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Whether your interest is small groups, Bible study, the arts or service to the community or world, First Congregational Church offers a wide variety of programs and opportunities to grow and serve. Workshops, guest speakers, and seminars along with retreats for men, women, and families are scheduled each year to enhance congregational life. All are welcome.
Ministry of Parish Life Hosting after-church luncheons, offering rides to church, taking food to those in need, and planning our annual summer and winter retreats are just a few of the activities made possible by our Ministry of Parish Life. This ministry tends to the needs of our members and provides times of celebration and togetherness for the congregation.
Worship and the Arts Worship at First Congregational Church is a multi-sensory experience. Throughout the seasons we incorporate dance, drama, sanctuary art, and banners, decorations, symbols, and special music to enrich our worship services.
Music
Our music programs are open to new voices and/or ringers:
Chancel Choir rehearses Wednesday nights, 7:30pm, September thru May
Handbell Choir rehearses Thursday nights, 7:30pm, September thru May
Drama and Dance
Our drama ministry presents the annual “Drama of Holy Week” readings on Palm Sunday. Rehearsal will take place Saturday, March 31, 9:30am
In addition, groups of volunteers present reader’s theatre presentations in Worship throughout the year, coordinated by our Worship Ministry.
Our dance ministry for girls in grade school, junior and senior high performs periodically throughout the year, choreographed by church member Jenny Higgins.
Sanctuary Art
Our Worship Ministry works with volunteers to coordinate special artistic installations and sanctuary decorations during the liturgical seasons.
Spiritual Growth Spiritual Direction
Spiritual direction is a process of introspection and self-reflection to encourage Spiritual Formation. This ministry is offered by Spiritual Director in Residence Diane Stephens. Persons receiving spiritual direction generally come once a month for a 60 to 75 minute one-on-one session with Diane. A discounted fee is available to members of First Congregational Church. For more information on spiritual direction, or to set an appointment, contact Diane at DWSwriter@aol.com.
Just for Women:
Mary Suppers
We learn of the sisters Martha and Mary of Bethany (the namesake of our group) in Luke 10: 38-42 and in John 11-12. Both gospels tell stories of Mary and Martha hosting Jesus in their home for a meal and conversation.
At FCCW’s Mary Supper, women of the church gather for a light meal and spiritual conversation led by Pastor Stephanie VanSlyke. Held in member's homes, this is an open group and all women are welcome and encouraged to come as often as they can. First-timers and friends always welcome!
Dates for 2011-2012
Tuesdays: October 4, November 1, December 6, January 10, February 7, March 6, April 3, May 1, June 5.
Just for Men:
The Men’s Group, led by Rev. David Hogue, meets Mondays at Hackney’s Restaurant, 1514 E. Lake Avenue in Glenview, 7:00pm for dinner and conversation. The meeting calendar for the year: September 19, October 17, November 14, No December Meeting, January 23, February 20, March 19, April 16, May 21.
Please RSVP to Keith Ross dkeithr1979@aol.com.
Men’s Ski Retreat takes place January 13-16, 2012 at the home of Keith Ross in Heber City, Utah. Park City and Deer Valley ski resorts are nearby. For information, contact Keith Ross.
Fellowship Communion Lunches
On Communion Sundays we gather in the Dining Room following worship to continue the feast with a luncheon.
Christmas Decorating Friday, December 2
Friday evening December 2 we gather for pizza dinner and decorate the church: raising the Sanctuary, Pilgrim Hall and Dining Room trees, hanging wreaths and garland, stringing lights, and preparing for Christmas. Children’s crafts keep the young ones busy as the older youth and adults do the decorating.
Make your own Wreath & Alternative Gift Fair
Sunday, December 4 following worship, buy your fresh greenery and wire frame and make your own fresh wreath. Shop for stocking-stuffers at our SERRV gift sale.
Christmas Movie Night
Sunday evening December 11 bring your family and enjoy a classic Christmas movie with church friends. Popcorn and drinks provided.
Winter Retreat
Retreat for the whole church family, Friday, February 3 - Sunday, February 5, 2012 at the Cove of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. The Annual Winter Retreat is a fun weekend for everyone and a great opportunity to find how much fun the winter can be, indoors and outdoors, by sharing a weekend with family and your faith community.
Summer Retreat
Summer Retreat for the whole church family, Monday, June 25 - Monday, July 2, 2012. At Tower Hill UCC Camp, Sawyer, Michigan. First Congregational Church of Wilmette invites you to come to the Summer Retreat for a few days of summer fun and relaxation. It’s a magnificent opportunity to relax with family and members of your faith community.
Opportunities to Serve Service, caring and sharing matter. Join with other members of First Congregational Church, and with members of our community, in considering these opportunities to serve:
Knitting Ministry
Knitters in the Knitting Ministry create baby blankets to present to the children of First Congregational Church at the time of their baptism. Prayer shawls are made and given to church members, and friends beyond the church, in times of illness, crisis or need.
Whether you’re an experienced knitter, or a beginner, all are invited to participate. The Knitting Ministry also invites those who are interested in learning to knit or crochet. A prayer shawl, for example, requires only a beginning skill level as a knitter! The Knitting Ministry meets periodically for a knitting night when members can work on projects together and new knitters can learn from experienced knitters. In addition, members are needed to work on baby blankets and shawls on their own. Coordinators of the ministry - Gretchen Alexander and Liz Ferrari - are available to answer questions about patterns and projects.
To link to the prayer shawl pattern and download it, please visit www.shawlministry.com.
North Shore Food Pantry
First Congregational Church collects food for the North Shore Food Pantry on the first Sunday of the month - Communion Sunday. Needed items include pasta, rice, beans, hamburger helper, macaroni and cheese, coffee, tea, pop-top cans of fruit and meat, cereal and infant cereal.
Hilda’s Place Shelter
You can volunteer to serve a meal at Hilda’s Place Shelter in Evanston on certain Tuesdays of each month. For more information, contact Tom Hirsh.
Storycatcher’s Theatre at the Illinois Youth Center Correctional Facility for Young Women
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Join Pastor Stephanie VanSlyke in traveling to the IYC’s annual theatre production written and performed by young women ages 13-18 who are incarcerated at the Illinois Youth Center in Warrenville, IL. Registration will be available in October. Pre-registration and background screening is required for all persons entering a correctional facility. Performance date is Wednesday, November 9, depart from FCCW at 7:30am, back in Wilmette by 2:30pm.
San Lucas United Church of Christ We partner with San Lucas Church in Chicago’s Humboldt Park Neighborhood by helping serve the underserved of the community.
* Toiletries. Bring your hotel-size soap, shampoo and toothpaste to the donation basket
in Pilgrim Hall.
* Health Kits. Children in Kids’ Club will assemble toiletry kits for the homeless.
* Thanksgiving Dinner for the Homeless, Tuesday, November 22. Donate a turkey or
dry goods, such as beans, rice, box potatoes, canned corn or cranberry sauce. Help
serve the meal at San Lucas. Contact Gretchen Alexander for more information
* Christmas Gifts. Each year we collect Christmas gifts for children ages preschool-12th
grade. Bring a wrapped gift, marked with the age and gender of the designated
recipient, to our Hanging of the Greens Celebration on December 6. Appropriate
gifts include hats, mittens, gloves, scarves, flannel PJ pants (large sizes), art supplies,
backpacks, children’s books.
Alternative Christmas Bazaar
On Sunday, December 4, you can buy distinct stocking stuffers and last-minute gifts - and do good! Purchasing indigenous handicrafts from Serrv International supports employment and training for artisans and farmers in 36 countries around the world. Our Alternative Christmas Bazaar will be held after worship.
2012 Edisto Island Outreach Opportunities
Since 1986 our congregation has had a ministry of presence on Edisto, a sea island off the coast of South Carolina. Our ministry of presence includes funding for the Edisto Island Outreach Center, funding for annual scholarships through the center, home repair projects, and a summer day camp for island children.
Summer Senior High Mission Trip for Youth entering 9th-12th grades in 2012 and College Students.
On this trip we work with island children Kindergarten-5th grade at an annual summer day camp.
Dates To be announced.
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