Friday News – September 29, 2023

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This Week
Sunday Service October 1st
 

“Our Liberation is Fractal”

The headlines and looming environmental crisis can overwhelm us with worry for our world. It can be easy to despair, to feel like just one person can’t make any difference. Adrienne Maree Brown’s Principles of Emergent Strategy teach us that our world is fractal and emergent, and that our small acts of love and connection can build the world we long for.

Worship Presenter: Amanda Hays

Share the Plate: Pro Choice Ohio and Faith Choice Ohio

Breakfast 9:15–9:45:  Suggested donation of $3/adult, $2/child (Maximum $10/family). Vegan/GF Options available.  First time visitors free.  
Caregivers of Young Children
Join us to share the joys and challenges of caring for young Children. Our next meeting is 10/1/23 following the service. Meet in Beach Hall for coffee hour and we will engage with our children & each other thereafter.

RSVP on our Facebook Event or reach out to Heather Stone by email or phone (419-212-3484) for more information.
Fall Senior Gathering October 5th
Join us for the Fall Senior Gathering to kick off the church year with Rev. Terasa on Thursday, October 5, in Beach Hall.

10:30 – Snacks & Coffee
11:00 – Program begins

RSVP to Marilyn Beerman or leave her a voicemail at 614-282-8440.
First Friday Dinner Is Back – October 6th at 6:30pm!
Join us for the first “First Friday” dinner of the year. Skip making dinner; come hang out with fellow First UUers and let us do the cooking!

All ages 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. First time is free!  Suggested donation of $3.00/person to help pay for the food.

Spread the word and come have a good time and some good eats with good friends!

Interested in helping make it happen?  Let us know you’d like to join the First Friday Crew on SignUpGenius!
Our UU Artists: “Being on the Side of Love”
What feeds your spirit, brings you feelings of love, justice and peace? Take time to visit the art in the Gallery and Worship Center. “Being on the Side of Love” is the newest exhibit by UU artists and friends, on display through Oct 30. For more information or to inquire about purchases contact Deb Baillieul. A 10% donation is made to the church for each purchase.
Classes and Groups

For a complete listing of our groups & contact information, download a copy of our Fall Engagement Catalogue.

You can also pick one up on the welcome table this Sunday –
there are lots of ways to get involved at First UU!
Time to Sign Up for Covenant Groups!
What is a Covenant Group? It’s First UU’s small group ministry program. Groups meet once a month November-May for practice in deep listening and connection.

You can get more information and sign up in Beach Hall this Sunday or can sign up now on our Small Group Ministry page.

Contact Christine Davidson for more information.
Spiritual Practices Class
We will be offering our Spiritual Practices class beginning Wednesday, October 4th at 6:00pm.

This 10–session course helps participants develop regular disciplines or practices of the spirit that help us connect with the sacred. Spiritual Practice affirms religious diversity while seeking unity in our communal quest for meaning and wholeness. Each session offers a forum for learning, sharing, and growth that can enrich our personal faith journeys.

Register on our Adult RE page or contact Andi Mocharski for more information.
Pathways to Membership
Saturday, October 7th 2–5pm

If you want to learn more about First UU Columbus or are ready to become a member, this class is for you! Taking the class does not obligate you to become a member; it just gives you the information you need to know about becoming a member.
Register now! or contact Andi Mocharski for more information.
Conflict Transformation w/ Rev. Terasa
October 14, 10am – 2pm

While many people find conflict challenging or even fearful, there is a way in which conflict can actually help us grow and learn together, when we have the tools for self-reflection as well as for healthy interactions.

This workshop is a hybrid gathering which will give you an opportunity to process the concepts individually as well as in small groups. The Healthy Relations Team will also be there to talk about their work with the congregation in the coming year.

Lunch will be available for a $10 fee if you are joining in person. Register on our Adult RE page or contact Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley for more information.
Self-Understanding Through the Enneagram
November 1, 8, and 15, 6:30–8:30
The Enneagram is a system which helps describe personality patterns. Used by many religious traditions as a tool for personal awareness, it can help us identify what our instinctual behaviors might be, as well as a path for healthy development. For this workshop we will use the book, “The Road Back to You” by Ian Crone and Suzanne Stabile.

Register on our Adult RE page or contact Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley for more information.
Upcoming Events
It’s Auction Time – Register and Donate Now!
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 things!

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? Or maybe you have a new item or activity? We need your offerings to make this our best Auction ever!
Youth Pop-Up Choir! 10/15
It’s not too late for our youth to sing in our first-ever Youth Pop-Up Choir. This 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. Come be a part of this inaugural event!
If you have any questions about Music at First UU, contact Dr. Brandon Moss.
First UU Concert Series
We are pleased to announce First UU’s Concert Series for 2023-24! Click to check out the brochure featuring all of this year’s events. October will feature performances by our pianist Nathan Hamm and choirs from Otterbein University and Upper Arlington High School, and, looking ahead, we will once again have Carpe Diem String Quartet in residence.

Discounted tickets for First UU members. We hope to see you at one of these stellar performances!
Justice & Volunteer Opportunities
Racial Justice & Immigration (RJI)
Team Visioning Session
Date: Sunday, October 8
Time: 11:30-12:30pm
Come join us in working together for racial and immigration justice outside our congregation’s walls!  Next Sunday we will brainstorm about what work we’re excited to do as a congregation and together we will choose a next step.

If you have questions, or if you’re interested and can’t make it, sign up for email updates at the JAM Table on any Sunday or email RJI for more information.
Make Your Voice Heard: BREAD Listening Sessions!
BREAD (Building Responsibility, Equality and Dignity) is an interfaith community organization of more than 40 congregations First UU helped form over 25 years ago. BREAD holds local decision-makers accountable for addressing serious community problems with the power of its organized people—that’s you!
All BREAD congregations have a listening process each fall to build relationships and identify local problems. They culminate in a democratic selection of a new problem for BREAD’s research and action. BREAD needs your input! Listening Sessions are scheduled both in person and via Zoom each week from now until October 22. Sign up to Join a Listening Session here or in person at the JAM table in Beach Hall after service.

Questions? Email the BREAD Team!
Columbus Community Pride Video
Columbus Community Pride was last Saturday, and last Sunday, our announcements included a short video clip about the history of this celebrationthat centers Trans and Queer People of Color. You can watch the rest of the video, made for First UU by Black Queer Intersectional Collective organizer Tempestt.

If you’re intrigued and might like to be part of planning First UU’s contribution to Community Pride for next year, email Justice Minister Amanda Hays.
Community News
Free COVID Tests
With the arrival of fall (and schools back in session) it’s easier to catch colds, flu, and COVID.  We want to encourage everyone who is safely able to make sure that your vaccines are updated.  In case you do catch something, the USPS is once again offering free test kits to help us all stay safe.   The FDA has announced that many test kits have an extended expiration date – Check the link to see if your tests are still good!  Stay healthy!
City of Columbus Hosting Gun Buyback 9/30
The Columbus Division of Police and the city’s violence prevention office are hosting a gun buyback drive-thru event for community members on Sept. 30.

Residents are encouraged to bring their guns to the event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot of Trinity Baptist Church, located at 461 St. Clair Avenue. All submissions will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis and will be completely anonymous.
First UUer Susan Carter to Receive
Alvin R. Huntley Social Justice Award  
Susan Carter, an active participant in our Social Justice Ministry, has been chosen to receive the Alvin R. Huntley Social Justice Award, to be presented at the Living Faith Awards Breakfast by the Spirituality Network.  Susan is being recognized for her work both through First UU’s Justice Action Ministry and other affiliations, especially for her work with the farm worker’s movement.

UU friends of Susan are invited to help honor her at the annual awards breakfast at First Community, North Campus on October 12 from 7:30-9:30am.  You can reserve tickets online at $40, or join the First UU table for a  discounted cost of $37.50.  Email Dick or call him at  614-563-4855 to save a seat.
SYC Celebration and Author Talk
All are invited to join the SYC community for a special event: Heather Shumaker, author of IT’S OKAY NOT TO SHARE, will be visiting on October 25 at 6:30 pm to talk about “Wild Emotions: All Feelings are OK; All Behavior isn’t”. We will also be honoring long-time SYC teachers and hosting an open house. This free community event is for adults only. Caregivers of young children, early childhood educators, and anyone who cares about children are encouraged to attend.

Contact The SYC Office (614-267-0254) at SYC for more information.
Family Activities
Happening This Sunday, 10/1
  • 9:15-9:30am Breakfast for donation (A/B) arrive on time for food!
  • 9:30-11:30am Infant and Toddler Care (rm 101)
  • 9:30-10am Playground available until Service (outside SYC)
  • Neighboring Faiths field trip: meet at 1st at 9:30 for carpool departure by 9:45am, OR meet at North UU at 10:15 for their 10:30am service
  • 9:30-11am 13-14yr OWL (room 302)
  • 9:40am-12noon 10-11yr OWL (rm 404)
  • 10am-12noon 6-7yr OWL mandatory family orientation, 1st class (402)
  • 10-11am Worship Service,
  • 10:15am-11am (After Story Until Service Ends), 3-6yr Spirit Play (102), 7-9yr Spirit Play (201), and 10yr-MS/HS Tools for the Journey (401)
  • Coffee Hour, Snack after the service ends
  • 11:30am-12noon Peace Pals children’s choir for 5-10yrs (sanctuary)
  • 12:30-2pm Navigators Scouting: fun and games (playground, 201)