Friday News – June 13, 2025

•

Happy Friday!

It was quite the celebration last Sunday! We celebrated the success of the rummage sale (around $15K at last count!) We celebrated the work of the staff and the Board and Nominating Committee and so many others at the Annual Meeting. What really struck me in this was how appreciative this congregation can be. It’s means a lot to people who have worked hard to hear that applause. And it feels like it is given so freely and exuberantly – not because it’s expected or forced. So I wanted to appreciate your appreciation! It’s the mark of a healthy and considerate congregation.

Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley

Developmental Minister

 

Please note: First UU’s Offices will be closed next week, as many of our staff are attending GA. We will monitor our messages and return your calls as we are able.

Have a wonderful week!

Upcoming Events

Columbus “No Kings” Protest

TODAY! Friday, June 13, 4-7 PM

Ohio Statehouse

Join 50501 and other groups to protest the increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption of the Trump administration this afternoon at the Ohio Statehouse.

While the national “No Kings” day of action is Saturday, June 14, in Columbus that conflicts with the Pride Parade. Columbus 50501 chose todayas an alternative to support the national mobilization.

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!

This Sunday, June 15

9:15 Summer Short Session: Movement Meditation

10:00 DRUUMM Public Worship: “There Will Always Be Dancing”
Through the destruction and the devastation, something enduring resides within us that cannot be stamped out by bigotry, greed, or exploitation. No matter how much injustice we face and the burdens we carry, there will always be movement. There will always be music. There will always be dancing.

This Public Worship Service video produced by DRUUMM (Diverse & Revolutionary Unitarian Universalist Multicultural Ministries) was sponsored by First UU and will be presented during our worship service today.

9:15 Continental Breakfast

Toddler/Infant Care 9:30-11:30am

No Classes Due to Holiday Weekend!

Barcelona! Travelogue Screening

with Bill & Jane Miller! 7 PM Wednesday, 6/18, sanctuary

A visit to Barcelona, featuring the history and buildings of the city, the architecture of Antonio Gaudi, the art of Joan Miró, and lots of Spanish music!

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!

Author Talk 7/1! with Rev. Susan Ritchie

Children of the Same God:

The Historical Relationship Between Unitarianism, Judaism, & Islam

Meeting Tuesdays at 7pm

  • June 17th – Chapter 3
  • June 24th – Chapter 4 and Conclusion
  • Just added: July 1st – Author Talk / Q&A with Rev. Susan Ritchie!

Join the group / RSVP here!

Around The Corner

  • 6/13-14 Columbus Stonewall Pride March and Booth
  • 6/16–20 First UU Main Offices Closed (UUA General Assembly)
  • 6/17, 6/24, 7/1 Book Group, Children of the Same God: The Historical Relationship Between Unitarianism, Judaism, and Islam
  • 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 (Closed)
  • 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

Messages from Your Board

Voting is Open!

Our annual meeting was held last Sunday – Thank you for coming to review the church year with us!

If you weren’t present at the meeting, you are still able to vote! We use OpaVote to carry out and tally our elections by anonymous ballot. All members should have received an email with an individualized voting link on Sunday, June 8 after the meeting. The message came from the address “noreply@opavote.com.”

If you did not receive an email with a voting link, please check your spam, and reach out to us at board@firstuucolumbus.org with the member name and email address to re-issue your ballot.

Please be sure to view the 2025 Candidates and the FY 26 Budget online. Voting will remain open until noon on Sunday, June 15, 2025. Thank you for being active in our beloved Community!

Closed Board Meeting in June

Each year in June, the Board has a meeting to thank Board members who have completed their terms and welcome those who have recently been elected.  No business is conducted: this provides an opportunity for relationship and team building to best enable us to respond to the needs of the church in the coming year. (This meeting will not be open to the congregation.) If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email us!

Summer Choir Sundays
Mark your calendars to join us for Summer Choir Sundays–June 29, July 6, August 3, and August 10! No choir membership or experience is necessary; all are welcome! Simply show up at 9:00 am to learn the music for the 10:00 am service! We hope to see you then! Questions? Email Brandon Moss.

See Amber Skate: Roller Derby Tickets Going Fast!

There are less than 30 tickets left for Ohio Roller Derby’s next home game, on Saturday, June 21st, at Heatwave Arena (on the edge of Dublin / Plain City). Get yours now, or join us Saturday, August 2nd, and September 13th!

RE Start-Up Rescheduled for 10/18!

RSVP here to join us on Saturday, October 18th, as we examine our family programs and vision for our future, with UUA staff person, Cassandra Montenegro!
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. Attending events, explore nature, create art, engage in acts of kindness and more! Each square offers a new way to live your values and celebrate our vibrant community.

Pick a card up in the Gallery before or after service, turn it in to a board member on Sunday to collect your prizes.

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).

Juneteenth Anti-Racism Worship Service at Northwest UMC

Sunday, June 22 at 4pm

All are welcome for a Juneteenth Anti-Racism worship service at Northwest United Methodist Church, 5200 Riverside Drive, Columbus, OH 43220, at 4 pm on Sunday, June 22. Bishop Hee-Soo Jung, resident Bishop of the Ohio Episcopal Area of the United Methodist Church, will be our guest preacher. Hosted by The Interfaith Coalition for Racial Reconciliation.

Petition to Repeal SB1

This spring the governor signed Senate Bill 1 into law. SB1 is a major attack on higher education in Ohio that bans diversity programs, restricts the teaching of “controversial subjects”, undermines collective bargaining and tenure, and more. There is a grassroots effort to put SB1 repeal on the November ballot, but we still need a lot more signatures in the final two weeks.

Sign a petition in Beach Hall after the service on Sunday, or go to ohsb1petition.com to find other places to sign and how to volunteer with the campaign.

Feed and Read Ohio Collection

First UU’s June collection for Feed and Read Ohio is cleaning supplies, coloring books, feminine hygiene products, and socks. Pick up a green bag outside the Worship center and return it next week with items you have purchased.

See Jacques Angelino on Sundays in Beach Hall during Breakfast and Coffee hour for more information.

“Beat the Heat” Fan Donation Drive

LifeCare Alliance
Each year, First UU has collected New fans to donate to support the LifeCare Alliance annual The Beat the Heat Fan Campaign, which benefits Central Ohio’s most vulnerable residents during periods of extreme heat. To support the drive, purchase a new-in-box fan to donate. Learn more at the LifeCare Alliance website, or reach out to Tom Bailliul.

Eco-tip: reuse those plastic 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 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.

Expressive Worship

Thursday, June 26 6:30pm

Expressive Worship is Moving to the Fourth Thursday of the month! June’s theme is living love through the practice of freedom. If you have suggestions for the playlist email them to Christine by the 16th. The provided project this month is breaking free sculpture.

Expressive Worship grew out of a challenge at GA—to imagine worship in a whole new way. The result was this relaxed, art centered gathering where participants engage with a theme through personal creative exploration. Each service follows a structured flow—opening words, a song, a reading, time to create art while themed music plays, a closing and an optional sharing time at the end. Save the date!

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

“Unconventional Nature” in the Gallery
Come and view the artwork by Deborah Weaver, UU Artist. now through July 27.

Deb presents works in watercolor and pen, abstracting nature. “My work is influenced by the mid century modern era … atomic abstracts, pop art, hippie psychedelic and tiki prints.”

Juneteenth Jubilee Day Festival at the Ohio History Center

Thursday, June 19 from noon to 4 pm

Juneteeth is a federal holiday that commemorated the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. Originating in Texas, it has been observed annually on June 19 since 1895. It is the oldest known celebration of the end of slavery in the United States.

The Jubilee Day Festival is a vibrant celebration that brings together a rich tapestry of culture, history and community spirit. This dynamic event will feature a variety of educational and uplifting performances, including thought-provoking reenactments that bring history to life. Enjoy food demonstrations that highlight diverse culinary traditions, while live music, dance and film screenings add to the festival’s lively atmosphere.

This event is free, but pre-registration is encouraged. The address of the Ohio History Center is 800 E. 17th Ave., Columbus, OH 43211.

Family Activities

This Sunday, June 15th!

*No Classes Today (Holiday Weekend) – Happy Father’s Day, & Pride!

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

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

10-11am Pre-Recorded Juneteenth Service (sanctuary) No Bringing in the Light

Help needed: seeking volunteers to work w/ kiddos & teens starting in September!
Hi! If you’re still reading, THANK YOU! You get a square filled in the Chalice Challenge Bingo card – And please reply to this email with any ideas that you have about what’s good, bad, and interesting about the Friday’s News.