First United Methodist Church of Evanston, IL

First Hands Clark Street Beach Bird Sanctuary Event
2024-07-20 09:00 - 11:00 (America/Chicago)
Enjoy this beautiful setting and camaraderie as we help with weeding, watering,…or whatever needs to be done that day. Bring water, a hat, sunglasses and gardening gloves if you have. If no, they have extras. Just north of the Clark Street Beach entrance, between the bike path and the beach. If you’re up for it, stick around once our shift is over for a BYO lunch/snack at a nearby picnic table. It’s our 4th (5th?) year here, and they are happy to have us back again! Please respond to First Hands leader Rebecca Beiter via email to bob.beiter@comcast.net to sign up. Rebecca will forward the city waiver that needs to be completed annually as well as further details. Come join us!

Young Adult Potluck
2024-09-22 17:30 - 19:30, 2024-07-28 17:30 - 19:30 UTC
Calling all Young Adults! Join us for our Potlucks every other week at 5:30pm. Feel free to bring your favorite side item or dessert! Contact Sydney Harkrider at sydney@faithatfirst.com for the location!

Summer Lunch Bunch
2024-07-31 12:00 - 13:15 (America/Chicago) | Fountain Square
Our second Summer Lunch Bunch gathering is Wednesday, July 31, with Pastor Britt Cox, Colin McDonald, and Mary Taylor-Johnson. BYO lunch and gather at Fountain Square from noon to 1:15pm to enjoy informal conversation together. (Rain location: Church dining room.) Sign up so we know to look for you and can let you know if we are moving indoors.
Your staff misses the casual conversations of our program year potlucks and so we have planned a few pop-up lunch gatherings before Rally Day (Sept. 8). Bring your lunch or pick it up on the way and come as you are.
Sign up now for July 31 and watch the E-News for future dates!

Faith in the Wild: Vacation Bible School at First Church
2024-08-12 09:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago)
“Faith in the Wild: Vacation Bible School for Outsiders” is an environmentally-focused program for children entering kindergarten through 4th grade to inspire them to explore their place and relationships in creation. Through imaginative Bible storytelling and outdoor, immersive study of trees, water, birds, bugs and conservation, children will uncover elements of wildness and rootedness within and how experiences of wilderness can help us cultivate a deep and lasting connection with God.
Each session will take place at and around First Church. VBS is free and open to the public. Sign up at https://faithatfirst.regfox.com/2024-vacation-bible-school

Adult Education Council Meeting
2024-08-19 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Glenna Hall
Monthly Adult Education Council Meeting
Third Monday of each month from 7:00-8:00pm
Jan Womack, Vice Chair Womack.jan@gmail.com

Total Child Orientation Day/Open House
2024-08-21 07:30 - 10:30 (America/Chicago) | Glenna Hall
Total Child hosts an Orientation Day/Open House for all new and returning families. Families check-in in Glenna Hall to receive important paperwork, and then are escorted to their child’s new classroom where they can meet the teacher and engage in some simple activities within their new classroom.

Finance Committee
2024-08-21 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Chicago) | Zoom

Annual Leaders Retreat
2024-08-24 08:30 - 12:30 (America/Chicago) | Dining Room

Young Adults | Sunday in the Park with Lyric
2024-08-25 19:00 - 22:00 (America/Chicago)
Our next Young Adult social event leads us a little further– to Millennium Park! This will be an evening of beautiful music as artists from The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center perform accompanied by members of the Lyric Opera Orchestra. It will be a wonderful evening of music, so bring your picnic blanket and snacks! Are you in? Email Sydney Harkrider (sydney@faithatfirst.com) for more details.

Summer Lunch Bunch
2024-09-04 12:00 - 13:15 (America/Chicago) | Fountain Square
Our final Summer Lunch Bunch is Wednesday, Sept. 4. BYO lunch and gather at Fountain Square from noon to 1:15pm to enjoy informal conversation with staff and church members. Sign up now so we know to look for you!

Church Council Governance Review Subcommittee Zoom Meeting
2024-09-04 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Zoom

Progressive Christianity Reading Group
2024-09-05 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Zoom
The Progressive Christianity Reading Group kicks off the new year on Sept. 5 at 1:00pm with its weekly one-hour Zoom gathering. “Reading Genesis” by Marilynne Robinson is our first selection. It may be found at online booksellers as well as the Evanston Library.
Robinson offers these words on the topic:
“The book of Genesis has been treated by scholars as a collection of documents by many hands, expressing different factional interests, with borrowings from other ancient literatures, marking the text as derivative. In other words, academic interpretation of Genesis has centered on the question of its basic coherency, just as fundamentalist interpretation has centered on the question of the appropriateness of reading it as literally true.
Both of these approaches preclude an appreciation of its greatness as literature, its rich articulation and exploration of themes that resonate through the whole of Scripture. “Reading Genesis” includes the full text of the King James Version of the book… is a powerful consideration of the profound meanings and promise of God’s enduring covenant with humanity. This magisterial book radiates gratitude for the constancy and benevolence of God’s abiding faith in Creation.”
The Progressive Christianity Reading Group meets online weekly during the program year. New participants are always welcome. Interested in this group and/or this book? Please contact Christie at cecook.phd@gmail.com.

Fall Family Welcome
2024-09-06 17:30 - 19:30 (America/Chicago)
You’re invited to Children’s Ministry’s Fall Family Welcome, Friday, September 6, 2024 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on the front lawn of First United Methodist Church (1630 Hinman Avenue).
Join Children’s Ministry leaders, volunteers, and other families with children ages 0 through 6th grade for casual fellowship and a preview of our 2024-25 program year for children and adults. Light dinner will be provided along with a taste of “Messy Church,” a monthly opportunity for children, youth, and adults of all ages to engage and get messy in hands-on activities and worship, beginning Rally Day Sunday, September 8!
To aid in our planning, please register by Friday, August 30.

Rally Day
2024-09-08
Our new program year at First Church begins on Rally Day Sunday, Sept. 8!
9:15am Christian Education for adults, youth, and children
10:30am Worship in the Sanctuary with children’s processional
10:45am Children’s Chapel and Connect 456
Community Hour with ice cream on the church lawn after worship.
Church Council has chosen “Collaboration, Connection and Care” as the theme for 2024-25 and proposed a focus on Goals IV (Action for Justice) and V (Collaborative Leadership) of the current strategic plan into next summer. By expanding that plan for one additional year, we have additional time to reflect on the outcomes of the 2024 General Conference and develop the next strategic plan.

Men's Fellowship Breakfast...attention date change
2024-09-08 08:00 - 10:00 (America/Chicago)
The Men’s fellowship breakfast will not meet on Sept. 8, Rally Day. It is going to be held the following Sunday, Sept. 15, at 8 am at the Merion.
The regular schedule of second Sunday meeting time will resume on October 13.

Celebration of Community
2024-09-08 09:15 - 09:30 (America/Chicago) | Dining Room
Join us as we gather as a church community of all ages and celebrate that we are learning and growing in Christ together. This will serve as a gathering place before children and adults go to their respective places for the education hour.

Confirmation- 7th & 8th Grade
2024-09-08 09:15 - 10:15 (America/Chicago) | Room M
7th and 8th graders— it’s time for Confirmation to begin! We will meet in Room M on Rally Day morning. See y’all soon!

Adult Christian Education Preview
2024-09-08 09:15 - 10:30 (America/Chicago) | Dining Room
On Rally Day Sunday, Sept. 8, the Adult Christian Education Council is hosting an overview of opportunities for adults to learn and grown in faith. All are welcome to the dining room from 9:15-10:15am to hear about plans for four tracks of classes and groups, specific opportunities, and a bit about the work Adult Council is doing. This gathering is a great opportunity for long-time members, new visitors, and everyone in-between.

Messy Church
2024-09-08 09:30 - 10:15 (America/Chicago) | 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 this Rally Day Sunday!

Chancel Choir Rehearsal
2024-09-08 09:30 - 10:15 (America/Chicago) | 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.

Worship in the Sanctuary
2024-09-08 10:30 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Sanctuary
Please find up to date information about this Sunday here.

Children's Chapel and Connect 456
2024-09-08 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago)

Community Hour with Ice Cream
2024-09-08 11:30 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Front Lawn

Eucharist Service
2024-09-08 11:30 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Tittle Chapel
