AN UPDATE ON OPERATIONS FOR FIRST UNITED
From the COVID-19 Task Force: While Sunday church services and most meetings will continue virtually through September, Pastor John Krueger is available for conversation and consultation: john.krueger425@gmail.com or h: 317-467-1529/ c: 317-498-0710.
VOTE THIS SUNDAY AS WE CALL A SENIOR MINISTER!!
Information on the virtual candidating and voting processes has been sent by USPS mail, email, and is available on our website https://firstuc.org
For Reverend Jennifer Petersen’s self-introduction click here
For the Pulpit Committee’s statement click here
For virtual candidating event schedule and voting options click here
If you have ANY Questions contact:
Pulpit Committee Chair Bob Ivie r_ivie@comcast.net (812-821-0656)
President Mary Peckham mkpeckham59@gmail.com (812-361-5047)
NEW MEMBERS
This Sunday we welcome Diana Lambdin and Jim True into Membership with Joy and Thanksgiving.
We depend on your sustained giving in this difficult time. If you can, please maintain, or consider increasing your regular giving, to support our work. Options for giving include:
- mail (checks strongly preferred)
- online giving at https://tinyurl.com/GiveFirstUnited
- by phone at 1-800-675-7430 [account ID is ES799783 (First United Church, Inc.)].
- by text: 812-432-2002
VIRTUAL COMMUNITY OFFERINGS Our work as a caring community continues on Zoom through Sunday worship and lectionary study, and Tuesday’s Virtual Café and Adult Study class. Please visit https://firstuc.org/online/
JOIN US FOR SUNDAY WORSHIP!! at 10:30am. You may login to Zoom at 10am.
Zoom Meeting Link:
https://zoom.us/j/94635708633?pwd=NE9CdGtTWk5ndGRzRnQ2TTVrQmlZZz09
Meeting ID: 946 3570 8633
Password: 879535
OFF TOPIC SCRIPTURE CIRCLE (formerly Lectionary Discussion)
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! Click below to join us, Sunday mornings 9-10am.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84002403978?pwd=N0sxS093T1JobkVxTVVGRlFBdVUwUT09
Meeting ID: 840 0240 3978
Password: 122688
VIRTUAL CAFÉ and TUESDAY ADULT DISCUSSION Tuesdays10:00am
Pour yourself a cup of coffee or tea and join us for the Tuesday Adult Discussion group led by Derek Roe as we begin a new video series: Confucius, Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad presented by Prof. Mark Muesse. We hope to see you there!
Discussions range over many topics, and it’s a great way to keep in touch with church friends during social distancing. We’ll end somewhere between 11:30 and noon.
- From your laptop or desktop computer https://zoom.us/j/309686166?pwd=OVZ2VXFUSDV6R2IwM0xTMTd4TEVCdz09, OR
- From your landline telephone or cell phone: (253) 215 8782 then enter the meeting ID: 309 686 166# Password: 399499
- Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/aCaOLQbW3
HELP SUPPORT MCUM THROUGH ITS SILENT AUCTION First United was one of the founding churches establishing Monroe County United Ministries over 80 years ago, and we continue to support its mission to serve our under-resourced neighbors, especially children and families. Due to COVID-19, MCUM’s annual April fundraiser has become an August online auction: “Making a Splash for MCUM,” scheduled to run through August 30. You can donate directly or bid on a variety of donated items and baskets. Register to bid through the auction host site – https://event.auctria.com/2c5fb7c7-e653-4abe-8dba-57142447e57d/ To learn more, visit the MCUM website or contact Mary Jean Holwager at mjhowwager@mcum.org, or 812/339-3429, ext #18. Please give if you can!
FROM THE BOARD OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Racial Justice Book Club The Board of Christian Education’s newly-formed Racial Justice Book Club will read and discuss a different book related to racial justice each month. Our first meeting will be Saturday, August 29th, from 2-3:30 over Zoom. Contact Don Wooldridge at dontylw@gmail.com
NEW!! Progressive Christianity Series Tuesdays 6:30—8 p.m.
September 1, September 29, October 27, December 1
Session 1 – September 1: “What Is Progressive Christianity, Theologically Speaking?”
Session 2 – September 29: “What is Progressive Christianity, Socially
& Ethically Speaking?”
Session 3 – October 27: “What Might Characterize Progressive
Christianity in Worship?”
Session 4 – December 1: “Tenets of the Faith in Progressive Christian
Perspective”
Format: Zoom meetings, with approximately 30 minute presentation by
Byron Bangert, followed by Q&A and open discussion. To become more familiar with this movement, formalized by the Center for Progressive Christianity in 1994, check out their website at https://progressivechristianity.org
CALL for Sacred Conversations to End Racism Facilitator Applications
The Sacred Conversations to End Racism (SC2ER) is a Restorative Racial Justice Journey curriculum created by the UCC to address and dismantle racism within the Christian Church and society. For more information, visit https://www.ucc.org/sacred_conversations_to_end_racism
The Board of Christian Education would like to bring this program to First United Church in 2021. However, this program requires trained facilitators, and this training is offered by the UCC. If interested in becoming a trained facilitator, please contact Don Wooldridge (dontylw@gmail.com).
The application process for the 2021 SC2ER Facilitator Training Cohort will begin Monday, August 31, 2020.
Peace Pole
Anyone wishing to provide input on languages to be included on the new peace pole should email Mitchell Farmer (mitchellgfarmer@gmail.com) before 5:00pm on Wednesday, 8/19. Financial contributions designated for the new peace pole can be sent to the church office.
Construction Update—from Mitchell Farmer
As the renovations in the sanctuary begin to move forward, here is our expected timeline:
Week of 8/2—Lumber for Narthex stairwell prepared with custom stain,
Basement/Weyland stairs prepared for installation of non-slip treads, New light fixtures ordered
Week of 8/9—Non-slip stair treads installed on basement/Weyland Room stairs, Carpet removed and non-slip stair treads installed on front choir loft staircase, Early work on installing new woodwork on Narthex stairwell
Week of 8/16—Glass arrives for choir loft balcony guardrail, installation begins
Week of 8/23—Riser rebuilt in choir loft
Week of 8/30—Fire Door installed at top of Narthex stairs, New flooring in choir loft installed (est.)
Several items such as the installation of new handrails and light fixtures do not have exact dates yet. Also, COVID-19 related supply chain issues may continue to cause schedule changes. More updates to come.
FIRST UNITED’S SPECIAL COVID-19 FUND APPLICATIONS
If you have a relationship with First United Church, you may apply for assistance economic hardship caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Click here for an application form and instructions to apply for Covid-19 assistance. Contact Sharon McCann with any questions at 1041sharon@gmail.com
PREVENT THE SPREAD
All church activities will be out of the building at least through August. Our COVID-19 Task Force is advising Council as we move ahead into a challenging new period of finding best practices for opening our congregation. Remember that much of our success depends on us–we can and must make responsible choices to protect ourselves, our families and our community: maintaining 6 feet of social distance; washing hands often; wearing a face mask in public; staying home when sick; getting tested immediately if symptoms appear.
Need a fabric face mask? Let Rebecca Nunley know: reblea99@gmail.com
MEANWHILE GRASS AND WEEDS CONTINUE TO GROW whether church is open or not. If you have time and energy to work at socially distanced mowing, weeding, or general upkeep on our grounds, Laura Kao is graciously available to provide guidance. Laura has also posted a to-do list of discrete tasks on the shed door for all comers. Contact laura_b_kao@hotmail.com or 812-361-6074
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