First UU Columbus

We Shine

March 5th through May 2nd, 2010

The current art show, "We Shine" represents 31 artists from our church community. These 50 artworks include painting, fiber, kinetic art, mixed media, paper mache, photo montage, photography, pastel, colored pencil and more.  Artists range in age from 13 to over 80!  We are an artful community. Come view the show from March 5-May 2 open daily 9-5.

Wednesdays, March 31st, April 7th and 14th, 7 – 9 PM
Contact Tom Baillieul or Len Powlick

What does art tell us about the diversity of beliefs and practices in early Christianity? How was the 1st Millennium different from anything we've ever been taught? We'll explore the paucity of crucifixion and resurrection images in early Christian churches - and ponder the meaning of the Celtic Sheela-na-gig, a stylized carving of a female placed over church doorways to ward off evil with graphically displayed genitalia. We'll see how the Christian church communicated doctrine to its followers through the media of painting, sculpture, mosaic, and theater. Why and how did things change, and how are these changes reflected in the art of the times? We'll draw on ideas presented in the 2009 book, Saving Paradise, by Rita Nakashima Brock and Rebecca Ann Parker (described in the Summer 2008 UU World) and various art history books.

Registration requested

Exploring our Mission Statement with our ministers, religious educator and board member
This Winter and Spring we look at the implications of the bold stand the congregation took June 2009. What does true hospitality look like? What contribution do the generous heart and the reasoning mind make to our anti-oppression, multi-cultural work? Should a primary goal of First UU be racial and ethnic diversity? What on earth is privilege and how do we relinquish it?  These are important questions to ponder together as we move forward.

Sunday, March 21, 1 to 3 pm

The Rev. Mark Belletini leads us in an examination of the various theories circulating in the Unitarian Universalist world about diversity within congregations. Is diversity within our congregations a primary goal, a partial reality or something itself understood in diverse ways? How do those understandings support members in their desires to live a more integrated life? How do they help develop skills, teach knowledge, create structure and stoke passion which together could make our congregation a leader in fighting oppression in Franklin County?

Registration requested

In April veteran diversity/anti-oppression trainer and board member Bob Gordon  will help us explore our privileges and ways to use them to dismantle oppression.