The Weekly Liberal: July 10, 2025 | | 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! | |
Revs. Kate Tucker & Meg Riley attend state funeral for Rep. Melissa Hortman - with photos | |
With much gratitude for all the ministries of this community that ripple beyond our walls, we share a story from Rev. Meg Riley, our beloved member and affiliated minister about her experience representing First U along with our beloved Rev. Kate Tucker, Minister Emeritia, at the funeral of Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark. May we remember we all have the power to “beam love,” as Rev. Kate models below. In Rev. Meg’s words:
First of all, I have tremendous gratitude for the senior priest at the Basilica for inviting the downtown clergy group, of which First Universalist (and First Unitarian Society) are members. Rev. Jen, Laura and Ashley could not go so sought representation, and Rev. Kate Tucker and I were delighted to attend. I was particularly glad because I was out of town for the vigil and other opportunities to grieve this horrific murder. I did not personally know Melissa Hortman but all the local activists I know have loved her for years.
We decided to drive up the Mississippi River to the basilica rather than take the freeways, and on the way exclaimed about how beautiful Minneapolis is and how lucky we are to live here. When we arrived at the basilica I was stunned to learn that a) there was convenient, easy parking for the clergy guests! and b) the clergy were sitting in the front row. We were welcomed by the priest and treated as guests of honor. I was delighted to see and sit by my old friend DeWayne Davis, who I got to know in DC in our work for repro justice and don’t see enough since he moved to Minneapolis. (He’s currently the senior pastor at Plymouth Congregational and running for mayor of Minneapolis.)
I started to cry as soon as Kamala Harris walked in...
| | | | Coffee Emergency and a Call to Action! | |
The church coffee maker is down.
WE REPEAT: COFFEE MAKER DOWN.
We’ll have a replacement by next week, but that means we cannot make coffee for the social hour this Sunday after worship.
Here’s what you can do:
- Pre-caffeinate or bring coffee with you
OR, practice some community care:
- Pick up a catering size of coffee at your favorite coffee shop
- Bring a carafe of hot coffee to share
- Bring your coffee maker to church and set it up to brew before worship in the Social Hall
- Offer hugs and support to anyone struggling with a caffeine deficiency
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Job Opportunity at First U! Please share! | |
Intergenerational Justice, Service, and Leadership Coordinator
Interested parties should send a cover letter and resume to Allison Connelly-Vetter, Director for Children, Youth, and Family Ministries, at allison@firstuniv.org by end of day Sunday, July 13. This position will begin on or around August 1, 2025.
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July 13 | Worship with us!
One service at 10 a.m.
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SUMMER: Religious Education is in worship through September 7. All ages and voices are welcome in the Sanctuary! Childcare will be available for ages 6 months through PreK in Room 104.
Registration is open for the upcoming 2025-2026 church year, which will begin in September. All families — new and returning, with babies through high schoolers — must register each church year.
| | WATCH: Last week's worship was an honoring of interdependence, instead of independence. | | You can see past worship services and other video content: | | |
There are no Cycle of Life announcements this week.
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).
| | Ways to Connect at Church | |
Featured Summer Programs
Coming up in the next week or so:
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Young Adults are brunching this Sunday, July 13, at nearby Gigi's Cafe!
Are you someone post-high school, up to about age 40? The First U Young Adults invite you to join them for their monthly lunch at Gigi’s Cafe. About 15 minutes after worship ends, meet up with the group on the front steps of the church. Everyone will walk, roll, or otherwise go to Gigi’s together. If you’d like to join the group and need help covering lunch, email Rev. Ashley: ashley@firstuniv.org.
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Poems and Songs of Resistance and Hope | Coffeehouse and Treat Potluck
Wednesday, July 16, 7:00pm-8:30pm, Cummins Room | RSVP Here
Many of us have found music and poetry that has inspired hope and strengthened our resolve to resist what is happening in our country. Sign up ahead of time with your chosen piece of poetry or song. All ages are encouraged to participate! Bring a treat if you’d like to share one.
| | Coming up in the next few weeks | | |
Caregivers Support Group
Second Sundays: July 13, August 10, Sept 14; 1:00 - 2:30 pm on zoom Facilitated by Rev. Laura Smidzik.
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Minnehaha Falls Art Fair - YA
July 19
Join members of the First U Young Adults group (adults in their 20s and 30s) as they attend the annual Minnehaha Falls Art Fair! Support local artists and find some amazing conversation. Talk with Young Adult Member Raelyn if you are interested in attending as a YA group.
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Summer Grief Group
July 20, Aug. 3 & 17, Sept. 7; 4:00-5:30 p.m. on zoom
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Dementia Friends | Living with Dementia
Sunday, July 27, 11:30am-12:30pm, Room 201
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Trans & Gender Expansive Support Group
Saturdays: July 27, August 24, September 28, 12-1:30 at church
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Crafting Group
Sundays, July 27, September 7, 21, 12-2 p.m. at church
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Summer Instrumental Music
Thursday evenings, beginning June 12, no meeting August 7, 14, or 21; 7-8:30 p.m. in the Cummins Room
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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, 10:00-11:30 a.m. at church
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Qigong for Liberation
Thursdays; 4:00 - 4:45 p.m. at church
Facilitated by Denise Konen.
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Summer Chancel Art!
The Visual Arts Committee created flower poles by combining decorations they had previously used. They used wrapped colorful fabrics on tubes from previous holiday decorations. The flowers were created two years ago for a spring garden scene. Zoe Harrison (a new Visual Arts member and First U youth) helped develop the plan.
Photo credit: Janet Mills
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Glitter Blessings at Twin Cities Pride!
First Universalist volunteered at the MUUSJA booth at Twin Cities Pride. We shared blessings and love for over 2,000 people of all ages who stopped by the booth! There were lots of smiles, squeals, tears, hugs, stories and blessings for us too. We were in awe of the beauty, joy, authenticity, and community.
Gratitude to the First Universalist Volunteers: Maria Heath, Susan Hoffman, Carrie Isaacson, Holly Kelchner, Dave Leppick, CT Neal-Herman, Rev. Laura Smidzik, Allison Wonchoba
Gratitude to MUUSJA Staff: Rev. Terri Burnor, Executive Director; Dallas Rising, Senior Movement Organizer (and First Universalist member); and Nico Van Ostrand, Spiritual Care (and incoming First Universalist Ministerial Intern)
| | Rev. Laura gives glitter blessings | | Nico and Maria at the booth | | | | First U member Dallas Rising (left) in the MUUSJA booth | | |
Volunteer for Youth Camps!
Our First Universalist summer camps are filling up quickly, and you know what that means: we need more people-power to make it happen! We are looking for First Universalist community members to share their talents with our kids and youth during summer camp, which is the week of August 18-22. The world is your oyster: you could teach finger knitting, water painting, a new card game, a song or cheer, yoga, or another skill, or you could simply be an additional adult support person to Allison (elementary-aged campers) or Hirut (middle school aged campers) on one or more days of camp. We also need folks to prepare materials beforehand, clean up afterwards, and supervise lunchtime. Reach out to Allison allison@firstuniv.org if you can share your gifts of talents or time. We need YOU to make it possible!
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An Invitation from the Sanctuary & Resistance Team: Support Karen & Khloe | |
We know that summer can be a busy time. One way for folks to provide ongoing support for our Sanctuary and Resistance work is to acquire and drop off diapers, groceries, and personal items for Karen and Khloe while they are staying at our church.
Please sign up for a donation/volunteer slot. A few days before your drop-off day, you will receive an email from Emma Paskewitz with a more detailed list of what Karen and Khloe need that week.
Questions? Concerns? Please email Emma Paskewitz at elpaskewitz@gmail.com.
| | | | 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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Association of Universalist Women
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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