Friday News – September 13, 2024

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Happy Friday!

It was so wonderful to see so many people and such great energy last Sunday! Our Nouurish service is off to a great start and the traditional service was rockin’! Clearly people are excited about the new church year to come. In this newsletter you’ll see lots of opportunities for you to engage with us in ways both playful and deep. If you need some help in figuring out how you might like to get involved please talk to Rev. Kelli or myself. We’re always happy to make suggestion based on your interests. Don’t wait to be invited! Just dive right in!

Rev. Terasa

Developmental Minister

Upcoming Events

This Sunday:

9:15am: Nouurish Service

Featuring The Invitation by Isla Farris

Presented by members of the Alternative Worship Team

Christine Davidson, Myra Hartmann, Kristen Hartmann,

and by Members of the First UU Community

11am Traditional Service: “Radical Hospitality”

Presented by Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley

and Rev. Meg McGuire

We all want a place where we can feel known and part of a community. How can we be a congregation that welcomes all, both friend and stranger?

We will be serving hot breakfast between the services at 10am.

Coffee and tea will be available after the service.

Community Bingo is Back

with Cash Prizes!

TONIGHT Friday September 13, 6:30pm

18+ only, Child care provided

Join us in Beach Hall for an exciting evening of Bingo!

For just $25, you can enjoy a full night of fun and the chance to win big.

Concessions are available at reasonable prices: Indulge in walking tacos, snacks, and treats available for $2–3 each to satisfy your cravings.
Interested in helping make it happen? We would love your help with Concessions, Game support, and Checkins! Email Andi to help make our Fundraising efforts a success!

Pathways to Membership

TOMORROW, Saturday September 14, 9–1

(Optional continental breakfast at 8:30)

It’s not too late – even if you didn’t sign up, you can still join us tomorrow for our First Pathways to Membership class of the 2024–25 Church year! If you are curious about the many ways you can engage in community here at First UU, this class is a great starting point. While we will provide you with an opportunity to become a member, there is no obligation to join.
Register Now

Ohio Feminist Art Museum (OFAM) Concert:

Tret Fure, folksinger/songwriter

TOMORROW, September 14, doors open at 4pm,

Concert begins at 6pm

JOIN US for an afternoon/evening of MUSIC and ART!
The Ohio Feminist Art Museum (OFAM) is hosting a concert at the First Unitarian Universalist Church featuring folk singer/songwriter and Women’s Music icon, Tret Fure! We are also hosting an art gallery exhibit featuring 5 artists: Debb Cusick, Lisa Morris, Evangelia Philippidis, Melissa Thompson, and April Sunami. Meet the artists, enjoy the art exhibits; sample food and drinks, and socialize from 4:00pm – 6:00pm. The concert featuring Tret begins at 6:00pm.
Tickets are available on the OFAM Website for $10–$50.

Food and drinks will be available for purchase during the event from 4:00pm – 7:00pm.

Artists Reception: What Matters

September 15, 12:15–1:30pm

What Matters? Come and Meet First UU’s Artists and find out. Tell us what matters to you. Join us for conversation, snacks and art on Sunday Sept 15 after the second service.

Image: “A Preschooler’s guide to Hocking Hlls”, by Becca Fredin, currently on display in the Worship Center.

From the Staff & Board

Upcoming Governance Meetings

Finance Committee: September 18, 7–9pm

Board of Trustees: September 25, 7–9pm

All members are welcome! Email using the links above to request a zoom link.

Announcing First UU’s Concert Series 2024–2025
We are pleased to announce First UU’s Concert Series 2024-25! This year’s offerings include a diverse set of concerts from singer-songwriters and cover artists to chamber music and local choirs, as well as our continuing relationship with the world-renowned Carpe Diem String Quartet. Check out this year’s Concert Series brochure for dates, times, and admission/donation information. We hope to see you at one (or all!) of our concerts!

Join us for the First UU of Columbus

Engagement Fair Series

This year we will host 4 events to help you connect with meaningful opportunities in our community:

Sunday, September 22 we will kick off the series with the Religious

Exploration Engagement Fair. Explore programs that promote spiritual growth and learning for all ages.

September 29 the Groups Engagement Fair, offers a chance to discover First UU groups that align with your passions and interests.

Stay tuned for more information on all 4 events!

We invite you to complete our Community Volunteer Questionnaire, to find volunteer opportunities that fit your skills, interests, and availability. We hope everyone in our community can find ways to contribute that are both fulfilling and impactful.

We look forward to seeing you and helping you deepen your connection with First UU! Thank you for being a valuable part of our community,

Justice & Volunteering

Eggcellent Volunteer Opportunity

The Breakfast Team is looking forward to cooking once again this year. We are looking for some folks to join in the fun. Do you:

1 – Enjoy making people happy? (everyone is happy when you make them breakfast)

2 – Not mind showing up early one Sunday a month. (Each cooking team cooks once per month)

Send Cliff a message for more info!
Image by Erika Varga from Pixabay

Connect with Caring Cards

The Caring Team encourages you to sign the Caring Cards each Sunday. They will be available at the Caring Table in Beach Hall after the first service and will remain on the table for signing until after the second service. If you would like to receive a caring card, or if you know someone who would, please fill out the Joys and Sorrows form found on our website under the Connections Menu.

Image by Mediamodifier from Pixabay

Dine to Donate to the School for Young Children (SYC) Scholarship Fund
September 20, 11am–8pm

City Barbeque at 2111 W Henderson Rd

25% of your meal price will be donated to SYC if you participate in the Dine-To-Donate program with City Barbeque next friday. You can RSVP and Receive instructions on the GroupRaise Website.

SYC’s Next Dine to Donate event event is October 17, and Save the Date for the SYC Scholarship Auction on November 16!

Classes & Groups

Registration is now open for the

Living the Pledge to End Racism 2-day Workshop

Saturdays October 5 & 12, 2024

10am–5pm
Register Now
This curriculum was developed by First UU Richmond members as they sought to transition from reading and talking about how to end racism to taking intentional actions. Come learn and commit to the work with others in our congregation!

The training consists of 6 modules, and each requires about an hour of preparation ahead of time for participants, either reading or watching videos. This class provides an academic framework to help us examine our experiences with and about racism in our lives and in our society. Email questions to the Living The Pledge Leaders.

Navigators USA Scouting

Join the Navigators USA scouting troop, Chapter 147, based here at First UU for family friendly scouting with UU values. Meetings for September are:

Sunday, September 15, 1–2:30pm, ~1 mile hike at Blendon Woods Metro Park

Sunday, September 22, 1–2:30pm Badge work at First UU

There is a cost of $55 per child, with a family maximum of $160, however no family will be turned away due to finances. Meetings generally follow the schedule: 1st Sunday of the month: Fun & Games, 2nd Sunday: optional hike, 3rd Sunday: badge work.

Our Fall Camping Trip is Friday Sept 27 – Sunday Sept 29 at Alum Creek State Park. Our scout year runs from September 2024 through May 2025 and we will have other great scouting activities throughout the year while the kids earn badges, learn skills, and HAVE FUN!

Email us for more information or Check us out on Facebook – We hope to see you there!

Celebrate 10 years with us!

Sacred Song Circle has been singing for 10 years at First UU! Join us for singing and a dutch-treat dinner at Olive and Lime on October 2. We will gather in the worship center to sing at 6pm and will immediately walk across the parking lot to enjoy food and fellowship.

Caregivers Group Reconvenes

Monday, October 7, 7pm (Online only)

It is with great pleasure that we announce that the Caregivers Group will begin meeting again. Many thanks to Rev. Sylvia Howe for starting the group – Clare Fried will now be facilitating this monthly meeting. The group is open to anyone providing care to a loved one and to those who have done so in the past who would like to share their life stories. We will meet each month on the first Monday, beginning October 7.Please email Clare Fried or Rev. Kelli with questions or to request a zoom link.

Dinner & Conversation

Sign up to enjoy Dinner & Conversation with fellow First UUers! Quarterly potluck groups of 6–8 members meet in participants’ homes once per month to have a good time and get to know each other. Attendees commit for one quarter at a time and negotiate the meeting dates and times among themselves. The host organizes the dinner and picks a topic for conversation!

 

This sign up is for the fourth quarter of 2024, October, November, December. Please contact Marcia Canter by Friday, September 27 at noon if you want to participate.

Image from Pixabay
This sign up is for the fourth quarter of 2024: October, November, and December. Please contact Marcia Canter by Friday, September 27 at noon to participate.
Photo by Valeria Reverdoon Unsplash

Senior Gathering – Final RSVP Due

RSVP September 22, 2024!

Attention Senior Members!!! Help kick off the new church year by attending the Senior Gathering on Thursday, September 26. We will join together at 10:30am in Beach Hall for muffins/quick breads, fruit, coffee, and tea. A program will be provided from 11am to 12noon. RSVPs are due by September 22, 2024!Send an email to Marilyn Beerman or leave her a voicemail. Hope to see you there!

Community News & Events

Around the Corner

  • Sun 9/15: Fall Religious Exploration classes & activities begin
  • Sun 9/22: Engagement Fair Weekend 1 – Religious Exploration
  • 9/22 & 10/13 Rising Young Adults (RYA!) (2nd & 4th Sundays)
  • Tue 9/24: Expressive Worship
  • Tue 9/24: Atheists Skeptics Humanists (ASH)
  • Sat 9/28: All Soles Contra & Square Dance (See more)
  • Sun 9/29: Engagement Fair Weekend 2 – Groups
  • Mon 9/30: SYC Author Talk, Kelsie Olds. “You Need Me and I Need Space”
  • Wed 10/2: Sacred Song Circle 10-year Celebration Dinner
  • Friday 10/4: First Friday Spaghetti Dinner
  • Sat 10/5 & 10/12: Living the Pledge to End Racism Workshop (Register Now)
  • Sun 10/6: Trans Allies and Families Support Group
  • Sun 10/6: Trans and Gender Non-Conforming Support Group for Teens
  • Fri 10/11: Community Bingo Night
  • Sun 10/13: Carpe Diem String Quartet Concert
  • Sun 10/20: Artists Reception “Going Wild”
  • Tue 10/22: Expressive Worship
  • Tue 10/22: Atheists Skeptics and Humanists (ASH)

These are some of the additional events you can look forward to in the next few weeks! If your group is open to drop-ins or you are currently seeking new members, email Becca to add your event info.

Family Activities

Many Classes Start this Week!

  • 9:15am-10am Nouurish Worship Service (sanctuary)
  • 10-10:30am Breakfast, and Coffee until 11am (A/B, Beach Hall)
  • 10:30am-12:30pm Infant and Toddler Care (room 101)
  • 10:30am-12:30pm OWL 10-11yr Family Orientation / First Class (404)
  • 10:30am-12:30pm OWL 13-14yr Parent / Caregiver Orientation (302)
  • 11am-12:15pm Coming of Age Teen Orientation / First Class (401)
  • 11am-12:15pm Building Your World MS/HS (301)
  • 11am-12noon Standard Worship Service – elementary children not in OWL start here, then head to class after Time for All Ages (sanctuary)
  • 11:15am-12:15pm (after story until service ends) 3-6yr Spirit Play (102)
  • 11:15am-12:15pm (after story ’til service ends) 7-10yr Spirit Play (201)
  • Coffee and Snack after the service (Beach Hall, A/B)
  • 12:30-1:00pm Peace Pals Choir 5-10yrs (sanctuary)
  • 1:15pm Navigators Scouting Hike (offsite: Blendon Woods)

Classes Begin This Week! Are You Signed Up?

If you haven’t yet, please register your children and youth today!

Interested in Volunteering?

Autumn is a great time to start! Fill out this form, or email Amber if interested!

  • Explore UU values through games with our middle and high schoolers
  • Support our teens as they explore their beliefs in Coming of Age
  • Build confidence and access to vital information in Our Whole Lives
  • Nurture young community values and collaboration in Spirit Play