The Weekly Liberal: January 15, 2026 | | 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! | |
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We will make a new way forward together.
Resources and ways into the movement.
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Dear Ones,
My heart is breaking anew in each moment, with each story of violence, each family separated, each innocence shattered. It feels like too much because it is too much. And it is going to be too much for too long. As people of faith who name each and every person as whole and holy and worthy, welcome and wanted; as people of faith who know that harm to one is harm to all, our hearts cannot help but break in these days.
What will we do with our broken open hearts? With our rage and our tears, our resolve and our fears? How do we live with too much for too long?
We remember. We imagine. We dream. We know. Another way is possible. A way built on mutual respect and thriving. A way that values our differences and honors our identities. A way grounded in love of neighbor and love of self and love of all life. Another way is possible, and even in the midst of this heartbreak, we must embody it to survive.
How will we do it? We will care for our neighbors and ourselves in ways both new and familiar. We will care for our neighbors and ourselves as if our lives and theirs depend on it, because they do. And we will each find our role, our place, our lane in the moments and days that unfold in front of us, asking and answering the question: What can I do—what is the thing that I can do? in this moment, on this day, with humility and courage.
As you ask and answer this question for yourself, here are some of the actions that the Sanctuary and Resistance team recommends:
| | | | Pictured: A group of First U folks prepare food in the church kitchen for the January Community Dinner. We had about 140 in attendance! This is one of the ways that we nurture joy in community. | | |
Here's what's coming up for Children, Youth, & Families at First Universalist:
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Sunday, Jan. 18: Common Ground Sunday at both 9 & 11 a.m. services in place of age-based Religious Education
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Saturday, Jan. 24: Saturday Sprouts, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
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Sunday, Jan. 25: Regular Sunday: Religious Education in Classrooms at both 9 & 11 a.m. services.
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Sunday, Feb. 1: Regular Sunday: Religious Education in Classrooms at both 9 & 11 a.m. services.
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Friday, February 6 - Saturday, February 7: Middle School (grades 6-8) Youth Group Overnight.
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Sunday, February 8: Regular Sunday: Religious Education in Classrooms at both 9 & 11 a.m. services.
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Friday, February 13 - Sunday, February 15: Senior High (grades 11-12) OWL Retreat at Camp Eden Wood
Find information on upcoming programming for Children, Youth, & Families in the all-ages calendar spreadsheet. Find the appropriate age group tab on the bottom for events for your family. This document is updated regularly - please check often.
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Families of 6th Graders:
If you did not receive the welcome 6th grade email from Claire earlier this month, and would like to have your 6th grader join their cohort for the spring Rites of Passage class, please email Claire: claire@firstuniv.org.
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Senior High OWL Registration is live!
If you have an 11th or 12th grader who would like to participate, you should have received an email from Claire. If you would like information, please email Claire: claire@firstuniv.org.
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Middle School Overnight Registration open
Middle school (6th-8th grade) youth at First Universalist are invited to an exciting overnight event at the church! It starts on Friday, February 6th at 5 p.m. and wraps up on Saturday, February 7th at 10 a.m. Registration closes on February 1 at 5 p.m.
Led by our middle school youth group advisors, the night is packed with fun activities, including games, crafts, meals, snacks, a movie, worship, and dedicated time for strengthening current friendships and building new ones. A special highlight is the highly coveted game of “Sardines in the dark!"
Important Notes on Overnights:
- This is the only church overnight opportunity for all 6th through 8th graders this year. No grade-specific overnights (like 6th-grade only or 7th-grade only)
- For 8th graders, who have two OWL-specific overnights (one in the Fall and one in the Spring), this will be their only non-OWL overnight and, importantly, the only overnight where they get to play sardines (a highly coveted church activity!).
Volunteer Opportunity:
We rely on parent/caregiver volunteers to make this overnight a success. We are particularly seeking help from the parents and caregivers of 6th and 7th (since 8th-grade parents typically assist with the two OWL-specific overnights). Please indicate on the form how you or another parent/caregiver can help.
If you have any questions or need more information, please contact Hirut at Hirut@firstuniv.org. We can't wait to see you there!
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Allison Connelly-Vetter, our Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries, is currently on parental leave through March 2026.
Find out how to request support while she's out on our Families Web Page:
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Greeters and Ushers Needed!
Ushers and Greeters help make First Universalist more welcoming to all. We have relied on a few stellar ushers for a long time and are now asking folks to sign up to be a part of this important shared ministry. Sign up for one Sunday or for several. Kids are welcome to help with parents or guardians, Questions? laura@firstuniv.org
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Announcing: First U Foundation Seeking Nominations | The Foundation is soliciting nominations of organizations that address racial justice, climate justice, and human rights. The First Universalist Foundation Board is accepting nominations through this form until Saturday, January 31, 2025 from First Universalist congregants (regardless of membership status) and senior high youth in the church. | | | | |
Sunday, January 18 | Remembrance Sunday: Following Ancestors for Justice
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Two worship services:
9 a.m. in person
11 a.m. in person and livestreaming
| 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. Even the moment we live inside now as ICE floods our streets cannot stop the long arc of justice. 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 right now? | | |
This Sunday is a Common Ground Sunday. Grade-based Religious Education programs resume January 25, 2026.
At both services, all children and youth in grades K-12 begin in worship and are dismissed as a group to the Cummins Room early in the service. Kids in PreK and younger can be dropped off in room 104 as early as 15 minutes before the start of each service. On Common Ground Sundays, all kids and youth can attend either service time, regardless of when they are registered or typically attend.
Common Ground Sundays take the place of typical Religious Education programming. In the Cummins Room, kids and youth will have time to worship, explore, create, and play centered around the UU symbol of the chalice. Learn more about Common Ground Sundays here.
You may pick up your child or youth from the Cummins Room at 10:30 a.m. or 12:30 p.m., not before, even if worship has ended.
If you have not already, please register here for Religious Education and our additional Children, Youth, & Family Ministries for the 2025-2026 church year. All families, with babies through high schoolers, need to register each church year, regardless of previous registration.
| | You can watch past worship services and view other First U video content: | | |
A memorial service for Joyce Berdie will be held at church on January 31 at 1 p.m. at church. The memorial will be livestreamed here.
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 laura@firstuniv.org or (612) 405-5583 (call or text).
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We “Hold This Together” by Cooking Meals and Helping Each Other During Life’s Marker Events
Cook a Meal
We have congregants in need of support during life events. Please read the instructions carefully so that you can provide the type of meal that will bring the families the most comfort. Contact Rev. Laura if you are in need of meals to help you through a transition.
Current Mealtrain Requests:
Zion, Jera, and Baby Violet
Help with Rides, Chores, or Companionship During Worship
On occasion, we receive requests from congregants for distinct needs. If you are willing to help with any of these needs, email or text Rev. Laura at laura@firstuniv.org or 612-405-5583.
- General chores (lawn moving, cleaning) post surgery and when congregants are struggling.
- Rides—sometimes to church and other times to doctor appointments.
- Companionship during worship for congregants with cognitive impairment who need a buddy when in the building.
| | Ways to Connect at Church | | |
Saturday Sprouts
Saturday, January 24, 10 a.m. to noon
No RSVP necessary
Saturday Sprouts is a monthly opportunity for families to socialize, worship, play, and offer and receive peer support. We start with snacks and time to get to know each other before moving into family worship, followed by playtime for kids and a peer sharing group for parents and caregivers. We close by sharing gratitudes and singing together.
Saturday Sprouts is open to all families, with programming geared towards young children (6 months - 5th grade) along with their siblings and parents/caregivers.
If you have questions or would like more information, please email Hirut Hedge, Program Specialist: hirut@firstuniv.org.
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Sign-Up Sunday
Sunday, February 1, following each worship service, in the Social Hall
Winter/Spring Programs for Connection and Spiritual Deepening: February 8-May 17
Visit the Social Hall after worship on February 1 to chat with the folks who are organizing small groups, classes, and gatherings this winter and spring. Groups who submitted a program to the church are on the list to have table space. If your group did not submit a program submission form, but you would like to have table space, please email Rachel Rott (rachel@firstuniv.org).
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Board Meeting Tonight
The First U Board of Trustees will hold their monthly meeting on Thursday, January 15, at 6:30 p.m. The Board packet is posted on the website a day or two in advance of the meeting, and can be found HERE.
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Say It With Flowers
“I Love You, Thank You, I/we Honor You, Happy Birthday or Happy Anniversary” and more can all be said with a simple bouquet. If you would like to celebrate or mark one of life's many passages with flowers, contact Marjie Smith: marjiesmith1@aol.com.
A Visual Arts Team member would be happy to create a bouquet to be displayed in the sanctuary during an upcoming Sunday Service. You may take the flowers/bouquet home after the service. It's a fairly painless process so give it a try!
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Support a First U Artist
Stop by the AUW table in the Social Hall each Sunday through February 15 to see this sculpture up close—feel free to pick it up, hold it in your hands, look at it, and think about it.
Title: We May Bend But We Will Not Break
Artist: Martha Bird
Dimensions 10 x 10 x 10 inches
Materials: Salix (willow)
2017
Willow shoots, like the ones used to create this sculpture, sway back and forth in the wind, growing close to the water’s edge while preventing erosion. So, too, can we weather the strong winds that threaten to break, while staying close to what we believe in so we can stand strong to surround and protect. The current political, social and economic environment call for us to stand close together and tall like the willow tree to protect the erosion of what we know as basic human rights.
Exhibition History:
November 2017
Anguish and Hope: 31 Artists Comment On the Political, Economic, Social and Environmental State of the Country
Vine Arts Center in Minneapolis
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Winter Display in The Sanctuary | Bring A Stuffed Animal! | The Visual Arts Team has created a stunning winter scene in the sanctuary, and they invite you to lend a stuffed animal to the scene! The display will be up until the end of January, so there's still plenty of time! | | | | |
Give the Gift of Warmth
This is our 21st year to collect "Gifts of Warmth" to distribute to our neighbors needing a bit of warmth. Over the years we have collected thousands of hats, scarves, and mittens and distributed them to schools, food shelves, ER rooms and social service agencies in our community. If you do not knit, purchased and gently used items are welcome.
Items can be dropped off in the baskets near the elevator. We collect through the end of January. For more information contact: barbmelom@gmail.com
Thank you for your kindness.
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To make a monetary donation to Joyce Uptown Foodshelf via Venmo @JoyceUptown.
Joyce Uptown Food Shelf's mission is to distribute food to those in need, with respect and dignity. You can help by donating money or food. We collect nonperishable items at church and deliver them to Joyce Food Shelf. Currently the high demand items are:
- Spaghetti
- Canned Proteins (Peanut Butter, Tuna, Beans, Chicken, Sardines, Spam, Tofu)
- Instant Oatmeal Packets
- Tampons and Pads
- Toothbrushes and Toothpaste
- Ramen
- Paper Grocery Bags with Handles
| | Community & Affiliated Org Events | | |
12-Step Spirituality
Visit the website for details.
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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Women’s Free Movie Night
Prepare to beat the January blahs!
Friday, January 16, 2026; doors open at 5:00 p.m., movie at 6:00 p.m.
Look forward to the movie: Peace, Love & Misunderstanding
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February Hygge* Event: Chastity Brown Concert
Saturday, February 7, 2026
Renowned singer-songwriter Chastity Brown will perform a one hour concert just for us.
1:00 pm: Doors open
1:15 pm: Introduction
1:30 pm: Concert begins promptly
2:30-4:00: Desserts and conversation
Register here by February 5, 2026.
See AUW website for more information.
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Spring Retreat: April 17-19, 2026
Early bird registration is open until 11:59 pm, January 16, 2026.
Full price registration begins on January 17, 2026.
2026 AUW Spring Retreat “Belonging.”
Keynote speaker Rev. Karen Hutt.
One breakout session will be a fun and energetic improv session!
The link to register is below. Come join us!
AUW 2026 Spring Retreat "Belonging"
| AUW sponsors activities for people who identify as women, non-binary and/or gender fluid. | | Need to make a connection or ask for care?Find what you need here. | |
First Universalist Church of Minneapolis
3400 Dupont Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55408
612-825-1701
firstuniversalistchurch.org
For staff contact information, please visit our Ministers and Staff page.
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Weekly Liberal Submissions
We encourage you to submit church news! To do so, email your content to Rachel Rott: rachel@firstuniv.org. Edits for length and/or content may occur. The deadline for submissions is noon on Wednesday the week of publication. Past issues can be found on our website.
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