First United Methodist Church of Evanston, IL

Church Office Closed
2025-04-21
In recognition of the hard work and dedication our church staff has shown in the months leading up to Easter and throughout Holy Week, we will be observing a Sabbath on the day following Easter. This time of rest is a way for our staff to renew and recharge after a season of faithful service. We will return to our normal business hours, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., on Tuesday, April 22nd. Thank you for your understanding and continued support.

Bundled Blessings Diaper Packing with Producemobile volunteers
2025-04-22 10:30 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Room M
Bundled Blessings Diaper Bank will be hosting volunteers from Producemobile team to pack diapers on Tues. 4/22 from 10:30-12. Contact Nancy Brown at 847-271-1712 or nandbrown@comcast.nst

Couples Salon Sips and Dips
2025-04-26 17:30 - 19:30 (America/Chicago)
Come enjoy Sips and Dips with Couples Salon on Saturday, April 26th from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at Susan and Steve Prout’s home in Evanston. Please RSVP to Susan at swprout@comcast.net to let her know you are coming and whether you are bringing a sip or dip to share.

Church Council Meeting
2025-04-27 11:30 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Dining Room

Spring 2025 Inquirers Class
2025-04-27 11:40 - 13:30 (America/Chicago) | Glenna Hall
2025 Spring Inquirers Class

Sundays, April 27, May 4, 11, 18 & June 1, 11:40-1:30pm (lunch included)

What is Inquirers?

An exploration/inquiry into First Church, its ministries, and people.

A six-session class that meets on Sundays led by Pastor Grace Imathiu, Mary Taylor-Johnson and other church leaders.

An experience to help you discern whether this faith community will nurture you and provide opportunities to grow and serve.

What will we do/learn/think about in Inquirers?

Learn about the First Church mission, strategic planning, and what it means to be a Reconciling Congregation.

Talk about the collective faith journey and reflect on our own individual experiences.

Learn about (or review) the structure, theology, and current issues in the United Methodist denomination.

Hear about opportunities such as Adult Education and Faith Formation, soup kitchen, sack lunch ministry, diaper bank, fellowship groups, Young Adult potlucks and gatherings, opportunities for children and youth.

Build relationships with each other through weekly conversation and sharing in small groups.

Listen to what current members share about their experiences in this congregation.

Take a tour of the building.

Inquirers is also the centerpiece of our membership process, so we’ll talk about the membership vows and expectations. While we ask all persons considering membership at First Church to participate, we don’t assume that Inquirers are considering membership. If the experience helps your discern whether or not this faith community is a good fit for you, that is a win.

If    If you are interested in participating in Inquirers, or have questions about this opportunity, please reach out to Mary Taylor-Johnson, Director of Membership and Engagement, at 847-864-6182 or mary@faithatfirst.com .

Standing Together
2025-04-28 19:30 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | Sanctuary

Bundled Blessings Diaper Bank hosting Junior Girl Scout troop
2025-05-01 18:30 - 19:30 (America/Chicago) | Room M
Bundled Blessings Diaper Bank hosting Junior Girl Scout troop to pack diapers in room M on Thurs. May 1 from 6:30-7:30 pm. Contact Nancy Brown at 847-271-1712.

Center for Family Consultation - Annual Conference
2025-05-02 - 2025-05-03 | Dining Room
Evanston’s Center for Family Consultation will hold its Annual Conference in the dining room on Friday and Saturday, May 2, and 3, 2025. This event will also be live-streamed both days. Contact: Krys Juleen, Building Event Coordinator

Confirmation Breakfast
2025-05-04 09:15 - 10:15 (America/Chicago) | Dining Room

Social Justice Intersections
2025-05-04 09:15 - 10:30 (America/Chicago) | Room 33

Earth Care Committee Meeting
2025-05-04 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Dining Room

Rehearsal
2025-05-06 15:00 - 16:30 (America/Chicago) | Sanctuary

Bundled Blessings Diaper Bank will host Evanston Lighthouse Rotary for diaper packing
2025-05-06 17:00 - 18:30 (America/Chicago) | Room M
Bundled Blessings Diaper Bank will host Evanston Lighthouse Rotary Club for diaper packing on Tues. 5/6, 5-6:30 pm. Contact Nancy Brown at 847-271-1712.

First Reads Book Group meeting
2025-05-06 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Chicago) | Glenna Hall
First Reads Book Group meeting will be held on Tuesdays from 7-8:30 pm. Contact Janet Lutz at janetatl@aol.com.

NIC Cabinet Meeting
2025-05-07 08:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | Glenna Hall

Total Child Staff Appreciation Lunch
2025-05-07 12:30 - 13:30 (America/Chicago) | Dining Room

Bundled Blessings Diaper Bank will host Skokie Valley Rotary to pack diapers
2025-05-10 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Chicago) | Room M
Bundled Blessings Diaper Bank will host Skokie Valley Rotary to pack diapers on Sat. 5/10 from 10-11:30 am. Contact Nancy Brown at 847-271-1712.

Social Justice Intersections
2025-05-11 09:15 - 10:30 (America/Chicago)
SOCIAL JUSTICE INTERSECTIONS GROUP MEETS SUNDAYS, 9:15AM, DINING ROOM
Hi First Church sisters and brothers –
Many focus on a daily practice, especially during Lent. This Sunday, continues our Lenten study, “Anti-Racism as Daily Practice.” Our leader will be Joyce Hodel. We are using a book by the same name which adds a sub-title, “Refuse Shame, Change White Communities and Help Create a Just World.” We look forward to to seeing you Sunday.
Lisa Jacob
Joe Agne
Here are our addition dates and leaders:
– March 30, Pastor Britt Cox
– April 13, Chris Nieuwsma
– April 27, Dr. Jennifer Harvey, the book’s author and Academic Dean of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.
We take a break from our study on April 6 for Earth Care Sunday, and on April 20, Easter Sunday, when will sing the social justice verses of our favorite Easter hymns.

Adult Education Class- The Christian Experiment
2025-05-11 09:15 - 10:30 (America/Chicago) | Room M
Ever had doubts? If you are like most, you have. Ever had doubts about Christian faith? Many of us have. In a recent study at a leading United Methodist Church, 95 percent of believers stated they struggle with doubt occasionally and 24 percent stated they struggle with doubt regularly. This same study also found that 44 percent believed their doubts helped them find or strengthen their faith.
Beginning on January 5, The Christian Experiment will discuss doubts. These doubts could be yours or someone you know. We will use some of Adam Hamilton’s work on doubt to help our discussions. You can find information about Adam Hamilton’s book Wrestling with Doubt here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsZPC_bsFcg
Weekly Meeting Schedule
January 5 – Is There a God?
January 12 – The Good Book? Wrestling with the Bible
January 19 – Are All Non-Christians Going to Hell?
January 26 – Is Heaven Real?
February 2 – When Prayers Go Unanswered
February 9 – Why Do the Innocent Suffer?
The Christian Experiment meets every Sunday morning at 9:15 am in Glenna Hall. There is no required reading, homework, or other expectations. Feel free to come to one meeting or all over the next six weeks. We are an open and welcoming group seeking to engage one another in Christian fellowship!

Chapel Organ Tuning
2025-05-13 09:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Tittle Chapel

Christine Mando Rehearsal
2025-05-13 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Sanctuary

Orchestra Rehearsal
2025-05-14 18:30 - 19:30, 2025-05-16 18:30 - 19:30 (America/Chicago) | Sanctuary

Festival Choir Concert: Handel's "Messiah"
2025-05-16 19:30 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | Sanctuary
The Festival Choir and Orchestra of First United Methodist Church of Evanston present parts 2 & 3 of Handel’s beloved “Messiah.” The 7:30pm concert is free and open to the public.

Bundled Blessings Diaper Bank will host Skokie Valley Rotary to pack diapers
2025-05-17 10:30 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Room M
Bundled Blessings Diaper Bank will host Skokie Valley Rotary to pack diapers on Sat. 5/17 from 10-12pm. Contact Nancy Brown at 847-271-1712.

Cate Rondenet Memorial
2025-05-17 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Sanctuary

Peace Circle
2025-05-17 13:00 - 14:30 (America/Chicago) | Glenna Hall
In our time of great division and emotional turmoil, Peace Circles have been a way to address such strife in a method that supports deep listening to others experiences that are prompted by questions for thought. It is a format of non cross talk, using a “talking piece”for such prompts. The group will be limited to 14 participants to allow for adequate exploration. The group will be led by Tom Butler and Linda Boardman

Men's Fellowship Monthly Gathering
2025-05-18 08:00 - 09:00 (America/Chicago) | Dining Room
The men’s fellowship group meets on the second Sunday of each month in the dining room for a light breakfast, fellowship and often a short program. Contact Jim Hagedorn (jehdvm@gmail.com) for more information or to be added to our contact list.

Bird Walk With Earthcare Committee
2025-05-18 08:00 - 09:00 (America/Chicago) | First Church
Join the Earth Care Committee on May 18th for a bird walk at 8:00 a.m. and a talk about birding during Adult Ed hour at 9:15 a.m. in the dining room. More details to come in the newsletter!

Adult Education- Faith & Parenting
2024-10-13 09:15 - 10:15 UTC | 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.
