Announcements for the week of September 15, 2024

by | Sep 13, 2024 | 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 09/22 & 9/29)
  • Usher sign up – Click here (needed 09/22, & 09/29)
  • Flowers sign up – Click here
  • Coffee Hour Host sign up – Click here (needed 09/22, & 10/06)
  • Communion Server sign up –Click here
  • Community Kitchen sign up – Click here (needed 09/19)
  • Online Commitment/Pledge Card – Click here
  • Donate to First United Online – Click here
  • First United Vimeo Channel – Click here

DON’T FORGET

First United @ Bloomington Pridefest

First United will be at Bloomington Pridefest this Saturday, September 14th! All are encouraged to stop by our booth and say “hello.” Our booth will be located on the east side of Kirkwood Ave adjacent to Trinity Episcopal Church. Festival hours are from 2-8pm. Thank you to all who have volunteered to help share the open, welcoming, and affirming message of First United!

Support New Hope for Families

Throughout 2024, the Board of Outreach invites you to offer support to a variety of local organizations and ministries through monthly special offerings. This Sunday, September 15th, a special offering will be received to support New Hope for Families, and Shelter Director Mary Hamric will be with us to share about their impactful work. Thank you for considering supporting their meaningful work!

Youth Connections

This Sunday, September 15th, 12pm-1pm, youth in grades 6 and up are invited to gather with Pastor Jessica and one another in Room 1 following worship to consider your questions, big and small, and explore faith matters as they are relevant to your life. We are using “Living the Questions: The Wisdom of Progressive Christianity” by David L. Felten and Jeff Procter-Murphy as our guide and jumping off point for discussion. If you or your youth are interested in getting involved, please contact Pastor Jessica.

Feminist Women’s Book Club

Our feminist women’s book club will meet after worship this Sunday, September 15th in Roger Williams Hall and via Zoom to discuss “Our Best Intentions” by Vibhuti Jain. We are women who have a lively discussion starting at 12noon, for about an hour. We read recent fiction “by women, for women or about women.” Feminist women of all ages are invited to join us. Check out our book club’s Pinterest listing: http://pinterest.com/reginammoore/feminist-book-club/. For Zoom information or more information about the book club contact facilitator Cindy Stone, stonec@indiana.edu.

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 September 19th. This is a good way to build community within and outside of our church. To volunteer this month or subsequent months, contact Laurie Eynon (leynon73@icloud.com or (812) 336-1219); she will sign you up or put you on the call list, whatever works for you. Thank you!

NEW/UPDATED THIS WEEK

Happy Birthday!

Please remember in your prayers and give thanks for Phyllis Eads who will be celebrating her birthday on September 19th. We are blessed to have you in our lives!

Rally Day 2024

The Member Relations Committee (MeRC) invites you to attend Rally Day, Sunday, September 29th immediately after the worship service. Join us in Fellowship Hall for a taco bar (coordinated by MeRC), fellowship, and an opportunity to learn more about the happenings and ministries of First United Church. Please consider bringing a dessert to share, and plan to join together as we celebrate our ministry together as First United!

Represent First United at Spencer Pridefest

First United will have a booth at Spencer Pridefest on Saturday, October 5th. Please consider volunteering to represent First United and share our open, welcoming, and affirming message far and wide by taking a 1- or 2-hour shift at the church’s booth. Festival hours are from 1-7pm. Sign up on the sheet available in the Narthex or the online Sign Up Genius (click here). Thank you for helping however and whenever you can!

Teal Pumpkin Trick-or-Treat Trail

First United will once again offer a Teal Pumpkin Trick-or-Treat Trail this Halloween season. Join us on Saturday, October 19th, 1pm-5pm, for an inclusive, allergen-conscious Halloween experience! Free and open to all; this experience will be offered concurrently with the People’s Market’s Dance Macabre Halloween Party (more info here). The Teal Pumpkin Project is a simple way to make trick-or-treating safer and more inclusive for the one in 13 children living with food allergies and many others impacted by intolerances and other conditions by offering allergy-conscious candy options and non-food trinkets and treats that are safe for all trick or treaters. Learn more about the Teal Pumpkin Project here.

In addition to trick-or-treaters, we are looking for:

1) Trail Volunteers: We are planning on extending our trick-or-treat trail even more this year! Volunteers are needed to welcome folks at our starting table and to help keep the teal pumpkin buckets full of treats. This is a great opportunity to meet and connect with children, families, and one another.

2) Treat Sponsors: We are going to need A TON of treats! Because we are dedicated to making this an allergy-conscious experience, we are encouraging financial donations that will then be used to purchase appropriate treats for the kids. Send your donation to the church office or drop it in the offering plate on Sunday mornings; clearly indicate that your gift is designated for the “Trick-or-Treat Trail” by marking your check or envelope. Additionally, we are accepting donations of the following sweet treats: DOTS, Skittles, Smarties, Ring Pops, Sour Patch Kids, Starburst, Swedish Fish, AirHead Minis, and Mott’s Assorted Fruit Flavored Snacks. You may leave these donations on the marked table in the Narthex or deliver them to the church office.

3) Inviters/Sharers: Invite friends, family, neighbors, all to come! And, share the event on Facebook; access here.

Contact Pastor Jessica or Mitchell Farmer if you are interested in helping with this wonderful event!

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. Laurie Eynon will present the day’s scripture and serve as our congregational lead. Additionally, 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 Vocal Choir will offer special music. Bill Perkins and the Lane family will offer a warm welcome to those who will gather in the sanctuary. 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. Jen Lane will provide a beautiful floral arrangement in honor of PRIDE, and her mothers Jerry Baker and Karen Heap. Finally, be sure to join us in Fellowship Hall after worship for a time of fellowship and refreshment hosted by Lisa Green.

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

Join Our Church Choirs!

The Bell and Vocal Choirs have begun their 2024-2025 season, and you are invited to join in the musical fun! 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 of the choirs, please reach out to Eric Meincke (ericdmeincke@gmail.com). Hansol Kim, whom we are delighted to have in her new position as Assistant Music Director, 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:

The family of Emily Keith (stepmother of Rebecca Keith) following her death

Jordan, Linda, and Lori Bable and Virginia McClure (Christina Ruiz’s friends)

Anne Wright (Mary Peckham’s sister)

Sara Cole

Sam Troxal

Danielle Sheets Ivey (Sara Ivey Lucas’s sister-in-law)

Lisa Kwong

Christopher Meincke (Eric’s brother)

Jeanne and Norm Overly

Voter Registration

The Board of Outreach invites you to participate in registering folks to vote as we move ever closer to the 2024 Election on November 5th. A couple members of the Board got this effort off to a great start with signage and setting up a table at the west entrance to the sanctuary (at the circle drive). Many people pass through the church drive and parking lot, both on foot and in cars; so we have a great location to catch folks who might have not yet registered to vote.

You are encouraged to help with this effort on Saturdays, September 22nd and 29th, 9am-1pm, which are the hours of the People’s Market. One person can do the job, but pairs or more are ideal. You need not stay for the full four hours; any time you are able to offer will be of help. If we have enough volunteers, it would be wonderful to set up another table in the building in or near Fellowship Hall to catch market goers. If you can help, please contact Julia Bebeau (bloombebeau@gmail.com) or Keith Gerber (reakei2@aol.com). Thanks!

FREE First United Yard Signs

Spread the word about who we are as a progressive community of faith with your very own “Critical Thinking Encouraged” First United yard sign. Signs and stands are available to all at no cost. Pick them up in the Narthex on Sunday or stop by the church office during regular office hours. Post them in your lawns, offices, windows, etc. as a simple way to share that “We take the Bible too seriously to take it literally.”

People’s Market

First United houses the People’s Cooperative Market in our Fellowship Hall regularly each Saturday, 9:00am-1:00pm. 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.

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.

Tuesday Morning Café and Discussion

Join us in person or online Tuesdays at 10am-11:30am as we gather for a time of informal conversation followed by thought-provoking theological study and discussion. We are currently nearing the end of a 24-sesson study: “The History and Archeology of the Bible” with Dr. Jean-Pierre Isbouts. 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.

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 the Children’s Time. Many thanks to Molly Koontz and Ted Wininger 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 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

Leadership Retreat—Childcare Request

Members of First United’s Council, Boards, and Committees will gather for a Leadership Retreat in Roger Williams Hall on Sunday, September 22nd, 12pm-1:30pm. Some of these dedicated church leaders have children and will need childcare during that time. To encourage their full participation, we are seeking a couple of volunteers to hang out with the kids while their adults are meeting. Lunch will be provided. Please contact Mitchell Farmer or Pastor Jessica if you are interested in helping in this meaningful way.

Ecclesiastical Council for Shelli Yoder

First United has the distinct honor and pleasure of hosting the Ecclesiastical Council for our own Shelli Yoder on Sunday, October 6th, at 3pm (registration begins at 2:30pm) as she continues her process toward becoming an authorized minister in the United Church of Christ. We will be joined by siblings in faith from throughout the Southeast Association of the Indiana-Kentucky Conference of the United Church of Christ to engage in this sacred work. This Ecclesiastical Council will be held in person, as well as via Zoom for those unable to attend in person (click here). If you would like to serve as a delegate on behalf of First United (we are allotted two), please contact Pastor Jessica. Those who attend are encouraged to review Shelli’s ordination paper, executive summary, and curriculum vitae prior to the meeting.

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.

2024 Offering Envelopes and Direct Deposit

We are using leftover 2023 offering envelope boxes for 2024. Envelope boxes are available on a table outside of the Sanctuary entrance closest to the chancel. Whether you’ve used them before or this is your first time, you are welcome to pick up a box! 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

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