Friday News – July 21, 2023

•

Happy Friday!

With Tuesday being Marian’s last day in the office, I wanted to take a brief moment and express my gratitude for her and her ministry here at First UU for the past 22 years.

Marian, it has been such a joy working with you these past four years! Your love and commitment to this community was obvious to me from day one. The smile on people’s faces when they come in the front door and see you sitting in your office speaks volumes to what you mean to this community. And that’s not just because you are always eager to help anyone who needed something – it’s because you treat people with dignity and respect. When someone has a question, you don’t pass judgment on them or criticize them for not already knowing the answer.  It is no wonder that your tutoring business is taking off, and we couldn’t be more proud of you. We will miss you. Thank you for all that you’ve done, but most importantly, for who you are.

Friends, please join us Sunday after the service for a farewell gathering. We will have a second farewell gathering early in the fall, so that anyone who may be on vacation now, will still have time to say good bye and give Marian your best wishes.

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.
Announcements at a Glance

* Indicates New or Updated Announcement
CONGREGATIONAL UPDATES
  • Greetings From Your Board of Trustees *
  • Hope For Us Recordings *
  • Summer Read: Transforming Conflict, by Rev. Terasa Cooley
SUNDAY SERVICES
  • This Sunday: Rev. Sylvia Howe – 7/23 at 10am *
  • SUMMARY: Upcoming Services
EVENTS
  • Help a 1st UU Family: Save Community Grounds! *
  • Join the Coffee Team!
  • GA In Under Two Hours! – 7/23 *
  • Fourth Friday Picnics in the Park! – 7/28, 8/25, 9/1
  • Bring Your Friends to Peace Camp!
  • Upcoming Auction Events
  • BREAD: Sign the OneID Petition!
  • Labor Day Retreat @ Hocking Hills 9/2 – 9/4
  • SUMMARY: Events Calendar
CLASSES AND GROUPS
  • SUMMARY: Classes and Groups
WIDER COMMUNITY
  • SUMMARY: Community Events
FAMILY ACTIVITIES
  • Volunteer to Teach Next Year!
  • SUMMARY: Family Events
CONGREGATIONAL UPDATES
Greetings From Your Board of Trustees

First UU Columbus had more attendees at Summer Institute than any other congregation!  We met people from all over the Northeast as UU Mid-Atlantic Camp joined us this year. If you enjoy music and hanging out with interesting UUs, consider joining next year (July 7-13-24).

Our office assistant of 22 years, Marian Garcia, has grown her tutoring business and will be leaving her post on July 25th. Please join us after the service on Sunday in Beach Hall for cake and to wish Marian good luck on her exciting new chapter.

Curious about what happens at GA? What happened with the Article II amendment? What about the Divestment Business Resolution and the Elections? After you get your cake, come to the Worship Center to hear from our GA delegates and learn about how we lived our values through Community, Worship, Governance, and Education while at GA.

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. Teresa has suggested that we add this to our Summer reading lists.

Get ready to join some of your Board members and fellow congregants at our Annual Multi-Generational Labor Day Retreat. Unfortunately, costs have increased. And, we will do our best to assist folks who need financial help. There will be hikes, sing-a-longs, campfires, a talent show, worship, happy hour, and PEEK! We’ll gather from Saturday, September 2 for lunch until Monday morning after breakfast at Camp Oty’Okwa in Hocking Hills. You can register here: Register for the Labor Day Retreat

Your First UU Board of Trustees,

Billy Davidson, Su Ann Farnlacher, Sarah Mayabb, Julie Pinsonneault, Chris Sullivan, and Cindy Whicker
Farewell to our Dear Church Admin,
Marian Garcia
After 22 years of devoted and faithful service to our 1st Unitarian Universalist Church as front office administrator, Marian Garcia has tendered her resignation in order to make her tutoring business full time.

In order to pay her tribute and celebrate her lengthy service, we will have a farewell party, and cake will be served after this Sunday’s service to thank Marian Garcia for her many years of loving hard work as First UU’s administrative expert on duty! Marian is making this change in order to focus on pursuing her tutoring placements full time, and will still be in the building here and there, training new First UU office staff and also tutoring at Red Oak. We plan to hold an additional celebration for Marian sometime in September, so that everyone in the congregation has a chance to express their appreciation and gratitude!
Congregational Summer Read
This summer, many folks in our congregation are reading Transforming Conflict as part of our preparation to do developmental work alongside Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley. Pick up your copy during Coffee Hour!
SUNDAY SERVICES
7/23: “Do You Know a Secret?”
Join us for our Sunday service at 10am on July 23rd. Led by Rev. Silvia Howe our Long-time 1st UU member, and retired UU minister.

Secrets seem to be a natural phenomenon among human beings. Some secrets are vehicles for intimacy. Others are darker and often have painful repercussions for the individuals, groups, and community.
Upcoming Services Summary
  • 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
UPCOMING EVENTS
Help a 1st UU Family: Save Community Grounds!
Tara, Joel, and their children are a treasured part of our church community, and are seeking relief from pandemic debt for their local small business, Community Grounds Coffee and Meeting House. Please consider donating to their campaign, here! Thank you!
First UU Takes Action for Democracy!
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 complex 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.
Join the Coffee Team!
Do you like coffee? How about people? Would you appreciate a low commitment way to get more involved at church? Come be a part of our coffee ministry on Sunday mornings!

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!
GA In Under Two Hours!
Come join your attendees and delegates on Sunday, July 23rd after service (11:30 to no later than 1:30)  to learn about General Assembly and the decisions that we made with hundreds of other UU congregations about divestment and Article II and workshops and worship services. You’ll get to see and discuss snippets of what happened and have a chance to have your questions answered.
Fourth Friday Picnics at the Park!
Over the summer months our regular spaghetti dinner shifts to a BYO picnic. Meet us at the lower playground picnic area in Whetstone park from 5:30-8pm for some laid back socializing. Bring food for yourself, maybe a lawn chair or two, or even a game, and enjoy the (almost) summer evening with First UU friends!

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.
Juvenile Justice
BREAD’s Juvenile Justice campaign has a two-prong approach to keep children in the classroom and out of the court system.  In the Franklin County Juvenile Court, we pressed Judge Elizabeth Gill to strengthen the current Restorative Justice Program in the courts so that more youth benefit from this proven diversion program.  In Columbus City Schools, we continue to push for Restorative Practices training in all schools so that ALL children have an alternative to suspension that builds relationships, teaches accountability, empathy, and repairs harm when it’s caused.  This week we want to share news related to the Franklin County Juvenile Court:
Problem:
BREAD decided to revisit Restorative Justice in the courts because, as we understood it, the results were not what we expected them to be in terms of both the number of circles established and the number of cases heard.
➢     Since Fall 2013, 130 youth have completed the Restorative Justice Program. The original projection from the courts was that they would see hundreds of kids each year.
➢     Restorative Justice Circle volunteers have told us that many of the cases they see are coming from disciplinary incidents in the schools.
Solution:
➢     Judge Elizabeth Gill followed BREAD’s request to have the Restorative Justice Circle Program evaluated by an outside source- the International Institute for Restorative Practices.  The evaluation gave recommendations to help improve the process and strengthen the circles.
➢     Thanks to this evaluation, changes were made to volunteer training.  Judge Gill shared that the IIRP was so impressed with the program, they would like to publish it in their world-wide publication entitled: “Restorative Works.”
➢     This is saving the courts and taxpayers thousands of dollars and ensuring that more children have an opportunity for diversion.

—
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups “announcements” group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to announcements+unsubscribe@firstuucolumbus.org.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/a/firstuucolumbus.org/d/msgid/announcements/000f01d9ba87%240bf6b850%2423e428f0%24%40columbus.rr.com.
BREAD Rises!
Below are the final unsold items for this Friday’s news email under Auction and Fall Festival.  Many spots are still available, and hopefully we can sell a few of these spots.
To read a full description of the remaining auction items STILL FOR SALE, please go to the auction website. If you would like to purchase a spot or spots, please contact the Auction Team.

C1:  Swim & Light Dinner                                            Fri., Aug. 4 at 5 pm
1 spots – $30, offered by Karen Torvik

E10:  Annual Summer Fossil Hike                          Sat., Aug. 12 at 8:30 am
16 spots – $20 per spot, offered by Steve Molk

MM24:  Cajun/Creole Feast                                       Sat., Aug. 12 at 5 pm
14 spots – $35 per spot, offered by Jake Huber & Georgeann Neuzil

MM17:  True Comfort Food                                         Fri., Aug. 25 at 6 pm
1 spot – $45, offered by Pat Snyder & Jane Tessier

C5:  Lake House Retreat for UU Women (Long Weekend)     Sept. 14 – 17
2 spots – $55 per spot, offered by Stewart & Nancy Rafert

E15:  Clintonville Stroll                                         Sun., Sept. 17 at 1:30 pm
12 spots – $15 per spot, offered by Heather Pierson

E5:  Fall Outdoor Labyrinth Walk                               Sat., Sept. 23 at 1 pm
32 spots – $15 per spot, offered by the Saveson-Otten Family

C8:  Bike Ride & Caprese Dinner                                Fri., Sept. 29 at 6 pm
3 spots – $25 per spot, offered by Amanda Hays

MM31:  Afternoon Tea at Mozart’s Cafe                     Fri., Oct. 13 at 1 pm
2 spots – $25 per spot, offered by Stuart & Lynda Smith
Funeral Consumer Alliance of Central Ohio
Board meeting Funeral Consumers Alliance of Central Ohio Wednesday July 26, 2023 at 2 pm in person at First U. U.
Funeral Consumers Alliance table before and after the service Sunday August 6 in Beech Hall.
Bring Your Friends to Peace Camp!
Ask your buddies to sign up now – by filling out our 2023-2024 permission and interest form! We still have space for both weeks! Children on the cusp age wise are welcome to attend either session. Cost: $100 suggested per child.  We still have space for both weeks! Children on the cusp age wise are welcome to
attend either session. Cost: $100 suggested per child.

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)
Summer Choir!
Do you enjoy listening to First UU’s choirs?  The next (and last for the summer) will be Sunday, August 6.  Remember to come for rehearsal at 9:00 am where Michaela Brown will be directing.
Annual 1st UU Labor Day Retreat Time! 
Labor Day Retreat: Sat Sept 2 – Mon Sep 4 at camp Oty’Okwa in beautiful Hocking Hills. Enjoy hiking, group activities, star gazing, campfires, and community for all generations. Plan your talent show act and warm up your voice for the campfire sing-a-long! Sign up now or  Learn more on our website
Event Calendar Summary
  • 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
CLASSES AND MEETUPS
Join the Coffee Team!
Do you like coffee? How about people? Would you appreciate a low commitment way to get more involved at church?  Come be a part of our coffee ministry on Sunday mornings!
Sign up at the link. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805094dacae2ba0f58-coffee1#/. 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 chri…@firstuucolumbus.org
Groups Summary
Click to Email the Group Leader!

Mondays

Tuesdays

Wednesdays

Thursdays

Fridays

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

Sundays
WIDER COMMUNITY
Community Events Summary
General
FAMILY ACTIVITIES
Family Activities This Sunday

Summer RE (Religious Exploration) is happening! Early childhood and elementary aged kiddos are invited to enjoy stories, crafts, and collaborative games focused on play with Jen and Cara. Rising middle and high school aged youth are invited to enjoy self serve board games and art activities in A and B during the service. Reminder that parents / caregivers always need to know the whereabouts of children not being formally supervised in a class.

  • 10-11:30am Toddler Care (rm 101)
  • 10am Worship Service, MS / HS Games and Art in A/B
  • Early / Elementary Summer Class, rm 201-2
  • Coffee Hour, Snack after the service ends

Register for Next Year, and Fill Out Annual Emergency Paperwork Here!

Volunteer to Teach Next Year!

Join the dream team – hanging out with our young people is the most fun you can have on a Sunday morning, and changes lives! We need classroom assistants, leads, and subs for all age groups! Sign up here!

Family Event Summary
  • 7/28, 8/25, 9/1 Fourth Friday Picnics, Whetstone Playground
  • Peace Camp, 7/31-8/4 and 8/7-8/11
  • Potential Blessing of the Backpacks (Back to School), 8/13
  • Animal Blessing. 8/27
  • Labor Day Retreat, 9/2-9/4
  • Holiday Break: No RE (Labor Day Weekend), 9/4
  • Ingathering / Water Ceremony (All Ages, No RE), 9/10
  • Fall RE begins, 9/17