Friday News – January 5, 2024

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Happy Friday and welcome to 2024!

Every New Year I find myself wondering how in the world it could already be a new year?! I inevitably find myself thinking about all of what I wanted to accomplish in the previous year, and I’m sometimes disappointed with myself for not meeting all of my expectations. I know that for many, the new year brings resolutions and promises for changes to ourselves and our world.

I’ve been wondering what resolutions from a Unitarian Universalist perspective might look like. As I was searching through UU websites, reading what other UU resources have pertaining to resolutions, new years, fresh starts, I came across this really powerful piece by Beth Monhollen on the UU World website that I had to share with all of you. May we remember these words and the community we find in this space as we journey into this new year together.

Blessings friends,
Rev. Kelli

In this new year, may we leave behind the weight of unfulfilled resolutions, of unrealized dreams, and of unrealistic expectations.

May we unpack the heavy weight of stories that tell us we are unworthy and unlovable.

May we remember that we each carry inside of us a spark of the Divine.

In this new year,
May we carry kindness, gentleness and hope that hold us through even the hardest days and the most daunting risks.

May we carry the weight of memory that reminds us of who we are, and the weight of spirit that reminds us we are still becoming.

May we carry the seed of knowledge that teaches us that improvement and growth aren’t linear and individualistic but are cyclical and communal.

May we carry the wisdom to seek rest and connection, to lean into mutual care.

May we carry the certain belief that when we have patterns of thinking and behaving that harm ourselves and others, we can seek resources that will help us move towards healing.

May we carry the knowledge that happiness and success take many shapes and one of those shapes is purpose.

May we carry purpose lightly, trusting that it changes and evolves and surprises us.

May we carry curiosity, wonder, and the ability to be surprised.

This year, may we carry space for all of our flaws, all of our longings, and all of our love, remembering that the truly daring adventure of life is not to be better-better-best! but to show up wholly, authentically, lovingly as ourselves.

May we carry these prayers and carry each other into the new year.
This Week
“Rest In This: An Invitation for the New Year”
Sunday, January 7

Presented by Rev. Meg McGuire

One of the gifts of winter is the embedded invitation into a larger cycle of rest and renewal. These moments of pause matter–not only for longer-term sustainability in the work that we’re called to, but also for the crucial reminder about how we each fit into a larger whole.
Pathways to Membership
Sunday, January 7th, 1–4pm

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.
Register Here
“Sanctuary 2” Fiber Art
by Marty Kotter and Deb Baillieul
Exhibition  January 3–February 28
Artists Reception Sunday, January 7, 11:15–1:00pm

How precious is our planet, flora, fauna, oceans, rivers, forests, mountains, grasslands and deserts?  We sustain our ecosystems through wildlife sanctuaries, national, state and local parks, and our own back yards.  Come and see Marty’s and Deb’s interpretation of our fragile planet at First UU. Embrace the UU 7th principle and consider how you honor our earth.

Join us for art, conversations and good snacks on Sunday, January 7, 11:15–1:00pm.
From the Staff & Board
Email us to attend any of the upcoming Church Governance meetings:
  • Finance Committee: Wednesday, January 17 at 7pm
  • Board of Trustees:  Wednesday, January 24 at 7pm
  • Congregational Mid-Year Meeting: Sunday, February 25 at 11:30am (No RSVP, Please Join!)
Musical Notes – Make a Joyful Noise
Now is a great time to join (or return to) First UU’s adult choirs! Both Spirit of Life Choir and Chalice Choir will resume rehearsals beginning next week. Spirit of Life Choir begins Tuesday, January 9, 6:30–8:00pm, and Chalice Choir begins Thursday, January 11, 7:30–9:30pm. Both choirs rehearse in the Worship Center, and everyone is welcome!

Email Brandon Moss for more information.
Classes and Groups
For a complete listing of our groups & contact information,
download a copy of our Fall Engagement Catalog. 
FCACO End of Life Presentations
January 21, 2024 at 11:15 am
The Funeral Consumers Alliance of Central Ohio provides information about end-of-life issues to individuals through consumer education outreach, including group presentations, printed materials, personal consultations, local price surveys and membership benefits. Join them for End of Life Presentations to become better prepared for the inevitable.

Email Cathy Elkins for more information.
Upcoming First UU Events
Anahata Collaborative Ensemble
Holocaust Remembrance Concert
January 27 at 7:30pm

Come to First UU Church for this special evening of music and poetry written chiefly by artists who either perished in or survived the Holocaust. Co-hosted by First UU, Kehilat Sukkat Shalom, and Jewish Columbus (who is generously sponsoring this performance), the concert is free and open to all; however, all attendees must register beforehand at jewishcolumbus.org.

Space is limited, so register soon!
Justice & Volunteer Opportunities
Tired of the Same Old New Year’s Resolutions?
Consider adding some 8th Principle Opportunities to your 2024 resolutions. The 8th Principle has us “journeying . . .  to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism. . . .” This worthy journey may be difficult at times, but it also can be entertaining, interesting, enlightening, and fun. We can all share a variety of activities and events with the congregation, including art, music, discussion, conversation, foods, festivals, reading, seminars, service opportunities, and field trips.

Check out the list of January Events from ARA. Join us or attend with a friend or create your own experience. At the end of each month, share what activity you did in the pursuit of the 8th principle.
See January ARA endorsed events
Take the 8th Principle Survey
Community News
CER Leadership Skill Ups
Practices of Intergenerational Connection
The Central East Region (CER) team is excited to announce monthly Leadership Skill Ups for Changing Times series! These are drop-in calls for all congregational leaders where you can learn a new skill – or fine tune an old one – with CER staff and other leaders doing similar work in other congregations. Calls alternate monthly between Tuesdays and Thursdays – mark these dates on your calendars and stay tuned for topics as they emerge – and let us know what topics would be helpful to you. All times are 7–9 pm ET.
  • Thursday, February 1 – Practices of Intergenerational Connection
  • Tuesday, March 5 – What is Shared Ministry, Really?
  • Thursday, April 5 and Tuesday, May 7 – Watch This Space! Topic to be determined when we see what the world is like in 2024
Link: Join the Zoom Meeting. Meeting ID: 996 0084 2058, Passcode: 493257
UUA Central East Region
Winter Institute
Registration Is Open!

CER Winter Institute 2024
February 16 – 19
Salt Fork State Park & Lodge in Cambridge, OH
Winter Institute might better be described as a relaxing Winter Retreat – an opportunity to gather with our extended Beloved UU Community with scheduled times for morning and evening worship services and meals, but lots of unstructured time for impromptu indoor and outdoor activities.  The WI planning committee invites all to either return to this idyllic weekend, or treat yourself to a wonderful and enriching get-away by joining us for the first time. Early registration with the best pricing for WI and the Salt Fork Lodge WI room block ends January 15, so don’t delay!

For more information on this year’s Winter Institute and to register early visit the Winter Institute 2024 – General Information website.

See you all at Salt Fork!
Questions?  Email Patricia Boughton
Register by January 15
In Celebration
Holiday Appeal
Thank you so much for making our Holiday Appeal a great success.  To date, we have raised over $15,000 to support the work of this congretation.  If you would still like to make a holiday appeal contribution, it’s not too late!

May the peace of the holidays stay with you throughout the year.
In the News!
We were on the front page of the Columbus Dispatch on December 30 in a piece called “Finding peace at indoor labyrinth.” A huge thank you to Patricia Boughton for coordinating, and to all of the volunteers who helped make hosting the labyrinth a success!
Let’s Celebrate! Submit announcements to celebrate each other together.
Family Activities
Happening Sunday, January 7
  • 9:15-9:30am Breakfast (A/B) 
  • 9:30-11:30am Infant and Toddler Care (room 101)
  • 9:30-11am 13-14yr OWL (rm 302)
  • 9:40-11am Neighboring Faiths (301)
  • 10-11am 6-7yr OWL First Class and Required Family Orientation (402), Worship Service
  • 10:15am-11am (after story until service ends), 3-6yr Spirit Play (102), 7-9yr Spirit Play (201), and 10yr-MS/HS Tools for the Journey (401)
  • Coffee Hour, snack after service
  • 12:30-2pm Navigators Scouting meeting (201, playground)