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| Hello all!
Happy March! It’s been so lovely to see the sun shining, the snow melt away, and have a few days of slightly warmer weather! I hope you are getting to spend some time outside and get some fresh air.
I’m very excited to announce the start of two very important groups here at First UU. First, to support the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) in our community, we are starting a BIPOC Caucus. We are also starting an Anti-Racism Allies Group to work alongside the BIPOC Caucus, and provide support when needed, and help to dismantle systems of oppression within our community to help First UU be truly welcoming to all. Please scroll down to the “Groups” section to learn more about these two important groups that will help us to live into our values.
And, as always, my weekly reminder, if you would like an announcement in the Friday News, please email me no later than Wednesday at 8:00 pm with FRIDAY NEWS in the subject line.
Virtual hugs,
Kelli McNeal
Director of Congregational Life
kelli@firstuucolumbus.org
(614) 706-3282 |
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| Announcements at a Glance
(Scroll down for more details on these announcements)
CLASSES
- Children and Youth RE – 3/7
- Spiritual Practices – 3/8
- Bible Class – 3/9
EVENTS
- BREAD Justice Ministry Organizing Meeting – 3/7
- Hoarding or Collecting Workshop – 3/7
GROUPS
- Introducing First UU’s Black, Indigenous, People of Color Caucus
- Introducing First UU’s Anti-Racism Allies Group
- BIPOC UUA Gathering – 3/8
- Caregivers Group – 3/9
ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM OUR PARTNERS
- School for Young Children Application
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UPCOMING SERVICES &
BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Sunday Service – Seeds of March
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| Join us Sunday, March 7th, as Rev Marian introduces the new theme of Commitment. The snow is melting, the ice is gone, can the daffodils be far behind? On this cusp of spring, what seeds will we plant? How soft does the ground have to be? |
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It’s time for Nominations!
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| The Nominating Committee needs your help! If you are considering a leadership position, or you know someone who would be a fantastic contribution, please fill out this nomination form to let the Committee know. First UU is able to thrive because of all of you, so please consider nominating yourself or someone else to help us plan for and shape our future! |
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March Soul Matters Packets are Here!
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| Our March Soul Matters Packets on Commitment have all been mailed. You can find the digital versions here: General Packet (for all ages); Soulful Home(UU activities to do as a family); Chalice Home (tips for creating sacred space at home). |
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Faith Forward – Spiritual Practices
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Spiritual Practices is a 12 session series that helps us to develop regular disciplines of the spirit – practices that help us connect with the sacred. You do not need to attend all of the sessions, so if you can’t attend one or a couple, don’t let that stop you from participating!Spiritual Practices next class will be Monday, March 8th at 7:00 pm. We will be covering the practices of Discernment & Devotional Reading.Session objectives are:
- Be introduced to the concept of discernment as spiritual practice.
- Consider how we are called to make decisions as people of UU faith.
- Explore possibilities for our own devotional practice
- Small group ministries as spiritual practice discernment groups.
Visit our website to learn more about Faith Forward, register for the Spiritual Practices class, and see the other incredible courses that are being offered next! |
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| Join us for our next Bible Class, Tuesday March 9th, at 7:30 pm. The theme for this year’s class is “Great Bible Stories.” For Zoom information, please email Ron Payne. Zoom details are sent in advance of each session. |
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Introducing First UU’s Black, Indigenous, People of Color Caucus
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As part of our goal to live into the ideas and dreams of Beloved Community, we acknowledge that for too long, People of Color have struggled silently within our community. We also acknowledge our part in perpetuating an insider/outsider culture and want to all we can to create space for those in our community who far too often find themselves on the outside looking in. As part of our effort to live into the 8th Principle’s call for accountability, we are in the early stages of creating a Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) caucus here at First UU. If you identify as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color and would like more information about what this caucus is and how to get involved, please email Kelli McNeal ( kelli@firstuucolumbus.org). |
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Introducing First UU’s Anti-Racism Allies Group
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We are also creating an Anti-Racism Allies Group, which will help lift up and support the efforts and goals of our BIPOC community. We are asking all participants in this group to have gone through Beloved Conversations or our new program, Living the Pledge, which will hopefully begin being offered later this spring. The Anti-Racism Allies Group’s goal is to continue to work to dismantle systems of racism and oppression within ourselves and within our community, so that we can fully live into the Welcoming Congregation that we all dream First UU to be. If you are interested or would like more information, please email Kelli McNeal ( kelli@firstuucolumbus.org). |
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Central East Region BIPOC Group Gathering
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If you identify as Black, Indigenous, or a person of color (BIPOC), you’re invited to join us for the Central East Region’s BIPOC gathering – happening two Mondays per month at 6:30 pm.
In our gatherings, we are joined by lay folx of color, lay leaders of color and/or religious professionals of color to be in community. Our conversations focus on topics like wellness and resilience, and our goal is to center BIPOC experiences and create space to explore our UU experiences.
Please email Sana Saeed, or Paula Cole Jones for Zoom information. Dates for Winter/Spring Gatherings: March 8 & 22, April 12 & 26, May 10 & 24, and June 14 & 28.
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Please join us Tuesday, March 9th, on Zoom at 1:00 pm for our next Caregivers Support Group. This meeting is open to everyone who is currently a caregiver, or who was a caregiver (the widows among us). Please email Sylvia Howe for Zoom information. |
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| Join us Sunday, March 7th at 1:00 pm for First UU’s BREAD Justice Ministry Network Organizing Meeting. Please email Alice Rathburn for more information. |
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Hoarding or Collecting Workshop
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| Do you lie awake nights wondering how to help relatives, friends, or even yourself cope with all that clutter? The First UU Pastoral Team invites you to a Zoom workshop Sunday March 7th at 2:00.
Our presenter is the excellent, nationally known Paula Taliaferro, R.N., LISW from the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging.
Join us on Zoom! |
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ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM OUR PARTNERS
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School for Young Children Applications
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| Application materials are now available for the School for Young Children’s 2021-22 school year. Processing of applications will begin on March 12, 2021 at noon. Currently-enrolled students, children of church members and children from SYC alumni families receive priority consideration as long as their applications are received by March 12 at noon. SYC offers part-time classes for children aged 3 through 5. If you have a preschool child who will be age 3 by September 30, 2021 or older, and are interested in enrolling your child, we urge you to act promptly since we usually fill up quickly.
Information and application materials can be downloaded from SYC’s website, or you can call the school office (614-267-0254) |
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