Adult Ministries at First Universalist seeks to support adults in the congregation in deepening their faith as Unitarian Universalists, grapple with the big questions in life, build deeper connections and relationships in the congregation, and develop the capacity to act on our faith in the world. We do this through small groups, classes on a wide variety of topics, and special events. Our groups are led by a combination of staff and/or trained lay-leaders.
Coming of Age for Adults
Sundays, Feb. 18, 12:15-2:15 p.m.; March 3, 17, April 14, 28, 1:15-3:15 p.m. in person at church Registration Required
Our religious education programs explicitly embrace the goal of building UU identity in our children and youth but the work of figuring out “who I am” and what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist is just as meaningful for adults. Unitarian Universalism requires us to be active participants in building our religious identity, a task that sometimes invites letting go or “unlearning” lessons from our past. What does it mean to “be” a Unitarian Universalist? In community, how do we form (and re-form) religious identity that matches your particular experience, behavior, and ongoing journey? We will engage these important questions and provide pathways for exploring and settling into a current version of our UU theology and identity. Facilitated by Rev. Arif Mamdani and Membership Coordinator Liz Farmer
How to Talk to People- Coffee and Conversation Series
Two more Saturday mornings; coffee at 9:45, conversation from 10-11:15 a.m. in person at church Registration Requested
Feb. 24- The Infrastructure of Community
April 27- How to Not Go It Alone
There is much talk about community in our church. Yet many members report that they don’t feel a sense of belonging here. Activities and groups can help. Good communication is also crucial. But what’s between these things? A warmth, a sense of comfort, ease, and a preemptive assumption that all people do belong here. These workshops, based on three different episodes from the podcast How to Talk to People, are meant to open us up to possibilities in moving toward deeper relationships through talking and listening, and to brainstorm about ways that church gatherings and infrastructure could facilitate these kinds of interactions and relationships. Register for one, two, or all three. We encourage listening to at least part of the podcast episode (or reading the transcript) before attending. Facilitated by member Nancy Nyquist Potter and Membership Coordinator Liz Farmer.
Combating Fascism Within, Among & Beyond
Sundays, Feb. 11, 1-2:30p; March 10, 1-3p; April 7, 1-2:30p; April 28, 1-3p; in person at church Registration Required
As UUs we hold inclusive democratic decision making to be a matter of sacred values–it is an outgrowth of our belief in justice, equity, pluralism, and interdependence.
Yet, in this time of increasing authoritarian rhetoric and public threats from white nationalists, there is little doubt that our democracy is in peril. This workshop series will offer an opportunity to learn and reflect more deeply on:
- What we can do to recognize and combat fascist tactics and thinking, including in our communities and in ourselves.
- What we as UUs distinctly have to offer the broader project of defending liberal democracy, including how our history and theologies give us particular moral authority to defend and promote democracy on behalf of our religious values.
- The work we must do in order to be authentic and effective proponents of the inclusive and liberatory society to which we have committed ourselves, including naming hard truths, personal transformation and risk-taking, social witness, and political action.
We will use a number of texts and videos as launching points for discussion and deep exploration. Handouts will be provided for most of the readings. Two very short books will be used (both retail for under $15 and are available in multiple formats from the Hennepin County Library). For a full list of materials see the workshop series site. Facilitated by members Meleah Houseknecht, seminarian, and Rev. Dr. Andrea Johnson.
Adult Neurodivergent Peer Support
Register for the interest list. This isn’t currently an active group.
Being a neurodivergent adult comes with its own unique challenges and experiences. At some point this may become a support group to help one another navigate and spend time with other adults like us.
UU Wellspring – Crises of Life
Registration Closed
Crises of Life explores how the wisdom and understanding of our chosen faith supports us during the challenges and crises of life. In this program we combine Rev. Crow’s wisdom with the poetry and life experiences of Ross Gay, African American poet, educator and dedicated community gardener, to understand that even in oppressive situations beauty and delight offer us unparalleled joy. During the six sessions we provide spiritual practices and writing exercises that encourage participants to open to their own inner voice, their personal narratives and to connections in our beloved communities. Materials suggested: The Book of Delights by Ross Gay and Take What You Need by Rev. Jen Crow. Take What You Need is available from the church for a suggested $20 donation. Facilitated by Rev. Jen Crow.
How and why does theology make a difference in the work of dismantling white supremacy?
Tuesdays, April 2, 16, 30; 6:30-8pm on zoom Registration Required
Join Rev. Dr. Andrea Johnson in this 3-part interactive workshop to explore Unitarian Universalist theologies for grounding the urgent and long-term work of dismantling white supremacy. We will explore three theological trajectories: the personalist theology of Martin Luther King, Jr, Empirical Process Theology of Bernard Loomer, and African American naturalistic humanism of Anthony Pinn. These theologies are grounded in the inherent worth and dignity of all people and vigorously advocate for the racial justice work to which the 8th Principle calls us. A chapter of Andrea’s dissertation will be assigned as pre-reading for each session.
Me, Myself, and OWL: an OWL Class for the Unattached
Mondays, April 8, 15, 22, 29; 7-9 p.m. in person at church Registration Required
As the Adult OWL Program continues to grow, we are offering our first affinity group OWL Session. Over a series of 4 weeks, we will explore aspects of sexuality relating to boundaries, fantasy, pleasure, communication, and identify. We will focus most of our discussions on newly forming or potentially forming relationships. This group is an opportunity for individuals to grow individually, not a small dating group. Please note that Older Adult OWL (ages 55+) will be offered in a two-part series during the Fall/Spring of 2024/2025. Facilitated by members Claire Tralle and CT Neal-Hermann
Book group on Kim Stanley Robinson’s Ministry for the Future
April 23; 6-7:30 p.m. at church Registration Required
Please join us for the third of three sessions’ (conversation is on the last parts of the book) careful, caring conversation of Kim Stanley Robinson’s breathtaking and inspiring 2020 epic, The Ministry for the Future. This deeply researched speculative fiction is a work of page-turning prophetic imagination that reads like an account of our “faster than expected” experience of global ecological and civilizational crisis, written with loving compassion and keen insight. No other work of fiction or nonfiction explores the human predicament in a way that is both thoroughly researched and inclusive of how this crisis looks and feels for people – and for the more-than-human beings – all around the earth. This book study will be helpful and encouraging as we carefully reflect on the unfolding global polycrisis and the many possible local and global human responses. How do we do life together as a faith community living within an extinction event? How do we hospice what is passing away while helping to midwife a future we do not fully control? Let’s kindle the gentle flame of imagination in our hearts and minds this fall and winter as we read The Ministry of the Future. Facilitated by Gary Hoover and Rev. Arif Mamdani
Kate Tucker Sermons Circles
Sundays, May 19, June 2, 16, 30, July 14; 7-8:45 p.m. on zoom, facilitated by Kim Kammeier and Ray Dillon
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Thursdays, May 23, June 6, 20, July 11, 25; 7-8:45 p.m. on zoom, facilitated by Gail Price and Ray Dillon
You are invited to five sessions of diving deeply into five Kate Tucker sermons, meeting every other week. Registration is open to all ages from twenty-somethings to seniors, whether or not you have personally experienced our beloved minister emerita’s extraordinary sermons before. Kate’s sermons have aged well, because they delve into timeless yearnings and wisdom. Please join us in a commitment to personal and communal spiritual growth. When you register, please indicate whether you are available for either or both of the circles, as they will fill quickly and it may be good to have an alternate.
