Church Calendar

This walking group of all paces meets every Saturday at the corner of Hinman and Church for an hour walk on the lakefront - usually followed by coffee at Peet's. Come walk with us! Contact Susan Prout at swprout@comcast.net.

This class for students in grades 9-12 meets weekly. Questions may be address to Pastor Jane Cheema at jane@faithatfirst.com.

All students in grades 7 & 8 are welcome in this class. Led by Jim Hagedorn. Note that due to renovations in the lower level of the church, the class will move to Room K at some point in the winter/spring.

Please direct any questions about the confirmation process to Jane Cheema at jane@faithatfirst.com.

Children's Sunday school meets weekly during the program year, which is roughly the same as the school year. Sunday school is taught by parent volunteers who are trained and supervised by church staff.

Preschool and Kindergarten -- Room 26
1st-3rd graders -- Room 32
4th-6th graders -- Room 33

Note that the church nursery on the second floor is open each Sunday from 9-11:45 AM.

JAN 12: Guest Speaker Bishop Sally Dyck, Resident Bishop of the Northern Illinois Conference
FEB 2: Faithful & Inclusive leads: "What's this conversation about and who is saying what?"
FEB 23: Guest Speaker Rev. Neal Christie Assistant General Secretary for Education & Leadership Formation at Church and Society. Rev. Christie will be speaking as part of Social Justice weekend. View the UM social principles HERE.
MARCH 1: What is The United Methodist Church and how does it work in its structure and governance?
APRIL 5: Review Proposed Plans for General Conference 2020
MAY 3: Preparing for GC2020
MAY 17: What happened? Now what?

February 2 - Connect to Church Connect 56 studentsare invited to serve the church as greeter/acolyte or help in thenursery/Children's Chapel. Sign up via Sign up Genius.

February 9 - Connect to Scripture Class in GlennaHall

February 16 - Connect to Worship Stay with family forworship. A worship worksheet will be sent to families.

February 23 - Connect to Community Activity TBA;Glenna Hall

Questions can be sent to Lisa Gresch, Connect 56 Coordinator at ldgresch@gmail.com.

It’s exactly what it sounds like: soup and discussion, i.e. a free lunch with fellow twenty-somethings and a conversation about life, interests, and faith.

Description:
Invitation to the New Testament

Sundays at 11:45 a.m. in the dining room over a soup lunch.  Begins Jan. 5

Join this exploration of the writings ofthe New Testament using the story of Jesus as the starting point. This surveylooks at how the early church was shaped by the story of Jesus and how thechurch learned to develop as disciples and create communities of faith.Facilitated by Pastor Grace and Matt Jankiewicz.

Participants will find a deeperconversation with the writers of the New Testament. Invitation to the NewTestament is accessible for adults with little prior Bible experience.

Allare welcome. Register here .   

Grace Circle is a small group for faith formation that is currently at capacity.  Openings may be available in fall 2020.

Questions?  Please contact Pastor Bonny Roth at bonny@faithatfirst.com.

Trivia Night at Whiskey Thief in Evanston on Oct. 15 at 7:15 pm. Join in with answers or cheer on the Limitless group. For details, contact Stephanie Peters stephdeloney@gmail.com.

The UMW Book Group will meet on Tuesday, February 4, 2020 at 7:30 pm at the home of Evelyn McGowan to discuss The Possibility of Everything by Hope Edelman. The group will discuss Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner on Tuesday, March 3, 2020. New participants are welcome.  

Reading schedule for the year:
10/1 There, There by Tommy Orange led by Janet Lutz in Glenna Hall
11/5 Educated by Tara Westover led by Marge Bradford at the home of Carol Kriekard
12/3 Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens led by Jackie Crihfield at the home of Marsha Niazmand
1/7 The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben led by Nancy Brown in Glenna Hall
2/4 The Possibility of Everything by Hope Edelman led by Bonny Roth   
3/3 Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner 
4/7 A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving led by Heather Conlon   
5/5 The Library Book by Susan Orlean    
6/2 The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai at the home of Nancy Braund Boruch 

Questions about this group?   Contact Carol Kriekard at cbkriek17@gmail.com.

Winter/Spring 2020 Bible Study

Wednesdays, January 15 -February 5, 10:00 - 11:30 am in Glenna Hall

We will read Holy Envy: FindingGod in the Faith of Others, by Barbara Brown Taylor.  This book is available from Cokesbury, Amazon,or as an e-book; please get the book on your own.  New participants always welcome!  Ann Weatherhead(amweatherhead@gmail.com), Jean Price (organistjean@gmail.com),and Ellen Feliciano (felinet@ameritech.net) are leading this study. Please contact them with any questions.

Discussion Schedule:

January 15:  Introduction andChapters 1 - 3

January 22:  Chapters 4 – 6

January 29:  Chapters 7 - 9

February 5:  Chapters 10 - 12

We will be using the Holy Envy Study Guidewhich can be downloaded here. If you are unable to downloadthe guide, let one of the leaders know and they will bring copies to our firstmeeting.

Journey is a small group for high school students (grades 9-12) who gather for food, God talk, and fun. Contact Jane Cheema at jane@faithatfirst.com for more information.

This group meets most Thursdays to discuss a book relevant to progressive Christianity. See below for the selected books this program year and the currrent schedule.

This group is always open to new participants.  Join us! For more information, contact Dennis Damon Moore at djmoore1941@gmail.com. 

Progressive Christianity2019-20: Readings Assigned to Date

1.David Brooks, The Second Mountain: TheQuest for a Moral Life (2019), 384 pages. Random House hardcover: $16.80.

2.Elaine Pagels, Why Religion? A PersonalStory (2018), 256 pages. Ecco hardcover: $18.29.

3. DavidHollinger, Protestants Abroad: HowMissionaries Tried to Change the World But Changed America (2017), 408 pages. Princetonpaper: $21.00.

4. ThichNhat Hanh, Living Buddha, Living Christ:20^th Anniversary Edition (1995/2007), 198 pages. Penguin/Riverhead paper: $10.87.

5.Michael J. Sandel, Justice (2009), 308 pages, FSG paper: $16.00.

6. TaraWestover, Educated: A Memoir (2018),352 pages. Random House hardcover: $14.60.

7.Liberty Hyde Bailey, The Holy Earth: TheBirth of a New Land Ethic (1915/Centennial Edition, 2015), 144 pages. Counterpoint paper:$15.95.

8.Barbara Brown Taylor, Holy Envy: Finding God in the Faith of Others(2019).  256 pages.  HarperOne hardcover: $16.88.

9.Richard Rohr, The Universal Christ: How aForgotten Reality Can Change Everything We See, Hope For, and Believe (2019), 260 pages. ConvergentBooks hardcover: $16.22

Update: Reading Schedule, January 30 to April 16, 2020

January 30      Educated,Session One, through Ch. 12, to p. 111.

February 6      Educated,Session Two,through Ch. 26, to p. 227.

February 13    Educated,Session Three, through Ch. 40, to p. 331.

February 20    TheHoly Earth, Session One, to p. 55.

February 27    TheHoly Earth, Session Two, to p. 111.

March 5          HolyEnvy, Session One, Chs. 1-4, to p. 80.

March 12        HolyEnvy, Session Two, Chs. 5-8, to p. 159.

March 19        HolyEnvy, Session Three, Ch. 9 through the Epilogue, to p. 223.

March 26        TheUniversal Christ, Session One, Chs. 1-4, to p. 68.

April 2             TheUniversal Christ, Session Two, Chs. 5-10, to p. 128.

April 9             TheUniversal Christ, Session Three, Chs. 11-14, to p. 187.

April 16           TheUniversal Christ, Session Four, Ch. 15 through the  Appendices, to p. 248.

God's Story, Our Stories meets weekly for study and conversation about scriptures for the following Sunday.   New participants are always welcome.   No experience necessary.

Questions?  Please contact Bill Brown at bbrown@wwbrown-inc.com.

This walking group of all paces meets every Saturday at the corner of Hinman and Church for an hour walk on the lakefront - usually followed by coffee at Peet's. Come walk with us! Contact Susan Prout at swprout@comcast.net.

This class for students in grades 9-12 meets weekly. Questions may be address to Pastor Jane Cheema at jane@faithatfirst.com.

This small group takes a critical lookat the news and events that shape our worldview. And like the title suggests,it will examine the roles that Church plays in our ever-changing culture. Thisgroup is facilitated by Mitchell Jackson and Jonathan Ng.

All students in grades 7 & 8 are welcome in this class. Led by Jim Hagedorn. Note that due to renovations in the lower level of the church, the class will move to Room K at some point in the winter/spring.

Please direct any questions about the confirmation process to Jane Cheema at jane@faithatfirst.com.

Children's Sunday school meets weekly during the program year, which is roughly the same as the school year. Sunday school is taught by parent volunteers who are trained and supervised by church staff.

Preschool and Kindergarten -- Room 26
1st-3rd graders -- Room 32
4th-6th graders -- Room 33

Note that the church nursery on the second floor is open each Sunday from 9-11:45 AM.

This community group is committed to living out the Christian faith in daily life. Each week features prayer, scripture, thoughtful reflection and discussion on our shared experiences. ABIDE is open to anyone looking for a deeper connection to Christ and First Church.

Faith and Family is a group of parents with young children who gather most Sundays to reflect on faith in everyday life. Facilitated by Austin and Sam Spencer. This class meets in second floor Room 24.

Inquirers is our class for all persons considering membership at First Church.  For additional information about the class and membership process, please contact Mary Taylor-Johnson at mary@faithatfirst.com. 

February 2 - Connect to Church Connect 56 studentsare invited to serve the church as greeter/acolyte or help in thenursery/Children's Chapel. Sign up via Sign up Genius.

February 9 - Connect to Scripture Class in GlennaHall

February 16 - Connect to Worship Stay with family forworship. A worship worksheet will be sent to families.

February 23 - Connect to Community Activity TBA;Glenna Hall

Questions can be sent to Lisa Gresch, Connect 56 Coordinator at ldgresch@gmail.com.

It’s exactly what it sounds like: soup and discussion, i.e. a free lunch with fellow twenty-somethings and a conversation about life, interests, and faith.

Description:
Invitation to the New Testament

Sundays at 11:45 a.m. in the dining room over a soup lunch.  Begins Jan. 5

Join this exploration of the writings ofthe New Testament using the story of Jesus as the starting point. This surveylooks at how the early church was shaped by the story of Jesus and how thechurch learned to develop as disciples and create communities of faith.Facilitated by Pastor Grace and Matt Jankiewicz.

Participants will find a deeperconversation with the writers of the New Testament. Invitation to the NewTestament is accessible for adults with little prior Bible experience.

Allare welcome. Register here .   

Parents & Play meets on the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of the month from 9:30-11:00 a.m. with childcare in the nursery.
This group is for parents with kids of all ages and focuses on topics around parenting in today's busy world. 
Questions? Please contact Cherie Asante at cherie.asante@gmail.com  

Winter/Spring 2020 Bible Study

Wednesdays, 10:00 - 11:30 am in Glenna Hall

New participants are always welcome to this group, which gathers weekly on Wednesday mornings for Bible study or book discussion on topics related to faith.  Check back for details on plans beginning in mid-February.

Journey is a small group for high school students (grades 9-12) who gather for food, God talk, and fun. Contact Jane Cheema at jane@faithatfirst.com for more information.

This group meets most Thursdays to discuss a book relevant to progressive Christianity. See below for the selected books this program year and the currrent schedule.

This group is always open to new participants.  Join us! For more information, contact Dennis Damon Moore at djmoore1941@gmail.com. 

Progressive Christianity2019-20: Readings Assigned to Date

1.David Brooks, The Second Mountain: TheQuest for a Moral Life (2019), 384 pages. Random House hardcover: $16.80.

2.Elaine Pagels, Why Religion? A PersonalStory (2018), 256 pages. Ecco hardcover: $18.29.

3. DavidHollinger, Protestants Abroad: HowMissionaries Tried to Change the World But Changed America (2017), 408 pages. Princetonpaper: $21.00.

4. ThichNhat Hanh, Living Buddha, Living Christ:20^th Anniversary Edition (1995/2007), 198 pages. Penguin/Riverhead paper: $10.87.

5.Michael J. Sandel, Justice (2009), 308 pages, FSG paper: $16.00.

6. TaraWestover, Educated: A Memoir (2018),352 pages. Random House hardcover: $14.60.

7.Liberty Hyde Bailey, The Holy Earth: TheBirth of a New Land Ethic (1915/Centennial Edition, 2015), 144 pages. Counterpoint paper:$15.95.

8.Barbara Brown Taylor, Holy Envy: Finding God in the Faith of Others(2019).  256 pages.  HarperOne hardcover: $16.88.

9.Richard Rohr, The Universal Christ: How aForgotten Reality Can Change Everything We See, Hope For, and Believe (2019), 260 pages. ConvergentBooks hardcover: $16.22

Update: Reading Schedule, January 30 to April 16, 2020

January 30      Educated,Session One, through Ch. 12, to p. 111.

February 6      Educated,Session Two,through Ch. 26, to p. 227.

February 13    Educated,Session Three, through Ch. 40, to p. 331.

February 20    TheHoly Earth, Session One, to p. 55.

February 27    TheHoly Earth, Session Two, to p. 111.

March 5          HolyEnvy, Session One, Chs. 1-4, to p. 80.

March 12        HolyEnvy, Session Two, Chs. 5-8, to p. 159.

March 19        HolyEnvy, Session Three, Ch. 9 through the Epilogue, to p. 223.

March 26        TheUniversal Christ, Session One, Chs. 1-4, to p. 68.

April 2             TheUniversal Christ, Session Two, Chs. 5-10, to p. 128.

April 9             TheUniversal Christ, Session Three, Chs. 11-14, to p. 187.

April 16           TheUniversal Christ, Session Four, Ch. 15 through the  Appendices, to p. 248.

Meet in the Conference Room

God's Story, Our Stories meets weekly for study and conversation about scriptures for the following Sunday.   New participants are always welcome.   No experience necessary.

Questions?  Please contact Bill Brown at bbrown@wwbrown-inc.com.

This walking group of all paces meets every Saturday at the corner of Hinman and Church for an hour walk on the lakefront - usually followed by coffee at Peet's. Come walk with us! Contact Susan Prout at swprout@comcast.net.

This class for students in grades 9-12 meets weekly. Questions may be address to Pastor Jane Cheema at jane@faithatfirst.com.

This small group takes a critical lookat the news and events that shape our worldview. And like the title suggests,it will examine the roles that Church plays in our ever-changing culture. Thisgroup is facilitated by Mitchell Jackson and Jonathan Ng.

All students in grades 7 & 8 are welcome in this class. Led by Jim Hagedorn. Note that due to renovations in the lower level of the church, the class will move to Room K at some point in the winter/spring.

Please direct any questions about the confirmation process to Jane Cheema at jane@faithatfirst.com.

Children's Sunday school meets weekly during the program year, which is roughly the same as the school year. Sunday school is taught by parent volunteers who are trained and supervised by church staff.

Preschool and Kindergarten -- Room 26
1st-3rd graders -- Room 32
4th-6th graders -- Room 33

Note that the church nursery on the second floor is open each Sunday from 9-11:45 AM.

This community group is committed to living out the Christian faith in daily life. Each week features prayer, scripture, thoughtful reflection and discussion on our shared experiences. ABIDE is open to anyone looking for a deeper connection to Christ and First Church.

Faith and Family is a group of parents with young children who gather most Sundays to reflect on faith in everyday life. Facilitated by Austin and Sam Spencer. This class meets in second floor Room 24.

Inquirers is our class for all persons considering membership at First Church.  For additional information about the class and membership process, please contact Mary Taylor-Johnson at mary@faithatfirst.com. 

February 2 - Connect to Church Connect 56 studentsare invited to serve the church as greeter/acolyte or help in thenursery/Children's Chapel. Sign up via Sign up Genius.

February 9 - Connect to Scripture Class in GlennaHall

February 16 - Connect to Worship Stay with family forworship. A worship worksheet will be sent to families.

February 23 - Connect to Community Activity TBA;Glenna Hall

Questions can be sent to Lisa Gresch, Connect 56 Coordinator at ldgresch@gmail.com.

It’s exactly what it sounds like: soup and discussion, i.e. a free lunch with fellow twenty-somethings and a conversation about life, interests, and faith.

Description:
Invitation to the New Testament

Sundays at 11:45 a.m. in the dining room over a soup lunch.  Begins Jan. 5

Join this exploration of the writings ofthe New Testament using the story of Jesus as the starting point. This surveylooks at how the early church was shaped by the story of Jesus and how thechurch learned to develop as disciples and create communities of faith.Facilitated by Pastor Grace and Matt Jankiewicz.

Participants will find a deeperconversation with the writers of the New Testament. Invitation to the NewTestament is accessible for adults with little prior Bible experience.

Allare welcome. Register here .   

Grace Circle is a small group for faith formation that is currently at capacity.  Openings may be available in fall 2020.

Questions?  Please contact Pastor Bonny Roth at bonny@faithatfirst.com.

Journey is a small group for high school students (grades 9-12) who gather for food, God talk, and fun. Contact Jane Cheema at jane@faithatfirst.com for more information.

This group meets most Thursdays to discuss a book relevant to progressive Christianity. See below for the selected books this program year and the currrent schedule.

This group is always open to new participants.  Join us! For more information, contact Dennis Damon Moore at djmoore1941@gmail.com. 

Progressive Christianity2019-20: Readings Assigned to Date

1.David Brooks, The Second Mountain: TheQuest for a Moral Life (2019), 384 pages. Random House hardcover: $16.80.

2.Elaine Pagels, Why Religion? A PersonalStory (2018), 256 pages. Ecco hardcover: $18.29.

3. DavidHollinger, Protestants Abroad: HowMissionaries Tried to Change the World But Changed America (2017), 408 pages. Princetonpaper: $21.00.

4. ThichNhat Hanh, Living Buddha, Living Christ:20^th Anniversary Edition (1995/2007), 198 pages. Penguin/Riverhead paper: $10.87.

5.Michael J. Sandel, Justice (2009), 308 pages, FSG paper: $16.00.

6. TaraWestover, Educated: A Memoir (2018),352 pages. Random House hardcover: $14.60.

7.Liberty Hyde Bailey, The Holy Earth: TheBirth of a New Land Ethic (1915/Centennial Edition, 2015), 144 pages. Counterpoint paper:$15.95.

8.Barbara Brown Taylor, Holy Envy: Finding God in the Faith of Others(2019).  256 pages.  HarperOne hardcover: $16.88.

9.Richard Rohr, The Universal Christ: How aForgotten Reality Can Change Everything We See, Hope For, and Believe (2019), 260 pages. ConvergentBooks hardcover: $16.22

Update: Reading Schedule, January 30 to April 16, 2020

January 30      Educated,Session One, through Ch. 12, to p. 111.

February 6      Educated,Session Two,through Ch. 26, to p. 227.

February 13    Educated,Session Three, through Ch. 40, to p. 331.

February 20    TheHoly Earth, Session One, to p. 55.

February 27    TheHoly Earth, Session Two, to p. 111.

March 5          HolyEnvy, Session One, Chs. 1-4, to p. 80.

March 12        HolyEnvy, Session Two, Chs. 5-8, to p. 159.

March 19        HolyEnvy, Session Three, Ch. 9 through the Epilogue, to p. 223.

March 26        TheUniversal Christ, Session One, Chs. 1-4, to p. 68.

April 2             TheUniversal Christ, Session Two, Chs. 5-10, to p. 128.

April 9             TheUniversal Christ, Session Three, Chs. 11-14, to p. 187.

April 16           TheUniversal Christ, Session Four, Ch. 15 through the  Appendices, to p. 248.

God's Story, Our Stories meets weekly for study and conversation about scriptures for the following Sunday.   New participants are always welcome.   No experience necessary.

Questions?  Please contact Bill Brown at bbrown@wwbrown-inc.com.

This walking group of all paces meets every Saturday at the corner of Hinman and Church for an hour walk on the lakefront - usually followed by coffee at Peet's. Come walk with us! Contact Susan Prout at swprout@comcast.net.

This class for students in grades 9-12 meets weekly. Questions may be address to Pastor Jane Cheema at jane@faithatfirst.com.

All students in grades 7 & 8 are welcome in this class. Led by Jim Hagedorn. Note that due to renovations in the lower level of the church, the class will move to Room K at some point in the winter/spring.

Please direct any questions about the confirmation process to Jane Cheema at jane@faithatfirst.com.

Children's Sunday school meets weekly during the program year, which is roughly the same as the school year. Sunday school is taught by parent volunteers who are trained and supervised by church staff.

Preschool and Kindergarten -- Room 26
1st-3rd graders -- Room 32
4th-6th graders -- Room 33

Note that the church nursery on the second floor is open each Sunday from 9-11:45 AM.

This community group is committed to living out the Christian faith in daily life. Each week features prayer, scripture, thoughtful reflection and discussion on our shared experiences. ABIDE is open to anyone looking for a deeper connection to Christ and First Church.

Faith and Family is a group of parents with young children who gather most Sundays to reflect on faith in everyday life. Facilitated by Austin and Sam Spencer. This class meets in second floor Room 24.

Inquirers is our class for all persons considering membership at First Church.  For additional information about the class and membership process, please contact Mary Taylor-Johnson at mary@faithatfirst.com. 

February 2 - Connect to Church Connect 56 studentsare invited to serve the church as greeter/acolyte or help in thenursery/Children's Chapel. Sign up via Sign up Genius.

February 9 - Connect to Scripture Class in GlennaHall

February 16 - Connect to Worship Stay with family forworship. A worship worksheet will be sent to families.

February 23 - Connect to Community Activity TBA;Glenna Hall

Questions can be sent to Lisa Gresch, Connect 56 Coordinator at ldgresch@gmail.com.

It’s exactly what it sounds like: soup and discussion, i.e. a free lunch with fellow twenty-somethings and a conversation about life, interests, and faith.

Description:
Invitation to the New Testament

Sundays at 11:45 a.m. in the dining room over a soup lunch.  Begins Jan. 5

Join this exploration of the writings ofthe New Testament using the story of Jesus as the starting point. This surveylooks at how the early church was shaped by the story of Jesus and how thechurch learned to develop as disciples and create communities of faith.Facilitated by Pastor Grace and Matt Jankiewicz.

Participants will find a deeperconversation with the writers of the New Testament. Invitation to the NewTestament is accessible for adults with little prior Bible experience.

Allare welcome. Register here .   

Parents & Play meets the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of the month from 9:30-11:00 a.m. with childcare in the nursery.
This group is for parents with kids of all ages and focuses on topics around parenting in today's busy world. 
Questions? Please contact Cherie Asante at cherie.asante@gmail.com  

This group gathers for coffee, breakfast, and informal conversation on a wide range of topics: books, the news, restaurants, grandchildren, places to visit . . . No matter what’s on the table, we are all ears. Come join the conversation at 10:00 a.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at the Golden Olympic Café. Contact Susan Henderson at hende4629@gmail.com or Pam Johnson at jpamjohnson@gmail.com.