As you consider your own hopes and goals for the future, we invite you to consider joining with these ancestors and becoming a member of the Acorn Planned Giving. Visit firstuucolumbus.org/donate for more information or reach out to me or any member of our stewardship team by emailing giving@firstuucolumbus.orgI hope you all have a wonderful Friday!

Rev. Kelli McNeal

Minister of Congregational Life

First Friday Spaghetti Dinner:

Board Games with the Board!

TONIGHT at 6:30 pm

November’s First Friday is hosted by the Board of Trustees! Come enjoy a spaghetti dinner and then get to know our board members over some board games!

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!

Concert Series Event: Katy Oberle

Saturday, November 8 at 7 pm

Join singer-songwriter Katy Oberle for “Honoring the Web: Songs of Interconnection” on Saturday, Nov. 8 at 7pm in the Worship Center. She will be joined by guests The Sabrist and Kurt Smith & Adam Smith. This concert will also celebrate the release of Katy’s new EP, Web. The concert is free, but donations will be taken for World Central Kitchen. We hope to see you there!

First UU Art exhibit:
Sharonah Laemmle

Reception: Sunday, November 9 12:15 – 1:30 pm

Come and view our newest exhibit “Internal Necessity: 50 years of Creative Expression.” Meet the artist Sharonah Laemmle at a reception following the service this Sunday. Sharonah uses the Hebrew word “Henini” meaning “I am here”. She uses what is at hand, paints, natural objects, and found objects to focus on movement and space. By using her own personal and spiritual life, she hopes to stimulate the viewer emotionally.

Join us for conversation, food and art Sunday, Nov 9, 12:15-1:30.

Monthly Lunch at Tai’s Asian Bistro & Sushi

Sunday, November 16, 12:45 pm

Founded by Tai and Gail Liu who met while working at the iconic, now-closed, Columbus restaurant, the Kahiki. Tai’s offers a delicious mix of Chinese and Japanese cuisine. Meet us at 12:30 in the church kiosk in the gallery for car pooling, or at 12:45 at Tai’s Asian Bistro 1285 W. Lane Ace., Columbus, OH 43221.

This event, sponsored by ARA (the Anti-Racist Allies), is open to all. Our purpose is to support minority-owned businesses and to diversify our experience.

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 to help us prepare the right amount of turkey, vegetarian, and vegan entrees. Everyone is welcome!

UU’s Making Waves

Plan your February getaway! Pack up good stuff to donate, imagine get-togethers and events to offer, and gather to celebrate and donate.

Coming February 2026

“There’s no way to move without making waves”

–Malcolm Forbes, Publisher, Politician

YWCA Thank You!

Did you know that First UU was a founding member of the YWCA Columbus Family Center?

For 20 years, YWCA Columbus’ Family Center has provided shelter, food, and resources to families in crisis in our community. Since the very beginning, First UU has been a part of that mission providing dinner and volunteers on a monthly basis. Recently, YWCA Columbus shared an urgent need for material donations such as diapers, pull ups, and basic hygiene items. We can help to fill this need by shopping directly on this site. Any help we can provide will be gratefully received.

Join the Family (or Adult) RE Team!

Together We Make Multigenerational Community Possible!

Huge thanks to everyone who attended the recent Religious Exploration Jump-Start! We came together to learn about the history of family ministry at First UU, take a look at where we are now, envision our biggest hopes and dreams for the future, and determine the next steps needed to get us there.

As part of this process we are re-convening the Family and Adult Religious Exploration Teams, and we are very excited to get started! To expand program capacity we will be identifying a variety of volunteer opportunities (including bite sized and short term options) 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 interest meetings after the service on 11/16 and 12/7, from 12:30-1:30pm, in room 301. See you there!

FREE Mobile Produce Markets

& Student Meals provided by

City of Columbus Recreation & Parks

We know that with the government shutdown, a lot of our neighbors, friends, and community are struggling with filling their most basic needs. The City of Columbus Recreation & Parks is providing fresh produce at no cost every Thursday & Friday through Nov. 21. Visit the Mobile Produce Markets website for locations and more information.

In addition to the Produce Market, free meals for school-age children will be provided from 3:30-5pm at the City of Columbus Afterschool Program sites including: Adams, Barack, Blackburn, Douglas, driving Park, Far East, Glenwood, Holton, Howard, Linden, Milo-Grogan, Sullivant Gardens, Feddersen and Woodward Park.

SYC Annual Scholarship Auction

November 15, 6:30 pm Live Auction

School for Young Children is an outreach program of First UU. For more than 55 years, SYC has devoted the largest amount of class time to free play in alignment with the SYC Philosophy: to be responsive to each child’s needs, to encourage expression of feelings, and to foster self-discovery and self-worth.

SYC takes pride in our ability to help families overcome financial barriers to attendance at our school. Enjoy good food and drinks, while bidding on silent auction items, with connections old and new. As a community planned, funded, and executed event, 100% of the proceeds go directly to the SYC Scholarship Fund!

BREAD Annual Assembly

Monday, November 17, 2025, 7 – 8:30 pm

St. Josephine Bakhita Parish

6077 Sharon Woods Blvd

(Meet at First UU at 6:30pm to Carpool)

Attend BREAD’s Annual Assembly to (1) select the new problem (Housing, Education, or Living Wage) for BREAD to research & address and (2) to ratify the slate of new executive officers presented by BREAD’s Nominating Committee. Anyone may attend, but only network members may vote. To become a network member, email our BREAD Teamor connect with one of our members on Sunday: Alice Rathburn, Chris Johnson, or Marilyn Webster.

BREAD Action: Final Rental Registry Hearing

Tuesday, November 18, 2025, 4 pm

Columbus City Hall

90 W. Broad St.

(Meet at First UU at 3:30pm to Carpool)

We (BREAD) need at least 200 people at the hearing to support this crucial piece of legislation for the residential renters in our city. It would require (1) registration of a responsible local person or entity with 24/7 access for emergencies and (2) regular inspections of the property.

Handmade Holidays

Monday evenings through December 22

6:30 to 8:30 pm, Room 301

Come craft together and build creative community! Handmade Holidays is a weekly drop-in group welcoming all who have something crafty they are working on or would like to start.

While the focus is making gifts for the holidays instead of purchasing from large retailers; 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.

Pathways to Membership

Sunday, November 9, 2025

8:30 am – 2:00 pm

Register Online

This class will acquaint you with our church and our faith before you consider a commitment of membership to First UU.

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.

TASO Presents:

“Middle East: Where Faith, History, and Humanity Meet”
by Dr. Joy McCorriston

Wednesday, November 19, 6:30 pm

2885 W Dublin-Granville Rd, Columbus, OH 43235

Register here

The Turkish American Society of Ohio and First UU Columbus are hosting an enlightening evening with Dr. Joy McCorriston, Professor of Anthropology at The Ohio State University, whose archaeological fieldwork explores how faith, history, and community connects in the ancient Middle East.

Ohio Roller Derby – the Skatemare Before Christmas!

4pm Saturday, 11/8, Ohio Expo Center, Lausche Building

Join us for our last home game this calendar year! Ohio Roller Derby faces off in our annual exhibition game – Team Christmas: the Bells vs. Team Halloween: the Ghouls! Doors open at 4pm, and the fun begins at 5! This year Amber will be skating with team Christmas as “Sugar Plum Dare Me.” See you there!

Join Liberty Walks

Dharma talk Saturday November 8, 8:30 am

Short Hike following talk

Liberty Walks is a grassroots 501(c)(3) nonprofit embarked on an American pilgrimage: an act of faith in the power of kindness and connection in these challenging times.Three Liberty Walks pilgrims will be in Columbus from November 7-9. They’ve walked 2500 miles so far from Eugene, Oregon en route to Washington, DC. First UU is hosting them during their stay.

LW’s founder, Esther Tishman, an interfaith chaplain and Zen teacher, will be giving a dharma talk at First UU on Saturday 11/8 as part of the Zen Columbus Sangha – and all the walkers will be joining First UU on Sunday service and Friday game night.

Are you interested in walking a bit with the Liberty Walkers? There will be a short hike after ZSC assembly on Saturday – and an opportunity to walk a mile or more with the pilgrims when they leave town on Monday morning. To join the Walkers on Saturday or Monday, please contact Esther via text at 541-912-7741.

Happening This Sunday, 11/9!

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!

12noon-1pm Snack! + Coffee, Tea, & Conversation, after the service (Beach)

12:30-1:00pm Peace Pals Choir 5-12yrs (sanctuary)

12:30-2:00pm First UU Art Reception (gallery)

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

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

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

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