First United Methodist Church of Evanston, IL

Fall Family Welcome
2025-09-05 17:30 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | Hinman Lawn
You’re invited to Children’s Ministry’s Fall Family Welcome, Friday, September 5, 2025, from 5:30-7:00 p.m. on the front lawn of First United Methodist Church (1630 Hinman Avenue).

Join Children’s Ministry leaders, volunteers, and other families with children ages 0 through 6th grade for casual fellowship, play, and a preview of our 2025-26 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 worship, beginning Rally Day Sunday, September 7!

To help us plan, please register by Sunday, August 31. PLEASE INSERT THE FOLLOWING LINK: https://onrealm.org/faithatfirst/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=ZjUzOTk0YjgtMTc0Ny00ODAwLWFhOGItYjMzMDAwMTllNzdh

Couples Salon Sips and Dips
2025-09-06 18:00 - 21:00 | Chris and Ed Webler’s home
Come enjoy Sips and Dips with Couples Salon on Saturday, September 6th from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Chris and Ed Webler’s home in Evanston.
Please RSVP to Chris at c.webler@gmail.com to let her know you are coming and whether you are bringing an appetizer, salad, dessert or sip to enjoy with mini beef sliders.

Rally Day
2025-09-07

Rally Education Day
2025-09-07 09:15 - 10:15 | Dining Hall
Come learn about adult education opportunities for 2025-2026!

Confirmation Class
2025-09-07 09:15 - 10:15 | Youth Room
Sundays 9:15-10:15am (7-8th Grade)
Confirmation is the culmination of a two-year process that focuses on building relationships with God, each other, and the larger faith community. Class meets on Sunday mornings to discuss theology, spiritual practices, and living our faith in the world. It’s a time to eat donuts, for youth to think critically and ask hard questions while growing in love and relationship with God and neighbor. A key focus is to help youth develop a sense of belonging in the congregation. At the conclusion of the process, 8th graders are invited to take confirmation vows during Sunday worship.

Email Sydney@faithatfirst.com with questions!

Chancel Choir Rehearsal
2025-09-07 09:30 - 10:15 | Choir Room
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.

Welcome Spot
2025-09-07 10:10 - 10:30 | Fountain Foyer

Worship in the Sanctuary
2025-09-07 10:30 - 12:00 | Sanctuary
Please find up to date information about this Sunday here.

Bundled Blessings Diaper Packing: Private events
2025-09-08 10:00 - 11:30 | Room M

Church Council Meeting
2025-09-09 18:00 - 21:00 | Glenna Hall

Wednesday Bible Study- Online
2025-09-10 10:00 - 12:00 | online
The Wednesday Bible Study is a longstanding group that meets online every Wednesday 10-11:30am with the exception of a short break in the summer.
Please contact Janet Lutz at janetatl@aol.com with any questions.
Realm Registration Event.

Children's Choir Rehearsal
2025-09-10 17:15 - 18:00 | Choir Room
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.

Grown-Up Night: Total Child
2025-09-10 17:30 - 18:30 | Tittle Chapel

Handbell Choir Rehearsal
2025-09-10 18:30 - 19:15 | Choir Room
The Handbell Choir plays in worship seasonally. Basic music reading skills required (instrumentalists are especially welcome). Open to adults and youth in grades 6-12. New members are welcome throughout the year – email Dr. Brian Schoettler for more information.

Membership Comm Meeting
2025-09-10 19:00 - 20:30 | Conference Room

Chancel Choir Rehearsal
2025-09-10 19:30 - 21:00 | Choir Room
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.
Meets in Choir Room!

Room RSVP in Dining Hall
2025-09-11 10:15 - 11:15

Progressive Christianity Reading Group- Online
2025-09-11 13:00 - 14:00 | online
First Church’s Progressive Christians Reading Group invites new and former participants to participate as the group gathers each Thursday 1:00-2:00pm online to discuss and reflect on selected books, typically one book per month.
Interested? Email Christie at cecook.phd@gmail.com for the current/upcoming reading and the Zoom link.
Realm Registration Event.

God's Story, Our Stories Bible Study- Online
2025-09-11 19:00 - 20:30 | online
The Lectionary Bible Study Group meets online each Thursday evening. We are a band of curious explorers, reflecting upon the lectionary passages for the coming Sunday. We ask many questions. We have “ah ha” moments in our discussions. We attempt to unearth how these ancient stories inform our current day stories. We deeply seek to live out our best understanding of the heart of these stories week by week in the midst of our common humanity. Several group members rotate the facilitation.
Come and join us! You may be placed on the group distribution list by contacting Bill Brown at bbrown@wwbrown-inc.com.
Realm Registration Event.

Men's Fellowship Gathering
2025-09-14 08:00 - 09:00 | Dining Room

Social Justice Intersections Sunday School Class
2025-09-14 09:15 - 10:15 | Dining Room
Sundays at 9:15am in the Dining Hall, first floor.
The social justice track of the adult Christian Education lineup is grounded in the Wesleyan commitment that “There is no holiness but social holiness.”
Facilitator: Joe Agne, RevAgne@gmail.com
Realm Registration Event.

Abide
2025-09-14 09:15 - 10:15 | Room K
Sundays at 9:15am in Room K.
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 at 9:15am in person. New participants are always welcome.
Facilitator: Mari Leonard, mari.leonard@comcast.net
Realm Registration Event.

The Christian Experiment
2025-09-14 09:15 - 10:15 | Glenna Hall
Sundays at 9:15am in Glenna Hall Sundays, first floor. Begins Sept. 14.
The Christian Experiment is a weekly gathering that creates community and explores faith-based questions. 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.
Facilitators: Matt Rader (mrader@emich.edu) and Kristi Hubbard (hubbard.kristi@gmail.com)
Realm Registration Event.

History, Roots, & Rearview Mirror
2025-09-14 09:15 - 10:15 | Conference Room
History, Roots and a Rearview Mirror will use insight and discussion to understand our roots and history to have a rearview mirror of our story. The class will begin with a two-week unit on First Church history; followed by a four-week unit on church history under Constantine; a two-week unit on history of human sexuality in the UMC; a two-week unit on the history of race and racism in the UMC; and finish the year on Advent with the Wesleys.
Realm Registration Event.

Earth Care Committee Meeting
2025-09-14 11:50 - 13:15 | Glenna Hall

Youth Council Meeting
2025-09-14 12:00 - 13:00 | Conference Room

Lake North 2025 Fall Academy
2025-09-20 08:30 - 15:30

Men's Fellowship
2025-09-21 08:00 - 09:00 | Dining Hall
Men’s fellowship will not meet Sept. 14, but will meet Sept 21 at 8 am… all men are invited to coMen’s fellowship will not meet Sept. 14, but will meet Sept 21 at 8 am… all men are invited to comeme!

Racial Justice Committee meeting
2025-09-21 12:00 - 13:30 | Glenna Hall

Rosh Hashanah set up
2025-09-22 08:00 - 17:00
