What We Do Next

Dear Ones,

This past Monday, I found myself outside the horticulture building at the state fair having an unexpected conversation with a new friend I’d met there. Two middle aged white women sitting on a bench in the midst of a sea of people resting our feet, she asked me if I thought that things would ever go back to the way they were in our country—when overt racism and sexism, anti-semitism and mockery of people with disabilities was something to be ashamed of instead of celebrated, She asked if I thought this period of time in our American history would be a moment that we’d talk about as “the troubles,” and what I thought was going to happen next. We talked about the ways that our privileged identities can cloud our ability to perceive the experiences and pain of others, and our responsibility to discover and illuminate these areas in our lives in the name of love and compassion and community.  I’m not sure that my response was what she was looking for, but there in that unexpected and unprepared for moment, I found myself saying something true. 

I don’t know what is going to happen next, I told her, and honestly I’ve stopped trying to figure it out. Whatever happens next—in our lives, in our country, in the world—has reliably been beyond my imagination and my planning. I know that for many of us who occupy a privileged place in America, these past several years have woken us up to the realities that people of color and women, that trans and nonbinary people and people living with disabilities, have always lived with in America. I know that for folks who live on the margins of American society these years have not been a revelation—but a time of truth telling, a cautious and watchful moment when their reality is understood and maybe the responsibility for changing it is more widely shared. I don’t want that to be a blip. 

I said to my new friend, I’ve given up on trying to predict what will happen next, and instead I ask myself a different question. Instead of what will happen next, I ask, What will I do and how do I want to be? What kind of world and community and relationships do I want to nurture no matter what is happening in our country and our world? How will I act as if another world is possible? As if we can bring it about, notice it, breathe it into being right here and right now? I’m not sure that my new friend wanted a sermon there on the wall outside the horticulture building, but that’s what she got. 

What kind of world do we want to imagine and breathe into being with our faith and hope, our love and our action? This is the question we ask and answer here at church, and I’m grateful now more than ever to be a part of a community that has an answer I believe in. We say it clearly in the newly adopted Visionary Goals of our congregation: “The people of First Universalist practice Beloved Community among and beyond us.” We practice Beloved Community—community grounded in  love where each and every person and being is known as whole, holy and worthy, welcome and wanted. A community in which everyone is cared for and cared about, a community free of poverty, hunger, and hate. This is the world we are trying to create, the way of being we are practicing among and beyond us.

Each moment of our lives offers an opportunity to practice Beloved Community individually and collectively. Two Sundays ago, a neighbor of the church came into the building after the service and yelled racial slurs at two Black members of our staff—words that carry the weight of generations of violence and systemic oppression. Those words landed not just on the people to whom they were directed, but on our whole community, in this place where we seek truth and justice, where we strive to live out loud a love so big that everyone is inside the circle of our care. It was an intrusion, not just on the individuals impacted, but on the values we hold and the future we are building.

To our Black congregants, people of color, and all marginalized voices: we are sorry. As Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout has said this week, “This moment didn’t happen in isolation. It carries the weight of a larger story of exclusion and violence, and we recognize our role within it. We stand with you, holding a love in our hearts drawn deep from our hearts. We are committed to accountability and repair beyond simple scapegoats. The people of First Universalist Church affirm your dignity. We do so fully, actively, and without hesitation, and we commit ourselves to seeing all of you: your creativity and joy, your strength and resilience, your tenderness, fear, and hope.” After the service on Sunday, Dr. Glen Thomas will be holding sacred space for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color) for your care and support. (This means that we ask white folks to honor that it is not a space for us.) Please join him then if you’d like, or reach out to him or any of the ministers throughout the week for care and support.

And for all of us—this moment two Sundays ago was not a blip. It was and is a part of a larger story that started long before Sunday, August 25th and that will continue long after this weekend. How will we shape how the story turns out? How will we breathe and act a new world full of the spirit of love and hope into being? It starts with showing up and daring to dream, it starts with staying awake and adding our voices, our bodies, our actions, our love and hope to the practice of building Beloved Community within and beyond our walls. Join us on Sunday for Water Communion and a renewal of our shared vision and hope, connect with the upcoming UCC Community Safety training (see below in News & Features for more), join the Theologies for Racial Justice workshop this fall, volunteer to be a part of the newly forming Safety Team by reaching out to me, or to be a greeter/usher by connecting with Rev. Ashley. Renew your faith, and align your actions, as we practice Beloved Community within and beyond these walls.

See you Sunday,

Rev. Jen Crow

Religious Education Needs YOU!

Our RE program is growing and thriving! We have more than 70 phenomenal adult volunteers signed up to help on Sundays and beyond this church year.

We still need 11 volunteers to offer the classes and gatherings that we have planned.

Whether or not you have children or youth in our programming, your once-or-twice-a-month presence as a volunteer would be tremendously appreciated.

Can you help?

Intro

What We Do Next



Sunday Worship

This Sunday, Sept. 8

Water Communion

Last Sunday's Recordings

Cycle of Life

Programs Calendar

Community Dinner

Young Adults

Mutual Aid Sunday School

80+ Spirituality Circle

Daytime Connections

Improv for Elders

Sign-Up Sunday

Meditation Group

Pastoral & Community Care

Grief Group

Faithful Action

Election News

News

Community Safety

Community Events & Affiliated Orgs:

Bus Tour, AUW, 12-Step Spirituality

Some email programs truncate long emails; watch for "message clipped; view entire message" or similar at the bottom of this email if you don't see all contents listed.

Water Communion

Click the video thumbnail above for a message from Dr. Glen Thomas about the incident at church a couple of weeks ago and an invitation to Water Communion.

Join us at 10 a.m., in person or livestreaming.

Coming up this Sunday is our annual Water Communion service, a ritual tradition we share with UUs around the world. The Water Ritual was created by leaders in the UU feminist movement more than four decades ago. Lucile Schuck Longview and Carolyn McDade (also the composer of our beloved song Spirit of Life) made this practice with water (an inclusive symbol of women’s spirituality), to help us all remember how deeply we are each connected to one another, and to all life. 

Water Communion is a very special tradition we celebrate each year at First Universalist. All are welcome, whether it’s your first or fortieth time! Come and be a part of this joyous time whether the waters mingle and set a new year of community on its way. 

We invite you to bring a small bit of water to the sanctuary with you. Some bring a bottle, others a few drops, some bring water they gathered from a special summer memory, others from the kitchen tap. It doesn’t matter how much or where from–all water is beautiful. 

If you can’t collect your own water to bring (or if you forget yours on the counter at home), not to worry. We’ll have pitchers waiting here. We want you to be a part of this important time in our community, where wisdom and joy rush to greet us and show us the way to deeper love. See you there!

No worship last Sunday ~ Collective Sabbath

Podcast Archive | Video Archive | Sermon Archive

Our love and care surrounds the family of Ken Heidelberg, who died on August 27th. Ken and his wife, Ruth, were active church members in the past and our prayers are with his family in this time of memory and grief. An obituary that includes memorial service information can be found here.

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.

Community Dinner

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

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!

Mutual Aid Sunday School

Final Session: Sept. 8 - All are welcome!

11:15 a.m.- 12:45 p.m. In person at church in room 209, on zoom as needed

REGISTRATION

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.

80+ Spirituality Circle

2nd Tuesdays, monthly through May, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., in person at church

Registration Required

Join us once a month in this closed group for those who are age 80 and up as we explore and deepen our spirituality in this phase of life. Each group will include time for spiritual practice, sharing what is moving in our lives, and exploration of a topic and reflection time. Together, we’ll explore topics chosen by group members. This is an ongoing group with a few openings for new members.

Facilitated by Rev. Jen and Rev. Ashley

Daytime Connections

Sept 19: Reconnecting with conversations and lunch



9:45 a.m. coffee, 10-noon program, Noon lunch, in person and on Zoom

Register here

Have you been waiting for a good opportunity to renew old friendships and maybe start some new ones? Join us as we kick off our “third Thursdays” with a program that’s designed for both purposeful sharing and simple catching up. We’ll also give you a peek ahead at some of the dynamic presenters and interesting topics we are lining up for our October through May programs. Sign-in and coffee at 9:45 a.m. We strongly urge you to register in advance at least by the preceding Monday to let us know if you will be attending in person or virtually.

Registration Requested by the Monday prior for lunch planning purposes—attendees are welcome to bring their own lunch as well. The provided lunch will be a shared cost amongst attendees (suggested donation up to $20, as you are able).

Organized and hosted by the Daytime Connections Planning Team

Improv for Elders

Fridays, September 20, 27, October 4, 11, 25, and possibly beyond, 10 a.m. to noon, in person at church

Registration Required

As we age, opportunities for play are not as plentiful as they used to be. This gathering is a time to imagine, to laugh, and to learn the basics of improvisation.

Facilitated by Meg Riley

Fall Sign-Up Sunday

Sunday, September 22; In the social hall after each worship service

Learn about the variety of ways to get involved and get connected at church this season through volunteering, justice teams, and other opportunities for fellowship and spiritual growth. Team leaders and small group facilitators will be excited to chat with you about what they’ve got going on and how you can join.

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.

NEW: Fall Grief Group

Sept 8, 22nd Oct 6, 20, Nov 10, 24 Dec 8, 22

4:30-6pm 

Register Here

The Grief Group meets second and fourth Sundays on Zoom. It is 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. We will be here for you.

Facilitated by Mark Caswell, church member and Ministerial Aspirant

2024 Election News

Countdown – 60 days

“So, we cannot afford for anyone, anyone, anyone in America to sit on their hands and wait to be called. Don’t complain if no one from the campaign has specifically reached out to you to ask you for your support. There is simply no time for that kind of foolishness. You know what you need to do. So, consider this to be your official ask. Michelle Obama is asking you — no, I’m telling y’all — do something!“ – Michelle Obama, speech at the Democratic National Convention, August 20, 2024.

Consider joining our effort at UU the Vote Minnesota as we send postcards and make phone calls to 15,000 apartment residents in our state. 18-34 year-olds are a critical demographic in this election and many just need to be encouraged to register and vote. How to support the effort:

1. Help us mail 15,000 postcards by September 17 (our target date) by contributing to the cost of postage. Postcards are $.57 a card, so we have been working to raise the nearly $7000 needed to mail. Select Give to UU The Vote here.
2. Join us for a Breakout Session at the Sept. 11 Community Dinner. 
3. Join us on Wednesdays during September and October as we collectively make calls--more to come on that.
4. Plan to join the Zoom “Fair Enough” session with Steve Simons (MN Sec of State) on September 25 from 6:30 to 7:30. Register here.
5. If you took a packet of postcards, please return to the church no later than September 4. If you weren’t able to complete them, return anyway – we have people ready to write more. You don’t risk any recrimination!

Questions? Comments. Suggestions: 

Peg Mitchell: Pegmitch16@gmail.com

Remember: We are 501(c) 3 and therefore are non-partisan. We avoid promoting any party or candidate.

Dear First U Members and Friends,

Some of us from First Universalist Church have registered for a 4-week online congregational safety training called Building Congregational Community Safety. The first session was well done and discussed the growing fascism in our country with an example of what happened at a UU church in Arizona. The second session is on Monday, September 9, 2024, and the last two are on September 23 and 30. 

We invite others in our church to attend so that more of us are ready to respond to incidences like the one that occurred after the church service on Sunday, August 25.  When you register you will receive a video link to the first session and will be able to watch other recorded sessions when you can’t attend in real time. The curriculum was created by a group called Liberating Lineages, and the series is hosted by the United Church of Christ's Frontline Faith and is open to all faith traditions. “How can congregations build an ecology of community safety that is rooted in care, investing in each other, believing in each other, and trusting each other and the rhythms and cycles around/within us?  What community safety practices can we engage in now that also help us build the world we long for?  Our experienced trainers will expand on our “Ecology of Community Safety” guide to offer practical skills, psycho-social care practices, planning tools, and analysis of current conditions, all towards practicing new ways of creating safety within our own congregational contexts.”  Register Here! 

Feel free to contact Denise Konen dkonen10@gmail.com from First Universalist with any suggestions, questions, or ideas.  My hope is that through our participation we will learn approaches that will keep church staff and each other safer and grow in our ability to respond in ways that create less harm and more healing for folks in our faith community targeted because of our beliefs and/or identities and for those who would harm themselves or others.

MUUSJA

Saturday, Sept 14th 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM (Central Time) 

KEEP OUR MN DEMOCRACY: Saturday September 14th, "Operation: Keep Our Democracy" (from MUUSJA with We Choose Us MN)

WHERE: Cross of Glory, 5929 Brooklyn Blvd, Brooklyn Center, MN 55429 & ZOOM

REGISTRATION.

CONTACT WITH QUESTIONS: Karen Wills, 612-270-6559 or kwmuusja[at]gmail.com 

SEPT. 17 = NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION DAY is our statewide mailing date for all of MUUSJA's Postcards to Young Renters. Please return all postcards ASAP! 

Every Wednesday, 9/4/24-10/30/24, at 5:00pm AND by appointment:

Call or Text Young Minnesota Renters to Get Out the Vote in Key Districts

Save Minnesota as a "state of refuge" for reproductive & gender-affirming healthcare. Learn to text or call young renters to get out the vote in key legislative districts. Once trained, send messages from home, on your own schedule.

REGISTER FOR DETAILS

CONTACT WITH QUESTIONS: Karen Wills, 612-270-6559 or kwmuusja[at]gmail.com 

Under Northern Skies

Tue, Sept. 17, Full Moon in Pisces

Gathering time 7:00 p.m.  Ritual begins at 7:30p.m. in Room 209

Under Northern Skies rituals are open to all women (cis and trans) and non-binary people who find their homes in women-centric spaces. Our group is restricted to people 18 years of age and older, women with many different life experiences, backgrounds, and belief systems come together to change, grow, and celebrate the Divine in each other through earth centered ritual.  The gathering dates are every new and full moon.  

There is not a permanent group leader. Volunteers take turns to design, guide, and direct the new and full moon rituals. The date's astrological aspects may guide the topics and themes rituals explore. Rituals also draw inspiration and meaning found in many other earth centered practices and beliefs. 

One does not have to espouse any religion or philosophy or believe in any particular deity or deities to participate in the group and derive meaning from its activities. All one needs is a desire to live in a way that acknowledges the cycles of life and nature, and to grow spiritually and personally alongside a mutually supportive group.

Questions: Contact Lexi - lcinde@gmail.com

AUW sponsors activities for people who identify as women, non-binary and/or gender fluid. Visit their website.

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.

Let’s Gather, Let’s Go! Come to the AUW Kick-off!

September 13, 5:30pm - 8:30pm. (Program will begin at 6pm.)

Our kick-off will embody this year’s AUW theme: “Let’s Gather, Let’s Go!” We will share

a light dinner, introduce upcoming AUW events, and spend time getting to know each

other better.

It’s the perfect opportunity to renew your AUW connections. There will be no charge for

this event for members OR visitors, so be sure to bring friends who might be interested

in becoming part of our sisterhood.

Hiking Group: The first 2 hikes will start at 2 pm , then we will try starting at 12 noon for the second 2 hikes this month. Meets most Saturdays at a park or trailhead. 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. Bring hats, bug repellent, sunglasses.

September 7, 2pm. - Richardson Nature Center. 8737 East Bush Lake Road. Bloomington. Meet at the trailhead sign at the edge of the parking lot. Marie will lead.

September 14, 2pm. - Westwood Nature Center. 8300 Franklin Avenue. St Louis Park. Meet outside the Interpretive Center. We often see deer here. Marsh. Marie may not be there. We need a volunteer to lead.

September 21, 12 Noon - Lakewood Cemetery. 3500 Hennepin Avenue South, Mpls, MN. Meet by the chapel. Park at the side of the driveway. Look for Marie, who will be wearing a red shirt.

September 28, 12 Noon - Lake Harriet. Meet in front of band-shell by the benches. Park in the pay lot or on the parkway. This is a 3 mile walk unless you turn around. The group has the option to separate if some want to go faster. Look for Marie, who will be wearing a red shirt.

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 September 12. 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, September 23 when the topic will be Lillian Boxfish Takes A Walk by Kathleen Rooney.  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 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.

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.

Care Resources

First Universalist offers a variety of care resources to our community. Find details on our website.