First United Methodist Church of Evanston, IL

Wednesday Bible Study
2024-01-17 10:00 - 11:30 UTC | online
The Wednesday Bible Study is a longstanding group that meets online every Wednesday 10-11:30am with the exception of a short break in the summer.
Questions? Please contact Janet Lutz at janetatl@aol.com .

Children's Choir Rehearsal
2024-01-17 17:15 - 18:00 UTC
Children in grades 1-6 rehearse weekly and sing in worship monthly. No audition is required and new singers are welcome throughout the year. For more information, email Dr. Brian Schoettler.

Communications Committee Meeting
2024-01-17 19:00 - 20:15 UTC | Zoom
Monthly meeting of the Communications Committee. Contact Chair Andy Shotwell with questions at ashotwell@gmail.com .

Chancel Choir Rehearsal
2024-01-17 19:30 - 21:00 UTC | Choir Room
Adults and high school youth rehearse music for worship. No audition is required. Email Dr. Brian Schoettler for more information.

Soup Kitchen
2024-01-18 17:30 - 19:00 UTC | Dining Room
As part of Interfaith Action of Evanston, First Church hosts a weekly soup kitchen each Thursday evening. A host team of First Church volunteers is needed each week, and 5-6 times a year we also need cooking teams. Interested in helping? Please contact Dave Koester (davekoester57@gmail.com) about current scheduling needs.

God's Story, Our Stories (Bible Study Group)
2024-01-18 19:00 - 20:30 UTC
God’s Story, Our Stories – Lectionary Bible Study Group
YOU Are Invited!
The Lectionary Bible Study Group meets via zoom every Thursday night mid-September through mid-June from 7 – 8:30 p.m. We are a band of curious explorers, reflecting upon the lectionary passages for the coming Sunday. We ask many questions. We have “ah ha” moments in our discussions. We attempt to unearth how these ancient stories inform our current day stories. We deeply seek to live out our best understanding of the heart of these stories week by week in the midst of our common humanity. Several group members rotate the facilitation.
Come and join us! You may be placed on the group distribution list by contacting Bill Brown at bbrown@wwbrown-inc.com .

SPRC Monthly Meeting
2024-01-18 19:00 - 20:30 UTC
Monthly meeting of the Staff Parish Relations Committee. Please address questions about this group to Beth Swanick, Chair.

Monthly Styrofoam Collection
2024-01-20 10:00 - 12:00 UTC
The Earth Care Committee holds its monthly Styrofoam collection time at First UMC Evanston on the third Saturday of the month at the Church Street entrance between 10am and Noon. Material to be collected includes all clean No. 6 plastic foam. Acceptable items include disposable coffee cups; take out containers (such as clamshells); plastic plates, bowls and cutlery; meat and poultry foam trays and packing foam. Note: Items must be foam and marked with the No.6 symbol.
When recycled, these items can be processed into a material used to make park benches, picture frames, and other items. Recycling these items helps keep this harmful plastic, which cannot be processed locally, out of the waste stream.

Faith & Parenting
2024-01-21 09:15 - 10:15 UTC | Room 24
Faith & Parenting offers a weekly space for parents of children at all stages to share and reflect on how their personal and familial faith journeys are nurtured and challenged through the vocation of parenting. Brief guided reflections based on scriptures shared in Children’s Sunday school will accompany each session.

First Steps to Faith
2024-01-21 09:30 - 10:00 UTC
Children ages 0-3 and their parents or caregivers gather one Sunday a month in the nursery for seasonal stories, songs, and activities for young families.

Chancel Choir Rehearsal
2024-01-21 09:30 - 10:15 UTC | Sanctuary
Adults and high school youth rehearse music for worship in the Chancel at the front of the Sanctuary. No audition required. Email Dr. Brian Schoettler for more information.

10:30 Worship in the Sanctuary
2024-01-21 10:30 - 11:30 UTC | Sanctuary
All are welcome to 10:30 worship in our Sactuary.
Details each Sunday can be found at https://faithatfirst.org/gather/worship-services/worship-this-sunday/

Children's Chapel
2024-01-21 10:45 - 11:30 UTC
Children’s Chapel seeks to excite and build confidence in children’s experience of worship and sense of belonging at First Church. Children ages three through 3rd grade are invited to experience the wonder of worship and joy of service in a lively, child-friendly setting. Throughout the program year, children take part in the seasons of the Christian year, exploring rituals, sacraments, and songs of our worship tradition as well as hands-on aspects of our church mission that children might shape and help share the story of our faith.

Connect456
2024-01-21 10:45 - 11:30 UTC
Connect456 is designed to help children in grades 4-6 connect to the church community as older elementary and middle school students preparing to make their own way at First Church. Each week features a unique means of connecting, including serving in leadership with younger children, learning about our church history and United Methodist identity, observing worship and more!

Chili Cook-Off
2024-01-21 11:30 - 12:30 UTC | Great Hall
Stick around after worship on Sunday, January 21, for the annual Chili Cookoff, our favorite winter favorite event! Join the fun as a taster and judge (no sign up needed for that), or you can enter your chili or cornbread for this friendly competition.

Friendly competition with winners chosen by popular vote.
Bring your own crockpot or heat your chili on the kitchen stove before the event.
Winners will be named in four categories: Best Chili (veg & meat), Best Cornbread, and Best Child/Youth Entry
Entry deadline: January 18
Additional details and entry form

Children's Council
2024-01-21 11:45 - 13:00 UTC | Room 33
The Children’s Council acts as both a work committee and an advisory board to the Director of Children’s Ministry. The Children’s Council focuses on formulating and supporting the vision of our various children’s ministries. We consult with the Director of Children’s Ministries to plan the yearlong calendar. Under the umbrella of Children’s Ministries are the following programs: Sunday School, Chapel, Connect 56, Nursery, Summer Camps (Creation Camp, VBS, Family Camp), Fellowship Groups (Jump and Club 123), Pageant, and holiday celebrations (e.g, Advent, Lent, Easter).

Young Adult Potluck
2024-01-21 17:30 - 19:30 UTC
Calling all Young Adults! We are gathering for potlucks on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month at 5:30pm. Feel free to bring your favorite side item or dessert! Contact Sydney Harkrider at sydney@faithatfirst.com for the location!

Compline Night Prayer Service
2024-01-23 20:30 - 21:00 UTC
On Tuesdays beginning January 2nd, you are invited to a thirty minute Night Prayer Service to end your day in community and peace. These services from 8:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., available via Zoom, are patterned after the ancient monastic tradition of Compline (meaning completion)–the final prayer of the day. We will follow a simple liturgical format for this service of quietness and reflection before rest. Persons of all ages are encouraged to give this spiritual practice a try. The zoom format invites participation from anywhere! We are enriched when family & friends in many locations join in. The services, sponsored by the Faith Formation Council, will continue through Lent, concluding on March 19th. Participants may attend as schedules allow. Contact Tom Scott (tom.scott.goblue@msn.com) to sign up or with questions.

Coffee, Conversation, and Friends
2024-01-24 10:00 - 11:00 UTC
This group of women “of a certain age” meet on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month from 10:00 to 11:00 am. We meet at Le Peep in Evanston for informal conversations on a wide variety of topics: books, the news, restaurants, grandchildren, and places to visit. No matter what’s on the table, we are all ears. Come join the conversation and make some new friends.

Mom's Night Out
2024-01-25 18:30 - 20:30 UTC
Join other moms from church for a night of fellowship and fun. Our January host is Caroline Wagner with Meg Lanz co-hosting. Please RSVP with Caroline at carolinehwagner@gmail.com

Personal experience sharing on Palestine and Israel
2024-01-28 09:15 - 10:15 UTC
Miryam Rashid, Palestian-American and Lesley Williams, from Jewish Voices for Peace in Chicago, will share their experience of living and being in Palestine.

Music Ministry
2024-01-28 13:00 - 14:00 UTC | Sanctuary

Archives Committee
2024-01-30 14:00 - 15:30 UTC

Inquirers Morning of Service
2024-02-03 10:30 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Dining Room
Our Inquirers Class will gather to learn about and experience Bundled Blessings diaper bank. Diaper packing in the morning will be followed by lunch in the dining room.

Messy Church!
2024-02-04 09:00 - 10:15 UTC | Great Hall
Messy Church is Christ-centered. Messy Church is creative. Messy Church is for all ages. Messy Church is where YOU belong!
Life is rarely neat and tidy. But God isn’t afraid to enter the mess.
Messy Church is an opportunity for children, families, and adults to engage in hands-on creative activities, celebratory worship, and time together in community. Join us for a different kind of Sunday School for children and adults on the first Sunday of each month from 9:00-10:15 a.m. in Great Hall, through May.
Please register for any sessions you plan to attend to aid in estimating food and materials.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Pledge Covenant Group
2024-02-04 09:15 - 10:15 UTC | Room K
MLK Pledge Covenant Group
Meets Sundays, Feb. 4, 11, 18 & 25, at 9:15am in Room K.
Register Online now
Through this covenant group we will support one another as we explore the application of King’s Commandments for the Nonviolent Movement. Members of this covenant group will apply these commandments (see below) in their daily lives and engage in weekly group reflection. Each week we will take on 2 or 3; one week, for instance, participants may employ the following over the course of one week: (1) “Seek to perform regular service for others and for the world;” and (2) “Refrain from the violence of fist, tongue, or heart.” The focus of this group is on application, reflection, and mutual support.
This covenant group, facilitated by Jim Johnson, will be limited to12 participants. Registration will occur on a first-come, first-serve basis. The first two commandments in which the covenant group will engage are:
– Meditate daily on the teachings and life of Jesus.
– Remember always that the non-violent movement seeks justice and reconciliation, not victory.
King Pledge Commandments (summary)
I hereby pledge myself—my person and body—to the nonviolent movement. Therefore, I will keep the following 10 commandments:
1. Meditate daily on the teachings and life of Jesus.
2. Remember always that the non-violent movement seeks justice and reconciliation, not victory.
3. Walk and talk in the manner of love, for God is love.
4. Pray daily to be used by God in order that all men and women might be free.
5. Sacrifice personal wishes in order that all men and women might be free.
6. Observe with both friend and foe the ordinary rules of courtesy.
7. Seek to perform regular service for others and for the world.
8. Refrain from the violence of fist, tongue, or heart.
9. Strive to be in good spiritual body and health.
10. Follow the directions of the movement.

Earth Care Committee Monthly Meeting
2024-02-04 11:30 - 13:00 UTC | Glenna Hall

Covenant Hike Group
2024-02-04 14:00 - 15:00 UTC
“I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in.” – George Washington Carver
The Covenant Hike Group invites all who have a wonder of the natural world to share nature immersion with each other through 3 seasons while experiencing the presence of God. The format is simple. We begin with a brief reading (scripture or poem), hike along while sharing joys and concerns, and appreciate 5 minutes of silence at mid-point. Each hike concludes with an optional, brief time of sharing about our experiences on the hike, closing prayer, and a cool or hot drink! All ages are welcomed!
On the First Sunday of each month (October through May) we will meet at a designated location at 2 p.m., hiking various paths in our area for about an hour at a comfortable pace for everyone. The group will meet each first Sunday through May and participants may join in as schedules allow.
All who participate are welcomed to share in ownership. The wonder of the natural world and God’s presence in it is limitless.
Facilitators: Jim Johnson and Lee Rader. If interested, please contact Jim at jjohnso@luc.edu to be placed on the distribution list.

Faith Around The Table
2024-02-04 17:00 - 19:00 UTC
Are you hungry for deeper discussion with members of your First Church community that goes beyond the usual Sunday morning chit chat (as lovely as that may be)? This new group is for you! Once a month, we’ll gather for a potluck dinner and discuss a topic or prompt relating to faith and spirituality. We may explore a question or theme from a recent sermon, or try answering John Wesley’s favorite question: “How is it with your soul?” Topics will vary based on the group’s input. Andrew and Amy Schumacher will lead the group and host the first meeting with potential for others to host subsequent dinners or use church space. All are welcome, this is NOT a couples group. Monthly dinners will be on first Sundays from 5pm to 7pm with the first meeting on Nov. 5th. The group will commit to six months and then reassess. Please email Andrew (andrew.r.schumacher@gmail.com) with questions or to sign up. Due to nature of the group, we’ll limit to six or seven additional participants. Come join us for good food and real honest discussion!

Young Adults Potluck
2024-02-04 17:30 - 19:30 UTC
Calling all Young Adults! We are resuming our potlucks every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month at 5:30 pm starting on September 17th. Feel free to bring your favorite side item or dessert! Contact Sydney at sydney@faithatfirst.com for the location!
