First Universalist Church of Minneapolis Sunday Service Podcast

So often we are so tied up in knots by our fears, our heartache, and our attachments to certain ways of doing things that we don’t recognize the promise of transformation that is right in front of us. The invitation into new life doesn’t match the story line we are looping over and over again in our head. The religious life asks us to move deeper and wider than the repeated story line of either/or, good or bad, in or out. Buddhist nun Pema Chödrön says: “Feel the feelings, drop the story line.” How might this spiritual practice resurrect our lives? How might we open ourselves to the unexpected bits of grace that intersect with our lives everyday? How are we called to rise up?

Worship Associate: Daryn Woodson

Message for All Ages: Road to Emmaus; Luke 24:13-33, adapted by Ruth MacKenzie

Sermon: Rev. Ruth MacKenzie

Joining Rev. Justin in the service will be the LaPointe family, a Lakota family that First Universalist has been in relationship with for a number of years.

The LaPointe Family shares some reflections on the importance of relationship in organizing, the Earth, and spirituality.

Then, Rev. Justin weaves a homily with the themes of the LaPoint family's work. What if the question is not “what do we do?” in the face of climate change, but “who are we in relationship with?” and “how can those relationships deepen?” 

Call to Worship: Thorne LaPoint

Reflections: The LaPointe Family

Sermon: Rev. Justin Schroeder

Piano Music: Franco Holder

Our promises transform us. Being unwavering in our commitment may feel static, but it will shape us. Transformation will happen.

Wisdom Story: Life Itself, by Rev. Kristin Maier; read by Lauren Wyeth

Sermon: Rev. Elaine Aron Tenbrink

Me'Lea Connelly has a compelling spiritual, moral, and economic vision for a black-owned credit union in North Minneapolis. Learn more about how this vision came to be and how we can support it.

Call to Worship: Rev. Justin Schroeder

Sermon: Guest Speaker, Me'Lea Connelly

Unitarian Universalists are being called in this moment to live more powerfully and boldly into a vision of Beloved Community. What does this look like and how do we answer “Yes” to this calling in our lives and in our congregations?

Call to Worship: Rev. Jen Crow

Sermon: Guest Minister & UUA President, Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray