First United Methodist Church of Evanston, IL

"Taking Another Look" Adult Education Series
2026-09-27 09:15 - 10:15 (America/Chicago) | Conference Room
Conference Room

These series of short-term studies (3-5 weeks) will use the Bible as our background reference and apply it to our daily lives.

Praying the Psalms with Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Sept 20, 27, Oct 4, Oct 11)

The many voices of Genesis (Nov. 8,15,22)

The Book of Job (Winter 2027…dates TBA)

Biblical basis of discipleship (After Lent 2027…dates TBA)

Connect & Serve Committee Showcase (CSCS)
2026-09-27 11:30 - 12:30 | Great Hall
Connect & Serve Committee Showcase (CSCS)
Sunday, Sept. 27, 11:30am in Great Hall

The Nominations and Leadership Development Committee invites all to this ministry and committee fair where you can learn more about ways to engage and serve in the life of the church. We hope this creates new pathways for connection, involvement, and discovery.

Earth Care Committee
2026-09-27 11:45 - 13:15 | Glenna Hall
Glenna Hall

Housing and Zoning, An Update: Why We Should Care and What Can I Do?
2026-09-27 12:00 - 13:15 | Dining Hall
Dining Hall
Where are we in regard to housing and zoning in Evanston? Join us in this conversation to learn more about the impact of zoning laws, the process of changing these laws to reflect contemporary concerns, and how you can participate.

Stare at The Sun Choral Concert
2026-09-27 14:00 - 17:30 | Sanctuary; Glenna Hall
Sanctuary & Glenna Hall

Viewing Party for Faithful Resistance in a Warming World: Bill McKibben on Climate, Courage, and Collective Action.
2026-09-29 17:00 - 20:00 | Glenna Hall and Kitchen
Glenna Hall | Kitchen

Faithful Resistance in a Warming World: Bill McKibben on Climate, Courage, and Collective Action
A Viewing Party, sponsored by The Earth Care Committee
Tuesday, September 29th at 5-8 pm, in Glenna Hall

(more info will be submitted for the E-News)

Fall 2026 Inquirers Class
2026-10-04 09:15 - 10:15 | Glenna Hall
Inquirers Class Begins Sunday, October 5

Meets Sundays 9:15-10:15am, October 5-November 9, in Glenna Hall.

The objectives of the Inquirers Class are:
• to provide an ‘up close’ look at First Church, its people, and programs.
• to consider the theology, structure and current issues in the United Methodist Church.
• to reflect on our collective and individual faith journeys and foster community around the Inquirers table.

As the centerpiece of the membership process, Inquirers is intended to help participants discern whether First Church is a good fit, and if they want to take membership vows here. While all person who want to join the church are asked to participate in Inquirers, not everyone who participates in Inquirers is expected to become a member.

Interested? Want to know more? Please reach out to Mary Taylor-Johnson, Director of Membership and Engagement, at 847-864-6182 or mary@faithatfirst.com.

Methodist Youth Fellowship
2026-10-04 11:30 - 13:30 | Room M
Room M

Festival Choir Rehearsal
2026-10-14 19:30 - 20:15 | Choir Room
Choir Room
Adults and high school youth from the congregation and the community rehearse in preparation for the Festival Choir Concerts on November 20, 2026, and May 14, 2027. No audition is required.

Annual Fisk University Concert
2026-10-16 18:00 - 22:00 | Sanctuary, Dining Hall, Room M, Room J
Sanctuary, Dining Hall, Room M, Room J

Retreat for Discipleship Ministries (UMC)
2026-10-20 08:00 - 16:00, 2026-10-21 08:00 - 13:00 | Dining Hall, Tittle Chapel, Kitchen
Dining Hall, Tittle Chapel, Kitchen

Flute recital/Fundraiser for Refugee One
2026-10-24 17:00 - 18:30 | Sanctuary
Sanctuary
Tommy Swanson of Harmonious Healing, LLC, will be presenting a flute recital in the sanctuary on October 24, 2026. Proceeds of ticket sales will be donated to Refugee One.

Vision Keeper Dinner
2026-10-25 17:30 - 19:00 | Hilton Orrington Hotel, Grand Ballroom 1710 Orrington Ave, Evanston, IL
Interfaith Action Vision Keepers Dinner Sunday, October 25, 2026
5:30 pm
Hilton Orrington Hotel, Evanston
Please join Interfaith Action of Evanston
in honoring members of our faith communities who exemplify the
IAE vision of interfaith social action and dialogue Vision Keeper Nominations due
September 25 Vision Keeper Dinner Registrations due
October 5
Ticket price: $90
Nomination and registration

Vision Keepers Nomination Form and Invitation
2026-10-25 19:00 - 21:00
Due no later than Saturday, October 3, 2026
Interfaith Action’s annual Vision Keeper Dinner gives faith communities an opportunity to celebrate common bonds of faith and service while honoring members of our communities who exemplify the IAE vision of interfaith social action and dialogue.

Please have your IAE Delegate or other designated representative coordinate the reservation form and payment for your faith community. Reservations are $90 per person. Tables accommodate 12 individuals.
1 Complete this registration form
2 List each registrant on the attached pages: This can be done by printing the form and scanning to return via email or in Excel format for return via email
3 Email complete form with registration list to: vk@interfaithactionofevanston.org
4 Submit first page of form with payment of $90 per person
– Mail to Interfaith Action, P.O. Box 1414, Evanston, IL 60204, or
– Deliver to Interfaith Action Hospitality Center at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church,
Monday-Friday, 7:00-11:00 am

By providing contact information for each registrant, Interfaith Action can acknowledge their attendance.
Faith Community Name
Contact for This Registration

Contact Email
Contact Phone Number
Total Number of Registrations
Total Payment – $90 per person
Get your registration in early – seating is limited

Table One
12 seats per table
Indicate menu selection: Salmon, Chicken, Vegetarian/Vegan – also note if gluten-free or if special accommodation (ie, wheelchair) is required
1 Registrant Name
Menu Selection
Email
Phone
2 Registrant Name
Menu Selection
Email
Phone
3 Registrant Name
Menu Selection
Email
Phone
4 Registrant Name
Menu Selection
Email
Phone
5 Registrant Name
Menu Selection
Email
Phone
6 Registrant Name
Menu Selection
Email
Phone
7 Registrant Name
Menu Selection
Email
Phone
8 Registrant Name
Menu Selection
Email
Phone
9 Registrant Name
Menu Selection
Email
Phone
10 Registrant Name
Menu Selection
Email
Phone
11 Registrant Name
Menu Selection
Email
Phone
12 Registrant Name
Menu Selection
Email
Phone
Table Two
1 Registrant Name
Menu Selection
Email
Phone
2 Registrant Name
Menu Selection
Email
Phone
3 Registrant Name
Menu Selection
Email
Phone
4 Registrant Name
Menu Selection
Email
Phone
5 Registrant Name
Menu Selection
Email
Phone
6 Registrant Name
Menu Selection
Email
Phone
7 Registrant Name
Menu Selection
Email
Phone
8 Registrant Name
Menu Selection
Email
Phone
9 Registrant Name
Menu Selection
Email
Phone
10 Registrant Name
Menu Selection
Email
Phone
11 Registrant Name
Menu Selection
Email
Phone
12 Registrant Name
Menu Selection
Email
Phone

Women's Retreat
2026-11-13 - 2026-11-14 | St. Mary of the Lake, 1000 E Maple Ave, Mundelein, Illinois, 60060
First Church Women’s Retreat- Friday, November 13th and Saturday November 14th
Spiritual Identity: Finding Deeper Connection with God through Identity and Spiritual Practice

Do you find yourself longing for a deeper spiritual life in the days between Sundays? Do you feel that you don’t have any time to squeeze more into your daily life? Are you bored with the spiritual practices that you currently employ? Do you find that you are in a different stage of life, and what you used to practice no longer resonates for you? This retreat is open to any woman who can relate to any or all of these questions. We will use our understanding of our true selves, and the stage of life we are in, to help us discern what spiritual practices will have the most meaning for us, and how we can work these practices into our daily lives.

Check-in begins at 4pm and dinner at 6:15pm. Please arrive when you can with programming to begin at 7:30pm.

Cost: $180 (meals, housing, and supplies). Please contact Pastor Britt if you are interested in a scholarship to cover the cost.

Realm Registration

Bottoms Up: A Fundraiser for the Bundled Blessings Diaper Pantry
2026-11-15 17:00 - 20:00
More information coming.

Bookends and Beginning; Author Interview
2026-11-30 18:00 - 20:00 | Glenna Hall; Tittle Chapel
Glenna Hall | Tittle Chapel
On Monday, November 30, at 6:00 p.m. in Tittle Chapel, local booksellers, Bookends and Beginnings, will host author Paul Goldberger, architecture critic and lecturer and contributing editor at Vanity Fair for a book chat and interview. Mr. Goldberger will be interviewed by former Chicago Tribune architecture critic and journalist Blair Kamin.

Greening Your Holiday Expo
2026-12-06 11:30 - 12:00 | Great Hall
Great Hall | During Community Hour

Consider various ways to be more earth-friendly during the holidays.
The Earth Care Team will provide examples of how to entertain, wrap, gift, and decorate in ways that are sustainable for our planet.

Winter Inquirers Class
2027-01-31 09:15 - 10:15 | Glenna Hall
Glenna Hall
Winter Inquirers Class Begins Sunday, January 31
Meets Sundays 9:15-10:15am, January 31-March 7, in Glenna Hall.

The objectives of the Inquirers Class are:
• to provide an ‘up close’ look at First Church, its people, and programs.
• to consider the theology, structure and current issues in the United Methodist Church.
• to reflect on our collective and individual faith journeys and foster community around the Inquirers table.
As the centerpiece of the membership process, Inquirers is intended to help participants discern whether First Church is a good fit, and if they want to take membership vows here. While all person who want to join the church are asked to participate in Inquirers, not everyone who participates in Inquirers is expected to become a member.

Interested? Want to know more? Please reach out to Mary Taylor-Johnson, Director of Membership and Engagement, at 847-864-6182 or mary@faithatfirst.com.
