Spring flowers are blooming, and lots of special activities are coming into season at First UU! I hope that you will plan to join me for a joyful and colorful special service this week – where we will celebrate the power of our shared values and work together to make a difference! Working for justice requires a lot of love for the world and for one another. Our community is magical! I look forward to co-creating with all of you this Sunday.

We will be working with Jacques Angelino to package dry pinto beans with messages of love and support for members of our wider Columbus community. Feed and Read Ohio can always use more donations of staples like dry beans and direct monetary donations! Jacques also loves to have folks from First UU ride along as food delivery helpers to meet the folks he serves firsthand.

Director of Religious Exploration

Upcoming Events

This Sunday, March 22nd

9:15
Nouurish Service

Join us for this interactive and inherently multigenerational community worship experience!

Our featured story this week:

Fierce Aunties!

written by Laurel Goodluck

illustrated by Steph Littlebird

Presented by Alternative Worship Team & Members of this Community

*No Classes Today: 11am All Ages*

Infant / Toddler Care is Available 10:30-12:30

11:00

“Kindness is Our Superpower!”

Religious Exploration

(RE) Sunday

In an uncertain world, joy helps us keep going! Join Director of Religious Exploration, Amber Scott, for a fun, hands-on service, where we will celebrate our congregation’s family programs, consider the challenges young people face worldwide, and look for the ways that we can connect and make a difference.

Presented by Amber Scott, Director of Religious Exploration

A-S-H March meeting and program

March 24 at 7 PM

For March, Danya Furda will present a PBS documentary, “The Last Days of Jesus”, presenting recent evidence that recasts Jesus’ death in its historical and political context. This is a 2-hour video, so we’ll begin promptly at 7.

April’s meeting will feature a speaker from the Ohio ACLU giving us an update on their activities.

Expressive Worship

Thursday, March 26 at 6:30 pm

Come and experience a different kind of spiritual practice centered around the personal creative process! Readings and songs are guided by a monthly theme which inspires our individual artwork. At the end of the evening those who wish to share their work are welcome into a sharing circle. All ages and abilities are enthusiastically welcomed.

March’s Theme is “Paying Attention” and we will be drawing mandalas. You may choose to do the themed project, or to create anything you wish! Use what we have on hand or bring your own materials!

See images from January’s Theme of “Practicing Resistance”:

Democracy Action Hour – This Sunday!

& Every Sunday in March, 1-3pm

In response to rising political extremism, attacks on civil rights, voter suppression efforts, and the growing intimidation of marginalized communities, we are coming together in this critical election year as a multicultural, supportive, and loving community committed to democratic participation.

🎨 March 22 – Sign-Making for No Kings Protests

We’re happy to transport signs down to the statehouse for the upcoming No Kings march if that would be helpful!

Planning ahead? Check our online calendar for additional events!

From First UU Leadership

We Need Easter Candy Pronto!

Leave your donations of Peanut / Tree Nut Free Candy and other fun giveaway items in the copy room by Sunday, April 5th! We already have more than enough plastic eggs – our teens hide the empty ones (to keep squirrels from chewing on them) and then kiddos turn them in and pick out what prizes they want.

Donations of throwing color powder (for Holi) are also welcome ASAP! Children’s egg hunts happen during the 11am Easter service, and throwing color happens after – so that the whole community can join in the fun or come watch the chaos!

Carpe Diem at First UU!

Sunday, March 29 at 3:00 pm

Come see Carpe Diem String Quartet in concert at First UU as they present “Circle of 5ths”, featuring music by Wiancko, Schulhoff, and Taneyev. First UU members receive a $10 discount on tickets, which may be purchased online (cdsq.org) or at the door.

Upcoming Governance Meetings

3/23 Board of Trustees (RSVP)
4/15 Finance Committee (RSVP)
6/7 Congregational Annual Meeting

Want to nominate someone to be on the Board of Trustees or Nominating Committee (NomCom)? Fill out our Nomination Form or email NomCom!

Justice & Volunteering

Eco-tip for March

As we enter the season of renewal, let’s remember to give some thought to the planet. One easy step, avoid single-use plastics – this helps reduce fossil fuel consumption, saves energy, and reduces the amount of trash that goes into the landfill. Keep reusable shopping bags in your car and take them with you into the store. I still have and use one cloth bag that I got at a professional meeting in 1994: over the last 30 years that one bag has allowed me to say “no” to several thousand single-use bags.

UUJO Spring Gathering

Saturday, April 25, 9 AM-5 PM

Join UUs from across the state for the Unitarian Universalist Justice Ohio (UUJO) Spring Gathering, hosted here at First UU. Pablo DeJesus, the Executive Director of UUs for Social Justice, will give the keynote, “Faithful Defiance in Times of Democratic Trial.” Afternoon workshops will focus on a variety of justice topics.

Registration: $65 (includes lunch)

Contact Rev. Dr. Alice Diebel for scholarship support

Seeking Volunteers! If you are able to help set up the building the evening before this conference, please email to let us know!

Dates with Justice

3/28: 4pm No Kings protest
4/25: 9am-5pm Unitarian Universalist Justice Ohio (UUJO) Spring Gathering here at First UU
5/12: BREAD Nehemiah Action (Email to help)

Join the First UU Columbus Protesters chat on Signal App

or email our Justice Team for more information.

Classes & Groups

Adaptive Leadership

has been Rescheduled:

April 11, 1-2:30pm (online)

April 12, 1-2:30pm (In-Person)

Adaptive Leadership looks at the difference between technical problems (fixable) and adaptive challenges (not fixable) and offers us strategies for approaching challenges that help us learn something new and that bring us together to work collectively.

Dinner and Conversation

Last Chance for 2nd Quarter Sign Ups!

DEADLINE TOMORROW!

to join a monthly potluck group

in April, May & June

Dinner & Conversation is a quarterly pot luck group that meets in participant’s homes. Commitment is only for one quarter at a time with one meeting per month as agreed upon by the entire group. The group size is between 6-8. The host organizes the dinner and picks a topic for conversation. To sign up, email Marcia Canter by March 21 at noon.

Creative Community

2nd & 4th Mondays, 7:00-9:00 pm

Next Gathering: March 23

Bring your projects and craft with us! Knit, crochet, cross stitch, paint, color in coloring books, create cards… the possibilities are endless. Bring your clothes to mend, your scrapbooks to fill, mosaics to make, or anything you like! Exercise your creative spirit and enjoy conversation and community. Limited supplies are available, so we encourage you to bring your own. We hope to see you here!

Additional Groups & Classes

Sacred Song Circle: 6pm Wednesdays
Expressive Collage: 7-9pm, 1st/3rd Mondays
Keep On Keeping On chronic pain support: 3pm 4/20 Zoom (RSVP)

On the Journey

Join us in the journey towards anti-racism by celebrating

black innovators, creators, and change-makers each week.

Read about the 8th Principle and First UU’s anti-racism efforts on our website.

Joan Higginbotham

Engineer, NASA Astronoaut

Joan Higginbotham is a visionary engineer and astronaut whose career turned the rigors of aerospace science into a testament to human potential and representation. An electrical engineer by training, Higginbotham spent nearly a decade at the Kennedy Space Center, contributing to over 50 shuttle launches before being selected as an astronaut. In 2006, she made history as the third African American woman to travel into space aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery,where she operated the International Space Station’s robotic arm, requiring extraordinary precision and logic to build a world community 200 miles above the Earth.

Higginbotham’s journey from a young girl in Chicago to an orbital mission specialist exemplifies the 8th Principle in action, overcoming systemic barriers in the STEM fields and expanding our collective vision of who can reach for the stars. Just as she navigated the complex systems of a spacecraft, she navigated a society that often limited the horizons of Black women, proving that the free and responsible search for truth knows no earthly bounds.

Her life is a testament to the power of technical excellence as a tool for social progress and spiritual inspiration. We encourage you to watch her wise and inspiring words, an excerpt of her commencement speech to North Carolina Agricultural and Technical University (2:45) or explore her NASA biographical profile to learn more about this pioneer.

Article by Jeremy Seidt

Please suggest someone for us to feature! Interested in writing?

Email us to contribute to this weekly feature. Thank you!

Upcoming Anti-Racist Allies Events

3/25 Step Afrika! The Evolution Tour (CAPA)

More details on ARA’s Feb/March Flyer!

Community News

All Soles Dance

Saturday, March 21,

2026 Beginners’ Session 1:30 to 2:00

PM Dancing 2:00 to 4:30 PM

$10 for adults, $5 ages 12-25

Please note that this is an afternoon dance! We are inviting everyone to join us for dinner at Olive and Lime (in the church’s back parking lot) after the dance.

We will be dancing at All Soles this coming Saturday afternoon, March 21st. We will dance to the calling of Michael Hamilton, from Akron, and the music of Root Cellar String Band. Comprised of Lucy Long (fiddle), Dave Strickler (guitar), and Steve O’Regan (banjo), Root Cellar String Band plays Midwestern and Southern old-time music.

Upcoming dance dates: May 16th, June 20th

Nico Lawson presents

“My Body’s Liturgies: A Grieving Landscape”

Blockfort Gallery, Columbus

March 27, 7:00 PM, March 28 12:00 & 3:00 PM

Reserve a Seat (free) and get More Information

This performance installation combines dance film, live performance, and interactive exhibition to share an autobiographical and participatory journey through the entanglements of grieving the traumas of living in a queer and disabled body, the search for belonging in a world that rejects fundamental, beloved parts of me, and unrelenting hope in a future that offers tenderness for our most vulnerable parts. Questions? Email Nico.

All are Invited!

Sukkat Shalom Passover Seder & Potluck Dinner

Thursday, April 2, 6-9pm

Join First UU’s community partner Kehilat Sukkat Shalom for their annual Passover seder. This year, building on the recurrence of the number 4 in the traditional seder – 4 cups of wine, 4 questions, 4 children – we’ll be reimagining the traditional parts of the seder through the FOUR parts of the spiral of the Work That Reconnects – Grounding in Gratitude, Honoring Our Pain for the World, with New & Ancient Eyes, and Going Forth – to help us approach the holiday in the context of current events and challenges.

Please bring a Bread Free dish and use this SignupGenius to help us prepare for the event. Questions? Contact info@sukkatshalomcolumbus.org

Camp Indigo

June 29 – July 3

Registration and

Job Opportunities available now!

Camp Indigo – a summer day camp for transgender and gender expansive youth – is coming to Columbus!

Camp Indigo was founded in 2015 on the belief that trans and gender diverse kids deserve a ‘normal’ summer day camp experience. When so much of a child’s life is based on educating others and trying to find their place in the world, Camp Indigo is what childhood is meant to be: fun, friend-centered, and full of wonder.

Kids and teens ages 5-17 can expect to connect with 75+ trans peers in a silly and connected day camp environment. It’s going to be a blast! Discount codes and summer job opportunities at the website! Find out more and register at www.thecampindigo.org

Ohio Roller Derby Home Games!

2026 home games will be played Saturdays at the Ohio Expo Center; join us April 4, May 9, and May 23.

Arrive around 6:30 to get seats to see Amber (“Peach”) skate in the 7pm B game!

Family Activities

Happening This Sunday, March 22nd!

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 Due to Religious Exploration Sunday Service!***

11:00am-12:00pm All Ages Service: Kindness is Our Superpower! (sanctuary)

Joy helps us keep going! Join Director of Religious Exploration, Amber Scott, for a fun, hands-on service, where we will celebrate our congregation’s family programs, consider the challenges young people face worldwide, and look for the ways that we can connect and make a difference. & Peace Pals Perform!

Kiddos w/fam during service: use Busy Bags, quiet toys in Wee Worship, Slowter!

Justice Action: After Service, Help Jacques Package Beans! (Beach Hall)

12:30-1:00pm Peace Pals Choir 5-12yrs (meet in Gallery, then move to 103)

1:00-2:30pm Navigators Scouting Fun & Games Mtg 5-12yrs (201/playground)

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

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

1:00-3:00pm Democracy Action Hr: Sign Making for No Kings Protests (301)

Check Out Peace Camp This Summer!

At Peace Camp we invite children to be their true selves, and make space for all to be welcomed and valued. We explore what peace means, looks like, and how it connects us. Cost: $100 suggested. Invite your friends! bit.ly/peacecamp2026

Session A for 5-8 years, Monday-Friday 7/27-7/31 from 9am-12noon
Session B for 8-12 years, Monday-Friday 8/3-8/7 from 9am-12noon

First UU Church of Columbus

First Unitarian Universalist Church

Sunday Services at 9:15 & 11