Friday's News & Announcements 

Happy Friday!

In 1853 Henry David Thoreau wrote:

“Live in each season as it passes, breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each. Be blown on by all the winds. Open all your pores and bathe in all the tides of Nature, in all her streams and oceans, at all seasons. Grow green with spring, yellow and ripe with autumn. Drink of each season’s influence as a vial.”

Life was precarious in 1853 much as it is now, so I found this reminder incredibly valuable to look to the precious miracles that surround us always. I always love autumn with its crisp air and brilliant foliage and this helps me value its gifts even more. May we always remember to look.

Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley

Lead Minister

Generational Generosity

Celebration Reception

Sunday, November 2 at Noon

The generosity of members we have lost has allowed us to fund several long term facility needs. There will be a reception following the 11am service on November 2 to celebrate these recent and ongoing building improvements. We invite you to bring a savory or sweet dish to share with soup that will be provided. When we all come together, amazing things are created!

Building improvements highlights include: new roof, all new LED lighting in offices and SYC classrooms, new refrigerator, freezer, and more new appliances planned. Coming soon: Worship Center carpeting replacement, solar panels (which will meet over half our electricity needs!), parking lot repairs. And thanks to our wonderful volunteers for recent garden maintenance & plantings. (for more information on these projects or to volunteer, contact Brian Hagemann brian@firstuucolumbus.org)

First Friday Spaghetti Dinner:

Board Games with the Board!

Friday, November 7 at 6:30 pm

November's First Friday is hosted by the Board of Trustees! Come enjoy a spaghetti dinner and then get to know our board members over some board games!

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!

Concert Series Event: Katy Oberle

Saturday, November 8 at 7 pm

Join singer-songwriter Katy Oberle for "Honoring the Web: Songs of Interconnection" on Saturday, Nov. 8 at 7pm in the Worship Center. She will be joined by guests The Sabrist and Kurt Smith & Adam Smith. This concert will also celebrate the release of Katy's new EP, Web. The concert is free, but donations will be taken for World Central Kitchen. We hope to see you there!

Join the Family (or Adult) RE Team!

Together We Make Multigenerational Community Possible!

Huge thanks to everyone who attended the recent Religious Exploration Jump-Start! We came together to learn about the history of family ministry at First UU, take a look at where we are now, envision our biggest hopes and dreams for the future, and determine the next steps needed to get us there.

As part of this process we are re-convening the Family and Adult Religious Exploration Teams, and we are very excited to get started! To expand program capacity we will be identifying a variety of volunteer opportunities (including bite sized and short term options) and everyone is invited to get involved!

To volunteer in our family ministry or adult education programs, please fill out this form, or email Amber! We are also holding interest meetings after the service on 11/16 and 12/7, from 12:30-1:30pm, in room 301. See you there!

FREE Mobile Produce Markets

& Student Meals provided by

City of Columbus Recreation & Parks

We know that with the government shutdown, a lot of our neighbors, friends, and community are struggling with filling their most basic needs. The City of Columbus Recreation & Parks is providing fresh produce at no cost every Thursday & Friday through Nov. 21. Visit the Mobile Produce Markets website for locations and more information.

In addition to the Produce Market, free meals for school-age children will be provided from 3:30-5pm at the City of Columbus Afterschool Program sites including: Adams, Barack, Blackburn, Douglas, driving Park, Far East, Glenwood, Holton, Howard, Linden, Milo-Grogan, Sullivant Gardens, Feddersen and Woodward Park.

Keeping Love at the Center

To read about how UU's across the country are helping their communities during the SNAP Crisis, check out this article on www.uua.org. You might see some familiar names!

BREAD Annual Assembly

November 17, 2025 at 7 pm

Exciting News: At BREAD’s All-Team Assembly Monday, the three problems democratically selected for all BREAD network members to choose from at BREAD’s Annual Assembly are: Housing, Education, and Living Wage! Anyone may attend, but only network members may vote. If you are interested in becoming a network member, email our BREAD Team or connect with one of our members on Sunday: Alice Rathburn, Chris Johnson, or Marilyn Webster.

Spread the Word!

Fund for Immigration Legal Assistance (FILA)

Faithify Campaign

First UU’s Fund for Immigration Legal Assistance (FILA) just kicked off a crowdfunding campaign through the UUA’s Faithify site. We need your help! Please share this campaign with everyone you know! This exciting campaign will increase FILA’s capacity to help immigrants in the Central Ohio area. Let's build the excitement!

Learn more at: Faithify.org/FILA-Fund-for-Immigration-Legal-Assistance

Volunteer with the

Immigration Community Response Hub

Our community's most vulnerable populations need YOUR help!

The Immigration Community Response Hub is a group of local organizers and volunteers who care deeply about protecting immigrants and their rights in Columbus. Sign up with the Hub to help support this community through actions such as ICE Watch, ICE rapid response, Accompanying immigrants to court hearings, Resources delivery, Legal counsel, Translation, and Organizing.

This list is not exhaustive. A problem of this magnitude and complexity requires a broad range of expertise and abilities - and we are lucky to have a wealth of experience in our congregation!

Please come by the UU Justice table after the second worship service starting on Sunday, October 26th to speak to Kari Hicks or Chris Johnson to sign up and get involved!

Pathways to Membership

Sunday, November 9, 2025

8:30 am - 2:00 pm

Register Online

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

This class will acquaint you with our church and our faith before you consider a commitment of membership to First UU.

Election Day Food Drive

SNAP benefits will stop on Saturday. Red Oak Community School, a mission-aligned tenant housed in First UU Church, is collecting foods to help folks feed their families.

Drop off items at school between now and 3p on Tuesday, November 4 to donate. Collected foods will be delivered to St. Stephen's House. Tell your neighbors who use First UU as their Polling location to bring some food items, household cleaning supplies, or toiletries to donate while they vote!

Ohio Roller Derby - the Skatemare Before Christmas!

4pm Saturday, 11/8, Ohio Expo Center, Lausche Building

Join us for our last home game this calendar year! Ohio Roller Derby faces off in our annual exhibition game - Team Christmas: the Bells vs. Team Halloween: the Ghouls! Doors open at 4pm, and the fun begins at 5! This year Amber will be skating with team Christmas as "Sugar Plum Dare Me." See you there!

Join Liberty Walks

Dharma talk Saturday November 8, 7 to 9 pm

Short Hike following talk

Liberty Walks is a grassroots 501(c)(3) nonprofit embarked on an American pilgrimage: an act of faith in the power of kindness and connection in these challenging times.Three Liberty Walks pilgrims will be in Columbus from November 7-9. They’ve walked 2500 miles so far from Eugene, Oregon en route to Washington, DC. First UU is hosting them during their stay.  

LW's founder, Esther Tishman, an interfaith chaplain and Zen teacher, will be giving a dharma talk at First UU on Saturday 11/8 as part of the Zen Columbus Sangha - and all the walkers will be joining First UU on Sunday service and Friday game night. 

Are you interested in walking a bit with the Liberty Walkers? There will be a short hike after ZSC assembly on Saturday - and an opportunity to walk a mile or more with the pilgrims when they leave town on Monday morning. To join the Walkers on Saturday or Monday, please contact Esther via text at 541-912-7741.

Happening This Sunday, 11/2!

9:15-10am Nouurish Multigenerational Worship Service (sanctuary)

10:00-10:45am Hot Breakfast and Coffee, Tea (kitchen, A/B, Beach Hall)

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

10:30am-12:15pm 13-15year Our Whole Lives  (302)

10:45am-12:15pm Neighboring Faiths 11+yrs (301)

10:45am-12:15pm 6-7year Our Whole Lives (402/3)

11:00am-12:15pm Roots and Wings 13+yrs: HS Spirituality and Big Q's (401)

11:00am-12:00pm Worship Service (sanctuary)

11:15ish-12:15 Spirit Play 3-7yrs: Start in Service Until After Story (102)

11:15ish-12:15 Spirit Play 7-12yrs: Start in Service Until After Story (201)

Kiddos staying w/fam during service: grab Busy Bags in the gallery, explore quiet toys in Wee Worship & Slowter Lounge, or crafts/games in cabinets by the kitchen!

12noon-1pm Generational Generosity Celebration Lunch, Coffee & Snack (Beach)

12:30-2:00 Trans / Gender Non-Conforming Teen Support Group, 14+yrs (library)

12:30-2:00 Trans / GNC Allies, Caregivers, Families Support Group (302)

Register Here! :) https://firstuucolumbus.org/learning/sunday-school/