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 Christian Friends,
 
I spoke last Sunday about the story of Martha and Mary, sisters who entertained Jesus at their home.  Martha busied herself serving Jesus and his companions, while Mary sat in rapt attention at Jesus' feet.  Jesus praised Mary for listening to his words and teachings, and chastised Martha for being so distracted.  As I explained in the sermon, this isn't a story about being either a contemplative Mary or an active Martha.  It's about doing what's needful in the moment.  Sometimes that means listening and being attentive.  Other times it means serving and being involved.
 
This issue of Beyond the Bricks provides you with opportunities for both quiet reflection and active service.  You can watch a movie or listen to a speaker if you need to be more like Mary.  Or you can serve a meal or volunteer if you need to be more like Martha.
 
Take a few moments to look over this issue of Beyond the Bricks and find a place where you fit in.
 
Your brother in Christ,
Jim Warren
Help Bent School

Throughout February, 2019
Donation Bin at Information Center
First Christian Church
 
First Christian Church has adopted Bent School (located at 904 N. Roosevelt Ave. in Bloomington) for the remainder of February.  The teachers and students at the school are in need of many items to make the rest of their school year go smoothly.  Please bring items and leave them at the FCC Information Center, or leave them at the FCC office, labeled for Bent School.   
Items (new or gently-used) needed:
      • Tennis shoes
      • Coats
      • Multi colored highlighters
      • Manila folders
      • Binder tabs
      • Post it notes (all sizes) 15 sets
      • Black Expo dry erase markers
      • Dry erase spray
      • Thick sharpies
      • Headphones
      • Swiffer duster with refills (library)
      • Clorox wipes/Lysol wipes
      • Baby wipes/unscented
      • 3- hole punch
      • Stapler
      • Card stock paper
      • Snacks
      • Timers
      • Trinkets/small prize items
      • Mini white boards
      • Flashlights
      • Thermometers for Science projects
      • Button beads
      • All sizes sweat pants for accidents
      • Stickers
Enroll in a Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Class

Dates and Times Vary
Online and Classroom
Bloomington Red Cross Donation Center
1 Westport Court
Bloomington, IL  61704
 
February is Heart Awareness Month. CPR classes are available at our local Red Cross.                                     -- First Christian Church Wholistic Health Council
See "Won't You Be My Neighbor" Movie at the Normal Theater

Tuesday, February 26, 2019
7:00 to 10:00 p.m.
Normal Theater
209 W. North St.
Normal, IL  61761
Free
 
Join the Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning for a free screening of the documentary "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" at the Normal Theater!

Following the screening, a panel of faculty members from the Illinois State University Department of Psychology will discuss themes of empathy within the film and answer broader questions of empathy within society.

ABOUT THE MOVIE:
For over thirty years, Fred Rogers, an unassuming minister, puppeteer, writer, and producer was beamed daily into homes across America. In his beloved television program, "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," Fred and his cast of puppets and friends spoke directly to young children about some of life's weightiest issues, in a simple, direct fashion. There hadn't been anything like Mr. Rogers on television before and there hasn't been since.

"In Won't You Be My Neighbor?," Academy Award-winning filmmaker Morgan Neville looks back on the legacy of Fred Rogers, focusing on his radically kind ideas. While the nation changed around him, Fred Rogers stood firm in his beliefs about the importance of protecting childhood.

Become a Special Olympics Volunteer

Special Olympics
605 E. Willow St.
Normal, IL  61761

Volunteers are the foundation of Special Olympics Illinois. We depend on thousands of volunteers to help coach, conduct competitions and fundraising events, and serve on committees. On the website you'll find a variety of opportunities for which volunteers can register.  February opportunities include the Winter Games.

Special Olympics is a global organization that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sport, every day around the world. Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit organization offering year-round training and competition in 18 sports for more than 23,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and nearly 20,000 Young Athletes ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics transforms the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, allowing them to realize their full potential in sports and in life. Special Olympics programs enhance physical fitness, motor skills, self-confidence, and social skills, and encourage family and community support.
Attend "Companions on the Journey" at the Chiara Center

Lunches are the First Monday of Each Month
11:30 a.m.
Chiara Center
4875 LaVerna Road
Springfield, IL  62707
$20 per person
 
Companions on the Journey is the name of a new lunch-time gathering for seniors held monthly to promote positive social connections, to offer an array of speakers on relevant spiritual topics, and to encourage people to enjoy the beautiful spaces at the Chiara Center.  Following a delicious lunch, speakers will offer a 15-20 minute presentation and discussion period. Participants are then welcome to stay for the duration of the afternoon to walk the grounds or to visit any of the spaces, such as the magnificent Church of St. Francis, that characterize this as a place of peace and quiet reflection.  
 
Reservations are required. Call 217-523-0901 or email info@chiaracenter.org.  
To learn more about the Chiara Center, visit www.chiaracenter.org.
Attend Men's Lenten Breakfast

Featuring: Bob Muzikowski, Founder of Chicago Hope Academy
Tuesday, March 5, 2019
Breakfast at 6:00 a.m.   Speaker 6:45-7:45 a.m.
DoubleTree by Hilton, Bloomington, IL
Tickets $25
 
All men are invited to the Men's Lenten Breakfast. This year will be the 66th year and will feature Bob Muzikowski, founder of Chicago Hope Academy. The Men's Lenten Breakfast is one of the oldest and best-known traditions of Immanuel Bible Foundation and continues to inspire over 300 men each year.
 
Music, food, fellowship and a heartfelt message will usher in the season as men meet, relax and enjoy a very special Tuesday morning.
 
Tickets are $25 each and can be purchased at Broadview Mansion, 1301 S. Fell Ave., Normal, online at www.ibfoundation.org or by contacting Annette Klinzing at (309) 452-6710.  
Help Serve a Meal at Abundant Life in Christ Church
 
Sundays
First Christian Church is Serving March 17, 2019
Abundant Life in Christ Church
108 E. Market St.  
Bloomington, IL  61701
 
Abundant Life's mission is "to lead people to saving faith in Jesus Christ by sharing the Gospel, as defined in the Holy Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3-6).  
We exist to help people get from where they are to where God wants them to be (Philippians 3:13-14)."
 
Continued contributions are needed along with helpers to serve or make desserts for the meals FCC serves.  Sign up at the FCC Information Center or contact Julie Robinson (jerobinson21409@yahoo.com) if you would like to help on the above date and for details.  Or contact Abundant Life (309) 232-8702 to help in any other way.

Become a Volunteer at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center    
 
1304 Franklin Ave. 
Normal, IL  61761
 
Volunteers play a very special role in the exceptional health care provided by Advocate Health Care -- they reach out with their individual talents, skills, and interests to help us meet the many needs within the system, help to solve problems, and assist patients, their families, and visitors. Our philosophy is to take the skills and knowledge that people bring from their own life experience and transfer them into useful volunteer work.
 
We take the care placing our volunteers that an employer takes in selecting the right employee for a job. That is part of the benefits a volunteer receives from our program -- knowing that they have been carefully matched with a department's needs. Volunteers can also expect to be trained in order to carry out their responsibilities.
 
Listed below is a sampling of volunteer opportunities at  
Advocate BroMenn Medical Center:
      • Atrium Cafe and Boutique volunteers
      • Assemble mailings
      • Children's Health Introduction Program (CHIP)
      • Clerical assistance
      • Flower delivery
      • Playing soothing music for patients/families 
      • Hospice support
      • Waiting room host/hostess
      • Information desk assistance 
      • Mini-tour guides
      • Medical library assistance
      • Medical records courier
      • Patient/visitor escorts
      • Patient mail delivery
      • Pharmacy couriers
      • Quilting and crafts
      • Special projects
      • Adult Day Services assistance 
      • Thrift shop worker
Participate in or Get Involved with  
Tee It UP! For The GFPD 2019 
 
May 16 and 17, 2019
Weibring Golf Club 
Normal, IL  61761
 
We are excited to announce that registration for Tee It Up! For The GFPD 2019 is now open!! You can register online with a credit card at the link below or use a printable registration form.
 
This year our Reception and Silent Auction will be Thursday, May 16th from 6:00-9:00 p.m., and our Golf Scramble will be Friday, May 17th, with tee times at 8:00 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. Weibring Golf Club will once again be hosting our event, and lunch will be included for all golfers. Golf spots have filled up quickly in the past, so don't wait and sign up today!

We're using a new website platform for registration this year that will provide us some additional capabilities, so please let us know if you have any questions as you register.  If you're signing up for both the Reception and the Golf Scramble, you'll just need to do two separate transactions. You can also donate to our event or buy sponsorships directly through the website.  
 
Our volunteers are amazing and truly make our event what it is and we couldn't make it happen without you! Please sign up today to volunteer. If you signed up in prior years, please fill out the form again at the link below so we have an updated list.  
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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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