Greetings and salutations from your intrepid staff team as we do our best to cover for Becca – who is vacationing in sunny Puerto Rico this week! As a reminder, the front desk will be closed today, and next week other staff will be providing coverage from 10am-1pm on Thursday and Friday – while Becca has a family commitment. Thank you for your flexibility and patience!

The sun is shining, and there has been so much happening lately here at First UU! Staff and lay people alike are hard at work beta testing the new church database, and working to get those records to play nicely with the email newsletter system. Our Youth Group has been busy planning for their annual worship service on March 3rd, and preparing for their Enchanted Forest Ball on 2/16 – which is a fundraiser for their summer youth trip to CER Summer Institute! Even if you can’t join us for this magical Valentine’s dance, consider donating to support our youth!

Amber Scott (she/they)
Director of Religious Exploration
amber@firstuucolumbus.org

“Does the Story Have an Ending?”
Sunday, February 11

Presented by Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley

One of the goals of this first year of developmental ministry is to deepen the connections between one another. One of the best ways to do that is to share our stories with one another. We have our individual stories and our congregational stories – all of which are important. Can we also be co-creators of a new story as a congregation?

We often avoid talking about race with our young children but research has shown that children notice similarities and differences between people. When we are silent, they are left to draw their own conclusions about what “different” means. Without coaching or support, their conclusions often reflect and reinforce biases. Fortunately – when we are intentional – we can impact the ways that our children see, categorize, and make meaning about race.

The SYC Committee invites SYC and First UU Parents/Caregivers and Staff to attend this 1.5 hr online workshop. The conversation will focus primarily on young children, but people who spend time with older children are welcome as well. In this workshop, you will: Develop confidence to talk about race with young children. Practice various strategies to proactively talk about race with young children. Strengthen children’s ability to become a change-maker.

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

If you’re a network member, why not join one of BREAD’s ongoing campaigns! It’s a great way to meet people from other congregations! If you aren’t already a network member, please consider becoming one. To learn more about BREAD, come to the March 10th service and go to the BREAD website for further information and the latest BREAD newsletter.

SYC 2024-25 School Year Applications
Deadline approaching!

SYC’s 2024-25 school year application and scholarship application are now available on Jovial. Submit by noon on February 16, 2024 for best possible placement and tuition assistance. Children must be at least 2 years old by September 30, 2024 to attend SYC. Children of First UU members get priority when applying to attend.

If you are new to SYC or it’s been a while since you’ve been to SYC, call the SYC office at 614-267-0254 to set up a day and time for a tour.

Visit the Enrollment Page on the SYC website for more information.

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