The Weekly Liberal: April 3, 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! | |
The Art of Gathering - First Universalist Church of Minneapolis | From a potluck for trans and gender-expansive folx to a vigil table for Palestinian lives, the way that we gather matters. | | | | |
Budget Input Meeting This Sunday at 12:30
Mark Your Calendar: Rev. Jen and board treasurer Marc Gorelick will offer Budget Input Meetings on Sunday, April 6 at 12:30, and as a breakout session at the April 9 Community Dinner.
| | Video: Kaden Colton offers a testimonial as part of our stewardship campaign | | |
Hands Off Mobilization
Saturday, April 5, MN Capitol
First U congregants are organizing to show up at the April 5 “Hands Off!” mobilization at the MN Capitol.
First U Carpool Interest Form
Email Todd Pierson if you plan to go and want to meet up: todd.pierson@gmail.com
Bring your signs, and meet us for this inspiring, peaceful, and mobilizing show of solidarity.
RSVP and more information about the event here
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We the People Concert
SAVE THE DATE: May 4 at 4 p.m.
Tickets Available Now!
We're celebrating strength, diversity, resistance and joy! Come together for a fabulous fund-raising concert with some of the greatest female vocalists in the Twin Cities. They'll be performing tunes poignant, provocative, jubilant and joyous—all affirming the UU values of Interdependence, Justice, Transformation, Generosity, Equity and LOVE!
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Saturday, May 17: Talent Show & Trivia Night! - First Universalist Church of Minneapolis | Support our youth and our church programs: Get tickets for the Talent Show & Trivia Night on May 17! | | | | |
April 6 – The Tipping Point: The Earth, the Equinox, the Edge
Welcoming our Newest Members this Sunday
Spring arrives with quiet conviction. The Earth leans forward. Light stretches. Roots move beneath the surface. At the edge of thaw, life begins again—not through force, but through turning.
This Sunday, we welcome those who have chosen to cross the threshold into community. We mark that choice not as formality, but as transformation. Belonging is not given. It is grown—through care, through story, through shared promise.
What shifts when someone says, I’m here. I choose this. I want to build with you?
What do we become when we say it back?
Join us at 9 or 11 a.m. in person or via livestream at 11 a.m.
Sunday’s Order of Service (updated each week before worship)
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Religious Education is in worship this Sunday. Note for Families: Due to many local schools’ Spring Breaks, Religious Education will be worship and we will not offer classes. Senior High Youth Group will not meet this Sunday, either. We will offer staffed childcare for children in PreK and younger at both services.
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.
| | NO Climate Conversations after services on Sunday, April 6. Please plan to join a climate conversation after services on April 13. This will be your last chance to give input to implementing the church’s visionary goal: to foster our connection with, care for, and action on behalf of Earth’s environment and all of life. You can also sign up to have a facilitator contact you here. | | Last Sunday, March 30: The Big Questions | | |
Karin Wille's stepdaughter, Jennfier Hansen, recently had surgery for gliobastoma. She has a difficult road ahead, and the family would appreciate your prayers.
Susan Schonfeld's husband, Doug Hicks, is in the hospital following a small seizure and additional health issues. They have a good team working on a diagnosis and next steps. Susan is being supported by her daughters at this time.
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 | |
April 9 Community Dinner
Wednesday, April 9, May 14; Dinner 6-6:45; Breakout Groups 7-8:15 p.m.
Menu: Turkey / veggie burgers with fixings and tater tots
RSVP REQUESTED
Swing by church for a delicious home-cooked meal. After dinner, choose a drop-in breakout group to connect with others and learn about opportunities to get involved at church this season. All are welcome and there is no charge. Childcare will be available for younger kids (ages 6 months-Grade 3), and breakout groups will be available for older kids, teens, and adults. Menu available on our website a week in advance. We always offer vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, nut free and kid-friendly options. All church events are alcohol-free.
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Authentic Selves Book Group | UU Common Read
Register and get more details here
Attend as many sessions as you are able:
Wednesday, April 30, 7-8 p.m. on Zoom
Saturday, May 3, 10-11 a.m. at church
Wednesday, May 7, 7-8 p.m. on Zoom
Saturday, May 10, 10-11 a.m. at church
People of all gender identities are invited to read the UU Common Read Authentic Selves, a sweeping compilation of life stories and portraits of trans and nonbinary people, as well as their partners, parents, children, siblings, and chosen family members. Through interviews and photo portraits, the subjects of Authentic Selves invite readers into their real lives--their revelations, challenges, joys, and networks of support. This mixed-gender book group will invite participants to tell their own stories and form a deeper understanding of how their gender identity has shaped their lives.
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Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity Builds
Saturday, March 29. 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Maplewood, MN
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What it Takes to Heal Book Study
Sundays, April 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th; 1-2:30pm
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Winter/Spring Grief Group
April 6, 20 (April 20th is Easter), May 4, 18; 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. on Zoom
Facilitated by Mark Caswell, church member and ministerial aspirant
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Labyrinth on the Full Moon
April 12, May 13; drop in from 5-7 p.m. in the Social Hall
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Young Adults: Second Sundays Lunch at Gigi’s
April 13, May 11; 12:15 p.m.
Young Adults (folks in their 20s and 30s) informally gather in the Social Hall after the second service to travel to nearby Gigi’s Cafe for lunch and conversation.
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Twin Cities UUs for Justice in The Middle East
Second Sundays: April 13, May 11; 1-2 p.m. at church
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Caregivers Support Group
Second Sundays: April 13, May 11; 1:00 - 2:30 pm on Zoom
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Daytime Connections: Understanding End-of-Life Doulas
Thursday, April 17, 9:45 a.m. coffee, 10-noon program, Noon lunch
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Deepening Ties Among Young Adults
Sundays: April 27, May 18; 12:30-2 p.m. at church
(Young Adults are folks in their 20s and 30s)
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Authentic Selves Book Group | UU Common Read
Attend as many sessions as you are able:
Wed, April 30, 7-8 p.m. on Zoom
Sat, May 3, 10-11 a.m. at church
Wed, May 7, 7-8 p.m., on Zoom
Sat, May 10, 10-11 a.m. at church
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Life After Doom Salon
Meets as determined by participants, first week of February - mid May
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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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Trans, Non-binary and Gender Expansive Community and Support Group
Will meet once/month based on participant availability. Contact Kaden Colton for information.
| | For details and the most complete and up-to-date listing of Programs, Gatherings, & Events at Church, visit our church calendar, or view the Program Guide: | | |
From David Harrison, our First U Habitat Coordinator:
Wanted to pass along a huge THANK YOU to everyone at First U for Saturday's volunteer build day.
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Thank you to David, Amanda, and Katie (our site supervisors at Habitat) for your leadership & mentorship.
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Add'l thank you to David (site supervisor) for connecting the environmental justice "impact" of this Habitat project to First U's environmental justice efforts.
- Sustainable energy (solar shingles, geothermal heating & cooling, etc.).
- Insulation requirements (reduced energy footprint, local & federal grant funds to offset costs).
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Thank you Liz & her First U volunteers for preparing a warm, hearty, and delicious meal.
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Thank you to Kent for taking our volunteer lunch team on a tour of the site & promoting the work of Habitat & First U.
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Thank you to everyone who came out and volunteered. We fully insulated one (1) house, working together to cut & "fluff" fiberglass insulation, and "rough installation" of vapor barriers.
There's much in the world to be thankful for. Yesterday was a great day to be a "drop in the bucket" with all of you, together.
I'm starting an email list of Habitat volunteers, to attempt to keep you connected on future dates & projects. Click here to sign-up via Breeze!
I hope to see you all again soon.
R. David Harrison, Jr.
rdavid.harrisonjr@gmail.com
| Need a Name Tag for Church? | | |
Lost your name tag? Never got one? Complete this form and we’ll add you to the list. Staff and church volunteers will make name tags every couple of weeks, or whenever we have a batch of requests!
| | Community & Affiliated Org Events | | CAMP UNISTAR: A UU Camp for Adults and Families on Star Island MN | |
Camp UniStar is a camp for Unitarian Universalist individuals, families, and like-minded people, nestled in the Chippewa National Forest on Star Island in northern Minnesota. Programs are weeklong, from Saturday to Saturday, running all summer from June through August. (There’s a separate Youth Week June 14-21 for youth entering grades 8 to 12.) Each year we welcome campers of all ages, with activities for children and youth, and a daily program for adults on topics such as art, yoga, dance, crafts, the natural world, and other topics. The lake encourages swimming and boating; the forest trails attract hikers; the lodge has ping-pong, puzzles, and games; and sunrises and sunsets invite meditation.
Send questions to registrar@campunistar.org. For more information and registration instructions, please visit: www.CampUniStar.org
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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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Association of Universalist Women
AUW sponsors activities for people who identify as women, non-binary and/or gender fluid.
AUW Spring Retreat at Camp Courage
May 2-4, 2025
REGISTER HERE
“Let it Go & Imagine!
Celebrating 25 Years & Beyond!”
One of the several breakout sessions offered is a "Why Do I Hurt" session. The session is on the topic of pain, both acute and chronic.
Hiking Group
For questions or to get on the hiking group mailing list, contact: Marie Sorensen, 612-419-3620, mariefsor@aol.com.
Games Group
Meet at the church on the second Thursday of each month to play board games and socialize. To receive email updates, contact Anne Frenchick. The next Games Group meeting is April 10. Please let Anne know if you plan to attend.
Women Who Read
We read books written by women. RSVP to Abbie Finger. On Monday, April 28 the book selection will be West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge. The in-person potluck will begin at 6 pm, followed by discussion at 7.
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.
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