Diaper Packing and Soup Kitchen Prep
2023-10-14 10:00 - 12:00 UTC | Dining Room
Projects will include making sack meals for Connections for the Homeless; packing diapers for our Bundled Blessings diaper pantry; and other tasks to support our ministries at the church and in the community. We will have all the supplies ready for you at the church, so you can just come as you are and enjoy some fellowship while doing good. And we will break midway through for refreshments!
Contact Alli Henry alli.m.henry@gmail.com and Nancy Brown nandbrown@comcast.net with questions!

Memorial Service for Elizabeth Lithio
2023-10-14 13:30 - 15:30 | Sanctuary
Watch the live stream of Liz’s service: https://youtube.com/live/jt-2kbwuv6k?feature=share

First Steps to Faith
2023-10-15 09:00 - 09:30
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.

ASP Reunion and Interest Meeting
2023-10-15 11:30 - 13:30 | Dining Room
Are you a youth or parent interested in ASP for 2024? Come hear about this experience and ask your questions! This is also a time of reunion for those who attended this past Summer, so come and invite the new folks who will join us next Summer!

Earth Care Committee Monthly Meeting
2023-10-15 11:45 - 13:00 | Glenna Hall
The Earth Care Committee Monthly Meeting is for committee members to continue discussions on Earth Care work on behalf of the First Church family as aligned with the current priority for environmental justice noted in the First Church strategic plan. Monthly meetings are convened by Earth Care Committee Chair Eileen Chambers (eileenmchambers10@gmail.com) or Vice Chair Judith Campbell (judithc@me.com).

SPRC Monthly Meeting
2023-10-17 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom
Monthly meeting of the Staff Parish Relations Committee. Please address questions about this group to Beth Swanick, Chair.

Brass Rehearsal
2023-10-18 19:00 - 20:30 | Sanctuary
Rehearsal for 10/20 concert.

Brass & Organ Concert
2023-10-20 19:30 - 20:30 | Sanctuary
First Church’s Music Ministry presents a concert of music for brass and organ featuring the Gaudete Brass Quintet and Minister of Music & Organist Dr. Brian Schoettler. The program includes classics by J. S. Bach and Marcel Dupré alongside works by living composers including works by local composers Ephraim Champion and Brian Schoettler. Founded in 2004, the Gaudete Brass has recorded four albums and presents concerts and educational programs throughout the United States.
The 7:30pm concert is free and open to the public.

Monthly Styrofoam Collection
2023-10-21 10:00 - 12:00
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.

Memorial Service for Adolphine Kikonde Lukube, Pauline Omboko Shongo's Mother
2023-10-21 17:00 - 19:00 | Tittle Chapel

Adolphine Kikonde Lukube's Memorial Service Reception
2023-10-21 18:00 - 19:00 | Dining Room

Spooky Story Night and ESCCA Clothing Drive
2023-10-25 17:00 - 19:00
Spooky Story Night and ESCCA Clothing Drive, Wednesday, October 25, 2023. Come in costume for family-friendly, faith-affirming spooky stories, stay for trick or treating! Bring gently used children;s clothes to donate to ESCCA
Please register: https://onrealm.org/faithatfirst/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=NzE0YjA3NTUtYTQ3OC00NjFmLWE3YjUtYjA5NTAwMGRhNDc5

Mom's Night Out
2023-10-26 18:30 - 20:30
FUMC Mom’s Night Out – Thurs Oct 26th 6:30 – 8:30 pm
COME AS YOU ARE!! – in your sweats, office clothes, or yoga pants!
Cherie Asante – Host and Jess Radcliffe Co-Host
Please RSVP to cherie.asante@gmail.com
This is intended for Every Mom of kids of every age.
We snack, talk and laugh! No agenda! All are welcome!
Bring a snack IF you wish – but no guilt!

Pumpkin Carving and Bonfire
2023-10-28 16:00 - 23:00
You are invited to the 4th annual Limitless Pumpkin carving and weenie roast/bonfire Saturday 10/28 starting at 4:00pm at the home of Matt and Stephanie Peters in the backyard. Bring your own pumpkin.
Pumpkin carving supplies, hotdogs, buns, and fixings, hot cider and water will be provided. Please bring a side to share. RSVP to Stephanie Peters at stephdeloney@gmail.com

Couples Salon Fall Gathering
2023-10-28 18:30 - 21:00
Come join Couples Salon for an evening of food and fellowship on Saturday, October 28th, beginning at 6:30 pm at the Evanston home of Steve and Susan Prout. New participants are welcome! Please RSVP to Susan at swprout@comcast.net to let her know you are coming, and whether you are bringing an appetizer, side dish or dessert to share.

Theology, Identity, and Me: An Affirming Study of Gender, Sex, and Human Sexuality
2023-10-29 09:15 - 10:15 | Room 33
As First Church embarks on its 10th year as a Reconciling Congregation, we invite the congregation into a deep exploration of Christian thought, natural sciences, and Church history in relation to gender, sex, and human sexuality. Using a three-part video course and discussion questions from the Reconciling Ministries Network, we will seek to understand gender expression and sexual identity in connection to our faith as well as seek ways to practice radical hospitality and grow as a welcoming and affirming community of faith.
“When we seek to understand each person’s sacred worth, we can better honor the beauty of God’s creation and our kin.” – Reconciling Ministries Network
Video presenters: Liam M. Hooper, M.Div., (He/Him), Rev. Quest Hunter (They/Them), Rev. H.N. Gibson (They/Them/Theirs), Ophelia Hu Kinney (She/Her), and Rev. Anjie Peek Woodworth (She/Her)
First Church Facilitator: B.J. Birkhahn-Rommelfanger
Please register here: https://onrealm.org/faithatfirst/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=OWM5ZWI0ZTUtNGYyNS00YTJlLWE4MjYtYjA3NDAxMjUzZjVi

Nominations & Leadership Dev. Committee Meeting
2023-10-29 11:45 - 13:00 | Conference Room
The Nominations & Leadership Development Committee is led by Pastor Grace Imathiu (chair) and Mike Bergmann (vice chair).

First Wednesday Potluck
2023-11-01 18:00 - 19:00 | Dining Room
Wednesday, November 1, 2023, 6:00- p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Bring a side or dessert to share and join your church family for good food and fellowship this fall on the first Wednesday of every month! On the menu this month, a First UMC Soup Kitchen favorite, Cheesy Meatball Bake.
Please register to aid in preparations, noting any dietary restrictions or food allergies in the memo field.

Progressive Christianity Reading Group
2023-11-02 13:00 - 14:00
Join Progressive Christian Reading Group as they explore Karen Armstrong’s “Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life” on Thursdays during November via ZOOM from 1pm to 2pm. One of the most original thinkers on the role of religion in the modern world, Armstrong believes that while compassion is intrinsic in all human beings, each of us needs to work diligently to cultivate and expand our capacity for compassion. Christie Cooke, PhD will facilitate our discussions. Contact Bonnie Beckonchrist at Bbeckonchrist@gmail.com for ZOOM info. ALL are welcome.

Faith Around The Table
2023-11-05 17:00 - 19:00
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!

Nominations Committee Monthly Meeting
2023-11-06 19:00 - 20:15
The Nominations and Leadership Development committee meets on the first Monday of each month on Zoom. Please address and questions to Pastor Grace Imathiu, chair at grace@faithatfirst.com and/or Michael Bergmann, vice chair at mgbergmann@yahoo.com.

First Books
2023-11-07 19:30 - 21:00 | Glenna Hall

Mom's Night Out
2023-11-08 18:30 - 20:30
FUMC Mom’s Night Out – Wed Nov 8th 6:30 – 8:30 pm
COME AS YOU ARE!! We will be Grateful to See you!
Debbie Zimmerman Host – with Evelyn McGowan Cohost
If you want to bring a dish, that would be lovely – but no pressure!
RSVP to DMCEZimmerman@hotmail.com
THANK YOU! Cherie Asante and Jessica Radcliffe for a lovely October evening with sparkling conversation!
Save the date : Tuesday December 12th – Greta Connor and Susan Henderson

J.U.M.P.
2023-11-10 16:00 - 18:00
J.U.M.P. (Junior United Methodist People) serves as an introductory youth group for students in grades 4-6 and meets monthly on Fridays from 4:00-6:00 p.m. In November, J.U.M.P. will focus on giving thanks by giving back as we help decorate ornaments for this year’s Christmas Star Tree; an annual tradition and partnership with Y.O.U. that seeks to provide children in Evanston with gifts their families can’t afford.
Please register in advance at onrealm.org/faithatfirst/Registrations.
Drop-off and pick-up at First Church’s Church Street entrance (516 Church St.).

Children's Choir Rehearsal
2023-11-12 10:00 - 10:15 | Sanctuary

Earth Care Lending Library
2023-11-12 11:30 - 12:00 | Great Hall
Earth Care Lending Library Open on November 12
Looking for a place to continue growing in your understanding of environmental justice
and how to care for God’s creation? Visit the Earth Care Lending Library, which is open every 2nd Sunday after worship in Great Hall. A small lending library with books for readers of all ages, the titles were curated by the Earth Care Committee and include Newbery Award-winning children’s
books, as well as titles by leading voices from the spiritual and scientific communities. Check it out!

Fleetwood-Jourdain Production: The Bitter Earth - Dinner and a Show
2023-11-12 15:00 - 18:00 | Noyes Cultural Center, 927 Noyes Street, Evanston, IL, 60201, United States
The Social Justice Committee and the Reconciling Congregation Task Force invite you to Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre’s production of This Bitter Earth on Sunday November 12 at 3:00 pm. The invitation is to a Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre and Stacked & Folded in Evanston offering of a $30 Dinner and Show Package. We will discuss the play over dinner; Stacked and Folded is just across Noyes Street from the theatre.
Register now and pay online or via check/cash due Nov. 12.
This Bitter Earth
A deep love is challenged by divisive political realities. Jesse, an introspective Black playwright, finds his choices called into question when his boyfriend Neil, a white Black Lives Matter activist, calls him out for his political apathy. As passions and priorities collide, this couple is forced to reckon with issues, of race, class and the bravery it takes to love out loud.

Orchestra Rehearsal
2023-11-15 18:30 - 19:30 | Sanctuary

Festival Choir Dress Rehearsal
2023-11-15 19:30 - 21:00 | Sanctuary

"Smart Home Energy: Reduce Your Energy Bills & Lower Your Carbon Footprint"
2023-11-15 19:30 - 21:00
From the Earth Care Committee: Many of us are looking for ways to reduce our carbon footprint and energy use at home, but the solutions, rebates, and credits can be confusing! Please join Beth Emet, Interfaith Action, Climate Action Evanston, Go Green Wilmette, and Citizens’ Climate Lobby for a combination in-person and virtual event, “Smart Home Energy: Reduce Your Energy Bills & Lower Your Carbon Footprint” on November 15 from 7:30 to 9:00. The in-person program will be at Beth Emet, 1224 Dempster. Registration is required for both in-person and virtual at https://bethemet.org/event/smart-home-energy/
