First United Methodist Church of Evanston, IL

Children's Council
2023-09-17 11:45 - 13:00 UTC | Room 33
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).

Earth Care Committee Monthly Meeting
2023-09-17 11:45 - 13:00 | Glenna Hall
The Earth Care Committee Monthly Meeting is for committee members to continue discussions on Earth Care work on behalf of the First Church family as aligned with the current priority for environmental justice noted in the First Church strategic plan. Monthly meetings are convened by Earth Care Committee Chair Eileen Chambers (eileenmchambers10@gmail.com) or Vice Chair Judith Campbell (judithc@me.com).

Methodist Youth Fellowship
2023-09-17 11:30 - 13:30 | Room M
It’s time to start up Youth Ministry again! All youth are invited to come at Methodist Youth Fellowship every 1st and 3rd Sunday right after service from 11:30-1:30 pm starting on September 17th. We will have lunch, play games, and have time to gather to talk about where we are at in life. This will be our main time to gather as youth to get to know one another. I urge all youth to come hang out and be part of this community! Contact Sydney for more information.

Step Into Service Fair
2023-09-17 11:30 - 12:30 | Great Hall
On Sunday, September 17th, you are invited the Step Into Service Fair! During Community Hour following 10:30 worship, come to Great Hall to start the program year off by learning where you can get involved and put faith into action.
The fair will be an opportunity for groups, programs, and ministries to share the work they are doing, and the help they need to make that work happen.
Does your group want a table at the fair? We’d love to have you! Email Liesl Hoeldtke to sign up and ask questions.

Unrelenting Grace: A United Methodist Way of Life
2023-09-17 09:15 - 10:15 | Glenna Hall
A new season of Christian Adult Education at First Church begins with a fresh take on the core values of our United Methodists faith tradition. Join Ron Anderson for conversation and reflection centered on Bishop Kenneth Carter’s latest call to action and unity, “Unrelenting Grace: A United Methodist Way of Life.”
United Methodist people long to love God and serve their neighbors. “Unrelenting Grace” by Bishop Ken Carter shows us how to come together and embrace grace, seek holiness, and build meaningful connections promoting strength and healing. “Unrelenting Grace” evokes insights and courage to overcome feelings of isolation, loneliness, and alienation. As we wrestle with the effects of the pandemic, social disruption, and conflicts, “Unrelenting Grace” offers guidance for stepping into the future as individuals and as communities of faith.
Copies of Unrelenting Grace are available for purchase from the front church office for $10
Please register here: https://onrealm.org/faithatfirst/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=NDBiZTVhNDgtYzAzNC00YmZmLWI2MmEtYjA3NDAxMWUyMWZj

JRC- Rosh Hashanah
2023-09-16 09:00 - 15:00
Narthex
Sanctuary
Glenna
Kitchen
Dining Room
Playground
3rd Floor Rooms

God's Story, Our Story (Bible Study Group)
2023-09-14 19:00 - 20:30 | Glenna Hall
This weekly 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.
Bill Brown facilitates this group. Feel reach to reach out to Bill at bbrown@wwbrown-inc.com .

Chancel Choir Rehearsal
2023-09-13 19:30 - 21:00, 2023-09-06 19:30 - 21:00 | Choir Room
Adults and high school youth rehearse music for worship. No audition is required. Email Dr. Brian Schoettler for more information.

Membership Committee Meeting
2023-09-13 19:15 - 20:15 | Zoom
Monthly meeting of the Mem Comm. Questions: Please contact Mark Henry, Chair, at mark.g.henry@gmail.com .

Children's Choir Rehearsal
2023-09-13 17:15 - 18:00
Children in grades 1-6 rehearse weekly and sing in worship monthly. No audition is required and new singers are welcome throughout the year. For more information, email Dr. Brian Schoettler.

Coffee, Conversation, and Friends
2023-09-13 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. Year round we gather at LePeep 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.

JRC Set-Up
2023-09-10 14:00 - 16:00
JRC Set Up in Sanctuary

Rally Day Ice Cream Celebration
2023-09-10 11:30 - 12:00 | Hinman Lawn
Please join us on the Hinman front lawn for an ice cream treat after worship on Rally Day Sunday, September 10th. The playground will be open. We look forward to seeing you on the 10th as we kick off the new program year!

Connect456
2023-09-10 10:45 - 11:30
Connect456 is designed to help children in grades 4-6 connect to the church community as older elementary and middle school students preparing to make their own way at First Church. Each week features a unique means of connecting, including serving in leadership with younger children, learning about our church history and United Methodist identity, observing worship and more!

Children's Chapel
2023-09-10 10:45 - 11:30
Children’s Chapel seeks to excite and build confidence in children’s experience of worship and sense of belonging at First Church. Children ages three through 3rd grade are invited to experience the wonder of worship and joy of service in a lively, child-friendly setting. Throughout the program year, children take part in the seasons of the Christian year, exploring rituals, sacraments, and songs of our worship tradition as well as hands-on aspects of our church mission that children might shape and help share the story of our faith.

10:30 Worship in the Sanctuary
2023-09-10 10:30 - 11:30 | Sanctuary
All are welcome to 10:30 worship in our Sactuary.
Details each Sunday can be found at https://faithatfirst.org/gather/worship-services/worship-this-sunday/

Chancel Choir Rehearsal
2023-09-10 09:30 - 10:15 | Sanctuary
Adults and high school youth rehearse music for worship in the Chancel at the front of the Sanctuary. No audition required. Email Dr. Brian Schoettler for more information.

Rally Day Sunday
2023-09-10 09:15 - 11:30
All are invited to kickoff the church program year on Rally Day Sunday. Rally Day is a favorite day for many. Check out the schedule at 2023-Rally-Day-schedule.pdf (faithatfirst.org) .

Sunday School
2023-09-10 09:15 - 10:15
Sunday School takes place weekly before worship from 9:15-10:15 a.m. with an emphasis on sharing and responding to stories in the Bible through multisensory activities, spiritual practices, guided reflection, and play. Sunday School is offered for children ages Pre-K-6th grade with “Messy Church” offered on the first Sunday of every month for the entire family.

Faith & Parenting
2023-09-10 09:15 - 10:15 | Room 24
Faith & Parenting offers a weekly space for parents of children at all stages to share and reflect on how their personal and familial faith journeys are nurtured and challenged through the vocation of parenting. Brief guided reflections based on scriptures shared in Children’s Sunday school will accompany each session.

Abide
2023-09-10 09:15 - 10:15 | Room J
Abide provides ongoing space for spiritual connection to God, mutual support in community, and faith formation in the ways that lead to life. This gathering is open to all who seek to abide with Jesus through the Spirit in the company of friends. Abide meets Sunday mornings in person and via Zoom. To learn more about the class, you can email Mari Leonard at mari.leonard@comcast.net.

Fall Family Welcome
2023-09-08 17:00 - 19:00
You’re invited to Children’s Ministry’s Fall Family Welcome on Friday, September 8, 2023 between 5:00-7:00 p.m.on the front lawn of First United Methodist Church! Join Children’s Ministry leaders, volunteers, and other families with children ages 0 through 6th grade for casual fellowship and a preview of our 2023-24 program year for children and adults. Light dinner will be provided along with a taste of “Messy Church,” a monthly opportunity for children, youth, and adults of all ages to engage and get messy in hands-on activities and celebratory worship beginning October 1! To aid in our planning, kindly RSVP by September 1.

Stewardship Committee Meeting
2023-09-07 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom
Planning meeting for Stewardship Committee

Mission & Outreach Committee Meeting
2023-09-07 19:00 - 20:00 | Conference Room
Mission & Outreach Committee Meeting. Monthly meetings are open to members of the committee. Hosted by Alli Henry, alli.m.henry@gmail.com.

Soup Kitchen
2023-09-07 16:00 - 19:00 | kitchen
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.

Progressive Christianity Reading Group
2023-09-07 13:00 - 14:15 | Zoom
First Church’s Progressive Christians Reading Group invites new and former participants to participate this fall as the group resumes reading and discussion of selected books.
The first selection is Freeing Jesus: Rediscovering Jesus as Friend, Teacher, Savior, Lord, Way, and Presence by Diana Butler Bass. This group gathers online Thursdays, 1:00-2:15pm, beginning Sept. 7.
How can you still be a Christian? This is the most common question Diana Butler Bass is asked today. It is a question that many believers ponder as they wrestle with disappointment and disillusionment in their church and its leadership. But while many Christians have left their churches, they cannot leave their faith behind.
In Freeing Jesus Bass challenges the idea that Jesus can only be understood in static, one-dimensional ways and asks us to instead consider a life where Jesus grows with us and helps us through life’s challenges in several capacities: as Friend, Teacher, Savior, Lord, Way, and Presence. Freeing Jesus is an invitation to leave the religious wars behind and rediscover Jesus in all his many manifestations, to experience Jesus beyond the narrow confines we have built around him. It renews our hope in faith and worship at a time when we need it most.
Eleanor Nicholson will facilitate the discussion.
Interested? Email Bonnie Beckonchrist at bbeckonchrist@gmail.com for the Zoom link. A copy of the book may be borrowed from the church office.

Wednesday Bible Study
2023-09-07 10:00 - 11:30 | online
The Wednesday Bible Study is a longstanding group that welcomes new members. This group meets online every Wednesday 10-11:30am with the exception of a short break in the summer. The current study, which runs through October 18 is The Gospel of Mark by Amy Jill Levine. A new study (to be determined) will begin on October 25.
New participants are always welcome. Please contact Janet Lutz at janetatl@aol.com if you are interested.

First Books Discusses Demon Copperhead
2023-09-05 19:30 - 20:45
First Books, formerly known as the UMW Book Group, meets at the church monthly on a Tuesday evening from fall through spring to discuss a mutually selected book. Books are often contemporary fiction, sometimes nonfiction, with an occasional classic and mystery thrown in the mix. New participants are always welcome.
The group resumes after summer break on Tuesday, September 5, 7:30pm at the church (room TBD) with discussion of Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. Learn more about this Pulitzer Prize winner here.
Questions? Please contact Janet Lutz at janetatl@aol.com.
