- Sunday Morning Worship – Sundays @ 10:30am; Join Zoom Webinar here
- Off-Topic Scripture Circle – Mondays @ 10am; Join Zoom Meeting here
- Morning Café and Discussion – Tuesdays @ 10am;Join Zoom Meeting here
- Scripture Reader sign up – Click here (needed 02/09)
- Usher sign up – Click here (needed 01/26, 02/02, & 02/09)
- Flowers sign up – Click here
- Coffee Hour Host sign up – Click here (needed 02/02, & 02/09)
- Communion Server sign up –Click here
- Community Kitchen sign up – Click here
- Donate to First United Online – Click here
- First United YouTube Channel (sermons) – Click here
- First United Vimeo Channel (full worship services) – Click here
DON’T FORGET
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 this Sunday, January 26th, 12pm-1pm.
Last Chance – Free Furniture
Only a few child-size chairs and a couple pieces of furniture are left. They are free and available toanyone who would like them through Sunday, January 26th. All who are interested are encouraged to stop by Room 4 today during office hours (Lisa will unlock the room) or this Sunday after worship (the room will be open).
LGBTQ+ Covenant Group Gathering
LGBTQ+ people and allies are encouraged to get together on Saturday, February 1st, 2-4pm, for Rainbow Bowling at Classic Lanes (1421 N Willis Dr, Bloomington). Contact Ben (benalebrahim@gmail.com) if you plan to attend!
NEW/UPDATED THIS WEEK
Happy Birthday!
Please remember in your prayers and give thanks for those among us who will be celebrating birthdays this week: Donna Smith (January 28th) and Lochlan Koontz (January 30th). We are blessed to have you in our lives!
Stewardship 2025 – Our Wider Reach
Next Sunday, February 2nd, we will kick off our annual stewardship campaign, Our Wider Reach: Living Our Faith to Make a Better World. Throughout the month of February, we will be talking about the act of making commitments to support our church and community, be it through the contribution of time, talents, or financial resources. The campaign will feature speakers representing a variety of our space-sharing partners during Sunday morning worship, mailings, and the invitation to take and post “unselfies” (sharing the ways and the whys you support our wider community with your gifts and resources). We’ll offer and bless our commitments/pledges for the year ahead on Commitment Sunday, March 2nd.
We invite each and every one of you to actively participate in this season of generosity and throughout the year, recognizing that your pledges of time, talent, and treasure reach far beyond the walls and explicit activities of First United Church. Let’s unite in making February a month of collective commitment and positive impact as we live our faith to make a better world!
LGBTQ+ Advocacy Day
The ACLU of Indiana has organized an LGBTQ+ Day at the Indiana Statehouse (200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN; check in at 2nd Floor South area) on Thursday, January 30th, 9-11:30am with the intention to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, build connections with community members, and more. This event is for LGBTQ+ folks and allies, and snacks, rally materials, and other important information for your participation will be provided. Signs, flags, banners, and decorations are permissible but should not be attached to any sticks or stick-like objects; maximum size is 2′ X 2′. Read more about this event and register here. The Indiana-Kentucky Conference (UCC) is also working to arrange time for UCC folks to meet with our two UCC leaders in the senate and house for conversation. Contact Pastor Jessica with any questions.
Any folks interested in organizing a carpool from First United are encouraged to reach out to Pastor Jessica or Lisa so this information can be shared with the wider community. Our Unitarian Universalist neighbors are organizing a carpool; those interested should be at their church parking lot (2120 N. Fee Lane) at 7:30am sharp for departure. If you have any questions regarding carpooling, please email Jo Bowman at office@uubloomington.org or call 812-531-1262.
Acts of Kindness Month Calendar
February is a great month to double down (or up) on a commitment to showing kindness to others. Pick up a Kindness Calendar outside of the Sanctuary (front or back) or in the church office to get some great suggestions for small things to do each day in February to show kindness to individuals and the wider world. As the month gets going you will be able to view and share via Facebook and Instagram to help spread the love even more widely!
First United’s Month of Kindness Valentine Card Making
Join First United friends and family of all ages during Coffee Hour on Sunday, February 9th for Valentine-making fun. Supplies will be provided so you can make cards for friends and family; we will also have conventional cards available. Make cards for people in your life outside First United or consider signing up here to help shower your church family with Valentine love; sign up by Thursday, February 1st, and a member of the Member Relations Committee will follow up with you. Contact Mary Peckham with any questions (mkpeckham59@gmail.com or 812-361-5047).
First Sunday Food Drive
The Board of Outreach invites you to offer food donations on the first Sunday of each month. We encourage you to bring donations of non-perishable food items for our community members in need placing them on the marked table in the narthex next Sunday, February 2nd. As always, all of the collected food and cleaning/hygiene items will go to Pathways (formerly MCUM), and pet food will go to Area 10 Agency on Aging. Click here to for a list of ongoing needs; they are currently most in need of cereal, helper meals, and Mac & Cheese.Thanks to your generosity, Keith Gerber delivered 61 pounds to Pathways following the January food drive. Donations are delivered each month. Thank you for your donations to meet ongoing community needs!
Special Offerings – Abundant Generosity!
Thanks to your abundant generosity, we raised $644.00 for Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard through the January 19th special offering and $1951.16 for Hotels for Homeless through the special offerings received during the Candlelight & Carols and Christmas Eve services. Thank you for your tremendous support!
Pizza & Play
Members and friends of First United of all ages and family configurations (and your friends and family) are encouraged to gather for Pizza & Play on Friday, February 7th, 5:30pm-7:30pm. We’ll enjoy a time of informal, unprogrammed fun and fellowship in Fellowship Hall. As the name implies, pizza, drinks, and dessert will be provided. If you’re planning to attend, please let Pastor Jessica know by Thursday, February 6th so she can be sure to have enough food for all and account for any dietary needs.
First United’s Feminist Book Club
Our church has done a good job of putting out the welcome mat for our feminist women’s book club, and it has grown quite large. The group continues to meet after worship and online in a hybrid pattern on the second Sunday of the month. In order to maintain a small-group environment, a waitlist is being instituted for any new members to join as openings occur. If you are interested in reading recent fiction “by women, for women and about women,” contact group facilitator Cindy Stone (stonec@iu.edu) for more information and to be added to the waitlist.
The group’s selections will continue to be shared in case you wish to read them on your own. The selection for Sunday, February 9th is “Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand” by Helen Simonson; written with a delightful sense of humor, Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand explores the risks one takes when pursuing happiness in the face of family obligation and tradition. Additionally, you may check out the book club’s Pinterest listing, containing the group’s past selections: http://pinterest.com/reginammoore/feminist-book-club/. You don’t have to have an account to see the picks.
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. Lisa Kwong will present the day’s scripture and serve as our congregational lead. Mitchell Farmer will highlight some of the many ways we are invited to engage in the life of the church and our wider community. Eric Meincke and Hansol Kim will lead us in song, and the First United’s Vocal Choir will offer special music. Kim Yaussy Albright will offer a warm welcome to those who will gather in the sanctuary and could use some help; sign up here to help. And, Kyle Hetrick and Jim True 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 in Fellowship Hall after worship for a time of fellowship and refreshment hosted by Ted Wininger.
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
Join Our Church Choirs!
All those who are musically inclined are invited to join First United’s Bell and Vocal Choirs. The Bell Choir rehearses weekly on Thursdays in Roger Williams Hall from 6:15-7:15pm,and the Vocal Choir rehearses weekly on Thursdays from 7:30-9:00pm in the Choir Room. If you are interested in joining either or both choirs, please reach out to Eric Meincke (ericdmeincke@gmail.com). Hansol Kim can also answer questions about joining the Bell Choir (mitsol919@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!
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:
Helen Thompson (grandmother of Heather Farmer)
Norma Hollingsworth (Jean-Paul Etienne’s mother-in-law)
Julia and Don Bebeau
Jerry Barker (Jen Lane’s mother)
Jameson Poorman (Jen Lane’s nephew)
Rachel Workman
Sam Troxal
Christopher Meincke (Eric’s brother)
Thank You! from Monroe County Foster Closet
A note of appreciation from the MCFC: “We are so grateful to have all this help; both the clothes and the educational toys are exactly what our client families need and ask for!” Our First United family and friends collected and donated 42 educational toys, 16 pairs of pants, and 10 tops. Thank you for your generous gifts to such a worthwhile cause!
CLT Care Packages—Request for Supplies
Throughout the year ahead, children in CLT (Children’s Learning Time) will have the opportunity to put together care packages for people experiencing homelessness in our community. Children will take the care packages home with them to keep in their car and deliver, with the help of their families, to people they encounter. Care packages will be put together periodically as a part of their Sunday CLT experience when materials are available.
You are invited to donate items needed for this project by bring them to Room 2 on Sunday mornings or the church office during office hours. Items needed include:
- Prepackaged, individually wrapped food (e.g. granola bars, snack mixes, pretzels, bottled water)
- Hand and foot warmers, socks, mittens
- Hygiene/First Aid Supplies (e.g. wet wipes, toothbrushes, toothpaste, lip balm, bandages)
- Gallon-size ziplock bags (to put items in)
- Extras (e.g. playing cards, gift cards, bus passes, trash bags)
Bloomington Severe Weather Emergency Shelter
The Bloomington Severe Weather Emergency Shelter is in need of supplies to offer shelter to those in need of it during severe weather events. Needed supplies include: coffee, tea, cocoa, sugar, creamer, snacks, trash bags, nitril gloves, and cleaning supplies. Donations may be brought to First United Methodist Church (219 E 4th St., Bloomington) Sunday-Thursday from 9am-1pm. If that is not convenient, you may contact Frances Klinger via e-mail: fling53@hotmail.com. Additional volunteers are always welcome; contact . The shelter is housed in the buildings of First United Methodist Church and First Christian Church. Approximately 30 guests are given shelter from 8:30pm until 7am when the shelter is open.
People’s Market
First United houses the People’s Cooperative Market in our Fellowship Hall on Saturdays.During the winter season, the market is open every Saturday, 10am-2pm, to pick up fresh, locally-grown produce. They also continue to pack and deliver CSA every Saturday while offering a more limited schedule for fuller market days. The People’s Market is an intersectional anti-racism farmers market and artisan vendor space that focuses on food justice work. All are welcome to attend the Saturday markets and/or order from their online CSA for pickup or delivery; food is always made available to anyone in need. You are also encouraged to consider volunteering with People’s Market; if interested, contact them directly at peoplesmarketmanager@gmail.com.
Support Refugees
Our Displaced Immigrant Support Program (DISP) is seeking volunteers so that we can help additional refugees. We are currently working most actively with a Syrian family that speaks Arabic. DISP is also partnering more with the Bloomington Refugee Support Network (RSN). This allows for future volunteers to more easily participate in “one-off” activities such as driving a refugee to/from an appointment without making a longer-term commitment. Can you help? Please contact Dave Meyer at dave@davemeyer.org for further information.
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. There will be no meeting on January 13th and 20th.
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 in the midst of a 24-sesson study: “Jesus and His Jewish Influences” presented by Jodi Magness. Learn more about the series 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 Molly Koontz and Jessica McIntosh 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 10am-11:45am playing in the nursery or on the playground, weather permitting. Lena Stosberg and Jessica McIntosh 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
Photography and Media Consent Policy
A reminder that our new Photography and Media Consent Policy is in effect as of January 1st, 2025. The policy addresses the use of photography, video, and other audio/visual recordings taken during church events and sharing these materials in our communications and promotional efforts. It includes special provisions for minors and guidance for how to opt out of appearing in recordings or media. You may read the full policy here.
Did You Know…We Have an Online Directory?
An online church directory is available for all members of First United! You may access the directory by clicking on “Member Directory” from the “Member Area” drop-down menu located at the top of any page of the church website. Contact Lisa in the office for your sign-in credentials (you are encouraged to change your password after logging in for the first time).
Announcements Deadline
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.
2025 Offering Envelopes and Direct Deposit
We will be 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
- Rev. Jessica Petersen-Mutai, Senior Minister – revpetersenmutai@firstuc.org; 812-727-4414 (Cell) (Friday & Saturday off; emergency calls only)
- Lisa Stanger, Office Manager – info@firstuc.org; 812-332-4439 (Office)
- Eric Meincke, Music Director – ericdmeincke@gmail.com; 501-837-2708 (Cell)
- Hansol Kim, Assistant Music Director & Organist – mitsol919@gmail.com; 812-272-4343 (Cell)
- Mitchell Farmer, Church President – president@firstuc.org; 812-459-3985 (Cell)