The Spiritual Life & Learning Center

Clergy Conversations: Rev. Sarah Kientz interviews Austen Hartke
2022-11-03 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom
Join us on Zoom for a one-hour interview with Austen Hartke and Rev. Sarah Kientz.
Austen Hartke is the author of Transforming: The Bible and the Lives of Transgender Christians, a book on theology and personal narratives published in 2018. He is also the founder and director of Transmission Ministry Collective, an online community dedicated to the spiritual care, faith formation, and leadership potential of transgender and gender-expansive Christians. Austen is a graduate of Luther Seminary’s Master of Arts program in Old Testament/Hebrew Bible Studies. As a transgender person of faith, Austen’s greatest passion is helping other trans and gender-expansive people see themselves in scripture.
Register HERE.

Contemplative Way
2022-11-03 11:45 - 13:00, 2022-10-27 11:45 - 13:00, 2022-10-20 11:45 - 13:00, 2022-10-13 11:45 - 13:00, 2022-10-06 11:45 - 13:00, 2022-09-29 11:45 - 13:00 | Zoom
Typically Each Thursday
11:45 am- 1 pm
On pause for the moment while a new group leader is established.
Once we begin again, please join us for “sacred reading” and discussion of Richard Rohr’s daily meditations.
Or join for only the 30- minute group silent meditation if desired from 12:25-12:55.
Register HERE to receive updated information as it becomes available.

Thursday @ Ten: Spiritual Explorations
2022-11-03 10:00 - 11:30, 2022-10-27 10:00 - 11:30, 2022-10-20 10:00 - 11:30, 2022-10-13 10:00 - 11:30, 2022-10-06 10:00 - 11:30, 2022-09-29 10:00 - 11:30 | First Community North, 3777 Dublin Rd, Columbus, OH, 43221, United States
Every Thursday
10-11:30 am
on Zoom
During Thursdays @ 10 we will be listening to and reflecting on The Diana Butler Bass Series “Embracing Spiritual Awakening.” Although the series is from 2013, the topic is quite relevant to 2023 and beyond. Updated materials will be included as appropriate. After much reflection on possible study topics, I landed on this one in order to bring us back to a faith centered topic. After the Jon Meacham series immersed us in History and politics today it seemed timely to switch gears! I do hope you will find the time to log in and participate in this series…and continue the open dialogue and personal reflection that is so characteristic of the group!
Facilitated by Connie Johnston.
For more information or to register, please click HERE.

Clergy-Led Bible Study for Adults
2022-11-02 18:00 - 19:00, 2022-10-26 18:00 - 19:00, 2022-10-19 18:00 - 19:00, 2022-10-12 18:00 - 19:00, 2022-10-05 18:00 - 19:00, 2022-09-28 18:00 - 19:00 | First Community North, 3777 Dublin Rd, Columbus, OH, 43221, United States
Join us for a Bible study each Wednesday from 6:00pm to 7:00pm in Grace Hall at First Community North. Bible studies will be led by First Community clergy each week. Teachers and topics will rotate. Clergy include Rev. Glen Miles, Rev. Mary Kate Buchanan, Rev. Sarah Kientz, and Rev. Tim VanSant.
*Before the Bible study, you are also invited to a light supper at 5:30 PM and a short worship service with devotion at 5:45 PM. Bible study begins at 6:00 PM.
REGISTRATION: No registration needed. Just show up!

Wander Walks - Antrim Park
2022-10-29 13:00 - 15:00
Wander Walks – Cultivating Sensibility and Surprise
Two facilitated Greater Columbus nature experiences that include both guided walking and free time to explore. Attend one or both walks. Attendees will meet in the parking lot at the walking location.
Facilitator:
Walks will be led by Cindy Lanese, admirer of the natural world. Certified as Ecotherapy Facilitator and also Joanna Macy’s Work That Reconnects, she joys in being an ‘Earthwalker’. Note: Certifications not required for living 😉
Cindy’s lifelong love and pursuit of connection with nature, along with deep respect of indigenous wisdom and ritual are threads deeply woven in the tapestry of her life. Her love is embodied in her experiential living.

Wander Walk No. 2
The date, location, and time for the Wander Walk #2 has been changed to Saturday, October 29 at 1:00 PM, at Antrim Park. All other details remain the same. We made this change to allow for adequate daylight for this event and to meet at a location that is more central. You will be automatically registered for this new date. We hope this change will work for you. If you have any questions, please email us at JBratka@FCchurch.com. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you on October 29.
Saturday, October 29, 2022
1 PM
90 – 120 Minutes
Location:
Meet at Antrim Park

5800 Olentangy River Rd.
Columbus 43235
Please meet on the wood deck overlooking the lake.

Walkers should wear comfortable walking shoes.
Register below – group size is approximately 12
Weather:
In case of inclement weather, the walk will be cancelled, and participants will be contacted to rescheduled.
Carpooling – interested in carpooling from First Community North – indicate on the registration form, and we’ll connect you with others who are interested.

Registration Fee: Freewill love donation
A few spots have opened up-Register HERE.

Miami Valley Peace Heroes Trail Tour
2022-10-29 09:30 - 17:00
The First Community Community Justice Ministry Team will be visiting the Miami Valley Peace Heroes Trail in Dayton, OH at 11a on October 29th. The trail opened this September and is a place to honor and interact with 57 peace heroes signs depicting peacebuilders, both alive and from history, international and local. The director of this project, Catherine Queener will be hosting our group and guiding us on the trail for this event. You can learn more about this project here.
FOR MORE DETAILS AND REGISTRATION, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Community Justice Monthly Meeting
2022-10-17 19:00 - 20:00 | First Community North, 3777 Dublin Rd, Columbus, OH, 43221, United States
All three of our community justice teams, which include Racial Equity, Gun Violence Prevention, and Environmental Justice teams; gather on the third Monday of each month in Grace Hall. This builds our community as we discuss and plan projects and overall direction of the Community Justice ministry together. If you are interested in our community justice teams, please feel free to join us. For more information about First Community’s Community Justice Ministry, click HERE. If you have any questions, please reach out to Tim Vansant at tvansant@fcchurch.com!

Considering Racism and How It Shaped Central Ohio Neighborhoods
2022-10-17 19:00 - 20:00 | First Community North, 3777 Dublin Rd, Columbus, OH, 43221, United States
Monday October 17
7 pm
First Community North, Grace Hall
Presenter: Michael Wilkos, Sr VP of Community Impact at the United Way
Although Columbus and the central Ohio region are outperforming every other Midwestern metropolis in terms of population growth and economic expansion, some parts of the region are thriving while other areas struggle. Michael Wilkos will focus on the social, racial, and economic landscape of Columbus and how past policies contribute to current conditions.
Michael brings to the topic his long experience as a grant-maker focused on investments in vulnerable families and challenged neighborhoods. He also studies closely the changing demographic trends in central Ohio.
“Like hundreds of other cities in America, Columbus was redlined,” Michael reports. “This practice of denying access to financial tools and loans was determined by completing surveys of both physical and social characteristics of neighborhoods. Redlining set in motion a pattern of investment in some areas at the expense of those that scored low. Subsequent policies like highway construction, slum clearance and construction of public housing were then deployed in these neighborhoods with low scores. The policy of redlining ended with the 1968 Fair Housing Act, and yet 54 years later the impacts of this policy and others like it continue to shape where and how we live.”
Wilkos will examine how past policies have shaped urban geographies.
“By more fully understanding what is driving rapidly increasing housing costs, gentrification, displacement, and access to social services helps us to build a more equitable future,” he says.
REGISTER HERE

Prophetic Voice Series: Dietrich Bonhoeffer
2022-10-16 15:00 - 17:00 | First Community North, 3777 Dublin Rd, Columbus, OH, 43221, United States
IN-PERSON at First Community North
Join us to view an award-winning documentary film: “BONHOEFFER” – profiling the young German theologian who joined the plots to kill Adolf Hitler.
Across the series of videos viewers will hear from President Jimmy Carter, Civil Rights icons Andrew Young, Jesse Jackson and John Lewis, writers David Brooks and Barbara Brown Taylor, plus Martin Sheen, Susannah Heschel, theologians Walter Brueggemann and Stanley Hauerwas, historian Taylor Branch and many others.
We will view the film together and have time for discussion and reflection.
Dave Nickel will be leading this discussion.
Register HERE.

Full Moon Labyrinth Walks
2022-10-09 17:30 - 18:30 | First Community North, 3777 Dublin Rd, Columbus, OH, 43221, United States
On each full moon, a spiritual director will guide participants through our outdoor labyrinth. This is a weather dependent event and will be called off due to inclement weather.
Register HERE.

Monthly Ministries 4 Movement Marches
2022-10-02 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.

Becoming a Sacred Agent: A Weekend with Avery Solomon
2022-10-01 14:00 - 16:00, 2022-10-01 10:00 - 12:00, 2022-09-30 19:00 - 21:00 | Zoom
Becoming a Sacred Agent: A Weekend with Avery Solomon
When a person comes to their real senses, they will recognize that they have only one problem: “How can I come into awareness of, and oneness with, my true being?”
– Paul Brunton
You are invited to join a in a virtual weekend of communing with Avery Solomon and friends for deepening our spiritual journey.

Avery Solomon is a teacher and researcher at Wisdom’s Goldenrod Center for Philosophic Studies in Hector, NY. A long-time friend of First Community Church, he gives seminars and classes around the world on spiritual philosophy, ancient wisdom and modern cosmology, science, and non-duality. Dr. Solomon has been involved since 2001 in the dialogue of science and Buddhism started by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He brings a wide background of experience from many spiritual traditions and teachers and a sense of humor to serious matters.
Friday, September 30
7 – 9 pm EST
via Zoom
Introduction: Philosophy for the Spiritual Aspirant
It’s not what you think…Uniting Love and Wisdom
Flowerings of Humanity

Saturday, October 1
AM Session
10 am – 12 pm EST
via Zoom
Independent and Interdependent Path
What can we do here and now?
Inviting Grace: Recognition and Remembering.

PM Session
2 – 4 pm EST
via Zoom
One World Philosophy: a new paradigm
Questions and Discussion

There is no fee for this seminar, though any non-tax-deductible donations (for this event) to the Spiritual Life & Learning Center will primarily support the teaching work of Avery Solomon, and be greatly appreciated.
REGISTER HERE.

Wander Walks - Village of Riverlea in Worthington
2022-09-28 18:00 - 19:30 | Village of Riverlea in Worthington
Wander Walks – Cultivating Sensibility and Surprise
Two facilitated Greater Columbus nature experiences that include both guided walking and free time to explore. Attend one or both walks. Attendees will meet in the parking lot at the walking location.
Facilitator:
Walks will be led by Cindy Lanese, admirer of the natural world. Certified as Ecotherapy Facilitator and also Joanna Macy’s Work That Reconnects, she joys in being an ‘Earthwalker’. Note: Certifications not required for living ;-))
Cindy’s lifelong love and pursuit of connection with nature, along with deep respect of indigenous wisdom and ritual are threads deeply woven in the tapestry of her life. Her love is embodied in her experiential living.
Wander Walk No. 1
Wednesday, September 28, 2022 @6:00 PM
Approximately 90 Minutes

Location:
This walk will be held in a wooded area in the village of Riverlea in Worthington, about a 20-
minute drive from First Community North or South. This beautiful walk is largely on level
ground.
1. Take N High St. to W. South St. in Worthington:
2. Turn onto W. South St. and follow it to the end.
3. Turn left onto Olentangy Blvd. and follow it to the end. Park along the side of street.
Look for Cindy – She’ll be waiting there.
Walkers should wear comfortable walking shoes.
Weather: In case of inclement weather, the walk will be cancelled, and participants will be contacted to
rescheduled.
Carpooling – interested in carpooling from First Community North – indicate below, and we’ll connect you with others who are interested.
Registration Fee: Freewill love donation
REGISTER HERE
