The Weekly Liberal: May 21, 2026 | | 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 farewell reflection from Seth Anderson-Matz, who has served as our Intergenerational Justice, Service, and Leadership Coordinator for much of the last church year.
It has been such a joy and honor to be in community with you at First U this year, and to learn and grow alongside you as we explore what it means—and what it takes—to be an intergenerational congregation.
I have had a blast coordinating and facilitating the Common Ground Sunday program, bringing together our school-age children and youth across grade levels to connect, share space, and join together in hands-on activities related to our monthly worship theme. Not only has Common Ground Sunday offered a fun and spiritually-enriching place for our children and youth to be on Sunday mornings when regular Religious Education (RE) is not scheduled, but this monthly program has also offered an alternative to the more “traditional” RE classroom model that better suits the learning styles and social needs of several of our kiddos. We didn’t necessarily anticipate this outcome going into the program year, but we have been thrilled to see so many of our kiddos flourishing in their spiritual exploration and community-building through Common Ground Sundays.
I have also been in conversation this year with some of our youth lay leaders about their experiences serving on ministry teams, as well as with the adult lay leaders working alongside these youth. I came to these conversations with plenty of questions, and I left them with many more! As First Universalist moves toward deeper intergenerational engagement in the years ahead, here are some of the big questions I hope you will keep asking together:
| | | | |
Here's what's coming up for Children, Youth, & Families at First Universalist:
-
Sunday, May 24: Summer Sunday: Religious Education is on break for the summer. Childcare is offered for infants-PreK.
-
Saturday May 30: Saturday Sprouts for Families, 10 a.m.-noon.
-
Sunday May 31: Bridging Worship Service at 10 a.m. Only. Summer Sunday: Religious Education is on break for the summer. Childcare is offered for infants-PreK.
Find information on upcoming programming for Children, Youth, & Families in the all-ages calendar spreadsheet. Find the appropriate age group tab on the bottom for events for your family. This document is updated regularly - please check often.
| | |
Saturday Sprouts for Families
Saturday, May 30, 10-noon at church
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.
| |
Register for First Universalist Summer Camp 2026! | Registration is live for First U Summer Camp! Learn more about camp and register now: | | | | |
Have questions...
...about our programs for children, youth, and families?
Allison Connelly-Vetter, our Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries, can be reached at allison@firstuniv.org.
Learn more about resources and connection points for Families at First U:
| | These are highlights. | Please look in Community News and Needs in this newsletter for lots more. | | |
Info Session: Support Trans Refugees
May 31, noon in Room 209 | Drop-in, no RSVP needed
All across the country, trans people are facing various forms of state violence and anti-trans oppression. Many are fleeing legislatively hostile states, but relocating is a difficult process and often requires community support. First Universalist's Sanctuary and Resistance Team is seeking new accompaniment volunteers to be in relationship with our next TRANSplant(s).
In this info session, we'll share about how you can welcome trans/nonbinary folks who are choosing Minnesota as their safe haven. The two main paths we will be exploring are our Host Home Program and our Accompaniment Team Program.
Hosts provide a room in a shared living space, a private area, or an empty property. Accompaniment volunteers provide emotional, social, and practical support by being in relationship with trans/nonbinary folks who have relocated to MN, potentially helping with things such as job searches, local travel, or navigating a new city.
| |
Staff member wins essay contest | |
Read Allison Connelly-Vetter's winning essay, "Mothering Another World:"
It is January 2, 2026, and predictably dark, cold, and wet here in Minneapolis. I am riding in the backseat of our Toyota Corolla, which my wife is driving. In the car seat beside me is our newborn baby, Frances, all of six pounds and ten days old. [...]
| | | | |
JOB LISTING: First U Seeks Childcare Provider
POSITION OVERVIEW:
- Provides supervision and care for babies, toddlers and preschoolers while their parents and caregivers attend worship services and church activities on-site
-
Works Sundays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. with potential for additional hours on Wednesday evenings if desired
| | Sunday, May 24 | One service at 10 a.m. | |
NOTE: ONE Worship Service
10 a.m. in person and livestreaming
| | What a year this has been. As we make our way through yet more transition and transformation, let's take a moment to reflect with Cummins Ministerial Intern Nico about who we are and who we are called to be. | | Religious Education is on break for the summer. Childcare is offered for infants-PreK. | | Last Sunday, May 17: Coming of Age Sunday | | Have you heard? YOU can take home your own copy of the 2026 Coming of Age "Sacred Connections" 'zine! Copies of the 'zine will be available for congregants and community members to take home beginning Sunday, May 31. Make a donation of any amount to support the Boston Pilgrimage and pick up your copy of the 'zine at church this summer. Donations are on an honor-system basis. You can donate in-person at the church or online here - please select "Boston Pilgrimage" from the drop-down menu. The 'zine was created by our 9th grade Coming of Age youth as the culmination of their yearlong experience reflecting, learning, and growing together. It contains faith statements, poetry, artwork, letters, and even a recipe. Don't miss your opportunity to take one home! Email Allison at allison@firstuniv.org for more information or to make a larger donation to the Boston Pilgrimage. | | You can watch past worship services and view other First U video content: | | |
A memorial service for Phyllis Stenerson will be held at church on Saturday, June 20, at 2 pm. May our love surround her family and friends in this time of loss.
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).
| | Caring Corner | Holding it Together | | |
We “Hold This Together” by Caring for Each Other During Life’s Marker Events
Provide Food and Other Basic Needs
We have community members in need of support during major life events. For meal requests: Please read the instructions carefully so that you can provide the type of meal that will bring the families the most comfort—gift cards are an option, in addition to preparing or purchasing food.
NEW REQUEST: Finn, age 2, was in the intensive care unit last week after a series of viruses led to viral pneumonia. His family is asking for meals to ease back into life following his health emergency.
| |
Receive or Offer Support
Do you need support during a challenging time? We are here for one another. Are you able to offer support? On occasion, we receive requests from congregants for distinct needs. If you would like support, or if you can offer support, email or text Rev. Laura at laura@firstuniv.org or 612-405-5583.
| | Ways to Connect at Church | | |
Labyrinth on the Full Moon
May 31, Full moon in Sagittarius, 5-7 p.m. in the Social Hall
No RSVP Necessary | Join the Labyrinth Interest List
First U has a long history of labyrinth walking, please join us for this relaxing and contemplative open walk each month. You don't need to come every time, and you don't need any experience. Bring a friend!
| | |
Early Adults:
Early Adults at First U are folks who are 18 years old - 39 years old (No High School Students Please 🙂 High Schoolers are invited to take part in our Youth Group)
Early Adult Potluck
Saturday, May 23, 1pm, at Brackett Field Park
RSVP to Unique: 806-316-9660
| |
|
Beyond the Gender Binary
Saturdays, May 23 and June 6, 10-11 am, at church
| |
Saturday Sprouts for Families
Saturday, May 30, 10 a.m. to noon
No RSVP necessary
| |
Candlelit Labyrinth Walk on the Full Moon
Sunday, May 31, 5-7 p.m. in the Social Hall
No RSVP Necessary | Join the Labyrinth Interest List
| |
Weekly meditation group on zoom
Tuesdays 9:00-10:15 am, gather at 8:50.
Contact Martha Easter-Wells ewellsm@gmail.com to join and for the zoom link.
| |
BIPOC Group
Fill out the interest form or email Nico (nico@firstuniv.org) for meeting details; in person and online available.
| |
Trans, Non-binary and Gender Expansive Community and Support Group
Will meet once/month based on participant availability. Contact Kaden at kaden.e.colton@gmail.com to express interest and for more information.
| |
Qigong for Liberation
Tuesdays, ongoing, 4:30-5:15pm (zoom and in person)
| | |
Resistance Reflection Circle
Friday mornings, 9-10 a.m. on Zoom | RSVP Here
| |
Concert Series at First U | A four-part benefit concert series is coming to First U this summer. The first program is Friday, June 12 at 7:30 p.m. Get tickets! | | | |
Volunteer with MUUSJA at TC Pride 2026 | |
June 27-28
MUUSJA will be in booth #92 in the Blue zone. Our presence at TC Pride takes a lot of volunteers. Sign up for a shift (or two!) on either day of the festival and help us share blessings and celebrate joyful abundance and love!
| | | | |
Volunteer: Sunday Morning Childcare
We need YOU to keep our Sunday morning childcare running this Summer! We are committed to providing childcare for our youngest children (ages 6 months - PreK) in the nursery during worship every Sunday so that their parents can worship and connect with other adults. With recent childcare staff transitions and volunteers taking a well-deserved break, we need help to keep this option open for the summer. If you can spend time with these youngsters for even a few Sundays between now and September, please email Hirut at hirut@firstuniv.org. Thank you for making church possible!
| |
Seeking Delegates for General Assembly! | The Unitarian Universalist Association's General Assembly, or "GA" as it is known, is an annual gathering of delegates from member UU congregations for several days of conducting UUA business, worship, inspiring speakers, and networking with fellow UUs from around the country. It's a great way to get more connected to the larger UU movement, and [...] | | | |
Institute on Theology and Disability 2026 | |
June 15 at 9:00 AM to June 17 at 5:30 PM CDT in St. Paul
First Universalist Church is a co-sponsor; we encourage you to register!
Join us in St. Paul, Minnesota, for three days of deep learning, community-building, and practice-based sharing.
| | | | |
Looking for a lay-led team for the Lake Harriet Picnic
We are holding our annual Lake Harriet worship service on Labor Day weekend. In the spirit of shared ministry, we are looking for a team to plan and host the picnic part of the morning. The picnic takes place immediately after the service (up the hill where there’s picnic tables and a grassy area). Congregants bring dishes to share.
The staff can talk the team through logistics, but we were we are looking for this to be a lay-led community gathering. If you are interested in leading or being a part of the team contact Rev. Laura at laura@firstuniv.org. If a team does not come together, we will forgo any formal picnic and folks can gather up the hill if they’d like or just come for the service.
| |
Totally Fabulous, All-Generations Queer Prom: Disco Inferno | |
Saturday, May 30, 2026 at SpringHouse Ministry Center, Minneapolis, MN.
Find event and ticket information:
| | | | Community & Affiliated Org Events | | |
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.
| |
AUW Annual Meeting and Celebration
Saturday, May 30 in the First U Social Hall
9:00 – 9:30 Social with light food
9:30 – 11:30 Meeting
A special AUW member mailing containing the annual meeting material will arrive the week of May 3. Please familiarize yourself with the contents before the meeting.
Also, we will be inducting to Wise Women those AUW members who have reached 80 years or more and who are not yet on our list. Please let us know who these women are at auwfirstuniv@gmail.com so we can celebrate this milestone.
You will find much more information at auwfirstuniv.org.
Please register here for the meeting:
| 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.
| | | | |
