The Weekly Liberal: February 19, 2026

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When I dream, I feel like the truest millennial there ever was. I dream about stability. No mortgage, no loans, no debt—we’re not going anywhere.

I want to use the money we use to pay down that debt to take big swings at our Visionary Goals.

First U is a hope-giving powerhouse. We’re focused on giving each other hope.



I invite you to help me give hope this pledge season, and see what we can build together.

Pledge: Make your Annual Financial Commitment

Please complete the pledge form ASAP, or by March 6:

Here's what's coming up for Children, Youth, & Families at First Universalist:

• Sunday, Feb 22: Regular Sunday: Religious Education in Classrooms at both 9 & 11 a.m. services. 
• Wednesday, Feb. 25: Middle and High School Youth Groups meet, 7:00-8:15 p.m.
• Saturday, Feb. 28: Saturday Sprouts from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
• Sunday, Mar. 1: Regular Sunday: Religious Education in Classrooms at both 9 & 11 a.m. services. 
• Sunday, Mar. 8: Regular Sunday: Religious Education in Classrooms at both 9 & 11 a.m. services. **1st/2nd Grade OWL Begins**

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.

WATCH: February 12 Religious Education and Coming of Age Listening and Information Session

Members of the Children, Youth, and Families Advisory Council and Working Group hosted in-person and Zoom listening sessions for congregants to learn more about the process for the updates to our Religious Education programming. They shared about the changes made in the past two years for updating all of our RE programs to be more in line with our UU Shared Values and developmental needs of our children and youth. They highlighted changes in K-8 and took a deeper dive into the updates to our 9th grade Coming of Age program.

A big THANK YOU to Senior High Families, youth, volunteers and youth group facilitators for an AMAZING Senior High OWL retreat last weekend! Four congregations from the metro area sent youth to learn about communication, consent, healthy relationships, safety, pleasure, gender, orientation, social media, and sexuality throughout our lifespan.  Much fun was had by all, and none of it could have been possible without fabulous volunteer and family support. Thank you!

1st/2nd Grade OWL Registration is live! 

Register Here

Families should have received an email from Claire, if you have not, please email her (claire@firstuniv.org) with questions.

Allison Connelly-Vetter, our Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries, is currently on parental leave through March 2026.

Find out how to get support while she's out on our Families Web Page:

SAVE THE DATE! Talent Show & Trivia Night... and Dinner, too!

Friday, March 13, 5:30-8:00 p.m. at church

The Senior High Youth Leadership Team is bringing back the wildly successful Talent Show & Trivia Night! This event is a fundraiser for the church, and First U youth leaders are counting on all ages to bring their talent (and their wallets!) as we build community and fortify our church for the coming year. Mark your calendar and watch this space for a way to RSVP soon.

Sunday Worship

Sunday, February 15

We Are Holding It Together

Two worship services:

9 a.m. in person

11 a.m. in person and livestreaming

With letters of solidarity and care continuing to stream in from around the world, with strength shared as each of us find our places and take our breaks and return again to the joy of love and community, with the comforting hum of those arriving to apply the bandages resonating in our ears—we remember that we are holding it together. Join us as Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt brings a message of hope and strength, drawing from the wisdom of poet, Lucille Clifton, who wrote in her poem “won’t you celebrate with me:”

what did i see to be except myself?

i made it up

here on this bridge between

starshine and clay,

my one hand holding tight

my other hand; come celebrate

with me that everyday

something has tried to kill me

and has failed.

Religious Education will be in classrooms this Sunday.

Children and youth are always welcome in worship with their families! If you are new or new-ish to First U, please join us at whichever service works best for you, and visit the Welcome Table in the atrium where someone will help orient you and answer your questions.

Most Religious Education programs are offered during both services. However, there are some exceptions. Please register below to be added to the appropriate roster and you’ll receive communication from Allison about which service to attend.

You may pick up your child or youth from Religious Education at 10:30 a.m. or 12:30 p.m., not before, even if worship has ended. Having a standard pick up time for all children and youth supports our kids and volunteers in completing the lesson for the day and ending the session thoughtfully and spaciously.

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.

In Case You Missed It:

Last Sunday, February 15

You can watch past worship services and view other First U video content:

Cycle of Life

We are sending our love to long time members Connie Diercks and Harry Pontiff. Harry has dementia and Parkinson's and Connie is navigating this difficult journey. Our good wishes will be appreciated.

We hold care and compassion for the family of Kathleen "Kay/Kate" Olson, who passed away on February 7. She was a longtime member of First U who moved to Las Vegas in recent years to be near her son, Erik Olson. See her obituary 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).

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

Featured Programs

Saturday Sprouts

Saturdays once per month, 10 a.m. to noon: February 28

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, at hirut@firstuniv.org.

Physical Media Party

Friday, Feb 20, 6pm, at church

RSVP to Maria:  815-821-4674

Bring your own snacks!

Does all your media live in the cloud? Do you wish it didn’t and that you owned your own media like you did in 2005? Come join the Early Adults to make a plan to print your pictures, to put your music and movies on a flash drive, to back up your computer, and even to rip your old CDs! Bring your computer and USB drives or CDs.

Qigong for Liberation 

Tuesdays, 4:30 - 5:15 online, facilitator will keep participants informed of any dates we don't meet | RSVP Here

We gather in person in good weather and on Zoom in the snowy months, to practice the beautiful and healing movement meditation of Spring Forest Qigong created by Master Chunyi Lin, who notes, “by harmonizing Qi, the body’s vital energy, Qigong supports physical vitality, emotional balance, and spiritual growth.” Come when you can. A recording is included each week so, if you can't attend in real time, you can practice when you choose. Movements are gentle and accessible and can be done standing, sitting, or lying down. Spring Forest Qigong is a liberating practice because it provides a way to return to who we have always been—energy beings, who, when given the space and time to heal, can bring more unconditional love, forgiveness, and kindness to ourselves, each other, and a hurting world. As our strength and resilience grow we become fortified to respond with courage and compassion to the intensifying fascism. Facilitator will reach out when you register so that you can get to know one another and she can better understand your needs for your qigong practice. Facilitated by Denise Konen.

Early Adults:

Early Adults at First U are folks who are 18 years old - 39 years old (No High School Students Please 🙂 High Schoolers are invited to take part in our Youth Group)

Early Adult Monthly Dinner

Tuesday, February 24, 6:30pm

RSVP to Billy: 218-770-8863

Full Moon Walk at the U of M Arboretum in Chaska

Tuesday March 3, 7:00 to 10:30 

RSVP to Raelyn R: 612-554-4934

Tickets are required prior to the event—there is a fee but mutual aid will cover costs and can carpool

Coming up in the next few weeks:

Get to know the Intercultural Development Continuum

Wednesday evenings: February 25, March 4 & 18, April 1, 7pm - 8:30pm at church

Single and Solo Parents Group 

Saturdays Feb 28, March 28, and April 25 from 10:45 am-12:00 noon (fourth Saturday of the month)

Wednesdays, March 11, April 8 from 7:00-8:15pm 

Resistance Reflection Circle

Friday mornings, 9-10 a.m. on Zoom | RSVP Here

Community News & Needs

Board Meeting Tonight at 6:30

The First U Board of Trustees meets this evening, Thursday, February 19, at 6:30 p.m. at church and via Zoom.

Mutual Aid to Support Animal Companions

Church member Dallas Rising has created a mutual aid group focused on meeting animals' needs during, and in the wake of, the federal occupation of Minnesota. If you are connected to a family sheltering in place, a school providing groceries and other necessities, a grocery delivery group, or other space where people seeking support find resources, please feel free to share the website: www.ICEHurtsAnimalsTooMN.org.

They provide home deliveries of pet supplies, dog walking, and connections to free or low-cost vetting services that include volunteer transport to clinics, free in-home euthanasia, and Certificates of Veterinary Inspection for traveling internationally with animals. They can also help with spay/neuter services, respite care, and rehoming for animals affected by ICE. Follow on Instagram at @icehurtsanimalstoo.

Congratulations to our sister congregation, Minnesota Valley UU Fellowship in Bloomington who is celebrating their 60th anniversary on Sunday, Feb 22. It was 60+ years ago that John Cummins invited a group of First Universalist members to consider starting a new congregation in Bloomington. It obviously was a successful invitation. 

First U Seeks Choral Accompanist/Worship Pianist

Help us find our next music leader to work with Paolo! We're looking for someone with skills as an accompanist and music leader who can join the worship team at First Universalist. Please share the job description in your networks, and remember, our policy is to hire non-church members for staff positions.

First U Artist

Artist Talk 

Cultivating Willow: Building Community through the U of M Landscape Arboretum

Saturday, February 21, 2026 from 1-2 pm, Snyder Auditorium

Artist Martha Bird will talk about growing the willow (Salix) plant to create sculptural basketry and build community. She will share her process for planting, growing, and harvesting chromatic varieties of willow, and detail the preparations required to weave willow into art. She’ll also provide photos and reflections highlighting her various artistic partnerships with the Arboretum, focusing on her participation in the YouBetcha build, which was on display from 2019-2023. YouBetcha featured a sculpture of sustainably harvested willow by artist Patrick Dougherty with five towers, a maze and a meandering pathway. Bird’s artist talk will offer the audience the opportunity for a robust Q&A. Link to event

Location:

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

3675 Arboretum Dr.

Chaska, MN 55318

Link to register: https://arb.umn.edu/art/fiber-fragment-form

(free admission offered by contacting marthabirdart@gmail.com)

Join UUs for Justice in the Middle East (UUJME) for a Palestine 101 Teach-in, on February 22nd, 5:00 CST

Co-sponsored by Church of the Larger Fellowship, Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, and Diverse and Revolutionary UU Multicultural Ministries.

See pictures showing the history of the land and people before 1948, hear about helpful frameworks for learning, and experience rich UU resources by Side with Love and others. We will also share examples of actions that UUs are taking around the country.

RSVP to get the Zoom link here: https://www.uujme.org/uujme_calendar

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.

2026 AUW Spring Retreat “Belonging”  

Keynote speaker Rev. Karen Hutt 

Come spend a relaxing, regenerative and fun weekend with others!

Register below.  Come join us!

AUW 2026 Spring Retreat "Belonging" | AUW Website

Association of Universalist Women

Visit the website • Join or renew membership • AUW Facebook Group

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.

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.