I am so excited for tomorrow!

Over a year ago at the annual meeting, you voted to ordain me as a Unitarian Universalist minister, and tomorrow, at 2pm at First UU (and online) it is finally happening! The theme of the service will be “Cracking Open.”

In our tradition, only congregations have the authority to ordain, or formally recognize into service as a UU minister. This ritual of ordination bestows ministerial authority on our clergy, as well as the title of Reverend.

People of all ages are welcome to join in this ritual and celebration that is vital to our faith tradition! The first half of the service will be intergenerational and multi-sensory, to allow our whole community to join in the act of ordination.

In the second half of the service, we will dive deeper into what ordination and Cracking Open mean for myself and for us as a community, through meditation, music, and spoken words.

It is unusual to have the act of ordination so early in the service, and I invite you to lean into any discomfort you may feel, as an opportunity to try something new. Sometimes we learn best by jumping into an experience and then thinking and talking about it, rather than the reverse.

I am so grateful and honored by the trust you have placed in me, as well as for all the many, many people who have come together to support me in my ministerial formation process all the way through to planning and putting on this ordination service! I started seminary in 2012, and tomorrow will be the highlight of a long journey of learning, growing, and – yes – cracking open.

I hope to see you tomorrow!

Amanda Hays

Justice Minister

First Friday Spaghetti Dinner

November 1 at 6:30pm

Prepared by Tim Hook and Our Friends from the YWCA Family Center

This Church year, First Friday dinners will have a “Twist!” Each month, Spaghetti dinner will be “Hosted” by a different affiliated group or members of First UU, who will volunteer to cook dinner for us and join in our community. This month, Tim Hooks and volunteers from the YWCA Family Center will be preparing our meal. (In December, Revs. Terasa Cooley and Marco Belletini will host!)

All ages are welcome. We’ll have salad, pasta, sauces, garlic bread and cookies. Vegan/gluten free/dairy free options available. Dinner is served at 6:30 and chatting/games/movies often go till 8:30-9.

Your first time is free! All of our happy repeat customers are asked for a suggested donation of $3.00 per person to help pay for the food. Spread the word and come have a good time and some good eats with friends.

Election Night Watch Party

November 5, 7pm–10pm

As a community we can watch the beginning of the results coming in together. Bring snacks and libations as we gather and hope for the best.

… and for those of you who are ready for the election to be over, check out SWACO’s page on recycling political yard signs.

Games for 18+ Only, Childcare provided.

Join us in Beach Hall for an exciting evening of Bingo!

For just $25 ($5 per game), you can enjoy a full night of fun and the chance to win big.

Concessions are available at reasonable prices: Indulge in snacks and treats for $2 each!

We’ll Miss you, Joe!

Joe Voltolini will serve his final week with us as Bookkeeper as he retires. For decades he has been a stalwart and helpful presence for congregants and other staff alike. His friendly presence will be greatly missed! If you would like to contribute toward a thank you gift for him you can pay online or write a check to First UU Columbus and add “Gift for Joe” in the comment line.

Congregational Conversations on Sustainable Funding

Your Board and Staff would like to listen to your thoughts about our First UU finances and what would be meaningful for us to share with you throughout the year. We will be conducting listening sessions both virtual and in person.

We look forward to working together as a congregation to create a sustainable future. Please let us know how you will be attending: We will email links on November 13.

If you’ve participated in any non-partisan election-related activity, please let us know by filling out this reporting form. What sort of activity? If you have participated in any work for ballot initiatives, voter registration, signature gathering, letter/postcard writing, phone and text banks, door to door canvassing, poll-standing, rides to the polls, or serving as a poll-worker of any kind.

YWCA Family Center

On the 4th Friday of each month from 5–7:30 PM, a small crew of First UUers prepare and serve a meal for the families. The YWCA Family Center serves homeless families and connects them with resources to obtain stable housing. While at the center, families receive 3 nutritious meals per day, along with job search, transportation, and child care support.

Contact Tim Hooks to be added to the email list for alerts about opportunities to cook at the Y. You don’t need to be a chef, just willing to work as a team and get food ready to be served. Service credits are available for high school and college students who need them.

Pathways to Membership

Sunday, November 10 9am–1pm

Do you have questions about what it means to be a member of First UU? Do you want to learn more about who we are and how you can connect and engage with this community? Join us for our next Pathways to Membership class.

We will explore various paths to involvement at First UU and connect you with groups and other members who share similar interests. There is no obligation to become a member. We invite everyone who has questions or is looking to find points of connection.

Covenant Group Sign-ups

Register by Sunday, November 10

It’s time to register for this year’s Covenant Groups! If you are interested in joining one of our groups, please register on our website. We are also in need of a few more facilitators, so if you would like to facilitate, and have participated in Covenant Groups before, please mark that you would like to facilitate.

Our curriculum for this year are a deep dive into our new UUA value statements!

Please email Rev Kelli with any questions.

Gather in the lobby by the announcement kiosk at 1pm for carpooling, or join us at the restaurant at 1:30 pm to try their regular menu.

Join the ARA each month on an exquisite excursion to Columbus area BIPOC-owned area restaurants!

Free Zoom Presentation:

Decolonial Religious Leadership: Unraveling and Reweaving the Garment of Destiny

Friday, November 8, 2024, Noon–2:30pm

Attend this online presentation hosted by the Leadership Institute for Growth, Healing, and Transformation (LIGHT) at Meadville Lombard Theological School. This presentation will examine some of the more enduring “threads” of colonialism within religious leadership through the themes of individualism, expertise, and change, with movement toward reweaving frameworks for embodying leadership beyond imperial norms and supremacies.

There is no cost to attend – Register here!

School for Young Children (SYC) Scholarship Auction

November 16, 6:30pm Live Auction

Did you know that the School for Young Children is First UU’s Community outreach program? SYC promotes UU ideals such as: everyone has a voice, treat others with respect, speak up when something is wrong, and value each others’ differences.

SYC provides an early childhood program of excellence which supports social and emotional development through play in the context of deep, respectful relationships between teachers, children and families. SYC teaches young children, but also supports parents in their growth as caregivers and as humans. “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken adults.”

Our scholarship program makes a quality SYC education accessible to all, regardless of their financial situation.

At the SYC Scholarship Auction on November 16, enjoy good food, drinks, and time with connections new, old, and in between. Tables of treasures, experiences, services, and gift cards will go to the highest silent auction bidder. As a community planned, funded, and executed event, 100% of the proceeds go directly to the SYC Scholarship Fund.

Register to Donate items or services until November 8, or make scholarship fund contributions on our Auctria site. Thanks so much for being a part of this important work! Don’t hesitate to email us with any questions!