Transformative Community for Children & Youth

Hello, Dear Ones of First Universalist,

In just a few weeks, I will have been serving at First Universalist for one full year as your Interim Director of Children, Youth, & Families. In this time, I have delighted in opportunities to listen, collaborate, laugh, adapt, sing, problem-solve, and celebrate with you all. I have learned so much from you. I’d like to share a glimpse of what we’ve been up to and what’s coming next. 

I shared a more detailed update with our parents and caregivers this week, and you can find that here.

Last Fall, we conducted listening sessions for parents and caregivers of 2nd-5th grade kids at First Universalist. Those listening sessions, along with observations of our older youth and additional conversations with volunteers and families, revealed a need to clarify our practices and values in relation to our kids and youth. 

In alignment with our Visionary Goals, we have chosen to do that clarification in a shared leadership model.

Thus, our Children, Youth, & Families (CYF) Advisory Team was born! This is a diverse team of about a dozen folks who are committed to continuing our outstanding programming for young people.

Our first task as an Advisory Team was creating a living document to organize and reflect our priorities and commitments to our kids and youth in this particular moment and context. You can find the result of that process, our Guiding Principles for Children, Youth, & Family Ministries, here. 

We would love your feedback on these Guiding Principles! Feel free to share with me (Allison) or any member of our Advisory Team.

Once we established our Guiding Principles, we used them to revisit our programming for kids in grades K-5.

Over the past year, we heard two primary unmet desires from parents and caregivers of kids in this age group. They were longing for:

• More content about Unitarian Universalism and our shared values, and
• More opportunities for friendships and deep relationship building between kids and their peers.

This summer, members of the CYF Advisory Team are reconstructing our Sunday morning Religious Education programs for our K-5th graders to more fully address these needs. If you have feedback or would like more information about this process, please let me know. 

Of course, we need a LOT of volunteers to make all these fabulous programs happen—and that’s where YOU come in!

There’s a volunteer role for everyone. Here are a few ways you could plug in:

• Preparing meals or setting up for events and meetings;
• Leading Sunday morning Religious Education or other programs for kids, youth, and parents;
• Offering administrative support and encouragement to staff and volunteers;
• Providing childcare outside of our normal Religious Education hours; or 
• Helping with special events (like our Christmas Pageant, Fundraiser, or overnights).

If you are interested in volunteering this year, please be in touch—I guarantee you will make my day!

In Gratitude,

Allison Connelly-Vetter

Intro

Transformative Community for Children & Youth



Sunday Worship

This Sunday, July 21

Last Sunday's Recordings

Cycle of Life

Programs Calendar

Octavia Butler Young Adults Playground Meetups Mutual Aid Sunday School Family Book Club Kids Camp

Meditation Group

Pastoral & Community Care

Grief Group

Faithful Action Electrify Everything Early Adopters Database Habitat Hike at Bdote

Plant-Based Potluck

News Memorial Service Volunteers Child Dedication

Community Events & Affiliated Orgs:

First U Musicians, AUW, 12-Step Spirituality

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See and Say

This Sunday, July 21, at 10 a.m. we continue our month of Art & Soul at First Universalist.

What hidden stories do photographs reveal? This Sunday, I invite you to join me and John Steitz as we explore "See and Say" in the final week of our annual Art and Soul series. John, our talented sound engineer and celebrated photographer, will share his journey and the profound moments he's captured through his lens. Together, we'll ask: How does photography reveal hidden truths and balance power? What unseen details become visible through the lens? How do images evoke deeper connections and understanding? How can those without sight experience the essence of photography?

We’ll delve into how photography can deepen our understanding of social justice, environmental stewardship, and personal connection. Through John’s lens, we are invited to see the unnoticed, to feel the unspoken, and to connect with the world in new ways. This service promises to be a visual and reflective journey, inspiring us to look closer and appreciate the art in everyday life.

I also encourage you to visit the Social Hall after the service to view an exhibit of John’s work. This exhibit features powerful excerpts from his documentary collection of George Floyd Square. It captures moments of resistance and relationship in the wake of tragedy.

IN PERSON AND ONLINE

We are on our summer schedule from May 19 - September 8. We will have a single service at 10 a.m. each Sunday during this period. There will be no worship on September 1 in observance of a collective sabbath.

In person and and livestreaming at 10 a.m. Watch the livestream here. 

Our digital order of service is available here. (Updated weekly before Sunday worship.)

Masks are welcome but not required in the sanctuary; please review our Covid-19 Gathering Guidelines.

CHILDREN & YOUTH 

From May 19 through Sept. 8, Religious Education is worship. There are no classes or formal curriculum. Kids and youth of all ages are invited to worship in the Sanctuary with their families.

In the summer months, childcare is available for children ages 6 months to Kindergarten in rooms 102 and 104 during Sunday worship from 9:45-11:15 a.m. 

The Cummins Room on Sunday mornings will have a worship livestream. It will not be staffed, and all children must be accompanied by one of their adults at all times.

Religious Education classes and curriculum resume Sept. 15. You can register now. We are looking for more volunteers to minister with our kids and youth in the Fall. If you are open to further conversation about volunteering, please reach out to Allison.

Contact Allison Connelly-Vetter, Interim Director of Children, Youth, & Family Ministries, with questions or for more information at allison@firstuniv.org.

AFTER WORSHIP

Coffee Hour in the Social Hall

Visit with old friends and meet new ones over coffee and cookies in our social hall.

Sunday, July 14: The Rest Is Still Unwritten

• Last week's worship on YouTube
• Podcast recording of full service
• Podcast recording of sermon

Click thumbnail for a YouTube recording of last week's worship

Last Week's Guest Artists:

Podcast Archive | Video Archive | Sermon Archive

We hold the family of Nancy Browne in love and care this morning. Nancy broke her second hip this year last week, had surgery and could not recover. She died Tuesday evening. Memorial plans are still in formation.

We hold Gail and Stuart Hanson in gentleness and care. Gail has had a series of health struggles recently that have moved her into hospice care. Stuart remains faithfully at her side in this time.

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.

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.

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.

Mutual Aid Sunday School

Second and Fourth Sundays: July 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 Family Book Club

Friday, August 2 from 7-8 p.m.; on Zoom

REGISTRATION - please register to receive Zoom link.

Love to read? Want to connect with other kids who read at First U? Last Friday the First U Family Book Club finished up our discussion of the Amulet series! We decided that our next meeting will be Friday, August 2 from 7-8 p.m. We will be discussing HiLo: The Boy Who Crashed to Earth.

Facilitated by Rebecca Donley.

First U Kids Camp

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. 

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.

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.

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. NOTE: LOCATION CHANGED DUE TO FLOODING

New meetup location: 1498 Mendota Heights Rd (trail parking lot).

Please RSVP to Cathy Geist at 612-384-2723

The plan for this hike has shifted to new location across the Mississippi River.

Plans are still on to meet Cathy Geist on Saturday, July 27 for a hike near the convergence of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers, but it has been moved to a new location due to flooding at Fort Snelling State Park. We are now meeting across the river for a hike with Cathy and a Conservation Corps naturalist along the Big Rivers Regional Trail starting at the trail parking lot at 1498 Mendota Heights Rd. Join us to learn about the variety of animals and plants, and learn about the geology of this unique setting. 

Plant-Based Potluck with the EJ Team

Wednesday, August 7; 5:30- 7 p.m. Under the First U Tent RSVP Requested

Bring a plant-based dish to share to a lively gathering of UU friends old and new under First U’s backyard tent. All ages and families are invited! Leave with satisfied taste buds and a few tips from EJ Team Members on integrating food solutions into your life to cool the planet.

Memorial Service Volunteers Needed

Saturday, July 27 at 1:00 pm

There will be a service for Dorothy Silvestre, longtime member of First Universalist.

Needed: Ushers, greeters, servers, cookies and bars.

If you can help, please text Lisa Sinclair at 612-709-5927.

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.

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) ended on June 30, 2024. Benefits of AUW membership include reduced registration rate to annual AUW Retreat, free lunch at our events, free or reduced price at paid AUW events, inclusion of your name in the AUW Directory and the knowledge that your membership helps keep AUW the wonderful organization it has been for over a CENTURY!

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 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 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.