The Spiritual Life & Learning Center

Waking Up & Cleaning Up-part of our Contemplative Series
2026-04-18 09:30 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | First Community South, 1320 Cambridge Blvd, Columbus, OH 43212, Columbus, OH, 43212, United States
Waking Up & Cleaning Up
9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Burkhart Chapel
First Community South
Register HERE

We will be exploring Ken Wilber’s model of spiritual development (Waking Up). We will also look at why facing our shadow self is so important to our spiritual development (Cleaning Up). We are excited to be partnering with the Jungian Association of Central Ohio for this Contemplative Series event.

This is a part of our Contemplative Series at SLLC, developed around The Tree of Contemplative Practices, each month, we will meet to discuss and ponder each branch.
Each month will be a different experience as we explore different ways of developing our individual spirituality more deeply. We invite you to join us for the entire series, or individual events as your schedule allows.
For more information or to register to join us for the upcoming sessions please click HERE.

Centering Prayer
2026-04-16 17:00 - 18:00, 2026-04-09 17:00 - 18:00, 2026-04-02 17:00 - 18:00, 2026-03-26 17:00 - 18:00, 2026-03-19 17:00 - 18:00, 2026-03-12 17:00 - 18:00 | First Community South, 1320 Cambridge Blvd, Columbus, OH 43212, Columbus, OH, 43212, United States
Thursdays
5-6 pm
First Community South
Burkhart Chapel
Register HERE.
“Centering Prayer is a receptive method of Christian silent prayer which deepens our relationship with God, the Indwelling Presence … a prayer in which we can experience God’s presence within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than consciousness itself .”
-Excerpt from ContemplativeOutreach.org
During our time with Centering Prayer, we will explore the guidelines of Centering Prayer, some practical points, and ways to deepen our relationship with God. We will learn it’s theological background, the root of centering prayer and how it is based on the wisdom saying of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.
Questions?
Please email Jen Bratka, Program Administrator, at JBratka@FCchurch.com.

Thursday at Ten: Spiritual Explorations
2026-04-16 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-04-09 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-04-02 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-03-26 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-03-19 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-03-12 10:00 - 11:30 | Zoom
Thursday at 10

Every Thursday
10-11:30 am
on Zoom
Thursday’s at Ten will once again be meeting on Zoom. Over many years this group has read, viewed, studied, and met with a number of inspiring authors and speakers on a variety of topics. As we explore areas of spirituality and religion as well as current topics such as relating to others, being your authentic self, and being in this world in a kind and understanding way, we hope to inspire each participant through open discussion and dialogue.
Facilitated by Connie Johnston and Rev. Seth Stearns.
Any Question, please email Jen Bratka, Spiritual Life & Learning Center, Program Administrator

Please register HERE to receive the Zoom Link.

Women Living the Questions
2026-04-15 09:30 - 11:00, 2026-04-08 09:30 - 11:00, 2026-04-01 09:30 - 11:00, 2026-03-25 09:30 - 11:00, 2026-03-18 09:30 - 11:00 | 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.

Bible Basics: Exploring the Pentateuch
2026-04-14 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-04-07 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-03-31 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-03-24 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-03-17 18:00 - 19:30 | First Community South, 1320 Cambridge Blvd, Columbus, OH 43212, Columbus, OH, 43212, United States
Tuesday Evenings
January 13-February 17
6-7:30 pm
FC South Library
Register HERE

This 6-week class will explore the Pentateuch using Tyler Mayfield’s book, A Guide to Bible Basics. This class will introduce participants to the key themes and stories of the Pentateuch as well as maps and timelines related to the tribes and nation of Israel.
Each participant will be expected to read each of the five books of the Old Testament weekly.
Bibles and copies of Tyler Mayfield’s book will be provided.
Facilitated by Karen Chakoian.
The intended audience for this class include those who are not knowledgeable of the Bible in general and who seek to have a better understanding of the Old Testament. Our gatherings will explore a variety of issues through presentations, reflection, and discussion.
Any questions, please email Jen Bratka, Program Administrator at JBratka@FCchurch.com

Sunday Intersections
2026-04-12 12:30 - 13:30, 2026-04-05 12:30 - 13:30, 2026-03-29 12:30 - 13:30, 2026-03-22 12:30 - 13:30, 2026-03-15 12:30 - 13:30 | First Community North, 3777 Dublin Rd, Columbus, OH, 43221, United States
Sunday Intersections
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. Topics will range from historical and theological Biblical studies to relevant topics that we encounter every day.
Registration is not required, but appreciated. Let us know you’ll join us by clicking HERE.
Any questions, please email Jen Bratka, Program Administrator.

Monthly Ministries 4 Movement Marches
2026-04-05 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.

Contemplative Series
2026-03-21 09:30 - 12:30 | First Community South, 1320 Cambridge Blvd, Columbus, OH 43212, Columbus, OH, 43212, United States
Third Saturdays
9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Burkhart Chapel
First Community South

Developed around The Tree of Contemplative Practices, each month, we will meet to discuss and ponder each branch.
Each month will be a different experience as we explore different ways of developing our individual spirituality more deeply. We invite you to join us for the entire series, or individual events as your schedule allows.

October 18-Trip to KTC Columbus
November 15-Trip to Circle P Horse Sanctuary in Marengo, Ohio (Limited number of spots available)
December 20-Zoom with Daron Larson “Practicing Mindfulness in a Distracted, Divided World”
**DATE CHANGE-January 24**-Waking Up and Cleaning Up; contemplating the role of our shadow self in our spiritual development CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
February 21-An Introduction to the Enneagram
March 21-Listening Circles with Nan Weir
April 18-TBD
**DATE CHANGE-May 9**-Retreat and celebration! Due to the schedule at Camp Akita, the retreat will take place on the Second Saturday.

Register HERE.
