Join Us Today at 4:30 PM at Minneapolis Police Department 3rd Precinct
Stand in Solidarity With The People of Ferguson

Dear Friends,

Today is a hard day, and today is an important day. Last night we heard the news that Officer Darren Wilson will not be indicted for the killing of Michael Brown. Many of us are mourning not only a young man today, but an ideal of justice. Our hearts are breaking as we see again the truth that black and brown lives are valued differently in our country than white lives. In moments like these, when the hard facts of systemic racism and police abuse come to light, it is important that we hold our gaze steady and not turn away.

Today is not just about the events in Ferguson, important as they are. Today is about how we will respond, as people of faith, when the fabric of our community is ripped and torn. As Dr. King wrote, “We are caught up in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. None of us is free until all of us are free.” We must join together, not only to mourn and share our outrage, but to begin again the work of repair – of mending this single garment of destiny in which we are all bound up until all lives matter.

We invite you to join us today as we gather with other Unitarian Universalists and hundreds of others, to stand in solidarity with the people of Ferguson and the people of Minneapolis, as we all remember that black lives matter. We’ll meet today, Tuesday, November 25th at 4:30pm at the Minneapolis Police Department 3rd Precinct at Lake Street and Hiawatha Avenue in Minneapolis. Please wear your yellow Standing on the Side of Love gear if you are able.

It is through coming together that we will be restored in our Universalist faith of love and hope. Let us remember that we are not alone, that each and every life matters, and that we all have a part to play in the creation of justice here on earth.

We hope to see you soon.

In faith,

Rev. Justin Schroeder
Senior Minister

Rev. Jen Crow
and the entire Program Team of First Universalist Church

Ferguson is not about Ferguson. Ferguson is a tipping point, a moment where the question is called, and the question is, “Will white America finally awake up? Will white America finally stand with and follow the lead and leadership of people of color? Will white America truly listen to the stories and experiences of people of color? Will good intentioned white Americans refuse to be silent any longer and reach out to their other white friends and work for change?”

Ferguson is not about Ferguson. Ferguson is about New York City, Cleveland, Sanford, Minneapolis, and countless other cities. Ferguson is about people of color being targeted and killed by police on a regular basis.

Ferguson is about the soul of our country. It is a question about which way the arc of the universe will bend. It is about whether we will deepen the racial nightmare we’ve been living in for the past 400 years or find a way to create a world is which all might flourish.

We go to sleep tonight with prayers reaching across time and space to all those who mourn and grieve, to all those who ache and are weary, and to all those who will rise tomorrow, grounded in righteous love and anger, working to build a new world and a new way.

–Rev. Justin

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.