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Welcome... to the latest issue of
Beyond the Bricks!
Dear Christian Friends,
Christmas is a time when we are more attune to giving and caring. This is the season when our hearts and souls are pulled toward helping for others.
This issue of Beyond the Bricks suggests ways you can be involved with others. Take a moment to look through these opportunities and see whether one - or more - of them appeal to you.
In a few weeks we'll celebrate Christ's birth among us. This was the greatest gift of all. May our giving to others reflect the love God has given us in Jesus Christ.
Blessings and peace,
Jim Warren
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Today!
Giving Tuesday BloNo
Tuesday, November 28, 2017
First United Methodist Church
211 N. School Street
Normal, IL 61761
Open house hours:
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving and the widely recognized shopping events of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving.
Our goal with #GivingTuesdayBloNo is to:
- Increase awareness about the work of local nonprofit organizations
- Facilitate face-to-face contact between organizations and the public
- Provide donors with an opportunity to contribute in-person, in real time
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Christmas at the Courthouse
Saturday, December 2 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Downtown at the Courthouse
Bloomington, Illinois 61701
Free
Immediately following the Jaycees parade, the ISU Big Red Marching Machine will accompany St. Nick up the courthouse steps and into the Museum, where visitors can enjoy holiday music, family activities, and refreshments throughout the day.
The old courthouse interior will be decorated in holiday splendor and exhibit galleries on all four levels will be open for viewing. Musical performances this year will feature acoustic guitarist Marcos Mendez, the BHS Quartet, the Sunshine Bells, Loving Missionary Choir, Sound of Illinois Chorus, the Wind Song Woodwind Quintet, and the State Farm Employee Activities Chorus.
Mike Matejka's model railroad train will be available for kids to experience and Wild Style will provide face painting. The Cruisin' with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center on the Museum's ground level has locally sourced books, food items, art, apparel, collectibles, and plenty of Route 66 and Abraham Lincoln-related items of interest. The gift shop will be open all day.
WBNQ will join the fun again this year, hosting the "Elf on a Shelf" contest. Listeners are encouraged to visit the Museum on Saturday, find the Elf, take a picture of it, and email it to the WBNQ studio. The winner of the drawing will receive a prize from the station. "This event is an opportunity to thank the community for their support," says Director of Development Lauren Lacy. "Donations from the public allow us to offer free educational programming to more than 9,000 students and senior citizens each year."
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Holiday Trivia at Luther Oaks
Saturday, December 9 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
601 Lutz Road
Bloomington, Illinois 61704
Free! No RSVP Required
An afternoon of fun for ages 3 to 103! Great for youth, families, singles, or anyone!
Help members of Luther Oaks meet and interact inter-generationally with our friends and neighbors at our local places of worship.
Many residents at Luther Oaks know few or no members of their own congregations outside these walls. We would like to get together and be in community over the holidays, and we thought this trivia event might be a great way to facilitate that-especially for our residents who cannot get out very much.
Teams will consist of about 6-8 people each and will be set up once participants arrive, in order to attempt to create comparable team make-up. Questions will be varied, but they will be considerate of all participants' backgrounds and ability levels.
Snacks and beverages provided at no cost. Contact Bev Voss, Luther Oaks Chaplain, with questions or special needs. 309 557-8048
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The Giving Fence
Ongoing
Corner of W. Washington St. & Morris Ave.
Bloomington, Illinois
The Giving Fence is open!
Take what you need. Leave what you can. Gently used, clean winter coats,
hats, mittens/gloves, and scarves.
The Giving Fence Story: "We were going through our hats and gloves and mittens and coats and for two people we had way too many," Tahnee Lathrop said. "I thought I am just going to make them on the fence and mark 'free' and my husband thought maybe that was a little silly. But then I thought if I get lots of people to put things on the fence, then it's not silly it's a thing."
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Volunteer as a Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS)
Regional Board or Committee Member
Are you passionate about volunteering, giving back to the community and are looking for more leadership experience? Big Brothers Big Sisters has current board and committee openings!
Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) is a gold standard mentoring organization. Our mission is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported One-to-One relationships that change their lives for the better, forever! Our Regional Board is a critical piece of our success.
The Regional Board meets one evening per month for no more than one hour. Members are updated on organization functions and asked to share ideas on how to educate people about the agency's needs, connect with others in the community, and raise funds through events or sponsorships. Not to mention, we also have a lot of fun!
For more information contact Tara Desmond at 309-287-5131 (text is ok!) or tara.desmond@yahoo.com.
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Start Fresh Men's Coat Drive
Through December 1, 2017
Donation Collection at First Christian Church
401 West Jefferson St.
Bloomington, IL 61701
Welcome Center
The Start Fresh men's prison clothing ministry is holding a "Share the Warmth" drive from 9/1 to 12/1 to collect new or gently used men's outerwear. This includes coats, hats, scarves and gloves. There is a collection box by the Welcome Center. We appreciate all the help you have already provided and thank you in advance for helping to collect warm items for the men. If you have questions, please contact Michele Pugh or Sara Trefzger, FCC Reach Out.
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Community Concert Band Holiday Concert
Thursday, December 7, 2017 7:00 p.m.
Miller Park Pavilion
Bloomington, IL 61701
Free
The Bloomington-Normal Community Concert Band (CCB) performs a variety of concerts throughout the year around Central Illinois. From concerts at Miller Park, Wesley Methodist Church, and Westminster Village, to the every-Thursday-night summer concerts in Franklin Park, to parade appearances for events in places like Lexington, Hudson, Towanda, and other locations.
Volunteer musicians providing free concerts to the local community.
The band has around 70 volunteer members from the Central Illinois area.
The B-N Community Concert Band is sponsored by the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department.
We are always looking for new members. Just show up at a rehearsal and bring your horn or your sticks (we do have our own percussion gear).
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Remember Recycling Furniture for Families
in Your End-of-Year Giving
Recycling Furniture for Families
515 North Center Street
Bloomington IL, 61701
As we head into the Holiday Season, please remember Recycling Furniture for Families as part of your Tax Deductible Charitable giving.
Recycling Furniture for Families provides furniture and other household items for needy families and individuals in our community. We lend a hand to help them with their new beginnings. Over the past 12 years, we have provided assistance to over 20,000 in our community. We also provide furniture to transitional living facilities in our community such as Salvation Army's Genesis House, YWCA Labyrinth, Project Oz, and many others.
We are reliant on your private, charitable donations in order to be able to continue to provide the same level of services to our community into the future.
That's why we kindly ask you to remember Recycling Furniture for Families with a charitable gift to help support our important, life-changing work to come. Any amount that you can share will be greatly appreciated and put to good use right here in our community. We want to continue to support those in need and not have to reduce our services.
Please visit
rf4f.org to make a gift using a credit card or please send a check to 515 North Center Street, Bloomington IL, 61701. Thank you!
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Black Lives Matter in Bloomington-Normal Book Club
Monday, January 29, 2018 7:00 p.m.
Bloomington, Public Library
205 E. Olive St.
Bloomington, IL 61701
Join us to discuss the recent young adult novel The Hate U Give (2017) by Angie Thomas, soon to be a film directed by George Tillman Jr.
Teenagers (and adults), new and occasional members, warmly welcomed!
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Around the Community
Click on any organization to access its website and learn about support/volunteer opportunities
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First Christian Church |
info@blmfcc.org| 309 829-9327 |
www.blmfcc.com
401 West Jefferson St. Bloomington, IL 61701
Bloomington's Oldest Continuing Congregation
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