Annual Meeting to Be Held Sunday, March 9, 2025
Your NUUC Board of Trustees has called for the Annual Meeting of the congregation to be held immediately after worship on Sunday, March 9, 2025. We will elect new officers to the Board and Leadership Development Committee, as well as hear updates on ongoing programs and projects. All members are eligible to vote, and you may vote whether you are attending the meeting in person or online. To attend online, simply remain tuned into the worship zoom link at the end of service. A complete agenda for the meeting, supporting documents, and the annual report is available for download by clicking here.
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Please Help Provide Hospitality!
We need your help to provide hospitality to our visitors on Sunday morning. It has never been easier to host Coffee hour--everything you need except snacks can be found in our beautiful new kitchen. Very simple instructions for how to make coffee and set up are posted on the kitchen wall. Please sign up to host coffee or greet by clicking here! Thank you!
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New Adult Enrichment Opportunity: Claiming our Spiritual Leadership
One of the purposes of UU congregations is to inspire and support all people to affirm and practice their Spiritual Leadership. Spiritual Leadership is not reserved for religious professionals or lay leaders. It is an orientation and practice by which every one of us creates, sustains, and restores beloved community. Community in which each person experiences belonging, equity, and well-being regardless of identity, role or rank. We need Spiritual Leadership everywhere: our homes, schools, places of work, neighborhoods, communities. As covenanted communities, congregations are perhaps especially suited to nourish and support it. People of faith who long for a transformed world are called to claim their Spiritual Leadership. Our souls need it. Our congregations need it. Our world needs it. In this adult enrichment opportunity, expect to spend a few hours learning on your own by watching some videos and responding to some prompts, and then sometime together as a group that Rev. Susan will facilitate. We’ll start by scheduling two group sessions but we can extend those if those gathered so desire. Our first unit will explore what Spiritual Leadership is, and how we can claim, identify and act on our own gifts as well as supporting others to do the same. The second unit will focus on cultivating the skills of spiritual leadership: understanding our spiritual grounding, avoiding reactivity, and engaging in covenantal relationships. If you are interesting in participating, please email Rev. Susan at minister@nuuc.org before March 13, and then she will reach out to those interested to find a mutually convenient time to meet.
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A two-session New Adult Enrichment Opportunity: “Humanism and UU”
Unitarian Universalism is a big-tent religion. It attracts and nurtures the religious, the spiritual-but-not-religious, and the not-spiritual (or at least the non-believers in the supernatural.) People in that last group might see themselves as humanists.
Dick Leavy will be offering a two-part exploration called “Humanism and UU” on Sundays, March 2 and March 16 after worship services. In Part 1, we will discuss the history of humanism and its contemporary place in society. In Part 2, we will look specifically at the ties between humanism and UU. This “class” should be a good opportunity to hear the values and beliefs of others in the congregation and voice your own. No need to sign up--if you are interested, just head to Classroom Number 3 at 11:45 AM on March 2.
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Religious Exploration at NUUC
First Friday for Families - March 7 @ 6pm
Bring the whole family to NUUC for some casual community time. We'll provide dinner, play a movie (probably a Studio Ghibli film) for kids, and have time for adults to chat. Please RSVP with the number of people attending and any dietary needs to Morgan at morgan@nuuc.org by Sunday, March 2.
D&D Group Meets on March 9 and 23
After service, join our adventuring party on a thrilling campaign. No experience or sign up necessary! Grab coffee and a snack and head to Room 1.
Anime Club -- First Meeting March 16
Join us to relax, eat some popcorn, and watch an Anime movie. All are welcome, but we will watch some PG-13 films. No registration required. Reach out to Morgan at morgan@nuuc.org for more information.
Trail Blazers: NUUC Summer Camp Aug. 4-8
For the first time, NUUC is hosting a summer camp! Learn more and register. We would love it if you helped us spread the word by sharing with your networks. In addition, we will need volunteers during the week of camp. Email Morgan at morgan@nuuc.org if you would like to volunteer.
Thanks!
Morgan Patten, Director of Religious Exploration
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Mowing Volunteeers Needed
Mowing season will soon be upon us, and we’re going to be scheduling volunteers to care for the grounds starting the second week of April. Mowing at NUUC is a BLAST with the zero-turn-radius mower. Talk about spin on a dime! The entire property can usually be done in about two or three hours. Please email tedhicks54@gmail.com, or call or text Ted at 832-465-4207.
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Drum Cicle Scheduled for March 16, 12:30PM
Our "Beyond Words Covenant Group" featured event for March, a drum circle led by Iggy Garcia, had to be postponed because of inclement weather. We have rescheduled for Sunday, March 16 at NUUC from 12:30 - 2:00pm. (note new time)
To recap briefly: Iggy leads drum circles all around Central Ohio and beyond - at Reiki centers in Columbus, Westerville, Bellefontaine, Hillsborough, Delaware; Grief and Healing circles sponsored by Ohio Health; and as the weather gets warmer, convenes large, outdoor drum gatherings. Feel free to bring your own percussion instruments; Iggy will also have instruments to share. No experience necessary. A pow wow and meditation will also be included, which can be done seated or bring a yoga or other mat to lie on the floor. $10 freewill donation suggested.
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Report from Our Treasurer, Aaron Saling
January marks the mid-way point of our fiscal year. Click here for a report that provides a high-level summary of income and expenses through January.
I'm pleased to report that the congregation is in good financial shape to-date.
Our income (pledge and non-pledge) has come in $33K ahead of budget (we've received 60% of our budgeted income by the mid-point of our fiscal year). In the past our income has fluctuated a bit from month to month, so I'll continue to monitor things as we make our way through the latter months of the fiscal year.
Our expenses are slightly over budget (approx. $1,000) primarily driven by higher than anticipated repairs/maintenance (tree trimming), security system maintenance (fire prevention service charges and setup) and our property insurance bill (which was paid in one lump sum at the beginning of the year). Offsetting these higher-than expected expenses are savings in some of our smaller expense accounts.
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Ongoing Ways to Connect
Social Justice Book Group We meet on the 4th Sunday of each month after service for an hour. (about noon to 1) in Classroom 3, to read and discuss books about authortarianism and tyranny. Rev Joan Van Becelaere (retired), facilitator. Email: uujoanvanb@gmail.com
Play games with persons of all ages the second Sunday of the month. There will be both board games and role playing games. We will have a mix of fast-paced family games, strategy games, and fun collaborative games.After worship of the Second Sunday of the month, grab some food and/or a beverage and then head to Room 1 if you'd like to participate in a role playing game, and Room 3 if you'd like to try play a board game. No experience or sign up necessary!
What Moves Us: Unitarian Universalist Theology --First Sundays at 11:45 AM led by Rev. Susan the first Sunday of the month each month starting in October 2024 and concluding in February 2025.. Both adults and teens are welcome. Join No need to sign up, just show up to Room 1 at 11:45 AM. . You are welcome to attend just a few or all of these sessions. Through shared direct experiences and reflection exercises, readings and lessons, and ethical deliberations, What Moves Us creates an adult faith journey for those people who want to be able to better articulate their beliefs and understand how they connect with Unitarian Universalism.
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. Upcoming books are as follows:
March The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
April Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
May Upon the Hush of Night by Tony Marconi
Beyond Words Covenant Group Pam Spence is coordinating a new 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.
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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.
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