First UU Columbus

All Soles is a monthly social dance held at First Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbus, Ohio. We dance a combination of contras and squares.

Intergenerational, beginner-friendly, welcoming contra dance. No partner needed! New dancers are welcome!

Cost: $8 ($4 for age 12-25). All money goes to pay musicians and callers.

Please bring your own refillable water bottle, and dress in lightweight, loose clothing. 'Potluck' snack table, free childcare, and warm, welcoming dancers. Children who are able to join in the dancing are welcome.

Dances are from 8:00 to 10:30. If you're new to contra, come at 7:30 for a brief introductory group session. All dances are walked-through and cued by the caller. No experience needed, you will be warmly welcomed into our dance community.

We have a new Facebook Page where you can find out about upcoming dances.

Friday, October 26 -- An evening of "ZESTY" dancing featuring caller Sean Fen and the Timbre Wolves. "Zesty" dances feature a higher level of challenge suitable for dancers with a solid background in contra and/or square dancing. NOT a dance for first-time dancers -- Sean will push our comfort zones, and the band will provide the driving old time tunes!

COMMITMENT to a shared spiritual journey

In CONNECTION with others

In beloved COMMUNITY

If you are new to First UU, our Covenant Groups are small groups of community members who join together twice monthly to reflect on the joys and challenges of living as meaningfully as possible. The groups build community and are a great way to get to know other First UUers. The groups of 8-10 meet twice monthly between October and June. Contact Rev. Eric ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 267-4946 ext. 23) with any questions or sign up here online.

 CLICK HERE FOR THE 2018-2019 REGISTRATION FORM

WHAT PARTICIPANTS ARE SAYING

“Being a new member, this has been a great way for me to feel more connected.”
“Our time together feels special. The way we treat one another, the sacred setting, even the fact that I know my group members will show up each meeting and even be on time! That is special.”
“I am astounded at the swiftness and depth of connection within our group.”
“I look forward to spending time with my group, in talking and especially in the stillness.”

Here's some information of how you can contribute through the UUA for disaster relief in the Carolinas. At least three congregations in eastern North Carolina have been hit very hard during this storm and related flooding. The fund listed below is a UU fund that assists for hurricane and other disasters. Here is the link and the info from their webpage.

https://giving.uua.org/disaster-aid

Your donation now will allow the UUA to respond flexibly to current disaster needs and to new situations as they arise.

We know that long after the initial clean-up, real recovery can take months or years. The UUA stands with its congregations and is ready to provide assistance to help congregations in repairing any damage, and to support them in responding to the needs of their members' and their community's efforts to get back on its feet.

The Disaster Relief Fund disburses grants to UU congregations and affiliated UU entities. Disaster relief grantees have reported feeling held in care and more connected to other UU congregations and to the UUA as a whole.

First Unitarian Universalist Church will be introducing Beloved Conversations this fall!
Beloved Conversations is a small-group program that helps congregations talk about race and ethnicity. Participants create a supportive space, share about their own experiences, and find opportunities to grow individually and as a congregation. Beloved Conversations is an opportunity for us to improve our skill in holding challenging conversations in loving community. It’s also a way to do our part in the Unitarian Universalist movement for racial reconciliation, and to transform and heal as a community, as our vision calls us.

Read more at: http://www.meadville.edu/fahs-collaborative/fahs-curriculum-catalogue/beloved-conversations/

Beloved Conversations begins with a day-and-a-half kick-off retreat, led by facilitator Julica Hermann de la Fuente. After the retreat, facilitators from First UU will lead small group sessions every-other week for 8 sessions.  We are hoping that 30 or more First UUers (members and friends) will take this great opportunity for healing and transformation. But we only have room for 40 participants, so reserve your spot today!

Click HERE to Sign Up!

Retreat Details

Friday, October 5 from 6pm-9pm on (dinner included)
& Saturday, October 6 from 8:30am-5pm (breakfast and lunch included).
Childcare: Provided.
Location: First Unitarian Universalist Church, 93 W. Weisheimer Rd. Columbus, OH 43214

Small Group Sessions

Every-other week for 8 sessions
There will be several different meeting times available, TBD.

Cost

$75, Scholarships Available

Questions?

Contact Amanda Hays at: 616-350-1409, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Wake Now Our Vision  (WNOV) Universalist Collaborative Campaign Legacy Challenge is a joint effort of the following UU institutions: the Unitarian Universalist Association, the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, Meadville Lombard Theological School, Starr King School for the Ministry, the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association, and the Church of the Larger Fellowship.

The UU Congregation at Shelter Rock recognizes the power of legacy giving and, through its incredible generosity, has offered a $5 million grant to incentivize 

new planned gifts. Its goal is to raise a total of $50 million in planned gifts by 2020. WNOV provides Unitarian Universalists with the opportunity to make a difference now and to shape the future of Unitarian Universalism for generations to come.

New legacy gift intentions designating one or more of the WNOV partner institutions above or First Unitarian Universalist Church as beneficiaries may be eligible for a 10% matching cash gift, up to $10,000.

Introducing our next Director of Religious Exploration, Elizabeth Mount

Elizabeth Mount is a Candidate for UU Ministry joining us after completion of a Master of Divinity degree at Meadville Lombard Theological School. They just finished a two-year internship at the First Universalist Church of Denver, a multi-minister congregation of a similar size to First UU Columbus.

As a lifelong UU, Elizabeth has seen the transformative possibility of religious exploration programming. They want to continue fostering such a nurturing environment, utilizing skills from years of experience in education, activism, conference planning, and UU church work. In collaboration with this congregation, Elizabeth is excited to create community, work for justice, and engage diversity.

Prior to entering seminary, Elizabeth was an organizer with environmental and Latinx community projects in Western North Carolina and Guatemala. They bring strengths in organizational work, volunteer management, and multigenerational community building.

They participate in ongoing work on climate change, anti-racism, and disaster relief within and beyond Unitarian Universalism. Additional interests include rereading all of Octavia Butler’s novels, weaving, playing Ingress, and climbing rocks, trees… and the occasional bridge.