About First Unitarian Society
First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis has a unique history. We grew out of a circle of free thinkers who saw the value of a congregational structure and who joined what is now the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations.
First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis is the birthplace of congregational humanism. As a congregation, FUS has been instrumental in the development of humanism in its several forms. Our goal is to be radically inclusive in thought, word, and deed.
We are a gathering place for people of various religious and philosophical traditions. Rather than readings from only one tradition, we use excerpts from poetry, novels, non-fiction titles, and the news of the day. Rather than preaching from scripture, the ministers talk about what was happening in the here and the now.
Since “church” is a word specifically meaningful in a Christian context, people at First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis tend to prefer the word “congregation,” an inclusive term. Congregational humanists are humanists who choose to congregate–that is, join together for companionship, mutual support, mutual inquiry, and social activism.
We strive to achieve the best aspects of a caring congregation, a beloved community. A place to be and a place to belong.
The FUS congregation began in the 1870s as a chapter of the Liberal League, a group fighting censorship in the U.S. mail. The gathered community next became a Charles Darwin reading group, and in 1881 became a Unitarian congregation. In 1916 the congregation called John Dietrich as its settled minister. Dr. Dietrich had begun calling himself a “Humanist,” and thus FUS became the first Humanist Unitarian congregation.
As the birthplace of congregational humanism, First Unitarian Society holds a treasure trove of humanist history.
Addresses given by past ministers – John Dietrich, the “father of American Humanism”, and Carl Storm – are available at the FUS Archives website for reading. Addresses are in PDF format for downloading. The Archives also contains some audio files and photos.
A Minnesota Historical Legacy grant awarded to First Unitarian Society in 2017 and 2018 enabled us to create a spreadsheet of Rev. John Dietrich’s talks to navigate with keywords and titles, to the Rev. John Dietrich talks in our archives. This will eventually become a database with direct access to each individual talk.
Rev. David Breeden and member Fred Olson contributed the history of First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis congregation in Wikipedia.
Our original Articles of Incorporation First Unitarian Society make for interesting reading.
Humanism is the proposition that human beings can solve human problems. By this proposition, Humanists accept moral responsibility for humanity, all living things, and the planet itself.
The human search for truth has led to the creation of many religious and philosophical traditions. We respect all of them, insisting that human beings are more important than our ideas. Human ideas, at their best, serve the human need for meaning and purpose in this world, now. So, many humanists are atheists. Many are agnostic. And many are unconventional in their views.
Humanism is a worldwide, grassroots movement reflecting human cultures in their many varieties and the sheer number of humanist options reflects this.Varieties reflected in the United States include secular humanism, religious humanism, and congregational humanism. As congregational humanists, we congregate! We gather in groups and celebrate the joys, sorrows, and milestones of our lives together.
We invite you to join us in the quest for meaning and purpose in the here and now.
At General Assembly in June 2024, UUs voted to replace the existing Seven Principles and Six Sources language in our bylaws with language describing Unitarian Universalism through shared values, all centered around LOVE: The new values are Equity, Generosity, Interdependence, Justice, Pluralism, and Transformation.
From the Unitarian Universalist Association website:
“Unitarian Universalism draws from our heritages of freedom, reason, hope, and courage, building on the foundation of love. We covenant, congregation-to-congregation and through our Association, to support and assist one another in our ministries.”
The music program at First Unitarian Society aspires to uplift, inspire, comfort, educate, and challenge the congregation. Our gatherings are filled with music that includes community singing, as well as a range of styles, cultures, ensembles, and individuals showcasing the talents of members, resident artists, and also performers from the wider community.
The music featured in each Assembly can vary widely from week to week. This variety enhances our wide-ranging and forward-thinking Sunday morning Assemblies and events, and embodies our multicultural aspirations.
Be inspired and enjoy the incredible creativity inherent in being human!
Our Chalice Choir normally sings once or twice a month, and rehearses on Wednesday evenings.
We have an occasional “house band”, a pick-up band that plays folk tunes and more for special occasions and events.
Twice a year, we hold a Music Sunday, which generally features guest artists who collaborate with our Music Director and our community to create a unique and beautiful experience for all.
We own a Steinway grand piano in the Upper Assembly Hall and a smaller Steinway in the adjoining Dietrich Room. The Upper Assembly Hall also features a three-manual Holtkamp pipe organ, built in 1962. It has a total of 33 ranks and 2,013 pipes. An impressive instrument.
We invite members and friends to get involved in our music program with vocals and/or instruments. We are always looking for more ways to play.
The Chalice Choir is open to all; audition not required. meets most Wednesday evenings for practice.
First Unitarian Society is a free, independent, and self-governing Humanist community and a member of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations.
Our Board of Trustees (elected by the congregation) share leadership and decision-making with our Minister. Lay leaders play an invaluable role in forming and carrying out the congregation’s mission and vision.
Our dedicated team is here to help you! The front office may be reached at 612-377-6608.
The Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall management of First Unitarian Society and works closely with the Minister to fulfill the mission and aspirations of FUS.
Members of the Board are elected by FUS members at the annual congregational meeting for staggered two-year terms. The Executive Committee of the Board is composed of the Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer.
The FUS Board of Trustees meets monthly on the fourth Thursday at 7:00 p.m. All FUS members are welcome to attend Board of Trustees meetings at FUS or via Zoom. For a Zoom link, contact the FUS office.
Trustees 2025-26:
Heather Martens, chair
Julie Stewart, Vice Chair
Ann Beecher, Secretary
Lisa Greene, treasurer
Matt Lassegard
Justice Bovee
Michael Pileggi
Becca Brackett
Gordon Paynter
The Foundation of First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis provides perpetual financial support for First Unitarian Society’s work. It offers benefactors an opportunity to leave an enduring legacy to ensure that the principles and programs they value thrive well into the future.
The Foundation makes annual disbursements to support the FUS operating budget and supports such programs as ethical education, music, and social justice per the goals established for each fund.
The Foundation accepts grant applications from FUS members or staff seeking funds for projects that enhance FUS programs or improve our physical space at any time.
The Nominating Committee recruits and nominates candidates for the Board of Trustees, Foundation board, and the Nominating Committee. Nominations for the Board of Trustees and the Nominating Committee are presented to the congregation for a vote at the annual meeting. Nominations for the Foundation Board are presented to the Board of Trustees for election. Nominating Committee members serve one-year terms.
To learn more about these roles, we encourage you to talk to any member of the Nominating Committee: chair Julie Stewart, or other members Sheila Callander, Kaden Colton, Martha Hardesty, Jackie Haviland, George Hutchinson, and Sandy Martin.
In the spring of 2025, the FUS Board of Trustees entered our congregation into the Unitarian-Universalist Association (UUA) Settled Minister Search and, with input from the congregation, assembled a Ministerial Search Team (MST).
The purpose of this eight-member team was to:
● Assess members’ beliefs and perceptions about who we are and what our congregation needs from its next minister (September & October 2025)
● Construct a congregational record and assembling key documents that help ministers in search learn about our congregation (November 2025)
● Evaluate and conduct Zoom interviews with applicants (January 2026)
● Choose 2-3 pre-candidate ministers to visit our local area and conduct in-depth interviews (February and early March 2026)
● Submit our pre-candidate rankings to UUA and ideally be matched with a final candidate who is offered the position and invited to “candidate” at FUS (Late March – April 2026).
A congregational vote then determines whether the candidate is called to be the next minister of FUS.
Search Team members:
Bob Aderhold (he/him)
Phil Duran (he/him)
Martha Hardesty (she/her)
Stella Paynter (she/her)
Karen Rowehl (she/her)
Christine Salm (she/her/ella)
Denise Victora de Meireles (she/her)
Karl Winthrop-Davies (he/him)
As the birthplace and keeper of the flame of congregational humanism, First Unitarian Society holds a treasure trove of humanist history.
Addresses given by past ministers – John Dietrich, the “father of Religious Humanism”, and Carl Storm – are available at the FUS Archives website for reading.
Rev. David Breeden and member Fred Olson contributed the history of First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis congregation in Wikipedia. Our original Articles of Incorporation First Unitarian Society make for interesting reading.
John Hassler Dietrich (1878-1957), minister for almost a quarter of a century at the First Unitarian Society in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was among the first Unitarian ministers to boldly preach that humanist thinking was the true foundation of religious liberalism. His addresses, which were heard and read by thousands, so popularized religious humanism that it has now become a significant element in Unitarian Universalism.
Under Dietrich, FUS flourished and he regularly preached to large congregations. To accommodate everyone—usually more than 1,000—the congregation eventually had to hold services in the Garrick Theater.
A Minnesota Historical Legacy grant awarded to First Unitarian Society in 2017 and 2018 enabled us to create a spreadsheet of Rev. John Dietrich’s talks to navigate with keywords and titles, to the Rev. John Dietrich talks in our archives. This will eventually become a database with direct access to each individual talk.
Looking for a past assembly recording or order of service? We work to maintain an archive of past talks and accompanying materials which is available upon request. You are also welcomed to peruse our always-growing archive site, where you can find images of yesteryear, .PDFs of past sermons, and recordings of talks available to all.