On a different note, we will be saying good bye to our Spirit of Life Choir Director, Michaela Brown (see the note from Brandon below.) I know we will miss her big smile and infectious spirit and all the ways in which she has made music enjoyable and spiritually relevant. Please come to the choir concert on Sunday to enjoy the spectacular music and to wish her the best!

Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley

Lead Minister

“When Doing Good Starts to Exhaust You:

Using Meditation to Overcome Burnout”

May 16 9:30-Noon

Registration Open

Join Mindfulness & Meditation instructor Patricia O’Toole, Ph.D. in a workshop to explore burnout, meaning, and the deeper questions calling you forward.

Making a real difference in the world takes more than just taking action – it starts with how we show up on the inside. It is completely normal to feel overwhelmed, angry or discouraged given the state of the world. But staying stuck in those feelings can make things feel heavier and harder to change.

This workshop offers a different approach – Instead of pushing harder on the outside, you’ll learn how to reset on the inside. From this place, you’re able to respond in a way that’s more effective and supportive, both for yourself and others.

If you’re feeling burned out or frustrated, this workshop is for you! You’ll learn simple ways to stay steady, feel more at peace, and reconnect with a sense of purpose and connection.

Spring Concert Series Event:

First UU Choir – “I Am America”

Concert and Reception Sunday, May 17 at 4:00 pm

Please join us this Sunday, May 17 at 4:00 pm for our First UU Choirs Spring Concert in the Worship Center. “I Am America” will feature Chalice Choir, Spirit of Life Choir, and Peace Pals as we recognize the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States with music celebrating all American voices–the marginalized and the oft-represented. At this concert, we will also celebrate Michaela Brown, Spirit of Life Choir director, who will be leaving First UU at the end of this month after eight dedicated years. During her time at First UU, Michaela has built Spirit of Life in number and has nurtured and fostered the family culture of that choir. We will miss Michaela and wish her well in her future endeavors!

Next Sunday, May 24, Carpe Diem String Quartet will present its last concert of the year, “An American Story: New Beginnings” at 3:00 pm in the Worship Center. First UU members receive a $10 discount on tickets, which may be purchased online or at the door.

Anti-Racist Allies (& Friends)

Lunch at Montecristo Salvadorean Grill & Bar

Sunday, May 17, 12:30 pm

When was the last time you had Salvadorean cuisine? Well, here’s your chance! We will meet at the kiosk in the church gallery at 12:30 pm to carpool. The address is 2001 E Dublin Granville Rd, Columbus, OH 43229. All are welcome to come!

Upcoming Member Memorials

June 6, 1pm: Bob Letcher

Summer Schedule Change!

Worship Service will begin at 10am starting May 24.

Starting in June, our American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter will be scheduled on the second and fourth Sundays of each month.

Subject to volunteer availability, A light continental breakfast may be served at 9:15am. Coffee and tea will be available both before and after the service. To sign up for the “Coffee and Continental Breakfast” Serving team, Email us or sign up on Realm!

A Message from your Board of Trustees

Board Meeting Wednesday, May 27

Annual Meeting Sunday, June 7

As we approach the end of the church year, your Board of Trustees is balancing essential governance with celebration and transition. Please mark your calendars for our Annual Congregational Meeting on Sunday, June 7. This is a critical time for our community to learn about the upcoming fiscal year budget, reflect on our shared ministry, and elect new leadership to the Board of Trustees and Nominating Committee.

Following this, the June Board meeting will serve as an end-of-year celebration to thank our departing Trustee, Chris Sullivan. After a July recess, the Board will gather in August for a leadership retreat focused on welcoming and training our incoming members. Please email the Board with any questions.

Meet Your Nominees!

The Nominating Committee is pleased to present our slate of candidates for election at the Annual Meeting on Sunday, June 7. These members have been selected based on their demonstrated commitment to our congregation and values.

We will vote on the following candidates:

• Vanda Sucheston Hughes

Board of Trustees

• Kathleen Fowler
• (2-year Term)
• Raina Bradford-Jennings
• (3-Year Term)
• Cara Seidt
• (3-year Term)

(3 to be elected for a 2-year term)

• Matt Hollander
• Norman Maschner
• Kristin Hehrer
• Deborah Weaver
• Scarlett Rebman
• Liz Scheltens

Please Note: the Board of Trustees is expanding to nine members. The Nominating Committee is still interviewing potential nominees for the Board and will provide notice in next week’s newsletter if there are any updates to the slate.

Attending General Assembly?

Be a Delegate for First UU!

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. Registration is still open – register to attend! And tell a Board Member if you’d like to be a Delegate!

Spring is Stewardship Season

If you haven’t had a chance to, please set up your recurring ACH or Credit card donations here or Pledge online.

Stamped from the Beginning

ARA Congregational Read

May to October

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 begin in June, (7pm on June 16, July 21, August 25, Sept 29) and more activities connected with the book will be announced for the Fall. We hope you will be able to join us!

BREAD’s Nehemiah Action

1,477 BREAD supporters including 166 people representing First UU at BREAD’s Nehemiah Action this past Tuesday night cheered for Columbus City Councilman Nick Bankston and the passage of a Rental Registry to protect renters. Then we cheered even louder for Columbus City Schools Superintendent Dr. Angela Chapman, the CCS Board President Dr. Antoinette Miranda, and CCS Board Vice President Sarah Ingles as they resoundingly said “Yes!” to BREAD’s asks for Career and Technical Education (CTE) Academies in 10 Columbus high schools by the 2029-30 school year.

Promoting 1st UU Solar Power

Here comes the sUUn! First UU is exploring ways to share and celebrate our new solar energy system as part of our commitment to environmental justice and sustainability. Join us on the Green Team! Volunteers are needed to help with event planning, media outreach, video and photo work, writing, research, and creating promotional materials about our solar and other environmental efforts. Email Brian if you’re interested.

All Soles Dance

Saturday, May 16th

Beginners’ Session: 1:30

Dance: 2:00-4:30

Cost is $10 for adults, $5 ages 2-25.

New to dancing? A beginners’ session, from 1:30 to 2:00 PM, will get you started. You will learn some basic figures that will be repeated in the afternoon’s dances. All dances will be taught and no partner is needed. Dancing is from 2:00 to 4:30.

Please bring your own refillable water bottle. You are invited to join us for dinner at Olive and Lime (in the church’s back parking lot) after the dance.

Upcoming dance dates: June 20th, Tentative: July 25th, September 26th, October 17th, November 21st, December 19th. More info

Final Somatic Movement & Dance (for now)

Wednesday, May 20; 6:45-8:15pm

Please Register

Somatic Movement & Dance is a gentle, explorative, playful build from mindfulness and guided movement to freeform dance, ending with opportunities for intentional rest and community connection. No experience is necessary, just curiosity and a willingness to move in your own way. This experience introduces somatic movement practices that support body awareness, emotional presence, and meaningful connection. It’s meant to help us shift from self-judgment over how we look or might be perceived to focusing on how it feels to listen to the body. This is a space to reconnect with yourself, creativity, and full, authentic expression. Beach Hall. Childcare available.

Calling all UU Artists and Friends for “Freedom!”

Registration Open!

Drop off art August 9 – 11

Our annual members and friend Fall Art Show is called “Freedom!” What does this mean to you? Take in is August 7-9. See details and Register to submit on our website.

Be “Free as a Bird” as you create!

Happening This Sunday, May 17th!

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)

*Last Day of Spring RE Before Sundays Flip to Summer Mode!*

11:00am-12:15pm Board Games! w/ Your Adult age 10+yrs (A/B, by kitchen)

*Per safety policy, children/teens need to choose one supervised space to remain in during service (no switching between, or circulating the grounds unsupervised.)

11:00am-12:00pm Worship Service (sanctuary)

11:15-12:15 Spirit Play 3-7yr(102) 7-11yr(201) Start in Service: EOY Popsicle Party!

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 Hike 5-12yrs (Inniswood Metro Gardens: Meet at Patio!)

No RE Next Sun 5/24 (Holiday Wknd), & One Service at 10am! (Sitter 9:30-11:30)

Coming Soon: Fall Class Registration and Volunteer Teacher Recruitment!