Updates on First United Operations and Activities
You may have heard someone has created a fake gmail email account claiming to be Rev. Jessica Petersen-Mutai. Please do not respond to any email that seems to be sent from her asking for “a favor.” The matter is being addressed, and you may once again contact her by email at revpetersenmutai@firstuc.org or by phone/text at 812-727-4414.
“Bring Forth” Stewardship Drive
While our 2021 Stewardship Pledge Drive officially wrapped up in November, helping us formulate our 2021 budget going forward, pledges and giving are gratefully accepted year-round. You can give by two methods, returning a pledge card, or pledging online using this link: https://tinyurl.com/1stUC21pledge We are grateful for your support at any level, and hope to hear from everyone in the congregation.
From the COVID-19 Task Force
Sunday church services and most meetings will continue virtually through at least December. The Task Force met on November 10th and with current conditions, advises no changes.
FROM THE BOARD OF WORSHIP—Preparing Ourselves for Advent
Midweek Advent Services – Short services (15-20 min) with readings, prayers, and music to help you focus on the coming of Jesus into the world. Two opportunities for each week’s themes:
• Outdoor In-person in the courtyard Wednesdays @12:30pm (Dec 9, 16, 23)
Masks required, singing only by soloist
Sign up at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090F49AEAB28AAF58-midweek
• Zoom Service Thursdays @5:30pm (December 10, 17)
Enjoy from the comfort of home. Tune into the FirstUC Zoom channel: https://zoom.us/j/94635708633?pwd=NE9CdGtTWk5ndGRzRnQ2TTVrQmlZZz09
Meeting ID: 946 3570 8633 Password: 879535
Mark your calendars:
Candlelight and Carols Virtual Service: Sunday, Dec 13th @ 5pm (Offering to benefit My Sister’s Closet)
Drive-Thru Nativity: Dec 13th-Jan 6th @ any time!
Christmas Eve Virtual Service: Sunday, Dec 24th @ 5pm (Offering to benefit The Poor People’s Campaign)
Hanging the “Paper” Greens
People of all ages are invited to create paper chains in lieu of traditional greens. Choose paper that is meaningful to you, and feel free to write your prayers on them.
Drop off: Look for a long plastic box outside under the drive-thru portico entrance to the Narthex. Chains will be accepted through December 18th and hung before each Sunday’s service. Zoom in Sunday morning to see how far our chains have reached.
Pick-up of chains: If you need your chains to be picked up and delivered, contact Siri Loescher@ sannloescher@gmail.com
FROM THE BOARD OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Racial Justice Book Club TOMORROW Saturday, December 5th, 2-3:30pm
Minor Feelings by Cathy Park Hong
Zoom link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89510904473?pwd=bnRwZjY4OFNZMWZXbXlNQ1dRcTVqdz09
Meeting ID: 895 1090 4473 Passcode: 676680
Poet and essayist Cathy Park Hong fearlessly and provocatively blends memoir, cultural criticism, and history to expose fresh truths about racialized consciousness in America. This collection is vulnerable, humorous, and provocative—and its relentless and riveting pursuit of vital questions around family and friendship, art and politics, identity, and individuality, will change the way you think about our world. Binding these essays together is Hong’s theory of “minor feelings.” The daughter of Korean immigrants, Cathy Park Hong grew up steeped in shame, suspicion, and melancholy. She would later understand that these “minor feelings” occur when American optimism contradicts your own reality—when you believe the lies you’re told about your own racial identity.
Minor feelings are not small, they’re dissonant—and in their tension Hong finds the key to the questions that haunt her. With sly humor and a poet’s searching mind, Hong uses her own story as a portal into a deeper examination of racial consciousness in America today. This intimate and devastating book traces her relationship to the English language, to shame and depression, to poetry and female friendship. A radically honest work of art, Minor Feelings forms a portrait of one Asian American psyche—and of a writer’s search to both uncover and speak the truth.
Jennifer Fultz has also set up a discussion board for the group, so even if you are unable to attend the in-person meetings, there is another way to participate. If you are interested in joining the group, please contact Don Wooldridge at dontylw@gmail.com.
Racial Justice Working Group at First United
The Boards of Outreach and Christian Education have formed a racial justice working group, focusing on how we can respond meaningfully as individuals and as a faith community to systemic racism. All are welcome, and we especially encourage participation from minority voices, whether as a member of this group or as someone willing to offer suggestions for improvement. The group will not meet in December; mark your calendars for the next meeting on January 17th at 2pm. Contact Don Wooldridge (dontylw@gmail.com) if you are interested in joining this initiative, or if you have any questions or concerns.
FIRST UNITED’S SPECIAL COVID-19 FUND APPLICATIONS
If you have a relationship with First United Church, you may apply for assistance for economic hardship caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Contact Sharon McCann at 1041sharon@gmail.com for an application form and instructions to apply for Covid-19-related assistance.
VIRTUAL COMMUNITY OFFERINGS Our work as a caring community continues on Zoom through Sunday worship and lectionary study, and Tuesday’s Virtual Café and Adult Study class. Please visit https://firstuc.org/online/
JOIN US FOR SUNDAY WORSHIP!! at 10:30am. 10am Log in
Zoom Meeting Link:
https://zoom.us/j/94635708633?pwd=NE9CdGtTWk5ndGRzRnQ2TTVrQmlZZz09
Meeting ID: 946 3570 8633
Password: 879535
The service is posted late Sunday afternoon at: https://vimeo.com/firstunitedchurch
OFF TOPIC SCRIPTURE CIRCLE
(formerly 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? We have the place for you! Click below to join us, Sunday mornings 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 Tuesdays10:00am
Pour yourself a cup of coffee or tea and join us for the Tuesday Adult Discussion group led by Derek Roe as we begin a new video series: Confucius, Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad presented by Prof. Mark Muesse. We hope to see you there!
Discussions range over many topics, and it’s a great way to keep in touch with church friends during social distancing. We’ll end somewhere between 11:30 and noon.
1. From your laptop or desktop computer https://zoom.us/j/309686166?pwd=OVZ2VXFUSDV6R2IwM0xTMTd4TEVCdz09 OR
2. From your landline telephone or cell phone: (253) 215 8782 then enter the meeting ID: 309 686 166# Password: 399499
3. Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/aCaOLQbW3
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