The Weekly Liberal: September 25, 2025

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Common Ground Sundays

Sunday, October 19 in the Cummins Room

About once a month over holiday weekends and/or school breaks, we will host a program for all grade levels (kindergarten through high school) called Common Ground Sundays. These Sundays are intended to gather and ground our children and youth in a shared project of liberation, resistance, and care for our congregation and our wider community.

Take note:

• Children and youth may attend either 9 or 11 a.m. Common Ground Sunday programs, regardless of which worship time they regularly attend for RE
• Programming is led and supervised by church staff

For our first Common Ground Sunday on October 19, we are in need of clean glass jars and old magazines. Smaller jars are preferred, but any size will do! Jars will be used to make candle holders, and magazines will be used for collaging. You may drop off jars and magazines in the church office anytime between now and October 16.

Sunday Worship

Sunday, September 28 | Begin Again: With Purpose, On Purpose

Two services: In person at 9 & 11 a.m. Join the livestream at 11 a.m.

Stones lean; a people stands. Community is a wager—covenant chosen on purpose, with skin in the game. Courage takes form you can name: upstander, ally, organizer, host, connector. Faith answers intimidation with shared practice—tending and befriending, truth-telling, moving together. Risk sits on a spectrum; each body chooses a step that honors both safety and power. Prayer names what we carry; action extends that prayer into the street. Elders remember resistance that kept neighbors whole; trans kin measure what safety requires today; these stories lean into each other until the circle holds. The heartbeat is simple and demanding: choose on purpose, with others, so responsibility travels with love and stays long enough to change us. Worship at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m., in person and online.

Children & Youth

Religious Education is in classrooms this Sunday.

Please check the all-ages calendar to confirm where and when your kid/s need to be this Sunday. Different age groups frequently have different schedules or special events, even beginning this Sunday. 

If you have registered for Religious Education, you have received information about which service time your family should attend, beginning this Sunday. If you are unsure, please contact Allison at allison@firstuniv.org. 

Children and youth in grades K-12, EXCEPT 8th/9th grade OWL youth, begin in worship and are dismissed to their classrooms early in the service. You may pick up your child or youth from Religious Education at 10:30 a.m. or 12:30 p.m., not before, even if worship has ended. Check to see where you should pick up your kid or youth here.

All families, with babies through high schoolers, need to register each church year, regardless of previous registration:

In Case You Missed It:

Last Sunday, September 21

You can see past worship services and other video content:

Cycle of Life

We celebrate with long-time First Univeralist member, Ed Daniels, who recently celebrated his 100th birthday. Ed taught US history at Washburn High School in Mpls for 30+ years. Congregant, Tom Saterstrom, was Ed's student in 1956 and is now a dear friend. 

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 laura@firstuniv.org or (612) 405-5583 (call or text).

We “Hold This Together” by Cooking Meals and Helping Each Other During Life’s Marker Events

Cook a Meal

We have several congregants in need of support during life events. Below are links to requests, please read the instructions carefully so that you can provide the type of meal that will bring the families the most comfort. Contact Rev. Laura if you are in need of meals to help you through a transition. 

Current Mealtrain Requests:

Doug Hicks and Susan Shonfeld

Zion, Jera, and Baby Violet

Help with Rides, Chores, or Companionship During Worship

On occasion, we receive requests from congregants for distinct needs. If you are willing to help with any of these needs, email or text Rev. Laura at laura@firstuniv.org or 612-405-5583.

• General chores (lawn moving, cleaning) post surgery and when congregants are struggling. 
• Rides—sometimes to church and other times to doctor appointments. 
• Companionship during worship for congregants with cognitive impairment who need a buddy when in the building.

Ways to Connect at Church

Responding to the Anti-Trans Movement

Tuesdays, Sept 30, Oct 7, Oct 14, 6-8pm

RSVP Here to attend in person at First U

RSVP Here to watch via Zoom from home

Saturday Sprouts

Saturdays once per month, 10 a.m. to noon: September 27, October 25, November 22

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.



Saturday Sprouts is open to all families, with programming geared towards young children (6 months - 5th grade) along with their siblings and parents/caregivers. 

If you have questions or would like more information, please email Allison, Director of Children, Youth, & Family Ministries, at allison [at] firstuniv.org.

Single and Solo Parents Group

Tuesdays, Sept. 30, Oct. 14, Oct. 28, Nov. 11, Nov. 25, and Dec. 9, 7-8 p.m. via Zoom  RSVP Here

All single and solo parents and caregivers are invited to join this group for community, connection, and solidarity with people who really get it. This will be a space for connecting with others who have shared experience, taking time for a spiritual practice or reflection, and receiving care, tenderness, and grace from one another. Rev. Laura and Allison will co-hold this space. We encourage you to attend as many of these gatherings as you can to support trust-building and community. Reach out to Allison or Rev. Laura with questions or for more information. 

Caregivers of Spouses

RSVP

Time to be determined by participants. Register by Sept 30th.

Caregiving for a spouse/partner has its own nuances and realities for the care provider. This group is an opportunity to share confidentially, learn from one another, and to receive support. Led by Rev Laura Smidzik.

Crafting Group

October 5 & 26, November 2 & 16, December 28, 1-3pm 

RSVP if you’d like, but please come even if you haven’t!

Are you creative/crafty/artistic (or would like to be!) and like to create in the presence of others? Let's meet up and be creative in community! Imagine: a drop-in space where you come with a project or use materials from our pop-up free table (i.e., a spot we can bring craft items we no longer want or need, to pass to someone else, or to find a new project or hobby). Joy is an act of resistance and connecting with creative folks can be inspiring! This is truly a drop-in group, so come when you can. Facilitated by Chris Chiros.

Grief Group (on zoom)

First Sundays, 4:00-5:30 pm: Oct 5, Nov 2, Dec 7

Register to receive Zoom link

The Grief Group meets first and third Sundays on Zoom. It is a gathering for those who are grappling with the web of feelings associated with the loss of a loved one. 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. (This is a drop-in group). We will be here for you. Facilitated by lay leaders.

Kate Tucker Sermons Discussion Circle (Sundays)

Oct. 5 and 19, Nov. 2 and 16, Dec. 7, 7:00pm to 8:45pm (on zoom)

RSVP Here

Kate Tucker Sermons Discussion Circle (Thursdays)

Oct. 9 and 23, Nov. 6 and 20, Dec. 4, 7-8:45pm (on zoom)

RSVP Here

You are invited to five sessions of diving deeply into five Kate Tucker sermons, meeting every other week. Registration is open to all ages from twenty-somethings to seniors, whether or not you have personally experienced our beloved minister emerita’s extraordinary sermons before. Kate’s sermons have aged very well, because they delve into timeless yearnings and wisdom. Please join us in a commitment to personal and communal spiritual growth. Facilitated by Ray Dillon and Margaret Manderfeld.

Get to know the Intercultural Development Continuum

October 5, October 12, October 26, November 2nd, November 16th, 1-2:30pm

RSVP Here

For members who are interested in learning more about the culture and its connection to creating a beloved community. Participants need to have completed the IDI (Intercultural Development Inventory). This group will use the UU Institute's "Co-Creating Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity in Our Congregations" course to dig deeper into understanding how we interact across differences in a way that promotes diversity, inclusion and equity in our congregation that builds deep relationships and an inviting congregational culture. Over five sessions, we'll explore the Intercultural Development Continuum and reflect on our congregational culture and experience. Facilitated by Martha Moriarty.

Labyrinth on the Full Moon

Harvest Moon: October 6, 2025, 5-7 p.m. in the Social Hall

No RSVP Necessary | Join the Labyrinth Interest List

Let's Talk About Sex, Baby! (for the Salt and Peppa!)

7 Mondays starting Monday, October 6-Monday November 17, 6-8pm

RSVP Here

Have you ever wondered what the youth are learning in OWL (Our Whole Lives)? Has your child asked you a question or said something that you couldn't quite answer or know how to respond to? Fear not! Kirk Cozine and Jane Jordan are here to share information, demystify and destigmatize language for all adults who have wondered! Note, you do NOT have to have kids currently in the OWL program to attend. This group is open to anyone 18+. Facilitated by Jane Jordan and Kirk Cozine. 

Coming up in the next few weeks

Community News & Needs

P.S. Please join our Native American beloveds in wearing orange on September 30th for a Day of Truth and Reconciliation. Started in Canada, Native Americans and non native relatives wear orange to recognize the atrocities that took place in residential boarding schools across all of Turtle Island. Unfortunately, Unitarian Universalists are not exempt from attempting forced assimilation and genocide of Native Americans. It is up to us today to witness and do our part to repair the harmful colonial systems and actions of the Unitarian Universalists that came before us—seeking out and dismantling them where they still exist in our congregation and our own lives. Wear orange to show that you recognize the truth of what happened in boarding schools and consider making a donation to the Mni Šota Makoče Honor Tax by clicking here. 

AFA Sweatshirt Drive

Our long term Community Partner, Augsburg Fairview Academy (AFA), has asked us to help support their fall Sweatshirt Drive. Gently used sweatshirts, hoodies, and fall jackets may be donated in the Social Hall on Sundays: September 21, September 28, and October 5 and at the Community Dinner on October 8. 

AFA is a public charter high school; many of its students experience housing and food insecurity. First Universalist has supported the AFA Food and Clothing Closets for the past decade. We have also hosted three AFA proms in our social hall.

Thank you for your generosity! If questions, contact Cindy Marsh:

 cindy.marsh2588@gmail.com

12-Step Spirituality

Visit the website for details.



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.

Cultivating Practices for Our Wellness

AUW Fall Mini-Retreat

November 8, 2025

11:00 am – 3:15

SAVE THE DATE

New AUW member Gina Ditta-Donahue will share her wisdom and passion for holistic health and addressing the root causes of health issues. Gina will draw on her wealth of experience as functional nurse practitioner. There will be breakout sessions, including sound healing and Qigong. Check back for further updates.

Association of Universalist Women

Visit the website • Join or renew membership • AUW Facebook Group

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

Need to make a connection or ask for care?Find what you need here.

First Universalist Church of Minneapolis

3400 Dupont Ave. S.

Minneapolis, MN 55408

612-825-1701  

firstuniversalistchurch.org

For staff contact information, please visit our Ministers and Staff page.

Weekly Liberal Submissions

We encourage you to submit church news! To do so, email your content to Rachel Rott: rachel@firstuniv.org. Edits for length and/or content may occur. The deadline for submissions is noon on Wednesday the week of publication. Past issues can be found on our website.