Friday News – February 28, 2025

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It has been so gratifying to see so many visitors and newcomers on Sunday mornings. We have such an important purpose to serve in this terrible political climate and we want to do all we can to be a welcoming presence. Many of you know that the staff person who has been most responsible for our welcome was Andi Mocharski, who unfortunately had to leave the position for health reasons. We miss her and her work greatly (and are glad to welcome her back as a member!) In the meantime we have a great need for staff support.

Given how hard it can be to manage being both a member of a congregation as well as a staff member, we like to begin by advertising outside the congregation so that we can have a diversity of people and ideas. This position requires an understanding of UU practices and purposes so we have posted it in a variety of UU “adjacent” places with no success.

Because the need is so great, we have now decided to open up the process to members of the congregation. If you or someone you know may be interested, download the job description from our website to share. Please contact me if you have any questions about the position or our process. We look forward to having greater support for everyone, new or long term, in the future!

Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley

Congregational Life Minister

Upcoming Events

Be the Spark – First UU Auction

Bidding is almost over on “Food Fun and Frolic.” Are you missing out?

Online Bidding ends TONIGHT at 11:59pm! – Bid Here Now!
Question or can’t log in to bid online? Contact the auction team!

We need volunteers to make or purchase 6-person (or larger) cakes or desserts for our Dessert Dash TOMORROW, Saturday, March 1.

  • Deliver desserts by 5pm tomorrow
  • Include ingredients on a card
  • Contact the auction team to let us know you’re bringing a dessert!

All extra dinner tickets were sold! We are expecting 171 attendees.

You are invited to wear something sparkly to the event!

This Sunday, March 2

9:15am Nouurish Service

Featuring:

Beautiful Oops!

by Barney Saltzberg

Presented by members of the Alternative Worship Team with members of our First UU Community.

Enjoy hot breakfast at 10am! Coffee, tea, & conversation following both services.

11am:

“Building and Restoring Trust”

As Unitarian Universalists, we believe in the dignity and worth of every person, including when people have made mistakes that harm others or harm the trust within their community. Restorative Practices, including Restorative Justice, are ways to build trust and restore trust when it has been lost. Our interfaith BREAD (Building Respect, Equality, and Dignity) Organization, of which First UU is a founding member, has worked for many years to bring Restorative Practices to our local community, especially for young people. Come learn more!

Presented by the First UU BREAD Team with Rev. Amanda Hays

First Friday Movie! Defying the Nazis: The Sharps’ War

Friday, March 7 from 6:30–9pm
You may not know that a Unitarian minister and his wife were at the forefront of resisting the Nazis by transporting Jewish folk to safety during WWII. For their efforts they were named “Righteous Among the Nations” an honor bestowed by the Jewish remembrance authority, Yad Vashem. It’s an inspiring story that is told in the movie “Sharp’s War” and we will be showing this at First Friday! Come hear about how Unitarianism inspired their faithful work on behalf of the persecuted.

Day Trip: Cincinnati Underground Railroad!

Saturday, March 8 at 8 am
Through permanent & traveling exhibits, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center shares the stories of freedom’s heroes, from the era of the Underground Railroad to contemporary times, challenging and inspiring us all.
All are welcome on this trip, sponsored by our Anti-Racist Allies! We will carpool from the church at 8 am. The museum is open from 10 am – 5 pm. The cost is $16.50 for adults and $14 for seniors. Please RSVP to Danya Furda.

Around The Corner

  • 3/1 Be the Spark! Auction Celebration (more)
  • 3/2 Mid-Year Congregational Meeting (all are welcome!)
  • 3/7 First Friday Spaghetti Dinner
  • 3/9 History Workshop
  • 3/12 Vespers at Westerwood
  • 3/14 Ramadan Iftar Dinner at First UU with TASO
  • 3/15 BREAD Organizing Meeting
  • 3/15 All Soles Contra & Square Dance (more)
  • 3/16 Anti-Racist Allies Monthly Lunch (Creole 2 Geaux)
  • 3/19 Finance Committee (RSVP)
  • 3/25 Expressive Worship
  • 3/25 Atheists Skeptics and Humanists (ASH) Speaker Collin Marozzi, Deputy Policy Director of ACLU of Ohio
  • 3/26 Board of Trustees (RSVP)
  • 3/30 History Workshop

Weekly events:

  • Tai Chi for Balance (Tuesdays, 10am)
  • Sacred Song Circle (Wednesdays, 6pm)
  • Co-Working Space (Fridays, 9:30am)

From First UU Leadership
The following message from your Board of Trustees was distributed yesterday. The original message included a link to the zoom meeting for the Mid-Year Meeting this Sunday, which has been redacted below for security reasons. Please email us to request the link if needed, and to “opt in” for future messages from your board.

A Message from your Board

Happy Thursday from your Board of Trustees!

We want to invite everyone to a church-filled weekend. Hundreds of you have bought tickets for the auction and bids are already coming in. Even if you can’t attend, you can place your bids on First UU’s Auction Site. In addition to silent and live auction items, we will also be “raising the paddle” to support new and updated sound equipment in the worship center. But, make sure to get to bed as soon as you get home because Sunday will be a full day too.

Nourish is at 9:15am, featuring “Beautiful Oops!” by Barney Saltzberg, breakfast is being cooked by Mick and Jeff, and First UU’s BREAD team is in the pulpit supported by Rev. Amanda Hays for the 11:00 service, followed by snacks in Beech Hall before our Mid-Year Meeting. Check out the agenda here. We will be sharing news about the Build the Bridge Campaign, our new member management portal – Realm, and we will also explore our Developmental Goals as a Congregation Under Care.

We hope you can join us in person, but if you can’t, you can email the office to request a zoom link to attend the Mid-Year Meeting beginning at 12:15 on Sunday. As always, your board appreciates hearing from you – Email us with any questions, concerns, ideas, or just to say “hello.”

See you Sunday!

First UU Board of Trustees

General Assembly Delegates Needed

Registration is now open: the 64th UUA General Assembly will be online and at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Maryland, June 18–22, 2025. Financial Support is available! If you are interested in attending and representing First UU as a Delegate, please reach out to our Board of Trustees.

Justice & Volunteering

Weekly Eco-Tip

Eco-Justice starts with shrinking our own footprint on the Earth, to help ease the burden on the most vulnerable among us. Each strand in the web of existence is connected. Check back here each week for a tip from the First UU Eco-Justice team!

SWACO says that more than a million pounds of food waste ends up in our landfill every day! – releasing methane, a potent Greenhouse gas.

There are several convenient ways to send your kitchen scraps for composting rather than to the dump. You can join the Food Waste Drop-Off Pilot Program offered by the City of Columbus for free! First UU collects compost as part of this program. There are several drop-off spots around town!

You can also sign up for a food waste curbside collection service offered for a nominal fee by The Compost Exchange. Both these services allow participants to compost a greater range of foods than backyard composting, including meats, fish, small amounts of grease, and certified BPI compostable.

Community News & Events

UU Art Gallery

Final Weekend – On display until March 2

Catch this exhibit by Columbus Artist Tracy Steinbrook, “Improvisational Painting” in its’ final days here at First UU.

Take a close look and a distant look at these abstract and large acrylic works. What do you see? What do you feel? Enjoy!

Community Iftar Dinner

Friday, March 14, 6:45–9:00 pm

Ramadan is a holy month when Muslims fast during the daylight hours. You are invited to experience a traditional Iftar dinner (breaking the fast) at First UU in Beach Hall. The Turkish American Society of Ohio (TASO) will be providing dinner. Before the meal, there will be short talks by representatives from TASO and Rev. Terasa. At sunset, after the call to prayer we will break the fast together. Our gathering will be a time of fellowship, exchange of ideas, and reflection. Join us for this opportunity to learn more about Islam and get to know our Turkish American friends.
RSVP
LOCATION
93 W Weisheimer Rd, Columbus Ohio 43214
DATE AND TIME
03/14/25 6:45pm – 03/14/25 9:00pm US/Eastern
Please let us know if you plan to attend.
I’ll Be There!

Rummage Sale – Save the date

The Spring rummage sale is fast-approaching! Save the date of June 7 to come to this fabuulous First UU Fundraiser. Our storage unit is getting quite full, so we are no longer holding monthly drop-off dates as we finalize preparations for the sale. Please hold your items until June if you are able, or reach out to Myra to make alternate arrangements.

Classes & Groups

Learn more in our Engagement Catalog, and reach out to join!

Pathways to Membership

Sunday, March 9, 9am–1pm
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.
Register Now

Senior Gathering

Thursday, March 13, 2025, from 10:30am–Noon
Email to RSVP
Attention seniors: we hope to see you at our upcoming Senior Gathering! RSVP by 3/9 to Marilyn Beerman.

Muffins, quick breads and fruit will be served in Beach Hall starting at 10:30am, followed by a program with Rev. Terasa and Dick Dawson.

Family Activities

Peace Camp Registration Coming Soon!

Save the dates: 1st UU Peace Camp is back, and we can’t wait to see you this summer! More info will be available, and registration will be released very soon!

  • Session A: for 6-8 years, Monday 7/28 – Friday 8/1, 9am-12noon
  • Session B: for 8-11 years, Monday 8/4 – Friday 8/8, 9am-12noon

This Sunday, March 2nd

9:15am-10am Nouurish Service (sanctuary)

10-10:30am Breakfast, and Coffee until 11am (A/B, Beach Hall)

Caregivers of Young Children eat together (Beach, near the piano)

10:30am-12:15pm 13-14yr OWL (302)

11am-12:15pm Coming of Age (401)

11am-12:15pm Building Your World MS/HS (301)

11am-12noon Worship Service (sanctuary)

11:15am-12:15pm (starts after story) 3-6yr Spirit Play (102)

11:15am-12:15pm (starts after story) 7-10yr Spirit Play (201)

12noon-12:30pm Snacks and Coffee (Beach Hall, A/B)

12:30-1pm Peace Pals Choir, 5-12yrs (302: rainbow room, by back door)

12:30-2:30pm Congregational Mid-Year meeting (sanctuary)

1:00-2:30pm Navigators Scouting meeting, 5-18yrs (201/playground)

Help Needed: seeking scout troop & Youth Group volunteers! Email Amber, or fill out this interest form! Families: please register here.

11am Time for All Ages story, “The Talking Circle” (excerpt)