First United Methodist Church of Evanston, IL

Soup Kitchen (outdoor pickup)
2022-12-29 18:00 - 19:00 UTC
Pick-up at Hinman Avenue door.

Pastor's Sermon Prep
2022-12-29 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom

Limitless Zoom Game Night
2022-12-29 20:00 - 22:00
All are welcome to join in the fun for Zoom Game Nights with the Limitless Group every Thursday from 8:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. 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 atStephDeloney@gmail.com.

Interfaith Action Overnight Shelter
2022-12-30, 2022-12-31, 2023-01-01, 2023-01-02, 2023-01-03, 2023-01-04, 2023-01-05, 2023-01-06 and 4 more dates | Room M and Room K
FUMC will be hosting the Interfaith Action Emergency Shelter for 3 weeks from 12/25/22 to 1/15/23 as one of 9 faith communities involved this year.

Interfaith Action provides the 2 paid staff members each night as well as volunteers. Our congregation needs volunteers to serve as “hosts” for each morning and evening during our 3 weeks. The morning shift is from 6-7 AM and involves helping the staff and volunteers with clean-up as the guests exit the building. The PM shift is from 7:55-9:30 PM when our host will let the staff/volunteers into the building starting at 8 PM and help with set-up as guests arrive starting at 9. The City is once again requiring that all participants be masked.

If you haven’t volunteered for the Interfaith Shelter in past years, please know that there are not a lot of demands on our hosts given the staffing provided by Interfaith. Please consider giving some time for this important effort by taking one or more slots on the Sign-Up Genius which can be found here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0D4AACAE2AA75-fumc. And please contact Craig Chambers at cdc7976@gmail.com with any questions. Craig will be in touch with volunteers to provide further details and will be happy to give quick training to anyone who needs an initial overview or refresher. (With the emphasis on QUICK because there truly is not much to it!)

Thank you!!

First Night Evanston
2022-12-31
First Night Evanston is hosting its New Year’s Eve program at our church this year on 12.31.22. This is an opportunity for church members to be available for volunteering to help with the event and serve the church by answering questions from audience members. Wearing the bright yellow “Ask me” buttons will give us an opportunity to be available. Volunteers are needed for 2-hour shifts during the evening, beginning at 6, 8 and 10 p.m. In gratitude to volunteers, you will receive free admission for the entire evening. Doors open at 6:30 pm. Please contact Martha Rudy, 312-304-0003 or marthajrudy@gmail.com. Program: Corky Siegel headlines again—a favorite blues/jazz harmonica player. He will end the evening at midnight with his personal version of Auld Lang Syne. If you don’t know Chris Carter, his mental acuity will amaze you and have you talking about it to friends. The Timezone Jazz Band featuring ETHS students starts the evening at 7 p.m. The large City garage across the street will provide free parking with a voucher. Pizzas will be delivered for volunteers at 8 pm.

Book Group
2023-01-02 19:30 - 21:00 | Glenna Hall

Night Prayer Service
2023-01-03 20:30 - 21:00 | 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.

Children's Choir Rehearsal
2023-01-04 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
2023-01-04 18:30 - 19:15
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.

Chancel Choir Rehearsal
2023-01-04 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.

Online Discussion of "Holy Love" - All welcome
2023-01-05 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
All are welcome to a three-session online conversation on the book Holy Love: A Biblical Theology for Human Sexuality by Steve Harper. The discussion is scheduled for Thursdays, January 5, 12 & 19, 1:00-2:00 pm via Zoom and will be led by Blaine Rader.
Holy Love is the January book selection of the First Church Progressive Christianity reading group. Harper, a retired UMC elder of the Florida Conference, served as a seminary professor for over thirty years and will join the final discussion session on January 19.
In Holy Love Harper works to articulate the teachings of the Bible and Wesleyan tradition on human sexuality. Described as “very accessible,” this book is for persons who wish to understand the Bible’s teaching on sexuality as a vital component of human life, experience and relationships. The book makes the case that biblical, Christian teaching is compatible with faithful, covenantal love and intimacy amidst all sexual orientations.
Interested? Email Dennis Moore at djmoore1941@gmail.com for the Zoom link. A copy of the book may be borrowed from the church office.

Mom's Night Out
2023-01-05 18:30 - 21:00
Please join me for another Mom’s Night Out! Celebrating a New Year! Come as you are – from the gym, the spa, or from returning gifts! Thursday Jan 5th 6:30-9pm Debbie Zimmerman’s (Evelyn McGowan Co-host) 514 Washington Ave Wilmette 224-408-2607 RSVP – DMCEZimmerman@hotmail.com Thank you Cherie Asante for hosting last month! We need a Co-host to provide some of the food for Caroline Wagner’s next month. AND We need a Host and Co-host for March (let me know, Linda)

Epiphany Volunteer and Mission Fair
2023-01-08 09:00 - 12:30 | Great Hall
On Sunday, January 8th during Sunday School and coffee hour you are invited to take a journey through the Epiphany Volunteer & Mission Fair. There are many different volunteer needs within our church community and many people with incredible gifts to offer. There are also so many different mission opportunities to put your faith into action. So please join us to find where you can volunteer with short-term and long-term opportunities.

To sign up for a table at the fair to highlight volunteer or mission opportunities within your ministry at First Church, email Liesl Hoeldtke at liesl@faithatfirst.com

Chancel Choir Rehearsal
2023-01-08 09:30 - 10:15 | Sanctuary
Email brian@faithatfirst.com for more details.

Epiphany Volunteer Fair
2023-01-08 09:30 - 12:00 | Great Hall

10:30 Worship - Covenant Service with Austin Lovelace music
2023-01-08 10:30 - 11:30 | Sanctuary
Baptism of Our Lord Sunday with renewal of baptism vows, holy communion, and Austin Lovelace music.
Worship in the sanctuary and also livestreamed. Visit Worship This Sunday – First United Methodist Church of Evanston, IL (faithatfirst.org) early in the week for the livestream link and other details.

Epiphany observed
2023-01-08 10:30 - 11:30 | Sanctuary

Adult ASP Informational Meeting
2023-01-08 11:30 - 13:00 | Room M
Contact Jim Hagedorn for more details.

Nominations & Leadership Development Committee Meeting
2023-01-09 19:00 - 20:15
The Nominations & Leadership Development Committee is charged with identifying and equipping church members to serve as leaders for the church’s ministry areas. Rev. Grace Imathiu, Chair – grace@faithatfirst.com Lynelle Diener, Vice Chair – lynellediener@gmail.com Cherie Asante Don Baker Carol Barnett, Church Council Liaison Steve Betzner Jan Chapin Julia Jackson Nancy Pendergrass Mary Taylor-Johnson, Staff Liaison – mary@faithatfirst.com
Meets on Zoom.
