First UU Columbus

This is a monthly discussion forum focusing on topics of interest to atheists and agnostics within the community.

This is a monthly book group focused on exploring and discussing existing literature on various topics. The topics are chosen by consensus; and then each reader chooses a book based on the topic. Brief reviews are shared, followed by lively discussion. Passionate readers welcome!

Facilitator: Kathleen Boston (614-262-4025)
3rd Tuesdays of Month, 7:00 pm
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Thursdays,

February 2 & 16 and March 1 and 15 at 7 pm

Registration required.

Don Shartzer creates the space for a small group experience, focusing on the spiritual practice of deep listening. Share personal reflections on relgious themes, using words, drawing and other artistic media. The group also comes to know one another better by sharing the ups and downs of daily lives. Open to everyone, newcomers will find a place to start learning more about who we are as a faith and sharing your own spiritual journeys.

This long-running series of talks by noted community leaders and scholars will look at provocative issues of the day. For 1st Fridays: Bring something to share for the potluck meal at 6:30 pm, and then remain for the Forum at 7:30 pm.

Facilitator: Earl Wurdlow ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
1st Fridays of Month, 7:30 pm
and 2nd Sundays of Month, 12:45 pm
No Registration Required

This rather unstructured, non-competitive, non-demanding, and (relatively) non-instructional class is about easy movement to music. Participants are invited to simply engage with the music and move.

Facilitator: Barbara Taylor, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
2nd & 4th Sat 11:00 am - noon; Ongoing
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This event introduces and screens the documentary, "Journey of the Universe", by Brian Swimme and Mary Evelyn Tucker, which is currently being screened at various film festivals across the country this Fall - in addition to being broadcast on PBS. A brief discussion may follow screenings; however, a more comprehensive discussion of the documentary will ensue on the last event date (see below). Specifics about the documentary can be found at:  http://www.journeyoftheuniverse.org.

Facilitator: Wanda Hambrick, (614) 433-0363
Sundays, Screening- October 9 &23 7:15-9:00 pm; Discussion- November 13  7:15-9:00 pm

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It has been said, "a picture can say a thousand words." This forum enables those interested to make a picture soul collage, a pleasing and meaningful picture that can be created using only scissors, paper, and glue!

Facilitator: Laurie Doerfler (614-657-6436)
2nd and 4th Thursdays of Month, 7:00 — 9:00 pm
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After an initial introduction of "Third Wave Feminism", this group will meet monthly to discuss chosen reading topics of feminist literature, exploring the background of  each author and related subjects.

Facilitator: Nancy McDonald, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
2nd Tue 7:00 - 9:30 pm; Start Oct 11
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A UU Board-appointed team with the mission to help make church operations more sustainable and cost effective, educate members about greener lifestyles, and join in common cause with local environmental groups.

Facilitator: Tom Baillieul ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
3rd Sundays of Month, 12:30 pm
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Once monthly gathering of those who have an interest or practice in the visual arts. Various discussion topics suggested by the group and opportunities to show "works in progress."

Facilitator: John Dickenson (614-888-7677)
4th Sundays of Month, after 2nd Service
No Registration Required

Ah, what relaxation comes from a good foot massage! Come alone or bring a buddy to practice the art of foot massage and learn about reflexology (a cousin to acupressure). You can bring a pillow, towel, and/or a recliner lawn chair to elevate the feet. Participants will be able to pair up to practice on each other.

Facilitator: Tina Thonnings, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Friday, November 11  7:30 - 9:00pm
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March 9, 7-9:30 pm, Worship Center

Registration Required

Paula Cole Jones, a national leader in multi-cultural ministries joins us for a very special evening. Often the voices of the marginalized are silent in telling their own history. Demographics can be mere statistics absent these voices. Together those gathered will give voice to immigrant's own words, as captured in Jones' book Encounters: poems about race, ethnicity and identity. It helps us enmesh ourselves in the truth, beyond the statistics. The words of immigrants shift our perception of history and a new reality emerges.

Saturdays, Feb. 4 through March 10  at 1 pm

Registration required

An intense look at several aspects of the issues of immigration and migration. Not a class for wusses; certainly a class for those who want to know what all the UU fuss is about. We will vary a bit from the UU-designed curriulum to include a local expert of two. 

The curriculum is on line and there is homework. You might as well get a peek at what homework you need to complete before the first class. http://uua.org/immigration/moral/guide/index.shtml

Facilitated by Jolinda Stephens, Director of Religious Education.

Guided free dance.

Facilitator: Jane Foss
Each Thursday, 9:30 am

Facilitator: Barbara Taylor
Each Saturday, 11:00 am

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Are you a “Strict constructionist?” and what does that mean anyways. With so many assertions and misstatements currently flying around about the U.S. Constitution and the “intent” of its signers, here's a chance to get to the bottom of things. This two-part class will read and discuss the actual language of the Constitution and it's amendments and look at the social/historical context of its various sections. Included will be a look at how the philosophies of the European Enlightenment of the 18th Century found concrete expression in our founding document. Participants will also get an introduction to views of the Constitution's framers and the debates that raged through a selection of the Federalist Papers.

This will be an interactive discussion guided by a knowledgeable facilitator, not a lecture. Each participant will be provided with a pocket-sized copy of the Constitution.

Facilitator: Bill Keating, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Tuesdays, October 18 &November 6  7:00-9:00 pm
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In this introductory class, participants will learn more about various types of yarns, tools, and equipment. Basic stitches and easy patterns will also be covered.

Facilitator: Joanne Wiggins, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
1st and 3rd Thur 7:00-8:30 pm; Start: 10/6, End: 11/17
Class free; supply list to be provided upon registration
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Participants will be invited to pace out the distance from the sun to the planets on a scale of 1 foot = 1 million miles. Physical representations of the planets, to the same scale, will be placed at the approximate distances of their orbits. The presentation is designed to be interesting for both adults and children (age 8 and above). Families are encouraged to share the experience.

Facilitator: Tom Baillieul, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Saturday, November 19th 10:00 am - noon
Please register for more information

Please register for more information.

Facilitators: Kathleen Boston (614-262-4025)

 Wanda Hambrick (614-433-0363)
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Explore in a non-threatening, spiritually sensitive environment, what it means to be a male in the 21st century.

Facilitator: Greg Houston
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 Why do we eat? How do we eat? Mindfulness can help us to recognize triggers for eating and how to better manage our eating. As we pay more attention to our eating, we may enjoy our food more and possibly eat less. Participants will discuss triggers for eating and how we can substitute healthy behaviors when encountering some of those triggers. We will experiment with meditation and mindful eating (real food). Participants should inform the leader about any food allergies in advance of the course.

Facilitator:Matthew Fleming, PCC-S, (614) 233-1959
Wednesday, November 9  7:00 - 9:00 pm
Please register for more information