Dear Jenn,

Earlier this week, we announced and opened registration for dozens of new programs, circles, and events happening at church between late October and December—a wide variety of opportunities for various identities and interests!

We're looking forward to monthly community dinners continuing in November and December. The September and October dinners each drew more than 100 church members and friends; what a joy it's been to connect and reconnect over a fun, casual meal and shared interests.

A number of book groups this fall will provide structure for learning and conversation around neurodivergence, resilience, talking about racism with children, spirituality, and more. Pastoral and community care groups are available to support folks navigating grief, caregiving, recovery, and separation/divorce.

Starting in late October, sermon-based small groups will bring folks together over the course of several weeks to encourage personal reflection on the Sunday service message and invite us to practice deep listening and sharing from our hearts as we support one another’s spiritual growth.

A new monthly Dinner Church gathering for BIPOC congregants will nourish bodies and spirits while helping create and sustain community.

And there are fun and supportive gatherings for families with children, programs for seniors, opportunities to learn about topics such as abolition and climate change, gatherings that bring people together around spiritual practices, and much more!

There are so many ways to connect, learn, and grow at church this fall. We hope you'll spend some time reading through the Fall Program Guide (printed copies will be available at church beginning this Sunday!) and say yes to the opportunities that call to you.

Warmly, 

Lauren

Lauren Wyeth

Director of Spiritual Growth for All Ages

First Universalist Church of Minneapolis

Sunday Worship

Sunday, Oct. 9, 9 & 11 a.m.

After Worship Happenings

10/2 Recording: "The Heart Left Open Will Heal Itself" 

Oct. 2 Cycle of Life

News & Features

Thank You for Input on Masking

New Directory & Giving App

Livestream & A/V Tech Opening

New Name Tags

Calendar

Sermon-based Small Groups

UU the Vote Letter Writing

Daytime Connections 

Abolition 101

Art & Spiritual Practice

Affiliates

Women's Ritual Circle 

AUW

12-Step Spirituality

Sunday, Oct. 9 — 9 & 11 a.m.

"What We Need Is Here"

As we continue our exploration of the theme, "You Can Count On This," we turn our attention to our bodies this week. Sources of ancient wisdom carried deep within our bones, sources of comfort, pleasure, pain, joy, grief, and frustration—our bodies hold so much. Through story, prayer, music, poetry and shared breath, we'll explore the wisdom of the body this week. 

Please join us for worship this Sunday at 9 or 11 a.m.!

Worship leaders (pictured above, left to right): Rev. Jen Crow, Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Lauren Wyeth, and Franco Holder

ORDER OF SERVICE

IN PERSON AT 9 A.M. & 11 A.M. (masks required)

This Sunday, we worship in person at 9 and 11 a.m. Masks are currently required indoors for ages 2+. Can you usher or greet? Sign up here!.

ONLINE AT 11 A.M.

This service is live-streamed at 11 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

Religious Education classes are now in session for the 2022–2023 church year! Children and youth begin their morning in the sanctuary with their families. Childcare is available for Nursery-PreK kids, starting at 8:45/10:45 a.m. All ages are always welcome in the sanctuary! Learn more here.

New Congregant Giving & Member Directory App: Get Help

Get help downloading and learning to navigate our new app! Look for the table in the social hall this Sunday.

UU the Vote Letter-writing

Write non-partisan letters and postcards to folks in states with low voter turnout encouraging them to get out the vote on November 8! The First Universalist Election Action Team has a goal to send 20,000 letters and postcards as part of UU the Vote's Good Trouble Congregation challenge. Join the effort after both first and second services in the Social Hall or Cummins Room every Sunday through the month of October.

Recording: "The Heart Left Open Will Heal Itself"

Sunday, Oct. 2: As we begin our exploration of October's worship theme, “You Can Count On This,” we’ll start with our hearts. What do our hearts tell us, and how do we listen? Where and with whom do we place our hearts? And what do we do with the inevitable heartbreak that comes? We’ll explore all of these questions and more through stories, songs, meditation and prayer together.

Watch here

Listen to the podcast here

Podcast Archive | Recording Archive 

We celebrate the birth of one more redeemer, Aidan Ray Remskar was born on Thursday to parents Elisha and Mojca Remskar, and everyone is healthy and doing great. TEAM (Tristan, Elisha, Aidan, Mojca) R is full of love and joy. 

We celebrate with Alison McGhee on the marriage of her daughter Devon, who married her great and true love Matthew on September 17. It was a magical weekend, filled with so much kindness, love, and tenderness, and our hearts are lifted by this happy news.

We celebrate with Carl and Joyce Berdie on their 50th wedding anniversary coming up on October 7.

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.

Thank you to the 172 folks who responded to our request for input on possible changes to our COVID-19 masking policy. There was a lot of nuance to the perspectives that you shared, and so we'll be taking a week to review your feedback before making any changes to our policies.

In the meantime, if you haven't yet done so and would like to share your feedback, please do so here.

Many of you know that we have recently undergone a database transition. Perhaps you’ve noticed evidence of this when you give to the offering plate via your cell phone, or what it looks like to set up your annual giving online. Perhaps you have also noticed that the app with member contact information that we were previously using, called “Church Life” is no longer updated. This is because, after an extensive search that began in 2019, and using our Vendor Policy, a team of staff and members helped select and transition our church database from ACS, which housed Church Life, to Blackbaud. 

Blackbaud’s app, called “MobileMission,” features a searchable, member-only directory and allows all congregants who’ve previously given through the giving portal to manage their giving to the church. The directory includes contact information, and will ask folks to log in and update their profiles.

With the MobileMission app on your phone:

• Members can access the searchable member directory, choose which information is included in the directory, or opt out altogether.
• To request to opt out of the member directory without downloading the app, email Membership Coordinator Liz Farmer. 
• Anyone may give one-time or recurring gifts using a debit or credit card, or drafted from your banking account, and:
• Save payment methods to avoid entering your information each time you give
• View your giving history
• Anyone may update their contact information for the church’s records. Please do not use this option to delete current information. If you do not wish to have your contact information listed in the directory,  
• Anyone may upload their photo to their profile. Member photos will be visible in the member directory.

We invite you to download and start using this new member app now! Step-by-step instructions on downloading and using the MobileMission app are available here.

If you'd like in-person help downloading and learning how to use the app, please stop by the table in the social hall this coming Sunday, Oct. 9 after services.

Questions? Please reach out to Membership Coordinator Liz Farmer at liz@firstuniv.org. 

First Universalist is currently looking for an experienced Livestream & A/V Technician to run the live-steam and projection systems during our Sunday worship services and for occasional memorial services and special events. While it is the church's policy to not hire members of our church community, we greatly appreciate your help in spreading the word and helping to ensure that we have a qualified and diverse candidate pool.

Know someone who'd be a good fit? Please pass it on! The position description and application instructions can be found here on our website.

You may have noticed since our return to the building that many members are sporting new name tags! If you are a member and would like to order a new name tag with larger text and your pronouns, please order here by Tuesday, Oct. 25. If you’d like to order a name tag, but aren’t sure if you’re a member, contact Membership Coordinator Liz Farmer.

Order your new name tag here!

Please note that the community celebration concert to commission our new Steinway Grand Piano which was scheduled for this Sunday, Oct. 9, has been postponed. We'll announce the new new date once it has been set!

Choose Wednesdays or Thursdays, 7-8:30 p.m. at church or on Zoom 

Groups begin between October 20 and 27

Registration required; sign up here

If you're looking for a group in which you can give, receive and grow, this is a good place to start. Small groups offer a way into intentional religious community, with the same people committed to meeting together five or six times. These sermon-based small groups use the Sunday service message as the basis for personal reflection, and invite us to practice deep listening and sharing from our hearts as we support one another’s spiritual growth. There are a variety of times and options on the sign up form, including gathering with folks of various ages and identities and a choice of meeting in person or on Zoom.

UU the Vote Letter Writing

Saturday, Oct. 8, 1–3:30 p.m. or Wednesday, Oct. 19, 5:30–7:30 p.m. in Room 206

Join the UU the Vote Team at First U as we write letters and postcards to key areas of the state and the country to encourage more voter turnout among young people, apartment-dwellers, and folks who haven't voted in midterms before. All materials are provided and the work is simple - there's just a lot of it to do! If you want to support the letter and postcard effort but cannot come to either of these events, find us in the Cummins Room on Sundays and write a few there or make a donation towards postage. If you'd like to write from home or donate for postage directly, get in touch with First U member Dallas at dallasrising@gmail.com. 

"Meet Dr. Glen Thomas"

Thursday, Oct. 20, 10 a.m. program, lunch at noon

Sign up here

Through Daytime Connections at First Universalist, older adults empower each other to live intentional, joyful, purposeful, and spiritually fulfilled lives.

Daytime Connections programs begin at 10 a.m. on the third Thursday of each month, from October through May. They include fabulous presenters about fascinating topics, a delicious lunch, and an opportunity to meet new people and rekindle old friendships. The October program will give you a chance to “Meet Dr. Glen Thomas.”

Sign in and coffee begins at 9:45 a.m., and the program starts at 10 a.m. A soup & salad lunch follows at 12 p.m.: $5-15 sliding scale (More if you can; less if you can’t. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.) Registration is requested a minimum of four days in advance in order to plan for lunch. 

Abolition 101: Imagining Freedom for All

Thursdays, Oct 20, 27, Nov 3, 10 & 17, 7–8:30 p.m. at church

or Sundays, Oct 23, 30, Nov 6, 13 & 20, 7–8:30 p.m. on Zoom

Registration required; sign up here

What can we learn from the experience and expertise of Black feminists and others who understand the impact of policing and mass incarceration and are creating and imagining a world of care and transformative justice that brings safety and freedom for everyone? Join us in this five-week circle, developed for white folks, to reflect on the wisdom of long-time abolitionists and those exploring ways to create communities and institutions that support the safety, welfare, and well-being of every person. (Each person’s feelings and experiences will be honored and respected. You do not have to believe in abolition to learn about it. This is not a seminar, debate, or discussion – it’s a listening and reflection circle.) Thursdays led by Denise Konen and Jeff Sylvestre, Sundays led by Brian Eshult and Lindsay Walz, all First U members

Community Knitting Circle

Tuesday, Oct. 18, 7–8:45 p.m. in Room 201

Sign up here

First Universalist knitters and crocheters meet to work on their projects and socialize. Some folks work on Hats for the Homeless or bears for The Mother Bear Project, two local charities. Others work on their own projects. All ability levels and both regular and occasional participants are welcome. Meets monthly on the third Tuesday from 7-8:45 p.m. The first and last meetings of the church year (October and May) are in person at church; all other meetings (November through May) are on Zoom; no meeting in December. Facilitated by Barb Melom and Valerie Garber, First U members

Meditation Group

Weekly on Tuesdays, 9–10:15 a.m. in Room 209 or on Zoom

Sign up here

The Tuesday Meditation Group is always open to new members and all are welcome. Facilitation is shared by those in the group. On the second Tuesday of the month, we have a Learning Session and end at 11 a.m. Sign up to receive more information and an email that includes the Zoom link for those who wish to join virtually. Contact Sara McMullen, First U member, with questions at 612-805-5059 or saramcminneapolis@gmail.com.

Chi-Gung

Weekly on most Thursdays, 10–11:30 a.m. on Zoom

Pat leads gentle movements with a focus on harmonizing our personal energies. No meetings on the third Thursday of the month. Contact Judy Broad at jab679@gmail.com for more info and Zoom access. Led by Pat Gottschalk, First U member

Women (cis and trans) as well as non-binary folks who find their home in women-centric spaces who are interested in earth-based and pagan spirituality are invited to upcoming open rituals of the Under Northern Skies Women’s Ritual Circle. We will meet in room 209 in the First Universalist building on the following dates:

Sunday, Oct. 9 | Tuesday, Oct. 25

We gather at 7:15 p.m. and promptly begin an hour-long ritual at 7:30 p.m., with time for questions and socializing to follow. For members who choose to commit to the circle, the commitment ritual for this cycle will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 8, after which the circle will close to new members until September 2023.

Please contact Ann Hobbs at g.annhobbs@gmail.com with any questions.

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

Hiking Group: Meets most Saturdays at a park or trailhead. To get on the mailing list, send your name and email address to Linda Hammersten. Upcoming dates: Oct. 8, 10 a.m.; Oct. 15, 10 a.m.; Oct. 16, 1 p.m. (Sunday); Oct. 22, 10 a.m.

Game Group: Meets monthly on the second Thursday of the month to play board games and socialize. Request an email invitation to our next meeting and be added to our email list by sending your name and email address to Anne Frenchick. Upcoming dates: Oct. 13, 7 p.m.; Nov. 10, 7 p.m.; Dec. 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. Request an email invitation to our next meeting and be added to our email list by sending your name and email address to Abbie Finger. Upcoming dates: Oct. 24

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.

First Saturdays, 9:30 a.m.–noon in person at church

12 Step Spirituality meetings will gather in our church on the 1st Saturday of each month beginning on Oct. 1, 2022 and ending on May 6, 2023. The meeting focuses on people who are actively working a 12 step program. It is focused on the 11 step to the practice of Centering Prayer Meditation. Meeting details are available at 12stepspirituality.org.

"Prairie Homeless Companion"

Friday, Oct. 14, 7 p.m., at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church in Prior Lake

sponsored by our Faithful Action partner Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative

A unique theater performance by zAmya Theater Group—consisting of actors who have experienced homelessness—that creatively and engagingly shares real stories of homelessness beyond the stereotypes. Performance will be followed by a dialogue between performers, Beacon staff, and local Beacon partners that provides information about housing insecurity in the greater metro area, Beacon’s approach, and invites engagement with Beacon’s developments and campaigns. Come learn more about how housing issues impact people in your community and how you can make a difference!

Tickets are free and registration to attend the performance is here.

Grace Neighborhood Nursery School Seeks Part-time (small) Bus Driver

Do you enjoy working with children? Have time on your hands and looking for a way to “give back”? First Universalist's tenant, Grace Neighborhood Nursery School, at 3400 Dupont Ave. S, is looking to hire someone to drive their small school bus for this school year. This is a part time position, driving the bus twice per day, Monday through Friday: 8–9 a.m. and noon–1 p.m. No special license required. Perfect for a “young” retiree, someone who works a late shift, or a stay-at-home parent. Contact Barb Murphy @ 612-872-8131 or email director@gracenns.com for more information.

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.