Many things about this place are different than they were in 1940 when a group of folks gathered at the Southern Hotel to plan for a new Unitarian church in Columbus. Yet even with all that has changed we are still people that come together to be challenged and to be comforted, to learn and to grown and to be with people who want to make the world a better place.

We have been making a difference in Columbus for 85 years, both for people who are a part of our community and for the community that surrounds us. There is much to celebrate and learn from this time!

Please plan to join us and to contribute your memories as well.

Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley

Developmental Minister

Last Chance to Register for the

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. This fun annual retreat is a great chance to host activities and also just to spend time with each other. Scholarship funds are available. Please contact Patricia Boughton for more information.

Welcome Team Safety Training

Sunday, August 24, 11:30-1:30

We will become familiar with: The building, the locations and correct operation of safety equipment, and our emergency procedures. This Annual mandatory training for the Welcome Team and Ushers is open to anyone who is interested! (And we promise that participating does not obligate you to join the Welcome Team).

A-S-H meeting program

August 26, 7 pm, Room 301

Come check out the next 2 discussions hosted by First UU’s Atheists, Skeptics, and Humanists group.

Tuesday, August 26 – An evening with Reverend Dr. Teresa Cooley to look at the history of Atheists and Humanists in Unitarian Universalist churches.

Tuesday, September 23 – OSU post-doc, Jason Chen, will talk about his research and practice in Bio-ethics.

All are welcome!

Expressive Worship

August 28, 6:30 pm

Expressive Worship is now the Fourth Thursday of each month! The theme for August is “wings.”

Expressive Worship grew out of a challenge at GA—to imagine worship in a whole new way. The result was this relaxed, art centered gathering where participants engage with a theme through personal creative exploration. Each service follows a structured flow—opening words, a song, a reading, time to create art while themed music plays, a closing and an optional sharing time at the end.

Artwork from July’s theme: Roots

Come Sing at First UU!

Spirit of Life: Tuesdays, 6:30-8:00 pm

Chalice Choir: Thursdays, 7:30-9:30 pm

Peace Pals: 2nd & 4th Sundays, 12:30-1:00 pm

With the new church year just around the corner, First UU’s Choirs are resuming rehearsals. Chalice Choir and Spirit of Life Choir begin rehearsals next week: Spirit of Life on Tuesday, August 26, 6:30-8:00pm, and Chalice Choir on Thursday, August 28, 7:30-9:30pm. Peace Pals, which rehearses on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month 12:30-1:00pm, will begin rehearsals on September 14.

All are welcome to join, regardless of experience or ability level. We hope to see (and hear) you there! If you have any questions, please contact Director of Music Dr. Brandon Moss

A Celebration of

Rubén Castilla Herrera

& FILA Fundraiser

Sunday, Aug 24 from 1 – 4 pm

513 Rich St. Suite 308

Columbus, Ohio 43215

Join NP Immigration in celebrating and honoring the life of Rubén Castilla Herrera, a beloved member of the Central Ohio community who worked for justice, loved so many people, and died far too young in 2019. ALL are welcome, including those who were not able to meet Rubén before he passed.

This year, the celebration will also raise funds for the Fund for Immigration Legal Assistance (FILA) of our First Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbus!

Labor Day Protest: Workers Over Billionaires

Monday, September 1 at 4 PM

McFerson Commons Park, 218 West St

The people of the United States are protesting in record numbers against the billionaire agenda of firing federal workers, dismantling Medicaid, stealing wealth from public services to billionaire tax cuts, and building private ICE armies. This event builds on the momentum from Hands Off, May Day, No Kings, and Good Trouble to insist on a country that fully funds its schools, protects Social Security and Medicaid, keeps families together, and puts workers over billionaires. In Columbus, join unions, workers’ rights organizations, 50501 and others to show up for working people and democracy.

Traveling? Find events nationwide at MayDayStrong.org

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.)

“On Religion” Book Discussion Group

Tuesdays September 16 – October 21, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Join us for our next installment of the UU History Book Group!

We will be reading On Religion: Speeches to its Cultured Despisers, by Friedrich Schleiermacher. Translated by Richard Crouter. Order your copy today! We are going to read: the Introduction to the Richard Crouter Edition (if you don’t have this edition, please let us know), followed by Speech Two, and then Speech Five.

Register for more information

A Hearty Thank you!

A new bench has been installed at the east entrance for those waiting to be picked up at the drive way, or anyone who just wants to enjoy our garden. The garden was recently cleared and upgraded by Claudia Bowles in anticipation of the installation. The crushed stone pad for the bench was installed by Trevor Boughton, the bench was donated by Dave Richter and installed by Ed Sargent & Mark Krueger a week ago.

Celebrating All Who Work:

Bill Cohen’s Labor Day Concert

Sunday August 31 at 4 pm

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, to be shared between the musicians, crew, and the Central Ohio Worker Center, which advocates for low-income and immigrant workers.

This Sunday, August 24th!

• 9:15-9:45am Continental Breakfast and Activities (A/B, Beach Hall)
• 9:30-11:30am Infant and Toddler Care (101)
• No Classes This Week
• 10-11am All Ages Animal Blessing Service (sanctuary)
• 11am-12noon Snacks and Coffee / Tea, After Service (Beach Hall)