First United Methodist Church of Evanston, IL

Chancel Choir Rehearsal
2023-02-15 19:30 - 21:00, 2023-03-01 19:30 - 21:00 UTC | Choir Room
SATB Choir for adults and youth in grades 9-12. New members welcome throughout the year – email brian@faithatfirst.com for more details.

Progressive Christianity Reading Group
2023-02-16 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
The Progressive Christianity Reading Group begins discussion of a new book. New participants are always welcome to this online weekly gathering.
John Dominic Crossan’s The Power of Parable: How Fiction By Jesus Became Fiction About Jesus is a provocative look at the Gospels. Crossan begins by observing that the parabolic stories told by Jesus seem remarkably similar to the resurrection stories about Jesus. Could Jesus’ use of parables have inspired the Gospel writers to create meaningful, metaphorical stories about Jesus to help them explain who he really was?
One copy of each book is available in the church office.
Group meets online 1pm-2pm, Thursdays Feb. 16, 23, March 2, 9 and 16th.
Interested? Please contact Dennis Damon Moore at djmoore1941@gmail.com.

Mom's Night Out
2023-02-16 18:30 - 20:30
MOM’s NIGHT OUT Post Valentine’s Day Celebration!
Leave your stale valentine candy and wilting roses! Come join us! At Caroline Wagner’s home (co-hosted by Julia Jackson)
RSVP to carolinehwagner@gmail.com

God's Story, Our Stories Lectionary Bible Study
2023-02-16 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom
This weekly online Bible study invites participants to discuss the scripture texts for the coming Sunday and to ponder what those stories may teach us today. New participants are always welcome.
Facilitators: Bill Brown (bbrown@wwbrown-inc.com) and Lee Rader (leelrader@gmail.com).

Friends at First Outing to the Baha'i Temple
2023-02-17 15:00 - 17:30
Friends at First is a group of active adults who are retired or semi-retired,. This group gathers 4-5 times a year for various outings and cultural events, often extending the fun with shared meals and conversation.
The next Friends at First outing will be a guided tour of the Baha’i House of Worship in Wilmette on Friday, February 17 at 3:00 PM. The tour will include an informative video, insight into the Baha’i faith, and the architecture of the building.

The visit is expected to require 2 to 2.5 hours. After the visit at the House of Worship, you are invited to reconvene for a group dinner at a nearby restaurant.

If you plan to join us for the tour, please respond to me at davekoester57@gmail.com. If you plan to also join us for dinner, also please let me know. A more detailed itinerary will be sent to attendees about one week before the tour.

First Flicks: Pinocchio
2023-02-17 19:30 - 21:30
The third Friday has snuck up on us, and given that we are in Oscars season, let’s discuss Pinocchio on Friday at 7:30 PM on Zoom. It’s available on Netflix.

Music Ministry
2023-02-18 12:00 - 13:00 | Sanctuary

Couples Salon Mardi Gras Dinner
2023-02-18 18:30 - 20:30
Bring a friend – invite some new members – as we celebrate Mardi Gras with dinner at the home of Evelyn and Mike McGowan. Hosted by the McGowans, Ketzbacks and Clemens.

Please RSVP to Evelyn McGowan at em4mail@gmail.com and let her know if you are bringing an appetizer, side dish, or dessert.

Chancel Choir Rehearsal
2023-02-19 09:30 - 10:15, 2023-02-26 09:30 - 10:15 | Sanctuary
Email brian@faithatfirst.com for more details.

Music Ministry
2023-02-19 12:00 - 13:00, 2023-02-26 12:00 - 13:00 | Tittle Chapel

All Church Bingo!
2023-02-19 16:00 - 17:00 | Dining Room
Shake off the cold with popcorn, hot chocolate, and family friendly bingo for all ages on Sunday, February 19 from 4:00-5:00 p.m. in the Dining Room. Please register for this free event to aid in estimating snacks and supplies: https://onrealm.org/faithatfirst/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=YWFiNDNiNWItZGE4Yi00NzJiLWE4ZDEtYWY4ZDAxMmE1Mjgw
For more information, please contact Linda Federer at lfederer30@gmail.com .

Night Prayer Service
2023-02-21 20:30 | Zoom
On Tuesdays beginning January 3, you are invited to a thirty minute Night Prayer Service to end your day in community and peace. These services from 8:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., available via Zoom, are patterned after the ancient monastic tradition of Compline (meaning completion)–the final prayer of the day. We will follow a simple liturgical format for this service of quietness and reflection before rest.
Persons of all ages are encouraged to explore this spiritual practice and participate as their schedules allow. The services, sponsored by the Faith Formation Council, continue through February 21. Interested? Contact Tom Scott (tom.scott.goblue@msn.com) for the Zoom link.

Wednesday Bible Study
2023-02-22 10:00 - 11:30 | Zoom
Bible study for those who want to go deeper, learn more about the Bible. Open to all wanting to learn via zoom. Meets weekly 10-11:30 am. Contact Janet Lutz for more info and zoom contacts: Janetatl@aol.com.

Family Fellowship and Lenten Worskshop
2023-02-22 17:30 - 19:00 | Dining Room
Begin the season of Lent in community with dinner and activities for all-ages before heading to Ash Wednesday service in Tittle Chapel. A $5 donation per family is appreciated to help cover the costs of food and supplies. Please note any dietary restrictions in the registration memo field.
https://onrealm.org/faithatfirst/Registrations/Info/1c1ebddc-29ed-4f88-8800-afa80164636d

Chancel Choir Rehearsal
2023-02-22 18:30 - 19:00 | Tittle Chapel

7:00pm Ash Wednesday service with Chancel Choir
2023-02-22 19:00 - 20:00 | Tittle Chapel

God's Story, Our Stories
2023-02-23 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom

Inquirers Class
2023-02-26 09:15 - 10:15, 2023-03-05 09:15 - 10:15 | Glenna Hall
Inquirers Class serves as an exploration of First Church, its ministries, and people, and includes individual and collective reflection on our faith journeys. The class serves as an opportunities for persons considering membership at First Church to discern whether that step is a good fit at this time.
Persons who have questions or are interested are invited to contact Mary Taylor-Johnson at mary@faithatfirst.com or 847-864-6181 x214.

Inquirers Orientation Session
2023-02-26 09:15 - 10:15 | Tittle Chapel
On Feb. 26 for Inquirers orientation our activity will involve use of Glenna Hall, Tittle Chapel, and the Bundled Blessings diaper pantry.

Single or Solo outing to The Magic Flute
2023-02-26 15:00 - 19:00
Single or Solo is the Fellowship group for single First Church members in their 60’s and above. On February 26 we will see The Magic Flute performed by Northwestern Univ. Opera Theater. The performance at Cahn Auditorium starts at 3pm, and tickets are $18. If you’d like to attend please contact Marion Clemens at redMarion77@comcast.net by January 28 so we can buy tickets (and get good seats!) in advance.

Coffee, Conversation, and Friends
2023-02-28 10:00 - 11:00
This group of women of a certain age meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month from
10:00 to 11:00 am for informal conversations on a wide variety of topics: books, the news, restaurants, grandchildren, and places to visit. No matter what’s on the table, we are all ears. Come join the conversation and make some new friends. New participants are always welcome.
For Winter, we will meet at La Peep; in warmer weather, we’ll gather behind the Garrett Seminary on the Northwestern University campus,
Feel free to contact us! Susan Henderson and Pam Johnson

Children's Choir Rehearsal
2023-03-01 17:15 - 18:00 | Choir Room
Children’s Choir is open to children in grades 1-6 and children can join at any time. Email brian@faithatfirst.com for more details.

Handbell Choir Rehearsal
2023-03-01 18:30 - 19:15 | Choir Room
The Handbell Choir plays in worship once each month. Basic music reading skills required (instrumentalists are especially welcome). Open to adults and youth in grades 6-12. New members welcome throughout the year – email brian@faithatfirst.com for more details.

Messy Church
2023-03-05 09:00 - 10:15 | Great Hall
Life is rarely neat and tidy. But God isn’t afraid to enter the mess.
“Messy Church” is an opportunity for kids, families, and adults to engage in hands-on creative activities, celebratory worship, and time together in community. The concept originated in the U.K. and has spread around the world.
This new program begins at First Church on Sunday, March 5 and offers a different kind of Sunday School for children and adults on March 5 and again on May 7.
Please register for the sessions you plan to attend so we can plan food and materials appropriately.

Fasting as Spiritual Practice
2023-03-05 09:15 - 10:15 | Room 34
During Lent, many Christians fast from eating certain foods or abstain from participating in certain activities. In this class we will explore the Biblical and historical roots of fasting as we seek to understand the roots of a practice that might seem to be embraced more often in contemporary culture by fitness and nutrition experts than by Christians. We’ll thus examine fasting as a spiritual practice and ways it can be part of our spiritual formation.
