The Weekly Liberal: June 26, 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! | |
Meeting the moment, across our movement | |
I grew up attending a very small Catholic parish in rural New Mexico. Even now, when I close my eyes, I can see the way the light filtered through the sunset-colored glass behind the altar, and I can smell the dustiness of the clean but very old carpeting that covered the floors. We had a “cry room,” because in the Catholic tradition of my youth, reverence and faith included quiet—especially from children. I can picture my mother, leading hymns from the back of the sanctuary, her guitar and her voice ringing out.
When I came to the realization as a young adult that I was, in fact, an atheist, I struggled with what I believed that meant—that I had to relinquish my right to religious and spiritual community.
Then I found Unitarian Universalism: our beautiful, justice-seeking, sometimes messy living tradition where revelation is not sealed and all of us are capable of offering prophetic witness and caring ministry. I’ve been a member of my small congregation now for about 15 years, and I’ve also become a member of the wider movement of Unitarian Universalists, as a regular delegate and attendee to our annual General Assembly (“GA”)–which I attended in person in Baltimore last week.
So I’m here to give you a very brief report on GA, and to invite you think about attending—it will be an all-virtual event next year, which may make it easier to try out...
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Be a Booth Volunteer: Pride with MUUSJA | As LGBTQAI+ people's rights and identities are increasingly under attack, it's vital that we as people of faith and conscience live our values out loud, proudly and clearly. Let us share glittery blessings of belonging and love. And let us affirm in no uncertain terms our belief that LGBTQAI+ people are inherently whole and holy. | | | | |
Staff Holiday and Church Building Closed
June 30-July 5
- The church building will be closed
- We ask you to cancel or reschedule events at church, or that require staff support, during that time
- E-mail and phone calls to staff during that time will be returned after July 5
- There will be no church newsletter or family E-News that week
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We will have regular worship on Sunday, July 6 at 10 a.m., in person and livestreaming
- For pastoral care during the holiday week: call 612-825-1701 and press #4
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Job Opportunity at First U! Please share! | |
Intergenerational Justice, Service, and Leadership Coordinator
Interested parties should send a cover letter and resume to Allison Connelly-Vetter, Director for Children, Youth, and Family Ministries, at allison@firstuniv.org by end of day Sunday, July 13. This position will begin on or around August 1, 2025.
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June 29 | Pride Worship
One 30-minute service at 10 a.m.
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The Spirit moves through bodies that move. Love becomes real when we show up—together, on purpose, in public. That’s how transformation begins. That’s how faith lives in the world.
We start at 10:00 a.m. with a 30-minute worship service for all ages—no childcare, no coffee hour, just community grounded in music, story, and spirit. Everyone’s welcome in the sanctuary.
When service ends, head straight to the church parking lot to explore a pop-up display of electric vehicles. Our Environmental Justice Team has organized this special showcase to spotlight technology shaped with Earth care at the center. These vehicles are part of the same movement—justice, stewardship, imagination in action.
By 11:00 a.m., we move out together to join the Twin Cities Pride Parade. First Universalist will march as a group—joyfully, proudly, and visibly. Bring sunscreen, water, and anything you need to feel prepared and comfortable.
This is how we bless the world:
with our feet,
our breath,
our presence.
Come ready. Come proud. Come with us.
Twin Cities Pride Parade | Twin Cities Pride Festival | Parking and Transportation to Pride
| | Children and youth are welcome to attend this abbreviated worship with their families. We won't be offering childcare this Sunday. | | WATCH: The 2025 UUA General Assembly Sunday Morning Worship (livestreamed from our denomination's General Assembly in Baltimore, MD) | | You can see past worship services and other video content: | | |
Ron Adam's wife, Judy, died on June 10, 2025. The family invites you to celebrate Judy at a visitation Sunday, June 29th from 4:00 - 7:00 PM at Gearty-Delmore Park Chapel, 3960 Wooddale Ave. S. You are also welcome to join the family at Lakewood Cementary, Monday, June 30 at 9:00 am for Judy's burial.
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).
| | Ways to Connect at Church | |
Featured Summer Programs
Coming up in the next week or so:
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Twin Cities Pride Youth Night
Friday, June 27, 4-8 p.m. in Loring Park | Kids and youth ages 10 and up
Email Allison by Monday, June 23 to be on the list for logistics: allison@firstuniv.org
This will be a night of fun, activities, and entertainment for LGBTQIA+ youth ages 10-20, offering a safe and inclusive space for LGBTQIA+ youth to celebrate Pride. You can find more info on the event here.
Allison Connelly-Vetter and our OWL Program Coordinator Claire Tralle will be chaperoning a group of youth from First Universalist. We took a crew last year and everyone had a fabulous, sweet, age-appropriate experience!
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Friday First U Eco Screening: Food Inc 2
Friday, June 27, 4:30-6:30 p.m. in the Cummins Room | RSVP Here
Authors Michael Pollan (The Omnivore’s Dilemma) and Eric Schlosser (Fast Food Nation) take a fresh look at our vulnerable food system in the US. Since their first film, Food Inc., multinational corporations have created a highly efficient yet shockingly vulnerable food system dedicated only towards increasing profits that has robbed workers of a fair living wage and contributed to the global proliferation of ultra-processed foods along with a chemically formulated international health crisis. Food Inc 2 features innovative farmers, future-thinking food producers, workers’ rights activists and prominent legislators Senator Cory Booker and Senator Jon Tester who are facing these companies head on to inspire change and build a healthier, more sustainable future.
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First U Mini EV Showcase
Sunday, June 29, 11-1 in the church parking lot
Special presentation at 11:30 in the Cummins Room:
“Driving Electric” presented by our friend Brian Anderson from “Let’s Go Zero Carbon.” | RSVP Here
Thinking about making your next vehicle an electric car? Want to see many car options all in one place? Do you have questions about the pros and cons of driving electric? Join the Electrify Everything team for the Mini EV Showcase at First U on June 29. Eight First U community members will be showcasing their cars and be available to share their experiences driving electric. Want your car to be one of our showcased vehicles? Contact Todd Pierson or Lane Ayers.
| | Coming up in the next few weeks | | |
Trans & Gender Expansive Support Group
Saturdays: June 21, July 27, August 24, September 28, 12-1:30 at church
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My Parents Think They Are Wizards (Or Something)
Sunday, June 22, 29, July 6, 13, 20, 27, 12-4 p.m. at church
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Responding to the Anti-Trans Movement
In collaboration with MUUSJA
June 24, and July 1, 6:00-7:30 p.m. on Zoom or in person
RSVP Here to join online from home
RSVP Here to join the in-person gathering
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Twin Cities Pride Youth Night
Friday, June 27, 4-8 p.m. in Loring Park | Kids and youth ages 10 and up
Email Allison by Monday, June 23 to be on the list for logistics: allison@firstuniv.org
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Friday First U Eco Screening: Food Inc 2
Friday, June 27, 4:30-6:30 p.m. in the Cummins Room
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Crafting Group
Sundays, June 29, July 6, 27, September 7, 21, 12-2 p.m. at church
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First U Mini EV Showcase
Sunday, June 29, 11-1 in the church parking lot
Special presentation at 11:30 in the Cummins Room:
“Driving Electric” presented by our friend Brian Anderson from “Let’s Go Zero Carbon.”
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Summer Instrumental Music
Thursday evenings, beginning June 12, no meeting August 7, 14, or 21; 7-8:30 p.m. in the Cummins Room
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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
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Improv for Elders
Wednesdays, ongoing, 10:00-11:30 a.m. at church
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Qigong for Liberation
Thursdays; 4:00 - 4:45 p.m. at church
Facilitated by Denise Konen.
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Volunteer for Youth Camps!
Our First Universalist summer camps are filling up quickly, and you know what that means: we need more people-power to make it happen! We are looking for First Universalist community members to share their talents with our kids and youth during summer camp, which is the week of August 18-22. The world is your oyster: you could teach finger knitting, water painting, a new card game, a song or cheer, yoga, or another skill, or you could simply be an additional adult support person to Allison (elementary-aged campers) or Hirut (middle school aged campers) on one or more days of camp. We also need folks to prepare materials beforehand, clean up afterwards, and supervise lunchtime. Reach out to Allison allison@firstuniv.org if you can share your gifts of talents or time. We need YOU to make it possible!
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An Invitation from the Sanctuary & Resistance Team: Support Karen & Khloe | |
We know that summer can be a busy time. One way for folks to provide ongoing support for our Sanctuary and Resistance work is to acquire and drop off diapers, groceries, and personal items for Karen and Khloe while they are staying at our church.
Please sign up for a donation/volunteer slot. A few days before your drop-off day, you will receive an email from Emma Paskewitz with a more detailed list of what Karen and Khloe need that week.
Questions? Concerns? Please email Emma Paskewitz at elpaskewitz@gmail.com.
| | | | Show off your EV at church! | | Are you "driving electric" or sporting a plug-in hybrid EV? The EJ team is lining up cars for our June 29 mini-EV Showcase at church. Would you be willing to join our showcase? Slots currently available! Contact Lane Ayres for more details: lanebfa@gmail.com. | | Community & Affiliated Org Events | | First U Young Adults Invite the Church Community to Join in These Pride Events: | All ages are invited to attend the events listed below. If you're a young adult (folks in their 20s and 30s) and would like to meet up at any of these events, please join the Young Adults Interest List. | |
Pride Weekend
June 27-29, various times and places
Pride events are popping up daily! The Young Adults (adults in their 20s and 30s) of the church are planning to find times to group together and enjoy festivities together. If you would like to know when the Young Adults are planning to meet up, please join the Young Adults Interest List.
The Minneapolis People’s Pride
June 28, 12pm-4pm
The Minneapolis People’s Pride intends to be a space for all queer folks to experience joy, eat food, trade art, and various other activities. Making space for and feeding queer joy is a radical act of resistance that both uplifts the queer community and resists white supremacist heteropatriarchy. We aim to create a space for rest, collaboration, and love, centering those most marginalized and affected by systemic xenophobia.
Pride Parade - AC
June 29, 11 a.m.
Celebrate love, equality, and diversity at the Twin Cities Pride Parade, an iconic event renowned as one of the largest Pride Parades in the United States. With a vibrant procession down Hennepin Avenue, this annual extravaganza draws over 200,000 cheering supporters to champion LGBTQIA+ rights and visibility. Join us as we march forward, spreading joy, acceptance, and empowerment for all.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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