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:

• 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)

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

• Matt Hollander
• Norman Maschner
• Kristin Hehrer
• Deborah Weaver
• Scarlett Rebman
• Liz Scheltens

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)

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)

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)

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!

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!

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:

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!

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!

Happening This Sunday, May 31st!

*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!