First Universalist Church of Minneapolis Sunday Service Podcast

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)

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)