Getting Rest, Getting Ready

Dear Ones,

At seventeen, I walked the halls of McDonogh School in Maryland, unaware of the profound lesson awaiting me. One day, our choir director, Mr. Philip Olsen, was unexpectedly absent, and I was asked to step in as the conductor. Though the role was foreign to me, it became a moment that shaped my understanding of music and life.

When I stood before the choir, I realized it wasn't just about waving my hands or filling the room with sound. It was about the breath, the vital pulse that gave life to each movement. In that moment, Mr. Olsen's absence revealed a hidden gift. He saw the life force in my hands, the breath that made each gesture purposeful.

Whether or not there is breath in the hands will determine all that comes next. Everything, whether pristine, life-changing, mediocre, or forgotten, becomes known in this silent half-second that you might mistake for a last flash of dormant idleness. Breath in our hands is readiness. This subtle detail reveals a profound truth that extends beyond choral leadership. It forms the basis for our August theme and highlights the importance of creating space to prepare for the journey to come. A necessary grace must come first if our actions are to speak of more than beauty itself. This grace is essential to thrive in moments of transition and underscores the value of thorough preparation.

In 2002, I found myself caught between dreams and reality, chasing an ambition that wasn't truly mine. The dream of becoming a lawyer was my big cousin’s destiny. The law didn’t captivate me; the allure of clinking coins and the rhythm of affluence did.

Money, that crafty puppeteer, pulled my strings, guiding me toward dreams that held no personal reflection—merely shadows of societal expectations. Then, like a plot twist in a riveting play, a serendipitous encounter rerouted my path. My journey intersected with six wise beings, my fairy godmothers, who appeared when I needed them most, each echoing the same powerful insight.

The sixth in this line would be Mr. Olsen himself, whose version was, "Glen, you need to be a conductor." I found myself at an unexpected crossroads, where anticipation met action, and silence met music. Mr. Olsen's insight redirected my trajectory toward something deeply authentic, transforming borrowed dreams into a destiny that resonated with my true self.

August arrives, and so too, then, arrive the edges of lessons past and hopes as they nestle their thresholds snugly on one another. If we are hasty to move without careful grace, if we fail to breathe first, the power of our potential will surely dissolve before we even have time to miss it. However, concerted time in the space called “now” yields imagination and wisdom, raised spirits, and softened hearts yet again. And these are the very resources we will never succeed without.

Our collective journey as a congregation mirrors a choir poised for the first note. We infuse our actions with anticipation, each breath a testament to our preparation. We harmonize and resonate together, propelled not just by words and actions, but by the life force we breathe into them. Our intellectual rigor, philosophical insights, theological understanding, our calm, and the earth’s silence become the lenses through which we craft our collective wisdom. We learn again what we ought to chase, and which shallow prospects we should abandon to discover deeper truths.

August calls us to engage with renewed purpose, breathe life into our actions, and experience grace in transitional spaces. We nurture readiness, understanding that each breath holds the potential for a remarkable journey. Let us prepare, breathe deeply, and step forward together into the grace of readiness. I am inviting you to get ready—not just to succeed, but to get ready so that we might live in the peace of readiness.

Grace emerges from the spaces we create for readiness. As we journey through August, we embrace the theme of making space for readiness. In our anticipation-filled silences, the most beautiful harmonies come to life. From intentional silence to soulful orchestration, we shape our shared journey. Let us prepare, breathe deeply, and step forward together with grace.

Remember, we are holding it together—the force of life itself. Each breath you take holds the potential for a remarkable creation. In our readiness and our ability to interpret the silence, we find an orchestration of life, wisdom, and deeply felt harmony. Together, we navigate the journey of existence, transitioning seamlessly from the silence of preparation to the melody of action.



With anticipation and grace, in the pursuit of peace,

Glen Thomas Rideout

Director of Worship Arts Ministries

Registration for Children, Youth, & Family Ministries for the upcoming church year... and Summer Camp!

Intro

Getting Rest, Getting Ready

Sunday Worship

This Sunday, August 4

Upcoming Worship Info

August 18: Lake Harriet

Last Sunday's Recordings

Cycle of Life

Programs Calendar

Facilitate A Fall Program Family Book Club Octavia Butler Young Adults Mutual Aid Sunday School Playground Meetups Kids Camp

Meditation Group

Pastoral & Community Care

Grief Group

Faithful Action Election News Habitat

Plant-Based Potluck

News Child Dedication

Community Events & Affiliated Orgs:

DRUUMM, MNIPL, AUW, 12-Step Spirituality

Some email programs truncate long emails; watch for "message clipped; view entire message" or similar at the bottom of this email if you don't see all contents listed.

Interdependence and Getting Home Together

This Sunday, August 4, at 10 a.m. join us in person or online.

What does it mean to need each other? Not just in our heads and our theories, but in ways we can feel and perceive, even awkwardly and resentfully?

The Disability Justice movement teaches us the wisdom of interdependence, or, in other words, the truth that we need each other. Disabled folks live out interdependence every day. Interdependence doesn’t have to be scary or complicated: it’s as simple as driving each other home, or cooking each other comfort food. It’s as straightforward as soaking in each others’ bathtubs to ease our chronic pain, or playing with each other’s children so their parents can go to therapy. 

This Sunday, we’ll explore interdependence in one all-ages worship service at 10 a.m. Join us to sing, share, and wonder, bringing what we need and sharing what we have. Because the truth is we do need each other – even and especially when we don’t want to. Come, help us tell that truth together.

Mark Your Calendars

August 18: Lake Harriet Worship and Potluck

"Whole, Holy, and Worthy"

Sunday, August 18; 10 a.m. Worship; 11:15 a.m. Potluck

From the moment we are born to the moment we die, our Unitarian Universalist faith names each and every one of us as whole, holy, and worthy, welcome and wanted exactly as we are. And we all have room to grow. This is true throughout our lifespan. We are a community of individual and collective transformation - flowing and changing throughout our lives, never stagnant, always welcome and wanted, whole and holy and worthy, wherever we are on our journey. Join us this Sunday as we celebrate Child Dedication and as we welcome all those at Lake Harriet to the joy of our community.

Lake Harriet Potluck Planning Team

The potluck after Lake Harriet worship is a big endeavor that takes people power! The potluck planning team decides on and communicates who will bring what types of food, as well as recruits and organizes a clean-up crew for after the meal. Members of the team can expect to meet as needed before the event, and work until about 1:00 p.m. on August 18. Bonus if you have a vehicle in which we can transport potluck supplies to/from Lake Harriet. Email Building and Events Manager Jim Poulter to join the team! jim@firstuniv.org

No Worship Labor Day Weekend

Sunday, September 1: As a collective sabbath and an honoring of the need to rest and breathe before we begin a new turning of the church year, there will be no worship on Labor Day weekend.

IN PERSON AND ONLINE

In person and and livestreaming at 10 a.m. Watch the livestream here. 

Our digital order of service is available here. (Updated weekly before Sunday worship.)

Masks are welcome but not required in the sanctuary; please review our Covid-19 Gathering Guidelines.

CHILDREN & YOUTH 

From May 19 through Sept. 8, Religious Education is worship. There are no classes or formal curriculum. Kids and youth of all ages are invited to worship in the Sanctuary with their families.

In the summer months, childcare is available for children ages 6 months to Kindergarten in rooms 102 and 104 during Sunday worship from 9:45-11:15 a.m. 

The Cummins Room on Sunday mornings will have a worship livestream. It will not be staffed, and all children must be accompanied by one of their adults at all times.

Religious Education classes and curriculum resume Sept. 15. You can register now. We are looking for more volunteers to minister with our kids and youth in the Fall.

Contact Allison Connelly-Vetter, Interim Director of Children, Youth, & Family Ministries, with questions or for more information at allison@firstuniv.org.

AFTER WORSHIP

Coffee Hour in the Social Hall

Visit with old friends and meet new ones over coffee and cookies in our social hall.

A Place to Start

Immediately after worship in the Chancel Room, in person only

Are you new or new-ish to First Universalist and wondering where to begin? Here’s “A Place to Start!” Whether you're simply curious or are considering making this your spiritual home, in this casual, 45-minute class, you'll learn some of the basics of Unitarian Universalism, as well as how to get connected to what you’re seeking here at church. Meet at the front of the sanctuary immediately after the service on a first or third Sunday. No RSVP necessary. Facilitated by First U members.

Sunday, July 28: What We Have Learned

• Last week's worship on YouTube
• Podcast recording of full service
• Podcast recording of sermon

Click thumbnail for a YouTube recording of last week's worship

Podcast Archive | Video Archive | Sermon Archive

Our hearts are with Mary Novak and her entire family—Mary's father, David Novak, died unexpectedly this week during heart surgery, and she and her mother and brother, and her wife, Lisa, and children Amelia and Eliza are all reeling from the loss and shock. May they be held in love now and in the days to come.



The Caring Corner in the library has cards for those who want to send well wishes to people suffering or celebrating. Stop by the library to share a message of love and care.

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. Arif Mamdani at arif@firstuniv.org or 612-825-1701.

Welcoming Fall Program Proposals

Are you interested in facilitating a small group, workshop or event this fall at church? Let us know what you have in mind and let's work together to create rich and meaningful programs for the community. Program submissions are open now through August 26.

Submit a Program Proposal here.

First U Family Book Club

Friday, August 2 from 7-8 p.m.; on Zoom

REGISTRATION - please register to receive Zoom link.

Love to read? Want to connect with other kids who read at First U? We will be discussing HiLo: The Boy Who Crashed to Earth.

Facilitated by Rebecca Donley.

Octavia E. Butler’s “Parables” Summer Book Salon

Every other Monday at 6 PM under the tent—August 5 and 19. Drop ins welcome—join us!; 6-7:30 p.m. REGISTRATION

Let’s dig into these particular, timely novels written by Octavia E. Butler. We will deepen relationships and focus on how the ideas and insights expressed in these novels help to shape our individual and collective spiritual journey. It is not necessary to make it to the first gathering to join future ones, which will be arranged by the group and communicated as we go, so sign up if you’re interested in learning about any of the gatherings. We may meet by a lake, in a backyard, or a local coffee shop! Facilitated by Gary Hoover.

Young Adults

Young Adults are folks in their 20s and 30s in varying social/cultural life stages. We are in school, job-searching, and working, single, married, partnered and dating, with kids and without, newly moved to the area and longtime residents. We gather about twice a month at church and in the community for structured and unstructured conversation, spiritual practice, and activities. 

Let us know you're interested! 

Second Sundays Lunch at Gigi’s Cafe

August 11, Sept. 8; Right after worship, about 11:15 a.m.

RSVP Requested 

Gather in the Social Hall after worship to travel to nearby Gigi's Cafe for casual conversation and building friendships over lunch. If cost is a barrier, please do reach out to Rev. Ashley for resources!

Evening of Improv Games

Wednesday, August 21; 6-8 p.m. RSVP Requested 

Rev. Meg Riley will lead us in a fun evening of letting loose, being playful, and building off of each others’ creativity. There will be pizza available, too! Hosted by Zoey Lazere and Libby Crawford.

Mutual Aid Sunday School

Second and Fourth Sundays: Aug. 11 & 25, Sept. 8 & 22 

11:15 a.m.- 12:45 p.m. In person at church, on zoom as needed

REGISTRATION

This group will meet on second and fourth Sundays of the month in room 209 at First Universalist. Folks are welcome to drop in to these meetings, though registration is recommended to ensure for communication about meeting updates and changes.

Are you curious about mutual aid and community care? Want to learn together with members of First U as we practice new ways of living together? Join us for First U Mutual Aid Sunday School this summer, a program for adults who want to learn together about the history of mutual aid and community care and how we can build these practices into our daily lives. This study group may include readings, videos, podcasts and other sources and in true mutual learning form we'll build our curriculum together as we learn!

Facilitated by Rebecca Donley.

First U Playground Meetups

August 18 at Lake Harriet after lakeside worship and potluck; RSVP REQUESTED

Meet First U families at church after summer Sunday services, then walk together to a nearby playground suited for many ages and abilities for family fun and connection. Location will be communicated to those registered. Facilitated by Rebecca Donley.

First U Kids Camp

First Universalist Church Summer Camp

August 19-23; 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Register your child/ren here. 

Camp is open to children and youth who will enter 1st-8th grade next Fall (current K-7th graders).

• Morning drop off is at 9 a.m. Monday-Friday; pick up at 3:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday.
• On Friday, August 23, families are invited to join campers from 4-5 p.m. for an end-of-camp celebration with songs, art displays, and a special performance. 
• Campers bring their own snack, lunch and water bottle. An additional snack is provided. 
• Suggested donation is $100 per child. Please donate here and select "summer camp" from the drop-down menu.

Chalice Campers (1st-5th grade) and Adventure Campers (6th-8th grade) begin the morning together with an opening circle including chapel, songs, skits, and games. After the opening circle, Chalice Campers have a snack and play outside or head to a local park (weather permitting). They return to the church for lunch and afternoon activities including games, arts and crafts, choice play, and another snack. One choice for incoming 4th graders will be receiving two sessions of education about puberty and body changes based on Our Whole Lives curriculum. This is an opt-in program. Adventure Campers (6th-8th grade) spend the later morning in team building activities which nurture play, creativity, and collaboration. After lunch, Adventure Campers will spend more time creating, deepening relationships, learning, and having fun together. Chalice Campers and Adventure Campers end each day together with a closing circle which includes group reflection and songs. 

Tuesday Meditation Group

Weekly Practice: 8:45-10:15 a.m. online and in-person

You are invited to meditate with our lay-led practice group. None of us are experts. Our practices come out of our own experiences, and we share inspiration from many sources including Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, Pema Chodron, Thich Nhat Hanh, Tara Brach, Tai Chi, Loving Kindness, poetry and more. We don't follow one method or another, but we do share what we learn with each other. After meditation we practice deep listening to hear from each person, if they choose. No registration required. Email Sara McMullen for Zoom details.

Peer-Led Grief Group

1st and 3rd Sundays, 4-5:30 p.m. on zoom

A gathering for those who are grappling with the web of feelings associated with loss. A group of souls who share, listen and care. A community interested in exploring new life invitations. Come as you are, when you feel moved to attend on any or all dates. We will be here for you. Over the summer, facilitation is shared amongst group members.

Contact group member Kathie Simon Frank (kathie@umn.edu) for the zoom link and to be added to the contact list.

2024 Election News

Let’s Keep Up the “Good Trouble”

Recent developments in the Presidential contest have infused terrific energy into the race. And, the presidential election is just one of the many votes we are entitled to make. We only have 95 days until we vote, so it’s time to put our pedal to the metal for registering voters and encouraging them to vote.

This Wednesday, August 7, a training session is being held via Zoom, but members our Leadership Team are meeting at First U to attend the session together. We invite anyone interested in this first training session (sessions will continue right up until the

election. Details are below. PREREGISTRATION for the Zoom is required. If you want to join us live, we’d love to have you, but want to know you are coming. (We’ll make sure to have sustenance….) Just text Peg: 612-280-6119 or email pegmitch16@gmail.com.



Wednesdays and Fridays, 5-7pm, August 7th through November 1st:

Engage young, diverse, Minnesota renters and students to vote. REGISTER for details of statewide follow-up texting/voicemails to our "MUUSJA Postcard Buddies.”

WHERE: On Zoom statewide, with small groups at various congregations – First Universalist on August 7 – be among the first to be trained!

REGISTRATION (everyone MUST pre-register so we avoid trolls).

REMEMBER: August 13 is the Primary. If you aren’t sure of who, what or where, check it out.

Plant-Based Potluck with the EJ Team

Wednesday, August 7; 5:30- 7 p.m. Under the First U Tent RSVP Requested

Bring a plant-based dish to share to a lively gathering of UU friends old and new under First U’s backyard tent. All ages and families are invited! Leave with satisfied taste buds and a few tips from EJ Team Members on integrating food solutions into your life to cool the planet.

Habitat for Humanity

We had a good day at our July 29 Habitat build. Four church members were part of the “old guard” with years of experience volunteering with Habitat and five were enthusiastic newer members. At noon, Liz Perman provided a great lunch that was appreciated by all!

Photo here shows Kent Mhyman—definitely “old guard”—working with Maria Heath, one of our enthusiastic new members.

We do not have a work day scheduled for August, but we are starting to consider plans for this fall. More on this later.

Child Dedication

Would you like to celebrate a Child Dedication with your family at First Universalist Church?

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

Dedication at First Universalist Church will happen next on Sunday, August 18, at 10 a.m. at the Lake Harriet Bandshell during our annual Lake Harriet service. Children of members and those on the path to membership may be dedicated at First Universalist.

Please register your child(ren) for Child Dedication using this form. Complete a separate form for each child being dedicated.

DRUUMM Gathering for BIPOC

Minneapolis-St Paul Gathering

When: 09 Aug 2024 6:00 PM-9:00 PM

Where: Unity Church-Unitarian, 733 Portland Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55104

We are excited to invite you to the DRUUMM Minneapolis-St Paul Gathering Gathering for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), an evening of connection, healing, and spiritual growth within our BIPOC community in Unitarian Universalism, co-hosted with the UUA Thrive Youth & Emerging Adults of Color Program and local leaders.

Schedule:

6:00 PM: Dinner

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM: BIPOC Program

This gathering is an opportunity to deepen our relationships, energize our spirits, and nurture solidarity. We will start the evening with a communal potluck dinner (bringing a dish is optional; we will provide some food) and then move into a facilitated program that centers our diverse experiences and offers space for healing through community.

Note: The gathering is a designated BIPOC sacred space, reserved for UUs and those interested in exploring UUism who identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color. White parents of BIPOC children/youth are welcome to attend with your child/youth, mindful of the intention of this space.

Please confirm your attendance by August 7. Click here to RSVP, and scroll down until you see this event. Please reach out to UUA staff/event co-host Nico Van Ostrand (nvanostrand@uua.org) with any questions or for more information.

MNIPL - Spirit of Water

Saturday, August 10, 5:00 to 8:00 PM

Hidden Falls Regional Park St. Paul on Mississippi River

Join a broad community of people to celebrate Mississippi and our common love of water.

Connect, learn, play, and give thanks together.

ART SPEAKERS WORKSHOPS PUPPETS FOOD CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES LIVE MUSIC

AUW sponsors activities for people who identify as women, non-binary and/or gender fluid.

Renew AUW Membership - all AUW memberships (except Wise Women status) ended on June 30, 2024. Benefits of AUW membership include reduced registration rate to annual AUW Retreat, free lunch at our events, free or reduced price at paid AUW events, inclusion of your name in the AUW Directory and the knowledge that your membership helps keep AUW the wonderful organization it has been for over a CENTURY!

Here is a link.

AUW Postcard “Picnic”

August 10 - 1:30PM 

Not really a picnic: this will be your opportunity to write postcards in the company of your AUW friends to support the First Universalist "Good Trouble Congregation" effort and help defend democracy! Join us in the tent in the parking lot (weather permitting). Bring simple, non-messy snacks to share (not required), your favorite pen, and your smiling self for an afternoon of outreach to less likely voters to encourage them to exercise their right to cast a ballot in this fall's very important election.

Hiking Group: Meets most Saturdays at a park or trail head. For questions or to get on the hiking group mailing list, contact: Marie Sorensen, 612-419-3620,

mariefsor@aol.com, or Lynn Richardson 612-323-2776, Kalelynn19@gmail.com

In the event of thunder, lightning, or pouring rain, assume there will be NO hike. If it is drizzling, you can show up with a raincoat and see who else is hardy. Dogs are not invited to join us for hikes.

If anyone wants to volunteer to lead a “Hike With Friends”, let Marie know. It just means showing up at the meeting place or canceling a hike for bad weather.

August 3, 2pm. Normandale Lake. 8416 Chalet Road. Bloomington, MN. 84th and Chalet Road. Park in large the lot. Meet at Normandale Lake Sign on at lakeside. Marie will lead. 1.9 miles

August 10, 2pm Lake Harriet. Meet by the bandstand near the audience benches. Parking options include the pay lot or take your chances on the parkway. Allow extra time to get through the Hennepin/Lake construction. Marie will lead.

August 17, 2pm. Lake Nokomis. 4955 West Lake Nokomis Parkway. Parking options include the pay lot or take your chances on the parkway. Meet at the beach building with the turtle mural. Marie will NOT be there. We need a volunteer to lead.

August 24, 2 pm. Wood Lake Nature Center. 6710 Lake Shore Drive, Richfield. Meet the door to the interpretive center building. Flat walk. Marie will NOT be there. We need a volunteer to lead.

Game Group – Meets at the church on the second Thursday of each month to play board games and socialize. You are welcome to bring snacks to share and a game you would enjoy teaching others. To receive email updates, contact Anne Frenchick. The next Game Group meeting is August 8. If no one responds to Anne that they are coming, the Game Night will be canceled early that day. Please let Anne know if you plan to attend.

Women Who Read: We read books written by women. We host an in-person and a virtual meeting on the fourth Monday of each month. The next meeting will be August 26. Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng. Request an email invitation to our next meeting and be added to our email list by sending your name and email address to Abbie Finger. 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; the zoom meeting link is here.

Give or Take a Book!

To share books we love and build more literary connections, we are going to start a new project. If interested please bring 1-2 books (no more!) to share with someone at the monthly book club. If interested, pick a book to take home. Any questions or ideas contact Nora Whiteman cell 612-250-1661.

NOTE: This group will be meeting only on Zoom until October. We will return to meeting in person, with a Zoom option, in October.

These meetings are intended for people who are actively working any 12-step program. The program is focused on the 11th step and the practice of Centering Prayer Meditation. 

Weekly on Zoom 9:30 to 10:45 a.m.

More details about this group can be found here.



Church Office & Building Access

The church office is open on Wednesdays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. The door bells are not monitored outside of this time. Access to the building at times on other days can be arranged by contacting Jim Poulter, Building & Office Manager, at jim@firstuniv.org.

Based on ongoing monitoring of COVID levels in Hennepin County, masking is welcome, but not required, inside the building—including the sanctuary. Learn more about our Covid and Community safety policies on our website.