ATTENTION BICYCLISTS! It’s time for another ride! The date will be September 20, leaving from the church at 3:00, route to be determined later, but we’ll probably keep it simple – and while we’re at it, we need to be thinking about planning a trip for next summer, so bring some ideas and let’s get started! See you then!
Spirit Café at Lunch Today -Along with the church lunch after worship this Sunday MeRC is hosting Spirit Café--more information to follow at lunch…
Gwen Storms and Melba Aynes want to thank the members of the First United Church for your support during the loss of our dear sister, Freida Pitha. All your concern, cards and prayers make this time of healing easier for us. Your kind words and memories of our sister continue to sustain and comfort us.
Attention all Parents!! We will be having a weekly playgroup at church on Thursdays from 11am-1pm. Bring a lunch, invite friends, and come play! If you have any questions feel free to call Jacque Soderquist.
Ministry Fair-MeRC is hosting a ministry fair after worship this Sunday September 20th) in the hall between the sanctuary and Fellowship Hall. Please stop by and learn about ministry opportunities at First United.
Midweek classes! Join Jack’s class on Tuesday mornings (10-11:30am) for “First Light: Jesus and the Kingdom of God” or Caela’s Tuesday evening class (7-8:30pm) for a seven-week series on Spirituality. More information available in the Christian Ed brochures or online. Also, don’t forget that two NEW adult Sunday School classes “Faith and the Photographic Image” (please sign up) and “Stewardship as a spiritual practice: Taking the fear and guilt out of faith giving.”
Monroe County United Ministries is celebrating its 70th birthday with an Ice Cream Social on Sunday September 27th from 3-5pm. MCUM is located at 827 W. 14th st, next to Tri-North Middle school. Family and friends are welcome. This is MCUM’s way to say Thank you to all its sponsors and donors.
Please bring your pet and join us for our annual Blessing of the Animals – Sunday, October 4th at 4pm. This event commemorates the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, who was a great lover of animals. We will give thanks for our animals and each one will be offered an individual blessing. We will also remember those animals who have left our families this past year. General gallivanting around the playground will also be in order. Please bring along a bag to clean up after your pet and a treat to nibble on, if that’s appropriate. Join us at the new pavilion and bring a friend!
Cookout/ Hayride-First United will be having a cookout and hayride on Friday October 9th starting at 6 pm at Schooner Valley Stables. I'll bring Hot Dogs, Veggie Dogs, and Smores. If you bring a dish it will be appreciated. If you want to ride the horses you should call the Stables and arrive early. The stables are located on State Road 46 between Bloomington and Nashville. A car pool group will meet at First United and leave for Schooner Valley Stable at 5:30.
Spirituality Workshop-Leading Christian author, historian, and congregational development expert Diana Butler Bass will conduct a daylong congregational development workshop of formation and renewal for lay and clergy leaders on Saturday, September 26 at Christ Church Cathedral from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
Dr. Butler Bass will help us examine the dynamic effect that congregations experience when they rediscover the richness of the Christian heritage. She will describe the invigorating effects she has observed and researched in many mainline congregations when they thoughtfully draw upon patterns of Christian spiritual practice from earlier periods. Using her research and studies, she will help our gathering to understand that a congregation’s critical appreciation of its tradition is key to its vitality. Open to everyone, this gathering will energize and strengthen all who care about the future of mainline, progressive Christianity in the face of radical cultural shifts and new opportunities. The cost for the day is $10. RSVP to Ellen Shaugnessy at 317-636-4577 or ellens@cccindy.org by Sept. 20.
Calling all worship lovers! We are making plans for Wednesday evening worship and suppers during Advent and Lent. You're invited to shape and plan these times with us. We hope to spend some time together exploring what worship is and what forms contemplative worship may take; then form some teams to plan our services. You can let us know your interest by signing up in the lobby by Fellowship Hall, or by contacting Kyle Hetrick or Dawna Petersen.
Men’s retreat happening in October. Dates October 30th and 31st. More information to come. Any questions please speak with Norm Overly, Al Ruesink, Paul Soderquist, Ted Wininger or Hassle DePree.
Stewardship Dinners - As part of our upcoming stewardship campaign, the stewardship committee is organizing small dinners in the homes of members. These dinners will be an opportunity to talk about our hopes and plans for the church, as well as what it will take to reach these goals financially. We are looking for volunteers who will be willing to either host a gathering in their home or help with an event. If you would like to help out, please speak with a member of the stewardship committee: Tom Busey, Nick Foster, Lou Cooper, Jacque Soderquist and Pat Martin.
Minister of Care for the week of September 20 is Erika Edens. A minister of care is a church volunteer who visits several members in their homes. For more information, call the office at 332-4439.
The Monroe County Chapter of the American Red Cross Book Fair is right around the corner. Last year, they offered approximately 47 tons of books to 5,000 patrons and raised over $69,000 to support the vital mission of the Red Cross in Monroe and Owen Counties. Over 300 volunteers made it possible! This is the ideal service opportunity, long-running (we need volunteers from September 24th-October 8th, and shifts are very flexible), with diverse opportunities that offer something for everyone. It’s a lot of fun, and a great way for people to give back to their community (with proceeds going directly into disaster relief, services to armed forces, and lifesaving classes, right here in Monroe and Owen Counties). If you’re interested, check the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network
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