Staying involved in the Bloomington/Normal area, and beyond.
Where do you fit... Beyond the Bricks?
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Welcome... to the latest issue of
Beyond the Bricks!
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Dear friends,
When I first started talking with the search committee, I began checking out the church's web site and Facebook page, and I subscribed to the various emails the church offers. I must admit that this is the first church I have worked with that has an email devoted to letting people know about opportunities to serve in the community. That really impressed me because it is so important for us as followers of Jesus and as a church to reach out to the people around us.
Whether it is through one of the opportunities listed in Beyond the Bricks or any number of other organizations which our members support through donations and/or the volunteering of time, I know that the people of this church are making a difference in ways that I will never realize.
So, if you are already volunteering and supporting community organizations, thank you! If you are looking for an opportunity to be involved in the community, there are some great opportunities below. Through your efforts I know that this church will have an impact throughout the Bloomington-Normal area.
God bless,
Hank
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Help the WBRP (West Bloomington Revitalization Project) to Be Able to Help Neighbors Again
WBRP
724 W. Washington Street
Bloomington, IL 61701
A note from the WBRP: Our building was hit hard by the recent local flooding, and we have suffered extensive damage and materials loss. Our basement ended up with broken pipes resulting in a large quantity of flooding and sewage back-up. This damaged many of the bikes and tools stored in the basement, wiped out our electricity, and made our plumbing un-usable. On the main floor, water from the street breached the front door and damaged our flooring and some equipment and tools there too.
The extent of the damage is being assessed, and we have a lot of cleaning up to do. We had to close the building until we can get things more under control and make the building safe to use again. Our insurance will likely cover some of the repairs and equipment replacement, but we are certain our needs will go beyond what we can currently afford.
Financial contributions of any amount will help us cover the costs of cleaning and sanitizing, flooring repair, inventory replacement, and the more long-term structural upgrades we need to make to prevent future damage to our space. Donations can be made online or by sending a check to our building on 724 W. Washington Street.
In the near future, when we have a better idea of what inventory we lost, we will likely create a wish list to see if our community is able to donate any tools or bicycles / bike parts to help us replace what we lost. We ask that donations of items are not made at this time though as we do not have space to accept or store items until we can get the building repaired and sanitized.
We are all too aware we are not the only ones that suffered damage and we are eager to get cleaned up and re-open so we can be available to lend tools to those who might need them for repair work in their homes. Thank you for your continued support. We are so fortunate to be a part of such a loving community.
Learn more about the WBRP: westbloomington.org/tool-library. As a reminder, the WBRP has many goals: driven by the voice of residents, the WBRP leads impactful, collaborative efforts of neighbors and local stakeholders, honoring historical and cultural roots, building on pride and strengths of neighborhoods, and empowering residents to be leaders and achieve a vision for a better community.
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Attend the Glorious Garden Fair at the David Davis Mansion
Friday, July 16, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, July 17, 9:00 a.m. to noon
David Davis Mansion
1000 Monroe Drive
Bloomington, IL 61701
Stop by the David Davis Mansion during the Glorious Garden Festival to shop a variety of vendors selling garden-inspired works of art, garden decor, plants and flowers, and more! Refresh yourself with bakery sweets or a cup of coffee.
Although attending the Garden Walk portion of the event requires a paid ticket (see separate event page on the button link below), the Garden Fair is FREE!
About the venue: Built in 1870-72, the David Davis Mansion was home to Supreme Court Justice David Davis and his wife Sarah. Judge Davis worked with Abraham Lincoln for 11 years on the 8th Circuit. President Lincoln appointed Judge Davis to the U.S. Supreme Court.
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Volunteer with the McLean County Emergency Management Agency's Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC)
Saturday, July 17, and Sunday, July 18
See hours below
Bloomington Junior High School Parking Lot S5
901 Colton Ave.
Bloomington, IL 61701
The McLean County Emergency Management Agency is hosting a Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) and needs your help! Over 50 agencies will be there to assist those with flood damage. Please consider volunteering to help your fellow community members. Please read all of the information below.
The MARC is open for service on the following dates:
- Saturday, July 17, from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- Sunday, July 18, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Shifts start one hour earlier. Shift Options:
- Saturday 9:00 to 3:00 or 2:00 to 7:-00
- Sunday 9:00 to 2:00
Volunteer Duties include but not limited to:
- Escorting people to the different agencies within the facility
- Assisting with registration, passing out forms, answering simple questions
- Collecting forms, etc.
- Parking lot assistance or directions
- Assisting people in line or transport aid for those with disabilities
To volunteer, please contact the McLean County Emergency Management Agency at 309-888-5020 and provide your information.
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Support the Humane Society of Central Illinois at the DogOlympics 2021
Saturday, July 17
9:00 a.m. to noon
The Workout Company
419 Kays Drive
Normal, IL 61761
Join us at The Workout Company, (under the tents) for the DogOlympics 2021 event to have fun on a summer morning with families and dog-friendly dogs!
We will have friendly shelter dogs there to meet and greet plus a photo book of all the pets available for adoption and volunteers who can answer questions. Donation jars will be available for cash donations. Plus, free classes at The Workout Company all day (pre-registration required) and more!
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Focus on Your Well-Being with the Assistance of Carle BroMenn
Tune in Wednesday, July 28, and Thursday, August 12, on Zoom
6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
No registration required
If more than a year of “pandemic living” has you stressed out, the Carle BroMenn Delegate Church Association is here for you. DCA leaders will focus our efforts this summer on the well-being of delegates, faith leaders, and their communities. In response to requests, the DCA will offer several opportunities to learn about how to boost our well-being and care for ourselves in times of stress. The upcoming session:
Self-Care and Resilience (Wednesday, July 28)
Individuals will be able to:
- Define self-care, coping, and resilience, and understand how they’re connected
- Recognize warning signs that your self-care is lacking
- Know when to ask for help
- Learn new ideas for self-care
How to Incorporate Discussion about Emotion into Everyday Life and Emotional Regulation of Kids (Thursday, August 12)
Individuals will be able to:
- Identify principles of social and emotional learning
- Learn how to incorporate social and emotional learning into daily life
- Understand what emotional regulation is and the role of self-regulation in children
- Understand why emotional regulation can be hard for some children (and adults)
- Learn strategies and techniques for helping teach and promote emotional regulation
Meeting ID: 917 4851 3595
If you prefer to call-in to the meeting with your phone, please dial 312-626-6799.
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Support INtegRIty Counseling by Volunteering at the Front Desk
Looking to become a volunteer? INtegRIty Counseling is in need of Front Desk Volunteers, including Spanish speaking volunteers, to answer phones and help coordinate scheduling.
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Reduce Your Waste with Sugar Grove Nature Center
First Tuesday and First Saturday through December
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Various Locations
We are excited to announce our recycling initiative! There are so many ways that you can decrease the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. If your community offers recycling, we sure hope that you take advantage of curbside pickup or drop-off bin locations. Here are some great ways to recycle even more!
2021 collection drives will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on the 1st Tuesday and 1st Saturday of every month through December 2021. We will also have collection drives during each of our special events throughout the year.
Items can ONLY be accepted during our scheduled collection dates and times and should be pre-sorted for a smooth experience. For a full packet of information regarding which recyclables we will accept, please email angela@sugargrovenaturecenter.org.
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Learn CPR
The Illinois Red Cross is offering free virtual classes to learn about Hands-Only CPR so that you and the members of your organization are prepared to increase the chances of someone surviving a cardiac emergency. David Lee, an Illinois Disaster AmeriCorps member, would like to offer this free program to the members and friends of First Christian Church.
More than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside a hospital each year. Learn how to deliver lifesaving CPR care without rescue breaths and be prepared. When you immediately provide Hands-Only CPR, you can increase the chance of survival.
Contact: David Lee
AmeriCorps | Illinois Disaster Corps Member
American Red Cross of Illinois
Cell: (309) 202-5725
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Tell Friends about Local Full-Service Affordable Medical Care
July 19 and the Third Monday Each Month
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Woodhill Towers
The Mobile Health Clinic will be available 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. the third Monday of each month at Woodhill Towers, on the corner of Wood and Main Streets in Bloomington. The clinic provides:
- Chronic condition management and education
- Treatment of acute illness
- Physicals, wellness care, and assessments
- School and sports physicals and immunizations
- Lab testing
- Referrals and applications for social services
United Way, OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, McLean County Health Department, and Chestnut Health Systems will also be available to provide nutrition and health information, diabetes prevention, FQHC information, and assistance signing up for Medicaid. Visit Carle.org/mobilehealth for more information.
Please share this information with others who need affordable medical care.
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Learn More about Being an Anti-Racist
Subscribe to a daily blog that gives guidance on how to be an anti-racist:
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Find Comfort, or Help Someone to Find Comfort, at a Carle Grief Support Group
Second and Fourth Mondays of Each Month at 5:00 p.m. via Zoom
Do you know someone who is struggling with grief or loss? The chaplains of Carle BroMenn, Carle Eureka, and Carle Cancer Institute are offering a grief support group at 5:00 p.m. the second and fourth Mondays of each month via Zoom.
For a Zoom Link or more information, call 312-626-6799.
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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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401 West Jefferson St. Bloomington, IL 61701
Bloomington's Oldest Continuing Congregation
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