There will be no classes during the service – both so that younger siblings can come celebrate their family’s grads – and in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week. The whole congregation is invited to help celebrate our classroom volunteers by writing thank you notes and crafting after the service. See you there!

You can make a difference in the lives of our young people by volunteering with our programs for children and teens! Email me to be part of the team next fall.

Amber Scott

Director of Religious Exploration

Pathways to Membership Class

Sunday, May 4, 9am–1pm

It’s not too late to join the next Pathways to Membership class! We will explore various paths to involvement at First UU and connect you with groups and other members who share similar interests.

There is no obligation to become a member. We invite everyone who has questions or is looking to find points of connection.

Body Wisdom Wednesdays: Mindful Movement Practice

Beginning May 7, 6:45–8:30pm

1st & 3rd Wednesdays

Offered sliding scale, by Whitney Dawn Pyles! Please register if able, suggested donation $15–$40 per class. Join us for an evening of somatic exploration to cultivate a kinder relationship with the body, nervous system, and self. Mindful Movement supports presence, engages curiosity, invites expression, and encourages connection. In a world that often pulls us away from ourselves and one another, this is a chance to pause, move, and remember that healing, play, and community are all still available to us.

Sidewalk Talk Listening Skills Training and Bus Tour

Friday May 9

12–2pm Free Training – First UU

4–7pm Listening Stop outside 815 North High Street

7pm Potluck for Listeners at First UU

The “Sidewalk Talk” Listening and Bus tour will be in Columbus May 9! In a world filled with noise, listening is radical. Sign up for a free 2-hour immersive class to explore the art of heart-centered listening through a mix of science, story, and sidewalk-tested practices. The Class listening skills training is from 12–2pm here at First UU, and you can sign up to Listen from 4-7pm outside 815 N High St.

Public conversation project, Sidewalk Talk, is on a nationwide bus tour, and stopping in Columbus May 9. We will be hosting their listening skills training from 12 -2pm and all are welcome to attend.

Can’t Attend? You can still support the project by responding to Share the story of Columbus!

Sign up to listen! Location: 815 N High Street

Join the training at First UU from 12–2

Annual Pledge Campaign

Thank you to everyone who has submitted your FY 26 Pledge Form! We have received 37% of our expected pledge forms, but there’s still time! Submitting your pledge (even if you plan to keep it the same) helps us budget for the upcoming year. It only takes 2 minutes to submit your pledge in Realm or on First UU’s Website. We appreciate all you do to help us live into our shared values!

We Need YOU for Rummage!

• Can you help sort, price, or place rummage items, or pick up items to deliver to the church?
• Want to help but can’t lift heavy things? We need pricers, helpers to direct traffic, and information booth workers during the sale!
• Missing your good old days in retail? We need Stockers, Cashiers, and lots of helpers on the day of the sale!

Fill out our handy dandy Signup Formor email our Rummage Team to join the team!

Take Action at the

B.R.E.A.D Nehemiah Action!

Tuesday, May 13, 6:40pm

Do you feel you can’t make a difference in social justice issues? Join B.R.E.A.D. at the Nehemiah Action! We need your support to urge our elected officials to back real solutions to community problems.

Without strong attendance at the Nehemiah Action, we may miss opportunities to meet with officials and achieve our goals. Please come to show our support for this important work. B.R.E.A.D. RISES!

First UU Christian Fellowship

May 5: wrap up current study

1st and 3rd Mondays, 6:30-8:00 on Zoom

Join this Bible study and discussion group that meets twice a month on Zoom. Our current study is “Faith Working Thru Love: Discover Biblical Wisdom about a Christian Ethic of Work” from N.T. Wright. This is a free, online study. All are welcome!

White Fragility Book Group

Tuesdays, May 6, 20 & 27 from 7–8:30pm

Join us in discussing White Fragility: Why it’s so hard for white people to talk about racism by Robin Diangelo. Many copies are available through the Columbus Metropolitan Library. Read the book in April and join us to discuss it in May. We can talk about racism even if it is hard!

Register online or by signing up at coffee hour. Please join us! Facilitators are Linda Loesch and Rev. Kathleen Fowler.

Senior Gathering

May 8, 10:45am–1pm

Attention Senior Members! Please plan to attend the Senior Gathering on Thursday, May 8, 2025. Music and program will begin at 10:45am in the Worship Center, followed by a full lunch in Beach Hall. A vegetarian option is always provided; we are sorry we cannot accommodate other dietary restrictions. Email your RSVP by May 4!

Second Wednesday Book Club

Choose your own Science Book! May 14, 7pm

Free Online Lecture Series: Minns Lectures

May 8 & 14, June 14 (RSVP Online)

Minns Lectures are an annual series of lectures on religious topics conducted under the auspices of the Minns Lectures Committee, whose membership is composed of ministers and members of First Church Boston and King’s Chapel in Boston.

This April-June, 2025 Minns Lecture Series is features vibrant conversations with several innovative thinkers to tell new stories about UU history, from the Civil War to today. For a three-lecture series “Deconstructing Mythologies of Unitarian Anti-Racism” by Rev. Dr. Wayne Arnason, Rev. Lisa Friedman, and Rev. Dr. Mark Morrison-Reed or a two-part discussion and clip screening of the feature documentary Why Are You You about Young Religious Unitarian Universalists (YRUU) with filmmakers from Linden Tree Productions, we hope you’ll RSVP to join online by Zoom or in-person in St. Paul, MN on April 30, Rochester, NY on May 8, Boston, MA May 14 and June 14, or at General Assembly in Baltimore, MD.

This Sunday, May 4th!

9:15am-10am Nouurish Multigenerational Service (sanctuary)

10-10:30am Breakfast, and Coffee until 11am (A/B, Beach Hall)

10:30am-12:30pm Infant and Toddler Care (101)

*No Classes Today: HS Grad Recognition & Teacher Appreciation Week!

11am-12noon Youth-Led Service & Bridging Ceremony (sanctuary) 12noon-1:00pm Snack and Coffee (Beach Hall, A/B)

12:30-2:00pm Trans & Gender Non-Conforming Teens (library)

12:30-2:00pm Families, Allies, Parents/Caregivers of Trans & GNC (302)

12:30-1:00pm Peace Pals choir, 5-12yrs (sanctuary)

1:00-2:30pm Navigators Scouting meeting, 5-18yrs (201, playground)

Help needed: seeking volunteers to work w/ kiddos and teens, this year and next!

Register Now for Peace Camp in August!

We can’t wait to see you this summer! More info, and registration here!

• Session A: for 6-8 years, Monday 7/28 – Friday 8/1, 9am-12noon
• Session B: for 8-11 years, Monday 8/4 – Friday 8/8, 9am-12noon