Friday News – August 25, 2023

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Happy Friday!  

We are so excited for the return of our annual All Ages Animal Blessing service this Sunday! We will be celebrating all of our animals, those still with us and those who have crossed the rainbow bridge but remain in our hearts.

You are invited to bring your pets or a photo of those pets who are not comfortable leaving the comfort of their homes. We will also have an altar set up for photos or items from our beloved pets who are no longer with us.

Also – we have scheduled our Fall Engagement Fair for Sunday, September 17th after the service. If you are the leader of a group/class, please fill out this form to reserve your spot in our catalog and a table for the fair.

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
  • Last chance: Make donation to OJPC for artwork from Fussell
  • Calling All 1st UU Artists for upcoming Exhibit – 1st UU Artist Exhibit submissions by 8/27
  • 1st UU Art Exhibit “Being on the Side of Love”  9/1 – 10/9*
  • Music News*
  • Summer Read: Transforming Conflict, by Rev. Terasa Cooley
SUNDAY SERVICES
  • Sunday 8/27 – Animal Blessing (All Ages)
  • Sunday 9/3 – Labor Day Weekend – Video Service “Service of the Living Tradition” from General Assembly
  • SUMMARY: Upcoming Services
EVENTS
  • Packets and Posters Day
  • Next AUUction Coming Up in the Fall!*
  • Join the Coffee Team!
  • 2 more Fourth Friday Picnics in the Park! – 8/25, 9/1
  • BREAD:  Life Expectancy Issues & Task Force.
  • Upcoming Auction Events
  • “Casual Conversation with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim”  9/20
  • Lost & Found at Church.. .PICK UP YOUR STUFF…
  • 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
Calling all 1st UU Artists!! 
REMINDER ARTISTS!!  It’s time to get ready for our fall UU Artists exhibit-“Being on the Side of Love.”  Let’s welcome our new minister and congregation with what we love to do, make art, talk with friends, sing together, walk in nature,  share poetry, read books, solve problems, unite in a cause and more.  Your project drop off deadline is Sunday August 27th.  Make sure your pieces are ready to be hung.  This exhibit will be Sept 1- Oct 29.  Questons? Contact Deb Baillieul 614-697-6968
Justice & Art: Last Chance to Donate … 
 This is your last chance  to look at Jim Fussell’s art-  “Pay It Forward,” He’s a, soial justice activist and incarcerated person.  What do you do 40 years in prison?  Jim paints and donates these to people and organizations so that they can find ways to benefit the community.  Sale of Jim’s paintings will benefit the Ohio Justice and Policy Center.  Take time to read his story—in the Gallery and Worship Center. Show take-down next week LAST CHANCE to make a donation to OJPC and get an original artwork from Jim Fussell
Q’s? contact Deb Baillieul debbsyc@yahoo.com
MUSIC NEWS! 

Do you enjoy singing? Maybe you’ve thought many times about being a part of one of our choirs? There are several opportunities coming up just for you!

Our choirs will begin their regular seasons in late August, and while it’s never too late to join, this is a great time to do so (or to return if you’ve taken a break for awhile!). Spirit of Life Choir rehearses on Tuesdays, 6:30-8:00 pm in the Worship Center. Their first rehearsal is Tuesday, August 29. This rehearsal will actually begin with a potluck at 6:00 pm: a chance for returning members to catch up and new and interested members to meet and greet others. Chalice Choir rehearses on Thursdays, 7:30-9:30 pm in the Worship Center. Their first rehearsal is Thursday, August 31 and will also begin with a potluck in Beach Hall at 6:30 pm. EVERYONE is welcome in both of these choirs, regardless of your experience or ability to read music. Just come with an open mind and a willing voice and heart!

There will be a very exciting special opportunity for our youth to sing in our first-ever Youth Pop-Up Choir. This will be held on Sunday, Oct. 15 and will be similar to a Summer Pick-Up Choir experience: youth should show up at 9:00 am to the Worship Center and will learn on the spot a song to sing during the 10 am service. I sincerely hope you will come be a part of this inaugural event!

Finally, we will be announcing our First UU Concert Series dates in the coming weeks, so check this news for updates. Concerts will include performances by the Carpe Diem String Quartet, the Jake Reed Jazz Trio, singer-songwriter Katy Oberle, and even our own fabulous pianist Nathan Hamm! Dates will be announced soon.

If you have any questions about our musical offerings, please do not hesitate to reach out to our Director of Music, Brandon Moss (bra…@firstuucolumbus.org).
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.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.
SUNDAY SERVICES
8/27: “Animal Blessing Service”
We celebrate all the animals in our life, all those who have or are currently bringing joy to our lives. Bring your animal or a photo. We will also honor those pets that are no longer with us, so please bring photos to place on our altar.

                 

 
Upcoming Services Summary
  • 8/27 – Service: Annual Animal Blessing Service All Ages
  • 9/3 – Labor Day Weekend Video Svc: “Service Of The Living Tradition” from UUA.

Monthly Themes

  • August:  Summer: Delight
  • September: League of Women Voters
UPCOMING EVENTS
Democracy & Human Rights & Health Care Teams
This Sunday is Packets and Posters Day. Get geared up for Voter Registration! Democracy & Human Rights and the Healthcare teams will be registering voters for the November 7th election. We will assemble voter registration packets and make Register to Vote posters. We can sign you up to register voters. The LWV voter registration training video is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70Wqepg28Rg When we work together, we win.
Remember:  On November 7, 2023, voters will decide on the Right to Make Reproductive Decisions Including Abortion Initiative, which would amend the Ohio Constitution to provide that each individual has the right to make and carry out one’s own reproductive decisions. Also voters will decide on a Marijuana Legalization Initiative. If approved, it would make Ohio the 24th state to legalize marijuana for recreational or personal use.
Next AUUCTION Coming Up! 
HaUUnted First UU Fall Festival and Auction will start in just two months. Do you own a business or patronize a business that would like some new customers? We are busy soliciting donations from local Clintonville businesses, but we UUs live everywhere. Local merchants have donated gift cards, meals, services, and goods. If you would like to make a business donation or can secure one, please send us the details at auction@firstuucolumbus.org. In the meantime, start again thinking which of your summer activities would make an interesting excursion, tasty dinner, or other offering for the 2023 Auction.  Look for more information coming soon in the mail.

AUUCTION TEAM NEEDS SOME HELP:   

The Auction Team is seeking a volunteer to provide short-term tech support for this year’s auction. Your assistance will help us smoothly manage the online auction platform, troubleshoot any tech issues, and ensure a seamless experience for both donors and bidders.
What we need:

  • Assist team members with setting up and managing the online auction platform.
  • Troubleshoot technical glitches or issues that may arise during the event
  • Provide quick and effective solutions to ensure the auction runs smoothly.
  • Collaborate with our team to ensure a user-friendly and efficient online bidding process.

If you are interested in contributing you tech skills to this years auction, please contact Andi an…@firstuucolumbus.org  Thanks!
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!
Fourth Friday 2 Last Picnics at the Park!
TODAY: 8/25 plus  9/1. 
*Over the summer months our regular spaghetti dinner shifted to a BYO picnic. Meet us at the lower playground picnic area in Whetstone park only two more times–today &  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 (what’s left of) summer evening with First UU friends!

After today’s picnic, ONE MORE Upcoming summer picnic date:  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.
Before the pandemic, BREAD was shocked to find out that in certain neighborhoods in Franklin County, people were dying 27 YEARS earlier than in others. We needed to find the root causes for this gap so we met with agencies that interact with older adults like COAAA, Office on Aging, & Lifecare Alliance and found that there needed to be more coordination among agencies.
  • Franklin County Health Commissioner Joe Mazzola agreed to work with us on a Life Expectancy Task Force and we continue to make progress!
  • This collaboration with Health Works Franklin County has helped engage stakeholders across the county as we helped shape HealthMap 2022 which is the latest community health assessment.  This tool can now be used to draw more attention to these disparities and focus on four health priorities that rose to the top.
  • One of these priority areas highlights how access to basic needs like affordable housing, education, and health care are all social determinants of health.  BREAD is already pushing for solutions to many of these issues so when we win justice, we are literally saving lives!
  • BREAD has also pushed for an immediate solution to help people in zip codes with the lowest life expectancy.  We had to somehow get services to older adults who were most in need, many of whom make frequent calls to 911, sometimes for very preventable things.
  • We learned about a pilot program called SPARC (Specialized Program Assessing Resource Connectivity) where paramedics and social workers from the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging team up to visit those callers and connect them to services.  It was doing amazing work, the only problem was that they only had ONE social worker at the time.  So BREAD pushed for more support and the Columbus Fire Department’s SPARC team has grown from 1 to 4 social workers!  Since 2019, SPARC has helped over 4,700 people!  Columbus Fire estimates the program has helped reduce frequent 911 calls by over 10,000!  By freeing up paramedics for other emergencies, we are ensuring that factors like the ones outlined in our health assessment can lead to better outcomes.

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.

MM17:  True Comfort Food                                         TODAY: 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
9/20: Casual Conversation With Ven. Pomnyun Sunim  
Dear Friends,
I had the fortune of attending one of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim’s talks several years ago and really enjoyed his views, demeanor and wisdom so I wanted to pass this invitation along to you. I hope you will consider attending. This is for anyone of any spiritual background (including none.) Feel free to bring friends or family members. Please note, though, that to make sure that there is enough space for all, they ask that you register with the link below.
Wishing you all good health and happiness.
Peace, Sheila Jacquart You are invited! “Casual Conversation with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim” on September 20th at First Unitarian Universalist Church is free to the public.
Ven. Pomnyun Sunim is one of the most respected public figures in South Korea.
He shares his wisdom & helps bring new insights on life to millions of South Koreans.
He has held numerous public talks and wrote many best-selling books, helping people lead happier lives.
Please join us and ask any questions you have about life.

When: Fri 9/20, 7:00 PM

Where: 1st Unitarian Universalist Church (Beech Hall)
93 W Weisheimer Rd
Columbus, OH 43214

Registration: http://bit.ly/talk920
Lost & Found at Church! 
The  Coat closet is beset with a bunch of stuff that needs to be in its rightful home!!! COME & GET IT!! 
If you think you may have left something here at church, please look in the Lost & Found area in the coat room!! Every 2 or 3 months, all unclaimed articles are taken to Volunteers of America.  We just do not have storage space to keep items for months.  Check out the coat room to see if your missing object is there!!   Thank you…
Annual 1st UU Labor Day Retreat Time! 

Labor Day Retreat: Sat Sept 2 – Mon Sep 4 at camp Oty’Okwa in beautiful Hocking Hills. SIGN UP by SUN AUG 20 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 here  

We hope you can join us at our Annual Multi-Generational Labor Day Retreat.
SIGN UP by SUN AUG 20 so we can give the camp a count for food.
Join Rev Terasa Cooley, fellow congregants, and some of our board members There will be hikes, sing-a-longs, campfires, a talent show, worship, happy hour, and PEEK! We’ll gather from Saturday, September 2nd for lunch, until Monday morning after breakfast, at Camp Oty’Okwa in Hocking Hills.

You can register here: Register for the Labor Day Retreat
More info Labor Day Retreat – First Unitarian Universalist Church (firstuucolumbus.org)

Costs have increased at the camp but we will do our best to assist folks who need financial help.

Take Care, Patricia Boughton                             
Event Calendar Summary
  • Ongoing: Youth Group Banned Book Library
  • 8/25, 9/1 Fourth Friday Picnics, Whetstone Playground
  • 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
  • 8/25, 9/1 Fourth Friday Picnics, Whetstone Playground
  • 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