Friday News – March 13, 2026

It can often feel like we are surrounded by problems that we cannot possibly fix. Problems big (like an inexplicable war or systemic oppression) or problems small(er) (like how to find funding for what’s important to us.) We UUs are typically skilled and capable people so it can be wildly frustrating to feel like we can’t do anything. But there is an approach that can be helpful to consider in times like this: Adaptive Leadership. Adaptive Leadership looks at the difference between technical problems (fixable) and adaptive challenges (not fixable) and offers us strategies for approaching challenges that help us learn something new and that bring us together to work collectively.

I’ll be offering an adult religious exploration course on this in two forms: an online course the afternoon of March 21 and an in-person course the afternoon of March 22. Both will be from 1pm to 2:30.

This offers an empowering way to think about leadership that comes from all of us. I hope you will join me.

Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley

Lead Minister

Upcoming Events

This Sunday, March 15th

9:15
Nouurish Service

Join us for this interactive and inherently multigenerational community worship experience!

Our featured story this week:

Don’t Hug the Quokka

written by Daniel Errico

illustrated by Mia Powell

Presented by Alternative Worship Team & Members of this Community

11:00

“Subtle Acts of Exclusion”

We may never intend to cause harm, but there are many ways in which we can unintentionally hurt others, particularly others of different race and culture than ourselves. We will explore how this happens and what we can do about it.

Presented by Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley

Attention BREAD Network Members!

BREAD Organizing Meeting

Saturday, March 14, 11:00 am

Rooms 201 and 202

Help Columbus to preserve its mature tree canopy when private property is developed! Help address a livable wage for low-income groups by working with BREAD!

Please come to First UU’s BREAD Network Organizing Meeting in on Saturday, March 14. BREAD network members will select their assignments at this meeting, and we welcome all interested individuals who may consider becoming network members. Learn all about it at this meeting!

Millennials at Columbus Museum of Art!

Sunday, March 15, from 3-5pm

Folks interested in Millennial Covenant Group are invited to join Director of Religious Exploration, Amber Scott, and other members of the group at the Art Museum! Admission and parking outside the gated lot are free on Sundays. Meet in the museum cafe by 3pm to explore together as a group! Come earlier if you would like time to eat or grab a drink before hitting the galleries together. Families with children are welcome! Contact Amber with questions.

Join the Anti-Racist Allies

for Lunch at Dosa Kitchen

Sunday, March 15 at 12:45 pm

All are welcome to join for a south Indian buffet at Dosa Kitchen, serving both vegetarian and non-vegetarian items, chai, and desserts. Meet us at the restaurant at 1 pm or come to the auction table in Beach Hall at 12:45 pm for you are interested in car pooling. The address is 1307 Stoneridge Drive, Gahanna, OH 43230.

Democracy Action Hour – This Sunday!

& Every Sunday in March, 1-3pm in room 301

In response to rising political extremism, attacks on civil rights, voter suppression efforts, and the growing intimidation of marginalized communities, we are coming together in this critical election year as a multicultural, supportive, and loving community committed to democratic participation.

🗳 March 1 – Voter Outreach & Letter Writing to Voters

📣 March 8 – Making Whistle Kits & Know Your Rights Cards

📞 March 15 – Call Your Representatives (Scripts Provided)

🎨 March 22 – Sign-Making for No Kings Protests

We welcome donations of supplies (stamps, whistles, markers, cardboard, glitter, colorful paper) or financial contributions to help cover printing and materials for Know Your Rights cards and whistle kits.

Herbal Embodiment: Tea Blending & Movement Medicine

March 18, 6:00-8:30pm

Join Whitney Dawn Pyles and Azure from Azure’s Apothecary for an evening of somatic movement and sensory exploration inspired by plants and herbs of Spring. We will use our senses to interact with the herbs and let them guide our movement practice. Experience includes an opening and closing share, guided movement, free-form dancing, and materials to create your own herbal tea blend to take home.

Please register so we can have enough herbs and materials! (suggested ticket price $30)

Planning ahead? Check our online calendar for additional events!

From First UU Leadership

A huge WAVE of Thanks!

(& Last Chance to buy Auction Items!)

We want to give a huge THANK YOU to the Auction Team for orchestrating this monumentally successful fundraiser. This would not have been possible without the months of planning, organizing, crafting, and more. Thank you, Auction Team!

Also, There are just a few items left that are available to purchase by logging into the auction site, or you can purchase them at the Auction Table this Sunday. If you need to pay or get a printed receipt, stop by!

Your Help Makes Sunday Morning Happen!

Coffee Hour Clean-up Volunteers Needed!

This Sunday, March 15, and next Sunday, March 29, our wonderful Congregational Life Assistant, Robin Lawson, has to leave church early to be part of a special horsemanship practice! In order to support her, we need helpers willing to tidy up and put away the coffee cart – after post-service social hour winds down (usually between 12:30 and 1pm) – and to make sure doors are locked and lights are off before leaving the building. Is this something you would love to help with? Please email Robin!

“I will be driving in the All Standardbred Drill Team with my boarding stable, Cherokee Stables at Equine Affaire – coming up in April 8-12!” Thank you!!!

Schedule Changes

The March Finance meeting has been moved to Tuesday, March 17, from 7-9 PM. Interested congregants can RSVP to join in person or online.

The March Board of Trustees meeting has been moved to Monday, March 23, from 7-9 PM. Interested congregants can RSVP to join in person or online.

Upcoming Governance Meetings

  • 3/17 Finance Committee (RSVP)
  • 3/23 Board of Trustees (RSVP)
  • 6/7 Congregational Annual Meeting
Want to nominate someone to be on the Board of Trustees or Nominating Committee (NomCom)? Fill out our Nomination Form or email NomCom!

Justice & Volunteering

Total Raised for Kaleidoscope: $2,037

Way to go Rainbow Connexion and First UU!

Huge thanks to everyone who answered our call to raise funds for Kaleidoscope Youth Center! These vital gifts will support transitioning young people to new housing options when Kaleidoscope’s residential program closes this summer.

Help Plant Trees at Spruce Run Nature Center!

Saturday, April 18, 9:30 AM-2:00 PM

Seeking a dozen or more volunteers to help plant bare root trees – that will provide shelter for animals, oxygen for all beings, and pollen for pollinators for decades to come! Families and teens welcome! (Children younger than age 16 must be accompanied by an adult chaperone). RSVP on Realm!

You are welcome to explore Spruce Run’s 50 acres before or after planting trees! Bring hiking shoes, a water bottle (can be refilled on site), and a snack or sack lunch if desired. We ask that you spend an hour and a half helping to plant trees (or longer, if you like)! Questions? Contact Dana Reynolds!

4175 Sunbury Rd, Galena, OH 43021

UUJO Spring Gathering

Saturday, April 25, 9 AM-5 PM

Join UUs from across the state for the Unitarian Universalist Justice Ohio (UUJO) Spring Gathering, hosted here at First UU. Pablo DeJesus, the Executive Director of UUs for Social Justice, will give the keynote, “Faithful Defiance in Times of Democratic Trial.” Afternoon workshops will focus on a variety of justice topics.

Registration: $65 (includes lunch)

Contact Rev. Dr. Alice Diebel for scholarship support

Seeking Volunteers! If you are able to help set up the building the evening before this conference, please email to let us know!

Pride March Coordinators Needed

Stonewall Pride Festival & March, June 19 & 20

First UU has a long tradition of participating in Pride! We march and set up a booth where we distribute water, give glitter blessings, and connect. Coordinating this important outreach has fallen on very few volunteers, who are ready to pass the baton. We need YOU (and 2-3 friends) to join a planning / coordination team!Please reach out to Becca with the subject “Pride Party Planner” in your email.

Dates with Justice

  • 3/28: 4pm No Kings protest
  • 4/25: 9am-5pm Unitarian Universalist Justice Ohio (UUJO) Spring Gathering here at First UU
  • 5/12: BREAD Nehemiah Action (Email to help)

Join the First UU Columbus Protesters chat on Signal App

or email our Justice Team for more information.

Classes & Groups

Expressive Collage

1st & 3rd Mondays, 7:00-9:00 pm

Yes, you can collage! Join us for a creative evening with experience needed! All materials will be provided, but bring along any photos or images you might like to include.

Adaptive Leadership

March 21, 1-2:30pm (online)

March 22, 1-2:30pm (In-Person)

Adaptive Leadership looks at the difference between technical problems (fixable) and adaptive challenges (not fixable) and offers us strategies for approaching challenges that help us learn something new and that bring us together to work collectively.

Dinner and Conversation

2nd Quarter Sign Ups

Sign up by March 21 at noon

to join a monthly potluck group

in April, May & June

Dinner & Conversation is a quarterly pot luck group that meets in participant’s homes. Commitment is only for one quarter at a time with one meeting per month as agreed upon by the entire group. The group size is between 6-8. The host organizes the dinner and picks a topic for conversation. To sign up, email Marcia Canter by March 21 at noon.

New! RE Class for Older Adults: Aging Well Intentionally

Mondays, 1:00-2:30 PM

March 30 through June 1

Register Online

A 10-week course for older adults (ages 55+) who want to age well and intentionally begins on Monday, March 30. Meetings will happen weekly on Monday afternoons from 1:00 to 2:30 in Slowter Lounge. The course will consider wellness issues such as fall prevention, healthy lifestyles in movement and nutrition, overcoming social isolation, dealing with losses and end-of-life challenges, and addressing life’s meaning for aging adults. Aging is not a one-size-fits-all experience.

This course will be an opportunity to explore a variety of avenues to increase our health span, the length of time we can be vital, growing adults. Enrollment is limited to 15 persons. Each class is 90 minutes and will provide a brief presentation through videos or speakers, followed by a facilitated discussion among participants. The course will be facilitated by Guy Smalley, a retired public health educator, and Betsy Smalley, a retired social worker.

Senior Gathering Success

10:30-Noon Thursday, March 12th, 2026

Our sincere thanks go to the many volunteers who provided their time and energy to make the March 12 Senior Gathering a success : Donna Adassa, John Boyd, Sandy Coen, Joe Del Medico, Su Farnlacher, Bill Fiorini, Fluff Fiscus, Pat Hoffman, Jack Holdford, Katie Holdford, Florence Jain, Karen Keenan, Dave Richter, Karla Rinto, Debbie Shaw, Betsy Smalley, Andrea Smith, Chris Sullivan and everyone else who spontaneously helped. This event would never happen without the dedication of our many helpers! (Would you like to help with a future gathering? There are many ways to do so! Please email us)

Our deepest appreciation goes to Dick Dawson and Rev. Kelli McNeal for overseeing our recent program. We were also grateful to welcome Melissa Gualtieri, BSN, RN, from the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging, who shared an informative presentation on Fall Risk and Prevention. She discussed why preventing falls is so important for older adults and offered practical strategies to reduce risks at home. She also reviewed medications that can increase fall risk and provided ways to improve foot awareness and balance. (email us for a copy of her slideshow!)

As always, music added warmth to our gathering. Karen Thimmes accompanied the celebration of birthdays with piano music. We also took a moment to remember and honor friends from our community who have passed away since we last gathered.

Brian Hagemann provided information on various facility updates including (but not limited to!) complete changeover to LED lighting, solar panel installation, parking lot repair and SYC’s renovation of the playground (paid for via grant money). Amber Scott promoted the Aging Well Adult RE program that is coming courtesy of Betsy and Guy Smalley.

The Senior Gatherings continue to be a meaningful time for learning, connection, music, and fellowship. We look forward to welcoming our seniors again on Thursday, May 7, 2026. Our program will begin at 11am, followed by lunch at 12noon.

Additional Groups & Classes

  • Keep On Keeping On chronic pain support: 3pm 3/16 Zoom (RSVP)
  • Sacred Song Circle: 6pm Wednesdays
  • Biblical Literacy for UUs: 6:30-8pm Zoom, 1st/3rd Mon. (Register)
  • Crafting in Creative Community: 7-9pm, 2nd/4th Mondays, rm 301

On the Journey

We invite you to take one small step on a journey towards anti-racism by learning about & celebrating black innovators, creators, and change-makers with us. Read about the 8th Principle and First UU’s anti-racism journey on our website.

Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson

Columbus Artist and MacArthur Genius

Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson was a visionary artist whose work turned the history of Columbus, Ohio, particularly the Poindexter Village neighborhood, into a sacred, universal narrative. Born and raised in Columbus, she dedicated her life to documenting the African-American experience through what she called “RagGonNons:” monumental, multi-media tapestries that combined fabric, needlework, paint, and found objects. In 2004, she was awarded a MacArthur Genius Grant, one of the highest honors in the arts. Her work has been exhibited at prestigious institutions like the Brooklyn Museum and the Smithsonian, yet she remained deeply rooted in our community, living and working in her modest home on Sunbury Road.

 

Robinson’s legacy resonates with our First UU values of dignity and interconnectedness. She viewed her art as a bridge between the ancestors and future generations, practicing a philosophy of “Sankofa:” reaching back to move forward. Upon her passing in 2015, she left her estate to the Columbus Museum of Art, which now hosts a residency in her home to support new generations of artists. Her life was a testament to the power of storytelling as a tool for social justice and spiritual preservation.

We encourage you to read her comprehensive biography or explore her life’s work through the interactive Aminah’s World website, and watch her 1990 d’ART interview (7:30) or the Broad and High documentary (26m) to learn more about this amazing, local arts icon.

Submitted Cara Seidt and Paisha Thomas

Please suggest a black innovator, creator, or change-maker!

Email 2-3 links and a 200-word description. We publish one selection per week.

Upcoming Anti-Racist Allies Events

  • 3/25 Step Afrika! The Evolution Tour (CAPA)

More details on ARA’s Feb/March Flyer!

Community News

Camp Indigo

June 29 – July 3

Registration and

Job Opportunities available now!

Camp Indigo – a summer day camp for transgender and gender expansive youth – is coming to Columbus!

Camp Indigo was founded in 2015 on the belief that trans and gender diverse kids deserve a ‘normal’ summer day camp experience. When so much of a child’s life is based on educating others and trying to find their place in the world, Camp Indigo is what childhood is meant to be: fun, friend-centered, and full of wonder.

Kids and teens ages 5-17 can expect to connect with 75+ trans peers in a silly and connected day camp environment. It’s going to be a blast! Discount codes and summer job opportunities at the website! Find out more and register at www.thecampindigo.org

First UU Art Exhibit:

“What Makes Me Happy” fiber art

by Nikki Nwosu

Reception this Sunday March 15. 12:15-1:30pm

Exhibit on Display until April 26

Color! Texture! Play! Joy! Come and meet our newest artist Nikki Nwosu. She rescues lost fabrics, discarded clothing, old lace and creates fascinating textures and movement in unexpected combinations. Nikki plays!

Join us for conversation, food and art this Sunday at 12:15. How do you play?

Ohio Roller Derby Home Games!

2026 home games will be played Saturdays at the Ohio Expo Center; join us TOMORROW, March 14, April 4, May 9, and May 23.

Arrive around 6:30 to get seats to see Amber (“Peach”) skate in the 7pm B game!

Family Activities

Happening This Sunday, March 15th!

9:15-10am Nouurish Multigenerational Worship Service (sanctuary)

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)

10:55am-12:15pm 10-11year Our Whole Lives (404)

10:45am-12:15pm Neighboring Faiths Classroom Session (301)

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

11:00am-12:00pm Worship Service (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 w/fam during service: use Busy Bags or quiet toys in Wee Worship / Slowter!

12noon-12:30pm Snack, Coffee, and Tea (Gallery, Beach, A/B)

1:15-3:00pm Navigators Scouting Hike 5-12yrs (Sharon Woods Metropark) meet at the Shrock Lake Picnic Area – the farthest parking lot from the park entrance!

1:00-3:00pm Democracy Action Hour: Call Your Representatives! w/ Scripts (301)

3:00-5:00pm Millennial Covenant Group Social: Columbus Museum of Art

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

***Next Sunday, 3/22: No Classes – RE Sunday All Ages Service!***

Check Out Peace Camp This Summer!

At Peace Camp we invite children to be their true selves, and make space for all to be welcomed and valued. We explore what peace means, looks like, and how it connects us. Cost: $100 suggested. Invite your friends! bit.ly/peacecamp2026

  • Session A for 5-8 years, Monday-Friday 7/27-7/31 from 9am-12noon
  • Session B for 8-12 years, Monday-Friday 8/3-8/7 from 9am-12noon