Happy Wednesday!

Similarly, the traditional interpretation of Thanksgiving is a far cry from the real history of the oppression of native peoples, but learning a more complex story helps us to understand why reparations are so important. Nevertheless, I am happy to celebrate a different interpretation of Thanksgiving: that of being grateful for all the gifts we have been given: the gifts of the natural world, the gifts of family and friends, and the gifts of this wonderful community. I am grateful to be among you and celebrate all we can do together!

Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley

Lead Minister

Community Thanksgiving Dinner

Thursday, November 27, 4:30 – 7:30 pm

Gather in community on Thanksgiving here at First UU. Plan to bring a nut-free side dish or contribution to share; you are always welcome regardless. Please fill out the RSVP form to help us prepare the right amount of turkey, vegetarian, and vegan entrees. Everyone is welcome!

First Friday Spaghetti Dinner

& Anti-Racist Ally Reunion

Friday, December 5

6:30 pm Dinner (Beach Hall)

7:30 pm Discussion (Room 301)

Institutional Racism: How to

See It & How to Respond Helpfully

Curious about what is it to be an Anti-Racist Ally? Or just the discussion topic? Attend this discussion facilitated by Lynda Smith & Norm Machner. Please come and find out more!

All ages are welcome. We’ll have salad, pasta, sauces, garlic bread, nuggets, and dessert. Vegan/gluten free/dairy free options available. Dinner is served at 6:30. Your first time is free! Our happy repeat customers are asked for a suggested donation of $3.00 per person to help pay for the food.

Interested in Hosting one month this year? Please email us to hop onto the Host schedule!

Sorrow at This Season Grief Service

Wednesday, Dec 10, 2025 at 7pm

The year-end holidays can be especially challenging if your heart is heavy with grief. When so many are celebrating traditional seasonal 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; yet please know you are not alone.

Handmade Holidays

Monday evenings through December 22

6:30 to 8:30 pm, Room 301

Come craft together and build creative community! Make holiday gifts for your loved ones or come work on a project. Handmade Holidays is a weekly drop-in group welcoming all who have something crafty to work on.

For more information or to donate supplies contact Christine.

December Music

December is a busy month for music and concerts at First UU! Please join us for the following dates:

• Friday, Dec. 12 at 7:00 pm Otterbein University Concert Choir with choirs from Big Walnut HS, Hilliard Davidson HS, and Upper Arlington HS (free concert)
• Saturday, Dec. 13 at 7:00 pm The Magpie Consort, “An American Christmas”; American-composed folk, gospel, jazz, and classical music of the season (suggested donation $0-$20, as able)

• Sunday, Dec. 14 at 11:00 am Music Sunday service, “Lessons & Carols”, featuring music by First UU choirs Chalice Choir, Spirit of Life Choir, and Peace Pals
• Saturday, Dec. 20 at 4:00 pmCarpe Diem String Quartet, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”, featuring music by Mendelssohn and other holiday favorites ($35 tickets, $25 for church members)

New Carpeting

We’re thankful for the hard work of our volunteers and the workers/staff at Lincoln Construction for assisting us to get the new carpeting in the Worship Center installed in a very compressed sprint last week. Special thanks to Chris Hoff (Lincoln), Myra Hartman, the Davidson Family, Su Farnlacher, and Denise Deschenes.

Holiday Appeal

Your donation of $500, $200, $50, or even $5 to the holiday appeal is gratefully appreciated. Please help us reach our goal of $20,000. Donate online at FirstuuColumbus.org/giving, via check, or through an IRA for tax advantages.  For more information on donating through IRA’s, email us.

FILA & Giving Tuesday

Campaign Ends December 3 at 6:46 pm

Giving Tuesday is coming up…it’s the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and a day to collectively support efforts that are closest to our hearts. We hope as you consider what you support on this day you will support First UU’s FILA–Fund for Immigration Legal Assistance. FILA provides financial support for immigrants in Central Ohio in paying their immigration-related legal expenses.

Follow the link below, watch the video and read about FILA, and click the donate button to show your support for our new neighbors. Please share this widely within your networks. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. If you have already donated, we thank you!

Thank you to our generous donors: we met our $5,000 match goal!

Feed and Read Ohio

Christmas Wishes & Food Collection

In addition to our November Collection of food staples and socks, we are collecting presents for the children that we assist with Feed and Read Ohio. Please visit the tree in the gallery and take a tag for a child that you would like to provide a present for and deliver it, unwrapped, by Sunday, December 7. Thank you so much for all of the gifts that you provide throughout the year, and for helping make this Christmas special for those in our Central Ohio Community.

BREAD Research Kickoff

Monday, December 8, 7:00 pm

At BREAD’s 29th Annual Assembly, network members from its multi-faith congregations throughout central Ohio voted to select LIVING WAGE as the new problem for the organization to research and address. The official BREAD Research Kickoff will be on Monday, December 8, 7:00 pm at First Unitarian Universalist Church. All are welcome to learn how BREAD does its research and, if you so choose, to join a research committee.

Reflections from My Father’s Name, the documentary

Thank you to everyone who stayed after the service following the ARA sermon last Sunday to watch the documentary, My Father’s Hands. Hopefully you have had or will have moments to reflect, prompted by the topics listed in the handout that accompanied the film. If you missed receiving your copy of the handout, reach out to Paisha, Terasa, or any member of the ARA. In the coming months, we will continue exploring how we as a congregation and as individuals can continue to work toward being anti-racist people and allies for this important cause.

Name Change: “Keep on Moving”

is now “Keep on Keeping On”

The group is for persons who are experiencing chronic pain or other chronic and/or progressive medical conditions. The group meets once a month on the third Monday, from 7-8:00pm via Zoom. Contact Denise Deschenes for more information.

Embodied Exploration of

Religious & Spiritual Conditioning

December 14, 5-7:30

December 21, 4:30-7:30

Registration Open

How have your religious or spiritual experiences shaped the way you feel, believe, and belong today? How do they continue to shape your sense of self, belonging, or spirituality? How can we explore religious or spiritual conditioning through an embodied lens?

This series offers a gentle, compassionate space for anyone curious about how religious or spiritual conditioning has shaped their beliefs, identities, or sense of belonging. Rather than retelling traumatic stories, we’ll focus on how these experiences live in our bodies now and explore tools for grounding, presence, and reclamation.

Each gathering may include light movement, sensory mindfulness, somatic awareness, creative reflection, and conversation. All are welcome to participate at their own pace.

Please note: This program may feel healing but is not a substitute for therapy and is not led by a licensed clinician. The facilitator, Whitney Pyles, is an accredited somatic coach, and there will be pastoral care support and referrals available during the classes if needed.

Ohio Village Gallery Open House

Your Voice Matters

Tuesday, December 2, 5:30 – 7:30 pm

Saturday, December 6 | 11:00 am – 1:00 pm

Ohio History Center 800 E. 17th Avenue Columbus, OH 43211 (Gallery 4)

Your voice matters. Together, we can shape the future of Ohio Village and ensure it reflects the diverse stories and perspectives of our community. We are delighted to invite you to the Village Visions Open House at the Ohio History Center. This special gathering will unveil exciting plans for the updated Ohio Village and provide an opportunity for our valued community partners to share feedback and ideas.

Senior Gathering — Holiday Edition!

Thursday, December 4, 10:30am – 1pm

Attention Senior Members! Please plan to attend the Senior Gathering on December 4. Self-serve coffee will be available in Beach Hall at 10:30am followed by holiday music (including special guests!) and a program by our own Pat Snyder from 10:45am until 12noon. A lunch prepared by our volunteers will then be served. A vegetarian option is always provided; we are sorry we cannot accommodate other dietary restrictions. Please RSVP by December 1.

IACO Annual Prayer Gathering

Sunday, December 7, 3:30 – 6:30 pm

Bharatiya Hindu Temple

3671 Hyatts Rd, Powell, OH 43065

You are warmly invited to join us for a very special evening as we celebrate IACO’s 40th Anniversary and Annual Prayer Gathering — a time of reflection, gratitude, and interfaith connection.

We hope you’ll be part of this meaningful celebration of four decades of interfaith friendship and shared vision. Please RSVPby November 28.

Happening This Sunday, 11/30!

10:00-10:45am Continental Breakfast Only (kitchen, A/B, Beach Hall)

10:30am-12:30pm Infant and Toddler Care 3mos-3yrs (101)

No Sunday School Classes Today – Enjoy Your Holiday Weekend!

*Drop off soup veggies, bread, food to share to the kitchen before service!*

11:00am-12:00pm Stone Soup All Ages Service (sanctuary)

12:15-1:30pm Hot Soup Lunch Together! (A/B, Beach Hall)

Upcoming Events!

Youth Group Overnight & December First Friday Dinner! 6:30pm Friday, 12/5

Family / Adult RE Team Interest Meeting: 12:30pm Sunday, 12/7, room 301