Announcements for Sunday, September 19,2021

by | Sep 17, 2021 | Sunday Announcements | 0 comments

QUICK LINKS

  • Off-Topic Scripture Circle – Sundays @ 9am; Join Zoom Meeting here
  • Sunday Morning Worship – Sundays @ 10:30am; Join Zoom Webinar here
  • Morning Café and Discussion – Tuesdays @ 10am;Join Zoom Meeting here
  • Scripture Reader sign up – Click here
  • Usher sign up – Click here
  • Flowers sign up – Click here

DON’T FORGET

Food Drive for Humans and Pets

TOMORROW, Saturday, September 18th, 10am-2pm! Another food drive for humans and pets! Join us to help make a difference for those in our community who are in need. Masks and social distancing required.

Monroe County United Ministries (MCUM) focuses on providing short-term emergency food for people in need, while also working with them on long-term goals and priorities. Area 10 Agency on Aging supports seniors and those with disabilities, enabling them to keep their cherished pet companions by assisting with pet food donations when their owners are in need.

When shopping for human food, MCUM recommends purchasing items that you or your family would enjoy. You can also consider buying things that would be needed together, for example – purchase spaghetti and spaghetti sauce, or peanut butter and jelly, soup and crackers. Currently, the most needed items are

  • Reusable/Cloth Bags
  • Canned Meat (Tuna, chicken, beef)
  • Peanut Butter
  • Dried Pasta
  • Pasta Sauce
  • Cereal
  • Ready to eat soups / chili / pasta
  • Canned vegetables (carrots, greens, potatoes)
  • Checks made out to First United (with “MCUM” for human support or “Area 10” for pet support in the memo)

Area 10 Agency on Aging accepts pet food of all types, dry or canned, large bags and small. Dry food is okay if it has been opened, so long as it is still usable. They also accept pet treats. See you on September 18th! Thanks in advance! Your Outreach Board

Racial Justice Working Group

The Racial Justice Working Group will meet this Sunday, September 19th at 12pm in Room 6 and via Zoom (join Zoom meeting here). The group focuses on how we, as individuals and a faith community, can respond meaningfully to systemic racism. The group will continue working on a racial justice commitment statement to include on the church website, reviewing resources to engage in an anti-racism audit of our church, and considering opportunities for us to take direct action.

Peapod Outside Lunch

Mark Stosberg invites everyone to join the monthly Peapod group in First United’s Pavilion this Sunday, September 19th, beginning at 1:30pm, for a whole food, plant-based picnic! The group’s co-leader, Glen Merzer, will be leading a discussion on his new book, Food is Climate (https://www.glenmerzer.com/). Due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns, this meal will not be a pitch-in, but each attendee/family/attendee group will bring their own meal.

Afghan Resettlement Donation Drop-Off

For those looking for a way to support the 7000 Afghans currently awaiting resettlement at Camp Atterbury, you are encouraged to drop off needed items this Sunday, September 19th, 12:00pm-5:00pm, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington (2120 N. Fee Lane, Bloomington, IN).

They particularly need baby supplies like diaper cream, diapers (an estimated 30,000!), wipes, and powdered formula. And clothes! They are trying to make sure everyone has at least two sets of clothing. Modest clothing for women includes full-length skirts, long pants, and long-sleeve crewneck shirts. Pashmina head scarves (at least 48” long) and hijabs would also be appreciated.

Can’t make the drop-off? Order off the Amazon Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2O93T1ZQ6IPDI. The list is continuously being updated based on current needs and all packages will go directly to Camp Atterbury.

Newsletter and Announcements Deadline

The First News deadline is Monday, September 20th. If you would like to have an article included in the September newsletter, please have your article turned in to the church office by the end of the day.

If you would like an announcement included in next week’s church email, please have your item to Lisa Stanger by noon on the Wednesday before.

NEW THIS WEEK

Congregational Listening Session

Please join us for a congregational listening session next Sunday, September 26th, immediately after worship, to discuss potential technology upgrades. Conversation will focus on bids we have received that upgrade church hardware and the quality of our webinar and other virtual capabilities. As a congregation we both need to identify and prioritize our options and determine how to pay for the upgrades. If you have any questions, please contact Mitchell Farmer.

Children’s Learning Time Assistant Teachers Needed
CLT is back in full swing! To enrich the program for the kids, we would love to have a few adults interested in helping with the classes sign up to help teach on a rotating schedule. If you are interested but have questions, please reach out to any member of the Board of Education or Derek Roe. 

Youth Group Survey and Listening Group Coming Soon
Are you a teenager or in a family with teens? The church would love to hear from you about what you are looking for in the Youth Group. A survey will come out this month to give you the chance to let us know how best we can serve your family. A listening group will be scheduled once the survey is released.

Reader’s Choice Book Club

The Reader’s Choice Book Group will meet next on Monday, October 11th at 1:30pm at the home of Nancy Martin (1047 Sassafras Circle). During this meeting, participants will discuss “The Oregon Trail” by Buck Rinker, a modern day account of traveling the Oregon Trail in an authentic covered wagon pulled by a team of mules. All are welcome to join!

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, a message from Derek Roe, M.Div., for the young and young at heart, and wonderful music from Hansol Kim, Sam Grace, and the First United Choir. Kim Yaussy Albright will present the day’s scripture reading and serve as our congregational lead and offer a special Head Start Mission Moment along with Courtney New, Family Services Coordinator. Siri Loescher and Sarah Burton will offer a warm welcome and bulletin for those who gather in the sanctuary, and Rebecca Keith will greet those joining us via Zoom. The beautiful flower arrangement is provided by Eric Behrman in memory of Jill Behrman on her 41st birthday. And our amazing AV Team (Kyle Hetrick, Jim True, and Mitchell Farmer) will ensure that all of the tech pieces run as smoothly as possible!

Thank you for continuing to mask and distance while in the church building as we find our way through this continuing pandemic and keep the most vulnerable among us safe! The full Reopening Policy can be accessed here. Any questions or concerns regarding the policy should be addressed to the Church Council.

Join the Zoom Webinar by clicking here

Dial-in number: (312) 626 6799; Webinar ID: 828 3681 0281; Passcode: 741101

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 at: firstuc.online/donate; offering plates available at each entrance into the Sanctuary

Ushers and Readers and Flowers—O My!

With the return of in-person worship in the Sanctuary has come the return of volunteer opportunities to make such experiences meaningful and smooth-flowing. You are invited to sign up to serve as an usher or scripture reader/congregational lead and/or to provide flowers either online or in person. Sign-up sheets are available in the Narthex for ushering and scripture reading, and the signup binder for flowers is available outside of Fellowship Hall. Rather sign up online? Click here for ushering, here for Scripture Reader/Congregational Lead, and here to donate flowers. Contact Siri Loescher (sannloescher@gmail.com) or Rev. Petersen-Mutai with any questions. Thank you!

COMMUNITY CARE

Ministers of Care

The Ministers of Care group is seeking people who would like to visit one or two older church members about once a month in their homes (or to connect over the phone as concerns regarding COVID-19 persist). These visits could last about 20-30 minutes and would be scheduled at your convenience. If you would like to learn more about this meaningful ministry, please contact Sarah Burton (812-361-6201 or burtonsp@indiana.edu).

EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS 

Children’s Learning Time Is Back!

Kids in kindergarten through 5th grade are welcome to a time of learning, fun, and crafts during the last half of the service. The kids will go to Roger Williams Hall with their teachers right after the Children’s Time during the service. Their adults can pick them up either there or on the playground once worship is finished. Masks and distancing are required. Safety (in general, but specifically about the pandemic) is our top priority. Guardians are welcome to visit the classroom!

Nursery Care Returning Soon!

Nursery care will be provided soon (stay tuned!) in the Nursery during Sunday morning worship, but with a large portion of outside time on the playground, weather permitting. Our two adult nursery care workers who have worked with us in the past are returning, and we welcome teen volunteers to apply! Please email Derek at faithformation@firstuc.org with any questions regarding CLT or Nursery care.

Racial Justice Book Club

The Racial Justice Book Club will reconvene on Sunday, September 26th, 12pm-1:30pm, to begin discussing “How to Fight Racism: Courageous Christianity and the Journey Toward Racial Justice” by Jemar Tisby (Introduction and Part 1). To give ample time for digestion and discussion of Tisby’s ideas, the group will focus on this book for our next three meetings: Sunday, October 24th and a Sunday in November/December TBD. Participants are encouraged to purchase the book, read the designated portion, and come to each meeting prepared to share learnings, questions, and curiosities spurred by the reading. Contact Laurie Eynon at leynon73@icloud.com with any questions.

Off-Topic Scripture Circle

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! Those who are interested and able to gather in person are invited to gather in Room 6, and those who would like to join us online via Zoom can do so here. See you Sunday morning, 9am-10am!

Tuesday Morning Café and Discussion

Join us in person or online at 10am-11:30am each Tuesday for a time of informal conversation followed by thought-provoking theological study and discussion. The group is currently viewing and discussing a series entitled The Apocryphal Jesus, a 24-session video lecture series offered by David Brakke, Ph.D., M.Div. Through this series, participants will gain a new perspective on early Christian life and history through non-canonical Christian literature. Previous participation not required. For those interested and able to gather in person, we’ll be in Fellowship Hall; those wanting to join online via Zoom can do so here.

CONGREGATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS

Indoor Gatherings

A reminder that our building is open once again for in-person gatherings. In accordance with the current Monroe County Mask Mandate, masks and distancing are required for all regardless of vaccination status. If you would like to hold a meeting in the church building, please contact Lisa to reserve a room.

Contact Information

Email, RSS Follow