Friday News – Oct. 24, 2025

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It was great to see that so many First UU folks attended the No Kings rally last week. I wasn’t able, unfortunately, as I’m still recovering from my hip surgery, What really struck me from looking at the pictures was how much joy was being shared! It may seem counterintuitive given how sobering current events are, but history shows that when people join together with creativity, humor and joy, it is one of the best signs that we can face and change totalitarian regimes.

It will take all of us joining in solidarity to testify to a different way of living and being that affirms human rights and justice. We can do that here in our congregation as well. Celebrating the art our members created that is currently displayed, joining in fun events, coming together for worship, song and celebration will help us not just to survive but to thrive in these perilous times. Thank you for showing up!

Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley

Lead Minister

Upcoming Events

This Sunday, October 26

9:15 Nouurish Service

Featuring

The Rabbit Listened

by Cori Doerrfield

Presented by members of the Alternative Worship Team with members of our First UU Community.

11:00 Annual Remembrance Service

Gather in community to honor the memory of those who have passed, and whose impact lives on. Please bring photos of your loved ones to add to our shared altar.

Presented by First UU’s Covenant of UU Pagans (CUUPS).
Both services are all-ages services.

Concert Series Event:

Guitarist Leonela Alejandro

Sunday, October 26 at 3:00 pm

Come see Leonela Alejandro, winner of the 2024 Guitar Foundation of America’s International Artist Competition, in concert at First UU. This event is brought to us by the Columbus Guitar Society. Read more about the artist and purchase tickets at simpletix.com.

Tickets are $20 general admission, $15 seniors, and $10 students.

Silent Supper

October 29 at 6:30 pm Gathering

7:00 pm Silent Meal

8:00 pm Fire Circle
Join CUUPS for a ritual supper to honor our ancestors and beloved departed. Attendees should bring letters to their dead as well a a dish to share that was an ancestral favorite.We’ll gather at 6:30pm to explain the ritual and get settled then begin the silent meal at 7pm.

Those who do not want to join the supper can meet us on the terrace at 8pm for an informal fire circle.

Please RSVP in Realm, contact Christinewith questions.

First Friday Spaghetti Dinner:

Board Games with the Board!

Friday, November 7 at 6:30 pm

November’s First Friday is hosted by the Board of Trustees! Come enjoy a spaghetti dinner and then get to know our board members over some board games!

All ages are welcome. We’ll have salad, pasta, sauces, garlic bread, nuggets, and dessert. Vegan/gluten free/dairy free options available. Dinner is served at 6:30.

Your first time is free! Our happy repeat customers are asked for a suggested donation of $3.00 per person to help pay for the food.

Interested in Hosting one month this year? Please email us to hop onto the Host schedule!

Concert Series Event: Katy Oberle

Saturday, November 8 at 7 pm

Join singer-songwriter Katy Oberle for “Honoring the Web: Songs of Interconnection” on Saturday, Nov. 8 at 7pm in the Worship Center. She will be joined by guests The Sabrist and Kurt Smith & Adam Smith. This concert will also celebrate the release of Katy’s new EP, Web. The concert is free, but donations will be taken for World Central Kitchen. We hope to see you there!

Other Upcoming Churchwide Events:

  • 11/1 First Friday Spaghetti Dinner
  • 11/22 All Soles Contra & Square Dance (more info)
  • 11/22 First UU Concert Series Event: Columbus Women’s Chorus

Planning ahead? Check our online calendar for additional events!

From First UU Leadership

Generational Generosity

Celebration Potluck

Sunday, November 2 at Noon

The generosity of members we have lost has allowed us to fund several long term facility needs. There will be a potluck following the 11am service on November 2 to celebrate these recent and ongoing building improvements. We invite you to bring a savory or sweet dish to share with soup that will be provided. When we all come together, amazing things are created!

Building improvements highlights include: new roof, all new LED lighting in offices and SYC classrooms, new refrigerator, freezer, and more new appliances planned. Coming soon: Worship Center carpeting replacement, solar panels (which will meet over half our electricity needs!), parking lot repairs. And thanks to our wonderful volunteers for recent garden maintenance & plantings. (for more information on these projects or to volunteer, contact Brian Hagemann brian@firstuucolumbus.org)

Upcoming Governance Meetings

  • 11/19 Finance Committee (RSVP)
  • 11/25 Board of Trustees (Zoom Only, RSVP)

Justice & Volunteering

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

by joining the First UU Columbus Protesters (app required).

Spread the Word!

Fund for Immigration Legal Assistance (FILA)

Faithify Campaign

First UU’s Fund for Immigration Legal Assistance (FILA) just kicked off a crowdfunding campaign through the UUA’s Faithify site. We need your help! Please share this campaign with everyone you know! This exciting campaign will increase FILA’s capacity to help immigrants in the Central Ohio area. Let’s build the excitement!

Learn more at: Faithify.org/FILA-Fund-for-Immigration-Legal-Assistance

Volunteer with the

Immigration Community Response Hub

Our community’s most vulnerable populations need YOUR help!

The Immigration Community Response Hub is a group of local organizers and volunteers who care deeply about protecting immigrants and their rights in Columbus. Sign up with the Hub to help support this community through actions like:

  • ICE Watch
  • ICE rapid response
  • Accompanying immigrants to court hearings
  • Resources delivery
  • Legal counsel
  • Translation
  • Organizing

This list is not exhaustive. A problem of this magnitude and complexity requires a broad range of expertise and abilities – and we are lucky to have a wealth of experience in our congregation!

Please, come by the UU Justice table after the second worship service starting on Sunday, October 26th to speak to Kari Hicks or Chris Johnson to sign up and get involved!

Classes & Groups

Millennial Covenant Group Kick-Off!

This Sunday, 10/26, at 6pm, in room A/B (by the kitchen)!

Calling all millennials! Our small ministry group will be starting back up again for the year, and we are ready to add some new folks to the mix! Join us for a meet and greet with snacks (kiddos and partners welcome). We usually meet first and third Sundays of the month, 6-8ish, and we alternate between formal discussion meetings and informal social events. Contact Gabe McDonald or Ben Sostromfor more information.

A-S-H (Atheists, Skeptics, and Humanists)

Upcoming Meeting Programs

Tuesday, October 28

Tuesday, November 25

October’s program will feature a YouTube presentation by Dr. Robert Hazen, Geologist, Astrobiologist, and Senior Staff Scientist at the Carnegie Institution’s Earth and Planets Laboratory. Dr. Hazen talks about what is being considered to be a new and previously unrecognized law of nature – Emergent Complexity. This law puts the final nail in the coffin of “Intelligent Design”.

For November, author Don Merrill will speak about his book, published in 2019, PLEDGE: The Public Radio Fund Drive. The book is a deep dive into the funding and function of public radio. With the defunding of public radio by the current administration, Don will touch on its origin story, historical fights, and possible future.

There will not be a meeting in December.

Additional Classes &

Small Group Activities:

Classes:

Small Groups:

  • 10/26 Rising Young Adults!
  • 11/1 Youth Group Late Night
  • 11/2 Trans Allies and Families Support group
  • 11/2 Gender Affinity Group (teen)
  • 11/12 Second Wednesday Book Club (now online!)
  • 11/16 Trans & Gender Non-Conforming Support Group (Adult)
  • Sacred Song Circle (Wednesdays, 6pm)
  • Choir Rehearsals (Spirit of Life Tuesdays, Chalice Choir Thursdays)

Community News

Save the Date – Join Rabbi Lex from “Judaism Unbound”

December 5 – 7

Kehilat Sukkat Shalom is happy to extend an invitation to our friends at First UU to join us with our special guest, Rabbi Lex Rofeberg, host of the acclaimed podcast Judaism Unbound. Lex will lead Shabbat services and discussions on Jewish magic and the future of Judaism in a world exploding with ideas alongside challenges.

Read more & RSVP on the KSS website.

Other Community Events

  • Co-Working Space (Fridays, 10am)
  • 11/7 See Amber in Ohio Roller Derby Home Games (offsite)

Family Activities

Please Register Children/Youth for This Year!

Sign up to participate if you haven’t yet! More info, reg links, and activity descriptions: https://firstuucolumbus.org/learning/sunday-school/

Happening This Sunday, 10/26!
9:15-10am Nouurish Multigenerational Worship Service (sanctuary)

10:00-10:45am Hot Breakfast and Coffee, Tea (kitchen, A/B, Beach Hall)

10:30am-12:30pm Infant and Toddler Care 3mos-3yrs (101)

*No Classes Today – All Ages Service!

Bring Photos and Items to Place on Our Shared Remembrance Altar*

11:00am-12:00noon Annual Remembrance Service – All Ages (sanctuary)

Kiddos staying w/fam during service: grab Busy Bags in the gallery, explore quiet toys in Wee Worship & Slowter Lounge, or crafts/games in cabinets by the kitchen!

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

12:30-2:30pm Youth Group 12yrs-HS senior (402)

12:30-2:30pm Rising Young Adults 18-28yrs (302)

1:00-2:30pm Navigators Scouting Badge-Work 5-12yrs (201/playground)