The Weekly Liberal: August 14, 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! | | From the Board: Participate in The Congregational Health Survey | |
The Board of Trustees is excited to be embarking on the 2025-26 church year. As a Board, our main goal is to ensure the successful progress of the church toward our Visionary Goals. These start with “The people of First Universalist practice Beloved Community among and beyond us.” As we look to set goals for ourselves as a Board for the coming year, we would like to better understand your thoughts and feelings about some topics related to how we practice Beloved Community.
The aim is not to generate a detailed, scientifically valid picture of congregational sentiment. Rather, the hope is to get a “finger in the wind” sense of where our greatest opportunities lie. We will use the information gathered in this survey, along with our own perspectives and those of the staff, to inform capacity building, policy development, and board activities and priorities in the year ahead.
Please take some time – about 10 minutes – to complete this survey. Your responses will be invaluable as we plan for the year, and will help us plan for the year ahead and better serve this church.
| |
Nurturing radical hospitality at church | Anyone-including newcomers!-can find their way into service at First U as greeters, ushers, and Newcomer Welcome Team members: | | | |
Be a part of our Children, Youth, and Families programs! | Service opportunity: Play and explore with our children and youth at First U: | | | |
August 17 | Abiding love and hope
| Abiding love and hope matter in these days—they name the kind of spiritual stamina communities need if they are to heal, grow, and endure. This love does not depend on perfect conditions or quick resolution—it stays present in the long stretch between hurt and repair, between loss and renewal. It’s what keeps people at the table after trust has been shaken, and what inspires them to keep tending the life of a community—teaching, caring, repairing, giving—through seasons of both weariness and joy. | | |
SUMMER: Religious Education is in worship through September 7. All ages and voices are welcome in the Sanctuary! Childcare will be available for ages 6 months through PreK in Room 104.
Registration is open for the upcoming 2025-2026 church year, which will begin in September. All families — new and returning, with babies through high schoolers — must register each church year.
| | Save The Date: Sunday, August 31 | Lake Harriet Worship | | |
Worship at the Lake Harriet Bandshell
Sunday, August 31 at 10 a.m., picnic to follow
The First U Building will be closed
Mark your calendars - more details to come!
| | WATCH: First U Newcomers Task Force member, Ginny Belden-Charles, invites us into a practice of radical hospitality | | You can see past worship services and other video content: | | |
There are no items for Cycle of Life this week.
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).
| | |
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
Diana Soran and Kyle Srivastava
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 | | |
Fall Program Submissions are open through August 24!
Submit an idea for a group or gathering at church:
| |
Featured Programs
Coming up soon:
| |
Join a Potluck on August 16 | Please review the potluck locations, times, and details and sign up to attend. Thanks for being part of our community! | | | |
First U Environmental Justice Community
Kickoff Potluck Gathering
Tuesday, August 26
5:30-7pm
Cummins Room
Hold this date to gather for food and fellowship and to kick off our fall First U EJ campaigns:
- Getting to Zero Waste/Closing HERC
- Embracing Plant-Based Climate Solutions
Come explore how to
- get involved
- stay connected
- take leadership
On climate issues you care about!
| | Coming up in the next few weeks | |
|
Caregivers Support Group
Sunday, Sept 14; 1:00 - 2:30 pm on zoom
Facilitated by Rev. Laura Smidzik.
| |
Trans & Gender Expansive Support Group
Saturdays: August 24, September 28, 12-1:30 at church
| |
Crafting Group
Sundays: September 7, 21, 12-2 p.m. at church
| |
Summer Grief Group
Aug. 3 & 17, Sept. 7; 4:00-5:30 p.m. on zoom
| |  |
|
Summer Instrumental Music
Thursday evenings, beginning June 12, no meeting August 7, 14, or 21; 7-8:30 p.m. in the Cummins Room
| |
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
| | |
Group Spiritual Support: Fatigue and The Long Haul
Thursday, August 28, 2025 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM CT
Virtual/Online
| | |
Training: Responding to the Anti-Trans Movement
Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025 • 6:00-8:00 PM CT
Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025 • 6:00-8:00 PM CT
Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025 • 6:00-8:00 PM CT
Virtual/Online
| | |
Dedicate a Flower Arrangement
“I Love You, Thank You, I/we Honor You, Happy Birthday or Happy Anniversary,” and more can all be said with a simple bouquet. If you would like to celebrate or mark one of life's many passages with flowers, contact Marjie Smith: marjiesmith1@gmail.com.
A Visual Arts Team member would be happy to create a bouquet to be displayed in the sanctuary during an upcoming Sunday Service. You may take the flowers/bouquet home after the service. It's a fairly painless process so give it a try!
| | |
One Million Rising Resistance Gatherings
Ready to stand up for democracy? First Universalist congregants are hosting gatherings to learn noncooperation techniques to resist attempts to undermine democracy. This is part of One Million Rising from Indivisible, the group behind the No Kings rally. Each of the three small-group gatherings will cover the same material, so choose the one that works best for you.
One remaining gathering:
RESCHEDULED Friday, Aug 15, 10:0am Potluck Brunch
Hosted by: Karen Wills (IndivisibleSouthMetroMN@gmail.com)
Where: Bloomington
RSVP Here
| | |
August 1-22: No in-person gatherings at church, except worship
If you have a group, gathering, or meeting scheduled at church between August 1 – 22, we ask you to reschedule, gather virtually, or meet off-site instead. We have multiple summer camp programs taking place during that time, and our space will be filled with children and youth, and all sorts of summer camp equipment. Thank you so much for helping to make space for these wonderful and affirming programs at church.
| | 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.
| |
Association of Universalist Women
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.
| | | | |
