NUUC January 2026 Newsletter

January 2026

Assistance for Immigrants

Some of our members have been volunteering to pack food boxes for delivery to immigrant families "sheltering in place" as ICE continues to terrorize our community. They volunteered at the Community Free Store, operated by the Our Helpers local nonprofit, which supports area immigrant and refugee families((near the Morse Road exit off I-71). You can provide support by donating to Our Helpers, and/or volunteering your time. Here are the details:

Donating to Our Helpers

The most effective way to help get food into the hands of at-risk immigrant families is by making a monetary donation to Our Helpers (which has been honored by the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the Governor's Office of Community and Faith-Based Initiatives). The organization will use your donation to buy food at wholesale prices through the Mid-Ohio Food Collective, which means your dollars go further than they would if you buy at retail prices from local grocery stores. Here's the link to make a monetary contribution: Donate to Support Our Helpers

Volunteer Your Time

Some mornings from 8:30 to 11 am, volunteers are needed to pack boxes, pick up food donations, shop at grocery stores for last-minute items, or deliver groceries to the doors of families who don't feel safe leaving their homes. The last we knew, volunteers are needed for Jan 3 and 4, although this will likely change. In any case, you can see the latest need for volunteers here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeYXCDl8SJAG0GrMK7iMSwxXiyWNanuAUR0GOhsBZi9hL2cLA/viewform

Currently, because we are not yet known as a group to Our Helpers, we need to sign up as individual volunteers rather than a NUUC team for safety reasons. But this is just the start of the ways we may be able to help our immigrant neighbors.

Thank you!

NUUC Painting Circle to Begin Meeting

If you like to draw or paint, consider attending NUUC’s Painting Circle. We will meet to create and socialize after the worship service (11:45am – 1:30pm) on the first Sunday of each month, starting on January 4, 2026. Bring whatever you are working on. If watercolor is a medium you like, we have the equipment --- brushes, paints, water containers--- so just bring watercolor paper. No need to sign up, no need to make a commitment; just show up.

Dungeons & Dragons resumes starting January 11th in Room 1 - all ages and skill levels welcome

Ongoing Ways to Connect

Mindful Writing meets monthly, with members sharing a variety of written pieces and thoughts. All are welcome! Please contact Marty Keith if you're interested in joining the group so she can send you time and the Zoom link. martykeith@zoho.com

Brown Bag Books Discussion Group meets monthly at noon on the Third Tuesday of each month, in Room 3 at church.

January Lincoln in the Bardo

Beyond Words Covenant Group Pam Spence is coordinating a covenant group, "Beyond Words." The group will explore a variety of paths that help deepen spiritual connection focused on "whole body" experience by participating in local initiatives. Experiences we will pursue might include, singing bowls/sound baths, drum circles, chanting, labyrinth walking, heart-centered meditation, Dances of Universal Peace, animal assisted prayer and meditation - depending on the interest of the group. We will each be responsible for any fee involved and, of course, you are not obligated to participate in any of the events. Contact: pammy.spence@gmail.com or text at 740-816-1905 for further information. Pam holds a MA in Transformational Theater/ Sacred Drama from Antioch University and is a commissioned community minister through the Federation of Christian Ministries, licensed through the state of Ohio.

Life has a way of rushing by. Sometimes we feel the need to pause or to reflect more deeply. Join me for a virtual half hour of mindful contemplation that is inclusive, non-judgmental and expectation free. I’ll bring a mix of poetry, music, breathwork, silence, or meditation to create a space for you to relax. Participants are muted. Feel free to turn your video off. Please engage in whatever way feels most meaningful to you. A Space for Reflection is freely offered the third Wednesday of the month at 7:00pm on Zoom. Registration is required (link here).

As for me, Karen McGuire, the facilitator, I’m a lifelong Unitarian Universalist, a retired educator, and a trained Interspiritual Companion who finds it necessary to stop every once in a while, and pay attention.

New Feature: Members' Bulletin Board

Are you involved in something you'd like to share with the congregation? Now there's a way to include that in the newsletter. Just email Barb Lubberger for inclusion in the monthly email newsletter at: blubberg@gmail.com. Since the newsletter comes out at the beginning of each month, you will need to send your event to Barb in the month preceding your event. For example, for an event that will be held in October, you'd send the notice in September.