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.
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.
Contact Sharon McCann at 1041sharon@gmail.com for an application form and instructions to apply for Covid-19-related assistance.
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. Log in 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
BREAD OF THE WORLD RECIPES
Do you have a favorite recipe for a bread of the world? Rye bread? Tortilla? Naan? To celebrate World Communion Day we invite you to submit recipes for breads of the world. Please email recipes to Sam at stroxal@yahoo.com by September 28.
NO-CONTACT Human and Pet Food Drive SATURDAY, September 26th, 9 – 1
First United is holding another NO-CONTACT Human and Pet Food Drive to support MCUM and Area 10 on Aging emergency food supplies. Help make it as successful as our efforts in July and August. Bring non-perishables to First United’s circle drive near the kitchen entrance. Wear your face mask! Assistance will be available.
Hope to see you all there! A great chance to see friends in socially distant person and sign a welcome card for Pastor Jessica Petersen while helping our community. Questions? Contact Rebecca at reblea99@gmail.com or (812) 345-1116
FROM THE BOARD OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Racial Justice Book Club The newly-formed Racial Justice Book Club will read and discuss a different book related to racial justice each month. We will discuss Robin DiAngelo’s White Fragility at our next meeting on Saturday, September 26th, from 2-3:30 over Zoom. Contact Don Wooldridge at dontylw@gmail.com for more information.
Progressive Christianity Series Tuesdays 6:30—8 p.m.
September 29, October 27, December 1
From your laptop or computer https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8305475285
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
Formation of a Racial Justice Working Group at First United
Do you want to help initiate projects that will educate us as individuals and as a congregation on racial inequity?
Would you like to be part of a group that reviews church policies and procedures to identify ways to foster a more welcoming anti-racist environment?
Can you envision projects and actions that could bend the arc of justice towards a more just antiracist society, and help spread the word about and encourage participation in wider community events?
The Boards of Outreach and Christian Education are partnering to form a racial justice working group, focusing on how we can respond meaningfully as individuals and as a faith community to systemic racism.
Anyone is welcome to participate in this group. We especially want to encourage participation from minority voices, whether as a member of this group or as someone willing to offer suggestions for improvement.
Please contact Rebecca Nunley (reblea99@gmail.com) or Don Wooldridge (dontylw@gmail.com) if you are interested in joining this initiative, or if you have any questions or concerns.
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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