Rev. Amanda Hays

Justice Minister

TODAY! First Friday Picnic in the Breezeway

August 1, 6:30 pm – Bring your picnic and join the fun!

Over the summer for First Fridays each family will bring their own picnic to eat outside (weather permitting). Gather for a delightful evening filled with laughter, good works, and the beauty of the outdoors (with accessible restrooms nearby). Campfire s’mores are possible – so bring roasting sticks and firewood! 🙂

• 6:30pm bring your own picnic dinner food and supplies
• 7:00pm Craft Protest Signs with the Democracy & Human Rights Team for the 50501 Protest at the statehouse on August 2

50501 Protest &

Mutual Aid Supply Drive

Saturday, August 2, 2 to 4 pm

Ohio Statehouse

Join Columbus 50501 and others at the Statehouse on August 2 to protest the assault on our democracy and civil liberties and also to support local community and mutual aid groups by recruiting volunteers and collecting supplies including:

School Supplies (K-12)

Children’s Clothes

Non-Perishable Food

Toiletries

First Aid supplies for street medics

Need a sign for the protest? Come to the First Friday Picnic on Friday, August 1 in the Breezeway next to the church. We’ll eat together at 6:30 PM (bring your own food) and then the Democracy Team will have materials and information for sign-making at 7 PM.

Interfaith Demonstration for Immigrants on Tish B’Av

August 3, 4:00-5:00pm

Franklin County Municipal Court (375 S High St)

Join Central Ohio Jews for Justice and interfaith partners, Including our friends at Kehilat Sukkat Shalom. to observe the traditional day of mourning, Tish B’Av, outside the Franklin County Municipal Court, which is reportedly allowing ICE agents into the court. Organizers are mourning the destruction enacted on our neighbors by our own government. US anti-immigration forces are carrying out campaigns of terror in the name of Jewish safety, which makes all of us less safe. RSVP or send questions to Centralohiojewsforjustice@gmail.com

Body Wisdom Wednesdays:

Meditative Movement + Dance

1st & 3rd Wednesdays

Next Class: August 6, 6:45–8:15pm

Responding to the Anti-Trans Movement for UUs

Sundays, 8/10, 8/17, 8/24, from 11:30am-12:30pm

Study on your own, or join us for a group introduction to gender diversity and trans identity, designed to help understand the current political attack on trans people, related misinformation, and how to create safety and belonging for trans people in this moment.

Childcare available if requested 1+ week in advance! Questions? Or to help facilitate: email Rev. Amanda.

Labor Day Retreat

Saturday, August 30 – Monday, September 1

at Camp Oty’Okwa in beautiful Hocking Hills

Wonderful for families, couples, singles. Everyone!

Adults (26+): $135

Teen / Early YA (13–25): $110

Children (5–12): $95

Toddlers (2–4): $25

Children Under 2: Free

Register Now – or no later than August 25. Join us for our traditional Peek, Talent show, hike, hammock hang, and more. You can even host a workshop or activity: contribute your own ‘flavor’ to the retreat! Please contact Patricia Boughton for more information on hosting activities or about scholarship funding. Learn More and Register

Materials Needed for Peace Camp!

Please bring anything we could use to build and create imaginary creatures or their habitats with! Leave donations in the copy room, through Sunday, 8/3.

• No magazines or styrofoam items, please
• Collage materials
• Fake flowers
• Beads
• Spools
• Buttons
• Popsicle sticks
• Scrap wood pieces: approx 1” to 12” in size, any shapes
• Boxes: Shoebox size and smaller
• Any unusual shape cardboard pieces
• Tubes: paper towel, wrapping paper
• Plastic yogurt containers
• Egg cartons- cardboard only
• Plastic lids from 6-packs, lids for pretty much anything
• Tin cans (if clean, and not too sharp, preferably no label)
• Streamers and ribbons

Last Chance to Register!

Session B for 8-12 years: Monday-Friday, 8/4-8/8, 9am to Noon

Our second week starts Monday! Tell your friends: we still have a few spots left for camp! https://bit.ly/peacecamp2025

“Beat the Heat” Fan Donation Drive

LifeCare Alliance

Our Friends at Indivisible Central Ohio

invite us to join a peaceful protest along High Street:

Hands Along High Street Protest

Saturday, August 9, 2pm

We’re creating a line of peaceful protesters along the west sidewalk of High Street from Worthington to Downtown Columbus. At 3 p.m., we’ll join hands in a powerful Moment of Unity across the city. This event is family-friendly, peaceful, and unforgettable.

To Join, pick your spot via Sign Up Genius and Register for the event, then show up on August 9 with your signs, flags, cowbells, and spirit.

What to Bring:

• Protest signs
• American flags
• Friends and family
• Your voice and energy

Don’t let this moment pass you by. We need thousands of people to make this work, so bring a friend, a neighbor, or your whole crew.

Where do We Come from? What Are We? Where are We Going?

On Display August 1st through 27th

The Archives Team has worked hard to collect and put together the history of our congregation. Glance, read, enjoy our journey of 85 years! Panels are in the Gallery and Worship Center.

Join the Worship Service on August 24 to hear the stories and learn more!

First UU Artists: submit your artwork to be displayed in our Connections Exhibit, beginning September 24. (Drop-off September 21.)

Anti-Racist Allies & Friends

Be sure to check out the new flyer from ARA & Friends with information about the Festival Latino on August 9-10, CBUS Soul Fest August 15-16, and other exciting upcoming events to help us all broaden our horizons!

Celebrating All Who Work:

Bill Cohen’s Labor Day Concert

Sunday August 31 at 4 pm

($15 donation at the door)

Columbus Mennonite Church

Join Bill Cohen as he sings songs made famous by a wide variety of folks: Woody Guthrie, Sam Cooke, Dolly Parton, Pete Seeger, Bruce Springsteen, Alabama, James Taylor, etc. Powerful vocal harmonies will be added by veteran Columbus musicians Phil Hart and Teresa Schleifer. Come to listen and to hear a bit of inspiring labor union history, and some fun trivia questions about workers.

Suggested Donation of $15 per person donations at the door. Musicians and sound crew will be splitting the proceeds with the Central Ohio Worker Center, which advocates for low-income and immigrant workers.

This Sunday, August 3rd!

We need teachers, youth advisors, & scout leaders for the fall! Email Amber!

*No Classes This Week: Whole-Church Justice Project and Service!

• 9:15-9:45am Continental Breakfast and Community Activities (A/B, Beach Hall)
• 9:30-11:30am Infant and Toddler Care (101)

• 10-11am All Ages Justice Service and Backpack Supply Drive (sanctuary)
• 11am Filling Backpacks for Children in Need (Beach Hall)