The Weekly Liberal: March 27, 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 Tipping Point, by Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout | |
Time behaves strangely in my body.
I live with ADHD—diagnosed late, held close all my life. My mind doesn’t proceed in lines. It loops, leaps, syncopates. Focus doesn’t fade; it flares. Attention gathers at the edges. I feel the shift in a room before the words catch up. I forget to eat. I write sermons in pulses. I long for stillness while rearranging the world in my head.
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Have You Pledged Yet?
We are so grateful for the many folks who have made their financial pledge for the upcoming church year! Whether you are a long-time member who already pledges monthly or a new congregant, we hope you will complete a 2025-2026 Pledge/Commitment form. By submitting a form, you are helping our Staff and Board to create a budget with the most accurate information about our income for next year. We invite you to give boldly and help build the church the world needs now.
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.
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A Gathering Celebrating Trans Day of Visibility
Monday, March 31, 5:30 p.m. at church
Join us for a celebratory potluck open to trans and gender-expansive folks of all ages and their families.
Church membership or attendance not required—please share widely with trans and gender-expansive folx in your life!
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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 coordinate meeting up with First U folks: 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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March 30: The Big Questions
This Sunday, Question Box Sunday turns worship into a live conversation shaped by the questions we bring. What have you never heard answered from the pulpit? If the universe is expanding, what is it expanding into? Do caterpillars know they will become butterflies, or do they just dissolve and hope for the best? What does it mean to forgive when the harm still lingers? Do we create meaning, or does it find us? Would you rather have perfect wisdom or perfect kindness? Ministers will respond, the community will answer, and together, we will follow curiosity wherever it leads. Last week, we steadied ourselves at the growing edge with trust instead of fear. Soon, Earth Day and Easter meet, and calls us to rise and respond as love calls. Worship moves through presence, questioning, and transformation—each moment shaping the next. Always, it is our questions which fuel the rising: What will you ask? What will we discover?
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. 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.
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Join the Climate Conversation at First U | Sundays through April 13, you can join the climate conversation at First U after worship services. | | | | Last Sunday, March 23: Church on The Edge | | |
For the people of Palestine who were hit with another deadly attack despite what was supposed to be a ceasefire. Thank you to all who lit a candle last week at the "vigil table" in the Social Hall.
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 | |
Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity
March 29. 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Maplewood, MN
Register Here through Habitat and reach out to David Harrison to let him know you registered.
Be part of history as Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity embarks on its largest project ever—the redevelopment of the former Hillcrest Golf Course in St. Paul’s East Side! This transformative project will create 147 mid-density affordable housing units, prioritizing community connectivity, housing access, and outdoor amenities. Please reach out to David Harrison with any questions: rdavid.harrisonjr@gmail.com
Join the First U Habitat Interest List
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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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Cultivating Joy & Happiness
Saturdays, April 5, 12, 19, 26, May 3; 12:30-1:30 p.m.
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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
Apr 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, 10:30 a.m. to noon
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Qigong for Liberation
Thursdays; 4:00 - 4:45 p.m. on zoom - Will move to in person at church on March 27!
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: | |
Watch: Our First U IDI results - First Universalist Church of Minneapolis | Martha Moriarty discusses our First U congregational IDI results and what they tell us. | | | | Community & Affiliated Org Events | |
March Sadness – Free Drag & Burlesque Show
March 28 @ 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Details here
It’s free, it’s fierce, and it’s the best way to shake off the late-winter blues. See you there.
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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.
Rescheduled Winter Event & The Sandwich Project
Saturday, March 29 - 4- 8 pm, First Universalist Church - No RSVP/no Charge! Details here.
Refreshments for attendees will include three varieties of homemade chili. Participants who wish to help may bring salads and desserts to share.
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 Sexual Intimacy with our very own Jane Jordan! It will build on the lifelong accumulation of experience regarding intimacy, love and sexual scripts of those in attendance. Come join us!!
Hiking Group
For questions or to get on the hiking group mailing list, contact: Marie Sorensen, 612-419-3620, mariefsor@aol.com.
Games Group
Meets 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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