It was so wonderful to see so many of you last Sunday for Rev. Marco’s return to our pulpit! Rev. Marco reminded us that our Universalist faith is not just something that we have when we’re sitting in the sanctuary – it’s an all day, seven days a week faith. I’ve been thinking a lot about that this week – how am I living my faith all day, every day? Am I living my faith?
This can be an uncomfortable question if we don’t have an answer or if our answer is, “I’m not sure.”

I invite all of us to keep exploring this question this summer. As we work to put together our Adult Programming for the fall, we’ll be asking this question. If there are any questions that you have that you are hoping to explore this upcoming year, let me know! We have a lot of really great curricula to choose from, focusing on our UU tradition, faith, and various ways to explore it all.

A few reminders:
– This Sunday we are welcoming Rev. Patricia Sheldon back into our pulpit! Her sermon title is “Forgiveness is Not For Wimps“….  Rev Sheldon says,  “We respond to someone saying “I’m Sorry” with “No worries” or, some respond by saying “It’s fine.”   How do you respond when it is not “fine” and there are worries? Exploring forgiveness when it is not easy to give.”

Blessings friends,
Rev. Kelli McNeal
Minister of Congregational Life
kelli@firstuucolumbus.org
(614)706-3282

The deadline for Friday News submissions is 8:00pm Wednesdays. To request a submission to the newsletter, email announcements@firstuucolumbus.org

Deadline for Sunday service materials is 11:00am Thursday morning.

Many of you are reading the Friday News from Summer Institute. We hope you are all enjoying yourselves and the extended UU community at SI.

Last week Sylvia Howe and Susan Williams submitted to the board a progress report regarding their work as the Task Force on After Pastor Care (everything before Rev. Jennifer Brooks). They have worked tirelessly on this report and we look forward to reviewing it and sharing it at some time in the future.

If you have not yet purchased a copy of Rev. Cooley’s book, Transforming Conflict, copies ($22 each) will be available in Beach Hall after Sunday services.  Rev. Terasa has suggested that we add this to our Summer reading lists.

Consider joining other congregants, lay leaders, and staff at our Labor Day Retreat. This fun-filled multi-generational gathering in Hocking Hills has been a part of our church liturgical year for over two decads. Come enjoy nature, down-time, conversation, community, and an amazing talent show. You can register here.

Happy Summer!

Your First UU Board of Trustees,

Billy Davidson, Su Ann Farnlacher, Sarah Mayabb, Julie Pinsonneault, Chris Sullivan, and Cindy Whicker

You can still watch the recording of Rev. Marco Belletini’s service of 7/09, “Come Monday,” here –

Additionally, you can watch the 5/28 service, “The Long Road to Connection” here, and watch the recording of the Board Sharing Circle here.

With care, The Hope for Us Team:
Rev. Dr. Samantha Wilson, Rev. Jami Yandle, Rev. Liz Weber, and David Lauth

• 7/16 – Rev. Patricia Shelden
• 7/23 – Rev. Sylvia Howe
• 7/30 – 1st UU ASH (Atheists, Skeptics, Humanists)
• 8/6 – Poetry Service, Su Farnlacher

Monthly Themes

• Summer: Delight
• September: Welcome

Last week we sent 110 letters to voters (thank you to everyone who helped), but there’s still more to do! Ohio has a new Voter ID law, and many voters may not be aware of that. Our Democracy Team is partnering with VoterRiders to get the word out. We’re writing to Ohioans who have voted in the past with forms of ID that are no longer accepted (like utility bills), and sending them information on the new ID requirements and how to contact VoterRiders for help in getting the needed ID. Join us in Beach Hall after the service.

August 8 Special Election: Make a Plan to Vote

Ohio has a special election on August 8. There is one question on the ballot, Issue 1, a constitutional amendment that would:

• Make it harder to pass future amendments: amendments would need 60% of the vote to pass instead of a simple majority
• Make it harder to get future amendments on the ballot: campaigns would need to gather signatures from all 88 counties instead of just 44, and the cure period would be eliminated

Issue 1 is specifically aimed at making it harder to pass the abortion rights amendment that’s expected to be on the November ballot. However, it would affect all future amendments, such as the anti-gerrymandering ballot campaign planned for next year. Many voter rights organizations from the League of Women Voters to the ACLU have come out against Issue 1. As UUs, our fifth principle describes our commitment to the use of the democratic process in our society. We hope you’ll consider how Issue 1 will affect democracy in Ohio, and turn out the polls to make your voice heard.

Make a plan to vote! You have three options:

1. Vote by mail: Request your ballot by August 1. If you do not have a printer, we have absentee ballot request forms at the JAM table. You can vote by mail with the last four digits of your Social Security Number; this is a good option if you do not have the needed ID to vote in person.
2. Vote early in person at your county Board of Elections. (For Franklin County, that is 1700 Morse Rd.) Right now, the hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. (Full list of hours.) You will need a valid photo ID to vote in person.
3. Vote in person on Tuesday, August 8. Check your polling location; it may be different than usual for this election. You will need a valid photo ID to vote in person

Questions? Ask at the JAM table or email contact-democracyandhumanrights@firstuucolumbus.org.

Sign up at this link! There are detailed instructions in the kitchen cabinet, or you can shadow on a morning if you prefer an in-person how-to. Want to know more about what the job entails? Email Christine!

Upcoming summer picnic dates:  7/28, 8/25 and 9/1. Rain Location: Beach Hall. In the event of rain, a notice will be put on the Facebook group, and we’ll fall back to Beach Hall.

Session A: for 6-8years (9am-12noon, Monday 7/31 – Friday 8/4)
Session B: for 9-11years (9am-12noon, Monday 8/7 – Friday 8/11)

• Ongoing: Youth Group Banned Book Library
• 7/28, 8/25, 9/1 Fourth Friday Picnics, Whetstone Playground
• 7/9-7/15 – CER Summer Institute
• 9/2-9/4 – 1st UU Labor Day Retreat

Mondays

• Caregivers Group, 2nd Mondays, 1pm on Zoom
• Chronic Pain, 3rd Mondays, 7pm on Zoom

Tuesdays

• Seniors’ Tai Chi for Balance, 10am
• ASH (Atheists, Skeptics, and Humanists), 4th Tuesdays, 7pm
• Spirit of Life Choir, 6:30pm

Wednesdays

• Sacred Song Circle, 6pm, worship center
• Evening Book Group, 2nd Wednesdays, 7pm
• Daytime Book Group, 4th Wednesdays, 1pm

Thursdays

• Chalice Choir, 7:30 pm
• Continuing Bonds Widowed Group, 1st & 3rd Thursdays, 3:30pm

Fridays

• UU Walkers, Highbanks Metro Park, 9:30am
• Fourth Fridays Picnics in the Park (Whetstone) for summer

Sundays

• Millennial Covenant Group, usually 1st & 3rd Sun
• Reproductive Rights Petition Drive
• Feed and Read Ohio Donation Drop Off

• YWCA Family Shelter: Dinner Volunteers Needed, fourth Fridays
• Young Adult Worship Online, twice monthly: 2nd & 4th Wednesdays