CONTACT INFORMATION FOR PASTOR JOHN KRUEGER john_krueger425@comcast.net h: 317-467-1529/ c: 317-498-0710
JUNE 7 CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
Thanks to all who attended our first-ever virtual congregational meeting on Zoom after worship last Sunday. All three items were approved: 1) the Nominating Committee’s slate of new officers and board members; 2) a vote to approve Council’s recommendation to make necessary repairs in the Narthex and choir loft during our closure; 3) Council’s recommendation to dismantle the Labyrinth
PREVENT THE SPREAD
The church building will remain closed for all church activities at least through July 31st. A new COVID-19 Task Force will begin meeting shortly and will advise Council as we move ahead into a challenging new period of evolving best practices for our congregation. Remember that much of our success depends on us. Even as state and local restrictions loosen up, we can and must make responsible choices to protect ourselves, our families and our community: maintaining 6 feet of social distance; washing hands often for at least 20 seconds; wearing a face mask when in public; staying home when am sick; getting tested immediately if I have symptoms.
Need a fabric facemask? Let Rebecca Nunley know: reblea99@gmail.com
TOMORROW June 13 NO-CONTACT FOOD DRIVE 9-1
Show MCUM’s clients how extravagant God’s love can be! TOMORROW Saturday, June 13th bring nonperishable food for Outreach’s NO-CONTACT Food Drive. Pull up, drop your non-perishable food donations directly in the back of the pickup parked in the church’s circle drive near Fellowship Hall (kitchen entrance), and leave the rest to us. We’ll deliver it safely to MCUM. Questions? An Outreach member will be there to assist or answer your questions. Please wear masks and maintain 6-foot social distance. Please, no fresh or perishable items.
Items most in need: Canned goods–pasta meals, like ravioli, fruit, tuna — Dried pasta
Other needed food items: Cereal – regular sizes, Mac ‘n cheese, Corn bread mix, Canned vegetables, Crackers
Cash or check donations also accepted (make checks payable to MCUM)
With love and thanks from your Board of Outreach: Cindy Stone, Rebecca Nunley, Kim Yaussey Albright, Sandy Keller, Dave Myers, Cleve Wilhoit
HOW CAN WE BEST CONTACT YOU?
The Committee on Community Development wonders how your church community can best contact you. Tell our survey what works well: telephone, e-mail, text, mail, socially-distanced in-person visit? Laura Kao will collate and share this information to help us keep in touch.
Please fill out the survey at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CMZSYQV
A NOTE ON CURRENT OPERATIONS FOR OUR FIRST UNITED COMMUNITY
For the safety of all, the First United Church building will remain closed at least through the month of July. Our work as a caring community continues on Zoom through Sunday worship and lectionary study, and Tuesday’s Virtual Café and Adult Study class. For more details on these opportunities please visit https://firstuc.org/online/
We are also working to develop new ways to reach out in this stressful time of isolation. If you have suggestions or needs (your own or others’) please reach out to Pastor John, Derek or Shelli, or Mary Peckham.
We depend on your sustained giving in this difficult time. If you can, please maintain, or consider increasing your regular giving, to support our work. Options for giving include:
- mail (checks strongly preferred)
- online giving at https://tinyurl.com/GiveFirstUnited
- by phone at 1-800-675-7430 [account ID is ES799783 (First United Church, Inc.)].
- by text: 812-432-2002
VIRTUAL COMMUNITY AND WORSHIP SERVICES
Join Us for Worship this Sunday!! Zoom Meeting Link:
https://zoom.us/j/94635708633?pwd=NE9CdGtTWk5ndGRzRnQ2TTVrQmlZZz09
Meeting ID: 946 3570 8633
Password: 879535
OFF TOPIC SCRIPTURE CIRCLE
(formerly known as Lectionary Discussion)
Want to read and discuss the week’s scripture readings with friends before church? In a casual setting where you will never be asked to leave your brain or your heart at the door? Do we have the place for you! Click below to join us, Sunday mornings from 9-10am.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84002403978?pwd=N0sxS093T1JobkVxTVVGRlFBdVUwUT09
Meeting ID: 840 0240 3978
Password: 122688
VIRTUAL CAFÉ and TUESDAY ADULT DISCUSSION
Tuesdays at 10:00am, Join Shelli Yoder Tuesday mornings from 10-10:30am to virtually meet up for a cup of coffee (BYO), a check-in, and a brief meditation/reflection and prayer. Join us if you can!
Immediately following our virtual café, a theological discussion led by Derek Roe will begin at 10:30am and end at 11:30am.
*** “We will be discussing https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/29/opinion/george-floyd-minneapolis.html?action=click&module=Opinion&pgtype=Homepage. If you have the chance to read this article before our coffee chat, that would be wonderful. We will be using it to jump start our conversation.”***
- From your laptop or desktop computer https://zoom.us/j/309686166?pwd=OVZ2VXFUSDV6R2IwM0xTMTd4TEVCdz09, OR
- From your landline telephone or cell phone: (253) 215 8782 then enter the meeting ID: 309 686 166# Password: 399499
- Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/aCaOLQbW3
SUPPORT NURSING HOME FRONT LINE WORKERS!
Our local nursing homes are dealing with COVID-19 outbreaks within their facilities, caring for their residents and trying to prevent the spread of the disease within buildings where social distancing is (at best) challenging. Many staff are tired and discouraged. Join the Outreach Board to send photos of you (or your kids, your family, your friends) encouraging nursing home staff. Send us a picture of you holding a sign that says “THANK YOU!”, or “WE SUPPORT YOU” or “KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!” Photos of original art work from people of any age would be most welcome!
Send photos to Rebecca Nunley at reblea99@gmail.com by June 20. We’ll post them on the church’s Facebook page.
From Your Board of Outreach: Cindy Stone, Rebecca Nunley, Kim Albright, Sandy Keller, Dave Meyer, Cleve Wilhoit
FIRST UNITED’S SPECIAL COVID-19 FUND
Your generous support of Council and Outreach’s request for donations to our special fund supplementing the Love Fund to assist members and friends needing help in this time of layoffs and closings was overwhelming. If you or someone you know in our church community needs help, contact church leadership for more information.
MEANWHILE GRASS AND WEEKS CONTINUE TO GROW whether church is open or not. If you have time and energy to work at socially distanced mowing, weeding, or general upkeep on our grounds, Laura Kao is graciously available to provide guidance. Laura has also posted a to-do list of tasks on the shed door for all comers. Contact laura_b_kao@hotmail.com or 812-361-6074
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