The Weekly Liberal: April 10, 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! | |
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Talking with you all after church on Sundays, in small groups and at community dinner, I’ve been hearing about a communal, yet individual, experience. With different expressions, most of us are feeling deeply unsettled these days. Anxious, afraid, angry. Disappointed, disillusioned, worried. Our own lives and the lives of people we care about, our livelihoods, the democratic principles once pronounced with the vigor of spiritual principles representing a belief in the inherent worth and dignity – and rights – of every human being, are under attack. This is a time of disregulation, individually and collectively, with different expressions for each of us.
Talking to a friend yesterday, I shared that one of the ways this is showing up for me is that I’ve been having trouble sleeping more often than I’m used to. Huh, she said, what have you done before that helps? We went over all the basic sleep hygiene stuff: no screens for a half an hour before bed and chamomile tea, and then she hit me with the real zinger...
| | | P.S. For those in the congregation who are Black, First Universalist is going to host two gatherings to watch and participate in for the Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism (BLUU) monthly online worship services on April 13 and May 11, both at 3:00 p.m. at church. Come a little early to settle in before the service starts. BLUU worship and spiritual gatherings are Black Sacred Space, meaning created by and solely for Black people. | | Video: Lynn Broaddus offers a testimonial as part of our stewardship campaign | | |
The Call to Sanctuary for Minnesota UUs
Part 1 - Thursday, April 17 from 6–7:30 pm
Part 2 - Tuesday, April 22 from 6–7:30 pm
Please be sure to register for both parts, if you can!
Join MUUSJA for a 2-part webinar on how Minnesota UUs can act in solidarity with those under threat and how we can fight against efforts to target and deport our neighbors. We've invited panelists from congregations and community partners to share stories, insights, and resources to support sanctuary and resistance.
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We the People Concert
SAVE THE DATE: May 4 at 4 p.m.
Tickets Available Now!
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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Saturday, May 17: Talent Show & Trivia Night! - First Universalist Church of Minneapolis | Support our youth and our church programs: Get tickets for the Talent Show & Trivia Night on May 17! | | | | |
April 6 – Palms, Paths, and Possibilities
What future are we willing to walk toward—together?
A procession can be praise. It can also be resistance. On Palm Sunday, a crowd gathered to proclaim a power rooted in shared hope and sacred defiance.
Earth Day echoes that call. In frontline communities, people walk to protect what sustains them. We step into that movement—not toward certainty, but toward responsibility.
What are we willing to carry? What will we lay down? And how do we walk in step with those who’ve walked longest?
Join us at 9 or 11 a.m. in person or via livestream at 11 a.m.
Sunday’s Order of Service (updated each week before worship)
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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 | After worship this Sunday, take part in a one-to-one climate conversation! | | | | Last Sunday, April 6: The Tipping Point: The Earth, the Equinox, the Edge | | Welcome our newest members! | | |
Allison Wonchoba (she/her)
I joined First U to become part of a larger community that practices my values. I've been here for a little over a year now, and I'm so happy to have chosen this church.
Connect with me about: Social justice, climate change, writing, sports, movies/TV, music, books, travel
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Andy Isaacson (she/he)
We’re building our community here in Minneapolis after moving from California in 2022. I love the people, the social justice, the music, and the food here at First U.
Connect with me about: Chickens, Decarbonization, Community Power (solar and political), the small internet, solarpunk futures, mutual aid.
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Carrie Isaacson (they/she)
We need each other. Community is resistance.
Connect with me about: Crochet, art, communication styles & joy of sharing food.
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Clint Cornelius (he/him)
First U, you know we've been together for years. Let's make it official. I like it so I'm putting a ring on it.
Connect with me about: Mutual aid, civil disobedience, dismantling empire. Vipassana meditation (ask me about my vow of silence). Listening to and talking about albums. Making things (robots, drones, 3-d printing, woodworking). Bringing up semi-feral children. Telling stories.
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Katie Burton (she/her)
I've been attending Unitarian Universalist churches off and on for years. I'm glad to be officially joining such an inspiring community and look forward to making this a spiritual home for my kids.
Connect with me about: Music, art, dance, meditation, environment, science, education.
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Mary Chittenden (she/her)
I have been enjoying attending various First Universalist activities for more than a year and thought it was time to join.
Connect with me about: Knitting, Showing Up for Racial Justice
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Mary Ellen Heelan (she/her)
I've been a Unitarian for 35 years and my church has always felt like my true community. When I moved to St. Louis Park from the Chicago suburbs to be near family, one of the first things I wanted to do was find a church home with a choir I could join, and my Illinois choir director had glowing things to say about Dr. Glen Thomas.
Connect with me about: Music: I love singing, playing the piano, the hammered dulcimer and, if you twist my arm, the accordion. :) I'm a hospice music therapist and have a passion for supporting my patients and their families as well as those suffering from memory loss. Nature and all living creatures center me. I love my sweet kitty, Gryff, birding, gardening, and entertaining. My interests in terms of social justice are green sanctuary, immigrant rights—especially those from the Middle East—and protecting our Trans community.
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Mary Lou Garza (she/her)
I’m joining because the Unitarian Universalist principles resonate with me, the church strives to allow its members to be their authentic selves, and the sense of community is apparent.
Connect with me about: I would like to connect with church groups that work on social justice and diversity issues.
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Megan Kocher (she/her)
In the wake of the last presidential election, my wife and I were looking for communities that were already doing the work we want to support and caring for each other and First Universalist was one of the first places that came to mind. I also really love the music.
Connect with me about: Food, libraries, gossip, being a queer parent, vegetable tattoos. I'm also a good companion for a walk around a lake.
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Patrick Sexton (he/him)
I've been a long time participant and attender(since the '90's) and wanted to make the final commitment to membership.
Connect with me about: I am very committed to mental health, our youth and racial equity. My outside interests are fly fishing, nature, volunteer work and beekeeping.
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Ruth Sherman (she/her)
I am returning after being a UU in my teen years. My family (Derek, Dylan and Malayla) and I are excited to join a community of that center is love and values equity.
Connect with me about: We have lots of interest, including books, music, art, biking, humanism, social and environmental justice, and community events.
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Sharon Mitchell (she/her)
I started attending because of the fabulous children's programming, but I'm joining because of how nurtured and nourished I feel every Sunday morning. I'm inspired and moved by the values and care this community is dedicated to creating.
Connect with me about: Meditation, writing, rescue dogs, Russian Blue cats, social change through art/healing/parenting, nature, singing, good books.
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Steven Randolph (he/him)
I was a member of a UU church in Florida and I really liked UU. Now I have permanently relocated to central Minneapolis.
Connect with me about: Equal rights for all LGBTQIA+ folks!
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Tim Rosok (he/him)
I have been a friend of the church for years and the last couple of years have felt different in the best way. I am excited to take this next step to help build beloved community through the shared spirit of empowerment, solidarity, and love.
Connect with me about: Housing for all, men's work, music, volleyball and basketball
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Unique Jacobo (she/her)
I joined First Universalist for the community and like minded individuals.
Connect with me about: Outdoor activities!
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Vaara Ostrin (she/her)
I’m coming back to my roots as a church goer, and looking forward to joining choir, possibly teaching RE and above all being part of such a big vibrant community.
Connect with me about: Social justice, RE, choir
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We celebrate with Unity Church-Unitarian on the installation of Senior Minister, Rev. Oscar Sinclair, on Saturday, 4/12.
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 | |
Labyrinth Walk on the Full Moon
Saturday, April 12; drop in from 5-7 p.m. in the Social Hall
Submitting this form adds you to the email reminder list.
A labyrinth is a tool for meditation. It is a single winding path that can be walked or traced with a finger, from the outer edge in a circuitous pattern to the center. Labyrinths are used world-wide as a way to quiet the mind, calm anxieties, recover balance in life, enhance creativity, and encourage meditation, insight, self-reflection and stress reduction. Please join us! Folks will be on hand to assist, teach, and guide you. Facilitated by member Kate Guin.
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UUs for Justice in The Middle east (UUJME)
Second Sundays: April 13, May 11; 1-2 p.m. in Room 206 - drop in, no RSVP necessary
Sign up for TCUUJME Communications
TCUUJME provides a space for all to come together and hold one another in the sorrow of witnessing the genocide in Palestine. We share hopes, thoughts, and actions for pursuing our shared values in service of justice, compassion, and collective liberation. We hope to be an open, affirming, and helpful space. This Sunday, there will be homemade hummus to share! Facilitated by Robin MacKenzie-Taris and Scott Smith.
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Daytime Connections: Understanding End-of-Life Doulas
Thursday, April 17, 9:45 a.m. coffee, 10-noon program, Noon lunch
Register Here by Monday, April 14 for planning purposes
Seniors are increasingly shifting to a preference for dying at home, away from the medicalized, institutional approach to death. This program will explore the emerging movement for "conscious" dying and the development of end-of-life doulas, and how they differ from Hospice. The presenter, Patricia Harmon, is a trained end-of-life doula and a founder of Limina, an organization dedicated to helping people have a meaningful experience in dying or planning for their death.
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Labyrinth on the Full Moon
April 12, May 12; 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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Daytime Connections: Understanding End-of-Life Doulas
Thursday, April 17, 9:45 a.m. coffee, 10-noon program, Noon lunch
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Winter/Spring Grief Group
April 20 (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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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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Authentic Selves Book Group | UU Common Read
Attend as many sessions as you are able:
Wed, April 30, 7-8 p.m. on Zoom
Sat, May 3, 10-11 a.m. at church
Wed, May 7, 7-8 p.m., on Zoom
Sat, May 10, 10-11 a.m. at church
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Newcomers Circle
Wednesdays, April 30-May 21, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
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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, 10:00-11:30 a.m. at church
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Qigong for Liberation
Thursdays; 4:00 - 4:45 p.m. at church
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: | |
Invitation to Mutual Mentorships Pilot at First Universalist | Are you longing for intergenerational relationships? Would you be nourished by growing alongside people in a different life stage? Do you want to be mentored by people younger, older, or just different from your primary social group? | | | | First U Member Featured in The News | |
She gives the gift of warmth - Southwest Connector | When temperatures fell below zero one Sunday morning this past winter, Barb Melom had a thought. Her husband, a former social worker, had told her that many patients at Hennepin County Medical Center ... | | | | Get a Name Tag for Church! | | |
Lost your name tag? Never got one? Complete this form and we’ll add you to the list. Staff and church volunteers will make name tags every couple of weeks, or whenever we have a batch of requests!
| | Community & Affiliated Org Events | |
Act for a Change: Improvising Answers to Hate Speech | Sunday, April 27, 2025 at Open Book, Minneapolis, MN. | | | CAMP UNISTAR: A UU Camp for Adults and Families on Star Island MN | |
Camp UniStar is a camp for Unitarian Universalist individuals, families, and like-minded people, nestled in the Chippewa National Forest on Star Island in northern Minnesota. Programs are weeklong, from Saturday to Saturday, running all summer from June through August. (There’s a separate Youth Week June 14-21 for youth entering grades 8 to 12.) Each year we welcome campers of all ages, with activities for children and youth, and a daily program for adults on topics such as art, yoga, dance, crafts, the natural world, and other topics. The lake encourages swimming and boating; the forest trails attract hikers; the lodge has ping-pong, puzzles, and games; and sunrises and sunsets invite meditation.
Send questions to registrar@campunistar.org. For more information and registration instructions, please visit: www.CampUniStar.org
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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.
AUW Spring Retreat at Camp Courage
May 2-4, 2025
REGISTER HERE
“Let it Go & Imagine!
Celebrating 25 Years & Beyond!”
Hiking Group
For questions or to get on the hiking group mailing list, contact: Marie Sorensen, 612-419-3620, mariefsor@aol.com.
Games Group
Meet 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 May 8. Please let Anne know if you plan to attend.
Women Who Read
We read books written by women. RSVP to Abbie Finger. On Monday, April 28 the book selection will be West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge. The in-person potluck will begin at 6 pm, followed by discussion at 7.
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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