First Universalists nominated for Prairie Star District awards
2012 Prairie Star District Award Nominees
The First Universalist Church Nominations Committee has nominated four individuals for awards. These summaries are excerpted from the submitted nominations:
Keeping the Faith Nominee: Ginny McAninch
Openings for Lay Leaders
Deadline for applications: March 23rd
The Nominating Committee is actively recruiting candidates for leadership positions on the Board of Trustees, the Foundation Board, and the Nominating Committee for the next church year.
Our 153rd year will be an exciting and important time to serve as we welcome a new Program Minister and continue to build on the positive energy and growth of 2011. Serving as an elected member of one of these bodies provides unique opportunities to:
1) Deepen and enrich your personal connection to the Church;
2) Expand your knowledge of Church and UU history and polity;
3) Broaden your circle of relationships with members, staff, and the community which we serve;
4) Collaborate with passionate ministers and lay leaders to advance the mission of the Church: To give, receive, and grow in the Universalist spirit of love and hope!
Opening on Board of Trustees
Job Description: Trustee of First Universalist Church of Minneapolis
Trustees of First Universalist Church represent the congregation in decisions about church policies, governance, and oversight. Trustees are responsible for being in touch with the hopes, dreams, ideas, goals, fears and complaints of the congregants and, as appropriate, turning them into governing policies that provide direction and priorities to the senior minister, and indirectly for church staff as supervised by the senior minister.
Trustees are also responsible for monitoring church finances, for evaluating whether reasonable progress is being made toward congregational goals as communicated in the form of policies, and for evaluating the administrative performance of the senior minister.
Being a Trustee of First Universalist Church presents an opportunity to further its mission, to gain a deeper understanding of its staff and operations, to be in fellowship with other Board members and to achieve personal growth. While this role requires dedication and a commitment of time, the rewards are great and well worth it.
Visionary Goals
We, the people of First Universalist Church, grow in our UU faith: we are equipped to live out our values and experience worship, spiritual practices, and rituals that challenge, comfort, celebrate, and heal.
At First Universalist Church, people of all ages find opportunities to engage in an intellectual and spiritual search for deeper meaning and understanding both as individuals and in community.
First Universalist Church is an intergenerational community of mutual caring and support.
Great Gatherings
At the 2011 First Universalist auction, many wonderful opportunities to gather as groups in congregant homes were sold out. But there are still a few spaces left in some of the Great Gatherings throughout the year. Check this list to see if some of these remaining ones interest you. If so, contact coordinator Heather Koser Baradan (singandgiggle@yahoo.com):
$50/person - “Learn to Quilt” Party - CREATE A DOLL QUILT in a day!!
with Carolyn Liebler Saturday, February 25 @ 9:30am to 4pm
Enjoy an ENTIRE DAY of learning with a passionate, life-long quilting expert. You’ll have fun conversations & fun food. (Snacks & Punch Pizza Lunch provided) PLUS... You can create a doll-sized quilt from start to finish, or get going on a bigger quilt while learning about the entire quilt making process. Fabric and tools provided… or you can bring your own.
$10/person - A Night of Passion
Religious Education News
For more information about high school overnight, religious education registration, or eating disorder workshop, contact Katie Heaton, Youth/Young Adult Ministries Coordinator, katie@firstuniv.org, or via her Facebook page.
RE classes will resume on January 8.
New to Religious Education? There will be a Religious Education registration session on January 8, 10:30-11am, Room 208. This session is for new families, to learn about the programming we offer and ways to get connected. No RSVP needed. Childcare in Room 101.
First U High School Overnight The Senior High youth leaders would like to invite Coming of Age/Senior High youth (grades 9-12) to attend an overnight at the church on January 14, starting at 5pm. Plan to stay until 9:30 am Sunday. Active games, good food, talent show, worship and more! Bring $10 to cover the cost of dinner, snacks and activities. If you want to attend, please let Katie Heaton know NO LATER than Sunday, January 7. We need to know how many adults to recruit for chaperones and how much food to purchase.
2012 Day of Service (February 4)
On Saturday, February 4, 420 people from First Universalist church participated in the second annual Day of Service. Working together for over 1,250 hours of service, we did a lot of good work in our community!
Faith in Action is.... in action
Here is a round-up of the many ways First Universalists have organized under our primary initiatives:
- Learn more about how you can get involved in the marriage equality movement.
- Learn more about our Special Events here, and our Affiliated organizations here.
Director of Religious Education Search
Application deadline January 31
With approximately 450 children and youth and 900 adult members, First Universalist Church of Minneapolis is a vibrant, multi-staffed, growing church located in the Uptown Neighborhood of Minneapolis. The church recently celebrated its 150th anniversary and, with a newly called Senior Minister, First Universalist is looking to its future with great excitement.
The Director of Religious Education will be an instrumental member of a dynamic and creative staff working with a passionate and engaged congregation. First Universalist is a faith community committed to social justice and sharing the Universalist message of love and hope.
December 2011 Holiday Events
There is no shortage of ways to catch your breath, connect and celebrate with your First Universalist community this holiday season. Here are some of the options through Christmas Day.
Christmas Eve Services
December 24, 4pm traditional family service
Join Rev. Justin Schroeder, Heidi Mastrud, and the Children’s Choir for our Traditional Service for All Ages. We will celebrate the hope of the season and the light in the world through story and song.
11pm Lessons and Carols: Gather with First U ministers to explore the Christmas miracle through story, music, singing and reflection.
Christmas Day Services
December 25, 2011, 11:15am ONLY