JRC resets sanctuary
2025-09-28 13:30 - 14:30 (America/Chicago)

Stewardship Preview Event
2025-09-28 16:30 - 18:00 | Great Hall

Bundled Blessings Diaper Packing with Evanston Professional Moms
2025-09-30 09:00 - 22:30 | Room M

Kol Nidre Set Up and Service
2025-10-01 09:30 - 21:00

CPR & 1st Aid Training- Total Child
2025-10-01 15:00 - 18:15 | Dining Hall

Yom Kippur
2025-10-02 08:30 - 19:00
8:30-5:45
(Rain contingency services at 3:30-4:15 and 6:00-7:00)

Fall Inquirers Class: Begins October 5
2025-10-05 09:15 - 10:15
Inquirers Class Begins Sunday, October 5
Meets Sundays 9:15-10:15am, October 5-November 9, in Glenna Hall.The objectives of the Inquirers Class are:
• to provide an ‘up close’ look at First Church, its people, and programs.
• to consider the theology, structure and current issues in the United Methodist Church.
• to reflect on our collective and individual faith journeys and foster community around the Inquirers table.
As the centerpiece of the membership process, Inquirers is intended to help participants discern whether First Church is a good fit, and if they want to take membership vows here. While all person who want to join the church are asked to participate in Inquirers, not everyone who participates in Inquirers is expected to become a member.
Interested? Want to know more? Please reach out to Mary Taylor-Johnson, Director of Membership and Engagement, at 847-864-6182 or mary@faithatfirst.com

Sunday Morning Book Club
2025-10-05 09:15 - 10:15 | Room 32
Sunday Morning Book Club- Sundays at 9:15am- Begins Oct. 5th

Begins October 5th in Room 32.
Sunday Morning Book Club is multigenerational group of adults integrating learning and faith through secular or biblical stories. Reading the book is great but is not required. For questions or more information, please contact the class leaders.
The first book seletced is The Anxious Generation by Jonatahn Haidt and is discussed 10/5 – 11/16.
Discussion leaders are Matt Peters (Matthew.mjp.peters@gmail.com) and Julie Womack (womackjulie@gmail.com)

Fall 2025 Inquirers Class
2025-10-05 09:15 - 10:15
Fall 2025 Inquirers Class
Meets Sundays 9:15-10:15am, October 5-November 9, in Glenna Hall.The objectives of the Inquirers Class are:
• to provide an ‘up close’ look at First Church, its people, and programs.
• to consider the theology, structure and current issues in the United Methodist Church.
• to reflect on our collective and individual faith journeys and foster community around the Inquirers table.As the centerpiece of the membership process, Inquirers is intended to help participants discern whether First Church is a good fit, and if they want to take membership vows here. While all person who want to join the church are asked to participate in Inquirers, not everyone who participates in Inquirers is expected to become a member.
Interested? Want to know more? Please reach out to Mary Taylor-Johnson, Director of Membership and Engagement, at 847-864-6182 or mary@faithatfirst.com

Stewardship Kickoff & Community Celebration
2025-10-05 11:30 - 12:30 | Hinman Lawn

ASP Reunion and Interest Meeting
2025-10-05 11:30 - 13:00 | Dining Hall
Did you attend ASP this Summer? Are you interested in joining us next Summer? We are hosting an ASP Reunion and Interest Meeting on October 5th after service in the Dining Room. Lunch will be provided. There will be a slideshow of all the memories from this past Summer and information for our future ASP volunteers. Come join us!

Children’s Ministry Volunteer Training and Information Session
2025-10-05 12:00 - 13:00 | Room 32/33/34
First Church’s Children’s Ministry program is enriched and made possible by a dedicated network of lay volunteer leaders. Signing up for one hour, one Sunday a month is all it takes to make an enduring impact in the lives of our children and church! Are you being called to serve (and play!) with First Church’s Children’s Ministry?

Join us for lunch on Sunday, October 5 from 12:00-1:00 p.m. to learn about the many opportunities and resources available to new and seasoned volunteers, strengthen your leadership, and nurture the life of our congregation. Join the conversation and answer the call!

Music Ministry
2025-10-05 13:00 - 14:00 | Tittle Chapel

Covenant Hike Group
2025-10-05 14:00 - 15:15
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 welcome.

Each month 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 from October through May, and participants may join in as schedules allow.

Facilitator: Jim Johnson. Contact Jim at jjohnso@luc.edu with any questions and to be placed on the distribution list.

Earth Care Library Team Meeting
2025-10-08 16:30 - 17:30 | Great Hall

Holy Hurt Book Group
2025-10-08 19:00 - 20:30 | Glenna Hall
Holy Hurt – Healing from Religious Trauma
Wednesdays 7pm-8:30pm | Starting the week of Oct. 8th through November 12th | Glenna Hall
Led by Rev. Britt Cox and shared weekly facilitation with group participants
Many of us carry invisible wounds from faith communities that once promised love, belonging, or truth—but instead delivered shame, fear, or harm. In Holy Hurt, therapist and theologian Dr. Hillary McBride gently guides readers through the complex terrain of religious trauma with compassion, insight, and hope.
This class will be a space for honest reflection, guided discussion, and spiritual care as we explore themes like:

Naming and understanding religious trauma
Reclaiming your body, story, and relationship with the Divine
Grieving what was lost—and holding onto what still gives life
Finding new ways of connecting with God, others, and yourself

Whether you are deconstructing, rebuilding, or simply curious, this class offers tools for healing, language for your journey, and community for the road. All are welcome, especially those carrying questions or wounds from past faith experiences.
Class will be capped at 15 people and we ask that folks register ahead of time here on realm. Purchase the book and read through chapter 1 prior to the first class.
Register here at the Realm Registration Event.

Bundled Blessings Diaper Packing with AbbVie
2025-10-09 13:00 - 14:30 | Room M

Bundled Blessings Diaper Packing - Skokie Rotary and other volunteers
2025-10-11 10:30 - 12:00 | Room M

Sacred Time: Making Space for Integernational Spiritual Practices
2025-10-12 09:15 - 10:15 | Room 32/33/34
Join us for a three-part introduction to shared spiritual practices designed for integration in your family’s everyday. Children, parents and caregivers at any age and stage are encouraged to attend this special class offering co-presented by Children’s Ministry and Faith Formation.

Sacred Time: Making Space for Intergenerational Spiritual Practices
2025-10-12 09:15 - 10:15 | Room 34
For centuries, spiritual practices were lived out in the daily rhythms of monastic
life. But we don’t live in monasteries! Our daily rhythms look much different in
Chicagoland in 2025; therefore, we require spiritual practices that fit our current
context.
Join us for a three-part introduction to shared spiritual practices designed for
integration in your family’s everyday as we explore practices that provide
opportunities for us to slow down and spend time with God and each other.
Children, parents and caregivers at any age and stage are encouraged to attend
this special class offering co-presented by Children’s Ministry and Faith
Formation.
Leaders: Colin McDonald and Virginia A. Lee

SPRC meeting
2025-10-12 12:00 - 13:00 | Glenna Hall
Reservation: OWL and Laptop for virtual option

Festival Choir Rehearsal
2025-10-15 19:30 - 20:15 | Choir Room
Adults and high school youth from the congregation and the community rehearse in preparation of Mozart’s Requiem for the Festival Choir Concert on November 21, 2025. No audition is required.

17thFisk University Choir Concert sponsored by Lula B. Sherman United Methodist Church
2025-10-17 19:00 - 21:00 | Sanctuary and Kitchen
Fisk University is one of the oldest HBCUs in the country founded in 1866. The Fisk Choir (originally known as the Mozart Society) was formed in 1879. Sherman is proud to provide the North Shore Community with this presentation of African American sacred music, a two-hour celebration of the black experience in song and sacred dance. After the two-hour concert, Sherman hosts a reception for the choir and its philanthropic supporters in the Great Hall and kitchen.
Purchase ticket here: https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/shermanmethodistnet/lula-b-sherman-fisk-university-choir-concert

Sherman Methodist hosts the Fisk College Choir
2025-10-17 19:00 - 22:00 | Sanctuary

Memorial Service for Jean Perry
2025-10-18 09:30 - 14:00 | Sanctuary and Dining Hall

Adult Education Council Meeting
2025-10-20 19:30 - 20:30 | Glenna Hall

Harvest Soup (Total Child families)
2025-10-22 17:00 - 19:30 | Dining Hall

Nov. 1 Diaper Packing and Breakfast
2025-10-23 08:00 - 17:00
On Saturday morning, Nov. 1, Inquirers and other First Church folks are invited to gather at the church to pack diapers in preparation for the monthly diaper pickup day when our social service agency partners come to pick up the diapers for the families in their networks.
Breakfast 9-9:30am
Diaper Packing 9:30-11am
Thank you!

Mom's Night Out
2025-10-23 18:30 - 20:30
Mom’s Night Out – Greta Connor’s HomeAsk someone to join you!

New to MNO? You’re welcome here!Email Linda Federer at Lfederer30@gmail.com for more info or to get connected.
