Practicing Our Faith in Public |
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Dear Church,
It was eight years ago this week that the congregation hosted what the staff dubbed, “The Big Gay Wedding,” welcoming same-sex couples from the congregation and the community into our building to celebrate and garner legal recognition for the families love had long ago created. Members of the congregation decorated the church, creating chapels in the north garden and the courtyard by the playground, the Cummins Room and the sanctuary. Music filled the social hall for dancing and rainbow cake. Clergy from First Universalist and beyond officiated at over 15 weddings on that single day, some for couples who had been together for over 30 years.
After decades of work together for legal recognition of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people as whole and holy human beings worthy of full human rights, we opened our doors wide, practiced our faith in public, crying and celebrating together. It was 2013, and I felt the echo of our ancestors sounding in our collective heart as we honored those who came before us, grieved our many losses, and celebrated like hell.
This is who we are. This is what we do. This is the work of the church.
Our faith asks us to open our doors and our hearts, recognizing the full humanity of every single person, each of us welcome and wanted, whole and holy. We practice our faith in public, demanding equality and access and care for us all. We honor those who have come before us, we grieve our many losses, and we celebrate together whether the wins are private or public.
This Sunday, some of us will gather in-person at the bandshell at Lake Harriet on Sunday at 10 a.m., and some of us will watch or listen to the service online later as we make pancakes, comfort little ones, or bike to work. Wherever we are, we are together - recognizing each and all as whole and holy and worthy, practicing our faith in private and in public, grieving and celebrating with the doors of our hearts swinging wide open, banging on their hinges.
Love,
Rev. Jen
Rev. Jen Crow
Senior Minister
First Universalist Church of Minneapolis
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Worship
Sunday, Aug. 15: Lake Harriet Bandshell Worship
Wednesday, Aug. 18 Worship
Aug. 8 Worship Recording: "Roots Hold Me Close"
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News & Features
Building & Office Manager Joins Staff Team
Volunteers Needed for AFA
August Faithful Action Newsletter
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Happenings
Anti-Racism in the Park
Board of Trustees Meeting
Grief Group
Plant-Based Potluck
Stand Against Line 3
Summer 2021 Programs
Ongoing Gatherings
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MULTIGENERATIONAL WORSHIP |
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Sunday, Aug. 15, 10 a.m.
Worship at the Lake Harriet Bandshell
Please join us for worship this Sunday at the Lake Harriet Bandshell! Worship leaders Aimee K. Bryant, Franco Holder, Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Rev. Arif Mamdani, Julica Hermann de la Fuente, Rev. Jen Crow, Lauren Wyeth, and Rev. Karen Hutt will lead and inspire us through music, story, and message, and challenge us to consider what we might learn from — among other things — Canadian geese.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE:
- Join us in person at the Lake Harriet Bandshell on Sunday, Aug. 15. Worship begins at 10 a.m. The Bandshell is located at 4135 W. Lake Harriet Parkway. There is a pay lot, as well as limited free street parking. We encourage you to use transit, bike, or walk if you are able to.
- Watch the worship service recording at a later time on our YouTube channel. The recording will be posted on Monday, Aug. 16 and shared by email on Tuesday.
- The Order of Service will be posted here by Sunday.
IMPORTANT:
- Sunglasses, hats, sunscreen, and a filled water bottle are recommended for your comfort.
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This service will not be live streamed due to lack of internet and poor cellular connection at the Bandshell. See above about how to watch the recording.
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We will not be coordinating and hosting a picnic in the park after the service as we have in past years.
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WEDNESDAY EVENING WORSHIP |
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Wednesday, Aug. 18, 7 p.m.
Join us for a midweek worship experience for adults and older youth. This 30-minute service is a brief time of connection, centering, and reflection to help us find and keep our balance.
Connect to the live stream on Wednesday, Aug. 18 between 6:55 and 7 p.m.: Enter the Wednesday Zoom webinar here. (webinar ID: 117-312-320). To join by phone (audio only), dial 1-312-626-6799 and enter the webinar ID.
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If you are experiencing a crisis or transition, or celebrating a joy, please let us know. To be included in our Cycle of Life each Sunday in worship, or if you would like support, contact Rev. Arif Mamdani at arif@firstuniv.org or 612-825-1701.
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Sunday Service Recordings |
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August 8: "Roots Hold Me Close"
with Rev. Jen Crow
Sermon reflection & summary written by Liz Farmer:
I’ve recently had the privilege of attending Anti-Racism in the Park with Julica and several First U congregants. At this past Monday evening’s session, through story and discussion, we explored Tema Okun’s (recently updated) Characteristics of White Supremacy Culture. One of the characteristics is “either/or” or “binary thinking,” which “reduces the complexity of life and the nuance of our relationships with each other and all living things” down to yes or no, right or wrong, good or bad.
Our discussion brought me right back to Rev. Jen’s sermon, in which she tells us about holding multiple true things - sometimes seemingly opposing things! - in tension at the same time. One of her guiding principles as she has worked to dismantle white supremacy culture in herself and her communities, “we must go slow to go fast,” comes right into tension with sage advice she received this summer on a jet skiing adventure with her kids. While driving the jet ski slowly- an attempt to reduce her state of sheer terror- the kind jet ski teacher tells her, “ma’am, you’re going to balance a lot better if you go faster.” And there it is. With a deep, slow inhale and exhale, we ask, how to hold these seemingly opposite truths, one a guiding light and one a new glimmer, together? More importantly, how to “live out?”
There is much tension in these particular days of August 2021. There are things we must go slow for: building trust with one another, telling the whole truth, and naming our values. (And perhaps, in Rev. Jen’s case, really taking in those personal watercraft safety videos.) Then, we must trust that those relationships, truths, and principles will guide us with speed as we glide over the water, feeling ourselves balanced on the tension.
Watch/Listen
You can listen to Sunday's service in our worship podcast on Spotify or Podbean, and you can watch Sunday's service on our YouTube channel. Follow along, find questions for reflection, and learn about upcoming events in the Order of Service.
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Image description: a still image from Sunday, Aug. 8 of Aimee K. Bryant. Aimee is a Black woman with short black hair. She is wearing glasses and a green top and is smiling into the camera. |
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Building & Office Manager Joins Staff Team |
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This week, we were thrilled to welcome Jim Poulter to our staff team as our new Building and Office Manager. Jim brings years of experience in event coordination, marketing, public relations, and construction to this role, and we are looking forward to his expertise and enthusiasm as we reopen our building to in-person gatherings this fall.
You may recognize Jim from the pews or from his time as a Coming of Age mentor. Jim and his wife Kim raised their three children at First Universalist and are members of the church. After an unsuccessful public search to fill this newly created and urgently needed position, Rev. Jen and Rev. Arif reached out to Jim - knowing his commitment to the church's vision and mission and his expertise. Jim agreed to come on board in an interim capacity, helping us create the systems and structures we need as we move back into our renovated facility. Thank you, Jim, for answering the call to First Universalist quite literally, and congregation, I hope you will join us in welcoming Jim onto our staff team as we build a new way forward, together.
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Volunteers Needed for Augsburg Fairview Academy |
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Volunteers are needed to help distribute food and snacks from Every Meal at Augsburg Fairview Academy (AFA) on Friday afternoons, 1:30–3 p.m. beginning September 10. This will occur in the school cafeteria. Masking is required (AFA staff are 100% fully vaccinated; not all students are fully vaccinated). AFA is located at 2504 Columbus Ave. So.; there is ample parking on the street. For more information and/or to volunteer contact church member Cindy Marsh: cindy.marsh2588@gmail.com or 612-377-7555.
Augsburg Fairview Academy is one of First Universalist's Faithful Action partner organizations. For more Faithful Action news and volunteer opportunities, read the August Faithful Action newsletter linked below.
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August Faithful Action Newsletter |
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Find ways to get involved with our Faithful Action Partners in our August Faithful Action Newsletter. This newsletter contains opportunities to connect through volunteering, donating, advocating, and learning. Our Faithful Action Partners are community organizations that share our vision of love and justice. We work through Faithful Action Partnerships in order to leverage our energy, commitment and expertise. You can find more information about our Faithful Action Community Partnerships on our website.
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Mondays, Aug. 16 & 23, 7–8:30 p.m. (2 sessions remain)
Join us at the Amphitheater at Lyndale Gardens for a series about anti-racism and the challenges we encounter as we work and learn to get free. Each session will begin with Julica Hermann de la Fuente sharing one of her favorite tools or frameworks to assess/make change, followed by guided small group conversations.
The Amphitheater is located at 6400 Lyndale Ave S, Richfield, MN 55423. It is accessible via bus routes 4L and 515. Please park on the street or in the vacant lot east of the Amphitheater. Parking is not allowed in the Lakewinds Co-op parking lot. If parking is full, please use city streets for parking.
If you have them, please bring a lawn chair for yourself and one to share with someone else. There is seating in the Amphitheater itself, but lawn chairs will make it possible for us to gather under the canopy in the shade.
The Amphitheater is accessible to wheelchair users. Julica will be using a microphone and speaker for amplification; please be in touch ( julica@firstuniv.org) if you need other accommodations for hearing accessibility.
This is a multi-racial, multi-generational offering for high school youth and adults. Small group conversations will occur in racial/ethnic caucuses.
The topics for our upcoming Monday conversations are:
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August 16: The Ethic of Control and the Ethic of Risk
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August 23: The Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Rubric for UU Congregations
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August Board of Trustees Meeting |
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The First Universalist Board of Trustees will meet on Thursday, Aug. 19, at 6:30 p.m. The Board meets the third Thursday of most months, August through June. Board meeting materials will be posted on our website here next week prior to the meeting.
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Tangled Blessings Grief Group: August 15 |
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Led by Rev. Karen Hutt, Tangled Blessings is a monthly grief group where participants are invited to bring their whole selves and whatever grief they may be carrying. Through sharing, silence, ritual, and reflection, we will offer each other support and companionship. You are welcome to attend one or all of the sessions.
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Environmental Justice Team
Plant-Based Backyard Potluck
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Tuesday, Aug. 24, 6–8 p.m.
The Environmental Justice Team invites you to reconnect with UU friends (kids included) at its third backyard potluck at the home of Carol Gilbert and Liz Permar. Relax and enjoy tasty dishes and a short talk by Jodi Gruhn (Wholesome Minnesota) who enables colleges, hospitals, and other institutions to provide more plant-based foods to consumers. Sponsored by First U’s Environmental Justice Food Solutions team, part of a fast-growing movement of Americans (now 30 percent) eating less meat and more plant foods to reduce climate warming and improve animal and human health. For address and directions, RSVP here by August 22.
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Environmental Justice Team Invites You
to Stand Against Line 3
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Submitted by Roberta Haskin
The “Keep it in the Ground” subcommittee of the Environmental Justice Team invites you to stand against line 3 by attending: Treaties Not Tar Sands; Capitol Action to Stop Line 3, on Wednesday, Aug. 25 at 2 p.m. at the Minnesota State Capitol. As Enbridge nears completion of line 3, we will greet water protectors who began a walk on August 7 from the headwaters of the Mississippi to the State Capitol.
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Summer is for fun and building community! There are many groups meeting and programs happening at First U this summer, including gatherings for children, youth, and families, a Newcomers Circle, small groups, racial justice programming, a senior hiking group, and meditation and grief groups. As we navigate a summer of thresholds together, our commitment is to be as widely inclusive as possible! Learn more in our Summer 2021 Programs Flyer.
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UUs in 12-Step Recovery
Every other Sunday, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. (Aug. 22 & Sept. 5)
Every other Tuesday, 7–8 p.m. (Aug. 17 & 31)
Weekly drop-in group for UUs in 12-step based recovery from all kinds of addiction and family dysfunction. Participation is confidential. Join us via Zoom here. (Meeting ID: 922 6965 4151 Passcode: 839388) For more info contact Dick Young at 952-893-1188.
First Sunday Meditation Group
No meeting in September; resumes Sunday, Oct. 3, at 11:15 a.m.
Join this monthly congregant-led group for silent meditation on Zoom. The Zoom space opens at 11:15 a.m.; meditation starts at 11:30 a.m. Join the Zoom gathering here.
Weekly Meditation Group
The Weekly Meditation Group is meeting on Tuesday mornings from 9–10:15 a.m. by Zoom. This group plans to begin a multi-platform gathering model when the church reopens. Contact Sara McMullen at saramcminneapolis@gmail.com for Zoom and in-person meeting information.
Single Parents Gathering
Tuesdays at 8 p.m.
Parents/guardians who are single and/or co-parenting gather for mutual support and spiritual sustenance. Email church member Rev. Sara Smalley (smalley.sara@gmail.com) to be connected to the group.
First Universalist Accessibility and Inclusion Group
(note: this group is on break for the Summer and will resume in the Fall)
This group is designed for people with all types of physical disabilities, hearing disabilities, and visual disabilities. Ages 13 and older are welcome. For Zoom information please contact BOTH Lauren Wyeth at lauren@firstuniv.org and Birch Cappetta at birch.cappetta@gmail.com.
Young Adults Group
(note: this group is on break for the Summer and will resume in the Fall)
Connect with fellow First U young adults (20s & 30s).
Association of Universalist Women Happy Hour(s)
Every Thursday at 5 and 7 p.m. Come to one or both! These are ongoing Zoom events and the Zoom information is the same every week. The two gatherings have different Zoom information. Join the 5 p.m. Happy Hour here (Meeting ID: 834 7301 7986; Password: 557571). Join the 7 p.m. Happy Hour here (Meeting ID: 817 4022 5684; Password: 675052).
Parents of Babies and Preschoolers (ages 0-4 years)
(Note: this group is on break for the Summer and will resume in the Fall)
Parents/guardians of little ones gather with Lauren for mutual support and spiritual sustenance. Email Lauren at lauren@firstuniv.org to be connected to the group.
12 Step Spirituality
Saturdays, 9:30 a.m.
All people in or interested in 12 steps are welcome - Al-Anon, Adult Children of Alcoholics, CODA, etc. The workshop includes meditation, Centering Prayer meditation instructions, a short talk and small groups. Meeting details available at 12stepspirituality.org
Religious Education for Children and Youth
Religious Education classes for children & youth are now on summer break. Registration for fall classes is now open. Details available on our Religious Education website.
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We Care Ministries at First Universalist Church |
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The care team at First Universalist is here to help in a whole lot of ways—from phone calls to say we’re thinking about you to a listening ear when you need someone to accompany you through whatever’s happening in your life. COVID-19 has changed some of the ways we provide care, but there is a lot we’re still doing. Here is one of the ways we’re here to provide support:
We Care Companions
Care companions are members of the congregation who’ve been oriented toward the art and practice listening with a caring and confidential ear, and a loving and kind heart. We call and check-in on folks in the congregation and are here to accompany you longer term if you’re living with a chronic illness or could use some ongoing support. To connect with a Care Companion (or to become one), contact karen@firstuniv.org. To access any of our other caring resources, contact Rev. Arif Mamdani at arif@firstuniv.org
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Care Resources
Spiritual Care - Your ministers and program staff are here for one-on-one confidential conversations of support. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to any of us to connect.
Love Kits - Are you or someone you love ill? Is your family struggling? Do you live alone or feel isolated? Do you know someone else from church who might be? If so, please let Rev. Karen (revkarenhutt@gmail.com) know so that a package full of love and support can be delivered to your home.
Meal Trains - If you or someone you know at church would welcome a meal to help them through a difficult time, loss, illness or injury — and having someone else do the cooking for a bit would help —please let us know. Contact Rev. Arif Mamdani at arif@firstuniv.org.
Minister’s Emergency Fund - For many of us, these are difficult financial times. If you need help with a car repair bill, making rent, a doctor’s bill, groceries, gas, a mortgage payment, affording your medication, a bus card, or any other financial situation - please be in touch. We have financial resources available. Please contact a minister/staff member.
Mental Health Connect - www.mhconnect.org - Need help finding a therapist? Want to learn more about particular mental health conditions and resources? Check out Mental Health Connect, a local organization supported by congregations like ours, that provides community-based resources, support and education to improve access to mental health services and connect individuals and families with the services they need.
Counseling - The Walk In Counseling Center offers free counseling by phone or computer. Find out how to “walk in” on their website.
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Weekly Liberal Submissions
We encourage you to submit news!
To do so, fill out our online submission form. Edits for length and/or content may occur. The Weekly Liberal is compiled and edited by Communications Manager Jenn Stromberg and Communications Assistant Allison Connelly. Past issues and policies can be found on our website.
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Contact Us
First Universalist Church of Minneapolis
3400 Dupont Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55408
612-825 1701
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