Holy Hurt Book Group
2025-10-08 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Chicago) | Glenna Hall
Holy Hurt – Healing from Religious Trauma
Wednesdays 7pm-8:30pm | Starting the week of Oct. 8th through November 12th | Glenna Hall
Led by Rev. Britt Cox and shared weekly facilitation with group participants
Many of us carry invisible wounds from faith communities that once promised love, belonging, or truth—but instead delivered shame, fear, or harm. In Holy Hurt, therapist and theologian Dr. Hillary McBride gently guides readers through the complex terrain of religious trauma with compassion, insight, and hope.
This class will be a space for honest reflection, guided discussion, and spiritual care as we explore themes like:

Naming and understanding religious trauma
Reclaiming your body, story, and relationship with the Divine
Grieving what was lost—and holding onto what still gives life
Finding new ways of connecting with God, others, and yourself

Whether you are deconstructing, rebuilding, or simply curious, this class offers tools for healing, language for your journey, and community for the road. All are welcome, especially those carrying questions or wounds from past faith experiences.
Class will be capped at 15 people and we ask that folks register ahead of time here on realm. Purchase the book and read through chapter 1 prior to the first class.
Register here at the Realm Registration Event.

Bundled Blessings Diaper Packing with AbbVie
2025-10-09 13:00 - 14:30 | Room M

Bundled Blessings Diaper Packing - Skokie Rotary and other volunteers
2025-10-11 10:30 - 12:00 | Room M

Sacred Time: Making Space for Integernational Spiritual Practices
2025-10-12 09:15 - 10:15 | Room 32/33/34
Join us for a three-part introduction to shared spiritual practices designed for integration in your family’s everyday. Children, parents and caregivers at any age and stage are encouraged to attend this special class offering co-presented by Children’s Ministry and Faith Formation.

Sacred Time: Making Space for Intergenerational Spiritual Practices
2025-10-12 09:15 - 10:15 | Room 34
For centuries, spiritual practices were lived out in the daily rhythms of monastic
life. But we don’t live in monasteries! Our daily rhythms look much different in
Chicagoland in 2025; therefore, we require spiritual practices that fit our current
context.
Join us for a three-part introduction to shared spiritual practices designed for
integration in your family’s everyday as we explore practices that provide
opportunities for us to slow down and spend time with God and each other.
Children, parents and caregivers at any age and stage are encouraged to attend
this special class offering co-presented by Children’s Ministry and Faith
Formation.
Leaders: Colin McDonald and Virginia A. Lee

SPRC meeting
2025-10-12 12:00 - 13:00 | Glenna Hall
Reservation: OWL and Laptop for virtual option

Festival Choir Rehearsal
2025-10-15 19:30 - 20:15 | Choir Room
Adults and high school youth from the congregation and the community rehearse in preparation of Mozart’s Requiem for the Festival Choir Concert on November 21, 2025. No audition is required.

17thFisk University Choir Concert sponsored by Lula B. Sherman United Methodist Church
2025-10-17 19:00 - 21:00 | Sanctuary and Kitchen
Fisk University is one of the oldest HBCUs in the country founded in 1866. The Fisk Choir (originally known as the Mozart Society) was formed in 1879. Sherman is proud to provide the North Shore Community with this presentation of African American sacred music, a two-hour celebration of the black experience in song and sacred dance. After the two-hour concert, Sherman hosts a reception for the choir and its philanthropic supporters in the Great Hall and kitchen.
Purchase ticket here: https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/shermanmethodistnet/lula-b-sherman-fisk-university-choir-concert

Sherman Methodist hosts the Fisk College Choir
2025-10-17 19:00 - 22:00 | Sanctuary

Memorial Service for Jean Perry
2025-10-18 09:30 - 14:00 | Sanctuary and Dining Hall

Adult Education Council Meeting
2025-10-20 19:30 - 20:30 | Glenna Hall

Harvest Soup (Total Child families)
2025-10-22 17:00 - 19:30 | Dining Hall

Nov. 1 Diaper Packing and Breakfast
2025-10-23 08:00 - 17:00
On Saturday morning, Nov. 1, Inquirers and other First Church folks are invited to gather at the church to pack diapers in preparation for the monthly diaper pickup day when our social service agency partners come to pick up the diapers for the families in their networks.
Breakfast 9-9:30am
Diaper Packing 9:30-11am
Thank you!

Mom's Night Out
2025-10-23 18:30 - 20:30
Mom’s Night Out – Greta Connor’s HomeAsk someone to join you!

New to MNO? You’re welcome here!Email Linda Federer at Lfederer30@gmail.com for more info or to get connected.

Mom's Night Out
2025-10-23 18:30 - 20:30
CANNOT WAIT TO SEE YOU! Always welcoming Moms of every age!

At Greta Connor’s home with Catharina Maerklin co-hosting.

RSVP if you know you are coming to ggconnor.28@gmail.com Or 773-655-5382

Bring something to share IF you can- but no pressure. Come as you are!

Looking Ahead:

November 12th – WED – at Cherie Asante’s with Chris Nieuwsma co-hosting

Dec 4th – THURS – at Sue Hagedorn’s

Thank you all!
– Linda Federer

Update: The Christian Experiment changes from Room 33 to Room31 for one week
2025-10-26 09:00 - 10:30
The Christian Experiment room change Fromm 33 to 31 for one week

Social Justice Intersections Planning Meeting
2025-10-26 11:45 - 13:30 | Dining Hall

Social Justice Intersections Fall 25 Planning Meeting
2025-10-26 11:45 - 14:00 | Dining Hall

Interfaith Action Vision Keepers Dinner
2025-10-26 17:30 - 18:30 | Hilton Orrington Hotel, Grand Ballroom 1710 Orrington Ave, Evanston, IL
Interfaith Action of Evanston cordially invites you to its
Annual Fundraising Dinner honoring Vision Keepers from our community.

Sunday, October 26, 2025, 5:30 pm
Hilton Orrington Hotel, Grand Ballroom 1710 Orrington Ave, Evanston, IL

First Church’s 2025 Vision Keeper is Dave Koester. We will joyfully celebrate the ministry of the weekly Soup Kitchen and Dave’s leadership in its outreach and impact.

Proceeds from the Vision Keepers Dinner support Interfaith Action’s programs: winter overnight shelter and warming center, Hospitality Center for the Homeless, and local soup kitchens
RSVP by Wednesday, October 1, 2025.
$90 per person: https://onrealm.org/faithatfirst/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=NDQ5YjM5NzAtMTk5Yi00MDQ1LTlkMzEtYjMyZjAxMWZhNWY4

All reservations must be accompanied by payment. Our preference is that payment is made through Realm, but if you need an alternative, please contact britt@faithatfirst.com.

Room Reservation
2025-10-27 16:00 - 18:00 | Glenna Hall

Bundled Blessings Diaper Packing with Woman's Club of Evanston
2025-10-29 19:00 - 20:30 | Room M

Bundled Blessings Diaper Packing
2025-11-01 09:00 - 10:30 | Dining Hall

Inquirers Breakfast and Diaper Packing
2025-11-01 09:00 - 11:00 | Dining Hall
Inquirers and First Church friends are invited to help Bundled Blessings Diaper Bank by packing diapers for an upcoming distribution day. We’ll gather in the dining room at 9am for breakfast, then roll up our sleeves and get to work! Children and other family members welcome.
Interested? Please reach out to mary@faithatfirst.com.

Social Justice Intersections - A Sacred Remembrance: Evanston's first Black Resident, Maria Murray Robinson
2025-11-02 09:15 - 10:15
Social Justice Intersections – A Sacred Remembrance: Evanston’s first Black Resident, Maria Murray Robinson
Join in a discussion led by Melissa Appelt as we remember Maria Murray Robinson, Evanston’s first Black resident.
How did she arrive in Evanston? What do we know about her? How is her life interwoven with First United Methodist Church? What are the ways we can tell her story/our story as we approach our 175th anniversary?
Please join us on November 2 at 9:15 am for an overview of the possibilities and limitations confronting this historical challenge.

Stewardship/Finance Leadership Meeting
2025-11-02 11:45 - 12:30 | Glenna Hall

Adult ASP Trip
2025-11-06 - 2025-11-09
Join us this fall for Adult ASP, building community and making homes warmer, safer, and drier for the people of Central Appalachia.
Questions? Email: thegrantbailey@gmail.com

Faith & Parenting Class
2025-11-09 09:15 - 10:15
Sundays at 9:15am in Room 24. BEGINS NOVEMBER 9TH.
Does not meet on First Sundays of the month.
Faith & Parenting offers a space for parents of children at various stages to share and reflect on how their personal and familial faith journeys are nurtured and challenged through the vocation of parenting. Brief guided reflections based on scriptures from children’s Sunday School will accompany each session.
For more info, contact Colin McDonald, Director of Children’s Ministry, at colin@faithatfirst.com .

Youth Council
2025-11-09 12:00 - 13:00 | Conference Room

Faith Around The Table
2025-11-09 17:00 - 19:00
Are you hungry for meaningful conversation and deeper connection with your First Church community? Do you like to eat food? Then this group is for you! One Sunday a month from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, each group of 8 people gathers for a potluck meal and discusses a topic relating to faith and spiritual formation. Group members commit to meeting for six months. We’ve identified group leaders who will lead each group and host the first meeting with potential for others to host subsequent gatherings or use church space. Groups will launch in November. Come be a part of what others in the church have found to be deeply meaningful and nourishing!

Please email Andrew Schumacher (andrew.r.schumacher@gmail.com) for more info and to sign up.

Nominations Committee
2025-11-10 18:00 - 20:30 | Dining Room
