First Universalist Church of Minneapolis Sunday Service Podcast

February 23, 2020- Building Hope

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)

February 16, 2020- When Things Fall Apart

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)

February 9, 2020- Got Idolatry?

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)

February 2, 2020- Surviving the Wilderness

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)