Podcasts about First Unitarian Society

Gratitude is not just a “bigger” grateful. So says the research on gratitude. But what is it, and why is it worth our consideration? Guest speaker Rev. Arif Mamdani joins us for an exploration of gratitude – what it is (or at least could be), why it matters, and (riffing on Ross Gay a bit),… Read More »Inciting Gratitude with Guest Rev. Arif Mamdani The post Inciting Gratitude with Guest Rev. Arif Mamdani appeared first on First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis.

It’s been just over a year since ‘the’ election. It feels like the earth is burning, like democracy is dying, and as if kindness is a vanishing value. What on earth do we have to be grateful for? Are there any gifts to be found in grief, in despair? Our Theme for November is ‘Nurturing… Read More »Nothing to Be Grateful For The post Nothing to Be Grateful For appeared first on First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis.

It is said that the grateful person is the generous person, or is it the other way around? This morning we take a lesson from the serviceberry, and its gifts of both abundance and reciprocity. Living in gratitude, perhaps we can release our grip on toxic forms of capitalism and live into a gift economy. The post Grateful, Generous, or Both/And appeared first on First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis.

At this time of year, many traditions honor their ancestors. We will do that. And, we will take a look at how it is that we know who our people are, and what it means to choose our people. What qualities do we look for? (Hint: Compassion is a very good quality!) The post Who Are Your People? appeared first on First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis.

Covenant is more than a beautiful place to visit; it’s a place where we live. When we know what binds us in community, what is expected of us, and what our responsibilities are to others, our relationships can blossom with understanding and love. The post The Garden of Covenant appeared first on First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis.

Building a home requires many steps…dreaming, planning, measuring, hard work, polishing, a certificate of occupancy. As we launch the program year for our younger generations, let’s consider how to best build (and continually maintain) a home where all can belong…in safety and in love. The post Building Belonging appeared first on First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis.

Fall Equinox is about balance in the duality of life: light and dark, growth and release, joy and sorrow. Celebrate the season with a fun original play, “Humdrum and the Last Apple Tree.” The post Cycles and Seeds: A Fall Equinox Celebration appeared first on First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis.

As we adjust to the arrival of fall and all the changes it brings, we take intentional time to appreciate the many gifts we receive from one another in community (aka volunteer appreciation!) Connection and belonging doesn’t just happen; everything we offer in service to one another matters deeply.  The post All Together Now appeared first on First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis.

It’s September, and today we renew our commitment to gathering in beloved community in common dedication to love and justice. A reflection from Rev. Jullan Stoneberg. The post Podcast: A Good Reason to Show Up appeared first on First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis.

Pamela Zeller, director of WISE — which works to self-empower immigrant and refugee women and girls — will talk about the life lessons she has learned from her 38 years of working with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. These lessons reinforce the strength, resilience, and creativity of survivors. The post What I have learned working with survivors appeared first on First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis.

Almost every person will tell you that they are good drivers, have a great sense of humor, and that they're excellent listeners. Many of us have been taught the basic skills of how to be a good communicator. It can be a lot of work. Join us this Sunday as we play with a new… Read More »Listen Carefully The post Listen Carefully appeared first on First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis.

Boycotts are more than withdrawals—they are declarations. In this talk, Nekima Levy Armstrong reflects on how we, as conscious consumers and community members, can reclaim our power by refusing to fund injustice. Together, we'll explore how discernment, protest, and hope can shape a more just and accountable world. The post What We Refuse to Buy: Choosing Justice in a Culture of Convenience appeared first on First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis.

Martin Luther King said, “Power without love is reckless and abusive, and love without power is sentimental and anemic.” Unitarian Universalists recently affirmed a new covenant among congregations which puts love at the center of our values. How do we ensure that our love is not sentimental and anemic, in a time when love with… Read More »Podcast: Love at the Center The post Podcast: Love at the Center appeared first on First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis.

Each of us is cradled in an invisible web of stories we tell, or are told, about ourselves, our world, and the cosmos. Finding ourselves in these larger narratives can help craft our individual and communal identities, reinforce the meaning we see in our lives, and provide a broader context in which to see our daily… Read More »Podcast: Lammas and the Larger Narrative The post Podcast: Lammas and the Larger Narrative appeared first on First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis.

Join us to reflect on the profound power of memory—specifically, the memories of the safe spaces we’ve encountered throughout our lives. Memory is not just a mental exercise; it is deeply embedded in our biology. Our muscles, our nervous system, even our heartbeats are attuned to our experiences, and they carry the imprint of the… Read More »On the Power of Remembering Safe Spaces The post On the Power of Remembering Safe Spaces appeared first on First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis.

The world needs to be reminded of humanism more than ever, as the anti-human policies of the current administration assault our dignity and intelligence. What will it take for us to engage the historical aspirations of classical American Humanism with the emerging movements that have similar goals for beloved communities? What will it take to… Read More »A New Track for Humanism The post A New Track for Humanism appeared first on First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis.

Love's rumbling, pulsing, thumping nature powers justice. Our actions speak, but how can we meet the moment by answering love's call even more loudly? A talk from Rev. Terri Burnor. Rev. Terri (she/her) is Executive Director of MUUSJA (the Minnesota Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Alliance). She also serves the St. Croix Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in… Read More »Love is Loud The post Love is Loud appeared first on First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis.

“What’s in a Name?” Names have power—they can enchant or disillusion, claim unwanted ownership or open the door to freedom. In this service, we'll reflect on how the names we give to the sacred—whether shifting from “God” to “Cosmos,” or “prayer” to “contemplation” or “meditation”—reshape our experiences of meaning and mystery. How do name and… Read More »Names as Portals to Enchantment The post Names as Portals to Enchantment appeared first on First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis.

As we celebrate Father’s Day, let’s consider what it means to ‘live in this house’. One of our Unitarian Universalist values is Pluralism which encourages us to embrace both our differences and our commonalities with love, curiosity, and respect. Yet, we cannot be free when we experience difference as oppressive. Can diversity actually be liberating? The post Free to Flourish Amid Difference appeared first on First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis.

It’s Pride Month, and Juneteenth is just around the corner. At this time when so many corporations and institutions are back-tracking on their DEIB commitments (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging), we have a role to play in more boldly keeping ours. Responding to tyranny calls on us to stand out and shine a light! The post Free to do DEIB Work appeared first on First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis.

We have entered a time in US history when the meaning of freedom is being debated even as its presence quietly fades into the background. How is this happening? Are we paying attention? We’ll look at this through the lens of Timothy Snyder’s book, “On Tyranny.” The post Podcast: Freedom Means…? appeared first on First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis.

As beloveds in our communities are scapegoated and attacked by the current administration, what does UUism call us to embrace and respond? As we turn toward Pride month, we will learn more about the UU commitment to pledge our collective faithful efforts to affirm and celebrate trans, nonbinary, intersex, and gender diverse people within and… Read More »Podcast: Embracing Trans, Nonbinary, Intersex, and Gender Diverse People: A Fundamental Expression of UUism The post Podcast: Embracing Trans, Nonbinary, Intersex, and Gender Diverse People: A Fundamental Expression of UUism appeared first on First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis.

Poet John O’Donohue suggested that “if our style of looking becomes beautiful, then beauty will become visible and shine forth for us.” A talk from Rev. Jullan Stoneberg. The post Podcast: To See the World appeared first on First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis.

Author and activist adrienne maree brown believes that all organizing is science fiction. “Trying to create a world that we've never experienced and never seen is a science-fictional activity.” On this morning, we gather to practice some collective imagining. The post Imagine a New World appeared first on First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis.

Let's get real about how our joy can change the world, even as it co-exists with our pain, brokenness and curmudgeon-ness. How we can commit to inciting joy and making it more robust? Our theme for April is Living Love through the Practice of Joy The post What Joy Can Do appeared first on First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis.

Some might question if there is any joy to be found in these times. How do we live holding the dual realities of despair and joy? How are these two things connected? As Shirley Ceasar’s song says, “This joy that I have, the world didn’t give it to me…the world can’t take it away. The post FUS Podcast: Joy in These Times appeared first on First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis.

Trust is built at the speed of relationship, so it takes two (or more) to build trust! The ability to trust is a muscle of the heart that is exercised through the practice of covenant. It’s not always easy, and it doesn’t necessarily come naturally, but we can do it! The post What does Trust Require of Us appeared first on First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis.

Science writer Ed Yong refers to the ways in which our screen-focused, fear-based society is impacting our scope of concern. He says we are currently being “crunched ever inward” and that it behooves us to get out and connect with others. Being in community is a beautiful way to uncrunch ourselves and stretch! The post Trusting Community appeared first on First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis.

When things feel precarious and unpredictable, it’s crucial to know what there is that is trustworthy and dependable. What is it that reliably supports us and holds us up? The post In _____ We Trust? appeared first on First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis.

Holding us now – to hope, to courage, to clarity and to each other – is the radical love at the very center of Unitarian Universalism. It shows up as wonder (and grief) for our achingly beautiful world; it shows up as relentless respect and care for one another, resplendent in all our vulnerability and… Read More »A Different Kind of Bravery The post A Different Kind of Bravery appeared first on First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis.

There is internal tension in living our shared values. Can we live into pluralism while holding firm to equity and justice? When is belonging more important than individuality? And how do we get along with each other when our values differ? The post Can our Differing Values Co-exist? appeared first on First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis.

“The most daring thing is to create stable communities in which the terrible disease of loneliness can be cured.” – Kurt Vonnegut How can the practice of humanism act as an antidote to America’s crisis of loneliness and purposelessness? And how can the humanist movement catalyze Vonnegut’s dream of “stable communities” for the tens of… Read More »Curing Loneliness: How Humanism Can Bring Us Closer Together, And How We Build Bridges to Humanism The post Curing Loneliness: How Humanism Can Bring Us Closer Together, And How We Build Bridges to Humanism appeared first on First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis.

Widening the circle of inclusion is always limited by a group’s identity, so that the push to be inclusive gets tugged at by resistance to changing who we are. Who belongs at FUS, and what are the costs, and the benefits, of exclusion? The post Identity and Inclusion appeared first on First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis.

Albert Camus famously wrote that “In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.” For many, this year Imbolc — the midpoint of astrological winter — simultaneously brings a sense of growing light and of growing darkness. Today, our Seasonal Celebrations Team will present a candlelight program that will honor… Read More »Imbolc: On Joys and Concerns The post Imbolc: On Joys and Concerns appeared first on First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis.

Here We Are, a new administration is about to take office. What Now? We are facing 4 years of national political leadership hostility to the idea of addressing climate change while witnessing the effects of inaction. Where does this leave us? And what can we do about it now? Please join the FUS Climate Action… Read More »Here we are: What now? The post Here we are: What now? appeared first on First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis.

This is a great week to bring a friend with you to FUS! Here on the cusp of a presidential inauguration and Martin Luther King Jr Day, events that hold disparate visions, we are called to name the stories and the values that we insist upon claiming. The post The Stories We Must Cling To appeared first on First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis.

The human species operates by stories. They can guide or misdirect us, inspire or limit us, while providing both meaning and perspective. So as we enter 2025, let’s ask… Which stories ring true for us, and what are the stories we choose to live by? The post New Year, New Story? appeared first on First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis.

Jazz Thursdays with MAQ at South Hill Cider, and Ithakaraoke with a live band at Deep Dive. On Friday, First Friday Gallery Night all over downtown Ithaca, including First Friday Fires at Press Bay. Happy hour with GoGone at Deep Dive. Cole Dumond at South Hill Cider. London McDaniel at the Antlers. And Ariel Arbisser and her band at Hopshire Farm for a birthday bash! For your Saturday, the first indoor winter Ithaca Farmers Market of the year, every Saturday through March at Triphammer Marketplace. Mama Look! at South Hill Cider, Drew Kiddoo and the Blackouts kick off a world tour at Jake’s Saloon in Horseheads, Goo Goo Dolls at Turning Stone, and a Twelfth Night celebration at the First Unitarian Society of Ithaca. Sunday, a pancake breakfast at the Etna Fire Department, and modern western square dancing at the Lansing Community Center! Wednesday, back to the regular schedule for the open mic night at Sacred Root Kava Lounge and the Canaan Jam Session at the Canaan Institute. Next Thursday, Richie Stearns & friends at South Hill Cider, and Ithakaraoke with a live band.  Friday the 10th, London McDaniel at the Antlers, Tenzin Chopak at South Hill Cider, and Trivia [...]

Spiritual congregations have a lengthy tradition of offering critiques of what they believe to be societal ills, and UUs and Humanists are no different. Theodore Parker, John Dietrich, Carl Storm, and Kendyl Gibbons — the last three were settled ministers here at First Unitarian Society — all witnessed deeply challenging times, and offered words of… Read More »We’ve Been Here Before The post We’ve Been Here Before appeared first on First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis.

Stillness. Quiet. The presence of winter. Twinkle Lights. Glittery snow. Crisp starry nights. The gifts of the natural world surround us. The post Being Present to Awe appeared first on First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis.

In his essay on Sisyphus, Albert Camus ends with these haunting words: “one must imagine Sisyphus happy.” Camus invites us to wrestle with the appropriate response to absurdity. Is it suicide? That is to say, is the killing of oneself in light of the human condition, the existential angst and ontological trauma we face, a proper… Read More »The Audacity to Imagine Sisyphus Happy The post The Audacity to Imagine Sisyphus Happy appeared first on First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis.

Call it mindfulness, call it intentionality, call it witness…there is a way of being in relationship whereby we fully show up for one another. How might we offer our simple presence as a gift to the world? The post In the Presence of a New Way of Being appeared first on First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis.

“All That Is” is a lot of stuff, and between this time of year and this time in our world, there is so much that demands our presence. What would it mean to call ourselves into the presence of all of this? Or, maybe the call is asking us to get in touch with what… Read More »In the Presence of All That Is The post In the Presence of All That Is appeared first on First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis.

Ours is an unapologetic world. Seldom does anyone take responsibility for damage done. While we might not like the words, let’s look at how remorse and repentance can play a role in our personal and societal transformation. The post Making Amends appeared first on First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis.

Whatever the results of the election, our purpose remains the same….to heal ourselves and our world. And we’re in it for the long haul. So let’s assess the situation and then lay out the task before us. We’ve got some stuff to do. The post What’s Broken Now? appeared first on First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis.

The election is just days away. We have worked hard to ensure that democracy will prevail. And yet, many are experiencing this as a very dark time in our nation. Let’s spend time reconnecting to all that we can trust to get us through. The post Hope in the Dark appeared first on First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis.

Description: We’ve come to that time of the year when many cultures believe the veil between the living and the dead is thin. If we listen deeply to the past…particularly to those who have built, sustained, and transformed this congregation…what do we hear? The post Listening to Those Who Have Gone Before Us appeared first on First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis.

Marlene Johnson, Minnesota's first woman lieutenant governor, serving from 1983-1991, will be with us to discuss these poignant themes through the lens of her new memoir: “Rise to the Challenge: A Memoir of Politics, Leadership & Love”. The post Leadership and Intentionality appeared first on First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis.

Those of us who come from immigrant histories cannot claim being indigenous to this land. But we can become naturalized to it. Robin Wall Kimmerer says that “Being naturalized to place means to live as if this is the land that feeds you, as if these are the streams from which you drink, that build… Read More »Listening to the Land The post Listening to the Land appeared first on First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis.

Here's the 14850 Happenings events calendar for the weekend of June 21st! This evening the Ageless Jazz Band at Hopshire Farm Brewery, City Limits at the BoatYard Grill, and Chickenwire Parachute at Scale House Brewery in Hector. The 86ers are playing at Garrett's in Trumansburg tonight, and Bob Roberts Calamity Band is at Cedarwood Event Venue. And a free preview Ithaca Reggae Fest show at Stewart Park. The Hangar Theatre's mainstage production Ride the Cyclone runs through Saturday the 29th. The Little Red Wagon Festival all afternoon Saturday at the Cedarwood Event Venue, and music all afternoon at the Ithaca Reggae Fest at Stewart Park. There's a Saturday late-night show featuring Double Tiger at Deep Dive. For your Sunday, the Freeville Farmers Market midday, and Sundays with Cisco at Garrett's Brewing. Tuesday, a Southern Old Time String Band Jam Session at Deep Dive. And Kommuna Lux brings their Odesa Urban Folk music tour to Ithaca with a Benefit for Ukraine at the First Unitarian Society. Wednesday, the Yardvarks kick off the Mill Park Music Series in Newfield. London McDaniel is at Salt Point Brewing. For your Thursday, Jamorick at Lucas Vineyards, the Yardvarks are at Six Mile Creek Winery, Ariel Arbisser and Destiny La Vibe at the Bernie Milton Pavilion, and a free screening of Attica followed by a panel discussion at Cinemapolis. And next Friday, the Comb Down at South Hill Cider, Group du Jour at the BoatYard Grill, the Junior Rich Band at Garrett's Brewing, and the free summer concert series on Cornell's Arts Quad kicks off with Paa Kow. Lots more details and more 14850 Happenings at 14850.com. Subscribe to the Ithaca Minute in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Play, TuneIn, Stitcher, or via RSS feed, follow 14850.com on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the 14850 Magazine Daily newsletter.