First United Methodist Church of Evanston, IL

Mom's Night Out
2026-06-08 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Chicago)
Mom’s Night Out! Monday, June 8th from 6:30-8:30 pm

At Jessica Hager’s home with Jessica Radcliffe cohosting

RSVP if you can- Jessica.e.hager@gmail.com

OR just show up – with a smile, a dish, a beverage or a friend!

NEXT MNO – In Sept at Marianne Griebler’s with Evelyn McGowan Cohost!

HAPPY SUMMER!

Adult Christian Education Council
2026-06-10 18:00 - 19:30 (America/Chicago) | Glenna Hall

Pocket Altar Workshop
2026-06-10 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Dining Hall
As part of our summer worship series, Our Creative God, we’re exploring creativity as a spiritual practice—discovering how art, imagination, beauty, and wonder can help us notice God’s presence in everyday life. This workshop offers a hands-on way to participate in that journey.
Altars can serve a variety of purposes in our lives. They provide a physical place for prayer and devotion, a reminder that God is with us. They can be a focal point for listening to the voice of Spirit within ourselves, a center for meditation. And altars can help us to give thanks for the blessings in our lives.
This workshop is about making a small personal shrine that you can take with you when you go to work, travel, or wherever you want to have a personal worship space. It is contained within a mint tin. Which is why it is called a pocket altar.
Mari Leonard created this workshop 20 years ago for a retreat about art and spirituality. This is a creative workshop, but that should not scare you off if you think you are not artistic. Her workshops present no-fail creative projects. You will be amazed with you come up with!
Dinner provided! RSVP HERE so we can plan for food and materials.
Registration closes June 1st for this workshop. Mari will email registrants to offer ideas of what to bring to personalize your altar.

Email Mari Leonard with questions.

Chapel Organ Tuning
2026-06-12 09:30 - 15:30 (America/Chicago) | Tittle Chapel

First Church Salon
2026-06-13 17:30 - 20:00 (America/Chicago)
Come enjoy Sips, Dips and Desserts with First Church Salon on Saturday, June 13th from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm. This fun gathering co-hosted by Marianne and Dave Griebler and Nancy and Bill Brown will be at the Grieblers’ home in Evanston.

Please RSVP to Marianne at mariannegriebler@gmail.com to let her know you are coming and whether you are bringing a Sip, Dip or Dessert to share.

Worship in the Park is Back!
2026-06-14 09:00 - 09:45 (America/Chicago)
Welcome Back Worship in the Park!

This summer we will be returning to Lunt Park for the 9am outdoor worship service. You can expect the same 45 minute, laid-back, child-inclusive worship service under the trees and in the summer breeze that we have held for decades. However, we’ll be pairing down some of the items we bring out to the park in order to make this an easy lift for our volunteers and staff. We will provide a handful of chairs for visitors, but we ask that you bring your own chair or blanket to sit on. There will also be a small amount of song books available because we are hoping that you’ll share with your neighbor or use the digital bulletin with music provided. Finally, we need a reliable volunteer crew every week to help with setup and take down of our outdoor AV system and the other items for worship.

You may sign up here to help with set up and take down: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4CA4AA2BA0FF2-62321265-worship

You may sign up here to read scripture this summer at either worship service: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4CA4AA2BA0FF2-63133182-summer

Craft Day
2026-06-20 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Dining Hall
Please join us on Craft Day: June 20th, Saturday, from 10:00 am-12:00 pm.
Join us for a fun and creative time together. Bring any project you would like to work on, including quilting, crochet, knitting, sewing, beading, jewelry, painting and more. All projects are welcome.
We will meet in the dining room, so there will be plenty of space to spread out. Please bring your sewing machine if sewing.
Beginners are welcome. All ages and skill levels are invited to join.
Please email Courtney (courtney.zirkle@gmail.com) or Glynis (dleedoyle@gmail.com) if you interested and to receive the building access code.

Also, if you are interested in a weekday Craft Day as opposed to a Saturday Craft Day, email Courtney or Glynis. We are thinking of doing both in the fall if there is enough interest.

Creation Camp
2026-06-22 - 2026-06-26
First Church’s Children’s and Youth Ministry programs are returning to Camp Wesley Woods in Williams Bay, Wisconsin. Join us for a five-day overnight camp experience suitable for children and youth entering grades 2-8 in the fall of 2026 as together we to seek create life-changing memories and life-giving relationships in Christ.

Save the date for summer camp!

First Church’s Children’s and Youth Ministry programs are returning to Camp Wesley Woods in beautiful Williams Bay, Wisconsin, June 22-26, 2026. Join us for a five-day overnight camp experience suitable for children and youth entering grades 2-8 in the fall of 2026 as together we seek to create life-giving relationships and life-changing memories in Christ.

Registration opens January 2026.

Admin Meeting
2026-06-25 08:30 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Conference Room

Community Diaper Packing
2026-06-27 10:30 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Room M
Take a break from your summer, and help Bundled Blessings to pack diapers for children in need. Summer Diaper Packing is Saturday, June 27, 10:30-12. Please sign up below. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E49A8AF2BA2FF2-64528299-summer
Your help is much appreciated!

Presentation & Conversation on Justice and Mercy in the Middle East
2026-07-11 11:00 - 12:30 (America/Chicago) | Glenna Hall
This is an opportunity to hear an update on the conflicts in the Middle East and the impact on communities that have been devastated by war. Bruce Rigdon, a pastor, a seminary professor, notable authority and friend to FUMC, who has shared his insights on several previous visits to our congregation.

Installation Sunday for Rev. Dr. Paul Lee
2026-07-19 10:30 - 23:30 (America/Chicago) | Sanctuary

Wedding
2026-07-24 - 2026-07-25 | Tittle Chapel

Wedding Rehearsal
2026-07-24 16:00 - 18:00 (America/Chicago) | Glenna Hall

Pete Henderson Memorial Service
2026-08-01 10:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Sanctuary; Glenna Hall
Start time 10am

Total Child - Moving On Ceremony
2026-08-06 15:30 - 16:30 (America/Chicago) | Dining Hall

Faith in the Wild VBS
2026-08-10 09:00 - 2026-08-13 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Kitchen ;Memorial Garden ;Hinman Lawn
“Faith in the Wild” is an original, environmentally-focused Vacation Bible School program that aims to inspire lifelong connections to the natural world and each other as agents of change in God’s unending story of creation. In partnership with local community organizations, campers engage in daily acts of stewardship, play, and prayerful reflection while exploring creation inside and out.

Learn more and register by July 1 for “early bird” discount!
https://onrealm.org/faithatfirst/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=OGMwMTg5NjktYWEzMS00N2JiLWEzN2ItYjQxZTAxMmM1Mjlm

Piano Tunings
2026-09-09 11:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Sanctuary; Choir Room; Room 33

Rally Day Sunday
2026-09-13 09:15 - 11:30 UTC
All are invited to kickoff the church program year on Rally Day Sunday!

Vision Keeper Dinner
2026-10-25 17:30 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | Hilton Orrington Hotel, Grand Ballroom 1710 Orrington Ave, Evanston, IL
Interfaith Action Vision Keepers Dinner Sunday, October 25, 2026
5:30 pm
Hilton Orrington Hotel, Evanston
Please join Interfaith Action of Evanston
in honoring members of our faith communities who exemplify the
IAE vision of interfaith social action and dialogue Vision Keeper Nominations due
September 25 Vision Keeper Dinner Registrations due
October 5
Ticket price: $90
Nomination and registration

Women's Retreat
2026-11-13 08:00 - 2026-11-14 17:00 (America/Chicago)
More description TBD
Location is University of Saint Mary of the Lake
1000 E Maple Avenue
Mundelein, IL 60060
