Announcements for the week of July 02, 2023

by | Jun 30, 2023 | Sunday Announcements | 0 comments

QUICK LINKS

  • 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 07/09 & 07/16)
  • Usher sign up – Click here (needed 07/02, 07/09 & 07/16)
  • Flowers sign up – Click here (needed 07/02 & 07/16)
  • Coffee Hour Host sign up – Click here (needed 07/02, 07/09 & 07/16)
  • Communion Server sign up –Click here (needed 08/06)
  • Donate to First United Online – Click here
  • First United Vimeo Channel – Click here

DON’T FORGET

Guest Worship Leadership

All are encouraged to gather for worship THIS Sunday, July 2nd, as the Byron Bangert and Rev. Rebecca Hoke-McCall offer their extraordinary worship leadership while Pastor Jessica is at the UCC’s General Synod. As is our custom on the first Sunday of the month, the service will include the celebration of communion.

First Sunday Food Drive

The Board of Outreach invites you to offer food donations on the first Sunday of each month on the marked table in the narthex. THIS SUNDAY, we encourage you to bring donations of non-perishable food items for our community members in need. As always, all of the collected food and cleaning/hygiene items will go to Monroe County United Ministries (MCUM), located in the Crestmont neighborhood of Bloomington, and pet food will go to Area 10 Agency on Aging. Click here to for a list of MCUM’s ongoing needs; note their special request for pasta, breakfast items, Rice-a-Roni, canned meat, crackers, Jiffy Mix, dish soap, laundry detergent, shampoo, cleaner, baby wipes, toilet paper, and paper towels.And, thank you for your donations to the June Each One Feed One food drive; we surpassed our goal and donated 323lbs. of nonperishable food to help meet ongoing community needs!

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, July 7th, 5:30pm-7:30pm. We’ll enjoy a time of informal, unprogrammed fun and fellowship in Fellowship Hall and surrounding areas, both inside and out (weather permitting). As the name implies, pizza, drinks, and dessert will be provided. If you’re planning to attend, please let Jessica know by Thursday, July 6th so she can be sure to have enough food for all and account for any dietary needs.

Ivy Tech Community College

First UC member Lisa Kwong will be teaching “Who am I, and what matters to me?”: A Creative Writing Workshop (Grades 6-8) in July at Ivy Tech. If you would like more information, please click here.

Children’s Learning Time during July

Children’s Learning Time will take a break for the month of July. Children are invited to engage with the Play+Pray Space in the Sanctuary (more below); younger children are welcome in the nursery. CLT will resume on August 6th.

Tuesday Morning Café and Discussion

Though we will not meet this Tuesday, July 4th, you are invited to join us in person or online Tuesdays at 10am-11:30am as we explore the final six sessions of a 36-session adventure exploring “The History of Christianity II: From the Reformation to the Modern Megachurch” presented by Dr. Molly Worthen. After a time of informal conversation, we engage in thought-provoking theological study and discussion as we explore the story of Christianity as it transformed from the end of the Middle Ages into the diverse global religion of today. Previous participation and perfect attendance are not required. Those interested and able are welcome to gather in Roger Williams Hall; those choosing to join online via Zoom can do so here.

NEW/UPDATED THIS WEEK

Play+Pray Space

While Children’s Learning Time takes a break for the month of July, children are encouraged to engage with the Play+Pray Space located on the courtyard side of the Sanctuary. Following Children’s Time each Sunday, those who choose to may engage with PlayDoh, drawing materials, books, and more as they creatively express their faith while remaining a part of the worshiping congregation. Have an idea to enhance the space? Contact Pastor Jessica.

Mark Your Calendars: Red Cross Blood Drive at First United!

“Blood has a transfusable lifespan of 42 days from time of collection. It can’t be hoarded in the good times and used in the lean times. We must continuously collect blood to keep the supply stable. That proved challenging last month. We ended the month a little stronger, but still ended up with 26,000 fewer Red Cross blood donation appointments in May than what’s necessary to ensure patients have the blood they need in the coming weeks. Help can’t wait. We need everyone to donate to avoid a shortage!” (from our local Red Cross)

To add to the local life-giving blood supply, First United will host a blood drive for the Red Cross in Fellowship Hall on Thursday, July 27th, 10am-2pm. While walk-ins will certainly be welcome, appointments are preferred. Click here to schedule your appointment now! Added bonus: Our drive falls during their Shark Week promotion, so they will be offering t-shirts!

Displaced Immigrant Support Program

The Board of Outreach thanks you for supporting our June special offering. Thanks to your generosity an additional $510 is now available for the important work undertaken by our Displaced Immigrant Support Program (DISP).

Our DISP team continues to await notification from Exodus regarding our next family sponsorship. When a new family is assigned to us there will be many new challenges as well as new joys. Do you have a gift of time or treasure that you can share to help a new family feel welcome and gain capability in our community? If so, you may give anytime by designating your gift as “DISP” or online here. If you’re considering joining the DISP team, please contact Dave Meyer (dwm@davemeyer.org) or Hopi Stosberg (hopi@stosberg.com) to get connected and learn more.

Member Relations – Get Involved!

Our Member Relations Committee (MeRC) is organizing our post-Covid outreach to homebound members more formally, and welcome members who might like to make a monthly(ish) visit to a member(s) who are not able to join us for in-person activities. Let Pastor Jessica know if you’re interested.

Additionally, MeRC is working on the formation of “covenant” groups, intimate social groups that meet regularly in a format and schedule determined by the groups that form. These groups, last implemented a decade ago, can be a transformational experience in building friendships and community in the congregation. More information to come!

UPCOMING WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Sunday Morning Hybrid Worship

Join us for worship each Sunday morning at 10:30am. This first Sunday of the month, 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. Sara Cole, Phyllis Eads, and Diana Lambdin will serve those gathering in person.

The service will also feature Byron Bangert in the pulpit. Rev. Rebecca Hoke-McCall will offer a message especially for the young and young at heart and preside at the communion table. Laurie Eynon will present the day’s scripture reading and serve as our congregational lead. Eric Meincke and Michael Shell will lead us in song, and Lisa Kwong will offer special music. Mitchell Farmer will highlight some of the many ways we are invited to engage in the life of the church and our wider community. Dave Meyer and Ted Wininger will be offering a warm welcome to all those who will gather in the sanctuary (click here to help), while Dedric Dennist will welcome all who join via Zoom. Finally, Kyle Hetrick will ensure the audio/visual pieces run as smoothly as possible.

Join the Zoom Webinar by clicking here

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

The service will be posted on Sunday evening on First United’s Vimeo channel (where you can access all of our previous worship services).

Donate online by clicking here

Musically Inclined

All those who are musically inclined are encouraged to offer your gifts of music during worship while the bell and adult vocal choirs take a break for the summer months. There are still openings available during July. Please contact Eric Meineke or Pastor Jessica if you are interested.

Choir and Bell Choir Rehearsals

All music lovers are welcome to join both the vocal and bell choirs. The bell and adult vocal choirs have concluded their seasons and will begin rehearsing again in late August: Vocal Choir in the Choir Room on Thursdays at 7:30pm and Bell Choir in Roger Williams Hall on Thursdays at 6:15pm.

COMMUNITY CARE

Volunteer with Community Kitchen

First United has a long history of volunteering with and financially supporting Community Kitchen of Monroe County. We currently volunteer there on the third Thursday of the month, 3:30pm-6:30pm. Our next shift will be on July 20th. To volunteer for this month or subsequent months click here to access our online sign up or contact Laurie Eynon (leynon73@icloud.com or (812) 336-1219). Thank you!

The Joy of Hosting

We continue 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 

First United’s Feminist Book Club

On Sunday, July 9th,our Feminist Women’s Book Club will meet at 12:00pm in Roger Williams and via Zoom. For this gathering, we will read and discuss“Still Life” by Sarah Winman—awinner of multiple awards and a very popular book club selection over the past few years. It’s a captivating, bighearted, richly tapestried story of people brought together by love, war, art, flood, and the ghost of E. M. Forster. Set in Tuscany, 1944: As Allied troops advance and bombs fall around deserted villages, a young English soldier, Ulysses Temper, finds himself in the wine cellar of a deserted villa. There, he has a chance encounter with Evelyn, a middle-aged art historian who has come to Italy to salvage paintings from the ruins and recall long-forgotten memories of her own youth. In each other, Ulysses and Evelyn find a kindred spirit amidst the rubble of war-torn Italy, and set off on a course of events that will shape Ulysses’ life for the next four decades. For Zoom information or more information about the book club contact facilitator Cindy Stone, stonec@indiana.edu. Feminist women of all ages are invited to join us.

Nursery Care

Our youngest children are welcome to spend time from 10am-11:45am playing in the nursery or on the playground, weather permitting. Jessica McIntosh and Emily Mathes 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 Molly Koontz if you are interested and with any questions.

Off-Topic Scripture Circle

You are invited to join members and friends of First United 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. We meet via Zoom only in an effort to be more accessible; join the Zoom meeting here.

CONGREGATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS

Online Directory Now Available!

At long last 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).

Temporary Policy Regarding Unhoused Guests and Unattended Property

During the June 11th Congregational Meeting, there was conversation about the temporary policy regarding unhoused guests and their property adopted by Council during their April 2023 meeting. That policy is as follows:

When an unhoused person is found staying on the church grounds, the non-emergency police line will be called to request Resource Officers (phone (812) 339-4477) to come assist the individual in connecting with community resources. When belongings are found on the church grounds (no person in sight), a sign will be placed on/with/near the items that says the items will be removed in 24 hours (to give the individual an opportunity to collect them and move on).

Congregational Meeting Follow Up

Thank you to all who gathered in Fellowship Hall and online for our regular June Annual Meeting on Sunday, June 11th. During the meeting the proposed slate of officers and board members was approved. The new church administrative year will begin and new elected leaders will take their positions on July 1st; see incoming leadership here. The meeting also included written and spoken reports from church leadership regarding activities of the past year. Additionally, there was conversation about the temporary policy regarding unhoused guests and their property adopted by Council during their April 2023 meeting, and attendees were asked to share their thoughts regarding who we are, what we have, and what we do. Finally, we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the renaming of the church to First United Church with fabulous food (provided by YOU) and joined together in singing four songs written by congregants in celebration of First United.

Church Office Closings

The church office will be closed on Mondays throughout July. Please contact Pastor Jessica if you need immediate assistance during these times.

Contact Information

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