Friday News – September 15, 2023

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A note from Rev. Terasa

It’s been great to see many of you as we move into the regular church year. SO MUCH is happening, and I love seeing an active and engaged congregation.

You’ll notice a few changes in the worship services. We’re trying to tighten it up a bit and help make the worshipful elements stand out more. We’re also changing the format of the Caring Meditation: we will still take submissions during the week about major joys and concerns and share them briefly, but any submissions after Friday will be shared during the following Sunday. We look forward to your feedback about these changes!

Please do send me an email if you’d like to meet with me: terasa@firstuucolumbus.org. ‘Friend’ me on Facebook if that’s something you’re into. It’s a great way for me to learn what’s happening in people’s lives. Or feel free to call my cell (617) 816-7231.

I already appreciate and respect so much about this community. I look forward to learning more!

Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley

We are working on a new, streamlined Friday News.  The deadline for Friday News submissions is 9:00am Wednesdays. To request a submission to the newsletter, email announcements@firstuucolumbus.org.
Deadline for Sunday service materials is 11:00am Thursday morning.
This Weeks News
Congregational Updates
Sunday Services
Events
Classes and Groups
Wider Community
Family Activities
CONGREGATIONAL UPDATES
Come talk to the UU artists, view their art, enjoy a snack and go to the Engagement Fair Sunday after the service- 11:15- 1:00.  “Being on the Side of Love” is the current exhibit by friends and members of First UU. How do we show the love, care, welcome, soul feeding, and joy, which keeps us open, healthy and in community? The artists share their art, express what gives them pause, and what feeds their spirits. Share your expression with us.  Q’s? Deb Baillieul debbsyc@yahoo.com
SUNDAY SERVICES
9/17: “Is True Forgiveness Possible?”
True forgiveness is challenging. It is not about letting people get away with being hurtful. It cannot be given on demand. So what makes true forgiveness possible?

 
 
Upcoming Services & Summary
  • Sept 24: “The Discipline of Unconditional Love”
  • October 1: “Our Liberation is Fractal”
  • October 8: “The Blessings of Conflict”

Share the Plate
UPCOMING EVENTS
Fall Engagement Fair this Sunday
Join us both before and after this Sunday’s service for our annual, Fall Engagement Fair! We are busy preparing for over 40 booths to be set up for you to walk around, explore different options for getting involved, and signing up for more information. Our Engagement Catalog will be available to pick up for more details.
Breakfast is Served
Join us for Breakfast at 9:15–9:45am each Sunday before Services.  Bagels, Eggs, Bacon, Tater Tots, Oatmeal, Apples, Orange Juice and Coffee will be served.

Suggested donation of $3/adult, $2/child (Maximum $10/family).
First time visitors free.  
It’s AUCTION Time
We have officially launched our First UU Fall Auction website! You can now register to offer items, Register to bid, and when the auction goes live, bid on them on our Auctria Site.

Similar to years past, there will be three Auction segments: Good Stuff (online bidding starts October 7th); Fun, Food and Frolic (online bidding starts October 14th) and of course, our Live Auction with some great items up for bid on Saturday October 21st at 7 PM.

Committee members will be at the Auction Table in Beach Hall after the Sunday service to answer your questions and provide limited tech support to register and enter items for bid.

What can you offer?  Maybe something that was a hit last year? bOr maybe you have a new item or activity? bWe need your offerings to make this our best Auction ever!
Bread’s Upcoming Listening Sessions
As promised in last week’s Friday News! here are the dates, times and locations of this year’s First UU BREAD House Meeting/Listening Sessions.  Plan to be a part of First UU’s BREAD Listening process to get to know others in the church better and to give First UU a voice.  Please email the BREAD Team at  bread@firstuucolumbus.orgwith the session you would like to attend or you can sign up at the JAM table in Beach Hall after a service.
Sat. Sep 16, 10:00 a.m., Zoom, hosted by Marilyn W.
Tue. Sep 19, 7:00 p.m., Zoom, hosted by Alice R.
Wed. Sep 20, 7:00 p.m., Zoom, hosted by John M.
Sun. Sep 24, 11:30 a.m., at church, hosted by Alice R.
Sun. Oct 1, 11:30 a.m., at church, hosted by Marilyn W.
Tue. Oct 3, 7:00 p.m., Zoom, hosted by Chris J.
Sun. Oct 8, 11:30 a.m., at church, hosted by Chris J.
Sun. Oct 15, 11:30 a.m., at church, hosted by Robin L.
Mon. Oct 16, 7:00 p.m., Zoom, hosted by Robin L.
MUSIC NEWS
First UU Choirs have begun rehearsals for the year, but it isn’t too late to join!b Spirit of Life Choir rehearses Tuesday evenings, 6:30-8:00pm, and Chalice Choir rehearses Thursday evenings, 7:30-9:30pm–both in the Worship Center.b EVERYONE is welcome in both of these choirs, regardless of your experience or ability to read music. bJust come with an open mind and a willing voice and heart!

There will also be an exciting special opportunity for our youth to sing in our first-ever Youth Pop-Up Choir. bThis will be held on Sunday, Oct. 15 and will be similar to a Summer Pick-Up Choir experience: youth should show up at 9:00 am to the Worship Center and will learn on the spot a song to sing during the 10 am service. bCome be a part of this inaugural event!

Finally, look in the coming weeks for our Concert Series Team to release our calendar for the year!b In the meantime, here is a sneak peak for October: On Friday, Oct. 27 our very own Nathan Hamm will present a piano recital at 7:00 pm, and on Sunday, Oct. 29 we will host the Otterbein University Concert Choir and Upper Arlington HS Symphonic Choir in concert!  Mark your calendars, and look for the full line-up very soon!

If you have any questions about Music at First UU, contact Dr. Brandon Moss (brandon@firstuucolumbus.org).
CLASSES AND MEETUPS
SAVE THE DATE – OCT 14 WORKSHOP!!!  
Congregational Workshop, October 14, 2023 10am to 2pm
“The Blessings of Congregational Conflict” 
Led by Rev. Terasa & members of the Healthy Relations Team
We will be exploring together some of the concepts in Rev. Terasa’s book about some healthy ways to learn from congregational conflicts. Sign up form will be coming soon.

Rev. Dr. Terasa G. Cooley, AIM
Developmental Minister
Join the Coffee Team!
Do you like coffee?  How about people?  Would you appreciate a low commitment way to get more involved at church?   Come be a part of our coffee ministry on Sunday mornings!
Sign up at the link. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805094dacae2ba0f58-coffee1#/.  There are detailed instructions in the kitchen cabinet or you can shadow on a morning if you prefer an in-person how-to. 
Want to know more about what the job entails?  email heatherelizabethstone23@gmail.com
Continuing Dinner & Conversation
Dinner & Conversation is a continuing quarterly pot-luck group that meets in various participants’ homes.  Commitment is only for one quarter at a time with one meeting per month as agreed upon by the entire group.  The group size is between 6-8. The host organizes the dinner and picks a topic for conversation. The goal is to have a good time while getting to know each other.

This sign up is for the fourth quarter of 2023, October, November, December. Please let me know by noon Sunday, 9/24 if you want to participate.  Contact Marcia Canter. at.  marciacanter@gmail.com
Groups Summary
Click to Email the Group Leader!

Mondays

Tuesdays

Wednesdays

Thursdays

Fridays

  • UU Walkers, Highbanks Metro Park, 9:30am
  • Fourth Fridays Picnics in the Park (Whetstone) for summer

Sundays

  • Millennial Covenant Group, usually 1st & 3rd Sun
  • Reproductive Rights Petition Drive
  • Feed and Read Ohio Donation Drop Off
WIDER COMMUNITY
Community Events Summary
General

Welcome Little Amal, a larger-than-life art puppet traveling the country to raise awareness about refugee issues!

Date: Friday, 9/22
Time: Activities begin at 5pm; Amal will arrive after 6pm
Location: Genoa Park in Downtown Columbus
More Info: https://www.capa.com/events/detail/amal-walks-across-america
9/20: Casual Conversation With Ven. Pomnyun Sunim  
Dear Friends,
I had the fortune of attending one of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim’s talks several years ago and really enjoyed his views, demeanor and wisdom so I wanted to pass this invitation along to you. I hope you will consider attending. This is for anyone of any spiritual background (including none.) Feel free to bring friends or family members. Please note, though, that to make sure that there is enough space for all, they ask that you register with the link below.
Wishing you all good health and happiness.
Peace, Sheila Jacquart You are invited! 

“Casual Conversation with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim” on September 20th at First Unitarian Universalist Church is free to the public.
Ven. Pomnyun Sunim is one of the most respected public figures in South Korea.
He shares his wisdom & helps bring new insights on life to millions of South Koreans.
He has held numerous public talks and wrote many best-selling books, helping people lead happier lives.
Please join us and ask any questions you have about life.

When: Wed 9/20, 7:00 PM

Where: 1st Unitarian Universalist Church (Beech Hall)
93 W Weisheimer Rd
Columbus, OH 43214

Registration: http://bit.ly/talk920
September Countdown: Registration Time
September is Voter Registration month when yoUU can make a difference. We have four weeks to register as many new voters as we can.
  1. Sign up at the JAM table for shifts at local libraries. OR https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090C45ADA828A2FB6-voter1#/
  2. Watch the LWV voter registration training video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70Wqepg28Rg.
  3. When you complete your shift, return packets and posters to the church workroom between 9 and 1 on weekdays or to JAM table on Sundays.
  4. Return Voter Registration Forms and Absentee Ballot request forms to Chris in person or place in the JAM mailbox in workroom.
  5. October 10 is the last day to register for the November 7th election. I
In October the Reproductive Choice & Health and Democracy & Human Rights teams will turn their efforts to passing the Right to Make Reproductive Decisions Including Abortion Initiative. This amendment to the Ohio Constitution provides each individual with the right to make and carry out one’s own reproductive decisions.
On 11/7, vote YES on this Issue 1.
Upcoming Jewish Holidays

Kehilat Sukkat Shalom welcomes members of 1st UU to join us for Rosh haShanah and Yom Kippur in the 1stUU Worship Center. Please see dates and times below and on our website at sukkatshalomcolumbus.org.

Rosh haShanah

  • Erev Rosh haShanah: Friday, September 15 – 8-9:30pm
  • Rosh haShanah Morning: Saturday, September 16 – 10am-12:30pm
  • Tashlich Potluck & Shofar Service: Whetstone Park – Casting Pond Shelter House – 4:30pm–sundown (Potluck Sign-up here)

Yom Kippur

  • Kol Nidre: Sunday, September 24 – 8 – 9:30pm
  • Yom Kippur Morning: Wednesday, September 25 – 10am-12:30pm
  • Yizkhor: 12:40 – 2pm
  • Restorative Yoga with Emily Buster @3:30pm
  • Mincha & Neilah @ 5pm –
  • Breakfast & Havdalah – following Neilah (Potluck Sign-up here)
FAMILY ACTIVITIES
Family Activities This Sunday, 9/17
  • 9:15-9:45am Breakfast (A/B)
  • 9:15-9:45 Engagement Fair (Beach Hall)
  • 9:30-11:30am Infant and Toddler Care (rm 101)
  • 10am Worship Service, Neighboring Faiths (rm 301)
  • 10:15am, After Story 3-6yr Spirit Play (rm 102), 7-9yr Spirit Play (rm 201), and 10yr-MS/HS In the Middle (rm 401)
  • After the service ends, Engagement Fair (Beach Hall), Coffee hour,  and snack
Volunteers Needed!

We still need volunteers for older elementary, middle, and high school (ages 10-18years)! Parents / caregivers are asked to volunteer once every three years. Sign up here!

Time To Register For Class!

Religious Exploration classes begin this week, but it’s not too late to register! This form is required for participation – it gives us the info we need to help your child succeed, and to take action in case of a medical emergency. Thank you!! https://forms.gle/o7YS5DjDAyVmxKq78

Not sure if you filled it out yet? Email amber@firstuucolumbus.org! We recommend filling out the form on a laptop (not a phone) and using Chrome browser, since it’s a Google form.

Banned Book Library

Click here to purchase a book to add to the Youth Group collection!