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Welcome... to the latest issue of
Beyond the Bricks!
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
We just celebrated First Christian Church's 180th birthday! In the last couple of sermons I've talked about our long history of serving our community and beyond. Throughout these 18 decades we have tried to make a difference for Christ from the doorsteps of our church to the ends of the earth.
That's just as important to us today as it was when thirteen people gathered in 1837 in the parlor of William T. and Margaret Major's home. We still seek to follow Christ's command to love others as he loves us.
Maybe something in this issue of Beyond the Bricks will spur your interest in becoming more involved in our community. One of the ways our church serves those around us is through the many ministries in which you participate. Where do you see yourself helping others?
We have a great church filled with people who are eager to serve others. That's who we've been for 180 years, and it's not about to change!
Your servant in Christ,
Jim Warren
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Volunteer for the Tool Library
724 West Washington St.
Bloomington, IL
Great news! The West Bloomington Revitalization Project has bought the old Jesus House building (and
it needs repairs and updates before they
can move the Tool Library and their other projects into it).
Volunteers are needed for many jobs such as painting, flooring, and cleaning. Also, you can volunteer to work at the Tool Library.
Other great news is that a bike co-op will join them.
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Become a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Volunteer
Bloomington/Normal, IL Area
Become a CASA volunteer if you are ready to make a difference in a child's life.
CASA volunteers are everyday citizens appointed by judges to advocate for the safety and well-being of children who have been removed from their homes due to parental abuse or neglect. They stand up for these children, represent their best interests in courtrooms and other settings, and help change their lives. For many abused children, their CASA volunteer will be the one constant adult presence in their lives.
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Volunteer at or Donate to the West Bloomington Active Garden
The West Bloomington Active Garden is a collaboration with the Boys & Girls Club and the YWCA and Labyrinth. The program aims to provide fresh, organic, and local produce to Bloomington's west side community, designated a "food desert" by the USDA. The WB Active Garden provides hands-on educational programs for children K-5. The students learn the importance of organic and sustainable gardening practices and take home the produce they have grown. In addition, free garden plots are available to the public, volunteers are needed, and donations are accepted.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Volunteers are needed to help prepare and maintain the garden beds that won't be used by individual community members.
No gardening experience is necessary.
DONATIONS ACCEPTED: Donations of new or gently-used garden equipment, seeds, plants, and gift cards or funds to buy garden supplies are welcome.
For more information, email wbactivegarden@gmail.com
or call Colleen Connelly at 309-287-1440.
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YWCA Mission Movies
Saturday, May 6, 6:00 p.m.
YWCA McLean County
1201 N. Hershey Rd. Bloomington, IL
Admission: Free
YWCA is proud to co-host our May Mission Movie with
CAUSA, Illinois People's Action, and Not In Our Town.
As a follow up to the 'Keep Families Together March Rally & March' on May 1, we are screening 'Harvest of Empire,' a powerful documentary that exposes the direct connection between the long history of U.S. intervention in Latin America and the immigration crisis we face today.
A guided discussion will follow the screening.
The film will be screened at no cost, but donations to YWCA's mission impact program will be welcome!
Childcare may be arranged by contacting Jenn Carrillo at jcarrillo@ywcamclean.org or 309 662-0461 (x265).
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Tee It Up! For The GFPD 2017
May 18-19, 2017
Multiple Locations
Benefits Global Foundation for Peroxisomal Disorders
A note from members Todd and Corin Chapman:
This fundraiser will be held in honor of our son, Max Chapman, who was diagnosed in January 2015 with a very serious, ultimately fatal genetic condition called Peroxisomal Biogenesis Disorder (PBD).
All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Global Foundation for Peroxisomal Disorders (GFPD), a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity founded in 2010 to directly fund medical research and support families affected by PBD. The event will include a Reception on Thursday evening, May 18th, featuring live music and a silent auction, followed by a Golf Scramble on Friday, May 19th at Weibring Golf Club in Normal, IL with opportunities to play in either a morning or afternoon session.
There are a variety of sponsorship levels and options to provide support, including donating items for the Silent Auction.
Note: All of the golf spots are now sold out. We are still inviting registration for the reception/auction, the golf dinner, as well as sponsorships and donations.
Please join us in supporting the GFPD to help find a cure for PBD!
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BLM in B-N Book Club
May 23, 2017 at 7:00 p.m.
Normal Public Library
Join us
to discuss Black Lives Matter in Bloomington-Normal Book Club's next selection, Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson.
This is a young adult memoir so please feel free to invite and bring any middle and high school readers you might know.
The Normal Public Library has ordered extra copies of the book for us.
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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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