First Universalist Church of Minneapolis

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

In her 28 years as a Unitarian Universalist and member of First Universalist Church, Ginny has lived her faith in our UU principles and particularly in the love and hope that grounds our church. The first mission statement to incorporate language about the Universalist message of love and hope was written by a committee that Ginny served on. Through her leadership, mentoring and role modeling, Ginny has truly helped the congregation live into its mission. Ginny’s belief in the inherent worth and dignity of all people, in the importance of accepting one another and in the interdependent web of all existence is clearly illuminated by her service to First Universalist and the wider community. She has served in almost every capacity from usher, coffee server, and RE teacher to President of the Board of Trustees during two six-year terms on the board. Ginny’s commitment to encouraging spiritual growth is manifested in her years of service as a Worship Associate and as a small group facilitator. She is a positive person who looks for, and finds, the good in every individual and situation. Ginny’s service to the congregation is always kind, generous, caring, and from the heart. She is a perfect role model for generosity of spirit and loving kindness.

Unsung Universalist Unitarian Nominee: Margit Berg

Margit has provided steady and skillful leadership for more than 35 years in a variety of leadership roles that have strengthened the institutional structure, financial well-being and caring community of First Universalist Church. At a particularly contentious time of transition within the church, this well-respected and wise woman was asked to step into the role of President of the Board; her calm and skillful leadership guided the congregation through turbulent times. Margit brings astute insight on “big picture” issues and builds consensus among many divergent points of view. She chairs the John and Dru Cummins Ministerial Internship Fund that has raised $200,000, and for three years, she chaired the Development Committee that established a planned giving program. Margit led the church’s annual canvass with her husband. She was part of the long-range planning committee that committed to purchasing the site of the present church to meet the need of our expanding membership. She has twice chaired the Pastoral Care committee, once 20 years ago, and now again. Under her leadership, Pastoral Care has expanded its role, now supporting members who are ill, disabled or no longer able to attend services. Never one to seek recognition of her accomplishments, Margit richly deserves to be honored with the Unsung Hero Award.

Social Justice (Adult) Nominee: Barb Melom

Barb exemplifies love in action. After attending a memorial service for homeless people who had died on the streets, she rounded up friends at church who like to cook, and they began serving bi-monthly meals for up to 120 people at the Simpson Housing Services Shelter. She chaired the dinners for five years. Her passion has motivated hundreds, including people in other states and four other churches, to contribute time, energy, resources and money that goes directly to those in need. When she launched Hats for the Homeless in 2009 with the goal of making 50 hand knit hats in two months, the response was overwhelming—300 hats were delivered to Simpson Services on Christmas Eve. This year, 1200 handmade hats, 200 scarves, 11 pairs of mittens, 4 neck warmers, and 6 pairs of socks were distributed through many centers. Barb also initiated our church’s participation with Project Homeless Connect. The first year, a remarkable 70 congregants spent a day helping homeless people find services at a Convention Center event. Because of our high participation, First Universalist was designated as a training site, and typically draws 100-125 congregants and community members. Barb models how to “walk our talk.”  Her loving actions remind us that we do not live for self alone.      

Social Justice (Youth) Nominee: Emily Sylvestre

With quiet grace and fierce intelligence, Emily is a strong youth leader and committed social activist. Last year, she led her class in pulling off a successful and ambitious social justice project. During the senior high curriculum on homelessness, Emily was the cornerstone of youth leadership for the 25-30 youth who regularly attended. She facilitated the class sessions, steered youth through decisions about project ideas, maintained the senior high youth Facebook page, and ultimately was the lead planner and organizer for a festive dinner event with decorations, games, music, and prizes for formerly homeless guests and their caseworkers. A lifelong First Universalist, Emily has participated in all the youth retreats and the high school Boston trip, as well as used her many musical talents to enrich worship and perform in the First Universalist youth musicals. In addition, Emily has worked as a trail builder for the National Park Service for the last two summers through the Student Conservation Association, and volunteered building puppets and masks for The Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theater that stages a free May Day Festival and Parade each year for the diverse South Minneapolis community. She also performs community service as a member of the National Honor Society at South High School.