First United Methodist Church of Evanston, IL

Single or Solo Fellowship Christmas Dinner
2023-12-02 17:30 - 19:00 UTC
This year it will be a dinner party, hosted by Abbey Ogunbola. Starting at 5:30 pm on Saturday, December 2. The main course will be baked ham; bring an appetizer, side dish or dessert to share.
If you are single or attend First Church as the solo member of your family, please join us for an evening of good cheer and good food! RSVP by November 30 to Marion Clemens at redmarion77@comcast.net, or call Nancy Braund Baroch at 847-910-5612.

Messy Advent!
2023-12-03 09:00 - 10:15 | Great Hall
Advent marks the beginning of the church year as we anticipate the coming of Christ! It is a season of hope, peace, joy, and love, beginning on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day. It is also a season of preparation and togetherness. Join us in ringing in the Christian “New Year” on Sunday, December 3 at “Messy Advent” from 9:00-10:15 a.m. in Great Hall. Featuring meaningful crafts, festive treats, and service activities for all ages, this especially seasonal Messy Church hopes to help your family and our church community receive and rejoice in what is truly the most wonderful time of the year.
Learn more about Messy Church and sign up for the sessions you plan to attend.

Journey to the Common Good: Fostering Connection and Relational Discipleship During an Epidemic of Loneliness
2023-12-03 09:15 - 10:15 | Room 33
Despite the proliferation of opportunities to be connected by social media in 2023, people feel less connected than ever. The increasing lack of connection has been called by some an “epidemic of loneliness.” Moreover, the divisiveness over political and social issues in our culture continues to foster alienation and not connection. This lack of connection is being felt across age groups, and people are spending less time with one another in person than two decades ago. If one of the ministries of the church is to foster community and encourage individuals to thrive in community, how can and how does the church address the lack of connection in today’s society? Being part of a church community involves being connected and feeling close to one another in the community. Being in church means feeling cared for by others. During this epidemic of loneliness, in what ways can the church create the kind of community in which people care for others and feel cared for? The three classes in this series will focus on the increasing lack of connections in society and the ways that the church can respond to this situation by cultivating relationships and interconnectedness in the face of this “epidemic of loneliness.” Adults of all ages are encouraged to attend each session.
December 3: Interconnectedness in Youth
December 10: Interconnectedness in Middle Life
December 17: Interconnectedness in Elder Life

First Church Ministry Tour
2023-12-03 09:15 - 10:15 | Glenna Hall
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 – -and is also the first step in the membership process.
First Church Ministry Tour
Sunday, Nov. 19, 9:15-10:15am OR Dec. 4, 9:15-10:15am.
Meet in Glenna Hall.

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 (January/February 2024) will be available. Questions are always welcome.
Mary Taylor-Johnson, Director of Communications and Membership
mary@faithatfirst.com

Club123
2023-12-03 12:00 - 13:30
Club 123 promotes fun, fellowship, and service for children in grades 1-3, once a month on Sundays following Worship from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m., with lunch provided!
Please register in advance, noting any dietary restrictions or food allergies in the memo field. Pick-up at the front Church Street entrance (516 Church St.). Register here: https://onrealm.org/faithatfirst/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=MjkyZDA4YjctNGIyMy00OWRjLWIwZmItYjBjODAxNzI5M2Uy

Youth Ensemble Rehearsal
2023-12-07 15:00 - 15:45 | Sanctuary

Festive Prelude
2023-12-07 18:30 - 19:00 | Sanctuary

Pageant Dress Rehearsal
2023-12-09 10:00 - 12:00 | Sanctuary and Dining Hall
A required dress rehearsal for children involved in the pageant on Dec. 10. This is a closed rehearsal only open to immediate family.

Couples Salon Holiday Gathering
2023-12-09 18:30 - 22:00
Join FUMC Couples Salon at the Hagedorns’ house for a festive evening of food and fellowship hosted by Sue and Jim Hagedorn and Caroline and Bryan Wagner. Please bring an appetizer, side dish or dessert to add to the holiday buffet.
Please RSVP to Sue Hagedorn at shagedorn123@aol.com to let her know you are coming and what dish you are bringing to share.

All Church Breakfast
2023-12-10 09:00 - 10:00 | Dining Room
Come join us on December 10th as the youth provide a breakfast in the dining room! Starting at 9am, the youth will be flipping pancakes. Come for food, informal conversation and a bit of holiday cheer before worship. Hope to see you!
To help us plan (and minimize waste), please RSVP here.

Star Tree
2023-12-10 09:00 - 12:30
The Star Tree is a Holiday Project with YOU to provide gifts for Youth in the Evanston Community. Stars are available on the tree in Fountain Foyer on November 26 and December 3. Gifts are to be returned by December 10.

Pageant Rehearsal
2023-12-10 09:15 - 10:15 | Sanctuary and Dining Hall

Pageant Sunday
2023-12-10 10:30 - 11:30 | Sanctuary
Children Pre-K through Grade 6 retell the Christmas story in scripture and song during the 10:30am worship service.

Stewardship Meeting
2023-12-11 18:30 - 20:00
On Zoom.

J.U.M.P.
2023-12-15 16:00 - 18:00 | Dining Room
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 assemble care packages for guests at First Church’s winter overnight shelter and take a musical look at why the Grinch’s “heart grew three sizes” through the lens of our faith. Please register in advance here: https://onrealm.org/faithatfirst/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=ZjM3OGU4NzQtMGMxMC00N2VkLTliZDEtYjBjZjAxNDk0ZDU0

Architecture Tour of First Church Sanctuary and Tittle Chapel
2023-12-17 11:35 - 12:05 | Sanctuary
What well-known women’s suffrage and temperance movement leader has her own stained glass window at First Church? Who carved the reredos above the altar in the sanctuary ? When was Tittle Chapel built, and who is it named after?
Stick around after worship on Dec. 17 for a 30-minute architecture and history tour of the First Church sanctuary and Tittle Chapel led by our resident expert Bill Brown. We gather in the rear of the sanctuary after the postlude. Please RSVP here.

Youth Ensemble
2023-12-24 15:00 - 15:45 | Sanctuary
Instrumentalists in grades 6-12 are invited to play Christmas carols before and during the 4:00pm Family Service on Christmas Eve. The group will rehearse together at 3:00pm before the service in the Sanctuary. Music is available in advance for any instrument. Please email brian@faithatfirst.com if your child would like to play.

Christmas Eve Family Service
2023-12-24 16:00 - 17:00 | Sanctuary
Nursery care beginning at 3:45 pm.

Chancel Choir Rehearsal
2023-12-24 18:00 - 18:30 | Sanctuary

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service with Choir, Handbells, Strings, & Organ
2023-12-24 19:00 - 20:00 | Sanctuary

Music Rehearsal
2023-12-24 22:30 - 23:00 | Sanctuary

Christmas Eve Candleight Service With Communion, Soloist, & Organ
2023-12-24 23:00 - 2023-12-25 00:00 | Sanctuary

Adult Connection
2023-12-31 09:15 - 22:15 | Glenna Hall
All adults welcome for coffee and conversation with First Church friends!

First Reads Book Group
2024-01-02 19:00 - 21:00
The January book is Herland by Charlotte Gilman Perkins.
This book group is open to all. Contact Janet Lutz for zoom information and book calendar.

Compline Night Prayer Service
2024-01-02 20:30 - 21:00
On Tuesdays beginning January 2nd, 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 give this spiritual practice a try. The zoom format invites participation from anywhere! We are enriched when family & friends in many locations join in. The services, sponsored by the Faith Formation Council, will continue through Lent, concluding on March 19th. Participants may attend as schedules allow. Contact Tom Scott (tom.scott.goblue@msn.com) to sign up or with questions.

Wednesday Morning Bible Study
2024-01-03 10:00 - 11:30
On 1/3/2024 we will begin the 10 week study of Eve Isn’t Evil by Julie Faith Parker. It is available through Cokesbury.com or from Amazon.
Contact Janet Lutz to be added to email list.

Inquirers Class
2024-01-07 09:15 - 10:15 | Glenna Hall
In the Inquirers Class participants will explore:

First Church, its people and ministries;
Methodist theology and the United Methodist denomination
Their individual faith journey: How did this journey start for me? Where am I now, and what questions am I wrestling with? What I do I need to nourish me as I continue on this journey?

The goal of Inquirers is to offer church visitors and friends an up close look at this faith community so that Inquirers participants can discern whether they want to take membership vows at First Church.
Since the church community is such an important piece of discerning whether one feels a sense of belonging in a church, the class includes interactive elements and opportunities to build community and serve together outside of Sunday mornings. Additional details are available here.
Interested in participating? Want to talk further about this opportunity? Please contact Mary Taylor-Johnson at mary@faithatfirst.com .

Wednesday Bible Study
2024-01-10 10:00 - 11:30 | online
The Wednesday Bible Study is a longstanding group that meets online every Wednesday 10-11:30am with the exception of a short break in the summer.
Questions? Please contact Janet Lutz at janetatl@aol.com .

Walk For Warmth
2024-01-15 10:50 - 12:30 | Sanctuary
Join the 5th Annual Interfaith Action Walk for Warmth!
https://interfaithactionofevanston.networkforgood.com/events/62092-5th-annual-walk-for-warmth
The family-friendly Walk for Warmth on January 15, 2024 is hosted in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.’s Day of Service. Join us in the fight against homelessness in our community. There is no charge to register for the walk, but advance registration is required. The 2-mile walk through central Evanston starts at 11 AM at First United Methodist Church.
10:50am – A short kickoff program in the sanctuary. Sanctuary doors (on Hinman) open at 10:30 am.
12:30pm – The Walk concludes at First United Methodist Church.
Note that you need not complete the full 2 mile walk. Feel free to walk as long as you can.
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” — Martin Luther King Jr. You can respond to Dr. King’s call to action by supporting the Walk for Warmth in the following ways:
1. Walk with us! Gather in the First Church sanctuary and then follow the Walk route together past eight of the faith communities that host Interfaith Action’s winter shelter in rotation. Free parking is available at the public garage on Church St. just east of Chicago Ave. For everyone’s safety, please leave your dog at home.
2. Make a monetary donation. All donations support Interfaith Action of Evanston and help provide safe and warm spaces for our unhoused neighbors to sleep during the cold weather season. You may donate online or by check to Interfaith Action of Evanston, PO Box 1414, Evanston, IL 60204. Write “Walk for Warmth” in the memo line on the check.
Let’s carry on Dr. King’s legacy and continue his fight for economic, social and racial justice, and make sure no one has to sleep outside in the cold!

First Steps to Faith
2024-01-21 09:30 - 10:00
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.
