Church guide

Since early January, a group of congregants and ministers have been working toward sponsoring a detained (imprisoned) asylum seeker. At the end of May, a young, indigenous, Guatemalan woman arrived in Minneapolis, sponsored by congregants. Sponsoring an asylum seeker means the asylee is released from detention, settled in a community, and begins to build relationships as their case moves forward. With sponsorship and support, the odds of asylum being granted are greatly increased. This Sunday in worship, members of the core Asylum Support Team will share reflections on this journey, describe how our faith calls us to this ministry, and invite folks to support this effort in whatever ways they can. We will also welcome Nicaraguan youth who are visiting as part of the church’s Youth Cultural Exchange program. The service will be in English and Spanish. Join us for worship this Sunday, July 7, at 10 a.m.

First Universalist is a church that values every expression of being human and having a body. As Daryn Woodson, Isha Caldwell, and Rev. Ruth MacKenzie explore what it might look and feel like to prioritize the mental and spiritual health of black people and people of color, think about how we— collectively— can take care of each other on this journey to becoming whole, integrated humans, no matter our expressions or experiences. In a system and culture that prioritizes independence and individual actions, can we talk and act together in an effort to de-stigmatize our mental or emotional unwellness? Listen to their ideas in our Sunday service podcast from June 30.

Coverage of yesterday's march from MPR: "As the storm clouds cleared out, the march began. "A crowd estimated at more than 1,000 people gathered in south Minneapolis on Sunday to protest the Trump administration's immigration and border policies. "From the Kmart parking lot at the corner of Nicollet and Lake, they marched — waving banners and cardboard signs, and spanning two city blocks at a time — to the First Universalist Church of Minneapolis. "Once there, speakers shared their stories and spoke against the separation of families, threats of deportation and other federal actions that have made headlines for months. President Trump has made stricter immigration and border control a signature issue of his campaign and presidency."

"Today we stand in solidarity and resistance," the Rev. Ruth MacKenzie, a minister at First Universalist, told the crowd. "We are fighting the racist policies hurting families and traumatizing communities."

Thousands showed up for this afternoon’s Stop Separating Families march and rally, organized by CAIR-Minnesota (CAIR-MN) and MIRAC - Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee. We were honored to host a post-march program of speakers in our sanctuary.

First Universalist member Karen Warren was featured in an article in the Southwest Journal earlier this month. "In 2015, she was diagnosed with a terminal neurodegenerative disorder called Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), which will eventually leave her paralyzed and unable to talk, walk or swallow. "The diagnosis has radically changed her outlook on life. She said her perspective has “deepened” from academic expertise to lived experience, and she has turned her orderly intellect away from philosophical research and toward the uncertain work of political activism."

"When Preben Mosborg died at the age of 85 in 2012, he left behind 12,000 photographic slides shot on Ektachrome and Kodachrome over the course of nearly six decades and meticulously organized into 152 carousels. "Today, about 80 of the full-color photos he left stashed in his hall closet are on display [through July 7] in the social hall of First Universalist Church in South Uptown — alongside pictures taken by his son, Steven, and his granddaughter Amanda. "[First Universalist member] Steven said he’s proud that his photos, and those of his daughter, now hang alongside his father’s on the walls of the church his parents joined in the early 1960s. “'I feel my dad’s presence in the whole thing,” he said. “He’s here in spirit, he just is.'”

July is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. We know that mental health conditions do not discriminate. Anyone can experience mental health challenges. Yet, background and identity often determine access and quality of care to mental health treatments. This Sunday, Isha Caldwell (Navigator at Mental Health Connect), Daryn Woodson (Worship Associate), and Rev. Ruth MacKenzie lean into questions of stigma and access, cultural strengths and wisdom, and the call for transformation, to choose strength over silence, and love over fear. Please join us for worship at 10 a.m. this Sunday, June 30!

Worship this Sunday, calendar highlights, members in the news, and more in this week's issue of The Weekly Liberal.

This summer, we are considering complicated—and sometimes contradictory—ideas. Can we proclaim and live out UU values while participating in a capitalist society? Can black folks come to church fully - without having to sever any part of their spirits - in mostly white UU congregations? Should white UUs change to nurture more cultural spaciousness? Could love and power get along in the hearts of people that distort or abuse them? As we respond “yes, and” to so many questions of faith this summer, can we do so without diluting our political stances? Before you answer “yes, and,” to these questions, take a listen to Lena K. Gardner’s sermon. She poses some provocative questions and provides some resources to help answer them (links in comments).

Lena K. Gardner, podcasts galore, Stop Separating Families march, and more! Read this week's Liberal. https://conta.cc/2x8dOzy

The podcast is up! Listen to several unique, funny, insightful perspectives on fatherhood from Rev. Karen, Rev. Justin, and members of First Universalist Church.

Overheard at the First U office: "Oooh, Lena's preaching?! She's really gonna wow 'em!" Join us for worship this Sunday at 10 a.m.!

In this week's issue: Father's Day, the podcast of Jaylani Hussein's recent sermon, Wellspring info session, three (count 'em, three!) upcoming film screenings, Drag Story Hour, and more! https://conta.cc/2ReAasi

On May 12, in her sermon, “Our First Sound,” Rev. Karen Hutt reflected on the complicated, lovely, weird, fun, scary, and joyous relationships we have with our mothers, and all of the nuance that exists around Mother’s Day. This Sunday, Rev. Hutt and Rev. Schroeder, along with several congregants, will reflect on what it means to be a father, what it means to be a father in this #MeToo era, what it means to be a “white father,” or a “father of color,” and more. Finally, we’ll reflect on the spiritual dimension of fathering. Join us this Sunday, June 16, for one service at 10 a.m.!

Flower Communion is an early-summer tradition of Unitarians and Universalists. The ritual is a metaphor for the diversity, connectedness, and beauty of our community. In this service, our congregation honored the participation, learning, and work of the many leaders, teachers, facilitators, planners, and more through this celebration of giving and receiving blessings. Listen to our June 2 Flower Communion Sunday podcast here: https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-6ttkx-b35b2a

How will you knit together your life with those who have died in war? Perhaps you will learn more about those who fought to end slavery, as Frederick Douglas describes in his 1871 Decoration Day speech*. Maybe an investigation the origins of some of our other national holidays* that honor anti-war strategists is now on your to-do list. You might live as bravely as those who have died by practicing non-violent communication* in all of your interactions. Or, you could encourage your legislators* to enact policies that wage peace at home and abroad. WWII Army General Omar Bradley says in his 1948 Memorial Day address* that “non-involvement in peace ensures involvement in war.” An active involvement in peace, as Rev. Ruth suggests, means inviting the dead to become the intelligences of our lives now. Listen to Rev. Ruth's sermon on the Sunday Service podcast: * links in comments

In this week's issue: end-of-year reflections from Board President Eric Cooperstein, Flower Communion Worship is this Sunday (don't forget to bring a flower!), celebrating Rev. Elaine, Annual Meeting, recommended reading from the First U library, and more!

Worship Services are held at 10 a.m. only on Summer Sundays, Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Please join us for worship at 10 a.m. beginning this Sunday, May 26. See you in church!

The term “mama” is ubiquitous worldwide. It can be uttered as a request, heard as a demand, or yelled in joy or loss. But no matter what, it is a word fraught with complexity, for mamas (and their children) are people with deep and complex relationships. Listen to Rev. Karen Hutt’s humorous and heartbreaking meditation on mamas on the Sunday service podcast here: https://firstuniv.podbean.com/e/may-12-2019-our-first-sound/ To accompany your listening, watch the poem highlighted in her sermon, The Wide Spectrum of Mothering by Amy Young (link in comments).

It’s our Annual Giving Drive and Revs. Justin and Ruth want YOU to be a Superhero by getting your annual giving commitment in by Wednesday, March 13 and becoming a Sustainer!

Catch a little snippet of our fantastic First Universalist Jazz Band. They were swinging this morning!

This is a rough cut of our Day of Service footage. The first half features SOME of our congregants and coordinators talking about the projects, thanks to Jeff Sylvestre. The second features photos by Sharon Ramirez set to Ross Levin sermon clips and Ann Reed's music.