The Spiritual Life & Learning Center

Tai Chi for Balance
2023-12-11 10:00 - 10:45, 2023-12-18 10:00 - 10:45 (America/New_York) | First Community South, 1320 Cambridge Blvd, Columbus, OH 43212, Columbus, OH, 43212, United States
Mondays
10-10:45 am
Weist Room
First Community South
Feeling stressed, anxious, unbalanced? Then Tai Chi practice is for you. Come join us for 45 minutes of easy, relaxed moves that will strengthen stability, improve balance and reduce stress. The 16 easy-to-learn movements of Tai Chi for Balance levels 1,2, and 3 are taught with mindful attention in a supportive and fun atmosphere. Beginning and experienced students are all welcome to participate. For questions, please contact Sally Kriska, Instructor, Diane Sturges, Instructor, or Jeff Watts, Instructor..
Click HERE for more information

Group Spiritual Direction
2023-12-17 12:15 - 13:45, 2024-01-21 12:15 - 13:45, 2024-02-25 12:15 - 13:45, 2024-03-17 12:15 - 13:45, 2024-04-21 12:15 - 13:45 | First Community North, 3777 Dublin Rd, Columbus, OH, 43221, United States
Monthly Group Spiritual Direction

Third Sundays
beginning November 19, 2023
January 21
*February 25* *Please notice this change in date*
March 17
April 21
12:15-1:45 pm
First Community North
Room 107 (Parlor)
Register HERE
Monthly Group Spiritual Direction Gatherings
Interested in exploring your spiritual growth and development?
If so, perhaps group spiritual direction is a journey you might consider.
What is Group Spiritual Direction?
This ministry offers the opportunity for greater awareness of divine presence or what matters most.
Who may participate in Group Spiritual Direction?
These gatherings are open to everyone. All are welcome.
What does Group Spiritual Direction Offer?
– A space for spiritual exploration and spiritual growth.
– Spiritual practices such as loving-kindness contemplation, Tonglen, Lectio Divina, meditation, breath practices and more will be offered as pathways to recognizing the divine or what matters most.
– An opportunity to share our spiritual stories.
– A place to use our “holy listening” skills as others share their stories.
– Support in learning how to recognize the divine presence or what matters most.
– An opportunity for deepening our relationship with God or what matters most.
– Confidence in following our nudges from the divine or what matters most.
When will Group Spiritual Direction meet?
Group spiritual direction will take place on the following third Sundays of each month at 12:15pm – 1:45pm at FC-North in room 107 (The Parlor). The specific dates are listed above.

About the facilitator, Jodi Patton
Spiritual director, Jodi Patton, is a graduate of The Chaplaincy Institute Interfaith Seminary & Community based in Berkeley, California. This interfaith spiritual direction certification program teaches a non-directive interfaith approach to help people discern their own deep inner wisdom and to live with a deeper sense of connection and alignment with spirit/what matters most. The primary faith traditions that are part of this training are Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Indigenous Religions, Islam, Shamanism, Taoism and a few others. Since 1998, Jodi has been leading classes in mindfulness, meditation, and yoga, and is a Reiki master teacher/practitioner offering all degrees of Reiki training. Jodi currently serves on the First Community congregational care ministry and social justice teams.
Questions?
Please email Jodi Patton at jodilynne737@gmail.com

Monthly Ministries 4 Movement Marches
2024-01-07 15:00, 2024-02-04 15:00, 2024-03-03 15:00, 2024-04-07 15:00, 2024-05-05 15:00, 2024-06-02 15:00, 2024-07-07 15:00, 2024-08-04 15:00 and 2 more dates | Family Missionary Baptist Church, 996 Oakwood Ave, Columbus, OH, United States
Several members of the Racial Equity and Gun Violence Prevention (GVPMT) Ministry Teams participate monthly in a march and worship/information session with members of the Family Missionary Baptist Church and Ministries 4 Movement partners in the South End of Columbus the first Sunday of each month. First Community is recognized as an official partner of Ministries 4 Movement. We continue to work with this community and other partners for sustainment and new opportunities to contribute to justice causes. These marches occur the first Sunday of each month (rain or shine) at 3pm.
If interest in attending these events, please contact: John Girardor for more information, click HERE.

Mindfully EnVISIONing Your Year: A 2-Part Experience
2024-01-17 18:00 - 19:00, 2024-01-24 18:00 - 19:00 | First Community North, 3777 Dublin Rd, Columbus, OH, 43221, United States
Wednesdays, January 17 and 24
6-7 pm
First Community North
We have reached capacity for this event. Look for similar events later this year!
Thanks for your interest!
Part 1 (Jan 17):
In this workshop you’ll create a vision board highlighting your intentions and values related to mindful living in 2024 and beyond. All materials are provided!
Part 2 (Jan 24):
Take part in a guided visualization of what mindful living looks/feels/sounds like to you and meditate on this (or just rest and tune out!) during a relaxing, restorative crystal singing bowl sound bath. Please bring a yoga mat, pillow, and blanket.
Facilitated by Katy Oberle
Katy Oberle is a Columbus native who grew up attending FCC and Camp Akita. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist turned Creative Mindfulness Coach, and a singer/songwriter. Through her business Katy Oberle Creative she provides creative mindfulness programming to individuals, groups, and organizations to help them manage stress, enhance connection, and access self-compassion, gratitude, wonder, creativity, and joy. She is also co-founder of The Be Sanctuary, a new mindfulness-based wellness community in UA, as well as a Sr. Artist-in-Residence at Ohio Health Cancer Centers in Dublin and Delaware, providing music and sound baths to patients and their families. Katy was commissioned by the Spiritual Life and Learning Center in fall 2022 to write an original song for the unveiling of their new name and logo.

Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson
2024-01-27 09:30 - 12:30, 2024-01-28 09:00 - 12:00 | First Community North, 3777 Dublin Rd, Columbus, OH, 43221, United States
Meeting
Saturday, January 27, 2024
9:30 am-12:30 pm
Sunday, January 28, 2024
Preaching all 3 Services
(click link for times and locations)
This form is an optional registration for the Saturday talk. Walk-ins are welcome to attend.
All are welcome to join us at any of the services on Sunday, no registration necessary.
Join us for a weekend with
Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson
General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ
Ordained minister, administrator, theologian, and poet with a demonstrated history of working in the church, in ecumenical organizations and nonprofit organizations. Skilled in executive leadership with a focus on fiscal management, organizational development, and change leadership. Truly, she is an inspiring preacher and theologian, who shares her skills and gifts in a variety of settings nationally and internationally, often using her poetry as a part of her ministry.
Click here to learn more about our special guest.
Register Here!
All are welcome!
Watch Spiritual-Center.org and FCchurch.com for updates.
Any questions, please email JBratka@FCchurch.com

Finding Our Way Together: Connected Conversations
2024-07-13 09:30 - 12:30 | First Community South, 1320 Cambridge Blvd, Columbus, OH 43212, Columbus, OH, 43212, United States
Saturday, July 13
9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Burkhart Chapel
First Community South
Led by Barbara Allen
Register HERE
Join us for an engaging and inclusive workshop designed to enhance your resilience and deep listening skills in an ever-changing world filled with diverse voices and numerous pathways. Through hands-on activities and dynamic group discussions, you’ll learn how to navigate the noise, identify meaningful signals, and find your way with kindness and confidence.
We will explore:
– Techniques for nimble resilience to adapt and thrive amidst change
– Strategies for deep listening that foster genuine connection and understanding
– Practical tools for wayfinding in complex and uncertain environments
Expect a welcoming and supportive environment where all voices are valued. Together, we’ll create a fun, safe, and impactful experience. Join us in building a more inclusive and resilient community.

Introduction to the Enneagram
2024-08-17 09:30 - 12:30 | First Community South, 1320 Cambridge Blvd, Columbus, OH 43212, Columbus, OH, 43212, United States
Saturday, August 17
9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Burkhart Chapel
First Community South
Register HERE
The Enneagram is a dynamic blueprint of human personality that reveals how we organize experiences and find meaning in our lives. It describes nine distinct patterns of attitude and behavior and reveals many reasons why we think and behave the way we do. Knowledge of the nine personality styles of the Enneagram provides a foundation for a better understanding of ourselves, and it promotes compassionate relationships by understanding the needs and perspectives of everyone we encounter.
Presented by Connie Frecker and Lisa Bueche of the Enneagram Institute of Ohio.

Leaning In: A faith response to the 2024 election
2024-09-14 09:00 - 12:00 | First Congregational Church, 444 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH, 43215, United States
September 14
9 am-noon
First Congregational Church
Parish Hall
444 E. Broad St.
More Information and Registration
Can Be Found HERE

In partnership with the Spiritual Life and Learning Center (SL&LC) and the Interfaith Association of Central Ohio (IACO): Join us for this interactive workshop where we learn how to listen to each other, even when we hold strongly differing opinions.

These are divisive times. But do they need to be? As people of faith, we can take the lead in engaging with others when we don’t see eye to eye… and doing so with respect and civility.
While we believe in the separation of church and state, we also believe that elections are matters of faith. We can hold both of these truths.
The Interfaith Association of Central Ohio, The Spiritual Life and learning Center and The Spirituality Network are working together to help us prepare for the upcoming November election and learning how to live with the results.

Bible 101
2024-10-13 09:00 - 10:00, 2024-10-20 09:00 - 10:00, 2024-10-27 09:00 - 10:00 | First Community South, 1320 Cambridge Blvd, Columbus, OH 43212, Columbus, OH, 43212, United States
Sundays
October 13-November 17, 2024
9-10 am
First Community South
Library
Register HERE
Join the Spiritual Life & Learning Center and facilitators Judy and David Westman as we explore a foundational knowledge of the Bible through the lens of the theology of First Community.
Topics include:

What is the Bible?
Covenants
Literature
Studying
Gospels
Paul’s Letters

Questions?
Please email Jen Bratka, Program Administrator, at JBratka@FCchurch.com.

Sunday Intersections
2024-10-13 12:30 - 13:30, 2024-10-20 12:30 - 13:30 | First Community North, 3777 Dublin Rd, Columbus, OH, 43221, United States
Sundays
12:30-1:30 pm
First Community North
Room 101
Adult Sunday school returns to First Community during Sunday Intersections-Where Spirituality, Life, & Learning converge.
Our gatherings will explore a variety of issues through presentations, reflection, and discussion.
This spring, will watch the Prophetic Voices Film Series and discuss.
Feb 9,16, 23: Bonhoeffer
March 2, 9: Reinhold Niebuhr
March 16, 23: Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel
March 30, April 6: Dorothy Day
April 13, 20: Not Meeting (Holy Week)
April 27, May 4: Howard Thurman
Registration is not required, but appreciated. Let us know you’ll join us by clicking HERE.
Any questions, please email Jen Bratka, Program Administrator.

Group Spiritual Direction
2024-10-27 12:15 - 13:30 | First Community North, 3777 Dublin Rd, Columbus, OH, 43221, United States
Fourth* Sundays
12:15-1:30 pm
First Community North
Room 107 (Parlor)
October 27, November 24, December 15*
January 26, February 23, March 23, April 27
Register HERE

Monthly Group Spiritual Direction Gatherings
Interested in exploring your spiritual growth and development?
If so, perhaps group spiritual direction is a journey you might consider.
What is Group Spiritual Direction?
This ministry offers the opportunity for greater awareness of divine presence or what matters most.
Who may participate in Group Spiritual Direction?
These gatherings are open to everyone. All are welcome.
What does Group Spiritual Direction Offer?
– A space for spiritual exploration and spiritual growth.
– Spiritual practices such as loving-kindness contemplation, Tonglen, Lectio Divina, meditation, breath practices and more will be offered as pathways to recognizing the divine or what matters most.
– An opportunity to share our spiritual stories.
– A place to use our “holy listening” skills as others share their stories.
– Support in learning how to recognize the divine presence or what matters most.
– An opportunity for deepening our relationship with God or what matters most.
– Confidence in following our nudges from the divine or what matters most.
Questions?
Please email Jodi Patton, facilitator, at Jodilynne737@gmail.com or Jen Bratka, Program Administrator at JBratka@FCchurch.com.
*Please note that December’s date is the THIRD Sunday of the month.
