You’re invited to celebrate the launch of First Universalist Church’s capital campaign with a party for all ages!

Saturday, March 11, 2017, 5 – 11 p.m.
at Minneapolis Event Centers
(212 2nd St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414)

Please save the date and plan to join us at the Minneapolis Event Centers as we gather to celebrate all we’ve accomplished in the past and all that we envision for the future.

This event is FREE and for everyone in our community. We want you with us!

• Dinner will be provided (including gluten-free and vegetarian options).
• Valet parking for those who need it and free ride sign up will be available to make this event as accessible and easy to attend as possible for all.
• This is not a time to collect pledges; it’s a time to celebrate!
• Adults gather in the 1858 Grand Room for fellowship, dinner, music, and dancing.
• There will be a separate, adjacent space for children and youth, with a kid-friendly buffet, childcare for children up to age 5 until 9 p.m., and supervised activities and games for older children and youth until 10 p.m.

Members and friends – watch for a formal invitation with more details in your mailbox in February – we’ll be asking all to RSVP online here by March 1.

Plan now to attend so we can all celebrate together on March 11!

Update Jan. 12: our buses are full! We’re glad so many will be joining us! If you want to meet up with us there, we’ll be holding UU banners in parking lot E of the St. Paul College Parking Lot, along with other UU churches.

On Saturday, Jan. 21, the day after the inauguration, we’ve arranged for buses to take a group to St. Paul for the Women’s March in Minnesota!

For complete details and to reserve your seat on the bus, please register through the Eventbrite page here.

Meet at First Universalist Church at 8:45 a.m. We’ll gather in the sanctuary for singing, introductions, and important information. Buses will leave from the First Universalist Church parking lot at 9:45 a.m., and will arrive at St. Paul College by 10:30 a.m., where we’ll gather with other UUs and march to the Minnesota State Capitol together. All are welcome, including people of all gender identities and children.

Suggested donation: $10 per individual, $20 per family. Larger donations welcome! No one will be turned away for lack of funds.

As Unitarian Universalists, we believe in the power of love, the imperative to dismantle systems of oppression, the worth and dignity of every human being, and our fundamental interconnection with all existence. In support of these values , we join with our siblings from around the state to show our presence in numbers too great to ignore. The March will send a bold message to our new government on their first day in office, and to the world, that women’s rights are human rights.

“We stand together in solidarity with our partners and children for the protection of our rights, our safety, our health, and our families – recognizing that our vibrant and diverse communities are the strength of our country.”
– Mission Statement of the Women’s March on Washington and in Minnesota

On January 21, the day after the inauguration, Revs. Jen Crow and Ruth MacKenzie will be heading to Washington D.C. to join the Women’s March on Washington. Rev. Elaine Aron Tenbrink will be joining the march here in Minnesota. March organizers write: “In the spirit of democracy and honoring the champions of human rights, dignity, and justice who have come before us, we join in diversity to show our presence in numbers too great to ignore. The Women’s March on Washington will send a bold message to our new administration on their first day in office, and to the world that women’s rights are human rights. We stand together, recognizing that defending the most marginalized among us is defending all of us.” read more

The First Universalist Choir is honored to have been selected to perform on October 30 and November 1 in the Guthrie Theater’s production of “The Events,” which tells the story of a choir director who survived a mass shooting incident. read more

It’s an exciting time here at First Universalist Church!

We have many wonderful events, celebrations, and dedications taking place this weekend.  We hope you can join us!

House That Love Built Dedication (at build site)

Location: 3026 Morgan Ave. N. Minneapolis, MN 55411

Date: 11/15/2014

Time: 10:00 AM

Please join us, one and all, on Saturday, November 15th at 10am at 3026 Morgan Avenue N., wearing your yellow First Universalist t-shirts if you have one, to celebrate this day.

Great Gathering: An Evening in Venice

Location: Social Hall

Date: 11/15/2014

Time: 5:30 –9:30

Come spend “An Evening in Venice”. We’ll have a fabulous Italian Dinner, Gatherings Great and Small to sign up for, a live auction, and a ‘duck pond’ for chances to win prizes. We are looking for great gathering donations, as well as items similar to the silent auction to be used as duck pond prizes– homebrew, cookies, peanut brittle, etc.

House That Love Built Dedication Celebration (at church)

Location: Social Hall

Date: 11/16/2014

Time: After both services

Please join us in the Social Hall after both services as we celebrate the completion and dedication of the House That Love Built and look toward our future partnership opportunities with Habitat for Humanity.

Music at First Universalist: Updates and Conversation 

Location: Sanctuary

Date: 11/16/2014

Time: 12:30 PM–1:30 PM

Wondering how our music program is moving forward? Wondering about directions? Want to throw out an idea or two? Join Rev. Ruth MacKenzie in the Sanctuary, on Sunday, Nov 16 at 12:30 after the second service. All are welcome!

Cracking the Codes Film Viewing Part II 

Location: Cummins Room

Date: 11/16/2014

Time: 1:00 PM–2:30 PM

Created by Shakti Butler, “Cracking the Codes” examines the causes and consequences of systemic inequity. This film features moving stories from racial justice leaders including Amer Ahmed, Michael Benitez, Barbie-Danielle DeCarlo, Joy DeGruy, Peggy McIntosh, Rinku Sen, Tilman Smith and Tim Wise. Join us for part II of this film and a lively discussion. All are welcome, including those who have not seen Part I.

Looking for a great way to meet new people within the congregation and enjoy good food and conversation? 

Then join Circle Suppers!  This runs from November through March on the first Saturday of every month.  Small groups of 6-8 people meet at a participant’s home for dinner where the host provides the main course and guests bring other dishes that are needed.  You are required to host one time.  The deadline for sign up is October 31, 2014.  Please contact Marybeth Hoelzer for any questions (612-824-1121 or mhoelzer@mac.com).

Join the UU Pride Parade Contingent on June 29!

This year we will have drummers, a large rainbow dragon and easy chants to call out as we march downtown Minneapolis to Loring Park. You can meet at the Hiawatha rail station before for a light breakfast and travel together or meet us there. Show your UU pride and our commitment to our inclusive and welcoming faith communities!

Parade begins at 11:00 am.  UUs  march together in unit #90, which starts at 3rd St. S., between 4th and 5th Ave in downtown Minneapolis.  

Walk is one mile and ends at Loring  Park.   Wear your yellow “Standing on the Side of Love” tee shirt.

Monday, June 9 at 7:00 PM:  “Why are Millions of Americans Leaving their Faith Behind?”

Leaders from a spectrum of downtown Minneapolis faith communities will discuss this very important topic (Rev. Justin Schroeder will be one of the voices on this panel.) As people are saying, “Religion: why bother?” this “Voices of Faith” presentation will feature honest dialogue about the ways America’s religious traditions interpret this decline and how they are or are not interacting with the questions of the average 21st Century person. Bring your questions because the second half of the event will be devoted to an audience driven Q&A. Monday, June 9, 7pm at Breck School Cargill Theater in Golden Valley.

For more information:

We are about to start BUILDING the House That Love Built…and we need your help!

Summer build days are just around the corner, with our first build starting the week of May 5-9.

To sign up online, click here.  If you have any additional questions, email Chuck Coskran at chuck4199@yahoo.com or Tom Saterstrom at saterstromtom@yahoo.com. 

Want to help but hammers and nails are not your thing? Help with lunches. We prepare and deliver simple lunches to the crew. All expenses may be reimbursed. If you have questions or are ready to sign up, please email ginny mcaninch at ginny.mc1947@gmail.com.

Thank you!