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!


Dear Fellow Christian Servants,
 
I'm reading the novel 4 3 2 1 by Paul Auster.  It tells the story of Archie Ferguson, with a twist.  The book imagines four different lives he could have had, depending on choices made by the characters in the novel.  For example, Archie's dad opens a home furnishings and appliance store.  In one storyline, Archie's uncle steals from the store, and Archie's dad is forced to sell the store and open a small appliance repair shop.  In another storyline, the store burns down.  Yet another storyline has the store burn down, but this time Archie's dad dies in the fire.  The last storyline sees Archie's dad becoming extremely successful with his store and opening a chain of them.
 
One of the points the novel makes is that our lives can be heavily influenced by the choices of others.  I'm sure you can see how Archie's life would have been different in each of these four scenarios.  What we do affects others.
 
That's one of the reasons we put together Beyond the Bricks.  What you do can have an impact on others.
 
Maybe you'll want to donate a coat, items for Operation Santa, or some blood.  Or perhaps you'd like to learn more about race relations in our country or the annual Cemetery Walk.  You might even want to donate some time to work at Camp Walter Scott or build a bed for a child who doesn't have one.  Many opportunities await you as you read this issue of Beyond the Bricks.
 
Remember, you can make a difference in someone's life.
 
Blessings,
Jim Warren
Operation Santa Sponsored by Disciples Women's Ministries   
 
Donations Being Collected Through October 15
First Christian Church
401 West Jefferson St.
Bloomington, IL  61701

The Ladies in Disciples Women's Ministries at FCC have a fall project of collecting items for Operation Santa.  This is a nationwide organization that sends large Christmas stockings filled with things our military people will enjoy receiving during the holiday.  Thank you for your help in making our military people
feel appreciated as they serve their country.

Suggested items to donate and leave at the Information Center at the church are:
travel-size deodorant or foot powder, individually-wrapped hard candy (no chocolate), beef jerky, individual packets of hot cocoa.

If you have a loved-one serving overseas, please contact the church office with his or her name and address, as well as how many are serving in his or her company so they will all be included as stocking recipients.

October Meeting
Tuesday, October 10    7:00 p.m.
Normal Public Library
206 W. College Ave
Normal, IL  61761

Book to be discussed is
White Trash: The 400-Year Untold History of Class in America by Nancy Isenberg. New, occasional, and regular members are welcome.   
Lunch, Learn, & Listen Series at Heartland Community College
Wednesday, October 11   11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Heartland Community College
1500 West Raab Road
Normal, IL  61761

Registration is $15 and includes a boxed lunch. 
Community Commons Building  Room 1406-1407 (handicapped accessible)

Offerings include:
The Making of a Cemetery Walk:  Some of our area's top talent will portray local WWI figures from the Evergreen Cemetery Walk after Director Rhys Lovell discusses how characters are researched and written.
 
McLean County Homefront and World War I:  Local Historian Bill Kemp will talk about McLean County's sacrifices and contributions to "The War to End All Wars."  
 
Heartland Songbirds:  Music from doo-wop to show tunes, as well as WWI classics will be performed by the Heartland Songbirdsadvance for your help and support!

Grab a friend and sign up by calling 309-268-8160 or by visiting heartland.edu/ContinuingEd.
Help the Tool Library Bed Blitz Make a Difference
in the Life of a Child 

Saturday, October 14th   8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
(4 two-hour shifts for bed building)
Beds will be built at Youth Build McLean County
360 Wylie Drive, Normal, IL  61761

We are looking for your partnership in finding kids who need a bed to sleep in, to dream in, and to have a space of their own.  Please share these Tool Library Bed Blitz applications with families who have a child (or children) in
need of a bed of their own. 80 beds will be provided to selected applicants.

Bed builders are needed for the event, too!
Red Cross Blood Drive

October 24, 2017
First Christian Church
Major Hall
401 West Jefferson St.
Bloomington, IL  61701

The need is great!  Please schedule by calling the church office at 309 829-9327 or by clicking the button below.  Refreshments provided.  Please ask friends to donate with you!  More information in the flyer.
  2017 Work Days at Camp Walter Scott
 
October 28
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.
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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