Forty persons gathered at the church on Saturday, April 9, for the second ever “Mission Morning,” a collaborative effort between the Mission and Outreach, Fellowship, and Membership Committee. Like the first such gathering in November, this one elicited incredibly positive response.
The goal of Mission Morning is to introduce new persons to ongoing First Church mission projects and to provide an opportunity for new persons and not-new persons to connect with each other. Visitors who have expressed interest in further exploring this congregation and its ministries, along with new members, and First Friend “sponsors” for the new members were invited.
After some general introductions to the morning, the group divided into two. One half assembled 150 hygiene kits for the United Methodist Committee on Relief and learned about UMCOR’s ministry to provide relief to persons affected by disasters; the other group made sack lunches for the Interfaith Action Hospitality Center. After a 30-minute coffee and snack break, most participants moved on to the lower level to hear about Bundled Blessings work, to count out and pack the next month’s diapers (12,500 total) for distribution, and tour the diaper pantry. Meanwhile, a few others headed to buy groceries they used to restock the four Community Fridges in Evanston.
The Mission Morning coordinators were thrilled with the participation and the positive energy level. Participants informally offered two thumbs up. One person summed up the response of many: “I’ve met great people, I’ve had a good time, and I’ve done good for others.”
Conversations are underway about the next Mission Morning.