First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis

Lemony Snicket wrote, “Love can change a person the way a parent can change a baby–awkwardly, and often with a great deal of mess.” Yes, that’s how change works. The fact feels unfortunate. Yet, going with messy change is the way.

Rev. Kelli finds inspiration from Octavia Butler, Karen Hering, and neuroplasticity to explore the Path to Change.

Our theme for November is “the path of change.” The metaphor of a path is a good one to express the feeling of change, but with global climate change, we may do better going back to Heraclitus and his river of change.

We know about the party faithful who would vote for a yellow dog before voting for the other party. How about joining the party that takes a good, long look at that yellow dog? And, no, I’m not talking about politics. A talk from Rev. Dr. David Breeden.

Liberalism is a philosophy but also a predisposition that respects the complexities of issues. American philosopher John Dewey once said, “We only think when we are confronted with a problem.” Taking the time to feel our way through a problem is more of a necessity than a luxury. A talk from Rev. Dr. David Breeden.

With the multitude of challenges facing us today, how do we find the courage to be in good relation and kinship with the world around us? A talk from Rev. Kelli Clement.

It is axiomatic that having the courage of our convictions is a moral good. Having the courage of our confusions might be as well. A talk from Rev. Dr. David Breeden.

Playwright August Wilson once wrote, “Your willingness to wrestle with your demons will cause your angels to sing.” Angels. Demons. Perhaps even some trolls. No matter what our age, we’ve always got some growing up to do. A talk from Rev. Dr. David Breeden.

It is a truism that everyone wants to belong. But belong to what? The options for belonging grow daily, yet what do all the choices add up to? And how do we choose?

It is a truism that everyone wants to belong. But belong to what? A talk from Rev. Dr. David Breeden.

A celebration of our new program year. Join us as we reflect on surviving difficult times, asking new questions and renewing commitments to our community. Talks from Revs. Kelli Clement and David Breeden.

Whether unemployment is high or low, labor, it seems, is always in trouble. As we come out of the pandemic, what innovations might avoid the trap that American writer Studs Terkel once described: “Most of us have jobs that are too small for our spirits.” A talk from Rev. Dr. David Breeden.

The term comes from a novel by the British philosopher Thomas Carlyle, who hoped that the human religious impulse would survive the science of his time. Nearly 200 years later, how is that going? A talk from Rev. Dr. David Breeden.

What is an all-powerful god’s part in the evil of our world? To put it mildly, thinkers have pondered the topic for some time! Pragmatists of a naturalist bent have an answer. A talk from Rev. Dr. David Breeden.

Ancient legends tell of seafarers who landed on isolated islands. They built a fire, only to find that they had awakened a beast that dragged them to their doom. A cautionary tale, if you’re a seafarer. And all of us are. A talk from Rev. Dr. David Breeden.

Monogamy has been the relationship catalyst in society to find and have love, a healthy connection, and sometimes a family. Over time, bold formations of love and relationship are trending, shattering the social foundation of monogamy as we know it. Come eavesdrop on Drew Bekius and Jé Exodus Hooper in a conversation about their social […]

Winona LaDuke has said that we have to become involved in building communities, not just developing things. How does a group of introverted thinkers, atheists, and social justice warriors connect in order to restore economies, democracy, and human rights? It seems to have something to do with playing together in the town square.

Our humanism calls us to expand reproductive health, rights, and justice for every person in Minnesota and beyond. Rev. Kelli will zoom to Assembly live from the rally and march in St. Paul. Learn about activism for reproductive freedom from a humanist faith perspective and make a plan for engagement to keep Minnesota moving forward.

The troubles of our times are overwhelming. Let’s lighten up with a little humor, silliness, and moderate exuberance!

Liberal religion in general and Humanism in particular have come in for a lot of criticism for being “individualistic.” This is a misunderstanding concerning what individual conscience means in the context of communal action. As the philosopher John Dewey put it, “A democracy is more than a form of government; it is primarily a mode […]

Our monthly theme is “Celebrating Blessings.” None of us likes the state of the nation at the moment but looking back at where we’ve been is cause for celebration. Note: I will talk about progressive successes and look a bit more closely at how difficult those actually were for those involved. History glosses over the […]

Reflections on Father’s Day, Juneteenth, and the Nature of Authority.

This is a short phrase from the French philosopher Gilles Deleuze. It underlines a fact about how we combine memory and anticipation to live in the possibilities of the moment. On a day that we celebrate our graduating high school seniors and our many volunteers, let’s consider what is next. Text of Talk (PDF): Becoming […]

William Shakespeare wrote, “Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, /And Summer’s lease hath all too short a date . . . ” (Sonnet 18). Beauty, ephemerality, and storms. Those words go a long way toward encompassing our lives. Enjoy special music from Martha Hardesty and Maureen Hunt.

Our Annual Meeting marks the 141st year of First Unitarian Society and our 106th year of being a congregational humanist gathering. Over those decades some things have changed a lot. Many things haven’t changed at all. The conclusion that I draw from all this? We’re not done here!