The Weekly Liberal: March 20, 2025 | | NOTE: Some e-mail programs will not load the full content of this publication. Please click "View Entire Message" at the bottom if you see it! | | A Message from Our Treasurer | |
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From Marc Gorelick, First U Board Treasurer
Like many of you these past few months, I have been desperate for things to celebrate and to inspire me. Fortunately, I don’t need to look any further than the corner of 34th and Dupont! From my perspective as a Board member and treasurer, here are some things I find worth celebrating and being inspired by at First Universalist Church.
Thanks to the generosity of our members, we were able to approve a budget for the current 2024-25 church year that was balanced and that preserved important programming and staff positions. And despite some additional unanticipated expenses I described in an earlier update, giving remains strong, pledges are being fulfilled, and we are on track to end the year in balance.
Our pledge drive for the 2025-26 year is in full swing, and so far the news is mostly good. We have already received $1.08 million dollars in pledges for financial support for next year, with a good number of people who pledged last year still to be heard from. (Submit your pledge here.) That is more than we had committed at this point last year, and I hope is a good indication that we will be able to put together a budget for the coming year that continues to allow us to live our values fully.
Speaking of the budget, we are going to try something a little different this year. In addition to our required presentation of the draft budget in May, we want to provide opportunities to share how we are thinking of some of our budgetary choices and get your input on them earlier in the drafting process. Members of the finance committee and Rev. Jen will be available for two budget listening sessions: Sunday, April 6, following the second worship service (around 12:30, we think), and Wednesday, April 9, as a breakout after the Community Dinner.
Of course, the more commitments of financial support we get and the sooner we get them, the easier those choices will be. As I have said before, nearly all of the resources we have to support our work comes from us. If you have not yet pledged, please do. If you are a sustaining member and have not increased your pledge for the coming year, please do. I have been and continue to be inspired by your generosity, and am confident it will once again shine through.
Perhaps you are still shell-shocked by the violent storms rolling through American society since January 20th. If so, now is the time to move from despair to action – action to support this beloved community that provides such a vital – and inspiring – rebuttal to the hate all around us right now. First Universalist and its message of love and justice, its assertion that all of us are whole and holy, worthy and wanted, just as we are, is more essential now than at any other time in our 165-year history. If ever we needed action on racial and environmental justice and on sanctuary and resistance, it’s now. If ever we needed a place where we can dwell together in peace, seek the truth in love, and help one another, it’s now. If ever there were a time to support this church and all we do, it’s now.
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Have You Pledged Yet?
We are so grateful for the many folks who have made their financial pledge for the upcoming church year! Whether you are a long-time member who already pledges monthly or a new congregant, we hope you will complete a 2025-2026 Pledge/Commitment form. By submitting a form, you are helping our Staff and Board to create a budget with the most accurate information about our income for next year. We invite you to give boldly and help build the church the world needs now.
Mark Your Calendar: Rev. Jen and Board Treasurer Marc Gorelick will offer Budget Input Meetings on Sunday, April 6 at 12:30, and as a breakout session at the April 9 Community Dinner.
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Opportunities to Connect with Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism (BLUU) | Find ways to connect and deepen with BLUU. | | | |
Rose, Bud, and Thorn: An Update from the Children, Youth, & Family Advisory Committee | Annie Holtzclaw gives a detailed update about what's happening with our CYFM programming. | | | | |
We The People Concert
SAVE THE DATE: May 4 at 4 p.m.
Ticket info coming soon
We're celebrating strength, diversity, resistance and joy! Come together for a fabulous fund-raising concert with some of the greatest female vocalists in the Twin Cities. They'll be performing tunes poignant, provocative, jubilant and joyous...all affirming the UU values of Interdependence, Justice, Transformation, Generosity, Equity and LOVE!
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March 23: Church on The Edge
We gather this Sunday to explore what it means to stand at the edge—not as a place of hesitation, but as a space of readiness. The edge holds uncertainty, but it also holds movement, calling us to step forward with steadiness. Through breath, ritual, and song, we practice resilience—not by removing fear, but by cultivating trust in what we have prepared for. Howard Thurman speaks of an island of peace within, a grounding presence that allows us to move with clarity rather than resistance. This service invites us to embody that wisdom, using silence as steadiness, music as practice, and breath as a reminder that we are not alone in this moment. The journey ahead will bring questions and new beginnings, but today, we gather at the threshold—ready to move.
Join us at 9 or 11 a.m. in person or via livestream at 11 a.m.
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After Worship
Coffee Hour in the Social Hall
Visit with old friends and meet new ones over coffee and cookies in our social hall.
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Join the Climate Conversation at First U | Sundays through April 13, you can join the climate conversation at First U after worship services. | | | | |
Last Sunday, March 16:
Equal Ground: Leading the Change as Equals
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In early March, Kira Berglund and Tony Morris and grandparents Eric and Lisa Berglund welcomed Arlo Berglund Morris into the world. Little Arlo was eager to see the beautiful world and came early. So, he’s spending some time in the hospital before going home. Everyone is doing well.
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. Laura Smidzik at pastoralcare@firstuniv.org or (612) 405-5583 (call or text).
| | Ways to Connect at Church | |
Saturday Sprouts
Saturday, March 22, 10 a.m. to noon, in the Social Hall & Other Spaces
No RSVP necessary
Saturday Sprouts is a monthly opportunity for families to socialize, worship, play, and offer and receive peer support. We start with snacks and time to get to know each other before moving into family worship, followed by playtime for kids and a peer sharing group for parents and caregivers. We close by sharing gratitudes and singing together.
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Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity
March 29. 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Maplewood, MN
Register Here through Habitat and reach out to David Harrison to let him know you registered.
Be part of history as Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity embarks on its largest project ever—the redevelopment of the former Hillcrest Golf Course in St. Paul’s East Side! This transformative project will create 147 mid-density affordable housing units, prioritizing community connectivity, housing access, and outdoor amenities. Please reach out to David Harrison with any questions: rdavid.harrisonjr@gmail.com
Join the First U Habitat Interest List
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Cultivating Joy & Happiness
Saturdays, April 5, 12, 19, 26, May 3; 12:30-1:30 p.m. in person at church
Register Here
Through science-backed information, experiential wisdom, and community connection, this class will help us to find more joy and introduce practices to elevate our capacity for happiness. We will help each other be more open to joy, more resilient in difficult times, enjoy what is Good, and make happiness easier to experience in the long term. Participants are encouraged to attend all sessions.
Facilitated by members Nikki Townsend and Alison Kemlitz
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Saturday Sprouts
Saturday March 22, 10 a.m. to noon, in the Social Hall & Other Spaces
No RSVP necessary
Saturday Sprouts is a monthly opportunity for families to socialize, worship, play, and offer and receive peer support.
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Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity Builds
Saturday, March 29. 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Maplewood, MN
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Cultivating Joy & Happiness
Saturdays, April 5, 12, 19, 26, May 3; 12:30-1:30 p.m.
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What it Takes to Heal Book Study
Sundays, April 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th; 1-2:30pm
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Winter/Spring Grief Group
Apr 6, 20 (April 20th is Easter) May 4, 18; 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. on Zoom
Facilitated by Mark Caswell, church member and ministerial aspirant
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Labyrinth on the Full Moon
April 12, May 13; drop in from 5-7 p.m. in the Social Hall
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Young Adults: Second Sundays Lunch at Gigi’s
April 13, May 11; 12:15 p.m.
Young Adults (folks in their 20s and 30s) informally gather in the Social Hall after the second service to travel to nearby Gigi’s Cafe for lunch and conversation.
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Twin Cities UUs for Justice in The Middle East
Second Sundays: April 13, May 11; 1-2 p.m. at church
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Caregivers Support Group
Second Sundays: April 13, May 11; 1:00 - 2:30 pm on zoom
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Deepening Ties Among Young Adults
Sundays: April 27, May 18; 12:30-2 p.m. at church
(Young Adults are folks in their 20s and 30s)
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Life After Doom Salon
Meets as determined by participants, first week of February - mid May
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Meditation Tuesday Mornings
On Zoom only
Every Tuesday, all year/every week; 9:00-10:15 a.m.; gather at 8:45;
Email Martha Easter-Wells to RSVP: ewellsm@gmail.com
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Improv for Elders
Wednesdays, ongoing, 10:30 a.m. to noon
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Qigong for Liberation
Thursdays; 4:00 - 4:45 p.m. on zoom - Will move to in person at church on March 27!
Facilitated by Denise Konen.
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Trans, Non-binary and Gender Expansive Community and Support Group
Will meet once/month based on participant availability. Contact Kaden Colton for information.
| | For details and the most complete and up-to-date listing of Programs, Gatherings, & Events at Church, visit our church calendar, or view the Program Guide: | |
Watch: Our First U IDI results - First Universalist Church of Minneapolis | Martha Moriarty discusses our First U congregational IDI results and what they tell us. | | | | Broken Scales: Seeking Justice for Philip Vance | | |
It is wonderful that the legal petition has been filed, but now Philip Vance faces an authoritarian and biased criminal punishment system’s continued barriers. Right now, he is in the middle of an unjust tug of war with those in power who are using any means to delay and deny justice. In this video Philip describes how this has played out since the legal petition was filed. Philip shares delays in justice
If you only have time to read one thing about Philip, please read this article, “Broken Scales: Seeking Justice for Philip Vance”, written by Unitarian Universalist writer and theologian David Weiss. It beautifully synthesizes what’s most important regarding Philip's unjust wrongful conviction and imprisonment and his recently released legal petition with new evidence and more recantations that shows why his case needs immediate attention! It also outlines how the Conviction Review Unit created barriers to justice in Philip's wrongful conviction which made it impossible for him to work with them any longer. After reading this you will understand what Philip is up against within the criminal punishment system.
Thank you for your support! We will get there and are ready to win this no matter how many barriers the system creates!
Join our FreePhilipVance team here. Contact Denise Konen, First U member, to get involved: dkonen10@gmail.com
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12-Step Spirituality
Visit the website for details.
First Saturday of each month through May 3, 2025, 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM.
In person – at First Universalist Church
And on Zoom - get the link here.
These meetings are for people who are actively working any 12-step program.
The meetings focus on the 11th step, prayer and meditation, by using the practice of Centering Prayer Meditation.
We teach Centering Prayer Meditation, meditate for 20 minutes, visit in small groups and practice two other forms of prayer.
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Association of Universalist Women
AUW sponsors activities for people who identify as women, non-binary and/or gender fluid.
Rescheduled Winter Event & The Sandwich Project
Saturday, March 29 - 4- 8 pm, First Universalist Church - No RSVP/no Charge! Details here.
Refreshments for attendees will include three varieties of homemade chili. Participants who wish to help may bring salads and desserts to share.
AUW Spring Retreat at Camp Courage
May 2-4, 2025
REGISTER HERE
“Let it Go & Imagine!
Celebrating 25 Years & Beyond!”
One of the several breakout sessions offered is a Performing Arts Panel. Join a panel of fellow retreat goers who are involved with the performing arts to explore how their/your lives are enriched! Come join us!!
Nominate Nonprofit Recipient of $1000
At our last board meeting, the board decided to donate $1000 of the budgeted $2000 to Pink Haven Coalition. First Universalist Church has become a member of the coalition. The board would like AUW members to help select and vet the recipient for the remaining $1000 in the budget. They will narrow the number of nominees in April. Interested in making a nomination? Click here!
Hiking Group
For questions or to get on the hiking group mailing list, contact: Marie Sorensen, 612-419-3620, mariefsor@aol.com.
Games Group
Meets at the church on the second Thursday of each month to play board games and socialize. To receive email updates, contact Anne Frenchick. The next Games Group meeting is April 10. Please let Anne know if you plan to attend.
Women Who Read
We read books written by women. RSVP to Abbie Finger. Don't miss the meeting on March 24: Kao Kalia Yang, author of Where Rivers Part: A Story of My Mother will join the meeting live via Zoom.
The reading list for 2024-25 is posted on the AUW website here. 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; click here to join by Zoom.
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