This Sunday, August 1, Julica Hermann de la Fuente guides 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.  Words of Welcome- Julica Hermann de la Fuente (:30) Story for All Ages- Suzy Messerole (2:37) Interlude - Building a New Way- Aimee K. Bryant and Franco Holder (9:00) Prayer and Cycle of Life- Julica Hermann de la Fuente (11:28) Message- Harnessing (and Being Harnessed by) Change- Julica Hermann de la Fuente (16:03) Outro Music- I Am Willing by Holly Near  

First Universalist Church

August 1, 2021- Harnessing (and Being Harnessed by) Change - Julica Hermann de la Fuente

This Sunday, Rev. Karen 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. Words of Welcome- Julica Hermann de la Fuente (:19) Wisdom Story- Anansi- Sue Searing (4:38) Interlude- We Shall Be Known- Seth Anderson-Matz (10:31) Prayer and Cycle of Life- Julica Hermann de la Fuente (12:43) Message- What Kind of Humanist Are You?: A Colored Kid's Journey- Rev. Karen Hutt (18:23) Outro Music- Lean On Me, by Bill Withers- Aimee K. Bryant and Franco Holder

July 25, 2021- What Kind of Humanist Are You?- A Colored Kid's Journey- Rev. Karen Hutt

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. This Sunday, we continue to learn how to walk the walk that we talk of so much. Words of Welcome- Julica Hermann de la Fuente (:30) Wisdom Tale- The Emperor's New Clothes- Aimee K. Bryant (3:30) Interlude- Shine On Me, by Melanie DeMore (11:16) Prayer and Cycle of Life- Julica Hermann de la Fuente (14:50) Sermon- A Prophetic Encounter: Have You Had One Lately?- Rev. Karen Hutt (20:23) Outro music- Show Up, by Joe Davis

July 18, 2021- A Prophetic Encounter: Have You Had One Lately? - Rev. Karen Hutt

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 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 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. Words of Welcome- Rev. Arif Mamdani (:20) Story for All Ages- Rev. Arif Mamdani (3:56) Prayer and Cycle of Life- Rev. Arif Mamdani (8:41) Message- Cinnamon Sticks and God- Jill Braithwaite (13:49) Outro music- We Are Building a New Way - Aimee K. Bryant

July 11, 2021- Cinnamon Sticks and God- Jill Braithwaite

Whole-hearted spiritual living invites us to learn how to tell our stories with honesty, humility and care - celebrating our learning and joy while simultaneously acknowledging the places we still need to grow. This Sunday we'll explore how we might own the fullness of our stories as individuals and as a nation.  Prelude- Aimee K. Bryant (:30) Words of Welcome- Rev. Jen Crow (2:28) Story for All Ages- Rev. Arif Mamdani (7:15) Music- A Change is Gonna Come by Sam Cook- Aimee K. Bryant (12:51) Reading- Let America Be America Again by Langston Hughes- Yahanna, Aliana, Satya (15:44) Musical Response- Lift Every Voice and Sing by James Weldon Johnson & J. Rosamond Johnson- Aimee K. Bryant (22:51) Prayer and Cycle of Life- Julica Hermann de la Fuente (25:13) Message- Owning Our Stories- Rev. Jen Crow (33:01) Outro Music- Respect by Aretha Franklin - Aimee K. Bryant (49:16)  

July 4, 2021- Owning Our Stories- Rev. Jen Crow

After over a year of being physically apart, this Sunday, June 13 marks our first time together in person and online as a church community when we gather at the Lake Harriet Bandshell and on zoom. How will it feel to be together in person? How will it feel to be online when others can gather face-to-face? What will it be like? As people of faith, we promise to pay attention, to be curious with ourselves and each other, and to make room for all of who we are and all of the feelings and experiences that arise. We’ve got this, together. Words of Welcome- Rev. Jen Crow (:30) Prelude- How Can I Keep From Singing, First Universalist Choir, Dr. Randal Buikema conducting, Franco Holder on piano (6:09) Story for All Ages- Just Ask by Sonia Sotomayor- Jill Braithwaite (10:56) Reading- Spilling the Light by Rev. Theresa I. Soto- Jill Braithwaite (16:56) Anthem- Love Is Love by Abbie Betinis- First Universalist Choir, Dr. Randal Buikema conducting, Franco Holder on piano (18:50) Message- Making Room- Rev. Jen Crow (19:58) Outro- Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield- Aimee K. Bryant and Franco Holder  

June 13, 2021- Making Room- Rev. Jen Crow

This Sunday, we say a final Good Goodbye to Rev. Justin through story, song, ritual, and a message from Rev. Jen Crow.  Words of Welcome- Rev. Jen Crow (:30) Story for All Ages- Rev. Arif Mamdani (5:22) Prayer and Cycle of Life- Rev. Arif Mamdani (11:21) Ritual of Relinquishment- Worship Leaders (18:52) Message- The Stories We Tell, Rev. Jen Crow (24:09) Outro Music- For Good by Stephen Schwartz- Franco Holder

June 6, 2021- The Stories We Tell- Rev. Jen Crow

Scholar Mariame Kaba reminds us that abolition is a “positive vision:” one that is fundamentally about building a world in which all people can be free and flourish. In this season of reckoning, as we commemorate the anniversary of George Floyd's murder and contemplate how we are called to build a world in which all of us are free, we will step into the practice of radical imagination together as we work to conceive of a world without policing and prisons, and with resources, accountability, and safety for all. Words of Welcome- Julica Hermann de la Fuente (:30) Story for All Ages-  Julica Hermann de la Fuente (4:35) Hymn- Gather the Spirit- Aimee K. Bryant and Franco Holder (13:22) Prayer and Cycle of Life- Julica Hermann de la Fuente (16:16) Interude- from Imagine by John Lennon- David Lauth (22:05) Message- Tending the Soil of Radical Imagination- Rev. Ashley Horan (22:57)

May 30, 2021- Tending the Soil of Radical Imagination- Rev. Ashley Horan

In our annual beloved Youth Sunday worship, our senior high youth offer a message, story and music to remind us to cross the thresholds in our lives with care, creativity and courage. This Sunday, May 23, the service includes a Bridging Ritual to honor our graduating seniors, marking the end of their time as First Universalist youth and welcoming them into young adulthood in our church. Youth Sunday is a moving expression of our vibrant multigenerational religious community that you won’t want to miss. Words of Welcome- Julica Hermann de la Fuente (:28) Story for All Ages- Sylvia (3:35) Musical Offering- Wherever Is Your Heart by Brandi Carlile, Juliet and Theo (7:00) Prayer and Cycle of Life- Julica Hermann de la Fuente (8:40) Message- Liv (12:45) Special Music- Swimming to the Other Side by Pat Humphries, David and Lisa Carnes (12:51) Bridging Ritual- Lindsey Thomas, Lauren Wyeth, Emma Paskewitz (22:25) Closing Words - Julica Hermann de la Fuente (27:52)  

May 23, 2021- Youth Sunday

Rev. Justin writes: Twelve years ago, I was preparing to begin my ministry with First Universalist. Outside of my candidating week with you all, I only knew you on paper. After 12 years together, a time of growth, learning, and journeying through the ups and downs of life, you know me much better, and I know you (as a congregation) much better as well – your strength, your passion, your creativity, your commitment, and your care. As I prepare to leave First Universalist on June 6th, I want to tell you, beloveds, who you are, and who I see you becoming, as a faith community. Though I’ll be involved in worship on June 6th, this is my last full sermon before I leave, and I hope you’ll join us. Words of Welcome- Rev. Justin Schroeder (:21) Story for All Ages- Lauren Wyeth (2:38) Interlude- One Voice by Ruth Moody- Andrew Tralle (8:30) Prayer and Cycle of Life- Rev. Jen Crow (11:48) Message- Who You Are- Rev. Justin Schroeder (18:50)

May 16, 2021- Who You Are- Rev. Justin Schroeder

Coming of Age is a beloved tradition in Unitarian Universalism. Instead of asking our youth to sign on to a particular creed or dogma, we charge them with discerning for themselves what they hold dear, using the 7 principles as a guide. To round out the Coming of Age experience, each student is asked to distill their core beliefs about life, God, and humanity into a personal statement of belief.  Words of Welcome- Rev. Arif Mamdani, Claire Tralle, Emma Paskewitz Call to Worship- Lilia (6:32) Story for All Ages- Henry (12:40) Music for Gathering- Julica, Aliana, Skyler (14:55) Prayer and Cycle of Life- Rev. Justin Schroeder (16:07) Homily- Rev. Arif Mamdani, Eli, Finn, Binyam, Haley (21:35) Special Music- Lucien (38:48) Closing Words- Carolyn (40:13)    

May 9, 2021- Coming of Age Sunday

The phrase “mind the gap” serves as a warning on the London subway system, encouraging riders to pay attention to the threshold between the subway platform and the subway car. A little closer to home, the phrase “mind the gap” also highlights the importance of thresholds in our own lives. This month, our May worship theme of “thresholds” invites us to be mindful of our own thresholds and the thresholds in the world around us. Join Rev. Arif, Aimee K. Bryant, and Rev. Justin for a service that opens up this theme of thresholds and invites us to notice the many thresholds in our lives, past, present, and future. Words of Welcome- Rev. Arif Mamdani (:29) Wisdom Story- Aimee K. Bryant (4:04) Special Music- Come My Way, Travis Waymon and Franco Holder (13:52) Prayer and Cycle of Life- Rev. Justin Schroeder (15:38) Special Music- Holy Now by Peter Mayer- David Lauth (22:51) Message- Mind the Gap- Rev. Arif Mamdani (27:16) Outro Music- For All That Is Our Life- Fawzia Khan   

May 2, 2021- Mind the Gap- Rev. Arif Mamdani

Each week, we encourage and inspire one another in our transformational spiritual practices. Together, we practice recovery from racism and white supremacy culture. We practice connection with ourselves, each other, the earth, and the holy. We practice creating community that embodies love, joy, and liberation. We practice not to arrive at some one-and-done finish line, but to transform and be transformed. This Sunday, April 25, we gather strength for the journey of transformation. Words of Welcome- Rev. Jen Crow (:29) Wisdom Story- Aimee K. Bryant (2:18) Prayer and Cycle of Life- Rev. Arif Mamdani (8:38) Message- Transformational Practice- Rev. Jen Crow (14:27) Welcoming Our Newest Members- Rev. Arif Mamdani (35:04)  

April 25, 2021- Transformational Practice- Rev. Jen Crow

In the midst of unending human-made sorrow, how can we feel what we need to feel and keep on moving toward transformation? How will we ever find the Universalist paradise of a circle wide enough to include us all and a love so strong that it will not let any one of us go? Author Rebecca Solnit offers up this possibility: perhaps paradise is as simple as unbroken solidarity. This Sunday, April 18, we explore the possibility of a world of unbroken solidarities. Words of Welcome- Rev. Jen Crow (:21) Wisdom Story for All Ages- Rev. Arif Mamdani (3:09) Musical Response- Motherless Child - Aimee K. Bryant and Franco Holder (8:34) Prayer - Julica Hermann de la Fuente and Lauren Wyeth (12:00) Message, pt. 1- Yahanna Mackbee (15:58) Musical Response- Ella's Song- Ani Peichel (23:47) Message, pt. 2- The Paradise of Unbroken Solidarities, Rev. Jen Crow- (25:45)

April 18, 2021- The Paradise of Unbroken Solidarities- Rev. Jen Crow

Sometimes we think of the religious life as serious and staid. But in every faith and spiritual tradition, there exists a trickster, fool, clown, jester, buffoon, or “simpleton” that disrupts, mocks, pokes fun at, and questions authority—religious and otherwise. The purpose of the “holy fool” is to upend what we think we know, to shatter our perceptions of what is real, and to reveal a deeper truth. Play, playfulness, riddles, and humor are all tools of the “holy fool,” designed to snap us out of our waking slumber, out of our certainty, and into a new understanding of life and ourselves. In this time of environmental collapse, of racial justice uprising, of life altered by a pandemic, what might we learn from the “holy fools” of history, from the “holy fools” of our own time, and how might we embody and practice holy foolishness? Worship on Sunday, April 11 at 10 a.m. includes a story for all ages, sharing our joys and concerns, special music, and a message. Words of Welcome- Rev. Justin Schroeder (:31) Wisdom Story- Aimee K. Bryant (5:54) Prayer and Cycle of Life (10:50) Anthem- Concerto: A Pandemic-Inspired Performance- Members of First Universalist Choir; Dr. Randy Buikema, conductor; Franco Holder, pianist (17:32) Message- The Holy Fool- Rev. Justin Schroeder (23:11)

April 11, 2021- The Holy Fool- Rev. Justin Schroeder

First Universalist Church of Minneapolis: in the Spirit of Love and Hope, We Give, Receive, and Grow

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