Friday News – October 3, 2025

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Happy October!

In the seven Octobers that Amber and I have worked together, we have joked that she is Team Halloween and I am Team Christmas. So each year, I try to find something for my office to add a bit of Halloween that might make Amber smile – but with a Kelli twist. This year’s addition – a Jack-o-lantern Mickey!
I thought of this fun tradition as we finalize plans for our Fall Fun Night and Homecoming Dance on the 11th. As we all gather around the campfire in the parking lot, sharing food and games and crafts, I invite all of us to bring a bit of ourselves to share with one another – learning how our interests are different and how we can find points of connection in those differences as we live into our mission of being a beloved community. I hope to see you all there!

Blessings,

Rev. Kelli McNeal

Congregational Life Minister

Upcoming Events

Tonight! First Friday Spaghetti Dinner!

Tonight at 6:30pm!

Join us at 6:30pm to enjoy dinner prepared by Joel Cosme from Community Grounds Trolley Café & Mercantile! We’ll have his signature piñon Lasagna, salad, pasta, chicken nuggets, garlic bread and dessert. Vegan and Gluten free options available. All ages are welcome! Dinner is served at 6:30 and chatting/games/movies often go till 8:30-9. All ages are welcome!
Your first dinner is free! Subsequent $3 donations help fund the food. Spread the word, and come have a good time and some good eats with church friends!

This Sunday, October 5

9:15 Nouurish Service

Featuring

The Snurtch

written by Sean Ferrell

illustrated by Charles Santoso

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

11:00 “Cultivating Compassion: Part 1”

In this two part series, we will be exploring how to cultivate compassion for and with ourselves and others, even when it’s hard.

Presented by Rev. Kelli McNeal

Join us for coffee, tea, and conversation after both services!

Hot breakfast is available at 10am ($3 suggested donation).

Connections Art Exhibit

by First UU Artists

Reception Sunday, October 5, 12:15 – 1:30 pm

On Display September 24 to November 2

Enjoy the NEW art by our own people! Come and see how we connect to ourselves, each other, the world, the stars!

Join us for the artist reception and walk-around talk on Sunday, October 5, 12;15-1:30. Hear the stories behind the art. There will be Food and fun too!

Many thanks to Deb Baillieul for coordinating, and to Karen Torvik, Tom Baillieul and Marcia Canter for helping to hang the exhibit, and to our many talented artists!
Above, “Markham” by Becca Fredin
Left, “Faith” by Lauren Richards

First UU Concert Series Event:
Carpe Diem String Quartet

Sunday, October 5 at 3:00 pm
First UU is please to continue hosting the world-renowned Carpe Diem String Quartet in residency for its 20th year! Carpe Diem’s first concert of the year is Sunday, October 5 at 3:00 pm in the First UU Worship Center. “Beyond the Veil” features works by Wiancko, Wijeratne, and Schubert. Church members get $10 off tickets. Come join us for our first Concert Series event of the year!
Purchase Tickets

Fall Fun Night & Homecoming

Saturday, October 11

5 – 6 pm food

6 – 7:30 pm movie

7 – 10 pm Halloween Dance
On October 11th, join us for our Fall Fun Night & Homecoming! Starting at 5 pm we will be roasting hot dogs and s’mores over the campfire, enjoying cozy beverages from from the Community Grounds Trolley Café & Mercantile, playing yard games and getting crafty with fall themed decor. At 6, a family friendly movie will begin in the sanctuary. Then from 7-10pm, we will join our First UU Youth Group for their fall fundraiser, a Halloween Dance!

Attendees are encouraged to bring a desert or picnic dish, an outdoor/camping chair, and any yard games they would like to share. All are invited – feel free to come in costume and show off your Halloween best!
(Go to FirstUUColumbus.org/Donateand click “Youth Fundraising” to support youth programming!)

Register for the RE Jump-Start!

Building Our Multigenerational Dreams for the Future

Saturday, 10/18, 9:30am-3:30pm
Everyone is invited to join this retreat, reimagining the role of multigenerational community and family programming within our congregation! Whether you raised your kids at First UU or SYC decades ago, are a current participating family or teacher, are thinking of joining the RE Team, or are simply interested in learning more, this workshop is for you!

First UU’s Board of Trustees picked multigenerational community as one of their focus areas for this year. The program includes continental breakfast and catered lunch, and childcare is available. Please RSVP so we can plan for enough food and sitters! Featuring facilitators Cassandra Montenegro and Beth Casebolt, members of our regional UUA staff team, Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley, and Amber Scott, Director of Religious Exploration.

Around The Corner

Churchwide Events & Activities:

  • 10/3 First Friday Spaghetti Dinner
  • 10/5 Carpe Diem String Quartet
  • 10/11 Fall Fun Night & Homecoming Dance
  • 10/18 RE Jump-Start: Our MultiGen Dreams for the Future (RSVP)
  • 10/18 All Soles Contra & Square Dance (more info)
  • 10/23 Expressive Worship
  • 10/26 Concert Series Event: Columbus Guitar Society Concert

Governance Meetings (Open to all):

  • 10/15 Finance Committee (RSVP)
  • 10/22 Board of Trustees (RSVP)

Small Groups:

  • 10/3 Youth Group Late Night
  • 10/5, 10/11&12, 10/14 BREAD Listening Session (Register)
  • 10/8 The Second Wednesday Book Club (come at 7pm ready to discuss any book about Brains)
  • 10/16 Senior Gathering (RSVP)
  • 10/21 (Tuesdays) “On Religion” Book Group (RSVP)
  • Sacred Song Circle (Wednesdays, 6pm)
  • Choir Rehearsals (Spirit of Life Tuesdays, Chalice Choir Thursdays)

Classes:

Other Stuff!

  • Co-Working Space (Fridays, 10am)
  • 11/7 See Amber in Ohio Roller Derby Home Games (offsite)

Planning ahead? Check our online calendar for additional events!

From First UU Leadership

Chalice Circle Registration is live!

Learn More & Register Today

If you’ve been looking for a way to connect with other First UUers in a deeper way, look no further than a Chalice Circle (formerly known as Covenant Groups). Registration is open from now until Friday, October 10th at midnight. Circles will begin meeting mid-October and run through the end of May. Email Rev. Kelli or Robin Lawson with questions.

A Follow-up on Relief

On Sunday I mentioned two palestinian relief organizations you could donate to. They are:

Oxfam, which provides emergency food assistance and access to water.

MedGlobal, which delivers lifesaving medicines and nutrition and maintains medical access in Gaza.

Rev. Cooley

Lead minister

Justice & Volunteering

Connect with our Justice team and other First UU’ers on the Signal App

by joining the First UU Columbus Protesters (app required).

Fund for Immigration Legal Assistance (FILA)

First UU’s Fund for Immigration Legal Assistance (FILA) is in need of your help. FILA provides assistance in funding legal and/or medical expenses related to a person’s immigration case. The committee is receiving many applications, such that we are extremely low on funds. Several applications have recently come in from members of the Haitian community who have lost their Temporary Protection Status (TPS) and now must apply for asylum. Donations of any amount will help. First UU is gaining increased recognition in the community for our justice work in supporting our immigrant community. Donations may be made via check, with FILA in the memo line, or via the online Donate button and the dropdown FILA tab.

BREAD Listening Sessions

BREAD (Building Responsibility Equality and Dignity), the community organization that First UU and ten multi-faith congregations founded in 1996, now consists of over 40 Central Ohio congregations. BREAD uses the power of organized people to hold public officials accountable for addressing serious community problems.
Every fall, each BREAD congregation holds small group listening sessions in which people discuss the problems they see around them. In a listening session you’ll get to know your fellow First UUers on a deeper level and learn how BREAD works. The stories you share will also help BREAD choose the next problem we work on. Sign up for a listening session or email bread@firstuucolumbus.org to join us. We Need Your Input!

Save the Date:

NO KINGS National Day of Mobilization

Saturday October 18, 2025 at 4pm

The Unitarian Universalist Association has signed on as an official partner of the No Kings National Day of Mobilization.
The No Kings protest will be at the Statehouse. All are invited and encouraged to attend. This is a peaceful protest. It is an opportunity to exercise our right to free speech, and now is the time to stand up. Car pooling and COTA buses are good options. Connect with other First UU’ers via the First UU Columbus Protesters Group(Signal App required)!  See Chris Johnson at the social justice table at coffee hour for help signing up!

If you are attending the RE Jumpstart, feel free to leave your car parked at First UU and Hop on the COTA Number 2 Bus to get to the statehouse for the protest!

Classes & Groups

Pathways to Membership

October 11, 2025, 9 am – 1pm

(Light Breakfast at 8:30 am)

Register Online
If you are interested in the next steps to become a member of First Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbus you are cordially invited to register and participate in the next Pathways to Membership class. It is designed for newcomers and is always recommended before deciding to become a Church member. Your participation in the class does not obligate you to join our church.

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

Senior Gathering

October 16, 2025, 10:30am

RSVP by October 12, 2025

Attention Senior Members!!! Please plan to attend the Senior Gathering in October. Muffins, quick breads and fruit will be served in Beach Hall at 10:30am, followed by a program in Beach Hall until 12:00pm. We hope to see you there!

Community News

SYC Scholarship Fundraiser – City BBQ

Wednesday, October 8 11 am – 8 pm

City Barbeque will donate a portion of the profits to the SYC Scholarship fund on October 8!

Family Activities

Classes Have Begun! Please Register Now!

Sign up to participate if you haven’t yet! More info, reg links, and activity descriptions: https://firstuucolumbus.org/learning/sunday-school/

Happening This Sunday, 10/5!
9:15-10am Nouurish Multigenerational Worship Service (sanctuary)

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 14+yrs: HS Spirituality and Big Q’s (library)

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)

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!

11am-12noon Snack! + Coffee, Tea, & Conversation, after the service (Beach)

12:30-2:00 Trans / Gender Non-Conforming Teen Group, 14+yrs (library)

12:30-2:00 Trans / GNC Allies, Caregivers, Families Support Group (302)