The Weekly Liberal: January 16, 2025 | |
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Allison Formally Joins the First U Staff! | |
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I am thrilled to announce that Allison Connelly-Vetter has been offered and has accepted the position of Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries (CYFM) at First Universalist.
You may remember that Allison joined our staff team in August of 2023 as the Interim Director of Children, Youth and Family Ministries and immediately jumped into action helping to lead summer camp and supporting the launch of the 2023-34 RE year. Over the last 18 months, Allison and the CYFM team have:
- revitalized our youth programming and youth leadership opportunities
- developed strong lay leadership, both at the CYFM advisory team level and through a core of 90+ religious education volunteers
- updated the K-5 curriculum through a process of listening to families and collaborating with lay leaders
- developed a variety of touch points for families - from breakout groups at Community Dinners to Saturday Sprouts and overnights
- convened a cohesive and supportive team of CYFM staff and super volunteers
These are just a few highlights of the last 18 months with Allison on board, and we are looking forward to the continued growth and learning ahead for our church, our children, youth, and families and for all of us in getting to work together. I've also been grateful for Allison's prioritization of her own learning and growth, personally and professionally, in how to create programming and be in relationships across cultures that center our shared values of pluralism and interdependence with a strong commitment to anti-racism and anti-oppression.
Huge thanks go to the CYFM Hiring Team of Sara Olson, Troi Ferguson, Dylan Flunker, and Kirk Cozine who worked with me to move through the evaluation and hiring process over the last several months, and for all of you who offered feedback to us, too. We’re excited to celebrate this good news on Sunday, January 26th in worship, and with cake in the social hall after both services.
Congratulations to Allison - and hooray for all of us and our congregation! I'm so glad we'll continue to work and grow together in the years ahead.
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Make Your Commitment/Pledge by January 20 | |
Can you make your financial commitment/pledge to First Universalist Church for the 2025-2026 Church Year by January 20 - Inauguration Day? Help us secure our budget so that we can focus on what really matters in the months and years to come. | |
We’re making plans to allow more of our beloveds to join us for this dance. So we’ve postponed the event to a later date and will let you know ASAP. If you purchased a ticket, we’ll be in touch with you directly about your options. Thank you so much for your enthusiasm and your patience! | |
Mid-Year Congregational Meeting | |
Sunday, Feb 2 - 1:00 pm
Save the date. Agenda to come.
Members of First Universalist Church are invited to the Mid-Year Congregational Meeting. Topics will include a Congregational update from Rev. Jen, as well as updates from Board Committees.
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The IDI measures intercultural competency.
The assessment takes about 20 minutes to complete. Your results will be part of an aggregate group report to the congregation. Your individual results are confidential and shared only with the qualified administrator who you will be meeting with to debrief (optional).
We are working our way through the list of sign-ups, and thank you for only submitting one sign-up. We appreciate your patience as we go through this process. Thanks to all who have taken the assessment and have requested one!
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Sunday, Jan.19
Ritual Sunday: Remembrance Sunday & Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Remembrance Sunday invites us to honor the lives of those who have become ancestors, lighting candles to celebrate their place in the great story of time and justice. Together, we reflect on how our lives are part of something much bigger—like stars in the sky or the steady rhythms of the Earth. Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of a world built on love and fairness, we remember that creating justice takes all of us, across generations. The Earth teaches us that even in the coldest winters, growth and transformation are possible. As we gather to remember and dream, we ask: how can we live in ways that make the world kinder, braver, and more just for everyone?
Join us at 9 or 11 a.m. in person or via livestream at 11 a.m.
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Religious Education is in worship this Sunday.
We will offer staffed childcare for children ages 6 mos-PreK in room 104, and Senior High Youth Group will meet in the Sr. High Lounge at 10:30 a.m. and attend the 11 a.m. worship service together.
Please check the website and the Children, Youth, & Families calendar for more information.
If you have not yet registered your family for this year of Religious Education, please register your family today. All families — new and returning, with babies through high schoolers — must register each church year.
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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
January 19; after each worship service
No RSVP necessary
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. Facilitated by First U members.
Environmental Justice Gathering
January 19; 12:30 p.m. in the Cummins Room
Connect with the EJ Team
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Last Sunday, Jan. 12: Living on Earth - Honoring Earth's Rhythms | |
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Dave Junker had a fall last week and fractured his hip and the surgery to correct this was successful.
Our hearts are with Bryana French and her mother Sybil Williams and their family on the death of Bryana's stepfather, Tommy Williams, this past week. A memorial service for Tommy will be held at church in the afternoon on Friday, January 17th. May all who loved Tommy take comfort in the words of our minister emeritus, the Rev. John Cummins, "There is but one place where time and death have no dominion: that place is love."
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).
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Ways to Connect at Church | |
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Cosmology in Concert: An Evening with Peter Mayer & JD Stillwater
Saturday, Jan. 25, 7 p.m. at First U
Buy Tickets
Cosmology in Concert is an immersive multimedia experience of the awe and wonder offered by natural reality, and an appreciation for the science that reveals it to us. Part live concert (Peter Mayer) and part inspiring science adventure (JD Stillwater), we will celebrate our cosmic story with reverence and gratitude.
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Sign-Up Sunday
January 26; 10-11 a.m. and 12-1 p.m. in the Social Hall
All are welcome!
Learn about the variety of ways to get involved and get connected at church this season through volunteering, justice teams, and other opportunities for fellowship and spiritual growth. Team leaders and small group facilitators will be excited to chat with you about what they’ve got going on and how you can join.
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Winter/Spring Grief Group
4:00 - 5:30 p.m. on Zoom; Jan 19, Feb 2, 16. Mar 2, 16. Apr 6, 20 (April 20th is Easter) May 4, 18.
Facilitated by Mark Caswell, church member and ministerial aspirant
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Environmental Justice Gathering
January 19; 12:30 p.m. in the Cummins Room
Connect with the EJ Team
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Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity
Three builds scheduled: Saturday, January 25; March 01; or March 29.
8:30am to 3:30pm
Contact David Harrison with questions: rdavid.harrisonjr@gmail.com
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Saturday Sprouts
January 25; 10 a.m.-noon
No RSVP Necessary
Saturday Sprouts for Families is a lovely chance to get to know other families and to receive support from kindred parents/caregivers and the congregation.
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Twin Cities Congregational Spiritual Care Training: How Do You Care?
Two Saturdays: January 25 and February 15 | 9:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. | Unity Church and Zoom
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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, Jan. 22, 29 (no gathering on Dec. 25, or Jan. 1) 10:30 a.m. to noon
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Qigong for Liberation
Thursdays; 4:00 - 4:45 p.m. on zoom
Facilitated by Denise Konen.
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Winter/Spring Membership Class
2 sessions, both required: Sundays, March 16 & 23; Lunch 12:45 p.m., Class 1-3 p.m. in person at church
New Member ritual in worship April 6
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For the most complete and up-to-date listing of Programs, Gatherings, & Events at Church, visit our church calendar, or view the Program Guide: | |
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What are the wooden pieces hanging in the sanctuary and why are they there?
In 1991, the Visual Arts Committee commissioned artist Roger Junk to carve the Tree of Life triptych (a work of art in three sections.) The triptych was created to commemorate those making memorial bequests to First Universalist Church. Funds from the memorials of members Angeline Clement and Verner Pittman (Angeline’s son) were used to pay for the triptych, so it is inscribed “The Pittman/Clement Memorial Society Sustaining the Tree of Life.”
The initial intention was for donor names to be inscribed on the leaves, but concern was expressed that this would negatively affect the triptych’s beauty. Instead, a list of those who have donated hangs next to the triptych and this list is updated when bequest funds are gifted to the church. Those who have offered bequests have truly known the meaning of our often-quoted phrase, It is for today, and for times we shall never see.
The triptych was created when our church was located at 5000 Girard Avenue South. After moving to our current Dupont building, the triptych was placed in the sanctuary, first in the southeast corner and then moved to a more visible place at the front of the sanctuary. During the recent sanctuary renovation, the triptych was removed, stored and then refinished so it could be returned to the prominent sanctuary location for all to appreciate. The memorial donor list was recently updated and now hangs next to the triptych.
Unrestricted bequests that are received by generous First Universalist members and friends are directed into the Legacy Fund. Unrestricted bequests to the church's Legacy Fund support our church's ongoing mission and help us to plan for our future with confidence and hope. These gifts ensure we can continue to serve our community and invest in new possibilities.Please contact Brad Schmidt, First Universalist Finance Manager, if you are interested in knowing more about how to include our church community in your own will or estate plan (brad@firstuniv.org).
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First U Foundation Nominations Are Open | |
Community & Affiliated Org Events | |
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12-Step Spirituality
Visit the website for details.
First Saturday of each month through May 3, 2025, 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM.
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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MUUSJA - the People's March MN
Join MUUSJA next Saturday, January 18, for The People's March
UUs will meet at Cathedral Hill Park at 11-11:15 a.m.
Contact Holly Kelchner with questions: hollyakelchner@gmail.com
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AUW Winter Event: Unleashing Creativity
Saturday, February 8, 2025 10 am - 1:30 pm at First U
RSVP / Tickets Here
Our speaker will be Mary Helmin. Creative opportunities will include making a greeting card and planting a paper hyacinth bulb to take home. A chili lunch will be served. This event will be free to AUW members and $10 for non-members.
AUW Spring Retreat at Camp Courage
May 2-4, 2025
REGISTER BY JAN. 31 FOR EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT!
“Let it Go & Imagine!
Celebrating 25 Years & Beyond!”
For more information, click here.
Hiking Group: For questions or to get on the hiking group mailing list, contact: Marie Sorensen, 612-419-3620, mariefsor@aol.com.
Marie will have limited availability to lead hikes in January and February. AUW members and friends who wish to convene hikes are encouraged to do so through the AUW Facebook group.
Game Group
February 13, 7-9 p.m. at church
Contact: Anne Frenchick
Women Who Read
Mon., Monday, January 27, 2025, 7 p.m.
Topic: An Invisible Thread: the True Story of An 11-year-old Panhandler, a Busy Sales Executive, and An Unlikely Meeting With Destiny by Laura Schroff.
RSVP for location: Abbie Finger
The Sandwich Project Potluck and Service Project
Saturday, January 25, 4-7 pm First U Social Hall - Note time change to accommodate concert-goers!
Questions: Contact event sponsors, Beth and Sandy at bumble9lol@gmail.com.
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