Spotlight: First UU Church of Columbus

By Carey McDonald

I was recently back in my hometown of Columbus, Ohio, and wanted to share some of the great ideas for young adult ministry that I saw at the church I grew up in: First Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbus. The Basics - FUUCC is a large church with more than 600 members and 400 adults attending on an average Sunday. Commitment to young adult ministry runs through the church staff and lay leaders, including both ministers and the Director of Religious Education. In addition to welcoming young adults into multigenerational church life and leadership, ministry programs specifically targeting young adults include:
  • Twenties/Thirties Covenant Group (part of the church's extensive small group ministry program)
  • A campus group at nearby Ohio State University called FOCUUS (Fellowship Of Campus UUs), supported by a local seminarian the church employs to serve as a campus ministry chaplain
  • Monthly Soulful Sundown services, also coordinated by the campus ministry chaplain
  • Past involvement with the Ohio-Meadville District through the district's Young Adult Ministry Team
  • Young adult Our Whole Lives sexuality education class starting this spring
  • An active Facebook, social media and online presence to remain accessible
Here are two great ideas from Columbus that any church could use: This banner hangs in the lobby, and serves as a welcoming gathering point after the 11 am Sunday service while coffee hour is going on nearby. The Sunday I was visiting was the weekend before Christmas, and they offered a lunch after the service for graduates of the church's Religious Education program. We got a great mix of college students and older young adults like me, with both ministers in attendance. It was a lovely time. Keep up the good work, Columbus!
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FUUCC YA Sign - cropped
FUUCC Meal