 2022 is quickly coming to an end. If you would like to make a financial gift prior to the end of the year, donations must be transferred, postmarked, or made online no later than Saturday, Dec. 31. 

Please be aware that the church office is closed the week between Christmas and New Year's, and will reopen on Monday, Jan. 2 (and note that drop-in office hours are still limited to Wednesdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; visits/access to the office outside these times must be scheduled with a minister or staff member). 

If you have questions about year-end giving, contact Brad Schmidt at brad@firstuniv.org. Thank you to all for your ongoing support and generosity to First Universalist Church! 



Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023

8:30 a.m.–3 p.m. in person*

OR 9:15 a.m.–12 p.m. online

Every January, we find ourselves on the threshold of another new year. A threshold inviting us to look back on where we have been and to look forward, imagining the year now emerging. A threshold offering us time and space to pause with others and with our own heart’s truth, and in the words of the song, “return to the home of your soul.”

You are invited to “Return Again,” First Universalist’s congregational retreat on Saturday, Jan. 21, offering a day of worship, fellowship and reflection, conversation and music, and of course, good food. We’ll honor the many thresholds we are on, personally and collectively—changes in relationships, identities, abilities, vocations and more—by pausing to consider both the gifts and losses that every change brings. 

There will be time together as a whole group as well as time in breakout groups with others who share common experiences or identities.



Led by guest speaker Rev. Karen Hering, author of “Trusting Change,” Lauren Wyeth, Director of Spiritual Growth for All Ages, Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Director of Worship Arts Ministries, Rev. Arif Mamdani, Associate Minister, Rev. Ashley Harness, Assistant Minister (facilitating the online experience), and Rev. Jen Crow, Senior Minister.

Retreat Schedule

IN PERSON 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m.* 

8:30 a.m. Check in and light breakfast

9:30 a.m. Opening worship 

10:45 a.m. Breakout groups, part 1

12 p.m. Lunch & fellowship/reflection

1 p.m. Breakout groups, part 2

2:30 p.m. Closing worship

ONLINE 9:15 a.m.–12 p.m.

9:15 a.m. Check in & prepare

9:30 a.m. Opening worship

10:45 a.m. Breakout groups

11:45 a.m. Closing ritual

Registration is free and open to all. Light breakfast, lunch and partial-day* childcare provided. Registration deadline is Saturday, Jan. 14 (early registration is appreciated and will help our planning).

*Partial day in person option for families with children in childcare runs from breakfast through lunch.

Wednesday, Jan. 11, 6–8 p.m. in the Social Hall

RSVP Requested

Swing by church for a delicious home-cooked meal at 6 p.m. in the Social Hall. All are welcome and there is no charge. Menu available on our website, a week in advance. We always offer vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, nut free and kid-friendly options. All church events are alcohol-free. Following dinner, stick around and join a breakout group to learn more about one of the many opportunities for deeper engagement at church.

This month's dinner includes a family pre-party beginning at 5 p.m., a Dungeons & Dragons breakout group for middle- and high school youth with an early (5 p.m.) start, and post-dinner breakout group options for young adults, ushers and greeters, and more TBA.

Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity is a long-standing Faithful Action Partner of First Universalist, and the First U Habitat Crew is excited to have our first three work days scheduled for 2023. They are:

• Thursday, Jan. 5 at 3330 Oliver Ave N, Mpls
• Thursday, Feb. 2 at 3042 18th Ave S, Mpls
• Saturday, March 4 at 3330 Oliver Ave N, Mpls

The work day typically runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with lunch provided. Each work day is limited to 10 volunteers. There will be heat in the building but it is often uneven. Layered, warm clothes are your best bet.

Sign up to volunteer here. January is currently full; registration for February is now open!

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. There are no more organized hikes during the month of December; hikes will resume in January. For questions, contact Marie Sorenson.

Game Group: Meets at the church on the second Thursday of the month to play board games and socialize. Request an email invitation to our next meeting and be added to our email list by sending your name and email address to Anne Frenchick. Upcoming date: Jan. 12, 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 email invitation to our next meeting and be added to our email list by sending your name and email address to Abbie Finger. The group will read Hamnet in January and Search in February.

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.

In our Nov. 17 newsletter, we shared our updated Covid Community Care Policy, which went into effect on Monday, Nov. 21.

Our full updated Covid policies are available here. A summary of updates 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.