The Weekly Liberal: June 12, 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! | |
Meet the Moment: Unitarian Universalists to gather for General Assembly | |
The first time I visited Minneapolis was in 2010. It was also the first time I attended our Unitarian Universalist Association’s General Assembly (“GA”). Almost every year since 2010, I have attended General Assembly as a delegate from my home congregation, Palomar Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, in Vista, CA (yes, I work remotely for First U!).
Each year, our Association of congregations invites all who are interested for several days of workshops, worship, and doing the business of our Association together. (Since COVID began, GA is a robust multi-platform event, so folks can gather in person or they can attend virtually.) UUs from all walks of life, from people in the pews to ministers and other church staff are there–numbering in the thousands. Congregations send delegates to represent them in the business of the UUA. We still have delegate slots available for First U–if you’re a member and you’re interested, email Rev. Ashley.
This year, General Assembly will take place in Baltimore, Maryland, for those of us attending in person.
Our GA theme is “Meet the Moment,” and I’ll be grateful to be in spaces with other UUs who are striving for that right now.
What will we be up to? A lot.
| | | |
June 14 is No Kings Day: Join First U Folks! | Make plans to attend the St. Paul "No Kings" rally this Saturday, June 14. | | | |
First U Foundation Grant Recipient in the News | A recent New York Times piece featured an organization supported by the First U Foundation... | | | |
June 15 | Blooming Together
One service at 10 a.m.
| |
Following our Flower Communion last Sunday, the bouquet becomes a metaphor for shared ministry—not simply showing up, but co-creating a sacred body. We will explore how shared ministry is living our theology together. It is not about guilt or obligation, but about reclaiming participation as joy, community, mutual trust, and transformation.
Join us at 10 a.m. in person or via livestream.
Sunday’s Order of Service (updated each week before worship)
| | |
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.
Please check the website and the Children, Youth, & Families calendar for more information.
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
June 22: General Assembly Sunday Worship | | |
NOTE: NO WORSHIP AT FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH ON SUNDAY, JUNE 22
Sunday, June 22, 10:00 am, Riverview Theater, Minneapolis
No RSVP Necessary - just mark your calendar and join us for this annual event!
Grab your popcorn and join other local UU congregations for a livestream of a powerful and communal experience – the largest annual gathering of Unitarian Universalists in worship. Every year, Unitarian Universalists from around the world gather in one place for several days of connecting, learning, worshiping, and doing the business together of our Unitarian Universalist Association of congregations. The Sunday worship that rounds out the UUA General Assembly is a powerful experience, with UUs attending together in person and virtually.
Pictured above: Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout leading the Ministers' Choir at GA several years ago
| | WATCH: The Annual Flower Communion at First U | | You can see past worship services and other video content: | | |
There are no Cycle of Life announcements for the community 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).
| | Ways to Connect at Church | |
Featured Summer Programs
Coming up in the next week or so:
| | |
My Parents Think They Are Wizards (Or Something)
Sunday, June 15, 22, 29, July 6, 13, 20, 27, 12-4 p.m. at church
RSVP Here
A place where kids can play pretend with other kids, and grownups can play pretend with other grownups. In one space, children enjoy a (supervised) playdate with other First U children. In another space, grownups enjoy a game that involves imagination, roleplay, and collaborative storytelling (and yes, most likely dice). Because everybody likes games, but different ages can have different needs, goals, and ways to play.
| | |
Summer Instrumental Music
Thursday evenings, beginning June 12, no meeting August 7, 14, or 21; 7-8:30 p.m. in the Cummins Room
RSVP Here
Calling instrumental musicians! This summer, we'd love to gather together and play music together. We have a handful of pieces to start with that can be played by flexible groups of individuals. We will be playing some high school-level music to start, with opportunities to split out into small ensembles depending on who joins up.
| | |
Crafting Group
Sundays, June 15, 29, July 6, 27, September 7, 21, 12-2 p.m. at church
RSVP Here
Are you creative/crafty/artistic (or would like to be!) and like to create in the presence of others? Let's meet up and be creative in community! Imagine: a drop-in space where you come with a project, or use materials from our pop-up free table (i.e., a spot we can bring craft items we no longer want or need, to pass to someone else, or to find a new project or hobby). Joy is an act of resistance and connecting with creative folks can be inspiring!
| | Coming up in the next few weeks | |
|
Summer Instrumental Music
Thursday evenings, beginning June 12, no meeting August 7, 14, or 21; 7-8:30 p.m. in the Cummins Room
| |
Crafting Group
Sundays, June 15, 29, July 6, 27, September 7, 21, 12-2 p.m. at church
| |
Responding to the Anti-Trans Movement
In collaboration with MUUSJA
June 17, 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
| |
Trans & Gender Expansive Support Group
Saturdays: June 22, July 27, August 24, September 28, 12-1:30 at church
| |
Getting to Zero Waste in Hennepin County
Wednesday, June 25, Dinner 5:15-5:45; event 6-7:30 p.m. at church, Room 209
| |
Kate Tucker Sermon Circles
Two groups will meet; choose the one that best fits your schedule. If both fit your schedule, please register for both, and you will be assigned to the one that will balance the numbers in each circle.
Circle 1: Thursdays, June 26, July 10 & 31, August 14 & 28, 7-8:45 p.m. on Zoom
RSVP Here for Circle 1
Circle 2: Sundays, June 29, July 13 & 27, August 10 & 24, 7-8:45 p.m. on Zoom
RSVP Here for Circle 2
| |  | |
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
| |
Friday First U Eco Screening: Food Inc 2
Friday, June 27, 4:30-6:30 p.m. in the Cummins Room
| |
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.”
| |
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
| |
Improv for Elders
Wednesdays, ongoing, 10:00-11:30 a.m. at church
| |
Qigong for Liberation
Thursdays; 4:00 - 4:45 p.m. at church
Facilitated by Denise Konen.
| |
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. | | Summer Needs: Joyce Uptown Food Shelf | | The need is great for nonperishable food. In 2024 a million pounds of food was distributed, which was an all time high. The number of families served in 2024 was up 84% from 2023. Currently they could use personal items: toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, conditioner, especially the hotel-sized ones. Please put your donations on the shelves in the church lobby. Your food insecure neighbors thank you. | | 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.
AUW ERA Minnesota Matching Donation Campaign
The AUW board, in considering the long history of AUW and its ongoing commitment to the rights of women and girls, to UU principles and the current threat to those rights and principles has decided to invest some of our financial reserves in a matching grant in support of ERA MN. AUW will invest up to $2000 of its reserve funds to match donations made between April 30 and June 15 by our members and friends through our website here.
Women Who Read
We read books written by women. RSVP to Abbie Finger. June 23 will be in-person only as we decide the books for next year.
The reading list for 2024-25 is posted on the AUW website here. Location of the in-person meeting is available to those on the mailing list. The Zoom version of the meeting convenes online at 7:00 pm; click here to join by Zoom.
| | 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.
| | | | |
