As we continue our exploration of the theme, “You Can Count On This,” we turn our attention to our bodies this week. Sources of ancient wisdom carried deep within our bones, sources of comfort, pleasure, pain, joy, grief, and frustration – our bodies hold so much. Through story, prayer, music, poetry and shared breath, we’ll explore the wisdom of the body this week. Join us for worship online and/or in person on Sunday, October 9.

ORDER OF SERVICE: available as a google doc and on this page (screen reader & mobile friendly version) by Friday.

OFFERING: Give via our online giving portal, or CashApp. Make sure to designate that it’s for the “Offering Plate” fund.

As we begin our exploration of the monthly theme, “You Can Count On This,” we’ll start with our hearts. What do our hearts tell us, and how do we listen? Where and with whom do we place our hearts? And what do we do with the inevitable heartbreak that comes? We’ll explore all of these questions and more through stories, songs, meditation, and prayer together. Please join us for worship this Sunday, October 2.

ORDER OF SERVICE: available as a google doc and on this page (screen reader & mobile friendly version) by Friday.

OFFERING: Give via our online giving portal, or CashApp. Make sure to designate that it’s for the “Offering Plate” fund.

Rumi and Jung agree on at least one thing: paradox is our greatest spiritual gift.

As Rumi notes:

Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing,
there is a field. I’ll meet you there.
When the soul lies down in that grass,
the world is too full to talk about.
Ideas, language, even the phrase each other
doesn’t make any sense.

And isn’t that what we long for – that space of paradox, out beyond rightdoing and wrongdoing, beyond belonging where event the phrase each other doesn’t make any sense?

This Sunday, come and explore the topography of belonging and the paths that may or may not get us where we long to be.

ORDER OF SERVICE: available as a google doc and on this page (screen reader & mobile friendly version) by Friday.

OFFERING: Give via our online giving portal, or CashApp. Make sure to designate that it’s for the “Offering Plate” fund.

First Step – in person, meets in the sanctuary immediately after each service 

Facilitated by one of our members, First Step is a brief, casual orientation to Unitarian Universalism and First Universalist Church. During this 40-minute class, participants will learn about the foundations of our faith tradition and opportunities to get involved. If you attend First Step, please fill out the Visitor Connect form so we can follow up with you! Thank you!

First Step meets next September  25, and then the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month starting in October, immediately after both worship services. Look for the facilitator holding a “First Step Meets Here” sign at the front of the sanctuary after the worship services. We look forward to welcoming you!

The dream has been alive for years – Beloved Community. A place, a people, a moment in time when we might truly be, as our Visionary Goal proclaims, “a multi-racial, multicultural, and intergenerational faith community of mutual caring and support where people bring all of who they are and welcome each other with joy. Our sense of who we are as a community of faith is ever expanding.” What does it mean to belong to that Beloved Community, and what will be required of us as we unlearn soul-killing patterns of oppression and practice liberating, life-sustaining ways? What does it mean to belong to this Beloved Community?

Join us for worship this Sunday, September 18 as we mark and celebrate Rev. Jen Crow’s ten years of ministry at First Universalist Church. This Sunday is also the first day of Religious Education classes for K-12th grade children and youth. Learn more and register here.

ORDER OF SERVICE: available as a google doc and on this page (screen reader & mobile friendly version) by Friday.

OFFERING: Give via our online giving portal, or CashApp. Make sure to designate that it’s for the “Offering Plate” fund.

This Sunday, Sept. 11, we return to two services as we welcome the start of the new church year with Water Communion Sunday.

We are water. 60% give or take, and about as salty as the ocean. So at least metaphorically, each of us is a body of water. When we gather in community, it is as if each of us is a drop in a larger body of water, held by the vessel that is our church.

This Sunday, our Water Communion and in-gathering service invites us to experience the truth of our interconnection through ritual, word, and song. We can’t wait to see you at 9 or 11 a.m., in person or online!

For the Water Communion ritual, please bring a small jar of water from your home or place you are currently staying (note: this is different than in years past, when we’ve asked you to bring water from your travels or a place that is special to you). If you are joining us online, please have a small bowl or jar of water from home on hand.

On this multigenerational Sunday, all ages are welcome to worship with us in the sanctuary for the entire service. Optional childcare is available for ages 6 months to 3 years.

ORDER OF SERVICE: available as a google doc and on this page (screen reader & mobile friendly version) by Friday.

OFFERING: Give via our online giving portal, or CashApp. Make sure to designate that it’s for the “Offering Plate” fund.

First Step – in person, between servcices at 10 a.m. only

Facilitated by one of our members, First Step is a brief, casual orientation to Unitarian Universalism and First Universalist Church. During this 40-minute class, participants will learn about the foundations of our faith tradition and opportunities to get involved. If you attend First Step, or can’t make it but still want to hear from us, please fill out the Visitor Connect form so we can follow up with you! Thank you!

First Step meets this month on September 11 and 25. Look for the facilitator holding a “First Step Meets Here” sign at the front of the sanctuary after the worship services. We look forward to welcoming you!

What can architects, masons, and the sound of water teach us about crafting a home by hand? And what do rivers remind us about living a life in motion and movement? Join us for worship with guest worship leader, Matt Meyer this Sunday, Sept. 4 at 10 a.m.

Matt is a musician and worship leader who has led hundreds of services for UU congregations across the country. He has a degree in hand drumming and serves as Director of Community Life for Sanctuary Boston.

ORDER OF SERVICE: available as a google doc and on this page (screen reader & mobile friendly version) by Friday.

OFFERING: Give via our online giving portal, or CashApp. Make sure to designate that it’s for the “Offering Plate” fund.

How do we prepare ourselves for a new year? A big transition? New experiences? With the help of stories and spiritual practices, our worship leaders will guide us through our annual Backpack Blessing ritual. Join us in person or online August 28 at 10 a.m.

ORDER OF SERVICE: available as a google doc and on this page (screen reader & mobile friendly version) by Friday.

OFFERING: Give via our online giving portal, or CashApp. Make sure to designate that it’s for the “Offering Plate” fund.

Order of Service- as a google doc or on our website

Offering Plate

Please join us for worship this Sunday August 21 at 10 a.m. at the Lake Harriet Bandshell! The First Universalist Choir, Dr. Randy Buikema, Aimee K. Bryant, Franco Holder, Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Rev. Arif Mamdani, Rev. Jen Crow, and Lauren Wyeth will lead and inspire us through music, story, and message.

Please note: this service will NOT be live-streamed due to lack of internet connectivity at the bandshell. The service will be recorded and available on our YouTube channel early next week.

Rain or shine (except in the case of severe weather). Sunglasses and/or hats are recommended for your comfort.

For the potluck picnic, please bring a dish and/or beverage to share, chairs or blankets to sit on, and plates, cups and eating utensils for everyone in your party. The picnic will take place on the park hill across the street from the bandshell following the worship service (just after 11 a.m.).

There is limited free parking near the bandshell. Parking pay stations and meters are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

This is part of an annual outdoor worship series at the Lake Harriet bandshell with about 15 neighborhood congregations participating.

Following a summer of Sundays exploring “The Bigger Story,” this Sunday we recognize the Biggest Story of all, the story of change, the story of transformation, the story of evolution. It’s a story that applies to living organisms, to communities, and even to patterns of worship. Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout and Rev. Kate Tucker will invite us into that living, breathing Pause that dwells between what was (the No Longer) and what is yet to be (the Not Yet). Join us for worship this Sunday, August 14 at 10 a.m.

ORDER OF SERVICE: available as a google doc and on this page (screen reader & mobile friendly version) by Friday.

OFFERING: Give via our online giving portal, or CashApp. Make sure to designate that it’s for the “Offering Plate” fund.

First Step – in person, immediately after the service

Facilitated by one of our members, First Step is a brief, casual orientation to Unitarian Universalism and First Universalist Church. During this 40-minute class, participants will learn about the foundations of our faith tradition and opportunities to get involved. If you attend First Step, please fill out the Visitor Connect form so we can follow up with you! Thank you!

Look for the facilitator holding a “First Step Meets Here” sign at the front of the sanctuary after the worship services. We look forward to welcoming you!

How do we become the perfect leader? Is flawless leadership even obtainable for imperfect humans? Should we aspire for perfection or strive towards growth and learning in our leadership? Join us for worship this Sunday, August 7 as we explore these questions.

Satya Mamdani is a life-long UU and has been attending First Universalist since she was a child. She is currently serving on the Article Two Study Commission for the UUA. She just graduated high school and will be attending Trinity College in the fall.

ORDER OF SERVICE: available as a google doc and on this page (screen reader & mobile friendly version) by Friday.

OFFERING: Give via our online giving portal, or CashApp. Make sure to designate that it’s for the “Offering Plate” fund.

First Step – in person, immediately after the service 
Facilitated by one of our members, First Step is a brief, casual orientation to Unitarian Universalism and First Universalist Church. During this 40-minute class, participants will learn about the foundations of our faith tradition and opportunities to get involved. If you attend First Step, please fill out the Visitor Connect form so we can follow up with you! Thank you!

First Step meets in person this summer on August 7 and 14 immediately after worship. Look for the facilitator holding a “First Step Meets Here” sign at the front of the sanctuary after the worship services. We look forward to welcoming you!