"Unsettle Your Hearts, Beloveds"

Dear Ones,

Last night I watched the first rehearsal of the season for this year’s Christmas Pageant. It’s a holiday tradition here, a script passed down from generation to generation, changed a bit each year to better suit the times or the needs of the moment, but at its heart the same. As someone who’s come to all of the rehearsals and performances of the pageant over the last 11 years—I can feel the influence of Rev. Ruth MacKenzie when we sing "Go Tell It On the Mountain," and I appreciate the ways that Lauren Wyeth added extra care to the Innkeeper role(s) to make room for parents to be close at hand for the baby Jesus. This year I watched as Hirut Hedge, our Children, Youth and Families Program Coordinator; Ellen Poulter—a young adult who grew up in the church; and Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout guided our children and youth through changes that helped tell the story more fully and made room for increased youth leadership. Gratitude and pride in our ever-evolving traditions and this next generation of leaders filled my heart. 

I watched as my son rehearsed the role of Narrator #1, accepting and integrating the coaching that every narrator receives—to speak slowly and with feeling. Watching him at the pulpit, I remembered the pageant so many years ago when he was a tiny wise one and the giant seeming teenage narrator fainted and fell down right on my little boy. Neither of them were hurt in the end, but the experience certainly was memorable for everyone involved. How is it possible that it’s my son now at the pulpit? 

As this year’s Mary and Joseph practiced their classic lines, asking the imaginary people in the pews for room to lay their heads, for a safe place for Mary to give birth, my heart opened and my eyes welled up with tears just like they do every year. Hearing our youth ask tentatively—“Excuse me, do you have room? Is there room over there? Help me, my wife is about to give birth? Where is your compassion?”—it gets me every time and makes me wonder how our world and my heart can be as broken as they are when such a clear call for love in action exists. 

I noticed one other thing last night. As Mary and Joseph made their way down the aisle with their powerful questions, they came down the aisle closest to the pulpit, not the aisle closer to the piano. I’m not proud to admit that I had to stifle myself from interrupting the rehearsal. I wanted to call out, You’re doing it wrong! Mary and Joseph always go down the other aisle! 

I felt completely unsettled. I took several deep breaths and made myself wait and watch. Shockingly, Mary and Joseph arrived at their destination at the front of the sanctuary just fine and no one else even seemed to notice this radical turn of events. Meanwhile, I’ve been laughing at myself ever since. I talk a good game about welcoming change, and I’ll tell you I’m just fine with my kids getting older and more independent (and I am). It’s possible that the unsettled feeling that rushed through me had more to do with grief and the changes that keep on coming as the cycle of life turns for us all, than it had to do with which aisle Mary and Joseph walked down. 

I’m grateful for the practices we share here at church—breathe, notice, be curious—and I invite you to join me in them as this season unfolds.

In gratitude,

Rev. Jen

P.S. We’re highlighting our four holiday services below. You can attend them in person or virtually. Please note that service times are different than they have been in the past. Also, there will be no Sunday morning worship service on December 24, Christmas Eve. Instead, please plan to attend the Candlelight service that evening.

Holiday Services

Blue Holidays

December 16 at 7 p.m.

at church and virtual

If you're seeking a sanctuary to share and embrace your sorrow during this holiday period, we graciously invite you to our "Blue Holidays" service. Honoring the interplay of joy and sadness that characterizes this season, our service offers an empathetic space to witness your grief in community.

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Winter Solstice Ritual

December 21 at 7 p.m.

at church and virtual

Celebrate the longest night of the year and rejoice in the returning of the sun at our annual Winter Solstice Ritual. The celebration is one we build together as a community with earth-honoring traditions, music, shared moments in the darkness, and the bringing of warmth and firelight.

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Christmas Pageant

December 23 at 4 p.m.

at church and virtual

Our annual Christmas Pageant is a beautiful telling of an ancient story. It is a tale of hope and hospitality, a reminder that every child is born a redeemer, a story that speaks to us all of what it means to be a seeker, a star, a singer, a wonderer, a wanderer, a wise one. Our Christmas pageant this year will be performed by our kids and youth on Saturday, Dec. 23 at 4 p.m. There will be a light reception with hot cocoa and cookies following the performance.

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Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

December 24 at 7 p.m.

at church and virtual

The annual Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at First Universalist is a time of meaning-making and music. This service is a weaving of ancient scripture readings, modern poetry, carols, silence, and lighting our hearts and spirit anew with the candlelight of Love.

NOTE: There will be no Sunday morning worship service on December 24.

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Intro

"Unsettle Your Hearts, Beloveds"

Holiday Services

Sunday Worship

This Sunday, Dec. 10, 9 & 11 a.m.

Low-sensory space

Worship Brainstorm

Sunday, Dec. 3 Recording

BLUU Video

Cycle of Life

Fall Programs

Meditation Group

Daytime Connections

Family Holiday Potluck

OWL Program

Pastoral & Community Care

Grief & Caregiver Groups

Faithful Action

Habitat for Humanity

News

Board Mtg Update

Tax Considerations

Holiday Decorations

Makers Fair

Book Sale

Community Events & Affiliated Orgs:

Hats for Unhoused People, 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, December 10

In-person at 9 a.m.; In-person & Online at 11 a.m.



"Still in Motion: The Space Between Who We Are and Who We Want to Be"

As we move through the sacred season, marked by the enduring light of Hannukah and the burgeoning anticipation of Advent, we're invited into a unique space where the realms of time and eternity intersect. Here, every moment becomes an encounter with infinite potential. Amid the whirlwind of holiday activities, the understated power of rest emerges as a counterintuitive path to liberation, offering us a sanctuary within time itself. Taking a step back, we find ourselves attuned to the subtle, beautiful harmonies of our communal existence, appreciating the transitions and transformations that shape our collective journey. In the dance between who we are and who we aim to be, we see success as a delicate balance between progress and patience. Each Sunday becomes a vibrant heartbeat in our relentless pursuit of growth and spiritual elevation, and as the nights lengthen, our collective resolve only strengthens. We invite you to join us on this journey - to pause, reflect, and celebrate the sacred story we're composing together.

Join us for worship this Sunday, Dec. 10, in person at 9 and in-person and livestreamed at 11 a.m.

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 which is where we are trying out the low-sensory space.

This is an experiment, and we appreciate your grace as we learn together along the way. We are relying on your feedback to let us know how it is working for you and so we can improve. We hope this space meets a need for our First U children and families, and are grateful for all the ways we show up for each other in community.

Worship Info

IN PERSON AT 9 & 11 A.M.

This Sunday, we worship in person at 9 & 11 a.m. Masks are welcome but not required in the sanctuary; please review our Covid-19 Gathering Guidelines. 

ONLINE AT 11 A.M.

This service is live-streamed. Watch the livestream here. 

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.

AFTER WORSHIP

Coffee Hour in the Social Hall

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

Makers Fair in the Social Hall

A celebration of creativity!

To apply to be a vendor, please complete this online application form. 

Deadline EXTENDED: Friday, December 8 by midnight.

Scroll down to News & Features for more details.

Community Worship Brainstorm

What are the questions that keep you up at night? What curiosities beckon you toward exploration? Share them with us by January 10, 2023, and let your voice become a building block for our collective exploration.

Join us in this sacred exchange. Share your thoughts, and help shape the future of our worship.

Read more from Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout.

"Whispers in The Dark: Embracing Advent's Transformative Stillness"

• YouTube recording not available
• Dec. 3 full service podcast
• Dec. 3 Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout's sermon

Podcast Archive | Recording Archive | Sermon Archive

Our thoughts are with Pam Berry and her whole family as Pam cares for her sister, who is living with lung cancer.



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.

Tuesday Meditation Group

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

Monthly learning session on Dec. 12

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.

Daytime Connections

December 14: Housing As We Age: Choices and Decisions

NOTE CHANGE OF DATE: Thursday Dec 14th, 9:45AM coffee, 10AM program in the Social Hall and on Zoom, 12:00 lunch available or bring your own.

Please register here by Monday before the program to facilitate planning. 

Housing As We Age: Choices and Decisions – When is the right time to move? Is it better to buy a condo or rent or join a co-op? What are the advantages and disadvantages of “65+ housing” vs the "Continuous Care” option? Should I move to be near the kids? What are good ways to down-size? A panel of UU members - Mary DeBruin, Jerry Sattinger, Ginny McAnnich, and Margaret Herdes - will discuss their different choices, share their "lessons learned" and answer your questions. Join us!

Family Holiday Potluck

Wednesday, Dec. 20 at 6 p.m.

RSVP REQUESTED

Half holiday dinner, half Friendsgiving, please join us for a First Universalist Family Holiday Potluck. You are invited to bring a favorite holiday dish to share if you are able - yes, our meal might be primarily Midwest “salads” and hotdish! - or just bring yourself and your family. All parents, caregivers, children, youth, and chosen family are warmly welcome. Come, build community and share a meal with us.

For participating children and youth, there is a pageant rehearsal after dinner.

OWL Program Registration

Hello First Universalist families!

It is Our Whole Lives (OWL) season at First Universalist! We have 1st, 5th, and 12th grade OWL starting soon. Please view below for information about each session. If you have any questions, concerns, or would like more information about our OWL programming at First Universalist, please reach out to Claire Tralle, OWL Program Coordinator.

First Grade OWL

1st grade OWL 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 1st grade OWL on Saturday, February 3, 2024. 1st grade OWL classes will begin Sunday, February 4, 2024, and conclude Sunday, March 24, 2024. There are no RE classes on Sunday, February 18, 2024. A calendar of classes will be shared at the parent/caregiver orientation. Registration for 1st grade OWL can be found HERE. Please email Claire Tralle with any questions.

Fifth Grade OWL

5th grade OWL 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 will be shared with families in early January. Please email Claire Tralle with any questions.  

Twelfth Grade OWL

12th grade OWL at First Universalist is an opt in class. 11th graders are also welcome to register, with priority given to 12th graders. If you choose not to opt-in and specifically register for this small group, they will continue to attend their regular RE programming. There is a mandatory parent/caregiver registration for 12th grade OWL on Saturday, January 20, 2024. 12th grade OWL classes will begin Sunday, January 21, 2024, and conclude Sunday, March 10, 2024. There are no RE classes on Sunday, February 18, 2024. A calendar of classes will be shared at the parent/caregiver orientation. Classes will occur on Sundays from 1-3 pm. Registration for 12th grade OWL can be found HERE. Please email Claire Tralle with any questions. 

Grief Group (online)

Sunday Dec 17, 4-5:30 p.m. on Zoom

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 on any or all dates. We will be here for you. Facilitated by Mark Caswell (he/him/they/them), a member of First Universalist Unitarian Church of Minneapolis and an aspirant on ordination track within the UUA. He attends United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities and lives in Minneapolis. He finds grounding in meditation, poetry, watercolor painting, and practicing deep listening. He also holds a BFA in Theater Design from Rutgers University in New Jersey.

Email Rev. Arif Mamdani for Zoom details.

Caregivers Group (in person this week)

Sunday Dec. 10 1-2:30 p.m.

NOTE: Meets in person at church this week, Room TBD

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. Come as you are, when you feel moved to attend on any or all dates. 

Facilitated by Rev. Arif Mamdani.

Email Rev. Arif Mamdani to receive info about where to meet.

Volunteering with Habitat for Humanity

We have three work days scheduled, all at

219 James Avenue N, Minneapolis

January 27, 2024

February 10, 2024

March 16, 2024

Sign up here.

The COVID pandemic caused a multi-year hiatus in Habitat home building projects and First Universalist's participation in those builds. We are now trying to restore our church community's past involvement by renewing our commitment to working with Twin City Habitat for Humanity and addressing the larger issues of affordable housing and removing the barriers to home ownership.

Some of you participated in raising the money and helping to build "The House That Love Built." Our initial goal was to become the prime sponsor of the new home by raising $60,000. Well, we didn't raise $60,000, we raised $115,000! No other church through Twin City Habitat for Humanity had achieved that level of commitment!

That is the back story. Now some of us from the Habitat "old Guard" are convinced that the spark still exists for housing justice at First Universalist, that it can be reignited, and that our best way to do housing justice is through Twin Cities Habitat. We hope to recruit new First Universalist volunteers to join us as we continue that commitment.

Thank you!

Tom Saterstrom (pictured)

Does Your Employer Match Gifts?

Did you know? First Universalist can receive matching gifts from your employer!

If your employer has a gift matching program, First Universalist can likely be a recipient of those gifts. That means that depending on your employer’s program, your gift to First Universalist could be doubled. If your employer has such a program, check and see if First Universalist is in their list of potential recipients. If we’re not, let us know so we can see about being added. This is an easy way to increase your giving to the church. Questions - contact Rev. Arif.

No December Board Meeting

The Board will not have a regular meeting in December. The next meeting will be on January 18.

End of Year Tax Considerations

As December 31st approaches, please remember that a timely gift can save you some taxes.

If you are over 72, and have money in investment that was deferred for taxes, you will need to make a mandatory withdrawal to avoid a costly penalty. If you are considering a donation to the church, you may want to have it sent directly from your financial institution to the church, rather than sent to you, and then you send it to the church. The advantage is, this money, will not be added to your income. You may avoid going to a higher tax bracket. And, if your income goes over $200,000, you would increase your Medicare payment.

Holiday Decorations

Peace Cranes adorn the sanctuary and several other locations throughout our church. Creating holiday decorations is the Visual Arts Committee’s annual gift to the congregation. We hope you enjoy them.

Also, this will be the last week you can pick up your superhero art. They are in a basket in the social hall. We're grateful to everyone who participated and created art together!

Winter Makers Fair

Date: December 10, 2023

Time: 10 am - 11 am and 12 pm - 1 pm (after each service)

Location: Social Hall, First Universalist Church, 3400 Dupont Ave, Minneapolis

Details:

Join us for the First Universalist Church Winter Makers Fair, a celebration of creativity, craftsmanship, and community spirit! This festive event will showcase the talents of church community makers and provide a unique shopping experience for the holiday season. Help support the makers in our community and save the date for this special event on December 10th after both services. 

We are seeking makers of all types, including:

• Artisans: jewelry makers, potters, woodworkers, fiber artists, and more
• Food and beverage producers: bakers, chocolatiers, coffee roasters, and more
• Designers and illustrators: greeting card makers, stationery designers, and more
• Upcyclers and repurposers: furniture makers, jewelry designers, and more
• Creatives: artists, photographers, authors, musicians

Application Process:

To apply to be a vendor, please complete this online application form. 

Deadline EXTENDED: Friday, December 8 by midnight.

Selection Process:

• Makers must be part of the First Universalist Church community
• Space is limited, we encourage early application
• We encourage makers of all backgrounds and experiences to apply!

Join us for a cheerful event filled with creativity and community spirit.

Co-hosts: Dallas Rising, Sherry L.M. Merriam

View and share Facebook event.

Book Sale To Benefit First U Library

Classic art books, donated to the church library, will be on sale after services December 10. The books are for sale just in time for great Christmas presents. Sales will be used to buy additional books for the library.

Hats for Unhoused People

Think big, warm, and wooly! Are you a fiber artist who knits/crochets/weaves/felts? Donate your handmade hats at First Universalist, October through January. Donated hats will be distributed to local schools, shelters, and community service agencies that serve people in need. Sizes requested: Large and XL,

Time frame: October - January, Drop-off site: Basket by the elevator (see photo), Contact: Barb Melom • More Info

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

Early Bird Registration Opens December 1 for the AUW Spring Retreat

April 26-28, 2024, Camp Courage in Annandale, MN

Our theme this year is Igniting Change: The Light We Carry in a Barbie World

The AUW Spring Retreat provides a thoughtful, safe, fun & joyful space for exploring workshop ideas such as self-hate and self-love, our childhoods, artistry and our power to make change. All the while we build community and deepen connections with each other.

Perhaps you are looking for a deeper connection with awesome & diverse women. Maybe you would like to sleep in, have a massage, walk the labyrinth, swim in a heated indoor pool, take a nap (or two!), listen to loons, go for nature hikes, be served delicious meals.

It may interest you to consider ideas related to self-love/self hate, artistry, becoming a change-maker, or to discuss Michelle Obama’s “pandemic book” and/or filmmaker Greta Gerwig’s exploration of being female. You might just want to play with Barbies!

All this is possible at our AUW Spring Retreat, April 26 – 28, 2024, at Camp Courage in Annandale MN, with our theme of “Igniting Change: The Light We Carry in a Barbie World”

Suggested pre read: The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama

Suggested pre-watch: The Barbie movie

Early Bird discount registration available December 1 to January 15 1 pm. We offer two ways to attend: 

Stay onsite for two nights, 6 meals included

$235 for AUW members (will cost $250 after January 15)

$275 for non AUW members (will cost $295 after January 15) 

Attend just for the day on Saturday, April 27, 2 meals included

 $100 for AUW members(will cost $135 after January 15)

 $135 for non AUW members (will cost $170 after January 15)

It pays to be a member of AUW. Visit our membership page to join!​

AUW offers scholarships to cover up to half the cost of retreat registration. If you need scholarship assistance, contact Sydney Dunitz.

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.

December 9 - Normandale Lake. West 84th Avenue and Chalet Road, Bloonington

Go South on Chalet Road. Big parking lot one your right. Cross Chalet Road and meet by Normandale Lake sign, lakeside. 1.9 mile loop, small waterfall even in winter.

December 16 - Roseville Central Park. 2540 Lexington Avenue North, Roseville. Be sure to use Lexington Avenue north Entrance. Meet in parking lot.

December 23 - Richardson Nature Center. 8737 East Bush Lake Road, Bloomington. Meet by Trailhead sign in Parking lot. Asphalt trail is easier in winter. Some easy hills. Nature Center has bathrooms.

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 night is December 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, December 18. We will be discussing The Sentence, by Louise Erdrich. 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.