Friday News – April 28, 2023

•

Happy Friday!

In planning this week’s service, I’ve been inspired by the song that the Chalice Choir is going to be singing – a musical interpretation of Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken.” As I thought about our monthly theme of Resistance, this felt like a beautiful interpretation of our service theme “Resistance to Change.” I can’t wait to hear the choir sing this beautiful poem!
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Don’t forget to check out our Fourth Friday spaghetti dinner later tonight at 6:30 – for food, fun, and fellowship!

Also new this week, one of our church members, Nancy McDonald-Kenworthy, began helping us as a Friday News copyeditor! She will be editing the announcements to try to keep Friday News as brief and informative as possible. Thank you, Nancy!

PLEASE TURN IN PLEDGE FORMS

This is the final week of our scheduled Spring Giving event and we have only heard from 33% of our membership. If you haven’t already turned in your pledge form, please do so asap. Your staff are in the final stages of finish our budget to move on to the next step of sending it to the Board and Finance and we need your help. We want to provide the most accurate budget that we can. Thank you so much for your generosity!

HOW TO NAVIGATE FRIDAY NEWS

If you scroll to the purple box titled “Announcements at a Glance,” you can click on a heading to jump to that section. Or click the word “summary” in the purple box to go to the overview of that section.
Blessings friends,
Rev. Kelli McNeal
Minister of Congregational Life
kelli@firstuucolumbus.org
(614)706-3282

  • The deadline for Friday News submissions is 8:00pm Wednesday.Email announcements@firstuucolumbus.org
  • Deadline for Sunday service materials is 11:00am Thursday morning.
Announcements at a Glance

*Indicates New or Updated Announcement
CONGREGATIONAL UPDATES
  • Greetings From Your Board of Trustees
  • Go, Search Team, Go!
  • Stewardship and Generosity Update
SUNDAY SERVICES
  • This Sunday: “Do We Have To?” Rev. Kelli McNeal – 4/30 *
  • April Share the Plate:
    Connecting Community Corridor for People, Pollinators, and the Planet
  • SUMMARY: Upcoming Services
EVENTS
  • Upcoming Concerts at First UU! – 4/30, 5/5, 5/19, 5/21, 6/4
  • Funeral Consumers Alliance – 4/30, 5/20
  • BREAD: Nehemiah Follow-Up Actions *
  • Meet the Candidates! Board and Nominating – 5/7, 5/14 *
  • Youth Group Art Show – 5/7
  • Senior Luncheon – 5/11
  • Read Dangerously! Banned Book Library
  • Auction Experiences Still Available
  • SUMMARY: Events Calendar
CLASSES AND GROUPS
  • SUMMARY: Classes and Groups
WIDER COMMUNITY
  • Deb Baillieul: Quilts at Audubon! *
  • Summer Camps: Register Now! *
  • Ohio Roller Derby Tickets: See Amber – 5/20
  • SUMMARY: Community Events
FAMILY ACTIVITIES
  • This Sunday, 4/30 *
  • Volunteer to Teach Next Year!
  • Sign Up: Child Dedication Ceremony – 5/14
  • Register Now for Peace Camp
  • SUMMARY: Family Events
CONGREGATIONAL UPDATES
Greetings From Your Board of Trustees

April has flown by. Before another week goes by we want to thank you all for the amazing things happening here at 1st UU Columbus. Last Sunday we experienced Spirit Play RE programing during the service (Thank you Jenifer Bojanowski and Cara Seidt!) and celebrated our Bridging High School Graduates, including one of our board youth representatives, Quill Seilhan. It was a lovely service and we are excited to see where our now young adults will grow next.

We want to give another huge thank you to the Rummage Sale team and the many volunteers who pitched in to help in a myriad of ways. Your dedication and excitement was infectious and it resulted in a very successful event in March.

We invite you to join us in generosity by increasing your pledge by at least 13% if you are able. Our Congregation is thriving and our pledge dollars enable us to fund our program offerings as we continue to rebuild from the pandemic. Our pledges also inform budget decisions as we look ahead to next fiscal year, so please return your pledge forms and give generously as you are able!

Are you planning on attending the General Assembly in Pittsburgh on June 21-24? More information can be found on the UUA’s website for GA. Whether you are attending online or in person, please let us know! Drop us a note at the board@firstuucolumbus.org address and indicate if you’re willing to be a delegate for our Congregation.

Thank you to all of YOU, our 1st UU church members and friends, for showing up week after week in all the many ways that you all do to make this amazing community. We are glad you are here in all the many facets; all parts of the whole are greatly appreciated.

Your Board of Trustees,

Jan Phillips, Billy Davidson, Shelly Casto, Jim Conlan, Julie Pinsonneault, and Cindy Whicker

Next Board meeting: Wednesday, May 3rd, at 7pm.
Contact: board@firstuucolumbus.org
Go, Search Team, Go!
We finalized our search packet last Wednesday and it has now been published. We will be getting a candidate list on May 1st and will begin to start scheduling interviews. May 15th we will be informing the Transition Office our results from the interviews. On May 17th at noon we will be extending an offer to a candidate. You can see we will be busy the first part of May!

Your Search Team,

Jim Conlan and Myra Hartmann (chairs), Shirley Lange, Meg McGuire, Erin Reilly-Sanders, and Amber Scott (ad hoc)
Stewardship and Generosity Update
We’re wrapping up our stewardship campaign and we are still so excited by the returns! We’ve now heard from 33% of you, but there’s only a few days left of our campaign, so we have a way to go!

Based on pledges that have come in, we’re seeing an average of 10% increase – thank you!!!! If you haven’t already, please consider taking a few minutes now to fill out our pledge form. We need to finalize our budget next week to present to the Board on Wednesday, and we want to be as accurate in what to expect for pledges as we possibly can. Thank you again!

For more information, or to submit your pledge form online, visit our website.And please don’t hesitate to reach out to Rev. Kelli with any questions! Thank you again for your incredible generosity!
Pledge Now!
SUNDAY SERVICES
Do We Have To?
Join us on Sunday, April 30th for our 11am worship service!

Not many people like the concept of change. Fundamental to change is doing something different, perhaps something we’ve never done before. It makes sense to feel uncertain, scared, or apprehensive. But what happens when resistance stands in the way of change?

Worship Presenter: Rev. Kelli McNeal
April Share the Plate

Connecting Community Corridor for People, Pollinators, and the Planet
Our Share-the-Plate donations in April go to the Connecting Community Corridor for People, Pollinators, and the Planet. This corridor is made of the yards and container gardens of 40 families in Linden who received donated native plants to support specialist pollinators and birds. They have all agreed not to use chemicals on their lawns and leave stems, seed heads, and open ground over the winter for nests. The corridor is coordinated by First UU member Dianne Kadonaga. Check out their exhibit in Seeds of Change: The Power of Women’s Voices, on display at OSU campus!
Upcoming Services Summary
  • 5/7 – Saying Yes, Rev. Meg McGuire
  • 5/14 – Mother’s Day, Child Dedication, Rev. Kelli McNeal
  • 5/21 – Coming of Age Service
  • 5/30 – Rev. Kelli McNeal
  • 6/4 – Elaina Ramsey, Faith Choice Ohio
  • 6/11 – Rev. Kelli McNeal
  • 6/18 – Pride Service
  • 6/25 – UUA General Assembly service (streaming in our sanctuary)
  • 9/10 – Ingathering / Water Ceremony (All Ages, No RE)

Monthly Themes

  • May: Creativity
  • June: Delight
EVENTS
Upcoming Concerts at First UU!
As spring arrives, we have a host of in-house concerts coming your way at First UU!

  • This Sunday, April 30th the Carpe Diem String Quartet will play a memorial concert to its beloved founding member Chas Wetherbeewho passed away earlier this year. This performance will feature many guest artists and beautiful music by Vaughan Williams, Fujiwara, Schubert, and Tchaikovsky, as well as a video tribute to Chas. Tickets may be purchased here, and church members can get a $10 discount. The board of CDSQ will host a reception after the concert in Beach Hall.
  • First UU is pleased to host singer-songwriter Peter Mayer on Friday, May 5th at 7 pm. You may recognize Mayer as the author of our well loved hymn “Blue Boat Home“, the song “Holy Now”, and many others. He last played 1st UU in 2019, and the concert was a huge success. Suggested donations are $20 at the door for this. We are also requesting aid in hosting Peter overnight & transporting him to or from his performance in Dayton the next day. If you are interested in helping with this, please email Brandon Moss.
  • We have a long partnership with Chamber Music Connection, & the we will host their 31st Spring Festival performance on Friday, May 19 at 7:30 pm with the Cavani String Quartet. Ticket donations at the door are $20 for adults and $40 for families.
  • Our own First UU Choirs will hold a Spring Concert on Sunday, May 21st at 4:00 pm. All choirs (Peace Pals, Spirit of Life Choir, Chalice Choir) will perform a variety of music, including a feature of music by American composer Randall Thompson. The concert is free and open to the public.
  • Finally, Sunday, June 4 at 4:00 pm our own church member Willow Otten will be playing a French horn recital. Willow is currently a Masters student at the New England Conservatory of Music and has been offered an exciting opportunity to play in an opera festival orchestra in Italy this summer. Willow’s recital on June 4 will help raise money to fund her trip to Italy! We encourage you to attend and help her out with this exciting adventure! She will also be playing at First UU during the May 28 service.

If you have any questions about concerts or music at First UU, please contact Brandon Moss.
Funeral Consumers Alliance
Sunday April 30 – Funeral Consumers Alliance will have a table with information, in Beach Hall before and after the service.

Saturday May 20 – Funeral Consumers Alliance will hold its annual meeting in Beach Hall starting with lunch at noon. There will be a speaker and business meeting. All interested are welcome.

Funeral Consumers Alliance of Central Ohio is a subcommittee of our Caring Committee. Questions? Contact Cathy Elkins.
BREAD: Nehemiah Follow-Up Actions
Thank you once again to everyone who attended BREAD’s Nehemiah Actionon Tuesday. We made real progress, winning commitment from Columbus Board of Education to support restorative practices, tho more work remains. To that end, we have three follow up actions you can take:

  • Municipal ID: Sign the “OneID” Columbus letter of support for a municipal ID here.
  • Policing: Thursday, May 4: Demonstration in front of Columbus Police HQtrs at 120 Marconi Blvd,  @noon (arrive at 11:45 am to setup). We continue to seek commitment that Columbus Police be trained in active bystandership to prevent & interrupt police misconduct.
  • Affordable Housing:  Monday, May 15: Demonstration at City Hall. Join our housing committee at City Hall (90 W Broad), 2nd floor in Council Chambers, 5 pm, as we continue to push for more American Rescue Plan money to be used for affordable housing.

For demonstration details / to be informed of future actions, sign up here!
Meet the Candidates! Board, Nominating
It’s time to meet this year’s slate of candidates running to fill open positions on the Board of Trustees, Nominating Committee, and as Church Moderator. These individuals will be selected for terms of one, two or three years at the Annual Meeting coming up in June.

The current Nominating Committee is hosting candidate meet-and-greets after the services on Sunday, May 7 and Sunday, May 14. Candidates will be available in person in Beach Hall, and/or Zoom access may be arranged. You are free to come with questions or simply to say hello. We will also provide informational candidate flyers to take home.

For further information, contact Julie Carr Smyth, or another member of the Nominating Committee.
Youth Group Art Show 5/7
Please Join the First UU Youth Group Sunday, May 7th after the service, from 12:30-2pm on, for their first ever Gallery Art Show and fundraiser! A portion of the proceeds will help fund the group’s upcoming trip this June, to Pittsburgh for General Assembly.

“The strength of every democracy is measured by its commitment to the arts.” -Charles Segars
We Read Dangerously! Banned Book Library
The First UU Youth Group is so grateful for the congregations support of the First UU Banned Book Library. We continue to partner with the Book Loft, a local bookstore in German Village, to build the First UU Banned Book Library! Please join us by clicking here to purchase a book to add to our library. During the spring the library collection is  focusing on YA and childrens books. Please click the link above to see what’s new on our wish list!
Available Auction Items
To read a full description of each event or service, please go to the auction website. If you would like to purchase a spot or spots, please contact the Auction Team.

Cinco de Mayo Inspired Happy Hour
Saturday May 6th at 6pm
$30 per spot (2 available)

Visit to Rumpke Recycling Plant in Columbus
Tuesday May 9th at 10am
$15 per spot (8 available)

Birding with Bob and Donna
Saturday May 13th at 8am
25 per spot (3 available)

Spring Nature Hike / Mound Excursion
Saturday May 13th at 9am
$20 per spot (19 available)
Event Calendar Summary
  • 4/28 – Fourth Friday Dinner
  • 4/30, Sunday – Carpe Diem concert, Funeral Consumer Alliance tabling
  • Thru 4/30 –  Eric Murphy, Subtle Chaos: Spacescapes and Jim Crow States (Gallery)
  • 5/5, Friday – Peter Mayer concert
  • 5/6, Saturday – Church Gardens and Grounds Work Day, 9am-1pm
  • 5/7, Sunday, Youth Group Art Show Reception, 12:30-2pm
  • 5/11, Thursday – Senior Gathering
  • 5/19, Friday – Chamber Music Connection spring festival performance
  • 5/20, Saturday – Funeral Consumers Alliance annual meeting
  • 5/21, Sunday – First UU Choirs spring concert
  • 6/4, Sunday – Willow Otten horn recital
  • 6/11, Sunday – Annual Meeting
  • 6/21-6/25 – UUA General Assembly
  • 7/9-7/15 – CER Summer Institute
  • 9/2-9/4 – Labor Day Retreat
CLASSES AND MEETUPS
Classes and Groups Summary
Recurring – Click to Email the Group Leader!

Mondays

Tuesdays

Wednesdays

Thursdays

Fridays

Sundays
WIDER COMMUNITY
Deb Baillieul: Quilts at Audubon!
Deb writes, I have an opening for my quilt show “Sanctuary,” at the Scioto Audubon Center on this Thurs, May 4, 6-8pm. It is with my friend Marty Kotter – we have 51 fiber works. If you are coming to the opening reception you will need to RSVP at this link. Or visit the show anytime May 4- July 5!
Summer Camps: Register Now!
First UU Peace Camp!

Sign up now – by filling out our 2023-2024 permission and interest form! We will be in touch shortly with information about payment, and to let you know whether you are on the roster or the waitlist. Cost: $100 suggested per child.

Session A: for 6-8years (9am-12noon, Monday 7/31 – Friday 8/4)
Session B: for 9-11years (9am-12noon, Monday 8/7 – Friday 8/11)

School for Young Children Play Camp

Please contact Jenifer Bojanowski for camp session availability.

Red Oak Elementary Camps
Ohio Roller Derby Tickets: See Amber 5/20!
Ohio Roller Derby’s home season is selling out fast! Buy your tickets for 5/20, and 6/3 now! Pricing is based on ticket type (child and adult tiers). Purchase season passes, or a block of tickets to save!

Doors open at 4pm, followed by the A-level game at starting at 5pm. Amber plays in the B-level game, which begins around 7pm!
Community Events Summary
General

May

June

July
FAMILY ACTIVITIES
Happening This Sunday, 4/30

Please plan for playground time, and dress for the weather!

  • 10-10:30am Breakfast!
  • 10:30am-12:30pm Toddler Care
  • 10:45 OWL (13-14yr only)
  • 11am service, Coming of Age, HS Get Real
  • 11:15am (after story) 3-6yr and 7-9yr Spirit Play, 10-14yr In the Middle
  • Coffee Hour, and Snack after the service ends

Register for Next Year, and Fill Out Annual Emergency Paperwork Here!

Volunteer to Teach Next Year!

Join the dream team – hanging out with our young people is the most fun you can have on a Sunday morning, and changes lives! We need classroom assistants, leads, and subs for all age groups! Sign up here!

Child Dedication Ceremony 5/14

Each year First UU invites families who would like to participate in a Child Dedication ceremony to do so during our Mother’s Day service on May 14th.. There is no age limit for children participating! Please fill out this form if you have a child you would like recognized this year – due by midnight the Sunday before the ceremony, May 7th.

Family Event Summary
  • Fourth Friday Dinner! 6:30pm, 4/28
  • Navigators Spring Campout, 5/5-5/7
  • 13-14yr OWL graduation celebration, 5/6 or 5/7
  • Mother’s Day, Child Dedication, 5/14
  • Coming of Age Service, RE end of year parties, 5/21
  • No RE, holiday weekend, 5/28
  • Summer RE begins, 6/4
  • Youth trip to General Assembly, 6/21-6/25
  • CER Summer Institute, 7/9-7/15
  • Peace Camp, 7/31-8/4 and 8/7-8/11
  • Labor Day Retreat, 9/2-9/4
  • Ingathering / Water Ceremony (All Ages, No RE), 9/10
  • Fall RE begins, 9/17