Friday News – February 7, 2025

•
How are you feeling these days? I’m imagining a range of feelings like fear, frustration, anger, lethargy. The Covenantal Relations Committee met recently and found that having simple ‘check-in’ questions and exploring them together made us all feel better. We want to replicate that experience for everyone! Following the 11am service on each Sunday you can gather in Slowter Lounge for facilitated conversation: “Beyond Small Talk.” Bring your coffee and your curiosity!

Another way to feel more connected is to attend the NoUUrish service at 9:15 or the Expressive Worship on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:30pm. These services are more interactive and exploratory. And there’s always the First Friday dinner where we gather to share food and company.

We need each other right now. We are here for you.

Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley

Developmental Minister

Upcoming Events

First Friday Spaghetti Dinner

and Wizard Night TONIGHT!

Friday, February 7 at 6:30pm
Join us at 6:30pm to enjoy dinner prepared by our very own Board of Trustees – featuring authentic family recipe Italian Sauce passed from Rita Guistino Wise to her loving son-in-law, Jim Svagerko!

We’ll have salad, pasta, sauces, garlic bread and dessert. Vegan/gluten free/dairy free options available. Dinner is served at 6:30 and chatting/games/movies often go till 8:30-9. All ages are welcome!

After dinner, Wizard Night activities will abound – wear your robes, bring your wands if you have them, and get ready to make potions, practice your flourishes, and make the magic of community! Organized by Patricia Boughton.

Your first dinner is free! If it’s not your first time, we request a $3 donation to help fund the food.

Pathways to Membership

Saturday, February 8 9am–1pm

(Light breakfast at 8:30)
It’s not too late to sign up for the 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 Sunday, February 9

9:15am Nouurish Service

Featuring:

Be Who You Are

by Todd Parr

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

Hot breakfast is served at 10am,

Coffee, Tea & conversation

following both services

11am Service:

“The Holiness of the Heart’s Affection”

I often describe myself as a “rational mystic” which may seem like a total contradiction. But I don’t believe the two things are opposite from one another. How can we hold both?

Presented by

Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley

Be the Spark – First UU Auction

Submit Donations by February 13

Online Auction starts February 15

Live Auction: Saturday, March 1, 6–9pm

The countdown is on, and we need YOU to make this year’s auction a success!
We still need donations! Have a special skill, service, or item to contribute? Submit your donations by Thursday, February 13.

We still need volunteers! Join our team to help create a fantastic event – sign up today!

Get your tickets! Purchase your $30 ticket for the celebration, catered dinner, and live auction online or in-person after the Sunday service. The deadline for all ticket sales is Sunday, February 16 so we can finalize our catering count.

If you have any questions, email our auction team or visit us in Beach Hall after the service.

Let’s make this auction shine – together!

Around The Corner

Mark your calendars for these congregation-wide events:

  • 2/12 Vespers at Westerwood (2pm)
  • 2/15 Be the Spark! Online Auction Bidding Begins
  • 2/16 Anti-Racist Allies Monthly Lunch (After Worship) Featured Location: Taquería Guadelajara
  • 2/19 Finance Committee at 7pm (RSVP)
  • 2/22 All Soles Contra & Square Dance (more)
  • 2/23 History Workshop
  • 2/25 Expressive Worship
  • 2/25 Atheists, Skeptics and Humanists, Speaker Jennifer Aultman, Ohio History Connection: “The Hopewell Civilization”
  • 2/26 Board of Trustees (RSVP)
  • 3/1 “Be the Spark! Live Auction & Celebration (more)
  • 3/2 Mid-Year Congregational Meeting
  • 3/7 First Friday Spaghetti Dinner

Weekly “Open” Events:

  • Tai Chi for Balance (Every Tuesday, 9:30am)
  • Sacred Song Circle (Every Wednesday 6pm)
  • Co-Working Space (Every Friday 9:30am)

From First UU Leadership

Parking Help Please!

We have been having a “good problem” – our parking lot has been full on Sundays, and we need your help!
Did you know that we have an “East Entrance” to First UU Church? If you are able, please consider using our High Street Lot to leave more space in the Weisheimer lot for new visitors.

The East parking lot entrance is between Olive & Lime and Chipotle restaurants. The East Door is open for entry until our 11:00 Sunday Service begins. After that, you can use the sidewalk to the south of the building to reach the main entrance.

Thank you!

NomCom’s “InSight” of the Week
“Leadership virtuosity requires leading people from where they are to where they ought to be, from who they are to who they ought to be. To fail at this is to fail in the leadership role and to betray those people.”

–Lee Thayer
We are looking for members to join our Nominating Committee. In this two-year role, you’ll help find and prepare leaders for church positions, celebrate their service, and welcome new committee members. The time commitment includes monthly meetings and extra meetings in the spring, plus time for emails and other tasks. If you’re a member in good standing who enjoys teamwork and making a difference, we’d love to have you!

Please email your recommendations to Nominating Committee!

Tomorrow’s Roller Derby Game is Sold Out!
From DRE, Amber Scott. Our home season opener is officially sold out, and 3/8 is already half sold! Get your tickets here! I will be in both the 5pm A-game and the 7pm B-game on 3/8, and in B or possibly both for 3/29, at the Ohio Expo Center. More info TBA for three additional home games at Heatwave Arena, Plain City, happening in June, August, and September. Image by JL Bermudez Photography, 2024.

Justice & Volunteering

Ohio Feed and Read Collection

February’s collection for the Feed and Read program is high protein staples to help keep people warm and fed during these winter months. Pick up a green bag outside the Worship center and return it next week with items you have purchased.

All are welcome to help pack and load on Sundays at 12:45, or See Jacques Angelino on Sundays in Beach Hall during Breakfast and Coffee hour for more information.

Share about Our Rights

All people in the United States, regardless of immigration status, have certain rights and protections under the U.S. Constitution! If you, your loved one, or anyone you know is concerned about a potential encounter with Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE), you can spread some basic information about these rights.

The Immigrant Legal Resource Center has Red Cards in many languages with a short guide to help people assert their rights and defend themselves in many situations, such as when ICE agents go to a home. You can also watch videos from the We Have Rights national immigrant defense campaign, available in multiple languages.

Check these resources online or pick up some cards and handouts at the JAM table in Beach Hall on Sunday.

Community News & Events

School for Young Children (SYC)

2025–26 Application Deadline this week!
SYC’s 2025-26 school year application and scholarship application are available online. Submit applications by noon on 2/14/25 for best possible placement and tuition assistance. Children must be at least 2 by 9/30/25 in order to attend. Children of church members do receive priority. If your family is new to SYC, please call the SYC office at 614-267-0254 to set up a day and time for a tour.

First UU works with many community organizations throughout the year – Indivisible Central Ohio will be hosting their Kickoff Meeting here at First UU and they would like to invite you to join them:

Indivisible Central Ohio

2025 Kickoff Meeting

Saturday, February 8, 1–2:30pm

Attendance Registration Form

(Please park in the East lot!)

Are you ready to take action? Join Indivisible Central Ohio for our 2025 kickoff meeting. We’re ready to orient and engage new members, as well as refresh and re-energize those who have been with us from the beginning. All are welcome!
With the new administration back in office, there is much work to be done, at the local, state, and federal levels. Join fellow activists to learn how we can keep working for the world we want to see and pushing back against the cruelty and chaos.

Note for parents: Childcare will be available at the meeting. Please use this form so we can be sure to have enough caregivers! In addition, we will have a kid/family-friendly activity during the tabling portion on the event.

Classes & Groups

Learn more about groups in our current

Engagement Catalog and reach out to group leaders to join!

Beyond Small Talk

Every Sunday after Worship

in Slowter Lounge

Feeling distressed? Confused? Angry about current events? Bring your whole self to “Beyond Small Talk” where a covenantal relations team member will host a free-flowing listening circle to help us process our feelings in this complicated time.

Caregivers of Young Children

Meeting Update

The times for this meeting have recently changed – Caregivers of Young Children will now be meeting over Breakfast! Join them on Sunday Mornings at 10am. For more information about this group, Contact Heather Stone or Join the group’s Discord Server to get the latest.

Family Activities

This Sunday, February 9th

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-12:30pm Infant and Toddler Care (room 101)

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-1pm Snack and Coffee (Beach Hall, A/B)

12:30-2:30pm Youth Group, 12yrs-HS senior (402)

12:30-2:30pm Rising Young Adults, 18-26yrs (302)

1:00-2:30pm Navigators Scouting hike, 5-18yrs (offsite)

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