Springtime and Easter can be a time of celebrating the newness that the season brings. It can also be a struggle for some. For so long, I have had a tendency to silently cringe at the violent imagery of the crucifixion. I grew up in a world where I was supposed to believe that this happened because of and for “me” because I was born flawed and somehow needed to be saved. I never could quite pull off actually believing this, and that always made me feel terrible.

Thankfully, I learned that it was more likely that Yeshuah (Jesus) was crucified because he was a revolutionary social justice activist who refused to placate a system of oppression. As a metaphor, this crucifixion becomes transformative; letting go of ego, comfort, and privilege and standing up for the oppressed and the marginalized to create a better place on earth. I hope this spring brings many joyful transformations for you.

Justice & Equity Student Minister

Upcoming Events

This Sunday, March 29th

9:15
Nouurish Service

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

Our featured story this week:

Born Ready: The True Story of a Boy Named Penelope

written by Jodie Patterson

illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow

Presented by Alternative Worship Team & Members of this Community

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

11:00

“The Story of Easter”

Many UUs don’t believe in the Christian teachings of Jesus’ physical resurrection, while others hold power and meaning in the idea and promise of miracles. What does the story of Easter have to tell us as a community that holds a multitude of beliefs and ideas of the Easter story?

Presented by Rev. Kelli McNeal

Congregational Life Minister

and

Paisha Thomas, Justice & Equity Student Minister

Hearing T-Loop Fixed in Sanctuary!

Drop Easter candy / prizes in copy rm before 11am service! No Peanuts / Nuts!

Children start in service before the Egg Hunt – all classes are combined!

At 12:30, the whole congregation is invited to come watch or participate in the Color Throw (in the style of Holi) out on the playground! See you there!

First Friday Breakfast for Dinner

Friday, April 3, 6:30 pm

Rising Young Adults will be serving “Breakfast for Dinner” on Friday April 3. Come and enjoy pancakes, eggs, and other breakfast delights. Gluten free and vegan options will be available.

Dianne Kadonaga will present “Origami for Gardeners,” and teach how to craft biodegradable plant pots and seed packets from recycled newspaper – without scissors, tape, staples, or glue! These eco-friendly creations are great for spreading green love and up your zero-waste gardening game!

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!

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 also 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.

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!

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. And join us for a chili lunch celebration after the service 4/12!

Thank you for your generosity!

Sign Up for Child Dedication in 4/12 Service!

This ritual is part of our Flower Communion / Earth Day service on April 12th. Families are invited to attend in person so that we can honor you as a congregation. Your family will receive a certificate and flowers. There is no age limit for participation!

Ohio Roller Derby Home Game Tomorrow!

Our DRE, Amber (aka “Peach”), was featured on the local news as part of Fox 28’s Good Day Columbus, promoting OHRD’s three remaining home games, April 4 (tomorrow!), May 9, and May 23 at the Ohio Expo Center!

Image courtesy of

Debbie Avery-Wisecup

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 & Volunteering

Democracy Action Hour

Weekly at 12:30 on Sunday

April 5: Voter Outreach

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.

Feed & Read Ohio

Our update to the number of families we have served since ICE invaded Columbus is now at 2059 families. Special items for the month of April are shampoo and deodorant. We always need cooking oil, pinto beans, rice, canned meats: tuna, sardines, salmon, and peanut butter, feminine hygiene pads.

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

Seeking Volunteers! If you are able to help set up the building the evening before this conference, please email to let us know!

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.

Dates with Justice

5/12: BREAD Nehemiah Action (Email to help)

Join the First UU Columbus Protesters chat on Signal App

or email our Justice Team for more information.

Classes & Groups

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.

Adaptive Leadership

has been Rescheduled:

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.

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)

Community News

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

Is it starting to feel like spring? That can only mean that Summer Institute is right around the corner! Registration opens the first week of April!

Right now you can apply for a job in exchange for a reduction in your registration fee. We need a Workshift coordinator, Bookstore coordinator, tech support, Health team worker, RE teachers, golf cart drivers, a trivia coordinator, tie dye, water play, workshop leaders and more. The complete list of the jobs available, their values and the application form can be found on the CERSI website.

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!

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

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.

Camp Indigo

June 29 – July 3

Registration and

Job Opportunities available now!

Camp Indigo – a summer day camp for transgender and gender expansive youth – is coming to Columbus!

Camp Indigo was founded in 2015 on the belief that trans and gender diverse kids deserve a ‘normal’ summer day camp experience. When so much of a child’s life is based on educating others and trying to find their place in the world, Camp Indigo is what childhood is meant to be: fun, friend-centered, and full of wonder.

Kids and teens ages 5-17 can expect to connect with 75+ trans peers in a silly and connected day camp environment. It’s going to be a blast! Discount codes and summer job opportunities at the website! Find out more and register at www.thecampindigo.org

Ohio Roller Derby Home Games!

2026 home games will be played Saturdays at the Ohio Expo Center; join us April 4, May 9, and May 23.

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.

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!

Family Activities

Happening This Sunday, April 5th!

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

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

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

*Drop any Egg Hunt candy and prize donations in the copy room before 11am service!

*All classes are combined today for the Easter Egg Hunt & Spring Festival activities! (No OWL, Neighboring Faiths, or Roots and Wings classroom sessions)

10am *Teens: meet on the playground to help hide Easter eggs for the kiddos!

*Children participating in the Egg Hunt start in the worship service!

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

*Spring Festival after the story: Children prepare for the Egg Hunt! (201)

12:30pm Color Powder Throw in the style of Holi! (playground) The whole congregation is invited to participate, or to come watch the chaos from a distance!

*Teen Scavenger Hunt after color throw! (meet on playground)

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