Friday News – June 6, 2025

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Dear First UU,

As our church year comes to a close and your board and staff are reporting back to you the congregation at our annual meeting this Sunday, there is some big news I want to share with you.

I am so grateful for you! I could not have asked for a better community in which to work, grow, and learn during the past 8 years, nor for a warmer welcome for my family. And, over the course of this spring, I have realized that at this time in my life, I long to take some years away from paid work to focus on my children.

I will be bringing my work at First UU to a close by the end of August. In the fall, we will have a good-bye gathering. I will miss you all terribly – and we still have some time to wrap things up and say our goodbyes. I have great faith that you will continue our vital work for justice and anti-racism!

Rev. Amanda Hays

Justice Minister

Upcoming Events

First UU Rummage Sale IS HERE!!!

TODAY IS DOUBLE DOLLAR DAY! Noon–8pm

Members & Friends only – you have the opportunity to get first pick on all the treasures – for only twice the price! Come get it before it’s gone!

TOMORROW June 7, 8am–3pm: Rummage Sale Open to Public

Come one come all to this exciting and fun fundraising event.

Email our Rummage Team with questions.
Do you need a Monk’s chair (both a table and a chair!), a St. Francis Statue? A prie-dieu, a church pew? A complete set of 1956 Encyclopedia Britannica? Really cool solid wood furniture? Books? Bookshelves? A complete, very-good condition White Treadle sewing machine? Toys? Come to rummage! Lots of wonderful finds!

Donations needed

for Rummage’s Bake Sale!

Drop off your Baked Goods any time TODAY!

(Items will be sold tomorrow)

Please label your cookies, single-serve treats, pies or cakes with your name. email/cell phone, and ingredients / allergens. Drop them off in First UU’s kitchen any time on June 6 (Double Dollar day for members and friends!) We will package and price them for sale on June 7!

Last rummage bake sale was a huge success due to the great goodies that were donated. Email Pat Hoffman with any questions!

Annual Meeting This Sunday!

Sunday, June 8 after worship

Please plan to attend this important event where we will review the prior church year, vote to pass the budget, and elect new lay leadership. Come engage in the democratic process! (There will be snacks and cake.)

This Sunday, June 8

9:15 Light Continental Breakfast

9:15 Summer Short Session:

Sacred Song Circle

10:00am Worship Service

Summer RE is In Session

Toddler care available at 9:30am

“200 Years of Religious Free Thought”

This year we celebrate the 200th anniversary of the founding of the American Unitarian Association. We will look at how our values have been manifest during that time.

Presented by

Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley

Tonight! First Friday Picnic in the Breezeway

6:30PM – Bring your picnic and join the fun!

We are still doing First Friday dinners over the summer, but for dinner, each family will bring their own picnic and we will eat outside, weather permitting. Come early to shop Rummage Sale and compare your finds over dinner!
Gather with friends and family for delightful evenings filled with laughter, good works, and the beauty of the great outdoors. (but with access to the church’s restrooms nearby. )

  • 6:30pm bring your own picnic
  • 7:00pm Write Postcards & Craft Protest Signs with the Democracy & Human Rights Team

There will be no First Friday gathering in July, due to Independence day. Join us again on August 1!

Book Group – Children of the Same God:

The Historical Relationship Between Unitarianism, Judaism, & Islam

Tuesdays throughout June from 7-8:30 PM, room 302
Rev. Susan J. Ritchie makes the groundbreaking historical argument that long before Unitarianism and Universalism merged in the United States, Unitarianism itself was inherently multi-religious. RSVP to join the class, and check out the Discussion Guide! Order a copy new via the UUA bookstore ($14 + shipping), or get the ebook ($10) or a used print copy ($4-$13) via Amazon.

  • June 10th – Chapter 2
  • June 17th – Chapter 3
  • June 24th – Chapter 4 and Conclusion

Stonewall Pride March Sign-ups

Pride Festival: June 13 & June 14

Pride March: June 14 10:30am–2pm

First UU will once again participate in the Stonewall Pride March and festival in the park! The march is Saturday June 14th! Marchers must gather for step-off by 10:30, and we’re usually moving from about 12:30 to 2pm. Please sign up to march!

Booth shifts are Friday June 13th: 3pm-7 and 6-10pm and Saturday June 14th: 10:30am-2:30pm(biggest need) 2-6pm, and 5:30-9:30pm. If you are interested in staffing the booth, please email Christine or sign up in Beach Hall on Sunday.

If you’re not able to attend, but would like to support the efforts, please consider donating bottled water, jugs of water, bags of non-melting candy, and snacks for the marchers. Bring them to the church office at any time!

Around The Corner

  • 6/8 First UU Annual Meeting
  • 6/10, 6/17, 6/24 Book Group, Children of the Same God: The Historical Relationship Between Unitarianism, Judaism, and Islam
  • 6/11 Vespers at Westerwood
  • 6/13-14 Columbus Stonewall Pride March and Booth
  • 6/15 Anti-Racist Allies Monthly Lunch Outing (Drelyse)
  • 6/16–20 First UU Main Offices Closed (UUA General Assembly)
  • 6/18 Barcelona! Travelogue Screening (with Bill & Jane Miller)
  • 6/18 Finance Committee (RSVP)
  • 6/18 Body Wisdom Wednesdays: Meditative Movement + Dance (Register to attend, Childcare Available with additional RSVP)
  • 6/20–22 Camping at Delaware State Park
  • 6/21 All Soles Contra & Square Dance (more)
  • 6/21, 8/2, 9/13 Ohio Roller Derby Home Games (offsite)
  • 6/24 Atheists, Skeptics, Humanists
  • 6/25 Board of Trustees (RSVP)
  • 6/26 Expressive Worship (Now on the 4th Thursday!)
  • 6/29 Summer Choir Sunday (9am practice, same day performance!) (Also on 7/6, 8/3, and 8/10. All are welcome, no experience needed!)
  • 6/30 BREAD Network Member Celebration (6pm at Noor Islamic Center,5550 Britton Parkway)
  • 7/4–7/11 First UU Main Office Closed (July 4, CER Summer Institute)

Weekly events:

  • Tai Chi for Balance (Tuesdays, 10am)
  • Sacred Song Circle (Wednesdays, 6pm)
  • Co-Working Space (Fridays, 9:30am)

Save the Date:

  • Sundays, August 10–August 24 “Responding to the Anti-Trans Movement for UU’s” RSVP

Planning ahead? Check our online calendar for additional events!

From First UU Leadership

Meet your Nominees!

The Nominating Committee is pleased to present our slate of candidates for election at the Annual Meeting on Sunday, June 8. These members have been selected based on their demonstrated commitment to our congregation and values.

We will vote on the following candidates:
Moderator

  • Charles Williams

Board of Trustees

  • Bill Fiorini (3-year Term)
  • Kristen Hartmann (3-Year Term)
  • Tara Mullins-Cosme (2-year Term)
Nominating Committee (3 to be elected for a 2-year term)

  • Matt Hollander
  • Mark Krueger
  • Gabby McDonald
  • Denise Riffle
  • Deborah Weaver
  • Victoria Yanovich
Download this PDF to Learn more about our candidates and the election process!

Summer Fun at First UU:

Complete the Chalice Challenge!
Get ready for a summer of fun, growth, and connection with the Chalice Challenge! Inspired by the spirit of summer reading programs, this all-ages adventure invites you to complete meaningful, joyful, and justice-centered activities to fill lines on your very own bingo card. Whether you’re attending events, exploring nature, creating art, or engaging in acts of kindness, each square offers a new way to live your values and celebrate our vibrant community.

Complete a row, a column—or go for a total cover!—and earn prizes while deepening your connection to yourself, others, and the world. Let the challenge begin! Cards will be available beginning this Sunday, pick one up in the Gallery before or after service.

See Amber Skate: Roller Derby Tickets On Sale!

Tickets are now available for Ohio Roller Derby’s next three games, at Heatwave Arena (a small venue on the edge of Dublin / Plain City), and we expect them to quickly sell out! Join us Saturday, June 21st, August 2nd, and September 13th!

Justice & Volunteering

Connect with our Justice team and other First UU’ers on the Signal App

by joining the First UU Signal Group (app required).

“Beat the Heat” Fan Donation Drive

LifeCare Alliance
LifeCare Alliance announced its 28th annual The Beat the Heat Fan Campaign to benefit Central Ohio’s most vulnerable residents during periods of extreme heat. Each year, First UU has collected New fans to donate to help residents in Central Ohio beat the heat. (Fans must be new-in-box for health & safety reasons). Learn more about how you can help at the LifeCare Alliance website, or reach out to Tom Bailliul.

FILA–Fund for Immigration Legal Assistance

FILA, First UU’s Fund for Immigration Legal Assistance provides assistance for residents of Central Ohio to pay immigration legal and medical expenses. The cost for an initial consultation with an immigration lawyer is around $200, which prevents many from having access to these essential services.

To support our local immigrants, Click the “Donate” button on our web page and choose “FILA Immigration.” Preference for funding is given to DACA-aged young people, parents of families with minor children, and persons who are members of a persecuted group.

Learn more about it at the Jam table on Sunday mornings or email fila@firstuucolumbus.org.

Eco-tip: reuse those bags!

We all know that single-use plastics are a bad idea (in all but a few uses). Did you know that you can reuse those Zip-Loc® type resealable bags? Just turn them inside out and wipe thoroughly with a soapy sponge, rinse, and hang up to dry. It’s possible to get 3, 4, or even 5 uses out of one bag.

 This tip brought to you by First UU’s Eco Justice team. Are you interested in taking action to reduce the environmental impacts on marginal communities caused by human activities? Email Tom Baillieul to join us or make suggestions!

Classes & Groups

Learn more in our Engagement Catalog, and reach out to join!

Body Wisdom Wednesdays:

Meditative Movement + Dance

1st & 3rd Wednesdays

Next Class: June 18, 6:45–8:15pm
Join us for a midweek reset through gentle, guided movement and freeform dance. This accessible, beginner-friendly somatic practice supports connection to body, breath, and nervous system. No experience needed — come as you are, move at your own pace, and leave feeling more grounded, playful, and alive.

Held in Beach Hall or outdoors at the Red Oak playground (weather permitting).

Please register if able, suggested donation $15–$40 per class. Childcare Available (please RSVP).

Contact Whitney Dawn Pyles with questions.

Funeral Consumers Alliance of Central Ohio Book Club

Saturday June 28, 2pm on Google Meet

“Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End”

Joan Matyskella, of FCACO, will be hosting this book club for members of First UU, FCACO, and anyone interested. The first book we will be discussing is called Being Mortal- Medicine and What Matters in the End by Dr. Atul Gawande. Released in 2014, it was praised for its masterful exploration of aging, care at the end of life, and the medical profession’s need to deal with the wishes people might have beyond mere survival. If you’d like to participate, email Joan for the link.

Community News

Camping at Delaware State Park

Fri June 20 – Sun Jun 22
Join other First UU members for camping at Delaware State Park. Communal food, campfire, swimming, & fellowship. Great for everyone! Reserved spots 54-59, $45 for 2 nights.

Contact Patricia Boughton to save a spot!

Meadville Lombard Theological School Free Lecture

June 10th – 6:30 p.m. CT – Virtual Public Lecture – Considering Purity Culture Now: Iterations, Impacts, and Interventions

Meadville Lombard’s virtual programming is free and registration is open to all ~ our lectures, vespers, and presentations are wonderful hours of learning and community.

Read about other light programming from MLTS on their website!

Family Activities

This Sunday, June 8th!

*Families, Teens, and Children Start in the Service Before Class.

Class Ends, & Children Should Be Picked Up Shortly After Service Lets Out*

9:15-9:45am Continental Breakfast and Community Activities (A/B, Beach Hall)

9:30-11:30am Infant and Toddler Care (101)

10-11am Worship Service (sanctuary)

After the Story, Until Service Ends

10:15-11:15ish Early Childhood / Elementary Summer Class (202)*

10:15-11:15ish MS / HS Summer Games Group (A/B, by the kitchen)*

11:00-11:30am Cake! Amber & Rev. Kelli Celebrating 5yrs of Service (Beach)

11:30am-1:30pm Annual Meeting! Member Quorum Required (sanctuary)

Help needed: seeking volunteers to work w/ kiddos & teens starting in September!

Register for Peace Camp!

More Info, & Registration Here!

  • 6-8 years: Mon-Fri, 7/28-8/1
  • 8-11 years: Mon-Fri, 8/4-8/8

Time for All Ages story: Henry Climbs a Mountain, (based on the true story of Unitarian Henry David Thoreau). Written and illustrated by D.B. Johnson.