The First UCC People Books
 
Friday, September 13, 2019
6:30 – 9:00 PM
Blachly Room
 
We need  books and readers.
Books are created by people who wish to tell their story of: a personal experience, a unique experience, or something that matters to them.
Readers experience a new way of listening to gain an understanding of the book’s experience and perspective.
This innovative event, modeled on “The Human Library Project”  offers a comfortable environment for us to meet, ask questions, and learn from each other.

To apply to be a “people book”, please go to:  http://bit.ly/uccpeoplebooks

There you will find more information to help you create your book.

To be a “reader”, just come.  There will be just a few directions given at the event.
 
The Vitality Committee invites all to participate. We will provide the main dish, drinks and dessert.  If you wish to bring a side dish please do.

It’s Feast and Festival time! – Join us August 18th at 6 pm in Pioneer and Blachly Halls. Feast and Festival is an evening of food, fellowship, and fun! It is open to everyone. The Deacons will provide a cafeteria-style meal of pulled pork or fried chicken, baked beans, pasta salad, chips, and ice cream (vegetarian options also available). After you’ve eaten, you can visit the craft table offered by the Ministry of the Decorative Scissors, try your luck at the cake/dessert walk, and visit Leo Schell outside for a new and fun activity (weather permitting). Monetary donations are requested and if you have a cake/dessert to donate, it will be appreciated! Our friends from Second Helping will join us. 
 

If you've been looking for a place where you can ask ANYTHING, grow in your faith, and be your full, beautiful, complicated self while connecting with other people.....we've got you covered. Sunday School is a great way for people of ALL AGES to learn, grow, and connect. We gather at 9:30am throughout the school year. You can come every week or once in a while. If you have any questions about our Sunday School options, please reach out to us. We'd be happy to tell you more!

Kids Sunday School 
Children aged 3 through 6th grade are divided into age-appropriate groups and taught by our team of dedicated Sunday School teachers.This is a time for children to experience the Bible through music, art, and more as they gather with other children their own age to grow in Christ.

The first Sunday of each month is Yoga + Donuts. Kids from all of the community join the teachers from Shining Light Yoga for movement, games, mindfulness, and donuts (of course). You can learn more about Shining Light and pre-register for these free classes here. 

The second and third Sunday of each month are Bible study. Kids are divided into a younger class (ages 3 through 3rd grade) and older class (4th-6th grade) and are taught by a team of volunteers and staff. All adults who work with our children in these settings have been through a background check and parents are always welcome to visit the classroom to see what your kids are learning. 
Younger class curriculum: Deep Blue Kids
Older class curriculum: Submerge

The fourth Sunday of each month is rehearsal for our kids choir. The kids learn a new song and share it with the congregation during worship that morning. 

Fifth Sundays are service projects that rotate throughout the school year. So far our kids have helped with the Blessing Box and Second Helping preparation. We look forward to seeing what they'll do this school year!

Youth Sunday School 
If you are in 7th-12th grade and interested in Sunday School, please reach out to our Director of Youth Ministries, Brittani Shank. We have some youth who like  to volunteer with the younger kids' classes and others who have attended our adult classes. If there are teens who are interested in having a teen class, please let Brittani know! We want to make sure we're offering what you need and want. 

Adult Sunday School 
We kick off this Sunday with a two-week series led by Pastor Caela called God Glasses. We'll take a break Labor Day weekend and then Greg Eiselein will be leading a six-week class on the history of the Bible. Classes for the remainder of the fall semester will be announced soon! Check our our adult ed page to read full descriptions of these classes. 

Nursery Care
Kids ages 3 and younger are always welcome in our nursery. Our staff are background-checked, safe church trained, and and CPR certified. We look forward to welcoming your babies and toddlers in our nursery!

Living Room Worship is casual evening of acoustic guitar, singing, prayer, and fellowship. If you are hungry to deepen your connection to God and each other, join us in the living room! Questions? Contact Kerry Priest.

All gatherings are 6:30-8:30pm on Sunday evenings

Feb. 17 - ECM, 904 Sunset Ave.
Mar. 24 - 421 Leavenworth St.
Apr. 28 - 6900 Briar Circle

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Sustaining Activism for the Long Haul: Connecting to Your Deep Purpose
Friday, December 14;  5:30- 9 PM
 
Location: First Congregational UCC
Co-sponsors: Manhattan Mennonite Church, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
 
How do we connect to what is ours to do in this world? What can we hold on to while the world swirls around us? How do we stay engaged in advocating for justice for the long haul....without burning out? How might we find joy in the work?
 
We will engage these and other similar questions at this gathering. We begin the evening with a simple supper and use group work and individual reflection to help each participant connect to their sense of deep purpose. The evening will also include an opportunity for brief guided or silent meditation, qigong, community acupuncture, or learning about spiritual direction. 

This event is appropriate for people of all faiths and for those who do not claim a faith. If you need childcare or have any dietary restrictions, please let us know. Questions? Contact Revs. Barbara Krehbiel Gerhring, Jonalu Johnstone, or Caela Simmons Wood.

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On November 4, we join with Christians around the globe in remembering our saints on All Saints Day. We invite you to remember the saints in your own life by bringing along an item that represents the person you wish to honor. We will have a table set up in Pioneer-Blachly for your items. Your saint might be a relative or friend. They might be someone famous that you've never met. A saint is simply someone who has gone before us and has showed us how to live. We remember their lives and honor them the first Sunday in November. You may want to bring a photograph, keepsake, newspaper article, or some other memento. We'll have cards available for you to write the saint's name and we can all browse the items during Fellowship Hour.