At that time I thought it unlikely I would stay that long. I have only done 2-3 year transitional ministries, so it was hard to contemplate 7 years! Since then I’ve been rethinking this, and have proposed to the Board that I be given a six year contract, beginning this July. The more I think about what we can accomplish with a longer time span to work together, the more excited I become. Without the yearly question of “should I stay or should I go” I think we would have the stability to really dig into some of the systemic issues that have burdened this congregation for some time, particularly continuing to build trust, resilience, financial stability, and governance issues.

I realize this is a departure from what we originally conceived, so I want to give us all time to talk about the implications. The Transition Team and two members of the Board are offering informational sessions so we can explore this together. Here are some talking points that I have offered that will help give you more details.

The first session will be following the service on April 27th. Please feel free to contact me, the Board, or the Transition Team members with questions or thoughts.

I look forward to exploring the future together!

Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley

Developmental Minister

Annual Pledge Campaign

All remaining Pledge packets went out in the mail this week! Members can fill out and submit the paper form, enter pledges in Realm, or on First UU’s Website. Thank you for all the ways you contribute to our congregation!

RE Start-Up Being Rescheduled!

The RE Start-Up originally slated for this Saturday (tomorrow, 4/19) is being rescheduled due to facilitator bereavement. Our regional staff presenter, Cassandra Montenegro, is spending time with family, as her grandfather is in his final days. While we aspire to find a new date this spring or summer, this program could get bumped to autumn at latest. Enjoy your free Saturday, and stay tuned! Thank you for your continued support of the Religious Exploration program!

Expressive Worship

Tuesday, April 22, 6:30pm

At the end of the evening those who wish to share are welcomed into a sharing circle. All ages and abilities are enthusiastically welcomed.

April’s theme is Joy. You may choose to do the themed project or create anything you wish! Bring your own materials or use ours!

Atheists, Skeptics and Humanists (ASH)

“Studying the Heart of the Galaxy”

Tuesday, April 22, 7pm, Room 301

2025 IACO Annual Main Event

Sunday, April 27 from 4:30–7:30 pm

Please RSVP by April 20

Please join IACO for our Annual Main Event at First UU Church. Jeanne Lewis, CEO of Faith in Public Life, will speak on Sacred Solidarity: The Role of Interfaith Leaders in Defending Democracy. There will be a vegetarian potluck to follow. The cost is free, but IACO would greatly appreciate a donation of $15 to underwrite the event costs.

Carpe Diem String Quartet

Sunday, April 27 at 2:00 pm

Join Carpe Diem String Quartet in their last concert of the 24-25 season, “Toward the Night”. Featuring works by Fujiwara, Satoh, and Haydn, this concert is sure to be a highlight of our First UU Concert Series as it winds its way toward the end of the year. First UU members receive a $10 discount. Buy your tickets online or at the door!

Week of 4/21–4/25, Reduced Office Hours

Please note: First UU’s Main office hours will be Tuesday–Friday, 9am–1pm for the week of April 21–April 25 while Office Administrator Becca Morse is on vacation. If you need to access the building outside of those hours, please contact Brian Hagemann or another staff member to arrange. Individual Staff Office hours are by appointment – please reach out to schedule a visit.

National Day of Action

Tomorrow, Saturday, April 19, 12:00-2:00 PM

Show up for democracy this Saturday at the Ohio Statehouse at noon with this national day of action organized by the 50501 movement. In the face of the onslaught of distressing news and the deepening constitutional crisis, we have to keep raising our voices.

If you’d like to coordinate with people at the action, arrange carpooling, and hear about future protest news, consider joining the First UU Signal group. Signal is a free app with a strong emphasis on security, which is why many community organizers use it. (You will need to download the Signal app to join the First UU Signal group.)

And remember that you can buy Yellow Side with Love T-shirts for all your protesting / public witness needs at First UU or online through the UUA book store, InSpirit!

Garden Workday: Volunteers needed

Saturday, April 26 9am-Noon

Come help tidy the gardens at First UU and then enjoy lunch afterwards. Volunteers needed even if just for an hour. Helpful to bring garden gloves and a few favorite tools. But all welcome. Questions? Ask Brian Hageman, Dave Richter, or Patricia Boughton

Ohio Feed and Read

This week we are again taking up collections for the Feed and Read program — hygiene items which are so necessary but so often unaffordable for those with few resources. Return your green bag with donations – or if you don’t have one yet, get a green bag and shopping list in the Gallery and return it next week with your donations.

For more information, See Jacques Angelino on Sundays in Beach Hall during Breakfast and Coffee hour.

Rummage Volunteers Needed!

Drop-off Dates: June 3–5, 2025

Sale Date: June 6–7, 2025

We need YOU to help get us rolling! We need volunteers now to organize and make First UU RUUmage sale great. We need team leaders to recruit and manage volunteers for the big day. Thank you Karen Thimmes for leading our book team! We also need leaders for our remaining Ruumage Teams!

Please schedule your “Spring Cleaning” to coincide with our Drop-off Dates of June 3 – June 5. We will be accepting any Furniture, Electronics, music, sporting goods, tools, gardening supplies, housewares and more! (No clothing please).

Friday June 6th will be Double Dollar Day, and Saturday the 7th will be Ruumage Extravaganza!

Contact Myra Hartmann  to throw your name in the helper hat.

First UU Christian Fellowship

1st and 3rd Mondays 6:30-8:00 on Zoom

April 21 – 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

May 5 – Wrap up study

Anti-Racist Allies & Friends

Lunch at Nile Vegan Restaurant

Sunday, April 27, 12:30 pm

White Fragility Book Group

Tuesdays in May:

May 6, 20 & 27 from 7–8:30pm

Join us in discussing White Fragility: Why it’s so hard for white people to talk about racism by Robin Diangelo. Many copies are available through the Columbus Metropolitan Library. Read the book in April and join us to discuss it in May. We can talk about racism even if it is hard!

Facilitators are Linda Loesch and Rev. Kathleen Fowler. Register online or by signing up at coffee hour. Please join us!

Free to Be:

A Community Movement Practice

Begins May 7

1st & 3rd Wednesdays 6:45–8:30pm

Free to Be is a welcoming, drop-in movement experience designed to support presence, expression, and connection—through the body, in community. In a world that often pulls us away from ourselves and one another, this series offers a chance to pause, move, and remember that healing, play, and connection are all still available to us.

This community class offered by First UU Member Whitney Dawn Pyles is available at a sliding scale. Please register if you are able, suggested donation of $15–$40 per class.

Senior Gathering

May 8, 10:45–1pm

Attention Senior Members! Please plan to attend the Senior Gathering on Thursday, May 8, 2025. Music and program will begin at 10:45am in the Worship Center, followed by a full lunch in Beach Hall. A vegetarian option is always provided; we are sorry we cannot accommodate other dietary restrictions. Email your RSVP by May 4!

Save the Date

for Nehemiah Action!

Tuesday, May 13, 6:40pm

Your First UU BREAD Team is gearing up for the annual Nehemiah Action!

We invite all to attend this important assembly and join thousands of other justice seekers as we push to Protect Renters & Protect Tree Canopy.

We will have a bus to provide transportation to and from the Celeste Center, departing First UU at 5:45 pm. Get your tickets for $5 per person or $10/family. Please see your Team Leader or stop by the JAM Table after Sunday Service for your ticket. BREAD RISES!

Second Wednesday Book Club

Next Meeting May 14, 7pm

Choose your own Science Book

Contact Susan Carr for more information.

Earth Day at the King Arts Complex

Saturday, April 19, 2025, 10am-3pm

835 Mount Vernon Avenue

Earth Day is a chance to highlight environmental justice, raise awareness about issues affecting marginalized neighborhoods, and celebrate the rich cultural connection many communities have to the land. Programs will focus on sustainability, urban gardening, green spaces, waste reduction, and advocating for policies that protect the environment while addressing racial and economic disparities. The goal is to inspire community action and ensure a healthier future for all, especially in areas that have been historically neglected or impacted by environmental harm.

Sidewalk Talk Listening Skills Training

The public conversation project “Sidewalk Talk” is making a nation wide bus tour and Columbus will be a stopping place on May 9. We will be hosting their listening skills training from 12 -2pm and all are welcome to attend. Later that evening we will be hosting a potluck dinner for them. For more information email Rev. Terasa!

Art Exhibit Final Week

“Nature Distilled”

On display until April 27

Be sure to view our latest exhibit by First UU artsts during its’s final week here at First UU. Enjoy works from “Natured Distilled” by UU Katherine Lawson (in India Ink, Water media and collage) and by Helen Yee (paintings on east wall of worship center).

This Sunday, April 20th!

*Children participating in the Egg Hunt need to remain with their parent or caregiver until after the story. Classroom drop off begins after we finish the story and exit the service, so that teachers can set up. Thank you!

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

10-10:30am Breakfast, and Coffee until 11am (A/B, Beach Hall)

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

Drop Off Nut Free / Peanut Free Candy & Prizes in Copy Room by 11!

11am-12noon Worship Service incl. Peace Pals Performance! (sanctuary)

11:15am-12:15pm (starts after story)* Spring Festival & Family Egg Hunt (201)

12:30pm Throwing Color (Holi style) All Are Welcome to Join/Watch! (playground)

12noon-1:00pm Snack and Coffee (Beach Hall, A/B)

12:30-1:00pm Peace Pals choir, 5-12yrs (sanctuary)

Help needed: seeking volunteers to work w/ kiddos and teens, this year and next!

Register Now for Peace Camp in August!

We can’t wait to see you this summer! More info, and registration here!

• Session A: for 6-8 years, Monday 7/28 – Friday 8/1, 9am-12noon
• Session B: for 8-11 years, Monday 8/4 – Friday 8/8, 9am-12noon