In this ceremony, we will renew our covenant together, welcoming our new members and celebrating the energy, ideas and spirit that they each bring to our community. It has been a great honor to get to know these new First UUers as they journey through the Pathways to Membership class, and I hope you will join us in celebrating and supporting each of them.

Rev. Kelli McNeal

Congregational Life Minister

Community Garden Cleanup & Workday

Saturday, May 9, 9am

Questions? Email us!

BREAD 2026 Nehemiah Action

Tuesday, May 12, 6:40-8:30 pm

Celeste Center at the State Fairgrounds,

717 E. 17th Ave.

*5:45 pm Bus leaves First UU

This year, BREAD is asking:

• Columbus City Council for an ordinance to protect trees on private property under construction
• Columbus City Schools to expand Career and Technical Education (CTE) Academies from the present three high schools to ten. These academies prepare students for livable wage jobs after graduation.

Spring Concert Series Event:

First UU Choir – “I Am America”

Sunday, May 17 at 4:00 pm

Come join our three First UU Choirs–Chalice Choir, Spirit of Life Choir, and Rising Voices–in a Spring Concert on Sunday, March 17 in the Worship Center. The concert, “I Am America”, recognizes in song the many diverse faces of the United States as we mark its 250th year. The concert is free and open to the public. Please join us afterward for a reception in Beach Hall.

(We are also looking for a couple of non-choir volunteers for the reception; if you are available, please contact Dr. Brandon Moss)

Upcoming Member Memorials

June 6, 1pm: Bob Letcher

Summer Schedule Change!

Worship Service will begin at 10am

May 24 to September 6

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 usor sign up on Realm!

Keep your eyes open for other changes – Summer is a time when we may experiment with the form and format of our regular programming and communications! Have ideas or suggestions? Email Becca to let us know what you want to see!

Accessibility Update

Beginning in June, our American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter will be scheduled on the Second and Fourth Sundays of each month.

Did you know? In addition to the scheduled ASL interpretation, there are 2 Assistive Listening systems that are always available during services:

• We have a hearing loop (also called T-Coil) system installed in the Worship Center, Slowter lounge, and Beach hall. Those with compatible hearing aids can switch them to T-Coil mode to receive the audio broadcast directly to their devices.
• There is also an FM transmitter assistive listening system in the Worship Center. Receivers and headphones are available at the tech table.

These systems primarily offer assistance for programming occurring in the Worship Center, but the Beach Hall loop (T-coil) also functions independently for any event happening in Beach Hall.

Check out the Accessibility page of our website for other accessibility information!

Spring is Stewardship Season

Our UU community is one of those rare spaces where people can breathe deeply, reconnect with their values, and remember that they are not alone. Consider what this place means to you and if you can deepen your financial support this year. Set up recurring ACH or Credit card donations here or Pledge online Or stop by table in gallery next few Sundays to pick up your packet and talk to the team.

All packets were delivered in person or mailed – please keep an eye out for yours and return as soon as possible to help us budget for the upcoming church year!

Please share this Faithify Campaign

for Paisha Thomas

It has been a great experience working with you here at First UU and witnessing your commitment to anti-racism. I want to share with you about my life work and my plans to study for a semester in Namibia. Read details on my Faithify Campaign, and please consider sharing it with your friends.

ARA-Sponsored Congregational Read:

Stamped from the Beginning

May to October

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. After reading one (or more!) versions of the book we hope you will join one (or more!) of the zoom conversations we will hold to in the coming months.

This important work has several versions appropriate for a variety of ages and reading levels:

• Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibram X. Kendi (464 pages)
• Stamped: Racism, Anti Racism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi (remixed for middle school and teen readers, but also highly appreciated by adults), (304 pages, very accessible)
• Stamped (For Kids) by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi, adapted by Sonja Cherry-Paul (160 pages, for elementary readers)
• Stamped from the Beginning: A Graphic History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibram X. Kendi, adapted and illustrated by Joel Christian Gill (288 pages)
• Stamped from the Beginning by Netflix (2023), (85 minutes)

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! If you have questions, reach out to Susan Carr or Erin Reilly-Sanders! (Or if you need help getting a copy of the book, reach out to Amber!)

Feed & Read Ohio

Our food assistance has provided for delivery of 3143 bags of food sufficient for 2 days of meals to Latino families since December 22, 2025, the start of intense presence of ICE in Franklin County. We are not just changing lives; we are saving lives and families. We will be delivering 30 toiletry bags to the North Linden Elementary school on the 3rd Friday of May.

Special donations needs for the month of May include: deodorant, shampoo, pretty socks, and feminine hygiene pads. Get your Green Bag on Sunday for your donations!

Compost Update

First UU’s composting has been made possible by the free Food Scraps Drop-off Program with the Columbus Department of Public Service. They recently provided this update:

“Through April 2026, residents have dropped off over 408,033 pounds of food scraps to be composted. This amounts to 204 tons of organic materials that have been diverted from the landfill with an estimated 348,746 metric tons of CO2e. Keep up the great work! “

Thank you for helping us do our part to reduce food waste and methane emissions by composting your scraps at First UU events! See more information about the program on Columbus.gov‘s website, including what is eligible to compost and where to find the 9 drop-off sites for your food waste.

If you are interested in becoming a First UU Compost Drop-off Volunteer, please email Becca to be added to the schedule.

Seeking Flowers for the Chancel

How does your garden grow? If you have some flowers to share, we would love to decorate the chancel with them for a Sunday Service! Please reach out to Denise Deschenes to discuss donating. Thank you!

Eco-Tip: Become a Conservation Steward

From Columbus Parks and Rec Conservation Team – Turn your love of nature into action! The Conservation Stewardship Program offers hands-on training and volunteer opportunities to support pollinator habitats and park ecosystems. Help document plant and pollinator species using iNaturalist, remove invasive species and restore natural areas.

“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.

Senior Gathering

Our heartfelt thanks go to the many volunteers who generously shared their time and energy to make the May 7 Senior Gathering such a wonderful success: Donna Adassa, Eve Catus, Sandy Coen, Joe Del Medico, Su Farnlacher, Barb Fiorini, Bill Fiorini, Jack Holdford, Katie Holdford, Florence Jain, Karen Keenan, Norm Maschner, Michelle Miles, Frank Phillips, Karla Rinto, Sarah Rosenblum, Chris Sullivan, Karen Thimmes, Judy Vazquez, and the many others who stepped in to help throughout the day. These gatherings simply would not be possible without the dedication, kindness, and teamwork of our volunteers.

Our featured program was presented by First UU’s Anti-Racist Allies. Special thanks to Rev. Lynda Smith for coordinating this meaningful and engaging program.

Senior Gatherings continue to provide a special opportunity for learning, music, fellowship, and connection within our community. We look forward to gathering together again this autumn.

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 10th!

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)

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 unsupervised.)

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 7-11yrs: Start in Service Until After Story (201)

*If attendance is low, these classes may combine in 201 (Happy Mother’s Day)!

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

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

12:30-1pm Peace Pals Children’s Choir 5-12yrs (sanctuary)

No Youth Group or Navigator Scouts Meetings – due to the holiday!

Coming Soon: Fall Class Registration and Volunteer Teacher Recruitment!