Faithful Action: where justice work and spiritual growth intersect!
Faithful Action is how we describe our justice ministry. It is where justice work and personal spiritual growth intersect; we act on our faith!
The term “Faithful Action” recognizes that there are hundreds of ways to act faithfully as we work for a more fair and equitable world—we can advocate, write letters, learn about issues, serve meals, build a home, mentor students, protest, stand in sacred witness, and so much more.
Join us this Summer!
Habitat for Humanity Build Days
Tuesday, June 11 and/or Friday, July 26; 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Registration through Habitat Required
Come join our crew! All you need is a willingness to work – no experience necessary. Youth ages 16+ and their parents or caregivers are welcome to join this intergenerational opportunity. We will be working on a new home in North Minneapolis doing whatever the site supervisor asks of us; putting up siding, hanging sheetrock, painting- whatever needs doing with on-the-job training. Lunch will be provided.
CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE TEAM EVENTS
Eco Film Encore Screening: Common Ground
Wednesday, June 26; 3-5 p.m. in the Cummins Room RSVP Requested
At the first screening in April, everyone agreed–more of our friends here at church need to see this film! Sobering yet hopeful, Common Ground exposes the toxic interconnections of American farming policy, politics, and health, by sharing stories of destruction and healing, and how regenerative agriculture and soil health plays a vitally important role in changing these systems for the better. At its root, the film explores how people from different walks of life, different political backgrounds, and different places share one thing in common – the very soil beneath their feet.
Co-Op Farm Tour
Saturday, July 13; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. RSVP your interest and for carpooling.
This farm tour event is organized by MN Co-ops. Our EJ team is planning to help coordinate interest and facilitate carpooling to the farms. We’ll visit local farms located within our urban area, and some within about an hours drive. Many First U congregants over the years have found it to be a wonderful way to visit local regenerative farms and reconnect with where our food comes from.
Electrify Everything
Wednesday, July 24; 4-5pm, on zoom
Discover a multitude of ways you can help mitigate the climate crisis by electrifying everything in your life! The federal Inflation Reduction Act has provided all of us with rebates and tax credits to help us make the shift to electrify our world. Join the EJ Team to explore electric appliances and heat pumps for heating (and cooling) as well as heating your water. Discover the latest ways to electrify your transportation needs. And, we’ll showcase our new First U Database of Electric Adopters.
Hike at Bdote
Saturday, July 27; 1-3:30 p.m. Meet at Thomas C. Savage Visitor Center, at the end of Snelling Lake Rd. (Vehicle parking requires annual or $5 daily state park pass)
Join EJ Team member Cathy Geist and a Conservation Corps naturalist as we hike by the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers through the amazing forests of Bdote (settler colonial name: Fort Snelling State Park). Together we’ll learn about the variety of animals, plants, and other organisms there, as well as the Indigenous history of this beautiful State Park. Please RSVP to Cathy Geist at 612-384-2723 or with questions and if park pass fee is a barrier.
Plant Based Potluck
Wednesday, August 7; 5:30- 7 p.m. Under the First U Tent
Bring a plant-based dish to a lively gathering of UU friends old and new under First U’s backyard tent. All ages and families are invited! Leave with satisfied taste buds and a few tips from EJ Team Members on integrating food solutions into your life to cool the planet.
Electric Saturday Under the Tent
Saturday September 21; 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
You are energetically invited to Electric Saturday at First U, showcasing Electric Vehicles (EV’s) and Plug in Hybrid Electric Vehicles! Owners will be available throughout the morning to answer all of your questions about owning electric cars. Electric bike owners will also be displaying their e-bikes and answering questions. If you have questions about the event, or would like to show your e-bike or EV, contact Todd Pierson at todd.pierson[at]gmail.com.