First Universalist Church

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)

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)    

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   

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)  

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)

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) Wisd

Easter is about new life, new hope, and resurrection of the spirit in the face of despair. Easter speaks to a miraculous force and a love that is stronger than death. In this time of global pandemic and this time of the trial of Derek Chauvin (which has global implications), how do we make sense of Easter? Easter speaks to the timeless cycle of death and rebirth, and this Easter, we ask, “Given the world as it is, what in us might die, so that something new and life giving might be born?”    Words of Welcome- Rev. Justin Schroeder (:30) Wisdom Story - Lauren Wyeth (5:31) Interlude- Lo The Earth Awakes Again- Members of First Universalist Choir Message pt. 1- Practicing Resurrection in this Moment- Rev. Justin Schroeder (13:28) Special Music- Lift Every Voice and Sing- Give Get Sistet (26:41) Message pt. 2- Practicing Resurrection in this Moment- Rev. Justin Schroeder and Julica Hermann de la Fuente (28:44) Hymn- Over My Head- Aimee K. Bryant and Franco Holder (39:41)  

First Universalist is a church that cares about its members and friends. We demonstrate this care in all kinds of ways and we also care deeply about the world outside of ourselves. Yet sometimes, the historic nature of liberal religious enlightenment takes us away from feelings, suffering and pain. Many of us do not reach out when we need help, when we need healing, or when we need the nurturing of human care. This Sunday, March 28 at 10 a.m., learn about WE CARE Ministries at First Universalist. Find out more about how to become a care seeker or a care provider.   Words of Welcome- Rev Karen Hutt (:21) Wisdom Story- Seth Anderson-Matz (1:47) Anthem- I Just Called to Say I Love You- First Universalist Choir, Dr. Randal Buikema, conductor (4:02) Prayer and Cycle of Life- Rev. Arif Mamdani (6:42) Message- To Care About One Another... It's Not That Hard!- Rev. Karen Hutt (12:59) Outro- Lean On Me- Aimee K. Bryant and Franco Holder 

Each of us has a piece of the truth, and together, we are so much wiser and braver. Together, we have strength and imagination, accountability and encouragement big enough for transformation. When each of us brings what we can, including our vulnerability, we have the collective power to build a community of liberation and joy.  Join us as we explore our collective truth and our collective power, with a special cameo appearance from a modern day UU superhero. Words of Welcome - Rev. Jen Crow (:31) Story for All Ages- Aimee K. Bryant (4:46) Hymn- All Creatures of the Earth and Sky- First Universalist Choir, Dr. Randal Buikema, Franco Holder- (8:30) Prayer and Cycle of Life- Rev. Justin Schroeder (11:10) Message- Collective Truth, Collective Power- Rev. Jen Crow (22:50) Outro Music - Aimee K. Bryant and Franco Holder

How do you measure a year? How do you measure “five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes?” The hit song from “Rent,” invites us to measure a year in love, and that’s certainly a good measure. But this past year has been full and complicated: fear, grief, loss, struggles with mental health, slowing down, re-evaluating everything, new rituals, recipes, and cooking adventures, and the death of loved ones are ways many of us have measured this past year. This Sunday, March 14 we will mark the one year anniversary of the pandemic, make meaning of what we’ve experienced, acknowledge we’re not through it yet, and lift up ways to care for ourselves and one another as we move through the third quarter of the pandemic.   Words of Welcome - Rev. Justin Schroeder (:30) Story for All Ages - Lauren Wyeth (3:19) Interlude- Where You Go, by Shoshana Jedwab- Adrian and Juliet- (8:22) Message- How Do You Measure a Year? - Rev. Justin Schroeder (9:13) Interlude and Outro music by The OK Factor

What does it mean to act on your faith? This Sunday, March 7, you’ll hear moving testimony and reflections from members of our Faithful Action Council, the group that oversees the church’s Faithful Action Ministries, and you’ll hear from congregants involved with our Faithful Action Partners*, and how this involvement has grown their spirits, deepened their faith, and given them hope when things have seemed hopeless. *Our Faithful Action Partners are Augsburg Fairview Academy, Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative, Habitat for Humanity, Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light, Simpson Housing, a variety of Immigration Justice Organizations and the Center for Leadership and Neighborhood Engagement (CLNE.)   Words of Welcome- Rev. Justin Schreoder (:31) Spoken Word- Joe Davis (5:11) Story for All Ages- Aimee K. Bryant (8:35) Hymn- We Shall Be Known- Seth Anderson-Matz (17:04) Faithful Action Team Conversations (19:16) Interlude- We'll Build a Land- Sarah Lindsay and Franco Holder (27:49)

The only place our lives happen is in the present, yet for many of us, our minds spend a lot of time being everywhere else but here, now. In this service, we’ll enter into the truth of the present moment through word, song, and shared practice and see if we might get a bit more comfortable hanging out here, now, together.    Words of Welcome- Rev. Arif Mamdani (:31) Interlude music by The OK Factor Story for All Ages- Lauren Wyeth (6:05) Interlude music by The OK Factor Poetry and Music- Franco Holder (12:33) Sermon- The Truth of Now- Rev. Arif Mamdani (15:25)

The truth is, grief hurts. It is exhausting, disorienting, and downright awful when we lose someone or something that matters to us. As we approach a year of pandemic living and losing, grief is our everyday companion. The author and activist, adrienne maree brown, reminds us that we are water, that the salt trails of our tears are the natural outcome of our living and loving. This Sunday, we continue to recognize our losses and the love that keeps us connected.   Words of Welcome- Rev. Justin Schroeder (:28) Story for All Ages- Seth Anderson-Matz (3:54) Interlude music by Dean Magraw Message- Remember, You Are Water- Rev. Jen Crow (9:37) Anthem- Gaelic Blessing- First Universalist Choir, Dr. Randal Buikema (33:05)

In worship this Sunday, Rev. Justin offers reflections on his ministry with First Universalist, speaks to how his faith is guiding him into a new season, and most importantly, reflects on what it means for all of us to follow the call of love, to live our deepest truths, and to trust our innermost knowings. We are held by music from Franco Holder, Andrew Tralle, and a story from Aimee K. Bryant. Words of Welcome- Rev. Jen Crow (:31) Story for All Ages- Aimee K. Bryant (7:37) Song- One Voice, by the Wailin' Jennys- Andrew Tralle (14:41) Sermon- Following the Thread - Rev. Justin Schroeder (17:58)

The word “truth” is a major construct in any discussion of Unitarian Universalism. We pride ourselves on being seekers of truth, but who has this truth? How is it confirmed? What happens when the truth appears broken? Can we let go of our need for universal truths? This Sunday, we delve into our February worship theme, “Truth Telling,” with this message from Rev. Karen Hutt. Rev. Jen Crow and Lauren Wyeth will share a story for all ages, and we’ll also enjoy newly recorded music from Franco Holder and Aimee K. Bryant — and a special reading and musical reflection from Franco.   Words of Welcome - Rev. Jen Crow (:30) Story for All Ages- Rev. Jen Crow and Lauren Wyeth (3:37) Hymn- For All That Is Our Life- Fawzia Khan (12:05) Sermon- Is the Truth Broken? - Rev. Karen Hutt (12:40)

We are in the midst of great change, aren’t we? Some change we choose, and some change chooses us, but everything is always changing. As Octavia Butler writes, “God is Change.” What might it mean to really embrace this reality? As we finish our month of exploring the theme of “Choosing Change,” we’ll rest in the divine swirl of courage, change, brokenness, love, new possibilities and dreams, and we’ll see what emerges to guide us in our living in 2021.    Words of Welcome - Rev. Justin Schroeder (:30) Story for All Ages- Lauren Wyeth (3:29) Hymn- Voice Still and Small- Erin Segrue (8:38) Sermon- Amidst the Change- Rev. Justin Schroeder (10:15) Anthem- Dream On by Aerosmith- First Universalist Choir (29:32)

In a society that wants you erased, existence is resistance. In a country where laws have limited your access to resources and opportunity, to safety and basic human rights, survival is a form of resistance. In a time when lies are fed to the masses, naming the truth is resistance. As we take a collective breath this week, we will remember that for many of us, existence is an act of resistance. We will remember those who did not make it with us to this moment, and we will acknowledge the parts of ourselves that have been injured even as we have survived. Together, we will continue to heal.    Words of Welcome- Rev. Justin Schroeder (:28) Story for All Ages- Seth Anderson-Matz (4:11) Interlude- We Will- Ann Reed (7:42) Sermon- Existence as Resistance- Rev. Jen Crow (9:33)  

While Dr. King fervently spoke about the “dream” of country where character mattered more than skin color, this dream has failed to materialize. More often than not, the dream is simply given lip service, while structures and practices of oppression and harm remain in place. What is required for the dream to truly come alive, for justice to roll down like waters, and peace like an ever flowing stream? Words of Welcome- Rev. Justin Schroeder (:24) Story for All Ages- The Castle With Three Windows- Aimee K. Bryant (3:06) Hymn- Gather The Spirit- Aimee K. Bryant and Franco Holder (10:45) Sermon- A Dream or a Nightmare?- Rev. Justin Schroeder (13:48)  

Every year, as we begin the New Year, we hold a ritual space to name and recount the losses we’ve experienced in the past year. This year, more than ever, this ritual of “Remembrance Sunday” feels so important. In 2020, grief was a constant companion. We lost jobs, business, and loved ones, many of them to Covid-19. We lost opportunities to attend graduations and weddings, memorials and family reunions. For many of us, grief wove with grief. In this service, we will be held by beautiful music from Ellis as well as Franco Holder and violinist Travis Waymon. Lauren Wyeth, Rev. Arif Mamdani, and Rev. Justin Schroeder will lead us in story and ritual as we touch on the realities of impermanence, remember what lives on in memory, and discover how, even in the face of grief, we might embrace life and love once again. Words of Welcome- Rev. Justin Schroeder (:29) Story for All Ages- Lauren Wyeth (3:03) Lighting the Candle of Impermanence (9:30) Interlude- Excerpt from Spiegel im Spiegel- Travis Waymon and Franco Hol

What will be different in 2021? What dreams for our lives and our community have been shaped by the pandemic, the racial justice uprising, and the questions still unanswered of whether or not the United States can actually become a pluralistic, equitable, multi-racial democracy? What dreams of yours – and what collective dreams of ours – might come to life in 2021? For dreams to be born, we must choose change, be courageous and brave, and let old habits and patterns fade and die, so something new and life giving can blossom. Story for All Ages- Aimee K. Bryant (:21) Hymn- Voice Still and Small, Erin Segrue (6:40) Sermon- Impossible Dreams, Rev. Justin Schroeder (8:16) Closing Hymn- We'll Build a Land, Sarah Lindsay