Friday News – September 1, 2023

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Happy September!  

Water communion and our in gathering (i.e., official kick off to the church year) is a little over a week away! We are going to be incredibly busy this fall and we can’t be more excited! We’re continuing plans for an amazing Auction and Fall Festival (including a tailgating room for all my fellow Buckeyes out there!) We’re finalizing class schedules, training class teachers, and finalizing all the myriad details. (Did I mention that we’re a bit excited?!)

Our Fall Engagement Fair will be Sunday, September 17th after the service. This is your one stop shop for all the ways to be involved and participate in this beloved community.  Thank you to all of the group leaders who have already filled out our form to reserve your spot in our catalog and a table for the fair. We can only guarantee a spot for all groups who fill out this form by September 9th, so please rsvp asap.

I hope you all have a wonderful long holiday weekend!

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
  • 1st UU Artists’Exhibit “Being on the Side of Love”  9/1 – 10/9*
  • Music News*
  • Summer Read: Transforming Conflict, by Rev. Terasa Cooley
SUNDAY SERVICES
  • Sunday 9/3 – Labor Day Weekend – Video Service  2023 GA’s “Service of the Living Tradition” from General Assembly
  • Sunday 9/10 –
  • SUMMARY: Upcoming Services
EVENTS
  • Packets and Posters Day
  • Next AUUction Coming Up in the Fall!*
  • Join the Coffee Team!
  • ONE more Fourth Friday Picnic in the Park! – 9/1
  • BREAD:  Life Expectancy Issues & Task Force.
  • Upcoming Auuction 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
UU Art:
Our new exhibit is now hung, and it’s called “Being on the Side of Love.”  Enjoy the members’ and friends’ exhibit in the worship center and gallery, now through Oct 29

How do we show the love, care, welcome, soul feeding, and joy, which keeps us open, healthy and in community? The members and friends of First UU share their art, express what gives them pause, and what feeds their spirits.
Share your expression with us and meet the artists at a
reception September 17, 11:15-1:30 in the Gallery.
Q’s? Deb Baillieul debbsyc@yahoo.com
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
9/03: “Service of the Living Tradition”
From the GA, a video of the Ministries and Faith Development Staff Group invites you to join us at this service where we honor those who have died, recognize those who have completed professional service, and welcome those who have received fellowship, credentialed, or certified status in the past year.

 
 
Upcoming Services Summary
  • 9/10 – Ingathering / Water Ceremony\(All Ages /
  • Multigen (RE Teacher Orientation after 9/10 service)
  • Also, Video of murmuration
  • 9/17 – “Covenant and community”
  • “Is True Forgiveness Possible?”
Monthly Themes
  • 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 The Last Picnic at the Park!
TODAY: 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.
BREAD’s Upcoming Listening Sessions

BREAD (Building Responsibility, Equality, and Dignity—44 interfaith congregation founded by First UU and 10 others) builds the power of the people to solve community problems. In meetings with thousands of community residents, the organization presses targeted decision-makers to implement solutions to those problems.
Every year, BREAD conducts a listening process to surface one new community problem that is added to the organization’s agenda. Dozens of leaders are trained to research that problem and identify proven solutions. Along with identifying solutions, the research committee identifies the appropriate decision-maker(s) in the community with the authority to implement that solution. At the annual Nehemiah Action Meeting, BREAD congregations bring out thousands of people to press those decision-makers for specific commitments. Throughout the following years, BREAD leaders follow up with those officials to ensure that the solutions are implemented.
House Meeting/Listening Sessions occur in all the BREAD congregations to learn what their people’s major concerns are. A democratic process follows to select a new problem for BREAD to address from those surfaced at the listening sessions.
Plan to be a part of First UU’s BREAD Listening Process to get to know others in the church better and to give First UU a voice. Dates for our BREAD Listening Process will appear in next week’s Friday News.

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.

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
Upcoming Jewish Holidays
Kehilat Sukkat Shalom welcomes members of 1st UU to join us for Rosh haShanah and Yom Kippur in the 1stUU Worship Center. Please see dates and times below and on our website at sukkatshalomcolumbus.org.

Rosh haShanah

  • Erev Rosh haShanah: Friday, September 15 – 8-9:30pm
  • Rosh haShanah Morning: Saturday, September 16 – 10am-12:30pm
  • Tashlich Potluck & Shofar Service: Whetstone Park – Casting Pond Shelter House – 4:30pm–sundown (Potluck Sign-up here)

Yom Kippur

  • Kol Nidre: Sunday, September 24 – 8 – 9:30pm
  • Yom Kippur Morning: Wednesday, September 25 – 10am-12:30pm
  • Yizkhor: 12:40 – 2pm
  • Restorative Yoga with Emily Buster @3:30pm
  • Mincha & Neilah @ 5pm –
  • Breakfast & Havdalah – following Neilah (Potluck Sign-up here)
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
  • LAST ONE:  9/1 Fourth Friday Picnics, Whetstone Playground
  • 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