Coffee and tea will be available, but Coffee hosts needed!

Sign up on Realm or via email to help volunteer so we don’t run out!

Infant / Toddler Care 9:30-11:30am

**No Children’s Classes Sunday **

(Children’s Summer Class Resumes 7/12)

THIS SUNDAY! Celebrate the New SYC Playground

& Support Early Learning!

June 28 11 am – 1 pm

Please join us for the New SYC Playground Opening Celebration! This joyful event is open to all current and future SYC families, SYC alumni, and our First UU family. Come enjoy a provided lunch, playground fun, face painting, and an ice cream sundae bar!

And SYC needs your help, First UU! Everyone is invited to please help Robin and Niki setup for lunch in room 301, starting at 10:30am, and to help us clean uponce the event ends at 1pm. Email Robin to volunteer to help! Thank you! 🙂

As we celebrate our new spaces, we are also living our values by fundraising for our Continuous Improvement Fund. In the spirit of community partnership, half of all donations received will be gifted to the “Build a Playground” campaign for the Columbus Early Learning Centers. If you would like to get a head start on supporting this campaign, you can scan the QR code in the flyer or church entryway to donate directly. Please be sure to join us for play, connection, and celebration!

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)

Columbus Free Press Presents:

Ira Helfand, Two-time Nobel Peace Prize Laureate

Saturday, July 11 2 – 4 pm

Dr. Ira Helfand, Two-time Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, will speak in Columbus on the topic “Back from the Brink: Addressing the growing threat of nuclear war.” The talk begins at 2 pm, followed by a reception.

Creative Community

2nd and 4th Mondays, 7-9pm

Crafting Mondays will continue throughout the summer, however, Expressive Collage will be on hiatus until September. Bring your watercolors, knitting, or other creative projects to enjoy in community with others at 7pm on the second and fourth Monday of each month.

Guided Meditation Class

~ be where your feet are ~

Tuesdays From 6-7:15 pm through July 28

Free and Open to All

(RSVP encouraged but not required)

Neurodivergent Adults Group:

Community, Connection, and Support

1st and 3rd Thursdays, 6:00–7:30 pm

Beginning July16th

Are you an adult who is autistic, ADHD, AuDHD, or otherwise neurodivergent? This peer-led group is for anyone 21+ who identifies as neurodivergent or is exploring the possibility.

Join us for community, conversation, learning, and mutual support in a judgment-free environment. Together, we’ll explore what it means to be neurodivergent, share experiences, discuss challenges and coping strategies, celebrate strengths, and build meaningful connections with people who know what it’s like to be different, not less.

We especially welcome adults who are discovering their neurodivergence later in life, though ND adults in all stages of self-discovery are invited.

Labor Day Retreat

Saturday, September 5 – Monday, September 7

at Camp Oty’Okwa in beautiful Hocking Hills

Registration Open Now

Wonderful for families, couples, singles. Everyone! Scholarships available.

Adults (26+): $135

Teen / Early YA (13–25): $110

Children (5–12): $95

Toddlers (2–4): $25

Children Under 2: Free

New this year! Day Pass: $15 per meal

Church Offices Closed July 3 – 10

Our offices will be closed on July 3 in observance of Independence day. The following week, many of our staff will be attending CERSI (Central East Region Summer Institute) and First UU’s Offices will be closed.

Thank you!

I just went through my mailbox for the first time in months, and found a heap of love by way of graduation cards from you all. Thank you so much for your support, gifts, kind words, and love.

Paisha Thomas

Justice & Equity Student Minister

Annual Meeting Group Photo

We thank David Merrill for taking this great photo! We thank all who helped make it happen, including everyone in the photo!

Democracy Action Hour

Sunday, June 28, 11:30 AM

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. This week we’re making whistle-kits with know your rights cards for ICE preparedness.

We hope you enjoy this “replay” of our first On the Journey Celebration,

originally published January 30. Please consider submitting a mini-bio about an inspiring black author, artist, change-maker, or innovator. Email Becca for submission guidelines or a name.

Barbara Rose Johns

Civil Rights Leader at Age 16

This week, we want to celebrate Barbara Rose Johns, who, at the age of 16, organized a school-wide action that would change the trajectory of our American school system. What began as an endeavor to gain the same basic necessary educational supplies and learning conditions for the students at Robert Russa Moton High School as their white peers had access to eventually became part of the legal fight that led to change for this country: the US Supreme Court case Brown v Board of Education of Topeka.

Barbara’s story is amazing, and we encourage you to read her Biography at Moton Museum’s website or watch this 12-minute PBS Documentary on YouTube to learn more about this amazing civil rights leader!

UU-affiliated organizations advancing diversity

This week, we present three UU-affiliated organizations working to advance diversity in UU communities and in society beyond.

1.   DRUMM (Diverse Revolutionary Unitarian Universalist Multicultural Ministries)

— is the oldest and largest Unitarian Universalist People of Color ministry and anti-racist community organization based in North America. DRUUMM is supported by its members—individuals who self-identify as People of Color and affirm our Unitarian Universalist mission and values.

People who self-identify as White are encouraged to join and organize with UU Allies for Racial Equity, our close partner.

2.   UU Allies for Racial Equity is building an antiracist movement of white Unitarian Universalists working to:

• Understand whiteness and privilege
• Unlearn and challenge white supremacy
• Confront racism in ways that are accountable to communities of color

[Resource page]-

3.   JusticeMovement is a training and educational collective committed to promoting a functional analysis of systemic privilege and oppression. As teachers and practitioners in several fields, we are aware of a strong desire for our organizations and communities to become more inclusive, diverse, and affirming.

We encourage you to follow the links and learn about this work, how it relates to UU values, and the advancement of our own community.

Thank you, Ken Odiorne, for submitting this article!

Stamped from the Beginning

ARA Congregational Read

Next Discussion July 21st, 7pm

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 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!

UU arts: Todd Loe’s

“Far Rider”

On display until August 16

View Todd’s art– Beautiful moody pastel landscapes, your favorite rock stars of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s and fun, abstract compositions.

And don’t forget to Register for the UU Artists and Friends Show “Freedom”! Drop-off August 7 – 9.

Happening This Sunday, June 28th!

No Classes Today Due to the Playground Celebration (30min Playful Service)

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

10:00-11:00am Short Play Service! w/ Puppets & Parade to SYC (sanctuary)

10:30am Everyone Please Help Robin and Niki Set Up Lunch in Room 301!

11:00am-1:00pm SYC Playground Celebration! Lunch, Face Painter, Ice Cream, Play, and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony! (SYC playgrounds & 301)

1:00pm Everyone Please Help FUU and SYC Clean Up!

Coming Soon: Fall Class Registration and Volunteer Teacher Recruitment!

No Summer Class 7/5 Due to Independence Holiday (Childcare Available)