The Rest Is Still Unwritten

Imagine standing at the edge of a canvas, brush in hand. Colors are given and taken away at random. The canvas shifts beneath your touch. Suddenly, a downpour washes over your work. Life often throws us elements beyond our control: the families we’re born into, the events that shape our world, and the unexpected twists of fate. Yet, within this seeming randomness lies a profound opportunity for creativity and transformation. This Sunday, as part of our "Art and Soul" series, we delve into this journey with our service, "The Rest is Still Unwritten," exploring how to take these unchosen pieces and turn them into something beautiful and meaningful.

Ever thought of life as a jazz performance? Each twist and turn a note, with no "wrong notes," only unexpected opportunities. Miles Davis once said, "There are no wrong notes in jazz; only notes in the wrong places." A sage metaphor for life, too. Our guest artist Adam Podd, a talented pianist and music director from Brooklyn, embodies this spirit. During the pandemic, Adam led a transformative wave in music, reimagining the idea of ‘choir’ for virtual worship. He still works to break down the barrier between performer and participant, insisting music return to its societal role as a shared, communal experience. This Sunday, Adam will join us to help us to engage in this creative process. He’ll help us to see the gift of circumstance, the possibility of harmony from the dissonance of unexpected truths.

Stories are the generations speaking, fully free from the confines of time. Threads woven by countless hands connect us to the past and guide us into the future. Caren Stelson and Selina Also’s latest book, "Stars of the Night: The Courageous Children of the Czech Kindertransport," tells well of this. Recently, I had a chance to talk with Caren, an award-winning children's book author and a beloved part of the First U family. We talked about the delicate art of introducing children to complex historical events like the Holocaust. Caren works to find the balance between truth and sensitivity, to tell the stories young ones need to know in strengthening ways. Amazingly, Caren’s writing and Selina’s illustrations were completed independently, the two of them not even meeting until after publication. Despite not collaborating directly, they found a common care for this gentleness and candor with the youngest generations.

I wonder: why do we reserve such gentleness for children? The narratives we internalize become part of our cellular memory, shaping our actions and responses. If we could extend this gentleness to ourselves our whole lives long, we might find the path easier to use these stories productively. We can nurture our inner lives with the same care we offer to the young and find strength deepens within.

Artists carry a unique burden and privilege. Every piece of art, every story told, is a deliberate choice about what gets remembered. In my conversations with Adam and Caren, we reflected on how artists, influenced by myriad unseen forces, determine who and what will be enshrined in our collective memory. This responsibility transcends personal expression; it’s about contributing to the expansive tapestry of human knowledge and insight.

The "Art and Soul" series emerged from my desire to help us deepen our engagement with creativity and spirituality. Art and Soul means to challenge us to move beyond merely consuming music, to embrace the process of co-creating meaningful experiences. With this series, I’m inviting us to see ourselves as active participants in our spiritual journeys, to craft moments of genuine connection and transformation. I’m confident this is what makes so much meaning from life.

Join me this Sunday, along with our guest artists Adam Podd, Caren Stelson, and Celine, as we pull back the curtain on our creative processes. Together, we will explore the depths of our conversations, revealing the spiritual and leadership capabilities inherent in our everyday artistic practices. I invite you to embrace improvisation, to take the unchosen pieces of our lives and weave them into something new and beautiful. Through music, storytelling, and reflection, we will explore these themes, writing our harmonious futures in the process. The rest of our story is still unwritten, brimming with possibilities for creativity and connection. Join us as we embark on this collective journey. See you there, dear one.

Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Director of Worship Arts Ministries

Intro

The Rest Is Still Unwritten



Sunday Worship

This Sunday, July 14

Last Sunday's Recordings

Cycle of Life

Programs Calendar

Octavia Butler Youth Book Club Young Adults Mutual Aid Sunday School Playground Meetups

Meditation Group

Church Summer Camp

Pastoral & Community Care

Grief Group

Faithful Action Co-Op Farm Tour Electrify Everything Early Adopters Database Habitat Hike at Bdote

News Child Dedication

Community Events & Affiliated Orgs:

First U Musicians, AUW, 12-Step Spirituality

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The Rest Is Still Unwritten

Imagine life as a giant, ever-changing canvas, where colors shift and blend, sometimes beyond our control. This Sunday, as part of our "Art and Soul" series, we will explore this theme in our service titled "The Rest is Still Unwritten." We’ll learn how to take life’s unexpected twists and turns and turn them into something beautiful. Our guest artist, Adam Podd, a talented pianist and music director from Brooklyn, will join us to share his experiences of making music a shared, communal joy, even during challenging times. We’ll also hear from Caren Stelson, an award-winning children's book author, and Selina Alko, a gifted illustrator. They will share their insights on telling important historical stories to young ones with sensitivity and care, despite having completed their work independently. Through music, storytelling, and reflection, we’ll discover how to embrace the unexpected and create harmony from life’s dissonance. Join us for a family-friendly service filled with creativity, inspiration, and the promise that our story is still being written. See you there!

Podcast Archive | Recording Archive | Sermon Archive

From Last Sunday:

Friends, there's a day coming that asks for your engagement. I ask you to greet it with joy, to greet it with kindness, and to greet it with love.

The day is coming where the community will need to know that you are still thinking about them. I ask you to think about your community. The day is coming where somebody's going to wonder if they are still loved.

This isn't just metaphysical mumbo jumbo—this is a commitment to tune our hearts to sing the grace of togetherness. In this way, we can change the world: by changing hearts and making sure no one among us believes that they are alone.

Let them know that we're holding it together.

Our Membership and Connections Coordinator, Liz Farmer, and her partner, Aaron, welcomed Linden Edsall Osowski at 6:51pm on Saturday, July 6, 2024! From Liz: "Linden’s name combines Aaron and my families and ancestry really beautifully, and has stories behind it that I will happily share more about if asked when I return from maternity leave in October." 

We are holding the family and friends of Maria Genné in our hearts. A long-time friend of the church, Maria died on June 28th, after a brief illness. Our hearts are with her husband, Cris Anderson, and her children, Elinor and Parker Anderson-Genné, and they welcome your care and cards to 4524 Beard Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55410.

A memorial service will be held here at First Universalist for Dorothy Sylvestre on Saturday, July 27 at 1 p.m.

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.

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

Every other Monday at 6 PM under the tent—July 22, 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.

Amulet Book Club (graphic novel)

July 12, 7-8 p.m., August date TBD; on zoom REGISTRATION - Please register to receive Zoom link

Love to read? Want to connect with other kids who read at First U? Join the inaugural First U family book club to read the popular Amulet graphic novel series! Each month we'll meet over Zoom to discuss three books of the series (June 21 we discussed books 1-3; July books 4-6; and August books 7-9). Young readers and their grown-ups are welcome! New attendees are welcome to join our discussions of books 4-6 in July and books 7-9 in August.

Facilitated by Rebecca Donley.

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

July 14, 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!

Outdoor Potluck and Yard Games

Sunday, July 21; 1-4 p.m. Location TBD RSVP Requested

Join us for a snacks potluck and an afternoon of relaxing yard games and fun conversation. Contact Clare or Cameron if you are available to bring a dish or game to share. Hosted by Clare Roarty and Cameron Smither.

Mutual Aid Sunday School

Second and Fourth Sundays: July 14 & 28, 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

Third Sundays: July 21, leave from church around 11:15 a.m. 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.

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.

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. 

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.

Co-Op Farm Tour

Saturday, July 13; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. RSVP your interest and for carpooling.

This farm tour event is organized by MN Co-ops. Our EJ team is planning to help coordinate interest and facilitate carpooling to the farms. We’ll visit local farms located within our urban area, and some within about an hours drive. Many First U congregants over the years have found it to be a wonderful way to visit local regenerative farms and reconnect with where our food comes from.

Electrify Everything

Wednesday, July 24; 4-5pm, on zoom

Join the EJ team via zoom to discover a multitude of ways you can help mitigate the climate crisis by electrifying everything in your life!

The federal Inflation Reduction Act has provided all of us with rebates and tax credits to help us make the shift to electrify our world. Quinn Johnston from Ecofaith Recovery will be joining us to help figure the ins and outs of tax credits and rebates available at the local, state, and national levels.

We will be talking about induction stoves and heat pumps for heating (and cooling) as well as electric cars and bikes.

Come find out how to use our new First U Database of Electric Adopters to connect with others in our community who are embracing Electrify Everything. 

EJ team builds a Database of Early Electric Adopters

Are you contemplating what your next climate solution action needs to be? Many of us at church  are pursuing all things electric–what the EJ team calls “Electrify Everything”–and looking for ways to share our knowledge and experience as we make electric transitions. 

Have you moved to an induction stove or heat pump water heater? Have you switched to an electric car or bike? Have you installed solar panels or invested in a community solar garden? 

The EJ team has developed a survey tool to pull together and share knowledge related to nine “Electrify Everything”transitions (see list here) as identified by Fresh Energy. 

If you are able to share, the EJ team would love to have you add to the UU Early Electric Adopters Database. Our goal is to have this database available to share with people in our community on similar Electric transition pathways.



Click here for more information and to start adding your knowledge to our database.

Are you exploring purchasing an electric or plug in/hybrid car? Want to talk to someone who has already gone down that path, or is driving the car you have in mind? The EJ team  already has 10 early adopters in the transportation section of our database. Contact Todd Pierson to get a link to the database to see who you might like to reach out to .

First U & Habitat for Humanity

Friday, July 26

8:30 - 3:30

All are welcome!

Lunch will be provided.

Sign up here

The photo shown here is of two homes being constructed in the Phillips neighborhood at 1408 E 22nd St, Mpls. Please join us on July 26 for a day of meaningful work in the company of your church friends. You do not need to be experienced…few of us are. Just bring your willingness to work.

Hike at Bdote

Saturday, July 27; 1-3:30 p.m. Meet at Thomas C. Savage Visitor Center, at the end of Snelling Lake Rd.

Join EJ Team member Cathy Geist and a Conservation Corps naturalist as we hike by the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers through the amazing forests of Bdote (settler colonial name: Fort Snelling State Park). Together we'll learn about the variety of animals, plants, and other organisms there, as well as the Indigenous history of this beautiful State Park. Please RSVP to Cathy at 612-384-2723, or with questions and if park pass fee is a barrier.

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.

Support First U Musician!

Board of Trustees member, Matt Keller, plays trombone in a cover band called Misspent Youth. They play everything from Van Morrison to Springsteen to Bonnie Raitt. 

Come see them play at Giggles Campfire Grill on the fairgrounds on Saturday, July 13 at 6:30 pm (free) or at the State Fair on Wednesday, August 28 at 7:45 pm also at Giggles Campfire Grill.  

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) end on June 30, 2024. Beat the rush and pay for your 2024-25 membership now! 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) or inside the church, if that turns out to be more comfortable. Bring simple, non-messy snacks to share (not required), your favorite pen, if you have one, 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

July 13, 2pm. Minnehaha Falls/Creek. 4801 South Minnehaha Drive. Meet by the stone wall near the Falls. The Falls are bursting with water, so they should be fun to see. Use the pay parking lot or look for a free spot on Longfellow. Marie will be the leader wearing a red shirt.

July 20, 2pm. 9 Mile Creek. Moir Park. 10320 Morgan Avenue South, Bloomington, MN. (Morgan Avenue South and 104th). Meet in the parking lot that has the portalet/s). There are stairs at the beginning and end of the trail). The trail follows 9 Mile Creek. Hopefully it will not still be flooded. Marie will be lead.

July 27, 2pm. Lakewood Cemetery. 3500 Hennepin Avenue South, Mpls, MN. Meet by the Chapel (round shaped building). Park along the drive. Marie will be the leader in her red shirt. 

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.

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 July 11. The August meeting will be 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 Monday, July 22. The book for July's meeting is Wintering by Katherine May. 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 book list for the 2024-25 program year will be published when available. 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.