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Welcome... to the latest issue of
Beyond the Bricks!
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Christmas is less than two weeks away, and soon we'll be asked, "What did you get for Christmas?" A better question may be, "What did you give for Christmas?" The Christian faith isn't so much about what we receive, as it is about what we give.
We remember at Christmas that God gave God's only Son, Jesus Christ. Christmas began not with an act of receiving, but with an act of giving.
So, what are you giving for Christmas. God has blessed you with many abundant gifts, gifts of time, talent, and treasure. Out of everything God has given you - all that we are and all that we have are gifts from God - what will you give to others?
Have a joyous Christmas!
Jim Warren
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Have Your Gifts Wrapped while Helping Local Women and Girls
Now through Christmas Eve at 6:00 p.m.
Eastland Mall across from Rogers and Hollands
Bloomington,
IL
61704
Don't feel like wrapping Christmas presents this year? Through 6:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve, you can stop by the Soroptimist booth across from Rogers and Hollands at Eastland Mall and we will do it for you!
Price of wrapping depends on the size of the item... average items are $2-$7 each. Wrapping prices includes box, paper, and bows. Proceeds of the Gift Wrap for Charity go to support the mission of the Soroptimist Club of Bloomington/Normal which is to improve the lives of women and girls in McLean County through programs leading to social and economic empowerment.
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Help with Faith in Action Mailing Preparation
Thursday, Dec. 21, from 10:30 a.m. to Noon
600 E. Willow St #201
Normal,
IL
61761
Faith in Action could use your assistance with mailing preparation for their
2018 Dinner & Auction.
During this busy season, your help is much appreciated! Christmas cookies and music will be available... bring your sweet tooth!
If you can join us, please email terri@bnfia.org or call the office at 309-827-7780. Thank you!
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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 for or Donate to PATH
The local PATH (Providing Access to Help) agency began in 1971 and has grown as a community resource people turn to when they are seeking help in human services. We answer over 90,000 calls annually through our 24/7 2-1-1/crisis hotline. PATH also provides critical Adult Protective Services and intervention for people who are experiencing homelessness.
Please take a look at the PATH website to see how you can volunteer or donate.
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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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Check Out Illinois People's Action's Events
Various
Bloomington and All Over Illinois
Illinois People's Action (IPA) is downstate Illinois' largest faith-based community organization. Our membership is across the state and includes chapters in Bloomington-Normal, Decatur, Peoria, and significant membership in Springfield, Champaign-Urbana and rural counties of central Illinois including far southern Illinois. The mission of IPA is to organize for justice in local communities and throughout Illinois' urban and rural communities.
Read more and check out the calendar on their website.
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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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