Announcements for the week of July 19, 2026

Synoptic Gospels Bible Study – Sundays @ 9:15am; Join Zoom Meeting here, access reading schedule here
Sunday Morning Worship – Sundays @ 10:30am; Join Zoom Webinar here
Scripture Reader sign up – Click here
Usher sign up – Click here (needed 07/19 & 07/26)
Flowers sign up – Click here
Coffee Hour Host sign up – Click here
Communion Server sign up –Click here
Milk Money Volunteers sign up – Click here
Charity vs. Justice video – Click here
Donate to First United Online – Click here
First United YouTube Channel (sermons & more) – Click here
First United Vimeo Channel (full worship services) – Click here
2026 Online Pledge Card – Click here
Sabbatical Coverage Guide – Click here

DON’T FORGET

THIS SATURDAY — Brother William’s The Soul Kitchen — Live! Saturday, July 18, 6–10 p.m. Unitarian Universalist Church, 2120 N. Fee Ln.

Free, donations encouraged and welcomed

On July 18, Brother William brings the smooth sounds of the iconic Soul Kitchen, a WFIU staple for 10+ years, to a live DJ fundraiser set.

What’s at stake – Seminary Pointe is home to 21 occupied affordable apartments (rents run $400-700 and have housed local workers since the mid-1950s) and 5 commercial units, scheduled for demolition beginning September 1, 2026, to make way for the Monroe County Convention Center hotel.Tenants are already being displaced — among them an elderly resident of 20 years and a young family expecting a baby. More than 1/2 of Monroe County renters spend over 30% of their income on housing. Protecting the affordable homes we already have is faster, cheaper, and more humane than replacing them. The CIB, the RDC, and Mayor can each still choose to preserve this housing — and we’re asking all three to step up.

Who we are – Bloomington Homes For All (BH4A) is a community-led grassroots organization fighting to save the affordable housing at Seminary Pointe. We’re hosting this event to raise money for our campaign to keep Seminary Pointe standing: outreach, legal fees, and organizing and to bring more neighbors into the fight.

The Night – A live soul and funk set from Brother William, yard games on the church lawn, a bite to eat from a food truck, and a few hours with neighbors who want the same thing you do. Bring friends, bring family, bring your dancing shoes.

You can help – Come to the event, but if you can’t make it, share this with your networks and support the campaign by donating at https://secure.actblue.com/donate/homesforall.Learn more at https://docs.google.com/document/d/19oVqsL2Q57JdJ0fbugT61jnBOe4Vn_dHrIzs2JpvM9k/edit?tab=t.0

Special Offerings – Abundant Generosity!

This Sunday our special offering will be the Rise!, offering transitional housing for women and children recovering from domestic violence. Started by Middle Way House in 1998, Rise! is not a shelter. It includes apartments furnished with the basics, plus tutoring, financial education, resume writing assistance and practice interviews. A lack of safe, affordable housing often poses a significant barrier to survivors of violence and is essential for achieving long-term safety. Taylor Richardson will be the guest speaker.

NEW/UPDATED THIS WEEK

Happy Birthday

Please remember in your prayers and give thanks for those who will be celebrating their birthdays in the week ahead: Ben Keller (July 20), and Gwen Storms (July 25). We are blessed to have you in our lives!

First Sunday Donation Drive

The Board of Community & Outreach invites you to offer needed donations on the first Sunday of each month on a table in the Narthex. On Sunday, July 5th, we encourage you to bring donations of non-perishable food items for our community members in need. As always, all of the collected food and cleaning/hygiene items will go to Pathways (formally Monroe County United Ministries, MCUM), and pet food will go to Area 10 Agency on Aging. Updated items needed for Pathways include cleaning/hygiene products: hand soap, dish soap, laundry detergent (sheets or liquid), kids 3-in-1 shampoo & bodywash women’s deodorant, conditioner, bleach, adult/baby lotion, sponges, trash bags, mouthwash, and cleaning spray, razors, plastic wrap, aluminum foil. Their food wish list includes: broth (chicken or beef); alfredo sauce; mayo; instant coffee & tea; peaches, pineapple, fruit cups, pure pumpkin, & apple sauce; easy on-the-go snacks, pudding, chips, snack bars, etc.; easy mac; sloppy joe; taco kit; jelly, instant rice and gluten free pasta; pancake mix; beans (pinto, baked, & chili); bread & flour tortillas; tomato paste; salt, and honey. Gluten-free and non-dairy options are much appreciated. Thanks to your generosity, a total of 55 pounds in donations was delivered following our July 5th drive!

UPCOMING WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Join us for worship each Sunday morning at 10:30am. This Sunday’s service will feature Rev. Shelli Yoder in the pulpit and offering a special message for the young and young at heart. Kim Yaussy Albright will highlight some of the many ways we are invited to engage in the life of the church and our wider community. Laurie Eynon will present the day’s scripture and serve as our congregational lead. Ryan Block will lead us in song. Jaehee Won is our guest organist, and Christopher Raphael will provide special music on the oboe. Du Huynh will offer a warm welcome to those who gather in the sanctuary; sign up here to help. 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. A beautiful floral arrangement will be provided by Mary Peckham and Chris Raphael

on their wedding anniversary in gratitude for 35 (+13) years of rich, productive partnership and deepening love. Finally, be sure to join us in the Fellowship Hall for Coffee Hour hosted by Jean Faris, Dawn Faris, Lisa Green, and Gwen Storms.

Join the Zoom Webinar by clicking here

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

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

Donate online by clicking here

Invitation to Offer Summer Music

The Vocal and Bell Choirs are on break until August. This hiatus offers a wonderful opportunity for members and friends of First United to share your creative gifts with our congregation during worship. There are a good number of possibilities available for the coming months.Please reach out to Ryan Block (blockryfuc@gmail.com) if you are interested!

Search for a New Organist

Our authorized Organist Hiring Team formed after Hyeyeon Ahn’s resignation has developed a job posting for the Organist position; access it here, and share it with anyone who might be interested. The Organist Hiring Team consists of Ryan Block, Joe Stiefel, Rachel Caswell, Michael Shell, and Pastor Jessica. You are welcome to contact a member of the hiring team should you have any questions.

COMMUNITY CARE

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 Rev. Shelli 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:

Craig Dalrymple

Daniel Salvat

Sam Troxal
The family of Don Bebeau (following his death on April 22nd)

Sara Cole

Barb Clark

Phyllis Perkins

Frank Ivey (father of Sara Ivey Lucas)

Jean Peters

Elizabeth Hanson

Lisa Young and family (friends of Sara Ivey Lucas)

Abundant Generosity!

Thanks to your abundant generosity, we raised $481 for My Sister’s Closet during the June 28th special offering. Thank you for your tremendous support!

Church Leadership – Thank You for Serving

July 1st marked the start of a new year of First United leadership. We are grateful for all of those who have completed terms of tremendous service and offer a bit of extra thanks to Megan Merrick (served as Faith and Formation chair). And, we give thanks to all of those who are continuing to serve in official church leadership and those who are beginning new roles of service this year, Sabine Lammers (Faith and Formation chair). Thank you to all who have served and continue to serve our congregation in these important ways.

Interested In Hosting a Family

The CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange) is looking for host families.

They have several exchange students still waiting for the great news that a host family has chosen them for the upcoming school year. They are looking for families in the Bloomington area who might be willing to open their home for 10-12 weeks (around Thanksgiving), a semester, or the entire school year, for one of our high school exchange students.

Duration of Exchange

August for a 10 month program request/August for a 5 month program request

To Host:

One parent must be at least 25 years old
Everyone in the household 18+ will need a clean background check
Provide a bedroom or bed (can be shared with a host sibling with the same gender and within 4years of age
Provide 3 meals a day
Supportive and safe household

Students bring:

Their own spending money
Covered by CIEE Medical insurance
Proficient in English
Backed by CIEE support team, including a local coordinator

If interested please contact Heather Thompson at hthompson@ciee.org

CIEE website: ciee.org/

Pathways – Compass Children Learning Center

As we move into summer, Pathways faces an important challenge. Funding for Indiana preschool programs is increasingly uncertain. State legislators approved $200 million to reopen childcare vouchers, but more than half of waitlisted families will not receive assistance.

For Pathways, these funding challenges contribute to a budget gap of more than $125,000. Community support is essential to help Compass Early Learning Center bridge this gap and continue investing in the children and families we serve. That’s why we’ve launched our Summer Campaign with a goal of raising $40,000 by July 31.

Please consider donating today to ensure that Compass children continue to receive the care, education, and support they deserve.

How to give: Send a check: 827 West 14th Court, Bloomington, IN 47404.

Click here to give online via our secure website

Milk Money for Pathways

First United has launched Milk Money, a six‑month commitment (March-August) to support families at Pathways through their Nourish Together program. Our church has pledged to provide all of the milk Pathways families need during this time. Rather than donating milk directly, the Board of Community & Outreach invites members to give designated donations (cash or checks marked “Milk Money”); thanks to your generosity, we have already collected $889.35! Church volunteers will purchase and deliver the milk to ensure safe handling and consistent supply. Volunteers are also needed to help purchase and/or deliver milk; sign up here. If you have any questions or problems signing up, please contact Kristin Martindale (kmdale@iu.edu).

Task of the Month for Earth Care

All within our congregation are encouraged to participate in Earth Care Indiana’s task of the month, a tangible and manageable way you can get involved in caring for creation. Rebecca Keith will make periodic announcements and encourage participation at coffee hour. Check out this Task of the Month website to learn about the tasks that are scheduled. Even small things can make a difference!

People’s Market

First United houses the People’s Cooperative Market (PCM) in Fellowship Hall on Saturdays, 10am-2pm, offering fresh, locally grown produce through CSAs to be picked up or delivered. The full market is once again up and running; join them any Saturday!The PCM also operates the high tunnel greenhouse to the south of the church playground, which includes a community garden and produces food that is given out at no cost to members of our wider community seeking local, nutritious fresh food. Reach out via email (peoplesmarketmanager@gmail.com) to learn more or to volunteer with the market.

The Joy of Hosting

Our Member Relations Committee continues to offer support to weekly coffee hour hosts and encourages 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.

EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS

Read the Synoptics in a Year: Gospel of Matthew

As we seek to live out our mission more fully, you are invited to explore the words and deeds of Jesus through studying the synoptic gospels (Mark, Matthew, and Luke) over the course of the year. Join us as we explore the Gospel of Matthew through daily readings (access suggested reading schedule here), a weekly Sunday morning discussion group (9:15-10am in Roger Williams Hall and via Zoom, click here), and weekly sermons during worship. Let us continue on the journey of following Jesus more faithfully and fruitfully in 2026!

No CLT in July

There will be no Children’s Learning Time (CLT) during the month of July.Young children will be welcome in the nursery, while all children are invited to remain in worship for the duration of the service. The Play+Pray Space is available for use by children (and any interested adults) throughout the service. CLT will resume August 2nd.

Nursery Care

Our youngest children are welcome to spend time from 10-11:45am playing in the nursery or on the playground, weather permitting. Jessica McIntosh and Damion Ebrahim Sader Huges 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 Jessica McIntosh if you are interested and with any questions.

Tuesday Morning Café and Discussion – Taking a Break

Is taking a break from our regular Tuesday morning discussion group during Pastor Jessica’s sabbatical. We’ll reconvene on August 11th, 10:15-11:30am, and re-engage with a 24-session study “Thinking about Religion and Violence” presented by Dr. Jason C. Bivins (who earned his PhD in Religious Studies from IU!). In a world where violence in the name of religion can impact so many people’s lives, it’s critical to understand the intersection between religion and violence. Join us as we embark on a global, multidisciplinary investigation of religious violence as we examine the roots of this phenomenon and are guided toward more informed ways of thinking about it. Learn more here. Previous participation and perfect attendance are not required.

CONGREGATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS

Sabbatical Coverage

Our Sabbatical Planning Team has made arrangements to ensure that church life runs smoothly and congregational needs are met during Pastor Jessica’s sabbatical (May 11-August 9). Shelli Yoder has been called as our Sabbatical Pastor for this period, and congregation members have taken on extra responsibilities to serve our church well. A description of Sabbatical Pastor duties and guide to who is doing what can be found here. Please reach out to a member of the Sabbatical Planning Team—Kim Yaussy Albright, Emily Mathes, Mary Peckham, Vickey Allen—with any questions.

2026 Offering Envelopes and Direct Deposit

We will use leftover offering envelope boxes for 2026. For 2026, your number box will not be the same; please contact Lisa Stanger if you would like envelopes! 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.

Announcements Deadline

If you have information to include in our weekly announcements email, please send your item to Lisa Stanger by noon on the Monday before.

Contact Information/After Hours contact

After hours contact 812-269-7150
Rev. Shelli Yoder, Associate Minister & Sabbatical Pastor (May 11-Aug 9) – revshelli@firstuc.org; 812-287-9351 (Cell)
Lisa Stanger, Office Manager – info@firstuc.org; 812-332-4439 (Office)
Ryan Block, Music Director – blockryfuc@gmail.com; 330-280-2513 (Cell)

Council Officers

President Kim Yaussy-Albright

president@firstuc.org

Vice President Michael Shell

shellmi@iu.edu

Clerk Ben Ale-Ebrahim

benalebrahim@gmail.com

Treasurer Kyle Hetrick

Assistant Treasurer Patty Williams

wpatty72@gmail.com

Board Chairs

Worship, Art and Music Vickey Allen