SACRED CONVERSATION ON RACE. The Sacred Conversation on Race group hopes you will be able to join us at 9:30 am in Room 6 every other Sunday to learn about and discuss race, racism, and a myriad of related topics.? We are currently discussing issues facing refugees and immigrants in America.? Our next meeting will be on Sunday March 19th.? Please see Derek Roe or email droeminister@gmail.com for more info. ???

TIME TO ORDER EASTER LILIES! Every year we decorate the sanctuary with Easter lilies. If you would like to help by purchasing one or more potted lilies please let Lisa in the office know. The cost is $8.10 per plant. We will need your order and check no later than Sunday March 26, 2017. Be sure to make your check payable to First United Church and in the memo area put ?For Easter Lilies?. Thank you!

LENTEN PRACTICES – Any of the following sound familiar?

You?re still wondering what Lent and practice are about.

You wanted to have a special practice for Lent this year but haven?t gotten around to it.

You started your Lenten practice with a bang but it got lost somewhere along the way.

Your Lenten practice just doesn?t seem to be the one for you right now.

It?s never too late to start AND it?s never too late to begin again, and again, and again?. ?no judgement, no catch-up! If you need ideas, pick up one or more of the suggestion pages from the narthex (that?s the lobby space behind the sanctuary or in the Fellowship Hall lobby.

If you?d like support for your practice or a listening ear, contact Dawna at spiritual.director@firstuc.org?or 812-272-5404.

?TIM WISE, ANTI-RACIST EDUCATOR, TO SPEAK AT IVY TECH IN MARCH. Tim Wise, one of the nation?s most prominent anti-racist essayists and educators, will discuss the concepts of race, privilege and activism for Ivy Tech Community College?s Diversity Speaker Series from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 30 at the Bloomington campus at 200 Daniels Way.

Wise is the author of seven books, including ?White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son.? He has appeared on CNN, MSNBC and NPR.

The event is free and open to the community, but reservations are requested and can be made online at ivytech.edu/diversity under the ?Bloomington? dropdown, or by emailing ivytechdiversity@ivytech.edu.

FIRST UNITED SMART PHONE SAFARI. What does HOPE look like? You are invited to use your cell phone to capture images of HOPE.

It can be anything — people, places, nature, pets, news, books, art, ordinary objects. Anything that makes you feel hopeful — take a picture!

These images will be used in an installation in our art hallway.

What to do with the images? Send them to Elizabeth Busey (ebusey@yahoo.com) at their highest resolution. Your phone will ask you about this when emailing the image. Choose ACTUAL SIZE.

Please send images by March 31st. Watch for information about how you can participate in creating the installation!

ADULT STUDY CLASS – SCIENCE AND RELIGION SERIES. Please join us on Tuesday, from 10:00 to 11:30 am as we continue a new video series that will explore the interplay between science and religion.? In addition to a presentation and discussion, there will be coffee and snacks.??

YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HOST A STRANGER…

The Organizing Committee of the Fourth Street Festival of the Arts and Crafts is seeking host homes for artists. Hosts would provide sleeping accommodations for artists the Friday and Saturday nights of Labor Day weekend (Sept 1 & 2.) ?No meals are necessary. Visit 4thstreet.org and click on “Would You Like to Host an Artist During the Show” for a short questionnaire regarding your home (space, pets, non-smoking etc.) This is an easy way to get to know someone from outside Bloomington, and get a glimpse into the life of a festival artist. Questions? Contact Elizabeth Busey (ebusey@yahoo.com or 812-345-3840.)?

NEEDED COFFEE HOUR HOSTS MARCH 26, ALL OF APRIL. One of the ways we build our community of faith is through our coffer hour or fellowship time immediately following Sunday services.? Hosts help with this important aspect of our community life by showing hospitality to members, friends, and guests of First United Church. ??Coffee hour hosts typically leave Sunday services at the end of the sermon to brew the coffee and put out the snacks.??The Church provides all supplies for coffee hour.? If you sign up for coffee hour, a friendly member of the Board of Christian Worship will explain where to find the supplies.

CALLING ALL KIDS FOR EASTER SINGING! Easter is coming up soon and now is a great time for kids from CLT and beyond to begin learning a song that they can sing here on Easter morning!? Beginning March 5th we invite all kids to join Rebecca, Vini and Ashley to meet in the choir room for about 15 minutes right after church (during Coffee Hour) to practice.? Please see Vini, Rebecca Keith, or Derek Roe with questions! ??

FRIDAYS AT FIRST UNITED

Just Friday: The next Just Friday will be March 24 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Just Friday is an adult discussion group focused on topics related to justice. On March 24 we will continue our discussion of “us” vs. “them”, stereotypes, and bias. Dessert and drinks will be available. Childcare will not be provided. If you have any questions, please contact Hopi Stosberg, Allison McClanahan, or Derek Roe.

Play Friday: Play Friday is a recurring event on the second Friday of each month.

This is a family friendly event open to all ages and is non-denominational. Please extend this invitation to your friends and family. The more the merrier!?

MINISTER OF CARE FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 19, IS NORA SULLIVAN.? A minister of care is a church volunteer who visits members in their home.