Read this week’s issue of our newsletter here: The Weekly Liberal Jan. 13

The First Universalist Foundation Board is accepting nominations through this form through Friday, Jan. 28, 2022 from First Universalist congregants (regardless of membership status) and senior high youth in the church. One (1) person must submit a nomination backed by two (2) co-signers. Nominee organizations that are selected will then be sent our grant application. 

The Foundation is soliciting nominations of organizations that address racial justice, climate justice, and human rights. We are also interested in organizations whose leadership includes Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), women, or individuals from disenfranchised communities. This year we are particularly interested in supporting organizations with smaller budgets (for whom our grant may make a significant difference) and newer organizations or initiatives which are addressing the disparities that recent events have laid bare. Organizations that have not applied for a Foundation Board grant in the past are encouraged. 

Historically the Foundation Board has given out grants ranging from $5,000 – $20,000. 

Our mission statement and giving criteria, below, heavily inform our decisions. 

Nominate an organization here: First Universalist Foundation Nomination Form

Mission Statement
First Universalist Foundation acts as a catalyst for social change by promoting and supporting the development of emerging leaders, youth, young adults, and/or disenfranchised communities through monetary grants to nonprofits working in those communities. 

Giving Priorities and Criteria
1. Demonstrate the potential to address one or more causes or forms of injustice.
2. Work to engage youth, young adults, and/or disenfranchised communities in the work of social change.
3. Focus on the Twin Cities community.
4. Have a commitment to measuring the impact or success of the funded program.
5. Organizations with annual budgets of less than $1,000,000 will be given greater priority.
6. Organizations that have been funded 3 times in the last 5 years may be considered lower priority. 

Questions? Please email: foundation@firstuniv.org

Get in a Boat – Or, What Unitarian Universalism Says to Our Suffering

Everyone who is alive will suffer in some measure, and every faith tradition speaks to this reality in some way. For Unitarian Universalists, we don’t turn away from or sugarcoat the reality that life can be hard, nor do we look to supernatural deliverance or assume that it’s all part of some larger grand design. As Unitarian Universalists, we know that life has its measure of pain, but that we need not suffer alone—that pain is held most effectively in community, and that when we join together, not only can we hold more, but we can transform our individual suffering into collective action for justice to transform the systems that create our suffering in the first place. In other words, our pain is borne through community and collective work to create the beloved community here and now. This month, we’ll dig into what our faith says in the face of human suffering, and offer concrete pathways toward building practices of mutuality and care for the world.

Our January Faithful Action newsletter is now available here! This newsletter contains information about our Faithful Action Community Partners and provides concrete ways to get involved and take action through our Faithful Action Community Partner organizations. In this newsletter you will find invitations to volunteer, advocate, give, and learn with others at First Universalist and in our broader community through the work of our partner organizations. You can learn more about our Faithful Action Community Partners and find out how to get involved in their work in this newsletter.

Read our weekly newsletter here: The Weekly Liberal Jan. 6

On exhibit in the Social Hall January 9 – February 20, 2022, is a collection of quilts by long-time First Universalist member Carolyn Liebler, in celebration of her Semi-Centennial (50^th birthday). Carolyn began quilting at age 10 when she was the crafty child of a geometry-focused mathematician and a color-theorist weaver. For over 40 years, she has used quilt design and creation in her UU-life as a self-expressive meditation. She balances her quilting with her work as a sociology professor at the University of Minnesota.

Carolyn will be available to talk about her work on Sunday, Jan. 9 after both services.

Read this week’s issue of our newsletter here: The Weekly Liberal Dec. 30

Read this week’s issue of our newsletter here: The Weekly Liberal Dec. 23

We are pleased to once again offer resources for those who would like to create their own Winter Solstice ritual at home—this year in addition to offering an adapted Solstice Ritual on Tuesday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. on Zoom.

1. Preparing for the Solstice (read first)

2. Winter Solstice Ritual Script

Winter Solstice is one of the seasonal points on the Wheel of the Year. It is often celebrated in an earth-based meditative ritual practiced around the world in a variety of ways, adapted to the culture, beliefs and creativity of those participating. Walking a labyrinth, singing chants and doing the Spiral Dance are part of our ritual at church.

Our ritual is a journey, a slow walk to know the dark, and a slow walk to rejoice in the returning light. Whether you are young or old, living alone, with family or have friends doing this ritual with you, we hope you enjoy the gifts that it offers in this season of illumination.

Thanks to Bob Friedman and Debbie Cash who originally created these resources along with Rev. Justin Schroeder, and who have updated them for this year.

Read this week’s issue of our newsletter here: The Weekly Liberal Dec. 16