I’ve just returned from a glorious trip up the river Elbe from Prague to Berlin. It was a family trip to help celebrate my mother’s 90th birthday. We visited amazing cities and went past our ancestral homeland and touched Luther’s theses on the door of his church in Wittenberg. But we also saw the still all-too apparent devastation from World War II and the Communist occupation. There are scars upon the land and emotional scars in the people who have lived through regime change and rebuilding. The costs of war are not just financial or short-term. Our current administration seems to act like war is a video game. But real people over generations will feel grief and pain and hardship. Let us not forget.

Lead Minister

Upcoming Events

This Sunday, April 12th

9:15
Nouurish Service

Join us for this interactive and inherently multigenerational community worship experience!

Our featured story this week:

Why Not?

written by Kobi Yamada

illustrated by Gabriella Barouch

Presented by Alternative Worship Team & Members of this Community

Infant / Toddler Care is Available 10:30-12:30

11:00

“European Roots”

It often surprises people to learn that Unitarianism has roots that go back centuries in middle Europe. Romania, Transylvania, and Czechoslovakia — all have a noble history of upholding Unitarian ideals, even in the face of great oppression. We will explore the ways in which we might learn from the courageous struggle they have had to maintain their faith.

Presented by Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley

Next Sunday, April 19, is our Flower Communion All Ages Service (no classes)!

Please bring cut flowers to share on 4/19 as part of this beloved UU tradition!

April Pathways to Membership!

Saturday, 4/11: 8:30 Breakfast, 9am–1pm Program

Are you curious about how to become a member of First UU? Are you considering becoming a member, but just not sure yet? Are you wondering about how to connect and engage with this community? Pathways to Membership is for you!

Register or email our team for more information! Childcare available on request. (Can’t make April’s Class? Register for the Sunday, May 10 class!)

Adaptive Leadership

April 11, 1-2:30pm (online)

April 12, 1-2:30pm (In-Person)

Adaptive Leadership looks at the difference between technical problems (fixable) and adaptive challenges (not fixable) and offers us strategies for approaching challenges that help us learn something new and that bring us together to work collectively.

From Seeds to Synergy:

Celebrating the CCC for PPP

Sunday, April 12, 10:00 am

Join us for a lively and inspiring look at the projects, partnerships, and community-powered collaborations made possible through the support of First Unitarian Universalist donors and community grants! This presentation will highlight how the Connecting Community Corridor for People, Pollinators, and the Planet (CCC for PPP) has grown through shared vision, creative teamwork, and a whole lot of heart. Come see how your support has helped plant the seeds for pollinator habitat, neighborhood connection, environmental stewardship, and joyful grassroots action. Email Dianne Kadonaga for more information or volunteer possibilities.

A Peek Ahead

4/11 Indivisible Ohio Secretary of State Candidate forum (RSVP)
4/12 – Stewardship kick off and chili lunch
4/19 – Flower ceremony / Earth Day service
4/26 – UU Justice Ohio speaker Pablo DeJesús
5/1 – First Friday Spaghetti Dinner – Hosted by Rev. Terasa and Marco

Planning ahead? Check our online calendar for additional events!

From First UU Leadership

Spring is Stewardship Season – Join us for a Chili Reception to Celebrate!

Together our seeds of time, talent, and treasure grow into the lush garden of community that we dream about! Starting this week, visit the giving table after the 11am service to pick up your packet and talk to our stewardship team about your pledge for next church year.

We also invite you to join us for a Chili Reception on Sunday after the 11 AM service. Bring a snack to share if able and enjoy community and conversation – and Thank you for your generosity!

Sign Up: HS Grad Recognition 5/3!

Does your family include a teen who is graduating from high school or homeschool, or who you want affirmed by the congregation as they transition from youth to young adulthood?

Bridging seniors receive gifts from the congregation! Graduating youth and their families are invited to attend in person – so that we can honor you as a congregation – but this is not required.

*The form is due by midnight the Tuesday before the ceremony, April 28th!*

Upcoming Governance Meetings

4/15 Finance Committee (RSVP)
4/22 Board of Trustees (RSVP)
6/7 Congregational Annual Meeting

Want to nominate someone to be on the Board of Trustees or Nominating Committee (NomCom)? Fill out our Nomination Form or email NomCom!

Justice

Indivisible Ohio Presents:

Democratic Secretary of State Candidate Forum

with Bryan Hambley and Allison Russo

Saturday, April 11, 12:30 – 2 pm, RSVP

Join Indivisible Central Ohio for a discussion with Democratic Secretary of State candidates Bryan Hambley and Allison Russo. Each candidate will be given an opportunity to answer a set of questions as well as talk about their motivations and goals in running for this important statewide office.

Democracy Action Hour

Weekly at 12:30 on Sunday

April 12 – Whistle kit making

April 19 – Canvassing for Issue 5 with Indivisible

April 26 – Whistle kit and sign making for May Day

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. Each week, we’ll do something together to support democracy and resist what’s going on.

UUJO Spring Gathering

Saturday, April 25, 9 AM-5 PM

Join UUs from across the state for the Unitarian Universalist Justice Ohio (UUJO) Spring Gathering, hosted here at First UU. Pablo DeJesus, the Executive Director of UUs for Social Justice, will give the keynote, “Faithful Defiance in Times of Democratic Trial.” Afternoon workshops will be offered on immigration, trauma and resilience, coalition / network building, Statehouse advocacy and more!

Registration: $65 (includes lunch) contact Rev. Dr. Alice Diebel for scholarship support.

Volunteering

Home Hospitality Hosts Needed

April 24-26, 2026

First UU Columbus is hosting the UUJO Spring Assembly on Saturday, April 25th. UUs from throughout Ohio will be coming to Columbus, and some will be needing home hospitality for Friday night, Saturday night, or both. Do you have some extra space you would be willing to offer to a visitor?Hosting visitors is a wonderful way to get to know other UUs and deepen connections within our UU world. And, it’s quite fun — Click the button and sign up to host! Email us with questions.

Become a Host

Email us to Volunteer!

Interfaith Association of Central Ohio

IACO (the Interfaith Association of Central Ohio) is looking for interested First UUs who want to be involved in interfaith work. Our organization represents nine diverse faiths who have come together for one purpose: to create an interfaith community based on understanding, friendship, and trust. IACO offers its members visits to different faith traditions, hosts a community service weekend, sponsors webinars, the main event, and an annual prayer gathering. Please contact with Karen Dawson or Danya Furda if interested.

Help Plant Trees at Spruce Run Nature Center!

Saturday, April 18, 9:30 AM-2:00 PM

Seeking a dozen or more volunteers to help plant bare root trees – that will provide shelter for animals, oxygen for all beings, and pollen for pollinators for decades to come! Families and teens welcome! (Children younger than age 16 must be accompanied by an adult chaperone). RSVP on Realm!

You are welcome to explore Spruce Run’s 50 acres before or after planting trees! Bring hiking shoes, a water bottle (can be refilled on site), and a snack or sack lunch if desired. We ask that you spend an hour and a half helping to plant trees (or longer, if you like)! Questions? Contact Dana Reynolds!

4175 Sunbury Rd, Galena, OH 43021

Eco-tip Earth Day

Earth Day is officially April 22nd, but there are many opportunities to celebrate and support the planet all through the month. In fact, there are too many opportunities to list here, so you are invited to find an event near you by going to Earth Day Columbusto learn about them!

Dates with Justice

5/1: May Day national day of action (details to come)
5/5: Primary Election Day
5/12: BREAD Nehemiah Action (Email for info)

Join the First UU Columbus Protesters chat on Signal App

or email our Justice Team for more information.

Classes & Groups

Monday Nights are for Creativity!

Join Expressive Collage on the 1st and 3rd Mondays, or Creative Community (bring your own crafts) on the 2nd and 4th Mondays. Both drop-in groups meet at 7pm in Room 301.

Additional Groups & Classes

Sacred Song Circle: 6pm Wednesdays
Creativity Mondays: 7-9pm, 1st/3rd Mondays Expressive Collage, 2nd/4th Mondays Creative Community Crafting
Keep On Keeping On chronic pain support: 3pm 4/20 Zoom (RSVP)

On the Journey

Join us in the journey towards anti-racism by celebrating

black innovators, creators, and change-makers each week.

Read about the 8th Principle and First UU’s anti-racism efforts on our website.

Victor Green

Postal Worker, Entrepreneur, Innovator

This week, we want to celebrate Victor Green, creator of the “Green Book”. From the 1940s through the 1970s, Black American travelers were restricted from many of the hotels, attractions, services and restaurants that catered to the larger, white population. Green’s travel guide specialized in providing information to travelers who were people of color during the Jim Crow era. The book warned Black American drivers about routes to avoid and promoted positive recreation experiences for Black Americans traveling the nation’s highways. Eventually, as with public transit and the larger college industrial complex, travel accommodations & services expanded to African Americans in part because providers realized although their skin was black, their money was still green. In this way, Victor Green helped African Americans force their way into the American dream of leisure, travel, and the open road.

Learn more about the Green book at this virtual Green Book exhibit, and read about Victor’s story at the Federal Highway of Administration’s website, or watch the real story of the Green Book (4:16) on youtube, produced by Vox.com

Thank you, Don Merrill, for submitting this article!

Anti-Racist Allies Events and Calendar

April and May

Did you know that the Anti-Racist Allies events are for everyone? This group curates a list of fun and interesting activities that are open to the public that will both uplift and support our BIPOC community. You can download the list from First UU’s website to see what’s coming up in April and May. We hope you are able to enjoy some of the many activities here in Columbus!

Please suggest someone for us to feature in our weekly celebration mini-biographies. Interested in writing?

Email Becca to contribute to this weekly feature. Thank you!

Community News

Upcoming Member Memorials

April 17, 2pm: Tom Tucker
Location: Wesley Glen Retirement Community

Hosted at First UU:

April 18, 3pm: Chuck White

May 2, 2pm: Tom Roberts

June 6, 1pm: Bob Letcher

The Interfaith Association of Central Ohio (IACO) Presents:

Interfaith Visit to Congregation Agudas Achim

Saturday, April 18 at 10:30 am (Please register)

IACO (the Interfaith Association of Central Ohio) invites you to an interfaith visit to Congregation Agudas Achim, a conservative Jewish synagogue, on Saturday, April 18 from 10:30 am until noon, with an option for lunch. We will observe a Sabbath service followed by a question and answer session with the rabbi. All are welcome, but registration is required. A photo ID for adults over 18 is required for security.

Central East Region Summer Institute (CERSI) 2026

July 5-11, 2026

Registration Open Now

Scholarships Deadline May 15

Get ready for an unforgettable week of community, music and learning! Summer Institute 2026 is returning to Oberlin College, OH, July 5-11.

Join us at Oberlin College in Oberlin, OH, July 5-11, 2026 with Rev. Susan Ritchie, speaking on Co-Creating Hope: The Art and Beauty of Resilience.

Several of First UU’s Staff members are also part of the team that helps make CERSI happen every summer. Feel free to stop in and ask us about it!

Columbus Women’s Chorus Spring Concerts!

7:00 PM Saturday, April 25 (6:30 PM doors open)

& 3:00 PM Sunday, April 26 (2:30 PM doors)

At a time of global unrest and deep division, the Columbus Women’s Chorus invites the community to come together through music that uplifts, empowers, and inspires action. Their spring concert series, “STAND UP!”, centers themes of justice, resilience, and collective care. Through a dynamic program featuring songs such as “What Happens When a Woman,” “Warrior,” “Justice,” and “Be the Change,” the chorus uses music to explore urgent social issues while creating space for connection and hope. The concert features “Dance the Wind,” a commissioned work with music by Assistant Artistic Director and Accompanist Sheena Phillips and lyrics by soprano Bobbie Brooks, highlighting the creative power within the chorus itself. “STAND UP!” reflects the chorus’s mission to use music as a tool for education, advocacy, and community-building—reminding audiences that even in difficult times, they are not alone.

Ohio Roller Derby Home Games!

2026 home games will be played Saturdays at the Ohio Expo Center; join us for the final 2 games of the season on May 9 & May 23.

Family Activities

Happening This Sunday, April 12th!

9:15-10am Nouurish Multigenerational Worship Service (sanctuary)

10:00-10:45am Hot Breakfast and Coffee, Tea (kitchen, A/B, Beach Hall)

10:30am-12:30pm Infant and Toddler Care 3mos-3yrs (101)

10:30am-12:15pm 13-15year Our Whole Lives (302)

10:55am-12:15pm 10-11year Our Whole Lives (404)

10:45am-12:15pm Neighboring Faiths Meet Here! Earth Based Field Trip (301)

11:00am-12:15pm Roots and Wings 13+yrs: HS Spirituality and Big Q’s (401)

11:00am-12:00pm Worship Service (sanctuary)

11:15ish-12:15 Spirit Play 3-7yrs: Start in Service Until After Story (102)

11:15ish-12:15 Spirit Play 7-12yrs: Start in Service Until After Story (201)

Kiddos w/fam during service: use Busy Bags or quiet toys in Wee Worship / Slowter!

12noon-12:30pm Snack, Coffee, and Tea (Gallery, Beach, A/B)

12:30-1:00pm Peace Pals Children’s Choir Rehearsal 5-12yrs (sanctuary)

12:30-2:30pm Youth Group (Service Planning!) 12yrs-HS senior (402/3)

1:00-2:30pm Navigators Scouting Badge-Work Meeting 5-12yrs (201, playground)

*Next Sunday, 4/19: No Class – All Ages Flower Ceremony – Bring Flowers!*

Check Out Peace Camp This Summer!

At Peace Camp we invite children to be their true selves, and make space for all to be welcomed and valued. We explore what peace means, looks like, and how it connects us. Cost: $100 suggested. Invite your friends! bit.ly/peacecamp2026

Session A for 5-8 years, Monday-Friday 7/27-7/31 from 9am-12noon
Session B for 8-12 years, Monday-Friday 8/3-8/7 from 9am-12noon

First UU Church of Columbus

First Unitarian Universalist Church

Sunday Services at 9:15 & 11