You’re invited (folks of all racial identities) to a virtual viewing and discussion of the video, “Defund Police: What comes after?” by Reclaim the Block and Black Visions Collective this Sunday, July 19, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., facilitated by First Universalist members, Bianca Zick and Denise Konen, white, anti-racist, facilitators and activists. 

Join here between 11:15 and 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 19.

(Please come early if you want help with Zoom technology so we can make sure everything works. We will be online 15 minutes before the meeting to be ready at 11:30 a.m. Facilitator phone numbers are below.) 

One of the ways our Unitarian Universalist faith asks us to build the beloved community is to listen deeply to the people most impacted by systemic racism and then pay attention to what Parker Palmer describes as “the still, small voice within” that draws on our inner wisdom to give us direction on where love is calling us next.  

Together, with open hearts and minds, we will listen to leaders from Reclaim the Block and Black Visions Collective (some who came out of the original, Minneapolis based, Black Lives Matter group that church member, Lena K. Gardner, helped establish). 

Let’s grow together in our understanding of what “defunding the police,” means as we center the voices of leaders who represent those most harmed by the system of policing we have today. Following is a key value expressed by Black Visions Collective and Reclaim the Block.  “There’s a difference between police reform and police abolition. We’re not here to recreate the police by another name or agency. We’re here to build the systems that will make sure our communities, especially Black communities, feel safe and affirmed.” 

We will also be offering a four-week circle this summer to examine where our ideas about policing come from and discuss how we can support the movement to build systems for community-based safety and belonging.  Look for next week’s Liberal for more information on dates and times! Hope to see you on Sunday at 11:30 a.m.!   

Questions? 
Denise Konen,  denise@netgains.net  952-836-4917
Bianca Zick,  bianca.zick@gmail.com    612-578-3356

Please join Rev. Jen Crow, officers of the Board of Trustees, and members of the Building Committee on Sunday, April 26 at 1 p.m. for a meeting to share renovation plans and information about how the project will be phased.

Update: a recording of the meeting is available here.

The congregational meeting to provide an update on renovation plans has been moved online and rescheduled, and will now be offered twice.

Please join us online via Zoom on either Thursday, March 26 at 7 p.m. (click here to join the Thursday webinar or use the webinar ID: 737-839-530) or on Sunday, March 29 at 1 p.m. (click here to join the Sunday webinar or use the webinar ID: 686-035-909)

Background information about the project can be found here.

Read this week’s newsletter in full here: The Weekly Liberal March 5

In this week’s newsletter, Rev. Ruth MacKenzie, Lauren Wyeth, and Arif Mamdani write:

Dear First Universalist Community, 

As we read and watch news about the outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) that has spread to multiple countries including the United States, many of us are experiencing worry and concern. Some of us live with weakened immunity, and we all know and love people in “at-risk” groups. These are understandably frightening times.

While there are no confirmed cases in Minnesota as of this writing on March 5, we want to assure you that First Universalist leadership is paying close attention to the latest information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the MN Department of Health (MDH). As a place where people gather regularly in community, we take seriously our responsibility to stay informed and to take precautionary measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 if and when necessary.

The Minnesota Department of Health has these recommendations posted on their website:

• Based on what we know now about COVID-19 and what is known about its spread, MDH is not issuing a recommendation at this time to cancel community events such as concerts, parties, or church gatherings.
• Individual organizations and community members will want to make their own decisions about specific events based upon many considerations.
• As always, we recommend that people stay home when sick, cover their cough, and practice good hand hygiene.

Small acts of self care and community care, when done with attention and intention, are a form of spiritual practice. Covering my cough becomes a way of acknowledging the web of life that connects me to all, acknowledging that life is fragile and precious. Washing my hands offers a pause in a busy day, a moment devoted to safeguarding the health and wellness of my own body and the bodies of others, known and unknown, who share and cross my path. Signing up to prepare and deliver meals to church folks who are ill is a way to express my compassion and give life to our covenant. Smiling in greeting, rather than touching a hand, allows us to share a glance that says: We are connected. We depend on one another. What we do matters.

Church will continue to hold Sunday services, religious education classes, and regular groups and meetings in the building so long as public health officials do not recommend against it. When at church, you’ll find hand sanitizer available around the building – please make use of it! There are dispensers mounted in the upper and lower hallways of the education wing, in the social hall, in the sanctuary, and in the lower narthex outside of each coat closet.

We will continue to monitor the situation and the guidelines provided by health professionals and will adjust or cancel activities if that should become necessary.

Regardless of what unfolds and which avenues of communication we use, we will stay connected. Your ministers, church staff and religious community are here and available to provide companionship, pastoral care and practical support. 

Please feel free to reach out to one of us if you have concerns, needs, or questions.

In faith,
Rev. Ruth MacKenzie, Lauren Wyeth, and Arif Mamdani

A new exhibit of artwork by Gordon Coons is on view in the social hall February 23 through March 29. There will be an artist’s reception on Sunday, March 8 after both services.  

Gordon Coons is a painter and printmaker who is largely self-taught. He paints in the Ojibwa Woodland style and creates fumage (smoke art) by burning cedar which he embellishes with 24-karat gold leaf. Gordon also prints with linoleum block. Gordon draws inspiration from his Anishinaabe heritage. His bright color palette comes from his natural surrounds in the Great Lakes region. He also enjoys incorporating playfulness in his images, telling stories of relationships between Western and Native cultures, and the connection we have to our shared historical events.  

Gordon exhibits nationally and his work is in permanent collections across the country. More of his artwork can be seen online at gordoncoons.com.

First Universalist Church, Shir Tikvah, and Temple Israel are honored to welcome Eric Ward, a national expert and speaker on the relationship between hate, violence, and preserving democratic institutions, governance, and inclusive societies, to the Twin Cities for a jointly-sponsored series of speaking engagements over the weekend of Jan. 31 – Feb. 2. On Sunday, Feb. 2 at First Universalist Church, Eric Ward will lead a two-hour workshop on understanding and countering antisemitism and white nationalism; the workshop is free and open to the public. Eric Ward’s weekend in the Twin Cities also includes giving the sermon at Shir Tikvah on Friday evening, Jan. 31, leading Torah study at Temple Israel on Saturday morning, Feb. 1, and delivering the sermon in worship at First Universalist on the morning of Sunday, Feb. 2. First Universalist welcomes all to worship on Sunday mornings; more information about worship can be found at https://firstuniversalistchurch.org/worship/  

Community Workshop on Antisemitism and White Nationalism with Eric Ward

Sunday, Feb. 2, 2020, 1–3 p.m.

REGISTER HERE

This two-hour workshop, led by Eric Ward, will focus on the relationship between white supremacy, white nationalism, and antisemitism, with an emphasis on how the dynamics of antisemitism are likely to play out in the environment of the 2020 presidential election and its aftermath. We’ll look at likely scenarios and how we might respond and gain an understanding of the ways in which white nationalism and white supremacy use racism and antisemitism as tools to keep our movements divided. Given the rhetoric we have seen and will likely continue to see as the election draws nearer, it’s imperative that we increase our capacity to recognize white nationalism and antisemitism and learn tools to counter it. A national expert on the relationship between hate, violence, and preserving democratic institutions, governance, and inclusive societies, Eric Ward brings nearly 30 years of expertise in community organizing and philanthropy to his role as Western States Center’s Executive Director.

Free and open to the public; advance registration is requested here.

About Eric Ward

Originally from Los Angeles, Eric began his civil rights work when the white nationalist movement was engaged in violent paramilitary activity that sought to undermine democratic governance in the Pacific Northwest. Eric founded and directed a community project to expose and counter hate groups and respond to bigoted violence with the Community Alliance of Lane County (1990–1994). With the Northwest Coalition Against Malicious Harassment (1994-2002), Eric worked with government leaders, civil rights campaigners, businesses leaders, and law enforcement officials to establish over 120 task forces in Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming. As one of a handful of prominent leaders of color working to counter this new manifestation of organized hate, Eric successfully encouraged some violent neo-Nazi leaders to renounce racism and violence. Joining the Center for New Community as National Field Director (2003-2011), Eric assisted immigrant rights advocates in addressing the growing influence of xenophobia on public policy.

As Program Executive for The Atlantic Philanthropies’ U.S. Reconciliation and Human Rights Programme (2011-2014), Eric led grantmaking in immigration and national security and rights. Eric’s grantmaking as a Ford Foundation Program Officer (2014-2017) supported efforts to combat inequality. Eric has consulted extensively with philanthropic institutions across the country, including the Open Society Foundation, and co-founded Funders For Justice (a project of the Neighborhood Funders Group). Eric has volunteered with numerous philanthropic and community-based organizations and is currently on the boards of The Proteus Fund and Revolutions Per Minute (RPM), a nonprofit agency that provides artists with strategy and support for their activism and philanthropy.

A contributor to the Progressive Media Project from 2008-2014, Eric has been quoted and cited extensively by national media and is the editor of three published works: Conspiracies: Real Grievances, Paranoia and Mass Movements; Second Civil War: States’ Rights, Sovereignty; and Power of the County and American Armageddon: Religion, Revolution and the Right.

Spiritual growth, learning, and connection await this winter at church!

A variety of Circles beginning in February offer opportunities for spiritual growth and connection; regular participation in circles is a key way to make and maintain meaningful connections within this community!

We’re also excited to offer a broad selection of workshops, classes, and films this winter/spring, many of which are focused around racial and environmental justice learning.

Membership and newcomer classes, book groups, programming for older adults (Daytime Connections), young adult lunches, and two Better Angels workshops hosted by our Peace Circle round out this season’s offerings.

Pick up a program catalog in church today or any of the coming few Sundays to learn more, or browse our website for details!

Registration for most Circles is open January 12 through February 2. Check individual listings for registration deadlines for other programming. Sign up online (see links below) or at the Info Desk in the Social Hall any Sunday between Jan. 12 and Feb. 2.

Winter/Spring 2020 Offerings

Soul Matters Circles: This small group curriculum encourages you to reflect more deeply on our monthly worship theme in small groups of 8-10.

Spiritual Deepening Circles, Classes & Workshops: Circles are groups of 8-10 participants who explore a spiritual practice together. Classes are an opportunity to engage in study of a topic or text. Workshops are designed to build your capacity to move a spiritual practice out of the church and into the world.

Games with Rev. Karen Hutt: Gather at church for the spiritual practice of play! Choose one or more of the seven sessions offered.

Newcomer Circles offer an opportunity to learn more about our liberal faith tradition, reflect on our spiritual journeys, and connect with others who are also getting to know First Universalist. Open until filled.

Book Groups: Join a book group at church this winter; topics are focused on racial and environmental justice.

Racial Justice Learning Opportunities: Workshops, Film Screenings hosted by the Racial Justice Education Team, and Book Groups.

Environmental Justice Workshops: the Environmental Justice Team invites you to  join them in finding new ways to undertake the spiritual act of protecting the Earth this winter/spring.

Better Angels Workshops: Better Angels is a national nonprofit that has developed and pioneered concrete, structured practices for dialogue across political divides. The Peace Circle is hosting two Better Angels workshops at church this season.

Daytime Connections: Through Daytime Connections, older adults at First Universalist empower each other to live intentional, joyful, purposeful, and spiritually fulfilled lives. Programs take place monthly on third Thursdays.

Young Adults Lunches: Join the First Universalist Young Adults group for lunch after the second service on third Sundays.

Pathway to Membership: This new member class is a great chance to build community, explore Unitarian Universalism and our church’s unique history, and learn how to get involved.

Registration for Circles (including book groups) is open through Sunday, Feb. 2 at firstuniversalistchurch.org/circles. See individual program descriptions (linked above) for registration information for our other offerings.

Childcare during most church programming is available free of charge by submitting this online form at least 7 days in advance.

Questions? Contact Arif Mamdani, Director of Membership and Adult Ministries, at arif [at] firstuniv.org or 612-825-1701 x124.

Read the full issue of this week’s Liberal here: The Weekly Liberal Nov. 7

In this week’s issue, Rev. Jen Crow writes:

Last week, the Twin Cities were host to an historic event in Unitarian Universalism – the first ever Harper-Jordan Memorial Symposium convened by BLUU (Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism), Proclaiming a Black Unitarian Universalist Theology.For 4 days, Black Unitarian Universalists shared their lived experiences, beliefs, theologies, and spiritual practices. Our adjunct minister, the Rev. Karen Hutt, presented at the symposium, and First Universalist member, Lena K. Gardner, continues to lead and support BLUU in collaborative and innovative ways. 

Attending the closing worship service last Saturday healed my heart. As I entered that space, I felt clear that as a white Unitarian Universalist, my job was to sit back and listen, to sing and participate, to worship, and to no way be in charge of anything except noticing my own thoughts and feelings. This service was not in fact for me, but it healed me all the same. We were led by so many amazingly talented Black and often queer religious professionals and musicians. Those who are so often pushed to the margins took their rightful place in the center. 

The wisdom and lives of our ancestors were welcomed in, and appreciation was given – not only for those who came before us, but for the younger ones who are teaching us, too. Early on in the service, everyone was invited to move to the edges of the sanctuary – each individual out there on the edge became one small piece of the larger circle that would hold our personal and collective experience. A candle was passed around the circle, hand to hand and person to person, until the flame moved forward first to light the BLUU chalice, and then to light the chalice of Unitarian Universalism. We acknowledged the light of each individual, the light of this powerful Black-led Black-focused collective within Unitarian Universalism, and we acknowledged the light of Unitarian Universalism that holds us all. We sang to each other as the light moved, promising to hold one another in love, promising to see all of who we are.

This is the kind of Unitarian Universalism that I want to support and build and live within. This is the kind of church we are striving to create. May we live true to the words of Starhawk that we so often say in our services at First Universalist, creating a community where ” a circle of hands will open to receive us, eyes will light up as we enter, and voices will celebrate with us whenever we come into our own power.”

In faith and hope,
Rev. Jen

Read the full issue of this week’s newsletter here: The Weekly Liberal October 17

In this week’s newsletter, Rev. Justin writes:

Our faith invites us to live a life of humility, courage, and bravery, as we act to create a more just world. This looks like attending Immigration Court, to be moral witnesses to what is unfolding, sharing information about the proceedings with Advocates for Human Rights. This looks like building houses with Habitat for Humanity. This looks like fundraising and giving a $750 stipend to immigrant families impacted by detention or deportation. And this looks like being a part of the Congregational Asylum Sponsorship and Support Team of First Universalist (CASST).

This team, with church support, has been sponsoring an asylum seeker since the spring of 2019. Without a sponsor, many asylum seekers are imprisoned/detained for the duration of their case, and often deported. Sponsorship can literally save someone’s life. Church members are currently serving as hosts, opening their home to the asylum seeker; members and friends are offering legal, financial, language, emotional, spiritual, and psychological support as the asylum case moves forward. Members of the CASST shared reflections on this effort in a July service.This ministry has profoundly impacted me. In the face of the injustices and inhumanity at our Southern Border, sponsorship is something concrete and meaningful that we can do.

From the beginning, the vision was always bigger than just sponsoring one asylum seeker; the vision was to have this ministry take root in the congregation, for others to listen deeply to where love was calling them next, and have a second team emerge, in order to sponsor a second asylum seeker. A second team is forming, and you’re invited to be a part of this work, supporting either team. We need you! We need your kindness, your “yes,” your commitment to be in this life-changing, heartbreaking, heartmending work. We believe we have the capacity for the church to support two asylees, but we need to grow our teams. Are you feeling called to host an asylee? Be a back up host? Do you speak Spanish? Can you give rides? Take someone shopping? All of this and so much more is needed. And if you can’t give time, please consider a financial donation to support these efforts.

If you’re interested in learning more and joining the team, please reach out to church member, Laura Schlatter, CASST Coordinator, at firstucasst [at] gmail.com or contact me at justin [at] firstuniv.org . 

Together, with humility, courage, and bravery, we can create a more just world. 

I’ll see you in church,
Justin