First United Methodist Church of Evanston, IL

10:30 Worship
2023-06-25 10:30 - 11:30, 2023-07-02 10:30 - 11:30 UTC | Sanctuary
Each Sunday we gather at 10:30 AM for worship in the sanctuary. The service is also livestreamed on Youtube and Facebook.

AGO Choir Rehearsa
2023-06-25 12:00 - 14:00 | Sanctuary
Choir rehearsal for worship service

NSAGO Regional Convention
2023-06-26 08:00 - 10:00 | Sanctuary
8-10:30 am
Convention worship (9:00 am)

AGO Festival Worship Service
2023-06-26 09:00 - 10:30 | Sanctuary
Free Admission

NSAGO Regional Convention
2023-06-27 | Sanctuary
Winner’s Recital Practice
Time TBD

Coffee, Conversation, and Friends
2023-06-28 10:00 - 11:00
This group of women “of a certain age” meet on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month from 10:00 to 11:00 am. We meet at Le Peep in Evanston 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.

NSAGO Regional Convention
2023-06-28 14:30 - 17:00 | Sanctuary

AGO Competition Winner's Recital
2023-06-28 14:45 - 15:45 | Sanctuary
$10 at the door

Church Conference
2023-07-02 10:00 - 10:30 | Dining Room
The District Superintendent has called a special Church Conference for our congregation on Sunday, July 2, 2023, at 10:00am in the dining room. All church members are encouraged to attend.
The one agenda item is the report of the Nominations and Leadership Development Committee which calls for a vote on the proposed 2023-2024 Church Leadership.
Although voting is limited to those members who are present in person, we will have a hybrid setup for members who wish to participate virtually (with a voice but no vote).
Please do not hesitate to contact Pastor Grace with questions or concerns.
Email: Grace@faithatfirst.com
Cell: 331-575-4158

ASP Team Commissioning
2023-07-09 09:00 - 10:00
The 2023 Appalachia Service Project (ASP) mission team will be commissioned during Worship in the Park on July 9. We send the team of youth and adults with our blessing and prayers as they travel on July 15 to serve for a week in Harlan County, VA.

All-Church Continental Breakfast
2023-07-09 09:45 - 10:30 | Hinman Lawn
July 9 worship will include the installation of Sydney Harkrider as our new Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries and commissioning of our 2023 Appalachia Service Project (ASP) Mission Team. Stay after Worship in the Park or come early to 10:30am Worship in Tittle Chapel that Sunday to welcome Sydney, celebrate our 25th year of ASP summer mission trips, and enjoy fruit and pastries (including gluten free). The playground will be open.

Advance signup is critical for planning and helps us to avoid waste.
Sign up here: https://onrealm.org/faithatfirst/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=MDk2YjUzMjQtZWYxMC00YzUwLWE4YmItYjAyZjAxMzQ0ODky
To help offset the cost of this event, consider making a donation at https://faithatfirst.org/get-involved/make-a-gift/ (select July 9 breakfast from the drop down menu).

10:30 Worship
2023-07-09 10:30 - 11:30 | Tittle Chapel
All are welcome to 10:30 worship this summer in the air-conditioned Tittle Chapel. Details each Sunday can be found at https://faithatfirst.org/gather/worship-services/worship-this-sunday/

Producemobile (Volunteers Needed)
2023-07-11 08:30 - 11:00
Interfaith Action volunteers distribute 11,000 pounds of fresh produce, donated by the Greater Chicago Food Depository, to Cook County residents in need. Numbered tickets are provided to guests, who each receive 15-25 pounds of fruits and vegetables. There is a walk-up line and distribution takes place outside, so bring a wheeled cart and/or strong bags with handles.
As part of the Producemobile program, SNAPGap collects personal hygiene and cleaning products that cannot be purchased with federal benefits and distributes them to people in need. Member church communities donate and collect different items every month, including toilet paper, razors, laundry detergent, and soap.
The Producemobile is co-sponsored by the Greater Chicago Food Depository, Interfaith Action of Evanston, and the City of Evanston. This initiative runs largely on volunteers. Want to help? Please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090f4bafaf23a02-evanston#/.

Soup Kitchen
2023-07-13 17:30 - 19:00 | Dining Room
As part of Interfaith Action of Evanston, First Church hosts a weekly soup kitchen each Thursday evening. A host team of First Church volunteers is needed each week, and 5-6 times a year we also need cooking teams. Interested in helping? Please contact Dave Koester (davekoester57@gmail.com) about current scheduling needs.

ASP Mission Trip
2023-07-15 08:00 - 2023-07-22 17:00
For the 25th year, youth from First Church will spend a week serving with the Appalachia Service Project (ASP) making homes “warmer, safer, drier” while building relationships with owners and making memories. This year a group of 25 will serve in Harlan County, VA.

"Faith in the Wild": Vacation Bible School
2023-07-17 09:00 - 2023-07-20 11:30
July 17-20, 9:00-11:30am; for children entering grades kindergarten through 4th.
“Faith in the Wild” is an environmentally-focused Vacation Bible School program inspiring children to explore their place and relationships in God’s world. We will gather for four outdoor sessions at and around First Church, with field trips to Lunt Park, Clark Street Beach and Bird Sanctuary, special guests and more. What’s more, registration is free!
VBS is free, but advanced registration is required. See details and register here by July 9.
Questions? Contact Children’s Ministry Director Colin McDonald at colin@faithatfirst.com.

Soup Kitchen (Cooking Team Needed)
2023-07-20 16:00 - 19:00 | Dining Room and Kitchen
First Church hosts soup kitchen every Thursday in the church dining room. The cooking responsibilities are shared in a rotation with other faith communities. On this date, First Church is responsible for providing the meal. If you are interested in helping to cook on this date or be involved with the soup kitchen in other ways, please email Dave Koester at davekoester57@gmail.com.

Wedding Rehearsal
2023-07-21 | Tittle Chapel and Glenna Hall

Ebeling/Mondo wedding
2023-07-22 | Tittle Chapel, Glenna Hall, Memorial Garden

Diaper Packing (Volunteers Welcome)
2023-07-22 10:30 - 12:00 | Room M
Bundled Blessings Diaper Bank holds Diaper Packing opportunities on Saturday, July 22 and on Saturday, August 5 from 10:30-12 in Room M. Volunteers are welcome! Please email Nancy Brown at nandbrown@comcast.net if you are interested.

Celebration of Life for Nancy Webber
2023-07-23 14:00 - 15:00 | Tittle Chapel
Join Nancy’s family in honoring her life.
Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvLRGWzyPEE

Faith Formation Council meeting
2023-08-15 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
The Faith Formation Council meets on the third Tuesday of each month, 7-8pm online. Questions may be directed to Tom Scott (tom.scott.goblue@msn.com), who co-chairs this committee along with Lee Rader.

Adult Christian Education Council
2023-08-15 19:00 - 20:30 | Conference Room
A meeting of the Adult Christian Education Council. The contacts are
Allison Greer allison.greer123@gmail.com
Henry Carrigan carjrn@aol.com

SNAPGap Collection
2023-08-18 - 2023-09-11
This is the third of four times in 2023, when Interfaith Action is seeking SNAPGap items from its faith communities and from all interested individuals. St. Mark’s Episcopal Church at Ridge and Grove is the coordinating faith community for September. SNAPGap items to be collected are shampoo, toothpaste, and toothbrushes.
Interfaith Action operates the monthly Producemobile at the Robert Crown Community Center, which distributes fresh produce to Evanston’s families experiencing food insecurity. Since the pandemic, Interfaith has added SNAPGap, distributing items that most consider necessary but are not eligible for purchase with federal benefits. Now that COVID funding has ended and prices have gone up, the number of people seeking assistance has increased as well, from the monthly average of 250 households to 300. While Interfaith has been purchasing and distributing toilet paper every month and donated Earth Breeze laundry sheets every two months, we know our recipients will eagerly welcome the following items for the September 12 distribution: shampoo, toothpaste, and toothbrushes. Items can be purchased online at: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/EU78AK7T6LVH/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_1
If you buy these items locally, you can drop them at:
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
1509 Ridge Ave
Evanston, IL 60201
Drop-off Hours at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church:
Thursday, Sept. 7th – 7am-11am
Friday, Sept. 8th – 9am-11am, 5pm-7pm
Sunday, Sept. 10th – 12p–2pm
Monday, Sept.11th – 9am-11am
Thank you for your generosity and participation. Please know that all who benefit are deeply grateful!

Outing to the Chicago Botanic Garden with the Limitless Group
2023-08-19 11:00 - 18:00 | Chicago Botanic Garden
Limitless, a fellowship group that invites singles, couples, and families of all ages and stages, will visit the Chicago Botanic Garden on Saturday, August 19th. Currently tickets are $16.95 for Cook County adults and will likely increase the week of.
We will meet at church at 11 am and carpool to save on parking and can meet others there for a noon entry time.
Questions? Contact Wendy Istvanick at je.mappelle.wendyi@gmail.com

Coffee with the Counters
2023-08-20 11:30 - 12:15 | Dining Room
A thank you and kick off event for the First Church Offering Counters.

Children's Council Meeting
2023-08-20 11:30 - 12:45 | Glenna Hall
The Children’s Council acts as both a work committee and an advisory board to the Director of Children’s Ministry. The Children’s Council focuses on formulating and supporting the vision of our various children’s ministries. We consult with the Director of Children’s Ministries to plan the yearlong calendar. Under the umbrella of Children’s Ministries are the following programs: Sunday School, Chapel, Connect 56, Nursery, Summer Camps (Creation Camp, VBS, Family Camp), Fellowship Groups (Jump and Club 123), Pageant, and holiday celebrations (e.g, Advent, Lent, Easter)

Ludhiana Christian Medical College Board Meeting
2023-08-25 - 2023-08-26 | Glenna Hall

Reconciling Congregation Task Force Organizing Meeting
2023-08-26 11:15 - 12:15 | Conference Room
This is the organizing meeting for the Reconciling Task Force of Social Justice. We are looking for interested persons to gather and focus our ministry for 2023-24. People who have been involved and new folx are welcome to work on our advocacy, witness and LGBTQIA+ justice as a congregation.
B.J. Birkhahn-Rommelfanger, incoming coordinator, bjbrpastor@gmail.com
