Friday News – April 5, 2024

Happy Friday!

Are you interested in learning about the theory of worship? Would you like to participate in the development of and presentation of worship services? Then consider joining our new Worship Associates Program. This is different from a typical ‘Worship Committee’ in that you will be more integrally involved in the creation of the worship experience. The commitment would be to participate in monthly planning meetings and to participate in at least four worship services per year. We will be gathering to discuss this program on Saturday, May 4 from 1-4pm, and we will formally launch in September. If you are interested please fill out this form to tell us more about yourself.

Rev. Terasa (she/her)
Developmental Minister
terasa@firstuucolumbus.org

Become a Worship Associate
This Week
“Weaving the Web of Community”

Sunday, April 7

Presented by Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley
and Rev. Kelli McNeal

As we launch our Stewardship Campaign to ask for your commitments to the next church year, we will explore the values we are asking you to invest in, and what coming together as a community can look like.
First Friday Dinner TODAY! 
TODAY at 6:30pm

Skip making dinner; come hang out with fellow First UUers and let us do the cooking! All ages are welcome. We’ll have salad, pasta, sauces, garlic bread and cookies. Vegan/gluten free/dairy free options available. Dinner is served at 6:30 and chatting/games/movies often go till 8:30-9.

Your first time is free! There is a suggested donation of $3.00 per person to help pay for the food.

Image by Terri Cnudde from Pixabay

Spring Giving Events
Everything that First UU offers our community is possible due to generous donations from our congregants. Our Annual Spring Giving Campaign kicks off onSunday, April 7. We invite you to join us for a meal to hear more about how your contributions make a difference to our community.

Image by Rev. Cooley
  • Thursday, 4/11, 6:00pm – Dinner in Room 301
  • Sunday, 4/14, Immediately after Worship – Lunch in Room 301
  • Tuesday, 4/23, Noon – Lunch in Room 301
  • Tuesday, 4/23, 5:30pm – Dinner in Room 301

If you are able, please RSVP which event you plan to attend to help us in planning.

RSVP for Giving Event
Upcoming Concerts at First UU
Eclipse Watch Party at
North UU Congregation
Our sister congregation in Lewis Center is in the path of totality!  NUUC invites all Central Ohio UUs  to watch the solar eclipse together and enjoy fun activities on Monday, April 8, Noon–4pm.

There will be a variety of activities available for adults and young people, including board games, moon crafts, and a movie. Feel free to bring a game or a snack to share. (Note: their Kitchen is under renovation, so plan accordingly)

  • Please bring your own eclipse glasses / viewer for the partial eclipse.
  • Activities from noon – 4pm. Drop in whenever you like!
  • Note that Central Ohio anticipates many visitors and there may be significant traffic, so please come early and drive safely!
  • The Partial Eclipse begins at about 1:55pm
  • Total eclipse begins at about 3:11pm and will last about 2 minutes.

North UU is located at 1574 Franklin Street in Lewis Center, OH 43035.  If you can come, please RSVP to minister@nuuc.org.

… And after the Eclipse, You can recycle your eclipse glasses in a recycling collection box here at First UU! 

Office Hours Update
  • Monday, April 8 the Church Offices will operate under abbreviated hours of 9am–Noon so that office staff may safely avoid driving during the eclipse.
  • Looking Ahead: Office Manager Becca Morse will be out of the office from April 15–19, and office hours that week will be abbreviated.  (Hours TBD)
From the Staff & Board
Life Skills: Polarity Management RESCHEDULED
The “Life Skills” Polarity Management has been rescheduled and will now occur on May 7.  There are 3 classes in this series:
  • April 30: Deep Listening
  • May 7: Polarity Management
  • May 28: Powerful Questions
Each class is offered at Noon and 6:30pm – Look for more details about each class in the coming weeks!
A Note from Rev. Terasa
I will be out of the office on Study Leave from April 9–19. This is different from vacation in that it helps me take some time for learning and reflection. Part of that time will also be spent teaching other interim ministers. I often learn as much from them as they learn from me!
Upcoming Congregational Meetings
Mark your calendar for two important congregational meetings. Following the service on May 19 Rev. Terasa and the Transitions Team will be presenting a Developmental Ministry Report that will offer reflections on the developmental work we’ve been engaging in so far this year, as well as plans for the future. There will be opportunities for questions as well.

On June 9 we will be holding our Annual Meeting following the service, at which we will vote on new officers and the budget. Prior to the meeting we will send out the slate of candidates and an Annual Report with updates from staff, key committees and areas of ministry.

Email our Board or Finance committee to inquire about attending: 
Classes and Groups
Trans / Gender Non-Conforming Youth
& Allies Support Groups
Sunday, April 7 at 11:30am the Trans and Gender Non-Confiorming (GNC) Support group is hosting two groups to extend community support:

The Trans / GNC Teen Support Group will meet in the Library, hosted by members of the adult support group. (Anyone 18 or younger is welcome.)

The Trans Allies and Families Support Group will be meeting in Room 302 at the same time. This group is for parents and anybody supporting trans people in their lives

These groups will meet on the first Sunday of each month, and the Adult Trans / GNC group will continue to meet on the third Sunday of the month.  Email Emily Henry with any questions.

Pathways to Membership
Saturday, April 13, 9–1pm
Room 301, online upon request

(Light Breakfast available at 8:30)

Do you have questions about what it means to be a member of First UU? Do you want to learn more about who we are and how you can connect and engage with this community? Join us for our next Pathways to Membership class.

We will explore various paths to involvement at First UU and connect you with groups and other members who share similar interests. There is no obligation to become a member. We invite everyone who has questions or is looking to find points of connection.
Sign up for Pathways to Membership
About the First UU Library
Did you know that First UU has a library, and it’s not just for meetings? It’s true! The library is open whenever the church is open, although it isn’t available if a meeting or other event is using the space.
If you want to learn more about the library, or maybe even check out some books, members of the Wednesday Night Covenant Group will be manning a table in Beach Hall during Coffee Hour in the month of April. They’ll have some selections from the library – including some more recent resources for gender issues, social justice, and anti-racism – and they’ll be happy to answer all your questions. Stop on by!

Image by Marisa Sias from Pixabay

Upcoming Events
ARA Restaurant of the Month:
Can’t Believe It’s Vegan
On Sunday, April 14, Anti-Racist Allies (ARA) will continue monthly visits to black-owned restaurants with a trip to the delectable Can’t Believe It’s Vegan at 584 W. Schrock Rd., Westerville. All are welcome to gather after the service in the foyer and carpool. Vegans, vegetarians and carnivores will not be disappointed by Chef Clayton Freeman’s tasty creations.
Sukkat Shalom
Pre-Passover Pilgrimage

April 21, 3–5:00pm
Blendon Woods Metro Park

Sukkat Shalom, the Jewish community that shares our building, extends an invitation to join their pre-passover event this year. Join them in the Hickory Grove Shelter at Blendon Woods for songs led by Jodi and an optional hike led by Louise. The shelter has a playground for little ones, on-site parking, and restrooms. All are Welcome!

Questions? Email
info@sukkatshalomcolumbus.org

Around the Corner
Here are *Just a Few* of the additional upcoming Events anyone can enjoy:
  • April 14 (Sun):  Emerging Young Adults
  • April 17 (Wed) and April 21 (Sun): Care and Share Time Bank Gatherings
  • April 23, 7pm (Tues): ASH Meeting “Meet the Citizens Climate Lobby”
  • April 25, 6pm (Thurs): Expressive Worship
  • April 30, Noon and 6:30pm (Tues): Life Skills “Deep Listening” Workshop by Rev. Cooley
  • Tuesdays at 10am: Seniors Tai Chi for Balance
  • Wednesdays at 6pm: Sacred Song Circle
Justice & Volunteer Opportunities
Support the SYC Scholarship Fund:
Dine to Donate
On Wednesday, April 10th, the delicious and generous City Barbeque at 2111 W Henderson Rd will donate 20% of Dine-In, Takeout, Delivery, Drive thru & Pick up orders to support the School For Young Children Scholarship Fund!

On behalf of School For Young Children you’re invited to join us and eat out, not only in support of the organization, but to show one of our Columbus restaurants some love!

Please RSVP to access to all the event details and help us plan appropriately.  We hope you can make it, and please invite your friends and family. Thanks in advance for your support!

RSVP Now
Volunteers Needed: Fan Donation Project
2024 is on track to be one of the hottest years on record. This is bad news for those central Ohioans living in houses and apartments that lack air conditioning. For the elderly and the very young the situation can be life-threatening.  The Life Care Alliance annually runs a fan collection and donation program for Franklin County residents to combat this problem.

The First UU Eco-Justice team needs volunteers to help lead a fan donation project for our congregation. We will coordinate with The Life Care Alliance, draft creative communications, host collection events, and coordinate delivery of fans. What a “cool” opportunity to help our community! Interested? Email Tom Baillieul to join the project!

Volunteer Now
Opportunities with BREAD
(Building Responsibility, Equality and Dignity)
You can hear all the latest updates on issues from housing to environmental justice to public safety at our upcoming BREAD Rally. And don’t forget to put the BREAD Nehemiah Action on your calendar now!
  • Monday, April 15, 7:00pm BREAD Rally, Congregation Tifereth Israel, 1354 E Broad St
  • Tuesday, May 21, 6:40pm  BREAD Nehemiah Action, Celeste Center at the Fairgrounds
Go to the BREAD website and check out the latest BREAD newsletter!  Or Email the BREAD Team for more information.
Tapestry
Be Sure to Check this new section of our newsletter each week for a Diversity and Inclusion highlight written by our NEW Coordinator of Multicultural Engagement Minister Shannon C. High!
The Kingdom of Tonga
The Kingdom of Tonga, nestled in the heart of the South Pacific, boasts a vibrant cultural heritage steeped in tradition, spirituality, and community. Among its many treasures is the art of Tongan dance, a captivating expression of identity and belonging that has endured for centuries.

Tongan dance is beautifully interwoven with the country’s history, customs, and social fabric. It is the way in which stories are told, celebration is animated, and ancestral legacies are honored. Rooted in Polynesian traditions, Tongan dance encompasses a diverse range of styles, each with its own unique rhythms, movements, and symbolism.

Dancers move in sync with the pulsating rhythms of traditional instruments, creating a sense of collective spirit and shared purpose. The rhythm of this dance echoes of generations past and foretells the hopes of generations yet to come, uniting us in a celebration of culture, heritage, and the human experience.

See the Dance on YouTube
Community News
Traveling in Ohio for the solar eclipse? Spread the word about ending gerrymandering!  Trained signature collectors can grab some fresh petitions during Citizens Not Politicians office hours on Sundays 12:30–2pm or Wednesdays 5–6:30pm here at First UU.

And if you’re interested in learning more about the cause, you can attend a Teach-In on Sunday, April 21 at noon at our neighbors North Congregational United Church of Christ. Common Cause Director Catherine Turcer will lead a discussion about fighting for fair districts and the Citizens Not Politicians initiative.

TASO Youth Interfaith Ramadan Dinner Invitation

Monday, April 8th, 7:00 – 9:00 PM
Turkish American Society of Ohio (TASO)
2885 W Granville Rd, Columbus, OH 43235
RSVP by April 7th
Contact: info@tasoohio.org

Join us for an evening of unity and great food at the TASO Youth Interfaith Ramadan Dinner! This special event is open to all high school juniors, seniors, and college students, regardless of faith or background. So bring a friend and come hungry! It’s a unique opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue, learn about others, and make new friends in the spirit of Ramadan. As we share a meal, we’ll also share stories, discuss diverse traditions, and foster a community built on understanding and respect. Don’t miss this chance to experience the warmth of interfaith fellowship. Remember, everyone is welcome, and every voice is valued. See you there!
Family Activities
Register for Peace Camp!
Happening This Sunday, April 7th
  • 9:15-9:45am Breakfast (A/B) 
  • 9:30-11:30am Infant and Toddler Care (room 101)
  • 9:30-11am 13-14yr OWL (rm 302)
  • 9:40-11am Neighboring Faiths (301)
  • 9:55am-11am 10-11yr OWL (404)
  • 10-11am Worship Service
  • 10:15am-11am (after story until service ends), 3-6yr Spirit Play (102), 7-9yr Spirit Play  (201), and 10yr-MS/HS Tools for the Journey (401)
  • Coffee Hour, snack after service
  • 11:30-1pm Trans and Gender Non-Conforming Teens meeting (library), Trans Allies and Families meeting (302)
  • 12:30-2pm Navigators Scouting Fun and Games meeting (201, SYC playground)