SPIRITUAL READING GROUP. We have read through Beyond Religion by the Dalai Lama since last March. Our second book is Waking Up: A Guide to Spirituality Without Religion by Sam Harris. This book was on the New York Times Non-Fiction Best Sellers list in 2014 and a guide to meditation as a rational practice informed by neuroscience and psychology. We read only 2 chapters each month for deeper understanding and discussion. The first meeting will be October 13th. (We usually meet on the first Saturday of each month.) All are welcome to attend. Bring your questions!

For more information, please contact YouShin Choi (youschoi@gmail.com).

Time: 11:00-12:30, first Saturday of the month Place: Roger Williams Hall

?USHERS NEEDED FOR OCTOBER. As the cool breezes of autumn approach, October?s usher captain needs your help. ?Would you be willing to serve as an usher for a Sunday or two in October? ?If so, please contact Dave Meyer at dwm@davemeyer.org. ?It is easy and a fun way to get to know folks.

?WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY ? OCTOBER 7

On Sunday, October 7, we will celebrate World Communion Sunday by including a variety of traditional breads from cultures all around the world on the patens (bread plates) for our Communion service.? To add to the international flavor of the day, we invite you to wear traditional clothing from other cultures (e.g., saris, Lederhosen, kilts, kimonos, Mayan huipiles) in honor and celebration of the diversity of the human experience around the globe.

INTERSEX. What?s that? It?s not sex, it?s biology!

Join us for a community conversation where questions are encouraged. Be introduced to the Intersex Community through a mixture of biology and humor all rolled into a fun learning experience.?October 13, 2:00pm. Spencer Pride commUnity Center. 17 E Franklin St

Spencer, IN?

PLAY FRIDAY. Our next Play Friday is October 12 from 5:30-8 in Fellowship Hall. In recognition of Halloween we will have a dress up photo booth set up. Play Friday is a relaxed evening of fun which includes a pizza dinner, lots of games to choose from, and usually some sort of craft activity. ?This event is fun for all ages! Play Friday is a monthly recurring family game and pizza night on the 2nd Friday of each month. Future dates for Play Friday are: November 9, and December 14. It helps with food planning if you RSVP to Hopi Stosberg at?hopi@stosberg.com?or to the Facebook event page.

?SCRIPTURE READERS NEEDED FOR ALL OF OCTOBER.

If you’d like to read scripture during our Sunday morning worship, please sign up by the Fellowship Hall kitchen. We love having people of all ages be a part of worship in this special way. Our Office Manager will e-mail you the NRSV version of the scriptures the Friday before you read. This is a great way to participate in the Sunday service.

?PIANO LESSONS. My name is Rebecca Luppe, and I?m?a first-year Master’s piano student at?IU Jacobs School of Music. I’m excited to offer lessons to beginning piano students!?My Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance at Vanderbilt?University included a thorough piano pedagogy course, which?included hands-on teaching experience and regular teaching?critique from our professor. I have also taught at the?W.O. Smith Community Music School in Nashville.?I love music and would be delighted to share it with your child! I?m looking for four students ages 6 and up, so spots may fill quickly. You can reach me via text or phone call at?269-993-7368 or?rebecca.luppe@gmail.com. I look forward to meeting you!

GREETING.? Always we’re looking for people to help greet on Sunday morning. Greeter Training Sessions, after Sunday morning worship in Room 6 for just a few minutes on October 7 and 21.

KITCHEN CLEAN-UP SESSION, Saturday October 13, 8:30-10:30 a m. ?Refreshments provided. ? Questions? ? Contact Laura: ?laura_b_kao@hotmail.com

SHALOM CEREAL AND COFFEE. October 14 & 21 is an opportunity to support Shalom Community Center by donating cereal and coffee. Contributions may be placed in the box marked Shalom in the kitchen.

Shalom uses a lot of cereal and coffee each day.

  • Cereal: 10-15 large boxes of cereal per day (Cheerios, Corn Flakes, Wheaties or their store brand versions)
  • Coffee: 15-20 cans per week

Shalom Community Center is an all-inclusive resource center in Bloomington for people who are living in poverty and experiencing its ultimate expressions: hunger, homelessness, and a lack of access to basic life necessities.

VOLUNTEER NOTICE OPPORTUNITY. The Board of Outreach has an opportunity for some interested person(s) to tell the folks of First United Church about volunteer opportunities for a pilot program. This opportunity calls for placing one volunteer opportunity each week in the bulletin gathered from our partner agencies that we support. Please contact Sam Troxal 812-361-6172 stroxal@yahoo.com for more information.?

OFFERING OF LETTERS. Thank you for your Offering of Letters to bring attention to the global insecurity of poverty. Your offering of letters are being delivered to Rep. Trey Hollingsworth?s Jeffersonville office on October 2. As you receive a response you are encouraged to bring your letter to church to be displayed. Any identifying information such as last name and address will be marked out.?

WELCOME BACK TO THE YOUTH GROUP!

Summer vacation is over and the school year has truly started back, which means it’s time to welcome the Youth Group back at First United!

For the 2018 to 2019 school year the youth group’s regular meetings will be noon to 1:30 on the second and fourth Sundays of the month, with special events any time there is a fifth Sunday in a month.

If you have any questions about the Youth Group, or would like more information, please contact Derek Roe at youthgroup@firstuc.org

THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW. SPENCER PRIDE?S LGBT HISTORY MONTH presents A Night at the Tivoli: The Rocky Horror Picture Show. A raffle is included.?Tivoli Theater 24 N Washington St Spencer, IN?October 10, 7:00pm.?

FEEDBACK. Each year, First United asks for feedback on each of our paid staff members. This year, the church leadership is trying a new way of gathering this feedback from the congregation. Vice President Mary Peckham explains the reasons for this change here:? http://bit.ly/FirstUnited_personnel

If you would like to provide feedback on any of our staff members, you can do so online:? http://bit.ly/FirstUnited1? Feedback can be left anonymously or you can tell us who you are. If you would like to provide feedback on paper rather than online, please contact Mary Peckham.

YARD WORK ? STILL CONTINUES! If you would like to work with Laura Kao for an hour sometime, contact here at laura_b_kao@hotmail.com.

SUNDAY FLOWER ANNOUNCEMENT. The sign-up book for 2018 flower donations is available in the lobby of Fellowship Hall.? We have spaces available in October, November and December. Choose any Sunday to provide flowers for the sanctuary.? Your donations are appreciated and the flowers are yours to take home following worship.? Thanks.

MONTHLY POTLUCKS.? Bring yourself and a dish for food and fellowship. Potlucks will be after service on the following dates: October 21, November 18, and December 16.

To help ensure a diverse food offering at the potluck, let us know what type of dish you are bringing. There is a sign-up sheet on the table outside the kitchen. Questions? Contact Laura Kao laura_b_kao@hotmail.com or Hopi Stosberg hopi@stosberg.com