Announcements for the week of January 28, 2024

by | Jan 26, 2024 | Sunday Announcements | 0 comments

QUICK LINKS

  • Sunday Morning Worship – Sundays @ 10:30am; Join Zoom Webinar here
  • Off-Topic Scripture Circle – Mondays @ 10am; Join Zoom Meeting here
  • Morning Café and Discussion – Tuesdays @ 10am;Join Zoom Meeting here
  • Scripture Reader sign up – Click here (needed 02/04)
  • Usher sign up – Click here (needed 01/28, 02/04, & 02/11)
  • Flowers sign up – Click here
  • Coffee Hour Host sign up – Click here
  • Communion Server sign up –Click here (needed 02/04)
  • Donate to First United Online – Click here
  • First United Vimeo Channel – Click here

DON’T FORGET

Youth Connections

Youth in grades 6 and up are invited to gather with Pastor Jessica and one another in Room 6 following worship one Sunday each month to consider your questions, big and small, and explore faith matters as they are relevant to your life. Our January meeting will be on January 28th from 11:45am-12:45pm. We are using “Living the Questions: The Wisdom of Progressive Christianity” by David L. Felten and Jeff Procter-Murphy as our guide and jumping off point for discussion. If you or your youth are interested in getting involved, please contact Pastor Jessica.

Pizza and Play

Members and friends of First United of all ages and family configurations (and your friends and family) are encouraged to gather for Pizza & Play on Friday, February 2nd, 5:30pm-7:30pm. We’ll enjoy a time of informal, unprogrammed fun and fellowship in Fellowship Hall and surrounding areas. As the name implies, pizza and drinks will be provided. If you’re planning to attend, please let Pastor Jessica know by Thursday, February 1st so she can be sure to have enough food for all and account for any dietary needs.

Retreat toward Healing Church-Based Wounds

The Open Table Collective (OTC), a collaborative group of affirming local congregations (including First United) and IU campus ministries seeking to engage in ministry with the IU campus community, is hosting a faith-based retreat for adults of all ages as part of a journey toward healing church-based wounds. Retreat dates are Friday, February 9th, 5pm through Sunday, February 11th, 12pm, and it will be held at Waycross Camp and Conference Center in Brown County. The retreat will be led primarily by the Rev. Christine Allen Holden, a certified Spiritual Wellness Coach with a specialty in spiritual trauma, in cooperation with several OTC clergy. The retreat is offered at no cost thanks to a generous grant from the Ecumenical Campus Ministry Fund. Contact Pastor Jessica if you are interested or for more information. RSVP by February 4th (please also indicate your interest in carpooling).

NEW/UPDATED THIS WEEK

Come Out and Support Lisa Kwong

First United member Lisa Kwong will be reading her creative work at Morgenstern Books on Sunday, January 28th and Sunday, February 4th. Both readings are 7:00pm-8:30pm. For full details, please visit the Writers Guild at Bloomington calendar here.

Memorial Service for Marcia Stalnaker

A memorial service in honor of Marcia Stalnaker (b. March 10th, 1939, d. December 8th, 2023) will be held in the Sanctuary at 2pm on Saturday, February 3rd with a reception time with light refreshments to follow. We continue to send our love and sympathy to Aaron Stalnaker, Kirsten Sword, and their extended family.

Anonymous Online Survey

Please take a moment to complete a very important anonymous survey here.This survey serves as a follow-up to earlier invitations, inviting your involvement in the strategic planning and visioning process for our church’s building and grounds. As a congregationally-led church, your insights play a pivotal role in shaping a collective vision for our faith community. We warmly invite you to contribute to this reflective visioning survey, with the congregation’s Star Word, “Transform,” guiding your thoughts. 

First United’s Month of Kindness Valentine Card Making
Join First United friends and family of all ages during Coffee Hour on Sunday, February 4th for Valentine-making fun. Supplies will be provided so you can make cards for friends and family; we will also have conventional cards available. Make cards for people in your life outside First United or consider signing up here to help shower your church family with Valentine love; sign up by Thursday, February 1st, and a member of the Member Relations Committee will follow up with you. Contact Mary Peckham with any questions (mkpeckham59@gmail.com or 812-361-5047).

Acts of Kindness Month Calendar
February is a great month to double down (or up) on a commitment to showing kindness to others. Pick up a pink Kindness Calendar outside of the Sanctuary (front or back) or in the church office to get some great suggestions for small things to do each day in February to show kindness to individuals and the wider world. Access the full Kindness Calendar online here. Also, you can view and share via Facebook here to help spread the love even more widely!

Feminist Women’s Book Club

Our feminist women’s book club usually meets after worship on the second Sunday of the month in Roger Williams Hall and via Zoom. We are women who have a lively discussion starting at 12noon, for about an hour. We read recent fiction “by women, for women or about women.” Members are equally split among women from our church and the community. Feminist women of all ages are invited to join us. Our February 4th book selection is “Dial A for Aunties” by Jesse Sutanto. Check out our book club’s Pinterest listing: http://pinterest.com/reginammoore/feminist-book-club/. For Zoom information or more information about the book club contact facilitator Cindy Stone, stonec@indiana.edu.

Keeping Up with Our Congregation

One of the gifts of being part of a community of faith is that we don’t face the ups and downs and middles of life alone. We invite you to share what is going on in your lives by contacting Lisa Stanger and/or Pastor Jessica so we can appropriately share information (with your permission) with our wider community of care that we might offer our support whatever you may be facing.

You are encouraged to offer your prayers and actions of support for:

  • Vicky Keith (Rebecca Keith’s sister-in-law)
  • Christopher Meincke (Eric’s brother)
  • Michael Shell
  • Jeanne and Norm Overly

UPCOMING WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Sunday Morning Hybrid Worship

Join us for worship each Sunday morning at 10:30am. This Sunday’s service will feature Rev. Jessica Petersen-Mutai in the pulpit; she will also offer a message especially for the young and young at heart. Mitchell Farmer will highlight some of the many ways we are invited to engage in the life of the church and our wider community. Keith Gerber will present the day’s scripture reading and serve as our congregational lead. Eric Meincke and Hansol Kim will lead us in song, and the First United Vocal Choir will offer the gift of special music. Dave Meyer will offer a warm welcome to all those who will gather in the sanctuary and could use some additional help (sign up here). And, Kyle Hetrick and Jim True will welcome all who join via Zoom as they ensure the audio/visual pieces run as smoothly as possible. Finally, be sure to join us in Fellowship Hall after worship for a time of fellowship and refreshment hosted by Fiora Pizzo.

Join the Zoom Webinar by clicking here

Dial-in number: (312) 626-6799; Webinar ID: 828 3681 0281

The service will be posted on Sunday evening on First United’s Vimeo channel (where you can access all of our previous worship services).

Donate online by clicking here

Choir Rehearsals

All who are interested in engaging in our Music Ministry are encouraged to join our vocal choir and bell choir! No prior musical experience is required, but a foundational ability to read music is recommended. The Bell Choir rehearses on Thursdays, 6:15pm-7:15pm in Roger Williams Hall. And, the Vocal Choir rehearses on Thursdays, 7:30pm-9pm, in the Choir Room.If you are interested in joining or have any questions, please contact Eric Meincke at ericdmeincke@gmail.com.

COMMUNITY CARE

MCUM Cleaning & Hygiene Drive

The Board of Outreach invites you to bring donations of cleaning and hygiene items each time you enter the church building throughout the month of February 2024 as we seek to replenish MCUM’s near empty shelves with these much-needed supplies. Because MCUM’s inventory is so low, many area families must go without them (SNAP benefits do not cover such items). At the end of the month, all donated items will be delivered to Monroe County United Ministries (MCUM) for distribution. MCUM’s wish list of cleaning and hygiene products includes: Shampoo, Conditioner, Razors, All-purpose cleaner, Wipes, Dish soap, Diapers (sizes 5 & 6), Laundry Detergent, Shaving Cream, and Sponges (they will accept other donations such as toilet paper and paper towels as well; no toothbrushes or toothpaste please). Thank you so much for your assistance in meeting this critical need in our community.

The Joy of Hosting

Our Member Relations Committee continues to offer support to weekly coffee hour hosts and encourage everyone to sign up to host—it’s easy, fun, and a great way to serve your church family with a one-time commitment. Sign up as buddies or families, invite someone you’ve been wanting to get to know, use the occasion to showcase a family recipe or try out a new one. Sign up to host by clicking here.

People’s Market

First United houses the People’s Cooperative Market in our Fellowship Hall each Saturday, 10:00am-2:00pm. The People’s Market is an intersectional anti-racism farmers market and artisan vendor space that focuses on food justice work. They also operate their own pantry called People’s Open Pantry (POP), a zero-barrier pantry at New Leaf, on Saturdays, 11:00am-1:00pm. And, food is always made available to anyone in need during market hours as well.

All are welcome to attend the Saturday markets and/or order from their online CSA for pickup or delivery. People’s Market regularly welcomes new vendors and farmers, so be sure to check them out each week! Note: The in-person market will not be offered through February 3rd.

EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS 

Off-Topic Scripture Circle

You are invited to join members and friends of First United each Monday morning at 10am to check in and explore the week’s lectionary scripture readings in a casual setting where you will never be asked to leave your brain or your heart at the door. We meet via Zoom only in an effort to be more accessible; join the Zoom meeting here.

Tuesday Morning Café and Discussion

Join us in person or online Tuesdays at 10am-11:30am as we explore “The Pagan World: Ancient Religions before Christianity” presented by Dr. Hans-Friedrich Mueller. After a time of informal conversation, we’ll engage in thought-provoking theological study and discussion as we meet the fascinating, ancient polytheistic peoples of the Mediterranean and beyond, their gods and goddesses, and their public and private worship practices, and come to better understand the foundational role religion played in their daily lives. Previous participation and perfect attendance are not required. Those interested and able are welcome to gather in Roger Williams Hall; those choosing to join online via Zoom can do so here.

Children’s Learning Time

Each Sunday morning, children in kindergarten and up will begin in the Sanctuary with their families and proceed to Room 2 with their adult leads for Children’s Learning Time (CLT) following the Children’s Time. Many thanks to Ted Wininger and Molly Koontz for leading CLT this Sunday.

We continue to welcome and encourage additional adults to join our teaching rotation to enrich the program for the kids. Lesson materials and supplies are provided, and we have seasoned leaders to help you get acclimated. If you are interested or have questions, please reach out to Molly Koontz, Pastor Jessica, or any member of the Board of Education.

Nursery Care

Our youngest children are welcome to spend time from 10am-11:45am playing in the nursery or on the playground, weather permitting. Lena Stosberg and Jessica McIntosh will ensure our little ones are safe and engaged in fun activities during worship this Sunday. We are always looking for additional volunteer assistants to help in the nursery occasionally. Contact Molly Koontz if you are interested and with any questions.

CONGREGATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS

Join Our Finance Committee

If you are interested in the operations that allow us to carry out the work and ministry of First United in Bloomington and beyond, or if you like working behind the scenes, you are encouraged to consider joining our Finance Committee. You do not have to be a CPA or have an MBA! Finance Committee members participate in monthly meetings and may help with simple tasks like taking meeting minutes or assisting with counting and depositing the offering every couple of weeks. Terms are year-to-year, so this does not need to be a long-term commitment. If you have any questions or are interested in volunteering, please reach out to Kyle Hetrick, Mitchell Farmer, or Rev. Jessica Petersen-Mutai.

2024 Offering Envelopes and Direct Deposit

We will be using leftover 2023 offering envelope boxes for 2024. If you used envelopes this year, your number box will not be the same; please look for your name. Envelope boxes are available on a table outside of the Sanctuary entrance closest to the chancel. Whether you’ve used them before or this is your first time, you are welcome to pick up a box! Alternatively, if you would like to give to the church through direct deposit, please contact Lisa in the office to make sure she knows you would like to give in this convenient way and has your updated information.

Online Directory Available!

An online church directory is available for all members of First United! You may access the directory by clicking on “Member Directory” from the “Member Area” drop-down menu located at the top of any page of the church website. Contact Lisa in the office for your sign-in credentials (you are encouraged to change your password after logging in for the first time).

Contact Information

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