Friday News – March 22, 2024

Happy Friday!

We are so pleased to announce that Minister Shannon High (she/they) has joined the staff as the part-time Coordinator of Multicultural Engagement.  Shannon will be participating in worship monthly and convening opportunities for people to connect across cultures.  She is bursting with ideas so watch the newsletter for some exciting notices.

Minister High studied at Lancaster Theological Seminary and Pacific School of Religion where they received a Master of Divinity Degree, a Master of Arts in Social Transformation, and a Certificate in Spirituality and Social Change.  Originally on track for ordination in the UCC tradition, she now finds a home more suited to her in Unitarian Universalism.  They are a mother and grandmother and live with their partner in Upper Arlington.  She is also a visual artist, poet and sacred space designer.  Please welcome them!
Blessings,Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley (she/her)

Developmental Minister
This Week

“Celebrating Disability”

Sunday, March 24

Presented by Rev. Kelli McNeal
& Kristen Hehrer

Disability has historically been something that our society has relegated to the dark corners, hidden away as if it’s an embarassment. What would it mean for us to flip the script and view disability as something to be celebrated and embraced?
Upcoming Concerts at First UU
Beki Test and Mike Neely
On Saturday, March 23 at 7:30pmBeki Test and Mike Neely will be in concert along with Al Smyth’s FBnCC.
Al Smyth’s FBnCC
This concert was originally slated for December 2023, and you won’t want to miss it! Donations will be accepted and will benefit Feed and Read.
Also, mark your calendars for Friday, April 12 at 7:00 pm for singer-songwriter Katy Oberle in concert in the Worship Center! Donations will be accepted at the door.
Life Skills Workshop #1: Polarity Management

Tuesday, March 26
at Noon and again at 6:30pm
Slowter Lounge

We seem to constantly come up against polarities in our polarized world. Polarity Management is a tool to help us look at issues in a more complex and holistic way.

This is the first in a series of workshops led by Rev. Terasa that will help us develop tools for healthy communication. Come to just one or attend all! 

Atheists, Skeptics and Humanists (ASH)

Tuesday, March 26 7pm in Room 301
Speaker: Pat Snyder

Did you know that The 3rd week in March is National Clear Out Your Closet week?  If you need a little help with your closets, Come see our March ASH speaker – Pat Snyder, presenting “What Stories are Hidden in the Stuff You Need to Clear Out?” Consider bringing an item, or a picture of it you need to make a decision on – or just come as you are!  All are welcome!In April’s ASH meeting: Meet the Citizens Climate Lobby.

March Expressive Worship

Thursday, March 28 6pm Beach Hall

Did you enjoy the format of our recent youth-led service? Come experience it again this Thursday at Expressive Worship. This lay led service is centered around individual artistic practice: we sing songs, listen to readings and work on art inspired by monthly themes, with optional sharing time at the end of worship. March’s theme is Transformation. All ages and abilities are enthusiastically welcomed. Contact Christinewith questions.
Image by Joe from Pixabay
From the Staff & Board
Investing with First UU
The First UU Finance Committee is looking for a few volunteers to help us with our investment opportunities. If you have investment experience and are interested, or would like to know more information, please email the Finance team!
🐣 Easter Candy Needed! 🐣

We need more Nut / Peanut Free Easter Candy donations for our annual family Spring Festival to be a success!

Drop off labeled bags of candy in the copy room between now and the start of the service 3/31.

The family Egg Hunt will happen during the service Easter Sunday, followed by Throwing Color (in the style of Holi) after, at 11:30am. All are welcome to throw color, or come watch!

See Amber Skate 3/30!

Single game tickets and season passes are now available for Ohio Roller Derby’s upcoming home games, 3/30, 4/27, 5/25, and 6/15! Get yours before they sell out!

Amber (or “Peach”) plays in the 7pm B-game! Image by Jenn Bermudez.

Upcoming Governance Meetings
Email our Board or Finance committee to inquire about attending: 
Classes and Groups
Life Skills Workshop Series
This series of workshops led by Rev. Terasa will help us develop tools for healthy communication and best practices for being in a diverse community. You can come to just one or attend all!This Week! March 26 – Polarity Management. (See above)

April 30 – Deep Listening: Learning to listen deeply to others is a skill we all need to develop more fully as it does not come naturally to many of us.

May 28 – Powerful Questions: The way we phrase or present an important question can have a huge impact on the kind of conversation we wish to create. The tool of Powerful Questions helps us learn how to identify assumptions that may be getting int he way of asking a question that will bring about creative and open questions

All classes are offered at Noon and 6:30pm – Pick the time that works best for you!

Faith Forward Online Class:
Turning Points in UU History
Wednesdays, April 3–May 8, 8–9:15pm via zoom
Fee: Free for current Faith Forward congregation subscribers; $100 for non-subscriber congregations (no participant limit) or $25 per person. (First UU is a Faith Forward subscriber)
The Faith Forward program out of the First Unitarian Church of Dallas is excited to offer an online session of our “Turning Points in UU History” series for all congregations! This series explores turning points and controversies in our history, delving into the complexities of these historical moments through primary texts, to understand how they shaped Unitarian Universalism and how we relate to our faith today.
For more information or to register, email Faith Forward Coordinator Rev. Lora Brandis at lbrandis@dallasuu.org. Deadline to register is Monday, April 1st.
Upcoming First UU Events
ADHD? Autism Spectrum?
Neurodiversity Topics Presentation
Saturday, March 30 1–2:30pm
Elizabeth Cook, PhD and Psychologist at the OSU Wexner Medical Center offers this free presentation on Neurodiversity, including Neurodiversity issues such as ADHD and Autism Spectrum disorders. We welcome UU staff, SYC & Red Oak staff, parents and everyone who is interested in this topic!
Around the Corner
Here are *Just a Few* of the additional upcoming Events anyone can enjoy:
  • April 5, 5:30pm – First Friday Spaghetti Dinner
  • April 7 & 14, 11am – Getting to Know the Library
  • April 7, 11:30am Trans Allies & Families Support group, Trans & Gender non-confirming Teen Support Group
  • April 14, 11:30am Emerging Young Adults
  • Every Wednesday at 6pm – Sacred Song Circle
  • Every Saturday at 8:30am & Tuesday at 7pm – Zen Meditation.
    All experience levels welcome,
    Orientation for beginners on 2nd Saturdays and 4th Tuesdays.
Justice & Volunteer Opportunities
Opportunities with BREAD
(Building Responsibility, Equality and Dignity)

Columbus City Schools (CCS) is hosting a 2 Day intensive training for BREAD leaders & Community Members – including First UU Members! Help restore our community by learning the model from the International Institute for Restorative Practices.

Tuesday May 14 – 15th, 8AM-3:30PM 
Location TBA
Fees are covered by the CCS

There are a limited number of spaces, so Register NOW using the Online registration form.

BREAD Opportunities:
  • Watch the full The Lincoln School Story documentary
  • Monday, April 15, 7:00pm BREAD Rally, Congregation Tifereth Israel, 1354 E Broad St
  • Tuesday, May 21, 6:40pm  BREAD Nehemiah Action, Celeste Center at the Fairgrounds
Go to the BREAD website and check out the latest BREAD newsletter!  Or Email the BREAD Team for more information.
Register for Restorative Practices Training
We Need Your Mugs!
Help! The popularity of coffee hour continues to exceed our mug supply. Clear out your cupboards of any unloved mugs and make coffee hour more colorful!  Place donations into the box on the counter in A/B. Thank You!
Image by Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay
Click Here to Volunteer for Coffee Hour
Community News
     A Tribute to JACO Artist Claire Hagan Bauza
The Jung Association of Central Ohio (JACO) is honoring Claire Bauza, a long-time member of First UU, with a virtual exhibit of 35 works she created from 1957-2010. The exhibit, “A Journey,” can be viewed online from March 5 – October 31.
See Exhibit Now
In Celebration
Robin F. William’s Artist Exhibition
Chas and Susan Williams want to invite art lovers to check out their daughter, Robin F. William’s first solo institutional exhibition, “We’ve Been Expecting You” at the Columbus Museum of Art from April 5th through August 18. Robin grew up in this congregation and to paraphrase the artist, “you raised me not to be afraid of making people a little uncomfortable.”
Family Activities
Register for Peace Camp!
Happening this Sunday, March 24!
  • 9:15-9:45am 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)
  • 9:55am-11am 10-11yr OWL (404)
  • 10-11am 6-7yr OWL (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
  • 11:30-1:30pm Youth Group (402)
  • 11:30-1:30pm Emerging Young Adults (302)