The Spiritual Life & Learning Center

Full Moon Labyrinth Walks
2022-10-09 17:30 - 18:30, 2022-09-10 17:30 - 18:30 (America/New_York) | 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.

Contemplative Way
2022-10-06 11:45 - 13:00, 2022-09-29 11:45 - 13:00, 2022-09-22 11:45 - 13:00, 2022-09-15 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
2022-10-06 10:00 - 11:30, 2022-09-29 10:00 - 11:30, 2022-09-22 10:00 - 11:30, 2022-09-15 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
2022-10-05 18:00 - 19:00, 2022-09-28 18:00 - 19:00, 2022-09-21 18:00 - 19:00, 2022-09-14 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!

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

Days of Awe for the World - A Journey of Teshuvah/Return and Tikkun/Repair with Rabbi Rami
2022-09-25 - 2022-10-05 | Zoom
Rabbi Rami Shapiro was our 2022 Spiritual Searcher Speaker. We welcomed him to Columbus on August 26th through 28th, 2022. During his visit, Rabbi Rami invited our community to join him in the Days of Awe for the World event series. This is a wonderful way to follow up with Rabbi Rami’s work. This event is organized and run by Rabbi Rami’s organization, One River Foundation. We wanted to share it with you here.
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Rabbi Rami Shapiro and Frank Levy invite you to join them for One River Foundation’s 3rd Annual Days of Awe for the World – A Journey of Teshuvah/Return and Tikkun/Repair September 25 through October 5, 2022 – 1 Tishrei 5783 through 10 Tishrei in the Hebrew calendar.

The Days of Awe from Rosh Hashanah through Yom Kippur (September 25 through October 5 this year) are the most sacred and important days of the Jewish liturgical year. They are a time for deep introspection, contemplation, and transformation around two themes teshuvah – returning to our true nature as a manifesting of the Divine and tikkun – repairing the world with justice and compassion, by being a blessing to all the families of the earth (Genesis 12:3).
One River Foundation’s Days of Awe for the World: A Journey of Teshuvah and Tikkun is an innovative, multimedia, multi-day, interactive opportunity for people of all faiths and no faith to experience the power and beauty of this yearly period of deep introspection, contemplation, and transformation.
Days of Awe for the World includes pre-recorded meditations for Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur and a liturgical journal which draw on traditional Jewish readings, prayers, and cantorial chanting, pre-recorded meditations on the Thirteen Attributes of Godliness emailed to you each morning between Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur, as well as live Zoom study sessions on Rosh HaShanah, and Yom Kippur afternoon.
This year’s Zoom study sessions will explore the Jewish themes and texts in the music of Nobel Laureate, Bob Dylan (Robert Zimmerman) (Rosh HaShanah) and the “Jewish bard” Leonard Cohen (Yom Kippur). While Days of Awe for the World: A Journey of Teshuvah and Tikkun draws on Jewish tradition, its message and call are for everyone, and One River Foundation invites you to join them on this journey of teshuvah – return, and tikkun – repair.
While registration is free, One River Foundation hopes you will consider making a tax-deductible donation of $36.00 or more to One River Foundation to help support their work. To register for Days of Awe for the World: A Journey of Teshuvah and Tikkun go to: https://tinyurl.com/mrx8cmut

Spiritual Searcher Exploration--Mark Nepo
2022-09-20 19:00 - 20:15 | Zoom
Tuesday, September 20

7 – 8:15 pm

On Zoom Only

For this month’s Spiritual Searcher Exploration, we will view an August lecture by poet and spiritual guide Mark Nepo, author of The Book of Awakening and many other volumes. Mark is another person who is often considered as a potential Spiritual Searcher for the Center and First Community.

This 40 minute pre-recorded video lecture on “Heart Work: Being a Spirit in the World” will be followed by time for group discussion of the themes he raises. Discussion facilitated by Rev. David Hett, Minister of Spiritual Life & Learning.

Beloved as a poet, teacher, and storyteller, Mark has been called “one of the finest spiritual guides of our time” and “a consummate storyteller.” His work is widely accessible, translated into more than twenty languages. He has published 22 books and recorded 15 audio projects. In 2016, he was named by Watkins: Mind Body Spirit as one of the 100 most spiritually influential living people, and was also chosen as one of OWN’s SuperSoul 100, a group of inspired leaders using their gifts and voices to elevate humanity. And in 2017, Mark became a regular columnist for Spirituality & Health Magazine.

REGISTER HERE.

Community Justice Monthly Meeting
2022-09-19 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!

Prophetic Voice Series: Spiritual Audacity - The Abraham Joshua Heschel Story
2022-09-18 15:00 - 16:30 | First Community North, 3777 Dublin Rd, Columbus, OH, 43221, United States
IN-PERSON at First Community North
or
ON-LINE on Zoom
Join us to view an award-winning documentary film: “Spiritual Audacity: The Abraham Joshua Heschel Story” about the man who barely escaped the Holocaust and became a champion for interfaith dialogue and American Civil Rights.
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. This will also be an experiment in presenting virtual viewing as well as in person, as we learn the technology involved. These sessions require no payment, although donations are always welcome, of course.
Rev. David Hett will be leading this discussion.
REGISTER HERE.

Gentle Hatha Yoga and Mindfulness Class
2022-09-14 10:00 - 11:00 | First Community North, 3777 Dublin Rd, Columbus, OH, 43221, United States
Every Wednesday, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
This one-hour Hatha yoga & mindfulness class format includes a gentle movement yoga posture practice for students of all ages, sizes, and fitness levels. Class sequencing includes easeful body movement, a mindfulness component such as breath practice, contemplation, meditation, or guided imagery and ends with a quiet deep relaxation. Yoga improves strength, balance, flexibility, helps ease symptoms of arthritis, offers relaxation benefits and much more. Students must be able to easily get down onto the floor and back up again. Bare feet recommended.
We will meet in Grace Hall at First Community North.
Please bring with you to every class: yoga mat, 1 blanket, 1 large bath towel, 1 yoga strap (or bathrobe belt or long scarf). Optional props: 2 yoga blocks.
Instructor will be Jodi Patton, RYT Yoga Teacher, Reiki Master, Spiritual Director Trainee
To register, email Jodi Patton at jodilynne737@gmail.com

Clergy Conversations: Rev. Glen Miles interviews Pastor Philip Gulley
2022-09-12 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
Monday September 12
7-8 pm
on Zoom
Hour-long Zoom interviews with people selected by our First Community clergy.
Join us as Rev. Glen Miles kicks off a new event series for us! Clergy Conversations will be a series of 5 events throughout the year when each of the five First Community clergy members will get to interview someone via Zoom who inspires them. Rev. Glen Miles will be interviewing Philip Gulley to start off the series!
ABOUT PHILIP GULLEY:
Philip Gulley is a Quaker pastor, writer, and speaker from Danville, Indiana. Gulley has written 22 books, including the Harmony series recounting life in the eccentric Quaker community of Harmony, Indiana and the best-selling Porch Talk essay series. Gulley’s memoir, I Love You, Miss Huddleston: And Other Inappropriate Longings of My Indiana Childhood, was a finalist for the Thurber Prize for American Humor. In addition, Gulley, with co-author James Mulholland, shared their progressive spirituality in the books If Grace Is True and If God Is Love, followed by Gulley’s books If the Church Were Christian and The Evolution of Faith.
In Living the Quaker Way: Timeless Wisdom For a Better Life Today, Gulley offers the opportunity to participate in a world where the values of the Quaker way bring equity, peace, healing, and hope. Living the Quaker Way invites readers to encounter the defining commitments of the Religious Society of Friends–simplicity, peace, integrity, community and equality, and shows how those ideals can be incorporated in personal and public life to bring renewal and eliminate the clutter that is keeping us from deeper spirituality.
In his most recently published work of non-fiction, Unlearning God: How Unbelieving Helped Me Believe, Gulley describes the process of spiritual growth, especially the re-interpretation of the earliest principles we learned about God. Gulley teaches the reader to let go, or unlearn these burdensome obstacles in their faith so that they can forge a more authentic relationship with God.

REGISTER HERE
