Faith Formation Council "Train the Trainer" Event
2024-09-15 11:30 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Memorial Garden
This is a “train the trainer” event on walking the labyrinth for members of the Faith Formation Council to prepare them to lead sessions for the congregation later in the fall.

Methodist Youth Fellowship
2024-09-15 11:30 - 13:30
Methodist Youth Fellowship (aka MYF) is open to all youth (7th-12th Grade). We’ll gather twice each month on Sundays 11:30-1:30pm. This is a time to have lunch and engage in music, games, an activity, service project, lesson or anything in between. This is our time to hang out as a youth group and build connections. Hope you’ll join us!
Questions? Contact Sydney Harkrider at sydney@faithatfirst.com.

Installation Service for District Superintendent
2024-09-15 15:00 - 17:00 | Sanctuary

Nominations and Leadership Development Committee Meeting
2024-09-16 19:00 - 20:30 | Glenna Hall
The Nominations & Leadership Development Committe first meeting of the new year. Agenda to be shared in early September.
Please address any questions to:
Pastor Grace Imathiu, Commitee Chair, grace@faithatfirst.com
Mike Bergmann, Vice Chair, mgbergmann@yahoo.com

Faith Formation Council Monthly Meeting
2024-09-17 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
The Faith Formation Council will meet monthly by ZOOM. Attendees will receive the ZOOM link in advance. Any questions contact Tom Scott or Lee Rader.

Young Adult Social- Howl at the Moon
2024-09-20 18:00 - 22:00
This month’s Young Adult Social takes place at “Howl at the Moon”. This is a piano bar, and our group is having a special happy hour event for those attending. Contact Sydney for details, and we hope you’ll come out to sing and have a great time with us!

Styrofoam Collection
2024-09-21 10:00 - 12:00
The Earth Care Committee holds its monthly Styrofoam collection time at First UMC Evanston on the third Saturday of the month at the Church Street entrance between 10am and Noon. Material to be collected includes all clean No. 6 plastic foam. Acceptable items include disposable coffee cups; take out containers (such as clamshells); plastic plates, bowls and cutlery; meat and poultry foam trays and packing foam. When recycled, these items can be processed into a material used to make park benches, picture frames, and other items. Recycling these items helps keep this harmful plastic, which cannot be processed locally, out of the waste stream.

Fuel Your Faith Program Fair
2024-09-22 11:30 - 12:30 | Great Hall
Fall is often a season of new beginnings. In this new season, what do you need to fuel your faith? Spiritual food in the form of a small group? A Bible study or Christian education opportunity for yourself or a child or youth? Social opportunities for a not-yet-launched young adult? Does your soul need community with and the support of others?
Stick around after worship for a program fair that focuses not on what you can do for the church, but what the church has to offer to help you “grow in your relationship with God” so that you can “live your faith in the world.” Come to “taste” (yes, there will be snacks) and see the goodness of First Church’s many opportunities. Please invite a new person to come along with you!

Bundled Blessings Committee Meeting
2024-09-23 19:00 - 20:30 | Conference Room

Diaper Packing-Underwriters Lab
2024-09-24 10:00 - 12:00 | Room M
A group of volunteers from Underwriters Lab will be packing diapers for Bundled Blessings and learning about the diaper bank. The event will be 10-11:30am on Tuesday, September 24. Contact Person: Nancy Brown, bundledblessings@outlook.com, 847-271-1712.

Collaborate, Connect, Care Staff Meeting
2024-09-25 12:00 - 13:30 | Dining Room

Mom's Night Out
2024-09-26 18:30 - 20:30
BACK to School and BACK to MOM’s NIGHT OUT! HAPPY FALL!
Sept 26th Thursday 6:30-8:30 pm
This is a warm, friendly informal gathering of moms of EVERY age who want to make friends, share ideas, and laugh. Meet someone new every time you come! You can bring something to share – but no pressure! Come as you are!
Host -Cherie Asante
RSVP cherie.asante@gmail.com or 913-530-5258
(Cherie does not have a cohost – anyone want to volunteer?)
NEED HOSTS and COHOSTS for this Fall and Winter! Please let me know!

Northern Illinois Conference Youth Retreat
2024-09-27 - 2024-09-29
The Northern Illinois Conference has created a Youth Retreat for all folks to attend. This is a great opportunity to have both a Fall and Spring retreat every year, so let’s do it! The cost will be $160 by August 15th or $175 after that date. This open to all youth, so I hope you’ll join Sydney and head over to Lake Geneva for a weekend!
Interested? Contact Sydney Harkrider at sydney@faithatfirst.com .

Limitless Apple Orchard and Dinner Outing
2024-09-28 12:00 - 19:00
You’re invited to join the Limitless group for our 4th annual Apple picking Saturday, September 28th at Apple Holler Apple Orchard. Apple Holler Apple Orchard is located at 5006 South Sylvania Ave. Sturtevant, WI 53177. Please meet at the Apple orchard entrance at 12:00pm or contact Stephanie Peters to caravan/carpool from the Peters house at 11:00am. Please RSVP to Stephanie Peters at stephdeloney@gmail.com
We have decided to go to the same Apple Orchard as last year since it is a little closer, offers more apples, is all inclusive, and has dinner options on the way back home for those that would like to enjoy dinner afterwards. Oh and the donuts and apple dumplings were amazing!
https://www.appleholler.com

Visitor Coffee with Tour
2024-09-29 11:30 - 12:30 | Glenna Hall
Curious to further explore First Church? Want to meet others in the congregation and tour the building? Visitors and others new and not-so-new to First Church are invited to stay after worship on September 29 or October 20 for a Visitor Coffee. The event will include informal conversation, coffee and snacks, and tours of rooms in the building where “the magic happens” (to quote Pastor Grace). Information on the membership process will be available for those who may be interested.
Please RSVP for either Sept. 29 or Oct. 20 by email to mary@faithafirst.com .

Dos and Donuts - Using Realm Connect on your phone
2024-09-29 11:35 - 12:15
Want to feel more connected to the First Church congregation? Do you want convenient access to the Church Directory? Are you hoping to get more engaged in small groups or volunteer opportunities?
Stop by Glenna Hall after church on Sunday the 29th to get some help using Realm Connect on your phone (hint: it’s MUCH easier on the app than on the website!).
Questions? Contact Realm@FaithAtFirst.com

Do's and Donuts- Using Realm Connect on your Phone
2024-09-29 11:35 - 12:30 | Glenna Hall
Want to feel more connected to First Church congregation? Do you want convenient access to the Church Directory? Are you hoping to get more engaged in small groups or volunteer opportunities?
Stop by Glenna Hall after church on Sunday the 29th to get some help using Realm Connect on your phone (hint: it’s MUCH easier on the app than on the website!)
Questions? Contact Realm@faithatfirst.com

JRC Set Up
2024-09-29 14:00 - 16:00 | Sanctuary

First Wednesday Potluck
2024-10-02 17:30 - 19:00 | Dining Room and Kitchen
Bring a side or dessert to share and join your church family for good food and fellowship on the first Wednesday of each month!
This month we’ll savor Autumn’s official arrival with cozy wild rice soup.
Please register to aid in preparations, noting any dietary restrictions or food allergies in the memo field.

JRC- Rosh Hashanah
2024-10-03 09:00 - 14:30 | Sanctuary, Nursery, Glenna, Kitchen, Playground, 3rd Floor Rooms, Dining Rooms, Chapel, Great Hall

Covenant Groups -- St. Francis Peace Prayer
2024-10-06 09:15 - 10:15
Long before there was a Campaign for Kindness, there was a prayer known as the St. Francis peace prayer (Lord, make me an instrument of your peace…) This well-known prayer has been in widespread ecumenical use since early in the twentieth century. In this five session covenant group members will practice applying the prayer in their daily lives and will engage in reflection and mutual support. Come join us as we work to become more effective instruments of peace in a world which deeply needs them.
There will be both a ZOOM version and an in-person version. The ZOOM version will be on Wednesday evenings from 7-8 beginning October 2 and ending October 30 and will be led by Kim Coffing. The in-person version will be on Sunday mornings from 9:15-10:15 beginning September 29 and ending November 3 (no meeting on October 20) and will be led by Jim Johnson.
Questions? Contact Tom Scott at tom.scott.goblue@msn.com.

Inquirers Reunion (for classes of 2023 and 2024)
2024-10-06 11:30 - 12:30 | Dining Room
Inquirers from the classes of Winter/Spring 2023, Winter 2024, and Spring 2024 are invited to gather in the church dining room after worship on Oct. 6 to connect and reconnect with classmates, ask questions, and meet church leaders. Lunch (or brunch) will be provided.. Family members welcome. Hope to see you!
Please RSVP here by Wednesday, Oct. 2 and indicate any dietary restrictions.
Questions? Please contact Mary Taylor-Johnson at mary@faithatfirst.com.

Methodist Youth Fellowship
2024-10-06 11:30 - 13:30 | 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!

Children's Ministry Volunteer Training
2024-10-06 12:00 - 13:00 | Room 34
First Church’s Children’s Ministry program is enriched and made possible by a dedicated network of lay volunteer leaders. Signing up for one hour, one Sunday a month is all it takes to make an enduring impact in the lives of our children and church! Are you being called to serve (and play!) with First Church’s Children’s Ministry?
Join us for lunch on Sunday, October 6 from 12:00-1:00 p.m. to learn about the many opportunities and resources available to new and seasoned volunteers, strengthen your leadership, and nurture the life of our congregation. Join the conversation and answer the call!
Please register at the link, noting any food allergies or restrictions in the memo field: https://onrealm.org/faithatfirst/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=MWVjNzFiYWQtZWQ5ZS00MTM3LWEzZjMtYjFlMjAxNGJlMDRl

Covenant Hiking Group
2024-10-06 14:00 - 15:30
“I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in.” – George Washington Carver
The Covenant Hike Group invites all who have a wonder of the natural world to share nature immersion with each other through 3 seasons while experiencing the presence of God. The format is simple. We begin with a brief reading (scripture or poem), hike along while sharing joys and concerns, and appreciate 5 minutes of silence at mid-point. Each hike concludes with an optional, brief time of sharing about our experiences on the hike, closing prayer, and a cool or hot drink. All ages are welcome.
Each month we will meet at a designated location at 2 p.m., hiking various paths in our area for about an hour at a comfortable pace for everyone. The group will meet each first Sunday from October through May, and participants may join in as schedules allow.
All who participate are welcomed to share in ownership. The wonder of the natural world and God’s presence in it is limitless.
Facilitator: Jim Johnson. Contact Jim at jjohnso@luc.edu with any questions and to be placed on the distribution list.

JRC- Set Up
2024-10-06 14:00 - 16:00 | Sanctuary

Young Adult Potluck
2024-10-06 17:30 - 21:00
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!

Yom Kippur- JRC
2024-10-11 16:00 - 21:00 | Sanctuary and Kitchen

Yom Kippur- JRC
2024-10-12 08:00 - 19:00 | Sanctuary, Nursery, Glenna, Kitchen, Playground, 3rd Floor Rooms, Dining Rooms, Chapel, Great Hall

Men's Fellowship Breakfast
2024-10-13 08:00 - 09:00 | The Merion, 1611 Chicago Avenue, Evanston, IL, 60201, United States
The men’s fellowship group meets every second Sunday of the month at the Merion (1611 Chicago Ave. Evanston) for breakfast and fellowship. The event is from 8-9 am. RSVP requested to participate…jehdvm@gmail.com
