First Universalist Church

In the popular children’s book and song, “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt,” the refrain is “Can’t go over it, can’t go under it, we’ll have to go through it.” It’s a silly, fun story, with a piercing truth. Sometimes there aren’t any work arounds, short cuts, or easy hacks for particular situations, moments, challenging experiences, and hard feelings. Sometimes, “through” is the only way you can go. In a time like this, how do we make it through? What and who do we need to make it through? How do we go through, together? Go with us, this Sunday, as we go on a spiritual bear hunt.   Words of Welcome- Rev. Justin (:31)   Story for All Ages- Rev. Karen (2:00)   Sermon- "Through It"- Rev. Justin (6:55)

Museums tell us stories about the past and challenge us to understand the present. The images from museums penetrate our consciousness and linger in our psyche often shaping our values, beliefs and theologies. Come take a museum tour with Rev. Karen and view the dioramas of your mind.    Words of Welcome- Rev. Justin (:30)   Story- Fred Wilson, via San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (5:30)   Music- Upside Down Star Spangled Banner (9:27)   Sermon- Rev. Karen Hutt (11:27)  

This Sunday, through story, song, prayer, and word, we open up this question of what it means to exist in and between multiple worlds, cultures, and realities as we continue to explore our summer worship theme of “Here We Are.” Arif Mamdani will be joined on the virtual chancel by Isabela Alvarez, with music from Seth Matz.    Wisdom Story- Isabela (:32)   Song- Seth (6:30)   Sermon- Arif (8:42)

In this week's service, Zoe Mulvihill and Katelyn Berry share a story, Seth Matz sings, and Rev. Justin preaches the sermon.  Welcome - Rev. Justin (:30) Wisdom Story- Zoe and Katelyn (3:56) Community Singing- Seth (9:16) Sermon- Rev. Justin (11:14)

In this Sunday’s worship service, we say a good goodbye to Rev. Ruth and bless her as she retires, hear special music, and more. Welcome- Rev. Jen Crow (:30) Wisdom Story- Lauren Wyeth (4:24) Reflections for Rev. Ruth- Michael Dotson, Daryn Woodson, Adrian Ali-Caccamo (11:28) Anthem- First Universalist Choir (26:28) Blessing for Rev. Ruth (28:47)

In this episode, hear a welcome from Rev. Justin, a story from Young Children's Program Coordinator Seth Matz, an anthem from the Choir, Rev. Ruth's last sermon with us before retirement, and her beautiful goodbye gift to the congregation.  Words of Welcome- Rev. Justin Schroeder (:30) Wisdom Story- Seth Matz (3:54) Anthem- First Universalist Choir (8:10) Sermon- Rev. Ruth MacKenzie (10:40) Rev. Ruth's gift to the congregation (39:44)  

In this episode of the podcast, Sue Searing tells a story for all ages, Ani Peichel sings, and Rev. Karen Hutt preaches.  Wisdom Story, Sue Searing (:21) Interlude, Ani Peichel (1:24) Sermon, Rev. Karen Hutt (2:24)

In this service, Lauren Wyeth introduces our Child Dedication Ritual and we hear from families as they introduce their beloved young ones and Rev. Jen Crow preaches on deep listening in this historic moment.  Child Dedication- Lauren Wyeth (:31) Sermon- Rev. Jen Crow (13:13)

At First Universalist, we promise to give, receive, and grow together. Sometimes though, we don’t have a whole lot to give. What does it mean to engage in the spiritual practice of receiving? How can we lean into the strength of community, trusting that there is more than enough to go around, trusting that we will be held, and that there is so much to learn by receiving?  Call to Worship- Satya Mamdani (:21) Reading- Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (4:41) Sermon- Rev. Jen Crow (6:24)

As soon as a toddler starts to learn to grasp they also learn to claim objects as theirs, but whet happens when we hold onto to this behavior in daily lives as adults? What are ideas and stories we holding on to? When does sharing cease to be a natural instinct? The culture of MINE limits our ability to grow and evolve authentically with others. This Sunday, we explore what might happen as we practice creating a culture of sharing in our families, our communities and our earth. Wisdom Story- Sue Searing (:31) Sermon- Rev. Karen Hutt (6:50)

Every Sunday we come together to remember who we are, revisit and affirm our values, understand our history, and practice the collectivity of building hope. This Sunday, we open our Annual Giving Campaign with messages of resilience, memory, and envisioning from our beloved Minister Emerita, Rev. Kate Tucker, senior minister at the Church of the Larger Fellowship (CLF), Rev. Meg Riley, youth worship associate, Monroe Chumklang, and our Board of Trustees Treasurer, Keven Ambrus. With a sanctuary full of song and spirit, we join together to say, “We build hope!” Call to Worship- Monroe Chumklang (:31) Reflection- Rev. Meg Riley (3:31) Reflection- Keven Ambrus (11:04) Reflection- Rev. Kate Tucker (14:53)

At the heart of despair is a sense of alienation and meaninglessness. What is the alternative to despair when the flames of hate are fanned, when ecological realities are ignored, and suffering deepens? What are the practices of hope and transformation we can learn from each other? How do we lift our gaze and act for the future? How do we participate in hope that is real and faith that is relevant? This Sunday, we explore the place of Universalism in the ongoing cycle of things falling apart and coming back together. Wisdom Story- Seth Matz (:31) Sermon- Rev. Ruth MacKenzie (4:28)

The energy of breaking down and building up is an important part of our UU theological legacy. As we unpack what this means, we’ll explore the idea of God and how we might relate to it in the world we live in today. This Sunday, Arif Mamdani, Director of Membership and Adult Ministries, and Pastor Stephanie Vos help us enter more fully into February’s theme of “Breaking down and Building up.” Call to Worship- Pastor Stephanie Vos (:21) Reflection- Pastor Stephanie Vos (2:17) Sermon- Arif Mamdani (9:36)

In a society of increasing inequality and cruelty, it can feel overwhelming and beyond our ability to forge communities grounded in fairness and opportunity. How should we understand ourselves in this moment and how might we reflect on our purpose. Eric K. Ward, author of “Skin in the Game: How Antisemitism Animates White Nationalism” and executive director of Western States Center will explore wrestling with antisemitism, democracy, and identity in our current world.  Please note: both of Eric's sermons- 9:30 and 11:15- are included on this podcast.  Wisdom Story- read by Lauren Wyeth (:29) 9:30 Sermon- Eric Ward (8:32) 11:15 Sermon- Eric Ward (28:47)

Every Sunday, we are invited to bring our whole selves into worship, to bring our joys and our sorrows, giftedness and woundedness, the smooth and the rough edges. This is a profoundly counter-cultural invitation. So often we are asked to prove the text our lives- that is, to only focus on the passages, the feelings, and the events that prove a point or justify a particular framing of our theology or worldview. What if we actually took our faith community up on its invitation and sat with the whole of our lives in the company of faithful companions? What if we “live in the layers, not on the litter” of this precious life? Call to Worship- Daryn Woodson (:31) Reading- The Layers by Stanley Kunitz (6:30) Sermon- Living in the Layers, Rev. Ruth MacKenzie (9:08)

On this Dr.King Sunday, we hear a Wisdom Story and a sermon from Rev. Jen Crow. Wisdom Story- Sue Searing (:30) Reading- In the Spirit of Martin, by Nikki Giovanni (7:28) Anthem- Rise Up, featuring Anoka-Hennepin Community College musicians Thomas Yoder, Danny Thompson, and Maddy Stoeckmann (10:50) Sermon- Radical Imagination, Rev. Jen Crow (14:10)

This month’s theme invites us to view our life as sacred text. What exactly does that mean? And how might we go about doing it? Arif Mamdani and Worship Associate Shawn Neel open up this question and explore how this theme might come alive in the text of our lives. Call to Worship- Shawn Neel (:30) Readings- Arif Mamdani (4:19) Sermon- Arif Mamdani (6:02)

Remembrance Sunday is an annual service that is a time to remember and reflect on our losses over the past year and to honor those we love who have died. This service can also be a time to mark other significant losses in the life of your family, such as a separation or divorce, saying goodbye to friends who’ve moved away, or any number of other things.  Wisdom Story- Lauren Wyeth (:29) from the Cycle of Life, Rev. Ruth MacKenzie (4:55) Readings (8:32) Sermon, Rev. Jen Crow (10:08)

Ten more years of the century have passed. What have we learned about ourselves, our church, and our country? Call to Worship- Arif Mamdani (:22) Wisdom Story- Arif Mamdani and Rev. Karen Hutt (2:03) Sermon- Rev. Karen Hutt (8:13)

In this season of darkness, we are invited to rest and be at home in the stillness and winter quiet, trusting that the light, birdsong, and blossoms will return. As the season turns, the darkness at this threshold moment holds both blessing and belonging. As we rested in such a moment, we welcomed our guests from Families Moving Forward, offered a blessing for Rev. Justin, Rev. Jen, and the entire congregation as they collectively prepared for Justin’s 6-month sabbatical. This Sunday, we readied ourselves for love to be born again in the world, and to be surprised and delighted by what the New Year brings.  Call to Worship, Monique Wentzel (:21) Reflection, Bryana French, (3:20) Reflection, Rev. Justin Schroeder (7:43) Sabbatical Blessing, Rev. Jen Crow (20:34)