As your ministers and staff, we are holding you in our hearts with love after learning this week about the death of Nex Benedict, a non-binary child in Oklahoma. Please reach out to us if you would like a pastoral conversation. We also recognize that these moments of grief and solidarity are simply the first steps we must take towards further action.

As we are processing and grieving, here are several ways our First UU Columbus community can connect this weekend:

We will be sending an email with more details this afternoon.

As UPLIFT Action and Side With Love write, “Let your grief be holy. Let your rage be divine. Let our enduring love move us to build a world where trans and non-binary lives are honored as sacred.” 

Justice Minister
616-350-1409
amanda@firstuucolumbus.org 

“Transformation?”
Sunday, February 25

Presented by Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley

Transformation seems a popular word these days – something connoting something much more dramatic than just ‘change.’ While we certainly may seek to deeply examine our lives perhaps a goal of transformation is a bit too much pressure? In advance of the mid-year meeting we’ll talk about how this relates to our developmental work as a congregation, as well as for ourselves.

All are invited to attend our congregational meeting this Sunday at 11:30am. Participate in church governance and come hear important updates from our congregation’s staff, Board, and other lay leaders.

A member quorum is required, Snacks will be provided.  Can’t make it in person? Attend via Zoom!  After the service we will open our Zoom waiting room to allow you to join the meeting from home.

All Soles Contra & Square Dance

Saturday, February 24th
Beginners’ Session 7:30 to 8:00 PM
Dancing 8:00–10:30 PM

We will dance to the calling of Richard Ades and the music of The Pegheads.  The Pegheads consists of Mike “Eb” Eberle, Michael Allen, and Karen Mortland (fiddle); Barry Chern (mandolin); Pat Wilcox (piano); Liz Harzoff (banjo); Bonny Shiplet (guitar); and Bill Miller (bass).

February 27 Lords of the Arctic vs. Climate Change For International Polar Bear Day come learn about the polar bears on Hudson Bay near Churchill, Manitoba and how climate change is affecting them and the Churchill community. Danya Furda shares her personal experiences.

All A-S-H (Atheists, Skeptics, Humanists) meetings are in Room 301 at 7 PMon the 4th Tuesday of the month.

Palestine and Israel: A Discussion

February 29th at 7 p.m. in Beach Hall

What is Zionism? What is Settler Colonialism?  Two members of Jewish Voice For Peace, one a Jew and one a Palestinian, will answer these questions and more.  They will also accept and discuss questions from audience participants. Contact Farrell Brody for more information.

Email our Board or Finance committee to inquire about attending: 

At the Town hall, we introduced The Race Card Project by Michell Norris.  We want to invite you to share your “6-Word Story of Race” with us: Read More about Michelle and The Race Card Project, then fill out our survey to share your own story!

Email Amanda Hays with questions.

Pathways to Membership Class

Saturday, March 2, 9–1pm
(Breakfast at 8:30)

Do you 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 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.

Beginning March 3 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 302at 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.

March Senior Gathering

Thursday, March 14, 10:30am

Our next Senior Gathering is almost here! Come share muffins, fruit, and coffee with your friends….those you know and those whom you haven’t met yet!   A program will be held in Beach Hall at 11am.   RSVP by March 9 by sending an email to Marilyn Beerman or leave a voicemail at 614-282-8440.

First UU Art Exhibit and Events
Seeds of Change: The Power of Women’s Voices

Exhibition: March 3 – March 31, 2024
Opening Reception: Sunday, March 3, 11:30am
Presentations & Discussion: Sunday, March 17, 11:30am–1pm

Dianne Kadonaga From Survival Farming to Urban Garden Oasis:
Coming Full Circle in the Sunny Glen Garden

Marybeth McDonald
The Comfort Box as a Seed of Change in the
Evolving Landscape of Mental Health Care

Paula Penn-Nabrit
Spiritual and Cultural Connections to Gardens
in Black, African American Communities

We invite you to this compelling new exhibit, reception, and discussion here at First UU, to learn more about these three women and their incredible passion to challenge the status quo in their communities. Free and open to the public.

First Friday Dinner Wizard Edition

Friday, March 1, 6:00pm

This coming First Friday is WIZARD NIGHT! Bring your cloak, wand and appetite. Skip making dinner; and 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. And we’ll have a host of fun wizarding activities.

Dinner is served at 6:30 and programming often goes till nearly 9pm. Your first time is free, and we suggest a donation of $3.00/person to help pay for the food. Spread the word and come have a good time and some good eats with friends.

*Want to help make it happen? Sign up Here! 

Last Chance at some great Black History Movies: 
For $5 at AMC:
TODAY ONLY: The Woman King
Until March 1: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Until March 2: The Color Purple
OR, Bob Marley: One Love (New Release,full price)

Free with reservation at McConnell Arts Center:
March 9: The Princess and the Frog

Also Around Town:
Sunday, February 25 at 3 pm: The Urban Strings Columbus: Black History Finale Concert at the Columbus Metropolitan Main Library. (Free)
Tuesday, February 27 at 12 pm The Henry “Box” Brown Show by Rory Rennick at the Ohio Statehouse Atrium (Free)

Join BREAD at City Hall on Monday February 26! During Black History Month, our housing committee wants to lift up the urgency for allocating the remaining American Rescue Plan dollars towards housing – which local professionals at the Community Shelter Board and YWCA lifted up as disproportionately impacting Black families. Meet us in the lobby of City Hall at 6:00 pm for the 6:30 pm meeting. Email the Bread Team if you’re interested in carpooling from First UU.

SYC is hosting an Online workshop to help Parents and Caregivers learn strategies for talking about Race with children.  Read more about it on the First UU website!

RSVP to syc@syccolumubs.org to register and obtain the Zoom link.

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