An Invitation to Generosity

Dear Ones,

We are at the cusp of one of the important moments in our community life. Starting in February is our annual invitation to discover in our hearts how generosity can support and enhance First Universalist's mission and ministry. We are beginning the annual pledge campaign, an opportunity to empower the church with the necessary financial resources. The pledge campaign does so much: supports the work of ministry; provides for and nurtures staff; ensures our beautiful physical home remains a place of joy and refuge. 

The legacy of the pandemic is still with us. Some of the habits of church have faded, one of which is asserting through a financial commitment the heart-centered value we place on this wonderful community. If First Universalist is to continue being a home and harbor for those seeking real community, we need to step forward to underwrite the church's financial needs. 

Our budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024 is $1.8 million. Annual pledged income is the most significant part of the overall budget at $1.6 million. As a vibrant, 165-year-old community, we have the capacity to fulfill our dreams and aspirations. Now is the opportunity, through a financial commitment for the coming year, to shape the future we desire.

Every pledge is important. Every pledge, no matter the amount, bears witness to our commitment to make real a world of love and hope.

Enclosed in your 2024-2025 pledge packet is information on the church budget and how funds are allocated. There's salary information and how our staff compensation aligns with UUA guidelines. There’s a note from our Director of Worship on where we’ve been and where worship is going. You'll find news on Religious Education and how this wonderful program lays the foundation for the UU community of the future. You'll also find a pledge card here that hopefully makes payment choices that align with your own financial situation.

We have the opportunity to envision and create the community we seek. Let us offer the financial support as we are able to give the church the resources needed. 

With profound gratitude,

Your Stewardship Committee:

Emily Bijnagte, Will Hegeman, Janet Merrill, Tom Saterstrom, Velma Wagner, Emily Wallace

An exciting last-minute update from your Stewardship Team:

Dear Beloveds,

You have shown how much First Universalist means to you in these last couple of weeks! We are truly in awe of your generosity. The world wants us to despair and give up, and you all have shown that you refuse to do that, and that you want our community to be a place of connection, compassion, and love. 

We are SO close to our goal of raising $260,000 to fund our church, and our dream of continuing to build a beloved community not just within our walls, but out into the greater world as well. All we have left to raise is $33,700. The generosity of 80 families has brought us to $226,300. We CAN do this! You can do this!  Let's meet this moment, and dig deep to live into our values and build a beloved community in a world that so desperately needs it right now.  

The gratitude for your generosity in this moment will be deep, and it will ripple out into the world. Thank you again for all that you give and do!

Watch Emily Wallace's (pictured above with her family) Stewardship Testimonial by clicking here.

Intro

An Invitation to Generosity

Last-minute Update

Emily's Video



Sunday Worship

"The Love We Make"

This Sunday, Feb. 11,

9 & 11 a.m. services

Low-sensory space

Service Recordings

Cycle of Life

Programs Calendar

Winter / Spring Programs

Combating Fascism

#Joyspotting

Cultivating Joy

Coming of Age for Adults

Art Making

Knitting

Quilting

Saturday Sprouts

Centering Prayer

Daytime Connections

Singing/Chanting

Meditation

A Year to Live

Intergen Dance

Young Adults

Neurodivergent Adults

Meditation Group

Fifth Grade OWL

Pastoral & Community Care

Daily Chalice Loop

Grief Group

Caregivers Group

Faithful Action

Habitat for Humanity

North Star Act

Rally for Teachers

Multicultural Democracy

Democracy on Film

Spiritual Centering

News

Board Meeting

Peace Garden

Church Directory

Community Events & Affiliated Orgs:

Philip Vance, AUW, 12-Step Spirituality

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Being Present: The Love We Make

How does love find voice breaking from silence and unmasking its truer self? This Sunday, we delve into "Expression of Love: From Silence to Vulnerability". Through twists and turns of human emotions, the burden of societal norms, and the lens of our digital existence, we explore. Posed with questions of love's ferocity and authenticity, we ponder even further: How can those of us, unversed in the language of vulnerability, learn to speak it? 

And as this season invites us to consider our stewardship for our community, let us envision our financial contributions as more than monetary, but as meaningful articulations of care that deepen our community bonds. Is there a bridge to be built between open-hearted giving and personal spiritual ascendance? What could a movement for love do with money?



This Sunday, we invite a transformative exploration of love unabashed and free. Amidst this interconnected landscape, we collectively weave a tapestry of honest and vulnerable expressions of love. Let’s journey together in search for understanding. What we discover will surely challenge us to open our hearts and free our hands. Love keeps calling us anyway. Joy is waiting.

Join us this Sunday, February 11, at 9 & 11 a.m. as we explore our February theme, "Being Present."

Worship Info

IN PERSON AND ONLINE AT 9 & 11 A.M.

In person at 9 a.m.

In person and livestreamed at 11 a.m. Watch the livestream here. 

Masks are welcome but not required in the sanctuary; please review our Covid-19 Gathering Guidelines. 

CHILDREN & YOUTH

If you have not yet registered your family for this year of Religious Education, please register your family today. All families — new and returning, with babies through high schoolers — must register each church year.

LOW-SENSORY SPACE

This space is for children in K-5 who are overstimulated or overwhelmed by the sensory input of the sanctuary, including noise, light, and movement. All children who are in the low-sensory space must be accompanied by one of their grown-ups at all times. 

The entrance to this space is through Room 104 on the lower level of the education wing close to the parking lot. There is a small room inside of the 104 classroom where we are trying out the low-sensory space.

AFTER WORSHIP

Coffee Hour in the Social Hall

Visit with old friends and meet new ones over coffee and cookies in our social hall.

Podcast Archive | Recording Archive | Sermon Archive

May our love and care hold Stan Sattinger and family as they mourn the unexpected death of Stan's wife Jerry who died on Thursday night. We will share information about a celebration of life when we have it. Stan appreciates the love and care he's receiving from the church.

We celebrate with Rev. Arif on being granted Final Fellowship with the Unitarian Universalist Association. This marks the conclusion of his credential process and he is deeply grateful to his Committee on Ministry - Geoff Lennox, Katherine Harrell, Jeanne Guignon, and Frederic McDonald-Denis for their loving challenge and support of his growing ministry over the last three years, as well as this congregation in which his call was heard and nurtured.

We hold Ashley Breding in care today. Today would have been her father's birthday, but he's no longer with us. His memory is close with Ashley today as she remembers going to church with him and his deep support of her nurturing her spiritual life. We hold her in her grief and pray that his memory be a blessing to her.

Susan Hoffman's mom, Marilyn, died this past Wednesday at 91 from complications from a fall. Please remember Nancy Gossard, Susan Hoffman, Theresa Lafavor and Mary and Taylor Dossman in your Prayers. Marilyn loved generously and was loved by many. Her memory is a blessing.

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.

Combating Fascism Within, Among & Beyond

Sundays, Feb. 11, 1-2:30p; March 10, 1-3p; April 7, 1-2:30p; April 28, 1-3p; in person at church

Registration Required

As UUs we hold inclusive democratic decision making to be a matter of sacred values--it is an outgrowth of our belief in justice, equity, pluralism, and interdependence. 

Yet, in this time of increasing authoritarian rhetoric and public threats from white nationalists, there is little doubt that our democracy is in peril. This workshop series will offer an opportunity to learn and reflect more deeply on: 

1) What we can do to recognize and combat fascist tactics and thinking, including in our communities and in ourselves.

2) What we as UUs distinctly have to offer the broader project of defending liberal democracy, including how our history and theologies give us particular moral authority to defend and promote democracy on behalf of our religious values.

3) The work we must do in order to be authentic and effective proponents of the inclusive and liberatory society to which we have committed ourselves, including naming hard truths, personal transformation and risk-taking, social witness, and political action. 

We will use a number of texts and videos as launching points for discussion and deep exploration. Handouts will be provided for most of the readings. Two very short books will be used (both retail for under $15 and are available in multiple formats from the Hennepin County Library). For a full list of materials see the workshop series site. Facilitated by members Meleah Houseknecht, seminarian, and Rev. Dr. Andrea Johnson.

Deep Winter #Joyspotting

Join/participate as you’re able, February-April

Registration Recommended to receive email prompts

This is an online practice that will include weekly email prompts. Joy is not just a feeling, but a spiritual practice. Join a group of us seeking and spotting joy as a spiritual practice in the depths of winter. We'll offer weekly email and social media prompts to help you cultivate joy and we invite you to share your "joyspotting" via social media with each other and our wider community with the hashtags #deepwinterjoyspotting and #FirstUnivPractice

Cultivating Joy

Mondays, Feb. 26, March 25, April 29, 7-8:30 p.m. Room 209 at church

Registration Required

Facilitated by Bee Harrison 

"May you have joy and peace in the temple of your senses," writes John O'Donohue. Through a variety of heart-centered practices like storytelling, (gentle) movement, meditation, music, mindfulness, and more, we will explore how we might invite, reveal, and experience greater joy in our lives by connecting deeply to our inner worlds. In these monthly meetings, we'll share our own practices and support one another in cultivating joy.

Coming of Age for Adults

Sundays, Feb. 18, 12:15-2:15 p.m.; March 3, 17, April 14, 28, 1:15-3:15 p.m. in person at church Registration Required

Our religious education programs explicitly embrace the goal of building UU identity in our children and youth but the work of figuring out “who I am” and what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist is just as meaningful for adults. Unitarian Universalism requires us to be active participants in building our religious identity, a task that sometimes invites letting go or “unlearning” lessons from our past. What does it mean to “be” a Unitarian Universalist? In community, how do we form (and re-form) religious identity that matches your particular experience, behavior, and ongoing journey? We will engage these important questions and provide pathways for exploring and settling into a current version of our UU theology and identity.

Facilitated by Rev. Arif Mamdani and Membership Coordinator Liz Farmer

Art Making

All Sundays in February and March, 1 p.m.  Room 206 at church

Registration Required

Facilitated by Kate Guin and Denise Konen

Creating art as a spiritual practice is similar to other meditative practices. The goal is not the output, but to bathe the mind and soul. We will support each other in using creativity on a regular basis to increase wellness and spiritual connection. 

Knitting

Sundays, March 3 at 1 p.m. April 7 at noon (March and April dates subject to change). In person at church

Registration Requested

Facilitated by Merinda Brayfield

Knitting can be soothing and meditative. It invites us to slow down and take things one stitch at a time. It teaches us patience as well as trust and faith in your own abilities. 

Quilting

Sundays, March 3, April 7; 3-5 p.m. on zoom Sundays, Feb. 18, March 17, April 21; 3-5 p.m. In person

Registration Required

Facilitated by Chris Chiros 

Chris writes: Quilting is a spiritual practice for me in multiple ways. The creativity fills my cup and thus is an act of self-care. And, it connects me to the greater community. Many of the quilts I make are donated either to the individuals I know (or know of) who are struggling and perhaps don't have a loved one who can make a quilt for them to cocoon into like a warm hug, or to organizations that are asking for quilts. I appreciate that my spiritual practice may bring comfort to another.

Saturday Sprouts for Families: Now Monthly!

Saturday, Feb. 10, 10 a.m. to noon

RSVP Requested

Both adult and kid programming will be themed around love in the tradition of previous years' "Family Hearty Party." Snacks and beverages provided for all ages.

Saturday Sprouts is a new opportunity for families to be nourished in community, deepen relationships, and grow together in our First U values and faith. Saturday Sprouts includes time for family worship, parent & caregiver support, and play, formation, and creative time for our kids and youth. These gatherings are for children in grades 5 and younger, and for folks parenting kids and youth of all ages. Both parent and kid programming will connect with our monthly worship themes. Light snacks and beverages are provided for all ages.

Read more about Saturday Sprouts and other gatherings for children and families. 

Centering Prayer

Sundays, Feb. 11, March 17, April 21; 1-2:30 p.m. in person at church

Registration Required

Facilitated by Dick Young 

Centering Prayer is a meditation practice that opens you to your higher power. It has the power to heal you while also opening you to characteristics that separate you from your higher power.

Daytime Connections

Thursday, Feb 15th 10 a.m. 

9:45 a.m. coffee. 10 a.m. Presentation in the Social Hall and on Zoom.

12:00 lunch available or bring your own. 

Ms. Landvik will be selling her new book for $17 - check or cash only!

Laugh with Lorna Landvik  



Minnesota author of thirteen novels, a Dudley Riggs alum, Lorna Landvik loves creating characters on the page or on the stage that will make you laugh, cry, think and feel. Her newest book, Last Circle of Love, is about a group of wily church members who decide to raise money for their church by creating and selling a book they jokingly refer to as the ABCs of Erotica. 

Please Please register here  by Monday Feb 12 to facilitate planning.

Singing/Chanting

Sundays, Feb. 18, March 10, April 14; 1-2:30 p.m. sanctuary at church

Registration Required

Facilitated by Shelley des Islets and Shelley Thron

This is a vocalized meditation, where simple melodies and words join your intentions in meditation. Especially good for those who find silent meditation daunting, we will practice setting an intention and chanting together for a period, discussing our experience briefly, and then doing it again. We will share readings to support framing your intention. Come with an open mind, heart, and voice; no singing skill is required.

Meditation

Sundays, Feb. 18, March 24, April 28; 1-2:30 p.m. in person at church

Registration Required

Facilitated by Nancy Nyquist Potter

The meditation practices we will explore draw on a variety of resources including Sharon Salzberg, Tara Brach, insight meditation, Thich Nhat Hahn, Christina Feldman, and ourselves. Along the way, we will explore virtues such as lovingkindness, self-compassion, joy, generosity, forgiveness, and other ideas that will move us in our spiritual paths. All levels of experience welcome.

A Year to Live: Reflection and Sharing

Mondays, Feb. 19, March 18, April 15; 2 p.m. on zoom  

Registration Required

Facilitated by Harlan Limpert

Using questions inspired by the book, A Year to Live by Stephen Levine, you’ll be invited to reflect upon particular aspects of your life and share personal stories. The focus will be on positive stories of what you’ve done or could do to overcome fear, forgive others, express appreciation, and live authentically.

Intergenerational Partner Dance Class

Sunday, Feb. 25; Lunch at 1 p.m., Dance class 1:30-2:30 p.m. RSVP for Lunch Requested; Dance Lessons Drop In 

Partner dancing is a social tradition that, for generations, has brought people of all ages and backgrounds together to mingle, move, and enjoy some music. Come join the Senior High RE group for lunch and an intergenerational dance lesson in waltz or tango (depending on the mood that strikes us). This event will be a great way to meet new people in a structured social environment, as well as to brush up your dance skills to impress your friends!

Young Adults

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. We gather on the first Sundays of the month after the 11 a.m. service for lunch at Gigi’s Cafe, conversation on spiritual topics relevant to young adults, and fun activities. Email liz@firstuniv.org to be added to the Young Adults facebook group and email list. Gatherings are added throughout the spring; Check the Sign Up Genius for what’s coming up.

Dinner for the Week

Sunday, Feb. 25; 2-4:30 p.m. 

Sometimes cooking is recharging... but at other times, it's just another thing to do and the thought of food waiting for you at home sounds like the greatest thing ever! If you can relate, Cameron is looking for 3-4 folks to *pilot* a little let's-cook-a-bunch-of-food-together activity where the goal is to leave with your own tupperware(s) filled with food -- all with the help of First U's awesome kitchen. What's the best way to divide up our labor? How cheap can we get the serving cost down to (while trying to stay healthy?) What would this look like with more people? How much will we cry cutting onions? Email Cameron (cam.smither@gmail.com) to sign up and we'll find out together.

Adult Neurodivergent Peer Support

Dates TBD. Register to be informed about upcoming gatherings of this currently-forming group.

Being a neurodivergent adult comes with its own unique challenges and experiences. We’re looking to create a support group to help one another navigate and spend time with other adults like us. Hosted by Merinda Brayfield.

Tuesday Meditation Group

Weekly Practice: 8:45-10:15 a.m. online and in-person

You are invited to meditate with our lay-led practice group. None of us are experts. Our practices come out of our own experiences, and we share inspiration from many sources including Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, Pema Chodron, Thich Nhat Hanh, Tara Brach, Tai Chi, Loving Kindness, poetry and more. We don't follow one method or another, but we do share what we learn with each other. After meditation we practice deep listening to hear from each person, if they choose. No registration required. Email Sara McMullen for Zoom details.

Fifth Grade OWL Registration Open

5th grade OWL (Our Whole Lives) at First Universalist is an opt-in class. If you choose not to opt-in and specifically register your child, they will continue to attend their regular RE programming. There is a mandatory parent/caregiver registration for 5th grade OWL on Saturday, March 2, 2024. 5th grade OWL classes will begin Sunday, March 3, 2024, and conclude Sunday, May 12, 2024. There are no RE classes on Sunday, March 31, 2024 nor on Sunday, April 7, 2024. A calendar of classes will be shared at the parent/caregiver orientation. Registration for 5th grade OWL is NOW OPEN! Registration can be found HERE. Please email Claire Tralle (claire@firstuniv.org) with any questions. 

Daily Chalice Lighting Text Loop

Earlier this year, we cared for a few members of the church through a daily chalice lighting and blessing practice. Each morning, a small group of people would receive a chalice lighting or words of blessing, along with a photo of a lit chalice. Often, members of the group would share photos of their chalices in return. Sometimes members would share their own readings and/or reflections. Always, love and care was shared, whether through words or simply the knowledge of shared presence.

For the month of February, we’d like to open this up a bit more to an experiment or “beta test” and offer a similar daily blessing or chalice lighting via group text (aka text loop). If you sign-up, you’ll be placed in a small group of others and at the start of February, your group leader will send out a text each morning with a lit chalice photo accompanied by chalice lighting words or words of blessing. You are welcome to reply to the group in whatever way feels right to you - with words, with a reading or blessing of your own, a photo of a chalice, or nothing at all - you can also just receive.

This is an experiment. There will likely be some bumps. We are figuring it out. And it will likely be beautiful and really pretty amazing.

Sign up here

Grief Group (online)

Sundays, Feb. 18, March 3, 17, April 7, 21, May 5, 19, 4-5:30 p.m. on Zoom

Registration Required

The Grief Group meets second and fourth Sundays on Zoom. It is a gathering for those who are grappling with the web of feelings associated with loss. A group of souls who share, listen and care. A community interested in exploring new life invitations. Come as you are, when you feel moved to attend. We will be here for you.

Facilitated by Mark Caswell, church member and Ministerial Aspirant

Caregivers group (online)

Sundays, Feb. 11, March 10, April 14, May and June TBD by group; 1-2:30 p.m. on Zoom

Registration Required

Caring for a family member who needs special care is a demanding and often unseen or unacknowledged role. Whether you’re caring for an aging parent or a child with a chronic health condition, join the Caregivers group for mutual support, connection, and community building. When we gather, we’ll light a chalice, have time for introductions, and share a reading, then move into deeper sharing, support, and reflection. 

Facilitated by Rev. Arif Mamdani, Associate Minister

Habitat for Humanity

We have two work days scheduled, all at

219 James Avenue N, Minneapolis

February 10, 2024

March 16, 2024

Sign up here

North Star Act - Immigrant Rights

When immigrants are under attack, what do we do? Pass the North Star Act!

Please consider using MUUSJA's easy link to email your state lawmakers asking their support for the North Star Act, which limits how Minnesota government agencies (sheriffs, shelters, clinics, etc.) can detain or report immigrants to federal agents of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement).

And join us at the Capitol, as you're able, on the opening day of the 2024 session, in solidarity with MN immigrant-led coalitions (of which we are a part)!

February 12 - OPENING DAY OF THE 2024 MN LEGISLATIVE SESSION:

8:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. "Coffee and Tamales," Room 317 at the Capitol, a drop-by welcome, hosted by COPAL & MiLLA.

9:00-10:30 a.m., MiLLA Press Conference, Livestream from COPAL & HACER on Facebook, live in Capitol Press Room, introducing a six-point legislative agenda from Minnesota Latinx leaders highlighting the North Star Act.

11:00 A.M. North Star Act/ICE Out/Sanctuary State Rally, MN Capitol steps, hosted by MIRAC, the MN Immigrant Rights Action Committee.

For more information, see www.northstaract.org & talk with First U member Karen Wills, kwmuusja@gmail.com, 612-270-6559.

Rally for Teachers

Stabilize Our Schools! Rally at the MPS School Board Meeting

Minneapolis Federation of Teachers invites you to our biggest action since 2022!

February 13th, 5 p.m. outside the MPS Davis Center, 2050 N Girard Ave., Minneapolis

This will be the first school board meeting with our new superintendent, Dr. Sayles-Adams. March and hear our fantastic MFT musicians at 5pm, a few speakers, and then we'll walk into the meeting together at 5:30pm.

Our kids can't wait! The MPS bargaining team has not addressed the number one priority of our chapters and there is no room to delay.

We know how to avoid another mass exodus of educators from MPS and attract high quality teachers and ESPs!

STABILIZE OUR SCHOOLS and increase enrollment, by stabilizing our workforce.

See you there!

For more info and to RSVP please check out the Facebook event or the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers 59 Facebook Page.

Multicultural Democracy in MN: First U’s Team Launch

Contact Karen Wills to be on the First U Democracy Team that will mutually decide when to meet.

Direct action to strengthen an inclusive multicultural democracy brings us together to live into our UU 5th Principle of “supporting the democratic process.” Let’s meet together monthly at times to be determined by First U team members. Want to be in the loop, but can’t attend meetings? No problem, you can still “be the change!”  Contact Karen Wills, First U Member and MUUSJA Democracy Strategist, to be on the First U Democracy Team that will mutually decide when to meet. kwmuusja@gmail.com or 612-270-6559.

First Fridays: Democracy on Film

Fridays, March 1, April 5, May 3; 6:30-9 p.m. Online only. Register for the zoom link to join the watch party from home.

Every organizer needs relaxation, and some may enjoy some (virtual) company, community, and inspiration from classic pro-democracy films to help us get through 2024. At First Friday Films, we will light a chalice and check in using Zoom at 6:30, then watch a movie together from our own devices, starting at 7:00pm. As participants watch together online, we build a sense of shared community. We’ll start with Mr. Smith Goes to Washington on Friday, Feb. 2, then choose other films by group vote. Register on the zoom link to be in the loop about the group’s future film showings! Other films could include A Face in the Crowd, Strong Female Lead, All the President's Men, Malcolm X, The Candidate, Election, Lincoln, Primary, Shouting Down Midnight, and Milk. Online gathering hosted by First U member Karen Wills. 

Spiritual Centering for Justice Seekers

Sundays, Feb. 11, March 10, April 14, May 12; 7-8 p.m. on zoom. Drop In; Register for the zoom link and attend as you’re able.

How do we create sustainable practices in this age of burnout and compassion fatigue? This monthly online group from MUUSJA brings together UU's across Minnesota to nourish the spirit and strengthen solidarity among those committed to social justice work in 2024. It offers spiritual practices to fuel, nurture, and support your justice work, and connects you with supportive colleagues across Minnesota UU congregations, so all are stronger and more effective. Facilitated by MUUSJA's spiritual director, UU Rev. Leslie Mills. Contact First U Member Karen Wills with questions. 

Board Meeting

The next meeting of the Board of First U is on February 15. You can see the draft agenda here.

Creating A New Peace Garden

While recent landscape projects have greatly enhanced the front and the parking lot areas of our church, the north side of the building on 34th Street definitely needs to be improved. The hope is that this area will become our new Peace Garden.

Last fall, Cathy Manning, Tom Saterstrom and a few others started work on this area by removing weeds and brush. We now need a landscape plan before we can move ahead with this project. Several congregants are interested in offering ideas, but we now need someone (Maybe you?) to help create a comprehensive landscape design to guide the selection and placement of plants and materials as the work continues in stages, over time. Limited funds are available from the Lynn Elling Memorial Fund to help purchase plants and exterior furniture, but we need an initial plan first.

If you have an interest in creating such a plan, please contact SPIFF (Space Improvement, Facilities & Furnishings) chair Lynne Stanley: lynne.e.stanley@gmail.com   

Church Directory Update

Our church member directory will be temporarily unavailable due to our database vendor’s decision to end support for our database product. This has required a change in our database platform and we are moving through the transition, prioritizing the core aspects of church - tracking pastoral contacts, internal communications, and giving. As we move through this transition, we expect to have our new member directory available for members to access sometime in February. If you need contact info for a member or members in the interim, please contact Liz Farmer. We would greatly appreciate help in the transition and onboarding our congregation to the new directory. If you’re technically skilled and available to help, please contact Liz Farmer.

Justice for Philip Vance Is Possible!

Saturday, Feb. 10 at 1 p.m., at church - RSVP on Eventbrite

Thanks to so many of you for taking the time to learn about the story of my friend, Philip Vance, www.freephilipvance.com. Philip was wrongfully convicted and imprisoned at Stillwater prison for a crime he didn’t commit and railroaded by corrupt metro police who were disbanded but not held accountable for their crimes. This Saturday, February 10, 2024, 1:00 – 3:30 p.m. we gather to play, relax, build community and raise money for Philip Vance’s legal defense to get his case heard in court. He will be represented by attorneys who know what they are doing and care about the injustice he has suffered. We will be playing games, making art, practicing Qigong and putting together a Harriet Tubman jigsaw puzzle. You get to choose what’s right for you! Jason Sole, Criminal Justice professor and long time advocate for Philip’s release from his wrongful incarceration will share Philip’s story and how best to support someone in prison - and when they are released!

It matters to me that you are there! Please register and bring folks who value justice and freedom!  

Join the Philip Vance Love Train!!! Sat, Feb 10, 2024 at 1:00 PM | Eventbrite

Contact Denise Konen for more information: denise@netgains.net

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

Save the Date: Monday, February 12, 2024 11 a.m. rally at the Minnesota state capital rotunda to demand passage of Minnesota’s equal rights amendment with updated, inclusive language in 2024.

AUW Spring Retreat

April 26-28, 2024

Camp Courage, Annandale, MN

Igniting Change

The Light we Carry in a Barbie World

Register HERE!

Save the Date: AUW Winter Event is coming up on February 17, 12 noon - 2 pm. A light lunch buffet will be served. Admission to this event is free to members and $10 for nonmembers. The AUW Board is offering attendees the opportunity to help select this year's recipient nonprofit that will receive a $1000 donation from AUW. The candidates are: : Cornerstone Advocacy, Family Tree Medical and UnRestrict Minnesota.

ACTION: Contact your legislators to request their vote on ERA Bills early in 2024 Session so ERA can be on the General Ballot for all voters in November 2024.

Hiking Group: Meets most Saturdays at a park or trail head. Hikes begin at 2 p.m. For questions or to get on the hiking group mailing list, contact: Marie Sorensen, phone / email, or Lynn Richardson phone / email. Note: Hikes begin at 2 pm.

February 10 - 2pm, Minnehaha Falls, 4801 South Minnehaha Drive, Mpls., MN 55417. Pay lot or park on streets. Meet at the frozen Falls. Marie will lead.

February 17 - 2pm, Cedar Lake, Meet on path across from house at 2101 Cedar Lake Parkway. There is free parking on 21st street there. (Some people do not want to pay and this gives clear address to meet at). Lynn will lead.

February 24 - 2024 2pm Lake Harriet , Meet at Bandshell, pay lot or park on Parkway for free. 4135 Lake Harriet Parkway, Mpls., MN 55410 Marie will lead.

OWL Dinner Volunteer Opportunity: AUW will cater a dinner for OWL (Our Whole Lives) program students on Saturday evening, March 23 as they settle in for their overnight. We are being asked to provide and prepare food for 36 students plus our volunteers. The AUW board has already agreed that we will prepare the meal, now we are seeking eager volunteers to sign up to be part of the team that plans and prepares the meal. We will have a signup sheet at the AUW Winter Event to volunteer or sign up online here. We are also seeking donations to help defray the cost of the food. There will be a basket where you can donate cash at the Winter Event. or you can donate through PayPal here.

Game Group: Meets at the church on the second Thursday of each month to play board games and socialize. You are welcome to bring snacks to share and a game you would enjoy teaching others. To receive email updates, contact Anne Frenchick. The next game nights are February 8 and March 14. 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.

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 next meeting will be Monday, February 26. We will be discussing

The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray Location of the in-person meeting is available to those on the mailing list. The Zoom version of the meeting convenes online at 7:00 pm.

Give or Take a Book!

To share books we love and build more literary connections, we are going to start a new project. If interested please bring 1-2 books (no more!) to share with someone at the monthly book club. Pick a book to take home. To help make connections pls put a post-it note on the book with your name and the reason you liked the book. (Post-it notes will be available). If a book you brought is left over please take it home or it will be donated to a Free Little Library. Any questions or ideas contact Nora Whiteman.

These meetings are intended for people who are actively working any 12-step program. The program is focused on the 11th step and the practice of Centering Prayer Meditation. 

Weekly on Zoom

and

First Saturdays of each month, 9:30 a.m. to noon, in person at First Universalist

In-person 12-step spirituality meetings gather in the church on the 1st Saturday of each month, ending on May 4, 2024.

In-person and Zoom meeting details are available here.



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.

Based on ongoing monitoring of COVID levels in Hennepin County, masking is welcome, but not required, inside the building—including the sanctuary. Learn more about our Covid and Community safety policies on our website.