Dear Jenn,

Today's note from Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout includes a story adapted from the telling of Teresa Schwartz and David Schwartz.

TL;DR: This week is Flower Communion—yay! Bring a flower if you can; we’ll have ones for you, if you can’t. You and yours, whoever you are, are very welcome to our celebration.

He left Bohemia under government threat, accepting a call to serve a Baptist church in New York City as minister…until one day in 1919. That day, he wrote in his diary: “I cannot be a Baptist anymore, even in compromise. The fire of new desires, new worlds, is burning inside me.”

The Rev. Norbert Čapek and his companion, the Rev. Maja Čapek, joined a Unitarian church in New Jersey together in 1921—for the same reason a whole lot of you did: their children liked the religious education program! 

After the first World War’s end, Norbert and Maja returned home to Norbert’s birthplace—the newly independent Czechoslovakia. There, they founded the Prague Liberal Religious Fellowship, a Unitarian congregation grown to 3,200 members in just two decades.

This church—like ours—had people who believed different things. Still, Norbert felt a calling to create a ritual they could all share, eventually turning to the beauty of the countryside and its blooms of countless shapes and kinds. 

In 1923, Norbert introduced a simple flower ceremony to his people. He asked his congregants to bring a flower to church—from their gardens, the field, or the roadside. He invited each person to place their flower in a vase. There was the church community, no less unique for being united. Following the service, each person could take a flower from the vase—a different one than they had brought.

For his brazen message of inherent worth, dignity, and beauty in difference, the Gestapo arrested Norbert in 1942. Even in starvation and torture, he held a flower ceremony with his fellow prisoners, finding whatever flowers they could among the weeds of the camp. They testified to a beauty larger than themselves, and a love that would outlive them.

The Nazis killed Norbert Čapek. But his spirit, courage, and commitment live on, today. Those qualities have passed, now, to us, to make them real.

His wife Mája brought the flower ceremony to the Unitarian Church in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1940, beginning the yearly celebration in Unitarian Universalist churches across the nation we continue this Sunday. 

And now, we are getting together again, with our whole selves open to the work and potential of community. We bring our time and treasure and thought and wisdom to this shared faith journey. We take solace and strength in each others’ company and the growing connections between us.

Gathered together, an organization of colors and cultures, perspectives and contexts, ages and affections, our common purpose connects us. And together, we all live to be part of a difference that shakes the status quo. Even the differences between—those innumerable, immeasurable, ineffable strands our lives join to weave—even they offer us the opportunity to practice good relationships, to open our hearts and minds, to reject the illusion of separateness, to be stronger by our bonds. 

It is the essence of these truths, the reminders that we can each be whole and we can all be one that come with us as we spend a week in the world. They influence where we go, what we do, and how we care. And then, we return to renew and refresh our own lives and each others’—on and on, again and again, building and rebuilding a living example in our common journey, showing what love can do when you bring your whole self, when I bring mine, and—amid a weedy thicket of brokenness and division all about us—there is a we.     

The opportunity has come again, as it has for a century (to say the least), for the flowers to remind us of the audacious beauty of collective action; to remind us to love differences that define and distinguish us; to keep our faith in the call of love in common. 

Bring a flower from your garden. If you don’t have access to a flower, worry not—we’ll have one for you when you get here. The flowers will teach; you and I can be the difference.

Peace,

Dr. Glen Thomas

Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout

Director of Worship Arts Ministries

First Universalist Church of Minneapolis

Intro

The Story of Flower Communion

Sunday Worship

Sunday, June 4, 10 a.m.: Flower Communion Sunday

Happening After Worship

Sunday, May 28 Recording: "Hear the Earth Call: A New American Humanism"

May 28 Cycle of Life

News & Features

Sanctuary & Resistance Team Update

Annual Meeting is June 11

Summer Programs

Inviting Worship Associate Applications

New Bulletin Boards

Care Team Rides

Soup Cook-Off Postponed

Calendar

"No More Police" Book Group

Young Adults Board Games

Sanctuary Mural Image Ideas Brainstorm Session

Summer Sunday Kickoff

Newcomers Circle

Community Events & Affiliated Organizations:

MUUSJA, AUW, 12-Step Spirituality

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Sunday, June 4 — 10 a.m.

Flower Communion Sunday

Summer Sundays have begun! Join us for a single worship service—in-person and online—at 10 a.m.

This Sunday, we celebrate Flower Communion. Bring a flower to share with the community (don’t worry: we’ll have more flowers available if you don’t have one). We’ll make a beautiful arrangement with whatever flowers come! At the end, we each get to take a different flower with us as a gift and reminder of beauty in our unity and difference. This special ritual has been performed for years here at First Universalist. And this year marks the 100th anniversary of the very first Flower Communion ever!

Worship leaders: Rev. Jen Crow, Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Rev. Arif Mamdani, Rev. Ashley Harness, and Franco Holder



ORDER OF SERVICE

IN PERSON AT 10 A.M. (masks welcome but not required)

This Sunday, we worship in person at 10 a.m. Masks are welcome but not required in the sanctuary; please review our newly updated Covid-19 Gathering Guidelines. 

ONLINE AT 10 A.M.

This service is live-streamed at 10 a.m. Join the Zoom livestream here (Webinar ID: 861 805 984) or watch on YouTube. The recording will be available here after worship.

CHILDREN & YOUTH

Childcare for Nursery through Pre-K starts at 9:45 a.m. This is a multigenerational service; Kindergarteners and up join their families in the sanctuary for the whole service. All ages are always welcome in the sanctuary. Learn more here.

A Place to Start

11 a.m. in the Chancel room and on Zoom (join here)

In this casual, 45-minute class, you'll learn some of the basics of Unitarian Universalism, as well as how to get connected to what you’re seeking here at church. Meet at the front of the sanctuary immediately after the service, or join on Zoom.

Sunday, May 28:

"Hear the Earth Call: A New American Humanism"

Our humanist roots encourage us to believe in “the common good” as reliably universal—a value that, deep down inside, we all share. What do we do when our experiences of life challenge this idea? The humanist influences of our faith date back centuries to African, Chinese, South Asian and European philosophers. But what kind of humanism do we need in America today? 



Watch the May 28 service here

Listen to the May 28 podcast here

Podcast Archive | Recording Archive 

We celebrate with Sherry and Michael Merriam. Today is the 30th anniversary of the day they met and began courting. We’re told that it's a long and funny story that starts with Michael (accidentally) throwing a rib at Sherry, and the rest is history. 

We celebrate with Chris Lunde and Sam Theeshfeld on their marriage yesterday here in their spiritual home.

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.

Submitted by Jeanne Guignon:

As of May 27, a new family has moved into the apartment in our church. Welcome Gustavo, Daibelys and Matheo (age 3), originally from Venezuela. They are expecting a new baby this month! The family is very grateful to have a comfortable, safe and welcoming place to call their home while they proceed through the lengthy asylum-seeking immigration process.

The APT team welcomed them (APT is our apartment-support team, which seems apt as it’s short for apartment, AND Aqui para ti “Here for you” :) We are a group of 4 congregants: Jeanne Guignon, Sharon Mandel, Courtney LeClair and Seth Binder, along with Rev. Jen Crow. The beautiful hearts of kindness and welcome made by this congregation were so appreciated by the family—perfect!

While these are the ones accompanying the family as they get settled and live here, the support of the whole congregation and staff is necessary and appreciated. Living into our principles, and extending generosity with dignity and respect for the people experiencing these major transitions, is what has made this a welcoming and successful-bridging opportunity.

The generosity of congregants made this possible: Jan/Feb. Sunday offering and other financial gifts, apartment design and set up help from Kristen Mengelkoch, furniture from Ginny McAninch, household items from Dallas Rising, and other donated items - THANK YOU! 

Our team is collaborating closely with Nokomis Heights Lutheran Church, ICOM (thanks congregant Sara Adams), and a few ‘friends of the family’. For now, the family has the necessary items and support they need, for the most part.

If you would like to offer ongoing support for this family, please consider:

1.Visa/MC gift cards - so they can buy food and items, at their choice of store

2. Financial donations to the S&R Fund at First Universalist (we’re starting a legal fund for the family). Please note “S&R Fund” when making your donation.

Thank You!

The APT Team

Image above: The family was welcomed by flowers and a basket-of-hearts made by

1st U congregants of all ages.

Save the date for our Annual Meeting of the Membership, which will be held on Sunday, June 11 from noon to 1:30 p.m. We encourage members to join us in person, but a meeting-mode Zoom option will also be available for those who need or prefer it.

Members: please watch for details and registration information in your inbox tomorrow.

As a reminder, to be considered a "voting member" (a member in good standing) you must have officially joined the church and either have made a gift to the church's annual operating fund during the current fiscal year (July 1, 2022–June 30, 2023) or have a pledge on record for the 2023–24 fiscal year. If you haven't yet let us know your giving plans for the coming year, please help us out by doing so now! Learn more here.

If you are unsure of your status as a voting member, please reach out to Liz Farmer, Coordinator of Membership and Congregational Connections, at liz@firstuniv.org.

Deepen your connections at church as well as your spiritual practices this summer! Our Summer Program Guide [pdf] with all of our newly-announced programs is now available online! You can also pick up a printed copy at church, or view the information as plain text on our website here.

A note from Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout:

I’m excited to invite you to consider applying to become a worship associate here at First Universalist, as we at once re-start a once vibrant program here and create its new place in our community from the ground up.

Worship associates are members of our community who serve as worship leaders with our current worship team. Associates participate in selecting worship themes throughout the year. They each contribute to the planning of worship services, having a voice in shaping what the community experiences together on Sunday mornings. Associates prepare words for different elements of worship and lead the congregation in service 2–4 times a year. They join the worship team in reflecting on what’s going well in our services and what ought to be improved. 

Before the beginning of the church year, worship associates come together to get to know the worship planning and leadership process here at First Universalist, and to train in important skills like what makes a great worship theme, speaking in public, and writing for worship. Along the way of their terms of service, worship associates will work closely with me (as well as with our ministers leading worship), receiving feedback to encourage and strengthen their worship leading technique and help them to become steadily more comfortable and proficient on the chancel. 

Worship associates are a vital part of how the community helps to build its own worship experience. Associates are valued members of the worship team and leaders in the community. They represent our community’s diversity of age, race, socio-economic background, spiritual perspective, culture. Still, the team will be united by a common love for our community, an investment in its worship, and an earnest desire to help build it up. 

If you’re interested in becoming a worship associate here, I invite your application to the program for the coming year. Applications are being accepted now through June 14, 2023, with our initial gathering to happen in July. 

Submitted by Kristen Mengelkoch

A newly renovated space calls for new practices to keep it welcoming and well-cared for.

Your SPIFF committee has worked with staff to find central locations for attractive new bulletin boards. Signs promoting church-related activities and events may be posted in these two places. One is located by the elevators in the atrium and the other is by the windows in the social hall. (SPIFF assists the staff in evaluating building-related needs such as space planning, furnishings, maintenance and aesthetics.)

How to post your signs for upcoming church events and activities:

1. Include a date on the sign
2. Obtain prior approval and initials from the Communications Manager (Jenn Stromberg) or other staff member that you are working with (i.e. your group/committee's staff liaison)
3. To include the visually impaired, consider using larger type sizes and high contrast in the body of your message
4. Remove your sign after the event or activity is over

pre-renovation ...

...post-renovation!

Do you live in 55417, 55407, or 55409? Do you have a car? Signup to be on the team of folks who occasionally help congregants by giving rides to/from church, or to/from medical appointments or grocery stores. 

Over the last few weeks, we’ve been seeing an uptick in requests for rides support, and our list of volunteer drivers is a bit low for 55417, 55407, and 55409. If you can help out by giving a neighbor a ride, please let Rev. Arif know - arif@firstuniv.org. 

Thanks for helping to make this a congregation of generosity, care, and kindness.

You've got extra time to perfect your secret soup recipe! Due to volunteer availability and program schedules, the soup cook off, which had been scheduled for June 4, has been postponed. We'll look forward to enjoying the flavors, community, and prizes this fall. 

- the Soup Cook Off Team: Jennifer Hains, Carol Jackson, Maria Kaefer, and Liz Farmer 

Saturday, June 3, 1–3 p.m. at Powderhorn Park,

Tuesday, July 11, 4–6 p.m. under the First U tent,

and/or Tuesday, Aug. 1, 4–6 p.m. on Zoom  

REGISTER HERE



Learn from and integrate the wisdom of beloved authors and movement leaders, Mariame Kaba and Andrea Ritchie, with others who are interested in diving into their new book, “No More Police,” which passionately synthesizes the experiences and expertise necessary for building a new world with less violence. The book is readily available for purchase online or at local libraries. First U can provide a copy upon request. Join for as many as you can! Co-facilitated by Denise Konen and Rev. Ashley Harness 

Sunday, June 4, noon–2 p.m. at church

RSVP requested

Young adults are invited to gather for an afternoon of games and friendly competition after worship. We’ll have some games to get us started. Bring a favorite game to teach if you’d like, and a lunch item or snack to share. Hosted by Libby Crawford, First U community member

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 for structured and unstructured conversation, spiritual practice, and activities.

Saturday, June 10, 10 a.m.–noon in the Cummins Room

Mural artist Melodee Strong has lots of experience listening to ideas and expanding them into images. You're invited to an image brainstorming session with the artist on Saturday, June 10 at church. After meeting with us, Melodee will provide approval sketches before actually painting the two vertical canvas murals. Those murals will hang in the sanctuary each Sunday for several months, so it’s important for us to create something which represents our congregation and we’re proud to display.

Join us with your ideas…Everyone is welcome! Unable to attend the session? Send ideas by June 1 to Bette DeMars jbdemars2@gmail.com

The colorful mural pictured above, located in Tartan High School in Oakdale, Minn., is one of many collaborative murals that artist Melodee Strong has created.

Sunday, June 11, 11 a.m.–noon, Under the Tent

Summer at First U is all about gathering outside, trying on a regular spiritual practice, and getting to know one another better! At this kickoff event between worship and the Annual Meeting, enjoy bagels, fruit, and ice cream as you learn about the variety of ways to get involved and get connected at church this summer. 

Wednesdays, June 21, 28, July 12, 19, 6:15–7:45 p.m. at church

REGISTER HERE

The Newcomers Circle creates a rich, supportive environment in which to share and grapple with our emerging UU values, theology, identity, and sense of belonging. This 4-session gathering is a caring and structured group to dig deeper into Unitarian Universalism. Newcomers Circle is intended for those who are discerning if they will commit to and continue their spiritual journey at First Universalist. 

Facilitated by First U members Jane Jordan and CT Neal-Herman.

Saturday, June 3

"No More Police" Book Group (session 1 meets at Powderhorn Park)

Sunday, June 4

Flower Communion worship

A Place to Start

Young Adults Board Games Afternoon

Sunday, June 11

Summer Sunday Kickoff

Annual Meeting of the Membership

Sunday, June 18

A Place to Start

Wednesday, June 21

Newcomers Circle Begins

PRIDE MONTH IS HERE! How can all UUs live into the promise of radical welcome as Minnesota becomes a Trans Refuge State? Join MUUSJA (Minnesota Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Alliance) on Tuesday, June 13, at 5:30 p.m. on zoom, with members of the MN State House Queer Caucus, including Rep. Leigh Finke, along with notable UUs. Registration required; register here.

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

AUW Annual Meeting: Saturday, June 3, 11 a.m to 1 p.m., Church Social Hall. We will thank outgoing officers and Board members and have a chance to celebrate what we’ve done this year. We will also approve proposed bylaws changes, elect Board members and officers, and approve next year's budget. A light lunch will be served. Members attend for free. Non-members $10. All are welcome! No need to RSVP.

Hiking Group:  Meets most Saturdays at a park or trailhead. For questions, contact Marie Sorenson. June 3: Plan to attend 2023 AUW Annual Meeting at First U from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. We could take a hike if anyone wants to at 2 p.m. after the Annual Meeting. Marie will be going to the meeting first. June 10, 10 a.m. Bredesen Park. 5901 Olinger Blvd, Edina. Parking lot at south end of park. Nice trail through some trees. June 17, 10 a.m. Richardson Nature Center. 8737 East Bush Lake Rd. Bloomington. Nice asphalt trail. There is out and back trail. Also a longer loop now that snow is gone. Visitor Center at end of trail has toilets. June 24, 10 a.m. Minnehaha Falls. 5000 West River Parkway. Mpls. Meet at the falls. We’ll be taking the easy route from the falls.

Game Group: Meets at the church on the second Thursday of the month to play board games and socialize. Request an invitation to our next meeting and be added to our email list by sending your name and email to Anne Frenchick. Next date: June 8, 7 p.m.

Weekly Happy Hour: This online Zoom gathering is a way to stay connected with AUW friends. We meet at 7 p.m. every Thursday. Hosts are Liz and Carol. Here is the Zoom info to tune in: Evening Happy Hour

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. (Note: no virtual meeting in June.) Request an invitation to our next meeting and be added to our email list by sending your name and email address to Abbie Finger. We will be meeting on Monday, June 26 to select our books for the rest of this year and the beginning of next year. There will be NO Zoom meeting in June. Please submit up to four recommendations of books with women authors that you have already read and think would be good for our book group. Please include the following: Name of Book, Author Name, Number of Pages, Number of Copies Available at the Library, If the book is fiction, non-fiction or memoir, Short Description. Recommendations will not be accepted after June 15 so please submit them now. Here is the form to submit. Please email Abbie with any questions. Abbie Finger. June Meeting: We are starting 30 min earlier than usual. Please do not bring any red wine or anything with red sauce. 6-7pm Potluck, 7pm-Sharing of book recommendations, NO Zoom meeting in June 7500 York Ave S, Edina, MN 55435, Social Room

Saturdays, 9:30–10:45 a.m. online via Zoom

This weekly online meeting focuses on people who are actively working in any of 12 Step programs. It is focused on the 11th step through the practice of Centering Prayer Meditation. Meeting details are available at 12stepspirituality.org.



After careful consideration of local and national health guidelines, which have continued to evolve over the past year, and ongoing monitoring of COVID levels in Hennepin County, we have updated our COVID Community Care Policies, as of Sunday, May 21:

• Masking is welcome, but not required, inside the building—including the sanctuary—when Covid community/hospital admission levels in Hennepin County are Low or Medium. Masks will be required inside the building when levels are High.
• High quality KN95/N95 masks are available free of charge for anyone who wishes to use one when in the building.
• Creating an intentionally inclusive space where masking is respected and welcomed without question is all of our responsibility.
• We continue to encourage all who can be vaccinated against Covid-19 to receive the initial vaccination and subsequent boosters to reduce the impact of Covid 19 for each person individually and for our wider community, collectively.
• We continue to ask people to stay home if they are feeling sick. 
• We continue to offer online and multi-platform opportunities for spiritual growth and focus resources on strengthening our online and multi-platform community. 
• We will work with congregants and families on an individual basis to address health and accessibility concerns, and to find creative ways to care for each other and connect. Please reach out to Rev. Ashley Harness to brainstorm together. 

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.