Internment Service
2024-11-03 13:30 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Memorial Garden

Bundled Blessings Diaper Packing with Kellogg staff & students
2024-11-06 10:00 - 11:30 | Room M
Bundled Blessings Diaper Packing with Kellogg staff & students
Wed. Nov. 6, 10-11:30
Nancy Brown, 847-271-1712

First Wednesday Potluck
2024-11-06 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!
Please register to aid in preparations, noting any dietary restrictions or food allergies in the memo field.

Bundled Blessings Diaper Packing with Skokie Rotary Club
2024-11-09 10:00 - 11:30 | Room M
Bundled Blessings will be hosting the Skokie Rotary Club for diaper packing on Sat. Nov. 9 from 10-11:30 am. Contact person–Nancy Brown, 847-271-1712

Helen Carlock Memorial Service
2024-11-09 11:30 - 13:15 | Sanctuary
Family will greet friends in Glenna Hall 11:30 – 12:00pm
Service will be in the sanctuary 12:00pm – 1:00pm

Social Justice Intersections
2024-11-10 09:15 - 10:15 | Room 32
November 10 – “BEING AN UPSTANDER FOR LGBTQIA+ AND OTHER FOLX” Let’s talk about taking action around supporting queer siblings and other folx. We’ll look at some simple ways you can support the queer community at work and learn the 5Ds of Bystander Interruption from Right to Be. Presented by SPRC member, Katie Brick, MDiv, MBA.Sponsored by FUMC’s Reconciling Ministries group

Bible Study
2024-11-10 09:15 - 10:15 | Dining Room

Children's Council
2024-11-10 12:00 - 13:00 | Conference Room
Children’s Council acts as both a work committee and an advisory board to the Director of Children’s Ministry. The Children’s Council focuses on formulating and supporting the vision of our various children’s ministries. We consult with the Director of Children’s Ministries to plan the yearlong calendar. Under the umbrella of Children’s Ministries are the following programs: Sunday School, Chapel, Connect 456, Nursery, Summer Camps (Creation Camp, VBS, Family Camp), Fellowship Groups (Jump and Club 123), Pageant, and holiday celebrations (e.g, Advent, Lent, Easter).

Lantern Walk- Total Child
2024-11-11 08:00 - 08:30 | Sanctuary
Total Child’s annual Lantern Walk takes place on Monday, November 11, from 8:00-8:30am. During the event, we invite families and children to walk from the courtyard (Memorial Garden), around the front of the building, and then through the sanctuary and back to the courtyard while holding homemade lanterns and singing songs about light.

Bundled Blessings Diaper Packing with Evanston Rotary Club
2024-11-11 16:30 - 18:00 | Room M
Bundled Blessings will be hosting the Evanston Rotary Club for diaper packing on Mon. Nov. 11 from 4:30-6 pm. Contact person–Nancy Brown, 847-271-1712

SNAPGap
2024-11-12
It should be getting colder soon! The Interfaith Action SNAPGap team is collecting hats and gloves for adults and children to be distributed at the November 12 Produce Mobile at Robert Crown Community Center. We welcome your participation in this effort! You may purchase them at the wish list here (https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/EU78AK7T6LVH/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_1) or drop off locally-bought items at Trinity Lutheran Church, 3637 Golf Rd. The best drop-off times are Monday-Thursday, noon to 5 pm and Sundays, 8am-noon. The office is accessible from the parking lot at the back of the church on the south side.
In October, Interfaith Action distributed 1,121 rolls of toilet paper and 280 packages of laundry sheets to 280 households! Items like these–that cannot be purchased with SNAP cards–help folks live in dignity and put more of their income towards food and rent. Please know that all are gratefully received.

First Reads book group
2024-11-12 19:00 - 20:30 | Dining Room

Mom's Night Out
2024-11-13 18:30 - 20:30
CALLING ALL MOMs for a NIGHT OUT!!
Every age of Mom is welcome! Come for the first time or Come back if we have not seen you!
You can bring something to share but no pressure!
Wednesday Nov 13th 6:30-8:30 pm
Linda Federer’s home (with Debbie Zimmerman Cohost)
Prefer RSVP to Lfederer30@gmail.com
THANK YOU! Chris Webler and Ann Weatherhead for a wonderful October evening with a Fire in the Fireplace, Warm soup and Tasty Cookies! (on our first cold fall night!)
NEXT MNOs Tues. Dec 3rd – Greta Connor (with Sue Henderson)
then January at Caroline Wagner’s Cookie Kitchen
then Feb 11th at Nancy Brown’s
March – we will try to go to the Women’s Club Review on the Thursday night – WATCH for an email and get your money to Evelyn McGowan!
April – Julie Womack’s
Want to Cohost? Cohosts help bring food, answer the door, and clean up the kitchen at 8:30. Most of all they are a “friend” so that the host is not alone!

Church Council Governance Subcommittee Meeting
2024-11-13 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
We will be meeting over Zoom with representatives from United Church of Rogers Park to discuss their current governance model.

Star Tree -- Gifts for YOU
2024-11-17 | Fountain Foyer
Star Tree is support for 100 children thru YOU who need holiday gifts. Please be prepared to spend $50 on the gift. Gifts are due on or before 12/8 at First Church.

Children in Action!
2024-11-17 12:00 - 13:30 | Dining Room
Children in grades 1-6 are invited to team up and jump into service for games, fellowship, and various mission and outreach projects, with free lunch provided!
Please register in advance, noting any food restrictions or allergies in the memo field.

Bottoms Up
2024-11-17 17:00 - 20:00 | Double Clutch Brewery
Bundled Blessings fundraiser – Bottoms Up
Double Clutch Brewing Co, 2121 Ashland Ave, Evanston
Sun. Nov. 17, 5-8 pm
Krys Juleen, 847-710-5732

An Interfaith Action Gathering: Zoning, Housing, and Faith Communities
2024-11-19 19:00 - 20:30 | Cunningham Hall, 1509 Ridge Ave, Evanston, IL, 60201, United States
Interfaith Action of Evanston is hosting a Gathering: Zoning, Housing, and Faith Communities on Tuesday, November 19 at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 1509 Ridge Ave. Featured speakers include Mayor Daniel Biss, Sue Loellbach, Director of Advocacy, Conncections for the Homeless, and Pastor Luke Harris-Ferree, Grace Lutherna Church and will be moderated by Rev. Greg Millikin of St. Mark’s. The event will explore the relationship of zoning, the high cost of housing, its impact on low-income residents, and why faith communities should care about it. Parking is available at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1012 Lake Street, and Roycemore School, 1200 Davis Street. For more information, contact Melissa Appelt at mmappelt@gmail.com.

Festival Choir Concert: Handel's "Messiah"
2024-11-22 19:30 - 20:30 | Sanctuary
The Festival Choir and Orchestra of First United Methodist Church of Evanston present part 1 of Handel’s beloved “Messiah.” The concert is sure to usher in the spirit of the seasons of Advent and Christmas. The 7:30pm concert is free and open to the public.

Decorating the Sanctuary for Advent and Christmas
2024-11-24 - 2024-12-01 | Sanctuary

Social Justice Intersections
2024-11-24 09:15 - 10:15 | Room 32
November 24 – this is our final work session as we create our own “Countering Christian Nationalism” module for each Sunday in December 2024. We will choose our specific resources and presenters. Many consider countering christian nationalism the most important task facing the church in the US. Please join us as we work together at First Church. We want to resource our whole church and need your help.

Countering Christian Nationalism
2024-11-24 09:15 - 10:15 | Dining Room
COUNTERING CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM
Throughout December, the Social Justice Intersections group is focusing on Countering Christian Nationalism. The Christian Nationalism movement endangers our right to freedom of religion established in the First Amendment. To educate ourselves about this movement in the context of our Christian faith, the class has chosen to read and discuss Amanda Tyler’s book How to End Christian Nationalism (Broadleaf Books, 2024). The book is divided into 8 steps for Christians to learn what we can about the movement, its history, and impact, and take actions to counter it. Join us in the Dining Room at 9:15 a.m. to discuss the steps as follows
· Dec 8 (our second session): Step 3—Denounce Violence and Step 4—Commit to the Separation of Church and State. Leader Tom Butler.
· Dec. 15: Step 5—Take on Christian Nationalism Close to Home and Step 6—Organize for Change. Leader Rev Richard Mosley
· Dec. 22: Step 7–Protect Religious Freedom in Public Schools and Step 8—Take Your Place in the Public Square. Leader Linda Boardman
· Dec. 29: Join together to sing the social justice verses of our traditional carols
The book is available in several area libraries and can be purchased in various formats or ordered from your favorite local bookstore.

Thanksgiving Soup Kitchen
2024-11-26 11:30 - 16:30
We are excited to be able to serve a home-cooked Thanksgiving meal to our Soup Kitchen guests on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 28. You can sign up to be part of the cooking/serving of the meal AND/OR to bring food items to contribute to the meal.
To sign up to contribute food to the meal:
– Click the link (https://e.onrealm.org/groups/532d6dad-4288-41e4-bd0e-b1a90111bf60/events/f90da221-d743-45a7-a094-b21c01306321/meetings/a9a8a1e0-d41b-4e67-90b0-b21c0130632a?from=news)
– You must be signed into Realm in order to complete the sign up.
– Click the “RSVP” button, once you do that you can make your selections of what you will be bringing.
– Food should be completely cooked – we are able to reheat items but don’t have the space to cook them
– Each dish should serve 10 people
– Please bring food in a tin foil pan (to heat up in the church kitchen oven)
– Please drop off at the First Church kitchen door between 11 am-12 pm on Thursday, November 28 (The church address is 516 Church Street in Evanston; the kitchen entrance is located at the back of the church, down the alley between Church and Davis)
To serve the meal at the soup kitchen on Thanksgiving:
– Click the link (https://onrealm.org/faithatfirst/ViewSchedule/Schedule/MmIyOTVkZWUtMmY4OS00NjdjLTkzZWItMzNhMDhhOTgyZDkz)
– Identity the area and time you would like to serve. Press the “add” button.
– You will be asked to join the team.
– Beth Tipton, Mission and Outreach Chair will assign you to your requested role.
If you have any questions about this process, or would like help signing up, please contact Beth Tipton (LET2119@gmail.com).

Interfaith Action Thanksgiving Eve Service
2024-11-27 19:00 - 20:30 | Bethany Baptist Church of Christ, 1225 Elmwood Ave., Evanston, IL, 60202, United States
The Interfaith Action of Evanston’s Thanksgiving Eve Service will be held on Wednesday, November 27 at Bethany Baptist Church of Christ at 1225 Elmwood Ave., Evanston. The featured speaker is Audrey Thompson, Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services for the City of Evanston. Audrey Thompson has been a key partner in Interfaith Action services during the winter months. She is joined by clergy from many different faith communities who offer their blessings as well as an Interfaith Community Choir. Please join us for this annual event that is now more than 25 years old. For more information, please contact Melissa Appelt at mmappelt@gmail.com.

Messy Advent!
2024-12-01 09:30 - 10:15 | Great Hall
Advent marks the beginning of the church year as we anticipate the coming of Christ! It is a season of hope, peace, joy, and love, beginning on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day. It is also a season of preparation and togetherness. Join us in ringing in the Christian “New Year” on Sunday, December 1 at “Messy Advent” from 9:30-10:15 a.m. in Great Hall. Featuring meaningful crafts, festive treats, and service activities for all ages, this especially seasonal Messy Church hopes to help your family and our church community receive and rejoice in what is truly the most wonderful time of the year.

Earth Care Committee Meeting
2024-12-01 12:00 - 13:00 | Glenna Hall

An Unlikely Advent
2024-12-01 18:00 - 19:00
An Unlikely Advent: Sundays at 6:00 pm ONLINE (December 1, 8, 15, and 22)
In this four-week Advent study, we consider if some of the figures on the edges of the Christmas story might have more to teach us about the intersection of God’s story with ours? With the themes of hope, love, joy, and peace we will examine the stories of Elizabeth and Zechariah, Herod, the Magi, and the shepherds. Each set of unexpected characters has something to teach about living faithfully on the journey to Christmas.
Each week we will have a short reading assignment (available in print and electronically at https://www.cokesbury.com/An-Unlikely-Advent) – and some lively and thoughtful discussion.
Please contact the facilitator, Linda Brennan, to register and receive the Zoom link: brennaneaster@gmail.com.
