Change is ever-present these days- a constant cycle of new information. New experiences and new understandings of ourselves, each other, and the larger world keep coming our way. Join Rev. Jen Crow on Sunday, August 8 at 10 a.m. as we  continue our exploration of the nature of change and how we, as people of faith, continue to align our actions with our values.

Follow along with the Order of Service

Offering: Freedom School
(give here) or text firstuniv to 73256. You’ll receive a link to a secure form where you can enter your information. Select the “Offering Plate” fund from the dropdown menu.

Care Companions ~ 11 a.m.
We know that worship can take us into deep and surprising places. If you find yourself needing to talk with someone about what is stirring for you after worship, please speak with one of our care companions in a confidential zoom room after the service. This is how we care for one another

Fellowship Hours ~ 11:00 a.m.
BIPOC and All Identities Fellowship hours will join in breakout rooms via this link.

UUs in 12-Step Recovery – 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Do you identify as someone in 12-Step recovery? Would you like to build community at church and add a layer of support for yourself and others? Join this drop-in group for UUs in 12-step based recovery from all kinds of addiction and family dysfunction. We’ll join in a time of silent meditation, explore a topic, and share our experience, strength and hope with each other. Participation in the meeting is confidential, and no sign up is required.
Meeting ID: 922 6965 4151; Passcode: 839388

Join Jill Braithwaite Wednesday, August 4 at 7 p.m. for a time of appreciating our bodies and the ways they offer us gifts and resilience. We’ll enjoy a story, a song, and a meditation.

Launch the Wednesday Worship Zoom here – 7 p.m.

Webinar ID: 117-312-320.
To listen by phone (audio only), dial 1-312-626-6799 and enter the webinar ID.

Care Companions Space ~ 7:30 p.m.
We know that worship can take us into deep and surprising places. If you find yourself needing to talk with someone about what is stirring for you after worship, please speak with one of our care companions in a confidential zoom room after the service. This is how we care for one another.

This Sunday, August 1 at 10 a.m., Julica Hermann de la Fuente will guide us in using Martha Beck’s Change Cycle to explore how we navigate and make meaning of change. Join us to inquire into the nature of change, the possibilities and challenges of change, and the ways that change will continue to be with us personally and congregationally. We’ll also enjoy a story told by church member Suzy Messerole and music by Erin Sugrue, Franco Holder, and Aimee K. Bryant.

Follow along and find ways to connect in the Order of Service

Offering: Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light
(give here) or text firstuniv to 73256. You’ll receive a link to a secure form where you can enter your information. Select the “Offering Plate” fund from the dropdown menu.

Care Companions ~ 11 a.m.
We know that worship can take us into deep and surprising places. If you find yourself needing to talk with someone about what is stirring for you after worship, please speak with one of our care companions in a confidential zoom room after the service. This is how we care for one another.

First Step ~ 11 a.m.
First Step is a brief, casual orientation to Unitarian Universalism and First Universalist Church. During this 45-minute class, participants will learn about the foundations of our faith tradition and opportunities to get involved. If you attend First Step this morning, please fill out the Visitor Connect form so we can follow up with you! Thank you!

Sunday Small Groups  ~ 11:05 a.m.
Those registered for a Summer small group gather through this link.

First Sunday Meditation Group – 11:30-12:30
Join this monthly congregant-led group for a silent meditation meeting on zoom. 11:30- 12:30 pm. After 20 minutes of sitting together in silence, we will share experiences from our practices. We will begin our gathering at 11:15 am to provide time to share our lives with one another. Meditation will start at 11:30am. Meeting ID: 811 5515 5500. Passcode: 244512

Wednesday Worship on July 28 will be led by Julica Hermann de la Fuente, our Director of Liberation and Transformation Ministries. Join Julica for a midweek worship experience for adults and older youth as we contemplate the role of small daily rituals in our resilience and grounding. As we continue to navigate this pandemic and the many challenges of our lives, giving our full attention to small, daily, repetitive practices can open a door to Spirit, and to new possibilities and hope. This 30-minute service is a brief time of connection, centering, and reflection to help us find and keep our balance. Join us!

Launch the Wednesday Worship Zoom here – 7 p.m.

Webinar ID: 117-312-320.
To listen by phone (audio only), dial 1-312-626-6799 and enter the webinar ID.

Care Companions Space ~ 7:30 p.m.
We know that worship can take us into deep and surprising places. If you find yourself needing to talk with someone about what is stirring for you after worship, please speak with one of our care companions in a confidential zoom room after the service. This is how we care for one another.

Join Rev. Karen this Sunday, July 25 at 10 a.m. as she shares her humanist journey from Yankee Stadium to the Rift Valley in East Africa. We will also explore opportunities for Unitarian Universalism and humanism in the coming years as we reflect on our 5th Source.

Follow along with the Order of Service

Offering: First Universalist Sanctuary and Resistance Fund
(give here) or text firstuniv to 73256. You’ll receive a link to a secure form where you can enter your information. Select the “Offering Plate” fund from the dropdown menu.

Care Companions ~ 11 a.m.
We know that worship can take us into deep and surprising places. If you find yourself needing to talk with someone about what is stirring for you after worship, please speak with one of our care companions in a confidential zoom room after the service. This is how we care for one another.

Sunday Small Groups & Fellowship Hours ~ 11:05 a.m., right after the service
Fellowship hours will funnel through this link. Breakout room options are:
Six-Week Sunday Small Groups (pre-registration required)
BIPOC Coffee Hour
All-Identities Fellowship Hour

UUs in 12-Step Recovery – 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Do you identify as someone in 12-Step recovery? Would you like to build community at church and add a layer of support for yourself and others? Join this drop-in group for UUs in 12-step based recovery from all kinds of addiction and family dysfunction. We’ll join in a time of silent meditation, explore a topic, and share our experience, strength and hope with each other. Participation in the meeting is confidential, and no sign up is required.
Meeting ID: 922 6965 4151; Passcode: 839388

Wednesday Worship this week will be led by First U member Monique Wentzel. Join Monique for a midweek worship experience for adults and older youth as we contemplate the simplest forms of being in community as spiritual practice. Now, more than ever, we have an opportunity to strengthen our immediate networks with compassion. This 30-minute service is a brief time of connection, centering, and reflection to help us find and keep our balance.

Launch the Wednesday Worship Zoom here – 7 p.m.

Webinar ID: 117-312-320.
To listen by phone (audio only), dial 1-312-626-6799 and enter the webinar ID.

Care Companions Space ~ 7:30 p.m.
We know that worship can take us into deep and surprising places. If you find yourself needing to talk with someone about what is stirring for you after worship, please speak with one of our care companions in a confidential zoom room after the service. This is how we care for one another.

Prophets are often treated like icons. How many prophetic people can you rattle off the names of? What characteristics do they display? Our 2nd Source as UU’s provides us with some interesting human centered guidance, if we parse the words enough and dive deeply. Come join us Sunday, July 18 at 10 a.m. as we continue to learn how to walk the walk that we talk of so much.

Follow along with the Order of Service

Offering: Every Meal
(give here) or text firstuniv to 73256. You’ll receive a link to a secure form where you can enter your information. Select the “Offering Plate” fund from the dropdown menu.

Care Companions ~ 11 a.m.
If you find yourself wanting to talk with someone one on one about what is stirring for you on a Sunday morning, please speak with one of our care companions in this confidential zoom room.
Meeting ID: 840 2388 1329; Passcode: 221804

First Step ~ 11 a.m.
First Step is a brief, casual orientation to Unitarian Universalism and First Universalist Church. During this 45-minute class, participants will learn about the foundations of our faith tradition and opportunities to get involved. If you attend First Step this morning, please fill out the Visitor Connect form so we can follow up with you! Thank you!

Summer Small Groups ~ 11:05 a.m.
Those pre-registered for a Summer small group gather through this link.

Wednesday Worship on Wed. July 14 will be led by First U member Chris Tanita. Chris writes, “As I reflect on our summer theme of ‘What Now? What Next?’ I am aware that in this time I have stumbled. The volume of change and unknown in my life makes it harder to be the family member, friend, colleague, and community member I want to be. Tomorrow in Wednesday Worship we will add a third question to our theme: What about when we stumble — then what?”

About Chris: Chris Tanita’s lifework is organizing people and money for social justice. She found First Universalist and Unitarian Universalism when she started working on climate justice in 2017 and needed community and hope to counter the horrors of climate change she faced every day at work. At her core, Chris is driven by a deep love of all children, including her eight year old and babe number two on the way, and a fierce desire to help create the world they deserve. Her favorite people laugh and cry often and you will often find her doing the same.

Launch the Wednesday Worship Zoom here – 7 p.m.

Webinar ID: 117-312-320.
To listen by phone (audio only), dial 1-312-626-6799 and enter the webinar ID.

Care Companions Space ~ 7:30 p.m.
We know that worship can take us into deep and surprising places. If you find yourself needing to talk with someone about what is stirring for you after worship, please speak with one of our care companions in a confidential zoom room after the service. This is how we care for one another.

Radical acceptance, as defined by Buddhist teacher Tara Brach, is the spiritual practice of accepting reality exactly as it is, without trying to control or judge or pull away. When we’re feeling stuck and unable to make a change, radical acceptance can help us move forward. Join Jill Braithwaite this Sunday, July 11 at 10 a.m. for a reflection on what can happen when we step into radical acceptance and let go.

Jill Braithwaite has been a member of First Universalist Church since 2004. She has taught religious education and First Step classes and has served on the Board of Trustees, Welcome Team, and Strategic Planning Team. Jill has an M.A. in theology and the arts from United Theological Seminary and is currently studying there in the Master of Divinity program with a concentration in UU Studies.

Follow along with the Order of Service

Offering: Ministers’ Emergency Fund
(give here) or text firstuniv to 73256. You’ll receive a link to a secure form where you can enter your information. Select the “Offering Plate” fund from the dropdown menu.

Care Companions Space ~ 11 a.m.
We know that worship can take us into deep and surprising places. If you find yourself needing to talk with someone about what is stirring for you after worship, please speak with one of our care companions in a confidential zoom room after the service. This is how we care for one another.

Sunday Small Groups & Fellowship Hours ~ 11:05 a.m.
Say hello, check in, and share stories from your week in this casual social space. Fellowship hours will funnel through this link. Breakout room options are:
– Summer Small Groups (pre-registration required)
– BIPOC Coffee Hour
– All-Identities Fellowship Hour

First Sunday Meditation Group- 11:15 a.m. (rescheduled from July 4th)
Join this monthly congregant-led group for silent meditation on Zoom. After 20 minutes of sitting together in silence we share how our practices are helping us. The Zoom space opens at 11:15 a.m. to provide time to connect informally . Meditation starts at 11:30 a.m.

UUs in 12-Step Recovery – 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Do you identify as someone in 12-Step recovery? Would you like to build community at church and add a layer of support for yourself and others? Join this drop-in group for UUs in 12-step based recovery from all kinds of addiction and family dysfunction. We’ll join in a time of silent meditation, explore a topic, and share our experience, strength and hope with each other. Participation in the meeting is confidential, and no sign up is required. Meeting ID: 922 6965 4151; Passcode: 839388

Join us for Wednesday Worship July 7 at 7 p.m. for some somatic experiencing. How do we tend to our nervous systems and bodies as we navigate our lives? Grief, busyness, excitement, fatigue, passion, anger, depression, anxiety, burnout, uncertainty, delight — our bodies have been through so much in the last year and in this season of tremendous change! We’ll practice slowing down, being present, and tending to our somatic selves with care so that we can continue to stay connected to our callings and communities.

About Stephanie: Stephanie Vos is an artist, healer, and teacher, and a member of First Universalist. You might recognize her from leading Wednesday night circles with Rev. Ruth, leading Religious Education programs and small groups, and serving as a worship associate and preacher with Rev. Karen. Stephanie worked professionally with writing, editing, meditation, and somatic therapy, and is now in formation to become a Universalist minister. She is also studying to become a doctor of chiropractic medicine. Her work has always focused on the mystery of dimensionality through embodiment, the interconnectedness of community, and reimagining our relationship with the natural world.

Launch the Wednesday Worship Zoom here – 7 p.m.

Webinar ID: 117-312-320.
To listen by phone (audio only), dial 1-312-626-6799 and enter the webinar ID.

Care Companions Space ~ 7:30 p.m.
We know that worship can take us into deep and surprising places. If you find yourself needing to talk with someone about what is stirring for you after worship, please speak with one of our care companions in a confidential zoom room after the service. This is how we care for one another.