Friday News – November 22, 2024

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In the service on November 10, Rev. Dr. Eric Dawson spoke to us of the benefit of taking the long view, recognizing that real change takes many lifetimes to achieve. This thought has been a comfort to me over the last few weeks. This is part of why it feels so important to examine the history of First UU together. We can learn from achievements as well as missteps.

This month we’ll be looking at the 1960s — obviously a time of great social revolution in our country, and no less so in this congregation. Perhaps another revolution is at hand? Please join us on Sunday after the service in the worship center for this month’s History Workshop. And you can watch last months’ session about the 40s and 50s and peruse some of our archived documents on our website under The Stories We Weave.

Blessings,

Rev. Terasa

Developmental Minister

Upcoming Events

This Sunday, November 24

9:15am Nouurish Service

Featuring:

Me and The Boss

by Michelle Edwards

Presented by members of the Alternative Worship Team with members of our First UU Community.

11am Service:

“Gratitude Sunday”

Gratitude has many facets, some are more difficult than others. We will explore how gratitude can be a challenge, as well as a blessing.

Presented by

Rev. Kelli McNeal

Hot breakfast is served at 10am,

Coffee & tea available after both services

Serenity Flow Yoga

Two Weeks left!

November 23,10:30–11:30am

November 30,10:30–11:30am

Join Serenity Flow Yoga with Liz Mannon for a trauma-sensitive yoga class designed to cultivate a safe and supportive space for healing. This class focuses on building a strong mind-body connection through gentle movements and mindful breathing. Whether you’re new to yoga or seeking a practice that honors your personal healing journey, Serenity Flow offers a compassionate approach to restore balance and inner peace.

Cost: Suggested $5–$10/Class by Cash or Venmo to instructor

No need to sign up in advance, classes are drop-in!

This drop-in Yoga class will take a break in December and January. Join us for the final two classes of this season!

Rummage Sale Drop-Off

Saturday, November 23 11am–2pm

Life Storage,

4735 Evanswood Dr 43229

We are currently accepting donations for our 2025 Rummage Sale! Drop off your gently loved furniture or household items TOMORROW with volunteers on hand to help you unload your vehicle and price your items.

Email Myra Hartmann for more information about the Rummage Sale or to volunteer!

All Soles Contra Dance

Saturday, November 23rd, 7:30–10:30pm
We are so excited that Corwin & Grace, a London-based duo, will be playing for the All Soles Contra Dance this coming Saturday evening. Corwin & Grace have played for dances throughout California and the Pacific Northwest and are touring in our area this Fall and Winter. Corwin plays fiddle and Grace plays keyboard.

The superb Margaret Goodman will call the dances. Margaret is known for her endearing calling style and intriguing dances. It promises to be an exciting evening of dancing. We hope to see you!
New dancers are always welcome. All dances will be taught and no partner is needed. Please bring your own refillable water bottle.

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

Upcoming dance dates: December 14th, January 18th, February 22nd, March 15th

Learn more at https://firstuucolumbus.org/all-soles/

History Workshop
Sunday November 24 12:30pm

Be sure to catch our next History workshop, where Rev. Terasa and the Archives team discuss our church history. This next workshop will focus on the 1960’s. Learn more about our church history, check out some church historical documents, and watch the recording of the 1940’s and 50’s workshop on our website under The Stories We Weave.

First UU Potluck Thanksgiving Dinner

Thursday 11/28 4:30-7pm

Gather together with Friends and Chosen family here at First UU on Thanksgiving! Bring a nut-free side to share, or just bring yourself. If you’re able, please RSVP to help us buy our turkey, vegetarian, and vegan entrees!

Sorrow at this Season Grief Service

Wednesday, December 4 at 7pm
The year-end holidays can be especially challenging if your heart is heavy with grief. When so many are celebrating Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, and the New Year’s 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.
Image by Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay
We want you to know you are not alone. We invite you to join us for our 8th Sorrow at this Season Grief Service on Wednesday, December 4 in the Worship Center. We will have meditative music, dimmed lights, candles, time for silence, caring words, opportunities to share your grief (if desired), and simply time to breathe in a sacred space. We would be honored by your attendance.

Please contact Kathleen Fowler with any questions.

Around the Corner

  • 11/26 Board of Trustees Meeting (Online Only, RSVP)
  • Thurs 11/28 4:30 First UU Potluck Thanksgiving Dinner (RSVP)
  • Fri 12/6 6:30pm – First Friday Spaghetti Dinner (Hosted by Revs. Terasa and Marco!)
  • Thu 12/12 Bibibop Dine and Donate to support SYC
  • Sun 12/15 Music Sunday
  • Sun 12/15 Holiday Cookie Fair
  • Tues 12/17 Expressive Worship
  • Wed 12/18 Finance Committee (RSVP)
  • Sat 12/21 First UU Concert Series Event – Bill Cohen
  • Tue 12/24 Christmas Eve Services:

5pm Family Celebration, 8pm Candlelight Service

  • 12/26–28, 12/31 and 1/1: Candlelit Labyrinth

Community-wide events in the coming weeks – All are welcome!

From the Staff and Board

Fun Opportunities in Family Ministry!

Youth Group Advisors! Make a difference in the lives of our congregation’s teens by joining the advising team today! Youth Group meets on second and fourth Sundays from 12:30-2:30pm, plus one additional special event each month. Background check required, advisors must be age 25+.

Paid Sitters! Care for toddlers and infants during Sunday services, or school age children during special church events. Competitive hourly wage! Background check required; applicants must be age 14+.

Soup Cooks! Spread joy by preparing “Stone Soup” using vegetables donated by congregants – during the 11am service on 12/1 (the Sunday after Thanksgiving).

Cookie Bakers! Help raise money for Youth Group field trips and our congregation by donating several dozen homemade Christmas cookies to our Cookie Fair on 12/15! Last year we sold out fast – we need more cookies to make this beloved event a success! Sign up here to receive an email reminder.

Contact Amber Scott if you are interested in any of these opportunities!

See Amber Skate!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Amber Scott will be one of the Amazing Giants performers providing ambiance as a roller skating snowflake at Conservatory Aglow!

Skate appearances are 6-8pm on Friday, 11/22, Monday, 11/25, Tuesday, 11/26, and Wednesday, 11/27.

First UU is now Composting!

First UU is participating in the City of Columbus Food Scraps Drop-Off pilot program. This is an exciting new offering from the Division of Refuse Collection to help divert food waste from our landfill. Our participation will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create nutrient-rich compost.

Participation in this program is free!
Residents can also sign up to participate at no charge. Simply collect eligible food waste in BPI Certified compostable liners and drop them off at one of seven locations in Columbus. To learn more, or to sign up for the program, check it out online at City of Columbus.

Make sure to scrape your Sunday Breakfast leftovers into our New Compost bins! If you would like to sign up to help with First UU’s dropoffs, or if you just want to get the dirt on composting, reach out to Becca!

Justice & Volunteering

Go green for the holidays

Your Eco-Justice Team has some ideas to help you make your holidays greener.

Preparing that big family meal, or bringing a dish to the gathering? Get your ingredients at the Farmers’ Market; they’re locally sourced and healthier. The Farmers’ Market is also a great place to purchase the components of a gift basket.
Instead of buying “stuff” as presents for family and friends on your holiday list, try these ideas instead:

  • Give a membership to a local museum (Museum of Art, COSI, the Zoo); for out-of-town friends, go on-line to see what great venues exist in their location.
  • Give a season’s ticket to the Symphony, or the Opera, or to First UU’s favorite group – “Carpe Diem”
  • Give an experience – tickets to a play, a concert, or a musical; a morning with hawks at the Ohio School of Falconry
  • A set of potted kitchen herbs for your friend’s windowsill
  • Give a gift certificate for a class at the Cultural Arts Center
  • Buy unique hand crafted items from local crafters – check out the many holiday sales or the Ohio Craft Museum

And regardless of how you celebrate, we hope that you have a wonderful holiday season, warm with friends and family, and festivity.

Classes & Groups

Learn more about groups in our current

Engagement Catalog and reach out to group leaders to join!

Senior Gathering

December 5, 2024, 10:45am–1pm

Attention Senior Members!!! Join us this holiday season by attending the Senior Gathering on Thursday, December 5. Piano music by Karen Thimmes will start in the Worship Center at 10:45, followed by a program with Rev. Terasa and Dick Dawson at 11am.

Lunch will be provided in Beach Hall following the program where we will enjoy the music of the CPH Trio. RSVP by December 1, 2024! Send an email to Marilyn Beerman or leave her a voicemail at 614-282-8440. Hope to see you there!

(Note that Jacques Angelino will be joining us on March 13, 2025 to discuss his work with Feed and Read Ohio.)

Community News & Events

A Collective Journal

Because we seem to be in a new era, the Archives Group would like to collect your thoughts, feelings, fears, and hopes that have arisen since the November, 2024 election and in the years ahead. We want to document how we see our world unfolding. Your personal statements can shape powerful stories to share with future members of our congregation.

To participate in this project please email your statements to Sylvia Howe or give them to her in person. The Archives Team will preserve these narratives in a special file.

And don’t miss the history workshop this Sunday at 12:30 as the Archives team and Rev. Terasa discuss the 1960’s!

Going Wild
Now–January 5

The newest exhibit at First UU is presented by the Art Quilt AllianceNow through Jan 5. 2025.

How do we help keep out natural world alive and well? How do we help keep our air and water clean? How do we help make safe spaces for all living animals, bugs, birds, plants, seaweeds and more? Join the conversation.

Image: Spirit Moons, quilt by Becky Dickson on artist printed cotton

Towse in Concert

Sunday, November 24th, 7–9pm

Towse, AKA Corwin and Grace (the same duo that is playing for the All Soles Dance) will be performing in concert the next day in Clinton Heights! Come check out this international touring folk-pop duo. They deliver feelings-forward songs with a tongue-in-cheek humor that every audience can connect with.

Location:

Clinton Heights Lutheran Church, 15 Clinton Heights Ave., Columbus, 43202

Recommended donation $15–no one turned away

School for Young Children (SYC) Scholarship Fundraisers

This year SYC is selling ornaments and keychains, with proceeds benefiting the SYC Scholarship Fund. The ornaments and keychains are locally produced by Griffen Hollow Studio on sustainably sourced hardwood cherry, laser cut with the SYC logo. Samples are available for you to view at the SYC office.

Orders are being accepted through Friday, November 29th. Delivery of finished products will be made to SYC the final week of school before winter break. Orders can be placed online using this web form, or in person at the SYC office. Payment should be made in cash or check (made out to FUUC-SYC) by November 29th.

Photos of the ornaments and keychains are below. If you have any questions, contact Phil Hanson at 614-304-1774 or philhanson9@gmail.com

You can still make donations directly to the scholarship fund on our Auctria site. Thanks so much for being a part of this important work! Don’t hesitate to email uswith any questions!

Family Activities

This Sunday, November 24th

9:15am-10am Nouurish Service (sanctuary)

10-10:30am Breakfast, and Coffee until 11am (A/B, Beach Hall)

10:30am-12:30pm Infant and Toddler Care (room 101)

10:30am-12:15pm 13-14yr OWL (302)

10:45-12:15pm 6-7yr / K-1st OWL (402)

10:55am-12:15pm 10-11yr OWL (404)

11am-12:15pm Coming of Age (401)

11am-12:15pm Building Your World MS/HS (301)

11am-12noon Worship Service (sanctuary)

11:15am-12:15pm (starts after story) 3-6yr Spirit Play (102)

11:15am-12:15pm (starts after story) 7-10yr Spirit Play (201)

12noon-1pm Snack and Coffee (Beach Hall, A/B)

12:15-1pm Caregivers of Young Children (101)

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

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

Register for classes and activities! Fill out this form to volunteer!