Announcements for the week July 13, 2025

by | Jul 11, 2025 | Sunday Announcements | 0 comments

QUICK LINKS

  • Sunday Morning Worship – Sundays @ 10:30am; Join Zoom Webinar here
  • Off-Topic Scripture Circle – Mondays @ 10am (NO meetings in July); Join Zoom Meeting here
  • Morning Café and Discussion – Tuesdays @ 10am; Join Zoom Meeting here
  • Scripture Reader sign up – Click here
  • Usher sign up – Click here (needed 07/06, 07/13, & 07/20)
  • Flowers sign up – Click here
  • Coffee Hour Host sign up – Click here (needed 07/20)
  • Communion Server sign up –Click here
  • Community Kitchen sign up – 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
  • 2024-2025 Annual Report – Click here
  • Accessible to All 101 Presentation – Click here

DON’T FORGET

Pizza & Play – TONIGHT!

Pizza & Play will be shifted to the second Friday of the month for July and August. Members and friends of First United of all ages and family configurations (and your friends and family) are encouraged to gather for this time of informal, unprogrammed fun and fellowship on Friday, July 11th, 5:30pm-7:30pm. As the name implies, pizza, drinks, and dessert will be provided.

Feminist Women’s Book Club

Our feminist women’s book club 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 pick for July 13th is “Clock Dance” by Anne Tyler, a joyful novel by a Pulitzer Prize winning author. 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.

CLT Lesson Planning

All those interested in the ways we engage with the youngest among us (especially parents/guardians and CLT leaders) are invited to gather together in Fellowship Hall after worship this Sunday, July 13th to identify the stories we’ll explore as we continue the long season after Pentecost (August-September) and choose crafts connected to the selected stories. Resources will be provided.

Welcome, Ryan Block!

Our Music Hiring Committee is pleased to announce that we have hired First United’s next Music Director, Ryan Block! Ryan is an experienced choral conductor, music educator, tenor, and collaborative pianist who recently moved to Bloomington to begin his doctoral work in Choral Conducting at IU’s Jacobs School of Music. He has held multiple music director positions over the last decade and has experience leading church choirs of all sizes, ages, and musical backgrounds. Ryan is passionate about creating music that brings people together and reflects the heart of the community. We are excited to work with Ryan and benefit from his tremendous musical gifts as he officially begins his service with us on Monday, July 14th.

Upcoming Board & Council Meetings

The Board of Finance (Kyle Hetrick, Chair) will meet in Roger Williams Hall on Monday, July 14th, at 3:30pm. The Board of Worship, Art, and Music (Vickey Allen, Chair) will meet via Zoom on Monday, July 14th, at 5:30pm. And, Church Council (Kim Yaussy Albright, President) will meet in Roger Williams Hall on Wednesday, July 16th, at 6:30pm. All meetings of Boards and Council are open to the wider congregation. Please be in touch with appropriate chairs if you are interested in attending.

Volunteer with Community Kitchen

First United has a long history of volunteering with and financially supporting Community Kitchen of Monroe County. We are now volunteering there on the third Thursday of the month, 3:30pm-6:30pm. Our next shift will be on July 17th. This is a good way to build community within and outside of our church. To volunteer this month or subsequent months, contact Laurie Eynon (leynon73@icloud.com or (812) 336-1219); she will sign you up or put you on the call list, whatever works for you. Thank you!

NEW/UPDATED THIS WEEK

Input Needed: Thriving Connections Grant

As you are hopefully already aware, First United is a recipient of a Thriving Congregations grant from the Rochester-Genessee Region of the American Baptist Churches USA. A critical part of our participation in Cohort 2 of Thriving Congregations is YOU! As someone actively engaged in the life and ministry of First United, we need your input.

This survey is a first step in helping our congregation identify current assets and challenges as we discern our focus for the Thriving Congregations $28,000 grant. Please take five to ten minutes to complete this survey as your opinion matters as First United explores what God might be inviting us into next. All submissions must be received by August 1st. Please take a few moments to fill out the survey now.

Your grant team (Kim Yaussy Albright, Mitchell Farmer, Rebecca Keith, and Pastor Jessica) thanks you! Click here for more information about Thriving Congregations.

Away from the Office & Guest Preachers

Pastor Jessica will be out of the office July 21st-August 5th.During that time, you may contact Lisa Stanger (during regular office hours) or Kim Yaussy Albright. Many thanks to Rebecca Hoke-McCall for preaching and leading worship on Sunday, July 27th and to Vickey Allen for doing the same on Sunday, August 3rd while Pastor Jessica is away. Note that the celebration of communion will take place on August 10th.

Happy Birthday!

Please remember in your prayers and give thanks for those who will be celebrating their birthdays in the week ahead: Rebecca Keith (July 15) and Ben Keller (July 20). We are blessed to have you in our lives!

BMA Summer Picnic

Bloomington Multi-Faith Alliance’s annual summer picnic is time for people of all faiths in Bloomington to gather together for food and friendship. Meet at the Switchyard Park Picnic Shelter on Wednesday, July 30th at 5:30pm. Invite your whole faith community! Even those who are new to BMA are encouraged to attend! Bring a vegetarian dish to share and table service for your family.

BMA Business Meeting

All Bloomington Multi-Faith Alliance members and interested folks are called to a business meeting on Thursday, August 7th, at 11:30am; location TBA. The agenda for this meeting includes: 1) Approval of proposed bylaws. BMA has been operating under provisional guidelines for several years, at this business meeting, we will adopt bylaws to govern our work together. Proposed bylaws will be shared prior to the August 7 meeting. 2) Election of officers. Several members of the executive committee have or will have served two, two-year terms. Nominations are sought for Communication Coordinator, Co-chair, and Member-at-Large (a new position). To nominate someone for one of these positions, please fill out this form.

UPCOMING WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Sunday Morning Hybrid Worship

Join us for worship each Sunday morning at 10:30am. This Sunday, we will gather at God’s welcome table and celebrate communion together. Note: Communion elements (bread and wine/juice) will be served in the pews for those gathering in the sanctuary; online worshipers are encouraged to prepare a “nibble” and a “sip” prior to the start of the service. Kim Yaussy Albright, Sara Cole, and Craig Dalrymple will serve those who gather in person.

This Sunday’s service will feature Rev. Jessica Petersen-Mutai in the pulpit; she will also offer a special message for the young and young at heart. Craig Dalrymple will present the day’s scripture and serve as our congregational lead. 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. Guest Organist Owen Tellinghuisen will lead us in song, and Joe Stiefel and Sandra Meder will each offer special music. Dave Meyer will offer a warm welcome to those who will gather in the sanctuary; click here to help. And, Kyle Hetrick and Martin Mutai 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 for a time of fellowship and refreshment hosted by Dave Meyer and Cindy Neidhart.

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 a break from rehearsing regularly until August. This hiatus offers a wonderful opportunity for members and friends of First United to share your creative gifts with our congregation. There are a few possibilities still available for the coming weeks.Please reach out to Michael Shell (shellmi@iu.edu) with the subject SUMMER MUSIC if you are interested!

Sunday Morning Tech Team Volunteers Needed

Do you like doing things behind the scenes and/or pushing buttons? If so, please join our Sunday morning volunteer tech team. Every week, it takes two people to run the sound, camera, and computer equipment; in many cases, having three people would be very helpful. This all-volunteer team ensures not only that people in the Sanctuary can hear what is being spoken or sung in the service, but it also ensures that members, friends, and guests have a way to experience the service virtually via Zoom if they cannot attend in person. Recently, the team has been consistently short-handed; therefore, we need people willing to be trained on our audio-visual system and help run the equipment during Sunday worship on a regular basis. If you would like more information on joining the tech team, please reach out to Kyle Hetrick or Pastor Jessica.

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 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:

  •   Jean Peters
  •   Dawn Staggs
  •  Don & Julia Bebeau
  • Elizabeth Hanson
  • Jen Lane
  • Jean-Paul & Kathy Etienne
  • Lisa Young and family (friends of Sara Ivey Lucas)
  • Sara Cole
  • Rachel Workman
  • Sam Troxal

Support Spencer Pride

The Board of Outreach invites you to offer your support to Spencer Pride through a special offering to be received during worship on Sunday, July 20th. While you are likely aware that Spencer Pride coordinates the annual Spencer Pride Festival (held on the first Saturday in October), they also operate the Spencer Pride commUnity center (including their popular retail shop), offer a variety of health and wellness services and general programming, host the Iris Youth Group, advocate for the rural LGBTQ+ community, and perform community outreach, resulting in donations of thousands of dollars and hundreds of volunteer hours to local organizations and youth each year. During the worship service, Eric Sader, a member of the Spencer Pride board, will share how Spencer Pride is making a difference in the lives of local community members. Thank you for considering supporting this impactful work in our wider community. And, thank you for supporting our June special offering; because of your generosity, we raised $824 for the Love Fund!

Community Immigrant Support

Pastor Jessica has been actively partnering with community members and organizations to broaden our congregation’s support of our immigrant neighbors. If you are interested in getting involved with this important work, please contact her to learn about efforts currently underway and how to contribute. One tangible way you are invited to consider offering support is through contributing money for a nascent legal fund. There is a local man who was snatched by ICE that our community is working hard to bring home, but the legal fees are steep! You are invited to consider donating to the cause: https://givebutter.com/bloom4justice. Feel free to share this link with others who may be interested in helping. Thank you!

People’s Market

First United houses the People’s Cooperative Market (PCM) in Fellowship Hall on Saturdays, 9:30am-1:30pm, offering fresh, locally grown produce through CSAs to be picked up or delivered.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. In the coming weeks, you’ll notice garden boxes, vegetables, and wildflowers sprouting up outside of the greenhouse following Council’s approval of this further development to support local food sovereignty during their May meeting.

First United members and friends are always welcome and encouraged to attend the Saturday market! Market members are more than happy to answer questions and guide folks through the growing space. Additionally, you may reach out via email (peoplesmarketmanager@gmail.com) to learn more or to volunteer with the market.

Task of the Month for Earth Care

In early February, Rebecca Keith and Pastor Jessica participated in the Stewards of Creation workshop along with laity and clergy from over 20 different faith communities.  We learned some easy ways faith communities in our town can get involved in caring for creation. All within our congregation are encouraged to participate in the task of the month. Rebecca Keith will be making periodic announcements and encouraging participation at coffee hour. Check out this Task of the Month website (offered by Earth Care Indiana) to learn about the tasks that are scheduled. Even small things can make a difference.

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.

EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS 

Off-Topic Scripture Circle

You are invited to join members and friends of First United via Zoom (click here) 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. The group will not meet in July.

Tuesday Morning Café and Discussion

Join us in Roger Williams Hall or via Zoom (click here) Tuesdays at 10am-11:30am as we gather for a time of informal conversation followed by thought-provoking theological study and discussion. We are currently in the midst of 24-session study on “Beginnings of Judaism” during which Dr. Isaiah M. Gafni guides us in an exploration of the roots of Judaism, reaching back to the Hebrew Bible. How did Judaism develop from its biblical roots to the highly developed system we know today? What has changed, and what has remained constant? Join us in asking the questions and considering present day connections. Learn more here. Previous participation and perfect attendance are not required.

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 3rd. 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 Faith Formation.

Nursery Care

Our youngest children are welcome to spend time from 10-11:45am playing in the nursery or on the playground, weather permitting. Brishna Arman and Lena Stosberg 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.

CONGREGATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS

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 Ted Wininger (served as Building & Grounds Chair), Siri Loescher (served as Worship Chair), and Mitchell Farmer (served as President). And, we give thanks for all of those who are continuing to serve in official church leadership and those who are beginning new roles of service this year, notably, Kim Yaussy Albright (President), Michael Shell (Vice President), and Vickey Allen (Chair of Worship, Art, and Music). Due to the recent congregational vote to revise our governance structure, roles are still being clarified regarding some leadership positions. Once a full roster has been solidified, it will be shared with the congregation. Thank you to all who have served and continue to serve our congregation in these important ways.

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.

2025 Offering Envelopes and Direct Deposit

We are using leftover offering envelope boxes for 2025. This year, 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.

Contact Information

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