Announcements for the week of August 17, 2025

by | Aug 15, 2025 | Sunday Announcements | 0 comments

QUICK LINKS

  • 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 (needed 08/17, 08/24, & 08/31)
  • Flowers sign up – Click here
  • Coffee Hour Host sign up – Click here (needed 08/24)
  • Communion Server sign up –Click here
  • Community Kitchen sign up – Click here (needed 08/21)
  • 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
  • Bloomington PrideFest sign up – Click here

DON’T FORGET

Hansol Send Off

All are invited to gather to celebrate and send off Hansol Kim, our talented and beloved Assistant Music Director & Organist, as she offers her final service with us this Sunday, August 17th. To honor Hansol’s time with us, we will send her off with blessings during worship and hold a special reception following the service. Please join us in giving thanks for Hansol’s time at First United and in praying for her continued growth and success.

CLT Art Project Needs

Our Children’s Learning Time is in need of plastic lids—round ones from containers, like cottage cheese. Additionally, they need glass bell jars with lids. These items will be used for an upcoming Galaxy Jar craft. Please drop them off at the church office by this Sunday, August 17th. Thank you!

Support Exodus Refugee

The Board of Outreach invites you to offer your support to Exodus Refugee through a special offering this Sunday, August 17th. Exodus has resettled nearly 500 international refugees in Bloomington over the last four years, and our church has been a co-sponsor for two Exodus families. Now with the change in political climate in Washington, the organization has had its federal payments eliminated and has significantly downsized. Nonetheless they are carrying on in Bloomington (as well as in their larger office in Indianapolis). Sarah Owen, their Community Engagement Coordinator, will be present during worship to update us on their activities.

Congregant Monday Musings

Members and friends of First United are invited to prepare a “Monday Musing” to be shared with the wider congregation via email on the third Monday of each month. Please contact Pastor Jessica and/or Lisa Stanger if you would like to share your thoughts and ideas through this avenue, and they will help you get it scheduled.

Upcoming Board & Council Meetings

The Board of Community & Outreach (Julia Bebeau, Chair) will meet via Zoom on Monday, August 18th, at 5:30pm. Church Council (Kim Yaussy Albright, President) will meet in Roger Williams Hall on Wednesday, August 20th, 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 August 21st. 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!

Represent First United at Pridefest

The Board of Outreach has secured a booth for Bloomington Pridefest on Saturday, August 23rd. While most Outreach members will participate in some way, they cannot do it alone! Please consider volunteering to represent First United Church by taking a 1- or 2-hour shift at the church’s booth. Volunteers are needed for festival hours, 2-8pm; set up hours, 12-2pm; and packing up and returning things to church after the event. A sign-up sheet is available in the Narthex and online (click here). Thank you for helping however and whenever you can!

Indiana-Kentucky Conference 2025 Annual Gathering

All are invited to join our Indiana-Kentucky Conference (UCC) wider church family for this year’s “Curiosity, Courage, and Christ” Annual Gathering at Plymouth Congregational UCC in Ft. Wayne, IN, August 22nd-23rd. The gathering will begin with opening worship led by musical group, The Many. Additionally, there will be a celebration of the IKC Open and Affirming covenant, a vendor fair, an update on our discernment process with the Heartland Conference, 10 workshops of varying topics, and opportunities to build connections and fellowship with your sibling congregations across the Indiana-Kentucky Conference. Click here for more information and to register.

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: Sara Cole (August 18), Vera Murphy (August 18) and Eric Sader (August 23). We are blessed to have you in our lives!

It’s a 20thAnniversary Fifth-Sunday Potluck!

Join us on Sunday, August 31st after worship for one of our fabulous pitch-in meals. This potluck will be extra special as we will be celebrating Lisa Stanger’s 20th anniversary as First United’s Office Manager! Bring a dish to share (labeled for allergens if possible) or just join us; there are always plenty. If you’d like a one-off volunteer opportunity, join us at 9:30am to set up, or just jump into cleanup afterwards. Contact Mary Peckham for information mkpeckham59@gmail.com or 812-361-5047.

LGBTQ+ Covenant Group Gathering

LGBTQ+ people and allies are encouraged to get together on Saturday, August 23rd to experience Bloomington PrideFest together. Those who are interested should meet at the First United Church table at 2pm. Contact Joe Stiefel (joseph.stiefel@gmail.com) if you plan to attend!

Youth Connections

Youth in grades 6 and up are invited to gather with Pastor Jessica and one another in Room 1 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 next meeting day is Sunday, August 24th, 12-1pm.

Off-Topic Scripture Circle on Hiatus

Due to low participation, our weekly Monday morning scripture studywill be on hiatus until further notice. During this hiatus, Pastor Jessica will work with the Board of Faith Formation to develop ways to engage the congregation to discern interest in and availability for a regular Bible study. Thank you for your understanding.

Start of a New Music Season

The Bell and Vocal Choirs are very excited to begin their 2025-2026 season this fall under our new Music Director Ryan Block! Rehearsals for the Vocal Choir will begin on Thursday, August 21st, and Bell Choir rehearsals will start up on September 4th. The Bell Choir will rehearse weekly on Thursdays in Room 4 from 6:15-7:15pm, and the Vocal Choir will rehearse weekly on Thursdays from 7:30-9pm in the Choir Room. If you are interested in joining either or both of the choirs, please reach out to Ryan Block (blockryfuc@gmail.com). No prior experience is required to join either group! If you love music and want a way to express that love through fellowship, the First United Church Music Ministry is the place for you!

“Cracking the Healer’s Code” – Book Read & Author Events

The Bloomington Multifaith Alliance Faith for Racial Equity team (facilitated by Pastor Jessica) invites you to join together with Milagros Phillips (joining virtually), author of “Cracking the Healer’s Code: A Prescription for Healing Racism & Finding Wholeness,” on Sunday, September 7th, 3-5pm as we kick off a community book read of her powerful book. This event will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church (2120 N. Fee Ln, Bloomington). See event flyer here.

Multiple Bloomington faith communities will offer book study groups following this opening event. First United will offer our group via Zoom 1-2pm on the first and third Thursday of each month beginning September 18th (through December 4th). Additional groups with various meeting times and formats are listed here. You are encouraged to attend whichever group is conducive to your schedule.

Additionally, mark your calendars for Sunday, January 18th, 3-5pm as we join with Milagros Phillips for a capstone event following the community book read also held at the Unitarian Universalist Church. All are welcome and encouraged to attend both events and to participate in this impactful book read. Contact Pastor Jessica with any questions.

Poverty Simulation

SCCAP Thriving Connections and the Bloomington Multifaith Alliance Faith for Racial Equity team will offer a Poverty Simulation on Saturday, October 4th, 12:30-4pm. This interactive experience will feature long-time Bloomington community members with lived experience of poverty and local systems and resources. During the simulation, participants will be grouped into nuclear families and given a file on their family composition and income. They will then be given four 12-to-15 minute “weeks” to meet the needs of their family through interactions with employers, government agencies, and themselves. After the simulation, there will be a period to debrief and discuss the experience with a panel of Thriving Connections community members with lived experience. There is no fee to participate, but donations may be made to SCCAP Thriving Connections by clicking here, or sending a check to the SCCAP office at 1500 West 15th Street, Bloomington IN 47404 with “Thriving Connections” in the memo. Click here to visit the Eventbrite page (where you can register). Space is limited, and registration is required. Contact Pastor Jessica with any questions.

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 special message for the young and young at heart. Martin Mutai 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. Hansol Kim (for the final time!) and Ryan Block will lead us in song. Daniel Salvat and Keith Gerber will offer a warm welcome to those who will gather in the sanctuary; click here to help. And, Kyle Hetrick and Dave Meyer 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 in Fellowship Hall hosted by our Adult Vocal and Bell Choirs.

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

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:

  •  Craig Dalrymple
  •  Frank Ivey (father of Sara Ivey Lucas)
  • Jean Peters
  • Gwen Staggs
  • Elizabeth Hanson
  • Jen Lane
  • Jean-Paul & Kathy Etienne
  • Lisa Young and family (friends of Sara Ivey Lucas)
  • Sara Cole
  • Sam Troxal

First Sunday Food Drive – Update

Thanks to your generosity, Keith Gerber delivered 150 pounds of food and supplies to Pathways (formerly MCUM) following the July food drive. Donations are delivered each month. Thank you for your donations to meet ongoing community needs! Updated food items needed include children’s snacks and cereals given that the recipients of the food are families that are in Pathways rather than general food distribution. More specifically children request sugarcoated cereal like Fruit Loops and individual snacks in small packages. Helper meat boxes such as hamburger helper and tuna helper continue to be needed.

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

All within our congregation are encouraged to participate in Earth Care Indiana’s task of the month, a tangible and manageable way youe can get involved in caring for creation. Rebecca Keith will be making periodic announcements and encouraging 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.

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 

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.

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 Children’s Time. Many thanks to Jessica McIntosh and Megan Merrick for leading CLT this Sunday.

You are invited to consider whether you might be able to join our teaching rotation to enrich the program for the kids and gain so much from the experience yourself! Lesson materials and supplies are provided, and we have seasoned leaders to help get newer volunteers acclimated. If you are interested or have questions, please reach out to Megan Merrick, Pastor Jessica, or any member of the Board of Education.

Nursery Care

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

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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