Happy Friday and Happy New Year!

Fluffy snow falls thickly in a coniferous forest.

The changes that take place in winter are a kind of alchemy, an enchantment performed by ordinary creatures to survive…

Plants and animals don’t fight the winter; they don’t pretend it’s not happening and attempt to carry on living the same lives that they lived in the summer. They prepare. They adapt. They perform extraordinary acts of metamorphosis to get them through.

Winter is a time of withdrawing from the world, maximising scant resources, carrying out acts of brutal efficiency and vanishing from sight; but that’s where the transformation occurs. Winter is not the death of the life cycle, but its crucible.

-Katherine May: Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times

As we find ourselves firmly in the season of resting and nesting, and in a time of new beginnings, what hopes and commitments are you cultivating for the new year? May First UU be a place for us to practice love and to gather strength for any challenges ahead.

With love and warmth,

Amber Scott

Director of Religious Exploration

First Friday Spaghetti Dinner

TONIGHT at 6:30 pm

January’s Spaghetti Dinner is sponsored by Seeker’s Grove, First UU’s Covenant of UU Pagans (CUUPS). Join us for this monthly Community Building event and enjoy a delicious spaghetti dinner!

We hope you join to unwind from the holidays and leave the cooking to your friends at First UU! (Please email Robin if your group of 3-7 volunteers would like to sponsor First Friday in April, May, or June!)

Time to Catch the Waves!

Live Auction on February 28

Surf the web to www.firstuucolumbus.org/and begin entering your donations.

Dip your toe in by perusing the list of donation ideas.

Dive in by signing up to volunteer at the Auction table on Sunday.

Dog paddle over to gift us your recyclables or loan us your glass bowls for decorations!

“Dance with the waves, move with the sea,

let the rhythm of the water set your soul free.”

–Christy Anne Martine

(Canadian poet)

There’s Still Time To Give: Support Our Holiday Appeal!

Supportive community, social justice outreach and spiritual home are the essence of First UU. What other gifts make our lives more precious and meaningful while also helping the world around us?

Your donation of $500 or even $5 is greatly appreciated. Please help us reach our goal of $20,000! Donate online, write a check, or consider donating via an IRA.

Jan. 25 Bristow Concert Cancelled

The concert, “Bristow at 200”, which was scheduled for Sunday, January 25 and printed in our Concert Series brochure, has been cancelled. We hope to reschedule for sometime next year!

Registration is open for the UUA’s 2026 General Assembly

Online June 14-21, 2026

General Assembly 2026 registration is officially open. GA 2026 will be a fully virtual experience that brings Unitarian Universalists together in new and inspiring ways. Join from home, gather with your congregation, connect at a satellite site, or take part in the live audience at our Studio Site in Louisville. See the Full GA Schedule at uua.org.

When you register, you gain access to everything GA offers through the Whova Event App, including livestreams, worship, on-demand videos, and the full EduCenter library. Interested in attending as a First UU Delegate? Tell a Board Member!

Pathways to Membership

January 11, 2025, 8:30am – 2pm

Register Online

This class will acquaint you with our church and our faith before you consider a commitment of membership to First UU.

Crafting & Conversations

in Creative Community

2nd and 4th Mondays at 6:30 pm, Room 301

Beginning January 12

Do you like to craft but just can’t seem to make the time? Do you want to make something but don’t know where to start? Bring your projects and craft with us! Knit, crochet, cross stitch, paint, make snowflakes, color in coloring books, create cards… the possibilities are endless. Bring your clothes to mend, your scrapbooks to fill, mosaics to make, or anything you like! Exercise your creative spirit and enjoy conversation and community. Limited supplies are available, so we encourage you to bring your own. We hope to see you here!

UU History & Theology Book Group

1st & 3rd Tuesday at 7pm, starting Jan. 20

The book group will be reading Prophetic Sisterhood: Liberal Women Ministers of the Frontier, 1880-1930. Please contact Amber if you need assistance finding a copy of the book. Please let Dana Reynolds know that you would like to participate. We will likely be a hybrid meeting, in-person and over Zoom (or Google Meet).

Last Chance! Art Exhibit:

Sharonah Laemmle

On Display until January 4

Artist Sharonah Laemmle’s exhibit, “Internal Necessity: 50 years of Creative Expression” will be on display until January 4. Sharonah uses the Hebrew word “Henini” meaning “I am here”. She uses what is at hand, paints, natural and found objects to focus on movement and space. By using her own personal and spiritual life, she hopes to stimulate the viewer emotionally.

Image: Summer Flowers III: Light

This Sunday, 1/4

***No Nouurish Service***

10:00-10:45am Hot Breakfast and Coffee, Tea (kitchen, A/B, Beach Hall)

10:30am-12:30pm Infant and Toddler Care 3mos-3yrs (101)

10:30am-12:15pm 13-15year Our Whole Lives  (302)

10:45am-12:15pm Neighboring Faiths 11+yrs (301)

11:00am-12:15pm Roots and Wings 13+yrs: HS Spirituality and Big Q’s (401)

11:00am-12:00pm Lessons and Carols Holiday Music Service ft. Peace Pals (sanctuary)

11:15ish-12:15 Spirit Play 3-7yrs: Start in Service Until After Story (102)

11:15ish-12:15 Spirit Play 7-12yrs: Start in Service Until After Story (201)

Kiddos staying w/fam during service: grab Busy Bags in the gallery, explore quiet toys in Wee Worship & Slowter Lounge, or crafts/games in cabinets by the kitchen!

12noon-1pm Snack & Coffee, Tea, Conversation (A/B, Beach)

Register Here! 🙂 https://firstuucolumbus.org/learning/sunday-school/

*Next Sunday, 1/11: 10-11year Our Whole Lives sexuality education: First Class and Mandatory Parent / Caregiver Orientation, 10:30am-12:30pm (404)*