I have been using the phrase to remind myself that being caught up in worrying about all of the systemic evil in this world keeps me from using my vision and hope to create the world of liberation and peace wherein I wish to live. When he considered and interacted with nature, Thurman found oneness with all of life. In this season of chaos, I invite you all to remember to touch grass, center down, and find what Thurman called, “…a strong sure purpose that will structure our confusion and bring meaning in our chaos.”

Paisha Thomas

Justice & Equity Student Minister

“How good it is to center down! To sit quietly and see one’s self pass by. The streets of our minds seethe with endless traffic; Our spirits resound with clashings, with noisy silences, While something deep within hungers and thirsts for the still moment and the resting lull. With full intensity we see, ere the quiet passes, a fresh sense of order in our living; A direction, a strong sure purpose that will structure our confusion and bring meaning in our chaos. We look at ourselves in this waiting moment – the kinds of people we are. The questions persist: what are we doing with our lives? What are the motives that order our days?”

-Howard Thurman

Meditations of the Heart

Time change: Afternoon Gathering

All Soles Contra & Square Dance

& Special–Friendsgiving Potluck

Saturday, November 22, 2025

Potluck: 12:30 to 1:30

Beginners’ Session 1:30 to 2:00 PM

Dancing 2:00 to 4:30 PM

Cost is $10 for adults, $5 ages 12-25.

Roscommon Sessions is Steve Steele (guitar), Jim Lindroth (percussion), Carol Metheny (fiddle) and Sarah Sigmon (fiddle). We hope to see you dancing!

Upcoming dance dates: December 20th, January 24th, February 21st.

Community Thanksgiving Dinner

Thursday, November 27, 4:30 – 7:30 pm

Gather in community on Thanksgiving here at First UU. Plan to bring a nut-free side dish or contribution to share; you are always welcome regardless. Please fill out the RSVP form to help us prepare the right amount of turkey, vegetarian, and vegan entrees. Everyone is welcome!

First Friday Spaghetti Dinner

& Anti-Racist Ally Reunion

Friday, December 5

6:30 pm Dinner (Beach Hall)

7:30 pm Discussion (Room 301)

Institutional Racism: How to

See It & How to Respond Helpfully

Curious about what is it to be an Anti-Racist Ally? Or just the discussion topic? Attend this discussion facilitated by Lynda Smith & Norm Machner. Please come and find out more!

All ages are welcome. We’ll have salad, pasta, sauces, garlic bread, nuggets, and dessert. Vegan/gluten free/dairy free options available. Dinner is served at 6:30. Your first time is free! Our happy repeat customers are asked for a suggested donation of $3.00 per person to help pay for the food.

Interested in Hosting one month this year? Please email us to hop onto the Host schedule!

Sorrow at This Season

Grief Service

Wednesday, Dec 10, 2025 at 7pm

The year-end holidays can be especially challenging if your heart is heavy with grief. When so many are celebrating traditional seasonal holidays with joy and feasting, shouldering grief from the loss of a loved one, a loss of dreams, disappointments, fears and many other causes can feel overwhelming. Memories, as helpful as they can be, also serve as constant reminders of loss. Sometimes all we may feel is our aloneness; yet please know you are not alone.

Handmade Holidays

Monday evenings through December 22

6:30 to 8:30 pm, Room 301

Come craft together and build creative community! Make holiday gifts for your loved ones or come work on a project. Handmade Holidays is a weekly drop-in group welcoming all who have something crafty they are working on or would like to start.

All people and projects are welcome. Bring your own materials or use those provided, we always have items to make cards and wrapping paper on hand and will have additional projects to offer as donations provide such as ornaments, hand crafted books, yarn and bead crafts.

For more information or to donate supplies contact Christine.

FILA–Fund for Immigration Legal Assistance

Now through November 25th

First UU’s Faithify Campaign is announcing a Match up to $5,000! Donations made between now and November 25th will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $5,000. If you have been planning to donate to this campaign, now is the time to do it.

We thank our generous donors who have stepped up to allow us to offer this match.

Feed and Read Ohio

Christmas Wishes & Food Collection

In addition to our November Collection of food staples and socks, we are collecting presents for the children that we assist with Feed and Read Ohio. Please visit the tree in the gallery and take a tag for a child that you would like to provide a present for and deliver it, unwrapped, by Sunday, December 7. Thank you so much for all of the gifts that you provide throughout the year, and for helping make this Christmas special for those in our Central Ohio Community.

To everyone who took tags from the Feed & Read gift tree this past Sunday, please purchase gift cards from Walmart NOT Amazon. The recipients are not able to go online to use Amazon cards. We apologize for the error.

BREAD Research Kickoff

Monday, December 8, 7:00 pm

At BREAD’s 29th Annual Assembly, network members from its multi-faith congregations throughout central Ohio voted to select LIVING WAGE as the new problem for the organization to research and address. The official BREAD Research Kickoff will be on Monday, December 8, 7:00 pm at First Unitarian Universalist Church. All are welcome to learn how BREAD does its research and, if you so choose, to join a research committee.

Eco-tip: Leave the Leaves!

From the city’s Conservation Team: As the leaves start to fall, skip the bags, and let nature do the work. According to the National Wildlife Federation, Americans throw away more than 35 million tons of yard waste each year. Leaves provide vital habitat for butterflies, fireflies, birds, small mammals and more—and they help return nutrients to the soil.

Spread a light layer over your yard, or place leaves in garden beds and under trees. It’s an easy way to support wildlife and your landscape.

Learn more tips from the National Wildlife Federation.

Embodied Exploration of

Religious & Spiritual Conditioning

December 14, 5-7:30

December 21, 4:30-7:30

Registration Open

How have your religious or spiritual experiences shaped the way you feel, believe, and belong today? How do they continue to shape your sense of self, belonging, or spirituality? How can we explore religious or spiritual conditioning through an embodied lens?

This series offers a gentle, compassionate space for anyone curious about how religious or spiritual conditioning has shaped their beliefs, identities, or sense of belonging. Rather than retelling traumatic stories, we’ll focus on how these experiences live in our bodies now and explore tools for grounding, presence, and reclamation.

Each gathering may include light movement, sensory mindfulness, somatic awareness, creative reflection, and conversation. All are welcome to participate at their own pace.

Please note: This program may feel healing but is not a substitute for therapy and is not led by a licensed clinician. The facilitator, Whitney Pyles, is an accredited somatic coach, and there will be pastoral care support and referrals available during the classes if needed.

A-S-H November Program

Tuesday, November 25 at 7pm

For November, author Don Merrill will speak about his book, PLEDGE: The Public Radio Fund Drive, published in 2019. The book was a deep dive into the funding and function of public radio. With the recent defunding of public radio by the current administration, Don will touch on its origin story, historical fights, and possible future.

Reminder: there will be no A-S-H meeting in December.

Senior Gathering — Holiday Edition!

Thursday, December 4, 10:30am – 1pm

Attention Senior Members! Please plan to attend the Senior Gathering on December 4. Self-serve coffee will be available in Beach Hall at 10:30am followed by holiday music (including special guests!) and a program by our own Pat Snyder from 10:45am until 12noon. A lunch prepared by our volunteers will then be served. A vegetarian option is always provided; we are sorry we cannot accommodate other dietary restrictions. Please RSVP by December 1.

Ohio Village Gallery Open House

Your Voice Matters

Tuesday, December 2, 5:30 – 7:30 pm

Saturday, December 6 | 11:00 am – 1:00 pm

Ohio History Center 800 E. 17th Avenue Columbus, OH 43211 (Gallery 4)

Your voice matters. Together, we can shape the future of Ohio Village and ensure it reflects the diverse stories and perspectives of our community. We are delighted to invite you to the Village Visions Open House at the Ohio History Center. This special gathering will unveil exciting plans for the updated Ohio Village and provide an opportunity for our valued community partners to share feedback and ideas.

IACO Annual Prayer Gathering

Sunday, December 7, 3:30 – 6:30 pm

Bharatiya Hindu Temple

3671 Hyatts Rd, Powell, OH 43065

You are warmly invited to join us for a very special evening as we celebrate IACO’s 40th Anniversary and Annual Prayer Gathering — a time of reflection, gratitude, and interfaith connection.

We hope you’ll be part of this meaningful celebration of four decades of interfaith friendship and shared vision. Please RSVPby November 28.

Join the Family or Adult RE Team!

In order to realize our hopes and dreams for the future, we are re-convening the Family and Adult Religious Exploration Teams, and everyone is invited to get involved!

To volunteer in our family ministry or adult education programs, please fill out this form, or email Amber! We are also holding an interest meeting after the service on Sunday, 12/7, from 12:30-1:30pm, in room 301. See you there!

Happening This Sunday, 11/23!

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)

10:45am-12:15pm Neighboring Faiths 11+yrs (301)

10:45am-12:15pm 6-7year Our Whole Lives (402/3)

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 staying w/fam during service: grab Busy Bags in the gallery, explore quiet toys in Wee Worship & Slowter Lounge, or crafts/games in cabinets by the kitchen!

12:30-1pm Peace Pals choir 5-12yrs (sanctuary)

12:30-2:30pm Youth Group 12yrs-HS senior (402)

12:30-2:30pm Rising Young Adults 18-28yrs (302)

1:00-2:30pm Navigators Scouting Fun and Games 5-12yrs (201/playground)