Welcome to First Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbus' Sunday service. We celebrate Easter Sunday with music, story, and thoughtful reflection.

The Other Side of the Stone
Rev. Dr. Marian Stewart

What does it mean to emerge, to come back to life? The parallels of the Easter story and the dismantling of pandemic restrictions are rich in symbolism, but how does the religious message relate to the practical? And what is left hidden behind the stone rolled in front of the tomb - and our un/belief?

Do you remember when Mitch McConnell said of Elizabeth Warren, "She had appeared to violate the rule. She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted." Ever since those words were uttered, I've wondered where we as UUs, in our commitment to fairness, equality and justice, are being called to persist despite appearing to violate the rules, being warned, and being given an explanation. And how does community help us to continue this commitment?

Welcome to First Unitarian Church of Columbus' Sunday service. One this one year anniversary of going into pandemic shut-down, we take a moment to look at the trauma, grief, loss, and now, hope.

A Year Like No Other
Rev. Dr. Marian Stewart

The highs, lows, and forever-ness of a year in pandemic mode. We've all been affected. We've all had trauma. We've all had moments of exhaustion, exasperation, and despair. We have shown grit and determination in supporting each other and our church. There has also been a outpouring of love and the coming rays of hope. On this one-year anniversary of shut-down, let's take a moment to reflect using the lens of science and the heart.

Permissions:
"We Give Thanks" © 2005 The Rev. Wendy Luella Perkins www.wendyluellaperkins.com Used with permission.

"De Noche" © 1986, 1998, 2014, GIA Publications. Permission to stream through OneLicense.

"Rising Green" by Carolyn McDade, arr. Jim Scott. Used with permission.

Welcome to First Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbus' Sunday service. This morning we explore our monthly theme of commitment through the lens of finding home in a wobbly world.

At Home in a Wobbly World
Isabel Call, Assistant Minister of Pastoral Care

With changes accelerating around us, how do we decide what’s worth hanging onto? Which ideas, habits, places, and relationships provide the stability we need in order to adapt and thrive? Isabel reflects on commitment as she makes a home in central Ohio and Unitarian Universalism after years of seeking.

Permissions:
-"We Are Not Our Own", words by Brian Wren; music by David Hurd; copyright Hope Publishing Co. and David Hurd. Permission to stream through OneLicense.
-"I Was Here" by Diane Warren; copyright Realsongs. ASCAP. Permission to stream through CCS WorshipCast license.
-Offertory pieces by Sue Alleshouse Richards, used with permission.

Welcome to First Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbus' Sunday service. This month, we are focusing on the theme of commitment. The take home question from today's service is, "How does your faith, your Unitarian Universalist faith, call you to work the rocky ground of injustice.

Seeds of March
The snow is melting, the ice is gone, can the daffodils be far behind? On this cusp of spring, what seeds will we plant? How soft does the ground have to be?


Permissions:
Text for "Surprised by Joy" by Erik Routley, copyright 1985 Hope Publishing Co. Permission to stream through OneLicense.

"Truth and Honesty" by Peter Allen, Burt Bacharach, and Carole Bayer Sager, copyright Begonia Melodies, Irving Music, and Woolnough Music. BMI/ASCAP. Permission to stream through CCS WorshipCast license.

"It's Okay" by Karl Edwards and Desree Weekes (Des'ree), copyright Reverb America Music and Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing. BMI. Permission to stream through CCS WorshipCast license.

The need to look at how we as UUs can address systemic racism and oppression within our movement and within our principles has been a topic of discussion for a very long time. In 2013, the first draft of an 8th principle was crafted to address this need. Today, we look at this principle as a way to "renew our commitment to this work, to hold ourselves accountable, and to fulfill the potential of our existing principles."

Welcome to First Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbus' Sunday service. This month we are talking about Beloved Community. Today's service features story, music, and dialogue on what Beloved Community means to us.

A Dialogue on Beloved Community
Rev. Dr. Marian Stewart and Don Jones

Some communities, especially religious ones, have central narratives, precepts or doctrines that hold people together, “ties that bind” as the old hymn goes. As Unitarian Universalists, who embrace a plurality of beliefs and hold no singular creed, what holds us together in shared community? Join us in a dialogue to explore the promises and the challenges of being a beloved community as First UU’s and in the broader church.

Permissions:
"Can You Feel It" by Michael Jackson and Jackie Jackson, copyright MIJAC Music and Siggy Music, Inc. BMI. Permission to stream through CCS WorshipCast.
"One Love" by Bob Marley, copyright Blackwell Fuller Music and Fifty Six Hope Road Music. ASCAP. Permission to stream through CCS WorshipCast.
"We Would Be One", words by Samuel Anthony Wright, music by Jean Sibelius (arrangement from The Hymnal covered by OneLicense)