First United Methodist Church of Evanston, IL

Reception following Nick Perry's Celebration of Life
2024-03-11 16:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Great Hall

Celebration of Life for Bette Mitchell
2024-03-12 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Tittle Chapel
Celebrating the Life of Elizabeth (Bette) Mitchell (March 12, 1935 – December 25, 2023)
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
11am Service in Tittle Chapel with Luncheon at noon in the dining room.
View Bette’s Obituary
Online guesbook (please sign)
Livestream link to come

Luncheon following Bette Mitchell's Celebration of Life
2024-03-12 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Dining Room

Mom's Night Out
2024-03-14 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Chicago)
Moms of every age are welcome; each month is a different collection of women. Bring a snack to share or just yourself!
Catharina Maerklin (host) and Julia Jackson (cohost); RSVP by email to c.maerklin@gmx.de .

Celebration of Life for Larry Ter Molen
2024-03-15 15:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Sanctuary
Celebrating the Life of Larry Ter Molen (August 10, 1937 – February 9, 2024)
Friday, March 15, 2024
Service at 3:00pm in the sanctuary with reception following in Great Hall.
Livestream link
Online Guest Book (please sign)

Reception for Larry Ter Molen
2024-03-15 16:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Great Hall

Organ Concert
2024-03-15 19:30 - 20:30 UTC | Sanctuary
Organ Concert: Dr. Brian Schoettler
Friday, March 8, 7:30-8:30pm in the Sanctuary
First Church Minister of Music & Organist, Dr. Brian Schoettler, presents a 60-minute concert featuring the sanctuary’s mighty, Austin pipe organ (Opus 319). The program will feature works Bach, Lefébure-Wély, Marchand, Saint-Saëns, and Widor. The concert is free and open to the public.
Interested in dinner before the concert with some church folks? All are invited to meet at Prairie Moon at 5:30pm and walk back to the church for the concert. Please contact Ann Weatherhead at amweatherhead@gmail.com so we know how many to expect.

Grief Support Group
2024-03-17 09:15 - 10:15 (America/Chicago) | Conference Room
We are pleased to announce that Jim McHolland, Ph.D. and Licensed Clinical Psychologist, and Beth Swanick, Ed.D. and Licensed Professional Counselor, will again facilitate a three-week class for members and friends of First Church who are experiencing grief. Jim and Beth are both members of FUMC Evanston, and have offered this class several times over recent years. This grief may be due to the loss of a loved one, or loss associated with any major life change such as job loss, serious health diagnosis, anticipatory grief, recent financial insecurity, change in relationship status, or similar difficulty. This class will meet in person at 9:15 on Sundays, March 17, 24, and April 7. Please email Beth Swanick (bethswanick@gmail.com) with questions or to RSVP.

Wedding
2024-03-23 | Tittle Chapel

Palm Sunday with Processional
2024-03-24 10:30 - 11:30 (America/Chicago)

Chancel Choir Rehearsal
2024-03-28 18:30 - 19:00, 2024-03-29 18:30 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | Tittle Chapel

Maundy Thursday Worship
2024-03-28 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago)

Good Friday Worship
2024-03-29 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago)

Easter Vigil
2024-03-30 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago)

Easter Sunday Worship with Festive Prelude
2024-03-31 10:30 - 11:30 (America/Chicago)
10:00am – Festive prelude Begins
10:30am – Worship Begins

Learning the Prayer of Examen
2024-04-02 20:30 - 21:00 (America/Chicago)
The Prayer of Examen is a spiritual practice of reviewing the day to retune ourselves to the sacred in ordinary life. Usually lasting 15-20 minutes and done in the evening, the prayer prompts us to remember God’s presence, express gratitude, reflect on the day, and prepare for the day to come. The Faith Formation Council is offering the opportunity to learn this beautiful spiritual practice via zoom on Tuesday evenings, April 2 – May 14, from 8:30pm – 9:00pm. Participants will learn the history of the practice originated by St. Ignatius Loyola, the five steps of the practice, experience one step together each week, & reflect on trying the practice individually between meeting times.
Facilitators: Lee Rader, Tom Scott
Contact Tom to sign up: tom.scott.goblue@msn.com

First Wednesday Potluck
2024-04-03 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | Dining Room
Bring a side or dessert to share and join your church family for good food and fellowship on the first Wednesday of every month!

First Wednesday Potluck
2024-04-03 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | Dining Room
Bring a side or dessert to share and join your church family for good food and fellowship on the first Wednesday of every month!
Please register to gain building entry aid in preparations, noting any dietary restrictions or food allergies in the memo field. Register here: https://onrealm.org/faithatfirst/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=YWNkNmY2ODQtMDIyNS00ZjgzLTkzZWQtYjEzMTAxMzEyOGRm

The Value of Life in Gaza
2024-04-06 11:00 - 12:30 (America/Chicago) | Dining Room
Social Justice Committee is inviting you to attend a presentation and discussion, by the Very Reverend Father Fouad Saba, the Pastor of Saint George Antiochian Orthodox Church on the topic of ” The Value of Life in Gaza”. He will offer his perspective from values that are held as followers of Jesus and those that are in opposition to them.

Appalachia Service Project Fundraiser Dinner
2024-04-06 18:00 - 20:00 UTC | Great Hall
Each summer our high school youth spend a week serving with the Appalachia Service Project, an organization committed to making homes in impoverished counties of the region “warmer, safer, drier.” This summer mission trip has been a tradition at First Church for 26 years!
In July First Church is sending 15 youth and 10 adults to serve with ASP in Tennessee, and we need your help to get there! Our goal is to raise $10,000 before we load up the vans on July 13th.
This pasta dinner, on Saturday, April 6, 6-8:30pm, is free and open to everyone. Come hear our stories, and see our youth being the ones lead this whole event! Our hope is that you’ll see our youth and all the hard work they are putting into this dinner, that you’ll understand how hard they will work during our trip. There will be a silent auction, as well as different creative ways to help support us. Come check it out, and support our youth as they cook, serve, and lead this pasta dinner fundraiser! We are able to do this yearly thanks to your support, so help us keep this tradition alive.
Sign up online now
Please consider making a donation to the youth ASP trip. Donate online now or make a check out to the church with ASP Trip in the memo line and drop it off in the office or offering plate. Thank you!
Questions? Please contact Sydney Harkrider, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, at sydney@faithatfirst.com .

Continuing Dialogue about the Palestine-Israel Conflict
2024-04-07 09:15 - 10:15 (America/Chicago) | Dining Room
Come together for dialogue about the Israel-Palestine conflict. This will be an informal but important time to review and reflect upon our shared and individual learning and consider next steps toward education and action

2024 Spring Inquirers
2024-04-07 11:45 - 13:30 (America/Chicago)
The Inquirers Class is the centerpiece of intentional exploration of First Church, its people and ministries, and the United Methodist church. All persons who wish to learn more about this faith community and discern about membership here are welcome. Advance sign up is super helpful. Please contact Mary Taylor-Johnson at mary@faithatfirst.com or online at https://faithatfirst.org/connect-with-us/ .

Music Ministry
2024-04-07 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Sanctuary

Reconciling Task Force Webinar Educational on General conference
2024-04-09 18:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | Glenna Hall
Invitation to discuss the upcoming UMC General Conference with presentations on “Resurrecting An All Inclusive Church” zoom event with UMC church leaders of color and LGBTQIA+, including Bishop Karen Oliveto, Rev. Adam Hamilton, Rev. Israel “Izzy” Alvaran (RMN Regional Organizer) and others.

Festival Choir Rehearsal
2024-04-10 19:30 - 20:10 (America/Chicago) | Choir Room
Adults and high school youth from the congregation and the community rehearse in preparation for the Festival Choir Concert on May 17, 2024. No audition is required and music is provided at rehearsal.
For more information, email brian@faithatfirst.com

Sunday School
2024-04-14 09:15 - 10:15 (America/Chicago)
Sunday School takes place before Worship from 9:15-10:15 a.m. from mid-September through May, with an emphasis on learning and responding to stories in the Bible through reading, conversation, and play. Sunday School is offered for children ages Pre-K-6th grade. Classroom locations are posted throughout the building.

Finding God in the Natural World (Adult Ed Class)
2024-04-14 09:15 - 10:15 (America/Chicago) | Rooms 33 and 34, Third Floor
Please join us for any or all of this four-week exploration of nature as God’s first sacred text. Participants will be invited into a deeper understanding of God through nature. For additional details and online registration, click here.

Young Adult Retreat
2024-04-19 - 2024-04-21
We are beginning a new tradition for our Young Adult group! We will be having a Young Adult Retreat on April 19-21st. The location of where we stay will be determined by our group size. We will do group lessons, crafts, self reflection, and plenty of bonding. This is a wonderful time to recharge your soul and get away for a weekend with other folks. Come join us! Contact Sydney Harkrider, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, at sydney@faithatfirst.com to sign up.

Couples Salon Spring Gathering
2024-04-20 18:30 - 21:30 (America/Chicago)
Come join Couples Salon for an evening of good food and fellowship on Saturday, April 20th, at the Barbours’ home in Evanston. This fun evening co-hosted by Nancy and Dennis Barbour and Evelyn and Mike McGowan will begin at 6:30 pm.
Please RSVP to Evelyn at em4mail@gmail.com or via text at 312-816-5353 to let her know you are coming, and whether you are bringing an appetizer, dessert or side dish that goes with ham.
