Tuesday Talk 11/19/2019

•

Chalice photo by First UUer Holly Adams

Tuesday Talk

This morning I got a real treat. I rose early and looked out the kitchen window and witnessed squirrels at play. They raced all around the long bony branches of a giant tree in a nearby yard. In and out, up and down, with tails swishing they chased each other back and forth, often jumping from branch to branch. It was a fall playground on a warmish day that invited fun and laughter.

As I watched, I wondered how on earth squirrels land as they make big leaps from branch to branch, sometimes down, sometimes sideways, and sometimes up. They don’t miss. Are they like gymnasts who power their way through the air and land gracefully on a thin wood plank. Or, do they make a leap, spread out all fours and make a velcro body stick.

From what I saw, squirrels are flying gymnasts. I am the one practicing the velcro routine. You know, you get an idea, work up your courage, and make the leap. Wheeeee! Plop. Praying the velcro works.

I attended the Jungian workshop at church last weekend and was reminded of the need to examine our lives, let go of old patterns and behaviors that don’t work for us, and figure out how to choose a path of enlargement. In other words, figure out how to live life more fully and with integrity and meaning. In squirrel language… check out the branches, figure out which ones won’t hold you, and make a flying leap to the next level. My experience says it won’t always be pretty, but oh, the flight is worth it.

This morning I got to laugh. It felt good. When I stick landings, I am grateful. The best part is the squirrels are living life fully, and when I examine my life and make choices that allow my body, mind, and spirit to align, I smile on a deeper level. And that is a great way to start a day, any day.

Blessings,
Rev. Marian

P.S. Can you bake bread?
For our Sunday services on Nov. 24th, we need homemade bread. Can you help with this? Glutten-free especially needed. Email me if you can and let me know how many loaf/loaves and what kind. Thank you!

Music!
First UU hosted two fabulous concerts last weekend.
Bowling Green State University Men’s Chorus
Columbus Women’s Chorus

SHOUT OUTS!
Opportunities and Reminders

Thanks!
Rev. Kathleen Fowler and volunteers
Thanks to Kathleen for helping host the Jung Society of Central Ohio last weekend. About 125 people attended the Friday night session and about 100 attended the Saturday workshop. Many First UUers were present and enjoyed the presentation by Dr.James Hollis. He was insightful, gracious, and engaging.

***Middle Hour…Middle Hour…Middle Hour***
It’s a happening place! Come early, stay late. There is something for everyone.

Middle Hour is an exciting and changing mix of Forums, Theme Talks, Learning Labs, Sampler Groups, Creative Space, Tabletop Conversations, and more! It all happens between services from 10:10–10:45.

Here is this week’s Middle Hour lineup:

MUSIC AND MOVEMENT (Room #301)
FOLK DANCING
Presenter: Tony Skrabak
Learn a few easy folk dances

CREATIVE EXPRESSIONS (Room B – near kitchen)
a self-guided experience with crafts, drawing, writing…
Help make holiday postcards to send to our partner church in Bolon, Romania.

TABLETOP CONVERSATIONS (Beach Hall near the windows)
Organized by Amber Scott and Kelli McNeal
Intentional conversations on an evolving set of topics.

Thanksgiving Dinner
at First UU

Thursday, November 28, from 2–5pm, Beach Hall
We meet again to share our blessings and the joy of community. Returning by popular demand is our Gratitude Tree and Talent Show. We need volunteers to bring two turkeys, which can be prepared at the church. We also need volunteers for setup and clean up. We ask for a $5 donation for dinner. We’ll eat promptly at 2pm.

Please sign up by November 24, letting us know the dish you will bring and how many are in your party. Jeanni Ray, 614-985-6176.

THIS WEEK

For additional churchwide activities and events, please see First UU News (emailed on Fridays and in the Sunday Order of Service).

For information about family and child-focused events and classes, see the RE News (emailed to families and in the Sunday Order of Service).

Wednesday, November 20th, 6pm, Beach Hall
The Long, Strange, Trip—Our UU History
Led by Dana Reynolds, retired UU minister 
This is a great way to learn about our UU development throughout the centuries. The series is ideal for those new to Unitarian Universalism, but it promises new surprises for those who have been UUs for a long time. In each session, we will view the DVD and have a discussion.

Wednesday, November 20th, 7pm, Sanctuary
Meaningful Movie: “Dark Money”
Sponsored by JAM and Michael Greenman
This film reveals how huge amounts of concealed corporate money has influenced our elections and how states and “We the People” are fighting back.
Free showing. (Movie time: 1 hr. 38 mins – followed by Q&A.)

Sunday, November 24th, 9 & 11am, Sanctuary
The Thanksgiving Table
Rev. Marian and Amber Scott
Join us for our annual Thanksgiving service where we pause for gratitude and share in the bounty of community. We will also talk about ways to bridge divides and enjoy the day.
*If you can bake bread, please let Rev. Marian know.
SAVE THE DATE…
Senior Gathering
Thursday, December 5th
– 10:45 Come to enjoy Karen Thimmes’ piano music
– 11:00 Rev. Marian and Rev. Eric will welcome those in attendance.
Program: “The Roads I’ve Lived On in my UU Life: A Show and Tell Story” Rev. Alison Wohler, First UU member and Minister Emerita, UU Society of Amherst, Massachusetts,
– 12 noon Lunch in Beach Hall
Please make your reservation by Sunday, December 1, office or 614-267-4946, ext. 210.

4th Annual Interfaith Prayer Gathering & Potluck
Sunday, December 8th, 4:30-7:30pm
Peace Lutheran Church, 455 Clark State Rd., Gahanna.
IACO Liaison: Karen Dawson
Join us as we look at our planet from the perspective of nine different faiths. Bring a dish to share. RSVP to office@iaco.org.

Labyrinth
December 26–January 1
Coordinator: Cath Saveson
We will be hosting the “Chartres Cathedral Labyrinth” again this holiday season in the Worship Center. The schedule for its availability is:
– Thursday – Monday, December 26-30: 3–7pm
– Tuesday, December 31: 7pm–midnight
– Wednesday, January 1: 10am–3pm
Volunteers are needed! Sign up to host or help with labyrinth set up/takedown.
Musicians are invited to perform contemplative music to provide a meditative environment for labyrinth walkers. Sign up to provide music

First UU Auction: Come Fly with Me! 
Saturday, February 22, 2020
To really take off, we’ll need many donations to zoom in and take the bidding sky high! You can donate from the auction website or email.  We’ll have a table in Beach Hall starting near the end of November, then on January 5 and February 9 we will have Auction 101 sessions during Middle Hour to share auction information and answer questions.

Save your stuff!
Rummage Sale
May 22, 2020 weekend
We will also need volunteers. Please contact Seth Kraut (614-477-0099) or Rachel Kraut (614-774-2362). We need household items (kitchen decor, small appliances, baskets, lamps), jewelry and accessories, working toys/games/puzzles, garden, travel and camping items. More information will follow.

JUSTICE UPDATES

Monday, November 25th, 7pm, Room 301
JAM’s Racial Justice and Immigration (RJI) Working Group
Please join us as we review our recent actions and make plans for the future. All are welcome.
THIS MOMENT IN UU HISTORY
Sponsored by the First UU Archives Group
November 18, 1787
James Freeman was ordained as a Unitarian minister at King’s Chapel in Boston, by authority of the congregation, after two Anglican bishops refused to ordain him. At he service, he was named “Rector, Minister, Priest, Pastor, and Ruling Elder.” Thus the first Anglican Church in America became the first avowedly Unitarian church in America. Through Freeman’s Harvard College associations and civic activities, King’s Chapel grew into full relations with its former Puritan enemies.