The Weekly Liberal: January 23, 2025 | |
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Announcing Winter/Spring Programs at Church | |
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Dear Ones,
With cruelty and chaos making themselves visible in this place we call our nation, now is the time to dig in to church. At church, we shape and reshape the container of community on Sundays and every time we come together: when we light our chalice it is a reminder that we form that same solid holding space as a community no matter what—the warmth of community and the fire of commitment, a well of love burning bright, always at our center.
At First Universalist, our seasonal programs are the places where we strengthen the bonds between us, deepen our spiritual practices, and cultivate new learning and understandings about ourselves and the cultures amongst and between us. Our Spiritual Growth Programs are a place for us to practice being together, building our spiritual muscles together and co-creating a vision of collective liberation—where everyone is free from oppression and fear and everyone belongs.
In the form that folks used to submit program proposals for Winter/Spring, we asked: How does this program or event tend the soil for the world we are trying to grow, rooted in our visionary goals and UU values?
In the responses to that question, we heard a lot about building connections, fostering community and relationships, and creating intentional space for marginalized and impacted folks. We heard about the yearning for skills and tools to ground us in our bodies, and on the Earth. Our program facilitators and group leaders are bringing their most tender hearts and care for this community to a host of incredible offerings this season. We hope you will find your way deeper into community in ways that nurture you and perhaps challenge you. The more we can practice being on the edge of learning and trying new things, the better we get at feeling discomfort and uncertainty without understanding it as pain or harm—it’s where learning and growth happen!
We will move together from winter into spring, and with it the promise of new beginnings, the reminder that new life is always unfolding and that we are tenders of soil and nurturers of seedlings: From Community Dinners to movement and embodied practices, from spaces to hold grief and spaces to cultivate joy, book groups and other multigenerational groups, spaces for our trans and non-binary beloveds, and even a group that will be shared with a congregation in California, there is a place for you here.
We encourage each and every one of you to knit yourself into this community. Feel the warmth and generosity that is embodied in the program offerings for this Winter and Spring. We’ll see you at Sign-Up Sunday on January 26—and beyond.
If you have questions about our program offerings, please reach out to Liz Farmer (liz@firstuniv.org) and Rachel Rott (rachel@firstuniv.org), First U staff members who are coordinating the programs together this season.
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With Care,
Your Programs Team
Liz, Rev. Ashley, and Rachel
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You can view the Program Guide here and sign up for one (or a few!) of the programs coming up at church over the next couple of months. And plan to be at church this Sunday:
Sign Up Sunday
January 26; 10-11 a.m. and 12-1 p.m. in the Social Hall
All are welcome!
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.
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Make Your Commitment for 2025-2026 Now! | |
We have received a tidal wave of commitments in the last week. Thank you! This is what allows us to keep our ministry strong in these precarious times. Help us secure out budget for the fiscal year beginning in July NOW so that we can turn our focus to the ministry the world so desperately needs from us. | |
Livestream Option Added to Saturday's Peter Mayer Concert | We have added a livestream option to the Peter Mayer / JD Stillwater concert this Saturday, January 25 at 7 p.m. Livestream tickets can be purchased at the same link as in-person tickets (above). Please share with out-of-town friends and invite them to join us virtually! More than ever, we need music and art to uplift, inspire, and foster connection. | |
Mid-Year Congregational Meeting | |
Sunday, Feb 2 - 12:30 pm
Save the date. Agenda to come.
Members of First Universalist Church are invited to the Mid-Year Congregational Meeting. Topics will include a Congregational update from Rev. Jen, as well as updates from Board Committees.
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The IDI measures intercultural competency.
The assessment takes about 20 minutes to complete. Your results will be part of an aggregate group report to the congregation. Your individual results are confidential and shared only with the qualified administrator who you will be meeting with to debrief (optional).
We are working our way through the list of sign-ups, and thank you for only submitting one sign-up. We appreciate your patience as we go through this process. Thanks to all who have taken the assessment and have requested one!
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Sunday, Jan. 26
Reflections: Earth Stewardship and Action
How do we steward the planet we call home? Renew our dedication to environmental stewardship, preparing for Earth Day with a focus on meaningful action.
Join us at 9 or 11 a.m. in person or via livestream at 11 a.m.
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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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Sign-Up Sunday
January 26; 10-11 a.m. and 12-1 p.m. in the Social Hall
All are welcome!
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.
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Last Sunday, Jan. 19: Remembrance Sunday | |
Video: First U Board Secretary, Matt Keller, offers a stewardship testimonial, and talks about his experience of taking the IDI Assessment. | |
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Carol Hinker is having hip surgery (again) this week to improve her mobility.
Dallas Rising asks for positive energy to be sent to her neighbor, Andrea, who was attacked by four strangers this week after coming home from her routine outreach at encampments of unhoused neighbors. She was attacked while trying to park her car in her garage. Our Junior High Youth Group supported Andrea's outreach by making 200 sandwiches for her to distribute back in November. If you would like to offer practical and tangible support such as meals, shoveling, or contributing to her GoFundMe contact Dallas who is coordinating care. You can find Dallas in the Breeze app or ask a minister to connect you.
Nikki Townsend asks for your thoughts, prayers, and support as she navigates traveling, being with family, and the finality of her mom's life.
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).
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Ways to Connect at Church | |
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Cosmology in Concert: An Evening with Peter Mayer & JD Stillwater
Saturday, Jan. 25, 7 p.m. at First U ***and via Livestream!***
Buy Tickets - use this link for in-person and livestream tickets!
Cosmology in Concert is an immersive multimedia experience of the awe and wonder offered by natural reality, and an appreciation for the science that reveals it to us. Part live concert (Peter Mayer) and part inspiring science adventure (JD Stillwater), we will celebrate our cosmic story with reverence and gratitude.
This event supports the artists and is a fundraiser for First Universalist Church.
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February 12 Community Dinner
Dinner at 6 p.m., breakout groups 7-8:15 p.m.
RSVP Here - Menu available about a week prior
Every second Wednesday of the month, swing by church for a delicious home-cooked meal at 6 p.m. in the Social Hall. After dinner, from 7-8:15 p.m., join a breakout group (options for all ages).
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Sex Ed Weekend
Transforming Hearts zoom workshop Saturday, Feb. 22; 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Gather to debrief and connect at First U on Feb. 23, 1-2 p.m. after Sex Ed Sunday worship
The highly recommended Transforming Hearts Collective and Zr. Alex Kapitan is offering a hybrid workshop to expand your understanding of what it means to be trans and nonbinary, learn how to tell fact from fiction, and find out how to help create safety for trans people and their families in this moment. No matter who you are or how much or how little you know about gender diversity, this interactive and informative workshop will expand your mind, open your heart, and give all of us the tools we need to deepen our welcome and care for people of all genders in our community. This training is a great opportunity for lay leaders, RE volunteers, members, and church committees alike.
Please Register in two places:
1. Register here for the zoom link to the hybrid workshop, held locally in Madison, WI
2. Register here to let us know you'll be there to connect in person on Sunday, Jan. 23 at First Universalist of Mpls to connect and debrief about what we learned.
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For details on the gatherings below, and the most complete and up-to-date listing of Programs, Gatherings, & Events at Church, visit our church calendar, or view the Program Guide: | |
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Winter/Spring Grief Group
4:00 - 5:30 p.m. on Zoom; Feb 2, 16. Mar 2, 16. Apr 6, 20 (April 20th is Easter) May 4, 18.
Facilitated by Mark Caswell, church member and ministerial aspirant
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Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity
Three builds scheduled: Saturday, January 25; March 01; or March 29.
8:30am to 3:30pm
Contact David Harrison with questions: rdavid.harrisonjr@gmail.com
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Twin Cities Congregational Spiritual Care Training: How Do You Care?
Two Saturdays: January 25 and February 15 | 9:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. | Unity Church and Zoom
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Saturday Sprouts
January 25; 10 a.m.-noon
No RSVP Necessary
Saturday Sprouts for Families is a lovely chance to get to know other families and to receive support from kindred parents/caregivers and the congregation.
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People Who Live Alone Group
Thursdays, Feb. 6, 27, March 13; 7-8:30 p.m. hybrid in person and on zoom
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Young Adults: Second Sundays Lunch at Gigi’s
Feb. 9, March 9, 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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Caregivers Support Group
Second Sundays: Feb. 9, March 9, April 13, May 11; 1:00 - 2:30 pm on zoom
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Labyrinth on the Full Moon
Feb. 12 Community Dinner Breakout, March 13, April 12, May 13; drop in from 5-7 p.m. in the Social Hall
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Pancake Breakfast for Trans and Gender Expansive Folx
Saturday February 15; Breakfast 9:30-10:30 a.m., Short program 10:00, Breakouts 10:30-11:15, Closing 11:15-11:30
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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
Facilitated by Denise Konen.
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Winter/Spring Membership Class
2 sessions, both required: Sundays, March 16 & 23; Lunch 12:45 p.m., Class 1-3 p.m. in person at church
New Member ritual in worship April 6
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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.
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First U Foundation Nominations Are Open | |
Community & Affiliated Org Events | |
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Call for Submissions
Details here - note that the deadline has been extended to March 1
Samara Powers and Rev. Karen Hutt are gathering submissions of original rituals and essays for the upcoming collection “Rituals for the Streets” (working title) from Skinner House Books. They are looking for original works of ritual or other symbolic acts intended to mark sacred time beyond the walls of our houses of worship, and essays about the importance and value of ritual in public spaces. This will be an interfaith collection, open to leaders of any/all liberal, progressive, and/or radical love traditions doing ministry out in the world, where the people are often in most dire need: in the streets.
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The Revolution Will Be Streamed: Approaches to News for a World in Crisis
Thursday, February 6, 6 p.m. CT
More Details and RSVP here
Partisan bias is widely discussed in news media and about news media organizations. However, in addition to partisan bias, news organizations and journalists perpetuate structural biases that perpetuate violent, stereotypical ideas and hopelessness about our world and our role in it. This webinar examines help news consumers evaluate sources, identify structural biases and what to do about them, and more effectively present their own ideas for change.
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MUUSJA - Lobby Days
Attend an Upcoming Lobby Day at the State Capitol
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Single Payer Lobby Day - Health Care for All Minnesota, Monday, Mar. 10; register here
- Reproductive Freedom Lobby Day, Monday, Mar. 10; save the date
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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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AUW Winter Event: Unleashing Creativity
Saturday, February 8, 2025 10 am - 1:30 pm at First U
RSVP / Tickets Here
Our speaker will be Mary Helmin. Creative opportunities will include making a greeting card and planting a paper hyacinth bulb to take home. A chili lunch will be served. This event will be free to AUW members and $10 for non-members.
AUW Spring Retreat at Camp Courage
May 2-4, 2025
REGISTER BY JAN. 31 FOR EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT!
“Let it Go & Imagine!
Celebrating 25 Years & Beyond!”
For more information, click here.
Hiking Group: For questions or to get on the hiking group mailing list, contact: Marie Sorensen, 612-419-3620, mariefsor@aol.com.
Marie will have limited availability to lead hikes in January and February. AUW members and friends who wish to convene hikes are encouraged to do so through the AUW Facebook group.
Game Group
February 13, 7-9 p.m. at church
Contact: Anne Frenchick
Women Who Read
Mon., Monday, January 27, 2025, 7 p.m.
Topic: An Invisible Thread: the True Story of An 11-year-old Panhandler, a Busy Sales Executive, and An Unlikely Meeting With Destiny by Laura Schroff.
RSVP for location: Abbie Finger
The Sandwich Project Potluck and Service Project
Saturday, January 25, 4-7 pm First U Social Hall - Note time change to accommodate concert-goers!
Questions: Contact event sponsors, Beth and Sandy at bumble9lol@gmail.com.
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