June 30, 2016  |  Vol. 3 No. 26
SUNDAY WORSHIP AT FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH
Worship this Sunday
Sunday, July 3, 10 a.m.
"Draw the Circle Wide" 
Terri Burnor
All are welcome! Join us! We value diversity! Yes, and ... To truly be in relationship means our freedom comes with restrictions. It means our "circle of us" may be misshapen, permeable, unfixed. Can we rethink our individual freedoms to accommodate an ever-deepening sense of inclusion?  Read More  

Worship leaders: 
Terri Burnor is a candidate for ministry and a 2015 graduate of United Theological Seminary. While a student, she served our congregation as a quarter-time intern for the 2013-14 church year. For the past 10 months, she's been in Oregon serving full-time as Intern Minister for First Unitarian Portland. Terri just got back home last week and is happy to be here!
Jack Gaede, a member of First Universalist, is about to start his final year at United Theological Seminary, where he is pursuing his Master of Divinity degree. Born and raised in northern Minnesota, he came to the Twin Cities for college and now calls Minneapolis "home." He has been attending regularly at First Universalist since his very first Sunday at a UU church in February 2013, and he is excited to be on the path to ordination with the hopes of becoming a college chaplain.
A Look Ahead
Sunday, July 10, 10 a.m. 
"Choosing Hope"
Rev. Elaine Aron Tenbrink 

Summer Sundays at First Universalist!
Worship at 10 a.m.
Please Bring Your Own Mug to social hour after worship. This helps save on water and labor, and keeps the kitchen cooler during the summer. 

Miss a Recent Sunday?
June 26, 2016
"A New Story of Race"
Karin Wille
June 19, 2016
"A Gentle, Angry People"
Rev. Justin Schroeder
June 12, 2016
"From Prison to Protest"
Pastor Danny Givens, Jr.
June 5, 2016
"The Stonecutters"
Rev. Justin Schroeder
Summer Worship Theme: Telling a New Story
At the intersection of what is holy, and what is human, is a willingness to change, to shed old habits, old ways of thinking, old frameworks, old skin, to cast off what no longer functions and dare to do a new thing, to tell a new story. This ability to change is at the heart of creation and creator. In the book of Isaiah, God says: "Forget about what's happened; don't keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand-new. It's bursting out! Don't you see it?" In these summer months we will endeavor to be alert and present, to see and tell the new story emerging from within, among, and beyond.
UPCOMING EVENTS & PROGRAMS
Wellspring Info Sessions
Sunday, July 10, 11:30 a.m. or
Thursday, July 14, 7 p.m.
This past year, more than 50 members of our church participated in Wellspring, which offers spiritual deepening within our UU tradition and an opportunity to learn more about ourselves and our faith through a year-long small group experience. There are five components: commitment to a daily spiritual practice, monthly spiritual direction, small group meetings, reading about the theological and historical foundations of our faith, and putting our faith into action. After a day-long opening retreat on Sept. 17, Wellspring will meet every other week through May 2017. Attendance at an info session is required if you wish to participate in Wellspring next year. Join us on either July 10 or 14 to learn more!
Worship at the Lake Harriet Bandshell
Sunday, August 14, 10 a.m.
Join us for an energizing worship service and potluck picnic at the Lake Harriet Bandshell on Sunday, Aug. 14 at 10 a.m.!
We'll enjoy tunes from the band A Ghost Revival, an inspiring message from one of our ministers, and a potluck picnic afterwards. This will be our only worship service on Sunday, Aug. 14. This is part of an annual outdoor worship series at the bandshell with about 15 congregations participating. Watch for more information later this summer.
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
$15 Minimum Wage Advocates Turn in Signatures
Rev. Justin Schroeder and a group of folks from First U were present at yesterday's 15 Now Minnesota rally at Minneapolis City Hall. 

Joan Naymark, co-chair of our Faithful Action Council, reports: "Justin spoke from the perspective of the Faith Community - raising the minimum wage to $15/hour is a moral imperative to address racial justice, economic, health, and educational inequities. Low wage jobs disproportionately impact communities of color, especially women of color and their families. It was inspiring to see the large stack of nearly 20,000 signatures and green petitions, including the 100 signatures from our church. The request is to take this referendum to the voters of Minneapolis in November - let the people decide."

See more photos from yesterday's rally on our Facebook page, and read more in this article from the Star Tribune.
Gun Violence Prevention Discussion
You are invited to join a discussion about gun violence prevention. Learn about the work Moms Demand Action is doing in Minnesota and find out how you can get involved.

Hosted by congregants Jane Baudelaire and Janet Merrill, this discussion will take place in the Cummins Room on Tuesday, July 12 at 6:30 p.m. 

Questions? Please contact Janet at 612-354-2743.
First Universalist Church Co-Sponsors "Selma" Screening and Panel Discussion at Lake Harriet UMC
On Wednesday July 20 at 7 p.m.Lake Harriet United Methodist Church will be hosting a screening of the film "Selma: The Bridge to the Ballot," followed by a panel discussion on the erosion of voting rights in the United States. 

The film will be introduced by Richard Cohen, President of the Southern Poverty Law Center (which produced the film), and the panel will include attorney Pam Horowitz, former MN Secretary of State Mark Ritchie and Congressman Keith Ellison. We hope to spark a conversation about this important and timely issue, as well as inspire civic engagement during this important election season. Child care will be provided. Lake Harriet UMC is located at 4901 Chowen Ave S.

The event is free but attendees are requested to RSVP here.

First Universalist Church is proud to be a co-sponsor of this event.
First Lend-A-Hand Volunteer Team Meets July 14
Lend-A-Hand is an opportunity to help care for our building and grounds as part of a volunteer team. In coordination with our facilities staff, this team undertakes various projects to continue keeping our church clean, orderly and attractive. It's a chance to help our church, complete satisfying projects, and get to know others in our community.

Beginning on Thursday, July 14 Lend-A-Hand will meet on the second Thursday of the month through the end of 2016. Volunteers will gather at 8:30 a.m. for bagels, juice and coffee and will end their activities by noon.  

Each Lend-A-Hand activity has slots for 12 volunteers. If you would like to be a part of the first Lend-A-Hand volunteer group on Thursday, July 14 (8:30 a.m.-noon), please email Sandy at [email protected] to sign up. Thank you!
Habitat Summer Work Week August 15-19
This year, First Universalist will again sponsor a Habitat for Humanity Summer Work Week. The dates are Monday, Aug. 15 through Friday, Aug. 19. The work day is from 8:15 a.m.-4 p.m. We need to provide 15-18 volunteers per day. Volunteers must be 16 years or older and 16 and 17 year olds must be with an adult (18 or over). All you need to bring is yourself and your willingness to work. All tools will be provided and lunch will be provided by other First U volunteers (any takers?). Ask anyone who has worked at a Habitat site - the benefits are many.

* Instruction for each job will be provided.
* You will be paired with more experienced volunteers.
* You are never asked to do anything you are uncomfortable doing.
* Learn a skill useful to home ownership.
* Have a great bonding experience with other First U volunteers.
* Satisfaction of a job well done.
* Most important - help to provide the path to home ownership for a deserving family and all the benefits they accrue from that.

Our work site is new construction at 2441 16th Avenue South in Minneapolis. We'll be working in the early stages of the build. Hope to see you there. Sign up here.
NEWS IN BRIEF
Church Office & Building Closed Monday, July 4

The church office and building will be closed on Monday, July 4 for Independence Day.

Regular office hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The office is closed Fridays and Saturdays.
Cycle of Life and Pastoral Care

Let Us Keep You in Our Thoughts and Prayers
If you are experiencing a crisis or transition, or celebrating a joy, please let us know. To be included in our Cycle of Life each Sunday in worship, contact Sandy DiNanni at [email protected] or 612-825-1701. If you would like support, contact Rev. Jen Crow at [email protected] or 612-825-1701 or any member of our Pastoral Care Team.
Caring Corner
Write a note to a congregant who could use support! There are cards available in the library, which is located off of the Social Hall. You are welcome to stop by and write a card at any time. Just leave it in the basket and the church will mail it for you.
Planned Giving
You are putting your values and resources into action while you're living. But where do you want your funds to go when you're gone? If you want to consider including First Universalist Church in your will or estate plan, please talk to a minister or the church's financial administrator for guidance. If you've already made the church a beneficiary, please let the office know. When you fill out an easy planned-giving form, it will ensure your wishes are honored.
- Peg Meier of the Planned Giving Committee
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Monday-Thursday 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m.
Closed Fridays and Saturdays
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Contact Us
First Universalist Church of Minneapolis
3400 Dupont Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55408
612-825-1701
For staff contact information, please visit our Ministers and Staff page.
First Universalist Church of Minneapolis
3400 Dupont Avenue S.
Minneapolis, MN 55408

612-825-1701

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