Friday News – May 29, 2026

Please join us for our Annual Congregational Meeting! June 7, after the 10 a.m. service in the Worship Center and online. This is an excellent opportunity to elect new leadership to our Board of Trustees and Nominating Committee, discuss the upcoming fiscal year budget, and learn about key initiatives for the year ahead. Your voice and your vote matter (and a quorum is required)! Please plan to attend as we come together to move the important work of this community forward.

Church members will receive a copy of the agenda and the Zoom link the morning of June 7. Snacks and cake are provided for those who attend in person! We look forward to seeing you all there!

Your Board of Trustees

board@firstuucolumbus.org

Meet Your Nominees!

The Nominating Committee is pleased to present our slate of candidates for election at the Annual Meeting on Sunday, June 7. Since last week we have added one nominee for the Board of Trustees: Jennifer Nichols.

 

We will vote on the following candidates:

Moderator

  • Vanda Sucheston Hughes

 

Board of Trustees

  • Raina Bradford-Jennings (3-Year Term)
  • Kathleen Fowler (2-year Term)
  • Jennifer Nichols (3-year Term)
  • Cara Seidt (3-year Term)
Nominating Committee

(3 to be elected for a 2-year term)

  • Matt Hollander
  • Norman Maschner
  • Kristin Hehrer
  • Deborah Weaver
  • Scarlett Rebman
  • Liz Scheltens
These members have been selected based on their demonstrated commitment to our congregation and values. Download this PDF to learn more about them and the election process!

Upcoming Events

This Sunday, May 31st

10am ” Why Do Stories Survive?”

 Some stories comfort us. Others challenge us. Still others carry both wisdom and wounds. A single story can bring hope to one person and anguish to another. In this **ony, and why human communities continue to preserve even the most complicated stories as a way of searching for meaning together.

Presented by Luke Rouker

with Rev. Kelli McNeal

No Continental Breakfast this weekdue to lack of volunteers. Sign up to help on Realm or via email!

Coffee and tea will be available.

Infant/Toddler Care 9:30am-11:30pm

Early-Childhood/Elementary Class

for 3-11yrs

After the story (start in worship)

Teen/Tween Board Games

for rising 6th grade and up

Before and during service

Coalition for Racial Reconciliation Meeting

TOMORROW, Saturday May 30 4-5:30pm

The Coalition for Racial Reconciliation, composed of 6 churches (including ours), holds yearly Juneteenth and Martin Luther King Jr services, a Health Fair in an underserved area of Columbus, and Anti-Racism training. On May 30, attendees will discuss the recent (May 2) Health Fair and racist gerrymandering taking place in several states including Ohio. All are welcome to attend!

Guided Meditation Class

~ be where your feet are ~

Beginning June 16

Tuesdays From 6-7PM

Free and Open to All

(RSVP encouraged but not required)

This meditation class is designed to calm the mind, improve focus, and support overall well-being through simple guided practices and breath awareness. The class also invites participants to connect with a greater sense of purpose, presence, and connection beyond the distractions of everyday life.

Instructor: Patricia O’Toole, Ph.D., has been a dedicated student of meditation and life’s deeper questions for almost 20 years. A lifelong educator, Patricia currently teaches Mindfulness at Ohio Wesleyan University

IACO’S Main Event: Immigration in Central Ohio

Sunday, June 28, 2026 3- 5:30 PM

Bethel International UMC

1220 Bethel Rd. Columbus, OH 43220

Registration Open until June 22 ($15)

Join the Interfaith Association of Central Ohio (IACO) and Bethel International UMC for an engaging and informative community conversation focused on one of the most pressing issues of our time: Immigration in Central Ohio. Learn about immigration trends and issues impacting Central Ohio. Come Hear from experts, advocates, and community leaders, Ask questions and participate in thoughtful discussion, and Discover ways individuals and faith communities can help.

We welcome all who are interested in learning more and being part of constructive community dialogue.

This event will explore the questions: What should we know? What can we do? Attendees will gain insight into the realities of immigration in our region and learn ways to support meaningful dialogue and action in our communities.

Moderator: Julie Carr Smyth – Ohio Government & Politics Reporter, The Associated Press

Panelists:

Vincent Wells – Immigration Attorney

Dr. Dorothy Hassan, Ph.D. – Executive Director of Our Helpers and CORRN

Anisa Liban – Westerville City School Board Member

Upcoming Member Memorials

June 6, 1pm: Bob Letcher

(Attending Guests: Please wear blue jeans

and a hippie t-shirt in his honor)

Planning ahead? Check our online calendar for additional events!

From First UU Leadership

Attending General Assembly?

Be a Delegate for First UU!

Online June 14-21, 2026

General Assembly 2026 registration is officially open. GA 2026 will be a fully virtual experience that brings Unitarian Universalists together in new and inspiring ways. Join from home, gather with your congregation, connect at a satellite site, or take part in the live audience at our Studio Site in Louisville. See the Full GA Schedule at uua.org. Registration is still open – register to attend! And tell a Board Member if you’d like to be a Delegate!

Upcoming Governance Meetings

  • 5/27 Board of Trustees (RSVP)
  • 6/7 Congregational Annual Meeting
  • 6/17 Finance Committee (RSVP)

On the Journey

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

Stamped from the Beginning

ARA Congregational Read

May to October

Discussion Registration Open

The Anti-Racist Allies invite you to read Stamped from the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi to participate in the congregational group read this Summer and fall. This important work has several versions appropriate for a variety of ages and reading levels. Monthly Zoom book discussions will begin in June, (7pm on June 16, July 21, August 25, Sept 29) and more activities connected with the book will be announced for the Fall. We hope you will be able to join us!

Happening in Columbus

  • June 6-7 Columbus Taco Fest
  • June 19-20 Juneteenth Ohio Celebration
  • June 21 ARA Monthly Lunch: Everest Cuisine

Check out the June/July ARA Calendar for details!

Justice & Volunteering

Join the First UU Columbus Protesters chat on Signal App

or email our Justice Team for more information.

Feed And Read Ohio

We have delivered 3792 bags of food (each sufficient for 2 days of meals for a family of 4) to Latino families since December 22, 2025, the start of intense I.C.E. presence in Franklin County. Now that school is out for the summer kids will be home and no longer receive food or meals at school, creating even greater need for families to receive food. One woman we serve cares for the children of 4 other families while the parents are at work for the day.

On May 22nd we delivered 30 toiletry bags to a 6th grade class at North Linden Elementary, a school that has 80% immigrant enrollment. The Feed & Read Ohio website has been updated by Kari Hicks. With deep gratitude, Thank you Kari!

Special donation needs: pretty socks, laundry soap sheets, cooking oil, Pinto beans, white rice, Sardines, Tuna, Salmon, Peanut butter. Get a Green Bag on Sunday for your donations!

BREAD: It’s Not Too Late!

It’s not too late! If you haven’t already emailed Columbus mayor and city council to help alleviate the health problems and even save the lives of many of our Columbus neighbors, please do so now! Copy and Paste the Email below:

Mayor Andrew Ginther: EASimms@columbus.gov

Shannon G. Hardin (Council President): sghardin@columbus.gov

Rob Dorans (President Pro Tem): radorans@columbus.gov

Nancy Day-Achauer: jadilley@columbus.gov

Christopher Wyche: councilmanwyche@gmail.com

Nick Bankston: jpdorval@columbus.gov

Lourdes Barroso de Padilla: jicaceres@columbus.gov

Melissa Green: hegerken@columbus.gov

Emmanuel Remy: pdmejia@columbus.gov

Tiara Ross: mdwiley@columbus.gov

cc. BREAD at breadcolumbus@gmail.com.

“Mayor Ginther, mature trees are vital to the health of Columbus residents. Please make our health a priority. Direct the Department of Recreation and Parks to begin drafting a Private Tree Canopy Protection ordinance immediately. Columbus must preserve our mature trees to protect our health!”

Thank you,

(your signature)

Promoting 1st UU Solar Power

Here comes the sUUn! First UU is exploring ways to share and celebrate our new solar energy system as part of our commitment to environmental justice and sustainability. Join us on the Green Team! Volunteers are needed to help with event planning, media outreach, video and photo work, writing, research, and creating promotional materials about our solar and other environmental efforts. Email Brian if you’re interested.

Eco-tip: Consider a natural lawn this summer

Natural lawns are an eco-friendly alternative to traditional turf grass. Instead of relying on a single grass species that requires frequent mowing and watering, natural lawns use a mix of native grasses and low-growing flowering plants that work with nature, not against it.

The result? A healthier, more resilient landscape that supports pollinators, uses less water and still looks beautiful. Getting started can be simple. Try mowing less often and overseeding with native grasses. Small changes can make a big difference in creating a more natural, sustainable yard!

Try white clover – The fastest-growing lawn alternative in America. It’s very low maintenance and uses 60–70% less water than traditional grass lawn. Additional pros: Nitrogen-fixing — no fertiliser ever; stays green through mild drought; bees love it; inexpensive to seed.

Community News

Calling all UU Artists and Friends for “Freedom!”

Registration Open!

Drop off art August 9 – 11

Our annual members and friend Fall Art Show is called “Freedom!” What does this mean to you? Take in is August 7-9. See details and Register to submit on our website.

Be “Free as a Bird” as you create!

“Free as a bird” Quilt by Deb Baillieul

Family Activities

Happening This Sunday, May 31st!

9:15am No Continental Breakfast (No Volunteers!), Coffee* (A/B, Beach Hall)

*Sign up for future Coffee & Continental Breakfast shifts on Realm or via email!

9:30am-11:30pm Infant and Toddler Care 3mos-3yrs (101)

*Per safety policy, children/youth need to be supervised while on church grounds.

9:15am-12:15pm Teen/Tween Board Games! Rising 6th Grade & Above (A/B)

10:00-11:00am Worship Service (sanctuary)

10:15-11:15am (After Story) Early-Ed/Elementary Summer Class for 3-11yrs (201)

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

11:00-11:30am Snack, Coffee, Tea, etc. – Pending Volunteers* (A/B, Beach Hall)

Coming Soon: Fall Class Registration and Volunteer Teacher Recruitment!

We Need Your Help to Make Peace Camp Happen!

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

  • Almost Full: Session A: 5-8 years, Monday-Friday 7/27-7/31, 9am-12noon
  • Needs More Sign-Ups! Session B: 8-12 years, M-F 8/3-8/7, 9am-12noon