First Universalist Church of Minneapolis Sunday Service Podcast

Nov. 12, 2023- Scooching Over

As a kid and now as a parent, the word “scooch” carries at least two meanings. It can mean scooch, as in move along and get out of here, and it can also mean scooch, as in scooch over and make room for whoever might be joining us. This Sunday, we’ll explore the spiritual practice of scooching over to make room as one way of embodying our Unitarian Universalist belief in the worth and dignity of every person.

Music for Gathering- We Are Creators- Paolo Dubuque (:26)

Call to Worship and Welcome- Katherine Harrell- (6:38)

Singing Together- We All Do Better- Paolo Dubuque (17:21)

Time for All Ages- Rev. Jen Crow- (21:01)

Prayer and Cycle of Life- Rev. Ashley Harness (25:51)

Practice of Giving and Receiving- Rev. Ashley Harness (32:10)

Offertory- Give Yourself to Love by Kate Wolf - Paolo Dubuque (35:26)

Poem- by Joy Harjo- Rev. Jen Crow (39:37)

Message- Scooching Over- Rev. Jen Crow (42:06)

Singing Together- Love Will Guide Us (1:02:31)

Benediction- Rev. Jen Crow (1:04:36)

 

Nov. 5, 2023- Staying at the Table Makes All the Difference

"The world begins at a kitchen table. No matter what, we must eat to live." 

- Joy Harjo

Our spiritual gathering - much like a meal at a table, nourishes us, but also requires our participation. How does this 'meal' feed us and what does it ask of us in return? There might be instances that provoke us to consider leaving this 'table'. Yet, when should such a step become the necessary course?

Addressing our relevance in the contemporary world, why do we choose to belong to the church today? And how do we ready ourselves and our community for the church love calls us now to become? What do we do with our own resistance?

Our journey is about growing faith into real resilience, cultivating the skills we need to navigate challenging exchanges and open ourselves to evolving perspectives.

In worship this Sunday, we connect with our spiritual community to mutually nourish and learn from one another, to remember why we’re here, to gather the tools we need for a future arriving already and always. We warmly invite you to join us in this journey of self-discovery and collective growth. In staying at the table, we're choosing to make a difference, together.

Singing to Gather- We Are a Tower of Strength- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (:30)

Introduction and Hymn- We Shall Not Be Moved- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (5:51)

Call to Worship and Welcome- Meleah Houseknecht (10:06)

Hymn- Somos el Barco- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (18:39)

Time for All Ages- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (22:06)

Introducing the Contreras Family - Rev. Jen Crow (28:09)

Offertory- Ordinary People by John Legend - Aimee K. Bryant and Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (35:44)

Prayer and Cycle of Life- Rev. Jen Crow (40:34)

Wisdom Story- The Coal- Meleah Houseknecht (46:36)

Message- Staying At the Table Makes All the Difference- Rev. Jen Crow (49:48)

Hymn- Make Channels for the Streams of Love- Aimee K. Bryant and Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (1:08:27)

Benediction- Rev. Jen Crow (1:09:56)

Outro Music- Where You Go I Will Go, Beloved by Shoshana Jedwab 

Oct. 29, 2023- Walden Ripples

In a dynamic, multi-generational community, wisdom flows in every direction, reminding us to value the experiences of others to gain a broader understanding of life. It is important to break free from the belief that only older people have wisdom, as this limits our personal growth and potential. 

Recently, our youth returned from a trip to Boston, a city rich in Unitarian Universalism history, and their fresh perspectives and thought-provoking questions are reshaping our understanding of our common faith. Through their encounters with our traditions, legends, and seminarians, their connection to our faith and our spiritual community deepens. Their reflections are sure to have a profound impact on your journey, too. 

Opening Hymn- Centering Prayer by The Porter's Gate- Allison Connelly-Vetter (:32)

Call to Worship and Welcome- Nancy Nyquist Potter (5:34)

Boston Pilgrimage Introduction- Rev. Arif Mamdani (15:18)

Land Acknowledgement- Rev. Jen Crow (18:28)

Hymn- Lean On Me by Bill Withers- Ani Peichel and Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, piano (19:53)

Story for All Ages- Rasana Mandani (23:40)

Prayer- Rev. Jen Crow (29:41)

Invitation to Giving and Receiving- Jo Murphy (37:05)

Homilies by Rasana Mamdani, Isla Mysenburg, and Max Rosielle (37:45)

Hymn- #1064 Blue Boat Home (50:22)

Benediction- Rasana Mamdani (53:13)

Music for Going- Where You Go I Will Go, Beloved by Shoshana Jedwab- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, piano

Oct. 22, 2023- Your People Are My People

Each week we sing, “Where you go I will go, Beloved” to end our worship service and send each other back into the world remembering we do not go alone. This week we’ll dig a little deeper into that song: how do we actually travel with each other as Beloveds and make real the idea that “your people are my people?" In this multigenerational service, we’ll experiment with building a spiritual practice of solidarity that begins with listening to our own bodies’ stories and moves outward playfully and meaningfully into family, church and wider and wider circles of community.

Opening Hymn- I'm On My Way - Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout and Barbara B., piano

Call to Worship- Emberly Herman-Johnson (4:29)

Singing Together- There Is a Love- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout and Barbara B., piano (11:38)

Wisdom Story- Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney (15:12)

Prayer and Settling into Our Bodies- Rev. Ashley Harness (18:49)

Sharing and Perspective Taking Practice/Message- Rev. Ashley Harness (24:48)

Singing Together- Where You Go, I Will Go, Beloved (39:57)

Practice of Giving and Receiving- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (40:59)

Offertory- Barbara B., piano (47:12)

Singing Together- Woyaya (51:23)

Benediction- Rev. Ashley Harness (54:06)

Singing- Where You Go, I Will Go, Beloved by Shoshana Jedwab

October 15, 2023- Mental Health Sunday

Our mental well-being is deeply linked with the relationships we cultivate and the social networks we are part of. By learning to understand and nurture each other in deeper ways, we can gain insight into our own mental health and well-being.

Just like our Earth thrives on diversity, so do we. The diversity of our connections and experiences make us stronger. However, to tap into this strength, we need to be open to giving and receiving wisdom, even when it's uncomfortable or challenging. 

Along this enlightening journey to worship and wisdom, we will also create a simple ritual of candlelight–a time to honor our individual and collective mental health journeys, to learn and remember that we can navigate these journeys together, as a community. 

There is space for hope if we break down the walls of communication and stigma that often separate us. This service promises to be a thought-provoking exploration of how we are part of each other's health, and an invitation to the heart to honor the many truths of each unfolding story.

 

Singing to Gather- Open the Window, Children - Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Paolo Dubuque, piano (:29)

Call to Worship- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (6:43)

Mental Health Sunday Ritual Intro- Rev. Arif Mamdani (15:45)

Singing Together- This Little Light of Mine-Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Paolo Dubuque, piano (20:21)

Lighting Candles for our Mental Health- (23:51)

Prayer and Cycle of Life- Rev. Arif Mamdani (31:48)

Practice of Giving and Receiving- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (37:48)

Offertory- Paolo Dubuque, piano (43:10)

Message- Katherine Harrell (51:47)

Anthem- Lean On Me- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Paolo Dubuque, piano (1:07:19)

Benediction- Katherine Harrell (1:08:24)

 

 

Oct. 1, 2023- Loosen, Loosen, Baby

A single cylinder of interlaced bamboo strips seems delicate around two pointers–at least at first. But soon, they’ll want out. Without thinking, the digits back away from their closeness and find themselves stuck in place. Neither force nor frenzy will help; not twisting, not waiting, not pulling apart. The mind will need to calm to think of something beyond what’s worked before. The hands will need a wiser, more elegant idea to get free from the finger trap.

Hubris would teach us to limit our trust to the ideas we already know. Panic for the problems around us will tighten our grip on what’s familiar. Living from fear for the future will only make it harder to remember the wisdom in the generations. To make space for what we’ve not imagined, we’ll need to release some of what we have. To get free will mean to decenter a lot of what we think we can control, what’s common, what’s cozy, what’s currently clear.

To grasp what love needs from us now, how can we relieve the tensions which trap us? To get to freedom, what would happen if we found the way to loosen up and let go?

Singing to Gather- Woyaya- Aimee K. Bryant (:31)

Call to Worship- Dallas Rising (3:26)

Singing Together- Loosen, Loosen, Baby- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (10:45)

Story for All Ages- Aimee K. Bryant (14:59)

Prayer and Meditation- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (24:40)

Practice of Giving and Receiving- Rev. Arif Mamdani (35:25)

Offertory- Aimee K. Bryant and Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (38:23)

Reading- Generous Listening by Marilyn Nelson- Dallas Rising (42:19)

Anthem- Aimee K. Bryant (44:09)

Message- Loosen, Loosen, Baby- Rev. Jen Crow (48:29)

Hymn and Benediction- (1:06:09)

Sept. 24, 2023- Tough Love

The experience of being welcomed with open arms can change us, rooting us in communities of care that transform individuals and society. Practicing this kind of love requires a tough mind and a tender heart, Dr. Martin Luther King once wrote, urging us to develop the characteristics that can ground us in transformative love.

Opening Hymn- My Life Flows On In Endless Song (:25)

Call to Worship & Words of Welcome- Nanette Stearns (6:43)

Singing Together- Lone Wolf- Shelley Des Islets and Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (12:59)

Time for All Ages- Allison Connelly-Vetter (20:48)

Prayer & Cycle of Life- Rev. Ashley Harness (28:44)

Practice of Giving and Receiving - Rev. Jen Crow (36:42)

Offertory- Paolo Dubuque (38:21)

Reading- from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (41:34)

Singing Prayer- Standing Stone - Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (45:23)

Message- Tough Love- Rev. Jen Crow (47:39)

Singing Together & Benediction (1:06:31)

September 17, 2023- Every Last Drop: Welcoming All People

Spiders catch water from thin air and store it in the web. There’s no need to go and find it; they are quenched simply by the water the web holds. Spiders build webs to pull raindrops in toward the center which, in turn, make more room on the edges for new drops to arrive. 

What if entering the beloved community were a continuing cycle of coming out from the rain, closer and closer to each other? And what if welcoming those on the edges were the action at our core? 

Drops of water and wisdom await us on the web. The more we welcome well, the healthier we all are. What would it take to welcome all people? What would we have to lose? What’s not to gain?

Call to Worship- Rev. Arif Mamdani (:42)

Singing Together- Come, Come, Whoever You Are and Make Channels for the Streams of Love - Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (2:38)

Lighting the Chalice (7:27)

Singing Together- Hold Everybody Up! - Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (12:17)

Time for All Ages and Blessing for RE- Rev. Jen Crow, Rev. Arif Mamdani (17:05)

Prayer and Meditation- Rev. Jen Crow (25:09)

Practice of Giving and Receiving- Rev. Arif Mamdani (30:59)

Offertory- Paolo Dubuque (36:14)

Reading- What We Need Is Here by Wendell Berry (39:54)

Sermon- Every Last Drop: Welcoming All People- Rev. Jen Crow (41:45)

Benediction and Singing- Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing (1:02:04)

 

 

Sept. 10, 2023- Water Communion

Water Communion is a very special tradition we celebrate each year at First Universalist. All are welcome, whether it’s your first or fortieth time! Come and be a part of this joyous time where the waters mingle and set a new year of community on its way.

Singing to Gather- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (:29)

Words of Welcome- Rev. Jen Crow (7:11)

Story for All Ages- Worship Leaders (14:26)

Practice of Giving and Receiving- Allison Connelly and Rev. Arif Mamdani (24:20)

Offertory- Peace Like a River (28:24)

Prayer and Cycle of Life- Rev. Jen Crow (31:13)

Water Communion Ritual- Worship Leaders (40:43)

Singing Together and Benediction- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (1:03:46)

 

September 3, 2023- Lessons for Future Ancestors

“Let us measure success by how many of us can say: I am living a life I don’t regret. A life that will resonate with my ancestors…” -adrienne maree brown. This Sunday, we reflect on heavy suitcases, surprise turning points, and opening to welcome, even when the people are complicated and the path is unclear.

 

Singing to Gather- Enter, Rejoice, and Come In and Bright Morning Star- Matt Meyer (:27)

Words of Welcome- Rev. Jen Crow (7:28)

Reading- by adrienne maree brown - Matt Meyer (12:09)

Singing Together- Wake Now My Senses- Matt Meyer (13:03)

Story for All Ages- Redefining Success- Matt Meyer (17:06)

Singing Together- Anthem, words by Leonard Cohen - Matt Meyer (24:37)

Community Prayer- Rev. Arif Mamdani (28:24)

Practice of Giving and Receiving- Rev. Arif Mamdani (35:37)

Offertory- Not Heavy by Faya Ora Rose Toure- Matt Meyer (37:08)

Reading- What You Missed That Day You Were Absent in Fourth Grade by Brad Aaron Modlin- Rev. Arif Mamdani (40:40)

Homily- Lessons for Future Ancestors- Matt Meyer (44:04)

Benediction and Closing Songs- We Are the Ones by Bernice Johnson and Where You Go I Will Go, Beloved by Shoshana Jedwab (59:19)