The Spiritual Life & Learning Center

Clergy-Led Bible Study for Adults
2022-12-21 18:00 - 19:00, 2022-12-14 18:00 - 19:00, 2022-12-07 18:00 - 19:00, 2022-11-30 18:00 - 19:00, 2022-11-23 18:00 - 19:00, 2022-11-16 18:00 - 19:00, 2022-11-09 18:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | 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!

Women Living the Questions
2022-12-21 09:30 - 11:00, 2022-12-14 09:30 - 11:00, 2022-12-07 09:30 - 11:00, 2022-11-30 09:30 - 11:00, 2022-11-23 09:30 - 11:00, 2022-11-16 09:30 - 11:00, 2022-11-09 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 – 11:00 am. Most meetings are by Zoom with at least one in-person meeting at FCC north.
Email Linda Baldeck for more information, or click HERE to register.

Community Justice Monthly Meeting
2022-12-19 19:00 - 20:00, 2022-11-21 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!

Contemplative Way
2022-12-15 11:45 - 13:00, 2022-12-08 11:45 - 13:00, 2022-12-01 11:45 - 13:00, 2022-11-24 11:45 - 13:00, 2022-11-17 11:45 - 13:00, 2022-11-10 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
2022-12-08 10:00 - 11:30, 2022-12-01 10:00 - 11:30, 2022-11-24 10:00 - 11:30, 2022-11-17 10:00 - 11:30, 2022-11-10 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.

Monthly Ministries 4 Movement Marches
2022-12-04 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.

Prophetic Voices Series-Niebuhr
2022-11-13 15:00 - 17:00 | Zoom
An American Conscience: The Reinhold Niebuhr Story
Sunday, November 13
3-5 pm
Hybrid Event: Room 101, First Community North
and on Zoom
Reinhold Niebuhr is probably best known as the author of The Serenity Prayer, but during his time in the middle of the 20th century, his impact was much greater, as this documentary demonstrates.
Presidents and civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King, Jr., often turned to Niebuhr’s writings on Christianity and public life, social justice, and politics. Though an academic, he was an admired public theologian in the United States.
“Man’s capacity for justice makes democracy possible,” Niebuhr wrote in 1944, “but man’s inclination to injustice makes democracy necessary,” as quoted in Jon Meacham’s The Soul of America. Just one example of his public pronouncements and influence among politicians and the public.
Interviewees in this documentary include Jimmy Carter, Andrew Young, David Brooks, Cornel West, Susannah Heschel (daughter of one other voice in this series, Abraham Joshua Heschel), and other notable historians and theologians.
Rev. Jim Long, Minister Emeritus of Pastoral Care, and a Niebuhr expert, leads the discussion after this hour-long video.
Register HERE.

Being Gentle with Yourself in a Harsh World
2022-11-13 14:00 - 16:15 | First Community South, 1320 Cambridge Blvd, Columbus, OH 43212, Columbus, OH, 43212, United States
Do you find it easier to tend to the needs of others than to your own needs? If so, join Katy and Daron and the Love Revolution Team to explore ways to develop robust gentleness and empathy toward your own vulnerability.

Learn a flexible approach to traditional lovingkindness practice.
Create a personalized representation of gentleness and empathy.
Leave with a tangible reminder to be gentle with yourself and guidelines for customizing a lovingkindness practice that fits you.

Join us for a rejuvenating and meaningful afternoon! We’ll even close with a song performed by Katy and Daron!

Cost: $25/$35/$50
Please choose the level you can pay at this time.
$25 covers our costs for this event alone.
$35 covers costs and allows us to plan future events like this one.
$50 pays for our costs for this event AND sponsors another person at this event.

Scholarships: If you need a scholarship for this event, please contact Rev. David Hett of the Spiritual Life and Learning Center at hettds@fcchurch.com.
We must fill at least 25 seats to have this event, so please invite your friends! We will let you know by November 9th if we do not have 25 registrants. Maximum number of participants will be 48 due to room capacity.
Katy Oberle is a Columbus native, a licensed marriage and family therapist turned Creative Mindfulness Coach, and a singer/songwriter. She provides creative mindfulness programming to individuals, businesses, and organizations to help them manage stress, improve their relationships, lean into gratitude, and bring more joy and creativity into their lives so they can thrive at home, at work, and out in the world.
Daron Larson is a Mindfulness Coach who has discovered from personal experience that consistent practice really can make ordinary moments better — including the uncomfortable ones. As a parent, social worker, and librarian, he has always found purpose in identifying resources to help people respond more effectively to the challenges of day-to-day life. Daron encourages people to go beyond breath awareness and relaxation to cultivate flexible focus, responsive composure, and robust resilience.

Register HERE.
