The Spiritual Life & Learning Center

Women Living the Questions
2023-03-01 09:30 - 11:00, 2023-02-22 09:30 - 11:00, 2023-02-15 09:30 - 11:00, 2023-02-08 09:30 - 11:00, 2023-02-01 09:30 - 11:00, 2023-01-25 09:30 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | 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.

Tai Chi for Balance
2023-02-27 10:00 - 10:45, 2023-02-13 10:00 - 10:45, 2023-02-06 10:00 - 10:45 | First Community South, 1320 Cambridge Blvd, Columbus, OH 43212, Columbus, OH, 43212, United States
Mondays
10-10:45 am
Weist Room
First Community South
Feeling stressed, anxious, unbalanced? Then Tai Chi practice is for you. Come join us for 45 minutes of easy, relaxed moves that will strengthen stability, improve balance and reduce stress. The 16 easy-to-learn movements of Tai Chi for Balance levels 1,2, and 3 are taught with mindful attention in a supportive and fun atmosphere. Beginning and experienced students are all welcome to participate. For questions, please contact Sally Kriska, Instructor, Diane Sturges, Instructor, or Jeff Watts, Instructor..
Click HERE for more information

Contemplative Way
2023-02-23 11:45 - 13:00, 2023-02-16 11:45 - 13:00, 2023-02-09 11:45 - 13:00, 2023-02-02 11:45 - 13:00, 2023-01-26 11:45 - 13:00
Thursdays
11:45 am- 1 pm
On Zoom
Please join us for a discussion of a selected sacred reading followed by a period of silent meditation.
Facilitated by Tom Shostak via Zoom.
Register HERE to receive Zoom link and suggested readings.
Any questions, please email Jen Bratka, Administrator, Spiritual Life & Learning Center

Thursday at Ten: Spiritual Explorations
2023-02-23 10:00 - 11:30, 2023-02-16 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 at 10 we will be reading John Philip Newell book Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul. If you have not already gotten your copy of the book they are available at both First Community North and South reception areas at no cost to you. This book will take us through the first week in March. The reading schedule is attached below.

Reading Schedule: Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul

Facilitated by Connie Johnston.
For more information or to register, please click HERE.

Clergy-Led Bible Study for Adults
2023-02-22 18:00 - 19:00, 2023-02-15 18:00 - 19:00, 2023-02-08 18:00 - 19:00, 2023-02-01 18:00 - 19:00, 2023-01-25 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!

Exploring Hinduism
2023-02-18 13:00 - 14:30 | First Community North, 3777 Dublin Rd, Columbus, OH, 43221, United States
Saturday, February 18, 2023
1- 2:30 PM
First Community Church – North Campus – Grace Hall (map)

A historical, anthropological, philosophical and modernist perspective
Hinduism as a faith is seen by many with the widest of interpretations. Some are attracted to its deep philosophy. Some look upon it with intrigue. Some brush it off without attempting to understand.
Hinduism is an anathema to many and for many a refuge or escape from the rest of the world in search of elusive spirituality and mindfulness.
For many who are not practicing, the Hindu faith holds a mystical charm. Some call it idol worship and some call it a polytheistic faith. Many religious scholars provide their own interpretations without much of an understanding.
Join us for an interactive conversation where we’ll explore:

The meaning of Hindu and Hinduism

The origins of the Hindu religion

How and when the religion was established

Key tenets of Hinduism

Hindu God

Differences between Hinduism and the Abrahamic religions

Free. Donations accepted. Register here.

Progressing Spirit
2023-02-18 09:30 - 11:15 | Zoom
February 18
March 18
April 15
9:30-11:15 am
via Zoom
Facilitated by Jodi Patton
We will take a look at the core values of Progressive Christianity and have conversation about the general beliefs of progressive Christians as we discuss topics like; atonement, original sin and blessing, the resurrection, the trinity, universalism, pantheism/panentheism/perennialism and more. Please register here to receive the readings, videos, and Zoom link.

I look forward to being together in conversation.

Blessed Be!

Jodi Patton

Thursday @ Ten: Spiritual Explorations
2023-02-09 10:00 - 11:30, 2023-02-02 10:00 - 11:30, 2023-01-26 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 Conversations with Rev. Tim Vansant
2023-02-08 18:00 - 19:00 | Zoom
Wednesday, February 8
6-7 pm
First Community North-Grace Hall
Hour-long Zoom interviews with people selected by our First Community clergy.
In this conversation, Rev. Tim Vansant speaks with Meg Wheatley.
Please register HERE to receive the Zoom link.
Her website states:
Since 1966, Margaret Wheatley has worked globally in many different roles: a speaker, teacher, community worker, consultant, advisor, formal leader. From these deep and varied experiences, she has developed the unshakable conviction that leaders must learn how to evoke people’s inherent generosity, creativity, and need for community. As this world tears us apart, sane leadership on behalf of the human spirit is the only way forward.

Monthly Ministries 4 Movement Marches
2023-02-05 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.

Clergy Conversations with Rev. Mary Kate Buchanan
2023-01-31 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
Hour-long Zoom interviews with people selected by our First Community clergy.
In this conversation, Rev. Mary Kate Buchanan speaks with Jeff Chu, writer, reporter, editor, preacher and teacher.
In his own words:
I wear several different hats to cover my coarse Chinese hair, which requires too much product to tame:
Writer, reporter, editor. Co-curator and co-host, with Sarah Bessey, of Evolving Faith. Editor-at-large at Travel+Leisure. Occasional preacher. Teacher in residence at Crossponte Church. Ordained in the Reformed Church in America (RCA). Cook, gardner, and dog walker to Fozzie in Michigan, where my husband and I moved two years ago. (First time living in the Midwest. Snow tires are a revelation!)
Before that, I was a seminarian at Princeton Theological Seminary, where I worked as a farmhand at PTS’s Farminary. More than anything else in my life, that land taught me about the story of life, death and new life that God has written into creation.
Register HERE to receive the Zoom link.

Progressing Spirit
2023-01-21 09:30 - 11:15 | Zoom
January 21
February 18
March 18
April 15
9:30-11:15 am
via Zoom
Facilitated by Jodi Patton
For the January meeting, we will begin with the following theme: “What am I ready to know about myself as I begin this New Year? What/Who is the Divine? How do I experience Diving Presence? How might I be more opening to experiencing Divine Presence this year?” Please read the following articles in preparation of our meeting on January 21st. If you do not have time to read the articles, come to the meeting anyway….all are welcome to be in fellowship, listen and share as you are moved to do so.
https://progressivechristianity.org/resources/the-clothing-of-the-divine-presence/
https://ethosinstitute.sg/divine-presence/
https://www.epm.org/blog/2021/Aug/16/define-love-scripture
https://progressivechristianity.org/resources/who-is-god-and-how-do-we-know/
The Zoom link for the January 21st meeting will be forwarded to you after the first of the year. For more information on the current topic and to register to receive the Zoom link, please click HERE.
