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Sunday Worship for March 8, 2015
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Join Rev. Elaine Aron Tenbrink for her sermon,
"How the Light Gets In"
For additional information, and to access the Sunday Order of Service online, click
here
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Grace is an unbidden gift that breaks into our lives, reminding us of our wholeness and evoking our gratitude and awe. Theologian Frederick Buechner reminds us that grace cannot be earned or deserved any more than "you can deserve the taste of raspberries and cream, or earn good looks, or bring about your own birth." Even though this gift cannot be earned, are there ways that we might cultivate a life that is an environment hospitable to grace?
Service is at 9:30 and 11:15 AM.
DON'T FORGET!
Sunday is Daylight Saving Time.
Be sure to set your clock one hour forward, and spring ahead!
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Did You Miss Last Sunday's Service?
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We have
podcasts available online of all of our sermons!
To listen to Rev. Justin Schroeder preach "Amazing Grace" this past Sunday, March 1st, click
here.
"Grace" goes by many names - it is a moment of wholeness, a sense of unconditional love, a feeling of solidarity, in a world in which we so often feel fragmented, broken, isolated, and alone. When have you known grace in your life? How might we, together, be creators of grace? And what about the moments, when grace doesn't feel like enough?
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Sunday March 8
9:30 - 11:15am
Rev. Elaine Aron Tenbrink
Music: David and Lisa Carnes
Sunday March 15
9:30 - 11:15am
Rev. Jen Crow
Music: First Universalist Choir singing Sunday by Sondheim
Sunday March 22
9:30 - 11:15am
Rev. Justin Schroeder
Music: Universal Rock Band
Sunday March 29
9:30 - 11:15am
Pastor Danny Givens
Music: First Universalist Choir singing We Found Love by Rihanna
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March Worship Theme:
Grace
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The great theologian, Paul Tillich, once described grace, as that thing which breaks into our lives and surprises us into wholeness. We are struck alive like a bell awakened with sound and purpose. We ring with a new pattern emanating from the experience of grace. Grace communicates a sense of assurance, grounding, and hope: "You are accepted." Tillich continues: "Grace transforms fate into a meaningful destiny; it changes guilt into confidence and courage." This month we explore the nature and movements of grace.
WORSHIP RESOURCES
Resources by Rev. Ruth
MacKenzie
Catching Song
with Bobby McFerrin
An incredible interview between Krista Tippet and Bobby McFerrin as he speaks about the elemental force of music and the human voice, a place where grace can come in.
Ordinary Grace
by William Kent Krueger
William Kent Krueger's "Ordinary Grace" is set during the summer of 1961. It is a touching coming-of-age novel about family, faith and the empathy that can come from a violent loss.
This treasury of quotes and passages on leading a centered, purposeful, and spiritual life offers the advice and observations of leaders from all walks of life. Included are Gandhi, Lao-Tzu, Maya Angelou, Martin Luther King, Jr., Mother Teresa, and hundreds of other unique and inspiring voices on subjects like compassion, kindness, forgiveness, and purpose.
The Shaking of the Foundations
by Paul Tillich (online)
Click on Chapter 19
'You Are Accepted'
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Upcoming Budget Discussions & Annual Meeting of Members
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By David Bach,
President, Board of Trustees
Thanks to everyone who attended the State of the Church meeting on February 1. The staff and board had the opportunity to update church members and friends on progress toward this year's goals and answer questions about the exciting work we are undertaking.
I want to alert you to two budget meetings the board is holding on Wednesday, April 29 at 6 - 7 p.m. and on Sunday May 3, at 12:45 - 1:45 p.m. We are holding two meetings this year to allow more of you to fit this into your schedules. The Annual Meeting will be on May 31 this year. We will have one service that morning at 10 a.m., our annual Flower Service. The Annual Meeting of the Membership will follow at 11:30 a.m.
We look forward to seeing you at these upcoming meetings. Until then, please feel free to send me an email at-- [email protected]
if you have any questions about the work of the board or catch one of us in the social hall.
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Art Exhibit in Social Hall This Sunday
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A new art exhibit is now in the Social Hall. A collection of work inspired by nature-some influenced by Russian or Mexican icons-oil on wood or canvas and some tooled metal pieces is now on display.
Artist Ann Popadiuk Larson will have her exhibit up
Feb 22--March 29.
Ann has been drawing since she was two and working on creative pursuits ever since. A few years ago she decided she needed to focus on one medium. She has been involved in several artists' groups including the WARM Mentor program, Project Art for Nature (PAN), and the St. Paul Art Collective.
Ann was previously a member of First Universalist, so she looks forward to reconnecting with church friends.
She will be available to talk about her work after both services on Sunday, March 8.
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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. If you'd like to be included in our Cycle of Life each Sunday in worship, please contact Sandy DiNanni at (
[email protected]
) or (612) 825-1701. If you would like support, please contact Rev. Jen Crow (
[email protected]
or 825-1701) or any member of our Pastoral Care Team.
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Augsburg Fairview Academy News
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By Cindy Marsh
AUW generously donated the offering from the AUW spring tea, over $600, to AFA to help pay for a field trip to the University of Minnesota. Many of the students have never visited a college campus so this is an important and broadening experience for them. The donation will be used to help pay for the bus transporting them to the University and lunch on the campus.
First Universalist AFA volunteers, provided a pot luck lunch for AFA staff on Friday, February 20 at AFA. Staff felt appreciated and special, which was our goal, and also expressed their deep gratitude for the consistent work we do to support students at AFA. Participating volunteers were: Cindy Marsh, Pat Gottschalk, Barb Sindelar, Cynthia White, Guy Johnson, Joyce Case, Rita Franchett Jerry Satinger, Susan Schonfeldt, Mike Day, Geoff Lenox, Rita Langteau, Birch Cappetta, and Wendell Vandersluis.
Donations continue to be needed for the Hope Food Closet. Desired items include single serving microwavable soups, mac and cheese, stews, and snacks like fruit cups, granola bars or cracker and cheese packages. Toiletries needed include chapstick, toothpaste and toothbrushes, men's and women's deodorant, and tampons (we don't need travel size items). Bring items to the Hub on Sundays or leave in the cupboard marked AFA in the Welcome Center.
Thanks to AUW, AFA Volunteers and First Universalist congregants for your generosity!
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Sunday, 3/8
Race: The Power of An Illusion, Part III, 1:00 PM, Cummins Room
Sunday, 3/8
Artist Reception for Ann Papadiuk Larson, after both services,
Social Hall
Tuesday, 3/10
Race: The Power of An Illusion, Part III, 7:00 PM, Cummins Room
Wednesday, 3/11
Pledge Day, 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM, Social Hall
Sunday, 3/15
AUW/MUUSJA Restore the Vote, 1:00 PM, Chalice Room
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For more information about events at First Universalist, check out our website by clicking here!
To view the online space-use calendar, click here.
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Introducing ACS:
Our New Membership Database
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Highlighted below are all three parts of the series exploring our new online ACS membership database.If you have questions about ACS or problems logging in,
contact:
Chelsea Bertsch, Administrative Assistant, at [email protected] or call the church office,
612-825-1701.
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Sign-Up for AUW
Spring Retreat
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Sign up now for the AUW Spring Retreat! Friday, April 10 4:00 pm - Sunday, April 12 2:00 pm, at Koinonia Retreat Center west of Annandale. You can register Sundays at the AUW table in the Social Hall or online here.
Cost is $190 for AUW members or $240 for nonmembers. Some partial scholarships are available.
Our keynote speaker will be Wendy Knox, Artistic Director of Frank Theatre in Minneapolis. As a self- styled "progressive trouble maker," she will be both inspiring and entertaining.
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General Assembly (GA) is the annual meeting of our Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). Attendees worship, witness, learn, connect, and make policy for the Association through democratic process. Anyone may attend but to be a delegate you must be a member of the church.
General Assembly 2015
June 24-28, Portland, OR
The theme for GA 2015 is Building a New Way. Most events will be held in the Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Portland, OR 97232.
If you have questions, or to sign up as a delegate, email:
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Do you have news, information, an announcement, a photo, or an article that you would like to see published in
The Weekly Liberal
?
Click
here to fill out our online submission form! Please note that edits for length and/or content may occur.
The deadline for submission is always Tuesday at 10:00 AM. The Weekly Liberal is published Thursday afternoon.
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Would you like to join our mailing list?
The Weekly Liberal from First Universalist Church in your inbox every Thursday!
If you have limited access to email/internet and would like to be on our hard copy mailing list, contact the church office at 612-825-1701 and ask to speak to Chelsea, our Administrative Assistant.
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Our 2014-2015 schedule of Annual Events is available online!
New! SPRING Worship Schedule
The 2014-2015 Winter worship schedule is now included in this document. Click
here to view.
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Sunday
8:00 AM-1:00 PM
Monday
8:30 AM-8:00 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM-8:00 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM-8:00 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM-8:00 PM
The church office is closed Fridays and Saturdays. You can reach the office by dialing: 612-825-1701.
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Senior Minister
Rev. Justin Schroeder
Minister of Program Life
Rev. Jen Crow
Minister of Worship Arts and Coming of Age
Rev. Ruth MacKenzie
Minister of Membership and Adult Ministries
Rev. Elaine Aron Tenbrink
Director of Children, Youth, & Family Ministries
Lauren Wyeth
For additional staff contact information, click
here.
The Weekly Liberal is compiled and edited by Communications Manager Heidi Johnson.
To submit an article or announcement for publication in
The Weekly Liberal
, please fill out the online submission form
here
.
Please note that edits for content and/or length may occur. Additional information about publication deadlines, submission requirements, and policies can be found in the
communications section
of our website.
Any questions, comments, or concerns about
The Weekly Liberal
or church communications in general can be directed to: [email protected].
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A Note About
The Weekly Liberal
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As you might have noticed, we rotate news and feature articles in and out of the Weekly Liberal via one week, two week, and one month cycles, depending on the content. While we always provide new & updated content in every edition, we also cycle in important pieces that run multiple times (usually twice) to ensure that members and friends of First Universalist have the opportunity to view this information.
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A Surprise Call to Worship
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Last Sunday, we enjoyed a "surprise" Call to Worship. If you weren't at church - or if you were, and would like to re-live the laughter and reflect again on the important message we heard - you're in luck!
Here's what happened Sunday...
As the service is about to begin, Kathy Coskran, long-time member and lay leader at First Universalist, and Ben Jaeger, 8th grader, bump into each other in the aisle of our sanctuary. They make apologies, and Ben explains he's in a hurry to get to his Religious Education class. We all get to listen in as Kathy and Ben make their way to the pulpit and their conversation deepens...
Kathy
: You really like RE, even love it. I've got to hear this.
Ben: That's right - I'm a kid that likes going to church. I actually hear it all the time, many of us 8th graders look forward to coming to a safe, respectful environment where social pressure is gone and you can have conversations about spirituality or sexuality that wouldn't happen anywhere else.
Kathy: I came looking for just what you describe, a respectful environment where I could raise my children and explore my own spirituality - a place where I felt at home.
Ben: Some of my closest friendships have been made in RE. I've formed very tight bonds with my classmates through the deep personal stories many of us have shared and the times we've had together, like when Liz fell through the ice at our cabin, or trying to fit as many people as possible on one couch at the OWL overnight.*
Kathy: Well, my experience is a little different. I haven't tried to fit as many people as possible on one couch - or fallen through the ice, but the connections I've made here are the most important in my life
Ben: I believe that because I'm in RE I can express my faith in a way most other kids my age can't, and I haven't even been through Coming of Age yet, which is a program devoted to an individual child's spirituality.
Kathy: Ah, those words - faith and spirituality. We all struggle with those words but I've learned here that it's not about what we believe, but what we do, what we practice, a leaning into love and life. That's why Sunday morning is so important to me; like you, I can lean into the words, the music, the silence, the connection with others like me.
Ben: But the funny thing is...
Kathy: We charge a fee for your Sunday morning experience...
Ben: ...and not for yours!
Kathy: So, in the Universalist spirit of love and hope - and meetings - we both were part of a committee charged to make a recommendation regarding fees for RE.
Ben: And it was our unanimous recommendation that we don't have them.
Kathy: Totally eliminate them.
Ben: I'm a bit worried, though. What about the effect on the budget? You know, my dad is chairing the pledge team.
Kathy: Well, that's easy. We always have to increase our pledges to keep up with inflation, but this year we have to increase them more than usual. I believe in the work of the church, in the spiritual journey that begins in childhood, that forms us - it's our collective responsibility.
...click HERE to read the rest of Ben and Kathy's conversation!
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Covenant of Right Relations: Opportunity for Input
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As our congregation - ministers, staff, lay leaders, members and friends - works together to fulfill our mission and achieve our visionary goals, it is essential that we interact in ways that exemplify our spiritual values and honor our Unitarian Universalist principles. The UUA recommends developing a "Covenant of Right Relations" as an important step in clarifying expectations and creating a safe, respectful, and trusting environment for congregations and staff. Covenant is Latin for "come together" and means a "solemn agreement" or "promise from the heart" regarding a course of action between parties.
The Board of Trustees developed a draft Covenant that is intended to apply to relationships within our congregation - ministers, staff, lay leaders, members and friends. It is also designed to be a framework for our relationships with our partners and others as we work outside our walls in the larger community.
We believe that, most of the time, we act in ways outlined in the Covenant. Yet we recognize that differences or misunderstandings can arise as we tackle difficult issues, and conflict may occur between various individuals, groups, and lay and staff leaders. It is especially at these times that we may look to the Covenant to inspire us to be our best selves.
We present this document to you for your information and review. We hope that you agree it reflects our beliefs and values about right relationships congruent with our mission, principles and visionary goals. If you have comments and/or suggestions please address them to the Board of Trustees at [email protected] by April 15.
Your suggestions will be considered as we prepare the final version of the Covenant, which will be voted on at the Annual Meeting on May 31.
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By The Pledge Team
Pledge Day is a day that we exercise our shared responsibility of pledging to financially support our church. Pledge Day is a day to celebrate our church. Pledge early if you'd like but remember the day we celebrate is Pledge Day. Come in any time between
7 am and 9 pm and join the fun!
Pledge Day
Wednesday, March 11th
7 am to 9 pm
Reflect, Pledge and Celebrate!
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
All Day - BOUNCE 'TIL YOU DROP
Bouncy Castle in chalice room all day for children ages 3-10.
7:00-9:00 am - BREAKFAST
Donated and served by the Planned Giving team.
10:30 am - NAMASTE
Bring your yoga mat for a yoga class donated and taught by certified yoga instructor Shannon Bierbaum.
12-2:00 - LUNCH
Donated and served by Barbara Melom and fellow church members.
Afternoon - KNIT AND PURL
Calling all knitters! Bring your knitting project and join us. Knit all afternoon if you'd like and hang around for dinner served by the choir.
Before Dinner - ARTS AND CRAFTS
Activities for all - Join artist and art teacher Shannon Steven and express what our church means to you. Then we'll find a place to post your work.
Afternoon until 7 pm - MUSIC TO CELEBRATE
Sacha Muller will bring his DJ'ing skills to the social hall with music
for everyone.
5:30-7:00 - DINNER
Donated and served by The Choir and led by choir member Geoff Lenox.
9:00 pm - iPAD MINI RAFFLE DRAWINGS
If you've pledged by the end of the day on Pledge Day or you've signed up for automatic payment of your pledge you are signed up to win one of two iPad Minis.
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The Nominating Committee is Actively Recruiting
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By Greg Hoelzer
Nominating Committee Member
The Nominating Committee is actively recruiting candidates for leadership positions on the Board of Trustees, the Foundation Board, and the Nominating Committee itself for the next church year. We believe the congregation is full of untapped talent and encourage people to step forward and share their skills.
Now is an exciting and important time to serve as we continue to build on the positive energy and growth of our congregation. Serving on one of these bodies provides unique opportunities to deepen and enrich your personal connection to the church while broadening your circle of relationships within our spiritual community. Committee members have unique opportunities to collaborate with our passionate ministers and lay leaders to advance the mission of the church.
Board of Trustees: Trustees partner with the congregation and professional staff in shaping the vision and long-term goals of the church. They articulate these aspirations through policy and collaborate with the Senior Minister to see they are fulfilled.
Foundation Board: Board members serve as the stewards of our Foundation endowment. Members screen and select grant requests to non-profit organizations.
Nominating Committee: Committee members screen and recommend candidates to the congregation for vacant positions on the Board of Trustees, Foundation Board, and Nominating Committee.
Requirements: To qualify for any of these positions, you must be a member in good standing of the church. Elections occur at the Annual Meeting in June. Go online to view more detailed position descriptions and apply.
Contact any Nominating Committee member to find out more: Ginny McAninch (chair), Deborah Talen, Doug Smalley, Bob Albrecht, David Lauth, Greg Hoelzer, and Lark Weller, Board of Trustees representative. Email [email protected]
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Want to Hear from People in Ferguson, MO?
Come see '
Hands Up Don't Shoot Our Youth Movement'
here at church. It's a documentary filmed in Ferguson on the day of Michael Brown's funeral, by Ralph Crowder III.
We'll be screening it on Tuesday, March 24th at 6:30 in the Social Hall, and you will have a chance to meet the filmmaker. Contrasting with the mainstream media coverage and speculation of the events leading up to his death, you will see, hear and feel the perspective of African Americans there about how he died.
Have you struggled with talking to friends, family or co-workers about how we at First Universalist are beginning to understand how racism really works? Invite them to join you for the film. Because the film deals with a widely covered event, it will help deepen your conversations with them about the white privilege that most of us have been so blind to.
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Staff Transitions
A Message from Rev. Justin
Thursday, February 26th, was Diane Gavere's last day. Diane served for nearly two years as our Director of Operations, and I am grateful for the many gifts she shared with us. We wish her well and thank her for her service. If you have finance related questions, please contact Brad Schmidt at [email protected].
I am working closely with the Board of Trustees and the staff to assess this position and the needs of the church moving forward.
We'll keep you posted.
In faith,
Justin
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Open Labyrinth Walk
March 12th 6:30-8:00pm
The March winds of change are blowing and spring is on it's way. It's time to think about what we'd like to plant in our gardens. What would you like to see growing in the garden of your life? Come walk the Labyrinth and quietly contemplate the changing seasons!
All are welcome!!
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Restore the Vote on March 15
1:00-2:00pm, in the Chalice Room
By Jenny Thomas
Please join the Association of Universalist Women (AUW), Minnesota Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Alliance (MUUSJA), and League of Women Voters Minnesota (LWVMN) in defeating the harmful 2012 Photo ID amendment - in our current drive to promote voting rights in Minnesota, restoring the right to vote to the 47,000 citizens with felony convictions who live in our communities.
Don't miss our program on Sunday, March 15, 1:00-2:00pm, in the Chalice Room. Hear attorney Mark Haase, of the Council on Crime & Justice, leader of Restore the Vote Coalition, and co-chair of the Second Chance Coalition. He'll provide background on the issue and tell us about the unlikely coalition of 60 organizations and bipartisan legislators working to pass legislation that will raise Minnesota up to North Dakota's standard. Support from suburban voters could be especially helpful because 65% of those with felony convictions live outside of Hennepin and Ramsey Counties. Also, while a vast majority of those impacted are white, African Americans are particularly hard hit, being disenfranchised at seven times the rate of whites - worse than Texas. This year's 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act adds urgency to pass this legislation now. This legislation has the best chance ever but is by no means certain. Like Photo ID, we need your support! We'll give you some easy ways that you can make a difference.
Light lunch served at 12:45pm
Questions? Contact Jenny Thomas at:
Sponsors: Association of Universalist Women (AUW), Minnesota Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Alliance (MUUSJA), and League of Women Voters Minnesota (LWVMN).
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Adult Programming Opportunities
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By Elaine Aron-Tenbrink
Minister of Membership & Adult Ministries
Listed below are a number of upcoming adult programming opportunities at First Universalist Church.
For additional information about either event, contact Rev. Elaine Aron Tenbrink at [email protected].
"Being Mortal: What Matters Most"
Thursday, March 19, 11:00am-12:30pm,
Chalice Room
Daytime Connections, along with First Universalist's Congregational Care Team, invite you to join us for an honest, inspiring conversation about Atul Gawande's best-selling book, Being Mortal. Together with panelists Bob Benjamin, Michael Day, and Carolyn Moe, we will consider the realities and limitations of modern medicine's approach to life transitions.
After the 11:00 presentation, join us for lunch at 12:30pm. A $5 donation for lunch is appreciated.
To RSVP, contact Rev. Elaine Aron Tenbrink at [email protected] or 612-825-1701 x124.
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Race: The Power of an Illusion
Sunday, March 8 or Tuesday, March 10
Cummins Room
Join us in the Cummins Room for drop-in screenings and discussions of this acclaimed series. This month, we will view the third chapter, which examines the ways that our institutions and policies advantage some groups at the expense of others.
Sunday, March 8 at 1:00pm
OR
Tuesday, March 10 at 7:00pm
All are welcome, regardless of whether you have seen the earlier chapters. Join us for one of these two showings:
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Get To Know Your First U Staff!
Five Questions with Justin Schroeder
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Every few weeks, we will be featuring a staff member in this section answering a few questions about their job (and a few fun questions, too!)
Tell us about your job. What do you do here at First Universalist Church?
As Sr. Minister, I am the lead preacher, and I am privileged to work with such a fabulous preaching team, and such a dedicated staff, as well. I also work closely with our Board of Trustees, our Worship Team, our Fundraising Team, and our Racial Justice Team. I work collaboratively with our staff to implement and fulfill the visionary goals of the church, to help all us give, and receive, and grow ever more deeply in the ways of love. I supervise four staff positions: our Communications Manager, our Minister of Program Life, our Minister of Worship Arts and Coming of Age, and our Director of Operations position.
What are some things that you enjoy about working at First U?
Before I became a minister, I thought about being a teacher or a writer, and started to pursue that path when I attended Colorado State University. As I began to explore ministry as a vocation, I realized that ministry involved many of the things I loved: writing, reading, community building, public speaking, and teaching. It is an incredible blessing and privilege to do what I love!
Additionally, I love the variety of each day at First Universalist. Whether it's collaborating with staff or congregants to create or deepen some dimension of our ministry, or working with our Racial Justice Leadership Team, as we deepen our learning around race, racism, and whiteness, or standing with others and speaking for justice in the community, or journeying with someone through a significant transition in their life, there is never a dull day.
If you could attend a dinner party with any six additional people-famous, dead, alive, anyone-who would they be?
Frederick Douglas, John Brown, Harriet Tubman, Dr. Martin Luther King, bell hooks, Dali Lama, and my great-great-grandparents, and other ancestors I don't know.
What are a few of your favorite books?
The Black Hearts of Men: Radical Abolitionists and the Transformation of Race, by John Stauffer, A General Theory of Love, by Thomas Lewis, Fari Amini, and Richard Lannon, The Color of Water, by James McBride, Half of a Yellow Sun, by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, anything by Brene Brown, The Cross and the Lynching Tree, by James Cone, and Finding Beauty in a Broken World, by Terry Tempest Williams.
Where is your favorite place to be in the world?
I love spending time with my family, regardless of the location, though we've had some great summer camping trips on the North Shore. I also love being in the Rocky Mountains. I grew up in Colorado, and the seeds of my ministry were planted during an overnight back packing trip with father and brother in the Rocky Mountains. Those mountains will forever hold a special place in my heart.
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Humanist Education Series
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All of the following will be at the MN Humanities Center, 987 Ivy Avenue East St. Paul, MN 55106. Come to any one, come to all. Questions? Email [email protected]. Registration and additional details: www.humanistinstitute.org
Intersections between the LGBTQ and Humanist movements: A day-long event which will include an LGBTQ Ally Training and afternoon speaker from the National LGBTQ Taskforce. Kevin Jagoe from First Unitarian Society is one of the speakers. Sunday, March 15.
Secularism Today: This seminar focuses on Secularism and the Law. David Niose, author of Nonbeliever Nation, will be one of our speakers. This course is approved for 2.75 CLE credits for lawyers in Minnesota and will focus largely on the legal standing for secular individuals and church state separation cases. Monday, March 16.
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Saturday, March 21: What's the Plan?
A Teach-In on Fossil Fuel Infrastructure
Join us in the Sanctuary bright and early for "What's the Plan? A Teach-In on Fossil Fuel Infrastructure in MN," co-sponsored by MN350 and the International Forum on Globalization.
Speakers include Winona LaDuke, Rep. Frank Hornstein, Victor Menotti, and regional leaders in movements to stop frac-sand mining, bomb trains, and oil pipelines. Minnesota is being besieged with new fossil fuel infrastructure that violates the treaty rights of indigenous people and endangers the health of our communities, and we are not prepared.
We are becoming a superhighway for oil that we neither produce or consume, yet we assume all the risk. Meanwhile, our water and sewer mains are crumbling. Let's come together and find common spiritual ground from which to address this public policy crisis and protect ourselves and the earth. FREE and open to the public. Teach-In begins at 9:00am, lunch by the Sioux Chef (for a small fee) at 12:30pm.
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Music, Energy, & Vitality at First Universalist Church!
By Rev. Ruth MacKenzie,
Minister of Worship Arts
Music at First Universalist Church is exploding with energy and vitality. We are making our way into a new era of worship accompaniment with Jerrod Wendland at the keyboard, and First Universalist Choir is growing under Randy Buikema, providing the musical backbone on which we are building.
David and Lisa Carnes will be performing this Sunday with their band. Ellis Delaney is performing on Earth Day, April 19. And our beloved Universal Rock Band will be rockin' it on March 22nd. We are continuing to invite the broader community of artists and performers into our music making community, making our worship life even richer: Tenor Dom Wooten performed on Feb 15, and Kendra Wheeler (saxophonist) and Frank Sentwali (spoken word artist), from the Black Lives Matter Vigil, will grace our sanctuary on April 12.
I for one am excited by the vibrancy of our worship. Don't miss a single Sunday! To view our SPRING Worship Schedule, click here to view online.
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