Staying involved in the Bloomington/Normal area, and beyond. 
Where do you fit... Beyond the Bricks?

Welcome... to the latest issue of
Beyond the Bricks!
 
 
Please enjoy this issue and return next time for a greeting from Rev. Jim Warren. 
 
Light in the Darkness Film Screening 
 
November 2, 2017   6:30 p.m.
Moses Montefiore Congregation
102 Robinhood Lane
Bloomington, Illinois 61704

From the NIOT Bloomington-Normal Facebook Page:

More than two decades ago, the national movement Not In Our Town came into being in the wake of a series of hate crimes. Now, NIOT Executive Director Patrice O'Neill is coming to the Twin Cities Nov. 2 for the screening of Light In the Darkness, a documentary on a 2008 series of attacks against Latino residents of Patchogue, N.Y., culminating with the murder of Marcelo Lucero, an Ecuadorian immigrant who had lived in the Long Island village for 13 years. 

Sponsored by NIOTBN and Not In Our School: Bloomington-Normal. 

Discussion will follow the film featuring a panel of Not In Our School students from various local schools.  They will discuss issues they are dealing with in their schools and how they are working to make schools more safe and inclusive for all students.
Volunteer at the Second Annual Gala for Home Sweet Home Ministries Celebrating 100 Years of Hope   
 
November 4, 2017   4:30 to 8:30 p.m. or 5:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Second Presbyterian Church
404 N. Prairie St.
Bloomington, IL  61701

For 100 years, Home Sweet Home Ministries has shared hope by helping people move from dependency to sustainability. We invite you to build a stronger community with us.

Your support will enable your neighbors to experience dignity, practice equity, and develop capability as they contribute towards their own growth and development through these programs and services:
        • Mobile Health Project
        • Bridge of Hope
        • Faith and Finances classes
        • Job Training
Home Sweet Home is need of volunteers for the gala:
  • Meal servers are needed to help with serving meal, tearing down tables, and setting up chairs for live auction during event.  A light supper will be provided.  Time frame is from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.
  • Dishwashing assistants are needed.  A light supper will be provided and time frame is from 5:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Please contact Linda Merrill lmerrill@hshministries.org at Home Sweet Home if you are able to help with this event. 
  Final 2017 Work Day at Camp Walter Scott
 
November 4

Work Projects at Camp Walter Scott:
 
1. Turn off water to shower houses -- winterize
2. Remove paddle-boats from dock and store for the winter
3. Store paddle-boards/paddles/canoes properly
4. Hand sand parts of the tree house
5. Install quarter round in Cabin #2
6. Cabins, #1 and #2 -- insulation, weather stripping, sealing cracks, etc
7. Finish repairs on shelters
8. Remove tarps from shelters
9. Trim tree branches
10. Cut trees and split firewood
11. Install drywall in storage area in Dining Hall
12. Remove debris from roofing areas
13. Deep clean Dining Hall tables
14. Power wash all metal roofs
15. Repair or discard trailers at shop
16. Install metal roofs -- north side -- small shelter & pavilion
17. Install metal roof on the shop

Call Laura at 217-739-2332 to volunteer!
2017 A Mission Trip: Church World Service Disaster Center & Heifer International in Little Rock, Arkansas  
 
November 4 - 11, 2017
Leaving from St. John UCC, Lincoln
$390

Members of the Illinois Conference UCC and Illinois-Wisconsin Region DOC are invited to be part of a "hands on" mission experience at the Church World Service Disaster Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, November 4 - 11, 2017. We'll take with us Disaster Cleanup Buckets, school kits, health kits and items for assembly of kits collected by local churches at Fall Association meetings and at drop off points in the DOC Region. Also included will be additional "hands on" experiences at agencies related to the UCC & DOC churches in Little Rock such as a community crisis center, food bank/pantries and Habitat, etc.
Volunteer to Help with Home Sweet Home Thanksgiving Food Box Packing and Distribution   
 
November 14, 16, 18, 20, 2017  (see times below)
Midwest Food Bank
2031 Warehouse Road
Normal, IL  61761

Volunteers will help at Midwest Food Bank with packing Thanksgiving Food Boxes on Tuesday, November 14th, between 9 a.m. and Noon or 1 and 3:00 p.m., or Thursday, November 16th, between 9 a.m. and Noon.  Please make sure to wear tennis shoes or closed toed shoes.
 
Also volunteers will help with the distribution of the Thanksgiving Food Boxes at Midwest Food Bank on Saturday, November 18th, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. or 1:30 to 4:00 p.m.; or Monday, November 20th, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. or 3:30 to 6:00 p.m.  Dress for outside weather the day you volunteer as volunteers will be directing traffic, acquiring required information of recipient, or handing out the food boxes.  Please make sure to wear tennis shoes or closed toed shoes.  
 
Volunteers:  Please complete a volunteer application on Home Sweet Home website (Participate section). 
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. 
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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Around the Community
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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