Friday News 8-13-21

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Happy Friday!

I’m excited to have the opportunity to write a guest column this week. Our Director of Congregational Life Kelli McNeal is taking some well deserved time off this week, visiting with family. We all need a break sometimes! Have you managed to pause this summer, interrupting your regular routine for some joy or reflection in a new place or state of mind?

In June, I took some time off — just in my neighborhood. I focused on cooking and eating well, enjoying trips around the park, and playing with my cat. It was exactly what I needed. I came back to my routine refreshed and re-inspired to bring self-care into my regular life. It’s been good to practice habits of balance during summer when other people are a little more relaxed.

As UUs, we honor the inherent worth and dignity of every person. We sometimes forget that means ourselves. I often remember Mary Oliver’s words from the poem Wild Geese, imploring us to “let the soft animal of your body love what it loves.” I hope our remaining days and weeks of summer will be an opportunity for you to remember how to do that. Or find a new way.

Caring for ourselves often leads us to connecting to others. We’ve got several opportunities for summer fun and care below, so read on! And if you would like an announcement in a future Friday News, please send it to Kelli at kelli@firstuucolumbus.org with FRIDAY NEWS in the subject line. She needs it by Wednesday at 8:00 pm.

Virtual hugs,

Isabel Call
Assistant Minister of Pastoral Care
isabel@firstuucolumbus.org
Announcements at a Glance

(Click the heading to go to that group of announcements for more details)
  • Sunday Service – 8/15
  • Call for Donations: Loose Parts Needed!
  • Sunday School Volunteers Needed!
  • Next 3-12yr Class – 8/8
  • Open Playground Time – weekly
  • Engagement Catalog Request – Due by 8/15
  • Ice Cream Social – 8/15
  • Summer S’mores and Eco Hangout – 8/18
  • Check out the latest Justice Update!

SUNDAYS AT FIRST UU

Sunday Service – Who is Human and How Can You Tell?
Join us Sunday 8/15 for the 7th installment of our summer series, “Heartland Summer Collective,” where we will be virtually visiting congregations across the midwest. This Sunday, we will be led in worship by Reverend Lynnda White, a retired minister, who is a member of InterNational Initiative for Transformative Collaboration, a council of Original Peoples, People of Color, and Indigenous Peoples.

How can we celebrate the quest for justice, equality, and human rights without determining what we mean by human and deciding if some people are more human than otehrs or are more entitled to more rights than others? Apparently, the answers aren’t as simple as we think they are.

FAMILY UPDATES
Call for Donations: Loose Parts Needed!
Loose Parts Needed! We have developed a list of materials that we are seeking to enrich our ideas and experiences at Peace Camp, and for future Sunday School and Religious Exploration classes this fall. Even if you only have a small amount, please donate theses items ASAP!

 

Seeking:

-Scrap wood: 12″ or smaller

-Boxes: Shoebox size and smaller

– Any unusual shape cardboard pieces (often seen in packaging of things)

-Tubes: Toilet paper, paper towel, wrapping paper

-Plastic yogurt containers

-Egg cartons- cardboard only

-Plastic lids from 6-packs, lids for pretty much anything (they work for buttons or for parts of faces and so much more)

-Tin cans (if clean, and not too sharp, preferably no label)

-Streamers and ribbons

-Tissue Paper

 

Anything that seems you could add to a “robot” or “computer” or a dollhouse size building constructed out of recycled materials would be what we are looking for! No styrofoam please. You can bring any materials you would like to donate to First UU, and put them in this green tub by the East / Chipotle side entrance. Thank you!

 
Sunday School Volunteers Needed!
Please fill out this form if you are interested in helping with classes for children and youth, starting in the fall! Thank you!
Next 3-12yr Class Online!
Summer RE for 3-12 years Next class: 11:10am* on August 8th (*starting 5 min after the service ends). Join Jen second and fourth Sundays on Zoom!
Open Playground Time
1-3pm Every Sunday (weather permitting) Sign Up Here! (For contact tracing purposes, or to volunteer to help).
More Summer Events!
For more information on our summer events, check out the two schedules linked below.

RE Class Schedule 2020-2021 / Church Google Calendar 

FIRST UU EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS 
Engagement Catalog Request
DEADLINE SUNDAY!
In preparation for returning to the church building in September, we are working on compiling a catalog of all groups and classes that are available for our community to participate in. If you would like your group or class to be included in the catalog, please email Kelli with the following information:

  1. Name of Group/Class
  2. Brief Description
  3. Who and how to contact for more information
  4. When you meet, if known (including if you will meet in person, online, or both)

To be included in the catalog, Kelli must receive your information by August 15th.  
Ice Cream Social

Join us Sunday, August 15th from 2:00-3:30 pm for our third Ice Cream Social at the church. Masks are required in the building while not eating. And don’t forget to pick up your new name tag from outside of the worship center! 

JUSTICE OPPORTUNITIES
Summer S’mores and Eco Hangout
Join us Wednesday August 18th in the First UU parking lot, from 7:00-8:00 pm.

Stop by one or more low-key gatherings around a summer evening campfire as we restart the Environmental Justice Focus Group! Bring a sack dinner and we’ll provide the S’mores. Let’s talk about what we’re most excited about doing together in the coming year to care for our earth, our global neighbors, our non-human relatives, our spiritual connection with nature, and our children’s children. So many possibilities! What stirs your passion?
Justice Update
Check out our latest Justice Update to learn more about how First UU is combating food insecurity, hear some uplifting gratitude, and learn how you can defend our First Amendment rights!