First United Methodist Church of Evanston, IL

LAST Wednesday Potluck!
2025-05-28 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | Dining Room
Bring a side or dessert to share and join your church family for good food, fellowship, and seasonal activities for all ages on this last of our Wednesday evening potlucks for the program year!
Please register to aid in preparations, noting dates you plan to attend and any dietary restrictions or food allergies in the memo field.

Memorial Service
2025-05-30 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Dining Room

Bundled Blessings is sponsoring Diaper Days -- an open house, diaper drive and diaper packing event.
2025-05-31 09:30 - 12:30 (America/Chicago) | Dining Room
Bundled Blessings Diaper Bank will be hosting Diaper Days — an open house, diaper drive, and diaper packing event on Sat. 5/31 from 9:30 am-12:30 pm. Contact Nancy Brown at bundledblessings@outlook.com or 847-271-1712 .

Memorial Service
2025-05-31 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Sanctuary

Northwestern THUNK A Cappella Group Concert
2025-05-31 14:30 - 18:30 (America/Chicago) | Tittle Chapel

Methodist Youth Fellowship
2025-06-01 11:30 - 13:30 (America/Chicago) | Room M
All 7th-12th grade youth are invited to attend Methodist Youth Fellowship (MYF)! This is our gathering twice a month for all youth to have lunch and then engage in music, lessons, a service project, or simply have fun together. Come and join us! All are welcome!

Spring 2025 Inquirers Class
2025-06-01 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 .

Earth Care Committee Meeting
2025-06-01 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Dining Room

Sketch Group
2025-06-01 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Outside of Building

Young Adult Potluck
2025-06-01 17:30 - 21:00 (America/Chicago)
All young adults are invited to our potluck! Whether you are new around here, or looking for other adults to befriend— you are welcome here! We gather at the Bailey’s home, and all bring dishes to share. Contact Sydney for the address, and hope to see you there!

Finance Ad Hoc Committee on Designated Funds
2025-06-02 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Chicago)

Evanston Latinos Entrepreneurship and Culinary/Hospitality Training
2025-06-03 18:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | kitchen

Total Child School Picnic
2025-06-04 17:00 - 19:30 (America/Chicago) | Hinman Lawn
Total Child hosts a picnic for all currently enrolled families. The picnic is held on the lawn, but in case of rain, it will be held in the Dining Hall.

SPRC meeting
2025-06-04 18:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | Glenna Hall

Senior Recital- Mya Vandergrift
2025-06-05 18:00 - 22:00 (America/Chicago) | Tittle Chapel

Bundled Blessings Diaper Packing with AbbVie
2025-06-06 13:30 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Room M

Men's Fellowship Gathering
2025-06-08 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.

New Member walk-through
2025-06-08 09:45 - 10:15 (America/Chicago) | Tittle Chapel

Church Conference
2025-06-08 12:30 - 12:45 (America/Chicago) | Dining Hall
Church Conference: Sunday, June 8 at 12pm
Join us for our Church Conference on Sunday, June 8, at noon in the dining room. Victor Melad, our District Superintendent, will preside. Online access is available (contact Leslie Chiapetti at leslie@faithatfirst.com), but voting is in-person only.
Agenda Highlights:

Vote on the 2025-2026 leadership slate (click here for the latest version).
Vote to endorse four First Church members as candidates for ordained ministry:

• Sydney Harkrider
• Ivy Joe Kuruvila
• Antoinette Senjanovich
• Sam Stanes
Please stop by Great Hall after worship to meet our newest members, and bring your coffee and snack to the meeting.

Second Annual Interfaith Family Pride Fest (IFPF)
2025-06-08 14:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Raymond Park
The Second Annual Interfaith Family Pride Fest (IFPF) is scheduled for Sunday, June 8th, 2025, from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm at Raymond Park in Evanston, IL.
Stemming from a desire to build better relationships between the faith communities and the LGBTQ+ community, members of Evanston’s congregations have gathered to plan our second youth and family-focused pride event, one that is inclusive, joyful, and representative of the rich diversity in Evanston.
This event will feature a variety of dynamic performers including the Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus, the Drag Bubbe, Artemis Singers, and many others! There will be art and activities in the park, carnival snacks and beverages, and fun for the whole family. The event is expected to be a memorable one and entirely free of charge for the people of Evanston.

Communications Committee Meeting
2025-06-09 19:30 - 20:45 (America/Chicago) | Zoom
The 2024-25 Communications Commitee meets monthly on the second Monday of each month at 7:30pm online.
Questions? Please reach out to committee chair Andy Shotwell at ashotwell@gmail.com.

Bundled Blessings Diaper Packing with Mather
2025-06-10 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Chicago) | Room M

Membership Committee Meeting
2025-06-10 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago)
Email mary@faithatfirst.com with questions

Membership Committee Meeting
2025-06-10 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago)
The Membership Committee will meet Tuesday, June 10, 7-8pm via Zoom. The agenda includes (1) an update from Matt Moy Johnson of Church Council on the strategic planning process; (2) conversation on how our work on congregational engagement and membership growth aligns with the plan; (3) initial work on goal setting for 2025-26 and beyond. Questions? Please contact Lynelle Diener, Chair, at lynellediener@gmail.com .

Church Council Meeting
2025-06-10 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Chicago) | Glenna Hall

Chapel Organ Tuning
2025-06-11 09:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Tittle Chapel

Coffee, Conversation, and Friends
2025-06-11 10:00 - 11:00 UTC
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.

Summer Lunch Bunch
2025-06-11 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Chicago) | Fountain Square
Register: https://onrealm.org/faithatfirst/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=YWUyMzBhZGUtNGI2MC00NzM1LTgyMjUtYjJmMTAxMzg1NGQ5

Mom's Night Out
2025-06-11 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Chicago)
MNO – Wed June 11th at Linda Brennan’s with Linda Federer cohost

Isabel's Retirement Party- Total Child
2025-06-12 16:30 - 18:00 (America/Chicago) | Hinman Lawn
