Friday News – July 24, 2026

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On Tuesday night I, like probably many of you, was out of power for several hours. As it was right before bedtime I had all my usual routines disrupted. I couldn’t read, watch TV, listen to audiobooks, or other things I use to lull myself to sleep. Having no distractions I was left with just my spiraling thoughts. I walked around the house with a miner’s light on my head which I use for doing embroidery, which made me feel like an explorer. And after a time I began to enjoy the peace and quiet and lack of stimulation, and I began to think differently about the problems I was stewing over. While I don’t imagine changing my usual patterns all the time, it was a helpful reminder that by being left to our selves there might be hidden wisdom waiting to come forth.

Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley

Lead Minister

Rev. Meg McGuire

Affiliated Community Minister

Upcoming Events

Sunday Services

This Sunday, July 26th

10am “God Talk”
In two weeks the Atheist, Humanist and Skeptics group will talk about why the traditional concept of God doesn’t help them be better people. I will talk this Sunday about why I find the concept of God useful in my life.

Presented by

Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley

Lead Minister

Infant/Toddler Care 9:30am-11:30pm

Early-Childhood/Elementary Class

for 3-11yrs after the story (start in worship)

Teen/Tween Board Games for rising 6th grade and up Before and during service

This Sunday!

Summer Pick Up Choir

Sunday, July 26 at 9:00 am

Do you enjoy singing? Come early to learn and rehearse “O Love” by Elaine Hagenberg, which we will sing at the 10:00 am service. No membership or experience necessary; just show up if you love to sing! We will take care of the rest! If you are interested in looking at the song ahead of time, email Brandon Moss. Otherwise, just show up that morning! We hope to see you there!

All Soles Summer Potluck and Dance

Saturday, July 25th

Potluck 12:15 PM

Beginners’ Session 1:30 to 2:00 PM

Dancing 2:00 to 4:30 PM

Cost is $10 for adults, $5 ages 12-25.
Join us for a potluck lunch, followed by an afternoon of music and dance! The potluck will start at 12:15. If you would like to help set up, please arrive at noon. Plates, napkins, and utensils will be provided. Please bring a dish to share.

Susan English will be our caller with music by The Corndrinkers, from the Dayton area: Barb Kuhns and Linda Scutt (fiddle), Tom Duffee (banjo), Doug Smith (guitar), and Al Turnbull (bass). Please bring your own refillable water bottle. Check out our website for more info.
school supplies

Feed & Read Ohio 23rd Backpack Drive is happening now!

Please donate by August 1 for

the 3rd Annual Blessing of the Backpacks at church on August 2

On Sunday, Aug. 2. Jacques Angelino, founder of Feed & Read Ohio, will share how backpacks with school supplies help more children get a good education, so they can learn, grow, and build the future they want. After the service everyone is invited to help fill backpacks in Beach Hall!

Hear Jacques describe this annual event on our website.

We need your help to fill over 200 backpacks with the supplies children will need to start the year prepared to learn. $50 will buy one backpack and all the required supplies for one child. Please sponsor as many children as you are able.

If you prefer to partner with friends and family to purchase and fill your own backpacks, the items needed to fill each one include:
  • 1 backpack
  • 10 #2 pencils
  • 1 large pink eraser
  • 1 glue stick
  • 1 package Crayola colored
  • 1 Pencil Sharpener
  • 1 wide ruled 70 page spiral notebook
  • 1 ruler with inches and centimeters
  • 1 16 or 24 count Crayola crayons
  • 1 pencil case

Please use this list so we have consistency across all backpacks.

We are also accepting gift cards for Walmart, Aldi and Visa.

For questions please Reach Jacques

Peace Camp Needs Your Help!

We are seeking the following materials to help us with our activities:

  • Boxes of all sizes (especially larger boxes this year!)
  • Crafting materials
  • Yarn, string, and ribbon
  • Fake flowers
  • Tin cans and yogurt cups (clean and dry)
  • Anything that we could build villages and art creations (exception styrofoam)

Materials can be brought to the First UU Volunteer Workroom before July 27. Or you can notify Amber or Jenifer Bojanowski

*NEW*! Community Music Night

Join us on the first Wednesday of each month starting August 5 for an evening of music, connection, and joy. Bring an instrument, your voice, your dancing feet, or simply come to listen. This is not an open mic, nor is it a concert. It’s a shared musical experience where everyone belongs. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s to experience the joy of music together. Participants are welcome to lead a favorite song, teach something new, join in on familiar tunes, improvise, sing, dance, or simply enjoy the music by listening. Piano will be available, along with a few percussion instruments; please bring any other instruments you’d like to play. All instruments, musical styles, and skill levels are welcome. No experience is necessary. Come and go as you wish.

 

First Wednesday of each month • 7:00–10:00 PM • Worship Center

Contact Leo Taylor

Labor Day Weekend Retreat

Saturday, Sept. 5 – Monday, Sept. 7

Camp Oty’Okwa in beautiful Hocking Hills

New this year! Day Pass: $15 per meal

Register by August 27th. Join us for our traditional Peek, Talent Show, Hike, Hammock Hang, and more. You can even host a workshop or activity: contribute your own ‘flavor’ to the retreat! Please contact Patricia Boughton for more information on hosting activities or about scholarship funding.
Register Now

Planning ahead? Check our online calendar for additional events!

From First UU Leadership

Parking Lot Resurfacing

Week of August 10-14

The parking lots here at First UU will be resurfaced. During that week, there will be limited parking, and visitors may need to walk around the sidewalks to enter the building. We will provide more information as it is available to us closer to that date.

Justice & Volunteering

Join the First UU Columbus Protesters chat on Signal App

or email our Justice Team for more information.
voter registration

Democracy Action Hour

Each week after the service we do something together in community to respond to the attacks on our democracy. This week we’ll be assembling packets of materials for voter registration. We’ll also be answering any questions you may have about how you can get involved in voter outreach.

On the Journey

Read about the 8th Principle and First UU’s anti-racism efforts on our websiteand email Becca to learn more about submitting articles for this section.

Stamped from the Beginning

ARA Congregational Read

Next Discussion August 25, 7pm

Discussion Registration Open

The Anti-Racist Allies invite you to read Stamped from the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi to participate in the congregational group read this Summer and fall. This important work has several versions appropriate for a variety of ages and reading levels. Monthly Zoom book discussions will continue (7pm on August 25, Sept 29 & Oct. 20) and more activities connected with the book will be announced for the Fall. We hope you will be able to join us!

We hope you enjoy this “replay” of our first On the Journey Celebration,

originally published February 27. Please consider submitting a mini-bio about an inspiring black author, artist, change-maker, or innovator.

Charles Young: Teacher, Soldier, Scholar, Leader

This week we are celebrating writer, musician, polyglot, and soldier Charles Young (1864-1922). Young was Westpoint Academy’s third Black graduate, and went on to have an impressive military career, including service in the Philippines, Haiti, the the Republic of Liberia, and in the U.S. National Parks as a Buffalo Soldier. Despite many barriers caused by racism, he achieved the rank of Colonel. He was passionate about service to his country, and in 1917, at the age of 54, he rode 500 miles on horseback to protest his medical retirement.

Young’s tenacity and brilliance is staggering. He was posthumously promoted to Brigadier General in 2020 in an attempt to right some of the wrongs perpetuated by institutional racism. Learn more:

Thank you, Susan O’Donnell for letting us know about Charles Young!

Happening in Columbus

The August/September ARA Calendar

Community News

Calling All UU Artists

Freedom! What does this mean to you? We will use our freedom of expression to depict: freedom of speech, from oppression, from fear and more. Free as a bird, free to be you and me, freedom isn’t free, disobedience as freedom, be brave to be free, free air to breathe, free time, free for all, get out of jail free card, no such thing as a free lunch, free to choose, freebies, freedom of religion, freedom from religion, freedom to assemble.

Register or email Deb Baillieul for more info.

Banned Books: What Are They Afraid OfQuilt by Deb Baillieul

Family Activities

Happening This Sunday, July 26th!
9:30am-11:30pm Infant and Toddler Care 3mos-3yrs (101)

*Per safety policy, children/youth need to be supervised while on church grounds.

9:15am-12:15pm Teen/Tween Board Games! Rising 6th Grade & Above (A/B)

10:00-11:00am Worship Service (sanctuary)

10:15-11:15am (After Story) Early-Ed/Elementary Summer Class for 3-11yrs (201)

Kiddos w/fam in service: use Busy Bags or quiet toys in Wee Worship/Slowter!

11:00-11:30am Coffee/Tea – Pending Volunteers!* Email Robin Beach Hall)

Coming Soon: Fall Class Registration and Volunteer Teacher Recruitment!

Peace Camp Starts Tomorrow!

Invite your friends! bit.ly/peacecamp2026

  • 1 Spot Left! Session A: 5-8 years, Monday-Friday 7/27-7/31, 9am-12noon
  • 9 Spots Left! Session B: 7-12 yrs, M-F 8/3-8/7, 9-noon ($100 suggested)

What is Peace Camp?  Peace starts with small actions–a kind word, a gesture to welcome someone, or taking a breath when emotions feel big. In the span of a week, children will explore peaceful practices, including developing a sense of community, problem-solving, meditation, walking in nature, and more.