Friday News – December 1, 2023

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Happy Holidays!

I’m happy to share some exciting news: the Board voted to make Rev. Meg McGuire an Affiliated Community Minister for our community. Many know that Rev. Meg grew up in the church so it is wonderful for the connection to continue! Her primary role is as a Staff Chaplain at the James Comprehensive Cancer Center, but her affiliation here signifies her commitment to the church and to Unitarian Universalism.

Meg will be leading the service on January 7, which will be a great way to get to know her in this new role.
Rev. Dr. Terasa G. Cooley, AIM
Developmental Minister
This Week
First Friday Dinner
& Youth White Elephant Gift Exchange
Join us TODAY December 1, 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, and otherwise there’s a suggestion donation of $3.00 per person to help pay for the food. Spread the word and come have a good time and some good eats with friends 🙂 If you’d like to help  set up, cook, or clean, please visit our Signup Genius event page to help make it happen.

All are invited to don your “ugly” Christmas sweater, or other gay apparel for dinner this month! Our Youth Group will be gathering afterwards for a white elephant gift exchange, and putting up our congregation’s holiday trees and decorations. (Youth: please bring a wrapped gift)!
Pathways to Membership
Saturday, December 2nd, 9–12:30pm
(light breakfast available at 8:30)

Have questions about what it means to be a member of First UU? Want to learn more about who we are and how you can connect and engage with this community? Join 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.
Register Now
“This is My Song”
Sunday, December 3
with Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley
The terrible events in Israel and Palestine have been much in our minds and hearts. Rev. Terasa will share some of her experiences in visiting there 3 years ago, and thoughts about what religion has to do with it.

Attend in person or online at 10am! Our monthly theme for December is Mystery, and our Sunday Plate offerings support our 2023 Holiday Appeal Campaign.
Holiday Tradition
For more than 31 years the Caring Team has given Holiday Cards to the Staff.   Come to Beach Hall on December 3 and December 10 to add your name to the cards to wish them Happy Holidays.
SYC Scholarship Fund Update –
Online Auction Still Open!

School for Young Children takes pride in our ability to help families overcome financial barriers. Each year, the SYC Committee receives applications from folks who commit to contributing as able to their tuition, and need scholarship support to make the total payment. Our in person silent auction, which was held on November 10th, is the biggest fundraising effort of the year. The event is 100% donation and volunteer executed, and ALL proceeds go directly to the SYC Scholarship Fund. Thank you so much to everyone who helped make the event a success.

Having $25,000 in scholarship funds would put us in an ideal position to serve families needing support for next school year. The auction has raised just under $7000 (and counting!), bringing our total fundraising efforts for the year to right around $14000.

The online segment of our auction is live! You still have an opportunity to participate if you haven’t already. Many of the items are online exclusives, so be sure to check them out! You can bid until December 6th at 6:30pm.

Thanks for being a part of making SYC a more accessible place to our community.
Bid Now
8th Annual Interfaith Prayer Gathering & Potluck

Sunday, December 3 at 3:30pm

The Interfaith Association of Central Ohio (IACO) invites you to attend its 8th Annual Interfaith Prayer Gathering & Potluck here at the First Unitarian Universalist Church.  Doors will open at 3:30 pm, and our service will begin at 4 pm, with the potluck dinner immediately following the service.  This year’s theme is Living our Faith and Spirituality: With Our Heads, Hearts, and Hands.  Please bring a vegetarian dish to share that will serve around 8 people.  Online Registration ended November 25, 2023. Contact Karen Dawson if you would like to attend but did not register.
Like Sands Through the Hourglass
the Year is Running Down
Where did 2023 go? There are only 31 days left in this year, but there is still time to volunteer to serve our UU beloved community. Unitarian Universalist congregations are self-governed, so we need  members to serve in these positions: Board of Trustees, Nominating Committee, and Moderator. Not sure what skills you need? Don’t delay! Stop at the NOM COM table during coffee hour or click the links above to see how much time is needed for these positions. Volunteer yourself or nominate someone you think has the skills to fit.    While you’re at it, thank a Board Member, Moderator, or member of the Nominating Committee for their time.
From the Staff
Holiday Happenings at First UU!
It’s holiday season at First UU! All are invited to don your “ugly” Christmas sweater, or other gay apparel for our December First Friday dinner this week! Our Youth Group will be gathering afterwards for a white elephant gift exchange, and putting up our congregation’s holiday trees and decorations. Keep your Hanukkah sweater or Santa hat handy for more festive happenings later in the month, including our annual Music Sunday Holiday Concert and Cookie Fair on Sunday, 12/17. There will be no morning service on Sunday, 12/24, but please join us for the family Christmas Eve service at 5pm or the candlelight service at 9pm. And while there will be no formal service on New Year’s Eve, you are welcome to come walk the Labyrinth in our sanctuary all that week.
Upcoming Concerts at First UU

Join us on Saturday, December 16, Carpe Diem String Quartet will return to First UU with “Around for the Holidays” featuring guest violist Jacob Shack and music by Brahms, Bunch, and a world premiere by Akshaya Avril Tucker, as well as holiday favorites. Tickets are available at CDSQ’s website, and church members receive a $10 discount!

Also be sure to join us for our regular 10am church service on December 17 for Music Sunday, which will feature all choirs and the Christmas portion of Handel’s Messiah. Choir members have been preparing this grand work for months and will be accompanied by a string ensemble. Don’t miss it!
Quick Board Update

First UU’s Board of Trustees has decided to shift our December meeting to Wednesday, January 3rd, at 7pm. This meeting will be online only. The Finance Committee is shifting their meeting this month to Wednesday, December 27, at 7pm.  Email a Board Member or a Finance Committee Member if you’d like to attend.

Also, please set the date for our congregation’s Mid-Year Meeting, happening after the service on Sunday, February 25th, at 11:30am! A member quorum is required in order to do the business of our congregation. In the event of poor weather that day, this event may shift to online only.
Classes and Groups

For a complete listing of our groups & contact information, download a copy of our
Fall Engagement Catalogue.
Grief Recovery MethodⓇ Program
Last Chance to join!

All of us have experienced grief throughout our lives, but rarely do we have the proper “tools.”  The Grief Recovery Method of working with grief is an “action program” for unlocking and respecting the emotional experience of our grief.

This 8 week program began last week, and runs on Mondays from 1–3pm from now until January 22.  This is the last week to register – Call or email Certified Grief Recovery Specialist Rev. Kathleen Fowler,  at 614-264-8364 to join.
Register Now
Upcoming Events
Senior Gathering
Thursday, December 7, 2023 10:45am
(Please RSVP TODAY)Our holiday gathering for Senior members of our congregation will be held on Thursday, December 7, 2023. Piano music will start at 10:45am in the Worship Center with a program at 11am, followed by lunch in Beach Hall. Please RSVP by December 1 by sending an email to Marilyn Beerman OR leave a voicemail at 614-282-8440.
Send RSVP Email
Save the Date: All Soles Dance

Save the date:  the next All Soles dance will be held on Saturday, December 9th from 8–10:30pm.(Beginners lesson at 7:30)

Look for more information next week!
7th Annual Sorrow at This Season Service
Sunday, December 10, 2023, 5pm

For some of us, the idealized holiday season only reinforces the heartache, loneliness, and isolation we may feel. Please gather as we create a sense of welcome, trust, and understanding in what can be a very painful time of the year.We invite you to join David Maywhoor and Revs Suzan McCrystal, Kathleen Fowler and Terasa Cooley in this contemplative and comforting service as we create sacred space to hold our grief.

If you have any questions please contact Rev. Kathleen Fowler, 614-264-8364
Justice & Volunteer Opportunities
BREAD Updates: Joy & Justice Sing-a-Long
Please join us on Wednesday December 6 at 6:00 for BREAD’s Joy & Justice Sing-A-Long with Bill Cohen in support of Affordable Housing & One ID.  This justice event will be from 6:00-6:30 downtown on the sidewalk at Faith Mission (245 N. Grant Ave).
Labyrinth Hosts and Musicians Needed

Labyrinth walking is an ancient practice used for spiritual centering, contemplation, and prayer. We are hosting “Chartres Cathedral Labyrinth” in Worship Center from December 26 – January 4.

Please Sign up to host, help with labyrinth set up and takedown, or play music.  Musicians are invited to perform contemplative music to provide a meditative environment for labyrinth walkers. Contact Patricia Boughton for more information.
Sign Up Now
Petitions for Citizens, Not Politicians

We’re collecting signatures for a Citizens Not Politicians ballot initiative that seeks to ban gerrymandering and establish an independent redistricting commission made up of citizens. Petitions will be available to sign in Beach Hall after the Sunday service.

If you are interested in helping more, check the Citizens Not Politicians Website, get Training to gather signatures at Common Cause Ohio and then you can pick up petitions right here at First UU. Email the Democracy Team for more information.
Help Combat Food Insecurity

“Home for the Holidays” can be a stressful time for Food Insecure Families – when children can’t receive free breakfast and lunch provided by school programs, the additional meals at home put a strain on parents who are struggling.

JAM works with Feed and Read Ohio to combat Food Insecurity in Franklin County.  Stop by the Food Insecurity Table in Beach Hall after worship to donate Food items, Toiletries, or Gift cards for WalMart, Aldi, and Kroger to be distributed over the holiday season. Laundry Detergent, Deodorant, Shampoo, Canned Meat, Chicken, Tuna, and Chili with beans are all great ideas.

Call Jacques Angelino at 614-439-0245 for more information.
Community News
A Word of Thanks

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the Thanksgiving dinner potluck, and especially to the people who gave up time with their own families to make it such a wonderful evening.

This was the first year I attended and I really appreciated having a place to go to today.  I’m guessing that others felt the same way, with families spread far and wide.

Thank you again to everyone who worked to make this a special day.

Emily Fogel
Get Your Roller Derby Season Tickets Today
Come see Amber SKATE with Ohio Roller Derby! Last season every game sold out – so lock in your 2024 season pass today! Save the dates for one home game per month, happening February through June, at the state fairgrounds. A friend can easily use your season ticket for a particular game if you are unable to attend. See you there!
Family Activities
Happening This Sunday 12/3
  • 9:15-9:30am Breakfast for donation (A/B) arrive on time!
  • 9:30-11:30am Infant and Toddler Care (room 101)
  • 9:30-10am Playground available until service
  • 9:30-11am 13-14yr OWL (rm 302)
  • 9:40-11am 10-11yr OWL (404), Neighboring Faiths (301)
  • 10-11am 6-7yr OWL (402), 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 ends
  • 11:30-12noon Peace Pals rehearsal: holiday concert songs (sanctuary)
  • 12:30-2pm Navigators Scouting (201, SYC playground)