Friday News

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This weekend we honor workers and the labor movement with a church retreat and some well-earned moments of respite. In lieu of our usual tradition of screening a pre-recorded service, we will be showing a live, special youth-led service from the UU Church of Kent, Ohio! This worship will showcase the experiences of teens who participated in the annual summer service trip (which First UU Columbus youth also fundraise for and take part in each year)!

Your staff team is currently hard at work preparing for the new church year! Class registration for children and youth is now open (see the family section for more details) and we are still seeking volunteer teachers to work with our young people! In particular, our middle school class, Justice Seekers, is in danger of not happening without the support of a full teaching team! Please consider helping the next generation by donating your time a couple Sundays a month. Fill out this interest form, or email me to get involved! I can’t wait to see everyone at Ingathering next week!

Amber Scott

Director of Religious Exploration

Upcoming Events

This Sunday September 6
Instead of our regular service, we will hold Coffee Hour at 10am, followed by the11am screening of the UU Church of Kent’s youth-led service, “Power of a Single Story.”

 

Join UU Youth Justice (UUYJ) teens as they share stories from their week-long cultural immersion and service trip to Washington, DC, reflecting on how a single story can take hold of a group of people and reduce them to narrow stereotypes. Drawing on our UU understanding of the interdependent web of all existence, the youth invite us to hear how one story, layered with others, becomes something richer: a complex, interwoven story that honors the full humanity of the people they met. (FUU Columbus youth also fundraise for and take part in this trip each year)!

Those planning to watch online are asked to join directly via Kent’s Zoom.

No Children’s Class This Sunday Due to the Holiday Weekend

Infant/Toddler Care 10:30am-12:30pm

Upcoming Schedule Change

 

Beginning Sunday, September 13 we return to two worship services, at 9:15am and 11am! Join us at 10am for breakfast and coffee hour!

Pathways to Membership

Sunday, September 13, 2026 8:30 am

Register on Realm (no login required)

If you are interested in the next steps to become a member of First Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbus we invite you participate in the next Pathways to Membership class. It is designed for newcomers and is always recommended before deciding to become a Church member. (Participation 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.

First Friday Picnic in the Breezeway!

September 4 at 6:30 pm

Build Community Right Here at First UU! Gather with friends and family for a delightful evening filled with laughter, conversation, and the beauty of the great outdoors. Bring your own picnic.

First UU Concert Series Event:

The Early Interval

September 18, 7:30 pm
Our popular Concert Series returns with The Early Interval, which will open their 50th season at First UU! Their “French Baroque Musical Salon”, featuring chamber music by Telemann, Rebel, and other early French composers. Join Amy Guitry (Baroque flute), Guillermo Salas-Suárez (Baroque violin), Jim Bates (Viola da gamba), and Sean Ferguson (Theorbo), for this exciting concert!

Admission is free, with donations accepted, and a sampling of sweets, compliments of the Alliance Français, will complete the evening.

Come Sing at First UU!

All are invited and welcome to sing in one of First UU’s choirs, which will begin regular rehearsals in the coming weeks! Currently, we have two adult choirs and a young children’s choir, and these choirs are open to anyone who loves to sing, no audition or choir experience necessary.

Chalice Choir weekly rehearsals are on Thursdays from 7:30-9:30pm, Email Director Dr. Brandon Moss with questions.

Spirit of Life Choir weekly rehearsals are on Tuesdays, from 6:30-8:00pm. We welcome Director Bruno Bush to First UU, and look forward to getting to know him in the coming year!

 

Peace Pals (our young children’s choir) rehearsals begin Sunday, September 27th, 12:30-1:00pm, scheduled for the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month, Email Director Erin Rothert for more information.

Stay posted for some exciting musical opportunities for older youth this year. All choirs rehearse in the Worship Center. We hope to see you there and look forward to singing with you!

From First UU Leadership

Introducing Bruno Bush

Hi everyone! My name is Bruno Carvalho Bush (he/him) and it is an honor to join you all as the new Assistant Choir Director. My first few rehearsals with Spirit of Life have already shown me what a warm, vibrant, and welcoming community this is, and I look forward to sharing music and worship with you. I am an open book and rarely in a rush to leave, so please feel free to make your presence known with me whenever you see me! Some quick factoids to get to know me: I’m proudly Brazilian-American and queer. I have a beautiful partner named Sophia who will likely join us from time to time. We raise 5 cats together (started with 1, adopted a 2nd, those two had 6 kittens, we kept 3 of them!) and are heavily involved with the Columbus theatre scene.
Music really is the ultimate passion of mine, and unfortunately I’m one of those people that can’t really point out any hobbies outside of that haha. I have a massive sweet tooth! And I geek out about musicals, video games, and all kinds of music – please do test me on the genres I listen to! I cannot wait to get to know you all in the coming months. Please know that Spirit of Life will continue to have an open door policy. Anyone is welcome to drop by at any time, no commitment! I promise to always provide a safe space for musical exploration. Many blessings!

From Your Board of Trustees

Listening Sessions Noon on Sundays

September 13 through October 4

The Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that we have voted to appoint congregant Gabe McDonald to fill the current vacancy on the Board. Gabe will serve for the remainder of the term, which ends on June 30, 2027. Please join us in welcoming Gabe to his new role and thanking him for his dedication to our community.

Additionally, the Board is asking for feedback from First UU congregants about the qualities most important in finding the right individual to serve as a contract minister for our church. We will hold four meetings immediately after the 11:00 am Worship service to gather this feedback. While alternative methods for gathering this feedback will also be used, we hope to hear from many members and friends in these face-to-face listening sessions!
Top Row: Kristen Hartmann, Tara Mullens-Cosme (Fundraising Co-Chairs), Betsy Smalley, Bill Fiorini (Co-Chairs, Gabe McDonald (Trustee).

Second Row: Cara Seidt (Trustee, Legal Counsel), Rev. Kathleen Fowler, Dr. Jennifer Nichols (Trustees), and Raina Bradford Jennings (Secretary).

Reminder: Evening Building Security

To keep our church home safe and secure, please remember that all outside doors must be locked after 8:00 PM. If you are leading a late meeting, attending an evening practice, or are the last to leave the building after 8:00 PM, please double-check that all exit doors are fully closed and locked behind you.

Thank you for helping us care for our facility and everyone inside it.

Justice and Volunteering

Join the First UU Columbus Protesters chat on Signal App

or email our Justice Team for more information.

Help First UU be recognized as a

“Good Trouble Congregation”

with UU the Vote

UU the Vote is the national UU democracy campaign, encouraging UUs across the country to get involved in voter engagement, election protection, and organizing to protect our democracy. UU the Vote congregations that do significant work in this as Good Trouble Congregations.

Becoming a Good Trouble Congregation is not easy. Here are the CriteriaHowever, this is a goal that can push us to do more of the work we know we need to be doing and help us build our capacity for justice work. This is also an opportunity for us to get better at tracking work we’re doing.

Let’s continue to make “Good Trouble” together! Here’s How:

  • Report any non-partisan electoral work you’ve done: Reporting Form
  • Come to our Democracy Action Hours after Sunday services.
  • Join the Democracy Team’s mailing list to hear about more opportunities
  • Come to our monthly planning meetings on zoom – email the team at Democracy at First UU for the link!

Invitation to fill out

Student Anthropology Survey

Josh Chunko (high school senior and longtime attendee of 1st UU) is doing an IB Anthropology project on this congregation. Please consider taking approximately 5 minutes to take this survey designed to gather demographic data and learn about aspects of the community and culture here which might be otherwise overlooked. All identifying information will be anonymized before any person besides him and his Anthropology teacher view it.

On the Journey
Read about the 8th Principle and First UU’s anti-racism efforts on our websiteand email Becca to learn more about submitting articles for this section, and check out The August/September ARA Calendar

4th Annual Anti-Racism Training by

Coalition for Racial Reconciliation

Saturday, September 12, 2026 9:30am-4pm

Northwest Methodist Church, 5200 Riverside Drive, 43220

Register by Sept. 5 includes a catered lunch.
This 4th Annual Anti-Racism Retreat explores the topics “What makes racism systemic?” and “How is it built into our social institutions?” Facilitated by Dr. Yvonne Gilmore and Rev. Margie Pride from Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

 

Registration fee $20 is paid at the door. Cash, checks, and credit or debit cards are accepted.

We hope you enjoy this “replay” of our first On the Journey Celebration,

originally published April 24. Please consider submitting a mini-bio about an inspiring black author, artist, change-maker, or innovator.

Celebrating Elizabeth “Bessie” Coleman,

First Female American Civil Aviatrix and

National Aviation Hall of Fame Pilot

Elizabeth Coleman was the first African-American and Native American woman to hold a civil Pilot’s License. She earned her license in 1921 from the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale in France after being unable to find a flight school in America willing to train a person of color. Afterwards she learned stunt flying in the Netherlands and began performing as a pilot in dangerous air shows in the United States under the names “Queen Bess” and “Brave Bessie.” Coleman’s dream was to expose her people to the world of aviation and create a school for young black aviators. Coleman died in a plane crash in 1926, Although Coleman did not live long enough to establish a school for young black aviators, her pioneering achievements served as an inspiration for a generation of African-American men and women.

Read more about “Queen Bess” on wikipedia, The National Women’s History Museum website, pbs.org, listen to this podcast episode “Leaving for Paris” on the Smithsonian’s website at airandspace.si.edu, or watch this episode ofUnique Coloring on youtube (12:33)

Community News

The Religious Right Is Fighting a Holy War – the American Humanist Association Responds

Saturday, September 12, Noon

Graystone Winery 544 South Front St.

American Humanist Association Executive Director Fish Stark will discuss actions by the religious right to defund public schools, push religion into government, and attack empathy itself as a weakness and a sin. But the picture isn’t all bleak. Efforts to force the Bible into public school classrooms are being defeated in court with AHA victories in major federal cases in Florida and Arkansas.

Mr. Stark is an engaging speaker and the Humanist Community of Central Ohio is proud to host this event. You can find additional details on Meetup and hcco.org“Events.” If you are going to attend in person, we request that you RSVP

Celebrate the Jewish High Holidays with Sukkat Shalom

Rosh haShanah: September 11 – 12

Yom Kippur September 20 – 21

(Details and RSVP on sukkatshalomcolumbus.org)
Kehilat Sukkat Shalom welcomes our First UU friends and allies to join us for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. We have morning, afternoon, and evening services and potlucks for both holidays.
Our services this year will be lead by Annie Prusky, a 4th year student at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in Philadelphia. We hope you can join us!

A Chance to Make a Difference

The Franklin County Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Trustees held a community meeting on September 2 to discuss plans for roadway construction through Bill Moose Run permanent conservation easement. They will vote on weather or not to allow the construction on September 14.
This is our opportunity to show a united community front against developers and in favor of the environment.

Email Tom Baillieul for details.

Save the Date! SYC Scholarship Fundraiser

Wednesday September 23

BiBiBop Graceland

Mention SYC to your cashier at BiBiBop on September 23, and they will donate a portion of the profits from your meal to the SYC Scholarship fund!

“Freedom!” by First UU Artists

On Display until October 25

Check out our art in the Gallery and the Worship Center at Frist UU What does Freedom mean to 32 artists? Take time to read their statements. What does Freedom mean to you?

Questions? Deb Baillieul. Email
Above: “Baked American Flag”

Janet Mangini

Right: “Rising Above the Current News”. Doris Cornell
Untitled Design_p1.png

Family Activities

Happening This Sunday, September 6th!
No Classes Due to the Holiday Weekend & Retreat! *Note Time Shift:

10:00am* Coffee/Tea (A/B, Beach Hall)

10:30-12:30* Infant/Toddler Care 3mos-3yrs (101) Sitters Needed!

11:00am* Worship Service (sanctuary) Screening Kent’s Youth-Led Service

Register Now! 2026-27 Classes & Activities for Children and Youth!

Please Help! We Need Volunteers for MS Class to Happen! Email Amber!

Ingathering Next Sunday, 9/13

  • 9:15am Nouurish service and 11am Water Ceremony!
  • 13-15yr OWL Required Parent/Caregiver Orientation 12:30-2:30
  • RE Teacher / Volunteer Orientation 12:30-2:30 RSVP: Lunch / Childcare!

Sunday, 9/20: Religious Exploration Classes Begin!

  • First 13-15yr OWL Class Session for Teens
  • 6-7yr OWL Required Parent/Caregiver Orientation AND First Class
  • Coming of Age First Class and Orientation

Sunday, 9/27: Special After-Service Activities Begin!

  • Peace Pals Choir for 5-12 years
  • Navigators Scouting for 5-12 years
  • Youth Group! for MS/HS 12years-HS senior

UU Youth Justice 2026: Washington, D.C.