First United Methodist Church of Evanston, IL

Communications Committee Meeting
2024-04-03 19:00 - 20:15 UTC | Zoom
Monthly meeting of the Communications Committee. Contact Chair Andy Shotwell with questions at ashotwell@gmail.com .

The Value of Life in Gaza
2024-04-06 11:00 - 12:30 (America/Chicago) | Dining Room
Social Justice Committee is inviting you to attend a presentation and discussion, by the Very Reverend Father Fouad Saba, the Pastor of Saint George Antiochian Orthodox Church on the topic of ” The Value of Life in Gaza”. He will offer his perspective from values that are held as followers of Jesus and those that are in opposition to them.

Appalachia Service Project Fundraiser Dinner
2024-04-06 18:00 - 20:00 UTC | Great Hall
Each summer our high school youth spend a week serving with the Appalachia Service Project, an organization committed to making homes in impoverished counties of the region “warmer, safer, drier.” This summer mission trip has been a tradition at First Church for 26 years!
In July First Church is sending 15 youth and 10 adults to serve with ASP in Tennessee, and we need your help to get there! Our goal is to raise $10,000 before we load up the vans on July 13th.
This pasta dinner, on Saturday, April 6, 6-8:30pm, is free and open to everyone. Come hear our stories, and see our youth being the ones lead this whole event! Our hope is that you’ll see our youth and all the hard work they are putting into this dinner, that you’ll understand how hard they will work during our trip. There will be a silent auction, as well as different creative ways to help support us. Come check it out, and support our youth as they cook, serve, and lead this pasta dinner fundraiser! We are able to do this yearly thanks to your support, so help us keep this tradition alive.
Sign up online now
Please consider making a donation to the youth ASP trip. Donate online now or make a check out to the church with ASP Trip in the memo line and drop it off in the office or offering plate. Thank you!
Questions? Please contact Sydney Harkrider, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, at sydney@faithatfirst.com .

Messy Church!
2024-04-07 09:00 - 10:15 UTC | Great Hall
Join us for an Earth-Month inspired edition of Messy Church as we celebrate our place in God’s creation.
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.

Continuing Dialogue about the Palestine-Israel Conflict
2024-04-07 09:15 - 10:15 (America/Chicago) | Dining Room
Come together for dialogue about the Israel-Palestine conflict. This will be an informal but important time to review and reflect upon our shared and individual learning and consider next steps toward education and action

2024 Spring Inquirers
2024-04-07 11:45 - 13:30 (America/Chicago)
The Inquirers Class is the centerpiece of intentional exploration of First Church, its people and ministries, and the United Methodist church. All persons who wish to learn more about this faith community and discern about membership here are welcome. Advance sign up is super helpful. Please contact Mary Taylor-Johnson at mary@faithatfirst.com or online at https://faithatfirst.org/connect-with-us/ .

Music Ministry
2024-04-07 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-05-26 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Sanctuary

Covenant Hike Group
2024-04-07 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
2024-04-07 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
2024-04-07 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!

Reconciling Task Force Webinar Educational on General conference
2024-04-09 18:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | Glenna Hall
Invitation to discuss the upcoming UMC General Conference with presentations on “Resurrecting An All Inclusive Church” zoom event with UMC church leaders of color and LGBTQIA+, including Bishop Karen Oliveto, Rev. Adam Hamilton, Rev. Israel “Izzy” Alvaran (RMN Regional Organizer) and others.

Festival Choir Rehearsal
2024-04-10 19:30 - 20:10 (America/Chicago) | Choir Room
Adults and high school youth from the congregation and the community rehearse in preparation for the Festival Choir Concert on May 17, 2024. No audition is required and music is provided at rehearsal.
For more information, email brian@faithatfirst.com

Sunday School
2024-04-14 09:15 - 10:15 (America/Chicago)
Sunday School takes place before Worship from 9:15-10:15 a.m. from mid-September through May, with an emphasis on learning and responding to stories in the Bible through reading, conversation, and play. Sunday School is offered for children ages Pre-K-6th grade. Classroom locations are posted throughout the building.

Finding God in the Natural World (Adult Ed Class)
2024-04-14 09:15 - 10:15 (America/Chicago) | Rooms 33 and 34, Third Floor
Please join us for any or all of this four-week exploration of nature as God’s first sacred text. Participants will be invited into a deeper understanding of God through nature. For additional details and online registration, click here.

Young Adult Retreat
2024-04-19 - 2024-04-21
We are beginning a new tradition for our Young Adult group! We will be having a Young Adult Retreat on April 19-21st. The location of where we stay will be determined by our group size. We will do group lessons, crafts, self reflection, and plenty of bonding. This is a wonderful time to recharge your soul and get away for a weekend with other folks. Come join us! Contact Sydney Harkrider, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, at sydney@faithatfirst.com to sign up.

Couples Salon Spring Gathering
2024-04-20 18:30 - 21:30 (America/Chicago)
Come join Couples Salon for an evening of good food and fellowship on Saturday, April 20th, at the Barbours’ home in Evanston. This fun evening co-hosted by Nancy and Dennis Barbour and Evelyn and Mike McGowan will begin at 6:30 pm.
Please RSVP to Evelyn at em4mail@gmail.com or via text at 312-816-5353 to let her know you are coming, and whether you are bringing an appetizer, dessert or side dish that goes with ham.

First Church Architectural Building Tour
2024-04-21 11:30 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Sanctuary
Our resident building expert, Bill Brown, will lead a 30-minute tour on Sunday, April 21 after worship. This tour will focus on the history and architecture of the sanctuary and Tittle Chapel. Participants will get a close look at the carved reredos above the altar, the original and “new” stained glass, the awesome yet intimate space of Tittle Chapel, and many other treasures in the spaces.
Interested? Please sign up online, and plan to meet in the rear of the sanctuary five minutes after worship. Can’t make it but want to be notified of the next tour date? Please email mary@faithatfirst.com.

AGO Meeting
2024-04-21 13:30 - 14:30 (America/Chicago) | Conference Room

AGO Workshop: Continuo Playing
2024-04-21 15:00 - 16:30 UTC | Sanctuary
First Church’s Music Ministry hosts organist David Schraeder as he presents a workshop on continuo playing featuring our Fisk continuo organ. The event is presented by the North Shore Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and is free and open to the public.

Mom's Night Out
2024-04-24 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Chicago)
Spring into fun with us! Every Mom Welcome!
Julie Womack Host and Jessica Radcliffe Cohost
RSVP to Julie WomackJulie@gmail.com
You can bring something to share IF you want (No guilt!)
Thank you Catharina Maerklin and Julia Jackson for hosting in March!

Connecting Through Storytelling
2024-04-27 12:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Dining Room
“Connecting Through Storytelling”
Take this course if you want to meet and get to know other members of FUMC, Evanston. You will create and tell 3-minute stories during our four class sessions. Invite your family and friends to hear one of your stories at our Performance Hour following worship on May 19, 2024. There is no preparation for the first class session. I cannot begin to describe how much I enjoy teaching this course. – Kitty Dutenhaver

ASP Training
2024-04-28 11:30 - 13:00 (America/Chicago)
This is a training meeting for all folks who are attending ASP on July 13-20th.

First Wednesday Potluck
2024-05-01 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | Dining Room
Bring a side or dessert to share and join your church family for good food and fellowship on the first Wednesday of every month!
Please register to gain building entry aid in preparations, noting any dietary restrictions or food allergies in the memo field. Register here: https://onrealm.org/faithatfirst/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=MmE0YTA4NmQtMGMxZi00NzRiLWFlOWYtYjEzMTAxNDJmMTdk

Confirmation Brunch
2024-05-05 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Chicago) | Dining Room

Homelessness in Evanston
2024-05-05 09:15 - 10:15 (America/Chicago)
Join us as we pick back up on our fall 2023 discussion of homelessness in Evanston to learn about current services for those experiencing housing and food insecurity and explore our response as a Faith Community.

Festival Choir Rehearsal
2024-05-15 18:30 - 21:00, 2024-05-17 18:30 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | Sanctuary

Festival Choir Concert
2024-05-17 19:30 - 20:30 (America/Chicago) | Sanctuary
On Friday, May 17th, the Festival Choir of First United Methodist Church of Evanston presents a concert featuring two choral masterworks: Paul Winter’s “Earth Mass” and Louis Vierne’s “Messe solennelle.” The 7:30pm concert is free and open to the public.

Connecting Through Storytelling
2024-05-19 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Dining Room
Participants in the spring Connecting through Storytelling Class share their stories to a live audience of congregants, friends, families, etc.
