First Universalist Church of Minneapolis

One important First Universalist initiative in 2012 is working on behalf of marriage equality, especially in light of the vote in November that would attempt to make it unconstitutional in Minnesota for members of the LGBT community to marry.

Watch this 1-minute preview of a new video, featuring seven First Universalist couples speaking on behalf of marriage equality . Produced by First Universalist youth (Owen Saarinen, Gerhardt Robinson, Sophia Morrissette) and adults (edited by Larry LaVercombe), as part of our February 4 Day of Service.

Next up is phone banking! We're looking at picking one or two nights per month that would be UU or interfaith nights at the MN United phone bank at Fairview and University in St. Paul. Click here for basic phone bank information.

Also coming up is OutFront Minnesota's annual LBGTQ Lobby Day, Thursday, March 29th, daytime, including a rally, followed by an interfaith worship-celebration Thursday evening. Save the date! Details TBA. For more info contact ralph@muusja.org.

Here are other resources that might be helpful for those who want to work on behalf of defeating this amendment.

FEBRUARY 18: 7pm. Community sing to benefit Minnesotans United for All Families. Group singing with proceeds to go toward the effort to defeat the proposed constitutional amendment. Held at Calvary Lutheran Church, 3901 Chicago Ave. So. Tickets at the door: $15/adults, $5/kids. Details at mnsings@gmail.com or website at MNSings.com.

1. Read this blog from Rev. Justin Schroeder and contribute your thoughts to his question about 'why does marriage matter?'

2. Learn more from this caucus guide about how to make resolutions and participate in the democratic process leading up to the marriage amendment vote in November

3.Share some of these stories of courageous love from the Standing on the Side of Life website, with someone who needs deeper understanding of the power of love.

4. Related to LGBT needs: Participate in this Congressional initiative to stop discrimination against LGBT youth in schools.

5. Listen to this podcast -- a wonderful conversation from Randy Roberts Potts at First Universalist about growing up gay as the grandson of Oral Roberts -- and what it means to love and be loved.

6. Join the more than 1,300 people who have seen our "It Gets Better" video here, which offers the voice of First U congregants talking especially to youth who might not yet have the support they need. 

DONE FEBRUARY 4: phone banking to talk to voters about the amendment.

DONE February 13 -- congregant Ralph Wyman, Director and Organizer for the Minnesota UU Social Justice Alliance, led a training for more than 60 people on how best to talk about why marriage matters to LGBT Minnesotans – and to us all.