The Weekly Liberal: April 2, 2026

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P.S. If you’re looking for human connection as part of your spiritual practice this season, this Saturday, April 4, there are several Circle Suppers happening around town—RSVP here to share a meal with other First U congregants. Also, this Sunday, April 5, beginning at 2 p.m., “Connecting with meaning in uncertain times,” a small group hosted by First U congregant Rachel Bialostosky, will have their first gathering. Learn more and RSVP here.

Here's what's coming up for Children, Youth, & Families at First Universalist:



• Sunday, April 5: Common Ground Sunday: All ages begin in worship before gathering together in Cummins Room during both 9 & 11 a.m. services.
• Wednesday April 8: Community Dinner + All-Ages Programs
• Friday, April 10 - Saturday, April 11: 8th/9th Grade OWL Spring Overnight
• Sunday, April 12: Intergenerational Worship at both 9 & 11 a.m. services - New Member Sunday + Child Dedication. RE is Worship - nursery-PreK childcare provided; no classes.
• Sunday, April 19: Regular Sunday: Religious Education in Classrooms at both 9 & 11 a.m. services. 
• Wednesday, April 22: Middle + High School Youth Groups, 7-8:15 p.m.
• Saturday, April 25: Saturday Sprouts for Families (10 a.m.-12 p.m.) and Coming of Age Nature Vigil (1-4 p.m.)
• Sunday, April 26: Youth Sunday Worship led by the High School Youth Group at 9 & 11 a.m. Religious Education in Classrooms at both 9 & 11 a.m. services.

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.

Spring Child Dedication

Sunday, April 12, 9 and 11 a.m.

Child Dedication is a beloved ritual of our congregation and many Unitarian Universalist congregations. In Child Dedication, our congregation pledges itself to partner with parents and families in the religious upbringing of their children. We promise to support the family as their child grows. Child Dedication is a community event, honoring an intentional and ongoing relationship between families and our religious community. 

Child Dedications take place twice each year during a Sunday morning worship service. Our next Child Dedication service is coming soon on Sunday, April 12, at both the 9 and 11 a.m. worship services. Children of members and those on the path to membership may be dedicated at First Universalist. After April, our next Child Dedication will take place in Fall 2026.

If you are interested in having your child/ren dedicated in our upcoming service on April 12, please let us know:

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:

No Están Solos: An Emma's Revolution Rent Fund Benefit Concert

Saturday, April 11, 7 pm CST

at First U and livestreaming (with replay)

Find out more about Emma's Revolution

Don't miss this opportunity to experience the exceptional musical talent of Emma's Revolution LIVE at First Universalist! Livestreaming is also available! Your ticket purchase will support rent funds for folks here in the Twin Cities.

If you can help by volunteering on the day of the event, please send an email to Kit Ketchum: kit@firstuniv.org.

“We the People: Singing & Speaking Truth” 

Sunday, May 3, 4:00 pm, First Universalist Church

Produced by Lori Dokken

***Ticket link coming soon***

Please join us for an uplifting, provocative and inspiring concert event that will include spoken word from sources, documents and people such as: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Amanda Gorman, Maya Angelou, Hannah Arendt, Timothy Snyder, The Constitution and The Declaration of Independence. These reflections will be surrounded by musical selections made popular by Alicia Keys, Joni Mitchell, The Beatles, Sam Cooke, Buffalo Springfield, Brandi Carlile, Bob Dylan and more.

Sunday Worship

Sunday, April 5

A UU Easter

Two worship services:

9 a.m. in person

11 a.m. in person and livestreaming

This week, Ramadan’s fasting gives way to feast and Passover’s story of liberation begins again. This weekend, we celebrate a UU Easter,  gathering to honor the resurrection of naming each other’s holiness. We hold the ancient Jesus story against the backdrop of our own tyrannical times: crucifixions and abductions still carried out by federal agents, trans beloveds “unnamed” by the state. And still—resurrection is already happening, and always has been: in every act of naming that restores dignity, in every community that refuses erasure, in every future we dare to call into being by rising together. Come practice that resurrection among us.

Join the Pickup Choir this Sunday! 

10:15 in the Sanctuary - sing in the 11 a.m. service

No RSVP Needed | All are welcome!

This Sunday is a Common Ground Sunday. 

At both services, all children and youth in grades K-12 begin in worship and are dismissed as a group to the Cummins Room early in the service. Kids in PreK and younger can be dropped off in room 104 as early as 15 minutes before the start of each service. On Common Ground Sundays, all kids and youth can attend either service time, regardless of when they are registered or typically attend.

Common Ground Sundays take the place of typical Religious Education programming. In the Cummins Room, kids and youth will have time to worship, explore, create, and play centered around the UU symbol of the chalice. Learn more about Common Ground Sundays here.

You may pick up your child or youth from the Cummins Room at 10:30 a.m. or 12:30 p.m., not before, even if worship has ended.

In Case You Missed It:

Last Sunday, March 29

You can watch past worship services and view other First U video content:

Cycle of Life

Lynn Broaddus and Marc Gorelick are thrilled to share the news that their son and daughter-in-law, Evan Gorelick and Katie O'Connell, welcomed their first child, Joseph Patrick Gorelick, into the world on Saturday, March 21. A baby naming ceremony was held at their home in Chicago on March 28. 

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 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. Contact Rev. Laura if you are in need of meals to help you through a transition. 

Help with Rides, Chores, or Companionship During Worship

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

Ways to Connect at Church

Featured Programs

Join a Circle Supper Potluck

Saturday, April 4, various times

A number of congregants are hosting "circle suppers" at their homes. Dinners are in Minneapolis, Richfield, Minnetonka, and Hopkins. Bring a dish to share and get to know people from First Universalist over a meal. You will be contacted by your host with specifics once you have signed up. 

Connecting with meaning in uncertain times  

Sundays, April 5, 12, 19, and 26, 2:00-3:30, at church | RSVP Here

This group will focus on connecting with sources of meaning in these times of uncertainty using a model based on "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl. Together, we will use structured questions and self reflection to identify how we can face these uncertain and painful times in ways that feel grounded in our values and sense of meaning; While we cannot control the limitations that we face in our lives, we have autonomy in how we respond. Facilitator Rachel Bialostosky is a licensed independent clinical social worker who is trained in Meaning Centered Psychotherapy for individuals living with serious illness and this group will be based on that format.

Medicines for the Long Dark:

Sharing Circles to Hold These Times of Turmoil

Sharing Circle 4: Wednesday, April 8, 7:00 pm after Community Dinner, Room 207, with Rev. Ruth

Beyond Philanthropy: What does sharing financial resources look like for you?

Tuesdays, April 14, 21, 28, and May 12,19; 7:00 to 8:45 p.m. at church, Room 207 | RSVP Here

This is a group for folks who wrestle with questions of money, wealth, sharing resources and our work of creating the world we want to live in. This topic can evoke discomfort, guilt or shame, comparison and irritation with donation culture. What if we started with gratitude to explore just how we want to relate to our resources? This group will begin with gratitude and use story, spiritual and embodiment practices, and deep listening to ask (with open, honest hearts) what it means to have more than we need, what is wrong with donation culture, are there other models for sharing and what is my personal sharing compass. One session will be devoted to church stewardship. Facilitated by Karen Heegaard and Drew Rosielle.

Daytime Connections for Older Adults

Organized and hosted by the Daytime Connections Planning Team

Thursday, April 16, 9:45 a.m. coffee, 10-noon program, Noon lunch, in person in the Social Hall and on Zoom | RSVP Here

Help! What Does an Executor Do?

A local estate planning lawyer will describe the duties of an executor of a will and the information needed to make this process go smoothly. You will see one of the many products available to help organize your documents, Time for Q and A.

Daytime Connections for Older Adults empowers older adults to live intentional, joyful, purposeful and spiritually fulfilled lives, by building a vibrant community and providing engaging programming that promotes conscious aging and fosters personal and spiritual growth. Registration Requested by the Monday prior. (Suggested donation for provided lunch is $0-20 as you are able. Attendees are also welcome to bring their own lunch.)

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)

Speed Bingo

Saturday, April 11, 12pm, at Sociable Cider Works

RSVP to Unique: 806-316-9660

Second Sunday Early Adult Brunch & Summer Planning Meeting

Sunday, April 12, After second service, at Pizza Luce

RSVP to Corey/Maria: 715-451-6131 

Coming up:

Medicines for the Long Dark:

Sharing Circles to Hold These Times of Turmoil

Sharing Circle 3: Thursday, April 2, 10:30 am (in person)

Sharing Circle 4: Wednesday, April 8, 7:00 pm after Community Dinner, Room 207

Connecting with meaning in uncertain times  

Sundays, April 5, 12, 19, and 26, 2:00-3:30, at church | RSVP Here

Resistance Reflection Circle

Friday mornings, 9-10 a.m. on Zoom | RSVP Here

First U Instrumental Music

Additional Spring dates TBD, 1:30-3 pm, at church

Community News & Needs

Center Down, Rise Ready Noncooperation Trainings

Two trainings coming up:

Thursday, April 9, 5pm - 7:30pm

Thursday, May 14, 5pm - 7:30pm

Presented by Center Down Rise Ready, a branch of MARCH (Multifaith Anti-racism, Change and Healing) 

Dinner will be served, childcare is available.

Winnie the Pooh tells us: “You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” We trust in these words from Winnie the Pooh. We are a movement of spiritually minded folks that are grounded in love, courage, faith, and humility. Join us for a workshop to learn about a national noncooperation strategy and growing movement. We explore the power of collective noncompliance and mass noncooperation. This training is from the Freedom Trainers noncooperation curriculum and will be infused with a spiritually minded and expansive theological framework. All are welcome to this event, whether you identify as someone who is a person of faith or not, Atheist or believer, this is a welcoming space for all who believe in the worth and dignity of every human.

Request for Prom Clothes for Augsburg Fairview Academy (AFA)

First Universalist Church will host AFA’s third annual prom in our social hall on April 18. The school has requested donations of gently used prom clothes:

"Our students are starting to get really excited for prom, and we want to help make sure everyone has the chance to attend feeling confident and dressed for the occasion. Our theme this year is the 80's with a ton of vibrant colors.” 

Donations can be made on Sundays: March 22, March 29 and April 5. Requested items (not limited to 80’s attire) are:

• Prom dresses
• Dress pants
• Blazers or suit jackets
• Dress shirts
• Dress shoes and accessories

Please donate only clean and unwrinkled clothes in good repair. Please contact Cindy Marsh if questions at cindy.marsh2588@gmail.com; she is also seeking volunteers who can help take donations from Church to AFA (3109 50th St E, Mpls., 55417).

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 Website

2026 AUW Spring Retreat “Belonging”  

Keynote speaker: Rev. Karen Hutt 

Registration for the Spring Retreat is now closed. 

For those of you who registered for the retreat, you will find information about what to know before you go, the programming schedule, and workshop descriptions on the AUW web page.

Registration is closed. See you there!

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.