The Weekly Liberal: October 9, 2025

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It is well engrained in our society that we can and should learn from our elders.  Learning from our parents and caregivers, to our teachers and coaches. But here at First Universalist, we have the honor of learning from the youngest members of our community as well.

Last Sunday I had the absolute pleasure of leading Children's Chapel at 11 am.  Children’s Chapel is for kids in Kindergarten through fifth grade, right after they are dismissed from worship, and before heading to their RE classrooms.

One of the games we played had the suggestion of holding hands in a circle.  But here’s the thing with an OWL facilitator leading a game with touching: we will engage in specific, informed, enthusiastic consent.  I gave the kids three options when they joined in a circle: they could hold hands with their neighbor, they could stick out their elbow and touch elbows, or they could hold their hands on their sides palms up - not touching anyone.  Everyone got to choose what was right for them. We weren’t going to pressure anyone to do anything.  We weren’t going to feel bad if someone didn’t want to touch us.  We were going to respect everyone’s comfort levels.

And you know what, Church?  The kids listened and all immediately chose what felt best for each of them.  Some held hands; some bumped elbows, some had hands out with palms up; some kids had one side with a hand hold and one side with a palm up.  No one complained.  Everyone felt secure in their body.

When we did the activity a second time, we reminded the kids of their three options AND told them they could change how they wanted to touch, be touched, or not touch their neighbors.  Their consent was fully reversible and changeable.  These kids y’all.  They absolutely understood the facets of consent.  And more importantly: they understood what it meant to be in a loving community with one another when we fully respect one another.

We can also model in worship, my friends.  We can learn from these 5-11 year olds about what it means to respect one another and their needs for touch, or no touch. When we offer the chance to hold hands each Sunday now as we close, you too get to choose what feels best for your body and get the chance to respect each other's choices.

This is the joy of a multigenerational community.  It is a privilege to learn both from those younger and those older than ourselves. I encourage you, our faithful readers, to seek out where you experience multigeneral wisdom at First Universalist.

Claire Tralle

she/her/hers

OWL Program Coordinator 

Sunday Worship

Sunday, October 12 | Building the Impossible House

Two services: In person at 9 & 11 a.m. Join the livestream at 11 a.m.

Building the Impossible House with Revs. Jen Crow & Laura Smidzik, Lead Artist Aimee K. Bryant, and Chastity Brown

In this month of October, we explore the practices and skills needed to build the Impossible House of Beloved Community. Deep listening, compassionate care, interdependence, justice and joy, lament and grief will all be part of the framing of this house. Promises, too. Promises made, promises broken and mended and made again. In this Impossible House that love is building we practice interdependence and interconnection, trusting together that we can and will build a new way.

We also have a special post-worship opportunity at 1;30pm to learn this kind of "building" practice with UNIDOS MN and get trained as an "upstander" in solidarity with immigrant justice and ICE raids. Please sign up here and feel free to share this with others in our community.

Children & Youth

Religious Education is in classrooms this Sunday.

Please check the all-ages calendar to confirm where and when your kid/s need to be this Sunday. Different age groups frequently have different schedules or special events, even beginning this Sunday. 

If you have registered for Religious Education, you have received information about which service time your family should attend, beginning this Sunday. If you are unsure, please contact Allison at allison@firstuniv.org. 

Children and youth in grades K-12, EXCEPT 8th/9th grade OWL youth, begin in worship and are dismissed to their classrooms early in the service. 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. Check to see where you should pick up your kid or youth here.

All families, with babies through high schoolers, need to register each church year, regardless of previous registration:

In Case You Missed It:

Last Sunday, October 5

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

Cycle of Life

Loving support is needed for Keenan Olson, Jane Jordan's 12 year old grandson. Keenan was in a mountain bike accident on Tue 9/30. He was sedated with a breathing tube, lung help, and ICU care until Tuesday 10/7 when the breathing tube was removed. Keenan can breathe on his own!!!!  There will be a long recovery, and the first major step has been completed.  Keenan's family is blessed with all the kindness and support given.

A prayer for Marion Dane Bauer's grandson Connor. At age 31, Connor has been ill for half of his life with a devastating neurological illness diagnosed as atypical Lewy Body Dementia. He has been in Hospice for months, and recently, the decision has been made to stop all feeding.

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 several congregants in need of support during life events. Below are links to requests, 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:

Doug Hicks and Susan Shonfeld

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

Daytime Connections

October 16: Getting Acquainted with Rev. Laura Smidzik | RSVP for October

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

Registration Requested by the Monday prior. (Suggested donation for provided lunch is $0-20 as you are able. Attendees are also welcome to bring their own lunch.)

Learn about the newest member of our ministerial staff. Rev. Laura will tell us about her history, calling and hopes for the future at First Universalist Church. There will be ample time for questions and discussion.

Organized and hosted by the Daytime Connections Planning Team

Daytime Connections empowers older adults to live intentional, joyful, purposeful and spiritually fulfilled lives, by building a vibrant community and providing engaging programming that promotes conscious aging and fosters personal and spiritual growth.

Young Adults ONLY: 

Sunday Evening Weekly Media Screening - YA Lead: Amelia Marquez

Virtual: Zoom | Text Amelia to get the Zoom login: 406-860-5420

Young Adults gather together virtually on Zoom nearly every Sunday evening to watch various media together. Since June, Young Adults started watching Avatar the Last Airbender together. The group is nearly done with the first season “Water” and will move on to the next season in September. 

Second Sunday Brunch

Location: TBD

For time immemorial, the Young Adults went to brunch after the later service on the second Sunday of the month. Due to the previously frequented venue having anti-worker and union busting ownership, the Young Adults will change their venue this fall. Location is still being discussed and further announcements will come out in the Liberal and at church.

Membership Class

Dates to be determined  Join the interest list

We ask that congregants who are interested in becoming members take the Membership Class. In two sessions, participants have an opportunity to get clear on what they personally are committing to as church members and what a mutual, reciprocal church community commits to them in return. In community, participants explore the practical and spiritual sides of what relevant, sustainable church membership means to them. Even if you’re a lifelong UU interested in membership, we ask that you take the membership class at First Universalist as it helps orient folks to this congregation and helps build community.

Trans, Non-binary and Gender Expansive Community and Support Group

Will meet once/month based on participant availability. Contact Kaden Colton for information: kaden.e.colton@gmail.com.

A source of emotional, physical, and spiritual support for trans, non-binary and gender expansive adults who are members and friends of First Universalist or folks moving to the Twin Cities area. The group will facilitate support, resources, and community building. Facilitated by Kaden Colton, a member of First Universalist and a seminarian pursuing chaplaincy.

Coming up in the next few weeks

Community News & Needs

Best Wishes and Support for Karen and Khloe

First Universalist has been providing Sanctuary for Karen and Khloe for the past seven months. After conversations with attorneys, community advocates, and family, they have made the bittersweet decision to return to Peru. We do not know exactly when they will make the journey home, but we will provide updates as we are able to share them. As they make plans to rebuild their lives in Peru, you can support them by providing diapers or groceries while they are still here. To sign up to help Karen and Khloe, head to the Sign-Up Genius HERE.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Emma Paskewitz at elpaskewitz@gmail.com.

For our first Common Ground Sunday on October 19, we are in need of clean glass jars and old magazines. Smaller jars are preferred, but any size will do! Jars will be used to make candle holders, and magazines will be used for collaging. You may drop off jars and magazines in the church office anytime between now and October 16.

Common Ground Sundays

Sunday, October 19 in the Cummins Room

About once a month over holiday weekends and/or school breaks, we will host a program for all grade levels (kindergarten through high school) called Common Ground Sundays. These Sundays are intended to gather and ground our children and youth in a shared project of liberation, resistance, and care for our congregation and our wider community.

Take note:

• Children and youth may attend either 9 or 11 a.m. Common Ground Sunday programs, regardless of which worship time they regularly attend for RE
• Programming is led and supervised by church staff

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.

Cultivating Practices for Our Wellness

AUW Fall Mini-Retreat

November 8, 2025

11:00 am – 3:15

New AUW member Gina Ditta-Donahue will share her wisdom and passion for holistic health and addressing the root causes of health issues. Gina will draw on her wealth of experience as functional nurse practitioner. There will be breakout sessions, including sound healing and Qigong. Check back for further updates.

Details at a glance:

9:30 - Gather and connect

10:00- 12:00 - Chalice lighting; program begins

12:05 - 1:00 Lunch

1:05 - 3:00 Keynote speaker Gina Ditta-Donahue and breakout sessions

Register for Mini-Retreat

**SAVE THE DATE** The AUW Spring Retreat is April 17-19, 2026

This year's theme is "Belonging" and the keynote speaker is Rev. Karen Hutt.

Watch this space for upcoming details about the programing and breakout sessions.  

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.