Announcements for the week of October 10, 2021

by | Oct 8, 2021 | Sunday Announcements | 0 comments

QUICK LINKS

  • Off-Topic Scripture Circle – Sundays @ 9am; Join Zoom Meeting here
  • 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
  • Flowers sign up – Click here

DON’T FORGET

Feminist Women’s Book Club

Our feminist women’s book club will meet on Sunday, October 10th, 12pm-1pm, in Roger Williams Hall (for those interested in gathering face-to-face) and via Zoom (for anyone who would prefer to join virtually). New members are always welcome to join in this lively discussion group and read recent fiction “by women, for women or about women.” For October 10th, the group will read and discuss “The Invisible Life of Addie Larue” by V.E. Schwab — women’s narrative involving fantasy, time travel, immortality – just in time for Halloween. For Zoom information or more information about the book club contact facilitator Cindy Stone, stonec@indiana.edu.

Green Team Film Series

First United’s Green Team will launch a once-a-month film series on Sunday, October 10th, 2pm-4:30pm with the showing of Food, Inc. You are invited to gather in the Sanctuary to view this primer on industrialized food production and become aware of who and what pay the price for the bountiful, and artificially cheap food available to us in the United States. Framing and questions for discussion will be offered for each screening. Conversations surrounding the screenings will focus on engaging participants in discussion and will not take a “preachy” tone as the point of viewing the films is to help us see and process some of the realities of our world and implications of our day-to-day choices.

Reader’s Choice Book Club

The Reader’s Choice Book Group will meet next on Monday, October 11th at 1:30pm at the home of Nancy Martin (1047 Sassafras Circle). During this meeting, participants will discuss “The Oregon Trail” by Rinker Buck, a modern day account of traveling the Oregon Trail in an authentic covered wagon pulled by a team of mules. All are welcome to join!

First United Teens and Families of Teens!
We are always looking for ways to improve the programs and activities we offer for the youth in the church. To do that well, WE NEED YOUR HELP! Please take an anonymous five-minute survey to let us know what you’re looking for from the youth group and how we can best serve you. The survey can be found here; a link was also emailed out to youth and families with youth. Please fill out by Monday October 11th. Thank you!! Please contact Derek at faithformation@firstuc.org with questions.

NEW THIS WEEK

Nursery Care Now Available!
First United’s Nursery is now open! Young children will now be able to spend time from 9:15am-11:45am playing in the nursery or on the playground, weather permitting. Our paid caregivers are in the process of being re-certified for CPR and First Aid. Masks are required indoors for all nursery workers, volunteers, and children over age 2 (see the latest church COVID policy for details). Derek Roe is the contact person for nursery scheduling and questions and may be contacted at faithformation@firstuc.org.

Racial Justice Working Group

The next meeting of the Racial Justice Working Group is Sunday, October 17th at 12pm in Room 6 and via Zoom (join Zoom meeting here). The group focuses on how we, as individuals and a faith community, can respond meaningfully to systemic racism. Currently, the group is working on implementing an anti-racism audit of our church.

Racial Justice Book Club

The Racial Justice Book Club will meet Sunday, October 24th, 12pm-1:30pm, to discuss “How to Fight Racism: Courageous Christianity and the Journey Toward Racial Justice” by Jemar Tisby (through Part 2). Participants are encouraged to purchase the book, read the designated portion, and come to the meeting prepared to share learnings, questions, and curiosities spurred by the reading. Contact Laurie Eynon at leynon73@icloud.com with any questions.

Fall Workday

Join your Board of Building and Grounds on Saturday, November 13th, 8:00am-12:00pm. We will be raking, weeding, and mulching. Bring a rake, pitchfork, garden sheers, or just bring yourself. It will be a good time.

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, a message from Derek Roe, M.Div., for the young and young at heart, and wonderful music from Hansol Kim, Sam Grace, and the First United Vocal Choir. Kim Yaussy Albright will present the day’s scripture reading and serve as our congregational lead. Siri Loescher and Lewis Williams will offer a warm welcome and bulletin for those who gather in the sanctuary, and Rachel Caswell will greet those joining us via Zoom. The beautiful flower arrangement is provided by … . And our amazing Kyle Hetrick will ensure that all the tech pieces run as smoothly as possible!

Thank you for continuing to mask and distance while in the church building as we find our way through this continuing pandemic and keep the most vulnerable among us safe! The full Reopening Policy can be accessed here. Any questions or concerns regarding the policy should be addressed to the Church Council.

Join the Zoom Webinar by clicking here

Dial-in number: (312) 626 6799; Webinar ID: 828 3681 0281; Passcode: 741101

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 at: firstuc.online/donate; offering plates available at each entrance into the Sanctuary

Ushers and Readers and Flowers—O My!

With the return of in-person worship in the Sanctuary has come the return of volunteer opportunities to make such experiences meaningful and smooth-flowing. You are invited to sign up to serve as an usher or scripture reader/congregational lead and/or to provide flowers either online or in person. Sign-up sheets are available in the Narthex for ushering and scripture reading, and the signup binder for flowers is available outside of Fellowship Hall. Rather sign up online? Click here for ushering, here for Scripture Reader/Congregational Lead, and here to donate flowers. Contact Siri Loescher (sannloescher@gmail.com) or Rev. Petersen-Mutai with any questions. Thank you!

COMMUNITY CARE

Pumpkin Decorating Coffee Hour

Join the Member Relations Committee (MeRC) and the Board of Christian Education for a fun hour of pumpkin decorating and social engagement after worship on Sunday, October 24th. Bring your own pumpkin/gourd (limited extra pumpkins will be available). Weather allowing, snacks and drinks will be served for outside enjoyment and all kinds of pumpkin decorating will liven up our homes and yards for the fall season. There will be tools and supplies for carving, painting, and other creative decoration ideas for pumpkins and gourds. All ages are welcome and encouraged to come carve or decorate, even you adults! No one is too old when it comes to the creative arts! Adult supervision is requested for those under the age of 12. Please contact Hopi Stosberg or Molly Koontz with questions. 

EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS 

Children’s Learning Time – Volunteers Requested

Kids in kindergarten through 5th grade are welcome to a time of learning, fun, and crafts during the last half of the service. The kids will go to Roger Williams Hall with their teachers right after the Children’s Time during the service. Their adults can pick them up either there or on the playground once worship is finished. Masks and distancing are required. Safety (in general, but specifically about the pandemic) is our top priority. Guardians are welcome to visit the classroom!

With CLT is back in full swing, we would love to have a few adults interested in helping with the classes sign up to help teach on a rotating schedule to enrich the program for the kids. If you are interested but have questions, please reach out to any member of the Board of Education or Derek Roe.

Off-Topic Scripture Circle

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! Those who are interested and able to gather in person are invited to gather in Room 6, and those who would like to join us online via Zoom can do so here. See you Sunday morning, 9am-10am!

Tuesday Morning Café and Discussion

Join us in person or online at 10am-11:30am each Tuesday for a time of informal conversation followed by thought-provoking theological study and discussion. The group is currently viewing and discussing a series entitled The Apocryphal Jesus, a 24-session video lecture series offered by David Brakke, Ph.D., M.Div. Through this series, participants will gain a new perspective on early Christian life and history through non-canonical Christian literature. Previous participation not required. For those interested and able to gather in person, we’ll be in Fellowship Hall; those wanting to join online via Zoom can do so here.

CONGREGATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS

Indoor Gatherings

A reminder that our building is open for in-person gatherings. In accordance with the current Monroe County Mask Mandate, masks and distancing are required for all regardless of vaccination status. If you would like to hold a meeting in the church building, please contact Lisa to reserve a room.

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.

Contact Information

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