by adminuucm

Social Generosity Offering: September 2021

BLUUBlack Lives of Unitarian Universalism (BLUU) harnesses love’s power to combat oppression and foster healing as a spiritual and political imperative. BLUU’s goals include expanding the power and capacity of Black UUs within the UU faith, providing support, information and resources for Black UUs and engaging in justice-making and liberation through the UU faith and values. This month’s offering will support BLUU’s Northside Housing Cooperative Initiative in North Minneapolis. The project embodies the commitment to improve the material condition of Black lives and will empower 32 Black and Indigenous families as homeowners, transforming access to wealth and resources for generations.

How to Donate: You can donate online using a credit card at bit.ly/giveuucm. You may also mail a contribution to UUCM at 2030 Wayzata Blvd E, Wayzata MN 55391. Simply make your check out to “UUCM” with “Social Generosity” in the memo line.

by adminuucm

From the Board: September 2021

Each month, a member of the board will share a reflection on the Soul Matters monthly theme and the state of the church. The theme for September is Embracing Possibility. This month’s post is offered by Fred Hulting.

September has arrived and – just like every other year – we are returning to schools and work and churches after summer breaks.  Of course, this year is not like every other year, as the challenges of the last 18 months have changed the world around us.  We now find ourselves doing the same old things, but in ways we’ve never done them before.

So, as we get ready for reopening our UUCM church building, it is understandable that we are approaching this with caution.  We will be finding our way over the next weeks and months, guided by the values of safety, inclusion, and consent, as Rev Lisa tells us in her midweek video message. Continue reading →

by adminuucm

UUCM Mid-Week Message 9/1/21

In this week’s message, Rev Lisa lays out the values guiding us as we prepare for the new church year, and the reopening of our beautiful building.

ACTION ITEM Please be sure to complete the important (and brief!) survey introduced in the video, to help us understand our congregation’s hopes and needs for in-person and remote participation in worship and activities — we look forward to seeing your responses soon!

Lisa Sept 1

Click on the picture above to view Rev. Lisa’s video message.

by adminuucm

UUCM Mid-Week Message 8/25/21

During the summer months, the Minister’s Message will become the UUCM Mid-Week Message with inspiration provided by members of UUCM’s staff team. 

In this week’s message, Music Director Paul Winchester gives a quick walk through of our new video streaming system, all the great angles it can capture, and how easy it is to operate. If you are interested in learning how to operate this new system, please consider attending the AV Tech training this Saturday, August 28th, at 1 PM in the sanctuary.

Paul Aug 25

Click on the picture above to view Paul’s video message.

by adminuucm

(Archive) August 20 Update on Church Re-Opening

(Archive) Fred Hulting and Rev. Lisa Friedman

As mentioned in our last update, the Board of Trustees met with Rev. Lisa last weekend to discuss a move to Phase 3 of our COVID reopening plan, which would allow us to return to regular building use with some safety protocols in place.

There are good reasons to open the church this Fall. Parents want to see the return of in-person religious education, which is more effective for children and youth. Others are seeking a worship experience that cannot be offered over Zoom. And many of us are looking forward to seeing people during social time in the community room. Still, as we are all aware, there are risks associated with the return. Risks that will change over time.

After a long discussion, the Board approved the continued work by staff and volunteers toward a Phase 3 reopening on September 12th. This is subject to finalizing the necessary policies and procedures. We will keep monitoring the situation, and pause this work if the COVID situation worsens. As we get closer to reopening, specific protocols will be communicated so you can make informed decisions about participation.

Even as we move ahead, Lisa will continue to have the authority to enact restrictions for the safety of the congregation and our staff, such as the current mask requirement for everyone in the building. Still, on September 12th we hope to:

  • Restart in-person RE for Nursery through 12th grade, either downstairs or outdoors.  Jennifer and the CYRE team are working with families to develop procedures that will keep our children and youth safe and healthy.
  • Hold Sunday worship services in the Sanctuary, and continue to offer the services over Zoom.  Our new audio and video system will allow us to share the in-person service with virtual attendees.

Please watch the church communications  for continued updates, and please reach out to us with questions at boardpresident@uucmtka.org or revlisa@uucmtka.org.