First United Methodist Church of Evanston, IL

Contemplative Practices Group
2025-12-01 10:30 - 11:30 (America/Chicago)
Advent Contemplative Practices Group on Zoom:
In the 1960s, the well-known Trappist monk, Thomas Merton, brought contemplative practice out of the cloister into the realm of ordinary people.
In the 1970s, Father Thomas Keating developed a form of contemplative practice called centering prayer; and John Main, a Benedictine monk, advocated a practice of contemplative meditation. We will be utilizing the small group format for contemplative practice outlined in the book “Where Two or Three Are Gathered” by Rev. Daniel Prechtel with an emphasis on lectio (reading), meditatio (meditation), oratio (prayer), and contemplatio (contemplation).
The contemplative practice group will meet on Mondays, December 1st – December 22nd during Advent from 10:30am-11:30am on Zoom and will be facilitated by Glynis Doyle.
If you have any questions, would like to receive an outline of the format of the class, or would like to register, you can contact Glynis at dleedoyle@gmail.com.

First Wednesday Potluck & Christmas Movie Night
2025-12-03 17:30 - 19:30 | Dining Hall
Bring a side or dessert to share and join your church family for pizza and a movie at this special extended “movie night” edition of First Wednesday Potluck!

RSVP here!

Bundled Blessing Packing with FUMC Men's Group
2025-12-03 18:30 - 20:00

Skokie Library Diaper Packing
2025-12-05 15:00 - 16:30

Diaper Bank
2025-12-06 10:30 - 12:00

Congregational Care Meeting
2025-12-07 11:30 - 12:30

Congregational Care Christmas Bag
2025-12-07 11:30 - 12:30

Piano Tunings
2025-12-09 09:00 - 15:00 | Sanctuary ;Glenna Hall ;Dining Hall
Heat on. No work or cleaning during this visit

Advent Luncheon
2025-12-10 11:00 - 14:00 | Dining room and sanctuary
Advent Lunch – On Wednesday, December 10, at 11 am First Church members (and inquirers!) are invited to come together to celebrate Advent with festive music and lunch.
RSVP: here

Pop Up Soup Kitchen with Soul & Smoke
2025-12-12 14:45 - 17:45 | Kitchen ;Fountain Foyer ;Dining Hall

Soup kitchen/ Rethink Food/ IAE
2025-12-12 16:15 - 17:00

Pageant Dress Rehearsal
2025-12-13 10:00 - 12:00 | sanctuary and glenna hall
A required dress rehearsal for children (Pre-K through Grade 6) involved in the pageant on Dec. 14. This is a closed rehearsal only open to immediate family.

Diaper Packing
2025-12-13 10:30 - 12:00

Pageant Rehearsal
2025-12-14 09:15 - 10:15 | sanctuary and glenna hall
Pageant participants who attended the 12/14 dress rehearsal join for a final run-through before worship. Please meet in Glenna Hall to sign in.

Soup Kitchen Volunteer Information & Training Session
2025-12-14 12:00 - 13:30
Join First Church community members as a 2026 Dining Team Volunteer! Whether volunteering regularly or just one time, your gifts of hospitality and community building are needed as we welcome ~70 neighbors each Thursday evening at Soup Kitchen. Join the training and information session Sunday, December 14th from 12-1:30pm. RSVP requested by Friday, December 12th via Realm so we can provide a light lunch for all.

Questions? Contact jessica.e.hager@gmail.com

Note: Current and prospective volunteers encouraged to attend since the training will outline clarified roles and volunteer needs for 2026. School-aged volunteers are welcome!

Faith Around the Table group
2025-12-14 17:00 - 19:00 | Glenna Hall

Bundled Blessings Diaper Packing
2025-12-17 16:30 - 18:00

Total Child Staff Holiday Lunch
2025-12-18 13:00 - 14:30 | Glenna Hall

Soup Kitchen Leadership Team Meeting
2025-12-19 12:00 - 14:00

Church Office Closed
2025-12-25
Church Office Holiday Closure

Please note that the church office will be closed from Thursday, December 25 through Friday, January 2. This time is set aside to allow our staff a period of rest and renewal as we move from one year into the next.

We will reopen and resume regular office hours on Monday, January 5. Thank you for your understanding and for helping us care well for our staff.

Mom's Night Out
2025-12-27 18:30 - 20:30
MERRY CHRISTMAS to EVERY MOM!!

THANK YOU to Sue Hagedorn and Krys Juleen for hosting such a wonderful celebration for Christmas! Sue, your home was so beautifully decorated, the quiche and poinsettias were delicious, and the party rocked! So many of you came on that cold snowy evening!

We are taking a break until Tues Jan 27th at 6:30 pm – Candance Chow with Katie Brick as cohost!

RSVP at cparkschow@yahoo.com or 312-286-9036.

Then –
Thurs Feb 26th at Caroline Wagner’s with Jen Veys cohost

Thurs Mar 12th – Women’s Club Review – Evelyn McGowan

April – Jen Wolfe and Jackie Owens

May – Julie Womack and ?

Any interest in an June event in someone’s backyard?
Merry Christmas!
-Linda

Music Ministry
2025-12-28 13:00 - 15:00

snapgap
2026-01-01 10:00 - 2026-02-28 16:00
Interfaith Action of Evanston SNAPGap – February 2026

When asked what additional SNAPGap items might be most appreciated, one fellow quickly replied, “garbage bags.” So for January/February we are collecting any brand of 13 gallon garbage bags. These items will be distributed on Wednesday, February 25, at the Vineyard Food Pantry. Items can be purchased online at:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/EU78AK7T6LVH/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_1

If you buy these items locally, you can drop them off at: Trinity Lutheran Church, 3637 Golf Rd, Evanston, IL, Monday-Thursday, 10 am to 4 pm. Please use the back door—up a short flight of stairs and labeled “Office.” Just ring the bell and someone will immediately answer it.

More than 100 households will benefit from your generosity. Please know how grateful they are.

Kind regards,
The SNAPGap Team

Compline Night Prayer Services
2026-01-06 20:00 - 20:30
Compline Night Prayer Services Return
On Tuesdays beginning January 6th, you are invited to a thirty minute Night Prayer Service to end your day in community and peace. These services from 8:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. via Zoom are patterned after the ancient monastic tradition of Compline (meaning completion) –the final prayer of the day. We will follow a simple liturgical format for this service of quietness and reflection before rest. Persons of all ages are encouraged to give this spiritual practice a try. The services, sponsored by the Faith Formation Council, will continue through Lent, concluding on March 24th. Participants may attend as schedules allow. Contact Tom Scott (tom.scott.goblue@msn.com) to sign up or with questions.

First Wednesday Potluck
2026-01-07 17:30 - 19:30 | Dining Hall
Bring a side or dessert to share and join your church family for good food, fellowship, and seasonal activities for all ages.
Kindly register at: https://onrealm.org/faithatfirst/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=MjkwODNjNzgtYjVkMy00NWVhLTljODItYjM1MzAxNDM2OWIz

Soup Kitchen Cooking/Serving for Inquirers and Friends
2026-01-10 16:00 - 19:30 | kitchen
Our Winter Inquirers Class and other First Church friends are invited to prepare and serve supper for our Thursday soup kitchen (50+ consecutive years and still going strong!) and also prepare sack lunches for guests to enjoy the next day. Children are welcome when accompanied by an adult. Please sign up here!

4:00-6:10pm: Prep and Cooking shift

5:30-6:00pm: Dinner for volunteers

5:45-7:30pm: Serving and Cleanup shift

Please sign up for one or both shifts and note if you need to leave early or come late. All volunteers are invited to have dinner together (about 5:30pm) before the guests line up at 6pm to be served.

Thank you!

Messy Epiphany!
2026-01-11 09:15 - 10:15 | Great Hall
Life isn’t neat and tidy. Why should church be any different?

Messy Church is a monthly opportunity for children, families, and adults to engage in hands-on creative activities, acts of service, and celebratory worship in intergenerational community. Join us for a different kind of Sunday School as together we ring in the season after Epiphany on Sunday, January 11 at 9:15 a.m. in Great Hall.

Bundled Blessings Diaper Packing with Lisa Schiling & friends
2026-01-17 10:30 - 12:00

Walk for Warmth
2026-01-19 09:00 - 13:00 | Sanctuary
Mark your calendars for Interfaith Action’s annual Walk for Warmth on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on January 19, 2026. Please join us at 11am in the FUMC church sanctuary as we honor the legacy of Dr. King, raise funds for the overnight shelter, and walk a mile in the shoes of people who need it.

7th Annual Walk For Warmth
2026-01-19 10:00 - 13:00 | Sanctuary
Mark your calendars! Please join us for Interfaith Action of Evanston’s Walk for Warmth on Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, Monday January 19th. Walking together, we are a physical embodiment of Dr. King’s vision of the beloved community. His commitment to service is reflected in the route we take past the many faith communities that house Interfaith Action’s overnight shelter in rotation. The Walk helps raise awareness of homelessness in our community. Your donation supports Interfaith Action’s programs including the overnight shelter. For more information, to register to walk and to donate, go to the Walk for Warmth 2026 website. There is no charge to register.
