Conversation with Paul Knitter
2024-04-25 10:00 - 11:30, 2024-05-02 10:00 - 11:30, 2024-05-09 10:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom
Spiritual Life & Learning Center presents:
Paul Knitter, author of
Without Buddha, I Could Not be a Christian
A 4-week series
On Zoom
Thursdays, April 18-May 9
10-11:30 am EST
Register HERE to receive Zoom Link

Beginning Thursday, April 18 and continuing until May 9, we welcome Paul Knitter to our Thursday at 10 group to discuss his book Without Buddha, I Could Not be a Christian.
From the publisher, “Without Buddha I could Not be a Christian narrates how esteemed theologian, Paul F. Knitter overcame a crisis of faith by looking to Buddhism for inspiration. From prayer to how Christianity views life after death, Knitter argues that a Buddhist standpoint can encourage a more person-centered conception of Christianity, where individual religious experience comes first, and liturgy and tradition second. Moving and revolutionary, this book will inspire Christians everywhere.”
Please consider purchasing his book from our partner, Serenity Book Shop. Doing so supports a local, independent book store.
Schedule of topics and discussions:

April 18-Nirvana and God (Chapters 1-3)
April 25-Jesus and Buddha (Chapter 5)
May 2-Prayer and Meditation (Chapter 6)
May 9-Making Peace and Being Peace (Chapter 7)

Women Living the Questions
2024-05-01 09:30 - 11:00, 2024-05-08 09:30 - 11:00, 2024-05-15 09:30 - 11:00, 2024-05-22 09:30 - 11:00, 2024-05-29 09:30 - 11:00, 2024-06-05 09:30 - 11:00, 2024-06-12 09:30 - 11:00, 2024-06-19 09:30 - 11:00 and 8 more dates | Zoom
“Perhaps the secret of living well is not in having all the answers, but in pursuing unanswerable questions in good company.” ~Rachel Naomi Remen
Women Living the Questions welcomes any woman who wishes to pursue difficult questions about what really matters in life in a safe and supportive environment. Books, videos, and the occasional guest speaker support discussions.
Meetings are Wednesdays at 9:30 – 11 am. We meet in person, at First Community North, Room 101, and also on Zoom if you’d prefer.
Email Linda Baldeck for more information, or click HERE to register.

Thursday at Ten: Spiritual Explorations
2024-05-02 10:00 - 11:30, 2024-05-09 10:00 - 11:30 | Zoom
Thursday at 10

Every Thursday
10-11:30 am
on Zoom
On February 8 we will be watching a video on David Brooks, and in the following weeks we will be reading his book, How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Seen.
READING SCHEDULE:
February 15: Chapters 1-5
February 22: Chapters 6-9
February 29: Chapters 10-13
March 1: 7: Chapters 14-17
Facilitated by Connie Johnston.
Any Question, please email Jen Bratka, Spiritual Life & Learning Center, Program Administrator

Please register HERE to receive the Zoom Link.

Monthly Ministries 4 Movement Marches
2024-05-05 15:00, 2024-06-02 15:00, 2024-07-07 15:00, 2024-08-04 15:00 | 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.

Poetry Pop
2024-05-08 18:00 - 19:00 | First Community North, 3777 Dublin Rd, Columbus, OH, 43221, United States
Wednesdays, Once a Month
6-7 pm
First Community North
We will be poppin’ together again in the fall. Please check back for updates, or watch the screens at Sunday services for updated graphice.
Any questions, please reach out to Jen Bratka at JBratka@FCchurch.com.
Registration is not necessary, but if you’d like too, please register HERE.

Summer Solstice Labyrinth Walk
2024-06-21 20:30 - 22:30 | First Community North, 3777 Dublin Rd, Columbus, OH, 43221, United States
Friday, June 21
8:30-10:30 pm
Guided by Nan Weir
Register HERE
Labyrinths are used world-wide as a way to quiet the mind, calm anxieties, recover balance in life, enhance creativity, and encourage meditation, insight, self-reflection, and stress reduction. The practice of labyrinth walking integrates the body with the mind and spirit.
Seth Stearns and Nan Weir will provide an introduction on the significance of the summer solstice along with the importance of labyrinth walking at 8:30 pm and 9:30 pm. We encourage you to sign up for one of these two times to hear from our hosts, otherwise arrive anytime to enjoy the beauty of the evening.
There is bench seating around the labyrinth to enjoy the ambiance, or feel free to bring your own chair to relax in.
In the case of inclement weather, we will practice meditative walking in the Narthex area during the same time frame.
Any questions, please reach out to Jen Bratka – 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.

Ice Cream Social
2024-08-11 15:00 - 16:30 | First Community North, 3777 Dublin Rd, Columbus, OH, 43221, United States
Ice Cream Social
Sunday, August 11, 2024
3-4:30 pm
First Community North
Under the Tent
We look forward to seeing you and celebrating the joy of our work together. Please extend this invitation to your spouse, partner, and children. In addition to ice cream and fellowship, we will hear from some of our partner groups about exciting, timely, and important programming we have coming up this fall and winter.
We will also announce nationally known personalities who will be visiting the Spiritual Life & Learning center in November and February.
Register HERE!

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.
