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November 7, 2019 | Vol. 6 No. 45
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Reflections on the Harper-Jordan Memorial Symposium, "Proclaiming a Black Unitarian Universalist Theology"
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Rev. Jen Crow, Co-Senior Minister |
Last week, the Twin Cities were host to an historic event in Unitarian Universalism - the first ever Harper-Jordan Memorial Symposium convened by BLUU (Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism),
Proclaiming a Black Unitarian Universalist Theology.
For 4 days, Black Unitarian Universalists shared their lived experiences, beliefs, theologies, and spiritual practices. Our adjunct minister, the Rev. Karen Hutt, presented at the symposium, and First Universalist member, Lena K. Gardner, continues to lead and support BLUU in collaborative and innovative ways.
Attending the closing worship service last Saturday healed my heart. As I entered that space, I felt clear that as a white Unitarian Universalist, my job was to sit back and listen, to sing and participate, to worship, and to no way be in charge of anything except noticing my own thoughts and feelings. This service was not in fact for me, but it healed me all the same. We were led by so many amazingly talented Black and often queer religious professionals and musicians. Those who are so often pushed to the margins took their rightful place in the center.
The wisdom and lives of our ancestors were welcomed in, and appreciation was given - not only for those who came before us, but for the younger ones who are teaching us, too. Early on in the service, everyone was invited to move to the edges of the sanctuary - each individual out there on the edge became one small piece of the larger circle that would hold our personal and collective experience. A candle was passed around the circle, hand to hand and person to person, until the flame moved forward first to light the BLUU chalice, and then to light the chalice of Unitarian Universalism. We acknowledged the light of each individual, the light of this powerful Black-led Black-focused collective within Unitarian Universalism, and we acknowledged the light of Unitarian Universalism that holds us all. We sang to each other as the light moved, promising to hold one another in love, promising to see all of who we are.
This is the kind of Unitarian Universalism that I want to support and build and live within. This is the kind of church we are striving to create. May we live true to the words of Starhawk that we so often say in our services at First Universalist, creating a community where "
a circle of hands will open to receive us, eyes will light up as we enter, and voices will celebrate with us whenever we come into our own power."
In faith and hope,
Rev. Jen
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 Sunday, Nov. 10, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
"Doin' Church"
Rev. Ruth MacKenzie
What are the spiritual muscles we need to exercise in order to take our place and make room? How do we tone up our aerobic capacity to lift up the whole of our stories, take in the whole of another's story, the particular of our community's story, and within the context of our national story? This week, we will talk about the meaning of "reparations," and develop a musculature to hold "the full acceptance of our collective biography and its consequences (Ta-Nehisi Coates)." As a people of faith, we listen to where love is taking us next in all the complexity, pain, joy, failure, and richness of our multifaceted stories. Join us for worship at 9:30 or 11:15 a.m.
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On the Podcast:
Rev. Justin's sermon "You Reading This, Be Ready"
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Sermon summary & reflections by Liz Farmer:
In her most recent sermon, Rev. Karen asked memorably, if being a UU was illegal, would there be enough proof of your faith to convict you? This week, Rev. Justin similarly asks, does your life give any evidence of an encounter with the divine? I'm starting to realize that "evidence" inherently means more than simply what we think of ourselves in our heads - it means it's verifiable by others. Evidence, in this case, includes (but is not limited to) our repeated behavioral patterns. Walking your talk. Is your "walk" driven by your ego or by an encounter with God/Source/Creator? Responding with our ego could look like resorting to criticism, giving unsolicited "expert opinions," or even staying silent. In a white supremacist culture that prioritizes knowing with our heads over knowing with our hearts or bodies, it's sometimes easier to talk about our faith correctly than it is to truly experience it. Experiencing it could mean forgoing perfection, letting emotions run their course, or speaking even when our voice shakes. Rev. Justin encourages us to be like mystics, whose "walks," rather than checking for the pulse of life, encounter the divine by being in the hard-working, life-sustaining, squeezing, releasing, unrelenting heart itself. When living out the UU faith, inconvenient as it may be in any given situation, try to notice: are you in? Are you in the muscle of the moment, creating the evidence, or observing it from a safe distance? Listen to the podcast here.
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Sunday, Nov. 17, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Rev. Justin Schroeder
Sunday, Nov. 24, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Rev. Jen Crow
Sunday, Dec. 1, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Arif Mamdani
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"You Reading this, Be Ready"
- Rev. Justin Schroeder
"History Is What We Make"
- Rev. Karen Hutt
"Where the Sky Meets the Sea"
- Arif Mamdani
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November Worship Theme:
Taking Our Place and Making Room
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What needs to happen right now?
" What would it be like to pause and risk asking ourselves this question instead of following the same old patterns, leading us to the same old place again and again? What would it be like to evoke a sense of "stepping back"- or perhaps stepping more fully and consciously in - attentively observing our own reactions and the dynamics of a situation or group? What would it be like to be open to an answer? Asking ourselves this question, paying attention to our bodies, the constrictions or the ease, making room for the still small voice within - and beyond - is part of our work as a faith community committed to racial justice. Sometimes, we need to take our place and speak up when we've been culturally conditioned to remain silent. Sometimes we need to make room instead of reflexively taking up space. Taking our place and making room is always dynamic. Your place may be at the back of the room, or at the front of the line. As people of faith we are called to hold the spiritual question:
What needs to happen right now?
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A Holiday Blessing: Hosting Families Moving Forward
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 We feel truly blessed to welcome Families Moving Forward families to First Universalist over the holidays - Dec. 22 - Jan. 5. We will provide housing to four families who are in transition, seeking a permanent home. We will convert our classrooms to bedrooms and strive to provide radical hospitality during a season which is challenging for so many - even those of us who have a comfortable home.
We encourage families and individuals to sign up for an entire evening - from preparing dinner through an overnight stay - and then consider repeating that experience the following week. Why? It gives both our guests and our volunteers an opportunity for real connection. This is just a suggestion, so please know we welcome
whatever commitment
you can make to bringing hospitality and the spirit of the season to those who are waiting to call a permanent place of living, "Home."
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 Whether you have been at First Universalist for many years or are new to the church, consider joining the usher team! There is a great need for people to help usher Sunday services and upcoming holiday services. If you're good at making people feel welcome and would enjoy helping our worship services run smoothly, consider joining us!
Need convincing? Watch the recently-retired Sandy DiNanni make a pitch for ushers and greeters at her retirement party here. (That's Sandy for you... looking out for this community that she loves so much, even on her last day!)
For information on what exactly an usher does and how you can help, please contact Karen Larson at karentischlerlarson@gmail.com or sign up in the social hall. You can even test-drive being an usher if you'd like. We'd love to show you what we do!
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UPCOMING HAPPENINGS & EVENTS
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Young Adults Board Game Night
Friday, Nov. 8, 6:30 p.m., LynLake Brewery
The First U Young Adult group is co-hosting a board game night at LynLake Brewery with HumanistsMN! If you are in your 20s or 30s, come by the brewery for an evening of board games and socializing! Contact Claire Nyquist at clairenyquist@gmail.com for more info.
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Racial Justice & Our UU Faith Workshop
Saturdays, Nov. 9 & 16, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Join us for an interactive, reflective two-part workshop exploring a framework and tools for understanding race, racism, and whiteness and the spiritual imperative that drives our racial justice work.
Register here.
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"The Indian System" Film Screening
Sunday, Nov. 10, 1 p.m., Room 200
"The Indian System," a film by Sheldon Wolfchild, chronicles the history of the U.S. government's system of abuse designed to exterminate Native Americans from the beginning of colonialism through the mid-20th century. Sheldon Wolfchild will lead a discussion after the film.
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Thursday, Nov. 14, 4-5:30 p.m.
The path of caregiving is a journey in which we learn to love and how to be loved and nurtured in order to sustain our spirits and our bodies. It is profoundly spiritual. Rev. Ruth MacKenzie leads this monthly drop-in group for caregivers where we can bring the joys, the hurts, the challenges and discoveries of what it is to walk a path of caring for a loved one, and to hold our tears and laughter as we learn to be loved.
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Peace Circle Workshop: "Depolarizing Within: Becoming a Better Angel in Your Own World" on Nov. 16
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Saturday, Nov. 16, 9 a.m. to noon
Much of today's epidemic of toxic polarization is driven by how we talk with like-minded people about those on the 'other side'. This workshop, led by Carol Marchel, will: help you become more aware of polarization inside you and between us, teach you skill for being critical without demonizing or dismissing, and help you learn how to intervene in constructive ways in social conversations that veer into contempt and ridicule.
Learn more and register here.
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Sunday, Nov. 17, 12:45 p.m.
Are you in your 20s or 30s? Join the First Universalist Young Adults group on Sunday, Nov. 17 for the next group lunch! Join us for lunch and conversation after the 11:15 a.m. service on the 3rd Sunday of every month. This is a casual "come when you can" social opportunity- no sign up required! Meet at 12:45 p.m. at the info desk in the Social Hall before heading out. Email Gordon Loery at
gloery945@gmail.com
with questions.
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"Icebox" Film Screening & Discussion
Sunday, Nov. 17, 1-3:30 p.m. or
Thursday, Nov. 21, 6:30-9 p.m.
A 12-year old Honduran boy is forced to flee home and seek asylum in the U.S., only to find himself trapped in a child detention center. While this powerful movie is a fictionalized account, the narrative and characters were inspired by personal stories told to its writer during years of research and outreach. In Spanish (primarily) w/ English subtitles.
Film screenings are drop-in events facilitated by members of our Racial Justice Education Team. Light snacks provided.
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Daytime Connections: Caregivers
Thursday, Nov. 21, 10:45 a.m.-2 p.m.
Are you a caregiver? Calling all present and future caregivers to a supportive program that explores the burdens and blessings of caregiving. Draw on our panel's experiences and your own to learn and share about caregiving challenges and rewards. Panel will include Rev. Ruth MacKenzie and members Rick Naymark, author of
Alzheimer's Gifts, and Pam Sanchez.
Through Daytime Connections, older adults empower each other to live intentional, joyful, purposeful, and spiritually fulfilled lives. Lunch follows the program at 1 p.m. ($5-15 donation encouraged). Please register
by Monday, Nov. 18
here
or by calling 612-825-1701.
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Workshop: Inviting the Truth to Join You
at Your Thanksgiving Table
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Saturday, Nov. 23, 9 a.m. to noon
We all know the story we were taught about the first Thanksgiving. If it was ever true, it was certainly an exception to what our white forebears did to the Indigenous people who first lived on this land. While it is very important that we give thanks and find gratitude for what we have in our lives on this holiday, it is also important we learn to sit with this larger truth.
But how do we go beyond knowing this as a fact and live with the uncomfortable truth so deeply that it transforms us?
Join this workshop with Pastor Jim Bear Jacobs, of MN Council of Churches, and First Universalist member Patrick Dougherty to explore how we as a faith community can become more grounded and embodied in ourselves and with each other so that we can hold these difficult truths not just in our heads, but in our hearts and in our everyday lives.
As we build our capacity to hold these truths more fully and more deeply, we increase our ability to work with the natural feelings of overwhelm that come up when we try to live in and create a society with a more just relationship to the land and Indigenous people in our community.
Registration is requested for planning purposes, but not required.
Sign up here! There is no charge to attend, but freewill donations will be collected.
Jim Bear Jacobs is a member of the Stockbridge-Munsee Mohican Nation, and has degrees in Pastoral Studies and Christian Theology and has served various churches. He is a cultural facilitator in the Twin Cities and works to raise the public's awareness of American Indian causes and injustices. He is a convener of "Healing Minnesota Stories," a committee dedicated to creating events of dialogue and education particularly within faith communities.
Patrick Dougherty is a psychologist, a Vietnam veteran, and member of an international group dedicated to creating methods and protocols to help communities heal from unprocessed collective traumas. His work focuses on helping himself and other white Americans find ways to process the price of white privilege on other groups and themselves and to find ways to actually live in a world of peace, liberty and justice for all.
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Sunday, Dec. 1, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Social Hall
The Alternative Gift Fair will be held in the Social Hall on Sunday, Dec. 1 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This year's vendors include:
Under on Roof (Self- Sufficiency program of SAYFSM),
Mano a Mano,
Frybread Love/Project Offstreets,
Tibet Arts@the Midtown Global Market,
Sanctuary and Resistance Team,
Enchanted World Gallery,
Books for Bassodawish,
Honor the Earth, and
Winter Warm-up for Lovely. Read about each of these vendors here.
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An Aloha Luau Honoring Sandy DiNanni
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Thank you to everyone who turned out to celebrate Sandy DiNanni on Sunday, Oct. 27! Her Aloha Luau, marking her move into retirement, was filled with love, laughter, and gratitude for her 18 wonderful years with First Universalist Church. View photos from the party here.
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Hats for the Homeless: Give the Gift of Warmth
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Now in its 11th year, the The Hats for the Homeless project calls on First Universalist knitters to knit beautiful hats to sustain our tradition of bringing warmth and love to our neighbors experiencing homelessness. We need hats for school aged children, women, and men. Donated hats, scarves, and mittens will be distributed to schools, shelters, and community resources. If you are not a knitter, purchased items are appreciated too.
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Child Dedication 11/03/19
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Four children were joyfully dedicated this past Sunday in worship, including this little one.
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How Do the Arts Help Us on Our Life Journey?
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The Unitarian Universalist Church of Minnetonka invites you to their 2019 UUCM Men's Workshop on Saturday, Nov. 23.
Bring your stories; share how the arts help guide your journey.
Helping explore this topic will be two experienced practitioners and teachers in the creative arts:
J.P. (Jay) White, poet, author and educator, "
Daily Practice & Creative Flow"
Paul Winchester, composer, performer, conductor, educator, "
Composing One's Thoughts"
Coffee will be served at 8:30 a.m. and there will be interactive presentations from 9 a.m. to noon. This event is open to all
those over 18 who identify as men, and will be held at
the Unitarian Universalist Church of Minnetonka.
A suggested registration of $10 will be collected at the event.
Sign up here
or by e
mailing
gcharles.mn@gmail.com
to reserve your spot.
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Interfaith Thanksgiving Worship Service at St. Mark's
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Annual Downtown Interfaith Thanksgiving Worship Service
Thursday, Nov. 28, 10 a.m.
St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral, 519 Oak Grove Street, Minneapolis
Preacher: Imam Makram El-Amin of Masjid An-Nur in North Minneapolis
Join in solidarity with the Twin Cities Interfaith Community to celebrate God's generosity and to express our gratitude in story and song. This annual event is shared among the downtown Jewish, Christian, and Islamic faith communities of Minneapolis, whose clergy gather throughout the year for shared learning, mutual support, and common mission. This is an opportunity to bring those communities together in recognition of the many ways we're bound together in life, work, and witness. This year's event will be hosted by Saint Mark's Episcopal Cathedral and our preacher will be Imam Makram El-Amin of Masjid An-Nur in North Minneapolis. Doors open at 9 a.m. Experience the beauty of St. Mark's historic worship space. Walk the Labyrinth in the Bishop Henry Whipple Chapel.
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Cycle of Life and Pastoral Care
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Let Us Keep You in Our Thoughts and Prayers
If you are experiencing a crisis or transition, or celebrating a joy, please let us know. To be included in our Cycle of Life each Sunday in worship, contact Rev. Ruth MacKenzie at
ruth@firstuniv.org or 612-825-1701. If you would like support, call the office at 612-825-1701 or contact any member of our
Pastoral Visitors Team. If you call outside of office open hours, follow the prompts for pastoral care on the recording.
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Space Reservations for Meetings and Events
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Are you responsible for reserving meeting space for a church committee you serve on? Are you a volunteer planning a church-sponsored event?
Spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and requests must be communicated to Events Coordinator Lucia Webb.
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Join Our Mailing List
Subscribe to
The Weekly Liberal
here.
Sign up to receive our weekly Children Youth & Family Ministries news
here.
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Church Office Hours
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Sundays 9
a.m.-1 p.m.
Monday - Thursday
9 a.m.-8 p.m.
Closed Fridays and Saturdays
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Weekly Liberal Submissions
We encourage you to submit news!
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Contact Us
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First Universalist Church of Minneapolis
3400 Dupont Ave. S.,
Minneapolis, MN 55408
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First Universalist Church of Minneapolis
3400 Dupont Avenue S.
Minneapolis, MN 55408
612-825-1701
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