Day of Service (February 12, 2011)
As we saw in December, when our congregation packed nearly 28,000 meals for children on behalf of Food for Kids, First Universalist Church of Minneapolis can do amazing things together. We saw that spirit in action again on February 12, 2011, our first "Day of Service," when more than 20 service projects were done simultaneously around the Twin Cities. The event coincided with the theme of this year's Giving Campaign, about putting our values to work by serving others: "Your Community. Your Values. Alive in the World."
More than 400 members of our congregation -- youth to elder -- offered more than 1,500 hours of volunteer time serving the wider community. Members of our History Hounds crew captured parts of the day in video and photography. Combining this imagery with words we heard the next day from Ross Levin, in a guest sermon titled "Spend Your Life Wisely," we have, in 10 minutes of footage, encapsulated some of the best of our heart as a faith community.
Watch this video to see what we accomplished in 2011.
Find more images of the day on our Facebook page here.
Contact: Debra Rodgers, Director of Faith in Action, debra@firstuniv.org or (612)825-1701 X106.
Here is some of what we accomplished
Projects for all ages
- Ascension Place: Painting apartments for women in transition, before they move in.
- First Universalist Congregational Care: Make meals for and deliver to homebound congregants.
- It Gets Better Project: Video testimonials of congregants to share with international project and post on church website (see details in February Liberal newsletter).
- La Conexion: lunch and English conversation with members of Twin Cities’ Latino community.
- People Serving People: create Welcome signs for those leaving shelter.
- TRUST: Decorate gift bags for clients’ birthdays.
- Women’s Prison Book Project: Donate and pack books.
- Valentine's Dance: help decorate Social Hall and Chalice Room.
Suitable for ages 8 and up
- Simpson Housing: Assemble Celebration Gift Baskets for Clients. DONATIONS TAKEN at church on 12th from 9am-noon.
- Simpson Housing: tour of the shelter. DONATIONS TAKEN at church on 12th from 9am-noon.
Suitable for ages 10 and up
- First Impression: Donate interview clothing for low-income women.
- Knitting for Charity: Knitting for clients (and for church members).
Suitable for ages 16 and up
- Habitat for Humanity: building work at one of two sites.
- Harriet Tubman Center: inventory as part of a team that is also painting.
- Planned Parenthood: Assemble condom bouquets, and training for joining Patient Engagement network (optional); car pool available at Noon.
- TRUST: Carpentry work for client.
- TRUST: Interior painting for client.
- First Universalist Stewards: clean out and organize area under Sanctuary steps.
Suitable for ages 18 and up
- Harriet Tubman Center: Interior painting.
- NARAL ProChoice MN: Escort program training.