First United Methodist Church of Evanston, IL

Wednesday Bible Study
2023-02-22 10:00 - 11:30, 2023-02-15 10:00 - 11:30 UTC | 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.

Night Prayer Service
2023-02-21 20:30, 2023-02-14 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.

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 .

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

Chancel Choir Rehearsal
2023-02-19 09:30 - 10:15, 2023-02-12 09:30 - 10:15 | Sanctuary
Email brian@faithatfirst.com for more details.

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.

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

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.

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.

God's Story, Our Stories Lectionary Bible Study
2023-02-16 19:00 - 20:30, 2023-02-09 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).

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

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.

Chancel Choir Rehearsal
2023-02-15 19:30 - 21:00, 2023-02-08 19:30 - 21:00 | 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.

Communications Committee
2023-02-15 19:00 - 20:30
The Communications Committee meets on the third Wednesday of each month. Questions? Contact Mary Taylor-Johnson at mary@fathatfirst.com or S.E. Brick at sebrick19@gmail.com .
2022-23 Communications Committee: Liz Blackwell, S.E. Brick (chair), Karen Jordan Farr, Wendy Istvanick, Todd Kibbey, Lauren McDonald, Henry Pleas, Andy Shotwell, Mary Taylor-Johnson (Director of Communications and Membership)

Children's Choir Rehearsal
2023-02-15 17:15 - 18:00, 2023-02-08 17:15 - 18:00
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.

Coffee, Conversation, and Friends
2023-02-14 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

Nom Comm & Fellowship Working Group
2023-02-13 13:00 - 14:30 | Conference Room
Group working on the charge and structure of the Fellowship Committee

African American Spirituals: A Historical/Present Day Perspective
2023-02-12 15:00 - 17:00 | Dining Room
presented by Robert A. Harris, PhD, Professor Emeritus, Bienen School of Music, Northwestern University
African American (Negro) Spirituals have played a significant part in American music from their inception in the 19th century. These religious folk songs, especially the choral genre, have become an important American contribution to music performances throughout the world. This presentation will deal with the spiritual’s development, and its structural, musical and textual aspects.

Lay Visitors
2023-02-12 12:00 - 13:00 | Glenna Hall
Pastor Grace’s meeting with Lay Visitors

J.U.M.P.
2023-02-10 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.
Register: https://onrealm.org/faithatfirst/Registrations/Registrants/814a4658-31f7-4208-a13f-af9f00e5b3d9?congregantView=True

Limitless Game Night
2023-02-09 19:00 - 21:00 | Zoom
All are welcome to join in the fun for Zoom Game Nights with the Limitless Group the second Thursday of each month from 7:00pm -9:00pm. The group starts the night by checking in with each other. They then play games such as Trivial Pursuit and Pictionary, led by Matt and Stephanie Peters. All ages and stages are welcome to the Limitless Group. Interested? Contact Stephanie Peters at StephDeloney@gmail.com.

Progressive Christianity Reading Group
2023-02-09 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
The Progressive Christianity Reading Group continues online discussion of Unruly Saint: Dorothy Day’s Radical Vision and It’s Challenge for Our Times by D.L. Mayfield. New participants are always welcome.
In Unruly Saint: Dorothy Day’s Radical Vision and It’s Challenge for Our Times, activist, writer, and neighbor Mayfield brings a personal lens to Day’s story. In exploring the founding of the Catholic Worker movement and newspaper, revisiting the early years of Day’s life, Mayfield turns her attention to what it means to be a good neighbor today. Through a combination of biography, observations on the current American landscape, and theological reflection, this is at once an achingly relevant account and an encouraging blueprint for people of faith in tumultuous times.
Interested? Please contact Dennis Moore at djmoore1941@gmail.com.

Membership Committee
2023-02-08 19:00 - 20:30
Meets on the second Wednesday of each month from 7:30-8:30 pm. Contact Mike Bergmann (mgbergmann@yahoo.com) with questions.

Handbell Choir Rehearsal
2023-02-08 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.
