Friday News 10-1-2021

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Wow, I cannot believe that it is already October! Time for changing leaves, s’mores around the fire, and visits to the pumpkin patch. My personally, my favorite part of fall is when it gets cold enough for me to break out my favorite comfy sweaters. However you feel about fall, I hope you get the opportunity to do something that you love this month.

Thank you to those of you who have reached out about neighborhood small groups. I’m in the process of reorganizing the groups, then you should receive an email to let you know what group you are in so that you can start to get to know your neighbors a little bit better.

Please let me know of any announcements you would like in Friday News by 8 pm Wednesdays and put “Friday News” in the subject line so I can be sure to not miss your email.

Let me know if you have any questions!

Virtual hugs,

Kelli McNeal
Director of Congregational Life
kelli@firstuucolumbus.org
Announcements at a Glance

(Click the title to go to that group of announcements for more details)
SUNDAYS AT FIRST UU
Sunday Service – The Darwin Variant
Join us Sunday 10/3 at 10:00 am, for our Sunday service. “The Darwin Variant.” What does ‘survival of the fittest’ really mean? Is it about who is the strongest, brightest, fastest? Is it all about individual evolution? What was Darwin really writing about?
Sunday Service – Ways to Watch!
1.) Help us experiment and be the first to watch our Sunday services via our new live-stream! The full service will be live streamed on our First UU Youtube channel. Visit firstuucolumbus.org/sunday for the link, or search First UU Columbus on Youtube.

2.) Join us In-Person! We will be having live, in-person services for the first time since March 2020! Please be aware that seating will be very limited due to pandemic restrictions and very high local caseloads. We will have seating in the sanctuary and Beach Hall. RE will be outside. Masks are required in the building.

3.) Can’t watch the service live? You can catch it and all of our services through our website.
October Soul Matters Packets Are Here!
The October Soul Matters Packets are ready for your viewing pleasure! This month, our theme is Cultivating Relationships. We will not be mass mailing the packets this year, but you can find them in digital version in Friday News, printed copies at the Church, or you can request a mailed copy from Marian Garcia.

You can find the digital versions here: General Packet (for all ages); Soulful Home (UU activities to do as a family).
FAMILY UPDATES
Outdoor Family RE This Week! (Sunday School)
Don’t forget to sign-in when you attend RE or other church events, for contact tracing purposes! Use the clipboard, or scan one of the QR codes around the church building to access the online form! 

Sunday 10/3, we continue with Embracing Possibility – and how do we share it? Looking forward to seeing you soon. – Jenifer, Amber, and Christine

Read more about Outdoor Whole Family RE!

Children are invited to attend Outdoor Family RE with a parent or other adult caregiver. Youth age 12 and up are also welcome to come help, or hang out in the forest play area nearby! Universal masking is required indoors and out from all church goers old enough to safely wear a mask, regardless of vaccination status. Grown-ups are encouraged to bring camp or lawn chairs to sit on, extra masks, and anything else your family may need to be successful. We strongly recommend bug spray for anyone planning to visit the Red Oak forest play area. 

General Plans for children, youth, and families this year!
Youth Events! 
Next Youth Group Meeting – 11am-1pm Sunday, 10/10. – Red Oak Natural Play Area, outside First UU. Wear bug spray, and feel free to pack your lunch! See you there!! 

Next Special Event: Fall Fun Corn Maze! – Friday evening, 10/22. RSVP and carpooling info coming soon!

Fun events for Youth are happening all year long! Mostly outdoors – for middle and high schoolers, age 12-19years. Masks are required! Add our Google Calendar or ask to join the Youth Group email list!
FIRST UU EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
First UU, OSU, and City of Columbus Research Project
Wondering what the white lock boxes are that have appeared near the rain garden?

First UU is participating in a research project with Ohio State and the City of Columbus!

The two solar powered white devices on each side of the Rain Garden on Weisheimer are part of a monitoring system installed by a research project with OSU (Department of Food, Agriculture, and Biological Engineering) and the City of Columbus to understand better how rain gardens such as ours function to mitigate runoff issues. Ideally, this garden will substantially reduce/treat stormwater coming from High Street and down Weisheimer that otherwise would flow into the Olentangy River at the bottom of the road.

If you would like more information, please email Brian.
Fall Engagement Catalog
Looking for ways to get involved and connect with other First UUers? Check out our Fall Engagement Catalog here!
Aaron Reed Men’s Spirituality Group

The Aaron Reed Men’s Spirituality Group, which meets via Zoom currently and in person as Covid abates every Wednesday evening from 7:00 to 8:30pm, is seeking two additional members. While not a self help group, the members seek to provide a mutually supportive environment for those seeking personal growth as well as a venue for exploring life’s defining ideas and experiences. Contact Ron Bruder by email or (678) 480-5540 or Bob Pappas by email or (614) 451-4601.

 
Beyond Inquirers Class

Are you seeking a way to deepen your learning and engagement with the congregation? Beyond Inquirers is a five session series on the Faith Forward Path focused on the congregation and you – offering a deeper understanding of how the congregation works and how you can be part of it. The sessions do not have to be done in order, so come when you are able. This class is open to anyone! This Monday, we are meeting online at 10:00am. Sessions include:

  • October 4th: How do we do church?
  • October 11th: How do we live our lives?
  • October 18th: Does it matter if I join?

Learn more about the Faith Forward Adult Religious Education curriculum, and register for Beyond Inquirers to receive the Zoom information on our website.

 
Archives Needs Your Help!
The Archives Team needs your help. Please cut out articles about UU members and letters to the Editor from UU members in the Dispatch and local publications. Write teh source of the item and the date it appeared on each item, eg. Dispatch 08-18-2021. THE SOURCE ADN DATE MUST APPEAR ON EACH ITEM. Place them in the Archives box in the office/workroom or mail them to Archives Team, C/O First UU Church of Columbus, 93 W. Weisheimer Rd., Columbus, OH 43214. Your help is essential and appreciated. Thank you!
JUSTICE OPPORTUNITIES
BREAD 2021-22 House Meeting Listening Sessions
BREAD (Building Responsibility, Equality, and Dignity—40+ interfaith congregation founded by First UU and 10 others) builds the power of the people to solve community problems. In meetings with thousands of community residents, the organization presses targeted decision-makers to implement solutions to those problems.

Every year, BREAD conducts a listening process to surface one new community problem that is added to the organization’s agenda. Dozens of leaders are trained to research that problem and identify proven solutions. Along with identifying solutions, the research committee identifies the appropriate decision-maker(s) in the community with the authority to implement that solution. At the annual Nehemiah Action Meeting, BREAD congregations bring out thousands of people to press those decision-makers for specific commitments. Throughout the year, BREAD leaders follow up with those officials to ensure that the solutions are implemented.

Listening Sessions occur in all the BREAD congregations to learn what their people’s major concerns are. A democratic process to select a new problem for BREAD to address follows the Listening Sessions.

 

This year one of the questions will be, “How has the environment impacted you and/or those you know, e.g., air quality, mold, flooding, etc. Contact the First UU BREAD Team facilitator of the Listening Session you want to attend to get to know others in the church better, to increase First UU’s voice in the process, and to learn about opportunities for involvement.

Fri. Oct. 1, 7:00 pm – Jessi Sadaka (Zoom)

Tues. Oct. 5, 7 PM – Chris Johnson (Zoom)

Wed. Oct. 6, 3:30 pm – Jessi Sadaka (Zoom)

Sun. Oct. 10, 11:30 am – Alice Rathburn (Church – Room 301)

Tues. Oct. 19, 7:00 pm – Alice Rathburn (Zoom)
Democracy & Human Rights Action Hour
Action Hour: October 6 @ 6:00
October is all about the Vote!!
  • Message the Redistricting Commission
  • Encourage Congress to pass The Freedom to Vote Act
  • Give ONE hour to learn about the issues, create a script and act.
  • Leave voicemails, send emails, write postcards, or post on reps’ FB pages

D&HR math: If 5 people make 30 calls, how many calls can 15 people make?
Film Screening

Join us Saturday, October 16th from 1-4pm at St. Philip Episcopal Church for a screening of the films “Why White?” and “I Am White Like You Mom, Right?”

This event is sponsored by the Sacred Conversations Group, a collaboration of the Episcopal churches of St. Philip, St. Matthew, Saint Mark’s, St. John’s Worthington, and First UU. For more information, please see the attached flyer, or email Kathleen Fowler to get tickets.