First United Methodist Church of Evanston, IL

Ash Wednesday Potluck and Lenten Workshop
2024-02-14 18:00 - 19:00 UTC | Dining Room
The 40 days of Lent are a time to extend ourselves inside and out in rhythm with the lengthening days and life of Christ. Embrace and observe this holy season as we bake pretzels, create prayer journals, and join together for good food and conversation before Ash Wednesday service at 7:00 p.m.
Bring a side or dessert to share and please register in advance.

Ash Wednesday Service
2024-02-14 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Tittle Chapel
View the livestream: https://www.youtube.com/live/isOIGJ7n1HQ?si=5LJetzRr24un_sgV

Progessive Christianity Reading Group
2024-02-15 13:00 - 14:00 UTC
FUMC’S Progressive Christians Reading Group will read/discuss William Sloane Coffin’s small collection of essays, “The Heart Is a Little to the Left”, written 25 years ago, still “a powerful antidote to the religious right with a clarion call to passive intellectuals and dispirited liberals to reenter the fray, based on an unabashedly Christian view of social justice.” Coffin served as chaplain of Yale University for 18 years, Senior Pastor of Riverside Church, NY., and President of SANE/FREEZE: Campaign for Global Security. Jailed as a civil rights “Freedom Rider”, indicted by the government in the Benjamin Spock conspiracy trial, he attained popular notoriety as Reverend Sloan in the Doonesbury comic strip.
We will cover the 81-page collection in two sessions, Feb. 8th and 15th during 1pm ZOOM meeting. Buy used on-line. New participants are welcome to join us. Contact Bonnie Beckonchrist for info at bbeckonchrist@gmail.com

Church Office Closed
2024-02-16

Couples Salon Gathering
2024-02-17 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Chicago)
Come join Couples Salon for an evening of good food and fellowship on Saturday, February 17, at the Baileys’ home in Evanston. This fun evening co-hosted by Karen and Dexter Bailey and Lisa Schilling and Brad Woodman will begin at 6:30 pm.
Please RSVP to Lisa at lschilling329@gmail.com to let her know you are coming, and whether you are bringing an appetizer, side dish or dessert to share.

First Steps to Faith
2024-02-18 09:30 - 10:00 UTC
Nursery age families, join us for a new year of First Steps to Faith from 9:30-10:00 a.m. in the Nursery. Featuring stories, songs, snacks and play, this a special time for parents and caregivers to connect and catch a glimpse of God’s work in our youngest disciples. Advance registration appreciated but not necessary. Register here: https://onrealm.org/faithatfirst/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=NTJkYTI5NGYtZWM5MC00ZGQ0LWE4YWItYjEwMTAxMDViNDIw

Church Conference
2024-02-18 11:30 - 13:00 UTC | Dining Room

Mom's Night Out
2024-02-21 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Chicago)
Please Join us for warmth, friendship, and conversation!
Bring a friend! We welcome Moms of every age!
Sue Hagedorn (host) and Susan Prout (cohost) – 6:30-8:30 pm
RSVP to: shagedorn123@aol.com
You can bring something to share IF you want (no guilt!)

Progressive Christianity Reading Group
2024-02-22 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago)
The Good Book: Reading the Bible with Mind and Heart
By Peter J. Gomes
discussion begins Feb. 22, 2024
Why are so many intelligent and compassionate people embarrassed to say they find wisdom and comfort in the Bible? Why do so many seekers turn to New Age religions instead of the Bible? And how as a society did we come to cede biblical interpretation to those who would use the Bible as a tool for division and exclusion? In this groundbreaking book, Peter Gomes shows how to read the Bible and what it says about spiritual topics that concern us all, including joy, suffering, evil, and goodness. He also explains what the Bible really says about women, gays and lesbians, and people of color. With compassion, humor, and insight, he gives readers the tools and understanding they need to make the ancient wisdom of the Bible a dynamic part of their modern lives.
“The Bible and the social and moral consequences that derive from its interpretation are all too important to be left in the hands of the pious or the experts, and too significant to be ignored and trivialized by the uninformed and indifferent.”
Dubbed by Time magazine as one of America’s seven best preachers, the late Harvard professor of Christian Morals and pastor of the school’s University Memorial Church, Rev. Gomes’ work, The Good Book, is written for the general public to entice them back to reading the Bible through new eyes, paying more attention to its moral principles than the social practices.
Rev. Gomes asserts that Biblical literacy in this country is extremely rare. Among a thousand people polled in the US by the Barna Research Group 10 percent said that Joan of Arc was Noah’s wife, 16 percent were convinced that the New Testament contained the Gospel of Thomas, and 38 percent believed the Old and New Testaments were written a few years after Jesus’ death. Gomes observed humorously that, “These replies are worthy of the old Sunday school howler in which the epistles are defined as the wives of the apostles.” (p. 5)
The Good Book is divided into three sections: “Opening the Bible” wherein Gomes warns against three dangerous and common temptations on Biblical interpretation: (1) bibliolatry, “the worship of the Bible, making it an object of veneration and ascribing to it the glory belonging to God,” (2) literalism, “the worship of the text, in which the letter is given inappropriate superiority over the spirit, and (3) culturalism, “the worship of the culture in which the Bible is forced to conform to the norms of the prevailing culture.” Section two, “The Use and Abuse of the Bible” is a historical account of how the Bible has been used to oppress certain groups: Jews, women, homosexuals, and minorities. Section three, “The True and Lively Word” explores what the Bible has to say about the good life, evil, suffering, temptation, wealth, science, mystery and joy.
ALL are welcome. Contact bbeckonchrist@gmail.com for ZOOM info.

First Hands & First Feet Team Up for Bundled Blessings
2024-03-02 10:30 - 12:00 (America/Chicago)
Meet at the church’s Hinman Ave steps at 9:00am to join First Feet on the weekly lakeside walk. Or meet at 10:30 in the church lobby/front steps for coffee with the walkers. Then we will all bundle in the basement together. Join us for walking, bundling, or both. A great local service opportunity!
Please let us know that you are coming so the Bundled Blessings team knows how to plan for us.
Rebecca Beiter
bob.beiter@comcast.net

Earth Care Committee Monthly Meeting
2024-03-03 11:30 - 13:00 UTC | Glenna Hall

First Wednesday Potluck
2024-03-06 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 aid in preparations, noting any dietary restrictions or food allergies in the memo field: https://onrealm.org/faithatfirst/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=OTQ3NzE1ZTAtMjY4Mi00MDEzLTg5MGYtYjEyMzAxMzA3OGRh

Holocaust Museum Outing
2024-03-08 10:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago)
Single or Solo Fellowship group has arranged a group tour, with a docent, of the Skokie Holocaust Museum. Everyone is welcome. Please contact Marion Clemens for more information.

Conversation about a Cease Fire Resoultion for FUMC
2024-03-09 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Chicago) | Glenna Hall
It will be a discussion and formulation of a Cease Fire Resolution for the Israel-Gaza Conflict to be addressed to our church council. The resolution is being initiated by the Social Justice and Adult Ed Committees of the church.

Children's Choir Rehearsal
2024-03-10 10:00 - 10:15 (America/Chicago)

Creation Camp Information Session
2024-03-10 11:30 - 12:30 (America/Chicago) | Room 34
Registration is now open for Creation Camp! Creation Camp is a faith and fun-filled overnight camp experience taking place June 24-27, 2024 in beautiful Williams Bay, WI, suitable for all children entering grades 3-8 in the fall of 2024.
Parents, caregivers, counselors and campers interested in learning more about this year’s camp experience are encouraged to join Children’s and Youth Ministry camp leaders immediately following Worship on Sunday, March 10 in the Dining Room for an information and Q&A session designed for new and returning families alike. Get informed and get excited for a life-changing experience campers will never forget!

First Church Ministry Tour
2024-03-10 11:35 - 12:30 (America/Chicago) | Conference Room
Whether you are a new visitor or someone who has been worshipping here for over a year, we invite you to further explore First Church. This ministry tour is a great way to learn more about this faith community. For those who are curious about membership, this tour is also the first step in the membership process.
First Church Ministry Tour
Sunday, Nov. 10, immediately following worship
Meet outside the church office for this 45-minute tour.

Please RSVP here. (If you are interested but can’t make it, please use the RSVP form to indicate your availability for an alternate time.)

This tour is an opportunity for First Church visitors to explore who we are as a congregation and what we do in addition to 10:30 worship on Sundays. On the tour participants will:

Learn about our primary ministries: Mission and Outreach programs such as Soup Kitchen, Sack Lunch Ministry, and our Overnight Shelter; Children’s and Youth Ministries, Adult classes, Bible studies, and groups; Music Ministry; Fellowship groups and opportunities; Congregational Care.
Consider some key facts around First Church history, our identity as a Reconciling Congregation and member of Interfaith Action of Evanston; and our membership.
Visit rooms on multiple floors where, as Pastor Grace says, “the magic happens!” — and learn where the bathrooms are! (Note that walking is involved, and access to other floors via the elevator is an option to stairs.)

Before and after the tour, information about membership and the upcoming Inquirers Class will be available. Questions are always welcome.
Mary Taylor-Johnson, Director of Communications and Membership, mary@faithatfirst.com

Music Ministry
2024-03-10 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Sanctuary

Celebration of Life for Nick Perry
2024-03-11 15:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Tittle Chapel
Celebrating the Life of Nicholas Perry (June 3, 1986 – January 14, 2024)
Monday, March 11, 2024
Service at 3:00pm in Tittle Chapel. Reception following the service in Great Hall.
Online Guest Book (please sign)
Livestream link

Reception following Nick Perry's Celebration of Life
2024-03-11 16:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Great Hall

Celebration of Life for Bette Mitchell
2024-03-12 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Tittle Chapel
Celebrating the Life of Elizabeth (Bette) Mitchell (March 12, 1935 – December 25, 2023)
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
11am Service in Tittle Chapel with Luncheon at noon in the dining room.
View Bette’s Obituary
Online guesbook (please sign)
Livestream link to come

Luncheon following Bette Mitchell's Celebration of Life
2024-03-12 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Dining Room

Mom's Night Out
2024-03-14 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Chicago)
Moms of every age are welcome; each month is a different collection of women. Bring a snack to share or just yourself!
Catharina Maerklin (host) and Julia Jackson (cohost); RSVP by email to c.maerklin@gmx.de .

Celebration of Life for Larry Ter Molen
2024-03-15 15:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Sanctuary
Celebrating the Life of Larry Ter Molen (August 10, 1937 – February 9, 2024)
Friday, March 15, 2024
Service at 3:00pm in the sanctuary with reception following in Great Hall.
Livestream link
Online Guest Book (please sign)

Reception for Larry Ter Molen
2024-03-15 16:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Great Hall

Organ Concert
2024-03-15 19:30 - 20:30 UTC | Sanctuary
Organ Concert: Dr. Brian Schoettler
Friday, March 8, 7:30-8:30pm in the Sanctuary
First Church Minister of Music & Organist, Dr. Brian Schoettler, presents a 60-minute concert featuring the sanctuary’s mighty, Austin pipe organ (Opus 319). The program will feature works Bach, Lefébure-Wély, Marchand, Saint-Saëns, and Widor. The concert is free and open to the public.
Interested in dinner before the concert with some church folks? All are invited to meet at Prairie Moon at 5:30pm and walk back to the church for the concert. Please contact Ann Weatherhead at amweatherhead@gmail.com so we know how many to expect.

Grief Support Group
2024-03-17 09:15 - 10:15 (America/Chicago) | Conference Room
We are pleased to announce that Jim McHolland, Ph.D. and Licensed Clinical Psychologist, and Beth Swanick, Ed.D. and Licensed Professional Counselor, will again facilitate a three-week class for members and friends of First Church who are experiencing grief. Jim and Beth are both members of FUMC Evanston, and have offered this class several times over recent years. This grief may be due to the loss of a loved one, or loss associated with any major life change such as job loss, serious health diagnosis, anticipatory grief, recent financial insecurity, change in relationship status, or similar difficulty. This class will meet in person at 9:15 on Sundays, March 17, 24, and April 7. Please email Beth Swanick (bethswanick@gmail.com) with questions or to RSVP.

Wedding
2024-03-23 | Tittle Chapel

Palm Sunday with Processional
2024-03-24 10:30 - 11:30 (America/Chicago)

Chancel Choir Rehearsal
2024-03-28 18:30 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | Tittle Chapel
