HARVEST INGATHERING. November is Harvest Ingathering and an opportunity to help others who need help putting enough on their tables during the holidays–at a time when food pantries typically run low. Donations will be collected through the month until November 18 when the bounty will be stacked across the platform. NOTE: an added opportunity is to join us to arrange the donations on November 17 at 10am (holiday treat will be served!).?

CELEBRATING CREATION THROUGHOUT ADVENT.

The Christmas story is at its core a celebration of creativity. During the Advent and Christmas season, we would like to celebrate the creative talents of our congregation with a display in our education hallway. We need creative contributions from everyone, no matter what age. Submissions do not need to be about advent or Christmas, although they can be. These might include:

  • poems, short stories or essays
  • photographs
  • song lyrics or musical scores
  • a painting, collage or other 2D artwork
  • an original recipe

We can help prepare these items for display in the hallway. Please contact Elizabeth Busey (ebusey@yahoo.com or 812-345-3840) and she will help get your creation ready to share with our congregation. Deadline is Monday, November 26th. Let’s fill the hallway with creativity, just in time for Advent!

CHILDREN?S CHORUS FOR CANDLELIGHT COMMUNION.?Dust off your Christmas Ties and Dresses!? Candlelight Communion is being held at First United on Sunday, December 9, at 7 p.m.? All children – even little ones –are welcome to participate in the Children?s Chorus!? We will practice in the choir room right after church beginning November 4, and will continue to practice at that time until December 9.? Parents are welcome to stick around for the 15-20 minute rehearsal.? We are learning 3 simple pieces including the traditional Silent Night/Stille Nacht that concludes the time-honored tradition at our church.? Contact Rebecca at rekeith@iu.edu if you have any questions at all.?

TIME TO ORDER OUR BEAUTIFUL POINSETTIAS.? Brighten the church sanctuary with Holiday Poinsettias and support the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra! The BSO’s Annual Poinsettia Sale has begun! To order poinsettias to decorate the chancel during Advent and take home afterward, bring your check no later than Monday, November 18, made out to BSO Poinsettia 2018. Write “poinsettias” in the memo line. Each plant costs $13.00, beautifies the church, and supports the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra. Your poinsettias may be picked up outside Fellowship Hall on Monday, December 16, if you would like to take them home. Please let the church office know if you would like to order one.

MONTHLY POTLUCKS.? Bring yourself and a dish for food and fellowship. Potlucks will be after service on the following dates: November 18, and December 16. To help ensure a diverse food offering at the potluck, let us know what type of dish you are bringing. There is a sign-up sheet on the table outside the kitchen. Questions? Contact Laura Kao laura_b_kao@hotmail.com or Hopi Stosberg hopi@stosberg.com

PLAY FRIDAY: The next Play Friday is December 14th from 5:30-8. Join us for this family night that is fun for all ages. The usual pizza dinner will be served at 6. December will continue our theme of “Give and Take”. In December we will be making cards and candle holders. Stay tuned for details of what we are collecting.? We hope to see you there! It helps with food planning if you RSVP to Hopi Stosberg at hopi@stosberg.com.

?VOLUNTEER NOTICE OPPORTUNITY. The Board of Outreach has an opportunity for some interested person(s) to tell the folks of First United Church about volunteer opportunities for a pilot program. This opportunity calls for placing one volunteer opportunity each week in the bulletin gathered from our partner agencies that we support. Please contact Sam Troxal 812-361-6172 stroxal@yahoo.com for more information.?

FREE KOREAN YOGA (KUKSUNDO) CLASS. KukSunDo is a traditional Korean yoga and meditation for the mind, body, and spirit. You will practice cultivating your self-awareness through stretching, breathing and meditation. All movements are intentional, and the practice is a time to pause and focus on what is happening internally, spiritually, and physically. Just bring your yoga mat.

Days, Time and Place:

Monday, Fri. 9:30 ? 11:00,?Wednesday 5:30 ? 7:00 Saturday 10:00 ? 11:30, Roger Williams Hall in First United Church Questions? Contact YouShin Choi, youschoi@gmail.com?

YARD WORK ? STILL CONTINUES! If you would like to work with Laura Kao for an hour sometime, contact here at laura_b_kao@hotmail.com.

MINISTER OF CARE FOR THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 11, IS NORA SULLIVAN. ?A minister of care is a church volunteer who visits members in their home.