First Universalist Church

In these days when the circle of who has autonomy over their body and what history we can teach in our classrooms grows smaller and smaller, we are called to remember that freedom is not freedom if it is for the individual, alone. Freedom is individual and collective—a personal experience and decision, and a collective commitment, experience, and responsibility. Universalism invites us to draw the circle wide, and draw it wider still. What does our faith require of us when the circle of freedom is shrinking in our society? Opening Hymns- Circle 'Round for Freedom and Woyaya- Aimee K. Bryant- (:32) Words of Welcome- Rev. Jen Crow (8:45) Story for All Ages- The Stonewall Inn- Rev. Ashley Harness (15:12) Hymn- Make Channels for the Streams of Love- Aimee K. Bryant (26:33) Song, Silence, Meditation- Lóre Stevens (28:18) Practice of Generosity- Rev. Ashley Harness (36:23) Offertory- Franco Holder (38:24) Reading- by Marge Piercy- Lóre Stevens and Rev. Jen Crow (41:13) Anthem- Aimee K. Bryant- (43:24) Message- Free

This coming Sunday, June 4, we’re celebrating Flower Communion, and we could use your help! Bring a flower to share with the community (don’t worry: we’ll have more flowers available if you don’t have one). We’ll make a beautiful arrangement with whatever flowers come! At the end, we each get to take a different flower with us as a gift and reminder of beauty in our unity and difference. This special ritual has been performed for years here at First Universalist. And this year marks the 100th anniversary of the very first Flower Communion ever! Singing to Gather- Come, Sing a Song with Me- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (:29) Call to Worship- Rev. Jen Crow (2:26) Introduction to Flower Communion- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (7:07) Hymn- We Would Be One- (10:35) Flower Communion Ritual- Rev. Arif Mamdani (14:57) Prayer and Meditation- Rev. Jen Crow (36:33) Celebrating Lauren Wyeth- Revs. Jen Crow and Arif Mamdani (41:55) Practice of Giving and Recieving- Rev. Arif Mamdani (47:29) Offertory- This Little Light of Mine (52:

Our humanist roots encourage us to believe in “the common good” as reliably universal–a value that, deep down inside, we all share. What do we do when our experiences of life challenge this idea? The humanist influences of our faith date back centuries to African, Chinese, South Asian and European philosophers. But what kind of humanism do we need in America today?  Singing to Gather- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (:24) Words of Welcome- Lóre Stevens (8:38) Singing Together- Hold Everybody Up by Melanie DeMore- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (12:15) Meditation and Prayer- Lóre Stevens (14:51) Singing Together - Praise the Source of Faith and Learning- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (22:05) Practice of Giving and Receiving- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (28:20) Offertory- Franco Holder, piano (31:00) Message- Hear the Earth Call: A New American Humanism- Rev. Karen Hutt (32:49) Singing Together- Woyaya - Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (58:22) Benediction- Rev. Karen Hutt (1:00:32)

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry wrote that “Love, like a carefully loaded ship, crosses the gulf between the generations.” This Sunday, love will make its way across the generations as we dedicate our children, welcome the wisdom of our Coming of Age youth, and care for each other in times of celebration and grief.   Singing to Gather- Gather the Spirit- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Franco Holder (:29) Call to Worship and Words of Welcome- Lauren Wyeth, Rev. Jen Crow, Lóre Stevens, Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (4:11) Hymn- Come, Sing a Song With Me- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Franco Holder (8:43) Child Dedication Ceremony- Lauren Wyeth, Rev. Jen Crow, Lóre Stevens (12:14) Prayer and Meditation- Rev. Jen Crow (15:24) Chant- I Will Be Your Standing Stone- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (21:31) Coming of Age Spiritual Statements- Lóre Stevens, Max, Isla, Rasana, Rev. Jen Crow (26:38) Practice of Giving and Receiving- Lóre Stevens (46:25) Offertory- Franco Holder, piano (49:52) Singing Together- Make Channels for the Streams of Love- Dr.

Universalism calls us to become flame carriers in apocalyptic times. In community, with souls on fire, we reconstitute the world. Join us for worship with special guest and candidate for UUA President Rev. Dr. Sofia Betancourt as we begin our May worship theme, Carry the Flame. Opening Hymn- This Little Light of Mine- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (:33) Words of Welcome- Rev. Jen Crow (4:05) Story for All Ages- Rev. Arif Mamdani and Rev. Jen Crow (9:11) Singing Together- Building a New Way- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (21:00) Prayer and Blessing- Rev. Ashley Harness (24:11) Practice of Giving- Rev. Ashley Harness (30:15) Offertory- Franco Holder, piano (34:37) Reading by Rupi Kaur- Rev. Dr. Sofia Betancourt,  (36:25) Anthem- Franco Holder (37:59) Message- A Flame that Burns- Rev. Sofia Betancourt (40:54) Hymn- The Fire of Commitment - Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (58:46) Benediction- Rev. Jen Crow and Rev. Sofia Betancourt (1:02:00)

The Zen practice of shoshin calls us each to bring a “beginner’s mind” to every day we live. This Sunday, as we celebrate how our community has grown with new members, we are reminded to bring this same spirit to our relationships with one another. We can know each other more deeply with fresh curiosity. We can deepen our bonds with fresh compassion. We can build a stronger “we” when each of us takes every opportunity to “tell our story from deep inside and listen with a loving mind.” Opening Hymn- When Our Heart Is In a Holy Place - Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (:27) Words of Welcome and Call to Worship- Rev. Ashley Harness (2:59) New Member Welcome- Come, Come, Whoever You Are- Liz Farmer, Matt Keller, Daryn Woodson (9:04) Singing Together- Turn the World Around - Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (22:03) Meditation Prayer and Cycle of Life- Rev. Jen Crow (26:28) Message- All Beginners Here- Liz Farmer (35:54) Practice of Giving and Receiving- Rev. Jen Crow (45:31) Offertory- Franco Holder (47:28) Singing Together- The Fi

The Environmental Justice Team from First Universalist Church leads us through an Earth Day service that invites us to consider what it is that we love in this natural world, and why and how we might get more involved in fighting for it. Join us this Sunday as the team ministers to us through music, story, and personal narrative, and helps chart a pathway of hope for how we might more fully live into our interdependence with the web of existence of which we are a part. Opening Hymn- For the Beauty of the Earth- Aimee K. Bryant and Franco Holder, piano (:30) Words of Welcome- Rev. Arif Mamdani (2:53) Land Acknowledgement- Susan Keller (9:16) Call to Worship- Bob Freidman (10:39) Time for All Ages- Cathy Geist (13:53) Singing Together- Wake Now My Senses- Aimee K. Bryant and Franco Holder, piano (20:59) Prayer and Meditation- Rev. Arif Mamdani (23:33) Invitation to Give- Stan Sattinger (31:02) Message- Hot for Climate- Alix Dvorak (32:56) Closing Hymn- The Oneness of Everything- Aimee K. Bryant and Franco Holde

62 years ago this week, the first human being went to outer space! Our perspective as Earthlings has never been the same. Life on Earth is the part of the cosmos which relentlessly resurrects. How can we become more responsible stewards of the seeds of Life, both on and beyond Earth? This Sunday, April 16, We invite you to bring the seed paper and annual giving commitment cards which you received in your annual giving campaign packet to share blessings and aspirations! Opening Hymn- Blue Boat Home (:18) Words of Welcome and Call to Worship- Lóre Stevens (1:31) Time for All Ages- Rev. Arif Mamdani and Lauren Wyeth (6:09) Hymn- This Little Light of Mine (18:03) Silence and Prayer- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (21:07) Practice of Giving and Receiving (28:55) Offertory- by James Williams; Franco Holder, piano (29:46) Hymn- Rising Green (31:49) Message- Only We Are Earthseed- Lóre Stevens (34:42) Hymn- Touch the Earth, Reach the Sky (49:05) Benediction- Lóre Stevens (51:26)

With and without our permission and participation, life is forever seeking resurrection. Relentlessly, life finds a way in the harshest of circumstances, and even out of death comes new life. How might we join with this turning toward life? And how might we rebuild and resurrect ourselves, our relationships, and even this church in the shape of beloved community through our everyday actions? Join us on this multigenerational Sunday as we lean into these questions through story, song, and ritual. Opening Hymn- Morning Has Come- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout and Aimee K. Bryant (:30) Words of Welcome and Call to Worship- Rev. Ashley Harness (4:40) Singing Together- Allelu, Allelu- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout and Aimee K. Bryant (10:07) Meditation and Prayer- Rev. Ashley Harness (16:45) Invitation to Give and Receieve- Rev. Ashley Harness (19:23) Offertory- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout and Aimee K. Bryant (20:22) Ritual Stations- Rev. Jen Crow, Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, and Aimee K. Bryant (23:52) Benediction- from The Book of

As we make the sometimes slow and halting turn toward spring and the emergence of new life, we continue our journey of pausing to pay attention. Together, we pick up the practice of noticing and naming the changes and losses among us and tentatively begin to trust again the turning and motion that life offers. This Sunday, April 2 we join each other in the collective practice of letting go as we do our part to make room for all that is about to emerge. Opening Hymn- Open the Window- Aimee K. Bryant, Franco Holder (:22) Words of Welcome and Call to Worship- Rev. Jen Crow (5:11) Story for All Ages- Little Mole Finds Hope by Glenys Nellist (12:47) Singing Together- There's a River Flowin' in my Soul - Aimee K. Bryant, Franco Holder (17:09) Poem- The Thing Is by Ellen Bass- Rev. Jen Crow (20:03) Singing- A Change is Gonna Come by Sam Cooke- Aimee K. Bryant, Franco Holder (21:20) Message- Trusting Life- Rev. Jen Crow (25:47) Meditation and Cycle of Life- Rev. Ashley Harness (42:45) Reflection on Giving- Kerstin Be

This isn’t a crisis, this is your life. These wise words arrived at my mental doorstep a few weeks back, and they stopped me in my tracks. How might I – and we – make space to breathe and reflect, to name and collectively acknowledge the losses and changes that have impacted us all in different ways over the last three years?  Opening Hymn- Come Sing a Song With Me (:29) Words of Welcome & Call to Worship- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (3:02) Time for All Ages- Rev. Jen Crow (7:51) Breathing Meditation- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (17:47) Message- This Isn't a Crisis; This is Your Life- Rev. Jen Crow (23:11) Meditation and Cycle of Life- Rev. Jen Crow (52:28) Reflection on Stewardship- Shelley des Islets- (57:14) Invitation to Give and Receive- Rev. Ashley Harness (1:03:18) Offertory- Light of a Clear Blue Morning by Dolly Parton- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (1:04:13) Benediction- Rev. Jen Crow (1:08:51)  

As Unitarian Universalists, we make covenants all the time. Our relational faith is built on covenant. Join us as we explore what it means to make horizontal and vertical promises to each other and to the oneness of mystery. Prelude- Seasons of Love, Franco Holder, piano (:23) Opening Hymn- Gathered Here- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (1:14) Words of Welcome and Land Acknowledgement- Rev. Jen Crow (5:35) Story for All Ages (11:40) Meditation and Cycle of Life - Rev. Jen Crow (16:30) Hymn- For the Earth Forever Turning (23:13) Reflection on Annual Giving- Ginny MacAninch (26:16) Practice of Giving and Receiving- Rev. Jen Crow (30:21) Offertory- The Lovers’ Celebration by James Williams- Franco Holder, piano (32:03) Reading- from The Sacred Depths of Nature by Ursula Goodenough (34:13) Anthem- What Wondrous Love is This, setting by John Carter- Franco Holder, piano (37:05) Message- Guest Minister (39:47) Hymn- Woyaya (54:04) Benediction (56:49) Music for Going- Where You Go I Will Go, Beloved by Shoshana Jedwab

Robin Wall Kimmerer says that our deepest longing is to belong to each other and to belong to the larger community of life. She says that this longing is expressed in the idea of tending a garden, which is itself an expression of belonging on many different scales. There is a persistence in this belonging—one that speaks to us of our lives here, together at church, and of the audacity to plant seeds that will nourish the generations that come after us, knowing that we have been fed by work of the generations that came before. This too is tending a garden, and is itself an expression of belonging and extending belonging. As we continue with this month’s theme of persistence, we’ll journey with stories of planting and harvesting, wondering about which part of this collective garden we tend, and what seeds we’re planting for our future. Music for Gathering and Opening Hymn- Gather the Spirit (:24) Words of Welcome and Land Acknowledgement- Rev. Arif Mamdani (4:18) Story for All Ages- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (10:

This Sunday, we begin our March worship theme, Persistence, with a focus on advocacy. Congregants leading some of our legislative advocacy ministries will share their stories along with guest speaker Rev. Terri Burnor, Senior Movement Builder with Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light. We’ll also share a special blessing with and for our trans* beloveds and families who have been under recent attack by legislative measures. Opening Hymn- The Fire of Commitment - Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (:50) Words of Welcome- Rev. Ashley Harness (4:19) Land Acknowledgement- Rev. Terri Burnor (7:04) Call to Worship- Peg Mitchell (9:25) Blessing for our Trans* Beloveds- Kaden Colton, Lauren Wyeth, and Rev. Arif Mamdani (13:22) Hymn- This Joy- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (22:32) Prayers and Meditation- Rev. Arif Mamdani (28:36) Reflections- Rev. Terri Burnor, Sara McMullen, Susan Willhite (32:46) Practice of Giving and Receiving- Karen Wills (56:25) Offertory- Franco Holder, piano (59:20) Benediction- Rev. Terri Burnor (1:00:04) Musi

This Sunday, February 26, we close our February worship series on “Commitment” with a focus on what our bodies have to teach us. We will commit to practicing embodying our original Belovedness and also sit with the inevitable vulnerability of bodies– our own and each others’. As a part of these practices, we will also honor the anniversary of Trayvon Martin’s death and the founding of the Movement for Black Lives. Singing to Gather- Breaths (1:21) Words of Welcome- Rev. Ashley Harness (6:27) Invitation to Visionary Goals Process- Christa Anders (8:51) Call to Worship- Rev. Ashley Harness (11:56) Time for All Ages- Rev. Arif Mamdani (14:00) Prayer and Meditation- Rev. Arif Mamdani (25:49) Practice of Generosity- Rev. Arif Mamdani (34:53) Offertory- Franco Holder, piano (37:00) Message- Embodying Belovedness- Rev. Ashley Harness (41:15) Benediction- Rev. Ashley Harness (59:06) Singing Together- Where You Go, I Will Go by Shoshanna Jedwab

You may or may not know that there have been multiple flavors of Universalism, some with caveats or some that were questionable. We can learn a lot about our own flavors of Universalism through the stories from our spiritual ancestors. As First U decides who we become next, it can be helpful to reflect on who we have been.  Singing to Gather- Lead With Love by Melanie DeMore (:22) Call to Worship and Words of Welcome- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (7:40) Story- Hosea Ballou and the Mud Puddle- Lóre Stevens (13:59) Invitation to Visionary Goals Process- Ben Miles (21:20) Prayer and Meditation- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (26:48)  Invitation to Giving and Receiving- Lóre Stevens (39:18) Offertory- I Need You to Survive by Hezekiah Walker - Glen Thomas Rideout (39:18) Message- Universal-ish- Lóre Stevens (43:21) Hymn- Love Will Guide Us (57:20) Benediction- Wake Into Love by Saretta Morgan - Lóre Stevens (59:06)

Multiple choice question: Who said: “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice”? Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Theodore Parker None of the above This Sunday morning we learn the answer, not just for this question but more so for what these ministers and theologians had to say to Unitarians and Universalists in the past, and what their words say to us today. In particular, how do their words point us toward two essential movements in our spiritual and religious lives and what do they call us to today? Music for Gathering- by composer Robert Glasper- Franco Holder (:22) Welcome - Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (4:50) Singing Together- Guide My Feet (9:17) Reading- Practice by Omar Bronson- Rev. Ashley Harness (15:19) Hymn- My Life Flows on in Endless Song (18:12) Loving Kindness Meditation- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (26:47) Practice of Giving and Receiving- Rev. Ashley Harness (36:08) Offertory- Franco Holder (37:16) Message- Are We Sleeping Through a Revolution?- Rev. Arif Mamdani (40:43) Hym

The Sanctuary and Resistance Team at First Universalist Church works to accompany immigrants in the struggle within an immigration system which criminalizes migration, incarcerates immigrants in detention, and separates families. Since November 2016, we carry out this work as an emergent strategy team, and in conjunction with many community partners, by providing sanctuary space in the church, observing at immigration court, distributing financial resources, and resisting to change the system by advocating for policy changes, namely to make Minnesota a Sanctuary State. On Sunday, Feb. 5, we explore and reflect upon how our UU faith and this congregation give us the courage, strength, and hope to accompany immigrant partners in the struggle for justice in our immigration system.   Opening Hymn- Come, Come, Whoever You Are- Aimee K. Bryant and Franco Holder (:23) Words of Welcome- Rev. Ashley Harness (1:47) Land Acknowledgement- Karen Wills (6:14) Call to Worship- Sara Adams (11:56) Time for All Ages- Jeanne Gu

Music for Entering the Space- All People that on Earth Do Dwell (:20) Call to Worship- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (1:12) Singing Together- Lean On Me (5:36) Prayer and Meditation- Rev. Ashley Harness (10:21) Practice of Giving and Receiving- Rev. Ashley Harness (18:43) Offertory- There is a Balm in Gilead - trad. Arr. Mark Hayes- Franco Holder (19:48) Message- Who Said 70 is the New 50?- Rev. Karen Hutt (24:07) Singing Together- Lady of the Season’s Laughter (49:03) Benediction- Rev. Karen Hutt (52:17)      

Hymn for Gathering- Building a New Way- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (:27) Words of Welcome- Rev. Ashley Harness (3:31) Call to Worship- Dallas Rising (8:31) Time for All Ages- Stone Soup- Rev. Arif Mamdani (12:11) Singing Together- Love Will Guide Us- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (21:16) Meditation Prayer and Cycle of Life- Rev. Arif Mamdani (24:31) Message- When's Your Shift for the Revolution? - Meleah Houseknecht (34:25) Practice of Giving and Receiving- Rev. Arif Mamdani, Jeanne Guignon, Jeff Snyder (48:13) Offertory- Sing Out, March On- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (55:02) Hymn- The Fire of Commitment- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (58:05) Benediction- Meleah Houseknecht (1:01:25)